Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Matsuo

Publications and source records attributed to K Matsuo.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

Is preoperative hepatic arterial chemoembolization safe and effective for hepatocellular carcinoma?

OBJECTIVE: The value of preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been duly appreciated. The authors assessed the advantages and disadvantages of preoperative TACE by reviewing their experience with the procedure. METHODS: A total of 140 patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC were entered into the study (105 received preoperative TACE and 35 did not). The authors investigated the reduction of tumor size and the complications after TACE, as well as the relationship between the interval from TACE to resection and the occurrence of complications. They compared postoperative morbidity and mortality between the TACE and non-TACE groups. They also compared survival and disease-free survival between the two groups, as well as between subgroups, defined by the extent of tumor necrosis achieved with TACE. RESULTS: A distinct reduction of tumor size was observed in approximately half of the TACE group. However, there were 68 appreciable complications of TACE in 56 patients (53.3%), and the interval between TACE and resection was significantly prolonged in the patients with complications. The postoperative morbidity and mortality rates of the TACE group were not different from those of the non-TACE group. Preoperative TACE did not improve the survival or disease-free survival of the whole patient group after hepatectomy. In addition, the survival and disease-free survival rates of the three TACE subgroups were not different from those of the non-TACE group. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative TACE should only be performed to reduce tumor bulk in patients with HCC with borderline resectability. In such patients, increased tumor resectability appears to improve the survival rate. Preoperative TACE does not promote tumor recurrence.

Aged↗

Genotypes of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-dependent ATPase II gene in substrains of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

OBJECTIVE: To search for a genetic marker of the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-dependent ATPase (SERCA) II gene in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and to investigate differences in blood pressure and intracellular Ca2+ among some substrains of SHRs and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats related to their SERCA II genotypes. DESIGN AND METHODS: The coding region of the SERCA II gene was sequenced in SHRs. Blood pressure and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in platelets were measured in substrains of SHRs and WKY rats with different SERCA II genotypes. RESULTS: A point mutation that provided restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) by HindIII or Saul was found in the SERCA II gene. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were digested by HindIII in SHR substrains and WKY-Kyoto rats, whereas they were digested by Saul in normotensive strains and SHR-Toho. Among SHR-Kyoto, SHR-Toho, WKY-Kyoto and WKY-Charles River, the substrains with the HindIII-digested SERCA II genotype showed slightly but significantly higher systolic blood pressure and augmented agonist-stimulated [Ca2+]i than those with the Saul-digested genotype. CONCLUSIONS: RFLPs were found in the SERCA II gene. In the substrain analysis of SHRs and WKY rats, higher blood pressure and increased [Ca2+]i were associated with the SERCA II genotype digested by HindIII. The SERCA II gene locus has the potential to contribute to the development of hypertension and abnormal intracellular Ca2+ metabolism in SHRs. These RFLPs in the SERCA II gene should be a useful genetic marker.

Animals↗

Biological behavior of human dental pulp cells in response to carious stimuli analyzed by PCNA immunostaining and AgNOR staining.

The change in proliferative and metabolic activities of human dental pulp cells responding to carious stimuli was studied by means of immunohistochemical staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and silver-binding nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) staining. We classified the pulp tissues into five groups according to the progression of dental caries, ranging from grade 0 (the pulp of noncarious teeth) to grade 4 (the pulp of perforated carious teeth). PCNA-positive pulp cells were detected only in advanced dental caries (grades 3 and 4), and the difference in immuno-positive rate was significant between the two grades (p <0.001). However, the mean number of AgNORs per nucleus increased even in the early phase of dental caries, significant differences being detected between grades 1 and 2 (p<0.005), 2 and 3 (p<0.005), and 3 and 4 (p<0.001). Our data suggested that the metabolic activity of dental pulp cells was enhanced in the early phase of dental caries. However, proliferation of pulp cells occurred later in small degrees during fully developed caries such as grades 3 and 4. The slow and weak response in cellular proliferation might contribute to the usual fragility of the pulp to various assaults including caries or pulpitis.

Adult↗

Differential sensitivity of zinc finger transcription factors MTF-1, Sp1 and Krox-20 to CpG methylation of their binding sites.

