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Biomedical subjects

S Iwamoto

Publications and source records attributed to S Iwamoto.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

A solitary fibrous tumor in the perianal region with a 13-year follow-up: report of a case.

A case of a solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) of the perianal region in a 62-year-old man is reported herein. The patient had undergone an abdominoperineal excision of the rectum for an anorectal tumor 13 years previously, and had been referred to our hospital for a perineal mass. Computerized tomography and angiography revealed a markedly hypervascular tumor measuring 11 x 8 cm in size in the pelvic cavity. After preoperative radiotherapy (total 58 Gy) and the embolization of the feeding arteries, he underwent an en bloc excision of the tumor. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of spindle shaped cells with a "patternless" arrangement in a collagenous background. There was immunohistochemical evidence that these cells were strongly positive for CD34, thus suggesting the tumor to be SFT. The previously resected anorectal tumor showed similar histological and immunohistochemical findings. The patient's recovery was uneventful.

Antigens, CD34↗

Malignant hemangioendothelioma of the small intestine: report of a case.

A case of malignant hemangioendothelioma (MH) of the small intestine in a 27-year-old woman is reported herein. The patient developed acute abdominal symptoms during investigations for anemia, weight loss, anorexia, and recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding. An emergency laparotomy revealed perforation of a jejunal tumor. The results of a histopathological study of the resected small bowel segment were interpreted as MH with lymph node involvement. Following this case report, a review of the relevant literature on small intestinal MH is presented.

Adult↗

The STR polymorphisms in intron 8 may provide information about the molecular evolution of RH haplotypes.

We identified simple-sequence repeat polymorphisms in intron 8 of the RHD and RHCE genes, both of which contained the 5-bp repeat unit (AAAAT)n. We analyzed the polymorphisms of this short tandem repeat (STR) in 104 Japanese RhD-positive and 124 RhD-negative (87 RHD gene negative and 37 nonfunctional RHD gene positive) donors by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequent typing by electrophoresis and silver staining. We found five alleles (10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 repeats) in the RHD gene and four (7, 8, 9, and 10 repeats) in the RHCE gene. The Rh phenotypes were closely associated with polymorphisms of the STR. The Ce allele had 12 repeats in the RHD gene and 9 repeats in the RHCE gene at high frequency. The cE allele frequently had 10-12 repeats in the RHD gene and 10 repeats in the RHCE gene. The 10 repeats in the RHCE gene were identified exclusively in the 87 RHD gene-negative donors and 9 repeats were identified only in those with the RhC antigen. These results indicate that both haplotypes of dce and dcE arose from single RHD gene deletion and recombination events, respectively. In the 37 RhD-negative donors with a nonfunctional RHD gene, 12 repeats in the RHD gene and 9 repeats in the RHCE gene were frequently observed. Thus, the RhD-negative with a nonfunctional RHD gene combination might have arisen from the DCe haplotype via a mutation that abolished RHD gene expression. These findings suggest that the STR polymorphisms might shed light upon the molecular evolution of RH haplotypes.

Alleles↗

Deletion of A-antigen in a human cancer cell line is associated with reduced promoter activity of CBF/NF-Y binding region, and possibly with enhanced DNA methylation of A transferase promoter.

Employing blood group A- and A+ clones derived from the same parental colonic cancer cell lines, we studied the molecular mechanism of deletion/reduction vs. continuous expression of A antigen in A tumors, a crucial determinant of human tumor malignancy. A- transferase mRNA level in one of the A- clones (A- SW480) was undetectable, while that in A+ SW480 was strongly detectable by semiquantitative RT-PCR. Relatively lower (approximately 1/3) transcript level was detectable in another A- clone (A- HT29) in comparison to A+ HT29 by the same RT-PCR procedure, although none of these tumor cell lines showed detectable level of A transcript by Northern blotting or RNase protection methods. Therefore, subsequent studies were performed employing A- vs. A+ SW480 clones. Deletion of A transcript in A- cells was not due to gene deletion, since Southern blot analysis showed equal presence of genomic DNA regardless of A- vs. A+ (SW480 or HT29) or B+ (KATOIII) tumor cells. Two transcriptional control mechanisms leading to differences of A expression in SW480 cells are indicated. i. Luciferase assay in A- and A+ SW480 cells showed that promoter activities of segments of 5' flanking sequence of ABO gene reflected transcript levels in these cell lines. The enhancing activity of a 43 bp tandem repeat unit located between -3899 to -3618 was reduced in A- compared to A+ cells. ii. Distinct differences in the pattern of CpG dinucleotide methylation were found in A- vs. A+ cells. Therefore, the methylation process of A promoter DNA may be another important factor controlling A activity in SW480 tumor cells. Since proliferation and motility of tumor cells are associated closely with A expression, transcription control mechanism for expression of A transferase as described above may be of crucial importance in defining human tumor malignancy.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Human dendritic cells express the thrombopoietin receptor, c-Mpl.

