Effects of fermented soymilk with Lacticaseibacillus paracasei YIT 9029 on gut microbiota and defecation habits: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Previous studies have demonstrated that soymilk and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei YIT 9029 (strain Shirota: LcS) each beneficially affect the gut microbiota and defecation habits. To investigate the effects of daily consumption of fermented soymilk containing LcS (FSM), we conducted a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 112 healthy Japanese adults with a low faecal Bifidobacterium count. They consumed 100 ml FSM or placebo (unfermented soymilk base) once daily for 4 weeks. Their gut microbiota was analysed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and faecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and urinary putrefactive products were assessed during the pre- and post-consumption periods. Defecation habits were examined weekly using a subjective questionnaire. In the post-consumption period, living LcS were not detected in two subjects in the FSM group (n = 57) but were detected in one subject in the SM group (n = 55). The FSM group had a significantly higher number and relative abundance of faecal lactobacilli compared with the placebo group. The relative abundance of Bifidobacterium, alpha-diversity of microbiota, and concentrations of acetate and total SCFAs in faeces were significantly increased in the FSM group, although no significant differences were detected between the groups. The number of defecations and defecation days per week significantly increased in both groups. Subgroup analysis of 109 subjects, excluding 3 with inconsistent LcS detection (2 and 1 subjects in the FSM and SM groups, respectively), revealed that the FSM group (n = 55) had significantly greater increases in faecal acetate concentration compared with the SM group (n = 54) and significant upregulation of pathways related to energy production or glucose metabolism in the gut microbiota. These findings suggest that daily FSM consumption improves the gut microbiota and intestinal environment in healthy adults and may help to maintain health and prevent diseases. Registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) clinical trials registry under: UMIN 000035612.

Orally administered Streptococcus thermophilus YIT 2001 is a vehicle for the delivery of glutathione, a reactive reduced thiol, to the intestine

AIMS

We aimed to analyze the behavior of cellular glutathione of Streptococcus thermophilus strain YIT 2001 (ST-1) in the gastrointestinal environment to understand how orally administered glutathione in ST-1 cells is delivered stably to the intestine in a reactive form, which is essential for its systemic bioavailability against lipid peroxidation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Intracellular glutathione was labeled with L-cysteine-containing stable isotopes. ST-1 cells from fresh culture or lyophilized powder were treated with simulated gastric and intestinal juices for 60 min each. The release of intracellular glutathione in digestive juices was quantified via LC-MS/MS. Most of the cellular glutathione was retained in the gastric environment and released in response to exposure to the gastrointestinal environment. During digestion, the membrane permeability of propidium iodide increased significantly, especially when cells were exposed to cholate, without change in the cell wall state.

CONCLUSIONS

ST-1 cells act as vehicles to protect intracellular reactive components, such as glutathione, from digestive stress, and release them in the upper intestine owing to the disruption of membrane integrity induced by bile acid.

Combined therapeutic effect of YHO-1701 with PD-1 blockade is dependent on natural killer cell activity in syngeneic mouse models

The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway is a key mediator of cancer cell proliferation, survival, and invasion. We discovered YHO-1701 as a small molecule inhibitor of STAT3 dimerization and demonstrated its potent anti-tumor activity using xenograft mouse models as monotherapy and combination therapy with molecular targeted drugs. STAT3 is also associated with cancer immune tolerance; therefore, we used the female CT26 syngeneic mouse model to examine the effect of combining YHO-1701 administration with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. Pretreatment of the mice with YHO-1701 before starting anti-PD-1 antibody administration resulted in a significant therapeutic effect. In addition, the effect of monotherapy and combination treatment with YHO-1701 was significantly abolished by depleting natural killer (NK) cell activity. YHO-1701 was also found to restore the activity of mouse NK cells under inhibitory conditions in vitro. Furthermore, this combination therapy significantly inhibited tumor growth in an immunotherapy-resistant model of murine CMS5a fibrosarcoma. These results suggest that the combination of YHO-1701 with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade might be a new candidate for cancer immunotherapy involving the enhancement of NK cell activity in the tumor microenvironment.

Perifosine, a Bioavailable Alkylphospholipid Akt Inhibitor, Exhibits Antitumor Activity in Murine Models of Cancer Brain Metastasis Through Favorable Tumor Exposure

Metastatic brain tumors are regarded as the most advanced stage of certain types of cancer; however, chemotherapy has played a limited role in the treatment of brain metastases. Here, we established murine models of brain metastasis using cell lines derived from human brain metastatic tumors, and aimed to explore the antitumor efficacy of perifosine, an orally active allosteric Akt inhibitor. We evaluated the effectiveness of perifosine by using it as a single agent in ectopic and orthotopic models created by injecting the DU 145 and NCI-H1915 cell lines into mice. Initially, the injected cells formed distant multifocal lesions in the brains of NCI-H1915 mice, making surgical resection impractical in clinical settings. We determined that perifosine could distribute into the brain and remain localized in that region for a long period. Perifosine significantly prolonged the survival of DU 145 and NCI-H1915 orthotopic brain tumor mice; additionally, complete tumor regression was observed in the NCI-H1915 model. Perifosine also elicited much stronger antitumor responses against subcutaneous NCI-H1915 growth; a similar trend of sensitivity to perifosine was also observed in the orthotopic models. Moreover, the degree of suppression of NCI-H1915 tumor growth was associated with long-term exposure to a high level of perifosine at the tumor site and the resultant blockage of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, a decrease in tumor cell proliferation, and increased apoptosis. The results presented here provide a promising approach for the future treatment of patients with metastatic brain cancers and emphasize the importance of enriching a patient population that has a higher probability of responding to perifosine.

