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1.
Exploratory Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Panax Genus Plant Ingestion Evaluation in Exercise Endurance.
Ikeuchi, S, Minamida, M, Nakamura, T, Konishi, M, Kamioka, H
Nutrients. 2022;(6)
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many studies that use food containing Panax genus plants (PGPs) have been conducted but most of them have not mentioned the effective compounds ginsenosides and their composition. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of time to exhaustion as an index of exercise endurance with ingestion of PGPs or ginsenosides to reveal their effects. METHODS We performed a systematic review with a comprehensive and structured literature search using seven literature databases, four clinical trial databases, and three general web search engines during 15-22 March 2021. A random-effects model was applied to calculate the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) as the difference between the mean in the treatment and placebo groups. We evaluated the risk of bias of individual studies along with the risk of bias tool in the Cochrane handbook. This study was funded by Maruzen Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (Hiroshima, Japan). The protocol for this study was registered with the UMIN-CTR (No. UMIN000043341). RESULTS Five studies met the inclusion criteria. The number of total participants was 90, with 59 in the ingestion-PGPs group and 64 in the control group, because three studies were crossover-design trials. We found that ingestion of PGPs or ginsenosides significantly improved exercise endurance (SMD [95% CI]: 0.58 [0.22-0.95], I2 = 0%). It was suggested that ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) and PGPs extract containing Rg1 were significantly effective in improving exercise endurance (SMD [95% CI]: 0.70 [0.14-1.27], I2 = 30%) by additional analysis. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review suggests that the ingestion of PGPs or ginsenosides, especially Rg1, is effective in improving exercise endurance in healthy adults. However, further high-quality randomized controlled trials are required because imprecision and publication bias cannot be ignored in this systematic review.
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2.
Long-term and short-term prognostic value of the prognostic nutritional index in cancer: a narrative review.
Yan, L, Nakamura, T, Casadei-Gardini, A, Bruixola, G, Huang, YL, Hu, ZD
Annals of translational medicine. 2021;(21):1630
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To perform a narrative review of the prognostic value of prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in cancers. BACKGROUND Prognostic estimation greatly determines the treatment approach in various cancers. The PNI, calculated using the serum albumin level and total lymphocyte count, is a useful indicator to assess nutritional and immunological conditions. The PNI represents a low-cost, easy-to-perform, noninvasive, rapid, and standardized tool for estimating the prognosis of cancer. Many studies have aimed to clarify the prognostic value of PNI for various types of cancer. METHODS We summarize the studies, particularly the systematic reviews and meta-analyses, that have examined the prognostic value of PNI in common cancers. CONCLUSIONS The relevant studies indicate that low PNI is an independent prognostic factor for decreasing overall survival in many types of cancers. Disease-free survival and progression-free survival were also associated with PNI in some types of cancer including lung cancer and renal cell carcinoma. Therefore, we suggest that the measurement of PNI is a useful method to identify cancer patients that have a worse prognosis and that the treatment strategy for these patients be adjusted accordingly. We hypothesize that maintaining good nutritional status during treatment may improve outcomes of various cancers.
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3.
Learning From Strengths: Improving Care by Comparing Perinatal Approaches Between Japan and Canada and Identifying Future Research Priorities.
Yoneda, N, Isayama, T, Saito, S, Shah, PS, Santaguida, P, Nakamura, T, McDonald, SD
Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC. 2021;(12):1388-1394.e1
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Preterm birth (PTB) is the leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Canada and Japan each have strengths that can inform clinical decision-making, research, and health care policy regarding the prevention of PTB and its sequelae. Our objectives were to: 1) compare PTB rates, risk factors, management, and outcomes between Japan and Canada; 2) establish research priorities while fostering future collaborative opportunities; and 3) undertake knowledge translation of these findings. METHODS We conducted a literature review to identify publications that examined PTB rates, risk factors, prevention and management techniques, and outcomes in Japan and Canada. We conducted site visits at 4 Japanese tertiary centres and held a collaborative stakeholder meeting of parents, neonatologists, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, and researchers. RESULTS Japan reports lower rates of PTB, neonatal mortality, and several PTB risk factors than Canada. However, Canadian PTB data is population-based, whereas, in Japan, the rate of PTB is population-based, but outcomes are not. Rates of severe neurologic injury and necrotizing enterocolitis were lower in Japan, while Canada's rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy of prematurity were lower. PTB prevention approaches differed, with less progesterone use in Japan and more long-term tocolysis. In Japan, there were lower rates of neonatal transfers and non-faculty overnight care, but also less use of antenatal corticosteroids and deferred cord clamping. Research priorities identified through the stakeholder meeting included early skin-to-skin contact, parental well-being after PTB, and transitions in care for the child. CONCLUSION We identified key differences between Japan and Canada in the factors affecting PTB management and patient outcomes, which can inform future research efforts.
