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Biomedical subjects

M Noguchi

Publications and source records attributed to M Noguchi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Quantitative evaluation of bone metastases in patients with advanced prostate cancer during systemic treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical usefulness of quantifying the extent of disease on bone scans in monitoring treatment response in patients with advanced prostate cancer, using computer-assisted image analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The percentage of the positive area on the bone scan (%PABS) was quantified automatically using a personal computer with an image-analysis program. Serial measurements of %PABS in 42 patients with bone metastasis from prostate cancer followed for a mean (range) of 33 (4-72) months with hormonal therapy were compared with those of the extent of disease (EOD) grades in bone lesions and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels according to treatment response. RESULTS: Serial values of EOD grades and %PABS decreased during treatment in 11 patients with a partial response and in 12 with progressive disease who had no bone metastasis progression. However, EOD grades and %PABS increased in the remaining 19 patients with progressive disease who had bone metastatic progression. Estimated survival curves showed that %PABS was a useful prognostic indicator, in that patients with a > 25% decline in %PABS survived longer than those with a < 25% decline after treatment (P = 0.0207). CONCLUSIONS: The %PABS is a simple and reproducible estimate of the proportion of the skeleton involving tumours in patients with advanced prostate cancer, and serial measurements of %PABS can assist in monitoring the treatment response in patients with bone metastatic prostate cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

Dot pattern generation technique using molecular dynamics.

We have developed a new technique for generating homogeneously distributed irregular dot patterns useful for optical devices and digital halftoning technologies. To introduce irregularity, we use elaborately designed sequences called low-discrepancy sequences instead of pseudorandom numbers. We also use a molecular-dynamics redistribution method to improve the distribution of dots. Our method can produce arbitrary density distributions in accordance with a given design. The generated patterns are free from visible roughness as well as any moiré patterns when superimposed on other regular patterns. We demonstrate that our method effectively improves luminance uniformity and eliminates moiré patterns when used for a backlight unit of a liquid-crystal display.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Effects of the Japanese herbal medicine Keishi-bukuryo-gan and 17beta-estradiol on calcitonin gene-related peptide-induced elevation of skin temperature in ovariectomized rats.

The effects of a Japanese herbal medicine, Keishi-bukuryo-gan, and 17beta-estradiol on calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-induced elevation of skin temperature were investigated in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Ovariectomy not only potentiated CGRP-induced elevation of skin temperature and arterial vasorelaxation but also induced a lower concentration of endogenous CGRP in plasma and up-regulation of arterial CGRP receptors, suggesting that lowered CGRP in plasma due to ovarian hormone deficiency increases the number of CGRP receptors and consequently amplifies the stimulatory effects of CGRP to elevate skin temperature. Oral Keishi-bukuryo-gan (100-1000 mg/kg, once a day for 7 days) restored a series of CGRP-related responses observed in OVX rats by normalizing plasma CGRP levels in a dose-dependent manner as effectively as s.c. injection. 17Beta-estradiol (0.010 mg/kg, once a day for 7 days). However, Keishi-bukuryo-gan did not affect the lower concentration of plasma estradiol and the decreased uterine weight due to ovariectomy, although the hormone replacement of 17beta-estradiol restored them. These results suggest that Keishi-bukuryo-gan, which does not confer estrogen activity on plasma, may be useful for the treatment of hot flashes in patients for whom estrogen replacement therapy is contraindicated, as well as menopausal women.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2002

Hemophagocytic syndrome as the primary clinical symptom of Hodgkin's disease.

