Efficacy of oncolytic reovirus against human breast cancer cells.

Human reovirus can replicate and induce tumor cell lysis in several cancer types with an activated Ras signaling pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate the oncolytic effect of reovirus against breast cancer cells, and clarify the relationship between the susceptibility to reovirus and HER2 expression, which is associated with the Ras signaling pathway. Reovirus (serotype 3), 6 human breast cancer cell lines and normal mammary gland epithelial cell line were used in this study.

Possible pathogenic role of Th17 cells for atopic dermatitis.

The critical role of IL-17 has recently been reported in a variety of conditions. Since IL-17 deeply participates in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and keratinocyte production of certain cytokines, the involvement of T helper cell 17 (Th17) in atopic dermatitis (AD) is an issue to be elucidated. To evaluate the participation of Th17 cells in AD, we successfully detected circulating lymphocytes intracellularly positive for IL-17 by flow cytometry, and the IL-17+ cell population was found exclusively in CD3+CD4+ T cells.

Laparoscopic treatment for a case of ileal anisakiasis.

Small bowel anisakiasis is a relatively uncommon disease and there is only a few report of laparoscopic treatment for patients with small bowel anisakiasis. We report a case of ileal anisakiasis successfully treated by laparoscopy-assisted partial resection of the ileum. A 39-year-old Japanese man visited our hospital with right lower quadrant pain.

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor LY2228820 enhances bortezomib-induced cytotoxicity and inhibits osteoclastogenesis in multiple myeloma; therapeutic implications.

The interaction between multiple myeloma (MM) cells and the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment induces proliferation and survival of MM cells, as well as osteoclastogenesis. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of novel p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) inhibitor LY2228820 (LY) in MM. Although cytotoxicity against MM cell lines was modest, LY significantly enhanced the toxicity of bortezomib by down-regulating bortezomib-induced heat shock protein 27 phosphorylation.

Prognostic significance of macroscopic serosal invasion in advanced gastric cancer.

Background/aims: Although histologic invasion of the gastric serosa is associated with poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer, the prognostic significance of macroscopic invasion of the serosa is not clear. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical significance of macroscopic serosal invasion in advanced gastric cancer.

Methodology: Clinicopathologic data from 257 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer was analyzed to evaluate the prognostic significance of macroscopic serosal invasion.

Clinical significance of HLA class I heavy chain expression in patients with gastric cancer.

Background: Little is known about the relation between HLA-I expression and the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. The aim of this retrospective study was to clarify the clinical significance of HLA-I heavy chain expression in gastric cancer.

Methods: The study subjects were 202 patients with gastric cancer who had undergone curative surgery.

Cutaneous hypersensitivities to hapten are controlled by IFN-gamma-upregulated keratinocyte Th1 chemokines and IFN-gamma-downregulated langerhans cell Th2 chemokines.

There are immediate, late-phase, and delayed-type reactions to exogenous agents. In IFN-gamma-knockout (IFN-gamma(-/-)) and wild-type B6 mice, we examined the response to picryl chloride (PCl) for assessing delayed-type reactions, and the responses to repeatedly challenged FITC for immediate and late-phase reactions. The delayed-type hypersensitivity was depressed in IFN-gamma(-/-) mice, and the immediate and late-phase reactions were enhanced in IFN-gamma(-/-) mice.

Morphological classification of the anterior and middle talocalcaneal joints in terms of biomechanical stress dispersion.

Of the various foot joints, the level of interest shown in the talocalcaneal joint has been notably low. However, when considering stress dispersion during bipedal locomotion, the talocalcaneal joint plays an important role. Present study examined and morphologically classified the talocalcaneal joint.

[Trends in endoscopic surgery for inguinal hernia: collective review of meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials].

Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most commonly performed general surgical procedures and endoscopic herniorrhaphy has been performed around the world. We review the meta-analysis and recent large randomized controlled trials of endoscopic versus open repairs for inguinal hernia. Currently available evidence shows that endoscopic herniorrhaphy, when compared with open herniorrhapy, is associated with less persisting pain and numbness, earlier return to normal activity, and a lower risk of hematoma and wound infection, but this technique takes longer and has more serious complications.

CXCL12-CXCR4 engagement is required for migration of cutaneous dendritic cells.

CCR7 is regarded as an essential chemokine receptor for cutaneous dendritic cell (DC) migration into the regional lymph nodes. However, complete migratory inhibition cannot be obtained in CCR7-deficient mice, suggesting that there exist other chemokine receptors involved in this process. Initially, we found that CXCR4 was highly expressed on migrated cutaneous DCs and that its ligand, CXCL12, was detected in the LYVE-1(+) lymphatic vessels in the skin.

Outcome of segmental gastrectomy versus distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer.

Background: Because of the frequent occurrence of postgastrectomy disturbances after distal gastrectomy (DG), segmental gastrectomy (SG) has recently been applied to early gastric cancer (EGC). Outcomes of SG and DG in patients with EGC were compared to clarify the usefulness of SG as a treatment for EGC.

Methods: This retrospective study involved 61 patients with EGC: 28 patients who underwent DG before March 1996 and 33 patients who underwent SG after April 1996 during the period April 1991 through March 2002.

MLN3897, a novel CCR1 inhibitor, impairs osteoclastogenesis and inhibits the interaction of multiple myeloma cells and osteoclasts.

The interaction between osteoclasts (OCs) and multiple myeloma (MM) cells plays a key role in the pathogenesis of MM-related osteolytic bone disease (OBD). MM cells promote OC formation and, in turn, OCs enhance MM cell proliferation. Chemokines are mediators of MM effects on bone and vice versa; in particular, CCL3 enhances OC formation and promotes MM cell migration and survival.

Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy with D1+beta compared with D1+alpha lymph node dissection.

Background: Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) with D1+beta lymph node dissection has become the most popular treatment for early gastric cancer in Asian countries. However, the same clinical advantages with this procedure as with LADG with D1+alpha lymph node dissection has not been shown. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of LADG with D1+beta to that of LADG with D1+alpha lymph node dissection.

CXCR4 engagement promotes dendritic cell survival and maturation.

It has been reported that human monocyte derived-dendritic cells (DCs) express CXCR4, responsible for chemotaxis to CXCL12. However, it remains unknown whether CXCR4 is involved in other functions of DCs. Initially, we found that CXCR4 was expressed on bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs).

Risk factors for occult lymph node metastasis of colorectal cancer invading the submucosa and indications for endoscopic mucosal resection.

Purpose: Although risk factors for histologically overt lymph node metastasis in patients with early-stage colorectal cancer have been clarified, the risk factors for occult lymph node metastasis are not clear. This study was designed to clarify risk factors for lymph node metastasis, including occult metastasis, in patients with colorectal cancer invading the submucosa and to determine the criteria for endoscopic resection of early colorectal cancer.

Methods: The risk factors for lymph node metastasis, including occult metastasis, were analyzed in 86 cases of surgically resected colorectal cancer invading the submucosa.

Identification of two accessory muscle bundles with anomalous insertions in the flexor side of the right forearm.

During dissection practice held at Kyorin University School of Medicine in 2004, two anomalous muscles were observed on the Rt-forearm-flexor-side of an 83-year-old man. The results of this investigation are reported. One accessory muscle originated from the tendinous insertion of the biceps brachii and medial epicondyle.

Multivariate prognostic study on large gastric cancer.

Background: Although many authors investigate the prognostic factors of gastric cancer, there are few comprehensive studies on the prognosis of patients with large gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to clarify the prognostic factors of large gastric cancer using multivariate analysis.

Methods: The study included 95 patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer measuring 10 cm or more in diameter.

5-Azacytidine, a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, induces ATR-mediated DNA double-strand break responses, apoptosis, and synergistic cytotoxicity with doxorubicin and bortezomib against multiple myeloma cells.

In this study, we investigated the cytotoxicity of 5-azacytidine, a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, against multiple myeloma (MM) cells, and characterized DNA damage-related mechanisms of cell death. 5-Azacytidine showed significant cytotoxicity against both conventional therapy-sensitive and therapy-resistant MM cell lines, as well as multidrug-resistant patient-derived MM cells, with IC(50) of approximately 0.8-3 micromol/L.

Long-term quality of life after laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Background: Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LAG) is gaining acceptance for treating early gastric cancer. However, the long-term quality of life after LAG for gastric cancer is unknown. This study compared the long-term quality of life after LAG versus open distal gastrectomy (ODG) for early gastric cancer.

Transient liver dysfunction after laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer patients.

Introduction: The effect of laparoscopic surgery under CO2 pneumoperitoneum on liver function is not clear. The aim of this study was to clarify whether laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) is associated with changes in liver function compared with open distal gastrectomy (ODG).

Methods: A total of 205 patients who underwent LADG (n = 147) or ODG (n = 58) between January 1994 and April 2004 were included in this study.

Development of a microlateral force sensor and its evaluation using lateral force microscopy.

A microlateral force sensor (MLFS) was developed and evaluated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The sensor was attached to a sensing table supported by a suspension system. The lateral motion of the sensing table was activated by a comb actuator.

A multicenter study on oncologic outcome of laparoscopic gastrectomy for early cancer in Japan.

Background: Laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer is technically feasible, but it is not widely accepted because it has not been evaluated from the standpoint of oncologic outcome. We conducted a retrospective, multicenter study of a large series of patients in Japan to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic gastrectomy for early gastric cancer (EGC).

Methods: The study group comprised 1294 patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy during the period April 1994 through December 2003 in 16 participating surgical units (Japanese Laparoscopic Surgery Study Group).

Laparoscopic sentinel node navigation achieved by infrared ray electronic endoscopy system in patients with gastric cancer.

Background: The sentinel node (SN) concept has attracted considerable attention recently for the treatment of patients with early gastric cancer (EGC). This study evaluated the feasibility of laparoscopic SN navigation achieved by means of an infrared ray electronic endoscopy (IREE) system with indocyanine green (ICG) injection in patients with EGC.

Methods: Laparoscopic SN navigation was performed for 16 patients with preoperatively diagnosed EGC.

Clinicopathologic features and treatment of residual early cancers after endoscopic mucosal resection of the stomach.

Goals: We sometimes encounter residual or recurrent cancers after endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for early gastric cancer. The aim of the present study was to clarify the clinicopathologic characteristics of and optimal treatment for the residual cancers after EMR.

Study: Seventy-four patients with early gastric cancer were treated with EMR between 1994 and 2004.

Combination of NADPH and copper ions generates proteinase K-resistant aggregates from recombinant prion protein.

Recent studies have demonstrated that the octapeptide repeats of the N-terminal region of prion protein may be responsible for de novo generation of infectious prions in the absence of template. Here we demonstrate that PrP-(23-98), an N-terminal portion of PrP, is converted to aggregates upon incubation with NADPH and copper ions. Other pyridine nucleotides possessing a phosphate group on the adenine-linked ribose moiety (the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide 3'-phosphate, nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate, and NADP) were also effective in promoting aggregation, but NADH and NAD had no effect.