Identification of the cell-surface lectin domain-containing protein expressed in the adhesive colony morphology of Trichosporon asahii.

Trichosporon asahii is a yeast pathogen that causes a deep-seated infection. In fungal infections, molecules involved in adhesion to host tissues or catheters are one of the pathogenic factors. A single strain of T.

Interaction of Host Proteins with Cell Surface Molecules of the Pathogenic Yeast Trichosporon asahii.

Trichosporon asahii is an invasive pathogenic yeast that infects immunocompromised hosts. Several virulence factors contribute to the fungal infection; however, the factors that contribute to the occurrence of T. asahii infections remain unclear.

A disposable, ultra-fine endoscope for non-invasive, close examination of the intraluminal surface of the peritoneal dialysis catheter and peritoneal cavity.

The ability to visualize intraluminal surface of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter and peritoneal cavity could allow elucidation of the cases of outflow problems, and provide information on changes to the peritoneal membrane leading to encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis. A non-invasive examination that allows those monitoring in need is desirable. We have developed a disposable ultra-fine endoscope that can be inserted into the lumen of the existing PD catheter, allowing observation of the luminal side of the catheter and peritoneal cavity from the tip of the PD catheter, with minimum invasion in practice.

Efficacy of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy for Patients With Esophageal Cancer During Preoperative Therapy.

Background/aim: This study aimed to clarify the benefits and disadvantages of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) for patients with esophageal cancer (EC) during preoperative therapy.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 92 patients who underwent esophagectomy for EC after preoperative therapy. Patients were divided into the PEG group (n=14) and the control group (n=78) and compared regarding patient characteristics, nutritional status, operative variables, and postoperative complications.

Sentinel Node Navigation Surgery for Early Gastric Cancer: Analysis of Factors Which Affect Direction of Lymphatic Drainage.

Background And Purpose: We started performing sentinel node navigation surgery (SNNS) for patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) using infrared ray electronic endoscopy (IREE) with indocyanine green injection from year 2000. The EGCs usually have complex lymphatic drainage, unidirectional or multidirectional lymphatic flow. In this study, we investigated and clarified factors that affect the direction of gastric lymphatic drainage.

Comparison of Short-term and Long-term Clinical Outcomes Between Laparoscopic and Open Total Gastrectomy for Patients With Gastric Cancer.

Background And Purpose: Validation of laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) for patients with gastric cancer has not been fully investigated. In particular, the technique for esophagojejunostomy remains controversial. We performed 103 cases of LTG for patients with gastric cancer between 2007 and 2013, in which all esophagojejunostomy reconstruction was performed with intracorporeal circular stapling esophagojejunostomy using the OrVil system except for the first 3 cases.

Early Response of Esophageal Cancer to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with Docetaxel-Cisplatin-5-Fluorouracil Represents Sensitivity: A Phase II Study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the response rate and find improvements.

Patients And Methods: Fifty-five patients with esophageal cancer were enrolled. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (one or two courses) consisted of 60 mg/m(2)docetaxel on day 1, 70 mg/m(2)cisplatin on day 1 and continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil at 600 mg/m(2)/day on day 1-5.

Comparative Analysis of Extracellular Polymeric Substances from Cryptococcus gattii VGIIa Strain Isolated for the First Time in Japan.

Cryptococcus gattii and C. neoformans are pathogenic yeasts that cause meningoencephalitis. C.

Short-term surgical outcomes of reduced port surgery for esophageal achalasia.

Purpose: To clarify the feasibility and utility of reduced port surgery (RPS) for achalasia.

Methods: Between September 2005 and June 2013, 359 patients with esophageal achalasia, excluding cases of reoperation, underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication (LHD) according to our clinical pathway. Three-hundred and twenty-seven patients underwent LHD with five incisions (conventional approach), while the other 32 patients underwent RPS, including eight via SILS.

Prognostic significance of ZNF217 expression in gastric carcinoma.

Background: The zinc finger protein ZNF217 is a candidate oncogene in breast cancer and ovarian clear cell cancer. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the significance of this protein's expression in gastric carcinoma and to evaluate the outcome of these patients.

