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To examine the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) in healthy volunteers using photonic stimulation of acupuncture points on conditioned pain modulation (CPM), temporal summation of pain (TSP), and offset analgesia (OA), which reflect some aspects of endogenous pain modulation. We included 15 men and 15 women (age, 31.5 [27.3–37.0], body mass index, 25.7 [24.4–27.1], Fitzpatrick skin typing, II: 20, III: 8, IV: 2). CPM, TSP, and OA were evaluated after a sham procedure (control session) and after acupuncture point stimulation (LI4 and LI10 on the non-dominant forearm) using linear polarized near-infrared light irradiation (LPNILI; wavelengths peaked at approximately 1000 nm, output: 1.4 W/cm2, spot diameter: 10 mm, spot size: 1.02 cm2, maximum temperature: 40.5 °C, pulse width: 1 s, frequency: 0.2 Hz) (PBM session). Differences in CPM, TSP, and OA between the two sessions were evaluated by the paired t-test and Fisher’s exact test (statistical significance: p < 0.05). Values indicate median [interquartile range]. LPNILI significantly increased CPM in all participants (control session: 12.1 [−4.5–37.4], PBM session: 23.9 [8.3–44.8], p < 0.05) and women (control session: 16.7 [−3.4–36.6], PBM session: 38.7 [24.6–52.1], p < 0.05). The CPM effect increment was significantly higher in women than in men (p = 0.0253). LPNILI decreased TSP in participants with higher TSP ratios (p = 0.0219) and increased OA in participants with lower OA scores (p = 0.0021). LPNILI enhanced endogenous pain modulation in healthy volunteers, particularly in women, as evaluated using CPM. CPM, TSP, and OA evaluations are potentially useful for discriminating PBM responders from non-responders.

The anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib, the only inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) with anticancer activity, is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and can cause endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by inhibiting sarco/ER Ca2 + -ATPase activity in cancer cells. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between celecoxib-induced ER stress and the effects of celecoxib against cell death signaling. Treatment of human colon cancer HCT116 cells with celecoxib reduced their viability and resulted in a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Additionally, celecoxib treatment reduced the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolism such as mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2). Furthermore, celecoxib reduced transmembrane protein 117 (TMEM117) and RNAi-mediated knockdown of TMEM117 reduced TFAM and UCP2 expression. These results suggest that celecoxib treatment results in loss of ΔΨm by reducing TMEM117 expression and provide insights for the development of novel drugs through TMEM117 expression.

Somatic mosaicism has been described in several primary immunodeficiency diseases and causes modified phenotypes in affected patients. X-linked anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia with immunodeficiency (XL-EDA-ID) is caused by hypomorphic mutations in the NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO) gene and manifests clinically in various ways. We have previously reported a case of XL-EDA-ID with somatic mosaicism caused by a duplication mutation of the NEMO gene, but the frequency of somatic mosaicism of NEMO and its clinical impact on XL-EDA-ID is not fully understood. In this study, somatic mosaicism of NEMO was evaluated in XL-EDA-ID patients in Japan. Cells expressing wild-type NEMO, most of which were derived from the T-cell lineage, were detected in 9 of 10 XL-EDA-ID patients. These data indicate that the frequency of somatic mosaicism of NEMO is high in XL-ED-ID patients and that the presence of somatic mosaicism of NEMO could have an impact on the diagnosis and treatment of XL-ED-ID patients.