It is now well recognized that hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is occasionally associated with malignant lymphomas. However, its association with Hodgkin's disease has been only rarely reported. We present here a 72-year-old woman manifesting with HPS as the primary and solitary clinical symptom of Hodgkin's disease. She had been suffering from high-grade fever and anemia for more than a month. Based on the findings in bone marrow aspirates, she was diagnosed as having HPS. In spite of extensive surveys including various cultures, serological tests for collagen disease, abdominal and cardiac sonography, chest computed tomography (CT), and renal biopsy, the origin of the fever was not determined. She was treated with steroid pulse therapy and then referred. Radiological studies revealed only mild hepatosplenomegaly and small lymph node swellings around celiac and common hepatic arteries. Reevaluation of the bone marrow specimen revealed the infiltration of small numbers of CD30-, CD15-, and EBER-1-positive large-sized lymphocytes with bizarre nucleus. Under the diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease, she was treated with combination chemotherapy containing pirarubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone. However, it was not effective and she died of rapidly progressive hepatic failure on the 5th day of the chemotherapy. Autopsy was performed, which showed proliferation of lymphoma cells in para-aortic lymph nodes. We believe that diagnostic survey to rule out the underlying lymphoma should be vigorously performed for patients with hemophagocytic syndrome of unknown origin.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Effects of the vasoactive neuropeptides calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide on skin temperature in ovariectomized rats.

The effects of three vasoactive neuropeptides, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), on vasodilation and skin temperature were investigated in ovariectomized (OVX) and sham-operated control rats. CGRP (0.01-1 nmol), VIP (0.01-10 nmol) and SP (0.1-100 nmol) produced vasodilation in PGF(2 alpha) (10 microM)-induced contraction of mesenteric vascular beds isolated from OVX and sham-operated rats in a dose-dependent manner. Intravenous injection of CGRP (1-10 microg/kg), VIP (10-50 microg/kg) and SP (10-50 microg/kg) elevated the skin temperature in OVX and sham-operated rats in a dose-dependent manner. CGRP had the greatest effect on both parameters, followed by VIP, with the smallest effect in SP. These parallel increases of vasodilation and skin temperature with CGRP were significantly greater in OVX rats than in sham-operated rats. However, no significant differences were observed in VIP- or SP-induced vasodilation and skin temperature increases between OVX and sham-operated rats. These results suggest not only that CGRP is closely related to the elevation of skin temperature but also that CGRP-induced responses are more affected by ovarian hormone deficiency.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Purulent meningitis with unusual diffusion-weighted MRI findings.

We describe unusual findings obtained by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a patient with acute purulent meningitis caused by penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. Along cerebral convexities and the Sylvian fissure, multiple small intense lesions showed high signal intensity in these sequences. This may be the first report of diffusion-weighted in purulent meningitis.

Brain↗
PubMed2002

Intraoperative lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland.

We examined the feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy for thyroid cancer. Thirty-eight patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma underwent intraoperative lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy. At surgery, we exposed the thyroid gland and used a tuberculin syringe to inject 0.2 ml of 1% patent blue dye directly into the thyroid mass. The lymphatics and the lymph node dyed with blue dyes, was excised as a sentinel lymph node. Modified radical neck dissection was performed following sentinel lymph node biopsy and the diagnostic ability of sentinel lymph node biopsy was examined. A sentinel lymph node was identified successfully in 27 (71%) of 38 patients. Sentinel lymph node biopsy removed one to three lymph nodes (median, two nodes). Eighteen patients had paratracheal sentinel lymph nodes, five patients had jugular sentinel lymph nodes, and four patients had both. Histological nodal metastasis was recognized in 16 of 27 cases. The positive rate of cancer metastases in sentinel lymph nodes was 58%, which was significantly higher than 11% in non-sentinel lymph nodes. Diagnostic ability of sentinel lymph node biopsy showed that accuracy was 89%, sensitivity was 84%, and specificity was 100%. Our preliminary study indicated that sentinel lymph node biopsy was available on detection of non-palpable nodal metastasis in the patients with thyroid cancer; however, further experience and refinement are needed.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Sentinel lymph node biopsy and breast cancer.

