Effects of microphone mounting location and gender on accuracy in speech recognition using a throat microphone

Speech recognition using air-conduction microphones is less accurate under high noise conditions and when the volume of the speaker's voice is relatively low. In this study, the effect of mounting location of throat microphones (which are less susceptible to ambient noise) on recognition accuracy was experimentally investigated. The results confirmed that mounting position and speaker gender affected recognition accuracy, regardless of any other factor or speech recognition system. In addition, relatively lower recognition accuracy was observed in the upper part of the neck near the mandibular angle for both males and females.

Pharmacologic characterization of TBP1901, a prodrug form of aglycone curcumin, and CRISPR-Cas9 screen for therapeutic targets of aglycone curcumin

Curcumin (aglycone curcumin) has antitumor properties in a variety of malignancies via the alteration of multiple cancer-related biological pathways; however, its clinical application has been hampered due to its poor bioavailability. To overcome this limitation, we have developed a synthesized curcumin β-D-glucuronide sodium salt (TBP1901), a prodrug form of aglycone curcumin. In this study, we aimed to clarify the pharmacologic characteristics of TBP1901. In β-glucuronidase (GUSB)-proficient mice, both curcumin β-D-glucuronide and its active metabolite, aglycone curcumin, were detected in the blood after TBP1901 injection, whereas only curcumin β-D-glucuronide was detected in GUSB-impaired mice, suggesting that GUSB plays a pivotal role in the conversion of TBP1901 into aglycone curcumin in vivo. TBP1901 itself had minimal antitumor effects in vitro, whereas it demonstrated significant antitumor effects in vivo. Genome-wide clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 screen disclosed the genes associated with NF-κB signaling pathway and mitochondria were among the highest hit. In vitro, aglycone curcumin inhibited NF-kappa B signaling pathways whereas it caused production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS scavenger, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, partially reversed antitumor effects of aglycone curcumin. In summary, TBP1901 can exert antitumor effects as a prodrug of aglycone curcumin through GUSB-dependent activation.

Evaluation of eustachian tube function using a portable device

The present paper investigates a portable eustachian-tube-function testing device by sonotubometry based on pure-tone sound transmission via the eustachian tube (ET). The measured results obtained by the proposed method were validated through comparison with the existing testing technique based on broadband sound inspection. The measurement results for the ET opening time (T_open) and the sound pressure difference in the ear canal between open and closed ETs (ΔL) obtained using pure-tone sounds with tonal frequency components of 7.0 and 9.5 kHz generally agreed with the results obtained by the existing technique with broadband testing sound.

Curcumin β-D-glucuronide exhibits anti-tumor effects on oxaliplatin-resistant colon cancer with less toxicity in vivo

The NF‐kappa B (NF‐κB) pathway plays a pivotal role in tumor progression and chemoresistance, and its inhibition has been shown to suppress tumor growth in a variety of preclinical models. Recently, we succeeded in synthesizing a water‐soluble injectable type of curcumin β‐D‐glucuronide (CMG), which is converted into a free‐form of curcumin by β‐glucuronidase in vivo. Herein, we aimed to clarify the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of CMG in a xenograft mouse model. First, we confirmed that the presence of KRAS/TP53 mutations significantly increased the IC₅₀ of oxaliplatin (L‐OHP) and NF‐κB activity in HCT116 cells in vitro. Then, we tested the efficacy of CMG in an HCT116 colon cancer xenograft mice model. CMG demonstrated superior anticancer effects compared to L‐OHP in an L‐OHP‐resistant xenograft model. With regard to safety, significant bodyweight loss, severe myelosuppression and AST/ALT elevation were observed in L‐OHP‐treated mice, whereas none of these toxicity was noted in CMG‐treated mice. The combination of CMG and L‐OHP exhibited additive effects in these xenograft models without increasing toxicity. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that high levels of free‐form curcumin were maintained in the tumor tissue after 48 hours following CMG administration, but it was not detected in other major organs, such as the heart, liver and spleen. Immunohistochemistry revealed reduced NF‐κB activity in the tumor tissue extracted from CMG‐treated mice compared with that from control mice. These results indicated that CMG could be a promising anticancer prodrug for treating colon cancer with minimal toxicity.

