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Biomedical subjects

Hiroshi Inoue

Publications and source records attributed to Hiroshi Inoue.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Discrepant recovery course of sympathetic neuronal function and beta-adrenoceptors in rat hearts after reperfusion following transient ischemia.

UNLABELLED: Cardiac sympathetic neuronal function is closely coupled with beta-adrenoceptors and adrenergic signaling. However, the recovery process of sympathetic neuronal function and beta-adrenoceptors after reperfusion following transient ischemia is not fully understood. Accordingly, this study was performed to investigate serial changes in sympathetic neuronal function and beta-adrenoceptors after transient myocardial ischemia. METHODS: The left coronary artery of male Wister rats was ligated for 15 min followed by reperfusion. A dual-tracer method of (131)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine ((131)I-MIBG) and (125)I-iodocyanopindolol ((125)I-ICYP) was used to assess cardiac sympathetic neuronal function and beta-adrenoceptor density on days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 after reperfusion. Myocardial norepinephrine (NE) content in ischemic regions (IR) and in remote regions (RR) and hemodynamic indices were determined. Using a membrane preparation of the rat heart after reperfusion, the maximum specific binding (B(max)) of beta-adrenoceptors was compared with (125)I-ICYP accumulation. RESULTS: The maximum value of the rate of change in left ventricular (LV) pressure (dP/dt(max)) tended to decrease on day 1 after reperfusion but recovered thereafter. Myocardial NE content was significantly reduced in IR compared with RR on day 1 (272 +/- 49 vs. 487 +/- 93 ng/g, P < 0.01), and the decrease became more severe on day 14 (36 +/- 19 vs. 489 +/- 132 ng/g, P < 0.01) and day 28 (37 +/- 14 vs. 455 +/- 216 ng/g, P < 0.01). Decrease in the IR-to-RR uptake ratio of (131)I-MIBG was modest on day 1 (0.64 +/- 0.12) and became more severe on days 7 and 14 (0.38 +/- 0.12 and 0.35 +/- 0.13, respectively). This reduction was partially restored on day 28 (0.50 +/- 0.18). In contrast, the IR-to-RR uptake ratio of (125)I-ICYP was severely decreased until day 3 (0.60 +/- 0.13 on day 1 and 0.54 +/- 0.19 on day 3) and recovered thereafter. On day 3, B(max) was significantly lower in IR than in RR (83 +/- 17 vs. 100 +/- 12 fmol/mg, P < 0.05), but the dissociation constant did not differ between the 2 regions. CONCLUSION: The recovery course of cardiac (131)I-MIBG uptake after reperfusion following transient ischemia is quite different from that of (125)I-ICYP. Simultaneous scintigraphic portrayal of beta-adrenoceptors together with (131)I-MIBG would provide useful information regarding adrenergic system signaling in patients with coronary artery disease.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗
PubMed2004

The subunits of glutamate cysteine ligase enhance cisplatin resistance in human non-small cell lung cancer xenografts in vivo.

Glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL) is a key enzyme in glutathione (GSH) synthesis, and is thought to play a significant role in the intracellular detoxification of anticancer drugs, especially of cisplatin (CDDP). GCL is composed of a modifier or light chain subunit (GCLM) and a catalytic or heavy chain subunit (GCLC). It was unclear whether the subunits are essential to CDDP-resistance. We examined the gene expression of GCLM and GCLC in 39 xenografts of human non-small cell lung cancer [NSCLC; 10 adenocarcinoma (Ad), 17 squamous cell carcinoma (Sq) and 12 large cell carcinoma (La)] by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with human-specific primers. Drug sensitivity to CDDP was evaluated in the 9 xenografts (4 Ad, 2 Sq and 3 La) using an in vivo drug sensitivity test. There was a significant association between the expression of GCLM and GCLC mRNA in each xenograft (Fisher's test, p<0.045). Squamous cell carcinoma xenografts significantly showed higher expression of GCLM gene than adenocarcinoma xenografts (p=0.023, t-test), while there was no significant difference in GCLC gene expression levels between each histopathological xenograft. Three of nine xenografts were sensitive to CDDP (Mann-Whitney U test, p<0.01, one-sided), while the other 6 xenografts were resistant. There was a significant relationship between drug sensitivity to CDDP and the co-overexpression of GCL subunits (chi2 test for independence, Yates' correction, p=0.014). These results suggested that the co-overexpression of GCL subunits correlated with CDDP-resistance in human NSCLC xenograft in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of sensory ataxic neuropathy with Sjögren's syndrome: a case report].

