Malignant rhabdoid tumor of the liver: a case report with US and CT manifestation

A case of malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) of the liver in a 4-month-old boy with hepatomegaly was described with the help of US and CT findings. The boy had multiple liver tumors, and the liver parenchyma showed a diffuse heterogeneous appearance. Lymph node swelling was noted, although the alpha-fetoprotein concentration was not elevated. A diagnosis of MRT was confirmed pathologically. Twenty-seven cases of MRT of the liver with solitary tumors, multiple tumors, or diffuse infiltration have been reported in the English-language literature. Diagnostic imaging plays an important role in detecting metastasis because of the high frequency of distant metastasis in MRT of the liver.     

Relationship of Daily Coffee Intake with Vascular Function in Patients with Hypertension

We evaluated the relationship of daily coffee intake with endothelial function assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation and vascular smooth muscle function assessed by nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation in patients with hypertension. A total of 462 patients with hypertension were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. First, we divided the subjects into two groups based on information on daily coffee intake: no coffee group and coffee group. The median coffee intake was two cups per day in the coffee group. There were significant differences in both flow-mediated vasodilation (2.6 ± 2.8% in the no coffee group vs. 3.3 ± 2.9% in the coffee group, p = 0.04) and nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation (9.6 ± 5.5% in the no coffee group vs. 11.3 ± 5.4% in the coffee group, p = 0.02) between the two groups. After adjustment for confounding factors, the odds ratio for endothelial dysfunction (OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.32–0.95) and the odds ratio for vascular smooth muscle dysfunction (OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.28–0.89) were significantly lower in the coffee group than in the no coffee group. Next, we assessed the relationship of the amount of daily coffee intake with vascular function. Cubic spline curves revealed that patients with hypertension who drank half a cup to 2.5 cups of coffee per day had lower odds ratios for endothelial dysfunction assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation and vascular smooth muscle dysfunction assessed by nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation. Appropriate daily coffee intake might have beneficial effects on endothelial function and vascular smooth muscle function in patients with hypertension.     

A New Method for the Detection of Air Leaks Using Aerosolized Indocyanine Green

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The risk of bacteriuria and ureteric stent colonization in immune-compromised patients with double J stent insertion

Purpose  

To evaluate the influence of diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic renal failure (CRF), and malignancies on the rate of bacteriuria and double J ureteric stent bacterial colonization.     

15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 Inhibits Angiotensin II-induced Fibronectin Expression via Hepatocyte Growth Factor Induction in Human Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells

15-Deoxy-Δ^12,14-prostaglandin J₂ (15d-PGJ₂) is an endogenous peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist that suppresses progressive matrix deposition; however, little is known about the effects of 15d-PGJ₂ on human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs). We investigated the following: (i) the expression of PPARγ; (ii) the effect of 15d-PGJ₂ on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced fibronectin (FN) expression and secretion; (iii) the effect of 15d-PGJ₂ (with or without Ang II and with or without the specific PPARγ antagonist GW9662) and pioglitazone, a synthetic PPARγ agonist, on hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) expression and secretion; (iv) the effect of HGF on Ang II-induced FN expression and secretion; (v) the expression of c-Met (a specific HGF receptor) and its phospho-signal; and (vi) the involvement of HGF in the effect produced by 15d-PGJ₂ using selective c-Met inhibitor PHA-665752. The presence of PPARγ was detected by western blot analysis. 15d-PGJ₂ inhibited Ang II-induced FN expression and increased HGF expression, even in the presence of Ang II. This effect of HGF expression was completely prevented by co-treatment with GW9662. Additionally, upregulation of HGF secretion induced by 15d-PGJ₂ and HGF production induced by pioglitazone was revealed. We demonstrated the presence of c-Met, and presented evidence that HGF inhibits Ang II-induced FN expression and activates phosphorylation of c-Met, which is blocked by PHA-665752; 15d-PGJ₂ also activated c-Met phosphorylation. Furthermore, PHA-665752 attenuates the inhibitory effects of 15d-PGJ₂ on FN secretion. These findings suggest that 15d-PGJ₂ has a novel and potent antifibrotic effect in HPMC and this action is likely mediated by HGF.     

Long-term survivor of gastric small cell carcinoma

We describe the long-term survival of a patient following the diagnosis of primary gastric small cell carcinoma. In January 2000, a 73-year-old male was found to have advanced gastric small cell carcinoma directly invading his liver. He received combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and irinotecan as first-line chemotherapy, then cisplatin and etoposide as second-line chemotherapy. He had a complete response after four cycles of second-line chemotherapy. In March 2001, the tumor recurred in the stomach and the patient underwent a total gastrectomy. He has survived free of disease for more than 2 years after the first diagnosis.