Biomedical subjects

A Miya

Publications and source records attributed to A Miya.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Population dynamics of anaerobic microbial consortia in thermophilic methanogenic sludge treating paper-containing solid waste.

To maintain a stable thermophilic (55 degrees C) anaerobic digestion treating toilet paper-containing garbage, it is necessary to operate the digester at long hydraulic retention time (HRT) and low organic loading rate (OLR). Critical conditions of the digestion were investigated by operating the digester at HRT 23 days and OLR 3.4 gCOD(Cr)/L/d (R1) or HRT 14 days and OLR 5.6 gCOD/Cr)/L/d (R2) separately. Characteristics of methanogenesis of the two digesters were examined by measuring gas generation volume and volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration, and the populations of four anaerobic acidogens and three methanogens were analyzed using quantitative PCR method. In digester R1, methanogenic activity was unstable but it could be recovered by stopping feeding as though VFA accumulation occurred. The population of acidogens and two methanogens were maintained at 10(11) - 10(13) copies/L, however, the population of Methanoculleus could not be recovered after methanogenesis recovering. In digester R2, the period of methanogenesis was significantly shorter than that in digester R1. Both the acidogens and the methanogens could not be maintained at a stable concentration. It is suggested that the critical HRT to sustain the population of acidogens in this process should be longer than 14 days and for all kinds of methanogens, HRT should be longer than 23 days.

Acids↗

PubMed2005

Expression of S100A2 and S100A6 in thyroid carcinomas.

AIMS: S100 calcium-binding proteins are known to play multiple roles in carcinoma development. In this study, we focused on two kinds of these proteins, S100A2 and S100A6, and investigated their expression in thyroid neoplasms. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated S100A2 and S100A6 expression in 141 thyroid neoplasms by immunohistochemistry. S100A2 was not expressed in normal follicles or follicular tumours, with one exception. Although 89.5% of papillary carcinoma were positive for S100A2, the expression was heterogeneous except in two cases. In anaplastic carcinoma, 78.5% of cases expressed S100A2 diffusely, while the remaining cases were negative. In normal follicles, S100A6 expression was always low, while 8.3% of follicular adenomas and 39.5% of follicular carcinomas showed increased expression. In papillary carcinomas, S100A6 expression was increased in 75% of cases, but in anaplastic carcinomas it was decreased, with only 14.3% showing high expression. CONCLUSIONS: The expression patterns of S100A2 and S100A6 in thyroid neoplasms are unique compared with those of other carcinomas, suggesting that: (i) S100A2 and S100A6 contribute to certain events in papillary carcinoma progression, and (ii) S100A2 expression is one of the biological characteristics of anaplastic carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗

PubMed2005

Behavior of cellulose-degrading bacteria in thermophilic anaerobic digestion process.

Previously, we found that the newly isolated Clostridium sp. strain JC3 became the dominant cellulose-degrading bacterium in thermophilic methanogenic sludge. In the present study, the behavior of strain JC3 in the thermophilic anaerobic digestion process was investigated quantitatively by molecular biological techniques. A cellulose-degrading experiment was conducted at 55 degrees C with a 9.5 L of anaerobic baffled reactor having three compartments (Nos. 1, 2, 3). Over 80% of the COD input was converted into methane when 2.5 kgCOD m(-3) d(-1) was loaded for an HRT of 27 days. A FISH probe specific for strain JC3 was applied to sludge samples harvested from the baffled reactor. Consequently, the ratio of JC3 cells to DAPI-stained cells increased from below 0.5% (undetectable) to 9.4% (compartment 1), 13.1% (compartment 2) and 21.6% (compartment 3) at day 84 (2.5 kgCOD m(-3)d(-1)). The strain JC3 cell numbers determined by FISH correlated closely with the cellulose-degrading methanogenic activities of retained sludge. A specific primer set targeting the cellulase gene (cellobiohydrolaseA: cbhA) of strain JC3 was designed and applied to digested sludge for treating solid waste such as coffee grounds, wastepaper, garbage, cellulose and so on. The strain JC3 cell numbers determined by quantitative PCR correlated closely with the cellulose-sludge loading of the thermophilic digester. Strain JC3 is thus important in the anaerobic hydrolysis of cellulose in thermophilic anaerobic digestion processes.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed2004

Polo-like kinase 1 overexpression is an early event in the progression of papillary carcinoma.

Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is one of the serine threonine kinases that contributes to cell mitosis and is regarded as a marker of cellular proliferation. However, its protein expression in human carcinoma has not been studied in depth. We investigated PLK1 expression in various thyroid neoplasms in order to elucidate its physiological significance in thyroid carcinoma. Normal follicular cells only occasionally expressed PLK1. In follicular tumours and anaplastic carcinoma, PLK1 overexpression was not a common event and only 5.9% of follicular adenoma, 7.1% of follicular carcinoma, and 11.8% of anaplastic carcinoma overexpressed this protein. However, 43.7% of papillary carcinoma overexpressed PLK1. Polo-like kinase 1 overexpression was more frequently observed in smaller papillary carcinoma lesions, and 62.5% of microcarcinoma (ranging from 4 mm to 1.0 cm) and even 66.7% of incidental carcinoma (less than 4 mm) overexpressed it, whereas this phenomenon could only be seen in 20.0% of lesions larger than 4.0 cm. Furthermore, PLK1 overexpression was not related to cell-proliferating activity evaluated by Ki-67 labelling index, but it was inversely linked to UICC stage, extrathyroidal invasion, and the presence of poorly differentiated lesion as proposed by Sakamoto et al. These findings strongly suggest that, unlike other carcinomas previously studied, PLK1 does not act as a cell cycle regulator but plays a constitutive role in papillary carcinoma especially in the early phase, and may contribute to the malignant transformation of this carcinoma.

Blotting, Western↗

PubMed2004

Tie-1 tyrosine kinase expression in human thyroid neoplasms.

AIMS: To investigate tie-1 expression in human thyroid neoplasms. Recent studies have demonstrated that receptor-type tyrosine kinases (RTKs) contribute to carcinoma progression. Tie-1 is one of the RTKs and plays a role in angiogenesis, although its pathophysiological significance in human carcinoma is still to be elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Immunohistochemical expression of tie-1 was studied in various thyroid neoplasms. Tie-1 immunoreactivity was only occasionally observed in normal follicular cells. In papillary carcinoma, tie-1 was classified as positive in carcinoma cells in 55.7% of the cases and was more frequently expressed in those of smaller size with an absence of a poorly differentiated lesion. In contrast, tie-1 was positive in only 8.3% of anaplastic carcinoma and no cases of follicular carcinoma or adenoma were positive. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that tie-1 has a role in thyroid tumorigenesis, especially in the early phase of papillary carcinoma, but it is not important in the progression of anaplastic carcinoma or follicular tumour.

Carcinoma↗

PubMed2003

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in thyroid neoplasms.

AIMS: Previous studies have demonstrated that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays a role in carcinogenesis and carcinoma development. In this study, we investigated its expression in thyroid neoplasms in order to elucidate its role. METHODS AND RESULTS: COX-2 expression was studied immunohistochemically in 20 anaplastic (undifferentiated) carcinomas, 49 papillary carcinomas, 22 follicular carcinomas and 15 follicular adenomas. Positive staining was only occasionally seen in normal follicles or stromal cells. COX-2 over-expression was found in only 20.0% of follicular adenomas and 40.9% of follicular carcinomas. In papillary carcinomas, the incidence (81.3%) was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than in follicular carcinomas, although COX-2 expression was reduced in cases with old age (P = 0.0190), large size (P = 0.0028), advanced stage (P = 0.0225), satellite tumours (P = 0.0363), and the presence of solid, scirrhous or trabecular growth patterns (P = 0.0018). Undifferentiated carcinomas less frequently over-expressed COX-2 (P = 0.0004), with an incidence of 40.0%. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the up-regulation of COX-2 may contribute predominantly in the early phase of papillary carcinoma progression, whereas it plays a more adjuvant role in follicular carcinoma progression.

