Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T Maruo

Publications and source records attributed to T Maruo.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Conservative management of post-operative peritoneal cysts associated with endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the usefulness of fine-needle aspiration cytology and drainage, followed by long-acting GnRH-agonist therapy in the management of post-operative peritoneal cysts with endometriosis. METHODS: In six women who were diagnosed as having post-operative peritoneal cysts with endometriosis, fine-needle aspiration cytology and drainage was performed. Thereafter, four patients were treated with long-acting GnRH-agonists for 6 months. Two patients refused the treatment. RESULTS: In all patients fine-needle aspiration yielded specimens which consisted of a population of mesothelial cells. The mean follow-up time was 4 years (range 3.5-5). The four patients treated with long-acting GnRH-agonists show no evidence of recurrence. In two patients who had no additional treatment, the recurrence of the cyst was noted 2 months and 5 months after the drainage. CONCLUSION: Combination of fine-needle aspiration cytology and drainage and subsequent long-acting GnRH-agonist therapy can be a useful conservative management of post-operative peritoneal cysts associated with endometriosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Factors regulating SCC antigen expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Expression of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen emerged concurrently with squamous formation of the uterine cervix and increased during the neoplastic transformation of the cervical squamous epithelium. SCC antigen expression differed considerably among the histomorphologic cell types of cervical carcinoma. Large cell nonkeratinizing carcinoma contained high levels of the antigen. In contrast, no appreciable expression of SCC antigen was observed in small cell nonkeratinizing carcinoma. The pattern of SCC antigen expression closely coincided with EGF receptor (EGF-R) expression in cervical squamous neoplasia. This suggests that the expression of SCC and EGF-R in cervical carcinoma is related to the differentiation or dedifferentiation processes of the tumor cells. SCC production by CaSki cervical epidermoid carcinoma cells was stimulated by EGF. It seems likely that an autocrine system, in which EGF serves as the signal, may exist in cervical squamous carcinoma. 17beta-estradiol and L-triiodothyronine were found to upregulate EGF-R expression, proliferative potential and SCC production in the CaSki cervical carcinoma cells.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1998

Up-regulation by progesterone of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and epidermal growth factor expression in human uterine leiomyoma.

Uterine leiomyoma is the most common smooth muscle cell tumor of the myometrium. Estrogen and progesterone (P4) are believed to be physiological regulators of leiomyoma growth. We recently showed that Bcl-2 protein, an apoptosis-inhibiting gene product, was abundantly expressed in leiomyoma relative to its expression in the normal myometrium and that Bcl-2 protein expression in cultured leiomyoma cells was up-regulated by P4, but down-regulated by 17 beta-estradiol (E2). To further characterize the molecular mechanism of sex steroidal regulation of leiomyoma growth, we examined the effect of menstrual phase on proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in leiomyoma and investigated whether sex steroids could influence PCNA expression in leiomyoma cells cultured under serum-free conditions by immunoblot and immunohistochemical analyses. As epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been shown to mediate estrogen action and to play a crucial role in regulating leiomyoma growth, we also investigated the effects of sex steroids on the expression of EGF and EGF receptor (EGF-R) in cultured leiomyoma cells. The PCNA labeling index in leiomyomas was much greater in the secretory, P4-dominated, phase than in the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle and was significantly higher than that in the adjacent normal myometrium throughout the menstrual cycle. In monolayer cultures of leiomyoma cells, the addition of either E2 (10 ng/mL) or P4 (100 ng/mL) resulted in an increase in PCNA expression in the cells compared to that in control cultures, whereas in monolayer cultures of myometrial cells, the addition of E2 augmented PCNA expression in the cells, but P4 did not. Immunoblot analysis of proteins extracted from cultured leiomyoma cells revealed that leiomyoma cells contained immunoreactive EGF with a molecular mass of 133 kDa and that the addition of P4 resulted in a remarkable increase in the expression of 133- and 71-kDa immunoreactive EGF in the cells compared to that in control cultures, whereas the addition of E2 resulted in a somewhat lower expression of immunoreactive EGF in the cells. Furthermore, immunocytochemical analysis with a monoclonal antibody to human EGF-R demonstrated that the treatment with E2 augmented EGF-R expression in the cells compared to that in untreated cells, but P4 did not. The concentrations of sex steroids used were within the physiological tissue concentrations found in leiomyomas and myometria. These results indicate that P4 up-regulates the expression of PCNA and immunoreactive EGF in leiomyoma cells, whereas E2 up-regulates the expression of PCNA and EGF-R in those cells. As it is evident that EGF plays a crucial role as a local factor in regulating leiomyoma growth, the P4-induced increase in PCNA expression in leiomyoma cells may be mediated by P4-induced enhanced expression of EGF-like proteins in the cells, whereas the E2-induced increase in PCNA expression in leiomyoma cells may be mediated by E2-induced enhanced expression of EGF-R in those cells. It is, therefore, conceivable that P4 and E2 act in combination to stimulate the proliferative potential of leiomyoma cells through the induction of EGF-like proteins and EGF-R expression in uterine leiomyoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Serum deprivation-induced apoptosis in cultured porcine granulosa cells is characterized by increased expression of p53 protein, Fas antigen and Fas ligand and by decreased expression of PCNA.