Human thrombopoietin (TPO) is a haemopoietic growth factor that is essential for the growth and development of megakaryocytes. However, c-Mpl, the TPO receptor, has been detected in human leukaemic cell lines with a myelomonocytic phenotype. These results raise the possibility that dendritic cells (DC), a putative myeloid lineage cell, may also express c-Mpl and respond to TPO. In haemopoietic stem cell transplantation, DC could induce graft-versus-host disease by its strong antigen-presenting capacity. In this study we have examined the effect of TPO on differentiation and the antigen-presenting capacity of DC. To differentiate DC, cord blood CD34+ cells were cultured in the presence of a cytokine cocktail either in serum-free medium or RPMI1640 containing 10% fetal bovine serum. Flow cytometric analysis and immunocytochemical staining demonstrated that c-Mpl was expressed on DC. Furthermore, the expression of c-Mpl mRNA was detected in DC by RNase protection assay. However, when TPO was added to the culture system there were no significant changes in the differentiation and mixed leucocyte-stimulating capacity of DC. These findings suggest that TPO may be administered following cord blood transplantation without significant augmentation of antigen presentation mediated by DC.

Cell Division↗

Solid-pseudopapillary carcinoma of the pancreas.

A case of solid-pseudopapillary carcinoma (SPC) of the pancreas in a 34-year-old Japanese woman is presented. An abdominal ultrasonography revealed a mass, which measured 10 cm in diameter, in the body and tail of the pancreas. The tumor was resected and it was originally diagnosed as a non-functioning islet cell tumor. One year and five months later, the patient was re-admitted to hospital, and liver metastasis was confirmed by ultrasonography. The patient died 6 days after the second transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) required for the metastasis. The autopsy showed small foci of liver metastasis. A retrospective examination of the tumor suggested the diagnosis of SPC because of its characteristic solid and pseudopapillary structures, immunohistochemical findings, and liver metastasis. This case suggests that capsular invasion, specifically found at the surgical margin of the peritoneal side, may be an important pathological finding that is suggestive of malignant potential in solid-pseudopapillary tumor. If there is such a finding in a surgical specimen, an intensive follow up should be advised to the clinician.

Adult↗

Intratracheal anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha antibody attenuates ventilator-induced lung injury in rabbits.

To evaluate the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in the pathogenesis of ventilator-induced lung injury, we 1) measured TNF-alpha production in the lung caused by conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) and 2) evaluated the protective effect of anti-TNF-alpha antibody (Ab) in saline-lavaged rabbit lungs. After they received saline lung lavage, rabbits were intratracheally instilled with 1 mg/kg of polyclonal anti-TNF-alpha Ab in the high-dose group (n = 6), 0.2 mg/kg of anti-TNF-alpha Ab in the low-dose group (n = 6), serum IgG fraction in the Ab control group (n = 6), and saline in the saline control group (n = 7). Animals then underwent CMV for 4 h. Levels of TNF-alpha in lung lavage fluid were significantly higher after CMV than before in both control groups. Pretreatment with intratracheal instillation of high and low doses of anti-TNF-alpha Ab improved oxygenation and respiratory compliance, reduced the infiltration of leukocytes, and ameliorated pathological findings. CMV led to TNF-alpha production in the lungs, and intratracheal instillation of anti-TNF-alpha Ab attenuated CMV-induced lung injury in this model.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

T-2 toxin-induced acute skin lesions in Wistar-derived hypotrichotic WBN/ILA-Ht rats.

