Elevated alpha1-acid glycoprotein in gastric cancer patients inhibits the anticancer effects of paclitaxel, effects restored by co-administration of erythromycin.

Paclitaxel (PTX) which easily elutes into ascites is widely used to treat gastric cancer patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC), but clinical outcomes are suboptimal. Increased concentrations of α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), an important drug-binding protein, have been reported in the plasma and ascites of cancer patients. This study sought to clarify whether AGP binds to PTX and alters its anticancer effects.

Identification of tumour-reactive lymphatic endothelial cells capable of inducing progression of gastric cancer.

Background: Tumour cells and stromal cells interact in the tumour microenvironment; moreover, stromal cells can acquire abnormalities that contribute to tumour progression. However, interactions between lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and tumour cells are largely unexamined. In this study, we aimed to determine whether tumour-specific LECs inhabit the tumour microenvironment and examine their influence on this microenvironment.

Binding of Galectin-3, a β-Galactoside-binding Lectin, to MUC1 Protein Enhances Phosphorylation of Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and Akt, Promoting Tumor Cell Malignancy.

Both mucin 1 (MUC1) and galectin-3 are known to be overexpressed in various malignant tumors and associated with a poor prognosis. It has been extensively reported that MUC1 is involved in potentiation of growth factor-dependent signal transduction. Because some carbohydrate moieties carried on MUC1 change to preferable ones for binding of galectin-3 in cancer cells, we speculated that MUC1-mediated signaling may occur through direct binding of galectin-3.

Predictive Potential of Preoperative Nutritional Status in Long-Term Outcome Projections for Patients with Gastric Cancer.

Background: Preoperative nutritional status not only correlates with the incidence of postoperative complications but also may be indicative of long-term outcomes for patients with cancer. The impact of preoperative nutritional status on outcomes for patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer (GC) was investigated.

Methods: The study reviewed 594 patients treated for GC by gastrectomy at the authors' hospital between January, 2004 and December, 2010.

Exosomal miRNAs from Peritoneum Lavage Fluid as Potential Prognostic Biomarkers of Peritoneal Metastasis in Gastric Cancer.

Peritoneal metastasis is the most frequent type of recurrence in patients with gastric cancer (GC) and is associated with poor prognosis. Peritoneal lavage cytology, used to evaluate the risk of peritoneal metastasis, has low sensitivity. Here, we assessed the diagnostic potential of exosomal miRNA profiles in peritoneal fluid for the prediction of peritoneal dissemination in GC.

Bone marrow-derived stromal cells are associated with gastric cancer progression.

Background: The aim of this study was to clarify the role of bone marrow-derived stromal cells (BM-SCs) expressing CD271 in the development of gastric cancer.

Methods: The effect of human BM-SCs on the proliferation and motility of six gastric cancer cell lines, OCUM-2M, OCUM-2MD3, OCUM-12, KATO-III, NUGC-3, and MKN-74, was examined. CD271 expression levels in BM-SCs were analysed by flow cytometry.

Mineral Composition of Phosphate-Induced Calcification in a Rat Aortic Tissue Culture Model.

Aim: High phosphorus conditions promote vascular calcification (VC) in both chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and experimental models. However, the composition of medial calcification has not been accurately determined, so the objective of this study was to evaluate the mineral composition of calcification in a tissue culture model, not a cell culture system.

Methods: Aortic rings obtained from male Sprague-Dawley rats were incubated in serum-supplemented medium for 10 days.

Lysyl oxidase is associated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of gastric cancer cells in hypoxia.

Purpose: It has been reported that lysyl oxidase (LOX) is a hypoxia-responsive factor and is associated with the malignant progression of carcinoma. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and LOX in gastric cancer cells under hypoxia.

Methods: Two gastric cancer cell lines, OCUM-2MD3 and OCUM-12, were used in an in vitro study.

Recurrent Kawasaki disease: USA and Japan.

Background: Descriptive epidemiologic studies of recurrent and non-recurrent Kawasaki disease (KD) may identify other potentially important differences between these illnesses.

Methods: Data from the USA and Japan, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) national KD surveillance(1984-2008) and the 17th Japanese nationwide survey (2001-2002), respectively, were analyzed to examine recurrent KD patients <18 years of age meeting the CDC KD case or atypical KD case definition. These patients were compared with non-recurrent KD patients.

Anti-high mobility group box-1 monoclonal antibody treatment provides protection against influenza A virus (H1N1)-induced pneumonia in mice.

Introduction: Provision for the emergence of an influenza pandemic is an urgent issue. The discovery of a novel anti-influenza therapeutic approach would increase the effectiveness of traditional virus-based strategies. This study was undertaken to evaluate the therapeutic effects of anti-high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment on influenza A virus (H1N1)-induced pneumonia in mice.

A CASE OF BEHÇET'S DISEASE AND SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS DEVELOPING AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE DISASTER.

Stressful life situation can trigger the onset and flare-ups of Behçet's disease (BD). In addition, the association of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and BD is rare. In this study, we report a patient who had Sjögren's syndrome as a primary disease and subsequently developed SSc and BD after an earthquake disaster and the death of her father.

From hair to heart: nestin-expressing hair-follicle-associated pluripotent (HAP) stem cells differentiate to beating cardiac muscle cells.

