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Norimichi Nemoto

Publications and source records attributed to Norimichi Nemoto.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Survivin expression levels as independent predictors of survival for osteosarcoma patients.

Survivin expression has been detected in various cancers and correlations have been recognized between the level of expression of this gene in tumors and prognosis. However, the aforementioned authors did not evaluate correlations between prognosis and survivin expression levels using surgically resected samples. In this study, we retrospectively investigated outcomes by examining the correlations between expression of this gene and clinicopathological parameters. Biopsy and resected specimens from which paraffin-embedded tissues could be extracted, were available from 16 patients in our hospital. We used the RT-PCR method and conducted a densitometric analysis to determine the ratio of survivin relative to h-GAPDH as an internal marker. Expression of survivin mRNA was detected in all samples. There was a significant negative correlation between survivin expression levels and duration of follow up, in months, using the Spearman's rank for the initial biopsy samples (rho=-0.775, p<0.01) and those obtained after chemotherapy (rho=-0.687, p<0.01). Moreover, Cox multivariate regression identified the survivin expression levels in both biopsy and post-chemotherapy samples as independent predictors of survival. We conclude that survivin levels in both initial biopsy and post-chemotherapy samples are useful prognostic indicators.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2007

Intrascrotal involvement of sarcoidosis presenting like testicular appendices.

A 31-year-old male visited our clinic with a complaint of painless intrascrotal mass in the left side. He had been diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis 6 years prior. Scrotal ultrasound revealed a distinct mass measuring 18 mm x 16 mm at the left epididymal tail. An epididymectomy was performed for treatment and pathological diagnosis. Four nodules shaped like testicular appendices were also found on the testicular surface and subsequently removed. Histopathological examination established that both the epididymal and appendix-like lesions consisted of non-caseating epithelioid granulomas with giant cells, and were diagnosed as sarcoidosis. The patient has no recurrence of intrascrotal lesions after 6-month follow up. This is the first report of intrascrotal involvement of sarcoidosis presenting like testicular appendices.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Analysis of tissue-specific differentially methylated regions (TDMs) in humans.

Alterations in DNA methylation have been implicated in mammalian development. Hence, the identification of tissue-specific differentially methylated regions (TDMs) is indispensable for understanding its role. Using restriction landmark genomic scanning of six mouse tissues, 150 putative TDMs were identified and 14 were further analyzed. The DNA sequences of the 14 mouse TDMs are analyzed in this study. Six of the human homologous regions show TDMs to both mouse and human and genes in five of these regions have conserved tissue-specific expression: preferential expression in testis. A TDM, DDX4, is further analyzed in nine testis tissues. An increase in methylation of the promoter region is significantly associated with a marked reduction of the gene expression and defects in spermatogenesis, suggesting that hypomethylation of the DDX4 promoter region regulates DDX4 gene expression in spermatogenic cells. Our results indicate that some genomic regions with tissue-specific methylation and expression are conserved between mouse and human and suggest that DNA methylation may have an important role in regulating differentiation and tissue-/cell-specific gene expression of some genes.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Rembrandt's Maria Bockenolle has a butterfly rash and digital deformities: overlapping syndrome of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are the most common autoimmune disorders, although they each have very different pathophysiology. In general, RA is considered to be a Th1-mediated disease, while SLE is a Th2-mediated disease. Thus, their overlapping, in so called "rhupus", is a rare condition. In Rembrandt van Rijn's (1606-1669) portrait of the middle-aged Maria Bockenolle, we have what may be the earliest depiction of a case of rhupus syndrome: the coexistence of a butterfly rash and digital deformities. This suggests the possible historical importance of an RA epidemic which took place in the early 17th century.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed2006

The death of Izanami, an ancient Japanese goddess: an early report of a case of puerperal fever.

Even in the 21st Century, approximately 60,0000 women die of pregnancy-related causes each year. WHO reported that 98% of these deaths occur in developing countries; the largest gap between rich and poor nations was evident in the maternal mortality levels. In developed countries, massive hemorrhage and thrombo-embolism are the most frequent causes of maternal death, while in developing countries perinatal infection is the leading cause. In the oldest Japanese classic tale, Kojiki, the goddess Izanami no mikoto, one of the creators of Japan, was killed by her last son, Kagutsuchi, a deity of fire who burned his mother's birth canal. We propose that this tale reflects the incidence of local puerperal infection and subsequent sepsis, the greatest health risk to mothers in ancient Japan.

Female↗
PubMed2006

Application of a quick-freezing and deep-etching method to pathological diagnosis: a case of elastofibroma.