Measurements of radiocesium in animals, plants and fungi in Svalbard after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster

An earthquake struck the eastern part of Japan on March 11, 2011. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was severely damaged by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami, leading to the emission of large amounts of radioactive pollutants, including ¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs, into the environment. From August 23 to September 1 in 2011, and from August 27 to September 4 in 2013, we collected samples of animals, plants, fungi and lichens from Svalbard, Norway and measured the radioactivity of ¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs contained in the samples. Though no radioactivity of ¹³⁴Cs, which has a half-life of approximately 2 years, was observed, radioactivity of ¹³⁷Cs, which has a half-life of approximately 30 years, was observed in some samples of lichens and fungi. We failed to detect the radioactivity of ¹³⁴Cs in any of the samples we collected, therefore, it was impossible to say clearly that the radioactivity is derived from Fukushima or not. Nevertheless, the radioactivity data documented in this report are a useful reference for the future surveys of radioactivity within the Arctic.

Abstract P6-03-14: Conditional reprogrammed cells enable us to examine the drug resistance for recurrent metastatic hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal receptor 2-negative breast cancer

Objectives: Various new drugs have been developed for treating recurrent hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal receptor 2-negative breast cancer. However, directly identifying effective drugs remains difficult. In this study, we elucidated the clinical relevance of cultured cells derived from patients with recurrent hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal receptor 2-negative metastatic breast cancer. Methods: We generated conditional reprogrammed cells from primary and metastatic breast cancer. CR cells were co-cultured with irradiated mouse fibroblast feeder cells in the presence of the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632. We performed microarray analysis using a SurePrint G3 Human GE microarray kit Ver. 2.0, and DNA target sequence using QIAseq Targeted DNA Panels to analyze the genetic variants of the 93 most commonly mutated genes in human breast cancer samples. We examined the pathological features by xenograft model. For drug screening assay, we used Cambridge Cancer Compound Library. Results: The results of microarray analysis, DNA target sequencing and xenograft experiments indicated that the mutation status and pathological features were preserved in CR cells, whereas RNA expression was different from that in the primary tumor cells, especially with respect to cell adhesion-associated pathways. The results of drug sensitivity assays involving the use of primary breast cancer CR cells were consistent with the result of Oncotype Dx. We performed drug screening assays using liver metastases, which were sensitive to 66 drugs. The result reflected the actual clinical course of this patient, resistant to taxanes and sensitive to fulvestrant plus palbociclib. Conclusion: These results supported the use of CR cells obtained from the metastatic lesions of patients with HR+/HER2− breast cancer for predicting the clinical drug efficacy.

Citation Format: Rei Mimoto, Satomi Yogosawa, Atsushi Fushimi, Hiroko Nogi, Tadashi Asakura, Kiyotsugu Yoshida, Hiroshi Takeyama. Conditional reprogrammed cells enable us to examine the drug resistance for recurrent metastatic hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal receptor 2-negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-03-14.

Clinical implications of drug-screening assay for recurrent metastatic hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal receptor 2-negative breast cancer using conditionally reprogrammed cells

Various new drugs have been developed for treating recurrent hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal receptor 2-negative (HER2−) breast cancer. However, directly identifying effective drugs remains difficult. In this study, we elucidated the clinical relevance of cultured cells derived from patients with recurrent HR+/HER2− metastatic breast cancer. The recently established conditionally reprogrammed (CR) cell system enables us to examine heterogeneity, drug sensitivity and cell function using patient-derived tumour samples. The results of microarray analysis, DNA target sequencing and xenograft experiments indicated that the mutation status and pathological features were preserved in CR cells, whereas RNA expression was different from that in the primary tumour cells, especially with respect to cell adhesion-associated pathways. The results of drug sensitivity assays involving the use of primary breast cancer CR cells were consistent with gene expression profiling test data. We performed drug-screening assays using liver metastases, which were sensitive to 66 drugs. Importantly, the result reflected the actual clinical course of this patient. These results supported the use of CR cells obtained from the metastatic lesions of patients with HR+/HER2− breast cancer for predicting the clinical drug efficacy.

Health-related QOL of elderly patients with pulmonary M. avium complex disease in a university hospital

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the clinical characteristics and health-related quality of life (HQOL) of elderly patients with pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (pMAC) disease.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate HQOL using the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and to investigate the predictors of HQOL changes among elderly patients with pMAC disease.

METHODS

This prospective cohort registry was conducted at Keio University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, between May 2012 and July 2015 and included 84 patients with pMAC disease aged 75 years who had completed the HQOL questionnaire and 48 patients with pMAC disease who had been followed up and completed the HQOL questionnaire in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, respectively.

