Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Haraguchi

Publications and source records attributed to M Haraguchi.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

A valid new approach in treating solitary new lesions after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Recent studies have suggested that the appearance of solitary new lesions after a curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may be closely related to the metachronous multicentric development of HCC. It is therefore extremely important to investigate the histological characteristics of solitary new nodular lesions confirmed to be HCC by an ultrasound (US)-guided needle biopsy. Thirty-five patients with small HCC, < or = 3 cm in diameter, who underwent a curative hepatic resection between 1987 and 1992, were observed for possible recurrence over a period of > or = 1 year. Solitary new lesions confirmed to be HCC were noted in 7 (20.0%) out of 35 cases 10-65 months after operation. All solitary new lesions underwent US-guided needle biopsy, and a histological examination of the biopsy specimen was performed. All seven solitary new lesions were then classified into the following two groups according to the histologic differentiation of biopsy specimens and were found to consist of five well-differentiated HCCs (71.4%) and two moderately differentiated HCCs (28.6%). Three of the five well-differentiated HCCs were accompanied by varying degrees of fatty changes. These morphologic observations suggest that approximately 70% of the solitary new lesions confirmed to be HCC after a curative resection of small HCC may thus be related to the metachronous multicentric origin of HCC. However, it is difficult to estimate the exact incidence of such cases. As a result, curative treatment may sometimes be feasible, even when treating solitary new lesions after resection of HCC. Therefore, we can better evaluate such solitary new nodular lesions after a resection of HCC by means of a histologic evaluation using US-guided needle biopsy.

Adult↗

Effects of intraaccumbens injections of dopamine agonists and antagonists on sucrose and sucrose-ethanol reinforced responding.

The present experiment tested the effects of intraaccumbens injections of dopamine (DA) agonists and antagonists on operant responding reinforced by sucrose and sucrose/ethanol solutions. The mixed DA agonist d-amphetamine (20.0 micrograms/microliters) significantly reduced responding reinforced by a low concentration sucrose solution (2% w/v) by 48% and 38% compared to no injection and sham control values, respectively. The addition of ethanol (10%) to a low concentration sucrose solution (3%) presented as the reinforcer changed the response pattern from a continuous moderate response rate, over a 30 min session, to an initial high response rate that terminated after approximately 10 min. With sucrose/ethanol reinforcement, d-amphetamine slowed the initial high response rate but extended responding throughout the 30 min sessions. However, no significant changes were observed in number of responses per session. When 75% sucrose (w/v) was presented as the reinforcer, d-amphetamine did not change the total number of responses/session, but response patterns were again altered from high initial rates with early offset to slow steady rates that continued for the duration of sessions. The D2 DA antagonist raclopride (0.1-5.0 micrograms/microliters) resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in responding reinforced by 75% sucrose. The baseline patterns, response totals, and effects of the DA antagonists resemble our previously reported findings with 10% ethanol (v/v) reinforcement. These data support the conclusion that mesolimbic DA activity may be a common mechanism in ethanol reinforced behavior and behavior reinforced by other substances, but suggest that the nature of behavioral change may depend upon the reinforcer.

Animals↗

Crotalaria juncea intoxication in horses.

Twenty horses died 30 d after being fed a diet containing 40% of tritured Crotalaria juncea seeds. Before death, they had staggering, dyspnea and fever. At necropsy the most evident lesions were areas of lung parenchyma consolidation and enlarged and congested livers. Histopathological examination revealed diffuse fibrosing alveolitis with hyaline membranes, suggesting a blood-borne insult, and passive congestion in the liver with compression of the hepatocyte trabecules. To confirm the diagnosis, guinea pigs were given 60% of a commercial diet + 40% tritured C juncea seeds. After 4 mo of feeding the animals died with dyspnea. Their lungs had diffuse fibrosing alveolitis with discrete formation of hyaline membranes and the livers were congested. Reproduction of the lesions implicated the plant and supported the diagnosis of C juncea intoxication in the horses.

Animals↗

[A case of pneumonitis due to Rikkunshi-to].

