Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

N Kawano

Publications and source records attributed to N Kawano.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

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↗
PubMed1997

The effect of ultrasonic waves on the oxidation current of chlorpromazine in the 38 and 96 kHz-ultrasonic vibrating electrode voltammetry.

In the case of 38 and 96 kHz ultrasonic vibrating electrode (USVE) voltammetry of chlorpromazine, the oxidation current increased considerably with ultrasonic power (amplitude). Movement of the first oxidation product, crimson coloured cation radical, and the streaming of liquid in the neighbourhood of the USVE, were visually observed in order to understand the mechanism of the promotive effects of ultrasound on the oxidation reaction. The reaction profile of the oxidation of chlorpromazine in 38 kHz seems to be somewhat different from that in 96 kHz. However, the mechanical agitation of solution in the area nearest the electrode surface, which is essentially the same fundamental mechanism, takes place in both the cases of 38 and 96 kHz. Both micro- and macro-streamings due to the vibration of a small bubble on the electrode surface with a frequency lower than that of the ultrasonic wave were formed in 38 kHz. These streamings seemed to contribute to the agitation and the exchange of the solution near the electrode surface. However, at the same ultrasonic amplitude, the oxidation current at 96 kHz was much greater than that at 38 kHz. Such a promoting effect of ultrasound on the electrode reaction was considered to be due to the increase of the moving speed or to the acceleration of the particle in the solution.

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMed1997

Comparison of clinical features and survival in patients with hepatitis B and C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

We analyzed the clinical characteristics and survival of 185 patients with hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV group) and 1033 with hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCV group) by multi center study. The patients in the HBV group (mean age 52.1 yr) were about 10 years younger than those in the HCV group (mean age 62.9 yr). Liver function, as measured by indocyanine green retention at 15 min, was better in the HBV group (17.5%) than in the HCV group (25.4%). A higher proportion of the HBV group (55%) than the HCV group (44%) had clinical stage I, T-factor differed significantly between the groups: 53% of the HBV group were T3-4 compared with 41% of the HCV group. Furthermore, a higher proportion of the HBV group were graded 2-3 for tumor thrombus in the portal vein (20.3%) and had poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (7%) compared with the HCV group (7.1% and 5% respectively). Univariate analysis identified poor prognostic factors for hepatocellular carcinoma as HBV, age < or = 50 yr, clinical stage II-III, a high AFP level, higher number of tumors, larger tumor size, tumor thrombus in the portal vein 2-3 and in the hepatic vein 2-3. On multivariate analysis, poor prognostic factors were a high AFP level, higher number of tumors, tumor thrombus in the portal vein 2-3 and in the hepatic vein 2-3, but not HBV, age, clinical stage or tumor size. These results suggest that HBV itself is not a stronger prognostic factor than HCV.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Therapeutic results of resection, transcatheter arterial embolization and percutaneous transhepatic ethanol injection in 3225 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective multicenter study.

The outcome in 3225 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was studied in groups with equivalent prognosis treated with resection, transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE), and percutaneous transhepatic ethanol injection (PEI). Significant factors for better clinical background included a tumor diameter of < or = 30 mm, tumor number < or = 3 and (clinical) Stage I. In patients with Stage I disease having tumors of < or = 30 mm and < or = 3 in number, survival afer resection and PEI did not differ, while survival after TAE was significantly worse. In those patients with Stage II disease, survival after PEI was significantly better than after resection or TAE. In patients with Stage I or II disease having tumors > or = 31 in size and < or = 3 number, survival after resection was significantly better than after TAE. In patients with Stage I disease having tumors of > or = 31 mm and > or = 4 in number, survival after resection was significantly better than after TAE. Our conclusions are as follows. Firstly, resection or PEI is recommended for patients with Stage I disease having < or = 3 tumors all < or = 30 mm in size. Secondly, PEI is recommended for patients with Stage II disease having < or = 3 tumors all < or = 30 mm in size. Thirdly, for patients with Stage I disease having tumors 31 mm or larger in size, whatever the number of tumors, resection should be selected rather than TAE.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus: embolization of arterioportal shunts.