We report herein a case of sensory ataxic neuropathy with Sjögren's syndrome (SS-SAN) who became dramatically improved in response to high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin treatment (IVIg). An 81-year-old man began to feel numbness in his hands and feet in August 2002. Because he became unsteady and could not do skillfull movement, he was admitted to our hospital in May 2003. On neurological examination, all tendon reflexes were absent. His vibratory and position senses were severely impaired to knees and elbows. Touch, temperature, and pinprick sensations were mildly disturbed in a glove-stocking distribution. Coordination was clumsy in all limbs because of sensory loss. He had gait ataxia with Romberg sign. Nerve conduction study revealed that sensory nerve action potentials were absent. He was diagnosed as having SS-SAN because Schirmer test, Saxon test and both SS-A and SS-B antibodies were positive. Thereafter, Mg, 400 mg/kg daily for 5 days, was administered. His sensory impairment began to improve 2 days after Mg. Subsequently, he could walk steadily without ataxia. It is considered that IVIg may be an effective treatment for SS-SAN.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

[Traumatic injuries of the diaphragm].

Traumatic injuries of the diaphragm account for only a small proportion (2.5-10%) of cases of chest trauma. However, because of the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the diaphragm, early diagnosis and treatment is necessary. The diaphragm is composed of thin, membranous muscle tissue. Since, whether a person is resting or active, the diaphragm moves in the form of a large arch in the body cavity so long as the person is alive, it differs from other parenchymatous organs, and it is difficult to detect abnormalities by diagnostic imaging by means of computed tomography (CT), etc.. Thus, the patient's general condition (especially respiratory status) upon arrival at the hospital and an analysis of fine-grained plain films of the chest and thoracoabdominal ultrasound diagnostic examinations are important.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2004

[Susceptibilities of bacteria isolated from patients with lower respiratory infectious diseases to antibiotics (2002)].

From October 2002 to September 2003, we collected the specimen from 476 patients with lower respiratory tract infections in 16 institutions in Japan, and investigated the susceptibilities of isolated bacteria to various antibacterial agents and patients' characteristics. Of 584 strains that were isolated from specimen (mainly from sputum) and assumed to be bacteria causing in inflammation, 578 strains were examined. The breakdown of the isolated bacteria were: Staphylococcus aureus 77, Streptococcus pneumoniae 103, Haemophilus influenzae 95, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (non-mucoid) 61, P. aeruginosa (mucoid) 23, Klebsiella pneumoniae 36, Moraxella subgenus Branhamella catarrhalis 29, etc. Of 77 S. aureus strains, those with 2 microg/ml or less of MIC of oxacillin (MPIPC) [methicillin-susceptible S. aureus: MSSA] was 34 strains (44.2%) and those with 4 microg/ml or more of MIC of oxacillin (methicillin-resistant S. aureus: MRSA) was 43 strains (55.8%). Against MSSA, imipenem (IPM) and minocycline (MINO) had the most potent antibacterial activity and inhibited the growth of all the strains at 0.25 microg/ml. Although clindamycin (CLDM) and aminoglycosides also had the potent activity, the resistant strains against those agents were detected. Cefotiam (CTM) inhibited the growth of all the strains at 1 microg/ml without the low sensitive strains. Against MRSA, vancomycin (VCM) showed the most potent activity and inhibited the growth of all the strains at 2 microg/ml. Arbekacin (ABK) also showed the relatively potent activity and inhibited the growth of all the strains at 4 microg/ml. Carbapenems showed the most potent activities against S. pneumoniae and inhibited the growth of all the strains at 0.25-0.5 microg/ml. Cefozopran (CZOP) also had a preferable activity (MIC90: 1 microg/ml) and inhibited the growth of all the strains at 2 microg/ml. In contrast, the resistant strains for cefaclor (CCL), erythromycin (EM), CLDM, and tetracycline (TC) were detected in 50.5%, 76.7%, 50.5%, and 80.6% of all the strains, respectively. Against H. influenzae, LVFX showed the most potent activity and inhibited the growth of 92 of all the strains (96.8%) at 0.063 microg/ml. Tobramycin (TOB) showed the most potent activity against P. aeruginosa (both mucoid and non-mucoid) and inhibited the growth of all the strains at 2 microg/ml. The antibacterial activity of CZOP was good and its MIC90 against mucoid and non-mucoid strains was 8 and 16 microg/ml, respectively. CZOP and cefpirome (CPR) were the most potent against K. pneumoniae with 0.125 microg/ml of MIC90. Also, all the agents generally showed potent activities against M. (B.) catarrhalis and the MIC90 of all drugs were 4 microg/ml or less. The approximately half the number (47.5%) of the patients with respiratory infection were aged 70 years or older. As for the incidence by the diseases, bacterial pneumonia and chronic bronchitis were the highest, being noted in 35.7 and 33.8% of all the patients, respectively. The bacteria frequently isolated from the patients with bacterial pneumonia were S. pneumoniae (22.6%). In contrast, S. aureus (16.6%) and P. aeruginosa (13.7%) were relatively frequently isolated from the patients with chronic bronchitis. Before the drug administration, the bacteria frequently isolated from all the patients were H. influenzae (24.5%) and S. pneumoniae (24.2%). In comparison of the isolated bacteria by pretreatment agents, P. aeruginosa was relatively frequently isolated from the patients pretreated with cephems or macrolides and H. influenzae was relatively frequently isolated from the patients pretreated with penicillins.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2004