BACKGROUND AND METHOD: This paper reviews and discusses the feasibility and accuracy of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in breast cancer. A standardized method of identifying the SLN and detecting micrometastases is suggested, along with a strategy for the elimination of routine axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). RESULTS: Although the SLN can be identified successfully by experienced practitioners using either the dye-guided or gamma probe-guided method, identification is facilitated when the two techniques are combined. To improve the likelihood of spotting metastases in the SLN, it is desirable to perform step sectioning combined with haematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry of permanent and frozen sections. SLN biopsy is as accurate for T2 tumours as it is for T1 tumours. However, it is highly unlikely that all false-negative cases can be eliminated, even by detailed histological examination. Nevertheless, patients with T1 tumours with micrometastases in the SLN have shown no evidence of tumour in the non-sentinel nodes. In other words, ALND can be avoided in these patients, even if histological examination of the SLN fails to detect micrometastasis. CONCLUSION: In practice, routine ALND can be avoided in patients with T1 tumours when the identified SLN proves to be histologically negative. However, investigation of long-term regional controls and of survival in a prospective randomized trial is necessary before SLN biopsy can replace routine ALND, particularly for patients with T2 tumours.

Axilla↗
PubMed2002

Therapeutic relevance of breast cancer micrometastases in sentinel lymph nodes.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: This review examines the various methods of detecting occult breast cancer metastasis in the sentinel lymph node (SLN). The prognostic relevance of such micrometastases and isolated tumour cells, and their impact on stage migration and decision making with respect to axillary dissection and adjuvant systemic therapy, are discussed. RESULTS: Examination of SLNs by serial section with haematoxylin and eosin and/or immuno histochemical staining significantly increases the detection rate of micrometastases, even in patients with very small (T1) tumours. However, the prognostic relevance of isolated tumour cells and small micrometastases is uncertain. Moreover, deciding which patients might benefit from axillary dissection is complicated by the fact that adjuvant radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy alone may eradicate most micrometastases. CONCLUSION: Ongoing randomized trials comparing the results of SLN biopsy alone with those of axillary dissection should answer the question of whether isolated tumour cells and small micrometastases are clinically relevant. This should also indicate which patients with SLN micrometastasis are likely to benefit from axillary dissection. In this sense, SLN biopsy must be considered still to be at an investigative stage; outwith clinical trials complete axillary dissection should be performed on all patients with SLN micrometastasis.

Axilla↗
PubMed2002

Impacted supernumerary tooth developed under palatal polyp.

We present a rare case of an infant's palatal polyp associated with an impacted supernumerary tooth. We have previously reported three cases of palatal polyps in infants [1]. In one case, after surgical removal of the palatal polyp at the age of 1 year and 8 months, the lesion subsequently began swelling. A periapical radiograph at the age of 2 years and 9 months revealed a small calcified mass in the maxillary left incisor region. The swelling was kept under observation, the calcified mass developed gradually and was removed surgically at the age of 5 years and 5 months. The removed calcified mass was clinically diagnosed as an impacted supernumerary tooth and this was confirmed histologically. Histological findings did not indicate any relationship between the palatal polyp and the impacted supernumerary tooth.

Humans↗
PubMed2002

Up-regulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide receptors underlying elevation of skin temperature in ovariectomized rats.

We investigated the mechanism for the augmentation of the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-induced elevation of skin temperature in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. I.v. injection of alphaCGRP (10 micro g/kg) elevated skin temperature of the hind paws. The elevation was significantly greater in OVX rats than in sham-operated rats and was inhibited by pretreatment with human CGRP(8-37) (100-1000 micro g/kg i.v.), a CGRP receptor antagonist, in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, ovariectomy not only potentiated vasorelaxation due to alphaCGRP but increased the number of CGRP receptors in mesenteric arteries. Further, the plasma concentration of endogenous CGRP was significantly lower in OVX rats. These results suggest that the low concentration of plasma CGRP due to ovarian hormone deficiency may induce the increase in the number of CGRP receptors due to up-regulation. Therefore, the increased number of CGRP receptors may be responsible for potentiation of exogenous alphaCGRP-induced elevation of skin temperature in OVX rats. The mechanism underlying the hot flashes observed in menopausal women may also involve, in part, the up-regulation of CGRP receptors following ovarian hormone deficiency.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2002

Pollutant runoff from non-point sources and its estimation by runoff models.

