CDK1 and CDK2 activity is a strong predictor of renal cell carcinoma recurrence.

Background: In renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the prediction of metastasis via tumor prognostic markers remains a major problem. The objective of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)1 and CDK2 activity as a prognostic marker in human RCC.

Methods: Surgical specimens were obtained from 125 patients with RCC without metastasis.

Cyclin-dependent kinase-specific activity predicts the prognosis of stage I and stage II non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. Even with complete resection, the prognosis of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer is poor due to local and distant recurrence, and it remains unclear which biomarkers are clinically useful for predicting recurrence or for determining the efficacy of chemotherapy. Recently, several lines of evidence have indicated that the enzymatic activity of cyclin-dependent kinases could be a clinically relevant prognostic marker for some cancers.

Lenvatinib, an angiogenesis inhibitor targeting VEGFR/FGFR, shows broad antitumor activity in human tumor xenograft models associated with microvessel density and pericyte coverage.

Background: Lenvatinib is an oral inhibitor of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR1-3), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR1-4), platelet growth factor receptor α (PDGFR α), RET and KIT. Antiangiogenesis activity of lenvatinib in VEGF- and FGF-driven angiogenesis models in both in vitro and in vivo was determined. Roles of tumor vasculature (microvessel density (MVD) and pericyte coverage) as biomarkers for lenvatinib were also examined in this study.

Quantitative analysis of APP axonal transport in neurons: role of JIP1 in enhanced APP anterograde transport.

Alzheimer's β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) associates with kinesin-1 via JNK-interacting protein 1 (JIP1); however, the role of JIP1 in APP transport by kinesin-1 in neurons remains unclear. We performed a quantitative analysis to understand the role of JIP1 in APP axonal transport. In JIP1-deficient neurons, we find that both the fast velocity (∼2.

Clinical characteristics of amniotic fluid embolism: an experience of 29 years.

Aim: The aim of this study was to elucidate the clinical characteristics and risk factors for amniotic fluid embolism (AFE).

Methods: We performed a retrospective case study analysis of patients using medical records and autopsy records. The diagnosis of AFE was based on the presence of clinical symptoms using Clark's criteria and autopsy results.

The use of oral beclomethasone dipropionate in the treatment of gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease: the experience of the Fukuoka blood and marrow transplantation (BMT) group.

Objective: We examined the therapeutic strategies for treating mild gastrointestinal (GI) graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) using oral beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) in 15 Japanese patients based on the donor source. The primary objective was to determine the efficacy and toxicity of oral BDP combined with/without low-dose prednisone (PSL).

Methods: Oral BDP was administered with 1 mg/kg/d of PSL in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT) or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT; n=11), and the dose of PSL was tapered off after 22 days.

Phase I / II study of brentuximab vedotin in Japanese patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive Hodgkin's lymphoma or systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma.

Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate that selectively delivers the antimicrotubule agent monomethyl auristatin E into CD30-expressing cells. To assess its safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy in Japanese patients with refractory or relapsed CD30-positive Hodgkin's lymphoma or systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, we carried out a phase I/II study. Brentuximab vedotin was given i.

Exposure of wide cerebellomedullary cisterns for vascular lesion surgeries in cerebellomedullary cisterns: opening of unilateral cerebellomedullary fissures combined with lateral foramen magnum approach.

Objective: To clarify microsurgical anatomic features of the cerebellomedullary fissure (CMF), the natural cleavage plane between the cerebellum and the medulla, and its relationship to the cerebellomedullary cistern (CMC) and to describe a surgical technique that uses the unilateral trans-CMF approach for CMC surgeries.

Methods: In the anatomic study, 2 formalin-fixed cadaver heads were used. In the clinical study, 3 patients with vertebral artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms and 3 patients with glossopharyngeal neuralgia were surgically treated through the unilateral trans-CMF approach combined with the transcondylar fossa approach, which is a lateral foramen magnum approach.

