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Although gingivitis frequently occurs in young cats, spirochetes are often found in the early stages of periodontal disease. This study was conducted to determine the association between gingivitis and oral spirochetes in young cats and dogs. The degree of gingivitis was evaluated in a total of 68 cats and 31 dogs under one year of age, and plaques were collected from each carnassial. To detect spirochetes or Porphyromonas gulae in plaque samples, 16S rRNA gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers. All data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact probability test and odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). The prevalence of gingivitis was significantly higher in young cats (92.6%) than in young dogs (45.2%). The positive rate of spirochetes by PCR in gingivitis cases was 85.4% in young cats and 15.4% in young dogs, and the positive rate of P . gulae was 66.7% in young cats and 15.4% in young dogs. Both results were significantly higher in young cats than in young dogs. In young cats, spirochetes were significantly associated with gingivitis (OR = 7.95; 95% CI = 1.17, 53.83; P < 0.05), but P . gulae was not (OR = 2.44; 95% CI = 0.38, 15.66; P = 0.23). These results suggest that spirochetes may be associated with the early stages of periodontal disease in cats.

Kochi oxydol radiation therapy for unresectable carcinomas (KORTUC) is a novel cancer treatment method developed in Japan. KORTUC targets resistance factors in cancer therapy, such as low-oxygen environments and excessive antioxidant enzymes. This may enhance the effects of conventional treatments. The present study reports the experience of the Nagasaki Prefecture Shimabara Hospital in using KORTUC treatment for a series of 210 patients between January 2010 and June 2019. When this radiosensitizer, a mixture of a dilute hydrogen peroxide solution (0.5 ml, 3%/unit) and sodium hyaluronate (2.5 ml, 0.83%/unit), is administered and applied directly to the cancer lesion, antioxidant enzymes are neutralized and degraded causing reoxygenation as a secondary by-product, thereby enhancing the cytotoxic effect of radiation. The radiosensitizer was administered twice per week before irradiation. Up to June 2019, KORTUC was administered to 210 patients. The most common disease stage was stage IV in 137 patients (65%), followed by stage III in 25 patients, stage I in 17 patients and stage II in 7 patients (unknown disease stage in 24 patients). Of the 186 patients who could be followed up after the treatment, 28 (15%) patients had a complete response (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1), 59 (32%) had a partial response, 73 (39%) had stable disease and 26 (14%) had progressive disease. No significant treatment-related adverse events were observed. The present study highlights the reports of 4 cases (3 cases from among the 28 patients with complete responses): i) A case of advanced, inoperable breast cancer; ii) a refractory patient with recurrence a decade after postoperative irradiation; iii) a patient with advanced, inoperable rectal cancer; and iv) a patient with lymph node metastases. Overall, KORTUC showed good efficacy and tolerable safety for various types of radioresistant tumors, and it has the potential for immediate worldwide use.

To examine the mRNA expression of hepatobiliary transporters in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) patients and to compare bile acid absorption, synthesis, and efflux in patients with non-end-stage and end-stage PBC, we obtained liver samples from PBC patients by percutaneous needle biopsy. End-stage PBC was defined as follows: histological stage IV; cirrhosis; serum total bilirubin, ≥4.0 mg/dl; and Child-Pugh Class C. The mRNA expression levels of sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), bile salt export pump (BSEP), and hepatic cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) were significantly higher in the PBC patients than in the controls ( P < 0.01). The mRNA levels of NTCP and BSEP were significantly higher in the end-stage PBC patients than in the controls ( P < 0.01). However, hepatic CYP7A1 mRNA expression decreased significantly (by 70%) in the patients with end-stage PBC as compared to the controls and the patients with non-end-stage PBC ( P < 0.01). The hepatic expression of transporters mediating bile acid influx and efflux showed sustained elevation, whereas that of the rate-limiting enzyme for bile acid biosynthesis was attenuated in the end-stage PBC patients. Thus, mechanisms may be present preventing the accumulation of toxic bile acids in the hepatocytes of end-stage PBC patients.

To examine the mRNA expression of hepatobiliary transporters in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) patients and to compare bile acid absorption, synthesis, and efflux in patients with non-end-stage and end-stage PBC, we obtained liver samples from PBC patients by percutaneous needle biopsy. End-stage PBC was defined as follows: histological stage IV; cirrhosis; serum total bilirubin, ≥4.0 mg/dl; and Child-Pugh Class C. The mRNA expression levels of sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), bile salt export pump (BSEP), and hepatic cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) were significantly higher in the PBC patients than in the controls (P < 0.01). The mRNA levels of NTCP and BSEP were significantly higher in the end-stage PBC patients than in the controls (P < 0.01). However, hepatic CYP7A1 mRNA expression decreased significantly (by 70%) in the patients with end-stage PBC as compared to the controls and the patients with non-end-stage PBC (P < 0.01). The hepatic expression of transporters mediating bile acid influx and efflux showed sustained elevation, whereas that of the rate-limiting enzyme for bile acid biosynthesis was attenuated in the end-stage PBC patients. Thus, mechanisms may be present preventing the accumulation of toxic bile acids in the hepatocytes of end-stage PBC patients.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Adrenocortical scintigraphy is a useful technique for differentiating between types of nonhyperfunctioning adrenal masses. Metastatic tumors do not normally accumulate radioiodocholesterol and show discordant uptake on scintigrams. We present two patients who showed accumulation of 131I-6beta-iodomethyl-19-norcholesterol (NP59) in the adrenal metastases from renal cell carcinoma. In one patient with bilateral adrenal metastases, accumulation in the primary tumor as well as adrenal metastases was demonstrated. The adrenal metastases in both patients were resected and were histologically proven to be metastases from clear-cell renal carcinoma. Accumulation of NP59 in metastatic adrenal tumors, although a very rare finding, suggests a pitfall in the differential diagnosis of adrenal cortical tumors.