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Biomedical subjects

T Nishi

Publications and source records attributed to T Nishi.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

[A case of intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy for liver metastases of breast cancer].

A 55-year-old woman was seen in our clinic for liver metastases of breast cancer. She underwent a standard radical mastectomy in June, 1987. Five years and 3 months after the operation, multiple bone metastases were found on bone scintigram and 10 years after the operation multiple liver metastases on CT. She was treated with a combination of intra-arterial chemotherapy using 20-30 mg/body epirubicin every 2 weeks and chemo-endocrine therapy using medroxyprogesterone acetrate (MPA) 600 mg/day + 5'-DFUR 600 mg/day. The treatment seemed to be very useful. The liver metastases regressed by 99% in size, and the duration of response was 9 months. Bone metastases did not progress from the treatment.

Administration, Oral↗

Prognostic significance of the MIB-1 labeling index for patient with craniopharyngioma.

Proliferative activity of 17 craniopharyngiomas were determined using an immunohistochemical method with monoclonal antibody MIB-1. A considerable variation of the MIB-1 labeling indices was found between the different tumors with a minimum of 0.4% and a maximum of 32.5% (median, 10.84%). The mean MIB-1 labeling index (LI) for 4 craniopharyngiomas that showed no evidence of recurrence (n=4) was 3.4 +/- 2.3%. This was significantly lower than that for craniopharyngiomas that showed recurrence and regrowth (13.2 +/- 7.7%) (n=13), based on the initial resected tumors. Statistical analysis reveal that craniopharyngiomas with an MIB-1 LI of 7% or more have a significantly high tendency for recurrence and regrowth during clinical course. Our data suggest that a MIB-1 LI greater than 7% may be a useful predictor of regrowth/recurrence of craniopharyngiomas and may be useful for planning of adjuvant therapy.

Adolescent↗

Light-increased cGMP and K+ conductance in the hyperpolarizing receptor potential of Onchidium extra-ocular photoreceptors.

The phototransduction mechanism of the extra-ocular photoreceptor cells Ip-2 and Ip-1 in the mollusc Onchidium ganglion was examined. Previous work showed that the depolarizing receptor potential of another extra-ocular photoreceptor cell, A-P-1 is produced by a decrease of the light-sensitive K+ conductance activated by a second messenger, cGMP and is inactivated by the hydrolysis of cGMP. Here, a hyperpolarizing receptor potential of Ip-2 or Ip-1 was associated with an increase in membrane conductance. When Ip-2 or Ip-1 was voltage-clamped near the resting membrane potential, light induced an outward photocurrent corresponding to the above hyperpolarization. The spectral sensitivity had a peak at 510 nm. The shift of reversal potentials of the photocurrent depended on the Nernst equation of K(+)-selective conductance. The photocurrent was blocked by 4-AP and L-DIL, which are effective blockers of the A-P-1 light-sensitive K+ conductance. These results suggested that the hyperpolarization is mediated by increasing a similar light-sensitive K+ conductance to that of A-P-1. The injection of cGMP or Ca2+ into a cell produced a K+ current that mimicked the photocurrent. 4-AP and L-DIL both abolished the cGMP-activated K+ current, while TEA suppressed only the Ca(2+)-activated K+ current. These results indicated that cGMP is also a second messenger that regulates the light-sensitive K+ conductance. The photocurrent was blocked by LY-83583, a guanylate cyclase (GC) inhibitor, but was unaltered by zaprinast, a phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor. Together, the present results suggest that increasing the internal cGMP in Ip-2 or Ip-1 cells light-activates GC rather than inhibits PDE, thereby leading to an increase of the light-sensitive K+ conductance and the hyperpolarization.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Impairment of cell adhesion by expression of the mutant neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) genes which lack exons in the ERM-homology domain.

Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is an inherited disorder characterized by a predisposition to multiple intracranial tumors. The protein encoded by the NF2 gene has striking similarities to ezrin, radixin and moesin (ERM) proteins which link membrane proteins to the cytoskeleton. Therefore, it can be speculated that the disruption of cytoskeletal organization by alterations in the NF2 gene is involved in the development of tumors. It has been reported that the majority of NF2 mutations were nonsense or frameshift mutations that result in premature termination of translation. To facilitate the detection of these mutations, we performed protein truncation test and found that 11 of 14 NF2 patients had truncational mutations (79%). Seven of the 11 patients (64%) had a splicing abnormality which lead to absence of exons in the ERM homology domain. To examine the biological significance of the exon-missing mutations in the ERM homology domain, we expressed the wild-type (wt-NF2) and the various mutant NF2s (mu-NF2s) in a fibroblast cell line by using both liposome-mediated transfection and nuclear microinjection of the expression plasmids. The wt-NF2 showed intense punctate staining in the perinuclear cytoplasm in addition to overall staining of the submembranous area, whereas the mu-NF2s lacking exons in the ERM homology domain showed granular staining at the perinuclear region without any accumulation at the submembrane region. Microinjection of wt-NF2 cDNA into the nucleus of VA13 cells revealed that wt-NF2 protein induced a progressive elongation of cell processes. Furthermore, cells that expressed mu-NF2 had decreased adhesion, which resulted in detachment from the substratum. These findings suggested that the exon-missing mutations in the ERM-homology domain may affect cell membrane-cytoskeleton signaling and consequently disrupt cell-to-cell or cell-to-matrix interaction.

Adolescent↗

IL-12 promotes the adhesion of NK cells to endothelial selectins under flow conditions.

This study examined the adhesive interactions of peripheral blood NK cells with P- and E-selectin and analyzed the effect of IL-12 on the binding of NK cells to these selectins. P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) is expressed on most resting and IL-12-activated NK cells. However, the percentage of resting NK cells bound to P-selectin-IgG was 15%, and that of activated NK cells bound to P-selectin-IgG was 65%. Furthermore, the number of IL-12-activated NK cells bound to P-selectin-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells was significantly higher than that of resting NK cells under flow conditions. These interactions were abolished by the incubation of these NK cells with anti-PSGL-1 (PL-1) mAb. Thus, PSGL-1/P-selectin interaction is important in the binding of resting and activated NK cells to P-selectin. NK cells express sialyl-Lewis(x) (sLe(x)) structure recognized by anti-sLe(x) mAb (KM-93), and IL-12 activation of NK cells increased the mean fluorescence intensity of KM-93-reactive NK cells. Adhesion of IL-12-activated NK cells to E-selectin-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells was stronger than that of resting NK cells under flow conditions. These interactions were reduced markedly by incubation with anti-sLe(x) mAb. Thus, sLe(x) is the major ligand of resting and activated NK cells for E-selectin. These findings indicate that IL-12 stimulation of NK cells promotes their adhesion activity to endothelial selectins.

Animals↗

Expression of CD44 adhesion molecules in intracranial germinomas.

Adhesion molecules play a role in tumor growth, invasiveness, and the metastatic process. The expression of CD44 adhesion molecules in 11 intracranial germinoma specimens was investigated using anti-CD44 monoclonal antibody and immunohistochemical methods. In six of 11 specimens studied, CD44 antibodies were bound to the membrane of tumor cells; in five of six specimens, CD44 antigen was also present in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. The only three patients who showed CD44-positive expression in tumor cells, lymphocytes, and extracellular matrix (ECM) exhibited either cerebrospinal fluid dissemination or multiple tumors at different locations. In all 11 specimens, no expression of CD44 in normal glial cells or capillary endothelium was detected. According to the authors' findings, the expression of CD44 in intracranial germinomas is similar to that of gonadal seminomas. Analysis of the results further suggests the possibility that the expression of CD44 in intracranial germinoma tumor cells, lymphocytes, and ECM may contribute to tumor cell migration, adhesion to cerebrospinal fluid dissemination, and/or multiple tumor locations.

Journal Article↗

Primary Malignant Lymphoma of the Breast: Mammographic and Ultrasonographic Findings.

Malignant lymphoma rarely involves the breast. We discribe four cases of primary breast lymphoma encountered in our institution from 1979 through 1996, focusing on mammographic and ultrasonographic findings. The lymphomas were demonstrated by mammography as a well-defined mass in one case, an ill-defined mass in two cases and as diffuse increased opacity in one case. No desmoplastic change or calcification was noted. In 3 cases ultrasonography was used, revealing hypoechoic masses with (1 case) or without (2 case) posterior enhancement. During the past two years, 45 of 197 cancers (23%) were demonstrated as a mass without desmoplastic change or calcification by mammography and ultrasonography at our institution. It can be difficult to distinguish malignant lymphoma from more common diseases of the breast, such as carcinoma, by mammography and ultrasonography.