We report a case of pneumonitis due to Rikkunshi-to. A 79-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of interstitial pneumonia. She complained of dry cough and dyspnea on exertion. Fine crepitations were heard on physical examination. The chest X-ray film revealed diffuse reticulonodular shadows in both lung fields. Under the suspicion of drug-induced pneumonitis, all drugs were stopped and she was given prednisolone. Consequently her complaints, laboratory data and chest X-ray findings markedly improved. Microscopic examination of transbronchial lung biopsy specimens showed interstitial pneumonia. The results of lymphocyte stimulation test and lymphocyte migration inhibition test were positive for Rikkunshi-to. Based on these findings, we diagnosed this case as pneumonitis due to Rikkunshi-to. To our knowledge, there has been no previous case of pulmonary hypersensitivity due to Rikkunshi-to reported in the world.

Aged↗

Early stage hepatocellular carcinoma detected during intraoperative ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVES: Recently, it has been recognized that there are increasing incidences of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) multicentricity. Thus, intraoperatively detected hepatic lesions that were once thought to be metastatic lesions now need to be carefully reexamined to determine whether they are true metastatic lesions or the multicentric development of HCC. METHODS: We investigated the histological characteristics of small nodular lesions detected during intraoperative ultrasonography in 33 consecutive patients with small HCC who underwent laparotomy at our institution. RESULTS: Fourteen nodular lesions were found incidentally in 10 of 33 patients (30.3%), and were classified into the following three groups: 11 nodules in nine patients (27.3%) were HCC, two nodules in two patients (6.1%) were hemangioma, and one nodule in one patient (3.0%) was a large regenerative nodule. HCC therefore comprised 78.6% of the intraoperatively detected nodular lesions. Of the 11 HCCs, six were hyperechoic, four were hypoechoic, and one was isoechoic. Five (83.3%) of six small hyperechoic HCCs and two (50.0%) of four hypoechoic HCCs were well differentiated and retained their preexisting liver structure. These findings closely coincide with the characteristics of early stage HCC. Thus, early stage HCC comprised 63.6% of the intraoperatively detected HCC cases. CONCLUSIONS: A certain proportion of small satellite HCCs detected during intraoperative ultrasonography in patients with small HCC, which were previously thought to be metastatic lesions from the main HCC, may instead be early stage HCCs. Such findings would also support the concept of the multicentric development of HCC. Approximately 60% of all small HCC cases detected intraoperatively may be early stage HCC. As a result, it is predicted that the emergence of HCC is either multicentric or unicentric, with early intrahepatic spread, although the former seems to be more common.

Adult↗

Sensitivity of human KB cells expressing platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor to pyrimidine antimetabolites.

Thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase) is an enzyme involved in pyrimidine nucleoside metabolism. However, little is known about its physiological functions. We previously purified dThdPase from human placenta, isolated a complementary DNA clone for this enzyme, and sequenced it. There was complete sequence identity between 120 amino acids of human dThdPase and the sequence of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF). Human KB epidermal carcinoma cells transfected with platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor complementary DNA expressed a 55-kDa protein that was detected with anti-dThdPase antibody and the cell lysate had dThdPase activity. The sensitivity of transfected cells to the antimetabolites was compared with that of untransfected KB cells. The sensitivity of the transfected cells to Doxifluridine (5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine) was higher than that of untransfected KB cells. Transfected cells were also more sensitive to Tegafur than untransfected KB cells. These results demonstrate that dThdPase is involved in the activation of these anticancer agents. Since many cancer tissues contain high dThdPase activity compared with normal tissues, these transfected and untransfected KB cells are useful for studying the role of dThdPase in the activation of pyrimidine antimetabolites and also in angiogenesis.

Cell Division↗

Anti-tumor activity of ceramides and glycosphingolipids in a murine tumor system.

The anti-tumor activity of 7 sphingolipids, 2 ceramides and 5 glycosphingolipids against the syngeneic murine ascitic tumors MH134 and MM102 in C3H mice was examined. Five of these compounds showed anti-tumor activity against the tumors, ceramide type-IV (Cer-IV) having the highest activity without cytotoxic or cytostatic activity. These results indicate that the fatty acid in ceramide and sugar chains binding to it affect the anti-tumor activity in vivo. The anti-tumor activity of Cer-IV depended on the time of treatment. Mice treated with Cer-IV one day after tumor implantation showed the highest rate of survival. The cured mice were resistant to rechallenge with the same tumor (MH134-->MH134, MM102-->MM102) but not with a heterologous tumor (MH134-->X5563, MM102-->X5563), indicating that the effect of Cer-IV may be due to in vivo induction of specific immunity. Studies with various antibodies demonstrated that the anti-tumor effect of Cer-IV was inhibited by all the antibodies tested (L3T4, Lyt-2, and Thy-1,2 T cells, macrophages, and TNF alpha) in the induction phase (before Cer-IV administration) and by the antibodies of L3T4 and TNF alpha in the effector phase (after Cer-IV administration). Therefore, the anti-tumor effect of Cer-IV in this system depended on the host immune response rather than on its direct cytotoxic and/or cytostatic action.

