Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Miyazaki

Publications and source records attributed to K Miyazaki.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

Endoscopic ultrasonography for demonstrating loss of multiple-layer pattern of the thickened gallbladder wall in the preoperative diagnosis of gallbladder cancer.

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the roles of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), conventional US, CT, and MRI in differential diagnosis of gallbladder wall thickening. We scrutinized images for the presence of the multiple-layer patterns of the thickened gallbladder walls during preoperative images (EUS, n = 22; US, n = 23; CT, n = 20; MRI, n = 15) and retrospectively correlated them with surgical results in 25 patients. The pathological diagnoses included 7 gallbladder cancers, 9 cases of chronic cholecystitis, 5 cases of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis, and 4 cases of adenomyomatosis. Multiple-layer patterns of gallbladder wall were observed in patients with inflammatory and benign diseases by US, EUS, CT, and MRI. This pattern was demonstrated by EUS more efficiently compared with other means of imaging. All subjects with loss of multiple layers were finally diagnosed by use of EUS as having gallbladder cancer at surgery. Loss of multiple-layer patterns of the gallbladder wall demonstrated by EUS was the most specific finding in diagnosing gallbladder cancer.

Adenomyoma↗

Expression of gelatinase A, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2, matrilysin, and trypsin(ogen) in lung neoplasms: an immunohistochemical study.

Lung cancer is a heterogeneous tumor in terms of clinical and biological behavior, and its aggressiveness depends on its invasive and metastatic properties. Matrix metalloproteinases and serine proteinases are believed to play a crucial role in invasion and metastasis of malignant tumor cells. In the present study, the authors evaluated immunohistochemically the expression of gelatinase A; tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2), an inhibitor of gelatinase A; matrilysin; and trypsin(ogen) in 67 lung tumors from a variety of histological types including 17 squamous cell carcinomas, 16 adenocarcinomas, 15 small cell carcinomas, and 12 carcinoids. Interestingly, normal bronchial, bronchiolar, and alveolar epithelial cells expressed gelatinase A, TIMP-2, matrilysin, and trypsin(ogen) at varying frequencies and intensities. Bronchial smooth muscle cells and cartilage cells expressed gelatinase A alone, whereas endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages expressed gelatinase A and TIMP-2. Gelatinase A was expressed at high levels in most lung tumors examined (47% to 80%). TIMP-2 was also expressed at high levels except in the small cell carcinomas, which showed TIMP-2 expression at a lower frequency (60%) compared with other types of lung tumors (80% to 100%). Although matrilysin was expressed by tumor cells of all the histological types at various frequencies (13% to 63%), its expression was most common in adenocarcinomas. Expression of trypsin(ogen) was observed almost exclusively in adenocarcinomas (56%); other types of lung tumors expressed trypsin(ogen) far less frequently (0% to 12%). The present results, taken together with those of previous studies, suggest that gelatinase A is associated with malignant behavior of all the types of lung tumors, whereas its activity may be controlled by the endogenous inhibitor TIMP-2. The aggressive clinical behavior of small cell carcinoma may be attributable, at least in part, to a loss of the inhibitory effect of TIMP-2, as a significant proportion of these tumors showed negative or low levels of TIMP-2 expression. Matrilysin and trypsin(ogen) expressions are unlikely to be correlated with the aggressiveness of lung tumors. The expression of trypsin (ogen) may rather reflect the differentiation of adenocarcinoma cells toward normal airway epithelial cells.

Adult↗

Restricted intestinal absorption of some beta-lactam antibiotics by an energy-dependent efflux system in rat intestine.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine factors limiting the intestinal absorption of orally inactive beta-lactam antibiotics. METHODS: Permeation behaviors of various beta-lactam antibiotics across rat intestinal segments were evaluated in vitro using diffusion cells. RESULTS: Poorly absorbed beta-lactam antibiotics, like cephaloridine and cefoperazone, commonly exhibit greater serosal-to-mucosal permeation than mucosal-to-serosal permeation, while cephalexin permeation was greater in the mucosal-to-serosal direction. In the absence of D-glucose, secretory-oriented permeation of cephaloridine and cefoperazone disappeared. Addition of sodium azide into an experimental buffer including D-glucose significantly and selectively enhanced mucosal-to-serosal permeation of cephaloridine and cefoperazone. Although benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin all showed secretory-oriented permeation, the tendency to permeation was greatest with benzylpenicillin and least with amoxicillin. Probenecid stimulated mucosal-to-serosal permeation of cephaloridine, but verapamil and p-aminohippuric acid had no significant effect on it. CONCLUSIONS: It has been suggested that mechanisms which induce secretory-oriented permeation of orally inactive beta-lactam antibiotics are factors limiting intestinal absorption of such antibiotics. This energy-demanding efflux system was distinct from P-glycoprotein-mediated transport. A free alpha-amino group in the molecule is an important factor for reducing an affinity with the efflux system.

