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Biomedical subjects

Shinji Yamamoto

Publications and source records attributed to Shinji Yamamoto.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Interstitial pneumonia induced by combined intraarterial 5-fluorouracil and subcutaneous interferon-alpha therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Previously we reported combined chemo-immunotherapy, using interferon (IFN)-alpha and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and this regimen improved the prognosis. Recently, we experienced an HCC patient who died of severe interstitial pneumonia during the combined IFN-alpha and 5-FU therapy. This is the first report of the occurrence of interstitial pneumonia during combined IFN-alpha and 5-FU treatment. A 60-year-old-man was admitted to Osaka University Hospital to receive systemic chemo-immunotherapy for recurrent HCC. In the second week of the chemo-immunotherapy, he showed a decreased level of consciousness, and respiratory insufficiency. Emergency roentgenogram revealed diffuse infiltration in both lungs. Respiratory dysfunction due to interstitial pneumonia was suspected, and steroid pulse therapy was started. However, the patient showed respiratory failure, and he died 32 days after the start of the therapy. Autopsy findings showed atelectasis in the bilateral lungs, which showed elastic hard solidity and a dark red color; esophageal varices were also shown, and there was cirrhosis with a large tumor in the liver. Microscopically, the alveolar wall showed marked fibrous thickness and moderate inflammatory change, which is consistent with acute interstitial pneumonia, and the acute pulmonary change was suspected to have been the cause of death. The association of IFN with the development of interstitial pneumonia has been reported. However, the prognosis of IFN-induced interstitial pneumonia has mostly been favorable when the medication was discontinued. It has been postulated that interstitial pneumonia induced by the combination of IFN and 5-FU may be therapy-resistant. The combination of IFN-alpha and 5-FU is a useful therapy for patients with advanced HCC, such as that with portal vein invasion or multiple metastatic foci. Thus, interstitial pneumonia in these patients should be carefully managed.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Effect of portal hemodynamics on liver regeneration studied in a novel portohepatic shunt rat model.

BACKGROUND: The role of portal hemodynamics on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy is not fully understood. The aim of our study was to characterize the effects of portal hemodynamics using a novel rat model. METHODS: We established a rat model of a portohepatic shunt with a 70% hepatectomy (PHS model), in which the portal pressure remained stable during and after the 70% hepatectomy. To assess the effect of portal hemodynamics on liver injury and regeneration in the first 24 hours, we compared PHS rats with those with a simple 70% hepatectomy. RESULTS: Biochemical and histopathologic changes were similar between the 2 groups. Liver weight increased in the control, whereas it did not in the PHS group (P = .0021). Hepatocytes were enlarged in the control but not in the PHS group, although DNA synthesis was similar in both groups. Apoptotic hepatocytes increased markedly in PHS at 24 hours, whereas minimal apoptosis was noted throughout the course of the study in the control group. Hepatocyte growth factor increased similarly, except that it was not activated in PHS. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that a portal hyperdynamic state early after a 70% hepatectomy was necessary for liver regeneration through activation of hepatocyte growth factor, promoting hepatocyte hypertrophy and avoiding apoptosis, while DNA synthesis in hepatocytes was independent of portal hemodynamics.

Animals↗

Expression of uridine diphosphate N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosamine: polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyl transferase 3 in adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

Uridine diphosphate (UDP) N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosamine:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyl transferase 3 (GalNAc-T3), one of the enzymes that catalyze the initial glycosylation of mucin type O-linked proteins, was shown to associate with the differentiation of cancer cell lines and the prognosis of some kinds of cancers. In the present study, the association of GalNAc-T3 expression with clinicopathologic features of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and patients' survival was examined. The level of expression of GalNAc-T3 was analyzed immunohistochemically in paraffin-embedded tumor samples from surgically resected specimens of 59 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The correlations of GalNAc-T3 expression with clinicopathologic features and prognosis were studied. Thirty-five tumors showed high- intensity GalNAc-T3 staining, whereas 24 showed low-intensity staining. A close association was observed between GalNAc-T3 staining intensity and histologic differentiation and the stage of the tumors. The low-intensity group showed a high rate of the poorly differentiated subtype (p < 0.001) and T4 of the pTNM staging system (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that the expression of GalNAc-T3 is associated with the differentiation and aggressiveness of ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