Journal Article↗

2(1H)-quinolinone derivatives as novel anti-arteriostenotic agents showing anti-thrombotic and anti-hyperplastic activities.

In order to search for anti-arteriostenotic agents, a series of 2(1H)-quinolinone derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for anti-thrombotic activity and for anti-hyperplastic activity. From this series, (-)-6-[3-[3-cyclopropyl-3-[(1R,2R)-2-hydroxycyclohexyl]ureido]propoxy]-2 (1H)-quinolinone (1p, OPC-33509) was selected as the best candidate by balancing the efficacy on anti-thrombosis and anti-hyperplasia.

Animals↗

Synthesis and 5 alpha-reductase inhibitory activities of benzofuran derivatives with a carbamoyl group.

A series of 2-phenylbenzofuran derivatives with a diphenylmethylcarbamoyl group at the 5 or 6 position of the benzofuran ring were synthesized and evaluated for rat and human testosterone 5 alpha-reductase inhibitory activities in vitro. They had inhibitory activities against both enzymes and the 6-carbamoyl derivatives tended to be more potent than the 5-carbamoyl compounds.

5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors↗

Metabotropic glutamate receptors negatively regulate melatonin synthesis in rat pinealocytes.

Rat pinealocytes receive noradrenergic innervation that stimulates melatonin synthesis in a cAMP-mediated manner. In addition to melatonin, we showed previously that pinealocytes secrete L-glutamate through an exocytic mechanism. The released glutamate inhibits norepinephrine (NE)-dependent melatonin synthesis. Consistent with this observation, specific agonists of class II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), including 1-(1S,3R)-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (tACPD), inhibited NE-dependent melatonin synthesis, whereas agonists for other types of glutamate receptors did not. Furthermore, reverse transcription-PCR, Northern blotting, and immunohistochemistry analyses indicated expression of class II mGluR3 in pinealocytes. Inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Gi) was also detected in pinealocytes. L-Glutamate or agonists of class II receptors decreased NE- or forskolin-dependent increase of cAMP and serotonin-N-acetyltransferase activities to similar extents. These effects were blocked by pertussis toxin or dibutyryl cAMP. These results indicate that the inhibitory cAMP cascade is involved in the glutamate-evoked inhibition of melatonin synthesis. We propose that the glutaminergic system negatively regulates NE-dependent melatonin synthesis in rat pinealocytes.

Animals↗

Novel antipsychotic agents with dopamine autoreceptor agonist properties: synthesis and pharmacology of 7-[4-(4-phenyl-1-piperazinyl)butoxy]-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone derivatives.

To develop a novel antipsychotic agent which is an agonist of dopamine (DA) autoreceptors and an antagonist of postsynaptic DA receptors, a series of 7-[4-[4-(substituted phenyl)-1-piperazinyl]butoxy]-3,4-dihydro-2 (1H)-quinolinones was synthesized and their dual activities were examined. The postsynaptic DA receptor antagonistic activities of the compounds were evaluated by their ability to inhibit stereotypy induced by apomorphine in mice, and the autoreceptor agonist activities were determined by their effects on the gamma-butyrolactone (GBL)-induced increase in L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) synthesis in the mouse brain. Many compounds inhibited the stereotypic behavior, and several compounds reversed the GBL-induced increase in the DOPA synthesis. Among them, 7-[4-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl]-butoxy]-3,4-dihydro-2 (1H)-quinolinone (28, aripiprazole, OPC-14597) was found to have these two activities. This compound reversed the GBL-induced DOPA synthesis (ED50 values of 5.1 mumol/kg p.o.) and inhibited the APO induced stereotypy (ED50 values of 0.6 mumol/kg p.o.). Compound 28 induced catalepsy at 10 times higher dose than that required for the antagonism of APO-induced stereotypy (ED50 value of 7.8 mumol/kg p.o.).

4-Butyrolactone↗

The first cooperative living-related donor liver transplantation performed by two separate institution teams: The Kanagawa Liver Transplantation Program.

