Thromboxane A2: a key regulator of prostaglandin biosynthesis and of interactions between prostaglandins, calcium and cyclic nucleotides.
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Calcium↗
Biomedical subjects
M Oka
Publications and source records attributed to M Oka.
Endoscopic evaluation of the therapeutic effect of sclerotherapy for esophageal varices.
The rebleeding rate after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy was studied in 237 patients with esophageal varices, and the optimal outcome of treatment was determined. Two new categories, RC(2-) and F0, were added to the classification scheme of endoscopic findings of varices in Japan. RC(2-) represents a state in which no veins, not even small vessels, are observed by endoscopy after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy, and F0 represents a state in which no localized venous dilations in the esophagus exist. The criteria for defining the other categories were not altered, and the R-C sign was expressed as RC(2-), RC(-), or RC(+); the degree of dilation was classified as F0 to F3. By combining the R-C sign and the F number, endoscopic findings were classified 1 to 4 weeks after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy into groups designated RC(2-)F0, RC(-)F0, RC(-)F1, and RC(+)F1-RC(+)F2. The four groups were observed to determine the incidence of esophageal stricture and rebleeding. In the RC(2-)F0 group, the incidence of stricture was high, but the rebleeding rate was low. In the RC(-)F0 group, both the incidence of stricture and rebleeding rate were low. We conclude that the optimal outcome of endoscopic injection sclerotherapy is RC(-)F0.
Esophageal and Gastric Varices↗
Ascorbate free radical reductase activity in vertebrate lenses of certain species.
PURPOSE: To clarify the function of ascorbate free radical (AFR) reductase in the antioxidation system of different vertebrate lenses. METHODS: The soluble and insoluble fractions were prepared from bullfrog, guinea pig, rat, rabbit, swine, and bovine lenses, and membrane-bound enzymes in the insoluble fraction were extracted by 0.3% Triton X-100. Ascorbate free radical reductase and diaphorase activities in each fraction were determined. RESULTS: Ascorbate free radical reductase activity in the lens soluble fraction was the highest in the bullfrog. That in the guinea pig and rabbit was at the next level. There was only a little activity in rat and swine lenses, and none was detected in the bovine lenses. However, a large species difference in AFR reductase activity was not observed in the 0.3% Triton X-100 extracts. Diaphorase activity was three to nine higher than AFR reductase activity in the soluble fractions of bullfrog, guinea pig, and rabbit. In the 0.3% Triton X-100 extracts of all animal species used, it was very high, 108 to 311 times the AFR reductase activity. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the lens soluble and membrane-bound AFR reductase in the different animals may be individual enzyme molecules and have different antioxidative functions. Because the lenses of bullfrog, guinea pig, and rabbit are known to contain a near-ultraviolet (UV) light-absorbing compound, reduced pyridine nucleotide, at a high concentration, the soluble AFR reductase activity is expected to be high in the vertebrate lenses with a near-UV light filter, to enhance the antiphoto-oxidation capacity of ascorbate.
Animals↗
The volatile constituents of the roots of Selinum tenuifolium.
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Oils, Volatile↗
Length and lead time biases in radiologic screening for lung cancer.
OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to investigate whether the length and lead-time biases of radiologic screening for lung cancers vary according to the histologic type of the tumor. METHODS: We analyzed the survival rates and radiographs of 119 cases of adenocarcinomas-large-cell carcinomas (ALC) and 50 peripheral squamous cell carcinomas (PSQ) detected in 205,401 screened individuals. RESULTS: The sensitivity of screening and 5-year survival rates were 84.0% and 48.2% for ALC, and 52.0% and 18.5% for PSQ, respectively. The corrected length bias was 4.3% for ALC and 4. 6% for PSQ. Stage III-IV ALC was often identified on 1-year-old films, but stage III-IV PSQ was not. Half of stage I ALC presented 2 or more years before detection, while half of stage I PSQ appeared within 1 year before detection. The survival rate of nonresected cases with stage I ALC was decreased 4 years after detection, while that of nonresected cases with stage I PSQ was decreased just after detection. The period of stage I ALC and PSQ was at least 6 years and 1 year, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Slowly growing ALC had high sensitivity in radiologic screening and a high rate in 5-year survival, but had long lead time and delay in detection. PSQ grew rapidly resulting in low sensitivity in radiologic screening, and short lead time and survival. In both types, the magnitude of corrected length bias was not remarkable. The survival of ALC should be carefully evaluated because of the long lead time.
