Comparison of Needle Knife versus Scissors Forceps for Colorectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Prospective Randomized Study.

Background And Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a grasping-type knife, called Clutch Cutter (CC), for colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (C-ESD).

Methods: This was a randomized prospective study. Patients who underwent C-ESD for colorectal neoplasms >20 mm and <50 mm in size were enrolled, dividing into two groups: ESD using needle type of dual knife alone (D-group) and circumferential incision using dual knife followed by submucosal dissection using CC (CC-group).

Endoscopic features of colorectal lymphoma according to histological type.

Background And Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the histological type of colorectal lymphoma and its endoscopic features.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with primary colorectal lymphoma who were diagnosed using colonoscopy and biopsy specimens at the National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. The lesions were macroscopically classified into the following types via colonoscopy: polypoid, ulcerative, multiple lymphomatous polyposis, diffuse, and mixed.

Premedication of hemin for eradication therapy of in patients with porphyria.

Eradication therapy of may be safe if hemin has been intravenously administered in advance, even in patients with a history of recurrent acute porphyria attack.

Over-the-scope clip closure indicated as first- line therapy for iatrogenic rectal perforation.

n/a.

Light exercise without lactate elevation induces ischemic tolerance through the modulation of microRNA in the gerbil hippocampus.

Previously we studied the possible neuroprotective effects of ischemia-resistant exercise in a gerbil model of transient whole-brain ischemia and evaluated the histology, expression of specific proteins, and brain function under different conditions. The present study investigated the neuroprotective effects of light exercise, without lactate elevation, in a gerbil model of ischemia/reperfusion injury. Transient whole-brain ischemia was induced by occlusion of the bilateral common carotid arteries for 5 min.

Severe rhabdomyolysis associated with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in a married couple: a case report.

Background: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a tick-borne infection that has recently emerged. This infectious disease is due to the transfer of SFTS virus (SFTSV) from the infected blood of animals to humans. Approximately 30% of patients who are infected with SFTS die from multiorgan failure associated with severe infection, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, or disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Risk of Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with the Superficial Spreading Type of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Little is known about the clinicopathological characteristics of superficial spreading-type esophageal carcinoma extending ≥5 cm along the long axis of the esophagus. This study was aimed at investigating the frequency of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with superficial spreading-type esophageal carcinoma.

Methods: We reviewed the data of 320 patients with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who had undergone esophagectomy with lymph node dissection at our hospital between 1986 and 2010.

Serum microRNA expression profiling in patients with multiple system atrophy.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a sporadic neurodegenerative disease that is pathologically characterized by α‑synuclein positive glial cytoplasmic inclusions in oligodendrocytes. The clinical diagnosis of MSA is often challenging as there are no established biomarkers and diagnoses are now based on clinical findings alone. At present, the etiology and pathogenesis of MSA are unclear.

Exacerbation of insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis deriving from zinc deficiency in patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease.

The role of zinc (Zn) in hepatic steatosis of patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease (CLD-C) remains uncertain, although persistent HCV infection often evokes hepatic steatosis. The primary purpose of this study was to elucidate the contribution of Zn deficiency to hepatic steatosis in patients with CLD-C. Fifty nondiabetic patients with CLD-C were enrolled.

Analysis of association between brain natriuretic peptide levels and blood pressure variability.

The present study aimed to investigate the association between plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and systolic blood pressure (SBP) variability over a one-year period. Blood pressure was measured in 44 patients treated for hypertension (73±9 years old) at an outpatient clinic every one to two months over a one-year period. The standard deviation (SD) and the coefficient of variation (CV) were calculated to assess SBP variability.

17β-Estradiol regulates scavenger receptor class BI gene expression via protein kinase C in vascular endothelial cells.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) mediates reverse cholesterol transport. In this process, the human homolog of the B class, type I scavenger receptor (SR-BI), CD36, and LIMPII analogous-1 (hSR-BI/CLA-1) facilitates the cellular uptake of cholesterol from HDL. In endothelial cells, HDL activates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) via hSR-BI/CLA-1, and 17β-estradiol (E2) modulates nitric oxide (NO) synthesis.

Investigation of the factors associated with circulating soluble CD36 levels in patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease.

Background: CD36, a class B scavenger receptor, participates in the pathogenesis of metabolic dysregulation such as insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, and atherosclerosis. Persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection often evokes these metabolic abnormalities. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the role of CD36 in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis caused by chronic HCV infection.

Alpha2-macroglobulin as a promising biomarker for cerebral small vessel disease in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Alpha2-macroglobulin is a protease inhibitor that enhances procoagulant properties via the neutralization of plasmin, plasminogen activators and metalloproteinases. Additionally, alpha2-macroglobulin is thought to be involved in inflammatory reactions as a carrier protein for interleukin-6 (IL-6). The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of alpha2-macroglobulin as a biomarker for cerebrovascular diseases.

