Combined genetic polymorphisms of the GSTT1 and NRF2 genes increase susceptibility to cisplatin-induced ototoxicity: A preliminary study.

Objective: The genotype-phenotype relationship in cisplatin-induced ototoxicity remains unclear. By assessing early shifts in distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) levels after initial cisplatin administration, we aimed to discriminate patients' susceptibility to cisplatin-induced ototoxicity and elucidate their genetic background.

Study Design: A prospective cross-sectional study.

Psychometric validation of the Japanese translation of the Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia questionnaire in patients with heartburn.

Background: The purpose of this study was to document the psychometric characteristics of the Japanese translation of the Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia (QOLRAD-J) questionnaire in patients with heartburn.

Methods: Patients with heartburn or acid regurgitation and healthy subjects completed the QOLRAD-J and the Japanese version of the Short-Form 36-Item (SF-36) Health Survey.

Results: Overall, 224 patients with heartburn and 24 healthy subjects entered the study; 72% of patients had heartburn 1-3 days per week; 84% reported their symptoms as mild.

Hes1-deficient mice show precocious differentiation of Paneth cells in the small intestine.

We have previously shown that Hes1 is expressed both in putative epithelial stem cells just above Paneth cells and in the crypt base columnar cells between Paneth cells, while Hes1 is completely absent in Paneth cells. This study was undertaken to clarify the role of Hes1 in Paneth cell differentiation, using Hes1-knockout (KO) newborn (P0) mice. Electron microscopy revealed premature appearance of distinct cells containing cytoplasmic granules in the intervillous region in Hes1-KO P0 mice, whereas those cells were absent in wild-type (WT) P0 mice.

Expression of reg I alpha protein in human gastric cancers.

Background/aims: Although regenerating gene(Reg) I alpha protein has a trophic effect on gastric epithelial cells, it is unclear whether Reg I alpha protein and its receptor are involved in gastric carcinogenesis. Therefore, we investigated the Reg I alpha protein expression in human gastric cancers and assessed its relationship to clinicopathological factors.

Methods: Sixty-one gastric cancer specimens were examined, using immunohistochemistry, for Reg I alpha protein, p53, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen.

STAT3 is constitutively activated and supports cell survival in association with survivin expression in gastric cancer cells.

Signal transduction and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) signaling is constitutively activated in various tumors, and is involved in cell survival and proliferation during oncogenesis. There are few reports, however, on the role of STAT3 signaling in gastric cancer. The aim of the present study was to clarify the role of STAT3 signaling in apoptosis and cellular proliferation in gastric cancer.

Frequent loss of RUNX3 gene expression in human bile duct and pancreatic cancer cell lines.

RUNX3, a Runt domain transcription factor involved in TGF-beta signaling, is a candidate tumor-suppressor gene localized in 1p36, a region commonly deleted in a wide variety of human tumors, including those of the stomach, bile duct, and pancreas. Recently, frequent inactivation of RUNX3 has been demonstrated in human gastric carcinomas. In this study, to examine the involvement of RUNX3 abnormalities in tumorigenesis of bile duct as well as pancreatic cancers, we investigated not only the expression but also methylation status of RUNX3 in 10 human bile duct and 12 pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Identification of GM-CSF in Paneth cells using single-cell RT-PCR.

Paneth cells, granule-containing cells located at the bottom of the intestinal crypts, have a role in innate mucosal immunity. We identified the exclusive expression of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in Paneth cells using single-cell reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and cDNA array. Cytosolic total RNA was aspirated from single Paneth cells and other villous epithelial cells (non-Paneth cells) of rats using capillary micropipettes.

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression and angiogenesis in gastric hyperplastic polyp--association with polyp size.

Background: Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is the rate-limiting enzyme in prostaglandin synthesis, and plays an important role in tumor enlargement. COX-2 is expressed in human gastric and colorectal tumors, and the expression increases in a tumor size-dependent manner. In the present study, we attempted to examine the COX-2 expression pattern in gastric hyperplastic polyp, a non-tumorous lesion.

Candidate markers for stem and early progenitor cells, Musashi-1 and Hes1, are expressed in crypt base columnar cells of mouse small intestine.

Musashi-1, a neural RNA-binding protein, is important for maintaining neural stem cells. Both Musashi-1 and Hes1, a transcriptional factor regulated by Musashi-1, are expressed in the small intestine. Here we show that Musashi-1 is present in a few epithelial cells just above the Paneth cells in the small intestinal crypt, the putative position of stem cells, whereas Hes1 is expressed in lower crypt cells just above the Paneth cells, including Musashi-1-positive cells.