The Intake of Kiwifruits Improve the Potential Antioxidant Capacity in Male Middle- and Long-Distance Runners Routinely Exposed to Oxidative Stress in Japan.

Oxidation damages cells and muscles, and thus, causes injuries and fatigue, which negatively affect the conditioning of athletes. Thus, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of high-antioxidant fruits (kiwifruit) intake on oxidative stress level (d-ROMs) and antioxidant activity (BAP) in male middle- and long-distance runners routinely exposed to oxidative stress. This study was performed from May to July 2017 (Study 1) and October to December 2018 (Study 2).

Attempt to Determine the Cut-Off Value of Serum Ferritin for Iron Deficiency in Male College Student Runners.

For the evaluation of iron nutrition status, the measurement of serum ferritin levels is the most convenient and widely used technique for estimating stored iron. However, the cut-off value of serum ferritin for iron deficiency in athletes has not yet established. This study aimed to determine the cut-off value of serum ferritin to define iron deficiency in male college student runners.

Clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes in patients with acute cholecystitis over aged >80 years.

Aim: We investigated the clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes in acute cholecystitis (AC) patients aged ≥80 years. We therefore sought to determine the ideal treatment for elderly patients with AC.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 253 patients with AC.

[A Case of Advanced Gastric Cancer with Bladder Metastasis].

A 61-year-old man was referred to the urology department in our hospital with gross hematuria and hydro nephrosis. Cystoscopy revealed a smooth mass lesion in his bladder, and a transurethral biopsy was performed. Signet ring cell carcinoma was found in the submucosa.

Inflammation-based prognostic scores predict disease severity in patients with acute cholecystitis.

Background: Although several investigators have reported that inflammation-based prognostic scores can predict disease severity in patients with various inflammatory diseases, whether or not these scores are associated with disease severity in patients with acute cholecystitis (AC) has not yet been fully clarified.

Patients And Methods: Two hundred and sixty-two patients with AC were reviewed retrospectively. We evaluated the correlations between demographic or clinical variables, including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), and the C-reactive protein/albumin (CRP/Alb) ratio, as well as the disease severity grade on the basis of the revised Tokyo guidelines.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection in a patient with esophageal adenoid cystic carcinoma.

We report the first use of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for the treatment of a patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the esophagus (EACC). An 82-year-old woman visited our hospital for evaluation of an esophageal submucosal tumor. Endoscopic examination showed a submucosal tumor in the middle third of the esophagus.

[A case of adenosquamous cell carcinoma of the gallbladder with markedly elevated PTHrP and G-CSF levels].

A 76-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with anorexia. Computed tomography revealed a tumor lesion measuring 110mm in the liver at S4/5 with calcification and swelling of a paraaortic lymph node. The gallbladder was not visualized.

C-Reactive Protein as a Prognostic Marker in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant synthesized by hepatocytes that is regulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, particulary interleukin-6 (IL-6). Over the last decade, CRP has been reported to be associated with a poor prognosis in patients with various types of cancer. Although the mechanisms by which the systemic inflammatory response reflected by an elevated serum CRP level influences survival in patients with cancer have not been fully elucidated, several possibilities involving the activation of IL-6, thereby elevating the CRP level, in cancer patients have been proposed.

Clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of super-elderly hepatocellular carcinoma patients not indicated for surgical resection.

Aim: Considering the dramatic increase in average life expectancy during the 20th century throughout the world, the management of elderly patients with cancer has become a global issue. We herein investigated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of super-elderly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients over 80 years old not indicated for surgical resection.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 206 newly diagnosed HCC patients.

The C-reactive protein/albumin ratio, a novel inflammation-based prognostic score, predicts outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: The C-reactive protein/albumin (CRP/Alb) ratio is associated with outcomes in septic patients. We investigated the prognostic value of the CRP/Alb ratio in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 186 newly diagnosed HCC patients and investigated the correlations among the pretreatment CRP/Alb ratio, clinicopathological parameters, and overall survival (OS).

The addition of C-reactive protein to validated staging systems improves their prognostic ability in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objectives: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a practical prognostic marker in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the prognostic value of adding the CRP level to other validated staging systems (Cancer Liver Italian Program, Japan Integrated Staging, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer classification system, Tokyo score and tumor node metastasis classification) in HCC patients.

Methods: One hundred and eighty-six newly diagnosed HCC patients were retrospectively evaluated.

Elevated plasma fibrinogen levels are associated with a poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objectives: Elevated plasma fibrinogen levels are associated with tumor progression and poor outcomes in cancer patients. We investigated the prognostic value of pretreatment plasma fibrinogen levels in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: One hundred and thirteen patients with newly diagnosed HCC were retrospectively evaluated.

The Glasgow Prognostic Score, an inflammation based prognostic score, predicts survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Elevated Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) has been related to poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing surgical resection or receiving sorafenib. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of GPS in patients with various stages of the disease and with different liver functional status.

Methods: One hundred and fifty patients with newly diagnosed HCC were prospectively evaluated.

Pretreatment serum C-reactive protein level predicts poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is known to be associated with poor prognosis in patients with various malignancies. We investigated the relationship between the pretreatment serum CRP level and survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in various stages of the disease. A cohort of 133 patients with newly diagnosed HCC was prospectively evaluated.

Psychosocial factors that aggravate the symptoms of sick house syndrome in Japan.

Over the last 30 years in Japan, there has been a 10% increase in the number of people suffering from sick house syndrome due to toxic chemicals released from construction materials and wallpaper. This syndrome can develop into the more complex and disabling, chemical sensitivity syndrome, so preventing early exposure to toxins at home is critical in reducing the likelihood of health problems in the community. A qualitative study was undertaken using ethnographic methods to identify the psychosocial aggravating factors of sick house syndrome.

Induction of apoptosis by rhapontin having stilbene moiety, a component of rhubarb (Rheum officinale Baillon) in human stomach cancer KATO III cells.

We have investigated the effects of rhapontin on proliferation and DNA of human stomach cancer KATO III cells. Growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis by rhapontin were observed in the KATO III cells. Morphological change showing apoptotic bodies was observed in the KATO III cells treated with rhapontin.