Acute lesions in the dorsal skin topically applied with T-2 toxin (10 microliters of 0.5 mg/ml-solution to 1 cm2) were examined in Wistar-derived hypotrichotic WBN/ILA-Ht rats up to 24 hours after treatment (24HAT). In the epidermis, depression of basal cell proliferating activity was detected at 3HAT by immunostaining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and the percentage of PCNA-positive basal cells decreased thereafter. At 12HAT, in addition to intracytoplasmic edema of spinous cells, acidophilic degeneration of basal cells characterized by shrinkage of cell body with acidophilic cytoplasm and pyknotic or karyorrhectic nuclei became prominent. Most of these nuclei were positive for TUNEL which is a widely used immunostaining for the in situ detection of fragmented DNA, i.e. apoptosis, and the percentage of TUNEL-positive basal cells increased thereafter. The nuclei of these basal cells also showed ultrastructural changes characteristic for apoptosis. On the other hand, in the dermis, infiltration of inflammatory cells including mast cells started at 3HAT and increased thereafter. In addition, capillary and small vessel endothelial degeneration developed at 6HAT and progressed thereafter. These results suggest that T-2 toxin directly affects the epidermis and produces apoptosis in basal cells.

Animals↗

Estimation of age from the femur of Japanese cadavers.

The purpose of this study is to estimate the age of cadavers by histomorphometry of the femur. Seventy-two Japanese males ranged from 43 days to 92 years old and 26 females ranged from 2 to 88 years old were used. The thickness of sections was adjusted at 50 to 70 microns by grinding with sand paper. The sections were not decalcificated. They were stained with Villanueva's bone staining powder and with thionin dye. Microradiographs of the sections were obtained by the soft X-ray apparatus. The area, maximum and minimum diameter, and perimeter of the perfect osteon and Haversian canal were measured. In addition, the type II osteon number, osteon fragment number, and area of triangle were also determined. All these parameters were examined by an image analyzer. The parameters of the osteon showed high correlation coefficient with age (magnitude of r > 0.77), while those of the Haversian canal were low (magnitude of r < 0.11). All parameters were subjected to multiple regression analysis for producing a multiple regression equation of age estimation. For the stepwise selecting method, the perimeter of osteon, maximum length of the Haversian canal and osteon fragment number were selected for the equation. Their multiple r2 and standard error of estimation were 0.8874 and 6.39, respectively. For the forward selection method, in addition to the above items, three parameters, the maximum length of Haversian canal, triangle area, osteon fragment number were selected. Their multiple r2 and standard error of estimation were 0.9484 and 4.884, respectively. Bone staining was useful to clarify the demarcation between osteon and fragment, leading to an increase in the accuracy of age estimation. However, the entire range from birth to 90 years was difficult to cover for precise age estimation.

Adolescent↗

Diagnostic value of plasma thrombin-antithrombin III complex and D-dimer concentration in patients with varicose veins for exclusion of deep-vein thrombosis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of determining plasma D-dimer (DD) and thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) levels in the diagnostic workup for the screening of deep-venous thrombosis (DVT) among varicose vein patients. One hundred forty consecutive patients being treated for DVT or varicose veins underwent color-flow duplex scanning, and 25 patients had DVT and the remaining 115 had primary varicose veins. When DD and TAT were analyzed statistically in combination, it was determined that the combination of either positive DD (cutoff level 1.0 microg/ml) or positive TAT (cutoff level 3.0 microg/l) had a sensitivity of 100% for DVT with a specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 79%, 51%, and 100%, respectively. This study demonstrates plasma levels of DD (less than 1.0 microg/ml) and TAT (less than 3.0 microg/l) in combination to be useful for the exclusion of DVT among patients with varicose veins. Patients with negative hematological data may safely undergo surgical treatment for varicose veins without further evaluation such as duplex scanning or contrast venography.

Antithrombin III↗

Identification of 5' flanking sequence of RH50 gene and the core region for erythroid-specific expression.

The Rh blood group antigens are carried by two distinct but homologous membrane proteins encoded by two closely related genes, RCHE and RHD. Rh50 glyco-protein is the membrane protein tightly associated with Rh polypeptides and is critical for expression of Rh antigens. The amino acid sequence and predicted membrane topology of Rh50 glycoprotein are significantly homologous with those of the Rh proteins. Northern blot analysis of leukemic cell lines showed that expression of RH50 gene is restricted to cells with erythroid features. HEL and K562 cells showed a transcription levels ratio of 1 to 9.9 for Rh50, and 12.3 to 1 for Rh. The nucleotide sequence of 5' flanking region of RH50 gene and functional promoter assays also supported the erythroid-specific regulation of the gene, whereas the sequence had lower homology with the promoter sequence of RH genes. Seven GATAs, nine E-boxes, two CACCCs, one YY1, and one October motif were identified in the 1868bp 5' flanking sequence. The core promoter of RH50 gene was located within 68bp length from the translation start position, which included an inverse GATA motif, although obvious motifs for Sp1 or erythroid Krüppel-like factor were lacking. The inverse GATA motif was the target sequence of GATA-1 protein, and disruption of the motif abolished the transactivating activity of erythroid cells. These studies confirm the erythroid-specific expression of Rh antigens, but suggest distinct regulatory mechanisms for RH vs RH50 genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Right-sided pedunculated hepatocellular carcinoma: a form of adrenal metastasis.

