ATP and its metabolite adenosine cooperatively upregulate the antigen-presenting molecules on dendritic cells leading to IFN-γ production by T cells.

Dendritic cells (DCs) present foreign antigens to T cells via the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), thereby inducing acquired immune responses. ATP accumulates at sites of inflammation or in tumor tissues, which triggers local inflammatory responses. However, it remains to be clarified how ATP modulates the functions of DCs.

Pathological Analysis of Early Transplant Glomerulopathy in Renal Allografts Using Low-Vacuum Scanning Electron Microscopy.

Aim: Low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (LVSEM) has been reported to aid in diagnosis of renal biopsy. This study evaluated early transplant glomerulopathy in kidney transplant recipients using LVSEM.

Methods: We selected 4 biopsies of cg0, 5 biopsies of cg1a, 5 biopsies of cg1b, and 4 biopsies of cg2 lesions that had been evaluated by light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy from recipients with acute/active or chronic, active antibody-mediated rejection (AABMR or CAABMR).

Ligation of MHC Class II Induces PKC-Dependent Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis of MHC Class II.

In addition to antigen presentation to CD4 T cells, aggregation of cell surface major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) molecules induces signal transduction in antigen presenting cells that regulate cellular functions. We previously reported that crosslinking of MHC-II induced the endocytosis of MHC-II, which was associated with decreased surface expression levels in murine dendritic cells (DCs) and resulted in impaired activation of CD4 T cells. However, the downstream signal that induces MHC-II endocytosis remains to be elucidated.

Can Lipofuscin Deposition on Renal Allograft Tubular Epithelium Be a Surrogate Marker for Kidney Allograft Aging?

Background: Lipofuscin is an indicator of aging. We examined the clinicopathologic significance of lipofuscin deposition in the renal tubules of renal allografts.

Method: We analyzed allograft biopsy specimens from living kidney transplantations from January to December 2015.

Donor-Recipient Body Weight Mismatch May Affect Glomerular Basement Membrane Thinning in Electron Microscopic Examination of 1-Hour Renal Allograft Biopsy Specimens.

Background: Although an association between body weight mismatch and impaired graft function has been reported, few histologic studies have evaluated this issue, especially using electric microscopic analysis. During routine observations, we have noted a thin glomerular basement membrane (GBM) in the 1-hour biopsy specimen in cases with an overweight recipient and a lightweight donor. Therefore, we hypothesized that donor-recipient body weight mismatch affects the GBM thickness in the 1-hour biopsy specimen.

Vasa recta hyalinosis reflects severe arteriolopathy in renal allografts.

Aim: We examined the clinicopathologic significance of hyalinosis in the vasa recta in the medulla of allograft kidney biopsies.

Method: We analyzed biopsy specimens from January 2010 to December 2015, obtained from both the cortex and medulla (including the vasa recta) ≥ 1 year after living-donor kidney transplantation. We excluded biopsy specimens from recipients who had undergone transplantation due to diabetic nephropathy or who had diabetes mellitus after transplantation.

Interlobular hyaline arteriopathy reflects severe arteriolopathy in renal allografts.

Aim: The present study was performed to examine the clinicopathological significance of hyaline deposits in the smooth muscle of the interlobular artery (interlobular hyaline arteriopathy [IHA]) in renal allografts.

Methods: Tissue specimens that included the interlobular artery from biopsies performed from January 2012 to December 2015, as well as specimens from biopsies performed ≥1 year after living kidney transplantation were analyzed. Biopsies of recipients with new-onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation were excluded, as well as those of recipients who had undergone transplantation because of diabetic nephropathy.

Early sorafenib induction after transarterial chemoembolization for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: Can sorafenib after TACE improve loco-regional control?

This prospective study aimed to estimate the efficacy of sorafenib therapy after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Between July 2011 and March 2013, 17 patients were enrolled, 11 of whom received sorafenib therapy. Patients who previously received TACE for HCC and whose disease progressed within a six-month period were given 400-800 mg sorafenib orally, once or twice daily, within the 3 weeks after a second TACE (sorafenib after TACE group).

Reduction effect of the quantity of radiation exposure and contrast media by image support system in transarterial chemoembolization for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background And Aim: We confirmed the clinical utility of a three-dimensional navigation system during transarterial chemoembolization.

Methods: We evaluated 128 tumors in 91 patients enrolled between May 2015 and August 2016. We evaluated the accuracy of the three-dimensional navigation imaging system for all tumors.

Utility of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation alone or combined with transarterial chemoembolization for early hepatocellular carcinoma.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an effective, standard therapy against small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there is debate regarding the effectiveness of RFA combined with TACE (RFA/TACE) compared with RFA alone. These two approaches were compared for the treatment of early HCC.

[Difficulty in home care management of a young patient with terminal stage carcinoma--a case report].

A 48-year-old man with no remarkable medical history presented with upper abdominal pain for approximately 1 month. He was diagnosed as having pancreatic carcinoma with liver and lung metastasis and complicating carcinomatous peritonitis. Despite chemotherapy, his performance status worsened, his appetite deteriorated, and his pain became intolerable.