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Biomedical subjects

A Nishie

Publications and source records attributed to A Nishie.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Portal vein occlusion or stenosis in patients with hepatolithiasis: observation by multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT.

AIMS: To analyze the dynamic findings of multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT in hepatolithiasis and to elucidate occlusive changes in portal veins and other associated abnormalities. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 25 selected patients with hepatolithiasis who underwent various imaging examinations, including multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT. The following CT findings were evaluated in each of 71 hepatic segments: visualization of a calculus; biliary dilation or focal hepatic atrophy of the affected segment; areas that were abnormally enhanced in the hepatic arterial phase; degrees (normal, stenosis, occlusion) of portal vein calibre; and linear delayed enhancement along the bile-duct walls, suggesting cholangitis. RESULTS: On CT, calculi were depicted as a hyperdense structures in 61 of 71 segments (86%). Focal hepatic atrophy, which frequently accompanied CT findings suggesting compensatory hypertrophy of other segments, was seen in 50 of 71 segments (70%). Areas that were abnormally enhanced were recognized in 36 of 71 segments (51%). Stenosis or occlusion of portal venous branches was observed in 59 of 71 segments (83%), including 13 segments with occlusion. Findings indicating cholangitis were noted in 50 of 71 segments (70%). The degrees of portal vein calibre were significantly correlated with the presence of hepatic atrophy or cholangitis. CONCLUSION: Hepatolithiasis is associated with significant rates of stenosis or occlusion of adjacent portal veins as well as hepatic parenchymal changes in the affected area. Chronic deterioration of portal flow may cause these morphological changes.

Adult↗

Liver lesions of visceral larva migrans due to Ascaris suum infection: CT findings.

The purpose of this study was to analyze computed tomographic (CT) findings of hepatic lesions due to Ascaris suum infection. CT of the liver in three patients, all of whom had immunoserologically confirmed A. suum infection, were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-five lesions were identified in total. Two radiologists analyzed CT findings in a consensus fashion, with particular interest in the margin, shape, and location of the lesions. Hepatic lesions were ill-defined (22 of 25), small (3-35 mm; average, 11 mm), and nodular (18 of 25) or wedge (three of 25) in shape. Most were located in periportal (16 of 25) or subcapsular (six of 25) regions. Hepatic nodules due to visceral larva migrans of A. suum were located mainly in periportal or subcapsular regions, which may represent periportal eosinophilic granuloma, its pathologic feature. The results were considered to represent the pathophysiology of this entity.

Adult↗

Gluteal muscular and sciatic nerve metastases in advanced urinary bladder carcinoma: case report.

We present a case of gluteal muscular and sciatic nerve metastases from urinary bladder carcinoma. T2-weighted magnetic resonance images demonstrated diffuse swelling and an increase in the signal of the right gluteus maximus muscle without destruction of the original arrangement of muscular fibers. Further, remarkable thickening of the right sciatic nerve showing a relatively hypointense signal was detected. Postcontrast T1-weighted images showed strong enhancement of these structures. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy with ultrasonographic guidance confirmed metastatic carcinoma cells in the right gluteal muscle and the sciatic nerve. These radiologic findings may represent a rare pattern of metastasis from urinary bladder carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Angiogenesis factors.

Angiogenesis is a recent highlight in the medical field; the developmental process and pathological conditions for various diseases can be understood from the novel aspect of "angiogenesis". Many angiogenesis-related factors are involved in the development of vessels during embryogenesis (vasculogenesis), as well as the induction of new vessels in response to physiological or pathological stimuli. In particular, the appearance of hemangioblasts, precursor cells for vascular endothelial cells and blood cells, and blood islands are expected to play a "prelude" role in tubulogenesis. Gene knock out mice of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF receptor, ephrin-B2, and angiopoietin-1 results in a failure of normal vessels production. Dormant factors derived from proteolytic cleavage of various physiological substrates are expected to balance a homeostasis of "angiogenic states" in the host. Furthermore, angiogenesis under various pathological conditions of malignant tumors, ocular diseases, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis and other diseases is associated with complex angiogenesis networks, suggesting pleiotropic mechanisms for angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis Inducing Agents↗

High expression of the Cap43 gene in infiltrating macrophages of human renal cell carcinomas.