Animals↗

Utilization of an amorphous form of a water-soluble GPIIb/IIIa antagonist for controlled release from biodegradable microspheres.

PURPOSE: We prepared injectable microspheres for controlled release of TAK-029, a water-soluble GPIIb/IIIa antagonist and discussed the characteristics of controlled release from microspheres. METHODS: Copoly(dl-lactic/glycolic)acid (PLGA) microspheres were used for controlled release of TAK-029 [4-(4-amidinobenzoylglycyl)-3-methoxycarbonyl-2-oxopiperazine++ +-1-acetic acid]. They were prepared with a solid-in-oil-in-water (S/O/W) emulsion solvent evaporation technique using either a crystalline form or an amorphous form of the drug. RESULTS: An amorphous form of TAK-029 gave more homogeneous S/O dispersion and higher viscosity than its crystalline form when added to dichloromethane solution of PLGA, resulting in a high drug entrapment into microspheres and a well-controlled release of the drug. Additions of sodium chloride into an external aqueous phase and L-arginine into an oil phase also increased entrapment of the drug, and reduced initial burst of the drug from the microspheres. The microspheres demonstrated a desirable plasma level profile in therapeutic range (20-100 ng/ml) for 3 weeks in rats after single subcutaneous injection. CONCLUSIONS: A well-controlled release of TAK-029, a water-soluble neutral drug, with small initial burst was achieved by utilizing its amorphous form as a result of possible interaction with PLGA and L-arginine.

Animals↗

Anti-inflammatory activity of superoxide dismutase conjugated with sodium hyaluronate.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) from bovine erythrocytes was conjugated with sodium hyaluronate (HA) with a mean molecular weight of 10(6) to have greater anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. Amino groups of SOD were coupled with carboxyl groups in the hyaluronate molecule using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide. The HA-SOD conjugate was composed of 1.5 mol of SOD molecule per 1 mol of hyaluronate on the average, and retained 70% of the activity of unmodified SOD. The conjugate was essentially non-immunogenic in mice, and exhibited much higher anti-inflammatory activities than HA or SOD in models of inflammatory diseases such as ischemic oedema of the foot-pad in mice, carrageenin-induced pleurisy and adjuvant arthritis in rats.

Animals↗

Up-regulation of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and migration inhibitory factor (MIF) expression and monocyte recruitment during lipid-induced glomerular injury in the exogenous hypercholesterolaemic (ExHC) rat.

Although macrophages play an important role in lipid-induced glomerular injury, we know little of the mechanisms by which hyperlipidaemia induces monocyte recruitment. This study investigated the role of M-CSF and macrophage MIF in monocyte recruitment during the development of lipid-induced glomerular injury in the susceptible ExHC rat strain. Groups of five ExHC rats were fed a high cholesterol diet (HCD) containing 3% cholesterol, 0.6% sodium cholate and 15% olive oil, and killed after 3 days, 1, 2 or 6 weeks. Control animals were killed on day 0 or after 6 weeks on a normal diet. Animals were hypercholesterolaemic 3 days after the induction of the HCD, but showed no change in plasma triglycerides over the 6-week period. Glomerular macrophage accumulation was first evident at 1-2 weeks and increased up to week 6, when macrophage-derived foam cells were seen in almost all glomeruli, and segmental lesions and mild proteinuria were also evident. Combined in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry staining demonstrated that, coincident with the induction of hypercholesterolaemia on day 3, there was marked up-regulation of M-CSF and MIF mRNA expression by intrinsic glomerular cells (mostly mesangial cells and podocytes) which preceded monocyte recruitment. There was a highly significant correlation between the number of M-CSF and MIF-positive cells and glomerular macrophage accumulation over the 6-week period. Although some glomerular macrophages and foam cells exhibited M-CSF and MIF expression, the major source of these molecules was intrinsic glomerular cells. No local macrophage proliferation was observed during the development of glomerular lesions. In conclusion, hypercholesterolaemia caused marked up-regulation of M-CSF and MIF expression by intrinsic glomerular cells, which correlated with monocyte recruitment and the development of lipid-induced glomerular injury. This is the first study to implicate local synthesis of MIF in the pathogenesis of lipid-induced lesions.