Although serum deprivation induces apoptosis in several cell lines, biochemical characterization of the apoptosis in primary granulosa cells (GCs) induced by serum deprivation has rarely been reported. In the present study, GCs from small follicles of porcine ovaries were precultured under a serum-containing condition for seven days, then stepped down to a serum-free condition and cultured for the subsequent two days. GCs were subjected to DNA fragmentation and immunoblot analyses. Data indicated that serum deprivation induced GC apoptosis characterized by DNA laddering, which was associated with decreased expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and increased expression of p53 protein, Fas antigen and Fas ligand. Serum deprivation also resulted in an increase in a 115 kDa protein expression despite no detectable expression of a 66 kDa c-myc protein. This suggests that serum removal from primary GCs may activate multiple apoptotic pathways such as a p53-associated pathway and a Fas-Fas ligand pathway.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal urogenital abnormalities with oligohydramnios by magnetic resonance imaging using turbo spin echo technique.

Turbo spin echo technique is a sequence that enables T2 weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images to be obtained in a few seconds. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of this sequence in the prenatal diagnosis of fetal urogenital abnormalities associated with oligohydramnios, which make the ultrasound examination inconclusive. Two fetuses suspected of having prune belly syndrome and polycystic kidney on ultrasound examination were studied by MR imaging using turbo-spin echo method in utero. The images were compared with prenatal ultrasonography or post-mortem findings. In both fetuses, abnormalities were diagnosed correctly. This sequence is useful because it provides images of diagnostic quality in a very short scanning time.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Ebstein's anomaly associated with left ventricular dysfunction: a case report].

A 66-year-old man presented with Ebstein's anomaly associated with left ventricular dysfunction. He had been followed since 40 years of age for cardiomegaly and arrhythmia, and experienced episodes of orthopnea at the age of 64. He was referred to our hospital in April 1997 because of lower extremity edema. Physical examination revealed dilated external jugular vein, tenderness of the right hypocondorium, and lower extremity edema. Electrocardiography confirmed atrial fibrillation. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed bilateral atrial and ventricular dilation, and paradoxical septal movement. The apical four-chamber view demonstrated 15 mm apical displacement of the septal leaflet. Color Doppler echocardiography revealed moderate tricuspid regurgitation. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed low echoic and hypoplastic tricuspid valve. Left ventriculography showed diffuse hypokinesis, and the ejection fraction was 49%. The coronary artery was normal. Atrial septal defect was not detected. Diffuse fibrosis, which may be found in the hearts of patients with Ebstein's anomaly at autopsy may have been responsible for the left ventricular depressed systolic function in this patient.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Two cases of primary pulmonary hypertension diagnosed during pregnancy.

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a rare clinical entity with a high mortality in pregnancy, delivery and postpartum. This paper describes two clinical cases of PPH diagnosed in pregnancy with different severity and outcomes; Case 1 was diagnosed as PPH at 34 weeks of gestation with pulmonary arterial pressure of 60 mmHg and delivered successfully by cesarean section with uneventful postoperative course. Case 2 was diagnosed as PPH at 26 weeks of gestation with pulmonary arterial pressure of 120 mmHg and delivered by cesarean section but died on the 7th day after the operation because of serious and progressive pulmonary hypertension. Patients with primary pulmonary hypertension should avoid pregnancy because of the high mortality, although some cases including ours have been reported with positive outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Biology of human trophoblast.

