Surgical management of hepatic hemangiomas: a multi-institutional experience.

Background: The management of hepatic hemangiomas remains ill defined. This study sought to investigate the indications, surgical management and outcomes of patients who underwent a resection for hepatic hemangiomas.

Methods: A retrospective review from six major liver centres in the United States identifying patients who underwent surgery for hepatic hemangiomas was performed.

Multi-institutional analysis of recurrence and survival after hepatectomy for fibrolamellar carcinoma.

Background And Objectives: Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) presents in young, otherwise-healthy individuals. This study examined recurrence and survival characteristics after surgical resection for FLC by utilizing an international multi-institutional database.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing hepatectomy for FLC from six institutions (1993-2010) were reviewed retrospectively.

Molecular profiling in gastric cancer: examining potential targets for chemotherapy.

Background And Objectives: Current NCCN guidelines recommend epirubicin (E), cisplatin (C), and 5-fluorouracil (F) as a first-line therapeutic approach for operable gastric adenocarcinoma (GC). Molecular profiling (MP) was used to evaluate the expression of chemotherapy targeted biomarkers associated with ECF therapy and other first-line cytotoxic regimens for GC.

Methods: GC specimens were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for TOP2A, TS, ERCC1, PGP, and TOPO1 expression (Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ) from 2009 to 2012.

Current trends in the management of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.

Background: Historically, malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) has been considered an aggressive and lethal neoplasm. However, contemporary series have demonstrated improved outcomes following a combination of cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy. We sought to assess the trends in management and survival of patients with MPM in the United States.

Comparative analysis of mouse-induced pluripotent stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells during osteogenic differentiation in vitro.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can differentiate into mineralizing cells and are, therefore, expected to be useful for bone regenerative medicine; however, the characteristics of iPSC-derived osteogenic cells remain unclear. Here, we provide a direct in vitro comparison of the osteogenic differentiation process in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and iPSCs from adult C57BL/6J mice. After 30 days of culture in osteogenic medium, both MSCs and iPSCs produced robustly mineralized bone nodules that contained abundant calcium phosphate with hydroxyapatite crystal formation.

Effects of the tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate on Porphyromonas gingivalis biofilms.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) on established biofilms and biofilm formation by Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major pathogen of periodontal disease.

Methods And Results: Biofilm cell survival was measured using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence. In the presence of EGCg, the ATP level in cells of established biofilms was significantly decreased compared to the controls (P < 0·0001).

Accumulation of advanced glycation end-products in human dentine.

Cross-linking of collagen by Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs) occurs by non-enzymatic glycation (Maillard reaction). The purpose of this study was to examine whether AGEs are formed in human dentinal collagen, and to consider any possible influence of AGEs on dentinal physiology. Mechanical characteristics, fluorescence spectra and immunohistochemical analyses of demineralized dentine sections from young subjects were compared with those of aged ones.

Basolateral Mg2+ extrusion via CNNM4 mediates transcellular Mg2+ transport across epithelia: a mouse model.

Transcellular Mg(2+) transport across epithelia, involving both apical entry and basolateral extrusion, is essential for magnesium homeostasis, but molecules involved in basolateral extrusion have not yet been identified. Here, we show that CNNM4 is the basolaterally located Mg(2+) extrusion molecule. CNNM4 is strongly expressed in intestinal epithelia and localizes to their basolateral membrane.

Does histology predict outcome for malignant vascular tumors of the liver?

Background And Objectives: Malignant vascular tumors (MVT) of the liver are uncommon and poorly understood. We hypothesized that tumor histology is a predominant factor associated with survival in these tumors.

Methods: Patients with malignant histopathologic diagnoses of hepatic angiosarcoma (AS), hemangioendothelioma (HE) and its epithelioid variant (EHE), or hemangiopericytoma (HP) were identified using the SEER database (1973-2007).

Borderline resectable/locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma: improvements needed in population-based registries.

Background: Management of patients with borderline resectable/locally advanced (BR/LA) pancreatic adenocarcinoma is based on knowledge of natural history and patterns of treatment failure, information of great importance to large data registries. Using the SEER database, we examined the survival for patients with BR/LA tumors and critically evaluated the utility of the data.

Methods: T3/T4 tumors from 2004 to 2007 were divided into those that involved the portal vein/superior mesenteric vein/gastroduodenal artery/hepatic artery and those that involved the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) or celiac axis.

Fascia iliaca compartment block: its efficacy in pain control for patients with proximal femoral fracture.

Background: Proximal femoral fractures are common in elderly patients. Recently, use of regional blockade has gained popularity as a means of relieving pain among this patient population. Among the procedures, fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) is believed to be advantageous because of its safety and efficacy.

Structural modifications of dentinal microcracks with human aging.

Several studies have reported the mechanism of crack propagation with aging. Although structural modifications of dentinal microcracks with aging have been evaluated by observing the cracked surface using scanning electron microscope (SEM), very few attempts have been made at sectional observation of the microcracks inside dentine using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The objectives of this study were to: (1) examine the process of dentinal microcrack formation using TEM and (2) to morphologically evaluate the relation between dentinal microcrack propagation and human aging.

