Search PubMedSearch

Biomedical subjects

Y Tomoda

Publications and source records attributed to Y Tomoda.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Hydatidiform mole coexistent with a twin live fetus: a national collaborative study in Japan.

A national collaborative study was conducted in Japan to evaluate the clinical course and the sequelae of patients with hydatidiform mole coexistent with twin live fetus (HMTF). Seventy-two cases of HMTF were diagnosed based on gross appearance and histopathological criteria. In 18 cases, the molar parts were cytogenetically confirmed to be of androgenetic origin (complete mole). The overall incidence of persistent trophoblastic tumour (PTT) in patients with HMTF was 30.6%, and it increased to 50.0% in the 18 patients with proven androgenetic complete mole coexistent with twin live fetus (CHMTF). Among these patients, the mean gestational age at termination of pregnancy or delivery in those who developed PTT (n = 9) and those who did not (n = 9) were 20.6 and 19.4 weeks respectively. The incidence of severe maternal complications was significantly higher in patients who subsequently developed PTT (P < 0.05). The rate of subsequent development of PTT in patients with CHMTF was found to be considerably higher than in a previous study of patients with single complete mole (50 and 12.5% respectively). However, since the risk of malignancy is unchanged with advancement of gestational age, continued pregnancy may be allowed in patients with HMTF provided that severe maternal complications are controlled and fetal karyotype and development are normal.

Abortion, Induced

Phase II study of irinotecan and cisplatin as first-line chemotherapy in advanced or recurrent cervical cancer.

Irinotecan (CPT-11) and cisplatin are singly active against cervical cancer. We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of CPT-11 plus cisplatin as first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer. Twenty-nine chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer were treated with CPT-11 (60 mg/m(2)) on days 1, 8, and 15 by intravenous infusion over 90 min, followed by cisplatin (60 mg/m(2) i.v.) on day 1 over 90 min. The patients' median age was 57 years (range 35-75). Nineteen patients (66%) had advanced primary disease. Six patients with recurrent disease (21%) had been treated with prior radiotherapy. The remaining 4 patients (14%) had residual or recurrent disease after radical surgery. The histologic diagnoses were squamous cell carcinoma in 25 patients (87%), adenocarcinoma in 3, and adenosquamous cell carcinoma in 1. All eligible patients were included in the toxicity and response analysis based on the intent to treat. Two patients (7%) achieved a complete response and 15 (52%) a partial response (overall response rate: 59%, 95% confidence interval; 41-74%). Stable disease was recorded in 6 patients (21%) and progressive disease in 3 patients (10%). In 3 patients, image-guided evaluation of response was judged to be unfeasible at the time of independent extramural review (10%). The median time to response was 32 days (range 16-62 days). The median survival was 27. 7+ months (range, 6.4-52.8+ months). Two dose-limiting side effects were observed: grade 3 (28%) or 4 (45%) neutropenia and grade 3 (7%) or 4 (7%) diarrhea. Other severe toxicities included anemia (45%), thrombocytopenia (3%), nausea/vomiting (31%), and alopecia (7%). The combination of CPT-11 with cisplatin is an active regimen for treatment of advanced or recurrent cervical cancer albeit with a significant degree of myelosuppression.

Adult

Chromatic sensitive epilepsy: a variant of photosensitive epilepsy.

We herein report 4 Japanese children who suffered epileptic seizures while watching a popular animated TV program. They showed a photoparoxysmal response that is more frequently observed in response to rapid color (blue/red) frame changes than monochromatic ones. These patients were all considered to have photosensitive epilepsy; however, chromatic sensitivity also plays an important role in the generation of such seizures.

Adolescent

Visual evoked potentials in school children: a comparative study of transient and steady-state methods with pattern reversal and flash stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: Flash visual evoked potentials (VEPs) are commonly used in pediatrics, because children are sometimes uncooperative. We performed a comparative study of transient and steady-state VEPs with pattern reversal (PR) and flash (light-emitting diode, LED) stimulation. METHODS: We recorded VEPs in 15 boys and 17 girls (aged 6-12 years) using 4 different stimulus conditions. The latency and amplitude of transient VEPs (T-VEPs) were measured. Steady-state VEPs (S-VEPs) were Fourier analyzed, and both the phase and amplitude of the major components were obtained. RESULTS: The mean P100 latency of LED T-VEPs was longer and had a greater variability than that of PR T-VEPs. The LED T-VEPs had an amplitude of about double that of PR T-VEPs. The first harmonic response in the LED and second harmonic in PR were the major components of S-VEPs. The phases of PR and LED S-VEPs had narrow angular dispersions and amplitudes showed marked intersubject variability. Sex and age had no significant effect on both T-VEPs and S-VEPs. CONCLUSIONS: Reproducible VEPs with 4 stimulus conditions can be obtained in school children. T-VEPs and S-VEPs are clinically useful because these methods provide complementary information.

