Cholangitis Secondary to Food Material Impaction in the Common Bile Duct through a Choledochoduodenal Fistula.

Biliary-enteric communications caused by duodenal ulcers are uncommon, and choledochoduodenal fistula (CDF) is by far the most common type. Usually in this situation, food material does not enter the common bile duct because the duodenal lumen is intact. Here, we report a case in which cholangitis occurred due to food materials impacted through a CDF.

Relationship between phospholipase C zeta immunoreactivity and DNA fragmentation and oxidation in human sperm.

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and reproducibility of measuring phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ) using immunostaining in human sperm and to investigate the relationship between PLCζ immunoreactivity and DNA fragmentation and oxidation in human sperm.

Methods: Semen samples were obtained from participants (n=44) and processed by the conventional swim-up method. Sperm concentration, motility, normal form by strict morphology, DNA fragmentation index assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling method and immunofluorescent expression for 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and PLCζ were assessed.

Diagnostic value of plain abdominal radiography in stroke patients with bowel dysfunction.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of plain abdominal radiography in stroke patients with bowel dysfunction.

Methods: A total of 59 stroke patients were recruited and assigned into constipation or non-constipation group. Patients were interviewed to obtain clinical information, constipation score, and Bristol stool form scale.

Angiographic results of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms treated with coil embolization : a single center experience.

Objective: Endovascular treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms is a challenge and the durability and the safety of these treated aneurysms remain unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and long-term angiographic results of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms treated with coil embolization.

Methods: Between January 2002 and December 2012, 53 wide-necked aneurysms treated with coil embolization were selected.

Epigenetic regulation of the novel tumor suppressor cysteine dioxygenase 1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the most common subtype of esophageal cancer in East Asian countries, is still associated with a poor prognosis because of the high frequency of lymph node metastasis and invasion. In our previous study, we identified a novel methylation gene, cysteine dioxygenase 1 (CDO1) that is involved in the conversion of cysteine to cysteine sulfinate, and plays a key role in taurine biosynthesis. Decreased expression of CDO1 was observed in ESCC cell lines and tumors derived from patient tissues, and CDO1 silencing could be reversed by treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine in six ESCC cell lines.

Is There a Link Between Expression Levels of Histone Deacetylase/Acetyltransferase in Mouse Sperm and Subsequent Blastocyst Development?

Histone acetylation has been known to be significant in spermatogenesis. Histone acetylation is regulated by the act of histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone acetyltransferases (HATs). We investigated the link between expression levels of HDACs and HATs in mouse sperm and subsequent blastocyst formation rate.

Factors affecting occurrence of twin pregnancy after double embryo transfer on day 3.

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors of twin gestation in fresh double day-3 embryo transfer cycles.

Material And Methods: Out of a total of 386 cycles of fresh double embryo transfers on day 3 between 2006 and 2013 at a single center, 72 women with single intrauterine gestational sac (GS) (single-GS group) and 32 women with double GS (double-GS group) were identified. The patients' clinical characteristics and laboratory results were extracted from electronic medical records and were compared.

Parenteral fish oil-containing lipid emulsions may reverse parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis in neonates: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Growing evidence indicates that fish oil-containing lipid emulsions have a beneficial effect on parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis (PNAC) in adults; however, data are limited in neonates regarding the effect of fish oil on PNAC.

Objective: We conducted a meta-analysis of studies that addressed the effect of fish oil-containing lipid emulsions on reversing and preventing PNAC.

Methods: We searched PubMed, the EMBASE database, and the Cochrane Library for this systematic review and meta-analysis.

Central venous pressure and renal function in very low birth weight infants during the early neonatal period.

Objective: To observe central venous pressure (CVP) and to address the association with hemodynamic and renal parameters in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) during the early neonatal period.

Methods: CVP levels were prospectively measured every 4 h in VLBWI with an umbilical venous catheter for at least the initial 5 d of life. The association of CVP with mean blood pressure, serum B-type natriuretic peptide, serum creatinine, fluid intake, and urine output were analyzed.

Analysis of incidence and genetic predisposition of preauricular sinus.

Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of preauricular sinus, the association between preauricular sinus of a parent and their children, and the odds of hearing impairments in patients with preauricular sinus.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We evaluated data from 23,533 subjects who were interviewed between 2010 and 2012.

Gamma Knife surgery for intracranial chordoma and chondrosarcoma: radiosurgical perspectives and treatment outcomes.

Object: Intracranial chordomas and chondrosarcomas are histologically low-grade, locally invasive tumors that are reported to be similar in terms of anatomical location, clinical presentation, and radiological findings but different in terms of behavior and outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare clinical outcomes after Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) for the treatment of intracranial chordoma and chondrosarcoma.

Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective review of the results of radiosurgical treatment of intracranial chordomas and chondrosarcomas.

T1 slope and degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis.

Objective: The main objectives of this study were to analyze and compare cervical sagittal parameters, including the T1 slope, in a population of 45 patients with degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis (DCS) and to compare these patients with a control group of asymptomatic population.

Summary Of Background Data: Sagittal balance in the cervical spine is as important as the pelvic incidence and is related to the concept of T1 slope.