In order to attain a sound and sustainable water environment, it is important to carry out the environmental management of the watershed. For this purpose, knowledge on the pollutant runoff mechanism from non-point sources becomes very important especially under rainy conditions. At Isahaya, Nagasaki, Japan, a big project of construction of sea-dyke and reclamation is now going on, so reducing the pollutant runoff, especially from non-point sources, becomes more important. Some runoff models of rainwater are developed to predict the rate of pollutant loads from the non-point sources, and their results are compared with each other to investigate the accuracy of prediction. In this paper, runoff analysis of both rainwater and pollutants has been carried out using three models: the tank model, the kinematic wave (K-W) model, and a model using the digital elevation model (DEM). For precise estimation, it becomes necessary to identify the parameters included in these models. Here, total nitrogen has been considered as pollutants, and detachment rates are evaluated, correlated with a class of land use, soil type, and moisture content. Finally, it has been shown that pollutant runoff from non-point sources can be predicted fairly well, identifying the model parameter appropriately.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗
PubMed2001

Accumulation of losses of heterozygosity and multistep carcinogenesis in pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Sixty-six replacing growth-type early lung adenocarcinomas, measuring 2 cm or less across their greatest dimension, were used to investigate allelic losses at eight loci on the eight chromosomes carrying the principal cancer-associated genes. In total, 2 (16.7%) of 12 type A tumors (localized bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, LBAC) and 11 (39.3%) of 28 type B tumors (LBAC with alveolar collapse), which correspond to early lung adenocarcinomas including cancers in situ, showed allelic losses in one or more of the regions examined. In contrast, 25 (96.2%) of 26 type C tumors (LBAC with active fibroblastic proliferation), which correspond to small but advanced tumors, showed allelic losses in one or more regions. The change in histology from type A to type C was characterized by a significant rise in the incidence of allelic losses (P < 0.01). Deletions of 3p, 17p, 18q, and 22q increased significantly during malignant progression. In type C tumors that showed heterogeneous histological features, the tumor cells in the central fibrotic areas exhibited more allelic losses than those in the peripheral bronchioloalveolar growths and were, therefore, considered to have progressed to a more advanced stage than the tumor cells in the peripheral regions.

Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar↗
PubMed2001

IL-1beta down-regulates tissue-type plasminogen activator by up-regulating low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein in AML 12 cells.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) regulation of tPA in hepatocytes was studied in mouse hepatocyte line AML12. IL-1 induced transient accumulation of tPA mRNA as high as threefold by 2 h after the start of treatment. The cytokine also induced the mRNA for serum amyloid A, a typical acute-phase protein in mice, with more sustained kinetics in a time-dependent manner. In contrast to the induction of mRNA, tPA activity and protein levels in the harvested medium were dramatically diminished by IL-1. IL-1 stimulated the uptake of (125)I-tPA by AML 12. This uptake was inhibited by 39-kDa receptor-associated protein (RAP), but not by the sugar mannan. These results revealed that low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP), which is known to be a receptor for tPA and to be blocked by RAP, was up-regulated by IL-1. We also demonstrated, for the first time, that IL-1 transiently increased the mRNA level of LRP threefold by 30 min after the start of IL-1 treatment of AML 12. The receptor-mediated endocytosis of tPA by hepatocytes may thus play a crucial role in the down-regulation of fibrinolysis during the acute-phase response.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Identification of the transcriptional regulatory sequences of human calponin promoter and their use in targeting a conditionally replicating herpes vector to malignant human soft tissue and bone tumors.

