BDK knockout skeletal muscle satellite cells exhibit enhanced protein translation initiation signal in response to BCAA in vitro.

We examined the effects of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and electrical pulse stimulation (EPS) on the mTORC1 pathway in muscle satellite cells (MSCs) isolated from branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase kinase (BDK) knockout (KO) mice in vitro. MSCs were isolated from BDK KO and wild-type (WT) mice, proliferated, and differentiated into myotubes. BCAA stimulation increased the phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase (p70S6K), a marker of protein translation initiation, in MSCs from WT and BDK KO mice, but the rate of the increase was higher in MSCs isolated from BDK KO mice.

Stage III disease of ovarian, tubal and peritoneal cancers can be accurately diagnosed with pre-operative CT. Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study JCOG0602.

Purpose: Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis is a useful imaging modality for identifying origin and extent of ovarian cancer before primary debulking surgery. However, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging for ovarian cancer is determined based on surgico-pathological findings. The purpose of this study is to determine whether computed tomography staging can be the surrogate for surgico-pathological International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging in advanced ovarian cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Three-Dimensional Measurements of Pharyngeal Airway in Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate.

The aim of this study was to investigate 3-dimensional (3D) airway volume in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) using computed tomography (CT). The study population comprised 15 UCLP patients (UCLP group) scheduled to receive alveolar bone grafts and 15 with impacted teeth (control group). The clinical requirements for a CT scan were met in both groups.

Induction of Autophagy and Changes in Cellular Metabolism in Glucose Starved C2C12 Myotubes.

Mouse myoblast C2C12 cells are commonly used as a model system for investigating the metabolic regulation of skeletal muscle. As it is therefore important to understand the metabolic features of C2C12 cells, we examined the effect of glucose starvation on autophagy in C2C12 myotubes. After culture of C2C12 myotubes with high (HG, 25.

Low-carbohydrate high-protein diet diminishes the insulin response to glucose load via suppression of SGLT-1 in mice.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a low-carbohydrate high-protein (LCHP) diet on the expression of glucose transporters and their relationships to glucose metabolism. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal control or LCHP diet for 2 weeks. An oral glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test (ITT) were performed, and the expression of glucose transporters was determined in the gastrocnemius muscle, jejunum and pancreas.

Usefulness of a novel, slim long syringe-like device for applying surgical mesh through a 5-mm trocar.

We developed a device for introducing surgical mesh through a 5-mm trocar during transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair. This device is like a slim long syringe; it has a polypropylene outer sheath (outer diameter, 5.8 mm; inner diameter, 5.

[A Case of an Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm Which Rapidly Worsened and Penetrated into the Stomach and the Transverse Colon].

We report a case of a 71-year-old woman.She visited our hospital with a complaint of high fever and abdominal distention. She has been pointed out intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm(IPMN)4 years ago.

[A Case of Resected Reactive Lymphoid Hyperplasia of Liver Suspected of Hepatocellular Carcinoma].

A 64-year-old woman who had chronic type C viral hepatitis was referred with a liver tumor detected by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). She had a history of rheumatoid arthritis which was treated by methotrexate. Ethoxybenzyl-MRI(EOBMRI) showed a low signal in the T1-weighted imaging, a high signal in the T2-weighted imaging and a low signal in the hepatobiliary phase.

[Solitary Splenic Hilar Nodes Metastasis from Ovarian Cancer Managed by Splenectomy with Pancreas Tail].

Solitary splenic metastasis from cancer is known as a rare disorder in cancer patients. In the present study, we report our experience regarding pathophysiology and treatment tactics of the splenic metastasis caused by ovarian cancer after perioperative chemotherapy. A 50s female presented to our clinic complaining of growing solitary splenic hilar node in CT.

MRI findings for primary fallopian tube cancer: correlation with pathological findings.

Purpose: To clarify the MRI findings for primary fallopian tube cancer (PFTC).

Materials And Methods: MRI findings for 11 patients who were pathologically diagnosed with PFTC at our institute were retrospectively reviewed. MRI findings (shape, appearance, signal intensity, ADC value, enhancement patterns, and location of the primary tumor, the morphologic appearance of the ipsilateral ovary, and intrauterine fluid collection) were evaluated and compared with pathological findings including histological subtype and PFTC location.

Impact of nutritional status on outcomes in laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy.

Background: There is a high morbidity rate after digestive surgery in patients with nutritional disorders such as high body mass index and depletion of skeletal muscle.

Materials And Methods: The ratio of psoas muscle area to trunk area was defined as the Psoas and All trunk Ratio (PandA Ratio) and used as an index of the balance between muscle and adipose tissue. This ratio was determined in 77 patients undergoing laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) for gastric cancer.

Polypoid endometriosis of the ovary and müllerianosis of pelvic lymph nodes mimicking an ovarian carcinoma with lymph node metastasis.

Polypoid endometriosis is a distinctive variant of endometriosis with histological features simulating those of endometrial polyps. Müllerianosis is characterized by the presence of lesions at any site containing admixtures of endosalpingiosis, endometriosis, and endocervicosis. Here, we report a rare case of polypoid endometriosis of the ovary with müllerianosis of the pelvic lymph nodes in a 44-year-old woman without a past history of pelvic surgery.

