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T Hirasawa

Publications and source records attributed to T Hirasawa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

High dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell support in the treatment of patients with ovarian carcinoma: long term results for 105 patients.

BACKGROUND: In this study, the authors reviewed long term results and prognostic factors of high dose chemotherapy (HDC) with autologous stem cell support administered to 105 patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma. METHODS: Prior to HDC, platinum-based chemotherapy was given to optimize (n = 94) and/or to mobilize peripheral blood stem cells (n = 33). After maximum debulking surgery, HDC with stem cell support was given; it consisted of cyclophosphamide, doxoribicin, and cisplatin (Regimen A, administered to 58 patients) or cyclophosphamide and carboplatin (Regimen B, administered to 47 patients). RESULTS: Five-year overall and disease free survival (OS, DFS) rates (%) according to stage were IC: 92.3, 92.3; II: 73.3, 73.3; III: 58.1, 35.7; IV: 33.7, 22.6; relapsed: 37.5, 31.0; OS, DFS at 8 years were IC: 92.3, 92.3; II: 73.3, 73.3; III: 48.8, 31.7; IV: 33.7, 22.6; relapsed: 37.5, 31.0. There was no difference in survival between patients who received Regimens A and B despite an increase in the total dose of platinum and an increase of more than 1.5- to 3.5-fold in the platinum course of HDC in Regimen B from the equivalence ratio of 4:1 between carboplatin and cisplatin. Among 65 Stage III and IV patients, the best results were obtained for 35 patients with small volume disease: 5-year OS, DFS rates were 74.3, 51.6, and 8-year OS, DFS rates were 66.4, 46.3. CONCLUSIONS: Good long term results were obtained with HDC. Small volume residual disease, platinum sensitivity, and histology excluding mucinous and clear cell adenocarcinoma were important factors for better survival. However, because the results were obtained for selected patients, a prospective, randomized study comparing HDC and standard chemotherapy is necessary if any definitive conclusions are to be drawn.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗
PubMed1999

Endoxyloglucan transferase cDNA isolated from pea roots and its fluctuating expression in hydrotropically responding roots.

We isolated an endoxyloglucan transferase cDNA (Ps-EXGT1) from the roots of an agravitropic pea mutant, ageotropum. The putative product of the cDNA was 34.1 kDa and consisted of 293 amino acid residues. The predicted amino acid sequence was 75.1-88.6% identical to those of EXGT genes in other plants. The Ps-EXGT1 cDNA was strongly expressed in elongating roots and stems but not in either mature stems or young leaves. In roots, the transcription level of Ps-EXGT1 was most abundant in the rapidly growing region. When root elongation was inhibited by a water stress, Ps-EXGT1 transcription was repressed. The roots curved hydrotropically due to differential growth of the cortical cells in the elongation zone when the root cap was exposed to a gradient of water potential; the length of the cells on the side of lower water potential was much longer than those on the side of higher water potential. The expression pattern of Ps-EXGT1 in the hydrotropically responding roots fluctuated between the side of the higher water potential and that of the lower water potential in the elongation zone. In other words, the accumulation of Ps-EXGT1 mRNA was much greater on the side of lower water potential than on that of higher potential just prior to the commencement of positive hydrotropism. When the roots started to curve slightly away from the side of higher water potential causing a rhythmic oscillatory movement [Takano et al. (1995) Planta 197: 410], there was more transcription of Ps-EXGT1 on the side of higher water potential. These results suggest that the transcription of Ps-EXGT1 is involved in cell growth and that this regulation of transcription plays a role in the differential growth of hydrotropically responding roots.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

fcsA29 mutation is an allele of polA gene of Escherichia coli.

The cold-sensitive fcsA29 mutation of Escherichia coli was found to be a new type of cold-sensitive allele of the polA gene encoding DNA polymerase I, caused by an Asp(116)-->Asn change in the 5'-->3' exonuclease domain. The fcsA29 mutant showed typical polA mutant phenotypes such as UV sensitivity and unacceptability of recA mutation. Cold-sensitive growth of the mutant was suppressed by introduction of a sulA mutation, indicating that cell filamentation was due to the SOS response.

