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S Baba

Publications and source records attributed to S Baba.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Prostate-specific antigen adjusted for total prostatic tumor volume as a predictor for outcome after radical prostatectomy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential prognostic value of preoperative serum prostate-specific antigen levels adjusted for total tumor volume (PSA-TTV density) for outcome following radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer by retrospective review in 268 patients. Lower PSA-TTV density was not only associated with a significantly higher risk for biological failure (bF), systemic failure and cancer death but also an independent predictor for bF (hazard ratio, 6.3). Therefore, these data suggest that there are subsets of prostate cancer with lower PSA secretion levels, and this phenotype is associated with a higher risk of failure after surgery.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Differential expression of the immediate-early 2 and 3 proteins in developing mouse brains infected with murine cytomegalovirus.

Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) immediate-early (IE) 2 protein has been reported to be dispensable for growth and latency in mice. Therefore, its role in viral pathogenesis and tissue tropism is not known. Here we prepared specific antibodies to the IE2 and IE3 proteins by using fusion proteins expressed in Escherichia coli as antigens. Immunostaining of MCMV-infected cultured fibroblasts revealed IE2 protein to be expressed diffusely in the nucleoplasm similar to the IE1 protein. In contrast, expression of the IE3 protein, 88 kDa, exhibited a punctate pattern in the nucleus in the early phase of infection then diminished. In the brain of neonatal mice infected with MCMV, both IE2 and IE3 proteins were detected immunohistochemically in the cells of the ventricular walls early in infection. When the infection was prolonged, the IE2 protein was expressed in neurons of the cortex and hippocampus, while the IE3 protein was preferentially expressed in glial cells in the early phase of infection, and its levels declined during the infection. These results suggest that the IE2 protein may play a role in persistent infection in neurons, whereas the IE3 protein, expressed preferentially in glial cells, may play the main role in acute infection.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Growth inhibition efficacy of an adenovirus expressing dual therapeutic genes, wild-type p53, and anti-erbB2 ribozyme, against human bladder cancer cells.

The altered expression of both p53 and erbB2 is strongly related to the disease status and the outcome of bladder cancers. We examined the antitumor efficacy by the modulation of these genetic alterations with a newly designed dual-gene-expressing adenovirus (Ad-p53/erbB2Rz), which expresses p53 and anti-erbB2 ribozyme simultaneously in human bladder cancer cells. Cell growth inhibition efficacy along with biological responses of this virus was compared with other viral vectors (Ad-p53, which expresses wild-type p53 cDNA, and Ad-erbB2Rz, which expresses anti-erbB2 ribozyme, solely or in combination). Sufficient transgene expression in targeted cells and the altered expression of the targeted genes and their encoded proteins were obtained by each therapeutic vector. Each of the three therapeutic viral vectors inhibited bladder cancer cell growth, and the putative additive antitumor effect was shown by the combination of two of the therapeutic vectors. Furthermore, Ad-p53/erbB2Rz had superior therapeutic efficacy when the same titers of viruses were infected. Nonspecific vector-related toxicity was minimized by reducing the total amount of viral titers by using the dual-gene-expressing adenovirus. Modulation of multiple genetic abnormalities might enhance the therapeutic efficacy, and vector-related toxicity could be minimized when the total amount of viral titers are reduced.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2005

Significance of SAA1.3 allele genotype in Japanese patients with amyloidosis secondary to rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the clinical significance of the SAA1.3 allele in the development and outcome of AA amyloidosis in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: One hundred and twenty RA patients (60 alive and 60 dead) fulfilling the 1987 ACR criteria and 62 RA patients with biopsy-confirmed amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis (36 alive and 26 dead) were enrolled. The SAA1 genotypes were determined by PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism. To predict the clinical outcome of AA amyloidosis, we investigated characteristics and survival, focusing on the SAA1.3 allele retrospectively. RESULTS: The SAA1.3 allele genotype was not only a risk factor for the association of AA amyloidosis but also a poor prognostic factor for the development of AA amyloidosis (P=0.015). Both the association of AA amyloidosis arising early in the RA disease course and symptomatic variety and severity were found in amyloidotic patients with the SAA1.3 allele. The presenting factors adversely influenced were age (P=0.001), lowered serum albumin (P=0.001) and creatinine concentration (P=2.14 x 10(-5)). Renal involvement was associated with poor survival in patients with AA amyloidosis (P=0.011) and the presence of cardiac involvement was likely to be a risk factor for survival (P=0.062). The rate of the causes of death in respect to the category of infection, gastrointestinal diseases, and renal failure was higher in patients with AA amyloidosis than in those without amyloidosis, gastrointestinal diseases and renal failure. Cyclophosphamide was found to be superior to methotrexate in the management of RA patients with AA amyloidosis. CONCLUSION: Our data support the fact that homozygosity for the SAA1.3 allele is a univariate predictor of survival in addition to a risk factor for the association of AA amyloidosis adversely influencing the outcome in Japanese RA patients. Renal involvement is a pivotal clinical manifestation in the development of AA amyloidosis, as is likely to be cardiac involvement in AA amyloidosis secondary to RA.