A case of elastofibroma in a middle-aged Japanese woman was examined by the quick-freezing and deep-etching (QF-DE) method, as well as by immunohistochemistry and conventional electron microscopy. The slowly growing tumor developed at the right scapular region and was composed of fibrous connective tissue with unique elastic materials called elastofibroma fibers. A normal elastic fiber consists of a central core and peripheral zone, in which the latter has small aggregates of 10 nm microfibrils. By the QF-DE method, globular structures consisting of numerous fibrils (5-20 nm in width) were observed between the collagen bundles. We could confirm that they were microfibril-rich peripheral zones of elastofibroma fibers by comparing the replica membrane and conventional electron microscopy. One of the characteristics of elastofibroma fibers is that they are assumed to contain numerous microfibrils. Immunohistochemically, spindle tumor cells showed positive immunoreaction for vimentin, whereas alpha-smooth muscle actin, desmin, S-100 protein and CD34 showed negative immunoreaction. By conventional electron microscopy, the tumor cell had thin cytoplasmic processes, pinocytotic vesicles and prominent rough endoplasmic reticulum. Abundant intracytoplasmic filaments were observed in some tumor cells. Thick lamina-like structures along with their inner nuclear membrane were often observed in the tumor cell nuclei. The whole image of the tumor cell was considered to be a periosteal-derived cell, which would produce numerous microfibrils in the peripheral zone of elastofibroma fibers. This study indicated that the QF-DE method could be applied to the pathological diagnosis and analysis of pathomechanism, even for surgical specimens obtained from a patient.

Female↗
PubMed2006

Rembrandt's Bathsheba, possible lactation mastitis following unsuccessful pregnancy.

Deformity of the left breast and axilla observed in Rembrandt's famous painting "Bathsheba at her toilet" (1654, Louvre Paris) has been discussed by several researchers. Proposed diagnoses were breast cancer and abscess due to tuberculosis. The present article reviews previous articles written concerning the left breast abnormalities of Bathsheba and carefully examines other works of Rembrandt modeled by Hendrickje and painted around 1654. Previous diagnosis of breast cancer and tuberculous mastitis is less probable. Because Hendrickje survived for more then 9 years after the painting and in other works modeled by Hendrickje shows no signs of cachexia or permanent changes in the left breast. The most likely diagnosis of the left breast deformity of Bathsheba is a sequela of lactation mastitis abscess following miscarriage or premature childbirth without breast feeding.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed2006

MCI-186 administered to the maternal circulation inhibits fetal brain injury resulting from total umbilical cord occlusion in the chronically instrumented fetal lamb.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the transplacental effects of MCI-186 (edaravone), a potent hydroxyl radical scavenger, administered to the maternal circulation to inhibit fetal brain injury caused by umbilical cord occlusion. METHODS: Nine chronically instrumented lambs were prepared. In three cases, 10-min persistent total umbilical cord occlusion (group A) was performed. Another three cases underwent occlusion and were administered 60 mg of MCI-186 through the maternal femoral vein prior to the end of occlusion (group B). The remaining three cases underwent sham operation (group C). On day 3 after insult, fetal brains were extirpated. Paraffin-embedded brain tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Bodian, Kluver-Barrera, and TUNEL. Neuronal cellular damage was evaluated by two pathologists blinded to the experimental conditions. RESULTS: Group A displayed numerous cells with eosinophilic condensation of nuclear chromatin and proliferation of microglia in the hippocampus and basal ganglia. TUNEL-positive cells were observed in the periventricular area. Group B showed microglial proliferations, but no marked changes. No pathological changes were apparent in group C. CONCLUSIONS: MCI-186 administered to the maternal circulation could inhibit fetal brain injury resulting from hypoxia-reperfusion induced by umbilical cord occlusion.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Expression of cyclo-oxygenase-2 in gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors.

BACKGROUND: Cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 overexpression is observed in various neoplasms and COX-2 inhibition has been attempted as prevention and/or therapy in these neoplasms. Carcinoid tumors are thought to arise from neuroendocrine cells and originate mainly in the gastrointestinal tract. Cyclo-oxygenase-2 is reportedly expressed in neuroendocrine cells of normal colorectal mucosa. The role of COX in carcinoids has not previously been investigated. The aim of the present paper was to clarify the expression of COX-1 and -2, and their role in human gastrointestinal carcinoids. METHODS: Expression of COX-1 and -2 was studied immunohistochemically in 38 gastrointestinal carcinoids. Five bronchopulmonary and seven metastatic carcinoids were also examined, for comparison with gastrointestinal carcinoids. The immunohistochemical score (IHS) was calculated from staining intensity and immunoreactive cell population, and ranked according to four grades (negative to strong). RESULTS: Cyclo-oxygenase-2 was expressed in all gastrointestinal carcinoids (weak, 1; moderate, 13; strong, 24) and bronchopulmonary carcinoids (weak, 1; moderate, 4), as well as their metastases (moderate, 3; strong, 4). The IHS of COX-2 in larger tumors was significantly lower than that in smaller tumors. However, the IHS of COX-2 at the advancing tumor edge was significantly higher than that at the centers of tumors >or=10 mm in size. Faint COX-1 expression was detected in only one duodenal, one rectal and four bronchopulmonary carcinoids. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced COX-2 expression was observed in gastrointestinal as well as bronchopulmonary carcinoids and their metastases, especially at the advancing edges of the tumors. Cyclo-oxygenase-2 may play a role in carcinoid progression.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Significance of survivin mRNA expression in prognosis of neuroblastoma.

