Biomedical subjects

H Utsunomiya

Publications and source records attributed to H Utsunomiya.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Partial photoneutron cross sections for the isomeric state 180Tam.

Photoneutron cross sections for (181)Ta(y, n) (180)Ta(m) were determined from simultaneous measurements of total cross sections (sigma(tot) and ground-state cross sections (sigma(gs)) for (180)Ta in photodisintegration of with laser Compton-backscattered rays. Techniques of direct neutron counting and photoactivation were used for the measurement of sigma(tot) and sigma(gs), respectively. The partial cross sections for the isomeric state serves as a novel probe of the nuclear level density of (180)Ta. Implications for the p- and s-process nucleosynthesis of (180)Ta(m) are given.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Arrangement of fiber tracts forming Probst bundle in complete callosal agenesis: report of two cases with an evaluation by diffusion tensor tractography.

We report two patients with complete callosal agenesis in whom Probst bundles in both hemispheres could be depicted by diffusion tensor tractography (DTT). While one patient had no associated telencephalic anomaly other than callosal agenesis, the other had cortical dysplasia in the right frontal lobe. Although Probst bundles in the three normal hemispheres were well developed, that in the hemisphere which was affected by cortical dysplasia was small and poorly developed. DTT also showed that the fibers from the frontal pole ran more on the inner side of the Probst bundle than those from a more caudal region of the frontal lobe. Furthermore, fibers from the orbital gyri ran along the outermost side of Probst bundle. The arrangement of these fiber tracts in Probst bundle may reflect the developmental process of callosal fibers in their normal formation.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Magnetic resonance imaging of thoracic epidural venous dilation in Hirayama disease.

Hirayama disease is a nonprogressive, asymmetric amyotrophy of the hands and forearms, possibly caused by compression of the lower cervical cord on neck flexion. The authors used phase-contrast MR angiography to study a patient with this disorder and observed abnormal spinal epidural venous dilation on neck flexion. In addition to mechanical compression of the lower cervical cord, venous congestion in the spinal canal may have a role in promoting anterior horn damage.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Pulmonary thromboembolism following gynecologic surgery and cesarean section.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of symptomatic pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in patients following gynecologic surgery or cesarean section in Japan. METHOD: We examined the clinical records of all patients who have undergone gynecologic surgery or cesarean section at 32 hospitals affiliated with the Tohoku University Hospital between 1990 and 1999. RESULT: The total number of gynecologic surgical procedures and cesarean sections were 61648 and 26502, respectively. Twenty-five of the 88150 (0.028%) patients developed clinical PTE. Among the PTE patients who underwent gynecologic surgery, 86% were more than 40 years of age, 36% were obese (BMI>25 kg/m(2)) and 43% had uterine body cancer. Among the PTE patients who underwent cesarean section, 36% were more than 35 years of age and 55% were obese (BMI>29 kg/m(2)). CONCLUSION: Risk factors in Japanese patients undergoing gynecologic surgery may include age and cancer of the uterine body; risk factors for the development of PTE following cesarean section may include age and obesity.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Use of intraoperative dynamic infrared imaging with detection wavelength of 7-14 microm in the surgical obliteration of spinal arteriovenous fistula: case report and technical considerations.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Although improvements of spatial and temporal resolution in infrared (IR) imaging have enabled intraoperative real-time acquisition of physiological and pathological information on living organs, the imaging qualities of anatomical delineation of blood vessels and functional delineation of blood flow were insufficient to serve as visual monitoring. The main reason was partly due to the lack of an appropriate IR detection IR band (formerly 3 - 5 micro m), and the broad dynamic range in previous modalities. METHODS: To make a good contrast between blood vessels and surrounding tissues, the detection wavelength was shifted to the long-wave (7 - 14 micro m) part of IR spectrum, which includes the peak IR wave from living tissue (9 - 10 micro m), and the dynamic range was confined to +/- 10 degrees C around 35 degrees C. The novel camera system (IRIS IV infrared imaging system) was used for the visual monitoring of blood flow during the obliteration of a spinal perimedullary arteriovenous fistula at Th 7 in 71-year-old male patient. The temperature resolution of camera was 0.15 degrees C, with its intensity resolution of 16 bit (320 x 240 pixels), and data were stored at a rate of 30 frames/second. High-quality delineation of blood vessels and blood flow was obtained all through the procedure without use of cold saline, which was an inevitable procedure to make contrast in the previously used thermography. However, the occasional use of an air blower was helpful to achieve adequate images in the deep and narrow area of the surgical field. The amount of shunt flow reduction was visualized by the intensity in the acquired imaging, which was also confirmed later by digital subtraction angiography. CONCLUSION: From the present experience, it is considered that this type of imaging may be able to substitute intraoperative blood vessel and blood flow monitoring in spinal and other neurosurgical disorders.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Complete response to radiation therapy in a patient with chemotherapy-resistant ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma.

