Density-dependent distribution of parasitism risk among underground hosts.

Variation in parasitism risk among hosts can arise from between-patch and within-patch factors, but considerably less information is known about the latter. This study investigated how distributions of the oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis influenced its parasitism by the pupal parasitoid Dirhinus giffardii in the laboratory. Because B. dorsalis larvae pupate underground, pupation depth was considered as an important factor that affects the risk of parasitism. When the density of B. dorsalis larvae was varied (1, 10, and 100 larvae per arena), average pupation depth increased with the density. When the depth of pupae was manipulated, the rate of parasitism differed by depths. Parasitism at 0 cm differed from the random parasitoid model expectation, but parasitism at 1 cm was not different from the model expectation. Few pupae at 2 cm were parasitized. In another experiment, when pupae were simultaneously presented at 0 cm and 1 cm depths, parasitism at 1 cm was weakened by the presence of puape at 0 cm. These results imply that the density of the host influences pupation depth as well as the distribution of parasitism and plays an important role in host-parasitoid dynamics.

A retrospective analysis of 335 Japanese lung cancer patients who responded to initial gefitinib treatment.

BACKGROUND: Gefitinib treatment results in considerably better progression-free survival compared with that of platinum doublets in the first line treatment of nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) carrying an activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation. Some patients who respond to gefitinib have an overall survival (OS) of more than 5 years, whereas other initial responders do less well. Although there has been considerable effort made to elucidate the mechanisms of acquired resistance, there have only been a few studies that addressed the effect of clinical backgrounds and treatment histories on the survival of the patients who had responded to an EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). In this study, we especially focused on the clinical benefit of EGFR-TKI administration after progression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients with advanced NSCLC who were diagnosed before October 2010, treated with gefitinib after July 2002, and responded to it. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate how clinical backgrounds and treatment histories influence survival of the patients who respond to gefitinib. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the safety of long-term gefitinib use and to establish the optimal treatment sequence using a dynamic treatment regimen analysis (DTRA). RESULTS: A total of 335 patients were recruited. Twenty-eight (8.4%) patients survived more than 5 years. Sixty-five and 93 patients received gefitinib as rechallenge and beyond progressive disease (BPD), respectively. A statistically significant difference in OS was observed between the patients who underwent gefitinib rechallenge and those who did not rechallenge (median: 1272 days vs. 774 days; p < 0.001), a result supported by a DTRA. Patients treated with gefitinib BPD also showed a tendency of longer survival. CONCLUSIONS: Gefitinib rechallenge and BPD played a central role in long term survival of the patients who initially responded to gefitinib.

Verification of the influence of the arrangement of implants on the load distribution (a well-known figure by Rangert).

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of the number and the placement of implants on load distribution for multiple implants with three-dimensional geometric analysis, and to verify the well-known conceptual figure by Rangert. Three teeth missing in left mandibular region was geometrically modelled in clinically simulated situation. Two implants placement as 'control', 'cantilever', 'three-implants' and 'offset placements' were analyzed with geometric analysis. The cantilever received 180-182% load of control, that is, almost same to the result by Rangert (200%). Three implants received 59-65% load of control, that is, almost same to the result by Rangert (67%). Offset arrangement received 59-65% load of control, that is, larger than the result by Rangert (40%). It was concluded that the influence of the arrangement of implants on the load distribution presented in the conceptual figure by (Rangert BR, Sullivan RM & Jemt TM, J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 1997;12:360) was verified except for the effects of the offset arrangement.

Fabrication of patterned cell co-cultures on albumin-based substrate: applications for microfluidic devices.

A surface coated with cross-linked albumin film resists the adhesion of cells, and subsequent exposure to UV irradiation or electrostatic adsorption of a cationic polymer switches the surface from non-adherent to adherent. Taking advantage of this unique property of cross-linked albumin, the authors fabricated patterned cell co-cultures with desired patterns and cell types. In this scheme, the cell-adherent region was initially created in the cell-non-adhesive albumin substrate, on which a first cell type was attached. Subsequently, the remaining region was also changed to adherent for the attachment of secondary cells in the same manner, thereby allowing distinctly localized co-cultures. As a proof of concept demonstration of the feasibility of this approach, a patterned co-culture of Neuro-2a cells with L929 cells was successfully prepared on the substrate. Furthermore, combining this technique with a microfluidic technique, a micropatterned co-culture of PA6 cells with 3T3 fibroblasts was created inside microfluidic devices. This approach could potentially be a useful tool for fundamental investigations of cell-cell interactions and for tissue engineering applications.

