Genomic analysis of the thymine-DNA glycosylase ( TDG ) gene on 12q22–q24.1 in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Background. Recently, a human G/T-specific TDG gene was identified. This protein acts in a system correcting G/T mispairs to G/C pairs. TDG was mapped to chromosome bands 12q22–q24.1, one of the regions frequently lost in pancreatic cancer. Therefore, there is the possibility that the TDG gene on 12q is one of the genes responsible for pancreatic ductal carcinogenesis. Methods. Nucleotide sequences of the entire coding region of the TDG gene were analyzed in 21 human pancreatic cancer cell lines. mRNA expression of the TDG gene was also analyzed by Northern hybridization in several human tissues and 21 human pancreatic cancer cell lines.     

Detection of extrapancreatic nerve plexus invasion of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Summary Background. Neural invasion is known to be one of the aggressive characteristics of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, there have been no systematic studies on intraoperative examination of neural invasion of pancreatic carcinomas after wide dissection of the retroperitoneum, paticularly at the surgical margin. Methods. We performed intraoperative immunostaining on the frozen sections of several excised plexus specimens, using peroxidase-labeled anti-cytokeratin 19 antibody in 17 cases of resectable pancreatic carcinoma. Postoperatively, we also tried to detect occult micrometastasis by direct sequencing of the K-ras gene in the same samples. Results. Intraoperative staining for cytokeratin 19 was positive in 4 of 17 (23.5%) cases. Patients with margin-positive neural invasion had significantly worse prognosis than patients who were margin negative (P<0.05). One patient had micrometastasis in the nerve plexus, revealed by K-ras mutation, whereas neither cytokeratin 19 staining nor postoperative pathological investigation detected involvement of the analyzed portion. In the four patients margin-positive for cytokeratin 19 staining, the diagnosis of neural invasion by cytokeratin 19 staining was in agreement with the K-ras gene analysis. Conclusion. Intraoperative staining for cytokeratin 19 is useful for detecting pancreatic cancer involvement of the neural plexus margin. The results can be also utilized as a prognostic indicator during the follow-up period.     

Malignant hemangioendothelioma of the small intestine: Report of a case

(Received for publication on Feb. 18, 1998; accepted on Sept. 11, 1998)     

A solitary fibrous tumor in the perianal region with a 13-year follow-up: Report of a case

(Received for publication on June 5, 1998; accepted on Nov. 6, 1998)     

Association of managerial position with cardiovascular risk factors: A fixed-effects analysis for Japanese employees

Objectives:Although higher occupational classes have been reported to be associated with better health, researchers do not fully understand whether such associations derive from the position or individual characteristics of the person in that position. We examined the association between being a manager and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors using unique panel data in Japan that annually observed employees’ occupational class and health conditions.Methods:We analyzed data for 45 888 observations from a Japanese company from 2013 through 2017. The association between being a manager and CVD risk factors (metabolic risks and health-related behaviors) were evaluated using simple pooled cross-sectional analyses with adjustment for age, sex, marital status, and overtime-working hours. We further incorporated employee-level fixed-effects into the models to examine whether the associations were subject to individual time-invariant factors.Results:The pooled cross-sectional analyses showed that, compared to non-managers, managers had 2.0 mg/dl lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level, 1.4 mmHg-lower systolic blood pressure, and 0.2 kg/m² lower body mass index (BMI). After adjusting for employee-level fixed-effects, being a manager was associated with a significantly 2.2 mg/dl higher LDL-C level. However, the associations between an individual’s management status and blood pressure or BMI were not significant. Furthermore, managers were 5.5% less likely to exercise regularly and 6.1% less likely to report sufficient sleep in the fixed-effects models, although the pooled cross-sectional analyses did not demonstrate these significant associations.Conclusions:Our findings suggest the necessity of considering these unfavorable health risks associated with being promoted to a manager.     

Molecular Characteristics and Gelling Properties of the Carrageenan Family, 1. Preparation of Novel Carrageenans and their Dilute Solution Properties

The carrageenans are a family of sulfated polysaccharides extracted from red seaweed, and are conventionally classified into three major groups as κ‐, ι‐ and λ‐carrageenan according to the maximum number (1, 2 and 3, respectively) of sulfate groups per disaccharide repeating unit in corresponding ideal structures. β‐ and θ‐carrageenan (not available in nature) possessing none and two sulfate groups per repeating unit, respectively, were prepared from κ‐ and λ‐carrageenan by desulfonation. Here the aqueous solutions of κ‐, ι‐, β‐ and θ‐carrageenans undergo the thermoreversible gelation by lowering temperature, whereas the aqueous solution of λ‐carrageenan forms no gel.Light scattering and small‐angle X‐ray scattering were observed from the aqueous solution of κ‐, ι‐, λ‐, β‐ and θ‐carrageenans, and the results were analyzed conventionally and by adapting the molecular model in order to elucidate the effect of sulfate groups and anhydrous residue on the conformational characteristics of carrageenans.     

A syndrome of digital fibromas,facial pigmentary dysplasia,and metacarpal and metatarsal disorganization

We report on a girl with fibrous tumors involving hands and feet associated with unusual brachydactyly and facial abnormalities with pigmentary skin lesions. The multiple, infiltrative fibrous tumors clinically resembled recurring digital fibromata (RDF) of infancy, but eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusion bodies pathognomonic for RDF were not demonstrated in her tumor cells. Skeletal alterations of the hands and feet comprised brachymesophalangy with cone-shaped epiphyses and variable shortening and deformity of the metacarpals and metatarsals. Facial abnormalities included upward slant of palpebral fissures, primary telecanthus with epicanthal folds, and a depressed nasal tip, along with a small fibrous tumor on the left eyelid. The patient also had patchy, brownish discolorations of the face. The clinical, radiological, and histological constellation in the patient may represent a hitherto undescribed hamartomatous syndrome. Am. J. Med. Gen. 80:1–5, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Late-onset Pleural and Pericardial Effusion as Immune-related Adverse Events after 94 Cycles of Nivolumab

A 67-year-old man with primary lung adenocarcinoma was hospitalized due to massive bilateral pleural effusion and pericardial effusion after 94 cycles of nivolumab therapy. We were unable to identify the cause of these effusions using blood tests, cytology tests, or bacterial culture of pleural effusion and thoracoscopy. Finally, we administrated corticosteroids, which immediately improved the fluid accumulation. This case may support the introduction of corticosteroids for late-onset pleural and pericardial effusion during immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment. However, the safety of rechallenge of ICIs after the improvement of fluid accumulation is controversial.