Association between left ventricular hypertrophy and changes in arterial stiffness during hypertensive treatment.

Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) has been demonstrated as a parameter of arterial stiffness, which antihypertensive therapy may improve. However, little information is available about the factors affecting changes in arterial stiffness assessed by CAVI during antihypertensive therapy. We performed a study to examine the factors affecting changes in arterial stiffness assessed by CAVI during antihypertensive therapy.

Clinical significance of differences between home and clinic systolic blood pressure readings in patients with hypertension.

Objectives: To elucidate the clinical significance of differences between home- and clinic-measured systolic blood pressure (SBP) in patients with treated hypertension, and to assess the correlations between SBPs and arterial stiffness.

Methods: Patients with treated hypertension measured their blood pressure (BP) themselves once, at home, in the morning (<1 h after awakening) using an automated oscillometric sphygmomanometer. Clinic BP was measured once, at an outpatient clinic on the same day, using a similar instrument.

Relationship between arterial stiffness and variability in systolic blood pressure during a single clinic visit in patients with hypertension.

Objective: To examine factors affecting systolic blood pressure (SBP) variability during a single clinic visit, in treated hypertensive patients.

Methods: Hypertensive patients were recruited to this observational study. Blood pressure was measured using an automated blood pressure monitor when each patient arrived at the outpatient clinic and again when they saw the physician.

The ratio of insulin-like growth factor-I/insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 in sera of patients with hepatitis C virus-related chronic liver disease as a predictive marker of insulin resistance.

Recent studies have elucidated a lower level of serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) or a decrease in the IGF-I/IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) ratio in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus or hepatic steatosis. Persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection often evokes metabolic abnormalities including hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. We hypothesized that the relationship between the ratio of IGF-I/IGFBP-3 and the severity of hepatic steatosis or insulin resistance would be observed in patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease (CLD).

Association of serum anti-periodontal pathogen antibody with ischemic stroke.

Background: Periodontitis increases the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and ischemic stroke. In this study, we evaluated whether serum antibody levels against individual periodontal pathogens are significantly associated with ischemic stroke subtypes and their risk factors.

Methods: Patients with acute ischemic stroke (n = 132; 74 male and 58 female, 71.

Clinical relevance of antibodies to cardiolipin in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

The significance of antibodies to cardiolipin (anti-CL) remains uncertain in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CH-C). The main purpose of this study was to elucidate the clinical characteristics of patients with CH-C seropositive for anti-CL. The prevalence of anti-CL and clinical parameters associated with anti-CL in those patients were examined.

Association between oxidative stress assessed by urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and the cardiac function in hypertensive patients without overt heart disease.

Although increased oxidative stress is known to be associated with worsened cardiac function in chronic heart failure, consensus is still lacking regarding the association between oxidative stress and cardiac function in hypertensive patients without overt heart disease. This study aimed to evaluate the association between oxidative stress assessed by urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and cardiac function in hypertensive patients without overt heart disease. We enrolled a total of 80 hypertensive patients (70 ± 11 y) who had been taking antihypertensive medications for at least 1 year.

Association between urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, an indicator of oxidative stress, and the cardio-ankle vascular index in hypertensive patients.

Aims: Oxidative stress has been recently postulated to be an important factor in the pathogenesis and development of arteriosclerosis. Although urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is clinically used as a marker of oxidative stress, its usefulness in diagnosing arteriosclerosis has not been fully examined. This study aimed to evaluate the association between urinary 8-OHdG and the cardioankle vascular index (CAVI) as a marker of arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients.

Association between cardiac function and pulmonary function in hypertensive patients.

Objective: This study examined the association between cardiac function and pulmonary function in hypertensive patients.

Methods: Hypertensive patients without overt cardiovascular disease were enrolled (n=43; mean±SD age 71±9 years). Pulmonary function was measured by the percentage of predicted forced vital capacity (%FVC) and the ratio of 1 s forced expiratory volume (FEV1) to FVC (FEV1/FVC ratio).

Clinical significance of autoantibodies to p53 protein in patients with autoimmune liver diseases.

Background: Autoantibodies to p53 (anti-p53) are rarely present in the sera of patients with autoimmune diseases or the sera of patients with malignancies.

Objective: To examine the prevalence of anti-p53 in patients with autoimmune liver disease including autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), AIH⁄PBC overlap syndrome (AIH⁄PBC OS) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and to determine the clinical significance of anti-p53 in autoimmune liver diseases.

Methods: Forty patients with AIH, 41 patients with PBC, eight patients with AIH⁄PBC OS and five patients with PSC were enrolled.