Amyloidosis↗
PubMed2004

Contribution of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and interferon-gamma to the progress of chronic rejection of kidney allografts: the Th1 response mediates both acute and chronic rejection.

T cells mediating chronic rejection (CR) of human kidney allografts were characterized by comparing them with those mediating acute rejection (AR). Two lines of analysis were performed using biopsy specimens (23 CR and 8 AR). First, the extent of infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells into allografts was assessed from mRNA expression of CD4 and CD8. The group of CR specimens was not significantly different from the group of AR specimens in terms of the extent of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration, underlining the importance of the immunological contribution to the progress of CR. Second, Th1/Th2 polarization in infiltrating T cells was investigated by measuring mRNA expression of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma; a Th1 cytokine) and interleukin 4 (IL-4; a Th2 cytokine). IFN-gamma expression was detected in most CR specimens, and was not significantly different between the group of CR specimens and the group of AR specimens. On the other hand, IL-4 expression was detected in only two CR specimens and one AR specimen; from its pathological features, the AR in this last case was concomitant with CR. These results suggest that most cases of CR and of AR are mediated by Th1 mechanisms, although some cases of CR show features of both Th1 and Th2.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

Clonality analysis of T cells mediating acute and chronic rejection in kidney allografts.

The clonality of T-cell populations mediating acute and chronic rejection (AR and CR, respectively) of kidney allografts was ascertained by investigating the diversity of TCRBV genes expressed by allograft-infiltrating T cells. Both oligoclonality and polyclonality cases were found in biopsy specimens of AR as well as CR. These results indicated that the T-cell clonality in each specimen did not correlate directly with the mode of rejection. When AR and CR specimens were compared, however, the CR specimen group was significantly more polyclonal (or less oligoclonal) than the AR group. This result may reflect the higher chance of epitope spreading in the more slowly progressing CR than in AR.

Clone Cells↗
PubMed2004

Impact of biochemical failure on long-term clinical outcome after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer in Japan.

Detailed information is needed to understand the impact of biochemical failure (bF) on long-term outcome after definitive therapy for prostate cancer. In all, 223 consecutive men treated with radical retropubic prostatectomy were followed and long-term clinical outcome was investigated. Pathological examination revealed more locally advanced tumors in this study compared with the typical cohorts seen in the Western series. The Cox proportional hazards model indicates pretreatment prostate-specific antigen levels and risk group stratification to be a significant predictors for bF (P<0.05), but not for overall survival. Seminal vesicle involvement was a significant predictor of systemic progression, cancer death and overall survival (P<0.05). Positive surgical margin and bF were also found to be independent predictors of overall survival (P<0.05). In contrast to reports from Western countries, this study found a significant correlation between bF after radical prostatectomy and overall survival. This may reflect years-later detection of prostate cancer in Japan compared with Western series. Biochemical failure may ultimately be translated into decreased overall survival after sufficient follow-up.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Photodynamic therapy for malignant biliary obstruction: a case series.

We describe four elderly patients (age range 73-85 years) with bile duct carcinoma who were treated with photodynamic therapy. These patients could not be treated surgically because of the presence of cardiopulmonary disease and the extent of the bile duct carcinoma. Prior to photodynamic treatment the patients underwent percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) to relieve jaundice. The photodynamic therapy was carried out under percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy, 2 days after intravenous administration of sodium porfimer (2 mg/kg). Excimer dye laser was used to irradiate the obstructive lesion with an energy dosage of 50 J/cm2 (total irradiation dose 150-250 J/cm2) and stenotic site with a dosage of 50-100 J/cm2. Photodynamic therapy was achieved safely without occurrence of cholangitis in all patients, and was followed by metallic stent placement, resulting in the improvement of performance levels in three patients who did not have liver metastases. Photodynamic therapy via the PTBD route is a safe and promising palliative therapy for selected elderly patients with bile duct carcinoma.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of MCC-465, a doxorubicin (DXR) encapsulated in PEG immunoliposome, in patients with metastatic stomach cancer.

