Inhibitory Effects of Prior Low-dose X-irradiation on Cold-induced Brain Injury in Mouse

We examined the inhibitory effects of low-dose X-irradiation on mouse brain tissue with cold-induced injury by comparing tissue samples from three groups of mice: control, sham-irradiated cold-exposed, and X-ray-irradiated (0.5 Gy) cold-exposed mice. The water content in brain increased significantly in the sham-irradiated group following the cold-induced injury relative to the control group. However, water content in brain tissue from the X-ray-irradiated group was significantly lower than that from the sham-irradiated group. Levels of antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione, in brain tissue from the X-ray-irradiated group were higher than those from the sham-irradiated group. Moreover, the cold injury-induced cell death, particularly apoptosis, while low-dose irradiation inhibited cell death, especially among glial cells, but not numeral cells. These findings suggest that prior low-dose X-irradiation activated antioxidant function and inhibited cold-induced brain injury

Sidedness of CRC on tumor immunity

Background Clinical and molecular characteristics differ between right-sided and left-sided colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to clarify the correlation between CRC sidedness and tumor immunity. Methods A total of 102 patients who underwent curative colectomy for stage II/III CRC were included in this study. The expression of programmed cell death (PD)-1, PD1-ligand 1 (PD-L1), forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) were examined using immunohistochemistry and the relationships between sidedness and several prognostic factors were examined. Results Clinicopathological factors were not significantly different between right- and left-sided CRC. The tumor immunity-related molecule PD-L1 was more highly expressed in right-sided than in left-sided CRC (62.9% vs. 30.6%, p<0.01). No significant difference was found in overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) by sidedness. PD-1 and Foxp3 expression were significant prognostic factors for OS. Lymph node metastasis (N), lymphatic invasion (ly), and PD-L1 expression were significant prognostic factors for DFS. In right-sided CRC, IDO-positive patients had a poor OS (p<0.05), and IDO was the only independent prognostic indicator for OS. N and venous invasion were identified as independent prognostic indicators for DFS. In left-sided CRC, univariate analysis identified PD-1, PD-L1, and Foxp3 expression as significant predictors of poor OS. Multivariate analysis confirmed PD-L1 expression as an independent prognostic indicator. N, ly, and PD-L1 expression levels were identified as significant predictors of poor DFS. Conclusions The prognostic factors were IDO in right-sided CRC and PD-L1 and Foxp3 in left-sided CRC. These findings indicated that tumor immunity might play different roles depending upon sidedness. Tumor location may be an important factor to consider when assessing immune response and therapeutic decisions in CRC patients

TAPP with liquid-injection and gauze dissection

Purpose : This report describes a novel technique for trans-abdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair using liquid injection and gauze dissection. Methods : Twenty-five cases underwent TAPP inguinal hernia repair with liquid-injection and gauze dissection. Before the initial peritoneal incision, liquid injection was performed percutaneously into the pre-peritoneal space at the outside of the internal inguinal ring and the inside of the seminal duct. Especially, at the inside of the seminal duct, the liquid was injected into the space between the superficial and deep lobe of pre-peritoneal fascia. Gauze was effectively used to dissect this liquid-injected space. Results : In comparison with the cases of inguinal hernia repair without liquid-injection and gauze dissection, the cases who underwent TAPP inguinal hernia repair with liquid-injection and gauze dissection experienced shorter operation times and no complications or recurrence. Conclusions : TAPP inguinal hernia repair with liquid-injection and gauze dissection appears to be a safe and feasible procedure

Desmoid-type fibromatosis in abdomen

Background : Desmoid-type fibromatosis is a very rare disease that has no characteristic image findings, so it is often difficult to differentiate from gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). A case of desmoid-type fibromatosis that was difficult to differentiate from GIST is reported. The decisive factor in the diagnosis was positive nuclear immunostaining for β-catenin nucleus. Case presentation : A man is his 30s had no significant past medical history, including no abdominal surgery. A medical check-up found a large tumor in the right lateral abdomen. After some examinations, a preoperative diagnosis of GIST was made, and open ileocecal resection was performed. However, the final diagnosis based on the pathological findings was desmoid-type fibromatosis. Conclusions : We should consider desmoid-type fibromatosis when we find a large abdominal mass, but it may be difficult to diagnose based only on imaging findings. Immunohistochemical examination of the specimen may make the diagnosis

Pre-operative weight loss program

Background : The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of obesity and the usefulness of a pre-operative weight loss program (PWLP) for obese patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for gastric cancer (GC). Materials and Methods : Study1 : 219 patients who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) for GC were divided into 2 groups : body mass index (BMI) ≧ 28 and BMI < 28kg / m2. The influence of BMI in LG surgery was investigated. Study2 : The BMI ≧ 28 kg / m2 patients with a planned LG (n = 8) undertook a PWLP including calorie restriction and exercise. The effects of this program were evaluated. Results : Study1 : The BMI ≧ 28kg / m2 group showed significantly longer operation times, more blood loss and a higher frequency of post-operative complications than that of the BMI < 28kg / m2 group. Study 2 : The patients achieved a weight loss of 4.2%. The visceral fat area (VFA) was significantly decreased by 10.6%, whereas skeletal muscle mass was unaffected. The PWLP group showed shorter operation times, less blood loss and a lower frequency of post-operative complications compared with that of the BMI ≧ 28kg / m2 group. Conclusion : Obesity is an important risk factor and a pre-operative weight loss program is useful for obese patients undergoing a LG

