α(PS)-γ(Ge) digital anti-coincidence spectroscopy and its application to activity measurement of Ac.

Activity of Ac was measured by the digital anti-coincidence spectroscopy technique using a 4πα-γ detector configuration, composed of a sandwich type 4π plastic scintillator and Ge detectors. Ultrathin plastic scintillators were used for selective detection of α-particles emitted from Ac and its progenies, and the α-counting efficiencies of a 4π plastic scintillation detector for individual nuclides in the decay chain were determined as well. A list-mode multichannel analyzer was employed to record coincidence/anti-coincidence events for off-line analyses.

Comprehensive Genome profile testing in head and neck cancer.

Objective: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a tumor occurring in various primary sites with limited chemotherapy options for its treatment. Recently, comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) testing has become clinically widespread. In this study, we examined the utility of CGP in diagnosing and treating HNC.

The long-term prognosis of nephropathy in operated reflux.

Objective: To investigate the postoperative long-term prognosis and the factors predicting the renal function of patients with reflux nephropathy. As the serum creatinine (s-Cr) level tends to increase during infancy, the degree of reflux and renal parenchymal damage are thought to be more important factors in pediatric patients than in older patients.

Materials And Methods: This study examined s-Cr, urinary protein, and blood pressure of patients who underwent anti-reflux surgery 10 years before.

Patient-reported postoperative pain, body image, and cosmetic satisfaction after transumbilical laparoendoscopic single-site adrenalectomy.

Introduction: Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery is a recently innovated urologic surgical procedure. Transumbilical laparoendoscopic single-site adrenalectomy (LESS-A) is technically safe and feasible in patients with benign adrenal tumors. To improve patient counseling and informed consent, we evaluated patient-reported postoperative pain, body image, and cosmetic satisfaction after transumbilical LESS-A.

Production of infectious HCV genotype 1b virus in cell culture using a novel Set of adaptive mutations.

Background: Despite the high prevalence of genotype 1b hepatitis C virus (HCV) among patients, a cell culture system that permits entire viral life cycle of genotype 1b isolates is limited. To develop a cell-cultured hepatitis C virus (HCVcc) of genotype 1b, the proper combination of HCV genomic variants and host cells is essential. HCV genomes isolated from patients with distinctive symptoms may provide the variants required to establish an HCVcc of genotype 1b.

IGF-1 as an Important Endogenous Growth Factor for Recovery from Impaired Urethral Continence Function in Rats with Simulated Childbirth Injury.

Purpose: We examined the functional role of endogenous IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) in the recovery phase of stress urinary incontinence induced by simulated childbirth trauma using an IGF-1 receptor inhibitor.

Materials And Methods: Simulated birth trauma was induced by vaginal distension in female Sprague Dawley® rats. The IGF-1 receptor antagonist JB-1 (10 and 100 μg/kg per day) or vehicle was continuously delivered from 1 day before vaginal distension for 7 days using subcutaneous osmotic pumps.

Persistent replication of a hepatitis C virus genotype 1b-based chimeric clone carrying E1, E2 and p6 regions from GB virus B in a New World monkey.

The development of effective hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccines is essential for the prevention of further HCV dissemination, especially in developing countries. Therefore the aim of this study is to establish a feasible and immunocompetent surrogate animal model of HCV infection that will help in evaluation of the protective efficacy of newly developing HCV vaccine candidates. To circumvent the narrow host range of HCV, an HCV genotype 1b-based chimeric clone carrying E1, E2 and p6 regions from GB virus B (GBV-B), which is closely related to HCV, was generated.

Assessment of lower urinary tract function in children with Down syndrome.

Background: Despite the fact that functional lower urinary tract symptoms are common among people with Down syndrome (DS), their voiding function has not been studied precisely. Our goal was to assess the lower urinary tract functions in DS.

Methods: Fifty-five DS children aged 5-15 years old and 35 age-matched control children were evaluated by ultrasonography and uroflowmetry.

Chronic urinary retention could decrease the number of suburothelial myofibroblasts in the rat bladder.

Aims: To demonstrate changes in the number of suburothelial myofibroblasts in the rat bladder due to chronic urinary retention (CUR).

Methods: Bladder specimens were obtained from 12-week-old Wistar female rats that were divided into two groups: a CUR group and a sham-operated group. In the CUR rats, the urethra was intubated with a polyethylene catheter, and a double 4-0 silk ligature was placed around the proximal urethra, after which the catheter was removed.

Upregulation of Angiotensin II Receptor and Connexin 43 in Increased Suburothelial Myofibroblasts in the Rat Inflammatory Bladder.

Objectives: Signaling pathways in suburothelial layer are involved in the bladder sensory response. The expression of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptors and connexin 43 (Cx43) in suburothelial myofibroblasts was investigated in an acute bladder inflammation model.

Methods: Adult female Wistar rats underwent urethral catheterization and received 0.

Myostatin inhibits proliferation of human urethral rhabdosphincter satellite cells.

Objectives: Myostatin, a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, is a negative regulator of myogenesis in skeletal muscle. We examined the effect of myostatin and myostatin inhibition by an antagonistic agent, follistatin, on growth of human urethral rhabdosphincter satellite cells (muscle stem cells) to develop a new strategy for treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

Methods: Rhabdosphincter satellite cells were cultured and selected by magnetic affinity cell sorting using an anti-neural cell adhesion molecule antibody.

