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T Kono

Publications and source records attributed to T Kono.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Histochemical study of angiogenesis in basaloid squamous carcinoma of the esophagus.

Angiogenesis of esophageal basaloid squamous carcinoma (BSC) was studied immunohistochemically and compared with that of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In tissues taken from six patients with esophageal BSC and 35 with esophageal SCC, angiogenesis was evaluated by measuring microvessel density (MVD), defined as the microvessel count determined using factor VIII-related antigen immunostaining, and by measuring immunoreactivity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase). Three of the six patients with BSC had distant metastases. There was no difference of MVD between BSC and SCC (22.0 +/- 4.6 vs. 27.6 +/- 9.4). VEGF expression tended to be more frequently observed in BSC than in SCC (100% vs. 60.0%; p = 0.066). Strong expression of VEGF was detected in three BSC with distant metastases; however, there was no difference in the rate of strong VEGF expression between BSC and SCC. The MVD in the cases of BSC with strong VEGF expression, i.e. in the cases with distant metastases, was higher than that in the cases of BSC with weak VEGF expression (p=0.049). There was no difference in dThdPase expression of the cancer cells between BSC and SCC (50.0% vs. 54.3%), whereas the infiltrating stromal cells of all the BSC expressed dThdPase. Strong dThdPase expression in the cancer cells or in the infiltrating stromal cells was observed in two and three BSC, respectively. However, there were no differences in the rate of cancer cells or stromal cells with strong dThdPase expression between BSC and SCC. In one BSC with high MVD and distant metastases, VEGF and dThdPase were both strongly expressed. The vascularity of esophageal BSC was not different from that of SCC. VEGF may participate in angiogenesis of esophageal BSC and may influence the rate of metastasis in esophageal BSC patients. dThdPase may play a partial rule in angiogenesis and metastasis in some cases of BSC.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Suppressive effects of cyclosporin A and FK-506 on superoxide generation in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes primed by tumor necrosis factor alpha.

Most previous studies have found no effects of cyclosporin A and FK-506 on active oxygen generation in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Recently various differences in biologic properties have been reported between unprimed peripheral blood human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and tissue or primed human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. In this study, we investigated the effects of cyclosporin A and FK-506 on superoxide (O(2)(-)) generation induced by the chemotactic peptide N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine in human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes primed or unprimed with tumor necrosis factor alpha. Neither cyclosporin A nor FK-506 suppressed N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine-induced O(2)(-) generation in unprimed human polymorphonuclear leukocytes at concentrations between 0.1 nM and 10 microM, as in previous studies. Only at 1 microM of cyclosporin A and 100 nM of FK-506 were marginal suppressive effects observed. On the other hand, cyclosporin A and FK-506 both suppressed N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine-induced O(2)(-) generation in tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha-primed human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, strongly and dose dependently, at concentrations between 1 nM and 1 microM. Neither cyclosporin A nor FK-506 influenced tyrosyl phosphorylation of 115 kDa protein, which is inducible during the priming process, suggesting that neither cyclosporin A nor FK-506 influenced the tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha-induced priming process itself, and instead modified the biologic response of primed human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Cyclosporine↗
PubMed2000

The use of variable pulse width frequency doubled Nd:YAG 532 nm laser in the treatment of port-wine stain in Chinese patients.

BACKGROUND: Variable pulse width frequency doubled Nd:YAG 532 nm laser has previously been shown to be effective in the treatment of vascular lesions in Caucasians. For dark-skinned patients, such as Asians, its role has not been determined. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical efficacy and complication rate of the 532 nm Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of port-wine stain in Chinese patients. METHODS: Chinese patients with port-wine stain who had undergone Nd:YAG laser treatment were called for questionnaire assessment of their degree of clearing and clinical examination for complications by two independent observers. For 22 patients with pre- and posttreatment photographs, the two independent observers further assessed the degree of clearing. RESULTS: Assessment of the questionnaire indicated that 62.9% of the patients subjectively considered that they had more than 25% clearing, with 33.3% having more than 50% clearing. For those with pre- and posttreatment photographs, the objective degree of improvement was less impressive with 18.1% of patients having at least 25% improvement and only 13.6% having more than 50% improvement. Pigmentary and texture changes were seen in both groups (33% in group I and 11% in group II). The number of treatment sessions rather than previous use of pulsed dye laser therapy was an important risk factor for complications. CONCLUSION: Nd:YAG laser is only partially effective for the treatment of port-wine stain in Chinese patients. Although most patients recorded some degree of subjective improvement, many did not improve by objective assessment. High fluence is necessary to achieve the desirable clinical response, and while contact cooling reduces the risk of epidermal damage, texture changes can still occur. Further study is necessary to compare its use with other similar devices, such as a pulsed dye laser with cryogen spray cooling.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

