Identification of serum miRNAs as novel non-invasive biomarkers for detection of high risk for early gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Many micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are differentially expressed in Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric mucosa and in gastric cancer tissue and previous reports have suggested the possibility of serum miRNAs as complementary tumour markers. The aim of the study was to investigate serum miRNAs and pepsinogen levels in individuals at high risk for gastric cancer both before and after H. pylori eradication. METHODS: Patients with recent history of endoscopic resection for early gastric cancer and the sex- and age-matched controls were enrolled. Serum was collected from subjects before or after eradication and total RNA was extracted to analyse serum levels of 24 miRNAs. Serum pepsinogen (PG) I and II levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. RESULTS: Using miR-16 as an endogenous control, the relative levels of miR-106 and let-7d before and after H. pylori eradication and miR-21 after eradication were significantly higher in the high-risk group than in the controls. H. pylori eradication significantly decreased miR-106b levels and increased let-7d only in the control group. After eradication, the combination MiR-106b with miR-21 was superior to serum pepsinogen and the most valuable biomarker for the differentiating high-risk group from controls. CONCLUSION: Serum miR-106b and miR-21 may provide a novel and stable marker of increased risk for early gastric cancer after H. pylori eradication.

Deficit of state-dependent risk attitude modulation in gambling disorder.

Gambling disorder (GD) is often considered as a problem of trait-like risk preference. However, the symptoms of GD cannot be fully understood by this trait view. In the present study, we hypothesized that GD patients also had problem with a flexible control of risk attitude (state-dependent strategy optimization), and aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying abnormal risk-taking of GD. To address this issue, we tested GD patients without comorbidity (GD group: n=21) and age-matched healthy control participants (HC group: n=29) in a multi-step gambling task, in which participants needed to clear 'block quota' (required units to clear a block, 1000-7000 units) in 20 choices, and conducted a task-functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment. Behavioral analysis indeed revealed a less flexible risk-attitude change in the GD group; the GD group failed to avoid risky choice in a specific quota range (low-quota condition), in which risky strategy was not optimal to solve the quota. Accordingly, fMRI analysis highlighted diminished functioning of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), which has been heavily implicated in cognitive flexibility. To our knowledge, the present study provided the first empirical evidence of a deficit of state-dependent strategy optimization in GD. Focusing on flexible control of risk attitude under quota may contribute to a better understanding of the psychopathology of GDs.

Toxoplasma gondii does not persist in goldfish (Carassius auratus).

Recent reports of toxoplasmosis in marine mammals raise concern that cold-blooded marine animals are a potential source of Toxoplasma gondii infection. To examine the transmissibility of T. gondii to fish, we observed the development of T. gondii tachyzoites inoculated into oviduct epithelial cells of goldfish (Carassius auratus) microscopically in vitro. Further, the survival period of tachyzoites inoculated into goldfish muscle was bioassayed in mice and through PCR analysis. In cell cultures at 37 C, both RH and Beverley strains of T. gondii tachyzoites had penetrated into cells at 6 hr post inoculation, and were multiplying. In cell cultures at 33 C, many tachyzoites of both strains attached to the host cells, but no intracellular tachyzoites were observed at 24 hr post inoculation. In the T. gondii inoculated goldfish kept at 33 C, tachyzoite DNA was detected in the inoculated region on day 3, but not on day 7. When inoculated goldfish were kept at 37 C, live tachyzoites were seen at the inoculation site on day 3, but not on day 7. These results suggest that T. gondii does not persist in fish.

The validity of the classification for lateral hinge fractures in open wedge high tibial osteotomy.

The objective of this study was to validate the efficacy of Takeuchi classification for lateral hinge fractures (LHFs) in open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO). In all 74 osteoarthritic knees (58 females, 16 males; mean age 62.9 years, standard deviation 7.5, 42 to 77) were treated with OWHTO using a TomoFix plate. The knees were divided into non-fracture (59 knees) and LHF (15 knees) groups, and the LHF group was further divided into Takeuchi types I, II, and III (seven, two, and six knees, respectively). The outcomes were assessed pre-operatively and one year after OWHTO. Pre-operative characteristics (age, gender and body mass index) showed no significant difference between the two groups. The mean Japanese Orthopaedic Association score was significantly improved one year after operation regardless of the presence or absence of LHF (p = 0.0015, p < 0.001, respectively). However, six of seven type I cases had no LHF-related complications; both type II cases had delayed union; and of six type III cases, two had delayed union with correction loss and one had overcorrection. These results suggest that Takeuchi type II and III LHFs are structurally unstable compared with type I. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1226-31.

Retinal tumor induction by ocular inoculation of human adneovirus in 3-day-old rats.