Materials And Methods: Using paraffin-embedded specimens from 84 patients with gastric cancer, ZNF217 protein was detected using an anti-ZNF217 goat polyclonal antibody.

Prediction of lymph node metastasis in patients with submucosa-invading early gastric cancer.

Background And Aim: Early gastric cancer (EGC), with wall invasion limited to the submucosa, has approximately 15 to 20% chance of lymph node metastasis. The purpose of this study is to clarify the parameters which affect lymph node metastasis and survey whether lymph node metastasis can be predicted preoperatively.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 145 consecutive patients with EGC using multivariate analysis and developed a formula which predicts lymph node metastasis by linear discriminant analysis.

High UBCH10 protein expression as a marker of poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background/aim: Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme H10 (UBCH10) is required in the cell-cycle transition from metaphase to anaphase. Therefore, we investigated whether its expression level in cancerous esophageal lesions affected prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma.

Materials And Methods: Paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 121 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were stained with antibody to UBCH10 for immunohistochemical analysis.

Effect of laparoscopic esophagomyotomy on chest pain associated with achalasia and prediction of therapeutic outcomes.

Background: The effect of myotomy for achalasia on chest pain has not been clarified. The current study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of laparoscopic myotomy on chest pain associated with achalasia and to identify prognostic factors for outcomes.

Method: Between March 2005 and September 2008, 95 patients were available for detailed interviews and for assessment of clearance by timed barium esophagogram (TBE) before and after surgery.

Misinsertion of an esophageal bougie between the mucosa and muscular layer of the lower esophagus during operation in a case of achalasia.

Laparoscopic fundoplication is the current standard operation for gastroesophageal reflux disease and achalasia. An esophageal bougie is often placed for constructing a wrap or performing myotomy easily during the operation. The surgical complications reportedly include hemorrhage, esophageal perforation, gastric perforation, and vagus nerve damage.

[Role of Malassezia colonization in cutaneous immune response].

Malassezia yeasts are part of the cutaneous microflora and are also associated with a number of skin diseases such as pityriasis versicolor, seborrheic dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis (AD). Among organisms of the Malassezia species, M. globosa and M.

Identification of the major allergen of Malassezia globosa relevant for atopic dermatitis.

Background: Malasseziaglobosa constitutes a part of the normal flora of human skin, but may induce IgE production in atopic dermatitis (AD). However, information on M.globosa allergens is scant.

[Multi-center trial on the early effects of silodosin on lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia].

Silodosin (URIEF), a new so-called 3rd generation alpha-1 blocker, is widely expected to be effective and useful for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), due to its high specificity to alpha-1A receptor. We evaluated the efficacy of Silodosin, on 187 males 50 years old or over with the diagnosis of BPH. Silodosin significantly improved the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life (QOL) score from the day after administration was started.

Pre-pyloric site gastric cancer after pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG): a case report.

Pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) is a function-preserving surgical procedure which is now applied to treat early gastric cancer in the mid-portion of the stomach. We report a patient who developed a pre-pyloric site gastric cancer after PPG. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the development of pre-pyloric site gastric cancer after PPG in the English literature using PubMed.

Candida albicans abrogates the expression of interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10 in human keratinocytes.

Candida albicans is the predominant causative agent of human cutaneous candidiasis. Epidermal keratinocytes play an important role in the cutaneous immune response through the production of cytokines and chemokines, including IFN-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10). Here, we investigated the influence of C.

Frequent splicing aberration of the base excision repair gene hMYH in human gastric cancer.

Background: Missense mutation of hMYH, which prevents transversion mutations induced by oxidative DNA damage, is reportedly associated with the development of gastric and colon cancer. We investigated whether deficiency or mutation of hMYH is associated with gastric carcinogenesis.

Patients And Methods: Thirty patients with gastric carcinoma, three gastric cancer cell lines and lymphocytes from three healthy volunteers were investigated.

Evaluation of the levels of specific IgE against Cryptococcus diffluens and Cryptococcus liquefaciens in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Cryptococcus diffluens and Cryptococcus liquefaciens, 2 basidiomycetous yeasts, frequently colonize the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). In this study, we investigated the presence of specific IgE antibodies against C. diffluens and C.