Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Jun Horiguchi

Publications and source records attributed to Jun Horiguchi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Inhibitory effects of OK-432 (Picibanil) on cellular proliferation and adhesive capacity of breast carcinoma cells.

We investigated the potent inhibitory effects of OK-432 (Picibanil) on both cellular adhesion and cell proliferation of estrogen-dependent (MCF-7) or estrogen-independent (MDA-MB-231) breast carcinoma cells. Cellular proliferation of both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells was markedly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner, when the carcinoma cells were exposed to OK-432. Cell attachment assay demonstrated that incubation with OK-432 for 24 h reduced integrin-mediated cellular adhesion of both cell types. However, fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis revealed that incubation with OK-432 for 24 h did not decrease the cell surface expressions of any integrins. These results suggest that the binding avidity of integrins is reduced by OK-432 without alteration of the integrin expression. We conclude that OK-432 inhibits integrin-mediated cellular adhesion as well as cell proliferation of breast carcinoma cells regardless of estrogen-dependence, and that these actions of OK-432 contribute to prevention or inhibition of breast carcinoma invasion and metastasis.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

[Design and development of a new pulsating cardiac coronary phantom for ECG-gated CT and its experimental characteristics].

The optimal pulsating cardiac phantom is an important tool for the evaluation of cardiac images and cardiac applications on ECG-gated MDCT. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the design and fabrication of the pulsating cardiac coronary phantom. The newly developed pulsating cardiac coronary phantom has the following five key advantages: 1) a driver component that uses only one servomotor to move the phantom in three dimensions (X, Y, and Z directions) with 16 presets of different heart types (heartbeat: 0-120 bpm; ejection fraction: 0-90%); 2) versatile pumping and filling phases to simulate a real heart in a cardiac cycle can be incorporated into the driver sequence including shift of patient heartbeat or irregular pulse (maximum: 200 different heart waves in one scan); 3) a cardiac coronary component constituted of an acrylic/silicon/rubber tube (2-6 mm inner diameter) with stent/in-stent restenosis/stenosis/soft plaque/calcification parts and maximum 16 coronary arteries that can be attached to the phantom in the same scan; 4) the complete phantom can be submerged in a tank to simulate the heart and its surrounding tissues; 5) ECG gating can be from interior trigger and exterior trigger. It has been confirmed that the developed pulsating cardiac phantom is very useful to quantitatively assess imaging of the heart and coronary arteries during phantom experiments.

Coronary Angiography↗

Co-expressed type of ER and HER2 protein as a predictive factor in determining resistance to antiestrogen therapy in patients with ER-positive and HER2-positive breast cancer.

The purpose of this study was to analyze whether inter-site variation types on estrogen receptor (ER) and HER2 expression may be a predictive factor for evaluating the effectiveness of endocrine therapy in patients with ER-positive and HER2-positive breast cancer. A total of 366 consecutive women with invasive breast cancer who had undergone curative surgical treatment between 1996 and 2001 were included in this study. ER status was evaluated using the Allred score and HER-2 status was evaluated according to the HercepTest. In ER-positive and HER2-positive tumors, the expression of ER and HER2 was described as the co-expressed type or the differently expressed type using double staining with ER and HER2. Of the 366 patients, 249 (68.1%) were positive for ER and 74 (20.2%) were positive for HER2. ER-positive and HER2-negative tumors were found in 221 patients (60.4%), ER-negative and HER2-negative in 71 (19.4%), ER-negative and HER-2-positive in 46 (12.6%), and ER-positive and HER2-positive in 28 (7.7%). HER2 status was inversely correlated (p<0.01) with ER status. In ER-positive tumors, an inverse correlation between ER and HER2 was also observed. The co-expressed type was found in 10 patients, and the differently expressed type was found in 18. There was no difference in tumor size and nodal involvement between the two types. There was no significant difference in disease-free survival between patients with the co-expressed type tumor and the differently expressed type tumor. In patients with the differently expressed type tumor, those who received antiestrogen therapy showed a significantly better disease-free survival rate than those who did not receive antiestrogen therapy. As for patients with the co-expressed type of tumor, no significant difference in disease-free survival was observed between patients with and without antiestrogen treatment. The present study suggests that the co-expressed type of tumour might be a resistant factor to antiestrogen therapy in ER-positive and HER2-positive breast cancer.

Adult↗

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the anterior cingulate gyrus, insular cortex and thalamus in schizophrenia associated with idiopathic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (Gilbert's syndrome).