[Increase in regional cerebral blood flow of striatum induced by low dose levodopa in a patient with hemiparkinsonism].

A 54-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of left-sided rigidity. Neurological examination revealed cogwheel-type rigidity in the left upper and lower limbs without tremor. A brain MRI showed no abnormal findings. She was diagnosed as having left-sided hemiparkinsonism. A 99mTc-ECD SPECT detected a decrease in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the right corpus striatum. Administration of levodopa/DCI (100 mg/day) improved not only her left-sided rigidity but also the rCBF in the right corpus striatum. The ratio of rCBF in the right corpus striatum to that in the left corpus striatum increased from 96.03% to 99.26% on the three-dimensional stereotactic ROI template. These findings suggest that L-dopa may directly activate the metabolism in the bilateral corpus striatum, and that rCBF in the corpus striatum may be increased indirectly according to the increase of movement in the legs. And also it is suggested that denervation supersensitivity to dopamine may exist in the corpus striatum on the contralateral side of the signs and symptoms in this patient with hemiparkinsonism.

Antiparkinson Agents↗
PubMed2004

[A national survey of results of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) for pulmonary emphysema in Japan].

We made a national questionnaire survey of conditions and results of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) performed for pulmonary emphysema in 273 hospitals. The survey covered: number of hospitals, number of patients, indications, operative procedures, improvement of FEV1% and dyspnea score, mortality, cause of death, 5-year survival rate, characteristics of patients who died, and current conditions of LVRS. The response rate was 63%. A total of 619 patients at 41 hospitals underwent LVRS. The most common types of surgical procedure were bilateral LVRS through median sternotomy and unilateral LVRS with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), followed by bilateral LVRS with VATS. Postoperative improvement in FEV1% averaged 39%. Dyspnea improved in 80% of patients. Mortality rate was 1.9% (8 of 432 cases). Postoperative infectious diseases, namely pneumonia and sepsis, were common causes of death. The 5-year survival was 65 +/- 8%. The causes of death over 5 years were respiratory failure in 60%, malignant neoplasms in 17%, cardiovascular accidents in 13% and others in 10%. The number of operations and hospitals decreased in 2002, compared to 2001.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Use of 11p15 mucins as prognostic factors in small adenocarcinoma of the lung.