Skin autofluorescence reflects integration of past long-term glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Objective: The aim was to investigate the relationships between skin autofluorescence (AF) and the impact of past glycemic control and microvascular complications in Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: Two hundred forty-one patients and 110 controls were enrolled. Advanced glycation end product accumulation was measured with AF reader.

Design, synthesis and SAR of novel glucokinase activators.

Guided by co-crystal structures of compounds 15, 22 and 30, an SBDD approach led to the discovery of the 6-methyl pyridone series as a novel class of GKAs that potently activate GK in enzyme and cell assays. Anti-diabetic OGTT efficacy was demonstrated with 54 in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes.

Mechanical and morphological evaluation of the bond-dentin interface in direct resin core build-up method.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the interfacial adhesion between resin and root canal dentin in the direct resin core build-up method in terms of microtensile bond strength (μTBS) and dentin micro morphology.

Methods: Single-rooted human teeth were decoronated at the cementoenamel junction and endodontically treated. Post spaces were prepared in the roots to a depth of 10mm.

Detection of dentinal microcracks using infrared thermography.

Introduction: It is difficult to make a definite diagnosis of a cracked tooth solely based on an inspection within the root canal, especially in case of microcracks. At present, there seems to be no established method to detect dentinal microcracks in roots; therefore, the current detection techniques need to be improved. Vibrothermography (VibroIR) helps to detect microcracks by the friction heat generated from ultrasonic vibration.

Ultra-structural observation of human enamel and dentin by ultra-high-voltage electron tomography and the focus ion beam technique.

Human enamel and dentin are hard and brittle mineralized tissues. It is difficult to prepare thin specimens (under 200 nm) of these tissues for transmission electron microscope observation without demineralizing them. We present a novel method of creating three-dimensional ultra-structural images of human enamel and dentin, using the focus ion beam (FIB) method and ultra-high-voltage electron microscope tomography.

Effect of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of memantine.

The effect of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of memantine (10 mg) was determined in Japanese subjects. Subjects were assigned to four groups based on baseline creatinine clearance (CL(CR)): normal renal function (> 80 mL/min, n = 6), and mild (50 to ≤ 80 mL/min, n = 6), moderate (30 to < 50 mL/min, n = 6), and severe renal impairment (5 to < 30 mL/min, n = 7). Mean memantine maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) was similar in the groups (12.

Biological oxidation of arsenite in synthetic groundwater using immobilised bacteria.

Biological oxidation of arsenite (As(III)) in synthetic groundwater was examined by using arsenite oxidising bacteria (AOB) isolated from an activated sludge. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the isolated AOB was closely related to Ensifer adhaerens. Batch experiments showed that for an As(III) oxidation with the isolated AOB the optimum ratio of nitrogen source (NH₄-N) concentration to As(III) concentration was 0.

A rapid multiplex PCR assay that can reliably discriminate the cytochrome P450 2D6 whole-gene deletion allele from 2D6*10 alleles.

Background: Genetic polymorphisms of the human CYP2D6 gene can affect the metabolism of many drugs in clinical use. As a first step toward identifying poor drug metabolizers in the clinical setting, we developed a new multiplex PCR-based genotyping method to detect CYP2D6 whole-gene deletion.

Methods: We validated the new method by analyzing 500 genomic DNA samples from a Japanese population with the conventional long-PCR method and the new multiplex PCR method.

Case of peptide-YY-producing strumal carcinoid of the ovary: a case report and review.

Ovarian carcinoid is a rare tumor accounting for approximately 0.1% of all ovarian malignancies. We describe a case of peptide-YY-producing strumal carcinoid of the ovary associated with severe constipation.

Chemoradiotherapy with irinotecan (CPT-11) for adenoid cystic carcinoma of Bartholin's gland: A case report and review of the literature.

► Adenoid cystic carcinoma of Bartholin's gland is extremely rare, and only 80 cases have been reported in the international literature. ► We have presented a case in which a favorable outcome was achieved by chemoradiotherapy with CPT-11. ► This is the first report, to our knowledge, on chemoradiotherapy with CPT-11 for adenoid cystic carcinoma of Bartholin's gland.

Development and External Validation of a Nomogram Predicting the Probability of Significant Gleason Sum Upgrading among Japanese Patients with Localized Prostate Cancer.

Objective. The aim of this study is to develop a prognostic model capable of predicting the probability of significant upgrading among Japanese patients. Methods.

Zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies in fulminant, acute-onset, and slow-onset patients with type 1 diabetes.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and role of autoantibodies to zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8A) in three forms (fulminant, acute-onset, and slow-onset) of Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes.

Methods: One-hundred and ninety-six new-onset patients with type 1 diabetes were studied: 85 were fulminant, 81 acute-onset, and 30 slow-onset type 1 diabetes. ZnT8A were determined by radioimmunoassay using a hybrid ZnT8 carboxy-terminal construct (aa268-369) carrying 325Trp and 325Arg.

Diabetic gangrene in multiple fingers and toes after a dog bite in an elderly patient with type 2 diabetes.

A 78-year-old diabetic woman experienced multiple sites of gangrene not only in fingers that were directly bitten by a dog but also in fingers and toes that had not beenbitten. Her glycemic control was fair and microvascular complications were mild. There were no clinical findings related to angitis, collagenosis or severe infection.