Resminostat, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, circumvents tolerance to EGFR inhibitors in EGFR-mutated lung cancer cells with BIM deletion polymorphism

Drug-tolerant cells are mediators of acquired resistance. BIM-intron2 deletion polymorphism (BIM-del) is one of the mechanisms underlying the resistance to epidermal growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI)-mediated apoptosis that induces drug tolerance. Here, we investigated whether resminostat, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, circumvents BIM-del-associated apoptosis resistance. The human EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line PC-9 and its homozygous BIM-del-positive variant (PC-9 BIMi2- / -), established by editing with zinc finger nuclease, were used. In comparison with PC-9 cells, PC-9 BIMi2- / - cells were less sensitive to apoptosis mediated by EGFR-TKIs such as gefitinib and osimertinib. The combined use of resminostat and an EGFR-TKI preferentially induced the expression of the pro-apoptotic BIM transcript containing exon 4 rather than that containing exon 3, increased the level of pro-apoptotic BIM protein (BIMEL), and stimulated apoptosis in vitro. In a subcutaneous tumor model derived from PC-9 BIMi2- / - cells, gefitinib monotherapy decreased tumor size but retained residual lesions, indicative of the presence of tolerant cells in tumors. The combined use of resminostat and gefitinib increased BIMEL protein level and induced apoptosis, subsequently leading to the remarkable shrinkage of tumor. These findings suggest the potential of resminostat to circumvent tolerance to EGFR-TKIs associated with BIM deletion polymorphism. J. Med. Invest. 67 : 343-350, August, 2020.

Validation and comparison of BIOSTAT risk score and AHEAD score for patients with acute heart failure

Background/Introduction

Acute heart failure (AHF) is one of the major causes of mortality, and identifying the patients at high risk of mortality at the time of admission is crucial to improve clinical outcomes. Although some risk prediction models for patients with AHF have been proposed mainly from randomized clinical trials, the patients in such studies tend not to be similar to those in the real world. Recently, BIOSTAT risk score and AHEAD score derived from two large-scale registry dataset are proposed as useful risk stratification tools for patients with AHF. However, these scores have not been well externally validated and their prognostic prediction performance has not been directly compared.

Purpose

To validate and compare prognostication of BIOSTAT risk score and AHEAD score in AHF patients.

Methods

Patients who consecutively admitted to the cardiac intensive-care unit in our institution with a diagnosis of AHF from 2007 to 2011 were analyzed. Among them, patients with acute coronary syndrome, dialysis, malignancy were excluded. BIOSTAT risk score was calculated using 5 factors (age, blood urea nitrogen, BNP, hemoglobin, prescription of beta blockers), and AHEAD score was also calculated with 5 factors (atrial fibrillation, hemoglobin, age, creatinine, and diabetes mellitus). We also developed AHEAD + BNP model incorporating BNP into AHEAD score. Endpoint was 1-year all-cause death.

Results

Overall, 591 eligible patients were enrolled (mean age was 70±14 years old, 64.8% were male) and 96 patients (16.2%) died during the follow-up of 1-year. The median [interquartile range] of AHEAD score and BIOSTAT risk score were 2 [1–3] and 3 [2–4], respectively. The areas under the curves of receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were 0.66 for AHEAD, 0.68 for AHEAD + BNP, and 0.72 for BIOSTAT, respectively. The calibration plots for AHEAD, AHEAD + BNP, and BIOSTAT models showed good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test: p=0.89, 0.74, and 0.74, respectively). The BIOSTAT model's AUC was significantly higher compared to AHEAD (p=0.018) and marginally statistically higher compared to AHEAD + BNP (p=0.054). However, BIOSTAT model showed statistically significant net reclassification improvement compared to both AHEAD (NRI: 0.43, p<0.001) and AHEAD + BNP (NRI: 0.43, p<0.001).

Conclusion

The BIOSTAT score comprised of five readily available clinical variables predict 1-year mortality of patients with AHF with good discrimination and calibration.

ROC curves

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Pharmacological considerations in antipsychotic drug selection for prevention of drug-induced dysphagia

Antipsychotic drugs have the ability to induce dysphagia. The aim of this study was to determine the association between the receptor affinity of antipsychotic drugs and the time-to-onset of dysphagia, and to identify factors that prevent antipsychotic drug-induced dysphagia. We used the receptor affinity of 13 antipsychotic drugs for which data were reported in an in vitro test using human receptors, extracted time-to-onset dysphagia from the Japan Adverse Drug Event Report database, and used data from 46 patients to evaluate the correlation between receptor affinity and time-to-onset of dysphagia. We found a negative correlation between D₂ receptor affinity and time-to-onset of dysphagia (r = -0.4572, p = 0.0016), and a positive correlation between H₁, M₁, and M₃ receptor affinity and time-to-onset of dysphagia (r = 0.5006, p = 0.0006; r = 0.4130, p = 0.0059; and r = 0.4149, p = 0.0057, respectively). Antipsychotic drugs with a strong D₂ receptor-blocking action may accelerate the onset of dysphagia, whereas a strong H₁, M₁, and M₃ receptor-blocking action may delay the onset of dysphagia. The current study revealed the relationship between the receptor affinity of antipsychotic drugs and the time-to-onset of dysphagia, which should aid in the selection of antipsychotic drugs, while preventing dysphagia.

The dominant limb preferentially stabilizes posture in a bimanual task with physical coupling

Humans are endowed with an ability to skillfully handle objects, like when holding a jar with the nondominant hand while opening the lid with the dominant hand. Dynamic dominance, a prevailing theory in handedness research, proposes that the nondominant hand is specialized for postural stability, which would explain why right-handed people hold the jar steady using the left hand. However, the underlying specialization of the nondominant hand has only been tested unimanually, or in a bimanual task where the two hands had different functions. Using a dedicated dual-wrist robotic interface, we tested the dynamic dominance hypothesis in a bimanual task where both hands carry out the same function. We examined how left- and right-handed subjects held onto a vibrating virtual object using their wrists, which were physically coupled by the object. Muscular activity of the wrist flexors and extensors revealed a preference for cocontracting the dominant hand during both holding and transport of the object, which suggests proficiency in the dominant hand for stabilization, contradicting the dynamic dominance hypothesis. While the reliance on the dominant hand was partially explained by its greater strength, the Edinburgh inventory was a better predictor of the difference in the cocontraction between the dominant and nondominant hands. When provided with redundancy to stabilize the task, the dominant hand preferentially cocontracts to absorb perturbing forces.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We found that subjects prefer to stabilize a bimanually held object by cocontracting their dominant limb, contradicting the established view that the nondominant limb is specialized toward stabilization.

