A comparative overview of DSCAM and its multifunctional roles in Drosophila and vertebrates.

DSCAM (Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule) is a unique neuronal adhesion protein with extensively documented multifaceted functionalities. DSCAM also has interesting properties in vertebrates and invertebrates, respectively. In Drosophila species, particularly, Dscam exhibits remarkable genetic diversity, with tens of thousands of splicing isoforms that modulate the specificity of neuronal wiring.

[Clinicopathological features of hemorrhagic gastrointestinal stromal tumor].

In order to demonstrate the bleeding risk factors of GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumor), we retrospectively investigated clinicopathological features between hemorrhagic (H group, 24 cases) and nonhemorrhagic GIST (NH group, 30 cases). In addition, we investigated features between the E group (6 cases) necessitating TAE (trans-catheter arterial embolization) and NE group (other 48 cases). Whereas H group partly includes high-risk grade GIST with chronic bleeding, meanwhile the E group (reflecting acute bleeding) is characterized by a highly enhanced mass with ulceration, comprising of smaller low-risk grade GIST.

[A case of Turner syndrome (46XXp-/45X) complicated with Crohn's disease after hormone therapy].

A 19-year-old woman, who had been receiving hormone replacement therapy for 13 months before the diagnosis of mosaic Turner syndrome (46XXp-/45X), developed Crohn's colitis and erythema nodosum of the lower legs. Colonoscopy revealed an anal fistula and the presence of deep longitudinal ulcers with cobblestoning in the colorectum. Therapy with prednisolone and adalimumab was effective for the intestinal and skin lesions.

[Clinical features and pathophysiology of acute esophageal mucosal lesion].

Acute esophageal mucosal lesions (AEMLs) are categorized into black esophagitis (type B) and non-black esophagitis (type NB) on endoscopy. To clarify the distinct pathophysiology, we compared the clinical features and hematological findings at onset among 17 patients with type B esophagitis and 6 patients with type NB esophagitis. In type B esophagitis, time to endoscopy after onset was significantly shorter, and blood levels of lactate, urea nitrogen, creatinine, and glucose were higher than in type NB esophagitis.