Biomedical subjects

S Akiba

Publications and source records attributed to S Akiba.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

The expression of thymidine phosphorylase/platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor is correlated to angiogenesis in breast cancer.

It has been shown that human thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is identical to platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor and has angiogenic activity. In the present study, the expression of TP was examined in 139 mammary carcinomas and 35 benign mammary disorders using biochemical and immunohistochemical methods. Moreover, in order to evaluate the significance of TP expression in mammary carcinomas, the relationship between vascular density and various clinicopathological factors, including age and menopausal status of patients with a mammary carcinoma, were compared with the size, nodal status, expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), c-erbB-2, p53 and TP of a mammary carcinoma. Thymidine phosphorylase expression increased in both the nuclei and cytoplasm of mammary carcinoma cells in comparison to mammary benign disorder cells. The number of microvessels in mammary carcinomas was generally correlated to the number of tumor cells with TP expression in cytoplasm. The number of cells with TP expression in cytoplasm was significantly large in tumors that measured 3-4 cm in diameter, compared with tumors measuring 1-2 and 5-6 cm in diameter. In mammary tumors of 1-4 cm diameter, TP expression and vessel density were significantly high in tumors negative for ER or positive for c-erbB2 and in tumors positive for TP or c-erbB2, respectively; whereas tumors of 5-6 cm in diameter were not modified by any clinicopathological factors. The results indicated that TP plays an important angiogenetic role in mammary carcinomas, especially tumors with a certain progression.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Immunohistochemical studies on expression of human vascular smooth muscle myosin heavy chain isoforms in normal mammary glands, benign mammary disorders and mammary carcinomas.

The expression of myosin in normal and diseased mammary glands of 199 Japanese women was evaluated immunohistochemically by the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method using antibodies to three human smooth muscle myosin heavy chain isoforms derived from the vascular smooth muscle: myosin SM1 is expressed consistently from fetal stage to adulthood, myosin SM2 appears only in well-differentiated smooth muscle after birth, and myosin SMemb is more abundant in embryonic aortas. SM1 was expressed in myoepithelial cells of normal mammary glands and fibrocystic diseases and in myoepithelial-like tumor cells in the basal layer of fibroadenomas and phyllodes tumors. SM2 was expressed only in the myoepithelial cells of mammary glands in breastfeeding women. SMemb was expressed more intensely in the cytoplasm of luminal epithelial cells in larger fibroadenomas (P< 0.01), or in the cytoplasm of carcinoma cells in invasive ductal carcinomas with metastasized lymph nodes (P< 0.001) and in those of higher histological grade (P<0.0001). Multivariate logistic analysis showed a significant correlation only between the expression of SMemb and histological grade (P< 0.0001), which is a prognostic factor of mammary carcinomas. These findings suggested the possible prognostic value of SMemb.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Effects of carbohydrate chain on surface net charge and hydrophobicity of glycoenzymes.

Three different carbohydrate-depleted enzymes were prepared from an endo-beta-1,4-glucanase of Aspergillus niger IFO31125 by treatment with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase or alpha-mannosidase. The molecular sizes of these enzymes decreased from 40 kDa containing about 8.9% carbohydrate to 39, 38, and 37 kDa with carbohydrate at 4.5, 1.3, and 0.8% (w/w), respectively. The surface net charges on these enzyme preparations were calculated from their electrophoretic mobilities measured by capillary zone electrophoresis. They had increased negative charges corresponding to the decreases in the carbohydrate content; those of native and 37-kDa enzymes were about -0.03 and -0.045, respectively. The surface hydrophobicities of proteins were also measured by partitioning the enzymes in a two-phase system containing polyethylene glycol and dextran, and decreased corresponding with decreases in their carbohydrate content. The results indicated that the high mannose type of carbohydrate chain in endo-beta-1,4-glucanase affected the surface net charge on the enzyme and increased the surface hydrophobicity.

Aspergillus niger↗

PubMed1998

Mortality risks of oesophageal cancer associated with hot tea, alcohol, tobacco and diet in Japan.