PURPOSE: To evaluate transcatheter arterial embolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, portal vein tumor thrombus, and arterioportal shunts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, portal vein tumor thrombus, and severe arterioportal shunting were identified; in these patients, portal blood flow before embolization was hepatofugal. Embolization of arterioportal shunts was performed with steel coils that were introduced through a catheter during arteriography. After embolization, changes in portal hemodynamics and clinical signs and performance status of patients were evaluated; survival rates of patients with and patients without severe arterioportal shunting were compared. RESULTS: In all patients after embolization, angiography showed resolution of arterioportal shunting, and portography showed hepatopetal blood flow in the portal vein trunk. After embolization, performance status of five patients with initial scores of 2 or 3 improved. Ascites resolved in four patients and improved in four patients. One patient died of hepatic failure caused by rupture of esophageal varices 7 days after embolization. Median survival was 4.3 months, and the 6-month and 1-year survival rates were 45% and 12%, respectively. There were no significant differences between survival rates in patients with and patients without severe arterioportal shunting. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter arterial embolization of arterioportal shunts is a useful treatment for improving quality of life in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor induced apoptosis in radiation-induced murine leukemia cell line.

Cytokines regulate proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Recently it has been clarified that physiological cell death, apoptosis plays important role of hematopoiesis. So we evaluated the effects of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on leukemic cells, especially focused on apoptosis. Intravenous inoculation of radiation-induced murine leukemia cell line, C2M-A5 into the parent C3H mice resulted in the development of myeloid leukemia. However, the leukemic death of the mice was completely suppressed by the daily subcutaneous injection of recombinant human (rh)G-CSF from the next day (Bessho M. et al., Leuk Res 1989:13:1001-1007). In the in vitro study using C2M-A5 cells, we found that apoptosis appears on the cells at 48 hours after addition of G-CSF in culture. The cells in this stage lost the leukemogenicity to C3H mice (Bessho M. et al., Leukemia 8:1185-1190:1994). To clarify the mechanism of the induction of apoptosis by G-CSF we studied cell cycle and molecular changes in C2M-A5 cells cultured in medium with or without rhG-CSF by means of using the flowcytometry and Northern and Western blot analyses. After addition of rh G-CSF to culture, C2M-A5 cells removed to S phase, next arrested at G0/G1 phase on and after 24 hours, and 48 hours later, apoptosis was observed. Overexpression of mRNAs for c-myc (3-24 hours later) and for p53 (6-24 hours later), were observed in the cell cultured in rhG-CSF administered medium with a concomitant down-expression of bcl-2 mRNA (from 6 hours later). Tyrosine-phosphorylated protein (17 kd) appeared at 48 hours after administration of rhG-CSF to cell culture. This protein was suggested for specific apoptosis induction by rhG-CSF. These results are summarized as follows. (1) rhG-CSF induced apoptosis to C2M-A5 and deprived its leukemogenicity to mice. (2) Induction of apoptosis was associated with cell cycle and correlated to the changes of the expression rates of c-myc,p53, and bcl-2. (3) Tyrosine kinase may play an important role in apoptosis induction to C2M-A5 by rhG-CSF.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Pituitary choristoma composed of corticotrophs and adrenocortical cells in the sella turcica.