Adult↗
Expression of CD44 variants in lung cancer and its relationship to hyaluronan binding.
We examined the expression of CD44 variant forms and their binding to hyaluronan (HA) in lung cancer cell lines. There was no relationship between the level of expression of CD44 variants and HA binding in different lung cancer cell lines. The expression of CD44v6 and CD44E in some cell lines was not always associated with HA binding. There was no relationship between the tissue pathological type and CD44 expression or HA binding. Deglycosylation by neuraminidase induced CD44-HA binding in human lung cancer cell lines. Our findings suggest that the HA binding ability of CD44, which is negatively regulated by glycosylation, might be a more important factor in tumorigenesis or metastasis than the expression of CD44 variant forms.
Glycoproteins↗
Expression of interleukin 6 and its receptor in human gastric and colorectal cancers.
Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine with many physiological functions. The present study was designed to determine the expression of IL-6 and its receptor (IL-6R) in human gastric and colorectal cancers. Nine gastric- and nine colorectal cancer cell lines were analysed. The IL-6 gene was expressed in two gastric cancer cell lines and one colorectal cancer cell line; however, most of the cancer cell lines studied expressed the IL-6R gene. The level of IL-6 secretion in the gastric cancer cell lines correlated with the level of soluble IL-6R secretion, and was significantly higher (< approximately 100 pg/ml) than the level of IL-6 secretion in the colorectal cancer cell lines (< approximately 50 pg/ml). These results suggest that IL-6 may act in a paracrine fashion rather than an autocrine fashion in these cell lines.
Cell Line, Tumor↗
Autoimmunity to heat shock protein 40 in ulcerative colitis.
Autoantibodies against heat shock protein 40 (HSP40) and their clinical significance in ulcerative colitis (UC) have not been evaluated before. Twenty-six tissue specimens of inflamed areas from patients with UC, 16 from patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and 16 endoscopically normal tissues were analysed for HSP40 expression. Sera from 47 patients with UC and 44 healthy volunteers were examined for the presence of autoantibodies against HSP40 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test. Immunohistochemistry showed that 17 out of 26 specimens from UC patients, one specimen from a CD patient and one normal tissue specimen were positive for HSP40. Most HSP40-positive cells expressed CD68. Higher titres of anti-HSP40 autoantibodies were detected in sera from UC patients compared with healthy volunteers. In patients with inactive disease, those with proctitis or left-sided colitis had higher titres of anti-HSP40 autoantibodies than those with total colitis. Our study suggests that autoimmunity against HSP40 may have a beneficial effect in UC patients by limiting the extent of the disease.
Adolescent↗
Hyperthermic treatment of canine tibia through RF inductive heating of an intramedullary nail: a new experimental approach to hyperthermia for metastatic bone tumours.
Although the incidence of metastatic bone tumours is recently increasing, the local control rate of conventional treatment modalities is not satisfactory. If an intramedullary nail for the fixation of a weakened bone with metastatic lesions can be used as a heat-generating material for hyperthermia, the treatment result is expected to improve. This new approach to hyperthermic treatment of bone tumours has been investigated in a canine tibia. An intramedullary nail made of stainless steel was put into a medullary canal of a canine tibia. The leg was exposed to an alternating magnetic field of 100 kHz in the frequency and 100 Oe in the maximum intensity. The nail was inductively heated for 60 min. The temperature of the nail > 50 degrees C and the cancellous bone 5 mm from the nail was heated to a therapeutic temperature, 42.5 degrees C. After a bone labelling with tetracycline and calcein, the dogs were killed 2, 4 and 12 weeks after the heating. The area of osteonecrosis was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy analysis. The heated cancellous bone around the nail showed osteonecrosis in 2 weeks after the treatment, but it recovered completely in 12 weeks. This experiment has demonstrated the heating capability of the new hyperthermic technique and minimal toxicity to the bone, and suggests the clinical application to metastatic bone tumours.