Recurrent ovarian cancer after front-line chemotherapy is incurable. In most institutions, chemotherapy is continued as salvage therapy after primary chemotherapy failure and despite the fact that long-term survival and complete responses are infrequent. Radiation therapy for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer has often been done with palliative intent. A patient with ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma received irradiation with palliative intent to the whole pelvis after chemotherapy (paclitaxel, carboplatin, and irinotecan) produced no effect. Although she developed a rectovaginal fistula due to cancer invasion during radiation therapy. One year and half after the therapy, she is still alive with no evidence of disease. In an effort to maximize salvage potential and quality of life while minimizing toxicity, selected patients with ovarian cancer should be treated with radiation therapy directed to residual or recurrent sites.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗

PubMed2001

Calcitonin receptor gene polymorphism in japanese women: correlation with body mass and bone mineral density.

We have identified a polymorphism at position 1377 of the calcitonin receptor (CTR) gene which generates CC, CT, or TT genotype. In this study, the genotypes of the CTR and their relationship with the body height, the body weight, the bone mineral density (BMD), and osteocalcin levels were examined in 152 healthy Japanese women aged 16-43 years. The CTR genotypic frequencies in the Japanese population were 77.0% for CC, 20.4% for CT, and 2.6% for TT. The height, BMD, and osteocalcin levels were not significantly different among these three genotypes. The body weight adjusted for height in these three groups was significantly different in the order of TT, CT, and CC (P = 0.0454 by analysis of covariance). In combined analysis of the VDR genotype (B,b) and the CTR genotype (C,T), the body height was found to be significantly different between CCB and others (P = 0.0236). In addition, analysis of the CTR genotypic frequency using 64 blood samples from Japanese and 47 blood samples from Caucasians indicated that there was a significant difference between the two races (P < 0.0001). We found that C allele was predominant in the Japanese population, however, Caucasians have an almost equal ratio of the C and T. In conclusion, the CTR allele is one of the genetic factors regulating body weight in Japanese women.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2001

Biallelic inactivation of retinoic acid receptor beta2 gene by epigenetic change in breast cancer.

A growing body of evidence supports the hypotheses that retinoic acid receptor beta2 (RAR beta2) is a tumor suppressor gene. Although the loss of RAR beta2 expression has been reported in many malignant tumors, including breast cancer, the molecular mechanism is still poorly understood. We hypothesized that loss of RAR beta2 activity could result from multiple factors, including epigenetic modification and loss of heterozygosity (LOH). Using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction and LOH analysis, we found that biallelic inactivation via epigenetic changes of both maternal and paternal alleles, or epigenetic modification of one allele combined with genetic loss of the remaining allele, could completely suppress RAR beta2 expression in breast cancer. Thus, it is possible that substantial numbers of human cancers arise through suppressor gene silencing via epigenetic mechanisms that inactivate both alleles. Because of this, chromatin-remodeling drugs may provide a novel strategy for cancer prevention and treatment.

