Reduction Mechanism of Transition Metal Oxide Particles in Thermally Induced Nanobubbles during Pulsed Laser Melting in Ethanol

Pulsed laser melting in liquid (PLML) is a technique to fabricate spherical submicrometer particles (SMPs) wherein nanosecond pulsed laser (several tens to several hundreds of mJ pulse^-1 cm^-2 ) irradiates raw particles dispersed in liquid. Raw particles are transiently heated above the melting point to form spherical particles, which enables pulsed heating of surrounding liquid to form thermally induced bubbles by liquid vaporization. These transient bubbles play an important role as a thermal barrier to rapidly heat the particle. Reduced SMPs are generated from raw metal-oxide nanoparticles by PLML process in ethanol. This reduction cannot be explained by high-temperature thermal decomposition, but by mediation of molecules decomposed from ethanol. Computational simulations of ethanol decomposition by pulsed heating for 100 ns at the temperature 1000-4000 K revealed that ethylene is generated as the main product. Gibbs free energies of oxide reduction reactions mediated by ethylene greatly decreased compared to those without ethylene mediation. This explanation can be applied to reductive SMP formation from various transition metal oxides by PLML.

Visualization of Lenticulostriate Arteries on CT Angiography Using Ultra-High-Resolution CT Compared with Conventional-Detector CT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The newly developed ultra-high-resolution CT is equipped with a 0.25-mm detector, which has one-half the conventional section thickness, one-half the in-plane detector element width, and one-half the reconstructed pixel width compared with conventional-detector CT. Thus, the ultra-high-resolution CT scanner should provide better image quality for microvasculature than the conventional-detector CT scanners. This study aimed to determine whether ultra-high-resolution CT produces superior-quality images of the lenticulostriate arteries compared with conventional-detector CT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From February 2017 to June 2017, thirteen patients with aneurysms (4 men, 9 women; mean age, 61.2 years) who underwent head CTA with both ultra-high-resolution CT and conventional-detector CT were enrolled. Two board-certified radiologists determined the number of all lenticulostriate arteries on the CTA coronal images of the MCA M1 segment reconstructed from 512 matrixes on conventional-detector CT and 1024 matrixes on ultra-high-resolution CT.

RESULTS

There were statistically more lenticulostriate arteries identified on ultra-high-resolution CT (average, 2.85 ± 0.83; 95% CI, 2.509-3.183) than on conventional-detector CT (average, 2.17 ± 0.76; 95% CI, 1.866-2.480) (P = .009) in 16 of the total 26 MCA M1 segments.

CONCLUSIONS

Improvements in lenticulostriate artery visualization were the result of the combined package of the ultra-high-resolution CT scanner plus the ultra-high-resolution scanning protocol, which includes higher radiation doses with lower than the national diagnostic reference levels and stronger adaptive iterative dose-reduction processing. This package for ultra-high-resolution CT is a simple, noninvasive, and easily accessible method to evaluate microvasculature such as the lenticulostriate arteries.

Association between Sarcopenia and Overactive Bladder in Elderly Diabetic Patients

OBJECTIVES

To determine the association between sarcopenia and overactive bladder (OAB) in elderly diabetic patients using the Japanese version of SARC-F called SARC-F-J.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS

The study included 329 elderly diabetic patients (aged ≥65 years) who regularly visited the outpatient clinic at Community hospital in Japan.

MEASUREMENTS

The condition of OAB was evaluated using the OAM symptom score, which involves a self-administered questionnaire, and sarcopenia was evaluated using the self-administered SARC-F-J questionnaire comprising five items. The odds ratio for OAB due to sarcopenia was calculated using multiple logistic regression analysis, with OAB as the dependent variable and sarcopenia as the explanatory variable.

RESULTS

A total of 329 patients (186 males, 143 females) were included for analysis in the present study. Of these patients, 22.9% had sarcopenia and 18.7% had OAB. After adjusting the variables, the odds ratio for OAB due to sarcopenia was 4.46 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-17.36, P = 0.031) and 2.09 (95% CI, 0.52-8.26, P = 0.293) for males and females, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study found that sarcopenia was significantly associated with OAB in elderly diabetic male patients based on SARC-F-J. Moreover, the possibility of the development of OAB should be considered during the medical examinations of elderly diabetic male patients with sarcopenia.

Analysis of the Disappearance Curve of Labelled Fibrinogen at the Time of Hyperfibrinogenemia in Rabbits with Acute or Chronic Intravascular Coagulation

In order to study fibrinogen metabolism, the disappearance curve of 125I-labelled homologous fibrinogen was investigated in the rabbits with experimentally induced acute or chronic intravascular coagulation by injection of Lycopodium spores or thromboplastin. The results obtained were as follows.

