Usefulness of PET/CT for diagnosis of periosteal chondrosarcoma of the femur: A case report.

Periosteal chondrosarcoma is an extremely rare low-grade malignant cartilaginous tumor arising from the external bone surface. Diagnosis of periosteal chondrosarcomas may be challenging, since this condition closely resembles periosteal chondromas. It has been reported that positron emission tomography (PET) is useful in distinguishing benign from malignant cartilaginous tumors using a maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) cut-off of 2.

A rare case of clear cell sarcoma with 4 types of EWSR1-ATF1 fusions detected not in primary site but in metastatic site.

Clear cell sarcoma is a unique tumor which has EWSR1-ATF1 or EWSR1-CREB1 fusion. Several patterns of EWSR1-ATF1 fusion are observed in clear cell sarcoma. Since type 5-7 fusions were reported recently, they are classified as type 1-7.

Downregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 mRNA by valproic acid plays a role in inhibiting the shedding of MHC class I-related molecules A and B on the surface of human osteosarcoma cells.

Valproic acid, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, increases the expression of cell surface MHC class I-related chain molecules (MICs) A and B (MICA and B) in osteosarcoma cells and decreases their secretion of soluble MICA and MICB, which are produced by the proteolytic cleavage of cell surface MICs. Osteosarcoma cells have been reported to produce high levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9. In this study, we investigated the involvement of MMP-2 and -9 in the inhibitory action of valproic acid (VPA) on the proteolytic cleavage of cell surface MICs using the U-2 OS and SaOS-2 osteosarcoma cell lines.

Valproic acid cooperates with hydralazine to augment the susceptibility of human osteosarcoma cells to Fas- and NK cell-mediated cell death.

We investigated the effects of valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, in combination with hydralazine, a DNA methylation inhibitor, on the expression of cell-surface Fas and MHC-class I-related chain molecules A and B (MICA and B), the ligands of NKG2D which is an activating receptor of NK cells, and on production of their soluble forms in HOS, U-2 OS and SaOS-2 human osteosarcoma cell lines. We also examined the susceptibility of these cells to Fas- and NK cell-mediated cell death. VPA did not increase the expression of Fas on the surface of osteosarcoma cells, while hydralazine did, and the combination of VPA with hydralazine increased the expression of cell-surface Fas.

Small cell osteosarcoma successfully treated by high-dose ifosfamide and methotrexate, combined with carboplatin and pirarubicin.

Small cell osteosarcoma (SCO) is the most rare subtype of osteosarcoma and has a poor prognosis. An 11-year-old boy presented with 2-month history of painful tumefaction in the lower leg. Imaging analysis demonstrated a mixture of osteolytic and osteosclerotic lesions in the proximal tibia and extraskeletal area.

Sodium valproate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, augments the expression of cell-surface NKG2D ligands, MICA/B, without increasing their soluble forms to enhance susceptibility of human osteosarcoma cells to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

MHC class I-related chain molecules A and B (MICA and B) expressed on the cell-surface of tumor cells are ligands for an activating receptor, NKG2D, expressed on natural killer (NK) cells and stimulate the NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. On the other hand, the soluble form of MICA and B produced by proteolytic cleavage of cell-surface MIC interferes with NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. We investigated effect of sodium valproate (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, on the production of cell-surface and soluble MICA and B and NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity in four human osteosarcoma cells.

Posterior interosseous nerve palsy caused by synovial chondromatosis arising in the annular periradial recesses of the elbow.

We present a rare case report of a patient who presented with posterior interosseous nerve palsy caused by synovial chondromatosis. Synovial chondromatosis arising in the annular periradial recesses of the elbow joint was detected, and the mass developed two major portions constricted with the annular ligament. After surgical resection, posterior interosseous nerve palsy fully recovered and there was no recurrence of the lesion of synovial chondromatosis.

Giant cell tumor of the sternum: a case report and review of the literature.

Giant cell tumor (GCT) is a relatively common and locally aggressive benign bone tumor. The sternum is a rare location. To date, only four cases have been reported with detailed information.

Successful treatment of bilateral calcaneal intraosseous lipomas using endoscopically assisted tumor resection.

Background: Intraosseous lipoma is a rare benign bone tumor. Removal is required when there is pain or the lesion is large enough to lead to a pathological fracture. However, conventional surgery requires non-weight-bearing for at least 6 weeks.

Enhanced suppression of pulmonary metastasis of malignant melanoma cells by combined administration of alpha-galactosylceramide and interleukin-18.

alpha-Galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) shows antitumor effects by activating natural killer (NK) cells indirectly through stimulation of the secretion of cytokines by NKT cells, whereas interleukin (IL)-18 shows antitumor effects by activating NK cells directly. In the present study, we examined the antitumor effect of the combined administration of alpha-GalCer and IL-18. An injection of NK cell-sensitive mouse B16 melanoma cells into a mouse tail vein produced pulmonary metastasis.

Endoscopically assisted resection of a scapular osteochondroma causing snapping scapula syndrome.

Background: Osteochondroma is the most common benign bone tumor in the scapula. This condition might lead to snapping scapula syndrome, which is characterized by painful, audible, and/or palpable abnormal scapulothoracic motion. In the present case, this syndrome was successfully treated by use of endoscopically assisted resection of the osteochondroma.

Experimental study of neural repair of the transected spinal cord using peripheral nerve graft.

It has been reported that transected spinal cord shows signs of axonal regeneration after peripheral nerve (PN) graft. We studied the membrane excitability and ion distribution in axons from transected rat spinal cord 3 weeks after PN graft using the spinal cord evoked potential, electron probe X-ray microanalysis, and the patch-clamp technique. Axonal structures were also observed using conventional electron microscopy.