Loss of SMARCA4 induces sarcomatogenesis through epithelial-mesenchymal transition in ovarian carcinosarcoma.

Ovarian carcinosarcoma (OCS) is a rare and aggressive tumor, and the development of its sarcomatous component is believed to be due to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The SWIch/sucrose nonfermentable chromatin remodeling factor (CRF) is closely related to EMT; however, the relationship between CRF and EMT in OCS remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the protein expression of CRFs, including ARID1A and SMARCA4, and their downstream mRNA expression in 28 OCS cases, two fallopian tube CS cases, and one peritoneal CS case.

Three Cases of Persistent Laryngeal Edema Postradiation Therapy.

Radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer, which has made remarkable progress in recent years, is one of the main treatment modalities because it can preserve organ function and morphology after treatment. However, while RT is widely used, complications have been reported, especially laryngeal edema, which can be an airway management problem during general anesthesia. Of the 3 cases of RT-induced laryngeal edema presented here, the first developed 4 days post-RT, the second manifested signs and symptoms associated with laryngeal edema after RT performed 4 years and 4 months previously, and the third exhibited severe laryngeal edema over a decade post-RT despite the absence of clinical signs and symptoms.

A Case-Control Study of the Gene and Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs) are believed to comprise a group of multifactorial genetic diseases. Recently, it was reported that -knockout mice exhibited HDP-like symptoms, including proteinuria and elevated blood pressure due to defective placental angiogenesis. The aim of the present study is to determine the associations between HDPs and single-nucleotide variants or haplotypes in the human gene through a case-control study.

Genotyping DNA isolated from UV irradiated human bloodstains using whole genome amplification.

Analysis of DNA polymorphisms are the primary technique used for personal identification in forensic cases. However, DNA samples collected as evidence from crime scenes are usually degraded by environmental, physical, and chemical factors, which may interfere with the PCR analysis and, consequently, personal identification. Whole genome amplification (WGA) is a useful method to amplify genomic DNA from samples containing low quantity and poor quality of DNA, and it approach that shows promise to overcome the limited small fragments based upon random fragmentation by universal priming sites.

Evaluation of Trace Elements in Augmentation of Statin-Induced Cytotoxicity in Uremic Serum-Exposed Human Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells.

Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are at higher risk for rhabdomyolysis induced by statin than patients with normal kidney function. Previously, we showed that this increase in the severity of statin-induced rhabdomyolysis was partly due to uremic toxins. However, changes in the quantity of various trace elements in ESKD patients likely contribute as well.

Spontaneous mutations in Streptococcus pyogenes isolates from streptococcal toxic shock syndrome patients play roles in virulence.

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus; GAS) is a widespread human pathogen and causes streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). STSS isolates have been previously shown to have high frequency mutations in the csrS/csrR (covS/covR) and/or rgg (ropB) genes, which are negative regulators of virulence. However, these mutations were found at somewhat low frequencies in emm1-genotyped isolates, the most prevalent STSS genotype.

A randomized dose-escalation study to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of ruxolitinib (INC424) in healthy Japanese volunteers.

Ruxolitinib (INC424), a potent and selective oral Janus kinase 1 and 2 inhibitor, was recently approved by the US food and drug administration for the treatment of intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis. The safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of ruxolitinib have been extensively evaluated in healthy subjects and patients. The present study is the first to investigate the PK and tolerability of ruxolitinib in the Japanese population.

Phase I study of the oral mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor everolimus (RAD001) in Japanese patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Phase I study was conducted to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and efficacy of the oral mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, everolimus (RAD001), in patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Patients received everolimus 5 or 10 mg orally once daily. Dose escalation was based on the safety assessment and the probability of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) using a Bayesian logistic model.