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Biomedical subjects

Yasuo Ohkura

Publications and source records attributed to Yasuo Ohkura.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Sudden unexpected death in patients with malignancy: a clinicopathologic study of 28 autopsy cases.

Sudden unexpected death (SUD) in patients with malignancy has not been comprehensively studied. We defined SUD as intrinsic natural death within 24h after initial clinical presentation of the disease responsible for the death. Intra- and postoperative death and cases associated with a myelosuppressive state were excluded. Of 2,216 autopsy cases with malignancy registered at Saitama Cancer Center, Japan, 28 SUD cases (1.3%) were studied clinicopathologically. Fifteen cases (53.6%) died of non-neoplastic cardiovascular events (CVEs), with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) being the most common death (n=13). Ten cases (35.7%) died of neoplasm-related complications (NRCs), and a miscellaneous pathophysiology was apparent, including cardiac involvement by tumor cells (n=3), fistula formation between great vessels and the alimentary canal (n=3), hepatic rupture (n=2), cardiac tamponade (n=1), and neoplastic pulmonary emboli (n=1). An anaphylaxis reaction (AR) was the cause of SUD in three cases (10.7%). Our results imply that the main route for prevention of SUD in patients with malignancy is incorporation of measure against ischemic heart disease. In addition, a variety of mechanisms causing SUD as a complication of malignant neoplasms should be recognized, including AR. Accumulation of SUD cases is necessary to better understand the causes of SUD in patients with malignancy.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of tumor cell dissociation as a predictive marker of lymph node metastasis in submucosal invasive colorectal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Tumor cell dissociation-the histologic finding of small solid carcinoma cell clusters and groups of dissociated dedifferentiated carcinoma cells at the invasive front-is related to tumor metastasis and patient prognosis. However, few previous reports have examined tumor cell dissociation in submucosal invasive colorectal carcinoma. We investigated the relation between tumor cell dissociation and lymph node metastasis in submucosal invasive colorectal carcinoma. We also examined immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in submucosal invasive colorectal carcinoma. METHODS: Submucosal invasive colorectal carcinoma tissue samples from 20 patients with lymph node metastasis and 100 patients without lymph node metastasis were evaluated. Sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin were evaluated for tumor cell dissociation. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression and cellular distribution of E-cadherin and beta-catenin. RESULTS: Tumor cell dissociation was more frequently identified in submucosal invasive colorectal carcinoma cases with lymph node metastasis than in those without lymph node metastasis (P = 0.0001). Decreased membranous expression of E-cadherin occurred more frequently in submucosal invasive colorectal carcinoma cases with lymph node metastasis than in those without lymph node metastasis (P = 0.025). Nuclear expression of beta-catenin tended to be present in submucosal invasive colorectal carcinoma cases with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.063). Decreased membranous expression of E-cadherin occurred more frequently in submucosal invasive colorectal carcinoma cases with tumor cell dissociation than in those without tumor cell dissociation (P = 0.0023). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that there is a relation between tumor cell dissociation and lymph node metastasis in submucosal invasive colorectal carcinoma. Tumor cell dissociation formation might be related to abnormal expression patterns of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in submucosal invasive colorectal carcinoma. Tumor cell dissociation and decreased membranous expression of E-cadherin would be important predictive markers for lymph node metastasis in submucosal invasive colorectal carcinoma.

Cadherins↗

Gastric cancer developing in the stomach after pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy with pancreaticogastrostomy: case report and review of the literature.

