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Biomedical subjects

Y Kondo

Publications and source records attributed to Y Kondo.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Evaluation of cardiac function in myocardial infarction patients by ECG 99mTc-MIBI gated SPECT using a three-dimensional perfusion/motion map procedure.

Three-dimensional (3D) radionuclear myocardial imaging has improved the evaluation of left ventricular wall motion. However, there have been no studies evaluating left ventricular function using 3D-perfusion/motion map techniques. We hypothesized that the 3D-perfusion/motion map could accurately evaluate left ventricular wall motion even in patients with a history of myocardial infarction. Electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using 99mTc-methoxy isobutyl isonitrile (MIBI) was performed in 20 patients with a history of myocardial infarction who underwent left ventriculography. Myocardial imaging data were collected during ECG-gated SPECT using a 3-headed gamma camera. Reconstructed 3D SPECT images were oriented to correspond to standard left ventriculography views (right anterior oblique and left anterior oblique projections), and the shortening fraction (SF) was calculated using the center line method. The SF and left ventricular ejection fraction from 3D SPECT images were compared with those determined by left ventriculography. There was a significant correlation between left ventriculography and the 3D-perfusion/motion map procedure in determining SF for all regions of the left ventricle except the anterobasal and posterior segments by using the Bland and Altman method. The 3D-perfusion/motion map procedure offers the advantage that the influences of contraction-related myocardial torsion and three-dimensional compression are minimized. In addition, this method facilitates evaluation of images from nonstandard projections. We conclude that this method may be useful for evaluating left ventricular function.

Aged↗

[Multiple primary cancers of oral cavity and pharynx].

Multiple primary cancers were found in 23 of 68 patients (34%) with an index cancer in the oral cavity or pharyngeal area treated in our institute from June 1995 to July 1998. Four cases had triple primary cancers. All 68 cases underwent upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy as well as ultrasonography of the liver. Lung CT was performed in cases with abnormal findings on chest roentgenograms. Multiple cancers were found in 5 of 25 oral cavity cases (20%), 6 of 14 mesopharynx cases (43%) and 12 of 29 hypopharynx cases (41%). Nine of 23 cases (39%) were synchronous and 14 (61%) were metachronous. Eighteen of 27 (69%) secondary cancers occurred in the upper aerodigestive tract with an especially high incidence (22%) in the esophagus. Gastroendoscopy also revealed 7 neoplastic lesions, aside from cancers, with the total abnormal rate of 24% (24/68). Thus, gastroendoscopy is useful for the diagnosis of multiple primary cancers. The frequency of multiple primary cancers in males (33%) was not different from that in females (35%). The average age of multiple primary cancer patients (65.1 years) was a little higher than that of single cancer patient (62.7 years). Smoking or drinking was not related to the incidence of multiple cancers. The interval between the first and the second cancer in metachronous cancer cases was 25.5 months on average, and within 4 years in 71% (10/14) of the cases. This result suggests that close follow-up including endoscopy should be required for at least 4 years after treatment of oral or pharyngeal cancer. Radical treatment for each of the multiple cancer lesions was performed in 22 of 23 cases, and the mortality rate of multiple primary cancer cases was not significantly different from that of single cancer cases. Among 7 cases who died of disease, 5 cases died of distant metastasis, suggesting that control of distant metastasis is an important issue in the treatment of multiple primary cancers.

Adult↗

Lysophosphatidic acid and mesangial cells: implications for renal diseases.

The last decade has witnessed a phenomenal increase in our understanding of the biological role of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and has led to an appreciation of this critical serum-derived growth factor released from platelets. We herein summarize recent observations that collectively support the hypothesis that LPA may play a key role in the pathogenesis of initiation and progression of proliferative glomerulonephritis. LPA synergistically stimulates mesangial cell proliferation in combination with platelet-derived growth factor in primary culture. The mechanism of co-mitogenesis is likely to be mediated by the prolonged activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase which is stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor and LPA through different mechanisms. LPA contracts cultured mesangial cells and has properties in common with other pressor molecules including mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ and promotion of Ca2+ entry through dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels. LPA receptor mRNA has been identified in isolated glomeruli dissected from renal biopsy samples of patients with IgA nephropathy. All of these facts have led us to postulate that LPA is produced within glomeruli and that LPA's mitogenic as well as haemodynamic action contribute to the pathological process of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. The possible production of LPA as an autocrine factor from mesangial cells themselves has also been discussed.