Aim: There is little information available on the efficacy of pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) therapy for children with chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of PEG IFN-α2a monotherapy for children infected by chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). Methods: From 2004–2006, we conducted a prospective, open-label, multicenter study of 22 patients aged 4–18 years, including eight with genotype 1 and 14 with genotype 2. None had previously received IFN. The patients were treated with s.c. PEG IFN-α2a at a dose of 3 µg/kg once a week for 48 weeks. Rapid virological response (RVR) was defined as: undetectable serum HCV RNA at week 4; early viral response (EVR) as a 2 or more log reduction or undetectable serum HCV RNA at week 12; and sustained viral response (SVR) as undetectable serum HCV RNA at 24 weeks after the cessation of treatment. Results: SVR was achieved in 10 (45%) of the 22 patients (three with genotype 1, seven with genotype 2). Retrospectively, the patients with SVR included five with RVR (one with genotype 1, four with genotype 2) and five with EVR (two with genotype 1, three with genotype 2). PEG IFN-α2a monotherapy was well tolerated, except in one patient in whom alanine aminotransferase activity flared (>500 IU/L) during treatment. Conclusion: The efficacy of PEG IFN-α2a monotherapy in children is similar to that for adults, while tolerability seems to be better in children than in adults.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a genetic disease associated with demyelination of the central nervous system, adrenocortical insufficiency and accumulation of very long chain fatty acids. It is a clinically heterogeneous disorder ranging from a severe childhood cerebral form to an asymptomatic form. The incidence in Japan is estimated to be between 1:30,000 and 1:50,000 boys as determined by a nationwide retrospective survey between 1990 and 1999, which found no cases with Addison's form. We reviewed the medical records of eleven Japanese boys with X-ALD from 1990 to 2010 in our institute. Eight patients were detected by neuropsychological abnormalities, whereas a higher prevalence of unrecognized adrenocortical insufficiency (5/11: 45%) was observed than previously recognized. While no neurological abnormalities were demonstrated in two brothers, the elder brother had moderate Addison's disease at diagnosis and the presymptomatic younger brother progressed to Addison's disease six months after the diagnosis of X-ALD. Early detection of impaired adrenal function as well as early identification of neurologically presymptomatic patients by genetic analysis is essential for better prognosis. Addison's form might be overlooked in Japan; therefore, X-ALD should be suspected in patients with adrenocortical insufficiency.

Only a few studies on the treatment with peginterferon-2b and ribavirin are available in children with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of this study was to evaluate both the efficacy and the safety of the treatment in Japanese children and young adults.Twenty-two of 41 members of the Japan Society of Pediatric Hepatology reported on 37 cases who were treated with peginterferon and ribavirin.Of the 37 patients, 29 have completed the treatment and all of them cleared the HCV virus. Three patients are still being treated, whereas the remaining five failed to complete the treatment. Cessation of the treatment was because of the nonresponsiveness (n=3), the expense of the treatment (n = 1), or lethargy (n=1). After excluding the three patients, who were continuing the treatment and one who has not completed the 24-week follow-up period, from the 37 patients, 33 were available for sustained virologic response (SVR) analysis. After 4 weeks of follow-up, one of the 33 relapsed. An intention-to-treat analysis showed that 27 of the 33 (81.8%) achieved a SVR. The only factor significantly associated with SVR was their virologic response status at week 4.The results showed that the present patients infected with HCV and treated with peginterferon-2b and ribavirin achieved a remarkably high SVR rate. In addition, most of the patients achieved a SVR once they showed a virologic response at week 4. The combination of peginterferon-alpha with ribavirin may be considered as a standard therapy for children and young adults.

Although LT can be successful for treating end-stage liver disease in children, some patients develop fibrosis around the central vein area (PCF). This raises the possibility that PCF could lead to later cirrhosis and graft failure. Here, we report a retrospective immunohistochemical study of 28 patients who received a live donor liver transplant. We assessed the incidence and etiology of PCF using CD3, CD20, HLA-DR, and C4d-specific antibodies. Histological evidence of PCF was found in 13 cases (46.4%), of which 11 (84.6%) had experienced ACR and/or CP events post-transplant. Immunohistochemical evaluation revealed significantly stronger staining with these antibodies in the central vein area in PCF, especially for CD20 and C4d. This implies humoral immunopathology and suggests involvement of humoral immunity in the development of PCF. These results further imply that suppression of cellular immunity alone is insufficient to prevent PCF. We therefore suggest that suppression of both humoral and cellular immunity in combination would be required for prevention of PCF.

