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Kenji Obara

Publications and source records attributed to Kenji Obara.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Role of connective tissue growth factor in fibronectin synthesis in cultured human prostate stromal cells.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the correlation of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression and fibronectin (FN) synthesis after transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-beta1) stimulation in human prostate stromal cells. METHODS: Primary cultures of human prostate stromal cells were established from nine normal prostates by the explant method. The gene and protein expressions of CTGF and FN after TGF-beta1 treatment were examined. We also investigated the effect of CTGF blockade on TGF-beta1-induced FN synthesis by CTGF antisense oligodeoxynucleotide treatment. RESULTS: CTGF expression was detected in all nine prostate stromal cells by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting. In prostatic tissues, CTGF expression was observed more strongly in epithelial cells than in the stromal area by immunohistochemistry. The upregulation of both CTGF and FN protein by TGF-beta1 treatment was demonstrated in a dose-dependent manner. CTGF antisense oligodeoxynucleotide inhibited TGF-beta1-stimulated FN synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: CTGF plays a crucial role in extracellular matrix production as a TGF-beta1 downstream mediator in human prostate stromal cells, suggesting that CTGF blockade is likely to be a therapeutic target against benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed2006

Obstruction of the ileal ureter by mesenteric vessels occurring 5 years after total ureteral substitution for bilateral ureteral stenosis due to systemic lupus erythematosus.

We previously reported a case of bilateral ureteral stenosis accompanied by systemic lupus erythematosus, which was successfully managed by total ureteral reconstruction using a segment of the ileum. Herein, we describe an unusual complication in the same patient, which we experienced 5 years after the ileal-ureteral substitution. Left-sided back pain repeated together with transient obstruction of the ileal ureter interposed between the right and left renal pelvis. Consequently, exploratory laparotomy revealed that left colic vessels oppressed and caused obstruction, and the obstructed ileal ureter was released by reconstitution of these vessels instead of re-anastomosis of the ileal ureter. Left hydronephrosis and related back pain disappeared postoperatively. The number of patients with an indication of ileal-ureteral substitution is increasing for various disorders, and thus, the present report gives additional suggestions for the follow up of patients with ileal ureter.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the adrenal gland.

We report a rare case of primitive neuroectodermal tumor arising from adrenal gland in adulthood, diagnosed preoperatively as having non-functional adrenocortical adenoma. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed. Immunohistological examination revealed the definite diagnosis as primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the adrenal gland. Although primitive neuroectodermal tumor is a highly malignant neoplasm, there is no evidence of local recurrence and distant metastasis 16 months after surgery.

12E7 Antigen↗
PubMed2005

Transforming growth factor-beta1 regulates cell growth and causes downregulation of SMemb/non-muscle myosin heavy chain B mRNA in human prostate stromal cells.

OBJECTIVES: SMemb/non-muscle myosin heavy chain B (SMemb/NMMHC-B) is most abundantly expressed in proliferating smooth muscle cells and correlates with phenotypic changes from a contractive to a proliferative type. The stromal cells of the prostate play a crucial role in the regulation of prostatic growth and function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the multifunctional cytokine transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) on SMemb/NMMHC-B mRNA expression and stromal cell growth. The expression of the SM2 isoform of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMMHC) mRNA was also examined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Primary cultures of prostate stromal cells were established by means of an explant method from eight normal prostates. The effects of TGF-beta1 on stromal cell growth were determined by means of a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide conversion assay. SMemb/NMMHC-B and SM2 mRNA expression were analyzed quantitatively by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: In the absence of TGF-beta1, cells expressed alpha-smooth muscle actin and vimentin. After TGF-beta1 treatment, the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin increased and cells also expressed desmin. TGF-beta1 at concentrations of 1.0, 5.0 and 10 ng/ml suppressed cell growth by 72%, 62% and 56%, respectively, downregulated SMemb/NMMHC-B mRNA expression by 71%, 52% and 38%, respectively and upregulated SM2 mRNA expression 2.1-, 3.0- and 5.3-fold, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that TGF-beta1 modulates the smooth muscle cell phenotype from a proliferative to a contractile type and that the inhibitory effects of TGF-beta1 on stromal cell growth correlate with downregulation of the SMemb/NMMHC-B gene.

Cell Count↗
PubMed2003

[The consequence after introduction of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) in children with neurogenic bladder dysfunction secondary to spina bifida--the comparison of patients with and without upper urinary tract dilation at the time CIC was introduced].

