Effect of cholecalciferol on serum hepcidin and parameters of anaemia and CKD-MBD among haemodialysis patients: a randomized clinical trial.

In this multicentre double-blind randomized clinical trial, we investigated the effects of oral cholecalciferol supplementation on serum hepcidin and parameters related to anaemia and CKD-MBD among haemodialysis patients. Participants were assigned in a 2:2:1:1 ratio to either (1) thrice-weekly 3,000-IU cholecalciferol, (2) once-monthly cholecalciferol (equivalent to 9,000 IU/week), (3) thrice-weekly placebo, or (4) once-monthly placebo. We also examined the effect modifications by selected single nucleotide polymorphisms in vitamin D-related genes. Out of 96 participants, 94 were available at Month 3, and 88 completed the 6-month study. After adjustment for baseline values, serum hepcidin levels were higher at Day 3 in the combined cholecalciferol (vs. placebo) group, but were lower at Month 6 with increased erythropoietin resistance. Cholecalciferol increased serum 1,25(OH)2D levels, resulting in a greater proportion of patients who reduced the dose of active vitamin D at Month 6 (31% vs. 10% in the placebo group). Cholecalciferol also suppressed intact PTH only among patients with severe vitamin D deficiency. In conclusion, cholecalciferol supplementation increases serum hepcidin-25 levels in the short term and may increase erythropoietin resistance in the long term among haemodialysis patients. Both thrice-weekly and once-monthly supplementation effectively increases serum 1,25(OH)2D levels, and hence, reduces active vitamin D drugs.Clinical Trial Registry: This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov and University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) as NCT02214563 (registration date: 12/08/2014) and UMIN000011786 (registration date: 15/08/2014), respectively (please refer to the links below). ClinicalTrials.gov: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT02214563 . UMIN-CTR: https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr.cgi?function=brows&action=brows&type=summary&recptno=R000017152&language=E .

[The efficacy of ethinylestradiol for castration-resistant prostate cancer].

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the efficacy of ethinylestradiol as estrogen therapy on Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 14 patients who were diagnosed as having CRPC and who were being prescribed ethinylestradiol (1.5-2.0 mg/day) with aspirin (100 mg/day) and an LH-RH agonist in our hospital from August 2011. RESULTS: All patients had already been treated with a combined androgen blockade (CAB), 8 patients had been treated with docetaxel, 9 patients with tegafur-uracil, 4 patients with estramustine phosphate sodium. Age and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) at prescription of ethinylestradiol was 55-85 (median 75.5) and 0.784-508.7 ng/ml (median 4.842 ng/ml). Thirteen patients (92.9%) achieved a decline in PSA, 8 patients (57.1%) achieved a decline in PSA > 50%. Time to progression was 0-18 months (median 7 months), and there were no severe adverse events including venous thromboembolic diseases. CONCLUSION: Oral ethinylestradiol administration may have efficacy for CRPC without severe adverse events. Ethinylestradiol may be one of the selective drugs for CRPC patients who do not wish to undergo intravenous chemotherapy or become resistant to docetaxel.

[Intrarenal Bacillus Calmette-Guerin perfusion therapy was effective for carcinoma in situ of the upper urinary tract after ileal conduit replacement : a case report].

A 63-year-old man who had undergone radical cystectomy and ileal conduit formation for invasive bladder cancer 3 years before presented with continuous positive urinary cytology in the ileal conduit. His diagnosis was carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the left upper urinary tract. He was treated with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) perfusion therapy using a single-J ureteric stent. BCG (80 mg) in 100 ml saline was instilled in a one-hour period weekly for 6 weeks. Usage of another catheter was effective for continuing the therapy. Urinary cytology in the left upper urinary tract and the ileal conduit became negative after the therapy. There was no evidence of recurrence or metastasis of urothelial carcinoma 6 months after the therapy.

[Strangulation of the penis with a rubber band : a case report].

We report a case of strangulation of the penis with a rubber band. A 68-year-old man visited our hospital for treatment of a markedly swollen penis. Physical examination revealed one rubber band tightly coiled around the penis. The rubeer band was soon removed, gangrene of the penis continued. A high fever, chills and hypotension were recognized. Sepsis was presumed, and administration of antibiotics was started. Microbiologic cultures revealed streptococcus agalactiae in blood. Since his general condition did not improve, we performed partial penectomy. After the surgery, he showed complete recovery.

[Incomplete Reiter syndrome caused by BCG instillation : a case report].

A 91-year-old man was treated for upper urinary carcinoma in situ via intravesical bacillus Calmette Guérin (BCG) therapy using a double-J catheter. After the fourth infusion, he experienced fever of >38°C, multiple arthralgia, and back pain. One week after cessation of intravesical BCG immunotherapy and initiation of antibiotic treatment, he continued to complain of symptoms. Reiter's syndrome was diagnosed, and subsequently, an antitubercular agent, a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug and a corticosteroid were administered. His symptoms improved 17 days after onset. Reiter syndrome is an uncommon complication after intravesical BCG immunotherapy. Nevertheless, side effects may be severe and must be closely monitored.