Alleles↗

PubMed2001

Prognostic significance of neuroendocrine differentiation, proliferation activity and androgen receptor expression in prostate cancer.

Androgen, acting via the androgen receptor (AR), is associated with the development and progression of prostate cancer. Anti-androgen therapy is widely used to manage prostate cancer. However, the conversion of the tumor from a hormone-sensitive to a hormone-insensitive status causes such therapy to fail. Several mechanisms have now been put forward for this conversion, including neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation of the tumor cells. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic significance of tumor-cell proliferation activity, NE differentiation and AR expression. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections were prepared from 42 patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Using antibodies to AR, the Ki-67 antigen (MIB-1), chromogranin A and synaptophysin, immunohistochemical expression of AR, tumor proliferation activity and NE differentiation were analyzed. Our study revealed that AR expression was significantly lower in adenocarcinoma (52.2 +/- 27.1%) than in non-tumorous prostate tissue (68.3 +/- 18.3%; P < 0.001). NE differentiation was found in 50% of the tumors, which was correlated with the Gleason score (P < 0.05). An univariate analysis revealed a significant correlation between progression-free survival with both AR expression (P < 0.01) and proliferation activity (P < 0.001). NE differentiation was not a prognostic factor in this study.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2001

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: clinicopathological study of Chinese cases.

In the present study, we reviewed 73 Chinese cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), and analyzed factors in evaluating malignant potential, in particular focusing on Ki-67 index and p53 expression to determine whether these can be used as prognostic indicators in GIST. The p53 positive rate was 50.7% and it was significantly higher in malignant (25/35; 71.43%) than in benign cases (13/38; 34.21%). A Ki-67 labeling index of >10% was also significantly different between malignant (23/35; 65.71%) and benign cases (14/38; 36.84%). In the cases in which the patient died, 15/21 and 14/21 cases showed expression of p53 and Ki-67, respectively; both had a higher expression than in surviving cases. Comparing the cases positive for both Ki-67 and p53 with those positive for Ki-67 or p53 alone, and those negative for both Ki-67 and p53, the latter demonstrated the best prognosis. The study also indicated that the malignant potential of GIST is correlated with the mitotic index (> or =1/10 high-power fields; HPF), tumor size (> or =5 cm), high cellularity, tumor invasive growth, tumor location, tumor hemorrhage and tumor necrosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Retinoid receptors in the human endometrium and its disorders: a possible modulator of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

Retinoids have recently been proposed to modulate estrogenic actions in various sex steroid-dependent neoplasms, but little has been studied in human endometrial disorders. Therefore, in this study, we first examined the immunolocalization of retinoic acid receptor alpha, beta, and gamma, and retinoid X receptor (RXR) alpha, beta, and gamma in 20 normal cycling human endometria, 34 endometrial hyperplasia, and 46 endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinomas. We then correlated these findings with other clinicopathological parameters, especially in the correlation between retinoid receptor subtypes and the status of steroid hormone receptors, 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSD) and aromatase. We also then examined the effects of retinoic acid on the expression of 17 beta-HSD type 2 in cell lines derived from endometrial carcinoma using Northern blotting analysis to examine the possible roles of retinoids in in situ endometrial estrogen metabolism. Among these six retinoid receptors examined, RXR gamma immunoreactivity was exclusively detected in the epithelial cells of the secretory phase endometrium but not of the proliferative phase, which was well correlated with 17 beta-HSD type 2 immunolocalization. However, in endometrial hyperplasia, RXR gamma was not correlated with 17 beta-HSD type 2. In endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma, there was a statistically significant correlation between 17 beta-HSD type 2 immunoreactivity and RXR gamma labeling index (LI) (P < 0.001) and between RXR gamma LI and progesterone receptor LI (r = 0.501, P = 0.003). A significant inverse correlation was also detected between RXR gamma LI and patient age (r = 0.449, P = 0.015). No statistically significant correlation was obtained between LIs of receptors and other clinicopathological parameters including the status of intratumoral aromatase examined by immunohistochemistry. In the endometrial carcinoma cell line, RL95-2, retinoic acid markedly increased the level of 17 beta-HSD type 2 messenger RNA in a time- and dose-dependent manner. These results all suggest that retinoic acids may be involved in modulation of in situ estrogen metabolism in both normal and neoplastic human endometrium possibly through RXR gamma by stimulating the expression of 17 beta-HSD type 2.