Brain

Effects of exercise training on the heart rate variability and QT dispersion of patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects the autonomic tone of the heart, and QT dispersion reflects the regional inhomogeneity of ventricular repolarization. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of early exercise training on HRV and QT dispersion in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Forty patients (mean age: 59 years) with AMI were randomized to training rehabilitation (group Tr, n=20) or conventional rehabilitation (group C, n=20). Two weeks after AMI, group Tr underwent 10 min of exercise using a bicycle ergometer (80% of anaerobic threshold) twice a day. At the end of the second and fourth weeks, 12-lead and 24-h Holter ECGs were recorded. QT intervals were measured and corrected using Bazett's formula (QTc), and QTc dispersion (QTcd) was defined as the difference between maximum and minimum QTc. HRV was accessed by the high-frequency component (HF: 0.15-0.40 Hz) of the HRV power spectrum (parasympathetic activity) and the ratio of low frequency (0.04-0.15 Hz) to HF (L/H ratio: sympathetic activity). In group Tr, HF increased (82.5 to 131.1 ms2), the L/H ratio decreased (3.9 to 2.6), and QTcd decreased (77.2 to 57.2 ms). In group C, none of the indices changed. It was concluded that early exercise training improves sympathovagal balance and decreases QTcd, and may reduce the arrhythmogenic substrate following AMI.

Aged

Hepatocyte growth factor in human amniotic fluid promotes the migration of fetal small intestinal epithelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: Previously we reported on the abundant existence of hepatocyte growth factor in amniotic fluid. This study was conducted to clarify the effects of hepatocyte growth factor in amniotic fluid on fetal intestinal epithelial cells. STUDY DESIGN: Amniotic fluid samples were obtained from 22 cases at various gestational ages. The effects of amniotic fluid and recombinant human hepatocyte growth factor on proliferation, migration, and morphogenesis of intestine 407 cells (a cell line derived from fetal intestinal epithelial cells) were investigated. RESULTS: The mobility of intestine 407 cells was stimulated by amniotic fluid in proportion to the concentration of hepatocyte growth factor in amniotic fluid with the same effect observed with recombinant human hepatocyte growth factor. This activity was neutralized by addition of antihuman hepatocyte growth factor antibody. Neither increased deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis nor morphogenesis in response to amniotic fluid was identified under the conditions used. CONCLUSION: Amniotic fluid stimulates intestinal epithelial cell migration by way of hepatocyte growth factor in amniotic fluid during development of the fetal intestine.

Amniotic Fluid

Inductions of immediate early genes (IEGS) and ref-1 by human chorionic gonadotropin in murine Leydig cell line (MA-10).

The effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on the expression of immediate early genes (IEGs) including all members of fos and jun family, and c-myc was studied using mouse Leydig cell line (MA-10 cells) by Northern blot analyses. In addition, the induction of ref-1 which enhances DNA binding of fos/jun proteins was also analyzed. HCG induced a rapid and transient expression of c-fos, fosB, c-jun, junB, junD and c-myc with a peak at 30 min to 1 h. In contrast, induction of fra-1 mRNA was delayed with a peak at 3 hr. However, fra-2 mRNA was immediately increased by hCG with a peak at 1 h. The ref-1 mRNA was expressed before the stimulation and its level was not altered by hCG at least for 8 hr. The differential induction of IEGs and continuous expression of ref-1 mRNA suggest an important role of their gene products on the regulation of Leydig cell function by hCG.

