Role of selenium in the pathophysiology of cardiorenal anaemia syndrome.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have multiple bidirectional mechanisms, and anaemia is one of the critical factors that are associated with the progression of the two disorders [referred to as cardiorenal anaemia syndrome (CRAS)]. Several lines of evidence indicate that CRAS confers a worse prognosis, suggesting the need to clarify the underlying pathophysiology. Among the micronutrients (trace elements) that are essential to humans, inadequate iron status has previously been implicated in the pathogenesis of CRAS; however, the roles of other trace elements remain unclear.

Maintenance of R-loop structures by phosphorylated hTERT preserves genome integrity.

As aberrant accumulation of RNA-DNA hybrids (R-loops) causes DNA damage and genome instability, cells express regulators of R-loop structures. Here we report that RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) activity of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) regulates R-loop formation. We found that the phosphorylated form of hTERT (p-hTERT) exhibits RdRP activity in nuclear speckles both in telomerase-positive cells and telomerase-negative cells with alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) activity.

An Elderly Case of Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome: Correlation between Renal Tubular Dysfunction and the Onset of Oliguric Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Hemodialysis.

Several theories have been proposed to explain the development of severe acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), but the exact mechanism remains unclear. We encountered an elderly patient with biopsy-proven MCNS who suffered from oliguric AKI, which required hemodialysis at the onset and during the first relapse of nephrotic syndrome. Throughout her relapse, we were able to monitor tubular injury markers, namely, urinary N-acetyl--D-glucosaminidase and urinary alpha-1-microglobulin levels.

The H3K9 demethylase plant homeodomain finger protein 2 regulates interleukin 4 production in CD4 T cells.

CD4 T cells play a key role in the immune response via their differentiation into various helper T cell subsets that produce characteristic cytokines. Epigenetic changes in CD4 T cells are responsible for cytokine production in these subsets, although the exact molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of plant homeodomain finger protein 2 (PHF2), a histone H3K9 demethylase, on cytokine production in CD4 T cells using T cell-specific Phf2-conditional knockout (cKO) mice in this study.

Prevalence of viral DNA in high-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer and correlation with clinical outcomes.

Introduction: Currently 11 infectious agents are classified as carcinogenic but the role of infectious agents on outcomes of epithelial ovarian cancer is largely unknown.

Objective: To explore the association between infectious agents and ovarian cancer, we investigated the prevalence of viral DNA in primary ovarian cancer tumors and its association with clinical outcomes.

Methods: Archived tumors from 98 patients diagnosed with high-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer were collected between 1/1/1994 and 12/31/2010.

Feasibility and safety of planned early discharge following laparotomy in gynecologic oncology with enhanced recovery protocol including opioid-sparing anesthesia.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and safety of planned postoperative day 1 discharge (PPOD1) among patients who undergo laparotomy (XL) in the department of gynecology oncology utilizing a modified enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol including opioid-sparing anesthesia (OSA) and defined discharge criteria.

Methods: Patients undergoing XL and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) were enrolled in this prospective, observational cohort study after the departmental implementation of a modified ERAS protocol. The primary outcome was quality of life (QoL) using SF36, PROMIS GI, and ICIQ-FLUTS at baseline and 2- and 6-week postoperative visits.

Reinforced antimyeloma therapy via dual-lymphoid activation mediated by a panel of antibodies armed with bridging-BiTE.

Immunotherapy using bispecific antibodies including bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) has the potential to enhance the efficacy of treatment for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. However, myeloma may still recur after treatment because of downregulation of a target antigen and/or myeloma cell heterogeneity. To strengthen immunotherapy for myeloma while overcoming its characteristics, we have newly developed a BiTE-based modality, referred to as bridging-BiTE (B-BiTE).

Clinical Significance of Cancer Stem Cell Markers in Primary and Metastatic Tissues in Patients With Breast Cancer.

Background/aim: This study aimed to examine the clinical significance of the protein expression of the cancer stem cell (CSC) markers ALDH1A1, CD133, CD44, and MSI-1 in primary and metastatic tissues of patients with breast cancer (BC).

Patients And Methods: ALDH1A1, CD133, CD44, and MSI-1 protein expression in pairs of primary and metastatic tissues of 55 patients with BC with metastases treated at Kanagawa Cancer Center between January 1970 and December 2016 were evaluated using immunohistochemical assay and their association with clinicopathological factors and survival was examined.

Results: There were no significant differences in CSC marker expression rates between primary and metastatic tissues for any CSC markers.

Prediction of the Spontaneous Estrus Expression Period Based on Large (≥10 mm) Follicle Numbers in Lactating Holstein Dairy Cows.

The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the distribution of large (≥10 mm) follicle numbers during the estrous cycle and (2) to compare the timing of the estrus expression period after the ovarian examination between cows with one large follicle (1F) and two or more large follicles (2F) with functional corpus luteum (CL) at the ovarian examination in lactating Holstein dairy cows. In experiment 1, we performed 393 ovarian examinations by ultrasonography, addressed the existence of CL (≥20 mm) and large follicle numbers, and classified cows into 1F ( = 229) and 2F ( = 164) groups. The 1F appearance rates were beyond 75% each day during 3 to 12 d after estrus.

