Increased phosphorylation of AKT in high-risk gastric mucosa.

To establish the role of oxidative stress and v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog (AKT) activation in gastric cancer development, we examined the levels of phosphorylated AKT (pAKT), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nitrotyrosine (NT), and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 73 non-cancerous gastric mucosa and 10 gastric carcinomas. We found that the levels of pAKT were associated with the levels of iNOS, NT, and hTERT. Gastric mucosa was classified into four categories: chronic gastritis without Helicobacter pylori (CG), chronic active gastritis with H.

The prognostic nutritional index predicts long-term outcomes of gastric cancer patients independent of tumor stage.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) on the long-term outcomes in gastric cancer patients.

Methods: This study reviewed the medical records of 548 patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy. The PNI was calculated as 10 × serum albumin (g/dl) + 0.

Superselective particle embolization enhances efficacy of radiofrequency ablation: effects of particle size and sequence of action.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of particle size and course of action of superselective bland transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) on the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Methods: Twenty pigs were divided into five groups: group 1a, 40-μm bland TAE before RFA; group 1b, 40-μm bland TAE after RFA; group 2a, 250-μm bland TAE before RFA; group 2b, 250-μm bland TAE after RFA and group 3, RFA alone. A total of 40 treatments were performed with a combined CT and angiography system.

Pathological and clinical impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy using full-dose gemcitabine and concurrent radiation for resectable pancreatic cancer.

Background/purpose: The therapeutic options available as preoperative strategies for resectable pancreatic cancer have received worldwide attention. We have recently introduced neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) to achieve local control and possibly complete cure. In this study, we have retrospectively evaluated its impact on pathology and the perioperative clinical course in addition to its safety.

Intra-arterial chemoinfusion prior to chemoradiotherapy with full-dose systemic gemcitabine for management of locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Background: Although chemoradiotherapy with full-dose gemcitabine as a strategy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer was expected to optimize local tumor control and prevent distant metastasis, the volume of the radiation field is the critical factor related to toxicities. We are currently developing a novel therapeutic technique to conduct neoadjuvant treatments of intra-arterial chemoinfusion prior to chemoradiotherapy with the aim of tumor volume reduction.

Case Report: In two patients with locally invasive pancreatic cancer, the pancreatic blood supply was altered under angiographic guidance, and an intra-arterial catheter with a subcutaneous port was left in place for the administration of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 1,000 mg/m(2).

The effects of androgen deprivation therapy on lipid metabolism and body composition in Japanese patients with prostate cancer.

Objective: In Japan, androgen deprivation therapy is employed as the primary therapy for prostate cancer in more than 50% of patients, which is a percentage larger than that in the USA. The adverse effects of androgen deprivation therapy on body composition and lipid profile associated with metabolic syndrome have been reported mainly in Caucasian populations, and few studies have been performed in East Asian populations, including Japanese.

Methods: This study enrolled 39 Japanese patients who were starting to receive androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.

Metoclopramide does not prolong duration of action of landiolol attenuating the hemodynamic response to induction of anesthesia and tracheal intubation.

Landiolol is a new ultra-short-acting beta 1-selective adrenoreceptor antagonist, which is metabolized rapidly by plasma cholinesterase (PCHE). Metoclopramide has been shown to inhibit PCHE in vitro. Therefore, metoclopramide might prolong beta blocking effects of landiolol and spoil its ultimate-short-acting property.

Effects of landiolol on systemic and cerebral hemodynamics and recovery from anesthesia in patients undergoing craniotomy.

Purpose: Maintenance of systemic and cerebral hemodynamics and quick recovery from anesthesia are required for craniotomy. We conducted a prospective randomized study to investigate the effects of continuous infusion of landiolol on hemodynamic responses to various stimuli, changes in systemic and cerebral hemodynamics during anesthesia, and recovery from anesthesia in patients undergoing craniotomy.

Methods: Thirty patients undergoing elective craniotomy were randomly divided into two groups: a landiolol group and a control (saline) group.

[Increased urinary sodium excretion in the early phase of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage as a predictor of cerebral salt wasting syndrome].

Cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSWS) in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is considered to correlate with delayed ischemic neurological deficits (DIND) induced by cerebral vasospasm; however, its exact mechanism is still not well-known. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the relationship between hyponatremia caused by CSWS and the increase of the urinary sodium excretion in early phase following SAH. Fifty-four patients with SAH were divided into 2 groups, normonatremia group and hyponatremia group which suffered hyponatremia after SAH.

[Clinicopathological diagnosis of gliomas by genotype analysis].

Currently, the use of microscopical examinations alone is insufficient for the histological classification and grading of gliomas. In recognition of the emerging role of molecular diagnostic approaches to glioma classification, the role of genetic profiles has been emphasized on, as in the distinct subtypes of glioma. Glioblastomas (WHO grade IV) may develop de novo (primary glioblastomas) or through progression from lower-grade astrocytomas (secondary glioblastomas) both glioblastomas show similar histological features.

Role of neuronal NO synthase in regulating vascular superoxide levels and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation.

Aims: The present study is designed to investigate the role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the regulation of vascular mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity under basal and angiotensin II (Ang II)-stimulated conditions.

Methods And Results: Incubation with a potent nNOS inhibitor (L-VNIO) significantly increased superoxide (O2(-)) levels, with increased MAPK phosphorylation, in isolated aorta and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from wild-type mice. Both increases were inhibited by the superoxide dismutase mimetic, tempol, but not by the peroxynitrite scavenger, FeTPPS.

Restoration of nuclear-import failure caused by triple A syndrome and oxidative stress.