1. Using haemolysate, an intermediate phase with upward convexity was clearly recognized between the early rapid-decay phase and the late slow phase in each radioactivity decay curve obtained in groups of rabbits. This convexity was most marked with acute intravascular coagulation induced by injection of Lycopodium spores, and was less marked, although higher, with chronic intravascular coagulation induced by injection of thromboplastin than that in the normal control.

2. The disappearance curve with the intermediate phase could be expressed, in approximation, as a sum of 2 equations - the initial exponential decay equation and the late parabolic one.

3. From the results obtained by separate examinations of the disappearance curve of plasma, fibrin clots and serum in rabbits with acute intravascular coagulation induced by injection of Lycopodium spores, the intermediate phase appears to be influenced more by the secondary increase of labelled non-clottable part than recirculation of the labelled fibrinogen.

4. The half time (27.4 hours) of the radioactivity in fibrin clots at the late phase observed in the group of rabbits with acute intravascular coagulation induced by injection of Lycopodium spores was shorter than that in the normal rabbits (50.2 hours). This fact may indicate that the increase of fibrinogen in the group of rabbits with acute intravascular coagulation induced by the injection of Lycopodium spores is due to overproduction of fibrinogen.

5. The half time of labelled fibrinogen should be calculated from disappearance curve of fibrin clots, instead from that of haemolysate or plasma.

Search for Boosted Dark Matter Interacting with Electrons in Super-Kamiokande

A search for boosted dark matter using 161.9 kt yr of Super-Kamiokande IV data is presented. We search for an excess of elastically scattered electrons above the atmospheric neutrino background, with a visible energy between 100 MeV and 1 TeV, pointing back to the Galactic center or the Sun. No such excess is observed. Limits on boosted dark matter event rates in multiple angular cones around the Galactic center and Sun are calculated. Limits are also calculated for a baseline model of boosted dark matter produced from cold dark matter annihilation or decay. This is the first experimental search for boosted dark matter from the Galactic center or the Sun interacting in a terrestrial detector.

Psychological and endocrine factors and pain after mastectomy

BACKGROUND

This prospective study was designed to examine the associations of demographic, clinical, psychological and neuroendocrine factors with acute and chronic post-operative pain following partial mastectomy.

METHODS

Sixty-four female patients scheduled for partial mastectomy were enrolled. Pre-operative anxiety/depression was assessed, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Pre-operative 24-h urinary cortisol levels were measured 2 days before surgery. Post-operative pain was examined using a visual analog scale (VAS) for acute pain on 0-2 post-operative day (POD), and a short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire for chronic pain at 6 months after surgery. In the last 29 subjects, post-operative 24-h urinary cortisol levels were also measured on 0 POD and were subjected to correlation analysis.

RESULTS

Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that lower pre-operative cortisol secretion and greater pre-operative anxiety were significantly associated with an increased risk of moderate to severe acute post-operative pain [Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval); 0.96 (0.92-0.98), and 1.24 (1.04-1.54)], and that patients with greater pre-operative anxiety and moderate to severe acute pain were more likely to develop chronic post-operative pain [OR (95% CI); 1.63 (1.23-2.40), and 5.07 (1.30-24.6)]. Correlational analysis demonstrated that the post-operative cortisol level was inversely correlated with pre-operative anxiety and the intensity of acute post-operative pain (r = -0.40, p < 0.05, and r = -0.50, p < 0.01), but not with the intensity of chronic pain.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms that pre-operative anxiety is associated with both acute and chronic post-operative pain after partial mastectomy. It also suggests that lower perioperative cortisol secretion might be associated with greater acute post-operative pain.

SIGNIFICANCE

Although the associations between psychological stress/stress hormone levels and chronic post-operative pain remain to be determined, pre-operative psychological stress and perioperative cortisol levels are correlated with acute post-operative pain.

In-vivo three-dimensional measurement of distal radioulnar joint translation in normal and clinically unstable populations

Assessment of distal radioulnar joint instability is clinically difficult and subjective. The distal radioulnar joint is postulated to 'tighten' in ulnar/radial deviation and pronation/supination. Using a rig, we measured mean distal radioulnar joint translation in neutral forearm rotation and neutral wrist radial and ulnar deviation, as well as extremes of wrist radial and ulnar deviation and forearm rotation. We tested the rig on ten cadaver forearms to validate the measurements we made. We tested 50 normal adults and 50 patients with clinical distal radioulnar joint instability. Distal radioulnar joint stability in men and women and on contralateral sides were comparable. Distal radioulnar joint translation decreased significantly with wrist radial and ulnar deviation and forearm pronation and supination, matching clinical practice and further validating the rig. The data in normal patients is comparable with previous computed tomography-based studies. Translation in all positions was statistically increased within the clinical instability group and did not cross-over with the normal ranges. Distal radioulnar joint translation is a physically measurable phenomenon. Our device appears to be a valid test of distal radioulnar joint translation, establishing normal data in vivo.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Overexpression of SMYD2 contributes to malignant outcome in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

SET and MYND domain-containing protein 2 (SMYD2) is a lysine methyltransferase for histone H3, p53 and Rb and inhibits their transactivation activities. In this study, we tested whether SMYD2 (1q42) acts as a cancer-promoting factor by being overexpressed in gastric cancer.