Expression of Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor in Rat Bladder Smooth Muscle Cells in Response to a Streptzotocin Induced Diabetes Mellitus Model.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptors in rat bladder smooth muscle cells and alterations of AT1 receptors by diabetes mellitus and diuretic states.

Materials And Methods: Diabetes and diuresis were induced in adult female rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and feeding 5% sucrose in water. Cystometry was performed on control, diuretic, and diabetic rats at 2 and 8 weeks after treatment.

Changes in angiotensin II type 1 receptor expression in the rat bladder by bladder outlet obstruction.

Purpose: To demonstrate the change in the expression of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) in the rat bladder with partial bladder outlet obstruction (P-BOO).

Materials And Methods: Bladder specimens were obtained from 12-week-old Wistar female rats that were divided into two groups, a P-BOO group and a control group. The rats of the P-BOO group were divided into six groups: a sham-operated control group, 1 day postoperatively, 2 days postoperatively, 4 days postoperatively, 7 days postoperatively and 14 days postoperatively.

Use of procalcitonin in patients on chronic hemodialysis: procalcitonin is not related with increased serum calcitonin.

Objectives. To investigate whether procalcitonin (PCT) could be useful for detecting bacterial infections in patients on hemodialysis (HD) and with increased calcitonin (CT). Methods.

Long-Term Persistent GBV-B Infection and Development of a Chronic and Progressive Hepatitis C-Like Disease in Marmosets.

It has been shown that infection of GB virus B (GBV-B), which is closely related to hepatitis C virus, develops acute self-resolving hepatitis in tamarins. In this study we sought to examine longitudinally the dynamics of viral and immunological status following GBV-B infection of marmosets and tamarins. Surprisingly, two of four marmosets but not tamarins experimentally challenged with GBV-B developed long-term chronic infection with fluctuated viremia, recurrent increase of alanine aminotransferase and plateaued titers of the antiviral antibodies, which was comparable to chronic hepatitis C in humans.

Left transperitoneal adrenalectomy with a laparoendoscopic single-site surgery combined technique: initial case reports.

Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) is a step toward the development of minimally invasive surgery. It is initially difficult for surgeons with limited experience to perform the surgery. We describe two cases of left adrenalectomy with a LESS combined with the addition of an accessory port.

Production of infectious hepatitis C virus by using RNA polymerase I-mediated transcription.

In this study, we used an RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcription system for development of a reverse genetics protocol to produce hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is an uncapped positive-strand RNA virus. Transfection with a plasmid harboring HCV JFH-1 full-length cDNA flanked by a Pol I promoter and Pol I terminator yielded an unspliced RNA with no additional sequences at either end, resulting in efficient RNA replication within the cytoplasm and subsequent production of infectious virions. Using this technology, we developed a simple replicon trans-packaging system, in which transient transfection of two plasmids enables examination of viral genome replication and virion assembly as two separate steps.

Variety of congenital urethral lesions in boys with lower urinary tract symptoms and the results of endoscopic treatment.

Objectives: We described various types of congenital urethral anomalies seen in boys with LUTS such as refractory enuresis. Their urethrograpic and endoscopic finding were reviewed and the effect of trans-urethral incision (TUI) was analyzed.

Patients And Methods: We evaluated 67 boys with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS, mean: 9 years old), in a period of three and a half years.

Long-term follow up of patients with invasive bladder carcinoma receiving combined cisplatin-based intra-arterial chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Objectives: Combined cisplatin-based intra-arterial chemotherapy and radiotherapy is an effective treatment for patients with locally invasive bladder carcinoma. We report long-term follow-up data regarding definitive treatment of locally invasive bladder carcinoma, regardless of whether bladder preservation was possible.

Methods: The follow-up data from 24 patients (18 males and six females; aged, 31-85 years; median, 73 years) with invasive bladder carcinoma, between 1993 and 2003, was examined.

GBV-B as a pleiotropic virus: distribution of GBV-B in extrahepatic tissues in vivo.

GB virus B (GBV-B) infection of New World monkeys is considered to be a useful surrogate model for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. GBV-B replicates in the liver and induces acute resolving hepatitis but little is known whether the other organs could be permissive for the virus. We investigated the viral tropism of GBV-B in tamarins in the acute stage of viral infection and found that the viral genomic RNA could be detected in a variety of tissues.

Decreased cellular membrane expression of gap junctional protein, connexin 43, in rat detrusor muscle with chronic partial bladder outlet obstruction.

Objectives: To investigate alterations in gap junctional protein, connexin-43 (Cx-43), in the rat detrusor muscle with partial bladder outlet obstruction (P-BOO). Muscle cell actions, such as detrusor contractions, are thought to be synchronized by way of gap junctional intercellular communication. Gap junctions may play an important role in voiding, and P-BOO is a common medical problem.

The preventive effect of green tea on the gap junction intercellular communication in renal epithelial cells treated with a renal carcinogen.

Objective: Clinical studies imply that (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a main ingredient of green tea catechins, has a chemopreventive action against cancers and suppresses the proliferation of cancer cells. However, there is no report about its chemopreventive effect for renal cancer. We previously determined that renal carcinogens suppressed the gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) of renal epithelial cells.