Animals↗
Decreased hepatic nitric oxide synthesis during liver surgery.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver cells can produce nitric oxide from L-arginine through the action of nitric oxide synthase, but local changes in the concentrations of nitric oxide-related metabolites during liver surgery are not well characterized. We investigated such changes during and after liver surgery. METHODOLOGY: We determined nitrite plus nitrate, L-arginine and L-citrulline concentrations in radial arterial and hepatic venous blood during and after liver surgery in 17 patients. Portal venous blood concentrations were also measured at the end of surgery in 7 patients. RESULTS: Both arterial and hepatic venous nitrite plus nitrate concentrations were significantly decreased during surgery and remained low compared to pre-operative values until post-operative day 2. Arterial and hepatic venous nitrite plus nitrate concentrations were not significantly different. L-arginine concentrations in both arterial and hepatic venous blood were significantly decreased during surgery, but returned to pre-operative levels on post-operative day 1. L-arginine concentrations in hepatic venous blood were significantly lower than in arterial blood. L-citrulline concentrations in both arterial and hepatic venous blood were significantly decreased during surgery compared to pre-operative values, and tend to be decreased until post-operative day 2. L-citrulline concentrations were significantly higher in hepatic venous blood than in arterial blood. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic nitric oxide production was decreased peri-operatively during liver surgery. The decreases in L-arginine concentrations and in nitric oxide synthase activity may account for the decrease in nitric oxide production.
Adult↗
[A comparison of motivational intervention and knowledge-supplied intervention for weight control in female students living alone: focus on self-efficacy].
The purpose of this study was: 1) to verify if motivational intervention enhances self-efficacy and desire for weight control; and 2) to compare the performance of weight control, desire, and self-efficacy among subjects in the motivational intervention group with those in the knowledge-supplied intervention group. Subjects included twenty-two female students living alone. The participants were divided into two groups of motivational-intervention (experimental group) and knowledge-supplied intervention (control group), consisting of eleven subjects in each group selected at random. A pre-test/post-test control design was used. Intervention in the experimental group consisted of a confirmation of individual reasons for weight control, connecting weight control with a life worth living for, and self-monitoring. Intervention in the control group however, involved instructions, on physiological and biochemical basis of proper weight control. As the result, these are suggested that the motivational intervention associated with enhancement of self-efficacy in weight control and dietary behavior. Compared to knowledge-based intervention, motivational intervention was associated with higher chewing method performance ratios, longer terms of continuing the chewing method, self-efficacy of weight control, self-efficacy of dietary behavior, and desire to weight control.