A pituitary tumour composed of well-differentiated corticotrophs and adrenocortical cells is reported. Sections of the tumour revealed a mixture of small round cells with amphophilic or basophilic periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive cytoplasm and large spherical and oval cells with abundant, granular, partly vacuolated PAS-negative cytoplasm. The small cells contained type 1 cytokeratin-positive microfilaments, numerous 250-500 nm endocrine-type secretory granules immunoreactive for adenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and beta-lipotropin. The large cells possessed ample cytoplasm filled with abundant vesicular smooth endoplasmic reticulum, numerous mitochondria possessing tubulovesicular cristae and frequent dense bodies. They lacked the features of pituitary endocrine cells or folliculostellate cells and were found to contain a panel of steroidogenic dehydrogenases and hydroxylases. The tumour was classified as a choristoma, in which two distinct cells types, corticotrophs and adrenocortical cells, were mixed. We suggest that, under continued ACTH stimulation, umcommitted stem cells may differentiate into adrenocortical cells. Alternatively, the presence of adrenocortical cells may be the result of heterotopia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Expression of BCL-2 gene product in embryonal tumors of the central nervous system.

BACKGROUND: The expression of bcl-2 is associated with suppression of programmed cell death and prolonged cell survival. Recently, immunoreactivity to the bcl-2 gene product has been reported not only in a variety of embryonal and adult nonhematopoietic tissues, but also in neuroblastoma. However, the study of bcl-2 expression has not been performed in brain tumors. METHODS: In this study, we examined the incidence and significance of bcl-2 expression in 25 cases of embryonal tumors of the central nervous system, including medulloblastoma, neuroblastoma, ependymoblastoma, and PNET (primitive neuroectodermal tumor), which has the possibility of neuronal differentiation. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that 13 tumors (52%) positive for bcl-2 belonged to early differentiated and neuronal types, and 7 negative tumors (28.0%) mostly belonged to undifferentiated type. CONCLUSIONS: These results have led us to speculate on the possibility that tumor cells begin expressing bcl-2 along with their neuronal differentiation from primitive cells.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Surgical resection for small hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be curative in selected patients, particularly in those with a solitary small HCC (s-sHCC; 2 cm or less in diameter). However, even these patients often have a risk of tumor recurrence or death from underlying liver dysfunction. Therefore it is important to determine which clinicopathologic features are related to the long-term prognosis after resection of s-sHCC. METHODS: Fifty patients with s-sHCC underwent partial hepatectomy at our department between 1977 and 1992. Six (12%) died of liver failure in hospital after operation. Eight clinicopathologic features were examined in the remaining 44 patients with regard to their long-term prognosis by use of univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 90%, 75%, and 53%, respectively. The corresponding disease-free survival rates were 80%, 53%, and 30%, respectively. None of the following parameters was significantly related to survival rate or disease-free survival rate: presence of vascular invasion or capsular formation, the distance of free surgical margin (1 cm or more or not), serum alpha-fetoprotein level, positive hepatitis B surface antigen, and preoperative transarterial embolization. Complicated liver function was the only significant factor related to survival rate and disease-free survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: A good hepatic reserve is an important factor in treating patients with s-sHCC by surgical resection, even for a long-term prognosis. Liver transplantation should be considered for patients with severe cirrhosis and s-sHCC, even though a curative resection might be possible.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Evaluation of blood flow signal in small hepatic nodules by color Doppler ultrasonography.

Small hepatic nodular lesions are frequently detected by ultrasonography in patients with liver cirrhosis during follow-up. However, hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and non-HCC nodules are difficult to differentiate by ultrasonography because they have a similar appearance. We used color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) to examine 29 HCCs and 26 non-HCC nodules less than 2 cm in diameter to determine whether CDU can be used to differentiate small hepatic nodules. There were no significant differences between the examined HCCs and non-HCC nodules with regard to ultrasonographic appearance, i.e., hypoechoicity or hyperechoicity. Blood flow signals were detected in a significantly higher percentage of HCCs (13 of 29, 44.8%) than in non-HCC nodules (2 of 26, 7.7%; P<0.005), although the sensitivity was low. Therefore, we classified nodules as hypoechoic or hyperechoic by B-mode ultrasonography and examined their blood flow signals. Among nodules that were hypoechoic, signals were detected in a significantly higher percentage of HCCs (12 of 18, 66.7%) than in non-HCC nodules (2 of 13, 15.4%; P<0.005). In contrast, among hyperechoic nodules, signals were detected in only 1 of 11 (9.1%) HCCs and in 0 of 13 non-HCC nodules. Our results suggest that examination of blood flow by CDU is useful for differentiating small hepatic nodules, especially hypoechoic nodules.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1996

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage for the treatment of obstructive jaundice caused by metastases from nonbiliary and nonpancreatic cancers.