Alleles↗
PubMed1998

Activation of dihydropyridine sensitive Ca2+ channels in rat hippocampal neurons in culture by parathyroid hormone.

We examined the effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on rat hippocampal neurons in culture to determine whether it caused a similar intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) increase in these cells to that seen with renal epithelial cells and found that PTH induced the effect in about 30% of the neurons. The effects appeared gradually during continuous administration of full-length PTH(1-84) or its active fragment, PTH(1-34), but not of an inactive fragment, PTH(39-84). However, the active fragment of the PTH-related peptide (PTHrP(1-34)) had little effect on [Ca2+]i during 60 min of administration. The PTH effect was inhibited by nifedipine, an L-type Ca2+ channel antagonist, and facilitated by S-(-)-BAY K 8644, an L-type Ca2+ channel agonist. Our findings suggest that PTH is one of the causal factors for the age-related increase in the density of voltage gated Ca2+ channels in hippocampal neurons.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗
PubMed1998

Actions of zinc on rapidly inactivating A-type and non-inactivating M-type potassium currents in bullfrog sympathetic neurons.

The actions of zinc on A-type potassium current (I(A)) were studied in dissociated bullfrog sympathetic neurons. Zinc (1-300 microM) caused a parallel shift in the activation and inactivation curves to a depolarizing direction, thereby enhancing I(A) around physiological resting potential. An EC50 value was 70-100 microM for these actions. The zinc actions were non-selective in a sense that zinc inhibited M-type potassium current (I(M)) with an IC50 value of 300 microM. Zinc was without effect on the maximum conductance for I(A) and the kinetic behavior for I(M). The ability of low concentrations of zinc to modulate separate set of potassium currents such as I(A) and I(M) in conceptually distinct manner may therefore assume pathophysiological importance for autonomic neurons.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Serous borderline ovarian tumor with functioning stroma in a postmenopausal woman: immunohistochemical analysis of steroidogenic pathway.

An epithelial ovarian tumor with estrogenic manifestations (vaginal bleeding, vaginal softening) was encountered in a 70-year-old woman. The preoperative serum levels of estrone, estradiol, and testosterone were elevated. A right ovarian serous papillary tumor of borderline malignancy was removed and found to have a cellular, focally luteinized stroma. Steroidogenic enzymes, including 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and P450 cytochromes specific for cholesterol side-chain cleavage (P450scc), 17alpha-hydroxylation (P45017alpha), and aromatization (P450arom), were immunohistochemically demonstrated in the stromal cells. Immunohistochemical evaluation of these enzymes suggest significant functional differences among the enzymatically-activated stromal cells. That only rare stromal cells were immunoreactive for P450arom suggests that most of the testosterone synthesized in the tumor is extragonadally converted to estrogen, resulting in tumor-associated estrinism.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1998

A pilot study on modified endoscopic variceal ligation using endoscopic ultrasonography with color Doppler function.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate feasibility of modified endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL), namely the "intensive ligation" method, using endoscopic ultrasonography with color Doppler function (EUS-CD). METHODS: Forty-five patients with esophageal varices were treated by modified EVL. Variceal hemodynamics in 38 patients were examined using EUS-CD, which showed abdominal hemodynamics in detail under physiological conditions before and after the modified procedure. RESULTS: 1) The median number of treatment sessions was 3.2, and 41 O-rings on average were required per individual patient. 2) The median nonrecurrence period after treatment was 18 months (Kaplan-Meier method). 3) Nine patients with a good response to modified EVL did not have recurrences for 16.9+/-2.8 months, and five with a poor response had recurrences at 5.8+/-2.2 months. Gastric varices were related to the response to modified EVL (p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney's U test). 4) Minor complications in modified EVL as well as standard EVL were experienced; however, we had a patient with the development of meningitis, which was a major septic complication. 5) Before modified EVL, EUS-CD demonstrated that good responders had undeveloped (grade I) gastric varices in five of nine (56%); however, poor responders had developed (grade III) gastric varices in four of five (80%) (p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney's U test]. 6) After modified EVL, EUS-CD revealed that six of nine (67%) good responders and one of five (20%) poor responders showed a decrease in color signals in supplying veins; however, none of the former (0%) and three of the latter (60%) showed an increase (p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney's U test]. CONCLUSION: Modified EVL was safe and effective, at least with regard to intermediate-term outcome, especially when treating patients with undeveloped gastric varices revealed by EUS-CD. Both good and poor responders showed no exacerbation of gastric varices after the modified procedure, ultrasonographically as well as endoscopically.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Genetic typing of the mouse and rat nude mutations by PCR and restriction enzyme analysis.