Antitumor activity of a novel oral signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 inhibitor YHO-1701

The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway is a key mediator of cancer cell proliferation, survival and invasion. Aberrant STAT3 has been demonstrated in various malignant cancers. YHO-1701 is a novel quinolinecarboxamide derivative generated from STX-0119. Here, we examined the effect of YHO-1701 on STAT3 and evaluated antitumor activity of YHO-1701 as a single agent and in combination. YHO-1701 inhibited STAT3-SH2 binding to phospho-Tyr peptide selectively and more potently than STX-0119 in biochemical assays. Molecular docking studies with STAT3 suggested more stable interaction of YHO-1701 with the SH2 domain. YHO-1701 exhibited approximately 10-fold stronger activity than STX-0119 in abrogating the STAT3 signaling pathway of human oral cancer cell line SAS. YHO-1701 also blocked multi-step events by inhibiting STAT3 dimerization and suppressed STAT3 promoter activity. As expected, YHO-1701 exerted strong antiproliferative activity against human cancer cell lines addicted to STAT3 signaling. Orally administered YHO-1701 showed statistically significant antitumor effects with long exposure to high levels of YHO-1701 at tumor sites in SAS xenograft models. Moreover, combination regimen with sorafenib led to significantly stronger antitumor activity. In addition, the suppression level of survivin (a downstream target) was superior for the combination as compared with monotherapy groups within tumor tissues. Thus, YHO-1701 had a favorable specificity for STAT3 and pharmacokinetics after oral treatment; it also contributed to the enhanced antitumor activity of sorafenib. The evidence presented here provides justification using for this approach in future clinical settings.

Assessment of "look-alike" packaging designs related to medication errors using information technology

This study aimed to assess the similarity among press-through pack (PTP) sheets of pharmaceutical products in Japan. The appearance of PTPs was assessed using a pharmaceutical design database (PDD) of 2,750 pharmaceutical tablets comprising approximately 40 % of the 6,840 products marketed in Japan. Package sheet color (Sc), tablet color (Tc), character color (Cc), sheet line color (SLc), and upper color (Uc) were used to evaluate the uniformity of PTP sheet design. To assess the risk of misidentification, 1,000 prescriptions for 82,273 cancer patients were retrieved from 21,026,742 records in the claims database of the Japan Medical Data Center Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. The most frequent PTP sheet colors for 143 drugs were Sc (silver), Tc (white), Cc (blue), SLc (none), and Uc (silver). The prescribing pattern of 1000 randomly chosen prescriptions was analyzed. Database records of prescriptions without tablets (n = 69), including only one PTP tablet (n = 292), and those with lack of PDD prescription data (n = 388) were excluded. Eventually, 236 prescriptions were evaluated. Fourteen prescriptions (5.9%) had PTP sheets with five matching elements and 29 had with four matching elements (12.3%). This novel PDD database for information technology concept easily identified similar PTP sheets involved in prescriptions dispensed in 18 % of evaluated cancer patients. The concept seems to be applicable for preventing look-alike dispensing errors.

Optimisation of antithrombin resistance assay as a practical clinical laboratory test: Development of prothrombin activator using factors Xa/Va and automation of assay

INTRODUCTION

Antithrombin resistance (ATR) is a novel thrombotic risk in abnormal prothrombins. A manual ATR assay using Oxyuranus scutellatus (Ox) venom as a prothrombin activator was established for detecting antithrombin-resistant prothrombin. However, this assay was limited because of Ox snake venom availability and its throughput capacity. Here, we have improved the ATR assay using bovine factors Xa and Va (FXa/Va) as prothrombin activators and have optimised assay conditions for an automated instrument (ACL TOP 500).

METHODS

Diluted plasma was incubated with a prothrombin activator mix (phospholipids, CaCl₂ , and bovine FXa/Va), followed by inactivation with antithrombin for 10, 20 and 30 minutes. We added a chromogenic substrate S-2238, and assessed changes in absorbance/min at 405 nm. We also adapted assay conditions for ACL TOP 500.

RESULTS

Optimum conditions for FXa/Va treatment were 6.25% phospholipids, 5 mM CaCL₂ , 0.01 μg/mL FXa and 0.1 μg/mL FVa. ATR assay kinetics with the FXa/Va activator was comparable with that with the Ox activator in heterozygous reconstituted plasma with the recombinant wild-type or antithrombin-resistant prothrombin. Using ACL TOP 500, optimum conditions for the FXa/Va treatment were 10.0% phospholipids, 5 mM CaCl₂ , 0.02 μg/mL FXa and 0.2 μg/mL FVa. The automated ATR assay with the FXa/Va activator demonstrated good detectability for antithrombin-resistant prothrombin in plasma from a heterozygous carrier with prothrombin Yukuhashi or Belgrade.

CONCLUSION

We optimised the ATR assay with the FXa/Va activator and adapted the assay for ACL TOP 500; the assay showed the ability to clearly detect antithrombin-resistant prothrombin in manual and automated procedures.

Abstract 3473: Functional analysis of the KIF22 in human prostate cancer cells

In the previous study, we identified genes that were differentially expressed between monolayers and spheroids in prostate cancer cell lines. The KIF22 gene was extracted as one of candidate genes related with spheroid formation and multicellular resistance. KIF22 is one of the kinesin superfamily proteins that are microtubule-dependent molecular motor proteins with DNA-binding capacity. KIF22 plays an important role in eukaryotic cell mitosis and macromolecule transportation. Alteration of KIF22 expression and function may lead to cancer development and progression. In this study, we explored the function of the KIF22 in prostate cancer cell lines, DU145 and LNCaP using the KIF22 siRNA. The KIF22 mRNA levels in LNCaP and DU-145 monolayers were detected, and time-dependently increased in both spheroids. The inhibition of KIF22 mRNA using siRNA affected cell proliferation in DU145 and LNCaP spheroids as well as monolayers. In addition, this suppression caused G2/M arrest and apoptosis in both cell lines. In clinical samples, its mRNA expression was significantly higher in tumor portions than in non-cancerous portions. However, the inhibition of KIF22 mRNA did not affect cell migration and invasion in DU145 and LNCaP cells. These findings suggest that KIF22 may play an important role in prostate cancer proliferation, especially spheroid formation, and have the potential to be targeted for prostate cancer treatments such as combination therapy with docetaxel.