A 59-year-old woman underwent surgery for uterine corpus cancer in March 1998. She also underwent pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy with pancreaticogastrostomy for common bile duct cancer in November 1998. She was followed up at our outpatient clinic after pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. In November 2002, her carcinoembryonic antigen level became elevated and abdominal ultrasound revealed a huge tumor. Gastroscopy showed a Borrmann type 3 tumor at the anastomosis of the pancreaticogastrostomy, and a biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma. With a diagnosis of advanced gastric cancer, she underwent total gastrectomy, splenectomy, and residual pancreatectomy in January 2003. The pathologic findings revealed that the gastric cancer was separated from the pancreas, suggesting that the cancer had developed from the stomach. The present report describes a rare case of gastric cancer that had developed at the anastomosis of a pancreaticogastrostomy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Malignant stromal tumor, so called "gastrointestinal stromal tumor", with rhabdomyomatous differentiation occurring in the gallbladder.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) constitute the largest category of primary nonepithelial neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. It is extremely rare that this tumor occurs in the bile tract, and only a few cases have been reported. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells revealed a phenotype similar to Cajal cells, occasionally with differentiation to smooth muscle cells or neural cells. We present a case of malignant stromal tumor similar to GISTs with rhabdomyomatous differentiation of the gallbladder in a 68-year-old woman. The resected tumor was predominantly composed of spindle cells with rhabdomyomatous differentiation. Immunohistochemical study revealed diffuse staining of tumor cells using vimentin despite negative staining for desmin or S-100. This indicated a mesenchymal origin of the cells without smooth muscle or neuronal differentiation. Myoglobin-positive cells, in which phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin staining revealed cross striations of the cytoplasm, suggested rhabdomyomatous differentiation. Diffuse positivity for KIT in the cells suggested that the pathogenesis of this tumor may resemble that of GIST. The tumor may have derived from a mesenchymal stem cell that had undergone partial rhabdomyomatous differentiation.

Aged↗

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy caused by a gastric carcinoma expressing vascular endothelial growth factor and tissue factor.

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) is a rare clinicopathological entity causing severe pulmonary hypertension. Its histological features include widespread tumor emboli along with fibrocellular intimal proliferation and thrombus formation in the small arteries and arterioles of the lungs. The result is occlusion or stenosis of the pulmonary vasculature, but the detailed pathogenesis has yet to be clarified in spite of the serious clinical manifestations. Herein is described the case of a 62-year-old man with a gastric adenocarcinoma who died of sudden cardiopulmonary arrest. The autopsy revealed advanced cancer disease as well as findings of PTTM, which seemed to be the cause of his unexpected death. The carcinoma cells were immunohistochemically positive for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and also for tissue factor (TF). There is another report suggesting that TF might play an important role in the pathogenesis of PTTM. Also, VEGF has been reported to be involved in a variety of forms of pulmonary hypertension and to be upregulated by TF. These findings suggest that VEGF and TF may be involved in the pathogenesis of PTTM. The present PTTM case, in which the tumor cells demonstrate the coexpression of VEGF and TF, is important in facilitating understanding of the lethal disorder in the future.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Histopathological study of small (<2 cm) gastric carcinoma with signet-ring cell component: significance of the admixed glandular components.

Admixture of signet-ring cell carcinoma component (SIG) and glandular component (GC) is sometimes found in a gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to elucidate the biological behavior of the gastric cancer containing either SIG only (SIG-type tumor) or SIG admixed with GC (SIG-GC-type tumor). Forty-three cases of SIG-type tumor and 26 cases of SIG-GC-type tumor, less than 2 cm in largest diameter, were examined. Twenty-six cases (60%) of SIGs were less than 10 mm in size, whereas only 3 cases (12%) of SIG-GCs were less than 10 mm in size (p<0.0001). Submucosal invasion by cancer cells was found in 12 cases of SIG-GCs but was not found in any of the SIGs. Those SIG-GCs showed gastric phenotype. It is important to note SIG-GC-type tumor for histopathological diagnosis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The clinical features of rectal cancers with high-frequency microsatellite instability (MSI-H) in Japanese males.

Colorectal cancers with high-frequency microsatellite instability (MSI-H) are known to display striking differences in their clinical and pathological features compared to microsatellite stable (MSS) cancers. Previous studies revealed that MSI-H cancers are more likely to occur in women, irrespective of the higher incidence of colorectal cancer in men. In this study we investigated the gender-specific clinico-pathological features of MSI positive colorectal cancer in Japanese individuals. A series of 478 colorectal carcinomas were collected in an unbiased manner and analyzed for microsatellite instability status. Seven percent, 6% and 87% of tumors showed MSI-H, low-frequency microsatellite instability (MSI-L) and MSS, respectively. A comparison of gender indicated a statistical significance in terms of the distribution of the subsite and age of onset of MSI-H colorectal cancer. In general, MSI-H cancers prone to develop in the proximal colon however, we found that about 36% of MSI-H cancers in men developed in the rectum. These rectal cancers were more likely to have a mucinous component and multiple colorectal cancers including critical lesion. These findings should be useful to find MSI positive rectum cancer.

Age of Onset↗

Relationship between CDX2 gene methylation and dietary factors in gastric cancer patients.

