Sarcopenia Is an Independent Prognostic Factor for Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix Treated With Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy.

Background/aim: To investigate sarcopenia as a predictor of prognosis before concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix using the new psoas muscle index (PMI) cutoff value for sarcopenia in Japanese women.

Patients And Methods: We included 134 patients with SCC of the cervix treated with CCRT. CT images were taken within one month before treatment.

genomes reveal Paleolithic human migration to the east end of Asia.

A virulence bacterium, , evolved parallel to its host human, therefore, can work as a marker for tracing the human migration. We found . strains indigenous in the southernmost islands of Japanese Archipelago, Okinawa, and defined them as hspOkinawa and hpRyukyu.

Evaluation of a multiplex PCR assay for detection of cytomegalovirus in stool samples from patients with ulcerative colitis.

Aim: To evaluate a multiplex PCR assay for the detection of bacterial and viral enteropathogens in stool samples from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: We prospectively analyzed 300 individuals, including immunocompetent patients, immunocompromised patients, and patients with UC. Stool samples were collected from the recto-sigmoid region of the colon by endoscopy.

Peritoneal Malignant Mesothelioma with Epithelioid Type, Demonstrating High Serum and Ascitic KL-6 Levels: Immunohistochemical Analyses.

We report a case of KL-6 producing peritoneal malignant mesothelioma. A 56-year-old woman was referred to our hospital on November 2005 with severe abdominal distention. Peritoneal malignant mesothelioma with epithelioid type was diagnosed by clinical symptoms, laboratory investigations, imaging studies, and immunohistochemical examination of known tumor markers.

Complete Genome Sequences of Eight Helicobacter pylori Strains with Different Virulence Factor Genotypes and Methylation Profiles, Isolated from Patients with Diverse Gastrointestinal Diseases on Okinawa Island, Japan, Determined Using PacBio Single-Molecule Real-Time Technology.

We report the complete genome sequences of eight Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from patients with gastrointestinal diseases in Okinawa, Japan. Whole-genome sequencing and DNA methylation detection were performed using the PacBio platform. De novo assembly determined a single, complete contig for each strain.

Fucoidan enhances intestinal barrier function by upregulating the expression of claudin-1.

Aim: To evaluate the protective effects of fucoidan on oxidative stress-induced barrier disruption in human intestinal epithelial cells.

Methods: In Caco-2 cell monolayer models, the disruption of barrier function by oxidative stress is mediated by H₂O₂. The integrity of polarized Caco-2 cell monolayers was determined by measuring the transepithelial resistance (TER) and permeability was estimated by measuring the paracellular transport of FITC-labeled 4-kDa dextran (FD4).

Detection of active bleeding from gastric antral vascular ectasia by capsule endoscopy.

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) has been recognized as one of the important causes of occult and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. The diagnosis is typically made based on the characteristic endoscopic features, including longitudinal row of flat, reddish stripes radiating from the pylorus into the antrum that resemble the stripes on a watermelon. These appearances, however, can easily be misinterpreted as moderate to severe gastritis.

Diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis using a monoclonal antibody to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Aim: To investigate the utility of immunohistochemical (IHC) staining with an antibody to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) for the diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis (TB).

Methods: We retrospectively identified 10 patients (4 males and 6 females; mean age = 65.

Helicobacter pylori cagA 12-bp insertion can be a marker for duodenal ulcer in Okinawa, Japan.

Background And Aim: Helicobacter pylori cagA can be classified into mainly two types (East-Asian-type and Western-type cagA) according to the repeat regions located in the 3' region. Recent studies showed that the Western-type cagA in strains from Okinawa, Japan formed a different cluster (J-Western-type cagA subtype). It has also been reported that J-Western-type cagA possesses a 12-bp insertion located in the 5' region of cagA sequence.

Intact long-type dupA as a marker for gastroduodenal diseases in Okinawan subpopulation, Japan.

Background: Helicobacter pylori dupA can be divided into two types according to the presence or absence of the mutation. In addition, full-sequenced data revealed that dupA has two types with different lengths depend on the presence of approximately 600 bp in the putative 5' region (presence; long-type and absence; short-type), which has not been taken into account in previous studies.

Methods: A total of 319 strains isolated from Okinawa, the south islands of Japan, were included.

Endoscopic and radiographic features of gastrointestinal involvement in vasculitis.