Female↗
Sialylated MUC1 mucin expression in normal pancreas, benign pancreatic lesions, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pancreatic cancer has the poorest prognosis of all gastrointestinal cancers. Because sialylated mucin influences the biologic behavior of carcinoma cells, we investigated sialylated MUC1 mucin expression in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. METHODOLOGY: The expression of sialylated MUC1 mucin was examined in 55 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, 2 normal pancreas specimens, 3 chronic pancreatitis specimens, 1 ductal hyperplasia of the pancreas, 3 mucinous cystadenomas, and 2 liver metastases from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry with a new monoclonal antibody (mAb) (MY.1E12). RESULTS: Sialylated MUC1 mucin was expressed in the cancer cell membrane in all the ductal carcinomas. The reaction product was seen at the apical aspect of cells when these were in tubule formation. This pattern was also detected in mucinous cystadenomas. However, it was seen diffusely in the cell membrane in single cancer cells or small clusters of cells without tubule formation and in metastatic liver tumors. Namely, invading or metastatic cancer cells expressed this type of mucin throughout the entire cell membrane. The expression of sialylated MUC1 mucin was not observed in specimens from normal pancreas, chronic pancreatitis, or ductal hyperplasia of the pancreas. In normal pancreas and these lesions, expression of sialylated Mession of sialylated MUC1 was limited to acini and secreted mucin. CONCLUSIONS: Sialylated MUC1 mucin, which is expressed throughout the cancer cell membrane, may be a factor in the metastatic potential of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Relationship between serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor and various disease parameters in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) is a useful biomarker for the management of hematologic malignancies. We determined the significance of serum sIL-2R levels in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. METHODOLOGY: The correlation between serum sIL-2R levels and a variety of clinicopathologic factors in 51 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus was evaluated. We also investigated the expression of IL-2R in the resected specimen using immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Expression of IL-2R was detected in primary esophageal carcinoma cells as well as infiltrating mononuclear cells. Serum sIL-2R levels in the 51 patients with esophageal cancer were significantly higher than those in the 18 healthy volunteers (p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that pM, tumor size, and lymph node metastasis was significantly correlated with serum sIL-2R levels. Univariate analysis demonstrated that tumor size, pM, pTNM stage, and resectability were parameters which were significantly correlated with serum sIL-2R levels. There was no relationship between serum sIL-2 levels and tumor depth, lymph node metastasis, pT, histologic type, or curability. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the serum sIL-2R levels may be an indicator of the extent of disease and resectability in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining suggests that esophageal cancer cells and infiltrating mononuclear cells may be the source of sIL-2R in the serum.
Adult↗
Role of prostaglandin E2 in rat colon carcinoma.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: It has previously been reported that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) promotes colon carcinogenesis. We therefore studied the effects of long-term administration of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on colon carcinogenesis in rats. METHODOLOGY: Rats received intrarectal n-methyl-n-nitrosourea (MNU) or n-methyl-n-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) to induce the formation of colonic tumors. Rates then received indomethacin (IND) and/or PGE2, or nothing. After 44 weeks (MNU group) or 46 weeks (MNNG group), colon lesions were identified histologically and colonic mucosa PGE2 concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The incidence of colon carcinoma in the control, MNU, MNU + IND, MNU + PGE2, and MNU + IND + PGE2 groups was 0/14, 5/15, 0/14, 4/10, and 2/9, respectively. In the MNNG group, no tumors were observed. Induction of colon carcinomas by MNU was completely inhibited by IND, while exogenous PGE2 blocked the inhibitory effect of IND. However, PGE2 administration did not accelerate colon carcinogenesis. Neither MNU nor MNNG alone resulted in increased colonic mucosal PGE2 concentrations, whereas exogenous PGE2 administration significantly increased mucosal PGE2 concentrations. IND significantly decreased the mucosal concentration of PEG2 with or without PGE2 administration. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that endogenous PGE2 in colon mucosa may be adequate to promote colon carcinoma. To block colon carcinogenesis, PGE2 levels in colonic mucosa must be decreased to less than endogenous levels.
Animals↗
Levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-1 receptor antagonist in the hepatic vein following liver surgery.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The liver produces various cytokines, but local changes in the concentrations of these reaction products after liver surgery are unknown. We investigated the local changes of interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist after liver surgery. METHODOLOGY: We determined levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in the hepatic vein and radial artery after liver resection in 13 patients. These cytokine levels in the portal vein were also measured in 6 patients. RESULTS: Interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist levels were significantly increased during liver surgery (P < 0.05). The level of interleukin-6 was significantly lower in the hepatic vein than in the radial artery as well as in the portal vein at the end of the operation (P < 0.05, < 0.03). The level of interleukin-8 and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist was significantly higher in the hepatic vein than in the artery (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Interleukin-6 may be taken up by the liver after liver surgery, and the difference between hepatic venous and peripheral arterial interleukin-6 levels may be an indicator of liver regeneration after liver resection. Interleukin-8 and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist appear to be produced in the remaining liver.
Aged↗
Immunoregulatory effects of the antitumor polysaccharide lentinan on Th1/Th2 balance in patients with digestive cancers.