Epigenetic gene silencing through DNA methylation is one of the important steps in the mechanism underlying tumorigenesis, including in the stomach. Past lifestyle factors of cancer patients, such as intake of vegetables, are very important in affecting gastric carcinogenesis. However, the relationship between DNA methylation and past dietary habits in cancer patients remains largely unknown. The CDX2 homeobox transcription factor plays a key role in intestinal development, but CDX2 is also expressed in most of the intestinal metaplasia and part of the carcinomas of the stomach. We analyzed the methylation status of the CDX2 5' CpG island in gastric cancer cell lines by methylation-specific PCR (MSP), and then CDX2 mRNA was found to be activated after 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment of the methylation-positive cells. We further examined the methylation status of CDX2 in primary gastric carcinomas by MSP and compared it with the past lifestyle of the patients, including dietary habits. Methylation of CDX2 was found in 20 (34.5%) of the 58 male patients and one (6.7%) of the 15 female patients. Since the methylation frequency was low in the female patients, the analysis was performed only on the male cases. CDX2 methylation was correlated with the decreased intake of green tea and cruciferous vegetables, and also with full or overeating habits. These findings are consistent with epidemiological observations on gastric cancer. We also analyzed the methylation status of p16/INK4a and hMLH1, but their frequencies were not associated with dietary factors or other lifestyle factors. Thus, diet could be an important factor determining the methylation status of genes such as CDX2 and the resultant aberrant expression of genes involved in carcinogenesis.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Correlations between lymph node metastasis and depth of submucosal invasion in submucosal invasive colorectal carcinoma: a Japanese collaborative study.

BACKGROUND: Depth of submucosal invasion (SM depth) in submucosal invasive colorectal carcinoma (SICC) is considered an important predictive factor for lymph node metastasis. However, no nationwide reports have clarified the relationship between SM depth and rate of lymph node metastasis. Our aim was to investigate the correlations between lymph node metastasis and SM depth in SICC. METHODS: SM depth was measured for 865 SICCs that were surgically resected at six institutions throughout Japan. For pedunculated SICC, the level 2 line according to Haggitt's classification was used as baseline and the SM depth was measured from this baseline to the deepest portion in the submucosa. When the deepest portion of invasion was limited to above the baseline, the case was defined as a head invasion. For nonpedunculated SICC, when the muscularis mucosae could be identified, the muscularis mucosae was used as baseline and the vertical distance from this line to the deepest portion of invasion represented SM depth. When the muscularis mucosae could not be identified due to carcinomatous invasion, the superficial aspect of the SICC was used as baseline, and the vertical distance from this line to the deepest portion was determined. RESULTS: For pedunculated SICC, rate of lymph node metastasis was 0% in head invasion cases and stalk invasion cases with SM depth <3000 micro m if lymphatic invasion was negative. For nonpedunculated SICC, rate of lymph node metastasis was also 0% if SM depth was <1000 micro m. CONCLUSIONS: These results clarified rates of lymph node metastasis in SICC according to SM depth, and may contribute to defining therapeutic strategies for SICC.

Adult↗

Hemophagocytic syndrome associated with clostridial infection in a pancreatic carcinoma patient.

This report describes the autopsy case of a 71-year-old man presenting with clostridial infection and hemophagocytic syndrome (HS). The patient underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for a pancreatic tumor, and a histological examination revealed an invasive ductal adenocarcinoma. Multiple peritoneal metastases were noted when laparotomy was performed because of postoperative ileus 2 months after the initial operation. Then, acutely progressive anemia associated with fever developed in the patient before death. The autopsy revealed advanced cancer dissemination and HS. In addition, systemic spread of clostridium, confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction method, had resulted in generalized bleb formation. The clostridial infection appeared to be responsible for the HS. This case indicates that HS may occur as a result of clostridial infection.

Aged↗

Inhibitory effects of etodolac, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, on the occurrence of tumors in colitis-induced tumorigenesis model in rats.

Ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated neoplasia is one of the complications seen in patients with long-standing UC. Based on many epidemiological studies, colitis is assumed to promote colon tumorigenesis. Tumorigenesis is known to be suppressed in rodents and humans by selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. However, whether these drugs would serve as protective agents against UC-associated neoplasia remains unclear. Therefore, using a colitis-induced tumorigenesis rat model, we investigated the effects of etodolac, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, on tumorigenesis. The following 4 groups were examined: group A, administered trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine; group B, in addition to the treatment in group A, also received etodolac; group C, administered etodolac alone; and group D, did not receive any agent throughout the study and served as an untreated control. The rats were sacrificed 163 days after the start of experiment, and the number of aberrant crypt foci and tumors in the intestine were counted using a stereoscopic microscope following methylene blue staining. The mean number of aberrant crypt foci was 52.4 in group A, 18.9 in group B, 0 in group C and 0.5 in group D. A total of 9 tumors were observed in group A alone, with none in the remaining groups. The numbers of aberrant crypt foci and tumors in group B were significantly lower than in group A. Etodolac, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, suppresses the occurrence of aberrant crypt foci and tumors in colitis-induced tumorigenesis in rats.

Animals↗

Dysfunction of p53 pathway in human colorectal cancer: analysis of p53 gene mutation and the expression of the p53-associated factors p14ARF, p33ING1, p21WAF1 and MDM2.

Mutations of p53 tumor suppressor gene increase with tumor progression in colorectal cancers. In this study, we examined the expressions of p33ING1, p14ARF, MDM2 and p21WAF1 mRNA in 25 advanced colorectal cancers by quantitative RT-PCR method, and compared the expression levels of p33ING1, p14ARF, p21WAF1 and MDM2 in relation to p53 status in the tumors. Fifteen of 25 colorectal cancers (60%) showed abnormal accumulation of p53 protein in the nucleus, and the remaining 10 colorectal cancers (40%) were negative for p53 immunostaining. We found a G --> T transition (nonsense mutation) at the first nucleotide of codon 298 (exon 8) in one p53-negative case, and a frame shift mutation on exon 7 in another p53-negative case. In remaining eight p53-negative cases, there was no mutation in the entire open reading frame of p53 cDNA. Interestingly, in eight cases with p53 wild-type gene, 6 cases (75%) showed a marked down-regulation of p14ARF mRNA, and three cases (37.5%) over-expressed MDM2 mRNA. Only one case with wild-type p53 gene showed normal level expression of p53 regulatory-factors (p33ING1, p14ARF, and MDM2). Thus, p53 tumor suppressor pathway was disrupted in 24 of 25 colorectal cancers (96%).

Aged↗

Extranodal diffuse follicular center lymphoma mimicking mantle cell lymphoma of the intestine.

We report a case of diffuse follicular center lymphoma (FCL), which is a morphological variant of follicular lymphoma, resembling multiple lymphomatous polyposis (mantle cell lymphoma of the intestine). The patient was a 48-year-old Japanese man who was found, by colonoscopy, to have numerous small polypoid lesions along the entire large intestine. Abdominal computed tomography revealed hepatosplenomegaly and enlargement of multiple mesenteric lymph nodes. Histologically, the lesion was characterized by diffuse proliferation of small- to medium-sized lymphocytes with cleaved nuclei in the mucosa and submucosa. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the tumor cells were CD20+, CD10+, BCL-2+, CD5-, surface IgM-, and cyclin D1-. Moreover, a cytogenetic study showed a translocation at (14;18)(q32;q21). Finally, this case was diagnosed as diffuse FCL, although the tumor was mimicking mantle cell lymphoma.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14↗

Evaluation of cell proliferation and apoptosis in Helicobacter pylori gastritis using an image analysis processor.

BACKGROUND: Infection of the gastric mucosa by helicobacter pylori is primarily responsible for gastritis, gastric ulcer, adenocarcinoma, and lymphoproliferative disorders. H. pylori appears to accelerate apoptosis and the proliferation of the gastric epithelium directly or indirectly. To precisely assess the proliferative and apoptotic profile of .H pylori-infected gastric mucosa, a quantitative imaging system is now required. METHODS: Fifty-two patients with H. pylori gastritis were the subjects of the study. Biopsy materials were taken from at least two sites (usually three to five sites) including the antrum and corpus. The grade of gastritis was evaluated by the updated Sydney System. The proliferative and apoptotic profile was examined by Ki-67 immunohistochemistry and by a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling method. In addition, Ki-67-positive cells were quantitated by an image processor for analytical pathology (IPAP) system. RESULTS: H. pylori density and polymorphonuclear neutrophil activity were significantly decreased after H. pylori eradication ( P< 0.0001). Chronic inflammation (P< 0.0001) and lymphoid follicle numbers ( P < 0.0005) were also significantly decreased after the eradication. Glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia were slightly decreased after eradication, but the decrease did not reach the significant level. the Ki-67 labeling index was significantly decreased after the eradication P< 0.0001). The apoptosis index was also decreased after the eradication, but this decrease did not reach the significant level ( P = 0.06). CONCLUSION: our data suggest that the activation of proliferative cells and induction of apoptosis in the gastric mucosa is a response to H. pylori-induced mucosal damage. Moreover, IPAP may be a useful technology for evaluating the results of immunohistochemistry, and it could provide quantitative and reliable data for studying H. pylori gastritis.