Glomerular Mesangium↗

Apolipoprotein E in cerebrospinal fluid: relation to phenotype and plasma apolipoprotein E concentrations.

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein (apo) E may be related to the development of Alzheimer disease, but data on apoE in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are limited. The aim of the present study was to measure apoE in CSF and relate its concentrations to apoE phenotype and CSF lipids. METHODS: We adapted an assay for CSF apoE sensitivity using an ELISA. It allowed us to measure CSF apoE with sufficient reproducibility and precision. RESULTS: The within- and between-run CVs were <7%, and the detection limit was 0.025 mg/L. No cross-reaction was found for other apolipoproteins. No significant differences related to sex or apoE phenotype were observed in the CSF apoE concentration. The mean CSF apoE concentration was significantly higher in the 0-5 year group (n = 6; 18.47 +/- 1.14 mg/L, mean +/- SD) than in the >5 year group (n = 34; 8.82 +/- 3.31 mg/L). The mean concentrations of total cholesterol (TC) and phospholipid (PL) in CSF were 2.68 +/- 2.16 and 6.50 +/- 2.84 mg/L (n = 52), respectively. Although no significant differences in TC or PL in the CSF were found with respect to sex or age, the concentrations in subjects with the apoE phenotype E4/E3 were significantly lower than in those with E3/E3 and E3/E2. The concentrations of apoE, TC, and PL in CSF did not correlate with those in plasma. The time-related fluctuations in CSF apoE were independent of those in total protein and IgG. CSF apoE was significantly correlated with TC and PL concentrations in the CSF, but not with the number of cells in the CSF. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the idea that apoE and lipids are unable to cross the blood-brain barrier and that their concentrations in CSF may reflect production in central nervous tissue.

Adolescent↗

Small mucosal carcinoma of the stomach with para-aortic lymph node metastasis: a case report and review of the literature.

A 38-year-old woman presented with a mucosal gastric carcinoma measuring 0.7 x 0.5 cm and para-aortic lymph node metastasis. Radiographic and endoscopic studies showed a small depressed lesion on the anterior border of the gastric angle, which was classified as a type II c + III lesion. Histological examination of the biopsy specimen revealed a signet-ring cell carcinoma. Distal gastrectomy with wide lymph node excision was performed. Detailed study of the resected specimen revealed that the tumour was limited to the mucosa, but metastasized to both the perigastric and para-aortic lymph nodes. The patient received adjuvant immunochemotherapy postoperatively. However, multiple bone metastases developed at 3 years and she died 4 years after the operation.

Adult↗

[Positive response to smoking challenge test in a case of acute eosinophilic pneumonia].

A 19-year-old man presented with an acute febrile illness and progressive dyspnea. He had begun smoking two weeks before admission. A chest X-ray film revealed Kerley B lines and diffuse infiltration in both lungs. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid showed 21% eosinophils. The patient had no history of hypersensitivity to drugs, nor was there any evidence of infectious disease. Acute eosinophilic pneumonia was diagnosed, and his condition improved without steroid treatment. A smoking challenge test was performed. After the test, the patient's body temperature rose to 38.0 degrees C, computed tomograms of the chest showed increased density, and elevated eosinophil levels were again detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. These findings supported the view that beginning to smoke can be a cause of acute eosinophilic pneumonia.

Acute Disease↗

Characterization of apolipoprotein E-containing lipoproteins in cerebrospinal fluid: effect of phenotype on the distribution of apolipoprotein E.