With the cooperation of surgeons in two separate institutes, living-related donor liver transplantation was safely performed at the Kanagawa Children's Medical Center. The donor operations were carried out at Kanagawa Cancer Center by surgeons of the hepatobiliary division and the liver grafts were immediately transported to Kanagawa Children's Medical Center by ambulance, and transplanted orthotopically. Since January 1995, five children with biliary atresia have been given partial liver grafts obtained from their mothers. The liver grafts were transported within 20 min, and functioned immediately after transplantation. The development of a pediatric liver transplantation program requires a multidisciplinary approach that can be provided only in a large tertiary referral children's medical center. Preparation for the clinical program involves training of surgical and nursing team members, both in an animal laboratory and at an established liver transplantation center. Special support for the program by the institute is essential and involves medical, nursing, and administrative divisions as well as social services, operating room personnel, and intensive care unit facilities. After careful planning, and with the invaluable help of the donor operating team, the Kanagawa Liver Transplantation Program has been realized, and its first transplantations conducted safely and successfully.

Adolescent↗

Unruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva into the pulmonary artery.

Congenital aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva are rare lesions. Because the aortic root is central, the aneurysm can rupture into any cardiac chamber, and virtually all combinations of sinus and chamber fistulas have been described. Rupture into the pulmonary artery, however, is very rare. We encountered a 14-year-old boy with conal ventricular septal defect and right coronary cusp prolapse with an unruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva into the pulmonary artery.

Adolescent↗

Bladder origin neuroblastoma detected by mass screening.

Pelvic neuroblastoma is relatively rare and most are a presacral mass. We present a case of asymptomatic neuroblastoma arising from the dome of the bladder wall, detected by a mass screening program. Only 1 case of neuroblastoma originating from the bladder has been previously reported. Both the reported case and our present case arose from the dome of the bladder wall. The differential diagnosis for bladder tumor in children is discussed; although uncommon, neuroblastoma should be considered a probable choice, especially for tumors arising from the dome of the bladder wall.

Female↗

Cadherin-8 protein expression in gray matter structures and nerve fibers of the neonatal and adult mouse brain.

The topological distribution of mouse cadherin-8 protein in the neonatal and adult mouse brain was studied immunohistochemically using a rabbit antiserum. Cadherin-8 expression was restricted to several areas in neonatal brains constituting particular neural circuits, i.e. the limbic system, the basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuit, and the cerebellum and related nuclei. In addition, the nerve fibers linking some of the cadherin-8-positive areas, i.e. the habenulo-interpeduncular tract, decussation of the dorsal tegmentum, the medial longitudinal fasciculus, transverse pontine fibers, the brachium conjunctivum and the inferior cerebellar peduncle were cadherin-8 positive, as were the spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve, oculomotor nerve, facial nerve and trigeminal nerve. Cadherin-8 expression also showed a patch-like distribution in the intermediate gray layer of the superior colliculus, resembling acetylcholinesterase-rich patches in allocation. Segmentally organized cadherin-8-positive areas were found in the neonatal cerebellar Purkinje cell layer. Some nuclei and fibers in the brainstem and cerebellum, expressing cadherin-8 at neonatal stages, were also stained in the adult mouse brain. These findings suggest that cadherin-8 is involved in the formation of particular neural circuits by connecting areas expressing this molecule with positive nerve fibers, and indicate its possible implication in subdivisional organization in the superior colliculus and cerebellum.

Animals↗

Peptide mimics of the CTLA4-binding domain stimulate T-cell proliferation.

Phage library clones selected by a conformational epitope-recognizing and inhibitory monoclonal antibody may display moieties that mimic a receptor/ligand-like three-dimensional structure. This pseudoreceptor/ligand should be able to bind to natural ligand/receptor molecules. We tested this idea using anti-T cell costimulatory molecule antibodies and successfully isolated phage clones with costimulatory effects on T-cell proliferation. This strategy facilitates the designing of regulatory peptide molecules in the absence of precise information about the structure-function relationships in receptor/ligand interactions.

Abatacept↗

The involvement of calpain-dependent proteolysis of the tumor suppressor NF2 (merlin) in schwannomas and meningiomas.

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) protein, also known as merlin or schwannomin, is a tumor suppressor, and NF2 is mutated in most schwannomas and meningiomas. Although these tumors are dependent on NF2, some lack detectable NF2 mutations, which indicates that alternative mechanisms exist for inactivating merlin. Here, we demonstrate cleavage of merlin by the ubiquitous protease calpain and considerable activation of the calpain system resulting in the loss of merlin expression in these tumors. Increased proteolysis of merlin by calpain in some schwannomas and meningiomas exemplifies tumorigenesis linked to the calpain-mediated proteolytic pathway.

Base Sequence↗