Pedunculated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or extrahepatic growth of HC C is an uncommon but not rare pathological form, but its genesis is unknown. Right-sided adrenal metastases of HCC that were abutting on or about to fuse with the right hepatic lobe were resected in three patients. The masses seemed to have originated in the para-adrenal tissue, leaving the adrenal gland intact. They were partially supplied by the hepatic artery as well as by the suprarenal artery. Four cases of autopsied pedunculated HCC of the right lobe were also studied. The mass was protruding caudad from the noncancerous parenchyma of the right lobe. Postmortem angiography carried out on one liver showed that only a small portion of the mass toward the liver was supplied from the hepatic artery. These observations suggest that some, perhaps most, of the right-sided pedunculated HCCs represent fusion of the right lobe and para-adrenal or adrenal metastatic HCC. This phenomenon may be explained by possible transport of cancer cells toward the right adrenal gland through the so-called adrenohepatic fusion, a relatively common anatomical change in advanced age.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Staging and treatment for patients with pancreatic cancer. How small is an early pancreatic cancer?

To determine the tumor size that constitutes early pancreatic cancer, we reviewed and analyzed the English-language and Japanese literature (a total of 25 publications) on small pancreatic cancers less than 2 cm in diameter and/or stage 1 cancers. Reports on in situ carcinoma and intraductal carcinoma of the pancreas were also evaluated. The results were: (1) A total of 302 cases of small pancreatic cancer less than 2 cm in diameter reported at separate institutions were pooled from 15 reports. The rates for patients in stage I and those with no lymph node metastasis averaged 41.7% and 57.9%, respectively. The 5-year postoperative cumulative survival rate (5Y-PCR) was less than 50% in almost all these reports. Similar data were shown in the 7 collective reviews. (2) Another 33 cases of small pancreatic cancer of 1 cm or less in diameter were collected from three reports. The rates for stage I tumor and 5Y-PCR at one institution with two reports were 100% and 100% and the rates in the other report were 85% and 78%, respectively. (3) Twelve cases of in situ carcinoma and intraductal carcinoma of the pancreas were collected from four reports. All of the patients were stage I and were alive with no evidence of tumor recurrence for periods ranging from 6 to 78 months. Small pancreatic cancer less than 1 cm in diameter is better viewed as an early pancreatic cancer, and in situ carcinoma and intraductal carcinoma of the pancreas with minimal invasion to the pancreatic parenchyma may be defined as early pancreatic cancer, regardless of size.

Carcinoma↗

A novel missense mutation of the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase gene detected in a patient with hypophosphatasia.

Hypophosphatasia is a rare heritable inborn error of metabolism characterized by abnormal bone mineralization associated with a deficiency of alkaline phosphatase. The clinical expression of hypophosphatasia is highly variable, ranging from death in utero to pathologic fractures first presenting in adulthood. We investigated the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) gene from a Japanese female patient with hypophosphatasia. By a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, the amount of TNSALP mRNA appeared to be almost equal to that in normal individuals. Gene analysis clarified that the hypophosphatasia originated from a missense mutation and a nucleotide deletion. The missense mutation, a C--> T transition at position 1041 of cDNA, results in an amino acid change from Leu to Phe at codon 272, which has not yet been reported. The previously reported deletion of T at 1735 causes a frame shift mutation downstream from Leu at codon 503. Family analysis showed that the mutation 1041T and the deletion 1735T had been inherited from the proband's father and mother, respectively. An expression experiment revealed that the mutation 1041T halved the expression of alkaline phosphatase activity. Using homology analysis, the Leu-272 was confirmed to be highly conserved in other mammals.