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4.
Pharyngeal metastasis following living-donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report and literature review.
Tohyama, T, Sakamoto, K, Tamura, K, Nakamura, T, Watanabe, J, Wakisaka, H, Takada, Y
World journal of surgical oncology. 2020;(1):109
Abstract
BACKGROUND The most common sites of recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been reported to be the liver, lung, bone, and adrenal glands, but there have also been many reports of cases of multiple recurrence. The prognosis after recurrence is poor, with reported median survival after recurrence of HCC ranging from 9 to 19 months. Here, we report a case of long-term survival after recurrence of pharyngeal metastasis following living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for HCC within the Milan criteria, by resection of the metastatic region and cervical lymph node dissection. CASE PRESENTATION A 47-year-old man with a Model End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score of 11 underwent LDLT for HCC within the Milan criteria for liver cirrhosis associated with hepatitis B virus infection, with his 48-year-old elder brother as the living donor. One year and 10 months after liver transplantation, he visited a nearby hospital with a chief complaint of discomfort on swallowing. A pedunculated polyp was found in the hypopharynx, and biopsy revealed HCC metastasis. We performed pharyngeal polypectomy. Two years later, cervical lymph node metastasis appeared, and neck lymph node dissection was performed. Although recurrence subsequently occurred three times in the grafted liver, the patient is still alive 12 years and 10 months after recurrence of pharyngeal metastasis. He is now a tumor-free outpatient taking sorafenib. CONCLUSION It is necessary to recognize that the nasopharyngeal region is a potential site of HCC metastasis. Prognostic improvement can be expected with close follow-up, early detection, and multidisciplinary treatment, including radical resection.
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5.
Iron homeostasis and iron-regulated ROS in cell death, senescence and human diseases.
Nakamura, T, Naguro, I, Ichijo, H
Biochimica et biophysica acta. General subjects. 2019;(9):1398-1409
Abstract
BACKGROUND Iron is essential for many types of biological processes. However, excessive iron can be cytotoxic and can lead to many diseases. Since ferroptosis, which is an iron-dependent regulated form of necrosis, was recently discovered, iron and iron-catalysed oxidative stress have attracted much interest because of their sophisticated mechanism of cellular signalling leading to cell death and associated with various diseases. SCOPE OF REVIEW In this review, we first focus on how iron catalyses reactive oxygen species (ROS). Next, we discuss the roles of iron in cell death and senescence and, in particular, the downstream signalling pathways of ROS. Finally, we discuss the potential regulation mechanism of iron as a therapeutic target for various iron-related diseases. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Both labile iron released from organelles upon various stresses and iron incorporated in enzymes produce ROS, including lipid ROS. ROS produced by iron activates various signalling pathways, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways such as the apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1)-p38/JNK pathway. These ROS-activated signalling pathways regulate senescence or cell death and are linked to cancer, ischaemia-reperfusion injury during transplantation and ageing-related neurodegenerative diseases. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Iron overload damages cells and causes harmful effects on the body through oxidative stress. Thus, understanding the spatiotemporal availability of iron and the role of iron in generating ROS will provide clues for the suppression of ROS and cytotoxic redox-active iron. Moreover, elucidating the molecular mechanisms and signalling pathways of iron-dependent cytotoxicity will enable us to find novel therapeutic targets for various diseases.
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6.
Roles of Hepatitis B Virus Mutations in the Viral Reactivation after Immunosuppression Therapies.
Inoue, J, Nakamura, T, Masamune, A
Viruses. 2019;(5)
Abstract
Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major problem in patients receiving chemotherapy for malignant diseases or immunosuppression therapies. It has been thought that a reduction in the immune responses might result in the reactivation of HBV replication from covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) residing in hepatocytes. However, not only the host's immune status, but also viral mutations have been reported to be associated with reactivation. Especially, several case reports about amino acid mutations in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) that escape from immune reactions have been reported, and recent reports showed that the frequencies of such mutations are higher than previously expected. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of viral mutations, including immune escape mutations in HBV-reactivated patients, and discuss their significance.
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7.
Physiological relevance of covalent protein modification by dietary isothiocyanates.
Nakamura, T, Abe-Kanoh, N, Nakamura, Y
Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition. 2018;(1):11-19
Abstract
Isothiocyanates (ITCs), naturally occurring in abundance in cruciferous vegetables, are the most well-studied organosulfur compounds having an electrophilic reactivity. ITCs have been accepted as major ingredients of these vegetables that afford their health promoting potentials. ITCs are able to modulate protein functions related to drug-metabolizing enzymes, transporters, kinases and phosphatases, etc. One of the most important questions about the molecular basis for the health promoting effects of ITCs is how they modulate cellular target proteins. Although the molecular targets of ITCs remains to be validated, dietary modulation of the target proteins via covalent modification by ITCs should be one of the promising strategies for the protection of cells against oxidative and inflammatory damage. This review discusses the plausible target proteins of dietary ITCs with an emphasis on possible involvement of protein modification in their health promoting effects. The fundamental knowledge of ITCs is also included with consideration of the chemistry, intracellular behavior, and metabolism.
