BMP4 induces asymmetric cell division in human glioma stem-like cells.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant tumor with a high recurrence rate and has very poor prognosis in humans. The median survival is still <2 years. Therefore, a new treatment strategy should be established.

Retrospective Risk Analysis for Anastomotic Leakage Following Laparoscopic Rectal Cancer Surgery in a Single Institute.

Purpose: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is one of the most serious complications after laparoscopic low anterior resection (LALAR) for rectal cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the risk factors for AL after LALAR.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of 103 patients who underwent LALAR in a single institute between October 2008 and January 2018.

Co-Inhibition of the DNA Damage Response and CHK1 Enhances Apoptosis of Neuroblastoma Cells.

Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) is a central mediator of the DNA damage response (DDR) at the S and G2/M cell cycle checkpoints, and plays a crucial role in preserving genomic integrity. CHK1 overexpression is thought to contribute to cancer aggressiveness, and several selective inhibitors of this kinase are in clinical development for various cancers, including neuroblastoma (NB). Here, we examined the sensitivity of MYCN-amplified NB cell lines to the CHK1 inhibitor PF-477736 and explored mechanisms to increase its efficacy.

Histone deacetylase 2 is involved in DNA damage-mediated cell death of human osteosarcoma cells through stimulation of the ATM/p53 pathway.

Tumor suppressor p53 is a short-lived nuclear transcription factor, which becomes stabilized and activated in response to a wide variety of cellular stresses. Around 50% of human cancer tissues carry mutations, and certain mutations contribute to chemoresistance. In the present study, we found that histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) acts as a co-activator of tumor suppressor p53 and participates in the early molecular events following DNA damage.

Recycling endosomal CD133 functions as an inhibitor of autophagy at the pericentrosomal region.

CD133 is a transmembranous protein that mainly localises to the plasma membrane in haematopoietic and neural stem cells as well as cancer stem cells. Although CD133 also localises to the cytoplasm, the mechanism of action and function of cytoplasmic CD133 currently remain unknown. We herein demonstrated that when Src family kinase activity is weak, CD133 interacts with HDAC6 and is transported to the pericentrosomal region after internalization and endosome formation via the dynein-based traffic system.

Asunaprevir and daclatasvir in hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1b infection.

Background And Aim: Patients requiring hemodialysis show high morbidity with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but there are difficulties associated with interferon-based therapies. Asunaprevir and daclatasvir could help patients with HCV genotype 1b because the drugs have a nonrenal metabolism and show good viral eradication. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of combined asunaprevir and daclatasvir therapy.

PPP3CB contributes to poor prognosis through activating nuclear factor of activated T-cells signaling in neuroblastoma.

We previously identified a gain-of-function mutation in PPP3CB in a neuroblastoma (NB) with MYCN amplification. Here we investigated the functional and clinical role of PPP3CB in NB. High PPP3CB expression was an independent indicator predicting poor prognosis of NB.

The Microsurgical Relationships between Internal Carotid-Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms and the Skull Base.

 This study aimed to review the anatomical and clinical characteristics of internal carotid-posterior communicating artery (IC-PC) aneurysms, especially those located close to the skull base.  The microsurgical anatomy around the posterior communicating artery (PComA) was examined in a dry skull and five formalin-fixed human cadaveric heads. The clinical characteristics of 37 patients with 39 IC-PC aneurysms, who were treated microsurgically between April 2008 and July 2016, were retrospectively reviewed.

A long-term survivor of undifferentiated carcinoma of the liver successfully treated with surgical treatments: A case report and literature review.

Introduction: Undifferentiated carcinoma of the liver is extremely rare. The biological characteristics and standard strategy for its treatment have not been established yet.

Presentation Of Case: A 45-year-old man was admitted because of fever elevation and shivering.

Results of a phase II trial for high-risk neuroblastoma treatment protocol JN-H-07: a report from the Japan Childhood Cancer Group Neuroblastoma Committee (JNBSG).

Background: The Japanese Children's Cancer Group (JCCG) Neuroblastoma Committee (JNBSG) conducted a phase II clinical trial for high-risk neuroblastoma treatment. We report the result of the protocol treatment and associated genomic aberration studies.

Methods: JN-H-07 was a single-arm, late phase II trial for high-risk neuroblastoma treatment with open enrollment from June 2007 to February 2009.

Genomic Amplifications and Distal 6q Loss: Novel Markers for Poor Survival in High-risk Neuroblastoma Patients.

Background: Neuroblastoma is characterized by substantial clinical heterogeneity. Despite intensive treatment, the survival rates of high-risk neuroblastoma patients are still disappointingly low. Somatic chromosomal copy number aberrations have been shown to be associated with patient outcome, particularly in low- and intermediate-risk neuroblastoma patients.

EZH2 regulates neuroblastoma cell differentiation via NTRK1 promoter epigenetic modifications.

