Morphology Observation of Novel 3, 4-Bis-Alkyloxycarbonyl-Hexanedioic Acid Monolayer on Water Surface by Dropping Method

We have investigated the morphology of novel 3, 4-bis-alkyloxycarbonyl-hexanedioic acid monolayer (alkyl chain number n = 12, 14, and 16) formed on the water surface by dropping method using Surface Tension measurement (STm) and Brewster Angle Microscopy (BAM). Surfactant of 3, 4-bis-alkyloxycarbonyl-hexanedioic acid has a gemini type structure. π-A isotherm curves (STm) of two gemini surfactants of n = 12 and 14 showed gradual increase in surface pressure, while that of n = 16 showed gradual increase, a stagnant range and finally steep increase. BAM observation showed each image corresponding to the result of STm measurement. From STm and BAM results of surfactants, it is found that surfactant of n = 12 and 14 form Liquid-Expand (LE) type monolayer, while that of n = 16 formed Liquid-Condensed (LC) type monolayer including LE-LC phase transition.

Gynecological tumors in patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS)

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the development of hamartomatous polyposis in the gastrointestinal tract and melanin-pigmented macules on the skin mucosa. The responsible gene is a tumor suppressor, STK11/LKB1, on chromosome 19p13.3. PJS complicates with benign and malignant tumors in various organs. In gynecology, there has been a particular focus on complications of PJS with sex cord tumor with annular tubules (SCTAT) and minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA), which are rare diseases. Approximately 36% of patients with SCTAT are complicated with PJS and these patients are characterized by multifocal, bilateral, small and benign lesions that develop into tumors with mucinous to serous ratios of 8:1. In addition, 10% of cases of MDA are complicated with PJS and mutation of STK11, the gene responsible for PJS, has a major effect on onset and prognosis. The disease concept of lobular endocervical glandular hyper-plasia (LEGH) has recently been proposed and LEGH is thought to be a potential premalignant lesion of MDA, however, the relationship between PJS and LEGH remains unclear. Several case reports of PJS patients complicated with gynecological tumors have been published and further studies are needed to determine the underlying

Atypical Polypoid Adenomyoma (APAM) of the Uterine: Relationship with Endometrial Cancer

Atypical polypoid adenomyoma (APAM) is a rare polypoid tumor that generally occurs in women of reproductive age who have abnormal genital bleeding. The tumor was reported as a new disease concept by Mazur in 1981. Pathologically, APAM consist of irregularly proliferated endometrial gland cells and interlacing bundles of smooth muscle cells within the stroma, and have a similar form to adenocarcinoma, adenofibroma, adenosarcoma, and carcinosarcoma. Therefore, differential diagnosis is required in many cases. APAM is pathologically classified as a benign lesion and clinically has a comparatively favorable outcome. However, treatment and follow-up observation should be performed carefully because recurrence and residual lesions occur in many patients after conservative treatment. Concomitant development of endometrial adenocarcinoma also occurs in many cases and it is difficult to differentiate this disease from APAM. Thus, diagnosis of APAM should be made carefully, particularly since the number of cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma has increased in recent years. Furthermore, APAM tends to develop during a woman’s reproductive years, and fertility sparing treatment should be considered. Here, we review the clinicopathological characteristics of APAM, including the difficulty of diagnosis as a benign or malignant uterine tumor, and we examine the relationship between APAM and endometrial cancer.

Metformin: A possible drug for treatment of endometrial cancer

Metformin is a widely used first-line drug for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In recent years, it has been reported that administration of metformin can reduce carcinogenic risk and inhibit proliferation of cancer cells including those from glioma and breast cancer. The underlying mechanism is thought to involve increased LKB-1 phosphorylation induced by metformin, followed by LKB-1 phosphorylation and activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which then inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and results in inhibition of cell proliferation. In endometrial cancer, metformin causes cell cycle arrest in vitro, reduces hTERT mRNA, inhibits the mTOR pathway via AMPK, and is involved in inhibition of phosphorylation of S6 ribosomal protein (S6RP). Metformin promotes expression of progesterone receptor by an action opposite to that of insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) when used in combination with medroxyprogesterone acetate. This enhances the antitumor effect and this approach may be applicable in a clinical setting.

Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical Cystic Lesions: A Case Series

Objective: Cervical cystic lesions are often observed in gynecological clinical practice. Many are caused by benign diseases such as lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia (LEGH), and it is important to differentiate these lesions from those due to malignant diseases such as minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA). In cases in which fertility preservation is not a concern, the final pathology is often confirmed by hysterectomy. To investigate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic surgery for cervical cystic lesions, we retrospectively examined cases in which total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) was performed for diagnosis and treatment. Methods: The subjects were 28 women who underwent TLH from April 2012 to March 2017 at Keio University Hospital. The pre- and post-operative courses of these patients were examined. Results: The average age was 49.4 (range 39 - 65) years and the mean body mass index was 21.7 (16.8 - 30.5) kg/m2. The average operation time was 159 (101 - 314) min and the average bleeding volume was 106.8 (0 - 600) g. There were no severe perioperative complications. The average hospital stay was 8.4 (7 - 14) days. In postoperative pathological diagnosis, 13 cases had benign diseases such as Nabot cysts, there were 14 cases of LEGH, and one patient was diagnosed with MDA. In the MDA case, additional bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection were performed at a later date. No metastasis was observed in these excised specimens. Conclusions: Our results suggest that TLH for cervical cystic lesions can be performed safely. However, it is important to consider the TLH indication before surgery based on the possibility of malignant disease.

Epigenetic Aberrant Hypermethylation of DNA in Endometrial Cancer: Application as a Biomarker

Endometrial cancer is the seventh most common cancer worldwide among females and accounts for about 40% of cancers of the uterus in Japan. An increase in incidence and a reduction in onset age of this disease are also likely, which makes it important to define the pathogenesis and develop effective treatment. However, the mechanism of canceration in the endometrium is unclear and development of endometrial cancer cannot be explained only by mutations of cancer-related genes. In contrast, epigenetic analyses have shown the importance of aberrant DNA hypermethylation in the canceration mechanism. In development of type 1 endometrial cancer, breakdown of the DNA mismatch repair system plays a large role, with changes in the human mutL homologue 1 (hMLH1) gene being of most importance. Studies to detect aberrant DNA hypermethylation of cancer cells present in microscopic amounts in vivo and to apply these data to diagnosis of cancer have been started. Epigenetic changes have also been examined as a marker of sensitivity to anticancer drugs. Aberrant hypermethylation of checkpoint with forkhead-associated and ring finger (CHFR), a mitotic phase checkpoint gene, is correlated with sensitivity to treatment with microtubule inhibitors and may be a marker for the response of endometrial cancer to anticancer drugs. Epigenetic aberrant DNA methylation of other genes may also be useful as clinical biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment of endometrial cancer.

Surface Properties of Novel Surfactant, Dihexadecyl Gemini Phosphate, Monolayers on Water Surface by Dropping Method

We have synthesized first novel dihexadecyl phosphate (DHGP-n) gemini surfactants containing alkyl chain ((CnH2n);n = 3, 4, 5, and 6) spacers. Surfactants were used to form monolayers on water surface. Surface tension measurement (STm), Brewster angle microscopy (BAM), and density functional theory (DFT) calculation were used to investigate these monolayers. Surface pressure (π) and molecular area (A);π-A isotherm curves of all DHGP-n gemini surfactants showed a gradual increase in surface pressure without any break points in the curves, confirmed the formation of liquid-expand (LE) type monolayers. BAM observations also supported the STm results. Limited molecular area (A0) of these monolayers depended on the spacer of gemini surfactants without spacer n = 4. Longer alkyl chain spacer in the series had higher value of A0 in π-A isotherm plots. In the series, A0 of spacer n = 4 was smallest among A0 values of other spacers. Density functional theory (DFT) method calculation also confirmed π-A isotherm curves pattern of these surfactants. Calculation showed that both odd and even numbers and length of the alkyl chain spacer influenced the structure of DHGP-n monolayer formation on the water surface.