Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Y Uchida

Publications and source records attributed to Y Uchida.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Longevity-associated mitochondrial DNA 5178 A/C polymorphism and blood pressure in the Japanese population.

It has been reported that the mitochondrial DNA 5178 adenine/cytosine (mt5178 A/C) polymorphism, also called NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2-237 methionine/leucine (ND2-237 Met/Leu) polymorphism, may be associated with longevity in Japanese individuals, and that the mt5178A genotype may have an antiatherogenic influence. To determine whether mt5178 A/C polymorphism influences blood pressure, we genotyped 412 healthy Japanese individuals and performed a cross-sectional study investigating the relationship between genotype and blood pressure. In women with mt5178A, the mean diastolic blood pressure was higher than in those with mt5178C by 3.2 mmHg (P=0.040). In men, no statistically significant difference in systolic or diastolic blood pressure was observed between mt5178 A/C genotypes. However, a significant correlation between mt5178 A/C genotypes and the effects of habitual drinking on blood pressure was found. After adjustment for several factors, in men carrying mt5178C, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in daily drinkers than in occasional (P=0.002 and 0.002, respectively) as well as nondrinkers (P<0.001 and 0.001, respectively), whereas in men carrying mt5178A, no significant differences in blood pressure were detected, irrespective of alcohol consumption. These results suggest that mt5178 A/C (=ND2-237 Met/Leu) polymorphism may influence both diastolic blood pressure in Japanese women and the blood-pressure-increasing effect of drinking in Japanese men.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed2004

Comparative analysis and development of microsatellite markers on swine (Sus scrofa) chromosome 1qter.

Several quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been detected on SSC1qter (Sus scrofa chromosome 1qter), including QTL for the number of vertebrae, as reported in our previous study. To provide the tools for analysis of QTLs on SSC1qter, we constructed a comparative map of swine and human. In addition, we identified 26 swine STSs and mapped 16 of them on SSC1qter using the INRA - University of Minnesota porcine radiation hybrid (IMpRH) panel. We screened a BAC library using these swine STSs and developed 35 new polymorphic microsatellite markers from the BAC clones, of which 26 were informative in our reference family. We also mapped nine microsatellite markers we had isolated previously. Consequently a total of 44 new polymorphic microsatellite markers were located within a 60-cM region of SSC1qter, spanning from SW1092 to the telomere.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Two-step three-field lymph node dissection is beneficial for thoracic esophageal carcinoma.

Aggressive surgery including extensive lymph node dissection is considered necessary to improve the long-term survival of patients with esophageal carcinoma. While three-field lymph node dissection is widely performed for patients with thoracic esophageal carcinoma, cervical lymph node metastasis is uncommon. In order to reduce surgical stress, we have developed a two-step three-field lymph node dissection procedure for thoracic esophageal carcinoma. In the first-step operation, total thoracic esophagectomy through a right thoracotomy is performed. Mediastinal and abdominal lymph node dissection is performed synchronously. When recurrent nerve lymph node metastasis is pathologically positive, cervical lymph node dissection is performed about 3 weeks after the first operation (second step). Of 343 patients with carcinoma of the esophagus surgically treated in our department between 1990 and 2001, 146 underwent the operation described above. Three-field dissection was performed in 68 patients (group A), while two-field dissection was performed in 78 patients (group B). In the 68 group A patients, cervical lymph node metastasis was positive in 15 patients (22%). There was no marked difference in the onset of major complications between the two groups. The 5-year survival rate was 58% for group A and 61% for group B, not a statistically significant difference. In 78 of the 146 patients, it was possible to avoid cervical lymph node dissection without negatively affecting therapeutic outcomes. Two-step three-field lymph node dissection can reduce surgical stress of patients with good clinical outcome.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Reduced cerebellar vermis activation during urinary storage and micturition in multiple system atrophy: 99mTc-labelled ECD SPECT study.

Single-photon emission computed tomography brain imaging with special reference of bladder function was performed in eight multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients (two men, six women; mean age, 61 years) and age-matched five normal control subjects (three men, two women; 62 years). In both groups imagings were obtained in three conditions; empty bladder, storage, and micturition. [99mTc]-labelled ECD (555 MBq) was intravenously injected, which was immediately trapped and stabilized within the brain. Using NEUROSTAT software, which could also cancel morphologic differences between MSA and canonical brain, statistical difference between normalized mean tracer counts of both groups in each phase was calculated and visualized. In the storage phase, there was a significant decrease in tracer activity in bilateral cerebellar vermis, particularly of the right side in the MSA group (P < 0.05), which is also known to be involved in the neural control of micturition. In the micturition phase, the area of decrease in tracer activity in the cerebellar vermis became wider in the MSA group. In the resting state, no statistically significance was seen between both groups. In conclusion, it is suggested that the decrease in tracer activity in the cerebellar vermis during urinary storage and micturition is contributing to the micturitional disturbance in this disorder.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

First results from KamLAND: evidence for reactor antineutrino disappearance.