Evaluation of Prolonged Endometrial Inflammation Associated with the Periparturient Metabolic State in Dairy Cows.

The objectives of this study were to assess the sequential dynamics of the endometrial polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) after calving by endometrial cytology, and clarify the factors that cause prolonged endometrial inflammation in lactating dairy cows. A total of 33 lactating Holstein dairy cows were used from -4 to 8 wk relative to calving (0 wk: the calving week). Endometrial samples were obtained sequentially from 2 to 8 wk.

Selenium Associates With Response to Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents in Hemodialysis Patients.

Introduction: Impaired response to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) is associated with increased mortality in patients with end-stage kidney disease. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Accumulating data reveal that selenium (Se), a trace element, plays a key role in stress erythropoiesis and erythrocyte homeostasis.

Lung cavitation in patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer treated with lenvatinib.

Background: Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare malignancy with a poor prognosis. It accounts for 1-2% of all thyroid cancers. Lenvatinib is an orally administered inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-1, -2, and -3, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)-1 to -4, platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-α, rearranged during transfection (RET), and KIT.

Possible Action of Olaparib for Preventing Invasion of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Vitro and In Vivo.

Despite recent advances in treatment, the prognosis of oral cancer remains poor, and prevention of recurrence and metastasis is critical. Olaparib is a PARP1 inhibitor that blocks polyADP-ribosylation, which is involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) characteristic of tumor recurrence. We explored the potential of olaparib in inhibiting cancer invasion in oral carcinoma using three oral cancer cell lines, HSC-2, Ca9-22, and SAS.

Phosphorylation of hTERT at threonine 249 is a novel tumor biomarker of aggressive cancer with poor prognosis in multiple organs.

Recent evidence indicates that RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) activity of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) regulates expression of target genes and is directly involved in tumor formation in a telomere-independent manner. Non-canonical function of hTERT has been considered as a therapeutic target for cancer therapy. We have previously shown that hTERT phosphorylation at threonine 249 (p-hTERT), which promotes RdRP activity, is an indicator of an aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis in liver and pancreatic cancers, using two cohorts with small sample sizes with polyclonal p-hTERT antibody.

Pulmonary cavitation in a patient with coronavirus disease 2019 during lenvatinib treatment for thyroid carcinoma: a case report.

Lenvatinib, a multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is used for the treatment of thyroid carcinoma. However, it can cause pneumonia and pulmonary cavitation leading to pneumothorax. The mechanism underlying the occurrence of cavitation and pneumothorax is not well understood.

Eribulin prolongs survival in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model of malignant meningioma.

Meningioma is the most common intracranial tumor, with generally favorable patient prognosis. However, patients with malignant meningioma typically experience recurrence, undergo multiple surgical resections, and ultimately have a poor prognosis. Thus far, effective chemotherapy for malignant meningiomas has not been established.

[A Case of Refractory Chylothorax after Surgery for Esophageal Cancer in Which Lymphangiography and Thoracic Duct Ligation Was Useful].

Chylothorax after esophagectomy is a relatively rare complication that can be difficult to manage. Here, we report a case of refractory chylothorax after surgery for esophageal cancer treated with lymphatic duct lipiodol imaging by inguinal lymph node puncture to confirm patency of the thoracic duct and thoracic duct ligation. A 71-year-old female with esophageal cancer(cT3N0M0)underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy with 2-field lymph node dissection, intrathoracic gastric tube reconstruction, and an enterostomy.

Ex Vivo Expanded and Activated Natural Killer Cells Prolong the Overall Survival of Mice with Glioblastoma-like Cell-Derived Tumors.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the leading malignant intracranial tumor and is associated with a poor prognosis. Highly purified, activated natural killer (NK) cells, designated as genuine induced NK cells (GiNKs), represent a promising immunotherapy for GBM. We evaluated the anti-tumor effect of GiNKs in association with the programmed death 1(PD-1)/PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint pathway.

A case of the accumulation of 131-iodine in the mammary gland after remnant ablation for papillary thyroid carcinoma on lactating period.

The accumulation of 131-iodine is known to occur in the extrathyroidal tissues, such as the salivary glands and the gastrointestinal tract during radioactive iodine therapy. It is considered to be due to the expression of sodium iodide symporter. A 36-year-old lactating female was treated for remnant ablation for papillary thyroid carcinoma (pT1bN1bM0 pStage I) on the condition that she refrained from breastfeeding and was separated from her child and was milked to promote the excretion of 131-iodine until the accumulation disappeared on scintigram imaging.

Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy after Radioactive Iodine Therapy for Metastatic Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma.

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is an inflammation of the extraocular muscles and periorbital connective tissue caused by autoantibodies against common antigens to both the thyroid and orbit. The release of antigens and induction of hypothyroidism caused by radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy may exacerbate TAO. Here, we present the case of a 67-year-old-woman treated with RAI therapy for metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma who presented with TAO during the course of sorafenib administration.

[Effectiveness of Osimertinib for Postoperative Recurrence of Lung Cancer with L861Q Activating EGFR Mutation:Report of a Case].

A 69-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on a chest roentgenogram at a medical check-up. Chest computed tomography showed a 2.5 cm-diameter tumor in the right pulmonary lower lobe.