In order to elucidate the regulation of placental growth, we have characterized the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), apoptotic DNA fragmentation and bcl-2 protein in human placenta during pregnancy. PCNA and bcl-2 protein expression were examined by immunohistochemical techniques, while the occurrence of apoptotic DNA fragmentation was assessed by in situ analysis of DNA 3'-end labeling method. Both PCNA expression and apoptotic DNA fragmentation were found in cytotrophoblasts (C-cells), being most abundant in early placenta, less abundant in midterm placenta and least abundant in term placenta. In contrast, bcl-2 protein expression was found in syncytiotrophoblasts (S-cells), being least abundant in early placenta, less abundant in midterm placenta and most abundant in term placenta. These data indicate that early placenta is characterized by the highly proliferative activity of C-cells associated with the increased occurrence of apoptosis, whereas term placenta is characterized by the abundant expression of bcl-2 protein in S-cells. Furthermore, effects of EGF on the proliferative activity and differentiated function of trophoblasts were investigated using an organ culture system. Explants of trophoblastic tissues were cultured with or without EGF, in the presence or absence of 10(-8)M triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) in a serum-free condition. In 4-5 week placentas, EGF and EGF receptor were almost exclusively localized in C-cells, and EGF augmented the proliferative activity of C-cells without affecting the ability to secrete hCG and hPL. By contrast, in 6-12 week placentas, EGF and EGF receptor were predominantly localized in S-cells, and EGF stimulated hCG and hPL secretion without affecting the proliferative activity of C-cess. The addition of T3 (10(-8)M) resulted in an increased secretion of immunoreactive EGF by cultured placental explants. These findings suggest that EGF acts as a local factor in regulating early placental growth and function in synergy with thyroid hormone. On the other hand, progesterone selectively inhibited pleise hCG (alpha, beta) mRNAs expression and decreased hCG secretion in normal placental tissues, whereas choriocarcinoma did not respond to progesterone. This suggests that inhibitory regulation of hCG synthesis in choriocarcinoma is different from normal placenta. It was also found that in molar trophoblasts and choriocarcinoma cells PCNA expression was high, but both bcl-2 protein and apoptotic signal expression were low. Characterization of choriocarcinoma hCG revealed that there are striking differences in carbohydrate structures between normal hCG and choriocarcinoma hCG. Sialic acid content in choriocarcinoma hCG was extremely lower compared to that in normal hCG. The detection of the alteration in hCG sugar chains is useful for biochemical diagnosis of choriocarcinoma.

Cell Differentiation↗
PubMed1997

Increased expression of Bcl-2 protein in human uterine leiomyoma and its up-regulation by progesterone.