KamLAND has measured the flux of nu;(e)'s from distant nuclear reactors. We find fewer nu;(e) events than expected from standard assumptions about nu;(e) propagation at the 99.95% C.L. In a 162 ton.yr exposure the ratio of the observed inverse beta-decay events to the expected number without nu;(e) disappearance is 0.611+/-0.085(stat)+/-0.041(syst) for nu;(e) energies >3.4 MeV. In the context of two-flavor neutrino oscillations with CPT invariance, all solutions to the solar neutrino problem except for the "large mixing angle" region are excluded.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Resection surgery with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy improves outcomes of patients with T4 esophageal carcinoma.

The prognosis of patients with T4 esophageal carcinoma is poor, and thus an effective treatment needs to be established. The present study assessed the effect of chemoradiotherapy (CRT), postoperative morbidity and mortality, and survival time in 41 patients with T4 esophageal carcinoma. Of these, 24 received CRT followed by surgery (group A) and the remaining 17 were treated with CRT alone (group B). Postoperative complications in group A were compared with 251 patients (group C) who underwent surgery without CRT during the same period. Postoperative complications were more frequent in group A than group C (29.2% vs 8.4%, P < 0.05). The overall median survival of group A was statistically longer than that of group B (13.8 months and 3.3 months respectively, P < 0.001). Complete histologic response (grade 3) was documented in 4 group A patients (16.7%). The overall median survival of grade 3 patients was statistically longer than the rest of group A (38.9 months vs 8.8 months, P < 0.05). The data confirm that chemoradiotherapy creates tumor regression in some patients and allows resection surgery in T4 esophageal carcinoma. Moreover, surgery with CRT confers a survival advantage in T4 esophageal carcinoma.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Nuclear BAG-1 expression is a biomarker of poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Apoptosis is one of the critical biological factors that correlate with the biological behavior of malignant tumors including cancer progression and clinical outcome. The present study was performed to clarify the clinical implications of BAG-1, a bcl-2 binding protein in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Seventy-one cases with ESCC were investigated. Immunohistochemical study of BAG-1 was performed on resected specimens. The expression pattern of BAG-1 in nuclei and/or cytoplasm was analyzed and correlated with TNM classification, vessel invasion, survival period after surgery. BAG-1 expression in the nuclei was related to the depth of tumor invasion (P = 0.0381) but not to any other clinicopathologic parameters. The cytoplasmic staining pattern of BAG-1 exhibited no correlation with clinicopathologic parameters. Univariate analysis (P < 0.05), but not multivariate analysis, revealed significantly poor prognosis for ESCC cases exhibiting positive nucleic staining for BAG-1. Our data suggests that BAG-1 expression in the nuclei of ESCC plays an important role in tumor development and may be useful for predicting the prognosis after surgery.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed2003

Reconstruction of the cervical esophagus using a free transverse colonic graft: report of a case with upper esophageal web and carcinoma.

Reconstruction of cervical esophagus and hypopharynx following cervical esophagectomy and laryngopharyngectomy is generally performed using jejunal autograft interposition. However, this method has some disadvantages and is not suitable for optimal swallowing function. In our institution, free transverse colonic graft has been successfully applied for reconstructive purposes in 12 cases since 1986. The present report describes a case of upper esophageal web accompanying superficial squamous cell carcinoma and details the operative techniques utilized.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Laparoscopic resection of esophageal duplication cyst in an adult.

We present the case of a 26-year-old woman who underwent a successful laparoscopic resection of an esophageal duplication cyst without any other congenital abnormalities. Although computed tomography (CT) scan and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) both assisted in determining the correct preoperative diagnosis, the definitive diagnosis was made following pathological examination of the resected lesion.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Small cell carcinoma of the esophagus; clinicopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of six cases.

