Association analysis between functional polymorphism of the rs4606 SNP in the RGS2 gene and antipsychotic-induced Parkinsonism in Japanese patients with schizophrenia: Results from the Juntendo University Schizophrenia Projects (JUSP)

Antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal symptoms (AIEPSs) are commonly recognized side effects of typical 1st generation antipsychotics, and considerable variability is seen in the susceptibility of individual patients to AIEPSs. Regulator of G-protein signaling 2 (RGS2) proteins regulate intracellular signaling and second messenger activation of molecules including dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine receptors, all of which appear to be involved in the pathophysiology of AIEPSs. Previous studies have shown an association between AIEPSs in schizophrenia and RGS2, especially the minor G allele of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4606 (+2971C > G) in RGS2, and have suggested a possible protective effect by the G allele on AIEPSs. In this study, we investigated whether the rs4606 SNP in RGS2 alone also showed an effect on AIEPSs by utilizing the Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptom Scale (DIEPSS) in 103 Japanese patients with schizophrenia. In the assumed G allele recessive model, sialorrhea and total Parkinsonism scores were significantly higher in subjects with the GG genotype than in subjects with other genotypes. Other clinical variables were not significantly different among the various genotype groups. Controlling for clinical variables as covariates, a one-way analysis of covariance found no association between rs4606 genotypes and DIEPSS scores. Taken together, these results, although preliminary, suggest that rs4606 does not affect AIEPSs in Japanese subjects.     

Primary placement technique of jejunostomy using the entristar™ skin-level gastrostomy tube in patients with esophageal cancer

Background  

We developed a skin-level jejunostomy tube (SLJT) procedure for patients undergoing esophagectomy using a skin-level gastrostomy tube (G-tube) (Entristar™; Tyco Healthcare, Mansfield, Mass), in order to improve their nutrition status and quality of life (QOL). We describe the procedure and the adverse effects of SLJT in patients with esophageal cancer (EC).     

Aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma 5 years after surgical resection of adenoma on index finger

We experienced 72-year-old male who was diagnosed aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma (ADPAca) on his right index finger. He had a history of surgical excision of the tumor diagnosed aggressive digital papillary adenoma (ADPA) at the same site 5 years before. After the diagnosis of second surgery, we added the third surgery for wide resection. There are no recurrence and metastasis at postoperative 3 years after third surgery. ADPA and ADPAca have been considered to be different disease by the pathological findings. However, there were many opinions that they should be the same disease clinically because rates of metastasis and local recurrence had no difference in two diseases. Our case experience strongly supported the two diseases should be considered as the same disease. We recommend additional excision of the tumor even the pathological diagnosis is benign as ADPA.     

Acoustic Impedance Analysis with High-Frequency Ultrasound for Identification of Fatty Acid Species in the Liver

Acoustic properties of free fatty acids present in the liver were studied as a possible basis for non-invasive ultrasonic diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Acoustic impedance was measured for the following types of tissue samples: Four pathologic types of mouse liver, five kinds of FFAs in solvent and five kinds of FFAs in cultured Huh-7 cells. A transducer with an 80-MHz center frequency was incorporated into a scanning acoustic microscopy system. Acoustic impedance was calculated from the amplitude of the signal reflected from the specimen surface. The Kruskal–Wallis test revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) in acoustic impedance not only among pathologic types, but also among the FFAs in solvent and in cultured Huh-7 cells. These results suggest that each of the FFAs, especially palmitate, oleate and palmitoleate acid, can be distinguished from each other, regardless of whether they were in solution or absorbed by cells.     

ANALYSIS OF PROGNOSTIC FACTORS IN PATIENTS WITH GASTRIC VARICES AFTER ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT

Background: The prognostic factors, including gastric variceal bleeding itself, in patients with gastric varices (GV) after endoscopic treatment remain unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze prognostic factors in patients with GV after endoscopic treatment as well as to evaluate safety and efficacy of our endoscopic treatment. Patients and Methods: This study enrolled 115 patients who underwent endoscopic treatment for GV between October 1988 and December 2003 using cyanoacrylate and 5% ethanolamine oleate. Successful hemostasis, recurrence rates, rebleeding rates, survival rates, complications and prognostic factors after the treatment were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Treatment sessions for GV were performed 3.4 ± 2.5 times. All cases, including 14 emergency cases, were treated successfully. The cumulative recurrence rates at 1, 3 and 5 years after the treatment were 7.0%, 15.6% and 20.0%, respectively, and the cumulative rebleeding rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 3.5%, 8.7% and 14.8%, respectively. The overall survival rates were 78.3%, 63.7% and 51.5% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Grade B or C in Child–Pugh classification, emergency or elective cases, and association with hepatocellular carcinoma were identified as significant negative prognostic factors after endoscopic treatment by multivariate analysis. Although several complications were observed, there was no mortality. Conclusions: Grade B or C in Child–Pugh classification, emergency or elective situation, and association with hepatocellular carcinoma are negative prognostic factors after endoscopic treatment.     

SAP-1 is a microvillus-specific protein tyrosine phosphatase that modulates intestinal tumorigenesis

SAP-1 (PTPRH) is a receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase (RPTP) with a single catalytic domain in its cytoplasmic region and fibronectin type III-like domains in its extracellular region. The cellular localization and biological functions of this RPTP have remained unknown, however. We now show that mouse SAP-1 mRNA is largely restricted to the gastrointestinal tract and that SAP-1 protein localizes to the microvilli of the brush border in gastrointestinal epithelial cells. The expression of SAP-1 in mouse intestine is minimal during embryonic development but increases markedly after birth. SAP-1-deficient mice manifested no marked changes in morphology of the intestinal epithelium. In contrast, SAP-1 ablation inhibited tumorigenesis in mice with a heterozygous mutation of the adenomatous polyposis coli gene. These results thus suggest that SAP-1 is a microvillus-specific RPTP that regulates intestinal tumorigenesis.     

Relationship between near‐infrared spectroscopy,and subcutaneous fat and muscle thickness measured by ultrasonography in Japanese community‐dwelling elderly

Aim: Near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) allows estimation of the percentage of body fat (%BF) regardless of the patient's posture; thus, it is useful for assessment of elderly patients with severe decline of basic activity who cannot hold a standing position. However, the accuracy by which the near‐infrared light emitted from NIRS reflects subcutaneous tissue is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess how correctly NIRS reflects the subcutaneous fat and muscle thickness derived from ultrasonography in community‐dwelling elderly. Methods: A total of 93 community‐dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older were enrolled in this study (mean 75.8 years, 6.7 SD). Participants were assessed according to optical density (OD) measurements by NIRS, subcutaneous fat and muscle thickness by ultrasonography, and muscle strength. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated for each sex. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors that contributed to OD for each sex. Results: OD measured at the forearm and thigh were significantly correlated with subcutaneous fat thickness. In stepwise multiple regression analyses, subcutaneous fat thickness was found to be a significant determinant of OD in men (forearm β = −0.37, P = 0.01; thigh β = −0.63, P < 0.001) and women (forearm β = −0.50, P < 0.001; thigh: β = −0.52, P < 0.001). Conclusions: These results suggest that NIRS can appropriately estimate fat‐free mass. By adding other variables to OD as the predictive variable, skeletal muscle mass might be estimated in the elderly population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 351–357 .