An in vivo trial comparing the use of different types of 532 nm Nd:YAG lasers in the treatment of facial lentigines in Oriental patients.

BACKGROUND: Versapulse is a system that consists of four laser modalities and was developed with the aim of increasing cost-effectiveness. However, as these lasers share a common power supply, for the Q-switched (QS) Nd:YAG 532 nm laser a large spot diameter is necessary to lower the fluence to a suitable level. This can increase the risk of hyperpigmentation when used for the treatment of lentigines in dark-skinned patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to access the clinical efficacy and the complication rate of the Versapulse QS Nd:YAG 532 nm laser, the Versapulse long-pulsed Nd:YAG 532 nm laser (without the chill tip), and a conventional QS Nd:YAG 532 nm laser in the treatment of lentigines in Chinese patients. METHODS: Thirty-four Chinese patients with lentigines were randomized to receive laser surgery, with one side of the face treated by one laser and the other side treated by a different system. Patients were monitored for 6 weeks to assess the degree of clearing, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and erythema. Assessments involved patients interviewed using a visual analog questionnaire and two blinded observers who evaluated the pre- and posttreatment clinical photographs. RESULTS: The Versapulse QS Nd:YAG 532 nm laser was associated with a statistically higher risk of complications. The Versapulse long-pulsed Nd:YAG 532 nm laser was compatible with the conventional QS Nd:YAG 532 nm laser in terms of clinical efficacy and complication rates. CONCLUSION: The Versapulse long-pulsed 532 nm laser is more effective and should be used instead of the Versapulse QS Nd:YAG 532 nm laser for the treatment of lentigines in dark-skinned patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

An in vivo trial comparing the clinical efficacy and complications of Q-switched 755 nm alexandrite and Q-switched 1064 nm Nd:YAG lasers in the treatment of nevus of Ota.

BACKGROUND: Q-switched 755 nm alexandrite (QS alex) and Q-switched 1064 nm Nd:YAG lasers are effective in the treatment of nevus of Ota. Our previous in vivo study indicated that patients better tolerate QS alex than QS 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser. However, in terms of clinical efficacy and long-term complications, the study did not indicate which laser is superior. Although both machines may appear to be similar in effectiveness, the low number of treatment sessions may contribute to this apparent lack of difference. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy and complications of QS 755 nm alex and QS 1064 nm Nd:YAG lasers in the treatment of nevus of Ota after three or more treatment sessions. METHOD: Forty patients were recruited for this study and all had received three or more laser treatment sessions with an interval of at least 2 months between each. Half of the lesion was treated with QS alex and the other half with QS 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser. The degree of lightening was assessed subjectively by the patient using a visual analog scale and objectively by two independent clinicians. Patients were called back to be examined for evidence of complications. RESULTS: In terms of subjective degree of lightening, QS 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser was found to be significantly more efficacious than QS alex (P = 0.018). Both clinicians also found QS 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser to be more effective, but statistical significance was only detected in one, not both of their scores (P = 0.005 and 0.414 for observers 1 and 2, respectively). More patients that received QS Alex developed complications (4 for QS alex and 2 for QS Nd:YAG), but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: QS 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser appears to be more effective than QS alex in the lightening of nevus of Ota after three or more laser treatment sessions. However, the majority (55%) of the patients reported no differences in results between the two lasers, and only one of the two observers noted statistically significant improvement of QS 1064 nm Nd:YAG over QS alex.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

A retrospective analysis of complications in the treatment of nevus of Ota with the Q-switched alexandrite and Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers.

