Akinori Iba

Insulin resistance increases the risk of urinary stone formation in a rat model of metabolic syndrome

To investigate the association between metabolic syndrome and urinary stone disease, and whether insulin resistance associated with adiposity affects the risk of urinary stone formation, using a rat model of metabolic syndrome.

Calcium oxalate crystal deposition in metabolic syndrome model rat kidneys.

Objective:  Although an epidemiological link between the metabolic syndrome and kidney stone formation has been reported, the mechanism by which metabolic syndrome promotes kidney stone formation has yet to be elucidated. We investigated calcium oxalate (CaOx) kidney stone formation in a rat metabolic syndrome model.

Prognostic factors and risk stratification in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer receiving docetaxel-based chemotherapy

BackgroundWhile novel drugs have been developed, docetaxel remains one of the standard initial systemic therapies for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients. Despite the excellent anti-tumor effect of docetaxel, its severe adverse effects sometimes distress patients. Therefore, it would be very helpful to predict the efficacy of docetaxel before treatment. The aims of this study were to evaluate the potential value of patient characteristics in predicting overall survival (OS) and to develop a risk classification for CRPC patients treated with docetaxel-based chemotherapy.MethodsThis study included 79 patients with CRPC treated with docetaxel. The variables, including patient characteristics at diagnosis and at the start of chemotherapy, were retrospectively collected. Prognostic factors predicting OS were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazard model. Risk stratification for overall survival was determined based on the results of multivariate analysis.ResultsPSA response ≥50 % was observed in 55 (69.6 %) of all patients, and the median OS was 22.5 months. The multivariate analysis showed that age, serum PSA level at the start of chemotherapy, and Hb were independent prognostic factors for OS. In addition, ECOG performance status (PS) and the CRP-to-albumin ratio were not significant but were considered possible predictors for OS. Risk stratification according to the number of these risk factors could effectively stratify CRPC patients treated with docetaxel in terms of OS.ConclusionsAge, serum PSA level at the start of chemotherapy, and Hb were identified as independent prognostic factors of OS. ECOG PS and the CRP-to-albumin ratio were not significant, but were considered possible predictors for OS in Japanese CRPC patients treated with docetaxel. Risk stratification based on these factors could be helpful for estimating overall survival.

Weight loss intervention reduces the risk of kidney stone formation in a rat model of metabolic syndrome

To investigate the effect of weight loss intervention on the urinary stone risk parameters in a rat model of metabolic syndrome.

Impact of age on quality of life in patients with localized prostate cancer treated with high‐dose rate brachytherapy combined with external beam radiotherapy

To evaluate age‐related quality of life changes in patients with localized prostate cancer treated by high‐dose rate brachytherapy combined with external beam radiation therapy.

Zoledronic acid prevents decreases in bone mineral density in patients with prostate cancer undergoing combined androgen blockade

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of zoledronic acid (ZA) on bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with prostate cancer receiving combined androgen blockade (CAB) as a first-line androgen deprivation therapy. Patients receiving CAB for prostate cancer without bone metastasis were candidates for this study. Forty-two patients were randomly assigned to receive either ZA or no treatment. BMD were measured at baseline and at 12 months. Bone-turnover markers, including cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX), C-telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), were assessed during study periods. Patients on ZA maintained BMD after a year of treatment. Change in T-score from baseline differed significantly between the two groups (P=0.009). An inverse correlation was demonstrated between baseline and change in T-score in the ZA group. While ZA prevented an increase in ICTP and BAP, the increase in NTX was suppressed only in patients with low baseline T-score. ZA prevented a decrease in BMD in patients undergoing CAB, especially those with lower baseline BMD.

Recurrent stone‐forming patients have high visceral fat ratio based on computed tomography images compared to first‐time stone‐forming patients

To compare various fat parameters based on computed tomography images between recurrent stone‐forming patients and patients forming stones for the first time.

Overexpression of ribonucleotide reductase subunit M1 protein predicts shorter survival in metastatic bladder cancer patients treated with gemcitabine‐containing combination chemotherapy

To identify biomarkers predicting prognosis in bladder cancer patients undergoing the gemcitabine and cisplatin regimen.

THE FEASIBILITY AND USEFULNESS OF JAPAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE SURGERY OF TRAUMA (JAST) CLASSIFICATION FOR BLUNT RENAL TRAUMA

RESULTS: The average follow-up was 50 months (range 12 to 132 months). The stricture etiology was catheter in 20 (32.3%) cases, unknown in 19 (32.3%), instrumentation in 17 (27.4%), trauma in 4 (6.5%), radiotherapy in 1 (1.6%) and infection in 1 (1.6%). Stricture length was: 4- 6 cm in 13 (21%), 3-<4 cm in 10 (16.1%), 2-<3 cm in 8 (12.9%), 1<2cm in 2 (3.2%). Fifty-one patients (82.2%) underwent dilation (12.9%), internal urethrotomy (17.7%), urethroplasty (4.8%) or multiple treatments (46.9%) before referral to our center. Out of 62 cases, 47 (75.8%) were successful and 15 (24.2%) failures. Out of 18 cases that underwent one-stage dartos

MP88-20 DNAJB8 EXPRESSION IS ASSOCIATED WITH RECURRENCE OF RENAL CELL CARCINOMA

interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to examine the effects of GNMT knockdown on cell proliferation and the cell cycle. In addition, the expression of GNMT protein in UC and RCC tissues was evaluated. METHODS: We performed western blotting analysis using lysates from normal urothelial and kidney cells and a panel of UC and RCC cell lines to examine GNMT expression levels and to evaluate the induction of apoptosis in response to GNMT knockdown. GNMT expression in normal and cancer tissue specimens was examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: GNMT expression was upregulated in RCC cell lines, especially the high-grade SKR1 RCC cell line. Inversely, GNMT expression among urothelial cells was upregulated in especially the normal urothelial cells (KT4). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that GNMT protein was expressed in the cytoplasm of UC and RCC cells. siRNA-mediated knockdown of GNMT had only a modest effect on the proliferation of cancer and normal cells, but dramatically inhibited the proliferation of SKR1 and KK47 (high grade UC) cells. Furthermore, while GNMT knockdown led to only a slight increase in the G1 fraction of HEK293 and KT4 cells, it induced a prominent increase in the sub-G1 fraction of SKR1 and KK47 cells, indicating cellular death. To investigate the mechanism of cellular death caused by GNMT knockdown, western blotting analysis was performed to determine the presence of cleaved PARP, a degradation product of the caspase cascade, which serves as a marker of apoptosis. As the results, GNMT knockdown induced PARP cleavage. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first investigation to suggest that GNMT plays an important role in promoting cell growth in UC and RCC, especially high grade UC and RCC, via the regulation of apoptosis. The modulation of GNMT expression or function may therefore provide a strategy for the development of novel therapeutics for UC and RCC.