[A Case of Trousseau's Syndrome Caused by CA19-9-Producing Gastric Cancer].

Trousseau's syndrome is a coagulation disorder occurring in cancer patients. In the present study, we report our experience regarding the pathophysiology and treatment strategies of this syndrome that is caused by CA19-9-producing gastric cancer during long term chemotherapy. A 60s male presented to our clinic; he was found to have a high level of CA19-9.

A novel procedure for introducing large sheet-type surgical material with a self-expanding origami structure using a slim trocar (chevron pleats procedure).

Background: Large sheet-type surgical materials (e.g., absorbable hemostat, adhesion barrier membranes, and flat surgical mesh) are difficult to introduce into a corporeal cavity using a 5-mm trocar; however, laparoscopic surgeries that use mainly 5-mm trocars are increasing.

Prognostic Impact of a Nutritional Index Including Muscle Volume in Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Nutritional status influences cancer prognosis. Measurement of the area of the psoas muscle on computed tomography is useful for evaluation of skeletal muscle mass and prediction of prognosis.

Patients And Methods: The psoas muscle index (PMI) was determined in 42 patients undergoing surgery for stage 4 colorectal cancer.

Validation of Kinki Criteria, a Modified Substaging System, in Patients with Intermediate Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: The standard treatment option that is available for patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). However, the condition of the patients with BCLC stage B disease is heterogeneous showing different tumor statuses and Child-Pugh scores; treatment strategies other than TACE are frequently employed for the patients in this stage. Based on the subclassification system proposed by Bolondi et al.

Survival Benefit of Locoregional Treatment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Advanced Liver Cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with decompensated liver cirrhosis (LC) is a life-threatening condition, which is amenable to liver transplantation (LT) as the standard first-line treatment. However, the application of LT can be limited due to a shortage of donor livers. This study aimed to clarify the effect of non-surgical therapy on the survival of patients with HCC and decompensated LC.

[A Case Report of Reoperation for Intractable Obstruction of the Stomach after Surgery for Esophageal Cancer].

Although esophageal reconstruction using the stomach is common in surgery for esophageal cancer, this procedure sometimes results in delayed gastric emptying and reflux. This is a case report of reoperation for intractable obstruction of the stomach after initial esophageal surgery in a 59-year-old man. The obstruction was resistant to conservative management.

Phase I/II Study of Sorafenib in Combination with Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy Using Low-Dose Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil.

We conducted a phase I/II study in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to determine the recommended dose, as well as the safety and efficacy, of combination therapy of sorafenib with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) using low dose cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5FU). Cohorts consisting of 3-6 patients with HCC received an escalated dose of CDDP and 5-FU until a maximum-tolerated dose was achieved. The treatment regimen was as follows: oral administration of sorafenib (400 mg twice daily for 28 days) combined with HAIC using CDDP (14-20 mg/m(2), on days 1 and 8) and 5-FU (170-330 mg/m(2), continuously on days 1-5 and 8-12) via an implanted catheter system).

Effectiveness of Sorafenib in Patients with Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE) Refractory and Intermediate-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background And Aims: Patients with intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) refractory to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) are considered to be candidates for sorafenib. The aim of this study was to evaluate the superiority of conversion of treatment to sorafenib on overall survival (OS) for cases refractory to TACE.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study carried out on 497 patients with HCC who were treated with TACE therapy at our hospital between January 2008 and December 2013.

Malignant Struma Ovarii With a Predominant Component of Anaplastic Carcinoma.

Struma ovarii exhibiting malignant histology are uncommon, and aggressive clinical courses with initial extraovarian spread are even more rare. This report describes a case of malignant struma ovarii with a predominant anaplastic carcinoma component. A 65-yr-old, gravida 2, para 2, female presented with lower abdominal discomfort and pain.

Validation of a Modified Substaging System (Kinki Criteria) for Patients with Intermediate-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Introduction: Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B, an intermediate stage, includes various conditions of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This heterogeneity of the patients with intermediate-stage HCC makes it difficult to predict their survival rates. In the present study, we examined the validity of the modified Bolondi classification (Kinki criteria) as a subclassification of patients with BCLC stage B HCC.

Balloon-Occluded Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single-Center Experience.

Objective: To investigate whether balloon-occluded transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (b-TACE) can produce a more dense accumulation of iodized oil in various stages of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), from single to uncountable, to overcome inferior local control.

Materials And Methods: We studied 27 patients with HCC, including single to uncountable multiple lesions, who underwent b-TACE between August 2013 and April 2015. Dynamic CT was performed at baseline and 1-3 months after b-TACE.

Evaluation of ART Scores for Repeated Transarterial Chemoembolization in Japanese Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Objective: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is recommended as a first-line therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients ineligible for curative therapy and without portal invasion. The Assessment for Retreatment with TACE (ART) scoring system was recently proposed for identifying patients who would not show sufficient survival benefit from repeated TACE. We reevaluated the performance of ART in HCC patients treated in Japan, where selective TACE is commonly used.