BACKGROUND: Studies on the use of Q-switched alexandrite (QS alex) and QS Nd:YAG lasers in the treatment of nevus of Ota were limited to case reports and small series. There was no study that looked at the complication rate of these systems. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively study the complication rate of nevus of Ota patients that were treated with QS alex laser, QS Nd:YAG laser, or a combination of both. METHODS: The study was performed in a teaching hospital and a private hospital, where 513 patients with nevus of Ota had been treated since 1993. The 171 patients with 211 treatment sites were evaluated retrospectively following treatment with QS alex laser only (n = 58), QS Nd:YAG laser (n = 105) only, or a combination of both systems (n = 48). Patients were called back to be interviewed and examined by two independent clinicians to look for evidence of complications. RESULTS: Of the treatment sites, 15. 3% had hypopigmentation, 2.9% had hyperpigmentation, and texture changes and scarring were seen in 2.9% and 1.9%, respectively. The combined treatment group was associated with a significantly higher risk of complications. Thirteen patients had recurrence of their nevus after complete or near-complete clearance with laser treatment. CONCLUSION: Hypopigmentation is common after the use of QS laser for lightening of nevus of Ota. This particularly applies when alternate treatment with QS alex and QS Nd:YAG is used. Recurrence is an important issue and must be taken into consideration, especially when children are treated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Synchronous development of disseminated superficial porokeratosis and hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Immunosuppression and transplantation have been reported to induce porokeratosis (PK), especially its variant, disseminated superficial PK (DSP). On the other hand, there is ample evidence of a relationship between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, liver cirrhosis (LC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We report 3 cases of DSP in which the outbreak of DSP was suspected to have occurred during the development of HCC in patients with HCV-positive LC. The patients had undergone ultrasonographic study regularly, and no signs of malignancy had been found before the development of DSP. Their outbreaks of DSP were very acute, and the period between the development of DSP and diagnosis of HCC ranged from 2 to 6 months. The association of HCV-related HCC and DSP has never been previously reported. HCV-induced immunomodulation or its effect on the p53 system may be the basis for this type of association. It is necessary to consider development of HCC whenever DSP is found in HCV-positive patients. DSP may be a new paraneoplastic dermadrome.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Effects of caffeine on gastrointestinal myoelectric activity and colonic spike activity in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Caffeine is known to produce various effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Few studies have, however, investigated the effects of caffeine on gastrointestinal myoelectric activity under physiologic conditions. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of caffeine on colonic motility (spike activity) and gastric and jejunal slow waves in conscious dogs. METHODS: The study was performed in eight healthy female hound dogs (15-20 kg) in which one pair of electrodes was implanted on the serosa of the stomach, one pair on the proximal jejunum, and another pair on the ascending colon. The protocol consisted of a 60-min recording as base line and a 90-min recording after intravenous injection of saline, a low dose of caffeine (125 mg), or a high dose of caffeine (250 mg). RESULTS: In the colon there was a significant increase in the number of spike bursts per minute after the injection of both the low (6.69+/-1.27 versus 8.22+/-1.31, P < 0.05) and the high dose (4.38+/-1.23 versus 6.92+/-0.98, P < 0.05) of caffeine. The increase in the total energy of spikes per minute after the injection of the high dose of caffeine was significantly higher than that after the low dose of caffeine (41.2+/-14.6 versus 133.4+/-39.2, P < 0.05). The characteristics of the gastric and jejunal slow waves were, however, not affected by caffeine. CONCLUSION: Caffeine increases spike activity in the colon, and its effect may be dose-dependent. Gastric and jejunal slow waves are not affected by caffeine.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Post-implantation development of mouse androgenetic embryos produced by in-vitro fertilization of enucleated oocytes.

We report here on the precise ability of mouse androgenetic embryos produced by in-vitro fertilization of enucleated oocytes to develop to day 9.5 of gestation when cultured with M16 and CZB media. Androgenetic embryos cultured with CZB rather than M16 medium developed to the blastocyst stage in a more significant proportion (56.6% versus 45.0%, P < 0.001). However, after cavitation, the rate of cell proliferation of androgenetic embryos cultured with CZB medium was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Embryo transfer experiments showed that blastocysts cultured with M16 medium were superior to those cultured with CZB medium in their ability to develop to 9.5-day-old fetuses (28.1% versus 11.1%, P < 0.001). These results showed that the present procedure for producing androgenetic mouse embryos is reliable and that M16 medium is superior for culturing the embryos. Fetal sexing by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) also demonstrated that both XX and XY embryos develop to 9.5-day fetuses at theoretical rates (1:2). This is the first finding that mouse XX androgenones survive after implantation.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Epigenetic modifications necessary for normal development are established during oocyte growth in mice.

