The Tohoku journal of experimental medicine
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Oct 2014
ReviewThe Glu504Lys polymorphism of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 contributes to development of coronary artery disease.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death, and its genetic mechanism has been always a major research concern. Recently, increasing evidence has indicated that the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) polymorphism, known as Glu504Lys (rs671), may contribute to CAD development. ALDH2 has been well known as a key enzyme in alcohol metabolism, and subjects with *504Lys allele exist in 30-50% of the East Asian population (6% of the world's population). ⋯ Furthermore, the ALDH2 Glu504Lys polymorphism has been shown to be associated with certain traditional cardiovascular risk factors, such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus or hyperglycemia. In this review, we update the current research on the association of the Glu504Lys polymorphism with the susceptibility to CAD. We also highlight and discuss the underlying mechanisms, by which the ALDH2 Glu504Lys polymorphism may be targeted for the prevention and treatment of CAD.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · May 2011
ReviewClinical applications of sentinel lymph node biopsy in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: a dilemma.
Breast cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths in the world, which often spreads first to the axillary lymph nodes (ALN) from the primary tumor. ALN helps clinician stage breast cancer. In addition, it is one of the key prognostic factors for patients with invasive breast cancer. ⋯ The potential benefit of accurately upstaging patients with DCIS and the minimal invasiveness of SLNB justify use of SLNB in selected high-risk DCIS patients. At least DSIS with microinvasion, have DCIS of sufficient extent on mammography or MRI, or indicated invasive or microinvasive focus by final histological examination, are recommended for SLNB. Moreover, large randomized trials to evaluate the usefulness of SLNB in DCIS patients after long-term follow-up on local control and survival are required for further evaluation.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Sep 2010
ReviewPrevalence, classification, and etiology of pain in Parkinson's disease: association between Parkinson's disease and fibromyalgia or chronic widespread pain.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by resting tremor, slow and decreased movement (hypokinesia and akinesia), rigidity, postural instability, problems with gait, and coordination. The prevalence of PD is between 0.1% and 0.3% in the general population and between 1% and 2% in persons 65 years of age or older. Patients with PD are more likely to suffer from pain. ⋯ When pain in PD is discussed, FM and CWP should be considered because their prevalence is high. Patients with PD may be likely to suffer from FM and CWP; however, the prevalence of FM and CWP in patients with PD has not been reported. Here, we discuss the relationship between PD and FM or CWP.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Nov 2009
ReviewCisplatin ototoxicity and protection: clinical and experimental studies.
Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent that is widely used to treat a variety of malignant tumors. Serious dose-limiting side effects like ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity occur with the use of this agent. ⋯ It also discusses the utility of protective agents employed in patients and in experimental animals. The future strategies for limiting cisplatin ototoxicity will need to avoid interference with the therapeutic effect of cisplatin in order to enhance the quality of life of patients receiving this important anti-tumor agent.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Sep 2009
ReviewExtracorporeal shock wave therapy as a new and non-invasive angiogenic strategy.
Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death and the number of refractory severe patients is increasing. Therefore, it is crucial to develop new therapeutic strategies for severe ischemic heart disease. We found that a low-energy shock wave (SW) (about 10% of energy density that used for urolithiasis) effectively increases the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cultured endothelial cells. ⋯ The SW therapy was also effective to ameliorate LV remodeling after acute myocardial infarction in pigs and to enhance angiogenesis in hindlimb ischemia in rabbits. Based on these animal studies, we are also conducting clinical studies in patients with acute myocardial infarction and those with peripheral artery disease. Thus, our extracorporeal cardiac SW therapy is an effective, safe, and non-invasive angiogenic strategy in cardiovascular medicine and its indication is now rapidly expanding.