Citation Format: Rina Sakamaki, Shungo Saito, Tatsuya Kitano, Tadashi Nittami, Jieun Seo, Akimitsu Takagi, Hitoshi Ishiguro, Hiroji Uemura, Masatoshi Watanabe. Functional analysis of the KIF22 in human prostate cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3473. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3473

Clinical and biochemical characterization of the prothrombin Belgrade mutation in a large Serbian pedigree: new insights into the antithrombin resistance mechanism

Essentials Prothrombin Belgrade mutation leads to antithrombin resistance. Clinical and biochemical phenotypes in a large family with this mutation were investigated. In carriers, we detected decreased factor II activity and increased endogenous thrombin potential. Prothrombin Belgrade mutation represents a strong prothrombotic risk factor.

SUMMARY

Background The recently reported c.1787G>A mutation in the prothrombin gene leads to Arg596Gln replacement in the protein molecule (prothrombin Belgrade). This substitution impairs binding of antithrombin to thrombin and results in inherited thrombophilia, known as antithrombin resistance. Objectives We aimed to elucidate the clinical and biochemical characteristics of thrombophilia associated with antithrombin resistance in a large Serbian family with the prothrombin Belgrade mutation. Patients and methods Nineteen family members were investigated, among whom 10 were carriers of the c.1787G>A mutation. In all subjects the clinical phenotype was determined and laboratory investigations of hemostatic parameters were performed. Results Six out of the 10 mutation carriers developed thromboembolic events, mainly deep venous and mesenteric vein thrombosis. The median age of the first thrombotic event was 26.5 (12-41) years, whereas the incidence rate of first thrombosis was 2.2% per year. In all mutation carriers prothrombin activity was significantly decreased in comparison with non-carriers, clearly distinguishing each group. However, the presence of the mutation did not affect the prothrombin antigen level in plasma. The endogenous thrombin potential was significantly increased in all carriers in comparison with non-carriers, indicating the presence of blood hypercoagulability. Interestingly, levels of D-dimer and the F1+2 fragment were similar in both groups. Conclusions Although rare, the prothrombin Belgrade mutation represents strong thrombophilia with early onset of thrombosis in the investigated family. According to our results, decreased prothrombin activity may be a simple screening test for detection of this mutation in thrombotic patients.

Specific Conformational Change in Giant DNA Caused by Anticancer Tetrazolato-Bridged Dinuclear Platinum(II) Complexes: Middle-Length Alkyl Substituents Exhibit Minimum Effect

Derivatives of the highly antitumor-active compound [{cis-Pt(NH₃)₂}₂(μ-OH)(μ-tetrazolato-N2,N3)]²⁺ (5-H-Y), which is a tetrazolato-bridged dinuclear platinum(II) complex, were prepared by substituting a linear alkyl chain moiety at C5 of the tetrazolate ring. The general formula for the derivatives is [{cis-Pt(NH₃)₂}₂(μ-OH)(μ-5-R-tetrazolato-N2,N3)]²⁺, where R is (CH₂)_nCH₃ and n = 0 to 8 (complexes 1-9). The cytotoxicity of complexes 1-4 in NCI-H460 human non-small-cell lung cancer cells decreased with increasing alkyl chain length, and those of complexes 5-9 increased with increasing alkyl chain length. That is, the in vitro cytotoxicity of complexes 1-9 was found to have a U-shaped association with alkyl chain length. This U-shaped association is attributable to the degree of intracellular accumulation. Although circular dichroism spectroscopic measurement indicated that complexes 1-9 induced comparable conformational changes in the secondary structure of DNA, the tetrazolato-bridged complexes induced different degrees of DNA compaction as revealed by a single DNA measurement with fluorescence microsopy, which also had a U-shaped association with alkyl chain length that matched the association observed for cytotoxicity. Complexes 7-9, which had alkyl chains long enough to confer surfactant-like properties to the complex, induced DNA compaction 20 or 1000 times more efficiently than 5-H-Y or spermidine. A single DNA measurement with transmission electron microscopy revealed that complex 8 formed large spherical self-assembled structures that induced DNA compaction with extremely high efficiency. This result suggests that these structures may play a role in the DNA compaction that was induced by the complexes with the longer alkyl chains. The derivatization with a linear alkyl chain produced a series of complexes with unique cellular accumulation and DNA conformational change profiles and a potentially useful means of developing next-generation platinum-based anticancer drugs. In addition, the markedly high ability of these complexes to induce DNA compaction and their high intracellular accumulation emphasized the difference in mechanism of action from platinum-based anticancer drugs.

Fine-tuning to minimize emittances of J-PARC RF-driven H⁻ ion source

The Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) cesiated RF-driven H(-) ion source has been successfully operated for about one year. By the world's brightest level beam, the J-PARC design beam power of 1 MW was successfully demonstrated. In order to minimize the transverse emittances, the rod-filter-field (RFF) was optimized by changing the triple-gap-lengths of each of pairing five piece rod-filter-magnets. The larger emittance degradation seems to be caused by impurity-gases than the RFF. The smaller beam-hole-diameter of the extraction electrode caused the more than expected improvements on not only the emittances but also the peak beam intensity.

Pre-conditioning procedure suitable for internal-RF-antenna of J-PARC RF-driven H⁻ ion source

The Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) cesiated RF-driven H(-) ion source has been successfully operated for about 1 yr. By the world brightest level beam, the J-PARC design beam power of 1 MW was successfully demonstrated. Although no internal-RF-antenna failure, except for the once caused by an excess cesium due to a misoperation, occurred in the operation, many antennas failed in pre-conditionings for the first hundred days. The antenna failure rate was drastically decreased by using an antenna with coating thicker than a standard value and the pre-conditioning procedure repeating 15 min 25 kW RF-power operation and impurity-gas evacuation a few times, before the full power (50 kW) operation.

Numerical study of plasma generation process and internal antenna heat loadings in J-PARC RF negative ion source

A numerical model of plasma transport and electromagnetic field in the J-PARC (Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex) radio frequency ion source has been developed to understand the relation between antenna coil heat loadings and plasma production/transport processes. From the calculation, the local plasma density increase is observed in the region close to the antenna coil. Electrons are magnetized by the magnetic field line with absolute magnetic flux density 30-120 Gauss which leads to high local ionization rate. The results suggest that modification of magnetic configuration can be made to reduce plasma heat flux onto the antenna.

