Application of massively parallel pyrosequencing to the discovery of non-dinucleotide microsatellites: tetra- and pentanucleotide repeat markers for the Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai)

The accelerated progress of ultra high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies has facilitated the process of identifying microsatellites in the genomes, attenuating laborious experimental procedures involved in traditional approaches. We applied a massively parallel pyrosequencing technique to the development of tetra- and pentanucleotide microsatellite markers for the Pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai.     

Radiofrequency Ablation of Liver Tumors in Patients on Antithrombotic Therapy: A Case-Control Analysis of over 10,000 Treatments

PurposeTo evaluate the safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for liver tumors in patients on antithrombotic therapy.Materials and MethodsA total of 10,653 consecutive RFA treatments in 3,485 patients with liver tumors were analyzed. The incidence of complications was analyzed on a treatment basis. The treatments for patients who had received antithrombotic medication up to 1 week prior to RFA comprised the antithrombotic therapy group (n = 806), and the others comprised the control group (n = 9,847). Antithrombotic agents were ceased prior to RFA (aspirin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, and prasugrel ceased 7 days before RFA; cilostazol, 2 or 3 days before RFA; warfarin, 3 days before RFA; and direct oral anticoagulants, 1 day before RFA) and resumed as soon as possible after RFA. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess whether the antithrombotic therapy increased the risk of hemorrhagic complications.ResultsHemorrhagic complications were diagnosed after 6 treatments (0.7%) in the antithrombotic group and 48 (0.5%) in the control group, and there was no significant difference between the groups (P = .30). In 3 treatments, hemorrhage was diagnosed on or after 8 days of RFA, all of which were in the antithrombotic group. Thrombotic complications were diagnosed after 2 treatments (0.2%) in the antithrombotic group and after 5 (0.1%) in the control group. In a multivariate analysis, receiving antithrombotic therapy was not an independent risk factor for hemorrhagic complications (adjusted odds ratio, 1.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.60–3.87; P = .38).ConclusionsRFA of liver tumors in patients on antithrombotic therapy is generally safe with appropriate cessation and resumption. Late-onset hemorrhage should be noted in the patients on antithrombotic therapy.     

Contralateral pneumothorax after lung cancer surgery: report of two cases

Due to recent increases in numbers of patients who underwent surgical treatments for lung cancer, numbers of complications of contralateral pneumothorax after lung surgery are suggested to increase. Moreover, recent spread of surgical indication to elderly people and patients with severely damaged pulmonary function may lead postoperative complication of contralateral pneumothorax more lethal. We herein describe 2 cases of contralateral pneumothorax following lung cancer surgery with a review of recent literatures. Case 1 underwent left lower lobectomy with combined partial resection of the chest wall for lung cancer. Five months later, he suffered from contralateral pneumothorax and respiratory failure. Immediate chest drainage followed by bullectomy and pleurodesis were performed. Case 2 was surgically treated for left lung cancer. Preoperative computed tomography incidentally demonstrated contralateral pneumothorax. Chest drainage was started immediately, followed by left lower lobectomy. Contralateral bullectomy and pleurodesis were performed 6 days after lobectomy. Both patients have been well without recurrence of pneumothorax or lung cancer.     

Marginal fit and microgaps of implant-abutment interface with internal anti-rotation configuration

To date, there is no evidence that internal anti-rotation configurations are better than external ones. As part of a study to clarify the features and advantages of internal anti-rotation configurations, the objective of the present investigation was to compare and evaluate the marginal fit and size of microgap at the implant-abutment interface for several external and internal anti-rotation configurations. To this end, three internal connection and two external hex connection implant-abutment assemblies were examined in this study. The implant-abutment interface (I-A interface) was evaluated using three geometrical factors: vertical and horizontal discrepancies and size of microgap. Marginal fit and microgap size were measured by a scanning laser microscope. The I-A interface was also observed using a scanning electron microscope. Mean vertical discrepancy ranged from 22.6 to 62.2 microm, while horizontal discrepancy ranged from -27.1 to 16.0 microm. The microgap values of all I-A interfaces assessed in this study ranged from 2.3 to 5.6 microm. In conclusion, SEM images of I-A interface suggested no relationship between the geometrical factors and the type of anti-rotation configuration.     

