RAD001 offers a therapeutic intervention through inhibition of mTOR as a potential strategy for esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is one of the most frequently occurring cancers in the world. Targeting therapy strategy of cancer with specific inhibitors is developing and has showed promising antitumor efficacy. It is known that mTOR is an important controller of cell growth. RAD001 (everolimus) is a specific inhibitor of mTOR that can block the mTOR signaling pathway. The purposes of this study was to explore the inhibitory effects of RAD001 on mTOR signaling and the mechanism of cell growth suppression by RAD001. We examined both the expression of mTOR, p70S6K and S6 in SEG-1 esophageal cancer cells and KOB-13 normal esophageal epithelial cells and the efficacy of RAD001 against SEG-1 esophageal cancer cells. mTOR, p70S6K and S6 were overexpressed in SEG-1 esophageal cancer cells compared with KOB-13 normal esophageal epithelial cells. SEG-1 esophageal cancer cells were sensitive to RAD001. The survival rate of the cells treated with RAD001 over 0.33 microM was significantly different compared with that of control (P<0.01). RAD001 inhibited the phosphorylation of mTOR (Ser2448) and S6 (Ser240/244) in different grades and the expressions of mTOR, p70S6K and S6. As a result, RAD001 induced a dose-dependent decrease in cell proliferation, G1/S arrest and damage of cell shape. Taken together, these data showed that RAD001 can inhibit mTOR signaling and proliferation in SEG-1 esophageal cancer cells in vitro. It offers a therapeutic intervention through inhibition of mTOR as a potential strategy for esophageal cancer.

TAE226, a dual inhibitor for FAK and IGF-IR, has inhibitory effects on mTOR signaling in esophageal cancer cells

Esophageal cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers in the world. Novel preventive and therapeutic strategies tend to target the key molecules involved in the signaling transduction pathways for cell growth. It is known that FAK and mTOR are important controllers of cell growth. TAE226, a novel small molecule compound, is a potent ATP competitive inhibitor of FAK and IGF-IR. TAE226 can block FAK and IGF-IR signaling pathways. The purpose of this study was to explore the inhibitory effects on mTOR signaling and the mechanism of cell growth suppression by TAE226. We examined the expression of mTOR and S6 in esophageal cancer cells (SEG-1) and normal esophageal epithelial cells (KOB-13) and the efficacy of TAE226 against SEG-1 cells. mTOR and S6 were overexpressed in SEG-1 cells compared with KOB-13 cells. TAE226 inhibited the expression of mTOR, Akt, p70S6K and S6 as well as the phosphorylation of mTOR (Ser2448), Akt (Ser473), p70S6K (Thr389) and S6 (Ser240/244). As a result, TAE226 induced a dose-dependent decrease in cell growth (number) and damage in the cell shape. Together, these data show that TAE226 has potent inhibitory effects on mTOR signaling and esophageal cancer cell growth indicating that TAE226 has potential application in esophageal cancer treatment.

Combined Monteggia and Galeazzi fractures in a child: a case report and review of the literature

We present an unusual case in which a combination of Monteggia and Galeazzi fractures occurred in the same forearm. The patient was a 10-year-old male who climbed up the pole of a basketball net, caught hold of the net, then lost his grip, and fell onto his right hand. On physical examination, a complete paralysis of the radial ulnar and median nerves was recognized. X-rays showed an olecranon fracture and lateral dislocation of the radial head in the elbow joint, a dorsal dislocation of the distal bone fragments due to a fracture of the distal third of the radius, and a palmar dislocation of the distal end of the ulna at the wrist joint. The injuries were diagnosed as a combination of a Bado type III Monteggia fracture and a palmar-type Galeazzi fracture of the same arm. Manual reduction and immobilization in a plaster cast were performed. Three years after the injury, both the distal and proximal radioulnar joints were maintained in the reduction position. Range of motion was reduced minimally in extension at the patient's elbow, and there was complete recovery of all three nerves. A combination of Monteggia and Galeazzi fractures in the same arm has been reported in only two pediatric patients worldwide and in eight cases total when adult patients are included, indicating that this is an extremely rare trauma.

Projections from the subdivisions of the fastigial nucleus to the vestibular complex and the prepositus hypoglossal nucleus in the albino rat: an anterograde tracing study using biocytin

Differential projections from the subdivisions of the fastigial nucleus to the vestibular complex and the prepositus hypoglossal nucleus were investigated by an anterograde tracing method using biocytin in the albino rat. The caudomedial subdivision of the nucleus projected ipsilaterally to the dorsal and medial parts of the superior vestibular nucleus (Su Ve), the dorsomedial part of the lateral vestibular nucleus (LVe), and the dorsal parts of the medial (MVe) and spinal (Sp Ve) vestibular nuclei, and projected contralaterally to the ventrolateral corners of the Su Ve and LVe, the ventral part of the MVe, and the lateral part of the Sp Ve. The bilateral prepositus hypoglossal nuclei received sparse projections from the caudomedial subdivision. The middle subdivision of the fastigial nucleus projected ipsilaterally to the dorsal and/or ventral parts of the Su Ve, the dorsomedial pats of the LVe and Sp Ve, and the dorsolateral part of the MVe, and projected contralaterally to the dorsal margin of the Su Ve, the ventrolateral part of the LVe, and the lateral part of the Sp Ve. The dorsolateral protuberance of the fastigial nucleus projected ipsilaterally to the dorsal margin of the Su Ve, the dorsomedial part of the LVe, the dorsal or lateral parts of the Sp Ve, and the lateral part of the MVe, and projected contralaterally to the ventrolateral part of the LVe and the lateral part of the Sp Ve. The subnuclei x, y, and f, interstitial nucleus of the vestibular nerve, and the infracerebellar nucleus received bilateral or ipsilateral fastigiovestibular projections.

A case of the bilateral superficial brachial arteries which continued to the radial arteries in the forearms

During the dissection course of Kobe University School of Medicine, we found the bilateral superficial brachial arteries that continued to the radial arteries in a 90-years-old female cadaver. Each superficial brachial artery is classified Arteria brachialis superficialis lateralis inferior. This artery directly continued to the radial artery in the forearms on each side. Anomalous branching patterns of the (proper) brachial artery in this case belong to the type 7 of Adachi's classification. The incidence and embryological aspects of this anomalous arterial branching are discussed.