A genetic typing method for the mouse and rat nude mutations by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was developed. Since restriction sites useful for RFLP analysis do not exist in the mouse nu and rat rnu mutations, artificial restriction sites were introduced by PCR with modified primers. Three genotypes in the mouse (nu/nu, nu/+ and +/+) or rat (rnu/rnu, rnu/+ and +/+) are rapidly differentiated with the PCR-RFLP assay. In addition, congenic nude strains can be efficiently established by using this assay. Finally, genetic mapping of the rnu locus was performed with microsatellite markers. The locus order on rat chromosome 10 was D10Mgh14-(2.0cM)-D10Mit2-(1.4cM)-rnu-(0.7cM++ +)-D10Mgh6-(2.7cM)-D10Mit8.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Physical properties of resin-modified glass-ionomers.

The physical properties and shear bond strength of two resin-modified glass-ionomers: RMGIs (FJL and VT) and as a control, a conventional glass-ionomer: CGI (FJ), were evaluated. Ninety percent of the setting shrinkage under dry conditions and nominal hygroscopic expansion in water during 360 h occurred within the first 24 h. The nominal hygroscopic expansion of CGI was 0.38% while the RMGIs demonstrated over 1%, but considering the setting shrinkage the total hygroscopic expansion of CGI and the RMGIs were over 7 times and about 2.5 times, respectively. The thermal expansion of the RMGIs after water immersion was greater than that under dry condition. In contrast, FJ demonstrated expansion less than under dry condition. There was no significant difference between FJL and VT (P < 0.05) as regard water absorption. The shear bond strength of the RMGIs to enamel and dentin were superior to FJ, except for VT to dentin.

Absorption↗
PubMed1997

Excessive formation of basement membrane substance in clear-cell carcinoma of the ovary: diagnostic value of the "raspberry body" in ascites cytology.

Formation of basement membrane-like substance or so-called collagen core was characteristic of clear-cell carcinoma of the ovary in ascites cytology. The hyaline extracellular material was stained light green in Papanicolaou smears and pinkish to purplish red in Giemsa preparations and was frequently observed within the cancer cell clusters in all ten samples of clear-cell carcinoma. Such a structure termed "raspberry body" was focally seen in one of 30 specimens of serous cystadenocarcinoma and one of 30 samples containing reactive mesothelial cells. The "raspberry body" was not found in ascitic fluid from ten patients with mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and two with endometrioid carcinoma. Overproduction of the acidic-charged basement membrane substance was confirmed by 1) cytochemical positivity for periodic acid-Schiff, alcian blue (pH 2.5 or pH 1.0), colloidal iron, and periodic acid-methenamine silver, 2) immunocytochemical demonstration of laminin and type 4 collagen, and 3) ultrastructural identification of excessive formation of the basal lamina. Recognition of the "raspberry body" helps cytopathologists make a cytologic diagnosis of this chemotherapy-resistant malignancy disseminated in ascitic fluid.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗
PubMed1997

Genetic typing of the mouse ob mutation by PCR and restriction enzyme analysis.

A genetic typing method for the mouse obese (ob) mutation by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was developed. Three genotypes (ob/ob, ob/+ and +/+) of the ob mouse are rapidly differentiated with this assay. Since only a small biopsy specimen (tail end) is necessary for the genotyping, the ob mouse at any age is typable and can be used in subsequent breeding or research. Obese homozygotes (ob/ob) were efficiently produced by mating heterozygotes (ob/+) only, which were selected by using the PCR-RFLP assay.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Detection and genomic analysis of canine parvovirus by the polymerase chain reaction.