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether patients with schizophrenia associated with idiopathic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (Gilbert's syndrome [GS]) have specific changes in brain metabolism. METHODS: We applied proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS) to the anterior cingulate gyrus, insular cortex and thalamus of patients with schizophrenia and GS (n = 15) or without GS (n = 15), all diagnosed with schizophrenia according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV), and healthy subjects (n = 20). RESULTS: In the anterior cingulate gyrus, patients with schizophrenia and GS showed significant decreases in N-acetyl aspartate/creatine-phosphocreatinine (NAA/Cr), choline/creatine-phosphocreatinine (Cho/Cr) and myoinositol/creatine-phosphocreatinine (ml/Cr) ratios compared with healthy subjects and compared with patients with schizophrenia without GS. Patients with schizophrenia without GS also showed significant decreases in NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr and ml/Cr compared with healthy subjects. In the insular cortex, patients with schizophrenia and GS showed significant decreases in NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr and ml/Cr compared with healthy subjects and compared with patients with schizophrenia without GS. Patients with schizophrenia without GS also showed significant decreases in NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr and ml/Cr compared with healthy subjects. In the thalamus, patients with schizophrenia and GS showed significant decreases in NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr and ml/Cr compared with healthy subjects, whereas patients with schizophrenia without GS only showed a significant decrease in ml/Cr compared with healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that brain metabolism is more severely compromised in the subtype of schizophrenia with GS.

Adult↗

Effects of donepezil on Alzheimer's disease: the relationship between cognitive function and rapid eye movement sleep.

The aim of this study was to observe the effects of donepezil on both the cognitive function and sleep patterns in patients of Alzheimer's Type Dementia (ATD), especially to determine the relationship between the improvement of cognitive function and the amount of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. A total of 12 patients (7 females, 5 males; age, 73.0 +/- 6.8) meeting the NINCDS-ADRDA (National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke-Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association) criteria of probable AD were studied. These patients presented with mild to moderate dementia, which was confirmed by a Clinical Dementia Rating score of 1 or 2. Following baseline examinations consisting of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive component-Japanese version (ADAS-Jcog) and polysomnography (PSG), 5 mg of donepezil was administered to the patients at breakfast every day. All patients were reassessed 6 weeks later using the same examinations. With sleep patterns, the percentage of REM sleep to total sleep time increased after the administration of donepezil. In addition, it was also found that sleep efficiency was increased and sleep latency was shortened by this administration. Although the ADAS-Jcog score did not decrease significantly, there was significant positive correlation between the decrease of the ADAS-Jcog score and the increase in the percentage of REM sleep. These results indicate the increase action of REM sleep due to activate central cholinergic systems and the possibility to improve sleep conditions due to one-time administration after breakfast of donepezil in mild to moderate ATD. It is concluded that the increase in REM sleep may reflect the improvement of cognitive function in ATD patients.

Aged↗

Immunohistochemical analysis of 14-3-3 sigma and related proteins in hyperplastic and neoplastic breast lesions, with particular reference to early carcinogenesis.

In order to confirm the role of 14-3-3 sigma (sigma) as a tumor suppressor in breast carcinogenesis, we have studied the expression of 14-3-3sigma immunohistochemically in usual ductal hyperplasia (UDH), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) breast lesions. Immunostaining for estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha), p53 and estrogen-responsive RING finger protein (Efp) was also carried out. Immunohistochemically, expression of 14-3-3sigma was seen in 92% UDH lesions and gradually decreased from 65% in DCIS to 23% in IDC. The expression of ERalpha decreased gradually from UDH to DCIS to IDC, while p53 showed an inverse staining pattern to that of ERalpha. The expression of Efp showed no significant difference among the three breast lesions. Hence, the present immunohistochemical study confirmed 14-3-3sigma as a tumor suppressor in breast carcinogenesis. A similar immunohistochemical analysis was then carried out on columnar cell hyperplasia with atypia (CCHA), in which the expression pattern of tumor suppressor 14-3-3sigma, ERalpha and p53 suggested that it might be possible that CCHA is a precancerous lesion.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

Breath-holding spells in somatoform disorder.

Breath-holding spells (BHS) are commonly seen in childhood. However, there are no case reports of BHS occurring in adolescents or young adults. We report two young adult cases and discuss the pathogensis, both physically and psychologically. BHS occurred for 1-2 minutes after hyperventilation accompanied by cyanosis in both cases. Oxygen saturation was markedly decreased. Each patient had shown distress and a regressed state psychologically. These cyanotic BHS occurred after hyperventilation, and we considered that a complex interplay of hyperventilation followed by expiratory apnea increased intrathoracic pressure and respiratory spasm. Breath-holding spells can occur beyond childhood.