RESULTS

In cross-sectional analyses, elderly patients with pMAC disease had significantly lower role-physical, general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional and role/social component scores than the general Japanese elderly population. Analysis of covariance revealed that patients with cavitary lesions had significantly worse physical functioning and SGRQ scores (P < 0.05). Longitudinal analysis showed that under-treatment, short duration of disease and positive sputum smear at baseline were predictors of worse HQOL at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly patients with pMAC disease have reduced HQOL. Further large studies on HQOL are required to refine the use of this parameter in the treatment of these patients.

First report of hepatobiliary Mycobacterium avium infection developing obstructive jaundice in a patient with neutralizing anti-interferon-gamma autoantibodies

This study describes a patient who experienced hepatobiliary Mycobacterium avium infection associated with neutralizing anti–interferon gamma (IFN-γ) autoantibodies during treatment for disseminated M. avium disease. Hepatobiliary M. avium infection should be considered in jaundiced patients with neutralizing anti–IFN-γ autoantibodies, including those receiving antimycobacterial therapy for disseminated M. avium disease.

Chemotherapeutic Effect of CD147 Antibody-labeled Micelles Encapsulating Doxorubicin Conjugate Targeting CD147-Expressing Carcinoma Cells

BACKGROUND

CD147 (basigin/emmprin) is expressed on the surface of carcinoma cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For studying the efficacy of CD147-targeting medicine on CD147-expressing cells, we studied the effect of anti-CD147-labeled polymeric micelles (CD147ab micelles) that encapsulated a conjugate of doxorubicin with glutathione (GSH-DXR), with specific accumulation and cytotoxicity against CD147-expressing A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells, Ishikawa human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells, and PC3 human prostate carcinoma cells.

RESULTS

By treatment of each cell type with CD147ab micelles for 1 h, a specific accumulation of CD147ab micelles in CD147-expressing cells was observed. In addition, the cytotoxicity of GSH-DXR-encapsulated micelles against each cell type was measured by treatment of the micelles for 1 h. The cytotoxic effect of CD147ab micelles carrying GSH-DXR was 3- to 10-fold higher for these cells than that of micelles without GSH-DXR.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that GSH-DXR-encapsulated CD147ab micelles could serve as an effective drug delivery system to CD147-expressing carcinoma cells.

Antibody to human α-fetoprotein inhibits cell growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by resuscitating the PTEN molecule: in vitro experiments

It has been proposed that α-fetoprotein (AFP) is a new member of the intracellular signaling molecule family of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway via interaction with the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). In this study, the effects of anti-human AFP antibody on the functions of PTEN were examined using an AFP-producing human hepatoma cell line. The antibody caused significant inhibition of cell growth, compared to a normal IgG control, with the accumulation of intracellular immune complexes followed by significant reduction of cytosolic functional AFP. Decrease in the amount of AKT phosphorylated on serine (S) 473 indicated that PI3K/AKT signaling was suppressed in the cells. S380-phosphorylated PTEN increased markedly by the second day after antibody treatment, with slight but significant increase in the PTEN protein level. Since phosphorylation at S380 is critical for PTEN stability, the increase in S380-phosphorylated PTEN indicated maintenance of the number of PTEN molecules and the related potential to control PI3K/AKT signaling. p53 protein (P53) significantly, but slightly increased during antibody treatment, because PTEN expression increased the stability and function of P53 via both molecular interactions. P53 phosphorylated at S20 or at S392 dramatically increased, suggesting an increase in the stability, accumulation and activation of P53. Glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) increased immediately after antibody treatment, pointing to a deficiency of glucose in the cells. Immunofluorescence cytology revealed that antibody-treatment re-distributed GLUT1 molecules throughout the cytoplasm with a reduction of their patchy localization on the cell surface. This suggested that translocation of GLUT1 depends on the PI3K/AKT pathway, in particular on PTEN expression. Antibody therapy targeted at AFP-producing tumor cells showed an inhibitory effect on the PI3K/AKT pathway via the liberation, restoration and functional stabilization of PTEN. PTEN simultaneously induced both P53 activation and intracellular translocation of GLUT1, since these are closely associated with PTEN.

