Sarcoid-like Reaction in a Patient With Colon Cancer: A Case Report and Mini-Review.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic and chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by the manifestation of epithelioid cell granulomas in various organs. Sarcoid-like reactions occur in patients who do not fulfill the diagnostic criteria for sarcoidosis but present with similar clinical and histological features. An 80-year-old man presented to our hospital with several subcutaneous nodules on the extremities.

Estimation of the vitamin D (VD) status of pregnant Japanese women based on food intake and VD synthesis by solar UV-B radiation using a questionnaire and UV-B observations.

Although vitamin D (VD; serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D) deficiency (< 20 ng/mL) is widespread among Japanese women, the VD status among pregnant women is unknown. This study aimed to determine the VD status of pregnant Japanese women during different meteorological seasons and to determine the factors controlling VD status. A total of 309 pregnant Japanese women were recruited at 28 weeks of gestation at the gynecology department of a university hospital in Tokyo between August 2018 and October 2019.

A Case of Streptozocin Monotherapy for Unresectable Duodenal Neuroendocrine Tumor G2.

Background: Duodenal neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are rare, and few reports have demonstrated the effectiveness of chemotherapy for duodenal NET, with not many other treatment options available. Here, we present a case of unresectable duodenal NET G2 that was effectively treated with streptozocin (STZ) monotherapy. We also perform a literature review.

[A case of mature intestinal malrotation with cecal volvulus].

We report an uncommon case of an elderly patient with cecal volvulus caused by intestinal malrotation. We performed lower gastrointestinal endoscopy on an 84-year-old man with a chief complaint of abdominal distention and fever. However, emergency surgery had to be performed because intestinal perforation had occurred.

[A Case of Laparoscopic Whole Layer Cholecystectomy for Elevated Lesion Suspected Biliary Cancer].

A case of attempted laparoscopic cholecystectomy for elevated lesion which was clearly early biliary cancer. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become popular as a minimally invasive surgical method, and is the primary choice for benign diseases. However for cases of suspected biliary cancer, open cholecystectomy, rather than laparoscopic, is recommended according to medical guidelines.

[A Two-Stage Right Hemicolectomy Case in Which the First Surgery Was Laparoscopic Ileocecal Resection Based on Preoperative Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis].

We report a case oftwo -stage right hemicolectomy in which the first surgery performed was laparoscopic ileocecal resection based on the preoperative diagnosis ofacute appendicitis. The second surgery was performed based on pathological diagnosis ofadvanced cecal cancer accompanied by appendicitis. A 49-year-old woman came to our hospital with a chief complaint of abdominal pain in the lower quadrant for 1 week.

Regeneration of peritoneum using amniotic membrane to prevent postoperative adhesions.

Background/aims: Adhesions following intraperitoneal surgery are frequent causes of small bowel obstruction. Attempts to prevent postoperative adhesions have mostly proven disappointing clinically. Currently used by ophthalmologists in ocular surface disorders, amniotic membrane transplantation can reduce inflammation and promote re-epithelization.

Laparoscope-assisted superlow anterior resection combined with inter sphincteric rectal dissection for very low advanced rectal cancers combined with preoperative chemotherapy.

Transanal intersphincteric resection (ISR) has been increasingly used as a surgical treatment for extremely low rectal cancer. We hypothesized that high quality less invasive surgery could be achieved if ISR and laparoscopic surgery were combined. The patient was a 46-year-old male with advanced rectal cancer on the lower rectum adjacent to the dentate line.

Quantitative analysis of tumor-derived methylated RUNX3 sequences in the serum of gastric cancer patients.

Purpose And Experimental Design: Using real-time quantitative methylation-specific PCR (RTQ-MSP), methylated RUNX3 sequences were quantified and the fractional concentrations of circulating tumor DNA in serum were determined, along with peripheral blood cells collected preoperatively, intraoperatively and postoperatively from 65 patients with gastric cancer.

Results: RTQ-MSP was sufficiently sensitive to detect RUNX3 methylation. Quantitative MSP data were expressed in terms of the methylation index, which was defined as the relative amount of methylated RUNX3 sequences divided by the concentration of methylated actin.

Long-term survival of a case with multiple liver metastases from duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor drastically reduced by the treatment with imatinib and hepatectomy.

Constitutive activation of KIT receptor tyrosine kinase is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). But there is little information on whether combination of imatinib mesylate (IM) and surgical treatment can prolong survival in the cases with unresectable multiple liver metastases. We report a case of postoperative recurrence of GIST treated by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor IM and surgical treatment.

[A long-term survival case with multiple liver metastases from duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor that was drastically reduced by the treatment with imatinib].

Constitutive activation of c-kit receptor tyrosine kinase is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Imatinib mesylate (IM), a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been shown in clinical studies to work against such tumors. But there is little information on whether a combination of IM and surgical treatment can prolong survival in a case of unresectable multiple liver metastases.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced iron sequestration and oxidative stress in human endothelial cells.