PURPOSE: Patients with small adenocarcinoma of the lung (SACL) generally have a good prognosis. However, some SACL cases show lymph node metastasis, with poor prognosis. The expression pattern of 11p15 mucins (clustered on the p15 arm of the chromosome 11) is known to change during carcinogenesis in lung cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We evaluated the expression of the 11p15 mucins (MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6) in 79 surgical specimens of SACL cases by immunohistochemical analysis. Lymph node metastasis was estimated by pathological staging. RESULTS: Six (7.6%) and 11 (13.9%) of the 79 SACL cases showed MUC2 and MUC6 expression, respectively. Three SACL cases showed both MUC2 and MUC6 expression, and a significant correlation was found between MUC2 and MUC6 expression (Fisher's test, P = 0.033). Six (7.6%) SACL cases showed MUC5AC expression. Five of the 6 cases with MUC2 expression and 6 of the 11 cases with MUC6 expression were had lymph node metastasis. SACL cases with MUC2 or MUC6 expression showed a significantly higher incidence of nodal metastasis than those without expression (P < 0.001 and P = 0.006, chi(2) test, respectively). There was no significant correlation between MUC5AC expression and nodal involvement in SACL, whereas three of the six cases with MUC5AC expression showed lymph node metastasis. The SACL cases with MUC2 expression had a significantly poorer prognosis than those without MUC2 expression (P = 0.011, log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that 11p15 mucins MUC2 and MUC6 are related to lymph node metastasis in SACL.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 gene expression is associated with poor prognosis in gastric carcinoma.

PURPOSE: A low expression level of cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p27 is associated with high aggressiveness and poor prognosis of various carcinomas. Human Cdk subunit 1 (Cks1), as well as S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2), is an essential and specific factor in the p27 proteolysis by SCF(Skp2) ubiquitin ligase. The purpose of this study is to clarify the clinical significance of Cks1 expression and the relationship between Cks1 and p27 expression in gastric carcinomas. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We measured Cks1 expression using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR in 76 human gastric carcinomas and p27 expression using immunohistochemistry in 28 cases. Moreover, we established Cks1- and/or Skp2-transfected gastric carcinoma cell lines and assessed the relationship between Cks1, Skp2, and p27 expression using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Cks1 high expression was correlated with poor prognosis (P < 0.05) and Cks1 expression was inversely correlated with the expression level of p27 protein in gastric carcinomas (P < 0.05). Using combined Skp2 data [T-a. Masuda, Cancer Res., 62: 3819-3825, 2002], 88.9% of the Cks1/Skp2 double-high cases expressed a low level of p27 protein and showed the poorest prognosis (P < 0.05). Western blot analysis showed that Cks1/Skp2-cotransfected cells expressed a much lower level of p27 protein than the controls. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that Cks1, as well as Skp2, regulates the expression level of p27 protein in gastric carcinomas. Cks1 could play an important role in gastric carcinoma progression and would be a novel target for the treatment of gastric carcinomas as well as a strong prognostic marker.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

A tumor-suppressive role for trypsin in human cancer progression.

Trypsin is a serine protease family member with a potential role in cancer invasion. We investigated trypsinogen expression at the RNA level in 49 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) and 72 gastric adenocarcinomas. Almost all primary ESCC tissues (95%) showed reduced expression, and 9 of 13 ESCC cell lines were silenced for trypsinogen expression. Absent expression correlated with promoter hypermethylation of trypsinogen-4 by bisulfite DNA sequence. Moreover, we detected promoter hypermethylation in 50% of primary ESCCs by methylation-specific PCR. A subset of gastric adenocarcinomas (71%) also showed reduced trypsinogen accompanied by reduction in PAR2, a G protein activated by trypsin, and a propensity to penetrate beyond the gastric wall (P = 0.001). Our results support the notion that trypsin plays a tumor-suppressive role in human carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

Remote triggering of deep earthquakes in the 2002 Tonga sequences.

It is well established that an earthquake in the Earth's crust can trigger subsequent earthquakes, but such triggering has not been documented for deeper earthquakes. Models for shallow fault interactions suggest that static (permanent) stress changes can trigger nearby earthquakes, within a few fault lengths from the causative earthquake, whereas dynamic (transient) stresses carried by seismic waves may trigger earthquakes both nearby and at remote distances. Here we present a detailed analysis of the 19 August 2002 Tonga deep earthquake sequences and show evidence for both static and dynamic triggering. Seven minutes after a magnitude 7.6 earthquake occurred at a depth of 598 km, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake (664 km depth) occurred 300 km away, in a previously aseismic region. We found that nearby aftershocks of the first mainshock are preferentially located in regions where static stresses are predicted to have been enhanced by the mainshock. But the second mainshock and other triggered events are located at larger distances where static stress increases should be negligible, thus suggesting dynamic triggering. The origin times of the triggered events do not correspond to arrival times of the main seismic waves from the mainshocks and the dynamically triggered earthquakes frequently occur in aseismic regions below or adjacent to the seismic zone. We propose that these events are triggered by transient effects in regions near criticality, but where earthquakes have difficulty nucleating without external influences.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Usefulness and safety of bepridil in converting persistent atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm.

