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Bladder cancer, the majority of which is urothelial carcinoma (UC), is a common malignancy worldwide. Genes encoding transmembrane/secretory proteins expressed specifically in certain cancers may be ideal biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and may represent therapeutic targets. In the present study, the expression and function of the bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 (BST2) gene was analyzed in UC. Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that expression of BST2 in normal tissue samples was the highest in liver tissue. However, expression of BST2 in UC tissue samples was higher than in normal liver. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed weak or no staining of BST‑2 in non‑neoplastic mucosa, whereas UC tissue exhibited stronger and more extensive staining compared with non‑neoplastic mucosa. BST‑2 staining was observed mainly on UC cell membranes. In total, 28 (41%) of 69 UC cases were positive for BST‑2. UC cases positive for BST‑2 were more frequently T2/3/4 cases [so‑called muscle‑invasive bladder cancer (MIBC)] than Ta/is/1 cases (P=0.0001). However, Kaplan‑Meier analysis demonstrated no association between BST‑2 expression and survival. BST2 small interfering RNA (siRNA)‑transfected T24 cells exhibited significantly reduced cell growth relative to negative control siRNA‑transfected T24 cells. The levels of phosphorylated Akt and extracellular signal‑regulated kinase were lower in BST2 siRNA‑transfected T24 cells than in control cells. These results suggest the involvement of BST‑2 in the pathogenesis of UC. Since BST‑2 is expressed on the cell membrane, BST‑2 may be a good therapeutic target for MIBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) shows extreme hypervascularity, which may cause significant bleeding during surgery. For this reason, control of arterial blood supply is an important factor in the choice of operative procedure and in avoiding perioperative complications. This case series reports the successful dissection of renal artery in the preliminary stage of laparoscopic procedure in three ccRCC patients with inferior vena cava (IVC) extension. Patient 1 had right renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with level I tumor thrombus through two renal veins, and the renal artery was successfully dissected by retroperitonealscopic approach. Patient 2 had right invasive, immobilized RCC with significant infiltration to IVC and liver. Ligation of renal artery was performed by transperitoneal laparoscopic procedure. Patient 3 had left RCC with level III tumor thrombus and lung metastasis. Ligation of left renal artery and mobilization of peritoneal organs and kidney were performed by transperitoneal laparoscopic surgery. These cases suggest that combined laparoscopic-open surgery for RCC with IVC extension may facilitate early control of arterial blood supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Myopericytoma is reported to occur mainly in the skin and superficial soft tissue of the extremities. In contrast, occurrence in the urinary bladder is extremely rare.Case Presentation: We describe a 75-year-old Japanese man who developed a submucosal tumor at the right trigone of his bladder that led to interference with the discharge of right ureteral calculus. No invasive growth was observed by magnetic resonance imaging. Transurethral resection was successfully performed; histopathological analysis revealed perivascular proliferation of spindle-shaped to oval-shaped, cytologically bland tumor cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm. On immunohistochemical examination, the tumor cells were positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin, desmin, CD34 and h-caldesmon.Conclusion: Cystoscopic and pathological findings were compatible with a diagnosis of myopericytoma of the urinary bladder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 70 years have passed since the atomic bombs were dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. To elucidate potential biomarkers and possible mechanisms of radiation-induced cancer, the expression of FKTN, which encodes fukutin protein and causes Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy, was analyzed in gastric cancer (GC) tissue samples from atomic bomb survivors. Expression of cluster of differentiation (CD) 10 was also evaluated, as it has previously been observed that positive fukutin expression was frequently noted in CD10-positive GC cases. In the first cohort from Hiroshima Red Cross Hospital and Atomic-Bomb Survivors Hospital (Hiroshima, Japan; n=92), 102 (53%) of the GC cases were positive for fukutin. Expression of fukutin was not associated with exposure status, but was associated with CD10 expression (P=0.0001). The second cohort was from Hiroshima University Hospital (Hiroshima, Japan; n=86), and these patients were also in the Life Span Study cohort, in which atomic bomb radiation doses were precisely estimated using the DS02 system. Expression of fukutin was detected in 58 (67%) of GC cases. GC cases positive for fukutin were observed more frequently in the low dose-exposed group than in the high dose-exposed group (P=0.0001). Further studies with a larger cohort, including precise radiation dose estimation, may aid in clarifying whether fukutin could serve as a potential biomarker to define radiation-induced GC in atomic-bomb survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To use CT scanning to evaluate the precision with which acupuncture needles can be inserted into sacral foramina to establish sacral nerve modulation by electroacupuncture. Methods The subjects were five adult women (mean age 71.6 years). These five cases were divided into two groups. In the first three subjects (group A) the intention was to insert acupuncture needles in the S3 and S4 foramina; in the remaining two subjects (group B) the intention was to insert acupuncture needles in the S2 and S3 foramina. Results CT scanning showed that in subject 1 of group A, the acupuncture needle intended for insertion in S3 was actually in the S4 foramen, and the acupuncture needle intended for insertion in S4 was actually distal to the sacral body. In subjects 2 and 3, the acupuncture needles were inserted accurately in the S3 and S4 foramina. In the three subjects who had acupuncture needles inserted in the S4 foramen, the tip of the acupuncture needle was an average distance of 6.0 mm from the rectum. The acupuncture needles inserted in subjects 4 and 5 of group B were inserted accurately into the S2 and S3 foramina. Conclusions Inserting acupuncture needles into the sacral foramina of S2 and S3 at an angle of about 60° has the potential to be used for sacral nerve modulation by repeated electroacupuncture stimulation. Needling may be less accurate in subjects with higher body mass index. Because of the potential risk of perforating the rectum with the needle, this technique must be used by specialists only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]