miRNAs in Follicular and Oviductal Fluids Support Global DNA Demethylation in Early-Stage Embryos.

Global methylation levels differ in in vitro- and in vivo-developed embryos. Follicular fluid (FF) contains extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing miRNAs that affect embryonic development. Here, we examined our hypothesis that components in FF affect global DNA methylation and embryonic development.

CO enterography in endoscopic retrograde cholangiography using double-balloon endoscopy: A randomized clinical trial.

Background And Aim: Double-balloon endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (DBERC) is a valuable procedure for patients with altered gastrointestinal anatomy. Nonetheless, it is time-consuming and burdensome for both patients and endoscopists, partly because route selection in the reconstructed bowel with complicating loop is challenging. Carbon dioxide insufflation enterography is reportedly useful for route selection in the blind loop.

Fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a single-center prospective study in Japan.

Background: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a potential treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but its efficacy in Japanese IBS patients is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, side effects, and microbiome changes following FMT in Japanese IBS patients.

Methods: Seventeen Japanese patients with refractory IBS received FMT (4 donors) under colonoscopy.

Infected iliac artery aneurysm with aortocaval fistula.

Case: We report a case of an infected iliac artery aneurysm complicated by an aortocaval fistula.

Outcome: A 74-year-old-man was admitted with fever, chills, general fatigue, and appetite loss. The patient was diagnosed with an infected iliac artery aneurysm, which was controlled with antibiotics preoperatively.

Catalytic site of human protein-glucosylgalactosylhydroxylysine glucosidase: Three crucial carboxyl residues were determined by cloning and site-directed mutagenesis.

Protein-glucosylgalactosylhydroxylysine glucosidase (PGGHG; EC3.2.1.

Generalized infantile myofibromatosis with a monophasic primitive pattern.

Infantile myofibromatosis (IM) is a rare disorder present at birth or in early infancy with a biphasic histological pattern. We present a neonatal-onset case of generalized IM with visceral (central nervous system, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, small intestine, kidneys and bones) and placental involvement, showing a monophasic histological pattern through the lesions during the course of disease. Histologically, the tumor was composed of a solid proliferation of cytologically uniform, 'primitive' mesenchymal cells associated with a hemangiopericytoma-like vascular pattern.

Etiology of craniofacial malformations in mouse models of blepharophimosis, ptosis and epicanthus inversus syndrome.

Blepharophimosis, ptosis, epicanthus-inversus syndrome (BPES) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by narrow palpebral fissures and eyelid levator muscle defects. BPES is often associated to premature ovarian insufficiency (BPES type I). FOXL2, a member of the forkhead transcription factor family, is the only gene known to be mutated in BPES.

Sacrococcygeal yolk sac tumor developing after teratoma: a clinicopathological study of pediatric sacrococcygeal germ cell tumors and a proposal of the pathogenesis of sacrococcygeal yolk sac tumors.

Purpose: We evaluated the clinicopathological characteristics of pediatric sacrococcygeal germ cell tumors (SGCTs) and yolk sac tumors (YSTs) developing after sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) resection, and discussed the pathogenesis of sacrococcygeal YST.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed pediatric SGCT patients attending 10 Japanese institutions.

Results: A total of 289 patients were eligible, of which 74.

Successful treatment of infants with localized neuroblastoma based on their MYCN status.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of post-surgical chemotherapy for infants with localized neuroblastoma without MYCN amplification (MNA), and determine whether risk classification using MNA is reasonable.

Methods: Four hundred and fourteen eligible patients were registered between 1998 and 2004. Resectable patients in stage 1 and 2A/2B were treated by surgical resection only.

Is the prognosis of stage 4s neuroblastoma in patients 12 months of age and older really excellent?

Purpose: In the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) classification system, stage 4s was changed into stage MS in children less than 18 months of age. Stage MS is defined as a metastatic disease with skin, liver and bone marrow, similar to INSS stage 4s. To evaluate the outcome of stage 4s cases in patients 12 months of age and over and to determine the appropriate treatment strategy.

Refractory pediatric nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma associated with ectopic production of beta hCG and hypercalcemia induced by PTHrP.

A 3-month-old male with a mass on the right side of his back was admitted to our hospital. The tumor was a pathologically high-grade nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma (NRSTS). Treatment included subtotal tumor resection followed by chemotherapy.

Malignant pheochromocytoma in a young adult forming the structure simulating Homer Wright rosette: differentiation from neuroblastoma on repeating fluorescence in situ hybridization.