Animals↗

Prognostic significance of tumor-host interaction in clinical gastric cancer: relationship between DNA ploidy and dendritic cell infiltration.

DNA ploidy of tumor cells and the degree of infiltration of dendritic cells were determined in 93 gastric cancer tissue specimens, and the mechanisms of tumor-host interaction on the prognosis were investigated. DNA ploidy patterns were grouped into low and high ploidy, and the degree of infiltration of dendritic cells (DC) was graded into marked and slight infiltration. In the low ploidy group, the 5-year survival rates in patients with marked and slight DC infiltration were 80.7% and 61.5%, respectively (P < 0.05). In the high ploidy group, however, there were no significant differences. In cases of low ploidy, the incidence of lymph node metastasis was significantly lower in the marked DC infiltration group compared with findings in the slight DC group. Thus, markedly infiltrating dendritic cells in gastric cancer tissue may lead to prolongation of survival time for patients with a carcinoma of the low ploidy profile, by preventing widespread nodal involvement.

Dendrites↗

Effect of dopamine agonists and antagonists on ethanol-reinforced behavior: the involvement of the nucleus accumbens.

Rats initiated to self-administer 10% ethanol (v/v) in an operant situation using the sucrose-substitution technique received bilateral n. accumbens or caudate nucleus microinjections of d-amphetamine (4, 10, and 20 micrograms/brain), quinpirole (4 micrograms/brain), and/or raclopride (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 micrograms/brain). Only microinjections into the n. accumbens produced changes in rate and pattern of responding. With d-amphetamine, an increase in total responding and a slowing of initial response rate was seen, whereas with raclopride administration a dose-related decrease in total responding was observed with no alteration in momentary response rates. Drug-dependent behavioral rate and pattern differences suggest that DA activity in the n. accumbens influences ethanol reinforced behavior.

Analysis of Variance↗

Thymidine phosphorylase activity associated with platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor.

Partial complementary DNA (cDNA) for thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase) was cloned by means of a polymerase chain reaction. There was complete sequence identity between the amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence of a clone (288 nucleotides) and the residues of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF). The amino acid sequence of all four peptide fragments from purified human dThdPase could be aligned with that of PD-ECGF. Our data indicate that residues 125-244 of PD-ECGF are identical to the sequence of human dThdPase. The molecular weights of human dThdPase and recombinant PD-ECGF (rPD-ECGF) that lacks 10 amino acids at the amino terminal were 55 and 52 kDa, respectively. Anti-PD-ECGF antibody recognized dThdPase, and anti-dThdPase antibody recognized rPD-ECGF. rPD-ECGF had dThdPase activity and its specific activity was similar to that of purified human dThdPase. dThdPase activity and molecules were detected in COS cells transfected with human PD-ECGF cDNA, but not in nontransfected cells. The sizes of PD-ECGF and dThdPase in the transfected COS cells were identical. These data suggest that human dThdPase is identical to PD-ECGF.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ventral tegmental microinjections of quinpirole decrease ethanol and sucrose-reinforced responding.

The effects of microinjections in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the dopamine D2/D3 agonist quinpirole on ethanol- and sucrose-reinforced responding were tested. Two groups of Long-Evans rats were trained to lever press on a fixed-ratio 4 schedule with 10% ethanol (v/v) (n = 8) and 75% sucrose (w/v) (n = 10) presented as the reinforcer. Weekly bilateral injections of quinpirole were tested in the ethanol group (0.0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 micrograms/microliters) and sucrose group (0.0, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 micrograms/microliters). Quinpirole dose dependently decreased ethanol- and sucrose-reinforced responding, but the dose-effect curve for sucrose was shifted two orders of magnitude to the right of the ethanol curve. Temporal response patterns during control sessions for both reinforcers were characterized by initial high rates that terminated after approximately 10 min. VTA injections of quinpirole dose dependently delayed the onset of the first response and the initial high rate period, and resulted in an early termination of responding following onset. These data support the hypothesis that dopamine activity in the VTA is involved in the regulation of ethanol-reinforced responding in a manner similar to that of other reinforcers.