Aged↗

Valosin-containing protein (p97) and Ki-67 expression is a useful marker in detecting malignant behavior of pancreatic endocrine neoplasms.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognostic value of valosin-containing protein (VCP) expression and the Ki-67 labeling index (LI) in pancreatic endocrine neoplasms (PENs), the present analysis was employed. METHODS: The Ki-67 LI and VCP expression at the mRNA and protein level were evaluated in 32 patients (12 male and 20 female) with PENs aged from 22 to 73 years (median 49 years). VCP staining intensity in tumor cells was categorized as weaker (level 1) or equal to stronger (level 2) compared to nontumorous islet cells. Ki-67 LI was divided into two categories: level 1, Ki-67 LI < 5%, and level 2, > or = 5%. RESULTS: Five cases (15.6%) showed level 1 and 25 (84.4%) level 2 VCP expression by immunohistochemistry. A significant association was observed between VCP expression and the malignant behavior of PENs (p < 0.01). All level 1 VCP tumors were benign PENs. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis showed higher VCP mRNA expression in malignant PENs (n = 5) than benign cases (n = 5) (p < 0.05). For Ki-67 LI, 28 cases (87.5%) showed level 1 and 4 (12.5%) level 2 expression. All patients with level 2 Ki-67 LI had metastasis. CONCLUSION: VCP expression analysis and Ki-67 LI are useful prognosticators for PENs.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Increased expression of valosin-containing protein (p97) is associated with lymph node metastasis and prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Valosin-containing protein (VCP, also known as p97) exhibits antiapoptotic function and metastasis by activation of nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway. Our previous study showed that VCP expression level correlated with prognosis of hepatocellular and gastric carcinoma. In the present study, association of VCP expression with lymph node metastasis and prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) was examined. METHODS: VCP expression in 83 patients (46 males and 37 females) of ages ranging from 43 to 80 (median, 66) years who had undergone curative surgery for primary PDAC was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, in which staining intensity in tumor cells was categorized as weaker or equal to (low expression) or stronger (high expression) than that in noncancerous ductal tissue. RESULTS: Thirty-two tumors (38.6%) and 51 tumors (61.4%) were classified as low-VCP-expressing and high-VCP-expressing tumors, respectively. VCP expression correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis (P <.01) but not with various clinicopathologic factors, including age, gender, and histologic differentiation. Multivariate analysis revealed VCP expression as an independent prognosticator for both disease-free and overall survival, along with histologic differentiation, T stage of pathologic tumor-node-metastasis (pTNM) classification, and lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, VCP expression was a prognosticator for disease-free and overall survival in each relatively early stage (I or II) and advanced stage (III) group of pTNM classification. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate the potential usefulness of VCP expression as a marker of metastasis and overall prognosis of PDAC.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Expression level of valosin-containing protein (p97) is correlated with progression and prognosis of non-small-cell lung carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Valosin-containing protein (VCP; also known as p97) was shown to be associated with antiapoptosis and metastasis via activation of a nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathway. Our previous study showed that the VCP expression level correlated with the disease recurrence rate and prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and gastric carcinoma. This study was designed to evaluate the prognostic significance of VCP expression in non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). METHODS: VCP expression in 207 patients with NSCLC (133 men and 74 women) aged 35 to 78 years (median, 62 years) was examined by immunohistochemistry, in which staining intensity in tumor cells was categorized as weaker than (level 1) or equal to or stronger than (level 2) that in endothelial cells. RESULTS: Sixty-nine (33.8%) cases showed level 1 and 135 (66.2%) showed level 2 VCP expression. The frequency of the following was higher in patients with level 2 expression than in those with level 1 expression: male sex (P <.01), histological subtype of squamous cell carcinoma (P <.05), and smoking (P <.05). Patients with level 2 expression had poorer disease-free and overall survival rates (P <.05 and P <.01, respectively) than those with level 1 expression. Multivariate analysis revealed VCP expression and pathologic T (pT) and pN classifications to be independent prognostic factors for both disease-free and overall survival and showed vascular invasion to be an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. VCP level was a prognosticator for overall survival in both the early (pT1) and advanced (pT2-3) group of the pT classification (P <.05 for both). CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic significance of VCP expression in NSCLC was demonstrated.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Occupational health nurses' participation in health committee surveyed in Yamaguchi prefecture, Japan.