Adult↗

Identification of genes differentially expressed in a newly isolated human metastasizing esophageal cancer cell line, T.Tn-AT1, by cDNA microarray.

We isolated a metastasizing human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell line, T.Tn-AT1, from a parental non-metastasizing cell line, T.Tn, by in vitro selection and by use of a nude mouse orthotopic inoculation model. Then, we compared the expression profiles of 9206 genes in T.Tn-AT1 and T.Tn by cDNA microarray analysis. The gene expression profiles of T.Tn and T.Tn-AT1 were very similar, and only 34 genes showed more than 3-fold differential expression. Among the 34 genes, 29 genes were down-regulated and only 5 genes were up-regulated in T.Tn-AT1 cells. Subsequently, we confirmed the expression levels of 14 of the 34 genes in T.Tn and T.Tn-AT1 cells by means of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The expression of 8 genes (KAL1, HPGD, NDN, REG1A, CXCR4, SPOCK, DIAPH2 and AIF1) was down-regulated and that of one gene (VNN2) was up-regulated in T.Tn-AT1 cells. These 9 genes encoded proteins associated with metastatic processes, such as adhesion, migration, inflammation, proliferation, and differentiation. Thus, these genes might regulate the metastasis of esophageal SCC, and could be predictive markers for lymph node metastasis of esophageal SCC.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Estrogen receptor beta is expressed in human stomach adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: In stomach adenocarcinoma, the role of the hormonal receptor, estrogen receptor (ER), has been controversial. Recently, a new estrogen receptor, called estrogen receptor beta (ER beta), was found to be expressed in various tissues including normal gastrointestinal tract. In this paper, the expression of ER beta in stomach adenocarcinomas has been investigated for the first time, specifically in signet ring cell adenocarcinomas, together with surrounding non-cancerous tissues. METHODS: By immunohistochemistry the expression of ER alpha and beta was studied in 29 stomach adenocarcinomas, ten signet ring cell adenocarcinomas, and 19 other adenocarcinomas. Western blotting was performed to examine the immunohistochemical result. Statistical studies (Student's t test and chi(2)-test) explored the relation between the immunohistochemical result and clinicopathological characteristics. RESULTS: All 29 adenocarcinomas, including the signet ring cell ones, demonstrated clear ER beta nucleus staining. Lymphocytes, venous endothelial cells, smooth muscle, and non-cancerous stomach glands also showed strong ER beta staining, while no staining was observed in the immunohistochemistry of ER alpha. Western blotting showed equivalent ER beta protein levels in cancerous and non-cancerous tissues, which was consistent with the results of immunohistochemical staining. Among signet ring cell adenocarcinomas of the stomach, cytoplasm were stained in addition to nuclei, specifically in patients under the age of 40 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our results imply that the effects of estrogen in stomach cancer, as well as those in normal stomach, may be mediated by ER beta, and that the role of ER beta may differ by the subtype of stomach adenocarcinoma - specifically signet ring cell adenocarcinomas and other ones - although large scale samples are needed to confirm these findings.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the colon 7mm in size with peritonitis carcinomatosa.

A 72-year-old woman was admitted with a complaint of a sensation of abdominal fullness. Cytologic examination of ascites revealed many poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma cells. Barium enema study and colonoscopy revealed IIa+IIc-type carcinoma of the descending colon. Endoscopic mucosal resection was performed to determine the histological type and the depth of invasion. The resected tumor was 7 x 6 mm in size, and an amorphous pit pattern was observed in the depressed area by stereomicroscopy. Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet-ring cells had diffusely infiltrated into the deeper part of the submucosal layer. Immunohistochemical findings showed this tumor to have mucin derived from gastric foveolar epithelium, suggesting that the signet-ring cell carcinoma of the colon showed gastric differentiation. Primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the colon and rectum is a rare form of adenocarcinoma of the large intestine and shows more malignant biological behavior than ordinary colorectal carcinoma. Early diagnosis and curative operation are important.

Aged↗