METHODS

We analysed 7 gastric cancer cell lines and 147 primary tumor samples of gastric cancer, which were curatively resected in our hospital.

RESULTS

SET and MYND domain-containing protein 2 was detected in these cell lines (five out of seven cell lines; 71.4%) and primary tumor samples (fifty-six out of one hundred and forty-seven cases; 38.1%). Knockdown of SMYD2 using specific small interfering RNA inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of SMYD2-overexpressing cells in a TP53 mutation-independent manner. Overexpression of SMYD2 protein correlated with larger tumor size, more aggressive lymphatic invasion, deeper tumor invasion and higher rates of lymph node metastasis and recurrence. Patients with SMYD2-overexpressing tumours had a worse overall rate of survival than those with non-expressing tumours (P=0.0073, log-rank test) in an intensity and proportion score-dependent manner. Moreover, multivariate analysis demonstrated that SMYD2 was independently associated with worse outcome (P=0.0021, hazard ratio 4.25 (1.69-10.7)).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that SMYD2 has a crucial role in tumor cell proliferation by its overexpression and highlight its usefulness as a prognostic factor and potential therapeutic target in gastric cancer.

Randomized clinical trial: rikkunshito in the treatment of functional dyspepsia--a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND

Rikkunshito, a standardized Japanese herbal medicine, is thought to accelerate gastric emptying and relieve dyspepsia, although no large-scale, randomized, placebo-controlled trials of rikkunshito have been conducted. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of rikkunshito for treating functional dyspepsia (FD).

METHODS

FD patients received 2.5 g rikkunshito or placebo three times a day for 8 weeks in this multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. The primary end point was the proportion of responders at 8 weeks after starting test drug, determined by global patient assessment (GPA). The improvement in four major dyspepsia symptoms severity scale was also evaluated. In addition, plasma ghrelin levels were investigated before and after treatment.

KEY RESULTS

Two hundred forty-seven patients were randomly assigned. In the eighth week, the rikkunshito group had more GPA responders (33.6%) than the placebo (23.8%), although this did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.09). Epigastric pain was significantly improved (p = 0.04) and postprandial fullness tended to improve (p = 0.06) in the rikkunshito group at week 8. Rikkunshito was relatively more effective among Helicobacter pylori-infected participants (rikkunshito: 40.0% vs placebo: 20.5%, p = 0.07), and seemed less effective among H. pylori-uninfected participants (rikkunshito: 29.3% vs placebo: 25.6%, p = 0.72). Among H. pylori-positive individuals, acyl ghrelin levels were improved just in rikkunshito group. There were no severe adverse events in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Administration of rikkunshito for 8 weeks reduced dyspepsia, particularly symptoms of epigastric pain and postprandial fullness. (UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, Number UMIN000003954).

In-vivo measurement of distal radio-ulnar joint translation

Distal radio-ulnar joint (DRUJ) instability is increasingly recognised and assessment can be subjective and difficult. Previous research has used cadaveric models or in-vivo with CT, with variable results. A test device was designed to establish normal values of in-vivo DRUJ dorso-palmar translation. Twenty volunteers were recruited. Those with previous wrist/forearm injuries were excluded. The device held the elbow at 90° flexion and neutral forearm rotation, with the distal ulna secured. A dorso-palmar shear force was applied to the distal radius and displacement measured three times on each wrist alternately by the same operator. The mean translation of the DRUJ is 5.5 mm. Same-sided mean measurements for two subjects taken days apart varied by 1 mm. The intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.93. The device is reliable, reproducible and appears to be a simple valid test. Contralateral sides were comparable. It will primarily be a research device to guide clinical practice in DRUJ instability.

Combination of platelet count and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is a useful predictor of postoperative survival in patients with colorectal cancer

Background:

This study investigated the usefulness of a novel inflammation-based prognostic system, named the COP-NLR (COmbination of Platelet count and Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio), for predicting the postoperative survival of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods:

The COP-NLR was calculated on the basis of data obtained on the day of admission: patients with both an elevated platelet count (>30 × 10⁴ mm⁻³) and an elevated NLR (>3) were allocated a score of 2, and patients showing one or neither were allocated a score of 1 or 0, respectively.