The polycomb repressor complex 2 molecule EZH2 is now known to play a role in essential cellular processes, namely, cell fate decisions, cell cycle regulation, senescence, cell differentiation, and cancer development/progression. EZH2 inhibitors have recently been developed; however, their effectiveness and underlying molecular mechanisms in many malignancies have not yet been elucidated in detail. Although the functional role of EZH2 in tumorigenesis in neuroblastoma (NB) has been investigated, mutations of EZH2 have not been reported.

Clinical, Pathologic, and Genetic Features of Neonatal Dubin-Johnson Syndrome: A Multicenter Study in Japan.

Objective: To clarify the clinical, pathologic, and genetic features of neonatal Dubin-Johnson syndrome.

Study Design: Ten patients with neonatal Dubin-Johnson syndrome were recruited from 6 pediatric centers in Japan between September 2013 and October 2016. Clinical and laboratory course, macroscopic and microscopic liver findings, and molecular genetic findings concerning ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 2 (ABCC2) were retrospectively and prospectively examined.

Neuroblastoma.

Neuroblastoma is one of the most common solid tumors in children and has a diverse clinical behavior that largely depends on the tumor biology. Neuroblastoma exhibits unique features, such as early age of onset, high frequency of metastatic disease at diagnosis in patients over 1 year of age and the tendency for spontaneous regression of tumors in infants. The high-risk tumors frequently have amplification of the MYCN oncogene as well as segmental chromosome alterations with poor survival.

Identification of the genetic and clinical characteristics of neuroblastomas using genome-wide analysis.

To provide better insight into the genetic signatures of neuroblastomas, we analyzed 500 neuroblastomas (included specimens from JNBSG) using targeted-deep sequencing for 10 neuroblastoma-related genes and SNP arrays analysis. ALK expression was evaluated using immunohistochemical analysis in 259 samples. Based on genetic alterations, the following 6 subgroups were identified: groups A ( abnormalities), B (other gene mutations), C ( amplification), D (11q loss of heterozygosity [LOH]), E (at least 1 copy number variants), and F (no genetic changes).

Malignant lymphoma incidentally diagnosed due to the perforation of the small intestine caused by a fish bone: A case report.

Introduction: The ingestion of a foreign body is relatively common. However, it rarely results in the perforation of gastrointestinal tract. We herein report an unusual case of malignant lymphoma incidentally diagnosed after the perforation of the small intestine by a fish bone.

Genomic analysis-integrated whole-exome sequencing of neuroblastomas identifies genetic mutations in axon guidance pathway.

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a childhood solid malignant tumor originating from precursor cells of the peripheral nervous system. We have previously established a risk classification system based on DNA copy number profiles. To further explore the pathogenesis of NBs in distinct risk groups, we performed whole-exome sequencing analysis of 57 primary and 7 recurrent/metastatic tumors with unique chromosomal aberration profiles as categorized by our genomic sub-grouping system.

Retinoblastoma and Neuroblastoma Predisposition and Surveillance.

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common intraocular malignancy in childhood. Approximately 40% of retinoblastomas are hereditary and due to germline mutations in the gene. Children with hereditary RB are also at risk for developing a midline intracranial tumor, most commonly pineoblastoma.

Recommendations for Cancer Surveillance in Individuals with RASopathies and Other Rare Genetic Conditions with Increased Cancer Risk.

In October 2016, the American Association for Cancer Research held a meeting of international childhood cancer predisposition syndrome experts to evaluate the current knowledge of these syndromes and to propose consensus surveillance recommendations. Herein, we summarize clinical and genetic aspects of RASopathies and Sotos, Weaver, Rubinstein-Taybi, Schinzel-Giedion, and NKX2-1 syndromes as well as specific metabolic disorders known to be associated with increased childhood cancer risk. In addition, the expert panel reviewed whether sufficient data exist to make a recommendation that all patients with these disorders be offered cancer surveillance.

Superior Rhythm Discrimination With the SmartShock Technology Algorithm - Results of the Implantable Defibrillator With Enhanced Features and Settings for Reduction of Inaccurate Detection (DEFENSE) Trial.

Background: Shocks delivered by implanted anti-tachyarrhythmia devices, even when appropriate, lower the quality of life and survival. The new SmartShock Technology(SST) discrimination algorithm was developed to prevent the delivery of inappropriate shock. This prospective, multicenter, observational study compared the rate of inaccurate detection of ventricular tachyarrhythmia using the SST vs.

Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Breast Found during Treatment of Lymphoma.

A 71-year-old woman, previously treated for malignant lymphoma, was admitted to our hospital with a tumor in the right breast. The tumor size was 2.0 cm in diameter, and the borderline was unclear.

Neuroblastoma.

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumour occurring in childhood and has a diverse clinical presentation and course depending on the tumour biology. Unique features of these neuroendocrine tumours are the early age of onset, the high frequency of metastatic disease at diagnosis and the tendency for spontaneous regression of tumours in infancy. The most malignant tumours have amplification of the MYCN oncogene (encoding a transcription factor), which is usually associated with poor survival, even in localized disease.