Animals↗

Expression of thymidine phosphorylase in uterine sarcoma and uterine leiomyoma: association with microvessel density and Doppler blood flow analysis.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the expression of thymidine phosphorylase (TP) by uterine sarcoma and leiomyoma cells is associated with the density of microvessels within the tumor, and with Doppler ultrasound-derived peak systolic velocity (PSV) of blood flow. Sections of tissue from four uterine sarcomas and 41 uterine leiomyomas which had been used in a previous study to determine intratumoral peak systolic velocity were analyzed for the cellular expression of TP and the intratumoral density of microvessels by immunohistochemistry, using monoclonal antibody to TP and factor VIII-related antigen, respectively. The main outcome measures were whether or not the tumor cells were TP-positive or TP-negative, and the microvessel count within each tumor type. Uterine sarcomata were classified as TP-positive and uterine leiomyomata as TP-negative. The microvessel count in uterine sarcomas was significantly higher than that in uterine leiomyomas (p = 0.002, Mann-Whitney U test). We concluded that the expression of TP by uterine sarcoma cells is associated with an increase in microvessel density and with a higher peak systolic velocity.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Characterization of sonographically indeterminate ovarian tumors with MR imaging. A logistic regression analysis.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to maximize the discrimination between benign and malignant masses in patients with sonographically indeterminate ovarian lesions by means of unenhanced and contrast-enhanced MR imaging, and to develop a computer-assisted diagnosis system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Findings in precontrast and Gd-DTPA contrast-enhanced MR images of 104 patients with 115 sonographically indeterminate ovarian masses were analyzed, and the results were correlated with histopathological findings. Of 115 lesions, 65 were benign (23 cystadenomas, 13 complex cysts, 11 teratomas, 6 fibrothecomas, 12 others) and 50 were malignant (32 ovarian carcinomas, 7 metastatic tumors of the ovary, 4 carcinomas of the fallopian tubes, 7 others). A logistic regression analysis was performed to discriminate between benign and malignant lesions, and a model of a computer-assisted diagnosis was developed. This model was prospectively tested in 75 cases of ovarian tumors found at other institutions. RESULTS: From the univariate analysis, the following parameters were selected as significant for predicting malignancy (p< or =0.05): a solid or cystic mass with a large solid component or wall thickness greater than 3 mm; complex internal architecture; ascites; and bilaterality. Based on these parameters, a model of a computer-assisted diagnosis system was developed with the logistic regression analysis. To distinguish benign from malignant lesions, the maximum cut-off point was obtained between 0.47 and 0.51. In a prospective application of this model, 87% of the lesions were accurately identified as benign or malignant. CONCLUSION: Benign and malignant ovarian lesions can be distinguished in most sonographically indeterminate lesions by means of parameters obtained from contrast-enhanced MR imaging.

Contrast Media↗

Inhibition of tumor promoter activity toward mouse fibroblasts and their in vitro transformation by tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1).

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), a natural inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), is known to inhibit invasion and metastasis of tumor cells. In the present study we examined anti-tumor promoter activity of TIMP-1 and its effect on in vitro cell transformation using BALB/3T3 cells in low serum culture medium. In the dye transfer assay the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) continuously blocked gap-junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) of BALB/3T3 cells in confluent phase. TIMP-1 did not prevent transient inhibition of GJIC induced by TPA, but it quickly restored the reduced GJIC level to the control level. The recovery of GJIC was dependent on the concentration of TIMP-1 from 1 to 1000 ng/ml. In an in vitro two-stage transformation assay in which BALB/3T3 cells were treated with 0.5 microg/ml N-metyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine as initiator and 100 ng/ml TPA as promoter, TIMP-1 at concentrations > 10 ng/ml inhibited the focus formation of transformed cells by approximately 60%. TIMP-2 and a synthetic MMP inhibitor showed a similar inhibitory activity on in vitro cell transformation. Furthermore, zymographyic analysis showed that TPA treatment of BALB/3T3 cells induced secretion of gelatinase B and stromelysin-1 into the culture medium. These results indicate that TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 have inhibitory activity on in vitro transformation of cells. It seems likely that TPA-inducible MMPs are involved in carcinogenesis and TIMPs have a protective role against carcinogenesis in vivo.

