Increased Plasma Levels of 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine Are Associated with Development of Colorectal Tumors

Increased oxidative stress is generally thought to be associated with tumorigenesis. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated plasma 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in patients with colorectal adenoma and cancer, as a surrogate marker of oxidative damage to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). We collected blood samples from 58 patients with adenoma, 32 with early cancer, 25 with advanced cancer, and 36 without polyps or cancer (as controls), and measured plasma levels of 8-OHdG by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Univariate analysis by logistic regression showed that an increased level of 8-OHdG was a significant risk for adenoma [odds ratio (OR) 1.393, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.008–1.926, p = 0.045]. In patients with early cancer, univariate analysis revealed significant differences for age, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, and 8-OHdG level. Subsequent multivariate analysis revealed that 8-OHdG [OR 1.627, 95% CI 1.079–2.453, p = 0.020] and BMI [OR 1.283, 95% CI 1.038–1.585, p = 0.021] were significant risk factors for early cancer. However, 8-OHdG was not a significant risk factor for advanced cancer. Our results suggest that an increased plasma level of 8-OHdG is associated with development of colorectal adenoma and cancer

A thoracic duct cyst in 10-year-old boy: The youngest case report and review of the literature

AbstractWe report the youngest case with a thoracic duct cyst located just above the diaphragm that was treated with thoracoscopic resection. The cyst was observed with serial ultrasonographic examinations during his prenatal period. No interval evidence of a deleterious effect to the fetus by this cyst was observed and born by normal vaginal delivery at term. Although the boy remained clinically asymptomatic at the age of ten, surgical excision for definitive diagnosis of the cyst was undertaken. The mediastinal cyst contained milky-white chylous fluid. Pathologically, the wall was similar in structure to the thoracic duct. The mediastinal thoracic duct cyst is an extremely rare cystic lesion. The etiology may be related to a congenital or degenerative weakness in the wall of the thoracic duct. They are generally asymptomatic but may sometimes cause pressure effects on adjacent structures. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice. The thoracoscopic resection is especially advisable for the patient with a small, asymptomatic cyst. Chylothorax is the most common postoperative complication. To avoid chylothorax after the resection of a mediastinal thoracic duct cyst, identification of the communication of the cyst with thoracic duct and ligation of its inferior pedicle without fail is necessary

Estimating the radiative activation characteristics of a Gd3Al2Ga3O12:Ce scintillator in low earth orbit

Gd3Al2Ga3O12:Ce (GAGG:Ce) is a recently developed inorganic scintillator. With excellent characteristics of high density and high light yield, GAGG:Ce could be potentially applied as a gamma-ray detector for astrophysical experiments on satellite missions. We report the characteristics of GAGG:Ce for radiation dose by irradiating 150 MeV protons up to 100 Gy, as compared with GSO:Ce, CsI:Tl and GYSO:Ce scintillators. We investigated the radio-activated intrinsic background count rates due to spallation within an energy range of 30–400 keV for each scintillator, and then estimated the background count rates for a satellite experiment conducted in low earth orbit. The results showed that the background count rate of GAGG:Ce was the lowest per day or in a longer timescale than the other scintillators

Decreased levels of plasma adiponectin associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer

AIM: To investigate the association between adiponectin levels and risk of colorectal adenoma and cancer (early and advanced)

Successful hepatectomy for hepatic abscess with chronic granulomatous disease: a case report

Abstract Background Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), a rare inherited disorder, is characterized by impaired ability of phagocytic cells to kill certain bacteria and fungi. Although liver abscess is a common manifestation of CGD, its optimal management in these patients is unknown. Here, we present a case of successful hepatectomy for hepatic abscess in a patient with CGD. Case presentation An adolescent patient with previously diagnosed CGD presented to the pediatrics department of our institution with fever. Blood tests showed high concentrations of inflammatory markers. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed a multilocular mass measuring 52 mm × 34 mm in hepatic segment 4 (S4). Blood cultures were negative. Despite administration of antibiotics and γ-globulin, his fever and high concentrations of inflammatory markers persisted and the mass did not change on CT scan images. Because the medications had proved ineffective and percutaneous drainage would have been difficult because of the honeycombing in the abscess, we performed hepatic S4a + S5 anatomic resection and cholecystectomy. Culture of the excised specimen was negative. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful. On day 62, CT showed no abscess around the resection stump. On day 81, he was transferred to undergo bone marrow transplantation. Conclusions Surgical treatment for hepatic abscess can be effective when medical treatment has failed

High Tumoral STMN1 Expression Is Associated with Malignant Potential and Poor Prognosis in Patients with Neuroblastoma

Background. Stathmin 1 (STMN1), a marker for immature neurons and tumors, controls microtubule dynamics by destabilizing tubulin. It plays an essential role in cancer progression and indicates poor prognosis in several cancers. This potential protein has not been clarified in clinical patients with neuroblastoma. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the clinical significance and STMN1 function in neuroblastoma with and without MYCN amplification. Methods. Using immunohistochemical staining, STMN1 expression was examined in 81 neuroblastoma samples. Functional analysis revealed the association among STMN1 suppression, cellular viability, and endogenous or exogenous MYCN expression in neuroblastoma cell lines. Result. High levels of STMN1 expression were associated with malignant potential, proliferation potency, and poor prognosis in neuroblastoma. STMN1 expression was an independent prognostic factor in patients with neuroblastoma. Furthermore, STMN1 knockdown inhibited neuroblastoma cell growth regardless of endogenous and exogenous MYCN overexpression. Conclusion. Our data suggest that assessing STMN1 expression in neuroblastoma could be a powerful indicator of prognosis and that STMN1 might be a promising therapeutic candidate against refractory neuroblastoma with and without MYCN amplification

Association of serum n−6 and n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids with lipids in 3 populations of middle-aged men123

Background: The association of serum polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with lipids in different populations is not known