We used suppression subtractive hybridization to identify highly expressed genes in the cancerous region of human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) compared with noncancerous tissue. Nine genes were identified to show increased expression in the cancerous region compared with the noncancerous region. The nine genes included thymosin beta4, secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), Cap43, ceruloplasmin, serum amyloid A, osteopontin, heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), LOT1, and casein kinase I. Of these 9 genes, in situ hybridization with 10 clinical samples consistently showed a strong expression of Cap43 mRNA in infiltrating macrophages in RCCs, but not in cancer cells proliferating in an alveolar pattern. However, Cap43 mRNA was also apparently detected in epithelial cells of the renal proximal tubuli in noncancerous tissue. The higher expression of the Cap43 gene in the cancerous region of RCCs appears to depend on macrophage infiltration. Moreover, treatment with phorbol ester resulted in enhanced expression of the Cap43 gene in human monocytic cells in vitro. The expression of the Cap43 gene in infiltrating macrophages is discussed in association with the differentiated or activated status of monocyte/macrophage.

Adult↗

[A safe and simple method of percutaneous transfemoral implantation of a port-catheter access system for hepatic artery chemotherapy infusion].

The purpose of this study was to perform a simple percutaneous transfemoral implantation of a portcatheter access system using a new catheter coating for hepatic artery chemotherapy infusion, and to evaluate the complications of transfemoral infusion port implantation. The methods of treatment for complications were also studied. The port-catheter system was percutaneously implanted via femoral artery access in 180 patients with malignant liver tumors. Blood flow redistribution was performed using embolization coils. An unfixed 5 Fr catheter was placed in a hepatic artery, and connected to a port implanted subcutaneously below the level of the inguinal ligament. The success rate of implantation was 99%. Complications after placement were observed as follows: port system obstruction (9.6%); dislocation of the catheter tip (8.4%); drug toxicity (4.5%); and infection (3.4%). Notable is the avoidance of cerebral infarcts. In 3 of 17 patients with port obstruction, recanalization of the port was achieved. In 11 of 15 patients with catheter dislocation, replacement of the catheter-port system was successful. In 5 patients with hepatic artery occlusion, the replacement of a microcatheter-port access system was achieved, and hepatic artery chemotherapy infusion was resumed. This percutaneous transfemoral implantation of a catheter-port access system would seem to be a very simple and useful method for many clinical doctors, and it may improve the quality of life in patients with an unresectable malignant liver tumor.

Adolescent↗

The specific expression of three novel splice variant forms of human metalloprotease-like disintegrin-like cysteine-rich protein 2 gene inBrain tissues and gliomas.

We have previously identified 67 exons on a yeast artificial chromosome contig spanning 1.5 Mb around the multidrug resistance 1 gene region of human chromosome 7q21.1. In this study, we identified three novel cytoplasmic variants (MDC2-gamma, MDC2-delta, and MDC2-epsilon) of the human metalloprotease-like disintegrin-like cysteine-rich protein 2 (MDC2) among these exons by screening a human brain cDNA library and also by using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Genomic sequence analysis strongly supported the idea that the variations in the cytoplasmic domain were generated by alternative splicing. The expression of MDC2 variant forms in human brain tissue and gliomas was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and RNase protection assay. MDC2-epsilon was expressed only in the cortical and hippocampal regions in human brain, but not in gliomas. In contrast, MDC2-gamma was a major form expressed in human gliomas. Specific expression of these cytoplasmic variants of MDC2 in human brain and its malignancies is discussed.

ADAM Proteins↗

Biological implications of macrophage infiltration in human tumor angiogenesis.

Tumor angiogenesis is believed to be induced by increased production of angiogenic factors and decreased production of angiogenic inhibitors by cancer cells, vascular endothelial cells, and other stromal cell types. Most solid tumor cells are surrounded by stroma comprising interstitial connective tissue, blood vessels, fibroblastic cells, etc. Interaction between the stroma and malignant cells appears to have a critical role in the development of tumor neovasculature. We focused on macrophages, which demonstrate wide heterogeneity in biological function and have an essential role in tumor angiogenesis. Macrophages are terminally differentiated cells which produce a number of potent angiogenic cytokines and growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-8, and basic fibroblast growth factor. They also modulate events in the extracellular matrix through the secretion of extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes and -modulating enzymes. Thus macrophages could influence various stages of angiogenesis either positively or negatively. We found a close correlation between increased macrophage index, malignancy, and high vascular grade in malignant melanoma, and present a model for the possible involvement of activated macrophages in neovascularization in human malignant melanoma.