To clarify mortality risks of oesophageal cancer associated with hot tea, alcohol, tobacco and diet, further analyses on the data from a large prospective cohort study in Japan were conducted. The subjects for analysis were 220,272 men and women aged 40 to 69 at the baseline of 1965. There were 440 oesophageal cancer deaths during the period from January 1966 to December 1981. Person-years at risk were 3,065,182 in total. Rate ratio and 95% confidence interval adjusted for attained age, prefecture, occupation and sex were (RR (95% CI)): 1.6 (1.2-2.0) for hot tea (drinking green tea at high temperatures) in comparison with not-hot tea (drinking green tea at moderate temperatures); 2.4 (1.8-3.1) for daily (4 times/week or more) alcohol drinking in comparison with non-drinking; and 2.3 (1.7-3.1) for heavy smoking (15 cigarettes/day or more) in comparison with non-smoking. Dose-response relationships were found in alcohol drinking and smoking among men and women (p for trend; p < 0.001). The rate ratios were not significantly associated with the dietary factors except for green-yellow vegetables (1-3 times/month or less in comparison with daily; RR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.2-3.1), where a no dose-response trend was observed (p = 0.45). In comparison based on the binary variables, the RR for the subjects with daily alcohol drinking and current smoking was 3.9 with 95% CI of 2.7 to 5.4, relative to those exposed to neither habit. The joint effect of alcohol drinking (A) and smoking (S) was more than additive (A*S > A + S: 3.9 > 1 + (1.0-1) + (1.6-1)). Further sub-analysis showed that the RR for the subjects with daily alcohol drinking, current smoking and hot tea was 5.7 with 95% CI of 3.7 to 8.9, when the reference was the subjects with not-daily alcohol drinking, non-smoking and not-hot tea. Similar results were obtained from further adjustment of green-yellow vegetables. It is concluded that mortality risks of oesophageal cancer in the present cohort were substantially associated with thermal effect of hot tea, alcohol drinking, smoking and lower consumption of green-yellow vegetables. This finding suggests that life-style modification for smoking and dietary habits is essential to reduce the risks of oesophageal cancer in Japan.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Prediction of incontinence following low anterior resection for rectal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to predict incontinence following low anterior resection for rectal cancer. METHODS: Preoperatively, 21 patients were evaluated via patient history and a physical examination that included anal manometric studies. Six months postoperatively, repeat manometric studies and clinical evaluations were performed to assess the level of continence. Degree of continence was graded based on severity of the dysfunction and grade of the continence score. RESULTS: The formula used for predicted postoperative resting pressure is as follows: predicted postoperative resting pressure = 0.42 x preoperative resting pressure +1.56 x length of remaining rectum +12.37 (R2 = 0.58; P < 0.001). It was demonstrated that patients with low predicted postoperative resting pressures (< 30 mmHg) had incontinence, and those with high predicted postoperative resting pressures (> 35 mmHg) were continent. There were significant correlations between length of the remaining rectum and ratio of the decrease in maximum resting pressure (postoperative/preoperative maximum resting pressure; r = 0.63; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Continence following low anterior resection may be influenced by maximum resting pressure function of the internal anal sphincter; if it is injured during surgery, incontinence will occur. We may be able to foretell incontinence by using the predicted postoperative resting pressure formula, which is calculated by using preoperative resting pressure measurements and then determining the length of the remaining rectum.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Stimulation of cytosolic phospholipase A2-catalyzed arachidonic acid liberation by low dose tert-butyl hydroperoxide without an influence on the enzyme activity in rabbit platelets.

The effect of lipid peroxide on the hydrolytic action of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) in rabbit platelets was investigated. Ionomycin-stimulated arachidonic acid liberation and lysophosphatidylcholine formation were significantly potentiated when platelets were pretreated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (BHP) and FeSO4, and then washed. Under the conditions, oxidizing reagents did not enhance the increase in cPLA2 activity by ionomycin or the basal activity in unstimulated cells. Furthermore, the treatment of a platelet lysate with BHP and FeSO4 did not affect Ca(2+)-induced translocation of cPLA2 to the membranes. However, with a membrane fraction, arachidonic acid liberation catalyzed by the partially purified cPLA2 was synergistically enhanced by BHP and FeSO4. These results suggest that oxidative stress may potentiate the hydrolytic action of cPLA2 on membrane phospholipids without an influence on the processes leading to the enzyme activation.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Lipid peroxide overcomes the inability of platelet secretory phospholipase A2 to hydrolyze membrane phospholipids in rabbit platelets.

