Relationship of Phase Angle, Echo Intensity,and Muscle Thickness with Isokinetic Knee Extensor Strength and Associated Motor Functions in Young Adults

東京都立大学Tokyo Metropolitan University博士（理学療法学）doctoral thesi

Leiomyosarcoma of the vulva: a case report

Sarcomas represent only 1% to 3% of vulvar malignancies. Leiomyosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor of the vulva; it can be mistaken for a benign tumor, which can lead to misdiagnosis and incorrect or delayed treatment. We report the case of a 51-year-old woman with leiomyosarcoma of the vulva. The patient presented to her primary gynecologist with a vulvar mass that she had first noticed 20 years prior. The tumor was suspected to be aggressive angiomyxoma, and biopsy of the mass and treatment with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) therapy were recommended. The patient declined treatment and opted instead for observation; however, the tumor grew rapidly in the following year and the patient was referred to our hospital. She underwent tumor resection, and pathology revealed leiomyosarcoma. The patient declined adjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy but has had no recurrence for 32 months

Pregabalin for Refractory Radicular Leg Pain due to Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Preliminary Prospective Study

We investigated the efficacy of pregabalin (PGB) for neuropathic leg pain in lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) patients with disturbed activities of daily living (ADL)/quality of life (QOL) in a prospective observational study. Subjects were a total of 104 LSS patients with neuropathic pain (NeP) in leg and neurological intermittent claudication (IMC) refractory to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for at least a month. NeP was identified using screening tool, Pain DETECT questionnaire. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores and responses to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) were assessed before and 6 weeks after PGB treatment initiation. Changes in IMC distance and adverse events were also recorded. PGB significantly improved their VAS scores for pain and sleep quality (P<0.001). With respect to JOABPEQ, significant improvements were observed with regard to the following dimensions: pain-related disorders (P<0.01), lumbar spine dysfunction (P=0.031), gait disturbance (P=0.028), and psychological disorders (P=0.014). The IMC distance showed an improvement tendency after PGB treatment, albeit with no significance (P=0.063). Minor adverse events such as dizziness were observed. PGB can be effective for neuropathic leg pain refractory to NSAIDs in LSS patients, resulting in not only pain control but also improving lower back pain-related ADL/QOL scores

Movement patterns of the functional reach test do not reflect physical function in healthy young and older participants

東京都立大学Tokyo Metropolitan University博士（理学療法学）doctoral thesi

Elevated β-catenin pathway as a novel target for patients with resistance to EGF receptor targeting drugs

There is a high death rate of lung cancer patients. Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are effective in some lung adenocarcinoma patients with EGFR mutations. However, a significant number of patients show primary and acquire resistance to EGFR-TKIs. Although the Akt kinase is commonly activated due to various resistance mechanisms, the key targets of Akt remain unclear. Here, we show that the Akt-β-catenin pathway may be a common resistance mechanism. We analyzed gene expression profiles of gefitinib-resistant PC9M2 cells that were derived from gefitinib-sensitive lung cancer PC9 cells and do not have known resistance mechanisms including EGFR mutation T790M. We found increased expression of Axin, a β-catenin target gene, increased phosphorylation of Akt and GSK3, accumulation of β-catenin in the cytoplasm/nucleus in PC9M2 cells. Both knockdown of β-catenin and treatment with a β-catenin inhibitor at least partially restored gefitinib sensitivity to PC9M2 cells. Lung adenocarcinoma tissues derived from gefitinib-resistant patients displayed a tendency to accumulate β-catenin in the cytoplasm. We provide a rationale for combination therapy that includes targeting of the Akt-β-catenin pathway to improve the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs

Influence of Skeletal Muscle Mass and Spinal Alignment on Surgical Outcomes for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Study Design Retrospective observational study. Purpose We considered the relationship between spinal alignment and skeletal muscle mass on clinical outcomes following a surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Overview of Literature There are no reports of preoperative factors predicting residual low back pain following surgery for LSS. Methods Our target population included 34 women (mean age, 74.4 years) who underwent surgery for LSS. Prior to and 6 months after the surgery, systemic bone mineral density and lean soft tissue mass were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was calculated as the sum of the arm and leg lean mass in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. The spinal alignment was also measured. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopedic Association scoring system, leg and low back pain Visual Analog Scale, and Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ). Additionally, we examined the bone mineral density, skeletal muscle mass, and spinal alignment before and after the surgery. We used the Spearman correlation coefficient to examine the associations among clinical outcomes, preoperative muscle mass, and spinal alignment. Results Sarcopenia (SMI 6.12), RDQ was significantly higher in subjects with sarcopenia (p =0.04). RDQ was significantly negatively correlated with SMI (r =−0.42, p <0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between postoperative RDQ and pelvic tilt (PT; r =0.41, p <0.05). SMI and PT were significantly negatively correlated (r =−0.39, r <0.05). Conclusions Good postoperative outcomes were negatively correlated with low preoperative appendicular muscle mass, suggesting that postoperative outcomes were inferior in cases of decreased appendicular muscle mass (sarcopenia). Posterior PT due to decreased limb muscle mass may contribute to postoperative back pain, showing that preoperatively reduced limb muscle mass and posterior PT are predictive factors in the persistence of postoperative low back pain

産学連携知的財産管理室 : 2022年度半ばから2023年度半ばまでの活動報告

journal articl

Activity Report of Industry-Academia Collaboration and Intellectual Property Management Section, Kawasaki Medical School－ the middle of 2021 fiscal year to the middle of 2022－

　産学連携知的財産管理室が2016年に発足して６年が経過し，業務は多岐にわたり活動が拡大してきた。それに伴い徐々に実用化案件や共同研究案件も増加しつつある。この１年間の特筆すべき点として，RNA 創薬に関する研究成果を基に川崎医科大学発のバイオベンチャー第１号が立ち上がり2022年３月から支援することとなった。また，肺癌治療におけるバイオマーカー測定の案件が実用化し技術導出された。その一方で発明届の数は減少しており，研究支援と同様に知的財産創出のリテラシーの向上も必要である。今後も業務の効率化・適正化を進め，他学との交流を推進し，シーズとニーズのマッチングの機会をできるだけ多く確保するように努力していきたい。　Six years have passed since the Industry-Academia Collaboration and Intellectual Property Management Section was established in 2016 and its works have expanded in a wide variety of areas. Along with this, the number of practically realized cases and collaboration researches is gradually increasing. The notable point in the past year is the launch of the first university bio- venture in Kawasaki Medical school based on the study results on RNA-based drug discovery, which has been supported from March 2022. In addition, the project of biomarker measurement in lung cancer treatment has been practically realized and the technology has been licensed-out. In contrast, the number of the invention notifications has been decreased year by year, and it is necessary to improve the literacy of intellectual property creation as well as research support. From now on, we will continue to improve the efficiency and optimization of our work, to promote exchanges with other universities, and to make efforts to secure as many opportunities as possible for matching seeds and needs