A Simple fMRI Compatible Robotic Stimulator to Study the Neural Mechanisms of Touch and Pain

This paper presents a simple device for the investigation of the human somatosensory system with functional magnetic imaging (fMRI). PC-controlled pneumatic actuation is employed to produce innocuous or noxious mechanical stimulation of the skin. Stimulation patterns are synchronized with fMRI and other relevant physiological measurements like electroencephalographic activity and vital physiological parameters. The system allows adjustable regulation of stimulation parameters and provides consistent patterns of stimulation. A validation experiment demonstrates that the system safely and reliably identifies clusters of functional activity in brain regions involved in the processing of pain. This new device is inexpensive, portable, easy-to-assemble and customizable to suit different experimental requirements. It provides robust and consistent somatosensory stimulation, which is of crucial importance to investigating the mechanisms of pain and its strong connection with the sense of touch.

Status of the RF-driven H⁻ ion source for J-PARC linac

For the upgrade of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex linac beam current, a cesiated RF-driven negative hydrogen ion source was installed during the 2014 summer shutdown period, with subsequent operations commencing on September 29, 2014. The ion source has been successfully operating with a beam current and duty factor of 33 mA and 1.25% (500 μs and 25 Hz), respectively. The result of recent beam operation has demonstrated that the ion source is capable of continuous operation for approximately 1100 h. The spark rate at the beam extractor was observed to be at a frequency of less than once a day, which is an acceptable level for user operation. Although an antenna failure occurred during operation on October 26, 2014, no subsequent serious issues have occurred since then.

Distinct X chromosomal rearrangements in four haemophilia B patients with entire F9 deletion

INTRODUCTION

Haemophilia B is an X-linked bleeding disorder caused by a coagulation factor IX gene (F9) abnormality. Numerous F9 defects have been identified to date; however, only a few with an entire F9 deletion have been reported in detail.

AIM

To elucidate the cause of severe haemophilia B, we investigated the precise X chromosome abnormalities in four Japanese patients who did not show all amplifications in F9-specific PCR.

METHODS

We analysed the patient's genomic DNA using Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). To assess the extent of any deletions, we further performed mapping PCRs, inverse PCRs or long-range PCRs and direct sequencing analyses of the X chromosome.

RESULTS

We detected entire F9 deletions in four haemophilia B patients and identified the precise deleted regions of the X chromosome including F9. Patient 1 had a 149-kb deletion with breakpoints 90-kb upstream and 30-kb downstream from F9. Patients 2 and 3 showed 273-kb and 1.19-Mb deletions respectively. Patient 4 had two deleted regions: a 1663-bp deletion 1.34-Mb upstream from F9 and a 7.2-Mb deletion including F9. These distinct breakpoints found in four different patients suggest that the mechanism of X chromosome deletion may be different between individuals. Non-allelic homologous recombination (NAHR), microhomology-mediated break-induced replication (MMBIR) or fork stalling and template switching (FoSTeS) may occur in respective X chromosomes of the four haemophilia B patients analysed.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified diverse X chromosomal rearrangements in four haemophilia B patients, which might be caused by distinct mechanisms of genomic rearrangement.

Possibility of breast cancer prevention: use of soy isoflavones and fermented soy beverage produced using probiotics

The various beneficial effects of soybeans, which are rich in phytochemicals, have received much attention because of increasing health awareness. Soy milk that has been fermented using lactic acid bacteria has been used to prepare cheese-like products, tofu (bean-curd), and yogurt-type products. However, the distinct odor of soybeans has limited the acceptance of such foods, particularly in Western countries. In Japan, while tofu and soy milk have long been habitually consumed, the development of novel, palatable food products has not been easy. The unpleasant odor of soy milk and the absorption efficiency for isoflavones can be improved using a recently developed fermented soy milk beverage. Cancer has been the leading cause of death, and breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women. The most common type of breast cancer is estrogen-dependent, and the anti-estrogenic effects of isoflavones are known. The present review focuses on the characteristics of soy milk fermented using probiotics, an epidemiological study examining the incidence of breast cancer and soy isoflavone consumption, and a non-clinical study examining breast cancer prevention using fermented soy milk beverage.

Abstract 5534: A novel and oral histone deacetylase inhibitor, resminostat, effectively suppresses the growth of non-small cell lung cancer in a xenograft mouse model

Background: Accumulating evidence reveals effectiveness of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition in various types of cancer, and resminostat is a novel and oral HDAC inhibitor. In this study, we investigated the preclinical activity of resminostat in human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, especially in combination with docetaxel (DTX).

Materials and Methods: Anti-proliferative activity of resminostat was evaluated in 9 human NSCLC cell lines in vitro. Monolayers of cultured cells were exposed to resminostat and cell viability was determined. The amount of p21, acetylated histone H3 and α-tublin were analyzed by Western blotting in NCI-H460 cells exposed to resminostat. In addition, caspase-3 activity was measured. In a drug combination study, cells were simultaneously exposed to resminostat and DTX, and the synergistic effects of this drug combination were analyzed using the Combination Index, calculated by the median-effect method. For in vivo studies, a suspension of NCI-H460 cells was subcutaneously inoculated into the flank of male nude mice. The antitumor efficacies of oral resminostat alone or in combination with intravenous DTX were evaluated in this NSCLC xenograft model.

Results: Resminostat exhibited antiproliferative activity in all tested cell lines. Sensitivity to resminostat was not influenced by the genetic status of KRAS among the cell lines (IC50 from 9 cell lines: 0.4-8.7 μmol/L). The treatment of cells with resminostat alone increased the levels of total p21 protein and acetylated histone H3. α-tublin was also acetylated by resminostat treatment and the level of acetylation was enhanced by the combination treatment with DTX. The amount of polymerized α-tubulin was increased by DTX treatment and this effect was greater in the combination treatment with resminostat than with DTX alone. Caspase-3 was more significantly activated by the combination treatment than with each mono-treatment. The Combination Index showed synergistic or additive effects in the resminostat plus DTX combination. The antitumor activities of resminostat were demonstrated in NCI-H460 tumor-bearing mice, where an up-regulation of p21 was accompanied by acetylation of histone H3 in the tumor tissues. The tumor growth inhibition ratio (IR) in the combination treatment was 2.6 and 1.8 times higher than with DTX alone or with resminostat alone, respectively, following a tolerable drug application schedule.

