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Biomedical subjects

T Kondo

Publications and source records attributed to T Kondo.

At least 955 records · Page 53Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Family clusters of pulmonary tuberculosis in a suburban area of Japan.

A survey was conducted in a metropolitan suburb to examine family clusters of pulmonary tuberculosis patients and related factors. Firstly, a descriptive study was done based on the review of tuberculosis registration cards over a 11-yr period. Of 1106 cases, 109 (9.9%) were found to occur in households which had already had one or more pulmonary tuberculosis patient during the period. The most affected were four- and eight-member families with infants and adolescents accounting for most of the second or later patients. Secondly, a home visit survey was performed to investigate factors associated with family clusters of phthisis. Results showed that significant variables were the length of patient's delay (interval between perception of physical symptoms and visit to the physician), the number of rooms, and lack of self-motivation to seek treatment. Log-linear analyses revealed interaction among these variables.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Brief physical inactivity prolongs colonic transit time in elderly active men.

The effects of two weeks of reduced activity on gastrointestinal transit time were studied in nine healthy elderly subjects, who had engaged in regular recreational exercise for ten years. Physical inactivity was achieved by a restriction of all kinds of physical exercise and by staying at home. Mouth-to-cecum transit time was measured by a breath hydrogen method and mean total and segmental colonic transit times by a radiopaque marker method. The mouth-to-cecum transit time did not change during the period of physical inactivity. The mean total colonic transit time (10.9 +/- 2.7 h) was significantly prolonged to 19.5 +/- 2.9 hours during the physical inactivity (p < 0.01). This prolongation was due to slowed transit through the right and the left segments of the colon. The transit time of the rectosigmoid segment of the colon was not affected. In conclusion, the period of physical inactivity prolonged the colonic transit time in active elderly subjects.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Eisenin (L-pyroGlu-L-Gln-L-Ala), a new biological response modifier.

Eisenin (L-pyroGlu-L-Gln-L-Ala), a tripeptide extracted from a brown marine alga (Eisenia bicyclis Setchell) showed the immunological activity to augment natural cytotoxicity of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) in humans. This activity could be seen when it was added directly to 51Cr release assay, and also when PBLs alone were incubated with this compound for 0.5-1 h before addition to the 51Cr release assay. The resulting augmented cytotoxicity can be attributed to natural killer cells because treatment of eisenin-stimulated PBLs with anti-Leu 11b monoclonal antibody (mAb) plus complement completely abolished the augmented cytotoxicity, and, moreover, deletion of Leu 19-positive cells with anti-Leu 19 mAb (mouse IgG1) and anti-mouse IgG-coated magnetic beads showed the same effect. Eisenin could not augment natural cytotoxicity of Sephadex G-10 column-eluted cells. Eisenin rendered K-562 target cells resistant to lysis by PBLs stimulated by eisenin. Both amino acids, L-pyroglutamic acid and L-alanine, as well as a mixture of the three component amino acids of eisenin could augment the natural cytotoxicity. Therefore, it is considered that the structure responsible for the augmentation of natural cytotoxicity by eisenin may be that of the amino acids.

Alanine↗
PubMed1993

Effect of a new synthetic trypsin inhibitor on taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis in rats.

The effect of a novel synthetic trypsin inhibitor, 4-sulfamoylphenyl 4-guanidinobenzoate methanesulfonate (ONO-3307), on severe acute pancreatitis was studied by changing its timing, frequency, and dose in trypsin-taurocholate-induced acute experimental pancreatitis in rats. Rats were divided into four groups according to difference of ONO-3307 administration: group A, 2 mg/0.5 ml of ONO-3307 s.c. 1 h before and after induction of pancreatitis; group B, 2 mg/0.5 ml s.c. 1 and 3 h after; group C, 4 mg/1 ml s.c. 1 h before; group D, 4 mg/1 ml s.c. 1 h after. The survival rate at 24 h was significantly improved in group A (75% in A vs. 17% in control; p < 0.01) and in group B (57 vs. 29%; p < 0.05), but not in group C or D. Amylase and immunoreactive trypsin in serum and ascites of the treated were significantly lower than those of controls in both groups A and B. The survival rates were improved dose dependently when ONO-3307 was administered 1 h before and after induction of pancreatitis. ONO-3307 showed favorable effects on the initial stage of severe acute pancreatitis when given in divided doses to maintain the effective serum levels.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

A method for rapid determination of lorazepam by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A new sensitive method using solid-phase column extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been developed for the determination of lorazepam and its glucuronide metabolite in human plasma. Extraction was performed with a C2-Bond Elut column followed by reverse-phase HPLC of the sample. The detection limit of lorazepam in plasma was 0.5 micrograms/L. Standard curves over the concentration range from 2.5 to 75 micrograms/L had good linearity. Intra-assay variability ranged from 2.0 to 6.2% and interassay variability from 4.8 to 8% at the concentration range of 5-50 micrograms/L.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1993

Steady-state plasma concentrations of mianserin and its major active metabolite, desmethylmianserin.