Carcinoma↗

PubMed2003

Syndecan-1 expression in thyroid carcinoma: stromal expression followed by epithelial expression is significantly correlated with dedifferentiation.

AIM: To investigate the expression of syndecan-1 in thyroid neoplasia. Syndecan-1 is a proteoglycan regulating cell adhesion. Previous studies have demonstrated that decreased expression of syndecan-1 is linked to malignant progression. METHODS AND RESULTS: Syndecan-1 expression in thyroid neoplasia was studied immunohistochemically. Syndecan-1 was expressed in stromal cells as well as neoplastic epithelial cells. Stromal syndecan-1 expression was observed more frequently in papillary carcinomas larger than 10 mm in size than in microcarcinomas and in widely invasive than in minimally invasive follicular carcinomas. Furthermore, poorly differentiated carcinomas showed this phenomenon more than well-differentiated carcinomas, but the expression in undifferentiated carcinomas was similar to that of poorly differentiated carcinomas. Epithelial syndecan-1 expression was more frequently observed in anaplastic (undifferentiated) carcinomas than in papillary and follicular carcinomas. No significant difference in epithelial expression was found between well and poorly differentiated carcinomas, but undifferentiated carcinomas expressed epithelial syndecan-1 more frequently than did poorly differentiated carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: These results are in contrast to those previously reported for carcinomas at other sites. It is suggested that the role of syndecan-1 in thyroid carcinomas might be unique. Stromal syndecan-1 expression followed by its epithelial expression is significantly related to progression, including dedifferentiation of thyroid carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2003

The behavior of estrogenic substances in the biological treatment process of sewage.

A study was conducted for about one year on the fate and behavior of estrogens, namely 17beta-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), and estriol (E3) in an activated sludge process of a pilot scale plant supplied with domestic sewage. A simultaneous analytical method for these three substances using LC-MS/MS was developed and applied to sewage samples. The average removal of E2 was 94.7%, while that of E3 was 96.9%. In contrast, the average removal of E1 was relatively low at 69.2% with a maximum concentration of 55.4 ng/L detected in the treated water. The theoretical values of estrogenic activity calculated from the concentrations of each natural estrogen in treated water were found to correlate with the values of estrogenic activity measured by a yeast estrogen screening assay. The effect of E2 on estrogenic activity in influent was found to be high, while that of E1 in treated water was considerably higher. In batch treatment tests on E2, E2 turned into E1 immediately after being charged. After three hours of aeration, the values of both E1 and E2 were around threshold limits. It was determined from this that E1 and E2 were substances that could be degraded by biological treatment. As the removal of E2 was found to be sufficiently high at times, optimization of operational conditions based on E1 removal should be important for reducing estrogenic activity in treated water.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed2002

Evaluation of estrogen-like activity on sewage treatment processes using recombinant yeast.

Four sewage treatment plants based on an activated sludge process and a pilot scale plant for advanced sewage treatment located in Japan were evaluated for removal of estrogenic substances using in vitro recombinant yeast assay and chemical analysis. The results indicated that 17beta-estradiol (E2) significantly contributed to estrogen-like activity analyzed by yeast assay especially in secondary treated effluents. On the other hand, batch study showed that estrogen-like activity of spiked E2 was easily decreased by an activated sludge treatment. This result suggested that E2 concentrations measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) were interpreted as false positives in effluents, and that unknown estrogenic substances other than E2 might have contributed to estrogen-like activity in the secondary treated effluents. Further, in the pilot scale study, advanced sewage treatment processes such as a biological aerated filtration (BAF) process, an advanced oxidation process (AOP), were effective for the removal of those estrogenic activities contributed by unknown estrogenic substances in sewage secondary treated effluent.