Adolescent↗

Coronary artery calcium scoring using 16-MDCT and a retrospective ECG-gating reconstruction algorithm.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to compare detection, quantification, and cardiovascular risk stratification of coronary artery calcium (CAC) between electron beam CT and 16-MDCT with retrospective reconstruction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. One hundred patients underwent both electron beam CT and 16-MDCT, and coronary artery calcium score, volume, and mass were obtained. RESULTS: Correlation between the two CT scanners was high for both calcium score (r(2) = 0.955), volume (r(2) = 0.952), and mass (r(2) = 0.977). Although electron beam CT is viewed as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity in the detection of CAC using 16-MDCT with a threshold of 130 H were 98.7% and 100%, respectively. The variability of calcium scores between the two CT scanners (26.5%) was comparable with two electron beam CT scanners reported previously. The variability of calcium volume (20.7%) and mass (20.3%) was lower than that of the score (Student's t test, r = 0.05, 0.01). In clinical cardiovascular risk stratification based on two CT calcium scores, the Cohen's kappa value was 0.929. There was no significant difference between the two scanners using Wilcoxon's signed rank test (p = 0.157). CONCLUSION: The 16-MDCT scanner with retrospective reconstruction, showing high agreement for detection and quantification of CAC with electron beam CT, holds promise in the detection of coronary artery atherosclerosis.

Algorithms↗

DPD activity and immunohistochemical DPD expression in human breast cancer.

We investigated dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) activity and its expression in breast cancer cases, and evaluated the prognostic significance of DPD expression in invasive breast cancer. A total of 49 paired of breast cancer tissues and the adjacent normal breast tissues were evaluated in this study. DPD expression of 191 patients with invasive breast cancer was also evaluated immunohistochemically. DPD activity in breast cancer ranged from 13.4-360.0 pmol/mg/min (mean, 162.9 pmol/mg/min). DPD activity in breast cancer tissues was significantly (p<0.001) higher than in adjacent normal breast tissue. DPD activity was significantly higher in DPD expression-positive tumors than DPD expression-negative tumors. The level of DPD activity was correlated with DPD expression. Patients with DPD expression-positive tumors had a significantly (p<0.05) poorer prognosis in disease-free survival compared to those with DPD-negative tumors. When evaluated in patients treated with 5-FU or 5-FU derivatives, DPD expression was a significantly (p<0.05) poorer prognostic factor in disease-free and overall survival. Using a Cox proportional hazards model, nodal status, ER status, and DPD expression were independent prognostic factors for both disease-free and overall survival. In conclusion, DPD expression may function as a marker of DPD activity and may be a prognostic indicator for patients with breast cancer.

Adult↗

[Metastatic breast cancer treated with trastuzumab and paclitaxel--a case report with clinically complete response].

A 60-year-old woman who had undergone a total glandectomy for non-invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast at the age of 56 in another hospital had a local recurrence in the left preserved breast. The patient was referred to our hospital and underwent a mastectomy. After surgery, treatment of UFT and CPA was started. Seven months after surgery, metastasis occurred at the left supraclavicular lymph node, and CPA, THP-adriamycine and 5-FU therapy was started. Fourteen months after surgery, skin redness of the left upper arm, the left chest wall and contralateral breast, and a contralateral axillary lymph node swelling were recognized. Neither docetaxel nor mitoxantrone-combined therapy was effective. Trastuzumab therapy was started because of HER2 overexpression by immunohistochemistry, and partial response was received after 7 weeks. Four months later, multiple nodules in the chest wall were recognized, and weekly treatment of trastuzumab and paclitaxel was started. Skin redness and multiple nodules in the chest wall completely disappeared after 3 months. No recurrence has been found for 14 months.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Resveratrol acts as an estrogen receptor (ER) agonist in breast cancer cells stably transfected with ER alpha.

