Rapid Glyco-Qualitative Assessment of Recombinant Proteins Using a Fully Automated System.

Protein glycosylation, a critical post-translational modification, influences the stability, efficacy, and immunogenicity of recombinant proteins, including biopharmaceuticals. Glycan structures exhibit significant heterogeneity, varying with production cell types, culture conditions, and purification methods. Consequently, monitoring and evaluating the glycan structures of recombinant proteins is vital, particularly in biopharmaceutical production.

Risk factors of cognitive impairment in pediatric epilepsy patients with focal cortical dysplasia.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors of cognitive impairment in pediatric epilepsy patients with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD).

Methods: 77 patients with histopathologically confirmed FCD were studied. The statistical relationship between cognition levels and clinical factors at presurgical evaluation was analyzed.

[Single-laboratory validation study of simple and simultaneous determination method for pesticide residues in meat by LC-MS/MS].

We performed a single-laboratory validation study of a simple and simultaneous determination method for pesticide residues in meat using LC-MS/MS. Water was added to the sample and the mixture was homogenized. Next, pesticides were extracted with acetonitrile containing 1 vol% formic acid using a homogenizer, and salted out with magnesium sulfate, trisodium citrate and sodium chloride.

Developmental outcome after surgery in focal cortical dysplasia patients with early-onset epilepsy.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the developmental outcome after surgery for early-onset epilepsy in patients with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). Among 108 patients with histopathologically confirmed FCD operated between 1985 and 2008, we selected 17 patients with epilepsy onset up to 3 years of age. Development was evaluated by the developmental quotient or intelligence quotient (DQ-IQ) and mental age was measured by the Mother-Child Counseling baby test or the Tanaka-Binet scale of intelligence.

Endoscopic hemostasis with metallic hemoclips for iatrogenic Mallory-Weiss tear caused by endoscopic examination.

Aim: Applied endoscopic techniques including mucosal resection, sclerotherapy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) have been advanced and iatrogenic complications including Mallory-Weiss tear (MWT) occasionally occur in daily endoscopic procedures. The present study aimed to examine the advantages of clipping for MWT complications that occur during endoscopic examination.

Methods: Over 10 years, we experienced 47 patients with bleeding caused by MWT.

Risk factors for death in 224 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

Background/aims: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been reported as effective therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, few have described methods for predicting prognosis, especially in patients treated by repeated TACE. To determine risk factors for death and try to predict the prognosis, we evaluated clinical data.

Methodology: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical parameters of 224 patients with unresectable HCC treated with repeated TACE from January 1997 to December 2007.

Low-dose aspirin is a prominent cause of bleeding ulcers in patients who underwent emergency endoscopy.

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the current situation of bleeding peptic ulcers and examined the temporal changes in the pathogenic mechanisms requiring emergency endoscopy.

Patients And Methods: Study subjects were 285 bleeding peptic ulcer patients who received emergency endoscopy in Saga Medical School Hospital between 2000 and 2007. The ratios of H.

Efficacy of radiofrequency ablation therapy compared to surgical resection in 164 patients in Japan with single hepatocellular carcinoma smaller than 3 cm, along with report of complications.

Background/aims: Radiofrequency ablation therapy (RFA) has become widely used against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), mainly because of its ease of use, lower level of invasiveness, and high level of effectiveness. To compare the efficacy and safety of RFA with surgery, we retrospectively investigated relevant patient clinical data.

Methodology: The patients with a single HCC (3 cm > or =, Child-Pugh A or B) who were treated with RFA (RFA-group: n=105) or surgery (Surgery-group: n=59) from January 2000 to June 2007 were enrolled.

[Spontaneous esophageal rupture with liver cirrhosis ruptured atypical location postoperaive endoscopic injection sclerotherapy, and treated endoscopically].

A 72-year-old woman with liver cirrhosis developed spontaneous esophageal rupture due to vomiting after meals. The middle thoracic esophagus was perforated, and was, therefore, clipped endoscopically. The patient was found to have mediastinal emphysema on the chest CT image, we diagnosed as Boerhaave syndrome.

Reflux esophagitis and Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with scleroderma.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the possible effects of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in reflux esophagitis with scleroderma.

Patients And Methods: There were a total of 138 patients with scleroderma in our hospital between October 1998 and June 2005.

Case series of endoscopic balloon dilation to treat a stricture caused by circumferential resection of the gastric antrum by endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) plays an important role in the management of gastric neoplasms. There are few reports regarding stricture development caused by ESD of gastric neoplasms.

Objective: The present study aimed to determine the incidence of gastric stricture formation after ESD of gastric neoplasms and to report on the outcome and management of this complication: endoscopic intervention (ie, balloon dilation) versus surgery; the outcome of balloon dilation (success or failure/perforation).

Stress maladjustment in the pathoetiology of ulcerative colitis.