The usefulness of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in the treatment of obstructive jaundice caused by metastases from nonbiliary and nonpancreatic cancers was evaluated. Eighteen patients underwent PTBD during a 3-year period. The primary cancers were located in the stomach (nine cases), colon (four), lung (three), uterus (one), and breast (one). The causes of obstructive jaundice and bile duct strictures were investigated using both abdominal computed tomography and abdominal ultrasonography. The causes of obstructive jaundice, the usefulness of PTBD in terms of the relief of symptoms and laboratory data, survival after PTBD, and the relationship between patient characteristics and survival were evaluated. Obstructive jaundice was most often attributable to metastases to the lymph nodes (17 of 18 cases). One case was attributed to metastasis to the liver. PTBD decreased the jaundice and relieved the symptoms caused by biliary tract obstruction. Median survival after PTBD was 59 days. Patients whose performance status was 2 or less survived longer than those with a performance status of 3 or more (P=0.018). Furthermore, patients aged less than 60 years tended to survive longer than those aged 60 or over (P=0.057). Our results suggest that PTBD is useful for relief of symptoms caused by obstructive jaundice in patients with nonbiliary and nonpancreatic cancers.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Reactive lymphoid hyperplasia of the liver characterized by an angiofollicular pattern mimicking Castleman's disease.

A case of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia of the liver exhibiting a characteristic angiofollicular pattern is reported. A hepatic nodular lesion was discovered by abdominal echography during clinical follow-up of abnormal liver function tests. It was diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma because of its hypervascularity when observed by angiography, and surgically resected. Grossly, the lesion was well-demarcated and measured 2 cm in diameter. Microscopically, the nodule was composed of lymph follicles with germinal centers, and the hyalinized inter-follicular space contained abundant hyalinized vasculature and plasma cells. The surrounding liver tissue exhibited chronic inflammation with some peculiar angiofollicular structures mimicking Castleman's disease. An immunohistochemical study revealed that the angiofollicular structure had the same characteristics as a lymph follicle with a germinal center, and that the plasma cells proliferating in the inter-follicular space had polyclonal immunophenotypes. These histological and immunohistochemical findings indicated that the angiofollicular structure observed was a kind of reactive lymph follicle, and that this hepatic lesion was reactive lymphoid hyperplasia rather than Castleman's disease or an inflammatory pseudotumor.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Immunoexpression of the alpha subunit of a guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Go) in pulmonary neuroendocrine cells and neoplasms.

The alpha subunit of a GTP-binding protein, Go, was investigated in pulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms and fetal tissues of the lung by an immunohistochemical method. Positive immunostaining for the alpha subunit of Go (Go alpha) was found predominantly on the cell membrane and found occasionally in the cytoplasm. Typical carcinoids were all positively stained (9/9), and small cell carcinoma showed weaker and less frequent staining (5 positive cases in 10). Atypical carcinoids were variously stained (3/4). The tendency for obvious neuroendocrine differentiation to be immunohistochemically determined in typical carcinoids and not in small cell carcinoma is also true of staining for neuron specific enolase (NSE), chromogranin A (CG-A) and synaptophysin. In the lung, Go alpha-immunostaining was positive not only in nerve tissues but also in the airway epithelium. In the fetal lung, serial sections immunostained for NSE, CG-A and Go alpha confirmed that Go alpha-immunoreactive cells belong to the neuroendocrine cell population. The biological significance of Go alpha is unclear in normal and neoplastic lung tissues, but Go alpha is a useful marker of neuroendocrine cells and neoplasma of the lung.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Palisades in cerebral astrocytoma simulating the so-called polar spongioblastoma: a histological, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopical study of an adult case.