The steady-state plasma concentrations of mianserin and its major active metabolite, desmethylmianserin, were measured in 76 depressed patients receiving 30 mg of mianserin at bedtime. There were considerable inter-individual variations in the steady-state plasma concentrations of these compounds; the plasma concentrations of mianserin plus desmethylmianserin were within the therapeutic range suggested previously by us in only 43% of the patients. With advancing age, the plasma concentrations of mianserin increased significantly, while those of mianserin plus desmethylmianserin remained unchanged. Sex, smoking, and coadministration of benzodiazepines did not affect the drug's metabolism. There was no evidence that the kinetics of these compounds were nonlinear with increasing doses. The present study thus suggests that measuring the plasma concentrations of mianserin and desmethylmianserin contributes to rational treatment with this drug, that age, sex, smoking, and coadministration of benzodiazepines are not important factors in determining the dose, and that these compounds have linear kinetics.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Multiplicity of virus-encoded helper T-cell epitopes expressed on FBL-3 tumor cells.

To identify retroviral antigenic determinants recognized by CD4+ T helper cells during tumor rejection, we established four noncytolytic, helper-type, CD4+ T-cell clones by limiting dilution cultures of mixed lymphocyte-tumor cultures from mice immune to a Friend virus-induced tumor, FBL-3. Among these, three T helper cell clones were isolated from C57BL/6 mice and the fourth was isolated from a (BALB/c x C57BL/6)F1 mouse. All these clones proliferated in response to the immunizing FBL-3 tumor cells in a major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted manner. Each clone expressed a distinct T-cell receptor with a characteristic combination of alpha and beta chains. The localization of helper T-cell determinants on viral proteins was analyzed with recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing Friend murine leukemia virus (F-MuLV) gag or env genes or shorter fragments of the env gene. Epitopes recognized by these T-cell clones were mapped to at least two distinct portions in the env region of the F-MuLV genome. These epitopes were identified more precisely with synthetic peptides derived from the F-MuLV envelope protein sequence. One of these epitopes was common to Friend and Moloney MuLVs and was located in the N-terminal region of the gp70 glycoprotein at amino acids 122 to 141. The second epitope, which was recognized in the context of hybrid I-Eb/d major histocompatibility complex class II molecule, was located close to the C-terminal end of gp70 at amino acids 462 to 479. In addition, a possible third epitope was located in the N-terminal half of the gp70 sequence and differed from the first epitope in that it was not cross-reactive with the Moloney MuLV envelope protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Molecular cloning of a novel cytokine cDNA encoding the ninth member of the fibroblast growth factor family, which has a unique secretion property.

Glia-activating factor (GAF) is a novel heparin-binding growth factor purified from the culture supernatant of a human glioma cell line. It shows a spectrum of activity slightly different from those of other known growth factors. We have isolated the cDNA which encodes human GAF. A homology search revealed that GAF would be the ninth member of the FGF family, and we therefore call it FGF-9. The human FGF-9 cDNA cloned by using oligonucleotide probes encoded a polypeptide consisting of 208 amino acids. Sequence similarity to other members of the FGF family was estimated to be around 30%. Two cysteine residues and other consensus sequences in family members were also well conserved in the FGF-9 sequence. FGF-9 was found to have no typical signal sequence in its N terminus like those in acidic FGF and basic FGF. Acidic FGF and basic FGF are known not to be secreted from cells in a conventional manner. However, FGF-9 was found to be secreted from cells after synthesis despite its lack of a typical signal sequence. It could be detected exclusively in the culture medium of cDNA-transfected COS cells. The amino acid sequence of proteins purified from culture supernatant of the CHO cell line, which was cDNA transfected and selected as a high producer of FGF-9, showed that no peptides were cleaved from the N terminus except the initiation methionine. The rat FGF-9 cDNA was also cloned, and the structural analysis indicated that the PGF-9 gene is highly conserved. Expression of the FGF-9 gene could be detected in the brain and kidney of the adult rat. Restricted gene expression in organs and the unique secretion nature of the protein suggest that FGF-9 plays a physiological role which differs from those of well-characterized acidic FGF and basic FGF.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Centrally driven slow oscillating potential of extrathoracic trachea.