Background: The aims of this study were (1) to measure levels of cytokines and stress hormones in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and determine whether there were any disturbances in the nervous, endocrine, or immune systems, and (2) to measure the ability of UC patients to cope with stress (using a sense of coherence, SOC, test) and their perceived self-efficacy, and to elucidate their response to a stress load.

Methods: We administered questionnaires to and took blood samples from 42 outpatients and eight inpatients whose UC was in remission, and 21 healthy volunteers. In addition, we evaluated blood samples from the inpatients and healthy volunteers following a mental calculation stress test.

[A case of relapsed ischemic colitis with colon cast-like stripped mucosa].

An 82-year-old woman who had 5 relapses of ischemic colitis was admitted with sudden lower abdominal pain. Colonoscopic examination performed on the 2nd day revealed colon cast-like stripped colonic mucosa in the lower portion of the descending colon. She was treated conservatively.

A pilot randomized control study to evaluate endoscopic resection using a ligation device for rectal carcinoid tumors.

Aim: Rectal carcinoid tumors smaller than 10 mm can be resected with local excision using endoscopy. In order to remove rectal carcinoid tumors completely, we evaluated endoscopic mucosal resection with a ligation device in this pilot control randomized study.

Methods: Fifteen patients were diagnosed with rectal carcinoid tumor (less than 10 mm) in our hospital from 1993 to 2002.

Role of Helicobacter pylori infection and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in bleeding peptic ulcers in Japan.

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are well-known major causes of peptic ulcers. This study aimed to characterize the features of bleeding peptic ulcers in Japan.

Methods: This prospective study evaluated 116 patients revealed to have bleeding peptic ulcers from January 2000 to December 2002.

Prevention of the rehaemorrhage of bleeding peptic ulcers: effects of Helicobacter pylori eradication and acid suppression.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the consequences of Helicobacter pylori eradication and acid suppression on rehaemorrhage caused by bleeding peptic ulcers.

Methods: A total of 320 patients who had been diagnosed with bleeding peptic ulcers between January 1994 and December 2001 were included in the study. Cases between 1994 and 1997, prior to the introduction of eradication therapy, were assigned to group A, whereas those between 1998 and 2001, after the eradication therapy, were assigned to group B.

Evaluation of endoscopic hemostasis with metallic hemoclips for bleeding gastric ulcer: comparison with endoscopic injection of absolute ethanol in a prospective, randomized study.

Objective: Although metallic hemoclips have been used for hemostasis of bleeding ulcer, there have been few prospective trials to evaluate their efficacy. In this study, a prospective, randomized trial was performed to evaluate endoscopic hemoclipping for bleeding gastric ulcer in comparison with endoscopic injection of absolute ethanol.

Methods: During the period 1995-1998, 126 gastric ulcer patients with bleeding or nonbleeding visible vessel were considered for entry.

Endoscopic closure of perforations caused by EMR in the stomach by application of metallic clips.

Background: The number of complications associated with use of EMR for early-stage gastric cancer, including perforation, has increased with the increasing use of this procedure. Endoscopic clip application was performed in patients who sustained a perforation as a result of EMR for gastric neoplasm.

Patients And Methods: Seven patients who underwent endoscopic application of metallic clips to close perforations were studied.

Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients without hepatocellular carcinoma: a comparison of longterm survival between prophylactic therapy and emergency therapy.

Background: This study aimed to determine whether prophylactic endoscopic injection sclerotherapy prolonged survival in patients with esophageal varices complicated by liver cirrhosis in the absence of hepatocellular carcinoma, compared with emergency sclerotherapy.

Methods: The subjects included 160 patients suffering from esophageal varices complicated by liver cirrhosis without hepatocellular carcinoma. Sixty-eight patients underwent emergency therapy for bleeding varices and the remaining 92 patients underwent prophylactic sclerotherapy.

Characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Japan: increased prevalence in elderly women.

The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Japan. We evaluated the correlation between clinical symptoms and endoscopic findings in an age- and sex-specific manner. This study included 6010 Japanese subjects who had not received medication or undergone laparotomy for gastrointestinal disease.

Normalization of phospholipids concentration of the gastric mucosa was observed in patients with peptic ulcer after eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

Background: Phospholipids concentration in the gastric mucosa decreased in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of eradication of H. pylori on decreasing the phospholipids concentration in the gastric mucosa in patients with gastric or duodenal ulcer.

Bundle formation of smooth muscle desmin intermediate filaments by calponin and its binding site on the desmin molecule.

Smooth muscle basic calponin, a major actin-, tropomyosin-, and calmodulin-binding protein, has been examined for its ability to interact with desmin intermediate filaments from smooth muscle cells using sedimentation analysis, turbidity changes, chemical cross-linking, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF/MS), and electron microscopic observations. Calponin interacted with desmin intermediate filaments in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro. The binding of calponin to desmin produced dense aggregates at 30 degrees C.