Objective: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced endothelial injury, which is associated with atherosclerosis, is mediated by intracellular reactive oxygen species. Iron is essential for the amplification of oxidative stress. We tested whether TNF-alpha accelerated iron accumulation in vascular endothelium, favoring synthesis of hydroxyl radical.

Possible involvement of RUNX3 silencing in the peritoneal metastases of gastric cancers.

Purpose: Our previous results suggested that a lack of RUNX3 function contributed to human gastric carcinogenesis, but the role of RUNX3 in progression and metastasis remains unclear. We examined RUNX3 expression in clinical samples of peritoneal metastases in gastric cancers. Changes in metastatic potential were assessed in animal experiments using stable RUNX3 transfectants of gastric cancer cells.

Comparison of cytotoxicity of cysteine and homocysteine for renal epithelial cells.

Background: Although the cytotoxic effects of cysteine (Cys) on renal cells have been established, the effects of homocysteine (Hcy), which causes endothelial cell dysfunction, have not been well tested. We compared the direct toxicity of Hcy on renal tubular cells to that of Cys and examined the mechanism of cell toxicity.

Methods: LLC-PK1 cells were incubated with test media containing 500 microM Cys or Hcy in the presence or absence of 100 microM copper.

Frequent downregulation of the runt domain transcription factors RUNX1, RUNX3 and their cofactor CBFB in gastric cancer.

Our previous studies suggest that lack of RUNX3 function is causally related to the genesis and progression of human gastric cancer, but potential roles of other members of the RUNX family genes have not yet been reported. We examined the expression of 3 Runt-related (RUNX) genes, RUNX1, RUNX2 and CBFB, in gastric cancer cell lines and primary gastric cancer specimens and compared them to those of RUNX3 reported earlier in conjunction with clinicopathologic factors. Expression of RUNX family genes in 9 gastric cancer cell lines, 56 primary gastric cancer specimens and surrounding normal gastric mucosa were estimated by Northern blot analysis, quantitative RT-PCR and in situ hybridization.

Accumulation of cyanide and thiocyanate in haemodialysis patients.

Background: Cyanide is a toxic agent, and its detoxification product, thiocyanate, may be a major pathogenetic substance in uraemia. Recent studies examining the myeloperoxidase(MPO)/thiocyanate system have suggested a link between thiocyanate and atherosclerosis. However, inaccuracies in conventional assays for cyanide and thiocyanate have limited the understanding of their metabolism in haemodialysis (HD) patients.

[Possible involvement of inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptor type 3 (IP3R3) in the peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancers].

Our previous study using a cDNA microarray demonstrated that positive identification of differently expressed genes among gastric cancer cells involved in peritoneal dissemination could be accomplished. One of these genes with overexpression is inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptor type 3 (IP3R3). IP3R3 is an intracellular Ca2+ release channel responsible for mobilizing stored Ca2+.

[A case of sarcoidosis overlapping with rheumatoid arthritis].

We report the case of a 54-year-old woman who presented on May 28, 2001 with sarcoidosis overlapping with rheumatoid arthritis. She had experienced morning stiffness 2 years previously and was diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis. She had been treated with bucillamine and loxoprofen for 3 months.

Free cysteine is increased in plasma from hemodialysis patients.

Background: Although only the total thiol concentration, which includes bound and free forms, has been determined in most previous clinical studies, the free form may be a better predictor of cardiovascular risk.

Methods: We measured the apparent concentration of free homocysteine (Hcy) and cysteine (Cys) in filtered and acid-soluble fractions of plasma in healthy control subjects and in patients with chronic renal failure just before and after a hemodialysis session.

Results: In control, filtered Hcy and acid-soluble Hcy were similar, while filtered Cys was much smaller than in acid-soluble Cys.

A nitric oxide-generating beta-blocking agent prevents renal injury in the rat remnant kidney model. Comparative study of two beta-blocking drugs, nipradilol and propranolol.

Background: The L-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) pathway plays an important role in the modulation of glomerular disease. We investigated whether beta-blocking agents, with and without an NO-generating function, had renoprotective effects in the 5/6 nephrectomized rats (Nx), an animal model of glomerulosclerosis.

Methods: Nipradilol, a beta-blocker with an ONO(2) group (5, 10 or 15 mg/kg/day) and propranolol, a beta-blocker without this group (50 mg/kg/day) were administered for 12 weeks to Nx together with and without nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME).

Association of hyperhomocysteinemia with plasma sulfate and urine sulfate excretion in patients with progressive renal disease.

Background: Plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) level is increased in patients with renal disease, parallel to serum creatinine concentration. In renal failure, the final product of sulfated amino acid metabolism, sulfate, also accumulates as renal function declines. We hypothesized that the elevation in sulfate level could cause hyperhomocysteinemia and tested the relation between tHcy level and both urinary excretion and plasma levels of sulfate.