This survey was conducted to know the present conditions of occupational health nurses (OHNs) activity related to health committees (HCs) in Japan. Questionnaires that included items related to duties of the OH physician (OHP), those of the OHN, and their mutual duties within the HC, were mailed to 41 companies employing OHNs and questionnaires from 18 companies were analyzed. Comparison of the frequency of OHN attendance at Health Committee Meetings (HCMs) revealed that 33.3% of OHNs attended the HCs when their companies employed full-time OHPs and 83.3% attended when their companies employed part-time OHPs. In a question about the OHN's opportunity to deliver a speech, give a report or make a presentation at their HCMs, 16.7% of OHNs in companies with full-time OHPs and 66.7% of OHNs in companies with part-time OHPs reported they had such opportunity. In companies with part-time OHPs, 50.0% of the OHNs reported that they were asked for their opinions at the HCMs, but OHNs at companies employing full-time OHPs were not asked for their opinions. It was considered that in the future, OHNs, particularly those working with a part-time OHP, will have an important role in the HC and developing OH services for their companies.

Health Care Surveys↗

[Malignant melanoma in penile foreskin].

We report a case of stage I malignant melanoma of the penis (confined to the penis). A 74-year-old uncircumcised man noticed a nonhealing, painless black lesion in penile foreskin and visited our institute. As the lesion was confined to the prepuce, the patient underwent circumcision for treatment and histological diagnosis. Histological examination revealed a malignant melanoma composed of epithelioid melanocytes. Ten months later, he is currently alive, without recurrence or metastasis.

Aged↗

[A case of successful treatment with combined 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin, cisplatin (FAP) therapy followed by Gemcitabine, UFT therapy and intra-arterial FAP therapy for unresectable advanced gallbladder cancer].

The prognosis of unresectable advanced gallbladder cancer is extremely poor. We presented a 61-year-old female with unresectable advanced gallbladder cancer who received FAP therapy, Gemcitabine + UFT therapy, and an intra-arterial FAP therapy that followed. She is still alive 18 months after the first diagnosis. It may be possible to improve the prognosis by maintaining QOL using the combination of chemotherapies such as FAP, Gemcitabine, and UFT.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Expression level of valosin-containing protein is strongly associated with progression and prognosis of gastric carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Valosin-containing protein (VCP; also known as p97) was shown to be associated with antiapoptotic function and metastasis via activation of nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway. In this study, association of VCP expression with recurrence of gastric carcinoma (GC), in which lymphatic vessels are the main route of spread, was examined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: VCP expression in 330 patients with GC (242 males and 88 females) with ages ranging from 26 to 81 years (median, 60 years) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, in which staining intensity in tumor cells was categorized as weaker (level 1) or equal to or stronger (level 2) than that in endothelial cells. RESULTS: Ninety-four (28.7%) patient cases showed level 1 and 233 patient cases (71.3%) showed level 2 VCP expression. Patients with level 2 expression showed higher rates of large tumor size (P <.0001), undifferentiated histologic subtype (P <.05), presence of vascular and lymphatic invasion (P <.0001 for both), presence of lymph node metastasis (P <.0001), deep tumor invasion (P <.0001), and poorer disease-free and overall survivals (P <.0001 for both) compared with those with level 1 VCP expression. Multivariate analysis revealed VCP expression level as an independent prognosticator for disease-free and overall survival. VCP level was an indicator for disease-free and overall survival in the early (pT1; P <.01 and P <.05, respectively) and advanced (pT2-4; P <.05 for both) group of pathologic tumor-node-metastasis system classification. CONCLUSION: The prognostic significance of VCP expression level in GC was demonstrated.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Molecular link in the sequential induction of the Spemann organizer: direct activation of the cerberus gene by Xlim-1, Xotx2, Mix.1, and Siamois, immediately downstream from Nodal and Wnt signaling.