3T3 Cells↗

Intrauterine sonographic assessments of embryonic heart diameter.

Our purpose was to evaluate embryonic heart diameter in early first-trimester pregnancy using intrauterine sonography with a 20 MHz flexible catheter-based high-resolution real-time miniature transducer. A total of 40 women about to undergo therapeutic abortion from 6-9.9 weeks gestational age and one abnormal pregnancy with fetal hydrops at 9 weeks were studied with a specially developed catheter-based high-resolution real-time miniature (2.4 mm outer diameter) ultrasound transducer (20 MHz). A curvilinear relationship was found between the menstrual age and embryonic heart diameter (R2 = 95.7%), and a normal range of embryonic heart diameter for estimating the growth of the embryonic heart during early first-trimester pregnancy was generated. A normogram of menstrual age as predicted by embryonic heart diameter was also established. There was a good curvilinear correlation between embryonic heart diameter and crown-rump length (R2 = 90.1%). The embryonic heart diameter/crown-rump length ratio rapidly decreased from week 6 to week 7, and remained almost constant thereafter. Embryonic heart diameter (5.2 mm) in the case of fetal hydrops at 9 weeks was above the normal range. These results may provide an additional method of estimating gestational age in the early first trimester of pregnancy. In this limited series, a single case of embryonic heart enlargement was demonstrated, suggesting its potential use in the detection of embryonic congestive heart failure.

Abortion, Therapeutic↗

Three-dimensional ultrasonography in the first trimester of human pregnancy.

Our purpose was to visualize normal embryonal and fetal surface anatomical structures in the first trimester of human pregnancy by use of three-dimensional ultrasonography with a specially developed abdominal three-dimensional transducer. Four embryos and 31 fetuses of 8-13 weeks gestation were studied with a specially-developed abdominal three-dimensional transducer (3.5 MHz). This imaging system can provide conventional two-dimensional ultrasonography images and can also generate, within seconds, high-quality three-dimensional images in the surface and transparent mode with no need for an external workstation. The percentage of surface anatomical structures visualized at each gestational age interval using two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasonography is presented. Head and trunk were depicted in all cases. The number and the clarity of visualization of face, upper and lower extremities, hand, and foot increased with advancing gestation. The free loop of the umbilical cord was depicted in most cases. The number of depictions of abdominal cord insertion, midgut herniation, and yolk sac decreased with the increase of gestation. Genitals could not be identified in the first trimester. The ability to view some surface anatomical structures (face, hand, and foot) was better with three-dimensional ultrasonography than with two-dimensional ultrasonography. Three-dimensional ultrasonography provides a novel means for visualization of surface anatomical structures of the embryo and early fetus. These results suggest that three-dimensional ultrasonography can become an important modality in future embryological and early fetal research and in detection of embryonic and fetal developmental disorders in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗

Assessment of embryonic anatomy at 6-8 weeks of gestation by intrauterine and transvaginal sonography.

Our purpose was to compare the ultrasound visualization of the early first-trimester embryo using transvaginal and intrauterine sonography. In all, 32 women about to undergo therapeutic abortion at 6-8.9 weeks gestation were studied using a specially developed catheter-based, high-resolution, real-time miniature (2.4 mm outer diameter) ultrasonography transducer (20 MHz). Before the intrauterine sonographic procedure was performed, transvaginal sonographic assessment of the embryo was conducted. The parameters evaluated included the ability to visualize anatomical structures and a subjective assessment of the overall image clarity. The ability to view most organs was better with intrauterine sonography compared to transvaginal sonography, and this was especially true for the brain, spine, heart, liver, midgut herniation, extremities, and sacral tail. Moreover, it was possible to obtain finer image quality of very small embryonic structures with intrauterine sonography than with transvaginal sonography. Stomach, spleen, kidney, and bladder could not be depicted with both techniques. One cystic hygroma was diagnosed at 7 weeks 6 days using intrauterine sonography, but not with transvaginal sonography. Intrauterine sonography may provide additional information on the visualization of anatomical structures of the embryo in the early first trimester of pregnancy. In this limited series, one case of cystic hygroma was demonstrated and, thus, there is a potential for its use in the early detection of embryonic malformation. These results suggest that intrauterine sonography may be a valuable tool in imaging the early first-trimester embryo, complementing and not replacing transvaginal sonography in high-risk pregnancies.