Uterine leiomyoma is the most common benign smooth muscle cell tumor of the myometrium. Although Bcl-2 protein is known to be an apoptosis-inhibiting gene product and to prevent apoptotic cell death in a variety of cells, there are no published data regarding whether human leiomyomas express Bcl-2 protein. In the present study, we examined the expression of Bcl-2 protein in leiomyomas in comparison with that in the normal myometrium using an immunohistochemical method and immunoblot analysis with a monoclonal antibody to human Bcl-2 protein. Furthermore, we investigated whether sex steroid hormones could influence the levels of Bcl-2 protein expression in leiomyoma cells cultured in vitro under serum-free, phenol red-free conditions. Immunohistochemical staining for Bcl-2 protein was prominent in leiomyoma cells, but was scarcely present in normal myometrial smooth muscle cells. The expression of Bcl-2 protein in leiomyoma cells was most abundant in the secretory, progesterone-dominated, phase of the menstrual cycle, but was less abundant in the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Western blot analyses of leiomyoma and myometrium tissue extracts revealed that Bcl-2 protein, with a molecular mass estimated at approximately 26 kDa, was abundantly present in leiomyoma tissue extracts, but was undetectable in normal myometrial tissue extracts. In monolayer cultures of uterine leiomyoma cells under a serum-free condition, the addition of progesterone (100 ng/mL) resulted in a striking increase in Bcl-2 protein expression in the cultured leiomyoma cells relative to that in control cultures, whereas the addition of 17 beta-estradiol (10 ng/mL) resulted in a reduction in Bcl-2 protein expression in the cells. The concentrations of sex steroids used were within the physiological tissue concentrations found in leiomyomas and myometrium. The present results suggest that the abundant expression of Bcl-2 protein may have a molecular basis characteristic of leiomyomas in the human uterus and that progesterone may play a vital role in the enhanced expression of Bcl-2 protein in human uterine leiomyoma cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Expression of transforming growth factor-alpha and myc oncoprotein in the human ovary during follicular growth, atresia and corpus luteum formation regression].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha and myc oncoprotein on human follicular development and atresia in vitro. METHODS: Ovarian tissues were obtained from 36 women with regular menstrual cycles who underwent abdominal hysterectomy for a variety of gynecological conditions. Expression of TGF-alpha and myc protein in the ovarian tissues was examined by immunohistochemical technique. RESULTS: In primordial follicale only the oocyte showed intense immunostaining for both TGF-alpha and myc oncoprotein. Immunostaining for TGF-alpha in granulosa cells and theca interna cells became apparent in the follicles of preantral stage. With the increase in the size of follicles the intensity of immunostaining in the oocyte decreased, whereas the staining intensity of the granulosa and theca cells increased, and persisted in the corpus luteum and further intensifying during the midluteal phase. myc protein expression in granulosa cells was apparent only in the preantral follicle stage. In the regressing corpus luteum, expression of both TGF-alpha and myc oncoprotein was restricted only in the peripheral theca lutein cells adjacent to the central core of scar issue. In atretic follicles theca interna cells exhibited prominent immunostaining for TGF-alpha and myc protein. CONCLUSION: TGF-alpha and myc oncoprotein combination play a role as intraovarian regulators through autocrine and paracrine mechanism and may participate in remodelling the initial growth of the oocyte, follicular growth, differentiate and apoptosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Autoimmune causes of recurrent pregnancy loss.

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is the loss of 3 or more spontaneous and consecutive pregnancies. There are many causes, such as genetic, anatomic, hormonal, medical and immunologic causes. Two theories, the alloimmune and the autoimmune theories, explain the immunologic cause. The Antiphospholipid Antibody (APA) Syndrome is considered as the autoimmune cause of RPL. It involves two antibodies, Lupus anticoagulant (LAC) and the anti-cardiolipin antibody (ACA). The rate of LAC is 7% and of ACA is 15%, among pregnant women. These two antibodies are believed to cause thrombosis in the maternal circulation, leading to the events that lead to the fetal losses. Women with these antibodies, along with other factors, are believed to be at high risk for RPL. The diagnostic criteria for the APA syndrome include elevated LAC or ACA serum levels and clinical findings of thrombosis, thrombocytopenia and RPL. Presently, the medical treatment of the APA syndrome includes heparin, low-dose aspirin, and immunoglobulins. There must also be an active attempt to search for other causes of RPL among patients with APA syndrome, such as anatomic, endocrinologic, anatomic and medical problems. Management of RPL should also include extensive counseling for the patient and her family.

Abortion, Habitual↗
PubMed1996

Results of surgery for paralytic exotropia due to oculomotor palsy.

In 138 cases of paralytic exotropia due to oculomotor palsy, transposition of the superior oblique muscle and resection of the medial rectus muscle were carried out. Surgery was performed with or without recession of the lateral rectus muscle. The long-term prognosis for 4 years or more was observed in 35 cases. We found that the same results could be obtained by selecting transposition of the superior oblique muscle in cases of complete palsy and resection of the medical rectus muscle in cases of incomplete palsy. There was no benefit in combining resection of the medial rectus muscle when performing the transposition of the superior oblique muscle. Regardless of which method was used, a combination with recession of the lateral rectus muscle greatly improved the effectiveness of the procedure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Immunological evidence for the expression of the Fas antigen in the infant and adult human ovary during follicular regression and atresia.

