Urodynamic outcomes after pelvic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Our purposes of this study were to characterize a group of bulky cervical cancer patients who underwent a nerve sparing radical hysterectomy (NSRH) with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), to compare surgical outcomes and the preservation of bladder function, and to compare prognoses. Fifty-three patients had NSRH without NAC (Group A), and 33 patients had NSRH after NAC (Group B). With regard to prognostic factors, there was only a significant difference between both groups with regard to lymph node metastasis (15% vs 42%, = 0.

Crosstalk between PI3K and Ras pathways via protein phosphatase 2A in human ovarian clear cell carcinoma.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is one of the most promising pharmacological targets for all types of cancer, including ovarian cancer. Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) has poor prognosis because of its insensitivity to chemotherapy. To elucidate the characteristics of this troublesome cancer, we examined HIF-1α expression under normoxia or hypoxia in various ovarian cancer cell lines.

The EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal-transition)-related protein expression indicates the metastatic status and prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer.

Objectives: The epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) is an important step in the invasion and metastasis of cancer. A critical molecular feature of this process is the downregulation of the E-cadherin expression, which is primarily controlled by Snail-related zinc-finger transcription factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of the expression of EMT-related proteins (E-cadherin and Snail) in patients with ovarian cancer.

Gemcitabine as a molecular targeting agent that blocks the Akt cascade in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

Background: Gemcitabine (2', 2' -difluorodeoxycytidine) is one of many nonplatinum drugs that exhibit activity in recurrent, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms by which Gemcitabine treatment inhibits the proliferation of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer cells still remain unclear. We investigated whether Gemcitabine increases the efficacy of Cisplatin in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer models in vitro and in vivo.

Bone mineral loss induced by anticancer treatment for gynecological malignancies in premenopausal women.

Objective: Although surgical menopause may increase the risks of osteoporosis, few studies have investigated the influence of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of treatments for gynecological malignancies on bone mineral density (BMD).

Methods: This study enrolled 35 premenopausal women (15 ovarian cancers (OCs), 9 endometrial cancers (ECs), and 11 cervical cancers (CCs)) who underwent surgical treatment that included bilateral oophorectomy with or without adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy in OC and EC patients, or concurrent chemo-radiation therapy (CCRT) in CC patients according to the established protocols at the Osaka Medical College Hospital between 2006 and 2008.

Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the intestinal type arising from mature cystic teratoma of the ovary: a rare case report and review of the literature.

Background: Mature cystic teratomas (MCTs) are the most common germ cell tumors of the ovary. Malignant tranformation occurs in 1-2% of these neoplasms. Although most of the malignancies arising from MCTs are squamous cell carcinomas, adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal type is extremery rare.

GPR30 regulates the EGFR-Akt cascade and predicts lower survival in patients with ovarian cancer.

Objectives: G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) is a 7-transmembrane estrogen receptor that functions alongside traditional estrogen receptors to regulate the cellular responses to estrogen. Recent studies suggest that GPR30 expression is associated with a poor prognosis, and that this is due to the GPR30-mediated transactivation of the EGFR in breast cancer. However, the biological contribution of GPR30 in ovarian cancer remains unclear.

Prognostic impact of EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal-transition)-related protein expression in endometrial cancer.

Objectives: The epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) is an important step in the invasion and metastasis of cancer. A critical molecular feature of this process is the downregulation of E-cadherin expression, which is mainly controlled by Snail-related zinc-finger transcription factors (Snail and Slug). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of EMT-related protein (E-cadherin, Snail and Slug) expression in endometrial cancer.

Correlation between salivary secretion and salivary AQP5 levels in health and disease.

Saliva samples are useful for noninvasive diagnosis of oral and systemic diseases. The water channel protein aquaporin-5 (AQP5) is released into human saliva. Salivary AQP5 levels show a diurnal variation with the secretion of high levels during the waking hours.

Identification of aquaporin-5 and lipid rafts in human resting saliva and their release into cevimeline-stimulated saliva.

Background: It is unknown whether AQP5 and lipid rafts are released into human unstimulated (resting) saliva and saliva in response to secretagogues.

Methods: In order to quantitate the salivary concentration of AQP5, we produced a polyclonal antibody for human AQP5 and developed an enzyme-like immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: AQP5 and lipid rafts were identified in human resting saliva.

Effect of G-1 column (Adacolumn) therapy in rats with adjuvant arthritis on the migration and immunoreactivity of peripheral and splenic leukocytes.

The G-1 column (Adacolumn), a novel extracorporeal adsorption device, is now available for the treatment of such chronic inflammatory diseases as ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis. G-1 column treatment sometimes results in a rapid decrease in clinical inflammatory parameters and/or has a delayed beneficial effect on disease activity. In order to identify the scientific basis for such clinical benefits, we studied rats with adjuvant arthritis induced by immunization with Mycobacterium butyricum antigen.

Rebamipide enema is effective for treatment of experimental dextran sulfate sodium induced colitis in rats.

We investigated therapeutic efficacy of rebamipide using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced colitis model in rats. Three percent DSS solution was given to rats for 9 days. After that, we evaluated the drug efficacy on colitis sustained with continuous drinking of 1% DSS.