Animals

Valproate therapy does not deplete carnitine levels in otherwise healthy children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether children with epilepsy undergoing valproate (VPA) antiepileptic therapy and who are otherwise healthy have a lower serum level of carnitine (CAR) and a higher plasma level of plasma ammonia than do normal children. METHODOLOGY: A total of 45 children with epilepsy, 6.3 to 21.7 years of age, who were treated solely with VPA and were free of abnormal neurologic findings or nutritional problems were randomly selected (VPA-treated group). An age-matched control group (n = 45) was selected from subjects without epilepsy (control group). Total (T) and free (F) serum CAR, serum VPA concentration, and the plasma ammonia level were measured and analyzed. RESULTS: Serum VPA concentration exhibited a weak negative correlation with both T- (r = -0.34) and F-CAR (r = -0.41). The T-CAR levels were 55.7 +/- 12.4 and 57.6 +/- 12.1 mM, and the F-CAR levels 42.7 +/- 9.9 and 44.4 +/- 9.9 mM in the VPA-treated and control groups, respectively. Thus, there was no significant difference in T- or F-CAR levels between the VPA-treated and control groups. Plasma ammonia levels were the same in the two groups: 26 +/- 9.2 and 29.4 +/- 11.8 mM in the VPA-treated and control groups, respectively. There was no significant correlation between blood ammonia and either T- (r = +0.024) or F-CAR (r = -0. 026). CONCLUSION: Children on a regular diet ingest a sufficient amount of CAR that more than meets their daily CAR requirement. The level of neither T- nor F-CAR in patients with epilepsy and without severe neurologic or nutritional problems being treated with VPA appeared to be affected by VPA therapy. Because the blood CAR level depends on nutritional condition rather than on blood VPA concentration, CAR deficiency caused by VPA is not likely to occur in this population. The usefulness of supplementation of CAR for this type of patient with epilepsy, therefore, must be reevaluated carefully.

Adolescent

[Assessment of autonomic nervous activity before the onset of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation].

Autonomic nervous activity is involved in the onset of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, but it is not clear how the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems interact before the onset of atrial fibrillation. Twelve lone atrial fibrillation patients and 10 healthy volunteers were studied using 24-hour Holter electrocardiography monitoring. A total of 17 episodes were analyzed. Autonomic nervous activity was assessed based on the high frequency power (HF) spectrum (HF represents parasympathetic nervous activity) and the ratio to the low frequency power (LF) spectrum (L/H represents sympathetic nervous activity) of heart rate variability during sinus rhythm, and the 24-hour averaged autonomic indices were compared between atrial fibrillation patients and healthy volunteers. Comparative data were obtained 30, 20, 10, and 2 min before the onset of atrial fibrillation for each episode. There were no significant differences in the HF and L/H ratio between the patients and healthy volunteers. There were no significant differences in the HF values before the onset of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, but the L/H ratio before the onset of atrial fibrillation at 30, 20 and 10 min was 1.03 +/- 0.42, 0.95 +/- 0.50, and 1.32 +/- 0.46, respectively, and just before the episode was 1.73 +/- 0.73, so the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was 0.43. Basal autonomic nervous activity in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation showed no changes compared with healthy volunteers. Sympathetic nervous activity increased progressively from about 30 min before the onset of atrial fibrillation, but parasympathetic nervous activity showed no significant changes. Therefore, a transient augmentation of sympathetic tone may be important in the onset of atrial fibrillation.

Adult

[Early phase II trial of oral etoposide administered for 21 consecutive days in patients with cervical or ovarian cancer. ETP 21 Study Group--Cervical-Ovarian Cancer Group].

We conducted multi-site early phase II trial or oral etoposide administered for 21 consecutive days in patients with cervical or ovarian cancer in cooperation with 19 institutes. Fifty mg/body of oral etoposide was administered daily for 21 consecutive days. Cycles were repeated every 28 days. In cervical cancer, 24 patients were enrolled and 17 of them were evaluated. The overall response rate including CR and PR was 23.5% (4/17). In ovarian cancer, 18 patients out of 21 enrolled were evaluated. The overall response rate was 16.7% (3/18). The primary toxicity observed was myelosuppression such as leukopenia, neutropenia, hemoglobin decrease and thrombocytopenia. Other adverse effects were anorexia, nausea, vomitting, fatigue, alopecia and stomatitis. From these results we concluded that oral etoposide administered for 21 consecutive days was effective against cervical cancer.

Administration, Oral

c-Ras is required for the activation of the matrix metalloproteinases by concanavalin A in 3Y1 cells.

Concanavalin A (Con A) is known to trigger augmented secretion and proteolytic activation of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in fibroblasts. To study the signaling pathway critical for the activation of MMPs in fibroblasts, we examined the effects of dominant negative ras (S17N ras) expression under the control of conditionally inducible promoter in Con A-activated 3Y1 cells. We found that augmented secretion and proteolytic activation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 together with expression of MT1-MMP in Con A-activated 3Y1 were dramatically suppressed by S17N ras expression. These results strongly suggest that c-Ras plays a critical role in the augmented expression and proteolytic activation of MMPs in fibroblasts.