The present study investigated the effect of lipid peroxide on the ability of group IIA secretory phospholipase A2 (IIAsPLA2) to hydrolyze platelet membrane phospholipids. The treatment of rabbit platelets with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (BHP) and FeSO4 generated malondialdehyde, an index of lipid peroxidation, and slightly induced arachidonic acid liberation and lysophosphatidylcholine formation. Further addition of IIAsPLA2 purified from rabbit platelets synergistically enhanced the liberation and the formation induced by the oxidizing reagents, although the enzyme alone did not. When the IIAsPLA2 was pretreated with heparin, the enhancement was not observed. The combination of IIAsPLA2 with linoleic acid hydroperoxide and FeSO4 also caused synergistic arachidonic acid liberation. Furthermore, IIAsPLA2 enhanced thromboxane B2 generation and platelet aggregation induced by BHP and FeSO4. The synergistic aggregation was sensitive to indomethacin. With a membrane fraction as a substrate, IIAsPLA2 caused arachidonic acid liberation, which was enhanced in the presence of BHP and FeSO4. These results suggest that modification of membrane phospholipids by oxidizing reagents increases the accessibility of the membrane to platelet IIAsPLA2, and sequential enhancement of arachidonic acid liberation may contribute to the propagation of oxidative stress-induced cellular injury.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

High glucose-induced cytosolic phospholipase A2 activation responsible for eicosanoid production in rat mesangial cells.

The stimulation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in mesangial cells exposed to a high glucose level was studied from the viewpoint of its implication in the glomerular hyperfiltration in diabetic nephropathy. The basal PGE2 synthesis apparently increased in the cells on incubation with a high glucose level (20 mM) for 3-6 h. Under these conditions, secretory phospholipase A2 activity was not detected in the incubation medium, but cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) activity in the cells increased time-dependently up to 6 h, compared with that with a normal glucose level (5 mM). However, no difference in the cPLA2 protein content between the two glucose levels was observed on immunoblot analysis, suggesting that the increased cPLA2 activity under high glucose conditions is not due to stimulation of de novo synthesis. Stimulation with a calcium ionophore markedly enhanced arachidonic acid liberation and PGE2 production by cells exposed to the high glucose level. Furthermore, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity increased time-dependently under high glucose conditions, the rate of increase being consistent with those in cPLA2 activity and PGE2 production under the same conditions. These data suggest that glucose-induced cPLA2 activation through MAPK activation is responsible for the enhancement of PGE2 production in mesangial cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Correlation between thymidine phosphorylase expression and prognosis in human renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is identical to platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) and has angiogenic activity. We examined whether TP expression in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is associated with microvessel density as a marker of angiogenesis, clinicopathologic characteristics, and outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The enzymatic activity and expression of TP were examined in 18 RCCs and 19 kidney tissues not grossly involved with tumor from 24 patients with 13 paired samples and 11 unpaired samples by spectrophotometry and immunoblotting. The relationship between TP expression and microvessel density was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 133 RCCs. RESULTS: The median enzymatic activity of TP in RCCs was nine fold higher than that in nonneoplastic kidney tissues (P < .001). Similar results were obtained by immunoblot analysis. According to the TP staining profile, tumors were classified as no or low, intermediate, or high TP-expressing tumors. TP positivity was significantly correlated with microvessel density. TP expression was correlated with tumor grade, but there was no significant association between TP expression and other clinicopathologic characteristics. TP expression as a prognostic variable was studied using Cox's proportional hazards model. TP overexpression was an independent prognostic factor (hazards ratio, 3.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.98 to 15.89; P = .039) as were nodal category, metastases category, tumor grade, and venous invasion. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that TP expression is correlated with microvessel density in RCC and is an unfavorable independent prognostic factor. The future development and characterization of TP inhibitors may provide a novel approach to the therapy of RCC.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

The sex differences in cord-blood cholesterol and fatty-acid levels among Japanese fetuses.