There is little information available on the efficacy of pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) therapy for children with chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of PEG IFN-α2a monotherapy for children infected by chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). From 2004-2006, we conducted a prospective, open-label, multicenter study of 22 patients aged 4-18 years, including eight with genotype 1 and 14 with genotype 2. None had previously received IFN. The patients were treated with s.c. PEG IFN-α2a at a dose of 3 µg/kg once a week for 48 weeks. Rapid virological response (RVR) was defined as: undetectable serum HCV RNA at week 4; early viral response (EVR) as a 2 or more log reduction or undetectable serum HCV RNA at week 12; and sustained viral response (SVR) as undetectable serum HCV RNA at 24 weeks after the cessation of treatment. SVR was achieved in 10 (45%) of the 22 patients (three with genotype 1, seven with genotype 2). Retrospectively, the patients with SVR included five with RVR (one with genotype 1, four with genotype 2) and five with EVR (two with genotype 1, three with genotype 2). PEG IFN-α2a monotherapy was well tolerated, except in one patient in whom alanine aminotransferase activity flared (500 IU/L) during treatment. The efficacy of PEG IFN-α2a monotherapy in children is similar to that for adults, while tolerability seems to be better in children than in adults.

We present a 6-year-old boy with a virilizing adrenocortical tumor who initially presented with peripheral precocious puberty. Development of facial acne, pubic hair and a growth spurt were noted at the age of five. A low-pitched voice as well as maturation of external genitalia was noted at the age of six. Both serum and urinary levels of adrenal androgens were elevated. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a large right suprarenal mass and he underwent surgical resection without any complications. The histological diagnosis was adrenocortical carcinoma according to the criteria of Weiss. Following surgical removal of the androgen-producing tumor, the patient subsequently developed hypothalamic-pituitary activation and demonstrated central precocious puberty. He was treated with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist in order to delay further pubertal progression. Clinical follow-up of potential secondary effects of excess hormone secretion after removal is important in some pediatric patients with virilizing adrenocortical tumor.

Objective: To evaluate computed tomography (CT) findings in pediatric patients with viral gastroenteritis who presented with clinical features of acute abdomen. Patients and Methods: During 2 seasons of viral gastroenteritis from 2005 to 2007, 302 children with acute gastrointestinal symptoms were admitted to our center for treatment of dehydration and associated complications. Stool specimens obtained from 130 of the 302 were tested for norovirus with the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction method. Results: Among the 130 patients, 44 tested positive for norovirus, 34 for rotavirus, and 1 for adenovirus. In the remaining 51, except one with Campylobacter jejuni, no viral or bacterial pathogen was detectable. An abdominal CT scan was performed in 4 patients with norovirus and in 1 with rotavirus for suspected acute abdomen including acute appendicitis. Computed tomography (CT) findings were similar among the 5 patients, including thickening of the bowel wall and fluid-filled bowel loops in the small intestine with nopathological findings in the stomach, appendix, or colon. Conclusions: Anatomical changes in the small intestine were shown by CT in 5 children with viral gastroenteritis who presented with acute abdomen. These imaging features of viral gastroenteritis may be useful in differential diagnosis of acute abdomen to avoid unnecessary surgery.

We report two children with renovascular hypertension and fibromuscular dysplasia. They initially presented with severe hyponatremia, hypokalemia, polyuria, and transient proteinuria. This combination of symptoms is known to occur in patients with renovascular and malignant hypertension, and is known as hyponatremic-hypertensive syndrome (HHS), although it is considered rare in children. Since in both of our patients, the renal arterial stenosis was very severely or almost totally occlusive, we could not perform percutaneous transluminal renal artery angioplasty, and therefore nephrectomy was the only option. A histological study showed partial or complete occlusion with intimal hyperplasia and medial fibroplasia of intrarenal arteries such as the interlobular arteries. Conclusion: Both patients showed rapidly progressive renovascular hypertension and loss of function of the affected kidney. In order to preserve renal function in such cases, early invasive intervention appears to be necessary.