Conclusion: These results demonstrated the potent activity of resminostat in NSCLC. The combination of resminostat and DTX appears to be a promising regimen to be tested in clinical trials in NSCLC patients. Based on this study, we initiated a phase I/II study in NSCLC patients to examine the safety and efficacy of this combination.

Citation Format: Akimitsu Takagi, Hiroaki Konishi, Momomi Tsugane, Keisuke Taniguchi, Hiroyuki Takahashi, Yu Inutake, Akinobu Watanabe, Hiroshi Kodaira, Takeshi Matsuzaki. A novel and oral histone deacetylase inhibitor, resminostat, effectively suppresses the growth of non-small cell lung cancer in a xenograft mouse model. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5534. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5534

Dependence of beam emittance on plasma electrode temperature and rf-power, and filter-field tuning with center-gapped rod-filter magnets in J-PARC rf-driven H(-) ion source

The prototype rf-driven H(-) ion-source with a nickel plated oxygen-free-copper (OFC) plasma chamber, which satisfies the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) 2nd stage requirements of a H(-) ion beam current of 60 mA within normalized emittances of 1.5 π mm mrad both horizontally and vertically, a flat top beam duty factor of 1.25% (500 μs × 25 Hz) and a life-time of more than 50 days, was reported at the 3rd international symposium on negative ions, beams, and sources (NIBS2012). The experimental results of the J-PARC ion source with a plasma chamber made of stainless-steel, instead of nickel plated OFC used in the prototype source, are presented in this paper. By comparing these two sources, the following two important results were acquired. One was that the about 20% lower emittance was produced by the rather low plasma electrode (PE) temperature (TPE) of about 120 °C compared with the typically used TPE of about 200 °C to maximize the beam current for the plasma with the abundant cesium (Cs). The other was that by using the rod-filter magnets with a gap at each center and tuning the gap-lengths, the filter-field was optimized and the rf-power necessary to produce the J-PARC required H(-) ion beam current was reduced typically 18%. The lower rf-power also decreases the emittances.

Operation and development status of the J-PARC ion source

A cesium-free H(-) ion source driven with a LaB6 filament is being operated at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) without any serious trouble since the restoration from the March 2011 earthquake. The H(-) ion current from the ion source is routinely restricted approximately 19 mA for the lifetime of the filament. In order to increase the beam power at the linac beam operation (January to February 2013), the beam current from the ion source was increased to 22 mA. At this operation, the lifetime of the filament was estimated by the reduction in the filament current. According to the steep reduction in the filament current, the break of the filament was predicted. Although the filament has broken after approximately 10 h from the steep current reduction, the beam operation was restarted approximately 8 h later by the preparation for the exchange of new filament. At the study time for the 3 GeV rapid cycling synchrotron (April 2013), the ion source was operated at approximately 30 mA for 8 days. As a part of the beam current upgrade plan for the J-PARC, the front end test stand consisting of the ion source and the radio frequency quadrupole is under preparation. The RF-driven H(-) ion source developed for the J-PARC 2nd stage requirements will be tested at this test stand.

Two is better than one: physical interactions improve motor performance in humans

How do physical interactions with others change our own motor behavior? Utilizing a novel motor learning paradigm in which the hands of two - individuals are physically connected without their conscious awareness, we investigated how the interaction forces from a partner adapt the motor behavior in physically interacting humans. We observed the motor adaptations during physical interactions to be mutually beneficial such that both the worse and better of the interacting partners improve motor performance during and after interactive practice. We show that these benefits cannot be explained by multi-sensory integration by an individual, but require physical interaction with a reactive partner. Furthermore, the benefits are determined by both the interacting partner's performance and similarity of the partner's behavior to one's own. Our results demonstrate the fundamental neural processes underlying human physical interactions and suggest advantages of interactive paradigms for sport-training and physical rehabilitation.

Lactobacillus casei Shirota enhances the preventive efficacy of soymilk in chemically induced breast cancer

Soy foods are known to be effective for breast cancer prevention. The habitual consumption of soy isoflavones in combination with the probiotic Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) was shown to decrease the risk of breast cancer occurrence in our previous population-based case-controlled study among Japanese women. The present study aimed to elucidate the cooperative prevention mechanism of soymilk and LcS using an animal carcinogenic model. Female Sprague-Dawley rats received a high-fat, AIN-76A diet containing soymilk, LcS, both soymilk and LcS, or none and were orally exposed to 2-amino-1-methyl-6-penylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine at a dose of 85 mg/kg bodyweight eight times for 2 weeks. The development of palpable mammary tumors was monitored for 17 weeks. Tumor tissues were immunohistochemically examined for estrogen receptor (ER)-α, Ki-67 and CD34. Compared with the control group, the incidence and multiplicity of mammary tumors were reduced by soymilk alone and soymilk in combination with LcS, while tumor volume was decreased by LcS alone and LcS in combination with soymilk. An immunohistochemical analysis revealed that soymilk in combination with LcS more effectively reduced the numbers of ER-α-positive and Ki-67-positive cells in tumors than soymilk alone and that both soymilk and LcS inhibited tumor angiogenesis. These results demonstrated that soymilk prevents the development of mammary tumors and that LcS suppresses tumor growth, potentially enhancing the preventive efficacy of soymilk. The habitual consumption of LcS in combination with soymilk might be a beneficial dietary style for breast cancer prevention.

PEGylated liposome IHL-305 markedly improved the survival of ovarian cancer peritoneal metastasis in mouse

BACKGROUND

Advanced ovarian cancer is characterized by peritoneal metastasis and the accumulation of ascites. Peritoneal metastasis of ovarian cancer is a major cause of the negative treatment outcome, as these metastases are resistant to most chemotherapy regimens. The aim of this study was to clarify aggressive pathology of peritoneal metastasis and examine the therapeutic efficacy of a liposomal agent in the model.

METHODS

A human cancer cell line ES-2 of ovarian clear cell carcinoma, known as a chemotherapy-resistant cancer, was cultured in nonadherent plate to form spheroid and single cell suspension was transplanted into mouse peritoneal cavity. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathways in the cellular aggregates were analyzed both spheroid and ascites. The pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of CPT-11 (45 mg/kg) and IHL-305 (45 mg/kg), an irinotecan-encapsulated liposome, were examined by intravenous administration.