Psychotherapy for depression among incurable cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The most common psychiatric diagnosis among cancer patients is depression; this diagnosis is even more common among patients with advanced cancer. Psychotherapy is a patient-preferred and promising strategy for treating depression among cancer patients. Several systematic reviews have investigated the effectiveness of psychological treatment for depression among cancer patients. However, the findings are conflicting, and no review has focused on depression among patients with incurable cancer. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of psychotherapy for treating depression among patients with advanced cancer by conducting a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group Register, The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases in September 2005. SELECTION CRITERIA: All relevant RCTs comparing any kind of psychotherapy with conventional treatment for adult patients with advanced cancer were eligible for inclusion. Two independent review authors identified relevant studies. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently extracted data from the original reports using standardized data extraction forms. Two independent review authors also assessed the methodological quality of the selected studies according to the recommendations of a previous systematic review of psychological therapies for cancer patients that utilized ten internal validity indicators. The primary outcome was the standardized mean difference (SMD) of change between the baseline and immediate post-treatment scores. MAIN RESULTS: We identified a total of ten RCTs (total of 780 participants); data from six studies were used for meta-analyses (292 patients in the psychotherapy arm and 225 patients in the control arm). Among these six studies, four studies used supportive psychotherapy, one adopted cognitive behavioural therapy, and one adopted problem-solving therapy. When compared with treatment as usual, psychotherapy was associated with a significant decrease in depression score (SMD = -0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.08 to -0.80). None of the studies focused on patients with clinically diagnosed depression. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Evidence from RCTs of moderate quality suggest that psychotherapy is useful for treating depressive states in advanced cancer patients. However, no evidence supports the effectiveness of psychotherapy for patients with clinically diagnosed depression.

p63(TP63) elicits strong trans-activation of the MFG-E8/lactadherin/BA46 gene through interactions between the TA and DeltaN isoforms.

We report here that human MFGE8 encoding milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 protein (MFG-E8), also termed 46 kDa breast epithelial antigen and lactadherin, is transcriptionally activated by p63, or TP63, a p53 (TP53) family protein frequently overexpressed in head-and-neck squamous cell carcinomas, mammary carcinomas and so on. Despite that human MFG-E8 was originally identified as a breast cancer marker, and has recently been reported to provide peptides for cancer immunotherapy, its transcriptional control remains an open question. Observations in immunohistochemical analyses, a tetracycline-induced p63 expression system and keratinocyte cultures suggested a physiological link between p63 and MFGE8. By reporter assays with immediately upstream regions of MFGE8, we determined that the trans-activator (TA) isoforms of p63 activate MFGE8 transcription though a p53/p63 motif at -370, which was confirmed by a chromatin immunoprecipitation experiment. Upon siRNA-mediated p63 silencing in a squamous cell carcinoma line, MFG-E8 production decreased to diminish Saos-2 cell adhesion. Interestingly, the DeltaN-p63 isoform lacking the TA domain enhanced the MFGE8-activating function of TA-p63, if DeltaN-p63 was dominant over TA-p63 as typically observed in undifferentiated keratinocytes and squamous cell carcinomas, implying a self-regulatory mechanism of p63 by the TA:DeltaN association. MFG-E8 may provide a novel pathway of epithelial-nonepithelial cell interactions inducible by p63, probably in pathological processes.

Keratan sulphate levels in mucopolysaccharidoses and mucolipidoses.