The ability of maternal chromatin to support full-term development is attained during oocyte growth. The aim of this study was to identify when during the growth phase the maternal chromatin developed the capacity to support term development. Mature metaphase II-arrested oocytes that contained chromatin from oocytes at different stages of oocyte growth were constructed by micromanipulation. The oocytes were fertilized in vitro, developed to the blastocyst stage in vitro, and transferred to recipients to assay developmental potential. The results demonstrate, firstly, that the origin of the maternal chromatin has no effect on the rate of oocyte maturation, fertilization, or development to the blastocyst in vitro. Secondly we demonstrate that maternal chromatin is first competent to support development to term during the latter half of oocyte growth when oocytes are 60-69 microm in diameter in juvenile mice or 50-59 microm in diameter in adult mice. These data show that epigenetic modifications necessary for postimplantation development occur during a specific phase of oocyte growth.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

The cytoprotective role of lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide against liver damage during early phase of endotoxemia in rats.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia produces nitric oxide (NO); however, the role of the NO during endotoxemia is still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate a role of LPS-induced NO during the early phase of endotoxemia. Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with saline or LPS at various doses (0.001, 0.01, or 5 mg/kg), and intra-abdominal NO concentration was determined by chemiluminescence before and after LPS administration at indicated times (1, 2, 6, 10, and 18 h). Serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were determined and histological examination was performed 10 h after LPS administration to assess liver damage. N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME), a nonselective inhibitor of NO synthase, was used to investigate the possible roles of NO during LPS-induced endotoxemia. The intra-abdominal NO concentration was elevated within 2 h and reached a maximal level at 10 h after low doses of LPS injection (0.001 and 0.01 mg/kg) while liver damage was not observed. After high-dose LPS (5 mg/kg) administration, liver damage was observed and intra-abdominal NO was elevated continuously until 18 h. A time course study revealed very similar patterns of intra-abdominal NO increase after the three different dose of LPS at each times points during the first 10 h. Pretreatment of L-NAME inhibited the intra-abdominal NO release and aggravated the liver damage caused by low doses (0.001 and 0.01 mg/kg) of LPS as well as high dose (5 mg/kg) of LPS. Therefore, NO, released during the first 10 h after LPS injection, may play a cytoprotective role in the liver.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed2000