RESULTS

Established peritoneal metastasis model showed an accumulation of ascites. The activation of EGFR and Akt was demonstrated in cellular aggregates both in the spheroid and ascites. In ascites samples, the area under the curve of SN-38, the activated form of CPT-11, was 3.8 times higher from IHL-305-treated mice than from CPT-11-treated mice. IHL-305 prolonged the survival time and decreased the accumulation of ascites and tumor metastasis. The median survival time were 22, 37 and 54 days in the control, CPT-11-treated, and IHL-305-treated mice, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

EGFR/Akt pathway contributes to the aggressive progression in ES-2 peritoneal metastasis model and effective delivery into ascites of IHL-305 was thought to useful treatment for ovarian cancer with peritoneal metastasis.

Sensitive pupil response of early-onset alzheimer's patients to a dilute mixture of cholinergic antagonist and α-Adrenergic stimulant

To investigate possible differences in pupil dilation and light reflex in Alzheimer's disease patients that can be attributed to the age of onset of the disease, a statistical comparison was made of pupil dilation and light reflex among early- and late-onset Alzheimer's disease, Down syndrome, and patients with vascular dementia, and normal controls. The subjects included 53 probable Alzheimer's disease outpatients, including both early-onset type (AD: n=21) and late-onset type (SD: n=32). They were compared with normal controls (n=15), Down syndrome patients (DS: n=6), and patients with vascular dementia (VD: n=9). All subjects and controls were dark-eyed Japanese. Pupil dilation and light reflex were tested in 21 AD and 32 SD patients, and were compared with those in the control subjects; 6 DS and 9 VD patients. The measured maximum increase in pupil diameter after instilling a mixture of anticholinergic and α -adrenergic stimulating drugs (Midrin-P®), in one eye was significantly greater in AD and DS than in the controls. However, there was no difference among SD, VD, and controls, suggesting a stronger pupil response to these drugs in AD than in SD. Pupil movement in response to light became significantly smaller and faster after instillation of the drugs in Alzheimer's disease patients. The above findings may be useful for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease.

Evidence for common signalling pathways of GnRH receptor and Fas in tumors

Fas, a cell surface receptor, mediates cell death by means of apoptosis in a variety of cell types. GnRH receptor-bearing tumors undergo apoptosis with GnRH analogs. To examine whether Fas and GnRH receptor share the same signal transduction pathway, we attempted to detect Fas-linked responses within plasma membrane isolated from GnRH receptor-bearing tumors. Surgically removed gynecological tumors were screened for Fas and GnRH receptor expression prior to analyses. The plasma membranes from these tumors responded to anti-Fas antibody (N-18) exposure with an inhibition in phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) kinase activity, analogous to response to GnRH analog (buserelin) exposure; the activity was measured as phosphorylation from [gamma-P-32]ATP of exogenous substrate PtdIns by the purified plasma membranes. This inhibition was dependent on the N-18 dose, and a maximal effect occurred at 300 ng/ml with 60% decrease in PtdIns phosphorylation. The maximal inhibitory effects of N-18 and buserelin were not additive on PtdIns kinase inhibition; inhibition by both N-18 and GnRH analog was no greater than with either one alone. These data might suggest that there may be at least some similarity in signal transduction pathway utilized by GnRH analogs and Fas ligands.

A possible mechanism for Inv22-related F8 large deletions in severe hemophilia A patients with high responding factor VIII inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Intron 22 inversion (Inv22) of the coagulation factor (F)VIII gene (F8) is a frequent cause of severe hemophilia A. In addition to Inv22, a variety of F8 mutations (1492 unique mutations) causing hemophilia A have been reported, of which 171 involve deletions of over 50 bp (HAMSTeRs database; http://hadb.org.uk/). However, only 10% of these large deletions have been fully characterized at the nucleotide level.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We investigated gene abnormalities in three unrelated severe hemophilia A patients with high titer FVIII inhibitors. They had previously been shown to carry large deletions of the F8, but the precise gene abnormalities remain to be elucidated.

RESULTS

Inverse shifting-PCR (IS-PCR) Inv22 diagnostic tests revealed that these patients carried either type I or II Inv22. However, they showed a wild-type (WT) pattern in the IS-PCR Inv22 complementary tests. We further analyzed their X chromosomes to account for the puzzling results, and found that they had different centromeric breakpoints in the Inv22 X chromosomes, adjacent to the palindromic regions containing int22h-2 or -3, and their spacer region, respectively. The connections appeared to be shifted towards the telomere of the WT F8 Xq28, resulting in a new telomere with an additional intact int22h copy.

CONCLUSIONS

These gene rearrangements might result from double-strand breaks in the most distal regions of the long arms of the Inv22 X chromosomes, followed by DNA restorations using the WT F8 Xq28 by non-homologous end joining or break-induced replication; thus leading to large F8 deletions in severe hemophilia A patients.

Abstract 5422: Verification of the preventive effects of Lactobacillus casei Shirota and soymilk on breast cancer in animal model

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women, and the incidence rate is increasing in Japan. There is a growing public awareness toward prevention and detection of breast cancer in Japan. We have previously shown in a case-control study that consumption of either soy isoflavone or fermented milk drink containing Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) decreases the risk of developing breast cancer. To investigate the preventive effects of LcS and soy isoflavone against breast cancer, we next conducted an animal study. Female SD rats were treated with the heterocyclic amine PhIP (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine) under a diet containing LcS, soymilk, both LcS and soymilk or LcS-fermented soymilk (L-FSM), and changes were observed for 17 weeks. As a result, decrease in adenocarcinoma and tumor multiplicity was observed in the soymilk, LcS + soymilk and L-FSM groups. Suppression of tumor volume was observed in the LcS, LcS + soymilk and L-FSM groups. Results indicate the possibility that soymilk prevents adenocarcinoma formation, while LcS suppresses tumor growth.

Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition restores ultraviolet B-induced downregulation of ATP2A2/SERCA2 in keratinocytes: possible therapeutic approach of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition for treatment of Darier disease

BACKGROUND

  ATP2A2 encoding the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) -ATPase2 (SERCA2) is a Darier disease (DD)-related gene. Ultraviolet (UV) B irradiation downregulates ATP2A2/SERCA2 expression in keratinocytes, whereas cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression is dramatically upregulated by UVB.

OBJECTIVES

 To analyse the involvement of COX-2 in ATP2A2/SERCA2 expression.