Animals

Clinical behavior of borderline ovarian tumors: a study of 150 cases.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the clinical features, treatment, and survival status of the patients with borderline ovarian tumors. METHODS: A retrospective review of the charts of 150 patients with borderline ovarian tumor registered at the Tokai Ovarian Tumor Study Group from January 1, 1980, to December 31, 1994, was conducted to obtain clinical and pathological information. RESULTS: In stage II and III disease, the numbers of patients with no residual tumor, residual tumor of <2 cm, 2-5 cm, and >5 cm were 9, 10, 3, and 3, respectively. The sizes of residual tumors and corresponding clinical response to chemotherapy were as follows: residual tumor of <2 cm, complete response (CR), 6 patients; no change (NC), 2; progressive disease (PD), 2; tumors 2-5 cm, NC, 1 patient, PD, 2; tumors >5 cm, PD, 3 patients. The survival for patients with residual tumor <2 cm was significantly better than for those with residual tumor from 2-5 cm and of >5 cm (P < 0.05). The survival for patients with stage II and III serous tumor was significantly longer than that for patients with stage II and III mucinous tumor (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In advanced borderline ovarian tumor, the prognosis of patients with gross residual tumor after initial surgery, and especially with mucinous tumor, was poor.

Adolescent

Effects of 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone on migration of human monocytic THP-1 cells stimulated by minimally oxidized low-density lipoprotein in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: Many epidemiological studies have shown that postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has a beneficial effect on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of estrogen and progestin on the migration of monocytes induced by minimally oxidized low-density lipoprotein (m-ox-LDL) in vitro. METHODS: Human monocytic THP-1 cells were used for the study. Migration assay was performed using a modified Boyden chamber. RESULTS: The presence of estrogen receptors was determined in THP-1 cells by Western and Northern blot analysis. Although native LDL had no significant effects on the migration of THP-1 cells, m-ox-LDL increased the migration of THP-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Although 17 beta-estradiol (E2, 10(-9)-10(-6) M) inhibited the 10 micrograms/ml-induced migration of THP-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner, estrone (E1), estriol (E3) and progesterone (P) had no significant effects. The combination of P (10(-9)-10(-6) M) did not show any effect on the inhibitory effect of 10(-7) M E2. Preincubation of THP-1 cells with the anti-estrogenic agent, tamoxifen (10(-6) M), significantly antagonized the inhibitory effect of 10(-7) M E2. m-ox-LDL stimulated MCP-1 secretion from THP-1 cells, which was reduced by E2. Anti-human MCP-1 neutralizing antibody inhibited the migration of THP-1 cells stimulated by m-ox-LDL. E2 also inhibited the 10 ng/ml MCP-1-induced migration of THP-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the inhibitory effect of E2 on the migration of monocytes might be one of the factors involved in the decreased incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in premenopausal women and postmenopausal HRT.

Adult

Fetal heart rate patterns associated with periventricular leukomalacia.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the applicability of fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring to detect fetuses at risk of developing periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). METHODS: FHR tracings obtained for babies delivered under 33 weeks' gestation and with a birth weight under 2000 g were assessed for baseline heart rate, variability, deceleration and "flip flap' (an oscillatory tracing pattern). RESULTS: PVL developed in 19 of the 103 infants studied. All of these infants were among the fetuses who exhibited average and increased variability. In addition, PVL was detected in 10 (47.6%) of the 21 flip flap positive fetuses, and in 9 (11.0%) of the 82 flip flap negative fetuses. The incidence of PVL was significantly higher in the flip flap positive fetuses (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: The possibility that an unstable intrauterine environment, reflected by a flip flap pattern, is related to the subsequent development of PVL is indicated.

Female

Human amniotic fluid motogenic activity for fetal alveolar type II cells by way of hepatocyte growth factor.

OBJECTIVE: To find out if hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in amniotic fluid (HGF-AF) has a direct effect on fetal lung development, we investigated the effects of AF as well as recombinant human HGF (rhHGF) on proliferation, migration, and morphogenesis of fetal alveolar type II cells in vitro. METHODS: Amniotic fluid samples were obtained from 37 women at various gestational ages. Mitogenic, motogenic, and morphogenic activity was investigated by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation, Boyden chamber assay, and culture in collagen-gels, respectively. RESULTS: The motility of AK-D cells was stimulated by AF from 14 to 31 weeks' gestation in proportion to the concentration of HGF-AF, and this effect was comparable to that observed with rhHGF. Furthermore, this activity was neutralized by anti-human HGF antibody. However, AF samples subsequent to 32 weeks had no motogenic influence despite the continued presence of immunoreactive HGF-AF. Neither increased DNA synthesis nor morphogenesis in response to AF was identified under the conditions used. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that AF stimulates alveolar type II cell migration by way of HGF-AF in vitro.