The influence and countermeasure of obesity in laparoscopic colorectal resection

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of obesity and the usefulness of a preoperative weight loss program (PWLP) for obese patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection (LCR). Methods: Study 1: 392 patients who underwent LCR for colorectal cancer were divided into two groups: those with a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 (n = 113) and those with a BMI <25 kg/m2 (n = 279). The influence of BMI on LCR was investigated. Study 2: Patients with a BMI ≥28 kg/m2 who were scheduled to undergo LCR (n = 7, mean body weight 87.0 kg, mean BMI 33.9 kg/m2) undertook a PWLP including caloric restriction and exercise for 29.6 (15–70) days. The effects of this program were evaluated. Results: Study 1: The BMI ≥25 kg/m2 group had a prolongation of operation time and hospital stay than the BMI <25 kg/m2 group. Study 2: The patients achieved a mean weight loss of 6.9% (−6.0 kg). The mean visceral fat area was significantly decreased by 18.0%, whereas the skeletal muscle mass was unaffected. The PWLP group had a significantly lower prevalence of postoperative complications compared with the BMI ≥25 kg/m2 group. Conclusion: Obesity affected the surgical outcomes in LCR. A PWLP may be useful for obese patients undergoing LCR

Low-dose X-irradiation inhibits brain injury 1 Regular Paper Inhibitory effects of prior low-dose X-irradiation on cold-induced brain injury in mouse

Running title: Low-dose X-irradiation inhibits brain injury ABBREVIATIONS: BBB, blood-brain barrier; ROS, reactive oxygen species; SOD, superoxide dismtase; GPx, glutathione peroxidase; GR, glutathione reductase; total GSH, total glutathione; EDTA, ethylendiaminetetraacetic acid; NBT, nitroblue tetrazolium; H 2 O 2 , hydrogen peroxide; MDA, malondialdehyde; HE, hematoxylin-eosin; KB, Kluver-Barrera; TUNEL, Terminal dUTP in situ nick-end labeling; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; DAB, 3,39-diaminobenzidine; SEM, standard error of the mean; MCA, middle cerebral artery Low-dose X-irradiation inhibits brain injury 2 Abstract We examined the inhibitory effects of low-dose X-irradiation on mouse brain tissue with cold-induced injury by comparing tissue samples from three groups of mice: control, sham-irradiated cold-exposed, and X-ray-irradiated (0.5 Gy) cold-exposed mice. The water content in brain increased significantly in the sham-irradiated group following the cold-induced injury relative to the control group. However, water content in brain tissue from the X-ray-irradiated group was significantly lower than that from the sham-irradiated group. Levels of antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione, in brain tissue from the X-ray-irradiated group were higher than those from the sham-irradiated group. Moreover, the cold injury induced cell death, particularly apoptosis, while low-dose irradiation inhibited cell death, especially among glial cells, but not numeral cells. These findings suggest that prior low-dose X-irradiation activated antioxidant function and inhibited cold-induced brain injury

A CASE OF HODGKIN’S DISEASE EXHIBITING ERYTHRODERMIA PROBABLY DUE TO ALLERGIC REACTION TO VINCA ALKALOIDS

症例は58歳の男性。Hodgkin病の診断確定後，MOPP療法を開始したところ紅皮症の発現および好酸球増加を認めた。しかし，VCRとVDSをetoposideに変更すると紅皮症の発現はみられなくなり，治療の継続が可能となり寛解した。本例における紅皮症は，臨床経過からvinca alkaloid剤に対するアレルギー反応によると考えられた。VCR,VDSの主な副作用は血液障害，神経障害であるが，VDSにより紅皮症を生じた例の報告はまだない。化学療法には，複数の薬剤が同時に使われる場合が多く，副作用出現時にその原因薬剤の同定はしばしば困難である。したがって，薬剤の副作用についての症例の集積が重要と考えられる。A 58 year-old man with Hodgkin’s disease exhibited erythrodermia due to allergic reaction to vincristine sulfate (VCR) and vindesine sulfate (VDS). However, chemotherapy could be continued by changing VCR and VDS to etoposide without allergic symptom. Clinical observation strongly suggested that erythrodermia was due to the use of vinca alkaloids in this patient. Hematological and neurological side effects have been well known for VDS and VCR, but erythrodermia has not yet been reported as being caused by these agents. It is often difficult to difference drugs as a cause of an allergic reaction when several drugs are used together. Therefore, it is important to collect all the cases showing the effects of drugs