A direct causal relationship between a human DNA virus, adeno serotype 12, and malignant transformation in target cells (sensory retinal neuronal precursors) was suggested by the development of a remarkably uniform retinoblastoma-like neoplasm in rats. In order to focus upon incipient photoreceptor differentiation, 27 3-day-old CD rats were selected for intraocular virus inoculation. A single injection of 0.03 ml of the virus fluid, 104.5 TCID50 HeLa cells/0.1 ml was given in the left eye. Within 73 to 167 days after the virus inoculation, 12 rats (44.4%) developed retinal tumors in the left eye. Although retinal tumors mimicking human retinoblastoma with true rosettes were anticipated, the highly uniform histopathologic appearance of all 12 eyes was virtually indistinguishable from that of 0-day-old rats. However, multiple foci of malignant cells fusing with the inner segment of relatively well-differentiated retinal layers were found haphazardly throughout the cases; such retinal remnants were not detectable in tumors of 0-day-old rats. Electron microscopy revealed poorly differentiated tumor cells that possessed a single cilium consisting of a typical ring of nine doublets with no axial pair (a 9 plus 0 pattern). Advenovirus-specific T-antigens detected in vivo by the immunofluorescein microscopic procedure in abortively infected or transformed cells clearly indicated that some neuronal precursors destined for part of the ganglioneuronic layer are selectively susceptible to viral oncogenesis. No preferential involvement of the photoreceptor cells was observed. No control animals developed retinal neoplasms.

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour with ganglioneuroma-like areas arising in the cauda equina.

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour (pPNET or peripheral neuroepithelioma) is one of the malignant small round cell tumours of peripheral nerves, soft tissues and bones, but rarely originates in the spinal canal. We report an example of pPNET arising in the cauda equina of a 14-year-old Japanese boy. At surgery, a well-demarcated tumour measuring 2 x 4 cm in diameter and involving one of the nerve roots of the cauda equina was located within the intradural space with no evidence of extradural extension. Microscopically the tumour was made up of sheets of closely packed small round cells, associated with ganglioneuroma-like islands. Immunohistochemically, the small round tumour cells were intensely positive for neuron-specific enolase (NSE), an MIC2 gene product (O13) and beta 2-microglobulin, whereas the foci with ganglion cell-like cells reacted positively to NSE, synaptophysin and beta 2-microglobulin but were negative for O13. A chimeric transcript of the EWS/FLI-1 fusion gene detected by a nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue justified the diagnosis of pPNET. Only 6 cases of PNET in the cauda equina have been described in the literature, and this is the first case of a pPNET with ganglio-neuroma-like areas. This finding suggests that the primitive tumour cells of pPNET may respond to unknown inductive effects and express a ganglion cell-like morphology.

Screening for multiple myeloma using routine laboratory test results.

Characteristics of myeloma protein can be best detected through serum electrophoresis, and are also detected as abnormal results of flocculation tests or hyperglobulinemia by routine laboratory work. The authors identified 38 cases of multiple myeloma in 5 years, actively making use of the available informations in the laboratory. The number screened was 7 times as many as the incidence previously observed, and most of them were screened in subclinical conditions. A formula to discriminate multiple myeloma from other diseases was obtained referring to the thymol turbidity test (TTT) and zinc sulfate turbidity test (ZTT) results through analytical processing the data from the first examination of the 38 patients. The most efficient and practical screening method for multiple myeloma was then developed by combining the formula by which suspicious serum specimens in routine tests are screened, with electrophoresis which confirms the disease.

18 years of conformation radiotherapy at Nagoya University Hospital.

Conformation radiotherapy is one of the best techniques for minimizing the radiation dose absorbed by the surrounding normal tissue while delivering a high dose to a cancerous target area. The cases of all patients who underwent external irradiation at Nagoya University Hospital from 1975 to 1992 were reviewed. A total of 5740 patients with 6179 lesions were irradiated during this time, and 3795 treatment plans involved radical intended irradiation. Of the 5740 patients, 1017 had head and neck cancer, 982 had cervical cancer, 506 had lung cancer, 439 had primary brain tumors, 308 had esophageal cancer, 1213 had metastatic tumors, and 1275 had other types of tumors. The total number of treatment plans per year decreased from 442 in 1975 to 292 in 1992. Likewise, the percentage of conformation radiotherapy performed in all patients decreased from 29.4% (130/442) in 1975 to 8.6% (25/292) in 1992. It occupied 14.5% (982/6179) of all intended plans, and 20% (775/3795) of radical treatment plans. The conformation technique was used in cases of cervical cancer (72%), esophageal cancer (65%) and primary brain tumors (25%). Boost Conformation radiotherapy represented 2% of all treatment planning and 29% of the conformation radiotherapy. Boost Conformation radiotherapy has recently become more popular and now represents more than 50% of conformation radiotherapy. With respect to cases of cervical cancer, the rates of local recurrence and late complications in cases treated by conformation radiotherapy were lower than in cases treated by two parallel opposed radiotherapy.