Congenital Abnormalities↗

Bond-specific chemical cleavages of peptides and proteins with perfluoric acid vapors: novel peptide bond cleavages of glycyl-threonine, the amino side of serine residues and the carboxyl side of aspartic acid residues.

Peptide bond cleavages by vapors composed of various from aqueous solutions of perfluoric acid were studied using synthetic peptides and proteins, and specific conditions were established for peptide bond cleavages including a novel cleavage of the glycyl-threonine bond. The peptide bonds on the aminosides of serine residues were cleaved by exposure to a vapor of 75% aqueous heptafluorobutyric acid at 30 or 50 degrees C for 24 h. Glycyl-threonine peptide bonds were cleaved with vapors of various concentrations (5, 75, and 90%) of heptafluorobutyric acid at 30-40 degrees C for 24 h. The peptide bonds on the carboxylsides of aspartic acid residues were cleaved by exposure to a vapor of 0.2% heptafluorobutyric acid at 90 degrees C for 4 to 24 h. The same vapor cleaved aspartyl-proline bonds under milder conditions such as at 60 degrees C for 16 h, under which the other aspartyl bonds were uncleaved. These specific chemical cleavages were applied to several proteins including newly characterized proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Substrate recognition of isocitrate dehydrogenase and 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase from Thermus thermophilus HB8.

The substrate-binding sites of NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase and NAD-dependent 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase from Thermus thermophilus were analyzed by site-directed mutagenesis. Ser97 and Asn99 of isocitrate dehydrogenase were identified to be involved in the isocitrate recognition. In 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase, the corresponding residues, Leu90 and Leu91, appear to recognize the substrate by forming a hydrophobic pocket. Double mutation of Asp78 and Glu87 revealed that negative charge of these residues plays a crucial role in discriminating isopropylmalate from isocitrate.

3-Isopropylmalate Dehydrogenase↗

Antitumor activity of TZT-1027, a novel dolastatin 10 derivative.

Dolastatin 10, a pentapeptide isolated from the marine mollusk Dolabella auricularia, has antitumor activity. TZT-1027, a dolastatin 10 derivative, is a newly synthesized antitumor compound. We evaluated its antitumor activity against a variety of transplantable tumors in mice. Intermittent injections of TZT-1027 were more effective than single or repeated injections in mice with P388 leukemia and B16 melanoma. Consequently, TZT-1027 shows schedule dependency. TZT-1027 was effective against P388 leukemia not only when administered i.p., but also when given i.v. However, although TZT-1027 given i.v. was active against murine solid tumors, TZT-1027 administered i.p. was ineffective against all the tumors tested with the exception of colon 26 adenocarcinoma. The i.v. injection of TZT-1027 at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg remarkably inhibited the growth of three murine solid tumors; colon 26 adenocarcinoma, B16 melanoma and M5076 sarcoma, with T/C values of less than 6%. The antitumor activities of TZT-1027 against these tumors were superior or comparable to those of the reference agents; dolastatin 10, cisplatin, vincristine, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and E7010. In experiments with drug-resistant P388 leukemia, TZT-1027 showed good activity against cisplatin-resistant P388 and moderate activity against vincristine- and 5-fluorouracil-resistant P388, but no activity against adriamycin-resistant P388. TZT-1027 was also effective against human xenografts, that is, tumor regression was observed in mice bearing MX-1 breast and LX-1 lung carcinomas. TZT-1027 at 10 microM almost completely inhibited the assembly of porcine brain microtubules. Therefore, its mechanism of antitumor action seems to be, at least in part, ascribable to the inhibition of microtubule assembly. Because of its good preclinical activity, TZT-1027 has been entered into phase I clinical trials.

Animals↗

Elevation of serum interleukin-1 receptor antagonist levels in women with gynaecological cancers.

This study included 15 patients with gynaecological cancers (7 with cervical cancer, 6 with endometrial cancer, and 12 with ovarian cancer); 7 with benign gynaecological disorders (5 with benign ovarian tumour and 2 with uterine myoma); and 10 healthy women as a control group. Serum interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 ra) levels in patients with gynaecological cancer were significantly higher than those in patients with benign gynaecological disorders (P = 0.04) and in healthy controls (P = 0.0009). IL-1 ra may play an important role in host immune responses in local and general environments against gynaecological cancers.

Endometrial Neoplasms↗