To elucidate the molecular basis of organizer functions in Xenopus, we sought the target genes of the LIM homeodomain protein Xlim-1, which is one of the organizer-specific transcriptional activators. We found that an activated form of Xlim-1, Xlim-1/3m, initiates ectopic expression of the head-inducing organizer factor gene cerberus in animal caps. Thus, we analyzed the cerberus promoter using reporter assays. We show that three consecutive TAAT motifs of the homeodomain-binding sites between positions -141 and -118, collectively designated the "3xTAAT element," are crucial for the response of the cerberus promoter to Xlim-1/3m, and for its activation in the dorsal region of the embryo. Because cooperative activation of the cerberus promoter by Xnr1 and Xwnt8 also requires the 3xTAAT element, we focused on homeodomain transcriptional activators downstream from either Nodal or Wnt signaling. We found that wild-type Xlim-1 synergistically activates the cerberus promoter with Mix.1 and Siamois through the 3xTAAT element, and this synergy requires the LIM domains of Xlim-1. In contrast, Xotx2 acts synergistically with Mix.1 and Siamois through the TAATCT sequence at -95. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that Xlim-1, Siamois, and Mix.1 are likely to bind as a complex, in a LIM domain-dependent manner, to the region containing the 3xTAAT element. These data suggest that cerberus is a direct target for Xlim-1, Mix.1, Siamois, and Xotx2. Therefore, we propose a model for the molecular link in the inductive sequence from the formation of the organizer to anterior neural induction.

Animals↗

Cholesteryl-hemisuccinate-induced apoptosis of promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells through a cyclosporin A-insensitive mechanism.

We reported previously that alpha-tocopheryl-succinate (VES) induced apoptosis of cultured human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) (Free Radic Res 2000;33:407-18). We have now studied the effect of cholesteryl-hemisuccinate (CS) on the fate of HL-60 cells to clarify whether CS has an effect similar to that of VES. CS inhibited the growth of HL-60 cells without differentiation to granulocytes and induced DNA fragmentation and ladder formation. CS inhibited the phosphorylation of pleckstrin homology domain-containing protein kinase B (Akt) and initiated the activation of a caspase cascade. CS triggered the reaction leading to the cleavage of Bid and also released cytochrome c (Cyt. c) from mitochondria. In addition, CS induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization and translocation of Bax to mitochondria in HL-60 cells. However, CS did not induce an increase in the concentration of intracellular calcium ions in HL-60 cells. The membrane depolarization, Cyt. c release, and DNA fragmentation were inhibited by z-VAD-fluoromethylketone (z-VAD-fmk), a pan-caspase inhibitor, but not by cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of membrane permeability transition. These results suggested that CS-induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells might be caused by inhibiting Akt phosphorylation following cleavage of Bid through caspase-8 activation and subsequently via an Apaf complex-caspase cascade pathway.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗

Elevated expression of valosin-containing protein (p97) in hepatocellular carcinoma is correlated with increased incidence of tumor recurrence.

PURPOSE: Valosin-containing protein (VCP; also known as p97) has been shown to be associated with antiapoptotic function and metastasis via activation of the nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathway. In this study, association of VCP expression with recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and patient survival was examined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: VCP expression in 170 patients (139 male and 31 female) with ages ranging from 31 to 81 years (median, 61 years) was analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry, in which staining intensity in tumor cells was categorized as weaker (level 1) or equal to or stronger (level 2) than that in endothelial cells. RESULTS: Immunohistochemically, 57 patients (35.2%) showed level 1, and 105 patients (64.8%) showed level 2, VCP expression. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed higher VCP mRNA expression in level 2 patients (n = 7) than level 1 (n = 4) (P <.05). Patients with VCP-level 2 HCC showed higher rate of portal vein invasion in the tumor (P <.01) and poorer disease-free and overall survival (P <.0001 and P <.05, respectively) compared with level 1 patients. Multivariate analysis revealed VCP expression level, tumor multiplicity, and degree of fibrosis in the noncancerous liver tissue to be independent prognosticators for disease-free and overall survival. VCP level was an indicator for disease-free survival in each early- (I and II) and advanced- (III and IV) stage group of pathologic tumor-node-metastasis classification (P <.001 and P <.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: VCP expression level has prognostic significance for disease-free and overall survival of patients with HCC.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Isolated intracranial Rosai-Dorfman disease (sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy).

SUMMARY: Rosai-Dorfman disease (sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy) rarely affects the intracranial region without involvement of other sites. We report the case of a 68-year-old woman with isolated Rosai-Dorfman disease of the frontal dura. She presented with a new onset seizure. Initial MR imaging showed subtle mild change in the left frontal region. During the ensuing 8 months, a dural mass made its symptomatic and definite MR imaging appearance in the same region. No extracranial lesion was present.