METHODS

  Keratinocytes were transfected with COX-2 siRNA or treated with COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, to evaluate the effect of COX-2 on ATP2A2/SERCA2 expression. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting analysis and reporter assay were used to determine the amount of mRNA, protein level and transcription activity, respectively.

RESULTS

  COX-2 knockdown by siRNA resulted in upregulation of ATP2A2 transcription. Treatment by celecoxib rescued UVB-mediated suppression of the ATP2A2 transcription and SERCA2 protein expression. Simple addition of prostaglandin (PG) E(2) , which is a product of COX-2 enzyme, reduced the amounts of ATP2A2 mRNA and SERCA2 protein in keratinocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

  UVB downregulates ATP2A2/SERCA2 expression via induction of COX-2 expression and subsequent increase of PGE(2) production in keratinocytes. Considering that DD is caused by the decreased function of SERCA2 due to the reduced expression of the ATP2A2 gene, this finding shows the possibility that COX-2 inhibition may be useful to prevent and/or treat DD.

Double-balloon endoscopy versus magnet-imaging enhanced colonoscopy for difficult colonoscopies, a randomized study

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Studies have estimated that failure of cecal intubation occurs with conventional colonoscopy in up to 10 % of cases. Double-balloon endoscopy (DBE) systems, magnetic endoscope imaging (MEI), and transparent cap have been shown to improve success rates for colonoscopy. This study evaluated the utility of DBE for complete examination of the colon compared with MEI plus cap (MEI-Cap) after incomplete or technically difficult colonoscopy in a randomized comparative manner.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 94 patients with incomplete or technically difficult colonoscopy were randomly assigned to receive either DBE (n = 47) or colonoscopy with MEI-Cap (n = 47). The primary end point was cecal intubation rate within 30 minutes. Secondary end points included intubation time, pain score using a visual analog scale, abdominal pressure attempts, doses of sedative medication, and changes in patient position during colonoscopy.

RESULTS

Patient characteristics were comparable in both groups. Cecal intubation rate within 30 minutes was significantly higher for DBE (45 /47, 95.7 %) than for MEI-Cap (34 /47, 72.3 %) (P = 0.0049). Mean time to reach the cecum was significantly lower in the DBE group (13.0 ± 5.3 minutes) than in the MEI-Cap group (16.4 ± 4.8 minutes; P = 0.0003). No complications were encountered in either group.  

CONCLUSION

DBE is more useful for complete examination of the colon than MEI-Cap in patients with incomplete or technically difficult colonoscopy.

Antitumor activity of IHL-305, a novel pegylated liposome containing irinotecan, in human xenograft models

The antitumor effect of IHL-305, a novel pegylated liposome containing irinotecan, was investigated in human xenograft models. After subcutaneous transplantation of several human cancer cell lines (colorectal, non-small cell lung, small cell lung, prostate, ovarian and gastric cancer cells) to nude mice, IHL-305 or CPT-11 was administered intravenously 3 times at 4-day intervals. In all xenograft models tested, IHL-305 showed superior antitumor activity to that of CPT‑11 and a comparable tumor-growth-inhibitory effect at one-eighth or less of the dose of CPT-11, even against HT-29 colorectal and NCI-H460 non-small cell lung cancer cell lines, which show intrinsic resistance to CPT-11. A single injection or 2 injections of IHL-305 on several dosing schedules also resulted in a significant antitumor effect compared to that of vehicle control in a dose-dependent manner and showed comparable antitumor activity at about one-fifth the dose of the maximum tolerated dose of CPT-11. The analysis of the concentrations of irinotecan and SN-38, an active metabolite of CPT-11, in plasma and tumors revealed that irinotecan was maintained at high concentrations, and the prolonged presence of SN-38 in plasma and tumors in IHL-305 treated mice compared with CPT-11-treated mice. Therefore, the stronger tumor inhibitory effect of IHL-305, as compared to CPT-11, was associated with the difference in the concentration of irinotecan in plasma or tumors after each agent was administered and with the maintainance of a higher concentration of SN-38. These results indicate that IHL-305 demonstrated superior antitumor activity against a wide range of tumors at lower doses than CPT-11.

Abstract 4275: A prostate cancer spheroid related gene and chemotherapy

Spheroid culture is one of the three-dimensional (3-D) culture models. We have constructed a spheroid culture model for prostate cancer therapy and characterized this model. The change of global gene expression profiles in spheroids and solid tumor tissues were also compared with monolayer cultures, leading to extraction of candidate genes in contexts that more closely mimic tumor growth in vitro under different in vitro growth conditions. It is possible that these genes may be specific to the construction of spheroids and reveal the possibilities of new mechanisms of acquiring anticancer drug resistance or sensitivity. The plk-2 was extracted as a candidate

e gene related with spheroid formation. A member of the polo-like kinase (PLK) family, PLK2 is one of highly conserved serine/threonine protein kinases. In this study, we analyzed effects of the PLK2 on the spheroid characterization and anticancer drug resistance in DU-145 spheroids by suppressing plk2 with RNAi. When docetaxel (DTX) was exposed for siRNA-transfected spheroids, the viability changed, the volume decreased at each concentration of DTX, and spheroids were collapsed at last. The result indicates that the plk2 may be involved in acquiring anticancer drug resistance.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4275. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4275

Synthesis of Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate-Co-3-Hydroxyvalerate) from Methanol and n-Amyl Alcohol by the Methylotrophic Bacteria Paracoccus denitrificans and Methylobacterium extorquens

Strains of two types of methylotrophic bacteria, Paracoccus denitrificans and Methylobacterium extorquens, synthesized the copolyester poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) when methanol and n-amyl alcohol were added together to nitrogen-limited medium. The composition of the copolyester differed considerably between the two strains: the copolyester from P. denitrificans was comparatively rich in 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV). The 3HV content of the copolyester synthesized by this strain increased with increasing concentrations of n-amyl alcohol. Its maximum content was 91.5 mol% under the conditions used. In M. extorquens, the maximum 3HV content was limited to 38.2 mol%. Since n-amyl alcohol served as a substrate for a standard methanol dehydrogenase, the enzyme was proposed to oxidize both methanol and n-amyl alcohol in the first step of copolyester synthesis from these substrates by methanol-grown cells.