A lower serum level of middle-molecular-weight adiponectin is a risk factor for endometrial cancer.

Background: The present study was undertaken to examine the correlation between serum levels of adiponectin isoforms and the risk for endometrial cancer.

Methods: This retrospective case-control study included 43 Japanese women with endometrial cancer and 62 Japanese women with no history of cancer. Serum levels of total adiponectin and the respective isoforms were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Prognostic factor on optimal debulking surgery by maximum effort for stage IIIC epithelial ovarian cancer.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic factor of radical surgery in patients with stage IIIc ovarian cancer.

Study Design: Fifty-two patients were subjected to the study. The complete resection or optimal primary cytoreductive surgery (OPCS) was set as the maximum effort, and the accomplishment rate and prognosis were assessed.

Pilot study on transdiaphragmatic thoracoscopic-assisted pleural biopsy and intrathoracic washing cytology for Stage IIIc ovarian cancer with diaphragmatic metastases.

Purpose: The significance of investigations of thoracic cavities as well as pleural biopsy and intrathoracic washing cytology through transdiaphragmatic thoracoscopy for stage IIIc ovarian cancer with diaphragmatic metastases was assessed as a prospective pilot study.

Subjects And Methods: Eligibility criteria were established to include patients with stage IIIc ovarian cancer in whom pleural effusions were not detected preoperationally, but prominent diaphragmatic metastases were observed when the abdomen was opened and those who submitted consent. Transdiaphragmatic thoracoscopy was performed after diaphragm stripping.

[Urgent hemostatic control with Confact F for ovarian bleeding complicated by an unknown type of von Willebrand disease].

Emergency surgery was performed on a 24-year-old female patient with an unknown type of von Willebrand disease (VWD). The patient suddenly developed lower abdominal pain and was transported to our hospital by ambulance. Based on the diagnosis of ovarian bleeding, emergency surgery was indicated.

Anti-Müllerian hormone substance from follicular fluid is positively associated with success in oocyte fertilization during in vitro fertilization.

Objective: To determine whether the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level in follicular fluid is associated with success in oocyte fertilization during in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Tokyo Medical University hospital.

Fertility-preserving treatment with progestin, and pathological criteria to predict responses, in young women with endometrial cancer.

Background: There are therapeutic dilemmas regarding conservative management of endometrial cancer in young women.

Methods: We planned a prospective study to conservatively treat women aged under 40 years with clinical stage 1A, grade 1 endometrioid adenocarcinoma from 1999 to 2005. There were nine women (aged 28-40) who fulfilled the criteria, and medroxyprogesterone acetate (400 mg/day) was continued for 6 months.

Dual androgen-response elements mediate androgen regulation of MMP-2 expression in prostate cancer cells.

Aim: To characterize the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 promoter and to identify androgen response elements (AREs) involved in androgen-induced MMP-2 expression.

Methods: MMP-2 mRNA levels was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). MMP-2 promoter-driven luciferase assays were used to determine the fragments responsible for androgen-induced activity.

Induction of apoptosis in human choriocarcinoma cell lines by treatment with 3,4-dihydro-6-[4-(3,4-dimethoxybenzoyl)-1-piperazinyl]-2(1H)-quinolinone (vesnarinone).

Induction of apoptosis is an attractive strategy in cancer therapy but it clinical practice is not yet sufficient in choriocarcinoma. The quinolinone derivative, vesnarinone, is a novel inotropic agent used for treating congestive heart failure and may also have a potential anticancer activity. It induces apoptosis and differentiation in some tumor cell lines.