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of bepridil (a multichannel blocker including several potassium channels) for conversion of long-lasting atrial fibrillation (AF). Bepridil restored sinus rhythm alone or in combination with aprindine in 69% of 32 patients with persistent AF lasting > or = 3 months. The time to conversion after starting bepridil was 30 +/- 12 days. An increase in fibrillation cycle length with bepridil was greater in responders (31 +/- 10%), but an increase in QTc did not differ between responders and nonresponders. Bepridil is effective and safe for terminating long-lasting persistent AF.

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents↗
PubMed2003

Effect of CYP2D6*10 on pharmacokinetic variability of routinely administered metoprolol in middle-aged and elderly Japanese patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of mutant alleles CYP2D6*2 and CYP2D6*10 on the pharmacokinetics of routinely administered metoprolol in middle-aged and elderly Japanese patients. METHODS: We determined the genotypes of CYP2D6 in 34 patients aged from 56 years to 83 years, and analyzed the plasma concentration of metoprolol at steady state after repetitive administration. The pharmacokinetic parameters of metoprolol in individual patients were obtained from population estimates according to Bayes' theorem. RESULTS: The plasma concentrations of metoprolol in the patients with CYP2D6*1/*1 (group 1a) were similar to those in the patients with CYP2D6*1/*2 (group 1b). The plasma concentrations in the patients with CYP2D6*1/*10 (group 2a) were also similar to those in the patients with CYP2D6*2/*10 (group 2b) but were higher than those in group 1 (group 1a plus 1b). The plasma concentrations of metoprolol in the patients with CYP2D6*10/*10 (group 3) were significantly higher than those in group 1 and group 2 (group 2a plus 2b). Mean values of oral clearance (in l/h/kg) in Groups 1, 2, and 3 were estimated to be 1.2, 1.0, and 0.49, respectively. These oral clearance values of metoprolol estimated in middle-aged and elderly Japanese patients were lower than those estimated in healthy young Chinese reported previously. CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that CYP2D6*10 is mainly responsible for the large pharmacokinetic variability of routinely administered metoprolol in middle-aged and elderly Japanese patients. In addition, the pharmacokinetics of repetitively administered metoprolol in middle-aged and elderly patients may be different from that of a single dose in younger patients. These results suggested that a lower dose of metoprolol may be used in middle-aged and elderly patients with CYP2D6*10.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2003

Long-term treatment with low-dose, but not high-dose, guanethidine improves ventricular function and survival of rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the effects of various doses of guanethidine, a sympathoinhibitory drug, on ventricular function and survival in chronic heart failure (CHF) after myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. BACKGROUND: Direct inhibition of sympathetic outflow by a sympathoinhibitory drug might be an effective approach to therapy of CHF. However, recent clinical trials suggest that excessive suppression of sympathetic activity has an adverse effect on outcome. It remains unclear whether the beneficial effects of the sympathoinhibitory drug would be modified by its dosage. METHODS: Three doses of guanethidine (low-dose [LG], 1 mg/kg/day; medium-dose, 3 mg/kg/day; high-dose, 10 mg/kg/day) were administered via an osmotic mini-pump for 4 weeks. Hemodynamics, left ventricular (LV) diameters, plasma and myocardial norepinephrine (NE) levels, and survival were determined for four weeks after MI. RESULTS: As compared with MI rats receiving vehicle, LG suppressed LV dilation (9.2 +/- 0.9 mm vs. 11.0 +/- 0.8 mm, p < 0.05) and improved LV fractional shortening (25.0 +/- 4.5% vs. 16.4 +/- 4.7%, p < 0.05) in association with a reduction of plasma NE levels (520 +/- 250 pg/ml vs. 1,000 +/- 570 pg/ml, p < 0.05), but not with a significant reduction of noninfarcted myocardial NE levels (154 +/- 71 ng/g vs. 207 +/- 71 ng/g). Low-dose guanethidine reduced 24-h (6%) and 28-day mortality (6%), as compared with untreated MI rats (36% and 52%, respectively). High-dose guanethidine also reduced 24-h mortality (12%) but increased 28-day mortality (91%), in association with a depletion of myocardial NE. Medium-dose guanethidine had no beneficial effects on LV hemodynamics or long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the dosage of the sympathoinhibitory drug might be quite important for the treatment of CHF.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