The calponin (basic or h1) gene, normally expressed in maturated smooth muscle cells, is aberrantly expressed in a variety of human soft tissue and bone tumors. In this study, we show that expression of the calponin gene in human soft tissue and bone tumor cells is regulated at the transcriptional level by the sequence between positions -260 and -219 upstream of the translation initiation site. A novel conditionally replicating herpes simplex virus-1 vector (d12.CALP) in which the calponin promoter drives expression of ICP4, a major trans-activating factor for viral genes was constructed and tested as an experimental treatment for malignant human soft tissue and bone tumors. In cell culture, d12.CALP at low multiplicity of infection (0.001 plaque-forming unit/cell) selectively killed calponin-positive human synovial sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and osteosarcoma cells. For in vivo studies, 10 animals harboring SK-LMS-1 human leiomyosarcoma cells were randomly divided and treated twice on days 0 and 9 intraneoplastically with either 1 x 10(7) plaque-forming units of d12.CALP/100 mm(3) of tumor volume or with medium alone. The viral treatment group showed stable and significant inhibition of tumorigenicity with apparent cure in four of five mice by day 35. Replication of viral DNA demonstrated by PCR amplification and expression of the inserted LacZ gene visualized by 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside histochemistry was associated with oncolysis of d12.CALP-treated tumors, while sparing normal vascular smooth muscle cells. In mice harboring two SK-LMS-1 tumors, replication of d12.CALP was detected in a nontreated tumor distant from the site of virus inoculation. These results indicate that replication-competent virus vectors controlled by the calponin transcriptional regulatory sequence may be a new therapeutic strategy for treatment of malignant human soft tissue and bone tumors.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Small-sized adenocarcinoma of the lung. Cytologic characteristics and clinical behavior.

BACKGROUND: Although the cytologic characteristics of advanced adenocarcinomas of the lung have been described, the unique cytologic features of early adenocarcinomas have not been established. METHODS: Cytologic specimens from 193 patients with small-sized lung adenocarcinoma, up to 2 cm in dimension, were reviewed. Cytologic investigations were performed on sputum, bronchial brushings or washings, or fine-needle aspirates obtained from the patients preoperatively. The cytologic characteristics of early adenocarcinoma were confirmed with Image Processor for Analytical Pathology from Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. RESULTS: Nuclear size, variations in nuclear size, appearance of nucleolus, and nuclear atypia of the adenocarcinoma cells were found to differ between the various histologic subtypes of adenocarcinoma. The nuclei in small but advanced adenocarcinoma were generally larger and showed more variation in size than those in early adenocarcinoma (localized bronchioloalveolar carcinoma). CONCLUSIONS: Surgically curable, early adenocarcinomas of the lung were found to have a unique cytologic appearance, including small nuclear size and slight variation in nuclear size. Using these unique characteristics, they can be distinguished easily from advanced adenocarcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Genetic heterogeneity of surgically resected prostate carcinomas and their biopsy specimens is related to their histologic differentiation.

BACKGROUND: In human prostate carcinogenesis, many genetic analyses including conventional loss of heterozygosity (LOH) studies and microsatellite LOH analyses using the polymerase chain reaction method have revealed frequent LOH events at specific regions on chromosomes 3p, 7q, 8p, 10q, 16q, 17q, and 18q. METHODS: Using the laser-captured microdissection method, the authors extracted genomic DNA from 23 cases of prostate carcinomas including 59 different lesions and 8 biopsy specimens. Using (32)P-labeled primers, the authors analyzed six microsatellite loci (D3S647, D3S1228, D7S522, D8S137, NEFL, and D10S190) at which frequent LOH events have been reported. RESULTS: Of 10 cases in which the authors found LOH at any of the loci, 8 cases showed a heterogeneous LOH pattern. In four cases, the authors also found replication error (RER) at some of the loci examined. There was no significant relation between histologic differentiation and frequency of LOH or RER events. The overall LOH rate was found to be significantly lower in foci at classification pT2 (1 of 28 foci, 3%) compared with those at classification pT3 (13 of 44 foci, 30%). In pT3 samples, LOH events in extraglandular foci (9 of 23 foci, 39%) tended to be more frequent compared with those in intraglandular foci (8 of 41 foci, 20%). The patterns of LOH events in biopsy specimens correlated well with those in foci from surgical material showing the same histologic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate carcinoma is a genetically multicentric carcinoma, and the genetic heterogeneity is well correlated with histologic differentiation. The frequency of LOH events increased according to the degree of tumor progression.

DNA Replication↗