Efficacy and adverse events of cold vs hot polypectomy: A meta-analysis

AIM: To compare previously reported randomized controlled studies (RCTs) of cold and hot polypectomy, we systematically reviewed and clarify the utility of cold polypectomy over hot with respect to efficacy and adverse events.METHODS: A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the predominance of cold and hot polypectomy for removing colon polyps. Published articles and abstracts from worldwide conferences were searched using the keywords “cold polypectomy”. RCTs that compared either or both the effects or adverse events of cold polypectomy with those of hot polypectomy were collected. The patients’ demographics, endoscopic procedures, No. of examined lesions, lesion size, macroscopic and histologic findings, rates of incomplete resection, bleeding amount, perforation, and length of procedure were extracted from each study. A forest plot analysis was used to verify the relative strength of the effects and adverse events of each procedure. A funnel plot was generated to assess the possibility of publication bias.RESULTS: Ultimately, six RCTs were selected. No significant differences were noted in the average lesion size (less than 10 mm) between the cold and hot polypectomy groups in each study. Further, the rates of complete resection and adverse events, including delayed bleeding, did not differ markedly between cold and hot polypectomy. The average procedural time in the cold polypectomy group was significantly shorter than in the hot polypectomy group.CONCLUSION: Cold polypectomy is a time-saving procedure for removing small polyps with markedly similar curability and safety to hot polypectomy.     

Visual distraction alone for the improvement of colonoscopy-related pain and satisfaction

AIM: To evaluate the effect of a relaxing visual distraction alone on patient pain, anxiety, and satisfaction during colonoscopy.METHODS: This study was designed as an endoscopist-blinded randomized controlled trial with 60 consecutively enrolled patients who underwent elective colonoscopy at Yokohama City University Hospital, Japan. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: group 1 watched a silent movie using a head-mounted display, while group 2 only wore the display. All of the colonoscopies were performed without sedation. We examined pain, anxiety, and the satisfaction of patients before and after the procedure using questionnaires that included the Visual Analog Scale. Patients were also asked whether they would be willing to use the same method for a repeat procedure.RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were allocated to two groups. Two patients assigned to group 1 and one patient assigned to group 2 were excluded after the randomization. Twenty-eight patients in group 1 and 29 patients in group 2 were entered into the final analysis. The groups were similar in terms of gender, age, history of prior colonoscopy, and pre-procedural anxiety score. The two groups were comparable in terms of the cecal insertion rate, the time to reach the cecum, the time needed for the total procedure, and vital signs. The median anxiety score during the colonoscopy did not differ significantly between the two groups (median scores, 20 vs 24). The median pain score during the procedure was lower in group 1, but the difference was not significant (median scores, 24.5 vs 42). The patients in group 1 reported significantly higher median post-procedural satisfaction levels, compared with the patients in group 2 (median scores, 89 vs 72, P = 0.04). Nearly three-quarters of the patients in group 1 wished to use the same method for repeat procedures, and the difference in rates between the two groups was statistically significant (75.0% vs 48.3%, P = 0.04). Patients with greater levels of anxiety before the procedure tended to feel a painful sensation. Among patients with a pre-procedural anxiety score of 50 or higher, the anxiety score during the procedure was significantly lower in the group that received the visual distraction (median scores, 20 vs 68, P = 0.05); the pain score during the colonoscopy was also lower (median scores, 23 vs 57, P = 0.04). No adverse effects arising from the visual distraction were recognized.CONCLUSION: Visual distraction alone improves satisfaction in patients undergoing colonoscopy and decreases anxiety and pain during the procedure among patients with a high pre-procedural anxiety score.     

Proteolytic activation of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor by membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase-1 in ovarian carcinoma cells

Increased expression of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) and membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MT1-MMP) is frequently associated with various types of malignant tumor. HB EGF-like growth factor has been reported to promote the malignant progression of ovarian carcinoma. Based on this finding, inhibition of HB-EGF activity with CRM197 is now under phase I clinical evaluation. On the other hand, MT1-MMP expressed in ovarian carcinoma cells is thought to promote invasion and growth of tumor cells by degrading the extracellular matrix. However, we recently demonstrated that co-expression of MT1-MMP and HB-EGF in gastric carcinoma cells leads to cleavage of HB-EGF within its N-terminal heparin-binding region, converting it into a potent heparin-independent growth factor. In this study, we evaluated the importance of regulation of HB-EGF by MT1-MMP in clinical samples of ovarian carcinoma. We detected co-expression of HB-EGF and MT1-MMP in clear cell ovarian carcinoma tissues, particularly at the invasion front and in tumor cells that had disseminated into the ascites, whereas HB-EGF alone was expressed in non-invasive borderline ovarian tumor tissue. Furthermore, a soluble HB-EGF fragment that corresponds to that processed by MT1-MMP was detected in malignant ascites obtained from patients with metastatic ovarian carcinoma. Ovarian carcinoma cells that express MT1-MMP and HB-EGF exhibited enhanced cell growth in a 3D-collagen matrix and anchorage-independent growth in suspension. These results indicate that MT1-MMP co-expressed with HB-EGF in ovarian carcinoma cells potentiates the activity of HB-EGF to promote invasive tumor growth and spreading in vivo.     

Shed Blood-derived Cells from Total Hip Arthroplasty Have Osteoinductive Potential: A Pilot Study

Background  

Cell therapy using autologous cells has been used in the treatment of various medical conditions. The mononuclear cell (MNC) fraction of bone marrow (BM) contains stem/progenitor cells that could contribute to osteogenesis and angiogenesis.