Small cell carcinoma arising in the esophagus is a relatively rare disease. In the more common small cell carcinoma of the lung, the diagnostic significance of several new markers has been recently reported. This study used immunohistochemical techniques in addition to clinicopathological analysis, in order to clarify the utility of newer markers as biological parameters or as diagnostic tools. Six patients with small cell carcinoma of the esophagus were clinicopathologically analyzed. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using primary antibodies for bombesin, CD56 and CD57 in addition to conventional endocrine markers chromogranin A, neuron specific enolase and synaptophysin. All patients died within 2 years of surgery due to cancer recurrence, whether or not they had received adjuvant therapy. Pathological stages ranged from IIa to IVb and lymph node metastasis was observed in five cases. Of the six cases, four showed a positive reaction for bombesin and five were positive for CD57. In contrast, no cases revealed a positive reaction for CD56. The one case to survive 24 months after surgery was not shown to express bombesin, CD56 or CD57. Small cell carcinoma of the esophagus demonstrated an unfavorable prognosis. The study suggested that in this disease, bombesin and CD57 (but not CD56) were useful as biological markers, predicting clinical outcome rather than having diagnostic significance.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of isoflavone metabolites.

1. Soy isoflavones have been extensively studied because of their possible health-promoting effects. Genistein and daidzein, the major isoflavone aglycones, have received most attention; however, they undergo extensive metabolism in the gut and liver, which might affect their biological properties. 2. The antioxidant activity, free radical-scavenging properties and selected cellular effects of the isoflavone metabolites equol, 8-hydroxydaidzein, O-desmethylangiolensin, and 1,3,5 trihydroxybenzene were investigated in comparison with their parent aglycones, genistein and daidzein. 3. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy indicated that 8-hydroxydaidzein was the most potent scavenger of hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals. Isoflavone metabolites also exhibited higher antioxidant activity than parent compounds in standard antioxidant (FRAP and TEAC) assays. However, for the suppression of nitric oxide production by activated macrophages, genistein showed the highest potency, followed by equol and daidzein. 4. The metabolism of isoflavones affects their free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties, and their cellular activity, but the effects are complex.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

High level concentration of pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma but no correlation with clinicopathological parameters.

Pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase (PyNPase) converts 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine to 5'-fluorouracil, which exerts an anticancer effect before being catabolized by dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD). Recently, PyNPase has been shown to be identical to a potent angiogenic factor, platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor. We analyzed the concentration of PyNPase and DPD in 33 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in fresh-frozen samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, we evaluated the clinical significance and prognostic value of PyNPase expression in esophageal carcinoma. The PyNPase concentration of tumor tissue was statistically higher than that of normal tissue of the esophagus (248 +/- 146 U/mg protein vs 73 +/- 63 U/mg protein, P = 0.0001), whereas DPD showed no difference (90 +/- 62 U/mg protein vs 88 +/- 62 U/mg protein, P = 0.825). The ratio of PyNPase to DPD of tumor tissue was statistically higher than that of normal tissue of the esophagus (3.3 vs 0.95, P = 0.0001). There were no significant differences between the group with high tumor to normal tissue ratios of PyNPase concentration and the low-ratio group in terms of the tumor length, depth, lymph node metastasis, lymph vessel invasion, vascular invasion, stage and survival. In conclusion, 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine may be effective on esophageal carcinoma and PyNPase concentration in esophageal carcinoma may not be a useful prognostic marker for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Nuclear BAG-1 expression reflects malignant potential in colorectal carcinomas.

BAG-1 is a recently identified Bcl-2-interacting anti-apoptotic protein. The aim of our study was to investigate the immunohistochemical staining pattern of BAG-1 protein in patients with colorectal cancer and examine associations of BAG-1 expression with various clinicopathological factors and patient survival. Tumour samples were collected from 86 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer. There was significant variation in the immunohistochemical staining patterns for BAG-1, including absent staining and staining of either the cytoplasm, nucleus or both. Twenty-one colorectal carcinomas (24.4%) exhibited a nuclear staining pattern whilst 56 (65.1%) exhibited cytoplasmic staining. The percentage of cases exhibiting nuclear BAG-1 positivity was significantly higher in distant metastasis-positive cases (55.6%) than in distant metastasis-negative cases (20.8%; P=0.036). Overall survival was significantly shorter for patients with tumours exhibiting BAG-1 positive nuclei than those with absent nuclear BAG-1-staining (P=0.011). In addition, the multivariate cox proportional hazard models indicated that nuclear BAG-1 expression was the only independent prognostic variable for mortality (P=0.013). These studies demonstrate that nuclear BAG-1 expression is a useful predictive factor for distant metastasis and a poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer.