Tumor induction in Swiss mice by filtrable agent and Salmonella typhimurium.

Combined inoculation of a cell-free extract of leukotic tissue of D103 mice and Salmonella typhimurium into adult Swiss mice induced leukosis and solid tumors. The induced solid tumors were histologically multifarious, and were transplantable in Swiss mice, but not in other strains of mice.

Adenomatoid tumor of the uterus: report of a case and review of the literature.

A case of uterine adenomatoid tumor in a 47-year-old female was studied with both light and electron microscopes. The tumor was circumscribed, 2.5 cm in diameter, and located in the posterior wall of the uterus. In light microscopy, tumor cells showing "signet-ring" appearance arranged in cords or tubules. Hyaluronidase-sensitive acid mucopolysaccharide was present in the cells and luminal surfaces. Mucicarmine stain was negative and periodic acid-Schiff reaction was faintly positive. In electron microscopy, the tumor showed basal laminae, well-developed desmosomes and numerous microvilli. Intercellular spaces were present between adjacent cells. Small intercellular spaces were separated from the large lumens by desmosomes and tight junctions, while large spaces communicated with the tubular lumens. Forty-four reported cases of adenomatoid tumor in females were briefly reviewed.

Fibroma of the urinary bladder: a light and ultrastructural study of a case with review of the literature in Japan.

A hard fibroma of the urinary bladder was found in an autopsy case of a 69 year-old female. The tumor, 10x9x6 cm, occurred in the superior wall of the bladder. Ultrastructurally, the principal cells of the tumor were myofibroblasts. Fibroblasts and fibrocytes were also present. Including our case, the number of reported cases of pure fibroma of the urinary bladder in Japan is 12. These are reviewed briefly.

Papillary adenoma of the duodenum; report of a case and review of the literature in Japan.

A papillary (villous) adenoma of the duodenum was found in a 67-year-old male. Radiographic barium studies of the upper gastrointestinal tract revealed a tumor in the second portion of the duodenum. Biopsied specimens taken through a duodenofiberscope showed papillary adenoma. A partial duodenectomy with duodenojejunostomy was performed. The specimen was a pedunculated tumor measuring 3 X 2 X 1.5 cm. Histologically, the tumor was composed of villous and tubular arrangements of mucus-secreting columnar epithelial cells. A moderate number of entero-endocrine cells and a few Paneth cells were also noted. Forty-two other cases reported in Japan are briefly reviewed.

Image storing system for radiation therapy (radiation oncology information system: ROIS) as a branch of diagnostic PACS; implementation and evaluation.

We have implemented the new system that is called as ROIS for storing medical images of the patients underwent radiotherapy as a branch of medium-scale diagnostic PACS. It was estimated that, for about nine years, we can store all medical images of the patients who received radiation therapy under the on-line storage condition. Further, we can retrieve all medical images of the radiotherapy patients on ROIS faster than conventional film library or on the diagnostic PACS, even if the patient had been treated many years ago. Implementation of ROIS provided us a great help in our clinical work.

[Analysis of verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (O157:H7) strains isolated in the Fukuoka area in 1994 by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis].

Nine verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains were isolated from 9 pediatric patients with sporadic enteritis between July and September 1994 at four clinics in the Fukuoka area. The patients included two families with two cases each. These strains were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis for Xba I-digested DNA fragments. The restriction patterns were identical between each two strains within the two family outbreaks, but different among the seven strains of the distinct seven sporadic cases. It is strongly suggested that the seven sporadic cases were infected through distinct sources, and that the two family cases were due to a common source of infection or person to person infection.

[Studies on relationship between histology, tumor markers (prostatic acid phosphatase.prostate specific antigen.gamma-seminoprotein.leu-7) and clinical course in prostate cancer].

We are interested in the therapeutic response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy of relapsed prostate cancer. In 9 cases of prostate cancer treated by endocrine therapy, tumor markers (PAP.PA.gamma-Sm.Leu-7) and cell types at the start of endocrine therapy and that taken at a hormone independent point were compared between prostatic tissue obtained. All cases had a period of response to endocrine therapy, but subsequently relapsed. The results were divided into the following 3 groups: Group I (changed cell type.decreased positive rate of markers) had the shortest response duration to endocrine therapy and there was no response to chemotherapy; Group II (unchanged cell type.decreased positive rate of markers) had a long response duration and slow progression under endocrine therapy; Group III (unchanged cell type.unchanged positive rate of markers) was chemo- or radiotherapy sensitive during post-endocrine therapy relapse. These results suggest that this is an effective method which dictated the choice of treatment method and allowed an approximate prognosis for relapsed prostate cancer previously treated by endocrine therapy.