We examined serum cholesterol and fatty-acid levels of cord blood and maternal blood samples collected from 193 Japanese fetuses and their mothers. Our study, which is the largest study of this kind ever conducted in Japan, is the first Japanese study reporting that total, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and non-HDL cholesterol levels in females were statistically significantly higher than those in males; the sex differences of total, HDL and non-HDL cholesterol levels were 8.5 mg/dl (P = 0.002), 4.5 mg/dl (P = 0.004) and 4.1 mg/dl (P = 0.045), respectively. The sex difference of total cholesterol was attributable to both HDL and non-HDL cholesterol. The sex of fetuses didn't show evident differences in cholesterol levels in maternal sera. Fatty-acid levels in cord blood were also higher in female fetuses than in male fetuses. However, none of the differences except for monoene fatty acids were statistically significant. Further investigations seem warranted to elucidate the mechanisms involved in our results.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[EBV-related stomach cancer and HLA].

Recently, the involvement of EB virus in gastric cancer has drawn world-wide attention. In Japan, it is suspected that EB-virus is related to 5-10% of stomach cancer. In this paper, we briefly reviewed EBV-related immune responses and HLA distributions in EBV-related diseases. A brief description on our recent studies on the comparison of HLA distributions in EB-virus positive and negative stomach cancers was also given.

HLA Antigens↗

PubMed1996

Clinicopathologic and prognostic significance of an angiogenic factor, thymidine phosphorylase, in human colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) is known to promote the development of new blood vessels, which are fundamental to tumor growth and metastasis. We previously found that thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase) and PD-ECGF are the same protein. PURPOSE: We retrospectively examined the expression of dThdPase in primary colorectal carcinomas, its association with angiogenesis and clinicopathologic findings, and its prognostic value. METHODS: Tissues were obtained from the tumors of 163 patients whose colorectal carcinomas were completely removed by surgery. Microvessels assessed by immunostaining endothelial cells for factor VIII were counted on a 400x field in the most active areas of neovascularization within the tumor. We purified the monoclonal antibody against dThdPase and studied the expression of dThdPase in the same serial sections used for the detection of factor VIII. Those who carried out microvessel counting and dThdPase expression assessment had no knowledge of clinicopathologic findings. The significance of dThdPase in the prognosis of patients with colorectal carcinomas was also examined in the survival analysis of mortality follow-up data covering the period between 1984 through 1991. Reported P values are from two-sided tests of statistical significance. RESULTS: The mean microvessel count (+/- standard deviation) in dThdPase-positive colorectal carcinoma specimens (17.5 +/- 7.2) was higher (P < .001) than that in dThdPase-negative carcinoma specimens (9.3 +/- 5.5). The dThdPase positivity was in accordance with the microvessel count. dThdPase positivity showed highly significant statistical associations with tumor size, extent of invasion, lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, and venous invasion. Cox regression analysis revealed that dThdPase expression was prognostic for poor disease outcome after adjustment for Dukes' stage and microvessel count. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that higher levels of dThdPase expression in colorectal carcinomas are associated with more extensive angiogenesis, poor clinical and laboratory findings, and unfavorable clinical outcome. IMPLICATIONS: Inhibition of dThdPase in human colorectal carcinomas might improve prognosis for some patients.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗

PubMed1996

Right ventricular stiffness measured by a new method without volume estimation in coronary artery disease.