BACKGROUND: MCC-465 is an immunoliposome-encapsulated doxorubicin (DXR). The liposome is tagged with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and the F(ab')2 fragment of human monoclonal antibody GAH, which positively reacts to >90% of cancerous stomach tissues, but negatively to all normal tissues. In preclinical studies, MCC-465 showed superior cytotoxic activity against several human stomach cancer cells compared with DXR or DXR-incorporated PEG liposomes. The main purpose of this trial was to define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), dose limiting toxicity (DLT), recommended phase II dose and pharmacokinetics (PK) of MCC-465. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with metastatic or recurrent stomach cancer were eligible for entry. The initial dose was 6.5 mg/m2. MCC-465 was administered as a 1-h infusion every 3 weeks and the treatment continued for up to six cycles. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients received a total of 62 cycles at the 6.5-45.5 mg/m2 dose level. DLTs were myelosuppression and appetite loss at the 45.5 mg/m2 dose level. Other toxicities were mild. Neither palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia nor cardiotoxicity was observed. Acute reactions related to infusion were observed commonly in 16 patients over the entire dose range. While no antitumor response was observed, stable disease (SD) was observed in 10 out of 18 evaluable patients. The pharmacokinetic study showed a similar AUC and Cmax to Doxil. CONCLUSION: MCC-465 was well tolerated. The recommended dose for a phase II study of MCC-465, for a 3-week schedule, is considered to be 32.5 mg/m2 in an equivalent amount of DXR.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Alpha 7-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and prodynorphin mRNA expression after administration of (-)-nicotine and U-50,488H in beta-amyloid peptide (25-35)-treated mice.

We previously reported that (-)-nicotine and kappa-opioid receptor agonists lessened impairment of learning and/or memory in several animal models. Furthermore, these drugs prevented neurodegenerative damage induced by ischemia or beta-amyloid peptide (25-35). In the present study, we tested whether (-)-nicotine and U-50,488H prevent delayed-memory impairment induced by beta-amyloid peptide (25-35), and changes of expression of alpha7-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor mRNA and prodynorphin mRNA. Seven days after treatment with beta-amyloid peptide (25-35) (9 nmol/mouse, i.c.v.), memory impairment was observed in the Y-maze test. Memory impairment was prevented when (-)-nicotine (6.16 micromol/kg, s.c.) or U-50,488H (21 micromol/kg, s.c.) was administered 1 h before, but not 1 h after, beta-amyloid peptide (25-35) treatment. There was no change in prodynorphin mRNA or alpha7-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor mRNA expression in the hippocampus 10 days after beta-amyloid peptide (25-35) treatment alone. Of interest, mRNA expression of not only prodynorphin, but also the alpha7-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, was significantly decreased when U-50,488H was administered 1 h before, but not 1 h after, treatment with beta-amyloid peptide (25-35). However, these changes were not observed after the administration of (-)-nicotine. These results suggest that activation of the kappa-opioid system, but not beta7-type nicotinic receptors has a neuroprotective effect on beta-amyloid peptide (25-35)-induced memory impairment, and may be involved in the long-lasting changes in the expression of these mRNAs.

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh↗
PubMed2003

Selective accumulation of ALA-induced PpIX and photodynamic effect in chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma.

The possibility of 5-aminolaevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) for liver cancer was investigated using a chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model. Endogenously synthesised protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) following the administration of ALA is an effective photosensitiser for PDT. We determined the fluorescence intensity of PpIX in HCC and nontumoral tissue in the liver. 5-Aminolaevulinic acid was intravenously injected to male Fisher rats with HCC at a dose of 500 mg x kg(-1), and the fluorescence intensity in each tissue sample excised from liver was measured with a spectrofluorometer at 1, 3 and 6 h after administration. Fluorescence intensity was at a peak of 3 h after administration in both HCC and nontumoral tissue. The accumulation of PpIX in HCC was higher than that in the nontumoral tissue at 1 h (P<0.001) and 3 h (P<0.05) after ALA administration. Based on these results, PDT was performed on HCC at 3 h after 500 mg x kg(-1) ALA administration before laser irradiation of 30 J per tumour. Antitumour effect was more evident in HCC than in the nontumoral tissue surrounding HCC. These findings suggest the possibility to detect HCC by fluorescence and to treat HCC by light.

Alkylating Agents↗
PubMed2003

Changes in prostate-specific antigen and hormone levels following withdrawal of prolonged androgen ablation for prostate cancer.