The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) is characterized by accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and mucolipidosis (ML) by accumulation of GAGs and sphingolipids. Each type of MPS accumulates specific GAGs. The lysosomal enzymes N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulphate sulphatase and beta-galactosidase involve the stepwise degradation of keratan sulphate (KS). Deficiency of these enzymes results in elevation of KS levels in the body fluids and in tissues, leading to MPS IV disease. In this study, we evaluated blood and urine KS levels in types of MPS and ML other than MPS IV. Eighty-five plasma samples came from MPS I (n = 18), MPS II (n = 28), MPS III (n = 20), MPS VI (n = 3), MPS VII (n = 5) and ML (n = 11) patients while 127 urine samples came from MPS I (n = 34), MPS II (n = 34), MPS III (n = 32), MPS VI (n = 7), MPS VII (n = 9) and ML (n = 11) patients. KS levels were determined using the ELISA method. Plasma KS levels varied with age in both control and patient populations. In all age groups, the mean values of plasma KS in MPS and ML patients were significantly higher than those in the age-matched controls. Plasma KS values in four newborn patients were above the mean + 2SD of the age-matched controls (mean, 41 ng/ml). Overall, 85.9% of individual values in non-type IV MPS and ML patients were above the mean + 2SD of the age-matched controls. For urine KS levels, 24.4% of individual values in patients were above the mean + 2SD of the age-matched controls. In conclusion, KS in blood is elevated in each type of non-type IV MPS examined, in contrast to the conventional understanding. This finding suggests that measurement of KS level provides a new diagnostic biomarker in a wide variety of mucopolysaccharidoses and mucolipidoses in addition to MPS IV.

CrmA gene expression protects mice against concanavalin-A-induced hepatitis by inhibiting IL-18 secretion and hepatocyte apoptosis.

Activated cytotoxic T-cell-mediated hepatocyte apoptosis via Fas/Fas-ligand and perforin/granzyme pathways are believed to involve the model of concanavalin A (ConA)-induced hepatitis. The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether the cytokine response modifier A (crmA) gene effectively inhibits the hepatocyte apoptosis of ConA-induced hepatitis. We examined survival rates, liver pathology, immune histological changes, and cytokine profiles from mice receiving the recombinant adenovirus vectors containing cre and/or crmA genes, transferred to the liver 3 days before ConA injection, and a crmA gene nonexpression control group. Injection of ConA into mice rapidly led to massive hepatocyte apoptosis, and infiltration of leukocytes, especially CD11b(+) inflammatory cells. In contrast, liver damage was dramatically reduced in the mice that expressed the crmA gene. However, infiltration by CD4(+) cells was not affected. The survival of the mice increased significantly to 100% in the treated group versus the control group. Furthermore, we demonstrated that interleukin (IL)-18 plays an important role in ConA-induced hepatitis, and that crmA expression significantly inhibited IL-18 secretion. Our results showed that the crmA gene effectively inhibits apoptosis induced by ConA hepatitis. This indicates a potential therapeutic usage of crmA for protection from cellular damage due to hepatitis.

A novel strategy for in vivo expansion of transplanted hepatocytes using preparative hepatic irradiation and FasL-induced hepatocellular apoptosis.

A strategy for inducing preferential proliferation of the engrafted hepatocytes over host liver cells should markedly increase the benefit of hepatocyte transplantation for the treatment of liver diseases and ex vivo gene therapy. We hypothesized that preparative hepatic irradiation (HIR) to inhibit host hepatocellular regeneration in combination with the mitotic stimulus of host hepatocellular apoptosis should permit repopulation of the liver by transplanted cells. To test this hypothesis, congeneic normal rat hepatocytes were transplanted into UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT1A1)-deficient jaundiced Gunn rats (a model of Crigler-Najjar syndrome type I), following HIR and adenovirus-mediated FasL gene transfer. Progressive repopulation of the liver by engrafted UGT1A1-proficient hepatocytes over 5 months was demonstrated by the appearance of UGT1A1 protein and enzyme activity in the liver, biliary bilirubin glucuronides secretion, and long-term normalization of serum bilirubin levels. This is the first demonstration of massive hepatic repopulation by transplanted cells by HIR and FasL-induced controlled apoptosis of host liver cells.

Long-term normalization in the central nervous system, ocular manifestations, and skeletal deformities by a single systemic adenovirus injection into neonatal mice with mucopolysaccharidosis VII.