Results:

Four-hundred and eighty patients were enrolled. Multivariate analysis of clinical characteristics selected by univariate analysis showed that the COP-NLR (1, 2/0) (odds ratio, 0.464; 95% confidence interval, 0.267–0.807; P=0.007) had an association with cancer-specific survival, along with pathology, lymph node metastasis, the serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen, C-reactive protein and albumin, and the Glasgow Prognostic Score. Kaplan–Meier analysis and log-rank test revealed that the COP-NLR was able to divide such patients into three independent groups (P<0.001).

Conclusion:

The COP-NLR is considered to be a useful predictor of postoperative survival in patients with CRC.

The prognostic significance of vasohibin-1 expression in patients with prostate cancer

Background:

We recently isolated vasohibin-1 (VASH1), a novel angiogenic molecule that is specifically expressed in activated vascular endothelial cells (ECs), and the status of VASH1 expression has been documented in various cancer angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of VASH1 expression in prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods:

In this study, we retrospectively analysed the clinical records and evaluated the VASH1 expression of tumour microvessels in 167 patients with PCa who underwent radical prostatectomy. We immunohistochemically examined the microvessels positive for anti-CD34 as microvessel density (MVD) and the microvessels with activated ECs positive for VASH1 density.

Results:

We found that the VASH1 expression was restricted to ECs in the tumour stroma. VASH1 density was significantly associated with pathological T stage, Gleason score and MVD. The 5-year PSA recurrence-free survival rate was 58.8% in patients with higher VASH1 density (≧12 per mm²) and 89.1% in patients with lower VASH1 density (<12 per mm²), respectively (P<0.001). Microvessel density was not an independent predictor of PSA recurrence. Multivariate analysis revealed that high VASH1 density was an independent prognostic indicator of PSA recurrence (P=0.007, HR=2.950).

Conclusion:

VASH1 density represents a clinically relevant predictor of patient prognosis and can be a new biomarker that would provide additional prognostic information in PCa.

Overexpression of YWHAZ relates to tumor cell proliferation and malignant outcome of gastric carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Several studies have demonstrated that YWHAZ (14-3-3ζ), included in the 14-3-3 family of proteins, has been implicated in the initiation and progression of cancers. We tested whether YWHAZ acted as a cancer-promoting gene through its activation/overexpression in gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

We analysed 7 GC cell lines and 141 primary tumours, which were curatively resected in our hospital between 2001 and 2003.

RESULTS

Overexpression of the YWHAZ protein was frequently detected in GC cell lines (six out of seven lines, 85.7%) and primary tumour samples of GC (72 out of 141 cases, 51%), and significantly correlated with larger tumour size, venous and lymphatic invasion, deeper tumour depth, and higher pathological stage and recurrence rate. Patients with YWHAZ-overexpressing tumours had worse overall survival rates than those with non-expressing tumours in both intensity and proportion expression-dependent manner. YWHAZ positivity was independently associated with a worse outcome in multivariate analysis (P=0.0491, hazard ratio 2.3 (1.003-5.304)). Knockdown of YWHAZ expression using several specific siRNAs inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of YWHAZ-overexpressing GC cells. Higher expression of the YWHAZ protein was significantly associated with the lower expression of miR-375 in primary GC tissues (P=0.0047).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that YWHAZ has a pivotal role in tumour cell proliferation through its overexpression, and highlight its usefulness as a prognostic factor and potential therapeutic target in GC.

Descending aortic blood flow during aortic cross-clamp indicates postoperative splanchnic perfusion and gastrointestinal function in patients undergoing aortic reconstruction

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this observational study was to investigate the relationship between splanchnic and renal blood flow during infrarenal aortic cross-clamp (XC) and postoperative gastrointestinal perfusion and function.

METHODS

Descending aortic blood flow (DABF) was continuously monitored with an oesophageal Doppler monitor (Cardio-Q, Deltex Ltd, Chichester, UK) in 31 patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Cardiac output (CO) was determined by indocyanine green dilution before, during, and after XC. Perioperative gastrointestinal perfusion was assessed by gastric intramucosal pH (pHi, Tonocap, GE Healthcare, Helsinki, Finland). Postoperative gastrointestinal recovery was assessed by the number of postoperative days until the patient successfully resumed solid food intake. The relationship between the mean DABF during XC and gastric pHi after XC release and postoperative gastrointestinal recovery was analysed with Spearman's correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

accounted for ∼ 55% of CO during XC and significantly decreased during XC, despite arterial pressure remaining within an optimal range. There were two distinct relationships between DABF during XC and gastric pHi after XC release. Gastric pHi steeply and linearly declined when indexed DABF was below 0.82 litre min(-1) m(-2). Above this critical value, there was no linear relationship between them. The duration of postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction was inversely correlated with the mean DABF during XC. The best cut-off value of the mean indexed DABF during XC to prevent prolonged gastrointestinal dysfunction was 1.2 litre min(-1) m(-2).