Aged↗

Vinyl-lambda 3-iodanes act as efficient sulfur atom acceptors: vinylic SN2-based strategy for conversion of tertiary thioamides to amides.

Exposure of tertiary thioamides to (E)-1-hexenyl(phenyl)-lambda 3-iodane results in vinylic SN2 reaction to give the inverted (Z)-S-vinylthioimidonium salts, which under alkaline hydrolysis (Na2CO3 or K2CO3) selectively afford amides, while (Z)-S-vinyl thioesters are obtained in high yields via the hydrolysis under acidic conditions (HCl).

Journal Article↗

Possible role of dimethylarsinous acid in dimethylarsinic acid-induced urothelial toxicity and regeneration in the rat.

Dimethylarsinic acid (DMA(V)) is carcinogenic to the rat urinary bladder when administered at high doses in the diet or drinking water. At a dietary dose of 100 ppm (microg/g), it produces cytotoxicity within 6 h and increased proliferation (hyperplasia) by 7 days of administration. We hypothesize that formation of the reactive organic intermediate dimethylarsinous acid (DMA(III)) is involved in the induction of the cytotoxicity. To evaluate the possibility that DMA(V) administration produces urothelial toxicity and regeneration by the formation of trivalent arsenicals, 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonic acid (DMPS, 5600 ppm), a chelator of trivalent arsenicals, was co-administered with DMA(V) (100 ppm) for 2 weeks to groups of female Fischer F344 rats. Based on light and scanning electron microscopy, and bromodeoxyuridine labeling index, DMA(V) produced cytotoxicity and regenerative hyperplasia of the urothelium which was inhibited by co-administration with DMPS. The major forms of arsenic in the 24-h urine of rats administered DMA(V) were high concentrations of DMA(V) (66.4 +/- 2.7 microM) itself and the pentavalent organic arsenical trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO) (73.2 +/- 9.5 microM). Co-administration with DMPS led to an increase in DMA(V) (507 +/- 31 microM) with a decrease in TMAO (2.8 +/- 0.4 microM) excretion. The formation of TMAO from DMA(V) mechanistically suggests formation of the intermediate trivalent metabolite, DMA(III). In a second experiment evaluating fresh void urines collected on study days 1, 71, and 175, we detected DMA(III) in the urine of DMA(V) and DMA(V) plus DMPS-treated rats at approximately micromolar concentrations. Using rat (MYP3) and human (1T1) urothelial cells, cytotoxicity for trivalent arsenicals, sodium arsenite, monomethylarsonous acid (MMA(III)), and DMA(III) was demonstrated at 0.4-4.8 microM concentrations, whereas MMA(V), DMA(V), and TMAO were cytotoxic at millimolar concentrations. The presence of DMA(III) at micromolar concentrations in the urine of rats fed 100 ppm DMA(V) suggests that DMA(III) produced in vivo may be involved in the toxic effects in the rat urinary bladder after dietary administration of DMA(V).

Animals↗

Two pathways of iron uptake in bovine spleen apoferritin dependent on iron concentration.

Iron incorporation by bovine spleen apoferritin either with ferrous ammonium sulfate in different buffers or with ferrous ammonium sulfate and phosphate was studied. Iron uptake and iron autoxidation were recorded spectrophotomerically. The buffers [4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethanesulphonic acid (Hepes) and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminoethane (Tris) exhibited pH-dependent iron autoxidation, with Tris showing less iron autoxidation than Hepes. An Eadie-Scatchard plot (v/[s] versus v) of the iron uptake rate in Hepes was a curved rather than a straight line, suggesting that there are two iron uptake pathways. On the other hand, the Eadie-Scatchard plots of Tris and of Hepes after the addition of phosphate showed a straight line. Phosphate accelerated the iron uptake rate. The iron loading kinetics of apoferritin in Hepes was dependent on apoferritin concentration. The Km value obtained from iron uptake kinetics was 4.5 microM, corresponding to the physiological iron concentration. These results demonstrate that iron loading of apoferritin was accomplished at physiological iron concentrations, which is essential for iron uptake, via two uptake pathways of dependent on iron concentration.

Animals↗