Tomizo Nishiguchi

Urokinase induces proliferation of human ovarian cancer cells: characterization of structural elements required for growth factor function

Ovarian cancer metastasis is associated with an increase in the urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor uPAR. We present evidence that binding of uPA to uPAR provokes a mitogenic response in the human ovarian cancer cell line OV‐MZ‐6 in which endogenous uPA production had been significantly reduced by stable uPA ‘antisense’ transfection. High molecular weight (HMW) uPA, independent of its enzymatic activity, produced an up to 95% increase in cell number concomitant with 2‐fold elevated [3H]thymidine incorporation as did the catalytically inactive but uPAR binding amino‐terminal fragment of uPA, ATF. uPA‐induced cell proliferation was significantly decreased by blocking uPA/uPAR interaction by the monoclonal antibody IIIF10 and by soluble uPAR. The efficiency of the uPAR binding synthetic peptide cyclo19,31uPA19–31 to enhance OV‐MZ‐6 cell growth proved this molecular domain to be the minimal structural determinant for uPA mitogenic activity. Dependence of uPA‐provoked cell proliferation on uPAR was further demonstrated in Raji cells which do not express uPAR and were thus not induced by uPA. However, upon transfection with full‐length uPAR, Raji cells acquired a significant growth response to HMW uPA and ATF.

Urocortin in human placenta and maternal plasma

Plasma immunoreactive (IR-) urocortin (Ucn) and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) levels in pregnant women were measured by their specific radioimmunoassays after extraction. Although plasma IR-CRF levels were increased in pregnant women as compared to men and non-pregnant women, there was no difference of plasma IR-Ucn levels among groups. Ucn mRNA was detected in cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts by in situ hybridization. A reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed the major peak of IR-Ucn in placenta and plasma that had similar chromatographic mobility to synthetic Ucn1-40. These data suggest that Ucn is produced and processed into the same form of synthetic Ucn in placenta, but not secreted into maternal blood.

Case report. Antenatal diagnosis of chorioangioma of the placenta: MR features.

We report a case of chorioangioma of the placenta, in which MR findings were useful in establishing the antenatal diagnosis. Polyhydramnios and a placental tumor that was 5 cm in size were visualized. The tumor had relatively high signal intensities on proton density imaging and T2-weighted imaging and showed partially high intensity signal rims on T1-weighted imaging, especially when using a breath-holding technique. Magnetic resonance imaging has an important role in detection and diagnosis of these lesions, particularly the larger tumors, so that appropriate steps can be taken to deal with the complications that may accompany this tumor.

Vitamin K prophylaxis and late vitamin K deficiency bleeding in infants: Fifth nationwide survey in Japan

Background:  In 1980, the first nationwide survey on late vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) in infants was conducted in Japan, and it was followed by the second, third and fourth nationwide surveys in 1985, 1988 and 1991, respectively. The fifth nationwide survey was designed to ascertain the epidemiology of late VKDB between January 1999 and December 2004.

Vitamin K prophylaxis to prevent neonatal vitamin K deficient intracranial haemorrhage in Shizuoka prefecture

Objective To compare three methods of vitamin K prophylaxis for neonatal vitamin K deficient intracranial haemorrhage.

Antiphospholipid syndrome: characteristics and obstetrical management.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by a combination of clinical features consisted of thrombotic or pregnancy-related events and autoimmune antiphospholipid antibodies. In the 1998 International Consensus Preliminary Criteria, APS is defined by the concomitant presence of these clinical features and laboratory tests, including solid immunoassay and lupus anticoagulant (LAC). Current concept of antiphospholipid antibodies directed against plasma proteins with affinity for negatively charged phospholipids, mainly beta2-glyoprotein 1 (beta2GP1) and prothrombin, that is, anti-beta2GP1 and anti-prothrombin antibodies have been shown as a key antibody in the APS, while the pathophysiological mechanisms remain still uncertain. In the recent investigations potential mechanisms, such as endothelial activation induced by bivalent-formed antiphospholipid antibodies and complement activation, have emerged. Recurrent pregnancy losses or fetal death, and increased rates of preeclampsia and placental insufficiency are the clinical features in the APS. It is now accepted that unfractionated or low-molecular-weight heparin in combination with low-dose aspirin represents the current standard treatment for pregnant women with anti-phospholipid antibodies, and high-dose immunoglobulin is considered as a salvage therapy for refractory APS. This review highlights the characteristics of APS and the recent consensus for obstetrical managements in APS.

Acrania : an autopsy case and review of the literature

ABSTRACT We report an autopsy case of acrania with a review of the literature. A 31‐year‐old woman was admitted in poor genaral condition and diagnosed as pregnant at the 26th week of gestation. The fetus was suspected to be anencephalic or hydrocephalic by ultrasonography. She delivered a stillbirth male baby at the 28th week of gestation. Autopsy showed the cranium lacked the cranial vault The scalp directly covered the hydrocephalic brain without calvaria. No cerebellum was found macroscopically. On histological examination, the thinned cerebral layer was composed of white matter‐like brain tissue with glial and ependymal cells. In the cerebral layer near the base of the skull, a few NSE‐positive neurons among many GFAP‐positive glial cells and oligodendrocyte‐like cells were observed. The choroid plexuses were observed inside the ependymal layers. The brain stem and the spinal cord were normally preserved with clusters of NSE‐positive neurons. Agnethia and horseshoe kidney were combined as malformations other than the brain. We reviewed 42 cases of acrania from the literature.