CONCLUSIONS

Decreased DABF during XC associates splanchnic hypoperfusion after XC release and delayed recovery of gastrointestinal function.

Histo-blood group gene polymorphisms as potential genetic modifiers of the development of coronary artery lesions in patients with Kawasaki disease

Abnormal immunological responses to certain microbial agents may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease (KD). The association studies between histo-blood group genes (Lewis and ABO blood types) and various types of infectious diseases or vasculopathy have been carried out based on the fact that glycosylated antigens could directly mediate microbial infections. We attempted to clarify the role of blood type antigens in the development of KD and coronary artery lesions in KD patients. The subjects included 164 KD patients enrolled from 1998 to 2003 (1st group), 232 patients from 2004 to 2009 (2nd group), and 223 healthy children and 118 patients with growth hormone deficiency as controls. The genotyping of the FUT2 and FUT3 genes, and ABO genotypes, was determined with the TaqMan SNP assay and allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. No significant differences were observed in the genotypes and allele frequencies of the FUT2 and FUT3 genes between the groups. The frequency of the BB blood genotype was significantly higher in KD patients with coronary artery lesions in the 1st and 2nd groups than in the controls (17% and 14% vs. 5%, P = 0.0020). This is the first report to investigate the roles of ABO and Lewis blood types in the development of KD, and in the formation of coronary artery lesions in KD patients. These data suggest that the ABO blood type may play a role in the development of coronary artery lesions in KD patients.

Detection of gastric cancer-associated microRNAs on microRNA microarray comparing pre- and post-operative plasma

Background:

Recently, it was reported that plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) are low-invasive useful biomarkers for cancer. We attempted to isolate gastric cancer (GC)-associated miRNAs comparing pre- and post-operative paired plasma, thereby excluding the possible effects of individual variability.

Methods:

This study was divided into four steps: (1) microarray analysis comparing pre- and post-operative plasma; (2) validation of candidate miRNAs by quantitative RT–PCR; (3) validation study of selected miRNAs using paired plasma; and (4) comparison of the levels of selected miRNAs in plasma between healthy controls and patients.

Results:

From the results of microarray analysis, nine candidate miRNAs the levels of which were markedly decreased in post-operative plasma were selected for further studies. After confirmation of their post-operative marked reduction, two candidate miRNAs, miR-451 and miR-486, were selected as plasma biomarkers, considering the abundance in plasma, and marked decrease in post-operative samples. In validation, the two miRNAs were found to decrease in post-operative plasma in 90 and 93% of patients (both P<0.01). In comparison with healthy controls, the levels of both miRNAs were found to be significantly higher in patients, and the area under the curve values were high at 0.96 and 0.92.

Conclusion:

Plasma miR-451 and miR-486 could be useful blood-based biomarkers for screening GC.

Novel diagnostic value of circulating miR-18a in plasma of patients with pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Several recent studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are stably detectable in the plasma/serum. We hypothesised that miR-18a in the plasma is a potential biomarker in patients with pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

miR-18a is located in the miR-17-92 cluster and reported to be highly expressed in pancreatic cancer tissues. This study was divided into three parts: (1) Confirmation of higher miR-18a levels in primary pancreatic cancer tissues and cell lines than in normal pancreatic tissues and a human fibroblast cell line. (2) Evaluation of the plasma miR-18a assay using quantitative RT-PCR by comparing plasma results obtained from 36 patients with pancreatic cancer and from 30 healthy volunteers. (3) Evaluation of the assay for monitoring tumour dynamics in patients with pancreatic cancer.

RESULTS

(1) The expression of miR-18a was significantly higher in pancreatic cancer tissues (P=0.012) and pancreatic cancer cell lines (P=0.015) than in normal tissues and fibroblasts. (2) Plasma concentrations of miR-18a were significantly higher in pancreatic cancer patients than in controls (P<0.0001). The value of the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.9369. (3) Plasma levels of miR-18a were significantly lower in postoperative samples than in preoperative samples (P=0.0077).

CONCLUSION

Circulating miR-18a might provide new complementary tumour markers for pancreatic cancer.

Pure laparoscopic hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma patients with severe liver cirrhosis

Hepatocellular carcinoma often arises in cirrhotic livers. Patients with severe liver cirrhosis who undergo hepatectomy often develop postoperative liver failure, even if the hepatectomy is limited. Here, we report six patients with severe liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B/C and indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min ≥ 40%) who underwent pure laparoscopic hepatectomy. Their perioperative course was favorable and comparable to that of other hepatocellular carcinoma patients with mild-moderate liver cirrhosis. In patients with severe liver cirrhosis, pure laparoscopic hepatectomy minimizes the disturbance in collateral blood and lymphatic flow caused by laparotomy and liver mobilization, as well as the mesenchymal injury caused by compression of the liver. It limits complications such as massive ascites, which can lead to severe postoperative liver failure. Good candidates for the procedure include patients with severe liver cirrhosis who have tumors on the liver surface and in whom adaptation to ablation therapy is difficult and/or who experience local recurrence after repeat treatments.