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein (apo) E, one of the main apolipoproteins in the central nervous system, may play an important role in lipid metabolism; however, the details of its function are poorly understood. In this study, we characterized apoE-containing lipoproteins in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and examined the effect of apoE phenotype on the distribution of apoE among the lipoprotein fractions. METHODS: CSF lipoproteins were fractionated by gel filtration and ultracentrifugation, and then characterized by electrophoresis, immunoblot, electron microscopy, and analysis of apoE, total cholesterol, and phospholipid concentrations. RESULTS: The ratio of sialylated to nonsialylated apoE was higher in CSF than in serum. However, the fundamental forms containing apoE homodimers or heterodimers [such as apo(E-AII) and apo(AII-E2-AII) complexes] were similar in CSF and serum. apoE-containing lipoproteins were fractionated at densities of <1.006, 1.063-1.125, and 1.125-1.21 kg/L. Neither apoE nor apoAI was detected in the fraction with a density range of 1.006-1.063 kg/L. The diameters of the lipoprotein particles with densities of <1.006, 1.063-1.125, and 1.125-1.21 kg/L were 16.7 +/- 3.1, 14.0 +/- 3.2, and 11.6 +/- 2.8 nm (mean +/- SD, n = 200), respectively. All of these lipoproteins exhibited a spherical structure. The distribution profile of apoE-containing lipoproteins was affected by the apoE phenotype. A relatively large amount of apoE-containing lipoproteins was isolated from the fraction with a density >1.125 kg/L obtained from CSF associated with apoE2 or apoE3. This tendency was more obvious in CSF associated with apoE2 than in CSF without apoE2. apoE-containing lipoproteins were predominantly observed in the fraction with a density of <1.006 kg/L obtained from CSF associated with apoE4. CONCLUSIONS: The lipoproteins in CSF have a unique composition that is different from that of the lipoproteins in plasma. However, the differences in diameter between the CSF fractions were not as large as for the serum fractions. Our data suggest that the apoE phenotype may affect the distribution profile of apoE-containing lipoproteins in the CSF. This would mean that the metabolism of apoE-containing lipoproteins depends on the apoE isoform present.

Apolipoproteins E↗

[Effects on health status in students from attending a "juku"].

Between November and December 1993 a questionnaire survey concerning the lifestyle and health status was performed on 1.314 elementary school children living in Tokyo and its suburbs. In this study the following items were included: 1) sleeping habits, 2) physical activity, 3) playing habits, 4) eating habits, 5) attending a "juku", private cram school to prepare children for entrance examinations, 6) commuting hours, 7) 20 subjective symptoms regarding health, and so on. The results were as follows: 1. 61.9% of students were attending a "juku". 2. The number of hours of sleep, playing after school and watching TV decreased with the frequency of attending a "juku". The students who were attending "juku" more than 3 times a week had the shortest number of those hours, and the students who did not attend any "juku" had the longest of those hours. 3. To determine health status, 20 subjective symptoms were scored. The average number of subjective symptoms was 5.0. That of the students who were attending "juku" more than 3 times a week was 5.5. 4. Of the 20 subjective symptoms, 7 items were correlated to the frequency of attending "juku". To remove the effect of other factors, multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to determine correlation of 7 subjective items and other factors including attending "juku". As a result attending "juku" more than three times a week were associated with the two symptoms of "sleepy" and "eye fatigue".

Child↗

[Primary pleural non-Hodgkin's lymphoma without chronic pyothorax].

Most cases of primary pleural malignant lymphoma develop following chronic pyothorax. We report a case of primary pleural non-Hodgkin's lymphoma without chronic pyothorax. A 63-year-old woman was referred and admitted to our hospital with a right pleural effusion that was detected during a routine physical checkup. Her liver, spleen, and superficial lymph nodes were not palpable on physical examination. The massive right pleural effusion and a pleural mass were demonstrated on chest X-ray films and thoracic computed tomograms. Diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was diagnosed by needle biopsy from the pleura, and the clinical stage was IE. Pleural effusion specimens contained no identifiable lymphoma cells, and examinations for Mycobacterium species were also negative. Human herpes virus 8 (HIV-8) DNA was detected in lymphocytes from the peripheral blood and pleural effusion. Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNAs and HHV-8 DNA were both negative in biopsied tissue from the pleural mass. Although a complete remission was achieved, the lymphoma relapsed about 8 months later. The patient is currently receiving salvage chemotherapy. Cases of primary pleural non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with massive pleural effusion that are not preceded by chronic pyothorax or Kaposi's sarcoma are very rare.