Animals↗

Macrophage infiltration and heme oxygenase-1 expression correlate with angiogenesis in human gliomas.

Macrophages are key participants in angiogenesis. In this study on human brain tumors, we first investigated whether macrophage infiltration is associated with angiogenesis and malignant histological appearance. Immunostaining of macrophages and small vessels in resected glioma specimens indicated that numbers of infiltrating macrophages and small vessel density were higher in glioblastomas than in astrocytomas or anaplastic astrocytomas. Macrophage infiltration was closely correlated with vascular density in human gliomas. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which is the rate-limiting enzyme in heme catabolism, was also associated with activated macrophages. Expression of mRNA encoding HO-1 was correlated with macrophage infiltration and vascular density in human glioma samples. Infiltrating macrophages were positively stained with anti-HO-1 antibody by immunohistochemical analysis, and in situ hybridization for HO-1 indicated that HO-1 was expressed in infiltrating macrophages in gliomas. HO-1 gene may be a useful marker for macrophage infiltration as well as neovascularization in human gliomas.

Adolescent↗

Novel biological functions of interleukin-4: formation of tube-like structures by vascular endothelial cells in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo.

The effect of interleukin-4 (IL-4) on angiogenesis was studied in vitro and in vivo. Human recombinant IL-4 significantly stimulated the formation of tube-like structures in collagen gels by bovine aortic endothelial cells as well as by human microvascular endothelial cells. Human recombinant IL-4 at 50-500 U/ml stimulated by about two- to threefold the formation of tubes by bovine aortic endothelial cells; the rate was comparable to that of basic fibroblast growth factor. Tube formation was almost completely inhibited by the addition of IL-4 receptor neutralizing antibody. Administration of rat recombinant IL-4 led to neovascularization when implanted in the rat cornea. Findings suggest that IL-4 may be a mediator of the immune system as well as an inducer of angiogenesis.

Animals↗

Fat in liver metastasis from renal cell carcinoma detected by chemical shift MR imaging.

A case with liver metastasis from papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is presented, in which intratumoral fat was detected on dual-echo chemical shift magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The preoperative chemical shift MR image of the primary RCC also suggested the presence of intratumoral fat. Liver metastasis from fat-containing RCC should be included in the differential diagnosis of fat-containing liver masses as observed on chemical shift MRI.

Adipose Tissue↗

Fat detection in gallbladder carcinoma with extensive xanthogranulomatous change demonstrated by chemical shift MR imaging.

We present a case of gallbladder carcinoma, in which fat was detected on dual-echo chemical shift magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Histologic analysis showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma associated with massive xanthogranulomatous change. Sudan IV staining successfully confirmed the presence of fat within the interstitial histiocytes. Although rare, gallbladder carcinoma with xanthogranulomatous change should be included in the differential diagnosis of fatty tumor involving the region of the liver as observed on chemical shift MRI.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Bilateral ovarian leiomyomas: CT and MRI features.

We recently treated a 21-year-old woman with leiomyomas arising from the bilateral ovaries, a very rare condition. On magnetic resonance imaging, more than half of the left adnexal mass showed low signal intensity on T2-weighted images and good enhancement by gadolinium-DTPA, and the remaining part showed high signal intensity on T2-weighted images, so the lesions initially were diagnosed as ovarian fibromas or as thecomas with a certain degree of degeneration. Pathologic examination of the excised tumors proved that they were bilateral ovarian leiomyomas; in addition, the tumor from the left side showed hemorrhagic and myxoid changes with torsion of 180 degrees.

Adult↗

Treatment of hepatic encephalopathy by retrograde transcaval coil embolization of an ileal vein-to-right gonadal vein portosystemic shunt.

A 43-year-old non-cirrhotic woman suffered from encephalopathy caused by an extrahepatic portosystemic shunt between the ileal vein and inferior vena cava via the right gonadal vein. Percutaneous transcatheter embolization with stainless steel coils was performed by the retrograde systemic venous approach. Encephalopathy improved dramatically.

Adult↗