Circulating microRNAs in plasma of patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background:

Several recent studies demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are stably detectable in plasma/serum. We hypothesised that plasma miRNAs concentrations contributed to potential biomarkers in patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods:

We selected three oncogenic miRNAs (miR-21, miR-184, miR-221) and one tumour suppressive miRNA (miR-375), which are frequently reported in squamous cell carcinoma, as candidate targets for this plasma miRNA assay. This study was divided into three steps: (1) Determination of appropriate plasma miRNAs in preliminary tests. (2) Evaluation of whether the plasma miRNA assays could monitor tumour dynamics. (3) Validation study on the clinical application of plasma miRNA assays in 50 ESCC patients and 20 healthy volunteers.

Results:

(1) In preliminary tests, the plasma level of miR-21 was significantly higher (P=0.0218) and that of miR-375 (P=0.0052) was significantly lower in ESCC patients than controls. (2) The high plasma miR-21 levels reflected tumour levels in all cases (100%). The plasma level of miR-21 was significantly reduced in postoperative samples (P=0.0058). (3) On validation analysis, the plasma level of miR-21 tended to be higher in ESCC patients (P=0.0649), while that of miR-375 was significantly lower (P<0.0001) and the miR-21/miR-375 ratio was significantly higher (P<0.0001) in ESCC patients than in controls. The value of the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.816 for the miR-21/miR-375 ratio assay. Patients with a high plasma level of miR-21 tended to have greater vascular invasion (P=0.1554) and to show a high correlation with recurrence (P=0.0164).

Conclusion:

Detection of circulating miRNAs might provide new complementary tumour markers for ESCC.

Insufficient lymph node dissection is an independent risk factor for postoperative cancer death in patients undergoing surgery for stage II colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection is the most effective treatment for patients with stage II colorectal cancer (CRC). However, a few patients with early-phase CRC suffer postoperative cancer death.

AIMS

To investigate the risk factors for postoperative cancer death in patients who undergo surgery for stage II CRC.

METHODS

Prognostic significance was analyzed by χ(2) test, univariate analyses, Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test using clinicopathological factors from the database.

RESULTS

A total of 205 patients with stage II CRC were evaluated. Age (≤ 65/>65 years), venous invasion (negative/positive), number of dissected lymph nodes (≤ 9/≥ 10), grade of lymph node dissection (sufficient/insufficient) and albumin level (< 3.5/≥ 3.5 g/dl) were associated with shorter overall survival. Univariate analysis of the clinicopathological factors revealed that only the grade of lymph node dissection (sufficient/insufficient) was associated with postoperative cancer death (odds ratio 2.993, 95% confidence interval 1.216-7.368, p = 0.017).Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test revealed that the group with insufficient lymph node dissection had a higher incidence of postoperative cancer death than the group with sufficient dissection (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Insufficient lymph node dissection is an independent risk factor for postoperative cancer death in patients who undergo surgery for stage II CRC.

Esophageal fibrovascular polyp removed by cervical esophagotomy

We report a case of esophageal fibrovascular polyp (FVP) removed by cervical esophagotomy. The patient was a 74-year-old man in whom an intraesophageal mass was detected by a chest CT examination during a complete medical check-up. An upper gastrointestinal series showed a large, pedunculated, cervical esophageal mass for which our preoperative diagnosis was a FVP. We studied its features, as well as removal procedures in 45 patients in the literature. Most patients had marked symptoms, but ours had no complaints, and so this case may be a rare one. Various removal procedures were reported, but thoracotomy and esophagectomy are considered to be the inappropriate procedures since FVP is a benign disorder.

Serum factors that suppress cytotoxic effect of methotrexate

AIM

To study the phenomenon that human erythroid leukemia K-562 cells are more sensitive to cytotoxic effect of antimetabolites when cultured in a serum-free medium than in a conventional medium containing fetal calf serum (FCS).

METHODS

Cytotoxic effects of methotrexate, azaserine and 5-fluorouracil were estimated by accessing the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity of viable tumor cells. Proteins of FCS were separated using two-dimensional electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry analysis.

RESULTS

Addition of 10% FCS attenuated anti-tumor activity of methotrexate and azaserine against K-562 cells compared with serum-free medium. Such an activity of FCS was different for each serum lot. Comparison of the proteins in active serum lot with those in not active one using two-dimensional electrophoresis showed that in the active serum there were proteins 150 kDa, which were absent in the not active serum lot. Mass spectrometry indicated that all those proteins had the amino acid sequence of albumin. Sera of one healthy volunteer and two patients with thyroid cancer also attenuated the activity of the agent.

