NFYA promotes the anti-tumor effects of gluconeogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma through the regulation of PCK1 expression.

Reprogramming of glucose metabolism occurs in many human tumor types, and one of these, gluconeogenesis, is known to exhibit anti-tumor effects in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The transcription factor NFYA regulates gluconeogenesis in the normal liver tissue, but the function of the NFYA-gluconeogenesis axis in cancer and the functional differences of NFYA splicing variants in the regulation of gluconeogenesis is still unclear. Here, we demonstrate that NFYAv2, the short-form variant, upregulates the transcription of a gluconeogenic enzyme PCK1.

Epidemiology of bloodstream infections and surface swab cultures in burn patients.

Aim: For infection control in burn patients, it is essential to understand the epidemiology of bloodstream infection (BSI) and the local microbiological situation. There are few studies on blood and swab culture results among burn patients in Japan. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of BSI and swab cultures in burn patients.

Extensor hallucis longus muscle contracture after distal tibial physeal injury: A report of two cases.

Few studies have reported about isolated contracture in the extensor hallucis longus (EHL) muscle, but none of the EHL muscle contracture after distal tibial physeal injury. Two such cases in 16- and 14-year-old boys who underwent surgeries for distal physeal injury of the tibia at a previous hospital are presented. Extension contracture of the hallux appeared 1-2 months post-surgery.

Effect of acute coagulopathy before fluid administration in mortality for burned patients.

Background: The presence of acute coagulopathy and its effect on prognosis in burn patients are unclear. No studies are extant verifying early coagulopathy before fluid administration in burn patients. The current study focused on arrival coagulopathy before volume resuscitation was begun in earnest.

Reevaluation for prognostic value of prognostic burn index in severe burn patients.

Aim: The prognostic burn index (PBI), which consists of half partial-thickness burn surface area plus full-thickness burn surface area and age, has been widely used to predict mortality in Japan. However, the prognostic value of PBI has not been investigated sufficiently. The purpose of the present study is to clinically reevaluate the PBI in severe burn patients.

Chest Compression Depth and Rate - Effect on Instructor Visual Assessment of Chest Compression Quality.

Background: The aim of the present study was to determine whether instructors could accurately assess chest compression quality visually, considering the association between chest compression depth and rate.

Methods and results: In this prospective, observational study, the quality of chest compressions performed by a simulated actor in a video was visually assessed by certified instructors. The film consisted of 14 case scenarios, each including a combination of depth (2 patterns: adequate, 5-6 cm; and inadequate, <5 cm) and rate (7 categories: compressions 90-150 times/min in increments of 10 times/min).

The Clinical Significance of Serum 1,3-β-D-Glucan For the Diagnosis of Candidemia in Severe Burn Patients.

Although the serum 1,3-β-D-glucan test has been used as an early diagnostic marker of candidemia, there are few studies regarding the association of serum 1,3-β-D-glucan levels with candidemia in severe burn patients. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the clinical significance of 1,3-β-D-glucan for the diagnosis of candidemia in severe burn patients. Data from 51 severe burn patients whose serum levels of 1,3-β-D-glucan had been measured for the suspicion of invasive fungal infection were analyzed retrospectively.

Surgical treatment for lumbar hyperlordosis after resection of a spinal lipoma associated with spina bifida: A case report.

Rationale: A hyperlordosis deformity of the lumbar spine is relatively rare, and surgical treatment has not been comprehensively addressed. In this case report, we describe the clinical presentation, surgical treatment, and medium-term follow-up of a patient presenting with a progressive lumbar hyperlordosis deformity after resection of a spinal lipoma associated with spina bifida.

Patient Concerns: The patient was a 20-year-old woman presenting with a progressive hyperlordosis deformity of the lumbar spine associated with significant back pain (visual analog pain score of 89/100 mm), but with no neurological symptoms.

Establishment of Imaging Spectroscopy of Nuclear Gamma-Rays based on Geometrical Optics.

Since the discovery of nuclear gamma-rays, its imaging has been limited to pseudo imaging, such as Compton Camera (CC) and coded mask. Pseudo imaging does not keep physical information (intensity, or brightness in Optics) along a ray, and thus is capable of no more than qualitative imaging of bright objects. To attain quantitative imaging, cameras that realize geometrical optics is essential, which would be, for nuclear MeV gammas, only possible via complete reconstruction of the Compton process.

Atypical femoral fracture after receiving antiresorptive drugs in breast cancer patients with bone metastasis.

Background: Atypical femoral fracture (AFF) occurs with minor trauma in patients receiving antiresorptive drugs such as bisphosphonate and denosumab. We hypothesized that patients with bone metastasis who receive higher doses of antiresorptive drugs tend to experience AFF more frequently. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence rate of AFF in patients receiving antiresorptive drugs for bone metastasis of breast cancer.

Spontaneous improvement of cervical kyphosis in eosinophilic granuloma: a case report.

We describe the case of a spontaneous improvement of the cervical kyphosis in eosinophilic granuloma with long-term follow-up. A collapse of the C5 vertebral body was confirmed by cervical spine radiography and computed tomography. The patient wore a sterno-occipitalmandibular immobilizer brace for 6 months, and remodeling of the vertebral body was confirmed 18 months after onset.

Independent risk factors for a complicated hospital course in intensive care unit overdose patients.

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to identify risk factors associated with a complicated hospital course in overdose patients admitted to the intensive care unit.

Methods: A total of 335 overdose patients were retrospectively studied in the surgical and medical intensive care unit of an academic tertiary hospital. Factors possibly associated with a complicated hospital course were evaluated.

Hamate hook non-union treated with a break-away screw: a case report.

Hamate hook non-union is a relatively rare, but on the increase. We encountered a 25-year-old male baseball instructor with hamate hook non-union, and treated it with debridement of the fractured region and osteosynthesis using a break-away screw. Splint fixation was applied for three weeks after surgery, and active/passive range of motion exercises were actively performed thereafter.

Report from the Japanese registry of CPR for in-hospital cardiac arrest (J-RCPR).

Background: In-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) is an important issue, but data in Japan are limited.

Methods And Results: To investigate in-hospital CPA, we conducted a prospective multicenter observational registry of in-hospital CPA and resuscitation in Japan (J-RCPR). During January 2008 to December 2009, patients were registered from 12 participating hospitals.