A Case of Bilateral Adrenal and Pleural Metastases from Prostate Cancer

Our case was 65 years old. At check-up, a high PSA level of 515 ng/ml was observed, the patient was diagnosed with having clinical stage D prostate cancer and a Maximum Androgen Blockade (MAB therapy) was started. In response to the exacerbated prostate cancer, we started a therapy involving the administration of 8 mg/kg body weight of dexamethasone and 55 mg/m2 of docetaxel every 3 weeks. After completing 8 courses, an enlargement of the bilateral adrenal tumor was observed, and after completing 12 courses, a pleural tumor was discovered and the PSA level was also increased. The patient was therefore diagnosed with having bilateral adrenal metastasis and pleural metastasis of prostate cancer through diagnostic imaging. So far, there have been no reports of multiple occurrences of prostate cancer in the adrenal glands and the pleura, thus making this case the first such case

Osteogenic Factor Runx2 Marks a Subset of Leptin Receptor-Positive Cells that Sit Atop the Bone Marrow Stromal Cell Hierarchy

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells (BM-MSPCs) maintain homeostasis of bone tissue by providing osteoblasts. Although several markers have been identified for labeling of MSPCs, these labeled cells still contain non-BM-MSPC populations. Studies have suggested that MSPCs are observed as leptin receptor (LepR)-positive cells, whereas osteoblasts can be classified as positive for Runx2, a master regulator for osteoblastogenesis. Here, we demonstrate, using Runx2-GFP reporter mice,that the LepR-labeled population contains Runx2-GFPlow sub-population, which possesses higher fibroblastic colony-forming units (CFUs) and mesensphere capacity, criteria for assessing stem cell activity, than the Runx2-GFP− population. In response to parathyroid hormone (PTH), a bone anabolic hormone, LepR+Runx2-GFPlow cells increase Runx2 expression and form multilayered structures near the bone surface. Subsequently, the multilayered cells express Osterix and Type I collagen α, resulting in generation of mature osteoblasts. Therefore, our results indicate that Runx2 is weakly expressed in the LepR+ population without osteoblastic commitment, and the LepR+Runx2-GFPlow stromal cells sit atop the BM stromal hierarchy

A review of clinical characteristics and genetic backgrounds in Alport syndrome

Alport syndrome (AS) is a progressive hereditary renal disease that is characterized by sensorineural hearing loss and ocular abnormalities. It is divided into three modes of inheritance, namely, X-linked Alport syndrome (XLAS), autosomal recessive AS (ARAS), and autosomal dominant AS (ADAS). XLAS is caused by pathogenic variants in COL4A5, while ADAS and ARAS are caused by those in COL4A3/COL4A4. Diagnosis is conventionally made pathologically, but recent advances in comprehensive genetic analysis have enabled genetic testing to be performed for the diagnosis of AS as first-line diagnosis. Because of these advances, substantial information about the genetics of AS has been obtained and the genetic background of this disease has been revealed, including genotype–phenotype correlations and mechanisms of onset in some male XLAS cases that lead to milder phenotypes of late-onset end-stage renal disease (ESRD). There is currently no radical therapy for AS and treatment is only performed to delay progression to ESRD using nephron-protective drugs. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors can remarkably delay the development of ESRD. Recently, some new drugs for this disease have entered clinical trials or been developed in laboratories. In this article, we review the diagnostic strategy, genotype–phenotype correlation, mechanisms of onset of milder phenotypes, and treatment of AS, among others

A case of infective endocarditis after transurethral prostatic resection

We report a case of infective endocarditis (IE) after transurethral prostatic resection (TUR-P). A 63-year-old man who had underwent TUR-P for benign prostatic hyperplasia. After 40 days of surgery, he developed a fever. A diagnosis of IE was established by cardiography which detected large vegetation at mitral valve. After intravenous antibiotics therapy, he underwent mitral valve replacement surgery

Inelastic Lateral Buckling of Steel Beams Subjected to Repeated and Reversed Loadings

都市における災害・公害の防除に関する研究　小特集

Behavior of Bolted Joints in Earthquake Excitation

特集：地震工

A case of infective endocarditis after transurethral prostatic resection

We report a case of infective endocarditis (IE) after transurethral prostatic resection (TUR-P). A 63-year-old man who had underwent TUR-P for benign prostatic hyperplasia. After 40 days of surgery, he developed a fever. A diagnosis of IE was established by cardiography which detected large vegetation at mitral valve. After intravenous antibiotics therapy, he underwent mitral valve replacement surgery