Cytosine methylation at CpG sites is often negatively correlated with mammalian gene activity. Many transcription factors whose DNA binding site contains one or more CpG dinucleotides are no longer able to efficiently bind DNA when the site is methylated. A notable exception is the zinc finger factor Sp1 which binds DNA and activates transcription even when its binding site is methylated. Here we show that two other zinc finger factors, MTF-1 and Krox-20, can also bind to CpG methylated sites. MTF-1 regulates metallothionein gene transcription by binding to a number of metal responsive elements (MREs), and Krox-20 regulates Hox genes during hindbrain segmentation. However, a refined analysis of MTF-1/MRE binding shows that methylation is not tolerated at every binding site: the highest affinity site in the mouse metallothionein I gene, MREd, is unaffected by methylation, while two other MRE sites with CpGs at different positions are rendered partially or completely nonfunctional by methylation. Both methylation sensitive and insensitive factors/binding sites are likely to determine the developmental expression pattern of a gene.

Animals↗

Factors affecting prognosis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) is a progressive and often fatal pulmonary disorder, and evaluating the prognosis of patients with IIP has never been sufficient. Accordingly, factors including clinical features, laboratory data, cellular components in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and response to corticosteroid therapy were analyzed in 35 patients with IIP whose median age of respiratory onset was 60 years (range; 37-77 years). Nineteen patients (54.3%) were in the active stage of IIP and 16 of them were treated with corticosteroids. Significant prognostic factors were the neutrophil percentage in BAL fluid, interstitial shadows on chest radiograph, pulmonary function, blood oxygen level, grade of dyspnea, and disease activity at the initial examination. Patients in the active stage showed higher proportions of neutrophils and eosinophils in BAL fluid than those in the non-active stage. Despite corticosteroid therapy, the survival of patients in the active stage was significantly shorter than those in the non-active stage. Fifty percent of the patients treated with corticosteroids were regarded as responders at 1 month after the initiation of therapy; however, there was no significant difference between responders and non-responders in terms of survival time. In conclusion, disease activity and neutrophils in BAL fluid may be important predictors of the prognosis of IIP.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Evaluation of antitumor activities of hyaluronate binding antitumor drugs: synthesis, characterization and antitumor activity.

To enhance the selective delivery of antitumor drugs into regional lymph nodes and cancerous tissues via a hyaluronate (HA) receptor (CD44), we synthesized HA-mitomycin C complex and HA-epirubicin complex. To investigate the specific distribution of HA into regional lymph nodes and to evaluate the HA receptor on lewis lung carcinoma cells, we also synthesized 14C-labelled HA and fluorescent HA (FR-HA). The metabolic studies of 14C-HA and HA-epirubicin complex were performed in rats. The specific distribution of both compounds to the lymph nodes were observed after sc treatment. Internalization mechanisms of HA into carcinoma cells (lewis lung carcinoma) via HA receptor was investigated using fluorescent HA (FR-HA) in vitro. Internalization of FR-HA following binding to the cell surfaces was observed. HA-Mitomycin C (MMC) exhibited potent anti-metastatic effects against lewis lung carcinoma implanted in mice at an extremely low dose (0.01 mg/kg) whereas free MMC had no effects.

Animals↗

Non-neuronal release of ATP and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate accumulation evoked by P2- and M-receptor stimulation in guinea pig ileal segments.

Intracellular signal transduction involved in non-neuronal ATP release evoked by alpha, beta-methylene ATP and bethanechol was evaluated in guinea pig ileal longitudinal muscle segments. alpha, beta-methylene ATP (100 microM) and bethanechol (10 microM) evoked ATP released that reached a peak about 3 min after administration. The evoked release of ATP was markedly inhibited by neomycin and spermine, inhibitors of phospholipase C, but not by treatment with pertussis toxin. In addition, the release of ATP was almost completely suppressed by 1 mM Li+, an inhibitor of inositol monophosphatase. These inhibitors, however, did not affect the contractions of the tissue evoked by these agonists. Forskolin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, activators of adenylate cyclase and protein kinase C, respectively, failed to enhance the evoked release. The accumulation of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] in the muscle segments were enhanced about 2 min after the administration of alpha, beta-methylene ATP. In the presence of 1 mM Li+, however, the enhancement of Ins(1,4,5)P3 accumulation by the P2 agonist was no longer elicited. These findings suggest that the release of ATP by receptor stimulation may result mainly from the activation of phospholipase C, which is coupled to a pertussis toxin-insensitive G-protein and subsequent accumulation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 in the smooth muscles. However, the discrepancy between the inhibitory effects of Li+ on the release of ATP and the accumulation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 to be clarified in future studies.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

The effects of electrolyte, lactate, high-concentrated glucose, and dialysate on peritoneal mesothelial cells.