We conducted a study in order to characterize changes after withdrawal of androgen ablation (AA) for prostate cancer. AA was withdrawn in 38 Japanese patients with prostate cancer who had undergone this therapy for various periods. Patients were stratified into those who had undergone AA for less than 24 months (Group 1, n=12) and those with longer periods of AA (Group 2, n=26). Serial changes in hormones and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were prospectively monitored following cessation of AA. The median durations of AA in the two groups were 8.5 and 54.5 months, respectively. Levels of total testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone and PSA increased significantly with time. At the end of 2 y, 30/38 patients (78.9%) had T levels above 50 ng/dl and 19/38 (50%) had levels above 320 ng/dl. Patients in Group 2 required significantly longer duration for T recovery. Complete T recovery is not always accompanied by rising PSA. Recovery of T levels is often slow following cessation of prolonged AA. Expression of PSA after AA is often variable and unpredictable. Thus, interpretation of outcomes in clinical trials incorporating AA needs caution and careful consideration.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Population-based distribution of plasminogen activity and estimated prevalence and relevance to thrombotic diseases of plasminogen deficiency in the Japanese: the Suita Study.

Reduced plasminogen activity with a normal level of antigen is commonly observed in Japanese individuals. The first reported patient with plasminogen deficiency was accompanied with deep vein thrombosis. The present study examines whether heterozygous or homozygous deficiency of plasminogen is a risk factor for thrombotic disease. This study measures the plasminogen activity of 4517 individuals in the general population, determines the cut-off to define plasminogen deficiency, and identifies plasminogen deficiencies in the control groups and thrombotic disease groups. In another study, we examined the phenotypes of consecutive patients with homozygous plasminogen deficiency detected in our hospital. We found 173 and two of 4517 individuals to have heterozygous and homozygous deficiency with normal plasminogen antigen level, respectively, and 19 to have heterozygous deficiency with reduced antigen levels. The incidence of plasminogen deficiency in an age- and sex-matched control group (13/324, 4.01% for deep vein thrombosis or 13/330, 3.94% for stroke) selected from the 4517 individuals was not significantly different from those in patients with deep vein thrombosis (3/108, 2.78%) or cardioembolic stroke (6/110, 5.55%). Among 19 patients with homozygous plasminogen deficiency showing about 10% plasminogen activity, none had deep vein thrombosis. These findings indicate that neither heterozygous nor homozygous plasminogen deficiency constitutes a significant risk factor for thrombotic disease.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Single-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis using automated capillary array electrophoresis apparatuses.

We describe a new environment of a single-stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis using automated capillary array sequencers (e.g., ABI Prism 3100 and 3700). In this environment, electrophoretic conditions, settings for instrument management, and software for data analysis are adjusted for SSCP analysis. Highly reproducible results are obtained with this new system, and fragments with mutations and/or polymorphisms in different capillaries or different runs can be reliably detected. The relative peak heights between alleles are quantitative and reproducible between runs, and so allele frequencies of single nucleotide polymorphisms can be accurately estimated by a pooled DNA strategy. The method allows unattended, low-cost, and quantitative SSCP analysis using instruments that are widely accessible.

Alleles↗
PubMed2002

Intestinal granuloma formation in normal and SCID BALB/c mice infected with Angiostrongylus costaricensis.

We studied the histomorphology of granuloma formation and cytokine production in Angiostrongylus costaricensis-infected immunocompetent and immunodeficient BALB/c mice. Histological examination of the infected intestine showed well developed granulomas in BALB/c mice. In contrast, in SCID mice, clusters of eggs and larvae and a progression of infiltration of inflammatory cells were also observed, but little fibroblastic activity was seen. Analysis of plasma of the infected mice demonstrated a dramatic contrast in the cytokine profile between normal and SCID mice. Normal mice infected with A. costaricensis showed highly elevated plasma IFN-gamma levels at week 3 of infection, but plasma IL-4 remained close to the background levels obtained from non-infected mice. In contrast, the amount of those cytokines in the plasma of SCID animals was little affected by this parasitic infection. These results suggest that Th1-mediated immunity is required for granuloma formation in response to A. costaricensis infection in mice.

Angiostrongylus↗
PubMed2002

Efficacy of oral UFT as adjuvant chemotherapy to curative resection of colorectal cancer: multicenter prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy using uracil and tegafur (UFT) for colorectal cancer. METHODS: In a multicenter trial among 43 institutions for patients who underwent curative resection of Dukes' B or C colorectal cancer, a surgery alone group (control group) and a treatment group (UFT group) to which UFT was administered at 400 mg/day for 2 years following surgery were compared. A total of 320 patients were registered between March 1991 and April 1994, and 289 of these patients were analyzed as a full-analysis set. RESULTS: The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 75.7% in the UFT group and 60.1% in the control group, respectively, and the stratified log-rank test showed the statistical significance ( P=0.0081). This difference was marked in rectal cancer ( P=0.0016) and, in particular, the local recurrence was reduced. No significant difference was observed in the 5-year survival rate. The incidence of adverse reactions on administration of UFT was low, and there was no serious adverse reaction. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the consecutive administration of UFT at 400 mg/day was an effective and highly safe therapeutic method as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for rectal cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