Spontaneous electrical activity of extrathoracic trachea was recorded along with force developed by tracheal smooth muscle and phrenic nerve activity in decerebrated, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated dogs with pneumothorax. The tracheal electrical activity exhibited slow oscillating potentials that were coupled with spontaneous phasic contraction of trachea. Both rhythmic changes were synchronous with central respiratory rhythm represented by phrenic burst, independent of the respirator's rhythm. The dominant component of the slow oscillating potentials consisted of sinusoidal waves with large amplitude that occurred shortly after cessation of phrenic burst, i.e., in the postinspiratory phase. The concomitant small change in the slow oscillating potentials began in the late inspiratory phase just before the initiation of the tracheal contraction. This phase relationship was preserved after removal of intrathoracic vagal afferents from lungs. Such slow oscillating potentials were also observed during lung collapse produced by disconnecting the tube attached to the respirator. Transection of recurrent laryngeal nerves abolished the slow oscillating potentials. These results indicate that the slow oscillating potentials of the extrathoracic trachea are generated by a physiological process associated with the central respiratory rhythm. The dominant component of the slow oscillating potentials occurs in the postinspiratory phase.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1993

The effect of somatostatin analogue octreotide on amylase secretion from mouse pancreatic acini.

To clarify whether somatostatin has an inhibitory effect on pancreatic acinar cells, we studied the effect of a long-acting analogue of somatostatin, octreotide, on amylase secretion from isolated mouse pancreatic acini. Octreotide (100 nM) had no inhibitory effects on amylase secretion stimulated by secretin or vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), while reducing the increase of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP). On the other hand, octreotide inhibited synergistic amylase secretion induced by secretin or VIP in combination with cholecystokinin (CCK). Octreotide also reduced synergistic amylase secretion by secretin or VIP in combination with calcium ionophore A23187. CCK and A23187 did not alter the increase of cAMP induced by secretin and the inhibitory effect of octreotide on cAMP production. Octreotide did not significantly inhibit amylase secretion stimulated by dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) alone, but reduced synergistic amylase secretion by dbcAMP+A23187. Results obtained above reveal that octreotide has a direct inhibitory effect on amylase secretion from mouse pancreatic acini and probably affects stimulus secretion coupling at a point distal to the production of cAMP, besides inhibiting adenylate cyclase.

Amylases↗
PubMed1993

Body surface distribution of abnormally low QRST areas in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Evidence for continuation of repolarization abnormalities before and after catheter ablation.

BACKGROUND: Whether the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) is associated with repolarization abnormalities is controversial. The QRST isointegral map (I-map) is theoretically independent of the activation sequence and dependent on repolarization properties. There have been no reports concerning the effects of radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of accessory pathway (AP) on repolarization properties analyzed by I-mapping. METHODS AND RESULTS: I-maps were constructed from data recorded in 38 patients with WPW to investigate repolarization properties and their body surface distribution in a physiological state, without pharmacological influences, and in 13 ablated patients to elucidate the effects of RF ablation on repolarization properties. Patients were divided into three groups: group A, 15 patients with type A WPW (left-sided AP); group B, 10 patients with type B (right-sided AP); and group C, 13 patients who were successfully ablated. Group C consisted of three subgroups: subgroup CA, 7 patients with type A WPW; subgroup CB, 3 patients with type B WPW; and subgroup CC, 3 patients with concealed WPW. Controls consisted of 608 normals. Although I-maps of WPW were highly (r = .87) correlated with the mean normal I-map, the location of the minimum in groups A and B differed significantly from that in normals. The minimum was located over the upper right anterior chest in normal subjects, over the back in 82% of 22 patients with type A WPW including ablated patients (groups A+CA), and over the mid to lower right anterior chest in 62% of 13 patients with type B WPW including ablated patients (groups B+CB). Groups A+CA and B+CB had an abnormally low QRST area ("-2SD area") over the back and right anterior chest, respectively. The abnormally located minimum and the "-2SD area" were present in 7 of 10 ablated patients with manifest WPW (groups CA+CB). After RF ablation, the distribution of the minimum, initially abnormal, became normal over a period of days or weeks, and the "-2SD area" disappeared over 1 week in all 7 patients. Correlation coefficients between I-maps and the mean normal I-map increased after RF ablation. CONCLUSIONS: (1) WPW is often associated with abnormalities in repolarization properties. (2) Repolarization abnormalities were located over the back in type A WPW and over the right mid to lower chest in type B WPW: (3) The abnormalities remain immediately after RF ablation and gradually normalize. These findings support the concept that ST-T abnormalities in 12-lead ECGs following RF ablation are attributable to "cardiac memory."