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

PubMed2001

The analyses of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isozymes in human endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma.

Intratumoral metabolism and synthesis of estrogens are considered to play very important roles in the pathogenesis and development of human endometrial adenocarcinoma. The 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD) isozymes catalyze the interconversion of estradiol (E2) and estrone and thereby serve to modulate the tissue levels of bioactive E2. To elucidate the possible involvement of this enzyme in human endometrial carcinoma, we first examined the expression of 17beta-HSD type 1 and type 2 in 20 normal cycling human endometria, 36 endometrial hyperplasia, and 46 endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma using immunohistochemistry, and we then studied immunoreactivity of 17beta-HSD type 2 using immunoblotting analyses, the activity of 17beta-HSD type 1 and type 2 using thin-layer chromatography and their expression using RT-PCR in endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma. We correlated these findings with various clinicopathological parameters to examine the biological significance of 17beta-HSDs in human endometrial disorders. 17beta-HSD type 2 immunoreactivity in normal endometrium was present in all cases of secretory phase (n = 14), but not in any endometrial mucosa of proliferative phase (n = 6). In addition, 17beta-HSD type 2 immunoreactivity was detected in 27 of 36 (75%) endometrial hyperplasia and 17 of 46 (37%) carcinoma cases. 17beta-HSD type 1 immunoreactivity was not detected in all the cases examined. In both endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma cases there were significant positive correlations between 17beta-HSD type 2 and progesterone receptor labeling index (LI). In carcinoma cases, a significant inverse correlation was detected between 17beta-HSD type 2 immunoreactivity and age. In addition, 17beta-HSD type 2 immunoreactivity was also correlated with 17beta-HSD type 2 enzymatic activity, and semiquantitative analyses of 17beta-HSD type 2 messenger RNA. No significant correlations were detected between 17beta-HSD type 2 and estrogen receptor LI, Ki67 LI, amount of aromatase messenger RNA or histological grade. These data indicated that the expression of 17beta-HSD type 2 in hyperplastic and/or neoplastic endometrium may represent altered cellular features through hyperplastic and neoplastic transformation. However, 17beta-HSD type 2 may also play some protective and/or suppressive roles toward unopposed estrogenic effects through inactivating E2 in situ, especially in premenopausal patients.

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

PubMed2001

A case of hemiplegic migraine in childhood: transient unilateral hyperperfusion revealed by perfusion MR imaging and MR angiography.

We report on an 8-year-old girl with a typical attack of hemiplegic migraine, in whom MR angiography and perfusion MR imaging revealed unilateral dilation of branches of both the middle and posterior cerebral arteries and hyperperfusion of the ipsilateral hemisphere, respectively. The findings resolved spontaneously after the attack. These imaging techniques should be indicated for patients with migraine attacks and may play a role in assessing the vascular events in migraine headache.

Cerebrovascular Circulation↗

PubMed2000

Thymidine phosphorylase expression in tumor stroma of uterine cervical carcinomas: histological features and microvessel density.