BACKGROUND: Recent studies demonstrated that patients with advanced cancer may have impaired cell-mediated immunity caused by an imbalance between Th1 and Th2 responses. We evaluated the ability of lentinan (LNT) to modulate Th1 and Th2 responses in patients with digestive cancers. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected preoperatively from 28 patients with digestive cancers before and after intravenous administration of LNT (2 mg x 3 times/week). The proportions of CD4+ T-cells producing intracellular cytokines were determined with flow cytometry. RESULTS: After LNT treatment, CD4+ IFN-gamma+ T-cell percentages increased significantly (p < 0.05), whereas CD4+ IL-4+ T-cell and CD4+ IL-6+ T-cell percentages decreased significantly (p < 0.02). No significant change occurred in proportions of CD4+ IL-10+ T-cells. The after/before LNT treatment percentages ratio of CD4+ IFN-gamma+ T-cells correlated negatively with that of CD4+ IL-4+ T-cells (p < 0.01). The after/before treatment percentage ratio of CD4+ IL-4+ T-cells correlated positively with that of CD4+ IL-6+ T-cells (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LNT apparently can cancel Th2-dominant condition in patients with digestive cancers and may improve the balance between Th1 and Th2.
Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the salivary glands: immunohistochemical distribution of intermediate filament proteins, involucrin and secretory proteins.
Mucoepidermoid carcinomas of the salivary gland comprising low (n = 6), intermediate (n = 11) and high grade malignant (n = 11) tumors were evaluated for immunohistochemical reactivity of cytokeratin (monoclonal antibody KL1, PKK1, K8.12), vimentin, involucrin and secretory proteins (lysozyme, LY; lactoferrin, LA; alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 1-AT and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, alpha 1-Ach). Keratin expression was usually confined to intense staining in epidermoid tumor cells, but was negative in almost all mucous cells. Vimentin was coexpressed with keratin only in epidermoid tumor cells. Great heterogeneity of intermediate filament proteins was found in intermediate and epidermoid tumor cells. Involucrin in epidermoid tumor cells was particularly abundant in well keratinized cells but was lacking in intermediate and mucous forming cells. The frequency of occurrence of positive staining for LY, LA, alpha 1-AT and alpha 1-Ach was relatively low in mucoepidermoid carcinoma with positive immunohistochemical staining for these secretory proteins in mucous forming tumor cells, while varying expression was observed in epidermoid tumor cells.
Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
Memory deficits following internal capsule lesions in rats and their improvement by L-6-ketopiperidine-2-carbonyl-L-leucyl-L-proline amide (RGH-2202), a thyrotropin-releasing hormone analogue.
A memory deficit model has been developed following bilateral internal capsule lesions in rats. During 12-49 days after internal capsule lesions, the rats showed a marked impairment of active avoidance acquisition in a step-through apparatus, while they exhibited no observable change in native behaviors, except a slight increase in exploratory activity. A passive avoidance task in the same apparatus was also impaired in internal capsule lesioned rats when examined after one-trial training, though the task was gradually acquired by repeated trainings. Moreover, the retention of both the active and passive avoidance responses in well-trained rats deteriorated after internal capsule lesions. On the other hand, internal capsule-lesioned rats did not perform any worse than sham-operated rats in a T-maze spontaneous alternation behavior and in a habituation response to a novel environment. In the frontal cortex and striatum of internal capsule-lesioned rats, there was a significant decrease of dopamine, serotonin and their metabolites, but no change of acetylcholine levels. The acquisition deficit of active avoidance in internal capsule-lesioned rats was improved by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH, 10 mg/kg, i.p.) and L-6-ketopiperidine-2-carbonyl-L-leucyl-L-proline amide (RGH-2202, 10 mg/kg, i.p., 0.2 and 1 mg/kg i.v.), but not by physostigmine sulfate (0.2 mg/kg, i.p.). These results indicate that bilateral internal capsule lesions in rats induce long-term memory deficits which are paralleled with a decrease of the contents of monoamines and their metabolites and improved by TRH and RGH-2202.
Animals↗