Animals↗

Multistep, multicentric, and simultaneous development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

We resected a multiple hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) which contained portal tracts, showed evidence of an early multistep condition, and a multicentric development of HCC which progressed simultaneously. A preoperative working examination revealed a tumor in S5 of the liver, which was 2.5 cm in diameter. In addition, a "nodule-in-nodule" appearance was seen on the ultrasonographic imaging. At intraoperative ultrasonography, an additional two HCCs were detected. At histologic examination of the resected specimen, the main nodule showed a nodule-in-nodule appearance. In the outer nodule, there was a well-differentiated HCC, while the portal tracts remained. The less-differentiated HCC grew in the inner nodule and was replacing the well-differentiated HCC in the outer nodule. These findings suggests morphological transition in the early stages of the multistep development of HCC. Two additional tumors (1.1 cm and 1.0 cm in diameter) detected at intraoperative ultrasonography proved to be HCCs (grade I) with marked fatty change, and with portal tracts remaining within both the HCCs. Furthermore, both of the HCCs retained their preexisting liver structure. These histologic findings coincided with the characteristics of the early stage HCC, whereas the coexistence of early stage HCCs suggests the multicentric development of HCC. Distortion, compression, and invasion of the portal tracts may appear as the tumor grows, thereby evoking an increasing risk of metastasis via the portal tracts. Therefore, the early diagnosis and treatment of HCC before the portal tracts disappear, when 1.5 cm in size or less, may be very important for surgeons and diagnosticians, as an effective curative resection may be feasible.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

[A case of early gastric cancer with Virchow's node metastasis, effectively treated by high dose of UFT].

We report a case of early gastric cancer with Virchow's node metastasis. The patient underwent partial gastrectomy and postoperative immunochemotherapy using MMC, 5'-DFUR and PSK, which reduced the Virchow's node. Three years after surgery, we found metastases to the left subclavicular and axillary nodes other than the Virchow's node. Then UFT was administered orally at 600 mg/day, and the metastatic nodes diminished, then vanished. The patient is alive nearly five years after surgery.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Alcohol self-administration: role of mesolimbic dopamine.

It appears clear that ethanol reinforcement, like that of many abused drugs, utilizes the mesolimbic DA pathways. From the data presented on microinjection of DA agonists and antagonists, it would seem that only part of the regulatory process controlling ethanol drinking is directly involved with this pathway. Once drinking has begun, the DA antagonist raclopride results in a rapid termination of drinking. This appears to be a blocking effect of what may be conditioned reinforcement resulting from prior ethanol reinforcement initiation procedures. Microinjection of the DA agonists d-amphetamine and quinpirole prolonged drinking, with little signs of normal termination apparent in the 30-min session in many animals. This appeared to be the result of interference with normal termination processes. While it remains to be demonstrated that oral ethanol consumption results in the release of DA in the nucleus accumbens, evidence from prior work and the present studies support a role for the mesolimbic DA system in ethanol reinforcement.

Alcoholism↗

Angiogenic factor.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Escherichia coli↗

Heterogeneity in gastric carcinoma with special reference to DNA content and mitotic activity: histopathologic differentiation.

DNA ploidy and mitotic activity were microspectrophotometrically investigated in 46 patients with gastric carcinoma. Measurements of DNA content and mitotic index (M.I.) were examined in the mucosal, submucosal, muscularis propria, and serosal layers of tumors, respectively. The frequency of cells with values exceeding hexaploid chromosome (6c) and mitotic counting analysis revealed a significant higher value in serosa, compared with findings in the mucosa. This tendency was not evident in cases of a differentiated type adenocarcinoma but was noted in those with the undifferentiated type. There were 37 tumors (80.0%) with the same DNA distribution patterns in every layer of the stomach (homogeneous DNA ploidy). Heterogeneity of DNA ploidy was observed in nine tumors (20.0%). Carcinoma with a heterogeneous DNA ploidy manifested a significantly higher incidence of metastasis to the lymph nodes than did those with homogeneous type. Characteristically, there was venous permeation preponderance in the differentiated type and peritoneal dissemination preponderance in the undifferentiated type. This evidence of DNA heterogeneity in gastric carcinoma tissues suggests a possible correlation with the metastatic behavior.

Cytophotometry↗