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common malignant solid tumor in childhood, and among all childhood malignancies is second in prevalence only to leukemia. In NB we need to both make an accurate diagnosis and rapidly analyze the expression of genetic prognostic factors such as MYCN, H-ras, and trkA. Moreover, it has recently become important to analyze the expression of survivin mRNA, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family. Expression of the survivin gene is related to tumorigenesis and inhibition of apoptosis in some malignant tumors. We investigated its expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in NB cell lines (SK-N-SH, NB-39, and IMR-32), two normal blood cell samples, and 13 clinical NB tumor samples. All three NB cell lines had high levels of mRNA expression for this gene, but normal blood cells had no expression. We detected expression of survivin mRNA in 7 of the 13 NB tumor samples (54%). Two NB patients were in stage I disease, 6 in stage II, and 5 in stage IV(A). Quantitative analysis by RT-PCR revealed that the ratio between survivin mRNA and human glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (h-GAPDH) mRNA was very low in stages I and II (0-0.017). In contrast, in advanced NBs (stage IV(A)) the ratio was much higher (0-0.050). The prognoses of the three patients in the advanced stage who had high ratios of expression were poor. A high level of expression of survivin mRNA indicates a high grade of malignancy, high likelihood of recurrence, and poor prognosis.

Cell Line, Tumor↗
PubMed2005

Collision tumor of the stomach: a rare case of an adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumor.

We report a rare case of gastric collision tumor composed of moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma and carcinoid in an 84-year-old woman. On endoscopic examination, an invasive tumor was noted at the cardia of the stomach, and a pathologic examination of the biopsy specimen revealed adenocarcinoma. After total gastrectomy, a thorough histopathologic examination of the resected tumor revealed the concurrent presence of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and a typical carcinoid tumor, which had a colliding pattern of tissue proliferation. There was no intermixing or transition area between the 2 components. The final pathologic diagnosis was collision tumor of the adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumor. The presence of either tumor individually would not be especially noteworthy, but this collision-type tumor of both histopathologic types in the stomach is, to our knowledge, only the sixth such case in the literature.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

[Experience of gemcitabine therapy after non-curative resection for biliary tract cancer].

We report a patient in which gemcitabine therapy was effective for controlling relapse of cancer after noncurative resection for bile duct cancer. A 75-year-old man suffering from bile duct cancer underwent resection of extrahepatic bile duct on December 3, 2002, but surgical margins were positive at the hepatic site and the pancreatic site. Two months after surgery, he began to undergo gemcitabine therapy (1,000 mg/body, biweekly) as adjuvant chemotherapy in the outpatient clinic. The chemotherapy has been continued up to the present. No severe side effect has been observed throughout the treatment. The patient remains well with no evidence of relapse of the cancer 26 months after surgery. Gemcitabine therapy is considered effective as adjuvant chemotherapy for bile duct cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

[A case of breast cancer detected by MRI mammography after Hollywood syndrome].

A-64-year-old woman, who had been treated with augmentation mammaplasty 40 years ago, came to our hospital complaining of left breast pain. The mass was ill-defined, located in the upper outer quadrant area of her breast, and was 2 cm in diameter. MRI examination showed that the tumor had a spiculation and an irregular edge. There were no regional lymph nodes in her axilla and supra-subscapular. The diagnosis was Class IV by the fine needle aspiration biopsy cytology. We diagnosed the left breast cancer being in T2N0M0, Stage IIA, then we carried out Bt (Auchincloss method) and Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). There were metastatic cancer cells in the sentinel lymph node. So, we added level II lymph nodes dissection. The histological diagnosis was papillotubular carcinoma, f+, n+ (8/11). The endocrine receptor status of the tumor was ER+, PgR+ and the HER2/neu score was 0. There was paraffinoma in the non-cancer area. We dosed 6 cycles of FEC chemotherapy (CPA 800 mg, EPI 80 mg, 5-FU 750 mg/body x 1 cycle). We recognized no side effects of the chemotherapy for the patient.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2004

Expression and quantitative analysis of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 in human gliomas.