Immunohistochemical localization of the Fas antigen in the infant and adult human ovary during follicular growth, regression, and atresia was examined by the avidin/biotin immunoperoxidase method with a monoclonal antibody to the Fas antigen. Western blotting was used to confirm the presence of the Fas antigen protein. In primordial and primary follicles within the normal adult ovary, only the oocyte showed moderate immunostaining for the Fas antigen. In secondary and antral follicles, only the oocyte showed weak staining for the Fas antigen, while in preovulatory follicles, neither the oocyte nor the granulosa and theca cells were immunostained for the Fas antigen. In corpora lutea, the Fas antigen staining became apparent in the granulosa lutein cells during the early luteal phase and intensified during the mid luteal phase, while the theca lutein cells became positive for the Fas antigen staining during the mid luteal phase. During the late luteal phase, the staining intensity of the Fas antigen in the regressing corpora lutea further increased. As the regressing corpora lutea were converted into corpora albicans, the staining intensity decreased, and the corpora albicans and stromal cells were negative for the Fas antigen. In atretic primordial and primary follicles, only the degenerating oocyte showed the Fas antigen staining. By contrast, in atretic antral follicles, the Fas antigen staining was profound in the degenerating granulosa cells at the early stage of atresia, and at the mid stage of atresia it was intensified in the cell surface of the scattered granulosa cells and became apparent in the theca cells. At the late stage of atresia the Fas antigen remained only in the hypertrophied theca cells. In the infant ovary, only the oocyte in primordial and primary follicles exhibited intense staining for the Fas antigen. In the postmenopausal ovary, the Fas antigen staining was entirely negative. Western blot analysis revealed the presence of the Fas antigen protein with a molecular mass of 45 kDa in luteal tissues. On the basis of the recent evidence, that the Fas antigen mediates an apoptotic signal in a variety of cells, the abundant expression of the Fas antigen in the regressing corpora lutea and atretic follicles suggests that the Fas antigen participates in luteal regression and follicular atresia through the apoptotic process. Furthermore, notable expression of the Fas antigen in the oocyte of primordial and primary follicles within the infant and adult human ovary followed by the decrease in the Fas antigen expression in the oocyte with the advance of follicular maturation suggests that the Fas antigen expression in the oocyte may play a role in follicular selection.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Comparison of immunocytologic localization of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 in normal and polycystic ovary syndrome human ovaries.

The cytologic localization and cellular levels of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4) in follicular and stromal compartments of normal and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) ovaries during follicular growth and regression were investigated by the avidin/biotin immunoperoxidase method with a polyclonal antibody to human IGFBP-4, and a comparative assessment of IGFBP-4 expression in normal and PCOS ovaries was provided. In normal human ovaries, IGFBP-4 was immunolocalized to the oocyte throughout follicular growth, while the surrounding granulosa and theca cells were negligible for IGFBP-4 immunostaining in primordial, preantral and antral follicles. IGFBP-4 immunostaining became apparent, however, in the lutein cells of corpora lutea and the granulosa and theca cells of atretic follicles. In PCOS ovaries, prominent immunostaining for IGFBP-4 was apparent not only in the oocyte, but also in the surrounding granulosa cells in preantral follicles. In antral follicles from PCOS women without hyperinsulinemia, IGFBP-4 immunostaining was more prominent in the granulosa cells than the theca cells, whereas in antral follicles from PCOS women with hyperinsulinemia IGFBP-4 immunostaining was more prominent in the theca cells than the granulosa cells. Furthermore, in atretic follicles within PCOS ovaries IGFBP-4 immunostaining was prominent in the theca cells, regardless of the association of hyperinsulinemia. These results demonstrate for the first time that there is a great difference in cellular expression of IGFBP-4 between normal and PCOS human ovaries. In light of the high affinity of IGFBP-4 for IGF-1, the abundant expression of IGFBP-4 in granulosa and theca cells of preantral and antral follicles of PCOS ovaries may lead to decreases in the bioavailability of IGF-I in those follicles. The decrease in IGF-I-mediated stimulation of gonadotropin actions on granulosa and theca cells in preantral and antral follicles may impair the induction of aromatase activity, causing an androgenic microenvironment which is characteristic of atretic follicles and PCOS follicles.

Adult↗