Carrier Proteins↗
PubMed2002

Nuclear propelled vessels and neutrino oscillation experiments.

We study the effect of naval nuclear reactors on the study of neutrino oscillations. We find that the presence of naval reactors at unknown locations and times may limit the accuracy of future very long baseline reactor-based neutrino oscillation experiments. At the same time, we argue that a nuclear powered surface ship such as a large Russian icebreaker may provide an ideal source for precision experiments.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

A highly potent 26,27-Hexafluoro-1a,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on calcification in SV40-transformed human fetal osteoblastic cells.

26,27-hexafluoro-1a,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (F6-D3) has been reported to be 5-10 times more potent than 1a,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3[1,25(OH)2D3] in biological systems in vivo and in vitro. However, the effect of F6-D3 on bone formation has yet to be clarified. In the present study, we investigated the effect of F6-D3 on SV40-transfected human fetal osteoblastic cells (SV-HFO) and found it to be about 100 times greater than that of 1,25(OH)2D3 in stimulating calcification. F6-D3 was also about 100 times more effective than 1,25(OH)2D3 in enhancing the expression of mRNA for alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN), and osteopontin (OPN). In the presence of 10?8 M F6-D3 and 10?6 M 1,25(OH)2D3, the calcification began on day 9 and increased up to day 19. Expression of mRNA for ALP and OCN reached a maximum on day 4 and thereafter declined. On the other hand, when osteoblastic cells were incubated with a low level of [1b-3H]-F6-D3- or [1b-3H]-1,25(OH)2D3, each radioactive peak could not be detected. However, on the incubation of osteoblastic cells and radioactive substrate in the presence of ketoconazole, a selective inhibitor of CYP24, a clear peak for each substrate was detected. This suggested that F6-D3 as well as 1,25(OH)2D3 is metabolized by CYP24. Osteoblastic cells were incubated with 10?8 M[1b-3H]-F6-D3 or 10?8 M[1b-3H]-1,25(OH)2D3 for 4, 9, and 14 days. A small peak of 1,25(OH)2D3 was observed and thereafter its level decreased. In addition, two unknown peaks increased when the culture period was extended. In the case of F6-D3, peaks of F6-D3 and 26,27-hexafluoro-23-oxo-1a,25(OH)2D3(23-oxo-F6) were clearly detected, the latter being about 4 times higher than the former. Both peaks was retained up to day 14. The amount of unlabeled F6-D3 and 23-oxo-F6 calculated from the specific radioactivity in the cells may be similar to the amount of 1,25(OH)2D3 and its metabolites. The strong activity of F6-D3 in stimulating calcification may be due to the fact that F6-D3 is much more potent than 1,25(OH)2D3 in enhancing the expression of mRNA for ALP, OCN, and OPN and that the amount of F6-D3 and 23-oxo-F6 accumulated in the cells is much greater than that of 1,25(OH)2D3 and its metabolite.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2002

Increases in collagen type I synthesis in asthma: the role of eosinophils and transforming growth factor-beta.

BACKGROUND: Collagen type I is one of the major deposits in thickening of the reticular basement membrane of asthma. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: In this study, we assessed turnover of collagen type I in asthma by measuring procollagen type I C-terminal peptide (PICP) and collagen type I C-terminal telopeptide (ICTP) in induced sputum. RESULTS: PICP but not ICTP was found to be significantly higher in asthma subjects than in normal volunteers (P < 0.05). In asthma, PICP was inversely correlated with %FEV(1.0) (r = -0.539), and its levels significantly increased upon exacerbation (P < 0.05), indicating that collagen synthesis increases during asthma exacerbation. Additionally, PICP was found to significantly correlate with eosinophil counts in sputum (r = 0.539), indicating that eosinophils stimulate collagen turnover. Because eosinophils can produce TGF-beta, a potent stimulator of collagen synthesis, we immunocytochemically examined TGF-beta-positive cells in sputum. TGF-beta-positive cells significantly correlated with eosinophil counts (r = 0.811) and PICP (r = 0.569), suggesting that TGF-beta released from eosinophils is involved in collagen synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that collagen synthesis is stimulated in asthmatic airways by eosinophils through TGF-beta, while collagen degradation is not, and that PICP in sputum can act as a new marker for airway inflammation in asthma.

Asthma↗