Adolescent↗

Expression analysis of human Rhesus blood group antigens by gene transduction into erythroid and non-erythroid cells.

Rh blood group antigens are associated with non-glycosylated human erythrocyte membrane proteins encoded by two closely related genes, RHCE and RHD, and with a glycoprotein, a critical co-expressing factor encoded by the RH50 gene. The sequence analysis of RHCE transcripts has revealed that RhE/e and C/c serological phenotypes are associated with a nucleotide substitution in exon 5 and six substitutions in exons 1 and 2 of RHCE gene, respectively. Smythe et al. have shown that the full length transcript of RhcE gene expressed c and E antigens and the transcript of RhD gene expressed D and G antigens, using retroviral-mediated gene transduction into K562 cells. We performed an epitope analysis of Rh antigen by constructing retroviral gene coding six RH cDNAs, which contain RhcE, ce, CE and D cDNAs, and CE-D, D-CE chimera cDNAs. The cDNAs were introduced into KU812E cells and the expressed antigens were analyzed by flow cytometry. These studies revealed that the C/c and E/e associated substitutions actually participated in respective polymorphic epitopes. However, the C antigen was not detected on the KU812E cells introduced with CE cDNA, despite E antigen being expressed. The study with the chimera gene between CE and D cDNAs also indicated that the Rh epitopes were not constructed with short polymorphic exofacial peptide loops only but also with other peptide fragments and membrane components. Co-expression studies of Rh50 and RhD or cE gene in non-erythroid cells, 293, and expression studies of Rh50 in another erythroid cell, HEL, did not show any Rh antigens on the transduced cells, despite the Northern blot study showing both transcripts in the cells. It was suggested that at least a second co-expressing factor was needed to express RhCE or D antigens on the plasma membrane.

Cell Line↗

A splicing mutation of the RHAG gene associated with the Rhnull phenotype.

Rhnull is a syndrome serologically characterized by the deficiency of all Rh antigens on human red blood cells. Rhnull is divided into two types: regulator and amorph. Recently, Cherif-Zahar et al. proposed that the RHAG gene encoding the Rh50 glycoprotein is a candidate for inducing regulator type Rhnull. We investigated both the RH and RHAG genes in an Rhnull individual. The reticulocytes from the propositus had RHD, RHcE, and RHCe transcripts without any mutation. However, the sequence analysis of RHAG cDNA showed a deletion of 122 bp from nucleotide 946 to 1067. This deletion was revealed to be due to a homozygous splicing mutation, which is a single base substitution at the consensus sequence of the splicing acceptor site (AG-->AT). The mutation appeared to break the 'GT-AG' splicing rule and to cause 122 bp exon skipping accompanied by a frameshift. This study confirms that the RHAG gene is the most likely candidate for the 'regulator' gene of Rhnull cases.

Adolescent↗

Effects of fatty acids on liver metastasis of ACL-15 rat colon cancer cells.

The effects of eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA; n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)], linoleic acid (LA; n-6 PUFA), and palmitic acid (PA; saturated fatty acid) on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced F344 rat colon carcinoma cells (ACL-15) were investigated in vivo and in vitro. The number and size of liver metastatic foci via a superior mesenteric vein injection of ACL-15 cells in F344 rats were significantly inhibited in the EPA-treated group compared with the LA-treated group (p < 0.01); the PA-treated animals and those fed commercial rodent chow (standard diet) demonstrated intermediate values. In a dot immunoblotting assay, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 expression on ACL-15 cells was downregulated by EPA-ethyl ester treatment and upregulated by LA-ethyl ester treatment compared with the untreated control cells, whereas the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 and 2 was not influenced by the fatty acid ethyl esters. In a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, EPA-ethyl ester suppressed ACL-15 cell growth in a schedule-dependent manner, and LA-ethyl ester showed schedule-dependent stimulation. In contrast, PA demonstrated no regulatory effect on cell growth at lower concentrations (< or = 5 mg/ml) but concentration-dependent inhibition at higher concentrations. According to our in vivo cell kinetic study, the difference in tumor growth at the metastatic site was due to different tumor cell proliferation rates; the cell loss rate was not altered. Therefore, the inhibitory effect of liver metastasis on ACL-15 cells by EPA can be explained by a decreased ability of tumor cell adhesion to the capillary bed (low expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1) and a lower potential of tumor cell proliferation (low mitotic rate) at the secondary site.

Animals↗