Fucoxanthin potentiates anoikis in colon mucosa and prevents carcinogenesis in AOM/DSS model mice.

Fucoxanthin (Fx) and its biotransformed fucoxanthinol (FxOH) present strong anti-cancer effects in vitro and in vivo, however, the underlying mechanisms are not well known. We recently demonstrated that FxOH could induce anoikis-like cells in human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Thus, we developed molecular hallmarks for anoikis in vitro, and to confirm induction of such molecular hallmarks in an azoxymethane/ dextran sodium sulfate carcinogenic model by Fx ingestion.

Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma producing both granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and parathyroid hormone-related protein.

A 57-year-old woman was admitted to Hokkaido University Hospital because of dysphagia. Laryngoscopy indicated hypopharyngeal tumor histologically diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy was performed for 2 months, and the hypopharyngeal lesion completely regressed.

Effect of stress and adrenalectomy on urocortin II mRNA expression in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of the rat.

Urocortin II (Ucn II) is a novel corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-related peptide discovered as a selective agonist for type-2 CRH receptor. In the rat or mouse brain, Ucn II mRNA shows weak expression mainly in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and the locus coeruleus (LC). Understanding the regulation of Ucn II mRNA expression under varying conditions provides new insights into central stress response.

A case of lymphocytic infundibuloneurohypophysitis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.

A 27-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with facial erythema and general malaise. He had previously suffered from orbital myositis, central diabetes insipidus (DI), peripheral neuritis, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Physical and immunological examinations revealed that he was suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).