Specific activation of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor by ginsenoside Rg5 promotes angiogenesis and vasorelaxation.

Ginsenoside Rg5 is a compound newly synthesized during the steaming process of ginseng; however, its biological activity has not been elucidated with regard to endothelial function. We found that Rg5 stimulated in vitro angiogenesis of human endothelial cells, consistent with increased neovascularization and blood perfusion in a mouse hind limb ischemia model. Rg5 also evoked vasorelaxation in aortic rings isolated from wild type and high cholesterol-fed ApoE(-/-) mice but not from endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) knock-out mice.

Psychroserpens jangbogonensis sp. nov., a psychrophilic bacterium isolated from Antarctic marine sediment.

A Gram-staining-negative, yellow-pigmented, aerobic, rod-shaped and non-motile bacterium, PAMC 27130(T), was isolated from the marine sediment of the Ross Sea, Antarctica. The temperature, pH and NaCl tolerance ranges for growth were 4-20 °C, pH 6.0-9.

Distinctive genetic activity pattern of the human dental pulp between deciduous and permanent teeth.

Human deciduous and permanent teeth exhibit different developmental processes, morphologies, histological characteristics and life cycles. In addition, their pulp tissues react differently to external stimuli, such as the pulp sensitivity test, dental trauma and pulp therapy materials. These suggest differences in gene expression and regulation, and in this study we compared gene-expression profiles of the human dental pulp from deciduous and permanent teeth.

Lacinutrix jangbogonensis sp. nov., a psychrophilic bacterium isolated from Antarctic marine sediment and emended description of the genus Lacinutrix.

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped and psychrophilic bacterial strain, PAMC 27137(T), was isolated from the marine sediment of the Ross Sea, Antarctica. Strain PAMC 27137(T) was observed to grow at 4-10 °C, at pH 6.5-7.

Cetuximab inhibits cisplatin-induced activation of EGFR signaling in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

A malignant esophageal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most prevalent cancers. Despite the use of present surgical techniques combined with various treatment modalities, the overall 5-year survival rate remains at 15-34%. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is the most well studied receptor in various cancers and EGFR overexpression is detected in 40% of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) and ESCC cell lines.

Effects of TiO₂ interfacial atomic layers on device performances and exciton dynamics in ZnO nanorod polymer solar cells.

The performances of organic electronic and/or photonic devices rely heavily on the nature of the inorganic/organic interface. Control over such hybrid interface properties has been an important issue for optimizing the performances of polymer solar cells bearing metal-oxide conducting channels. In this work, we studied the effects of an interfacial atomic layer in an inverted polymer solar cell based on a ZnO nanorod array on the device performance as well as the dynamics of the photoexcited carriers.

Treatment Options of Metastatic Brain Tumors from Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Surgical Resection vs. Gamma Knife Radiosurgery vs. Whole Brain Radiation Therapy.

Objective: Although metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma to the brain is uncommon, it is associated with a very high mortality rate and most patients usually expire within 1 year after brain metastasis. The aim of this study is to identify the effectiveness of the active interventions such as gamma knife radiosurgery or surgical intervention for these patients.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and imaging data of 59 patients with metastatic brain tumors from hepatocellular carcinoma from May 2004 to September 2012.

Hypoxia-responsive microRNA-101 promotes angiogenesis via heme oxygenase-1/vascular endothelial growth factor axis by targeting cullin 3.

Aims: Hypoxia induces expression of various genes and microRNAs (miRs) that regulate angiogenesis and vascular function. In this study, we investigated a new functional role of new hypoxia-responsive miR-101 in angiogenesis and its underlying mechanism for regulating heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression.

Results: We found that hypoxia induced miR-101, which binds to the 3'untranslated region of cullin 3 (Cul3) and stabilizes nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) via inhibition of the proteasomal degradation pathway.

Crocin suppresses LPS-stimulated expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase by upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 via calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase 4.

Crocin is a water-soluble carotenoid pigment that is primarily used in various cuisines as a seasoning and coloring agent, as well as in traditional medicines for the treatment of edema, fever, and hepatic disorder. In this study, we demonstrated that crocin markedly induces the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) which leads to an anti-inflammatory response. Crocin inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and nitric oxide production via downregulation of nuclear factor kappa B activity in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated RAW 264.

Protein tyrosine kinase 7 plays a tumor suppressor role by inhibiting ERK and AKT phosphorylation in lung cancer.

Protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) is a catalytically inactive receptor tyrosine kinase that is also known as colon carcinoma kinase-4 (CCK-4). Recent reports have shown that PTK7 plays an important role in carcinogenesis, and it is known to be upregulated in gastric, colon and esophageal cancer, as well as in liposarcoma. However, the role of PTK7 in lung cancer has not been investigated.

Orai1 and STIM1 are critical for cell migration and proliferation of clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

The intracellular Ca(2+) regulation has been implicated in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Notably, store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) is a major Ca(2+) entry mechanism in non-excitable cells, being involved in cell proliferation and migration in several types of cancer. However, the expression and biological role of SOCE have not been investigated in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).