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8.
Non-diabetic Glucose levels and Cancer Mortality: A Literature Review.
Kakehi, E, Kotani, K, Nakamura, T, Takeshima, T, Kajii, E
Current diabetes reviews. 2018;(5):434-445
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for cancer, the relationship of an increased glucose concentration at a non-diabetic glucose level with cancer mortality is yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE The aim was to observe whether an increased glucose concentration and/or glucose intolerance at the non-diabetic glucose level can predict cancer mortality. METHODS Population-based prospective cohort studies evaluating cancer mortality at the non-diabetic level (defined as fasting plasma glucose <7.0 mmol/L and two-hour plasma glucose <11.1mmol/L following an oral glucose tolerance test) were collected via a PubMed search with an additional Google scholar search between 1 January 1966 and 31 July 2016. RESULTS We identified seven studies, which met the defined criteria. Studies examining fasting/casual states indicated an increase in cancer mortality with a slight increase in fasting/casual glucose levels in men in particular. Not all, but some studies using a glucose tolerance test indicated an increase in cancer mortality with impaired glucose tolerance/prediabetes. Concerning cause-cancer mortality, glucose intolerance states appeared to have an increase in mortality, particularly due to the stomach, liver and pancreatic cancers. CONCLUSION In these studies reviewed, cancer mortality increased in individuals with an increased glucose concentration and an increased potential was seen in those patients with glucose intolerance even at non-diabetic glucose levels. The outcome of these findings is promising and forms the basis for further studies to directly address the relevance of increased (non-diabetic) glucose and glucose intolerance as a prognostic indicator of cancer mortality.
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9.
[Clinical Implications and Appropriate Use of Amyloid Imaging with florbetapir (18F) in Diagnosis of Patients with Alzheimer Disease].
Nakamura, T, Iwata, A, Ueda, K, Namiki, C
Brain and nerve = Shinkei kenkyu no shinpo. 2016;(10):1215-1222
Abstract
florbetapir (18F) is a radiolabeled compound that can be used to visualize amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques in the brains of patients with cognitive dysfunction, who are suspected of having Alzheimer disease (AD). Knowing the status of Aβ accumulation in the brain is beneficial to selecting therapeutic strategies or to planning of laboratory examinations, hence amyloid PET imaging is expected to be utilized more often in a clinical setting. Based on the results of a clinical study of florbetapir (18F), this review discusses the usefulness and clinical significance of amyloid PET imaging, and its appropriate use in Japan. (Received Octover 7, 2015; Accepted February 15, 2016; Published October 1, 2016).
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10.
Dystrophic calcinosis with both a huge calcified mass in the cervical spine and calcification in the chest wall in a patient with rheumatoid overlap syndrome.
Nakamura, T, Hirakawa, K, Takaoka, H, Iyama, K
Clinical rheumatology. 2016;(5):1403-9
Abstract
Dystrophic calcinosis in soft tissue occurs in damaged or devitalized tissues in the presence of normal calcium and phosphorous metabolism. It is often noted in subcutaneous tissues in patients with collagen vascular diseases and may involve a relatively localized area or be widespread. A 74-year-old Japanese woman with an overlap of rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, and systemic sclerosis developed a huge tumor-like mass at the atlanto-axial vertebral joint region that caused severe cervical pain and difficulty in activities of daily living. She also had subcutaneous dystrophic calcification in the soft tissue of the chest wall. Calcinosis associated with systemic sclerosis is a well-recognized phenomenon, but a destructive paraspinal tumor in the cervical spine associated with overlap syndrome is extremely unique. Because calcinosis in spinal locations can be complicated by neurological involvement, patients with progressive symptoms may require surgical intervention. Surgical resection and biological therapy improved this patient's life and activities of daily living. Calcinosis is common in the conditions reviewed here, and different agents have been used for treatment. However, calcinosis management is poorly organized and lacks an accepted classification, systematic studies, and clinical therapeutic trials. The association of calcinosis and collagen vascular diseases is clinically and etiologically important. Although a combination of calcinosis and rheumatoid overlap syndrome is rare, various collagen vascular diseases may occur simultaneously. A perceptive diagnostic approach toward these diseases is critical, and early diagnosis and treatment are needed to prevent dystrophic calcinosis.