Prevalence of canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) in Japanese dogs and genomic variations among the virus strains were examined. Two-step polymerase chain reaction with double-nested primer pairs designed in the NS and VP1/VP2 genes of CPV-2 was developed for the detection of the viral genome in faecal samples. A total of 74 samples obtained from diarrhoeal house dogs between 1993 and 1995 were tested by the PCR. The virus-positive rate was 54.1%, showing that CPV-2 is still involved in many cases of acute infectious diarrhoea in Japanese dogs. The VP1/VP2 gene of the positive samples was subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and nucleotide sequencing. RFLP patterns of the samples were almost identical to those of one CPV-2 strain (TDKet-91-42) isolated in 1991, but different from those of the CPV-2 in the late 1970s and 1980s. The results suggest that a new genotype of CPV-2 appeared and spread among Japanese dogs in the early 1990s.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Properties of magnetically attractive experimental resin composites.

SUS444 stainless steel filled chemically cured resin composites that can attract magnet were fabricated. The filler was treated with various concentrations of silane. The experimental composite was easy to handle and showed a good shelf life. The maximal properties obtained are as follows; The attraction force to a magnetic attachment was 1/3-1/4 lower than the commercially available magnet-keeper system for dental magnetic attachment. Flexural strength and Knoop hardness of the composite were 76MPa (7.7 kgf/mm2) and 64 KHN. These values were lower than the commercially available chemically cured composite used as a reference. Eluted metal from the composite in 1% lactic acid solution for 7 days showed 0.7 mg/cm2, but in 0.9% NaCl solution for 7 days, it could not be detected.

Composite Resins↗
PubMed1996

The usefulness of ultrasonic microprobe imaging for endoscopic variceal ligation.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether ultrasonic microprobe (UMP) imaging was useful in judging the therapeutic effect of endoscopic variceal (EVL) on varices as well as assessing varices and surrounding vessels before and after EVL. METHODS: UMP imaging was performed repeatedly safely and easily via the biopsy channel of an endoscope in 20 patients with esophageal varices. Using this modality in combination with our method of "intensive ligation," we treated esophageal varices successfully. RESULTS: Before EVL, UMP imaging displayed esophageal varices, periesophageal collaterals, and the azygous vein as echo-free lumens. In 15 of 20 patients, UMP imaging clearly detected the perforating vein, one of the optimal ligation sites for EVL, connecting the varix and collateral vein. Just after EVL, UMP imaging revealed a hyperechoic change ("snow ball" sign or "snow channel" sign), indicating blood flow stasis in the esophageal varices. On subsequent EVL, UMP imaging showed the cross-sectional area of varices was undetectable (occluded) or partially detectaable. After repeated EVL (2.9 treatment sessions on average), UMP imaging, as well as endoscopy, indicated that almost all varices were eradicated (undetectable). However, UMP imaging demonstrated that neither collaterals nor the azygous vein had significantly changed in size. CONCLUSIONS: This modern diagnostic modality provided a clinical adjunct to current endoscopy when observing esophageal varices and surrounding vessels before and after EVL to determine the need for additional therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Intermediate filaments].

The antibodies for intermediate filaments, including keratin, vimentin, desmin, GFAP and neurofilaments, have been much useful in routinely-processed immunohistochemical study for identifying characteristics of tumor cells or making the definite diagnosis. In general, when neoplastic transformation has taken place, the affected cells would reveal to some extent alterated immunolocalization of intermediate filaments in the cytoplasm. Whether the tumor cells are of epithelial or non-epithelial origin is significant from diagnostic points of view when utilizing those intermediate filaments as tumor markers. But there are many "exceptional" cases of epithelial tumors with expression of vimentin, or those of non-epithelial tumors with expression of keratin, indicating some "variants". Immunohistochemical application of the intermediate filaments is indispensable not only as "a diagnostic tool for surgical pathologists", but also a method for analyzing relationship between morphological changes and functional aspects of the tumor cells.

Humans↗