Amniotic Fluid

Squamous cell carcinoma arising from mature cystic teratoma of the ovary: a clinicopathologic analysis.

OBJECTIVE: There have been few studies concerning the clinical pathology of squamous cell carcinoma arising from ovarian mature cystic teratoma. Thus, the objective of this study is to determine clinicopathologic factors affecting survival in this rare tumor. METHODS: From September 1979 to June 1996, 37 patients with squamous cell carcinoma arising from ovarian mature cystic teratoma were treated by the Tokai Ovarian Tumor Study Group. A retrospective clinicopathologic and survival analysis of these patients was performed. The mode of infiltration was classified into expansive, moderately diffused, and diffused patterns. RESULTS: Although the 5-year survival rate was 94.7% and 80.0% for stage I and II patients, respectively, 12 of 13 patients with stage III died within 20 months (P = .0001). A significant difference was also observed between the survival of the groups with and without residual tumor at surgery (P = .0001). Pathologic features, grade, mode of infiltration, and vascular involvement were significant factors by univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed significant differences in survival related to grade (P = .0154) and mode of infiltration (P = .0053). The preoperative squamous cell carcinoma antigen level was significantly higher in the patients with squamous cell carcinoma arising from mature cystic teratoma than in patients with mature cystic teratoma (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that pathologic factors, grade, and mode of infiltration can provide valuable information for predicting the survival of patients with squamous cell carcinoma arising from mature cystic teratoma. In addition, squamous cell carcinoma antigen may be a useful marker to detect this disease preoperatively.

Adult

Expression of midkine and pleiotropin in ovarian tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the expression of midkine and pleiotropin in malignant ovarian tumors with that in normal and benign ovarian tissue. METHODS: Total RNA was isolated from 23 samples of normal ovaries, 15 benign ovarian tumors, and 36 malignant ovarian tumors. Midkine and pleiotropin gene expression was examined by using Northern blot analysis. To confirm the localization of midkine expression, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. The truncated midkine messenger RNA was examined using polymerase chain reaction with complementary DNA synthesized from total RNA with reverse transcriptase. RESULTS: Expression of midkine gene was observed in 19 of 23 normal ovary samples and in 51 of 53 ovarian tumors (13 of 15 benign, both of the two borderline tumors, and all 36 malignant tumors). Pleiotropin gene was expressed in six normal ovaries and in 24 tumors (nine benign, two borderline, and 13 malignant tumors). The expression of midkine in germ cell tumors was significantly lower than in epithelial tumors, whereas expression in malignant epithelial tumors was significantly higher than in benign ones. In germ cell tumors, two samples with differentiated neural tissues showed high levels of pleiotropin gene expression. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis showed strong expression of midkine in cancer cells. The truncated midkine messenger RNA was not found in any of the normal, benign, or malignant tissues examined. CONCLUSION: These results suggest an association between midkine and carcinogenesis. Expression of pleiotropin is more restricted, and high levels of its expression may be correlated with neural differentiation.

Adult

Increased matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity in human ovarian cancer cells cultured with conditioned medium from human peritoneal tissue.

Ovarian cancer cells disseminate by attachment to the peritoneal mesothelial cell surface of the abdominal cavity. We therefore investigated the influence of conditioned medium (CM) from human peritoneal tissues and mesothelial cells on the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by ovarian cancer cells. The molecular weights of MMPs stimulating factors derived from human peritoneal tissues and mesothelial cells were estimated using microconcentrators with various cut-off membranes. Human peritoneal tissues were obtained from 12 surgical patients, and mesothelial cells were isolated from three peritoneal specimens. Exposure to CM from peritoneal tissue caused a concentration-dependent increase of the MMP-2 and MMP-9 bands in CM from NOM1 ovarian cancer cells, as shown by zymography. There was a significant difference in the increase of MMP-2 and MMP-9 (2.46-fold and 7.14-fold, respectively, at 0.4 mg/ml protein; P < 0.005). CM from mesothelial cells also significantly increased the secretion of MMP-9 by NOM1 cells. The molecular size of possible MMP-9-stimulating factors secreted by peritoneal tissues and mesothelial cells was above M(r) 100000. Further, CM of peritoneal tissues and mesothelial cells also induced the invasiveness of NOM1 cells. These findings suggest that mesothelial cells may secrete some factors which predominantly induce the MMP-9 production and increase invading cell numbers.

Collagenases