This study was designed to measure the right ventricular (RV) stiffness (delta P/ delta V) with a new method without estimating the RV volume itself. RV stiffness has rarely been measured due to the difficulty in estimating the RV volume. Without measuring RV volume itself, stiffness can be determined by measuring its volume change (delta V). Tricuspid filling flow volume, which is the diastolic RV delta V, is measurable by using Doppler echocardiography. Thus, RV stiffness may possibly be obtained from Doppler echocardiography combined with high-fidelity RV pressure. Subjects consisted of 8 controls, 8 patients with angina pectoris, 8 with anterior, 8 with posterior, and 8 with inferior prior myocardial infarction. Tricuspid annular dimension was measured by 2-dimensional echocardiography and the tricuspid annular area was calculated. Velocity-time integral of the tricuspid filling flow during the late diastole was measured by pulsed Doppler echocardiography. Then, the late diastolic RV delta V was obtained as the product of the tricuspid annular area and the integral. The late diastolic RV pressure rise (delta P) was also measured with a micromanometer catheter. The RV elastic chamber stiffness constant ([delta P/ delta V]/P) was obtained by dividing simple stiffness by the mean RV pressure during late diastole. The RV elastic chamber stiffness constant did not significantly differ among controls, patients with angina pectoris, and those with anterior and posterior myocardial infarction (0.0054 +/- 0.0009 vs 0.0057 +/- 0.0018 vs 0.0064 +/- 0.002 vs 0.0052 +/- 0.0019 ml-1). However, it was significantly increased in patients with inferior myocardial infarction (0.010 +/- 0.004 ml-1, p < 0.01 or 0.05) compared with those in the other 4 groups. These results suggest (1) that RV stiffness can be measured with a new method without RV volume estimation, and (2) that this new method is useful in evaluating RV diastolic pathophysiology in patients with coronary artery disease.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Angiogenesis as an unfavorable prognostic factor in human colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis is reportedly correlated with metastasis, relapse, and prognosis in some types of tumors. Hematogenous or lymph node metastasis and local recurrence are the main elements related to the death of patients with colorectal carcinoma. Thus, the authors examined the microvessel count in colorectal carcinoma to determine how angiogenesis correlates with clinicopathologic factors and prognosis. METHODS: Paraffin embedded sections from 166 patients with primary colorectal carcinomas that had been completely removed were analyzed for angiogenesis. Vessels were stained with anti-factor VIII polyclonal antibody, and areas with the most discrete microvessels were counted in a 400x field. RESULTS: Tumor size was significantly correlated with microvessel count. Microvessel counts from patients with lymph node metastasis, lymphatic vessel invasion, venous vessel invasion, or relapse were significantly higher than those without. Furthermore, microvessel count was an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.007), whereas the Dukes stage had more significant prognostic value (P < 0.001) according to the multivariate Cox hazard analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that angiogenesis assessed by the microvessel count was a marker of relapse and prognosis of patients with colorectal carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1996

Comparative hypocholesterolemic effects of six vegetable oils in cholesterol-fed rat.

The hypocholesterolemic efficacies of various polyunsaturated fatty acids were compared in rats given cholesterol-enriched diets. Oenothera biennis Linn oil (OBLO, linoleic + gamma-linolenic), sunflower oil (linoleic), palm oil (PLO, oleic + linoleic), soybean oil (linoleic + alpha-linolenic), high-oleic safflower oil (oleic + linoleic), or mixed oil (linoleic + alpha-linolenic) was added to the diet at 200 g/kg (20% groups). OBLO was also added at 100 g/kg diet (10% group). The serum total and very low density lipoprotein + intermediate lipoprotein + low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations of the 10 and 20% OBLO groups were consistently lower than those in the other groups. The liver cholesterol concentration in the PLO group was lower in all groups. The liver cholesterol concentrations in the 10 and 20% OBLO groups were also lower than in the other groups. There were no significant differences in the fecal neutral sterol and bile acid extraction among groups.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Importance of the phospholipase D-initiated sequential pathway for arachidonic acid release and prostaglandin D2 generation by rat peritoneal mast cells.

