Papaverine identified as an inhibitor of high mobility group box 1/receptor for advanced glycation end-products interaction suppresses high mobility group box 1-mediated inflammatory responses.

The interaction of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), which is secreted from immune and dying cells during cellular infection and injury, and receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) appears to be critical for acute and chronic inflammatory disorders. Here we designed a unique cyclic β-hairpin peptide (Pepb2), which mimics the predicted RAGE-binding domain of HMGB1. Pepb2 competitively inhibited HMGB1/RAGE interaction.

Characterization of a novel microRNA, miR-188, elevated in serum of muscular dystrophy dog model.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding small RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Several miRNAs are exclusively expressed in skeletal muscle and participate in the regulation of muscle differentiation by interacting with myogenic factors. These miRNAs can be found at high levels in the serum of patients and animal models for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which is expected to be useful as biomarkers for their clinical conditions.

Accelerometric outcomes of motor function related to clinical evaluations and muscle involvement in dystrophic dogs.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked muscle disorder characterized by primary muscle degeneration. Patients with DMD reveal progressive muscle weakness leading to ambulatory dysfunction. Novel outcome measures are needed for more sensitive evaluation of therapeutic effects in clinical trials.

Intra- and postoperative radiation therapy for an alpha-fetoprotein-producing pancreatic carcinoma.

We describe an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing pancreatic cancer irradiated intra- and postoperatively. A 64-year-old man with a hypoechic lesion in the pancreatic head and body was referred to us. On admission, his serum AFP level was markedly elevated (441 ng/ml).

Management of unresectable hilar bile duct cancer--preoperative diagnosis, treatment selection, and clinical outcome.

Background/aims: Hilar bile duct cancer progresses slowly but easily invades the nearby portal vein or hepatic artery. Thus, in some cases, curative resection is impossible, so we need to determine the best non-surgical treatments for this tumor.

Methodology: We classified 98 patients with hilar bile duct cancer into 3 categories: a non-surgical group (34 cases), an exploratory laparotomy group (9 cases), and a surgical resection group (55 cases).