Systemic injection of an adenovirus vector into adult mice resulted in pathological improvements in multiple visceral organs of mice with mucopolysaccharidosis VII; however, no therapeutic efficacy was observed for mental retardation, skeletal deformities, corneal clouding, and retinal degeneration. In this study, an adenovirus vector expressing human beta-glucuronidase was injected into mice with mucopolysaccharidosis VII within 24 h of birth, and therapeutic efficacy was evaluated. In the brains of the mice, more than 20% of GUSB activity was maintained for at least 20 weeks after birth, and histopathological analysis showed no obvious lysosomal storage. Furthermore, no vacuolated cells were detected in corneal stroma and retinal pigment epithelium in the eyes of the mice treated in the neonatal period, while pathological improvement was not observed in adult MPSVII mice that received similar treatments. The treated mice also lacked characteristic facial skeletal deformities, and radiographic analysis demonstrated that their facial and cranial bones were morphologically normal. These results indicate that a single systemic adenovirus injection in the neonatal period could prevent the progression of mental retardation, corneal clouding, retinal degeneration, and skeletal deformities, all of which are frequently observed clinical manifestations and difficult to treat in adulthood.

Activation of prostaglandin E2-receptor EP2 and EP4 pathways induces growth inhibition in human gastric carcinoma cell lines.

The effect of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on the proliferation of gastric cancer cells is still unclear. PGE2 receptors are divided into four subtypes - EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4 - which are coupled to three different intracellular signal-transduction systems. Stimulation of EP2 and EP4 is linked with cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). In some human gastric cancer cells, PGE2 has been suggested to have an antiproliferative effect by way of increased cAMP production. Expression of EP2 and EP4 in human gastric carcinoma cells, however, has not been examined. We examined the expression of EP2 and EP4 and the antiproliferative effects of specific EP2 and EP4 agonists on four different human gastric cancer cell lines. Our data clarified that all the cell lines investigated in this study expressed EP2 and EP4 and that the specific agonists of these receptors induced growth inhibition with an accompanying increase in cAMP production. In summary, gastric cancer cells have EP2 and EP4 receptors, and their selective activation is linked with the decreased cell proliferation.

Origin of the biomechanical properties of wood related to the fine structure of the multi-layered cell wall.

In this study, a basic model is introduced to describe the biomechanical properties of the wood from the viewpoint of the composite structure of its cell wall. First, the mechanical interaction between the cellulose microfibril (CMF) as a bundle framework and the lignin-hemicellulose as a matrix (MT) skeleton in the secondary wall is formulated based on "the two phase approximation." Thereafter, the origins of (1) tree growth stress, (2) shrinkage or swelling anisotropy of the wood, and (3) moisture dependency of the Young's modulus of wood along the grain were simulated using the newly introduced model. Through the model formulation; (1) the behavior of the cellulose microfibril (CMF) and the matrix substance (MT) during cell wall maturation was estimated; (2) the moisture reactivity of each cell wall constituent was investigated; and (3) a realistic model of the fine composite structure of the matured cell wall was proposed. Thus, it is expected that the fine structure and internal property of each cell wall constituent can be estimated through the analyses of the macroscopic behaviors of wood based on the two phase approximation.

Physician support and patient psychologic responses after surgery for nonsmall cell lung carcinoma: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: In patients with cancer, depression and coping have been suggested to be important psychologic responses that may be associated with quality of life. Social support, especially from physicians, is considered important for cancer patients during their illness. The authors have investigated the impact of physician support on psychologic responses, including depression, psychologic distress and coping (such as fighting spirit and helplessness/hopelessness) in a cohort of patients with early-stage lung carcinoma. METHODS: After curative resection for nonsmall cell lung carcinoma, 226 patients were enrolled in a longitudinal study. The extent of social support, including physician support, was measured in structured interviews conducted 1 and 3 months after surgery. During the interviews, psychologic responses were measured using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R, the Profiles of Mood States, and the Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine the impact of physician support on psychologic responses. RESULTS: Physician support had no effect on depression, but correlated negatively with psychologic distress (P < 0.05) and helplessness/hopelessness (P < 0.05), and positively with fighting spirit (P < 0.01). Multivariate analyses controlling for confounding biomedical and psychosocial variables revealed only physician support had a significant impact on fighting spirit, independently. However, this effect was limited to female patients or patients with no history of depression. CONCLUSION: In postoperative patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma, physician support may have a significant impact on fighting spirit, but this effect appears to be limited to female patients or patients with no history of depression.