Epitope mapping of heat shock protein 60 (GroEL) from Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a putative pathogen in human periodontal disease, possesses a 60-kDa heat shock protein (hsp60, GroEL). The GroEL homologs are known to be key molecules in auto-immune reactions because of the sequence similarity with human hsp60. In this study, B-cell epitopes on P. gingivalis GroEL (PgGroEL) were analyzed by both Western immunoblotting with truncated PgGroEL and by the multi-pin synthetic peptide approach. To examine auto-antibody production in periodontitis patients, Western immunoblotting with human gingival fibroblasts was performed. Deletion mutants were constructed from the cloned PgGroEL gene (P. gingivalis groEL), and four C-terminal truncated PgGroEL and one N-terminal truncated PgGroEL were prepared from the deletants. Sera from periodontitis patients reacted with all truncated PgGroEL used in this study. The results suggest that the B-cell epitopes were overlaid throughout PgGroEL. To determine the detailed locations of the B-cell epitope, 84 decapeptides covering the entire PgGroEL were synthesized and the serum IgG response to the peptides was examined. Epitope mapping using the synthetic peptides confirmed that the B-cell epitopes were overlaid throughout the length of PgGroEL and revealed that highly conserved peptides between PgGroEL and human hsp60 were recognized by the serum antibodies. Immuno-reactivity against human gingival fibroblasts was examined with sera from 30 periodontitis patients and 10 periodontally healthy subjects. IgG antibody against the 65-kDa antigen in human gingival fibroblasts (same molecular mass as human hsp60) was detected in two patients. Although IgG production against human hsp60 may be rare case in periodontitis patients, the results of epitope mapping demonstrated the potential of PgGroEL to cause the cross-reactions with human hsp60.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Anatomy of the right anterosuperior area (segment 8) of the liver: evaluation with helical CT during arterial portography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the segmental anatomy of the right anterosuperior area (segment 8) of the liver by using helical computed tomography during arterial portography (CTAP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients without lesions at segment 8 underwent helical CTAP. Three-dimensional portograms were reconstructed to verify the course of the portal veins. The number of subsegmental branches, in addition to the branching point and the distribution in segment 8, was assessed. RESULTS: In 25 (93%) patients, the dorsal branch of segment 8 gave rise to dorsally directed branches posterior to the right hepatic vein. In only four (25%) of 16 patients in whom the medial branch of segment 8 arose near the porta hepatis, the long paracaval portal branch of the caudate lobe extended upward above the interval between the middle and right hepatic veins. CONCLUSION: In most of the patients, the dorsal branches of segment 8 supplied the dorsocranial area of the right lobe posterior to the right hepatic vein. The paracaval portion of the caudate lobe was limited to below the interval between the middle and right hepatic veins in the majority of patients who showed medial branches of segment 8 arising near the porta hepatis. Recognition of this vascular anatomy is clinically important for preoperative evaluation of hepatic tumors in segment 8 because it may contribute to a safer surgical approach.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Psoriasis in a patient with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

A 20-year-old woman had polyarticular-onset type of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis with a chronic and destructive course since 6 years of age. She had developmental retardation, deformity and disability. Asymptomatic erythematous scaly plaques developed on the trunk. A skin biopsy specimen revealed psoriasis. This is the first report of psoriasis developing in a patient with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

High glucose suppresses cathepsin activity in periodontal-ligament-derived fibroblastic cells.

The accumulation of extracellular matrices and integrins by high glucose has been reported in relation to diabetic complications. We previously reported that PDL cells expressed a higher amount of VLA-5 when cultured in high-glucose (4500 mg/L) medium than those cultured in low-glucose (1100 mg/L) medium. In this study, we aimed to address (1) whether this effect was mediated by the transcriptional level of the gene or the degradative level of the protein, and (2) whether this effect was mediated by TGF-beta. The results indicated that the level of mRNA encoding alpha5 integrin did not change in PDL cells regardless of the concentration of glucose. Alternatively, high glucose suppressed cathepsin B+L activity. Additionally, the level of mRNA encoding TGF-beta was not affected by high glucose, nor did an anti-TGF-beta neutralizing antibody have an effect on the expression of beta5 gene or cathepsin activity. Therefore, the effects of high glucose appeared to be mediated by impaired protein degradation, but not by autocrine TGF-beta.

Autocrine Communication↗
PubMed2000

Imprint switching for non-random X-chromosome inactivation during mouse oocyte growth.

In mammals, X-chromosome inactivation occurs in all female cells, leaving only a single active X chromosome. This serves to equalise the dosage of X-linked genes in male and female cells. In the mouse, the paternally derived X chromosome (X(P)) is imprinted and preferentially inactivated in the extraembryonic tissues whereas in the embryonic tissues inactivation is random. To investigate how X(P) is chosen as an inactivated X chromosome in the extraembryonic cells, we have produced experimental embryos by serial nuclear transplantation from non-growing (ng) oocytes and fully grown (fg) oocytes, in which the X chromosomes are marked with (1) an X-linked lacZ reporter gene to assay X-chromosome activity, or (2) the Rb(X.9)6H translocation as a cytogenetic marker for studying replication timing. In the extraembryonic tissues of these ng/fg embryos, the maternal X chromosome (X(M)) derived from the ng oocyte was preferentially inactivated whereas that from the fg oocyte remained active. However, in the embryonic tissues, X inactivation was random. This suggests that (1) a maternal imprint is set on the X(M) during oocyte growth, (2) the maternal imprint serves to render the X(M) resistant to inactivation in the extraembryonic tissues and (3) the X(M) derived from an ng oocyte resembles a normal X(P).

Amnion↗