Endocrine System↗

PubMed2001

Splenic and pulmonary metastases from renal cell carcinoma: report of a case.

We report herein the case of a patient in whom pulmonary and splenic metastases from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were successfully treated by surgical excision. A 69-year-old man who underwent left nephrectomy for RCC 17 months before was suspected to have a pulmonary metastasis based on computed tomography (CT) findings. Partial resection of the left lower lobe was performed with thoracoscopic assistance. However, 4 months later, a splenic tumor, 6 cm in diameter, was detected by CT and ultrasonography, and a splenectomy was performed. Histologically, both resected specimens were diagnosed as metastasis from RCC. A second pulmonary metastasis of the left upper lobe was resected 4 years 8 months later. The patient was in good health when last seen 11 months after his last operation. Malignant neoplasms rarely metastasize to the spleen and most cases are found at autopsy, or feature multiple distant metastases. Only four other cases of splenic metastases from RCC have been reported. The prognosis associated with splenic metastasis is favorable when only a solitary lesion exists.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

[A case of locally advanced breast cancer successfully treated with wide resection and reconstruction of chest wall with A-O metallic plates].

A 63-year-old female with locally advanced breast cancer was treated with preoperative chemotherapy using docetaxel. The therapeutic regimen was comprised of four cycles at 3-week intervals. One cycle consisted of 80 mg of docetaxel which was administered on day 1. A remarkable response was confirmed. The side effects such as leukopenia, general fatigue and alopecia were moderate and had no influence on the patient's QOL. After preoperative chemotherapy, a full thickness chest wall resection was performed. Chest wall defect was reconstructed with orthopedic A-O metallic plates, Marlex mesh and rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. These metal plates were very useful because it was easy to bend and twist them manually to fit the defect at the time of operation. Moreover, the curved metal plates preserved the cone form of the chest cage. The postoperative course was favourable without frail chest or wound infection.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

PubMed2000

A case of breast cancer diagnosed by inguinal lymph node metastasis.

We describe a case of a 58-year-old woman with right inguinal lymph node swelling and a T1 tumor in the right breast. She was referred with an 18-month history of the former complaint and a six-month history of the latter. Excisional biopsy of the inguinal lymph node revealed breast cancer metastasis. Radiographical examination showed no metastases to the lungs, liver or bone. Modified radical mastectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed solid tubular carcinoma, PT2, PM (axillary lymph node metastases 4/16), stage IV. Estrogen and progesterone receptors were negative. Three cycles of postoperative cyclophosphamide, adriamycin and 5-fluorouracil (CAF) chemotherapy were given, and the right inguinal area was irradiated with 40 Gy. The patient complained of swelling in both legs three years after surgery. Computed tomography revealed marked lymph node swellings in the pelvic cavity. She died six months later. Inguinal lymph node metastasis from breast cancer is very rare, although distant lymph node metastasis in the cervix occurs frequently. This case should help clarify how breast cancer metastasizes to distant lymph nodes.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2000

Multiple inflammatory pseudotumors mimicking liver metastasis from colon cancer: report of a case.

A 54-year-old man underwent an operation for colon cancer histologically diagnosed as moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with clinical staging of Dukes C. He was prescribed carmofur for adjuvant chemotherapy. A follow-up computed tomography scan done 6 months later revealed two new low-density areas in the liver. A diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma from the previous colon cancer was presumed, based on the patient's history and radiological findings, and resection of the affected area of liver was performed. Histological examination of these tumors revealed that they were inflammatory pseudotumors (IPT). The patient had an excellent postoperative course and has shown no further signs of recurrence in the 3 years since his last operation. IPT of the liver is a rare disease, for which no methods of diagnosis and treatment have been established, since it is difficult to distinguish IPT from hepatocellular carcinoma or metastatic carcinoma. We describe this case with a review of the 101 cases of IPT documented in the Japanese literature, in the hope that it will contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of this unusual disease entity.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2000

Evaluation of phosphate removal from water by immobilized phosphate-binding protein PstS.