Cancer chemoprevention by ginseng in mouse liver and other organs.

Oral administration of red ginseng extracts (1% in diet for 40 weeks) resulted in the significant suppression of spontaneous liver tumor formation in C3H/He male mice. Average number of tumors per mouse in control group was 1.06, while that in red ginseng extracts-treated group was 0.33 (p<0.05). Incidence of liver tumor development was also lower in red ginseng extracts-treated group, although the difference from control group was not statistically significant. Anti-carcinogenic activity of white ginseng extracts, besides red ginseng extracts, was also investigated. In the present study, the administration of white ginseng extracts was proven to suppress tumor promoter-induced phenomena in vitro and in vivo. It is of interest that oral administration of the extracts of Ren-Shen-Yang- Rong-Tang, a white ginseng-containing Chinese medicinal prescription, resulted in the suppression of skin tumor promotion by 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-initiated CD-1 mice. These results suggest the usefulness of ginseng in the field of cancer prevention.

Adenovirus-mediated gene therapy for corneal clouding in mice with mucopolysaccharidosis type VII.

Recent advances in systemic treatments for mucopolysaccharidosis have led to therapies that improve the multiple somatic features of this disease, but the therapeutic effect on ocular manifestations such as corneal clouding is not satisfactory. Here, we administered an adenovirus expressing human beta-glucuronidase (AxCAhGUS) into the anterior chamber or intrastromal region of the cornea in mice with mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (B6/MPSVII), and successfully treated corneal clouding of MPSVII. When we injected AxCAhGUS into the anterior chamber of the eyes, cells expressing beta-glucuronidase (GUSB) were located mainly in the trabecular meshwork as well as in all corneal regions, and subsequent pathological corrections in the cornea were achieved. Widespread transgene expression was also observed when we administered AxCAhGUS inside the cornea after lamellar keratotomy, and rapid elimination of the lysosomal storage in the corneal keratocytes occurred. Furthermore, intrastromal vector administration did not generate significant levels of anti-adenovirus neutralizing antibodies, and secondary vector administration was effective. Based on these observations, we conclude that it is worth developing a treatment strategy for corneal clouding in mucopolysaccharidosis based on direct intraocular administration of adenoviral vectors.

High preoperative plasma D-dimer level is associated with advanced tumor stage and short survival after curative resection in patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: An elevated plasma D-dimer level indicates activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis. Previous studies demonstrated that the preoperative plasma D-dimer level correlates with tumor stage in patients with colorectal cancer. This study examined the relationship between preoperative plasma D-dimer level and both pathological findings and TNM classification and examined the prognostic significance of preoperative plasma D-dimer level. METHODS: Preoperative plasma D-dimer levels were measured in 93 patients who underwent curative resection of colorectal cancer and 40 patients with benign colorectal diseases other than inflammatory bowel disease. The results were analyzed for correlations between preoperative plasma D-dimer levels in patients with colorectal cancer and pathological findings, TNM classification and postoperative survival. RESULTS: Preoperative plasma D-dimer levels were significantly higher in patients with colorectal cancer than in patients with benign colorectal diseases. Plasma D-dimer levels were higher in patients with tumors that were relatively large, had relatively deep wall penetration and were at a relatively advanced TNM stage. Higher preoperative plasma D-dimer levels were significantly associated with shorter postoperative overall survival. Results of analysis with a multivariate proportional hazard model suggested that preoperative plasma D-dimer level was the third strongest prognostic factor; exceeded in importance only by lymph node status and preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated plasma D-dimer levels in patients with colorectal cancer are associated with relatively advanced tumor stage and short postoperative survival after curative resection. It appears that measurement of preoperative D-dimer level would be useful in the preoperative diagnosis of tumor stage and prediction of postoperative survival.