Triple A syndrome is an autosomal recessive neurological disease, mimicking motor neuron disease, and is caused by mutant ALADIN, a nuclear-pore complex component. We recently discovered that the pathogenesis involved impaired nuclear import of DNA repair proteins, including DNA ligase I and the cerebellar ataxia causative protein aprataxin. Such impairment was overcome by fusing classical nuclear localization signal (NLS) and 137-aa downstream sequence of XRCC1, designated stretched NLS (stNLS).

Growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis by 2-methoxyestradiol in rat osteosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma cell lines.

2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME) has been found to possess antitumor activity in vivo and in vitro. It has been suggested that 2-ME induces apoptosis resulting in G2/M arrest of tumor cells. In this study, the effect of 2-ME was evaluated in rat osteosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) cell lines.

Visual evaluation of blood coagulation during mural thrombogenesis under high shear blood flow.

Mural thrombus generation at sites of damaged vessel walls is essential for both physiological haemostasis and pathological intravascular thrombosis. While thrombi are established by the concerted action of platelet aggregation and blood coagulation, most previous in vitro coagulation assays have evaluated fibrin clot formation in a closed stirring situation that lacks blood cells including platelets. We describe here a modified flow chamber system, established originally for platelet functional studies, that enables real-time observation of intra-thrombus fibrin accumulation during platelet thrombogenesis under flow conditions.

Effects of delta-opioid receptor stimulation and inhibition on hippocampal survival in a rat model of forebrain ischaemia.

Background: It has been reported that delta-opioid (DOP) receptor agonists may be neuroprotective in the central nervous system. However, the DOP agonist [d-Ala(2), d-Leu(5)]enkephalin (DADLE) does not produce neuroprotection in severe forebrain ischaemia. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of DADLE on hippocampal neurone survival against less severe forebrain ischaemia.

Na+/Ca2+ exchange inhibition protects the rat heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury by blocking energy-wasting processes.

We have recently reported that exposure of rat hearts to high Ca(2+) produces a Ca(2+) overload-induced contractile failure in rat hearts, which was associated with proteolysis of alpha-fodrin. We hypothesized that contractile failure after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is similar to that after high Ca(2+) infusion. To test this hypothesis, we investigated left ventricular (LV) mechanical work and energetics in the cross-circulated rat hearts, which were subjected to 15 min global ischemia and 60 min reperfusion.

Roles of p38- and c-jun NH2-terminal kinase-mediated pathways in 2-methoxyestradiol-induced p53 induction and apoptosis.

As 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME), an endogenous estrogen metabolite, has been established to cause apoptosis of prostate cancer cells, the downstream effectors of the signaling remain unclear. In the current study, we investigated molecular mechanisms by which 2-ME induces apoptosis in human prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP. It was found that 2-ME mediates apoptosis through p53 induction.

Cysteinyl leukotrienes in the bile of patients with obstructive jaundice.

Background: Cysteinyl leukotrienes (LTs) are potent proinflammatory mediators. They are predominantly excreted from blood by hepatobiliary elimination. To explore the clinical significance of biliary cysteinyl LTs, we determined their concentration changes in bile during treatment in patients with obstructive jaundice.

Strain variation in renal carcinogenesis by N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethylnitrosamine in F1 (Wistar-Fischer) rats.

The present study was conducted to compare the incidences of renal tumors in Wistar (W), Fischer (F) and F1 rats (WF: female Wistar rats x male Fischer rats; FW: female Fischer rats x male Wistar rats) induced by N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethylnitrosamine (EHEN). Levels of 8-OHdG in renal DNA were also investigated in Wistar and Fischer rats. After 2000 ppm of EHEN was administered orally for 2 weeks, the animals were fed basal diet until week 32.

Methamphetamine-induced striatal dopamine release, behavior changes and neurotoxicity in BALB/c mice.

The behaviors associated with the neurotoxic effects of methamphetamine were evaluated in BALB/c mice. Hyperthermia and behavioral observations were measured 60 min after each subcutaneous injection of methamphetamine (4x4 or 8 mg/kg) or saline, each given 2 h apart. The behavioral observations included stereotyped behaviors, incidence of hemorrhage in breast, salivation and self-injurious behavior (SIB).

Chronic fentanyl treatments induce the up-regulation of mu opioid receptor mRNA in rat pheochromocytoma cells.

Chronic activation of adenylate cyclase-cAMP-cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) systems by administration of opioid receptor agonists has been considered as one of the mechanisms of opioid tolerance and dependence. Although analysis of the micro opioid receptor (MOR) gene suggests that cAMP-related signal transduction systems regulate the expression of this gene, which transcription factors affect the MOR gene expression in brain and neural cells has not been clarified. This study deals with the effects of fentanyl on MOR mRNA levels in the rat pheochromocytoma cell line (PC12 cells).

Prevention by inhibitors of arachidonic acid cascade of liver carcinogenesis, cirrhosis and oxidative DNA damage caused by a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined diet in rats.

Effects of inhibitors of arachidonic acid (AA) cascade on the development of fatty liver, cirrhosis, glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive preneoplastic nodules, neoplastic nodules and generation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), caused by a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet, were examined in Fischer 344 male rats by feeding CDAA diet supplemented with the inhibitors for 12 and 30 weeks. None of the inhibitors affected fatty liver. Among cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, an irreversibly acting acetylsalicylic acid and a long-acting piroxicam, and to a much lesser extent the short-acting ibuprofen but not indomethacin, inhibited the development of cirrhosis, GST-P-positive and neoplastic nodules and generation of 8-OHdG.