Vasculitis is an inflammation of vessel walls, followed by alteration of the blood flow and damage to the dependent organ. Vasculitis can cause local or diffuse pathologic changes in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The variety of GI lesions includes ulcer, submucosal edema, hemorrhage, paralytic ileus, mesenteric ischemia, bowel obstruction, and life-threatening perforation.

Association between Helicobacter pylori virulence factors and gastroduodenal diseases in Okinawa, Japan.

The incidence of gastric cancer in Okinawa is lowest in Japan. Some previous reports using small number of strains suggested that the high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori with Western-type cagA in Okinawa compared to other areas in Japan might contribute to the low incidence of gastric cancer. It has still not been confirmed why the prevalence of Western-type cagA strains is high in Okinawa.

Endoscopic and histopathological features of gastrointestinal amyloidosis.

Amyloidosis is a rare disorder, characterized by the extracellular deposition of an abnormal fibrillar protein, which disrupts tissue structure and function. Amyloidosis can be acquired or hereditary, and systemic or localized to a single organ, such as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Clinical manifestations may vary from asymptomatic to fatal forms.

Cytomegalovirus gastritis.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been increasingly recognized as an important common pathogen in an immunocompromised state. The colon and stomach are the most common sites of its gastrointestinal infection. Symptoms of CMV gastritis are usually nonspecific and include epigastric pain, fever, nausea and bleeding.

Esophagitis dissecans superficialis and autoimmune bullous dermatoses: A review.

Esophagitis dissecans superficialis (EDS) is a rare and severe endoscopic finding characterized by sloughing of large fragments of esophageal mucosal lining. Although EDS has been reported in association with serious illnesses and certain medications, the pathophysiological association of autoimmune bullous dermatoses with EDS has gained remarkable attention. Among these dermatoses, pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigoid frequently present with various types of esophageal involvement including EDS.

Association between colonic polyps and diverticular disease.

Aim: To evaluate the association between colonic polyps and diverticular disease in Japan.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 672 consecutive patients who underwent total colonoscopy between August 2006 and April 2007 at Nishinjo Hospital, Okinawa, Japan. Patients with a history of any of the following were excluded from the study: previous polypectomy, colonic resection, and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Endoscopic and histopathological study on the duodenum of Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection.

Aim: To investigate endoscopic and histopathological findings in the duodenum of patients with Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis) hyperinfection.

Methods: Over a period of 23 years (1984-2006), we investigated 25 patients with S.

Low prevalence of human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infection in patients with gastric cancer.

Background And Aim: There have been few studies on the association between human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection and cancer risk. It is still controversial whether or not HTLV-1 infection affects the incidence of several cancers. With this background, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between HTLV-1 infection and the occurrence of several types of cancers.

Increased detection rate of Strongyloides stercoralis by repeated stool examinations using the agar plate culture method.

To clarify the efficacy of repeated stool examinations by the agar plate culture method for the detection of Strongyloides stercoralis infection, 4,071 stool samples collected from 2,406 patients > 50 years of age in Ryukyu University Hospital were examined. The cumulative detection rate of S. stercoralis infection was 4.

Prevalence of Blastocystis hominis and Strongyloides stercoralis infection in Okinawa, Japan.

This study was conducted to clarify the prevalence of Blastocystis hominis and Strongyloides stercoralis infection in Ryukyu University Hospital, Okinawa, Japan, between January 2004 and November 2006. Stool samples collected from 3,292 patients were examined by the direct smear method, formalin-ether sedimentation method, and agar plate culture method. The prevalence rate of B.

Association between Strongyloides stercoralis infection and biliary tract cancer.

Infectious agents, including parasites, often have oncogenic potential. However, there has been no study on the association between Strongyloides stercoralis infection and cancer risk. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between S.

[Recurrent esophageal cancer with complete response to TS-1 chemotherapy].

An 80-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for treatment of recurrent esophageal cancer in December, 2004. He was diagnosed as having esophageal cancer of stage IVa (T2N4M0) in October, 2002, and he received chemoradiotherapy (nedaplatin (CDGP)/5-fluorouracil (5-FU) total 6 course+60 Gy). Afterwards, lymph nodes recurred, and two courses of CDGP/vindesine were given.

Impairment of host immune response against strongyloides stercoralis by human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infection.

A large-scale study was undertaken to clarify the prevalence rate of strongyloidiasis in Okinawa, Japan and to evaluate the relationship between strongyloidiasis and infection with human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). The prevalence rate of Strongyloides stercoralis and HTLV-1 infection were 6.3% and 14.