Resveratrol (Res) is a phytoestrogen found in grapes and present in red wine. Res has been shown to function as an estrogen receptor (ER) agonist, but it remains unclear whether it may also exert antagonist activity. Our aim was to study the effects of Res at both the molecular (TGFalpha gene activation) and the cellular (cell growth) levels in breast cancer cells stably transfected with wild-type (wt) ER(D351) and mutant (mut) ER (D351Y). TGFalpha mRNA induction was used as a specific marker of estradiol (E(2)) responsiveness. Res caused a concentration-dependent (10(-8)-10(-4) M) stimulation of TGFalpha mRNA, indicating that it acts as an estrogen agonist in these cell lines. The pure antiestrogen ICI 182,780 (ICI) blocked Res-induced activation of TGFalpha, consistent with action through an ER-mediated pathway. Further studies that combined treatments with E(2) and Res showed that Res does not act as an antagonist in the presence of various (10(-11)-10(-8) M) concentrations of E(2). To determine whether Res can be classified as a type I or type II estrogen (Jordan et al., Cancer Res 2001;61:6619-23,), we examined Res with the D351G ER in the TGFalpha assay and found that Res belongs to the type I estrogens. Both Res and E(2) had concentration-dependent growth inhibitory effects in cells expressing wtER and D351Y ER. Although the pure antiestrogen ICI blocked the growth inhibitory effects of E(2), it did not block the inhibitory effects of Res, suggesting that the antiproliferative effects of Res also involve ER-independent pathways. Interestingly, Res differentially affected the levels of ER protein in these 2 cell lines: Res down-regulated wtER levels while significantly up-regulating the amount of mutD351Y ER. Co-treatment with ICI resulted in strongly reduced ER levels in both cell lines. Gene array studies revealed Res-induced up-regulation of more than 80 genes, among them a profound activation of p21(CIP1)/WAF1, a gene associated with growth arrest. The p21(CIP1)/WAF1 protein levels measured by Western blotting confirmed Res-induced significant up-regulation of this protein in both cell lines. In summary, Res acts as an ER agonist at low doses but also activates ER-independent pathways, some of which inhibit cell growth.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Echocardiographic investigation of pericardial effusion in a case of anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Pericardial effusion has recently been reported as a complication of anorexia nervosa. A distinct pathophysiological cause of it could not be revealed. In some reports, there was a probable correlation between weight gain and reduction of pericardial effusion in anorexia nervosa cases. We encountered a case in which pericardial effusion remitted completely along with body weight increase and normalization of low T3 syndrome. These findings suggest that the reduction of pericardial effusion may correlate with both weight gain and low T3 normalization. Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were increased in this case despite heart failure, and plasma BNP decreased as pericardial effusion remitted. The measurement of serum BNP level may be a clinical parameter in such a case of pericardial effusion.

Adult↗

Long-term suppression of lymphangitic lung metastasis from breast cancer using biweekly docetaxel: a case report.

A 45-year-old woman underwent a modified radical mastectomy for right breast cancer in July 1996. As lymph node metastases were quite advanced, chemotherapy was started with anthracyclines. Four years after surgery, cough and dyspnea appeared. Chest radiograph and CT showed reticular shadows bilaterally and slight pleural effusion, suggesting lymphangitic lung metastasis of breast cancer. Biweekly intravenous docetaxel (TXT,45 mg/m2) was initiated. Four courses of TXT ameliorated her complaints and radiographic findings. A total of 30 continuous courses of TXT suppressed disease exacerbation for 18 months until new lesions manifested in January 2002. The main side effects were grade 2 leukopenia and alopecia. This case report describes a patient with long-term suppression of lymphangitic lung metastasis of breast cancer using biweekly TXT without severe side effects or worsening quality of life.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

Sleep disturbances and depression in the elderly in Japan.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between sleep disturbances and depression in the Japanese elderly. METHODS: These investigations in the Japanese elderly were carried out with the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and questions on restless legs syndrome and nocturnal eating disorder. A total of 2023 people (male: 1008; female: 1015; average age: 74.2 +/- 6.3 years) were analyzed by chi2 test and simple and multiple logistic regression. The prevalence of sleep disturbance was 37.3% and that of depression was 31.3%. Female gender and/or older (> or =75 years) age were significantly associated with depression. Characteristics in depressive elderly were poor sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances due to difficulty of initiating sleep (DIS), breathing discomfort, coldness and pain, poor subjective sleep quality and lack of enthusiasm for activities. Sleep disturbances due to using the bathroom, breathing discomfort and coldness and long sleep latency were associated with depression in younger (65-74 years) men. Sleep disturbance due to DIS was associated with depression in older (> or =75 years) men. Sleep disturbance due to pain was associated with depression in younger and older women. Poor sleep efficiency was associated with depression in older women. Poor subjective sleep quality was associated with depression in younger and older men and younger women. Lack of enthusiasm was associated with depression in younger and older men and older women. Restless legs syndrome was statistically significantly associated with depression in younger men. It is concluded that sleep disturbance and depression among the Japanese elderly are closely related symptoms. The features of sleep disturbance with depression differed with sex and age.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Successful electroconvulsive therapy in major depression with fluvoxamine-induced bruxism.

SUMMARY: A 61-year-old patient with major depression and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-induced bruxism was successfully treated with a course of bilateral electroconvulsive therapy. Both the depressive symptoms and bruxism completely remitted after six treatments. Possible mechanisms of this effect are discussed.

Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation↗

Successful treatment of nocturnal eating/drinking syndrome with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Nocturnal eating/drinking disorder (NE/DS) is a rare syndrome that includes disorders of both eating and sleeping. It is characterized by awakening in the middle of the night, getting out of bed, and consuming large quantities of food quickly and uncontrollably, then returning to sleep. This may occur several times during the night. Some patients are fully conscious during their nocturnal eating, while some report total amnesia. The aetiology of NE/DS is still unclear, and there is no satisfactory treatment. Four patients with NE/DS are described. Treatment with a selective seroronin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) was effective in controlling their episodes of nocturnal eating. To our knowledge, this is the first published case report of successful treatment with SSRIs in NE/DS.

Adult↗