PURPOSE: The aim of current study was to review the consequence after introduction of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) in children with neurogenic bladder dysfunction secondary to spina bifida. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 34 children (19 girls and 15 boys) presenting our clinic in a 18-year period. The patients were divided concentrating on the radiological upper urinary tract findings when CIC was introduced. 18 children had dilated upper urinary tract. In these patients, 10 children already had dilated upper urinary tract at first visiting to our clinic(group A). In remaining 8 patients, dilatation of upper urinary tract was found out in the course of followup (group B). 16 children had normal upper urinary tract when CIC was introduced. In 7 patients, CIC was applied for post-void residual and urinary tract infection (group C). In remaining 9 patients, CIC was introduced for urodynamically low compliance bladder (group D). RESULTS: In group A, 5 patients underwent enterocystoplasty and 3 patients underwent anti-reflux surgery consequently. Two patients, including 1 patient who underwent enterocystoplasty, have chronic renal dysfunction. In group B, 3 patients underwent enterocystoplasty and 2 patients underwent anti-reflux surgery. In group C, all patients have normal upper urinary tract. In group D, 8 patients have normal upper urinary tract. However, 1 patients underwent enterocystoplasty for low compliance bladder with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). CONCLUSION: Some patients show the improvement of dilated upper urinary tract or VUR after introduction of CIC. However, enterocystoplasty or anti-reflux surgery was needed for many patients to prevent upper urinary tract deterioration. The patients whom CIC was introduced for postvoid residual and urinary tract infection have not shown any deterioration of upper urinary tract. The efficacy of CIC for incontinence was poor because many patients have urethral sphincter incompetence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Bilateral pheochromocytomas and asynchronous bilateral renal cell carcinomas associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease: a case report].

A 38-year-old man who had been followed with diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy and retinal angioma was referred to our hospital because of incidentally detected bilateral adrenal masses. Although he was normotensive, levels of catecholamine in urine were elevated and I131-MIBG scintigraphy showed accumulation in bilateral adrenal glands. Screening of central nervous system by MRI revealed cerebellar hemangioblastoma. Right adrenalectomy and left partial adrenalectomy were performed, both of which tumors pathologically diagnosed as pheochromocytoma, followed by resection of the cerebellar hemangioblastoma. Five months later, abdominal CT revealed a left renal tumor and underwent left partial nephrectomy, being diagnosed as renal cell carcinoma. A right renal tumor was detected on follow up CT at 1 year after the partial nephrectomy. Since cardiac function was deteriorated, we have followed with careful observation. This is the second documented case of bilateral renal cell carcinomas and bilateral pheochromocytomas with VHL in Japan.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed2002

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction detection of prostate-specific antigen, prostate-specific membrane antigen, and prostate stem cell antigen in one milliliter of peripheral blood: value for the staging of prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: There have been several studies on the presence of circulating tumor cells in the peripheral blood of patients with malignant tumors including prostate cancer (PCa) using reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). One of the aims of these studies was to obtain high sensitivity that would enable early-stage diagnosis. However, they varied in their detection rates, and the methods were rather complicated. We have improved the RT-PCR assay combining three prostate-associated molecules, prostate specific antigen (PSA), prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), and prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) to reveal patients with poor prognosis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 129 patients including 58 cases of PCa and 71 cases of nonmalignant disorders. Total RNA was extracted from 1 ml of whole blood using a commercially available kit. RESULTS: The sensitivity of PSA-, PSMA-, and PSCA-nested RT-PCR was verified with positive signals of a single LNCaP cell in 1 ml of female blood sample. PSA-, PSMA-, and PSCA-mRNA were detected in 7 (12.1%), 12 (20.7%), and 8 (13.8%) PCa, and in 1, 2, and 0 samples in nonmalignant disorders, respectively. Among 58 PCa patients, each PCR indicated the prognostic value in the hierarchy of PSCA>PSA>PSMA RT-PCR, and extraprostatic cases with positive PSCA PCR indicated lower disease-progression-free survival than those with negative PSCA PCR. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest that PSCA PCR would be most promising for the molecular staging of PCa. The present RT-PCR is a highly cost-effective and rapid procedure, enabling the molecular staging of PCa with RT-PCR as a diagnostic routine.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed2002

[Endothelins].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Inducible nitric oxide, synthase in renal cell carcinoma: expression in tumor thrombi and induction under hypoxic conditions.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) has been suggested to have polar roles in carcinogenesis with both antitumor and tumor promoting activity, and the status of NO synthase (NOS) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has not yet been completely elucidated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the expression and induction of inducible NOS (iNOS) in RCC specimens and cell lines, respectively. RESULTS: Although the expression of iNOS was not observed in primary lesions or in metastatic sites, it was found in 6 cases of 11 tumor thrombi. The cause-specific survival rate of patients with iNOS-positive tumor thrombi was lower than that of patients with iNOS-negative tumor thrombi, showing borderline significance. iNOS-mRNA and protein were expressed in A498 and A704 RCC cells under hypoxic conditions. CONCLUSION: iNOS is suggested to be a significant molecule for RCC to acquire not only hypoxic adaptation but also the ability to invade into veins and form tumor thrombi.

Adult↗