This report concerns a case of fibrous astrocytoma with palisade features that mimics a polar spongioblastoma. The patient was a 54-year-old female who presented with a tumor of the frontal lobe. The presence of neurites, with or without synaptic devices were considered to represent the entrapment by the tumors of the pre-existing neurons and their processes.

Astrocytoma↗
PubMed1995

Cholangiocarcinoma arising in bile duct adenoma with focal area of bile duct hamartoma.

A 59-year-old male with history of sigmoid colon cancer had a high serum-CEA level and was referred for the evaluation of metastatic liver disease. Ultrasonography and computerized tomography showed two tumours in the liver. Macroscopically, these were in segment 4 (S4) and 2 (S2). Histologically, the tumour in S4 showed a number of bile ductules with variable amounts of stroma, an appearance compatible with bile duct adenoma (BDA). There were markedly atypical ductules of various sizes, the epithelium of which had coarsely granular/hyperchromatic large nuclei, in some areas of the lesion. These atypical ductules showed invasive growth into the liver parenchyma. Some cystically dilated ductules with bile plugs resembling bile duct hamartoma (BDH) were also seen. The other tumour in S2, was a metastatic adenocarcinoma from sigmoid colon and showed strongly positive staining for CEA. Since the lesion in S4 of our case is solitary and most of histological features are similar to those of BDA with markedly atypical bile ductules, we consider that this may be the first case of cholangiocarcinoma associated with BDA with focal area of BDH. It is possible that the adenoma-carcinoma sequence occurs in biliary tumours.

Adenoma, Bile Duct↗
PubMed1995

Invasive meningioma: a tumour with high proliferating and "recurrence" potential.

A study was undertaken to investigate the correlation between histological invasiveness and proliferating potential and clinical recurrence in meningioma. In 39 meningiomas, the histological findings at the tumour-brain interface zone were classified into 3 types, consisting of 29 cases of non-invasion (NON). 7 cases of nodular invasion (NOD), and 3 cases of intermingled invasion (INT). Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) indices were studied. PCNA indices (mean +/- standard error) of NON, NOD. and INT were 1.7 +/- 0.1%, 5.2 +/- 0.5%, and 7.5 +/- 0.7%. respectively, and the AgNOR indices (dot number/nucleus) were 1.50 +/- 0.03, 2.00 +/- 0.04, and 2.22 +/- 0.07, respectively. Significant differences were found among the three types in both parameters. Clinically, tumour recurrence was observed in 1/29 NON, 4/7 NOD, and 2/2 INT cases, indicating a higher incidence of recurrence in invasive meningiomas (NOD plus INT). Four of 32 patients who underwent gross total removal of the tumours showed recurrence, and all of these four tumours were invasive meningiomas. The results of the present study showed that tumour invasiveness as measured by PCNA + AgNOR indices correlated well with high proliferative potential and clinical recurrence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Segmental resection of the duodenum for treating leiomyosarcoma associated with von Recklinghausen's disease: a case report.

We report a case of leiomyosarcoma originating from the second portion of the duodenum and associated with von Recklinghausen's disease. A 62-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of abdominal pain and melena. A 5 cm tumor in the descending part of the duodenum was detected by hypotonic duodenography, CT, ultrasonography and endoscopy. Angiography revealed the tumor to be supplied by the mesenteric artery of the transverse colon. A segmental resection of the distal part of the duodenum was performed, preserving the head of the pancreas. Histologically, the tumor was a leiomyosarcoma, and the surgical margin was free of tumor cells. This surgery is safer than pancreatoduodenectomy, and is appropriate for treating non-epithelial tumors in the distal part of the duodenum in the absence of invasion of the head of the pancreas and regional lymph node metastasis. When carrying out the procedure, it is essential to ligate the branch of the pancreaticoduodenal vessels as close as possible to the duodenal side in order to preserve the blood supply to the pancreatic head.

Duodenal Neoplasms↗