Suprajugular extension of the retrosigmoid approach: microsurgical anatomy.

Object: Jugular foramen tumors often extend intra- and extracranially. The gross-total removal of tumors located both intracranially and intraforaminally is technically challenging and often requires a combined skull base approach. This study presents a suprajugular extension of the retrosigmoid approach directed through the osseous roof of the jugular foramen that allows the removal of tumors located in the cerebellopontine angle with extension into the upper part of the foramen, with demonstration of an illustrative case.

Anatomy of the superior petrosal veins and their exposure and management during petrous apex meningioma surgery using the lateral suboccipital retrosigmoid approach.

During surgeries in the upper cerebellopontine angle (CPA), the superior petrosal veins (SPVs) often act as obstacles; and their sectioning sometimes causes serious complications. In this study, we introduced a classification system for the SPVs wherein their tributaries were classified into four groups on the basis of their courses and draining areas. We furthermore explained the detailed anatomy of the vein of the cerebellopontine fissure, which is the largest tributary.

Competitor suppresses neuronal representation of food reward in the nucleus accumbens/medial striatum of domestic chicks.

To investigate the role of social contexts in controlling the neuronal representation of food reward, we recorded single neuron activity in the medial striatum/nucleus accumbens of domestic chicks and examined whether activities differed between two blocks with different contexts. Chicks were trained in an operant task to associate light-emitting diode color cues with three trial types that differed in the type of food reward: no reward (S-), a small reward/short-delay option (SS), and a large reward/long-delay alternative (LL). Amount and duration of reward were set such that both of SS and LL were chosen roughly equally.

Lenvatinib in combination with golvatinib overcomes hepatocyte growth factor pathway-induced resistance to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor.

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibitors are approved for the treatment of several tumor types; however, some tumors show intrinsic resistance to VEGFR inhibitors, and some patients develop acquired resistance to these inhibitors. Therefore, a strategy to overcome VEGFR inhibitor resistance is urgently required. Recent reports suggest that activation of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) pathway through its cognate receptor, Met, contributes to VEGFR inhibitor resistance.

Universal structural characteristics of planar granular packs.

The dependence of structural self-organization of granular materials on preparation and grain parameters is key to predictive modeling. We study 60 different mechanically equilibrated polydisperse disc packs, generated numerically by two protocols. We show that, for same-variance disc size distributions (DSDs), (1) the mean coordination number of rattler-free packs versus the packing fraction is a function independent of initial conditions, friction, and the DSD, and (2) all quadron volume and cell order distributions collapse to universal forms, also independent of the above.

A phase II study of paclitaxel and carboplatin with a biweekly schedule in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer: Gynecologic Cancer Network trial.

Aim: The objective of this multicenter phase II study was to evaluate the effects of biweekly paclitaxel and carboplatin combination chemotherapy on response rate and toxicities in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Patients And Methods: Patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage II to IV ovarian cancer received paclitaxel at a dose of 120 mg/m(2) and carboplatin at an area under the curve of 3 mg/mL per minute every 2 weeks for 8 or more cycles. Inclusion criteria included an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 to 2 and no previous chemotherapy.

Classification of the superior petrosal veins and sinus based on drainage pattern.

Background: The increasing number of reports of complications after sacrificing the superior petrosal veins, the largest veins in the posterior fossa, has led to a need for an increased understanding of the anatomy of these veins and the superior petrosal sinus into which they empty.

Objective: To examine the anatomy of the superior petrosal veins and their size, draining area, and tributaries, as well as the anatomic variations of the superior petrosal sinus.

Method: Injected cadaveric cerebellopontine angles and 3-dimensional multifusion angiography images were examined.

Microvascular decompression surgery for vertebral artery compression of the medulla oblongata: 3 cases with respiratory failure and/or dysphagia.