Chronic Disease↗

[A case of extragonadal germ cell tumor with inferior vena caval tumor thrombus].

We report a case of retroperitoneal extragonadal germ cell tumor with tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava. The patient referred to our hospital with lumbago. Computed tomography (CT) showed a bulky mass in the retroperitoneum. The levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG) in the serum were elevated. Histological examinations indicated embryonal cell carcinoma. Bilateral testicles did not contain any palpable mass upon careful palpation. No tumor mass was detected in the bilateral testicles on ultrasonography. Clinically, the diagnosis was a retroperitoneal extragonadal germ cell tumor associated with para-aortic lymph-node involvement. After the combination chemotherapy (BEP 1 course and EP 3 courses), the tumor mass was reduced in size and the tumor marker was normalized. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) was performed and tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava was resected. There was no involvement of the viable cells in the resected tumor. The patient has been in good condition with no evidence of disease.

Adult↗

Prevention of atherosclerotic lesion development in mice by taurine.

The antiatherosclerotic effects of taurine were evaluated in two murine models. In C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet, 6-month treatment with taurine decreased serum atherogenic low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol by 44%. The same treatment increased antiatherogenic high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by 25%. Hepatic cholesterol content was also decreased by taurine. Taurine improved the area of oil red O positive arterial lipid accumulation by 20%. Hepatic cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity, a rate-limiting enzyme of bile acid synthesis from cholesterol, was doubled in taurine-treated mice, suggesting stimulation of cholesterol catabolism to bile acid as the cholesterol-lowering mechanism seen with taurine. Thus, taurine prevented the progression of atherosclerotic lesions, and concomitantly improved the serum lipoprotein profile. In another murine model, in apolipoprotein-E-deficient mice fed regular chow, a 3-month treatment with taurine prevented accumulation of arterial lipids by 31%, despite a significant increase in serum LDL and VLDL cholesterol levels. Serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in apolipoprotein-E-deficient mice were significantly higher than those in wild type mice and treatment with taurine lowered serum TBARS level by 26%. Thus, taurine prevents the development of atherosclerotic lesions and this antioxidative effect may play an important role in the antiatherosclerotic effect that is unrelated to serum cholesterol levels.

Animals↗

Demineralizing effect of dental cements on human dentin.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to verify the hypothesis that dentin surfaces are demineralized during placement of four kinds of chemically setting cements (zinc phosphate cement, luting glass-ionomer cement, restorative glass-ionomer cement, and zinc polycarboxylate cement). METHOD AND MATERIALS: Sixty cemented dentin disks were observed under scanning electron microscopy and with confocal laser scanning microscopy after use of an argon-ion etching technique. To determine the surface effects of the cements, 30 dentin surfaces were treated with 1 of 6 freshly mixed cements (5 per group) for 60 seconds. The disks were subjected to rinsing with a water spray and ultrasonic washing prior to scanning electron microscopic observation. RESULTS: Observation of cemented dentin specimens revealed that the dentin was not completely demineralized at the interface formed by the cement and dentin and that the extent and depth of demineralization along the interface tended to be nonuniform. Zinc phosphate cement caused the greatest demineralization of dentin, followed by luting glass-ionomer cement. The extent of demineralization with restorative glass-ionomer cement or zinc polycarboxylate cement was less discernible. Confocal laser scanning microscopy generally confirmed scanning electron microscopic observations and revealed that most of the specimens showed close adaptation of the cements to the dentin surfaces. CONCLUSION: Acid-containing cements have self-etching properties that are effective, to various degrees, in removing the smear layer and promoting close adaptation to dentin surfaces.

Acid Etching, Dental↗

Stimulatory and inhibitory actions of lysophosphatidylcholine, depending on its fatty acid residue, on the phospholipase C/Ca2+ system in HL-60 leukaemia cells.