Immunohistochemical staining was performed on 91 cases of uterine neoplasm in order to determine if expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor/thymidine phosphorylase (TP) correlates with tumor microvessel density (MVD) and histological parameters of uterine carcinomas in tumor cells and in tumor stroma. The sample group consisted of 72 primary invasive squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix (ISC) and 19 cervical intraepithelial neoplasms (CIN) of the uterus. In ISC of the cervix, TP expression in tumor stroma showed a significant correlation with a non-keratinizing histological subtype (P < 0.001) and with an infiltrating invasive pattern (P < 0.001). However, in tumor cells the TP expression showed a higher correlation with a keratinizing histological subtypes (P = 0.009). MVD was significantly higher (P = 0.002) in tumors showing high TP expression in stroma than in tumors with low expression. These findings suggest that the TP expression in stromal cells, rather than in tumor cells, may play a role in promoting microvessel growth in cervical squamous cell carcinoma, and angiogenesis may also have an association with tumor cell invasion.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

PubMed2000

Thymidine phosphorylase expression correlates with tumor differentiation and Bcl-2 in invasive breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis plays an important role in the growth and metastasis of solid tumors. Several angiogenic factors have been identified, and thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is thought to be one such factor. To date, little information is available on the relationship between TP and other clinicopathological variables. METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded materials from 116 primary breast carcinomas were used. The expression of TP, estrogen receptor, Bcl-2, Bax, p53, c-erbB-2 and MIB-1 was examined by immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: Nuclear and/or cytoplasmic TP expression was observed in the neoplastic cells, and accentuation of TP was often present at the infiltrating tumor edge and intraductal spread region. Tumor cell TP expression was significantly inversely correlated with histological grade (p< 0.05) and positively correlated with Bcl-2 expression, but no association with other tumor variables was found. CONCLUSIONS: TP is associated with Bcl-2 expression and tumor differentiation in breast cancer. TP may be a new prognostic parameter for breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed2000

Severe complications of mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst: report of esophagobronchial fistula and hemothorax.

We report two patients with alcoholic pancreatic pseudocyst which communicated to the mediastinal space through the aortic hiatus, in one patient resulting in hypotensive shock due to hemothorax, and in the other, resulting in esophagobronchial fistula via the mediastinal cyst. The first patient was successfully treated by radical resection of the pancreatic body and tail, and the spleen, with an ultrasonic scalpel, although inflammatory changes caused by pancreatitis were so prominent that the splenic vein was occluded. The second patient could not be treated surgically, because the superior mesenteric vein had been occluded by chronic pancreatitis; he died of respiratory failure and sepsis due to aspiration pneumonia, despite receiving medical treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Extrahepatic large hepatocellular carcinoma with peritoneal dissemination: multimodal treatment, including four surgical operations.

We report a patient with extrahepatically growing large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with disseminated intraabdominal tumor and spontaneous tumor bleeding who was treated with four operations, transcatheter arterial embolization, systemic chemotherapy, and hyperthermia. It took 12 months for the multimodal treatment to normalize the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level, and remission continued for 6 months. We performed the fourth surgical treatment for a recurrent abdominal tumor involving the small intestine and mesentery, but the patient died 26 months after the first admission. Multimodal treatment, including repeat surgical treatments, for such advanced HCC should be encouraged, to prolong life and to maintain quality of life.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMed2000

Expression of Bcl-2 but not Bax or p53 correlates with in vitro resistance to a series of anticancer drugs in breast carcinoma.

Programmed cell death is an important determinant of the response to chemotherapy. Among the factors controlling this process, a significant role is played by bcl-2, bax and p53. The in vitro chemosensitivity of the 177 breast carcinomas was assessed by the histoculture drug response assay (HDRA) using mitomycin C (MMC), 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu), adriamycin (ADM), cisplatin (CDDP), and cyclophosphamide (CPA). The susceptibility of Bcl-2-negative tumors to all the drugs killing was significantly higher than that of Bcl-2-positive tumors. No relationship between Bax or p53 immunoreactivity and sensitivity for any of anticancer drugs studied was demonstrated. Immunohistochemical results regarding Bcl-2 are promising in the evaluation of the sensitivity of cancer cells to a series of anticancer drugs and might be therapeutically useful as an indicator of response to adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents↗