CONCLUSION

Several lots of FCS and human serum demonstrated the ability to attenuate the cytotoxic effect of methotrexate in vitro, possibly due to the formation of albumin dimers/MTX complexes.

In vivo anti-tumor activities of gelatin

AIM

As reported previously, porcine skin gelatin exerted direct anti-tumor effect in vitro and induced anti-tumor peritoneal macrophages in vitro. The present study investigated whether or not the gelatin exerted anti-tumor effect in vivo.

METHODS

In vitro anti-tumor activities of peritoneal macrophages and the gelatin were evaluated with tritium thymidine uptake by target tumor cells. In vivo anti-tumor activity was evaluated with the survival of tumor-bearing animals and the size of the tumor.

RESULTS

Intraperitoneal daily administration of 12.5 mg of the gelatin prolonged the survival of mice which had been intraperitoneally inoculated with MH134 (hepatic cell carcinoma cell line) or Colon 26 (colon carcinoma cell line) tumor cells, and there were no tumors in case of MH134 cells inoculation. Intraperitoneal daily administration of 12.5 mg of the gelatin did not affect growth of subcutaneous MH134 tumor. The gelatin administered subcutaneously did not affect the survival of mice with intraperitoneal MH134 tumor. On the other hand, bovine skin gelatin administered subcutaneously achieved statistically significant prolongation of the survival. The contact of MH134 cells with porcine skin gelatin for 5 min was required for the gelatin to exert its anti-tumor activity in vitro. Porcine skin gelatin of 12.5 mg injected intraperitoneally was detected as protein in the peritoneal cavity 5 min after the injection. Peritoneal macrophages elicited by intraperitoneal injection with porcine skin gelatin suppressed tritium thymidine uptake by MH134 cells more strongly than those elicited by thioglycollate injection.

CONCLUSION

Porcine skin gelatin administered intraperitoneally prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice via activation of peritoneal macrophages and involvement of direct anti-tumor activity of porcine skin gelatin. Key Words: porcine skin, gelatin, dissemination.

Influence of inflammation-based prognostic score on mortality of patients undergoing chemotherapy for far advanced or recurrent unresectable colorectal cancer

11084

Background: Recent studies have revealed that the Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), an inflammation-based prognostic score that includes only C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin, is a useful tool for predicting postoperative outcome in cancer patients. However, few studies have investigated the GPS in patients undergoing chemotherapy for far advanced or recurrent unresectable colorectal cancer (AR-UCRC). Objective: To demonstrate the influence of the GPS for prognostication of patients undergoing chemotherapy for AR-UCRC. Methods: The GPS was calculated as follows: patients with both an elevated level of CRP (>1.0 mg/dl) and hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 g/dl) were allocated a score of 2, and patients showing one or none of these blood chemistry abnormalities were allocated a score of 1 or 0, respectively. Results: One hundred twelve patients who had undergone chemotherapy for AR-UCRC with regimens such as such as FOLFIRI (5-fluorouracil [5-FU]/l-leucovorin [LV]/irinotecan hydrochloride [CPT-11]) or FOLFOX (5-FU/LV/oxialiplatin [L-OHP]) were evaluated retrospectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis and log rank test revealed that GPS2 predicted a higher risk of mortality than GPS0 or 1 (P <0.0001). Univariate analyses revealed that the neutrophil ratio (P = 0.0411), CA19–9 (P = 0.0473), CRP (P = 0.0477), albumin (P = 0.0043) and GPS (0,1/2) (P < 0.0001) were associated with mortality. Multivariate analyses using these five factors revealed that only GPS (0,1/2) (odds ratio, 6.071; 95% C.I., 1.625–22.68; P = 0.0073) was an independent risk factor of mortality. Conclusions: GPS is considered the most important and independent predictor of mortality in patients undergoing chemotherapy for AR-UCRC.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Comparison between treatment of kitchen-sink wastewater and a mixture of kitchen-sink and washing-machine wastewaters

In this paper, a submerged membrane bioreactor was used to treat 'higher-load' grey water: (a) kitchen-sink wastewater only, and (b) a mixture of kitchen-sink wastewater and washing-machine wastewater. For each type of wastewater, three systems operated at different hydraulic retention times (HRTs) were investigated. In the mixture of kitchen-sink wastewater and washing-machine wastewater, the reactor with a short HRT of four hours was stopped due to foaming. It has been observed that for both types of wastewater, an HRT of eight hours or longer can be used for the treatment. However, it has been observed that a higher COD in the permeate of the mixture can be obtained compared with that of the kitchen-sink wastewater only. This indicated that washing-machine wastewater has some component that is not easily biodegradable. The total linear akylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) removal was > 99% even at a concentration of 10-23 mg 1(-1).