The association of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) production as well as arachidonic acid release with the phospholipase D (PLD)-linked mechanism was studied in rat peritoneal mast cells. Stimulation of mast cells with cross-linking of the high-affinity Fc receptor for IgE caused increases in the release of arachidonic acid and PGD2, which are suppressed almost completely by ethanol or RHC 80267, a diacylglycerol lipase inhibitor. Ethanol did not influence inositol phosphate release in response to an antigen. An increase in diacylglycerol, that is inhibited by propranolol, was observed, with a peak within 1 min. Antigen stimulation induced little production of lysophosphatidylcholine, while ionomycin as a control markedly induced the production. However, the phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity in the cytosol of antigen-stimulated cells increased to the level in ionomycin-stimulated cells. The addition of the ADP-ribosylation factor-containing fraction prepared from bovine brain, that is known to specifically activate PLD, to permeabilized mast cells in the presence of GTP gamma S, apparently increased arachidonic acid and PGD2 release, but not in the presence of ethanol. Furthermore, arachidonic acid release by an antigen was enhanced by melittin, that activates PLA2, but PGD2 production was not. These results suggest that antigen-stimulated PGD2 production as well as arachidonic acid release are strongly associated with the sequential PLD-linked pathway.

ADP-Ribosylation Factors↗

PubMed1996

Requirement of calcium influx for hydrolytic action of membrane phospholipids by cytosolic phospholipase A2 rather than mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in Fc epsilon RI-stimulated rat peritoneal mast cells.

The mechanism by which cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) is not responsible for eicosanoid production in rat peritoneal mast cells upon antigen stimulation [Ishimoto et al. (1996) J. Biochem. 120, 616-623] was investigated in the mast cells stimulated by cross-linking of the IgE receptor or with thapsigargin. Stimulation with thapsigargin, but not with antigen, resulted in apparent lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) formation. Antigen stimulation significantly increased the activities of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and cPLA2. These activities were further potentiated by phorbol ester. The antigen elicited a rapid and transient increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, while thapsigargin produced a slow and sustained increase. Furthermore, a combination of antigen and thapsigargin rapidly increased and prolonged the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Under these conditions, lysoPC was apparently generated, whereas it was not in response to antigen alone. These results suggest that a prolonged increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration is required for cPLA2 to associate with membranes, thus leading to hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids by the enzyme.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Expression of thymidine phosphorylase in human gastric carcinoma.

The activity of thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase) has been reported to increase in several types of malignant tumors. Experimental evidence has shown that dThdPase is identical to platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor, and that dThdPase has angiogenic activity. We examined the expression of dThdPase to investigate whether the expression of dThdPase correlates with angiogenesis, clinicopathologic features and the prognosis of patients with human gastric carcinomas. Microvessels were assessed by immunostaining endothelial cells for factor VIII. We counted microvessels in the tumors of 158 patients whose tumors were completely removed surgically. Microvessels were counted in a x400 field in the most active areas of neovascularization. We purified a monoclonal antibody (TMA-1) against dThdPase and studied the expression of dThdPase using TMA-1 in the same serial sections as those used for the detection of factor VIII. The correlation between angiogenesis and dThdPase, and the clinicopathological significance of dThdPase, in patients with gastric carcinoma were examined. The positive expression of dThdPase was more frequent (P < 0.001) in gastric carcinomas (67/158, 43.4%) than that in normal tissues (12/158, 7.6%). The average microvessel count in dThdPase-positive gastric carcinomas was higher (P < 0.001) than that in dThdPase-negative carcinomas. The percentage of gastric carcinoma cells expressing dThdPase was significantly correlated with the microvessel count (P < 0.001). Further, the average size of dThdPase-positive carcinomas was significantly larger (P < 0.001) than that of negative carcinomas and the mean microvessel count in dThdPase-positive gastric carcinomas was also significantly higher (P < 0.001) than that in dThdPase-negative carcinomas. There was a significant correlation between the positive expression of dThdPase and microvessel count (P < 0.001) or lymph node metastasis (P = 0.013) by multivariate logistic analysis. Further, patients with dThdPase-positive carcinoma showed a significantly worse prognosis than those with dThdPase-negative carcinoma overall and in stage III. These findings indicate that the expression of dThdPase in gastric carcinomas is related to progression and metastasis, and this enzyme affects the prognosis of some patients with the disease.

Adult↗