We have previously demonstrated that the neural stem-cell marker nestin is expressed in hair follicle stem cells located in the bulge area which are termed hair-follicle-associated pluripotent (HAP) stem cells. HAP stem cells from mouse and human could form spheres in culture, termed hair spheres, which are keratin 15-negative and CD34-positive and could differentiate to neurons, glia, keratinocytes, smooth muscle cells, and melanocytes in vitro. Subsequently, we demonstrated that nestin-expressing stem cells could effect nerve and spinal cord regeneration in mouse models.

Two-surgeon technique for liver transection using precoagulation by a soft-coagulation system and ultrasonic dissection.

Background/aims: A soft-coagulation system (SCS) was introduced as an effective device to reduce blood loss in hepatectomy. Here we evaluated the efficacy of a two-surgeon technique using precoagulation by an SCS and the Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA) for liver transection.

Methodology: The 163 patients with liver tumors were divided into two groups (conventional group and two-surgeon group).

Molecular Alterations of Colorectal Cancer with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an important etiologic factor in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). The risk of CRC begins to increase 8 or 10 years after the diagnosis of IBD. This type of cancer is called colitis-associated CRC (CA-CRC).

The outcome of surgical treatment for elderly patients with gastric carcinoma.

Background: The aim of this study was to clarify the operative mortality and long-term survival of gastrectomy for elderly patients with gastric cancer.

Methods: A total of 461 patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer in our hospital were classified as elderly group (≥80 years-old, 95 patients) and control group (60-69 years-old, 366 patients).

Results: The frequency of comorbidities was significantly (P < 0.

Evaluation of a pseudo-one-compartment model for phosphorus kinetics by later-phase dialysate collection during blood purification.

Purpose: Phosphorus removal is a major issue to assess for physicians engaging in hemodialysis. A pseudo-one-compartment model was reported as a novel model for phosphorus kinetics. We aimed to evaluate the adequacy of this model from the standpoint of the total mass of removed phosphorus during prolonged treatment.

[Effect of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin in patients with solid carcinoma with DIC].

There are only a few reports in the literature about the effect of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rTM) in patients with solid carcinoma with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). A retrospective study of 40 patients with solid carcinoma with DIC was performed between February 2009 and April 2013. The withdrawal rate was 32.

[Stage IV small cell esophageal carcinoma that responded to various chemotherapeutic regimens with relative longevity - a case report].

Small cell carcinoma of the esophagus is reported to be both rare and aggressive, and is commonly associated with a short post-diagnosis survival period. We report a case of Stage IV small cell carcinoma of the esophagus involving a relatively long survival period of 2 years. The patient was a 70-year-old man with a chief complaint of epigastric discomfort.

[A case of lymph node recurrence occurring nine years after surgery for sigmoid colon cancer].

A 64-year-old man underwent sigmoidectomy for sigmoid colon cancer 9 years ago. We attempted to discontinue surveillance, as the postoperative course was event free for 5 years; however, we continued the follow-up on the patient's request. Nine years after the operation, elevation of the serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level was detected, and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) showed a 35-mm mass with an abnormal signal (SUVmax 18.

Descriptive epidemiology of Kawasaki disease in Japan, 2011-2012: from the results of the 22nd nationwide survey.

Background: The number of patients and incidence rate of Kawasaki disease (KD) are increasing in Japan. We have therefore characterized the latest epidemiological information on KD.

Methods: The 22nd nationwide survey of KD, which targeted patients diagnosed with KD in 2011 and 2012, was conducted in 2013 and included a total of 1983 departments and hospitals.

Cardiac lesions and initial laboratory data in Kawasaki disease: a nationwide survey in Japan.

Background: Cardiac lesions, such as coronary dilatation, aneurysms, narrowing, myocardial infarction, and valvular lesions, sometimes occur in Kawasaki disease, but most studies have only evaluated cardiac lesions in the later phase of the disease. This study was undertaken to clarify the related factors between cardiac lesions and laboratory data in the initial phase of Kawasaki disease.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using data for 26 691 patients from the 22nd nationwide survey of Kawasaki disease in Japan, the observation period of which was from January 2011 through December 2012.

Impact of aging on the clinical features and treatment of polymyositis in adults.

Objectives: The aim of this long-term retrospective study was to compare the clinical features of elderly and younger polymyositis patients.

Methods: The clinical records of 21 polymyositis patients hospitalized from 1988 to 2011 were reviewed to compare the clinical and therapeutic characteristics of the elderly group (N = 6; ≥ 70 years) and the younger group (N = 15; < 70 years). Correlation analysis was conducted between serum creatine kinase levels (roughly estimate of disease state) and the clinical features.

Sentinel node navigation surgery for gastric cancer: Overview and perspective.

The sentinel node (SN) technique has been established for the treatment of some types of solid cancers to avoid unnecessary lymphadenectomy. If node disease were diagnosed before surgery, minimal surgery with omission of lymph node dissection would be an option for patients with early gastric cancer. Although SN biopsy has been well ascertained in the treatment of breast cancer and melanoma, SN navigation surgery (SNNS) in gastric cancer has not been yet universal due to the complicated lymphatic flow from the stomach.

Prostaglandin D synthase is a potential novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of gastric carcinomas expressing PPARγ.

The antitumor activity of prostaglandin (PG) D2 has been demonstrated against some types of cancer, including gastric cancer. However, exogenous PGD2 is not useful from a clinical point of view because it is rapidly metabolized in vivo. The aim of this study was to clarify the antitumor efficacy of an alternative, PGD synthase (PGDS), on gastric cancer cells.