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Background: The evaluation of transition readiness is indispensable for long‐term follow‐ups of adolescent patients with childhood‐onset chronic diseases (CCD). We developed a Japanese version of the TRANSITION‐Q (TRANSITION‐Q‐J) and used it to assess Japanese patients with CCD. Methods: The TRANSITION‐Q‐J was developed through forward and backward translations followed by cognitive interviews with five adolescent patients. The field test was conducted with 125 adolescent patients, and a retest was conducted with 113 adolescent patients. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported the two‐factor analysis model including F1 (communication and self‐management) and F2 (examination behavior). Sufficient internal consistency and test‐retest reliability were demonstrated among the total 14 items, F1, and F2 (Cronbach's α > 0.80, intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.85). Convergent and discriminant validity for the 14 items and F1 were acceptable; however, F2 did not correlate significantly with the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale and Independent Consciousness Scale. Regarding known‐groups validity, the older group had a significantly higher mean TRANSITION‐Q‐J score (50.05) than the younger group (43.28; P = 0.04). The same results were found for both F1 and F2. Conclusions: The TRANSITION‐Q‐J for adolescent patients with CCD was developed and its reliability and validity were verified. This scale is easy to administer. In addition to being a tool for transition period support, it could be used to verify effective factors and in program outcome evaluation, including intervention studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusion: We conclude that intra-arterially injected cisplatin passed via lymph flow into sentinel nodes (SNs) as the platinum concentration in the SNs was higher than that in the non-sentinel nodes (NSNs). It is possible that preoperative intra-arterial chemotherapy targeting primary cancer also has a therapeutic effect on subclinical metastatic SNs. Objectives: Intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy has been reported to be effective against not only primary tumors but also nodal metastases. We considered the hypothesis that intra-arterially injected cisplatin passed via lymph flow into regional nodes. This study aimed to investigate intra-arterially injected cisplatin distribution to regional nodes by comparing platinum concentrations in SNs and NSNs. Methods: Five patients with T1-2 N0 tongue cancer were treated with preoperative intra-arterial chemotherapy (cisplatin, 100 mg/m2) targeting primary cancer. Partial glossectomy together with SN biopsy and elective neck dissection were performed 2 weeks after intra-arterial chemotherapy. Platinum concentrations in the lymph nodes were measured using a Zeeman atomic absorption spectrometer. Results: Thirteen SNs were harvested together with eight NSNs from the areas adjacent to the SNs. Platinum concentrations were then measured, revealing a significant difference in platinum concentration between the SNs and the NSNs (mean ± SD, 0.682 ± 0.246 µg/g vs 0.506 ± 0.274 µg/g; p = 0.049). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: TNF plus protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide-induced apoptosis in human myelogenous leukemia ML-1a but not in C19, respiration minus mitochondrial DNA-deficient C19 cells, derived from ML-1a. To investigate how mitochondrial DNA depletion inhibits apoptosis, we investigated AKT. Both AKT and its phosphorylated form were observed only in C19, indicating that depletion of mtDNA increased protein and the active form of AKT. Treatment of C19 with LY294002, which inhibits PI-3 kinase and inhibits AKT, significantly increased apoptosis induction by TNF plus cycloheximide and eliminated phosphorylation of AKT. These results indicate that AKT activation was induced by the depletion of mtDNA and inhibited TNF-induced apoptosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]