Anti-tumor activity of murine peritoneal macrophages induced by porcine skin gelatin

AIM

To study the induction of anti-tumor activity of murine peritoneal macrophages in vitro by porcine skin gelatin.

METHODS

Anti-tumor activity of the macrophages was evaluated with tritium thymidine uptake by target tumor cells. ELISA was used to measure amounts of cytokines secreted in culture medium.

RESULTS

The ability of the gelatin to induce anti-tumor activity of the macrophages was stronger than that of lipopolysaccharide of E. coli. Combination of the lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma synergistically stimulated the macrophages but that of the gelatin and interferon-gamma additionally did. The culture supernatant of the macrophages incubated with the gelatin also showed higher anti-tumor activity than that with the lipopolysaccharide though the lipopolysaccharide was more excellent than the gelatin in stimulating secretion of anti-tumor cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma) by the macrophages. Anti-TNF-alpha antibody partially suppressed the anti-tumor activity of the culture supernatant of the macrophages incubated with the lipopolysaccharide but not with the gelatin. The gelatin induced anti-tumor activity of the macrophages of C3H/HeJ as well as C3H/HeN mice whereas the lipopolysaccharide did only in C3H/HeN mice. The macrophages stimulated in vitro by the gelatin exerted anti-tumor activity in vivo. Moreover, the gelatin stimulated peritoneal exudates cells in vivo when subcutaneously administered with them.

CONCLUSIONS

Porcine skin gelatin induces anti-tumor activity of macrophages in mice and its magnitude is greater than that of lipopolysaccharide of E. coli. Its mechanism is different from that of the lipopolysaccharide but not fully clarified.

Clinical assessment of oral malodor intensity expressed as absolute value using an electronic nose

OBJECTIVES

In our previous study, scores determined via a multiple linear regression method (EN-MLR) involving an electronic nose provided objective halitosis-related measurements; however, this model afforded only relative expression exclusively. The objective of this investigation was to assess clinically oral malodor intensity expressed as an absolute value using an electronic nose.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Sixty-six subjects were evaluated based on results of an actual organoleptic test (OLT), measurements of volatile sulfur compound (VSC) concentrations, a score representing malodor intensity (EN-MI) as the absolute value and EN-MLR measured with an electronic nose system. Oral health parameters were also examined.

RESULTS

The OLT score served as a benchmark. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) plots of EN-MI score (0.975) was significantly larger than that of log VSC (0.896) (P = 0.036); however, the area did not differ significantly from that of EN-MLR score (0.932). Percentage of teeth with pocket depth greater than or equal to 4 mm, tongue coating score and plaque control record displayed meaningful association with EN-MI score in multiple logistic regression analyses.

CONCLUSION

Oral malodor intensity expressed as an absolute value employing an electronic nose may be a suitable method for clinical evaluation of oral malodor.

Evaluation of islet transplantation from non-heart beating donors

We evaluated islet transplantation from non-heart beating donors (NHBDs) with our Kyoto Islet Isolation Method. All patients had positive C-peptide after transplantation. The average HbA(1C) levels of the five recipients significantly improved from 7.8 +/- 0.4% at transplant to 5.2 +/- 0.2% currently (p < 0.01). Three patients with no or a single autoantibody became insulin independent while the other two patients with double autoantibodies reduced their insulin requirement but did not become insulin independent. C-peptide in patients who became insulin-independent gradually increased after each transplantation whereas C-peptide in patients who did not become insulin-independent from 3 months after the first transplantation to the next transplantation dramatically decreased. The beta-score of the three patients who became insulin independent was the best of eight. In conclusion, our method makes it feasible to use NHBDs for islet transplant into type 1 diabetic patients efficiently.

A new technique for endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer using an external grasping forceps

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer (EGC) has improved the success rate of en-bloc resection. We report here on a new technique using an external grasping forceps.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 25 patients with suitable EGCs over 10 mm in diameter located in the gastric body were enrolled. After submucosal injection followed by circumcision of the lesion with a needle-knife, an external grasping forceps was introduced with the help of a second grasping forceps and anchored at the distal margin of the lesion. With gentle oral traction applied with this forceps, the lesion was dissected endoscopically in retroversion from the aboral side.

RESULTS

The mean lesion size was 15.0 mm (range 10 - 25 mm). Using the technique described, all lesions could be resected en bloc with free margins. The mean procedure time was 45 min (range 30 - 80 minutes). No significant bleeding requiring blood transfusion or perforation occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

This technical modification may simplify and shorten the gastric ESD procedure, except for lesions in distal locations, without compromising the efficacy.