The result of adjuvant chemotherapy for localized pT3 upper urinary tract carcinoma in a multi-institutional study.

PURPOSE: To determine through the analysis of our multi-institutional database whether postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for upper urinary tract carcinoma with localized invasive upper urinary tract carcinoma (UUTC) is beneficial. METHODS: A study population of 93 patients with pT3N0/xM0 UUTC was eligible for this study. Clinical features evaluated were sex, tumor location, adjuvant chemotherapy status, tumor pathology (histology, grade, infiltrating growth, lymphovascular invasion (LVI)), and cause of death. Cancer-specific survival (CSS) was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Prognostic factors related to CSS were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression model for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: In pT3 patients, overall 5-year CSS rate was 68.4% and median CSS time was 31 months (range 3-114 months). In the adjuvant chemotherapy group, 5-year CSS rate was 80.8%, whereas 5-year CSS rate was 64.4% in the non-adjuvant chemotherapy group. By multivariate analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy status was significantly associated with CSS (P = 0.008) were sex, tumor grade, tumor histology, and LVI presence. CONCLUSIONS: This study, although it was retrospective study, revealed that adjuvant chemotherapy after RNU may be beneficial in pT3N0/X patients by multivariate analysis. Prospective studies evaluating adjuvant therapy regimens for UTTC are required.

Painless acute pancreatitis associated with sorafenib treatment: a case report.

Sorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor that is used for the treatment of metastatic renal-cell carcinoma. We report the case of a patient with painless acute pancreatitis associated with sorafenib treatment. The patient was a 71-year-old man who had undergone surgery for left renal carcinoma and tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava and right atrium (IVC-RA). After a follow-up period of 3 years, he developed right adrenal metastasis and received interferon (IFN)-alpha treatment. One year later, progression of the adrenal metastasis was observed, and he was admitted to a hospital for treatment with sorafenib, which was administered at a dose of 800 mg/day. Two weeks later, he developed painless acute pancreatitis associated with sorafenib treatment. Thereafter, sorafenib treatment was discontinued, and he was treated with conservative therapy. Three weeks later, he was discharged. Even though painless acute pancreatitis associated with sorafenib treatment is rare, the possible development of painless acute pancreatitis in patients undergoing sorafenib treatment must be kept in mind.

[Pheochromocytoma with retroperitoneal hemorrhage after abdominal trauma].

A 35-year-old man was delivered to the emergency room complaining of right flank pain because of blunt abdominal trauma sustained while playing baseball. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a right adrenal mass and fluid collection around the mass. We diagnosed the mass as pheochromocytoma by endocrinological examination and radioisotopical imaging test. After absorption of the hematoma three months after the injury, laparoscopic right adrenalectomy was performed. He had an uncomplicated postoperative course without supplementation of catecholamine. Pathological findings were compatible with pheochromocytoma. Eight months after the operation, he had no evidence of recurrence.

[Female urethral adenocarcinoma with urinary retention: a case report].

A 57-year-old woman presented with urinary retention. Computed tomography revealed a pelvic mass. Vaginal examination revealed an elastic-hard mass beneath the anterior vaginal wall. Intravenous pyelography demonstrated the filling defect of bladder. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed the mass that had invaded bladder neck at dorsal side of urethra. Pathological examination of transvaginal needle biopsy suggested well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. Total cystectomy and ileal conduct formation was performed. Pathological diagnosis was urethral adenocarcinoma. She had local recurrence at perineum at seven months after the operation, and tumor resection was performed. Five months after the operation, she had no evidence of recurrence.

[Testicular cancer metastatic to multiple organs including the stomach, kidneys, and skin: a case report].

A 39-year-old man whose chief complaints were general fatigue and bloody phlegm was diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent left high orchiectomy at an affiliated hospital. The histopathologic diagnosis was chorio carcinoma. Several imaging examinations revealed the metastases in the lung, liver, brain, stomach, kidneys and skin. In spite of various chemotherapies, he died 17 months after the operation. Skin metastasis of testicular cancer is very rare and this is the twelfth case reported in the world, to our knowledge. The significance of skin metastasis in testicular cancer is discussed.

[A case of retroperitoneal abscess by anaerobic bacteria].

A case of retroperitoneal abscess with an unknown origin is presented. A 60-year-old woman visited our hospital complaining of fever and right flank pain. Abdominal computed tomography and ultrasound examination revealed retroperitoneal abscess posterior to right kidney. Percutaneous drainage and administration of antibiotics were performed. Then, both symptoms were improved. The fluid culture proved to be anaerobic bacteria, Peptostreptococcus species and Porphyromonas asaccharolytica. She had no history of surgery or diabetes mellitus. The origin of this abscess was unknown.