Background: It is well known that brainstem dysfunction may be caused by vascular compression of the medulla oblongata (MO). However, only a limited number of reports have found microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery to be an effective treatment for symptomatic patients with MO dysfunction, such as essential hypertension, pyramidal tract signs, dysphagia, and respiratory failure.

Case Description: This report describes 3 patients with vertebral artery compression of MO who presented with respiratory failure and/or dysphagia.

Technical strategies for en bloc resection and immediate reconstruction in hemangioma of the frontal bone.

Hemangioma of the skull is a benign solitary tumor, often found in the frontal or parietal area. A hemangioma lesion typically involves the outer table rather than the inner, but its complete removal at the diploe level is difficult. Full-thickness resection at the calvaria is often needed to ensure a free margin, but it will leave a bony defect that requires reconstruction.

[A case of gastric carcinosarcoma treated with surgical resection and irinotecan and mitomycin C combination therapy].

A 59-year-old man was admitted following episodes of melena. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a type 2 carcinoid-like tumor in the cardium of the stomach. Histopathological analysis of a biopsy specimen revealed adenocarcinoma.

Novel functional assay for spindle-assembly checkpoint by cyclin-dependent kinase activity to predict taxane chemosensitivity in breast tumor patient.

Taxanes are among the drugs most commonly used for preoperative chemotherapy for breast cancer. Taxanes induce mitotic arrest and subsequent apoptosis. The spindle-assembly checkpoint (SAC) is known to be activated during mitosis, along with cyclin-dependent kinase-1 (CDK1), and is required for taxane-induced cell death.

Two cases of subfrontal schwannoma, including a rare case located between the endosteal and meningeal layers of the dura.

Subfrontal schwannomas arising from the olfactory groove are rare and their origin remains uncertain because olfactory bulbs do not possess Schwann cells. We present two cases of subfrontal schwannomas treated with surgical resection. In one case, the tumor was located between the endosteal and meningeal layers of the dura mater.

The prognostic value of apoptotic and proliferative markers in breast cancer.

Increasing ability of early breast cancer (BC) diagnosis leading to more early stage detection, better survival, and low relapse marks one of the milestones achieved over the decades. Foregoing poses a challenge for clinicians regarding optimal treatment, in which over- and under-treatment should be avoided. Classical prognostic and predictive factors fall short for individualized adjuvant therapy selection in this patient group.

Pituitary and adrenal involvement in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, with recovery of their function after chemotherapy.

Background: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma sometimes involves the endocrine organs, but involvement of both the pituitary and adrenal glands is extremely rare. Involvement of these structures can lead to hypopituitarism and adrenal insufficiency, and subsequent recovery of their function is rarely seen. The present report describes an extremely rare case of pituitary and adrenal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma presenting with hypopituitarism and adrenal insufficiency with subsequent recovery of pituitary and adrenal function after successful treatment of the lymphoma.

Suppression of Alzheimer's disease-related phenotypes by geranylgeranylacetone in mice.

Amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ is generated by the secretase-mediated proteolysis of β-amyloid precursor protein (APP), and cleared by enzyme-mediated degradation and phagocytosis. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 stimulates this phagocytosis.

Focal transnasal approach to the upper, middle, and lower clivus.

Background: Carefully tailoring the transclival approach to the involved parts of the upper, middle, or lower clivus requires a precise understanding of the focal relationships of the clivus.

Objective: To develop an optimal classification of the upper, middle, and lower clivus and to define the extra and intracranial relationships of each clival level.

Methods: Ten cadaveric heads and 10 dry skulls were dissected using the surgical microscope and endoscope.

Arterial spin-labeling MR imaging in Moyamoya disease compared with clinical assessments and other MR imaging findings.

Purpose: Our purpose was to identify the causal factors for the perfusion distribution obtained with ASL-MRI by comparing ASL-MRI with clinical information and other MRI findings in moyamoya disease.

Methods: Seventy-one patients with moyamoya disease underwent ASL-MRI and other MRI, including fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging (FLAIR) and three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) on 3.0-Tesla MRI system.