The phosphate (P(i))-binding protein PstS is a member of a family of periplasmic proteins that act as high-affinity receptors for active transport systems in bacteria. PstS protein purified from Pseudomonas aeruginosa was immobilized to N-hydroxysuccinimide-activated Sepharose, packed into a plastic column (5 x 70 mm), and examined for its potential ability to remove P(i) from water. The PstS-Sepharose column completely removed P(i) from 32P-labeled pond water containing about 0.5 microM P(i) (0.015 mg P per liter). More than 90% of 32P-P(i) that was retained in the column could be eluted by washing with low-pH water.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

[A case report of successful transcatheter arterial embolization therapy for osseous metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma].

A 74-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a chief complaint of severe local pain of the hip joint. Radiological findings showed a metastasized lesion on the left side of the pelvic wall originated from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the anterior segment of the liver. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) therapy using epirubicin, Lipiodol and Spongel was successfully performed twice for primary HCC, and four times for osseous metastasis of HCC. After TAE therapy, the size of the metastasized lesion decreased with relief of pain, and an improvement in performance status of 4 to 2 was achieved. In conclusion, TAE therapy is thought to be very useful in the treatment of osseous metastasis of HCC with severe local pain.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

[Intrapericardiac instillation of epirubicin for carcinomatous cardiac tamponade from breast cancer].

Three cases of carcinomatous cardiac tamponade from breast cancer are presented. All patients have had another recurrence and history of treatment. Though the prognoses were considered to be unfavorable, pericardiac drainage and the instillation of epirubicin were effective. Side effects of fever and dyspnea were experienced temporarily by two patients with no serious events. Following the systemic chemotherapy, two patients needed no supplemental drainage. All patients had a sufficient quality of life for about 1 year or longer. We found that positive therapy can be significant for such patients with advanced disease.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

[Partial liver resection with small skin incision for multidisciplinary treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma].

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is likely to be detected as multiple intrahepatic metastases, and trans-arterial embolization (TAE) is the treatment of choice. However, other therapy is needed when TAE is not effective for a tumor. We performed partial liver resection with small skin incision in two such patients. One patient had two HCCs of segment 6 (S6) and S7, and TAE was performed twice. However, HCC of S7 was viable, and we partially resected the tumor of S7. In the other patient, HCC was multiple in segment 6 and 7. TAE was performed three times, and in segment 6 we detected a tumor which grew into the extrahepatic space and seemed uneffected by TAE. We performed a partial resection of liver segment 6. After 3 months, TAE was repeated in the latter. The operation time was about three hours, and no blood transfusion was performed. Two of the patients were discharged on the 13th postoperative day. We concluded that partial liver resection with small skin incision was useful for one case of multidisciplinary treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

[Neoadjuvant intraarterial chemotherapy for ten cases of inflammatory breast cancer by Seldinger's methods].

The conventional methods (CM) of intraarterial (IA) chemotherapy for inflammatory breast cancer were catheterizations from superior epigastric and brachial artery under general anesthesia. Since 1997, we selected the Seldinger's methods (SM) for ten cases of the disease to control local effects and simplify the technique. Complications of the SM were slight, and side effects were equal to those with CM. The postoperative pathological findings of the SM showed the direct effects of chemotherapy to tumor cells (degenerative and necrotic changes) as compared with the embolism-like effects of CM. But the overall histological effects of chemotherapy by SM were almost equal to those for CM. The strong points of the SM were as follows: 1) More selective IA chemotherapy is available, 2) one can find the passage of the aim vessels and no trouble related to catheter, 3) general anesthesia is not necessary, and the techniques are simple, 4) the wounds are not remarkable. The disadvantages are as follows: 1) Patients must rest the day of IA chemotherapy, 2) in 20% of the procedures, one can not search the vessels, and 3) in 4 cases complications of stiffness of Mj or Mn pectral muscles were found. In future, we expect more effective results by dose escalation or combination chemotherapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