A peculiar adrenal tumor was analyzed using immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with multiple bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) probes. The patient was a 34-year-old woman with a mass above the left kidney and multiple metastases. Her serum and urine dopamine level were elevated, and a diagnosis of malignant pheochromocytoma was made.

Mechanisms of the preventive effect of pilsicainide on atrial fibrillation originating from the pulmonary vein.

Background: It has been shown that pilsicainide terminates atrial fibrillation (AF) by pharmacologic pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. However, whether it can prevent AF induction originating from the PV by the same mechanism is still uncertain.

Methods And Results: Rapid pacing from the left superior PV (LSPV) and the right atrial free wall (RAF) was performed to induce AF during electrical stimulation of both cervical vagal nerves in 6 anesthetized dogs and during the infusion of acetylcholine (ACh) in 8 isolated atria.

Hepatoblastoma with congenital absence of the portal vein - a case report.

A 17-month-old girl who had been followed up as an extremely-low-birth-weight infant presented with hepatoblastoma in the right lobe of her liver. Preoperative angiography revealed an absence of the portal vein, and the visceral venous return was through the left renal vein into the inferior vena cava. No liver dysfunction and no jaundice were found; however, a marked elevation of the alpha-fetoprotein level was noted.

Desmoplastic small cell tumor of soft tissue: molecular variant of EWS-WT1 chimeric fusion.

A 7-year-old girl was hospitalized because of a tumorous mass in her left periorbital region. The tumor was removed by local excision. The soft-part tumor recurred in the parotid gland region 4 months later, and a second recurrence was noted on the left side of the neck 3 years and 3 months thereafter.

Calcifying aponeurotic fibroma of the knee: A case report with radiological findings.

Calcifying aponeurotic fibroma is a rare type of benign tumor that occurs most commonly in the distal extremities of young children. Due to its infiltrative growth, it has a high tendency of recurrence. Although the clinicopathological features of over 100 cases of this rare disease have been reported, its clinical and radiological features have yet to be described in detail.

Devastating massive knee defect reconstruction using the cornucopian chimera flap from the subscapular axis: two case reports.

Two cases of successful reconstruction of massive defects around the knee with multiple-island combined flaps based on the subscapular axis are reported. Both defects resulted from aggressive debridement for acute osteomyelitis after open fixation of high-energy fractures around the knee. In Case 1, a four-island combined flap consisting of the scapular flap, the lattissimus dorsi muscle flap, the serratus anterior muscle flap, and the scapular osseous flap, based on the same subscapular axis, was used.

CD56/NCAM-positive Langerhans cell sarcoma: a clinicopathologic study of 4 cases.

This report concerns the clinicopathologic features of 4 patients with CD56/neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)-positive Langerhans cell sarcoma (LCS). Three of the patients were elderly, between 59 and 62 years of age at presentation, and the other was 35 years old. The presenting symptoms included fever, bone pain, and weakness.

The perforator-based conjoint (chimeric) medial Sural(MEDIAL GASTROCNEMIUS) free flap.

The prototypical conjoint or so-called "chimeric" free flap heretofore has been composed of several large independent flaps, each supplied by a separate major branch, that ultimately arise from a common source vessel. The perforator-based type of chimeric flap is a relatively new concept, usually involving multiple muscle perforator flaps each based on a solitary musculocutaneous perforator, but still arising from the same "mother" vessel. This principle of split cutaneous perforator flaps has been now successfully adapted to the medial suralMEDIAL GASTROCNEMIUS perforator free flap on 2 separate occasions.

MRI reveals fetus in fetu in the mediastinum.

Fetus in fetu is an extremely rare condition in which a fetiform calcified mass is contained within the newborn or infant, often in the retroperitoneal cavity. We report a case of a fetus in fetu in the posterior mediastinum of a newborn. The prospective diagnosis was made by fetal US and MRI and confirmed by postnatal plain radiograph, CT and MRI.

[Preparation of a manual treatment of pressure ulcers which draws attention to moisture of the affected part].

As for pressure ulcers care, prevention is the most important approach. However, pressure ulcers, might develop despite enough care, depending on each person's physical condition. As for the treatment of pressure ulcers, maintenance of a moderately moist environment (60-70%) is quite important.

[Preparation of a manual treatment of pressure ulcers which draws attention to moisture of the affected part].

As for pressure ulcers care, prevention is the most important approach. However, pressure ulcers, might develop despite enough care, depending on each person's physical condition. As for the treatment of pressure ulcers, maintenance of a moderately moist environment (60-70%) is quite important.