MAL gene expression in esophageal cancer suppresses motility, invasion and tumorigenicity and enhances apoptosis through the Fas pathway.

We isolated the MAL (T-lymphocyte maturation associated protein) gene from differentially expressed products of esophageal epithelium relative to esophageal carcinoma tissues. The Mal protein has been demonstrated as being a component of the protein machinery for apical transport in epithelial polarized cells. In this study, we describe the reduced expression of MAL in all 39 cases of esophageal carcinoma tested and 60 other human carcinomas. MAL gene transcription was induced in three out of 13 esophageal carcinoma cell lines by treatment with the demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (DAC), and in nine additional cell lines by simultaneous treatment with trichostatin A, an inhibitor of deacetylation, and DAC. We established a stable MAL gene transfectant whose expression was regulated by subcutaneous doxycycline injection in nude mice. Tumor growth was suppressed in cells expressing TE3-MAL compared with TE3 parent cells or cells not expressing TE3-MAL with doxycycline injection (20 microg/body) (P<0.01). Additionally, the TE3-MAL transfectant cells exhibited decreased cellular motility, a G1/S transition block and increased levels of apoptosis, concomitant with increased expression of Fas receptor in vitro. The apoptotic staining in MAL-expressing tumors was confirmed by TUNEL assay. Therefore, we conclude that expression of MAL was frequently decreased or diminished in gastrointestinal tract cancers, and that Mal expression confers reduced tumorigenicity in vivo to tumor TE3 cells through the induction of apoptosis via the Fas signaling pathway.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Clinical significance of secreted protein acidic and rich in cystein in esophageal carcinoma and its relation to carcinoma progression.

BACKGROUND: Secreted protein acidic and rich in cystein (SPARC) is a small extramatrix-associated protein. Its production increases during angiogenesis and enhances matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression. The goal of this study was to show the clinical relevance of SPARC and its relation to MMP-2 expression in esophageal carcinoma patients. METHODS: The authors investigated SPARC mRNA expression in 48 tissue samples of esophageal tumors characterized by MMP-2 mRNA expression in a Northern blot analysis. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were also performed in esophageal carcinoma tissue samples. RESULTS: All 48 tissue specimens had high expression of SPARC mRNA. Quantitative evaluation showed that high SPARC mRNA was associated significantly with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.05) and poorer prognosis (P = 0.025). Expression of SPARC mRNA was associated significantly with MMP-2 mRNA expression (R = 0.65; P < 0.01). Both SPARC and MMP-2 were immunolocalized intensely in carcinoma and stromal cells, whereas normal esophageal mucosa and submucosa did not express SPARC. The 35-kilodalton cleaved SPARC was detected in esophageal carcinoma tissue specimens by Western blot analysis and it was associated with MMP-2 mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of clinical significance, SPARC accumulation may reflect a functional correlation with MMP-2 and the associated expression could play a key role in the progression of esophageal carcinoma.

Blotting, Northern↗
PubMed2003

Magmatic dike resonances inferred from very-long-period seismic signals.

Very-long-period (VLP) signals showing simple decaying harmonic oscillations with periods near 10 seconds and lasting for about 300 seconds were observed in association with an earthquake swarm that occurred beneath Hachijo Island, Japan. Results from the source-mechanism analysis and waveform simulation based on a fluid-filled crack model consistently point to the resonance of a dike filled with a basaltic magma as the source of the VLP signals. Thus, VLP signals can be used to probe the state of the fluid and dynamic processes within a volcanic system.

Journal Article↗