The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family members catalyze extracellular proteolysis. Recent reports have suggested that expression of MMP-2 and -9 might play a critical role in neoplastic tissue invasion or metastasis. In this study, the relationship between the expression of MMP-2 and -9 and the histological features of tissues from 21 cases of human glioma were investigated. MMP-2 and -9 proteins were detected by immnohistochemical studies. Amplification of MMP-2 and -9 mRNA was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. MMP-2 and -9 mRNA was measured quantitatively by the real-time RT-PCR method. Immunohistochemically, 38% of the cases were positive for MMP-2. Amplification of MMP-2 mRNA by RT-PCR was detected in 62% of the cases. There was no significant relationship between the expression of MMP-2 protein or mRNA and the biological nature of the tumors, including aggressiveness and histologic classification. The quantity of MMP-2 mRNA was 0.035 +/- 0.113 (MMP-2/GAPDH %), which was significantly elevated in cases of neoplastic dissemination or recurrence (P < 0.05). Tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for MMP-9 in 81% of the samples. A positive reaction was found not only in neoplastic cells but also in endothelial cells, suggesting that the expression of MMP-9 protein might be associated with tumoral angiogenesis. The expression of mRNA in MMP-9 was detected in 91% of the cases, suggesting a close relationship between expression of MMP-9 and malignancy. The quantity of MMP-9 was 0.097 +/- 0.113 (MMP-9/GAPDH %) in all samples, which was significantly elevated in cases of glioblastoma (P < 0.05). The average Ki-67 labeling index was 8.14 +/- 5.26 in samples from G2 glioma, 19.92 +/- 11.29 in samples from G3 glioma, and 23.52 +/- 10.14 in samples from glioblastoma. All of the cases with elevated indices had recurrence or dissemination. The results of our study suggest that quantity analyses of MMP-2 and -9 mRNA and Ki-67 labeling index should be useful for discerning tumoral behaviors such as invasion, dissemination, and recurrence.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Squamous cell carcinoma with sarcomatous feature (so-called carcinosarcoma) of stomach probably metastasized from esophageal tumor: a case report with quick-freezing and deep-etching method.

A squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with sarcomatous features (so-called carcinosarcoma) of stomach is reported in a 72-year-old man. The gastric submucosal tumor (12 x 11 x 6 cm) consisted of carcinoma cells and sarcomatous spindle cells, which were immunohistochemically recognized to contain high molecular weight cytokeratin. These histological and immunohistochemical results indicated that carcinoma cells and spindle tumor cells had cytokeratin similar to that of stratified squamous epithelium. These features were consistent with so-called carcinosarcoma of esophagus. A combined type of tumor consisting of polypoid and shallow ulcerative lesions (5.5 cm in diameter) was demonstrated by the biopsy to have SCC on the polypoid surface area. Therefore, the gastric tumor was thought to have metastasized from the esophageal tumor. The quick-freezing and deep-etching (QF-DE) method demonstrated that many spindle tumor cells in the gastric tumor had abundant intermediate filaments, which were evenly distributed in more peripheral cytoplasm along the cell membrane. This feature was similar to that of the control SCC. Intramembranous protein particles in the cell membrane of the tumor cells were markedly decreased as compared with those of control SCC. These ultrastructures by QF-DE method could be used for the pathological diagnosis of so-called carcinosarcomas of esophagus.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Neuroendocrine differentiation in hormone refractory prostate cancer following androgen deprivation therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) status and hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) following hormone therapy based on immunohistochemical study. METHODS: Seventy-two prostate cancer specimens obtained at radical prostatectomy and 21 prostate cancer autopsy specimens from patients who died from HRPC after androgen deprivation therapy were examined for NED status using an antibody against chromogranin A. These specimens were classified into 3 arms: 38 radical prostatectomy specimens from patients with no neoadjuvant hormone therapy (Group 1); 34 from patients with neoadjuvant hormone therapy for 3 to 6 months (Group 2); and 21 autopsy specimens from patients with HRPC following androgen deprivation therapy for more than 1 year (Group 3). Staining of prostatic carcinoma was scored as: 0 = no staining; 1 = staining cells <10%; 2 = staining cells 10-20%; and 3 = staining cells >20%. Differences in scores among the groups were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis rank test. Multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model was performed to examine whether NED status was associated with pathological stage (pT), grade and group. RESULTS: Forty-nine (53%) tumors had CgA stained cells. NED status increased with longer duration of hormone therapy (p<0.0001). The mean staining score (and standard deviation) was 0.4+/-0.7 in Group 1, 0.7+/-0.7 in Group 2, and 1.4+/-1.1 in Group 3, respectively. By multivariate analysis Group 3 had a relative risk of 5.46 (95%CI 1.28-23.29) for NED compared to the other groups. But other variables were not related to NED. HRPC following Long-term hormonal therapy was the only independent predictor of NED. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated that NED status was significantly increased in patients with HRPC following long-term androgen deprivation therapy, but it could not be discriminate whether the increase of NED is attributable to condition of hormone refractoriness or long-term hormonal therapy.

Aged↗