We examined the mechanism of action of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), which is suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and inflammatory disorders, in HL-60 leukaemia cells. Extracellular 1-palmitoyl LPC increased the intracellular Ca2+ concentration in association with production of inositol phosphate. These actions of LPC were markedly inhibited by treatment of the cells with pertussis toxin and U73122, a phospholipase C inhibitor. The lipid-induced stimulation of the phospholipase C/Ca2+ system was also attenuated in the dibutyryl cAMP-induced differentiated (neutrophil-like) cells, in which phospholipase C activation induced by NaF or formyl-Met-Leu-Phe was enhanced. In contrast with the stimulatory action of 1-palmitoyl LPC, 1-stearoyl LPC was inhibitory for the phospholipase C/Ca2+ system stimulated by NaF as well as by 1-palmitoyl LPC or other Ca2+-mobilizing agonists. In a cell-free system, only an inhibitory effect on phospholipase C activity was observed even by 1-palmitoyl LPC; 1-stearoyl LPC was more inhibitive than 1-palmitoyl LPC. Taken together, these results suggest that atherogenic and inflammatory LPC exerts both stimulatory and inhibitory actions on the phospholipase C/Ca2+ system depending on the species of fatty acid residue of the lipid; the stimulatory effect is possibly mediated through G-protein-coupled receptors; the inhibitory effect might be caused by dysfunction of the components involved in the enzyme system owing to the amphiphilic nature of the lipid. 1-Palmitoyl LPC prefers the former receptor stimulation at least in intact cells, but 1-stearoyl LPC preferentially exerts the latter inhibitory action.

Bucladesine↗

Salivary gland malignant myoepithelioma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of ten cases.

BACKGROUND: Malignant myoepithelioma (MME) of the salivary gland, also known as myoepithelial carcinoma, is rare and its biologic behavior has not been clarified fully. METHODS: Ten cases of MME were analyzed for their clinicopathologic features and immunohistochemical characteristics, focusing on prognostic factors and tumor differentiation. In addition, six cases of benign myoepithelioma (BME) also were examined for comparison. RESULTS: The ten patients with MME (3 men and 7 women) ranged in age from 48-81 years (mean, 61.9 years). Seven cases of MME arose in the parotid salivary gland, two in the submandibular salivary gland, and one in minor salivary glands of the soft palate. In the current series, the incidence of MME was 0.45% among 1945 cases of major salivary gland tumors. Seven cases of MME developed from a benign preexisting tumor (six in pleomorphic adenoma and one in BME). Four of nine patients with MME died of the disease and two patients developed a recurrence. It was shown that MMEs were comprised of one cell type or a combination of two cell populations; these included, in order of incidence, epithelioid, spindle, and plasmacytoid cells. Patients with MME with marked cellular pleomorphism and perineural invasion had a poor prognosis. Immunohistochemically, putative myoepithelial markers such as muscle actins, cytokeratin 14, vimentin, and calponin, and S-100 protein were expressed highly in MME. High and low molecular weight cytokeratins and epithelial membrane antigen also frequently were positive in MME. p53 expression was observed in five MME cases, four of which either recurred or were fatal. Cellular proliferative activity assessed by mitotic count and the Ki-67 labeling index was significantly higher in MME cases than in BME cases. In limited cases, such cellular proliferative activity was shown to have prognostic value. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells displayed certain myoepithelial characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: MME is a rare salivary gland tumor showing clinicopathologic diversity and presenting with various stages of myoepithelial differentiation. Histologic aggressiveness, marked cellular pleomorphism, p53 expression, and high cell proliferative activity were found to be correlated with a poor clinical outcome.

Actins↗

Resistance of Fc receptor- deficient mice to fatal glomerulonephritis.

Immune complex-mediated inflammation is a common mechanism of various autoimmune diseases. Glomerulonephritis (GN) is one of these diseases, and the main mechanism of the induction of GN has been unclear. We examined the contribution of Fc receptors in the induction of nephrotoxic GN by establishing and analyzing mice deficient in the Fc receptor gamma chain (FcRgamma). Whereas all wild-type mice died from severe glomerulonephritis with hypernitremia by administration of anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibodies, all FcRgamma-deficient mice survived. Histologically, wild-type mice showed glomerular hypercellularity and thrombotic changes, whereas the renal tissue in FcRgamma-deficient mice was almost intact. Deposition of anti-GBM antibody as well as complement components in the GBM were equally observed in both wild-type and knockout mice. These results demonstrate that the triggering of this type of glomerulonephritis is completely dependent on FcR+ cells.

Animals↗