In order to investigate which component of dialysate is responsible for mesothelial cell damage, we studied the chronic cytotoxicity to mesothelial cells by using four types of solution. Four different types of solution (Ringer's solution, lactate, high-concentrate glucose, and 4.25% Dianeal) were prepared and injected into the abdominal cavity of five ddY-mice, 5 mL every day for one month. The monolayer of the mesothelial cells was carefully removed from the liver surface by the imprint technique. Then, the mesothelial cell damage was evaluated by using trypan blue staining and comparing the results. Trypan blue-stained cells in 100 mm2 were observed in 7.0% of the control, 15.4% of the Ringer's solution, 18.7% of the lactate, 23.2% of the high-concentrate glucose, and 22.4% of the 4.25% Dianeal group, respectively. The damaged cells were significantly (p < 0.05) greater in the 4.25% Dianeal group than in the control group, and those in the high-concentrate glucose group also appeared to be greater in number compared to the control group It is concluded from these results that damage to the mesothelial cells is induced by chronic exposure to high-glucose dialysate, and its pathogenesis is deeply related to high concentration of glucose.

Animals↗

[Surgical treatment for tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction with autologous pulmonary tissue and concomitant extensive pulmonary angioplasty].

Eight consecutive patients with tetralogy of Fallot associated with pulmonary atresia successfully underwent corrective surgery without using an extracardiac conduit at a mean age of 2 years 4 months. Each of these patients had undergone a classical or modified Blalock-Taussig shunt at a mean age of 55 days. In 6 cases, central PA was fully mobilized and pulled forward. An autologous flap was made from the rudimentary PA trunk or right PA, then it was anastomosed to the endocardium of RV infundibulum as a posterior wall of the outflow tract. In 7 cases, concomitant extensive pulmonary angioplasty was performed on stenotic and under-developed lesions which were caused by tissue contraction of the PDA. During follow up period from 11 to 25 months, all patients have remained in good condition without restenosis of the RVOT. The mean pressure ratio of RV over LV measured 0.42 in 5 patients who underwent catheterization after operation. We conclude that these procedures are useful for early corrective surgery of tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia.

Angioplasty↗

A survey of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in goats and cattle in Lampung province, Indonesia.

A survey for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii using latex agglutination test (LAT) was carried out from November 1994 to March 1995 in several areas of Lampung Province, Sumatra Indonesia with seropositivity rates of 47.5% in 160 goats and 9.0% in 200 cattle. Twenty-six out of 78 positive goats had a maximum antibody titer of more than 1:2,048. In case of cattle, the maximum antibody titer was 1:128.

Animals↗

Protective immune responses induced by secretion of a chimeric soluble protein from a recombinant Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin vector candidate vaccine for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in small animals.

A recombinant Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vector-based vaccine that secretes the V3 principal neutralizing epitope of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) could induce immune response to the epitope and prevent the viral infection. By using the Japanese consensus sequence of HIV-1, we successfully constructed chimeric protein secretion vectors by selecting an appropriate insertion site of a carrier protein and established the principal neutralizing determinant (PND)-peptide secretion system in BCG. The recombinant BCG (rBCG)-inoculated guinea pigs were initially screened by delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin reactions to the PND peptide, followed by passive transfer of the DTH by the systemic route. Further, immunization of mice with the rBCG resulted in induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The guinea pig immune antisera showed elevated titers to the PND peptide and neutralized HIVMN, and administration of serum IgG from the vaccinated guinea pigs was effective in completely blocking the HIV infection in thymus/liver transplanted severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)/hu or SCID/PBL mice. In addition, the immune serum IgG was shown to neutralize primary field isolates of HIV that match the neutralizing sequence motif by a peripheral blood mononuclear cell-based virus neutralization assay. The data support the idea that the antigen-secreting rBCG system can be used as a tool for development of HIV vaccines.

AIDS Vaccines↗

Complex demethylation patterns at Sp1 binding sites in F9 embryonal carcinoma cells.

The ubiquitous transcription factor Sp1 has been implicated in the mechanism which maintains CpG islands methylation-free. Plasmids containing GC boxes (Sp1 sites) were in vitro methylated at every CpG dinucleotide. After stable introduction into F9 embryonal carcinoma cells, we analysed the methylation of the sequence around the GC boxes with bisulphite sequencing. In agreement with restriction site analysis by other labs, we found preferential demethylation at GC box DNA versus control DNA. However, the bisulphite sequencing which permits the analysis of every CpG site on a given DNA molecule, revealed a complex pattern of methylated and unmethylated sites. Upon prolonged culture the pattern became simpler, with most sites demethylated but certain sites being consistently methylated.

Animals↗