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Phagocytosis of monosaccharide-binding latex particles by guinea-pig polymorphonuclear leucocytes.

Phagocytosis of monosaccharide-binding latex particles by guinea-pig polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) was investigated. When neuraminic acid or glucuronic acid was chemically bound to the surface of latex particles the degree of phagocytosis was somewhat lower than that for bare, glucose-, mannose- or rhamnose-binding latex particles. These experimental findings were interpreted in terms of the kind of monosaccharide and the surface potential and surface hydrophobicity of latex particles. As a result, it was concluded that the inhibitory action of neuraminic acid or glucuronic acid on phagocytosis arises from an increase in the surface hydrophilicity of latex particles brought about by the hydroxyl groups and negative charges on the chemically bound neuraminic acid or glucuronic acid molecules. Physically adsorbed glucuronic acid molecules were also found to decrease the degree of phagocytosis of latex particles by PMNs, though not so remarkable as the chemically bound monosaccharide molecules.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Immunocytochemical localization of cathepsin D in rat junctional epithelium.

Localization of cathepsin D was studied in the junctional epithelium (JE) of healthy rat gingivae by immuno-light and -electron microscopy, by means of both the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method and a colloidal gold IgG method. At the light-microscopic level, cathepsin D was demonstrated in the JE and oral sulcular epithelium (OSE). Cathepsin D immunoreactivity was remarkable in the coronal portion of the JE and decreased toward its apical portion. However, cathepsin D immunoreactivity in the basal cell layer of the JE was negligible or negative. In the OSE, the granular layer was positive for cathepsin D. In the adjacent connective tissue, many macrophage-like cells (not clear at this level) close to the basal cell layer showed strong immunoreactivity. At the electron microscopic level, cathepsin D was found in the primary lysosomes and trans-cisternae of Golgi apparatus in the JE cells. These lysosomes were often fused together or were fused with cathepsin D-negative intracytoplasmic vacuoles to form secondary lysosomes, which indicated that intracellular digestion may have been in progress. However, neutrophils contained few gold particles based on cathepsin D. It is likely that the amounts of cathepsin D contained in the JE cells and macrophages are larger than those of cathepsin D contained in the neutrophils. These findings provided morphological evidence that JE cells have the same endocytotic capacity as macrophages and neutrophils, and that JE cells participate in the intracellular digestion that is carried out by lysosomal enzymes such as cathepsin D. It is suggested, in addition, that maximum intracellular digestion occurs in the coronal portion of the JE.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Distribution of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactive nerve fibers in the rat temporomandibular joint.

The density and distribution of substance P-like immunoreactive (SP-LI) and calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactive (CGRP-LI) nerve fibers in rat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) were investigated in whole-mount preparations and frozen sections by immunohistochemistry with the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. Both types of immunoreactive nerves were observed primarily in the joint capsule, the peripheral articular disc, the synovial membrane, and the periosteum. The distribution of CGRP-LI nerves was similar to that of SP-LI nerves. The anterior portion of the joint capsule and disc was most densely innervated, followed by the posterior, lateral, and medial portions. In addition, CGRP-LI nerves were more numerous and more dense in immuno-intensity than SP-LI nerves. In the synovial membrane, many SP- and CGRP-LI nerves terminated in the subsynovial layer, but some branches extended into the superficial synovial lining layer close to the joint cavity. Immunolabeled nerves were prominently located in the disc attachment and peripheral portion of the disc, and occasional nerves were located in the dense collagenous disc band as an actual disc. However, no fibers were detected in the central disc band. Thus, most of the disc was not innervated by any nerves. The present study provides a morphological basis for the possible roles of neuropeptides in endocytosis by synoviocytes, regulation of blood flow in the synovial membrane, nociception mechanisms of the TMJ, and modulation of the inflammatory response in the TMJ.

Animals↗