Proteasome inhibitor-resistant cells cause EMT-induction via suppression of E-cadherin by miR-200 and ZEB1

Downregulation of E-cadherin (gene: CDH1) plays an important role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is critical for normal development and disease states. As a result of long-term treatment of endometrial carcinoma Ishikawa cells with epoxomicin (EXM), the cells exhibited the phenotype for EXM-resistance (Ish/EXM cells). Moreover, CDH1 mRNA and its protein were suppressed and EMT was induced in Ish/EXM cells. Ish/EXM cells exhibited drug-resistance to other proteasome inhibitors, MG-132, PSI and PS-341 (Bortezomib). The proteasome inhibitor-resistant cells acquired invasiveness as a result of the chemotherapy. In Ish/EXM cells, E-cadherin was suppressed by upregulation of its transcriptional repressor ZEB1. Furthermore, expression of the miR-200 family (miR-200a, miR-200b, miR-200c and miR-141) found in Ishikawa cells was suppressed in Ish/EXM cells. Overexpression of the miR-200 family in Ish/EXM cells caused by transfection with the pre-miR-200 family induced downregulation of ZEB1 and enhanced expression of E-cadherin. Conversely, suppression of miR-200 expression in the Ishikawa cells by transfection with anti-miR-200 elevated the expression of ZEB1 and suppressed the expression of E-cadherin. These results suggest that acquirement of EXM-resistance in Ish/EXM cells induces up regulation of ZEB1 via suppression of the miR-200 family following suppression of E-cadherin. Since suppression of ZEB1 in Ish/EXM cells by treatment with its siRNA did not restore the miR-200 family expression, miR-200 family was placed upstream of ZEB1 to regulate the expression.

Prediction of low-frequency structure-borne sound in concrete structures using the finite-difference time-domain method

Due to limitations of computers, prediction of structure-borne sound remains difficult for large-scale problems. Herein a prediction method for low-frequency structure-borne sound transmissions on concrete structures using the finite-difference time-domain scheme is proposed. The target structure is modeled as a composition of multiple plate elements to reduce the dimensions of the simulated vibration field from three-dimensional discretization by solid elements to two-dimensional discretization. This scheme reduces both the calculation time and the amount of required memory. To validate the proposed method, the vibration characteristics using the numerical results of the proposed scheme are compared to those measured for a two-level concrete structure. Comparison of the measured and simulated results suggests that the proposed method can be used to simulate real-scale structures.

Hypoxia promotes glycogen synthesis and accumulation in human ovarian clear cell carcinoma

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) has several significant characteristics based on molecular features that are distinct from those of ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma. Cellular glycogen accumulation is the most conspicuous feature of OCCC and in the present study its metabolic mechanism was investigated. The amount of glycogen in cells cultured under hypoxia increased significantly and approximately doubled after 48 h (P<0.01) compared to that under normoxic conditions. Periodic acid-Schiff positive staining also demonstrated intracellular glycogen storage. Western blot analysis revealed that HIF1α, which was overexpressed and stabilized under hypoxic conditions, led to an increase in the levels of cellular glycogen synthase 1, muscle type (GYS1), and conversely to a decrease in inactive phosphorylated GYS1 at serine (Ser) 641. Additional increases were observed in both protein phosphatase 1, which dephosphorylates and thereby induces GYS1 enzyme activity, and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) phosphorylated at Ser9, which is inactive on phosphorylation of GYS1 and subsequently induces its enzyme activity. By contrast, the level of PYGM-b decreased. These results indicated that the glycogen accumulation under a hypoxic environment resulted in the promotion of glycogen synthesis, but did not lead to inhibition of glycogen degradation and/or consumption. Under hypoxic conditions, HAC2 cells showed activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway caused by a mutation in exon 20 of PIK3CA, encoding the catalytic subunit p110α of PI3K. The resulting activation of AKT (phosphoSer473) also plays a role as a central enhancer in glycogen synthesis through suppression of GSK3β via phosphorylation at Ser9. Hypoxia decreased the cytocidal activity of cisplatin and doxorubicin to various degrees. In conclusion, the hypoxic conditions together with HIF1 expression and stabilization increased the intracellular glycogen contents and resistance to the anticancer drugs.

Three-dimensional culture promotes reconstitution of the tumor-specific hypoxic microenvironment under TGFβ stimulation

In vitro tumor growth in a three-dimensional (3D) architecture has been demonstrated to play an important role in biology not only for developmental organogenesis and carcinogenesis, but also for analyses on reconstitution and maintenance in a variety of biological environments surrounding the cells. In addition to providing architectural similarity to living organisms, 3D culture with a radial flow bioreactor (RFB) can also closely mimic the living hypoxic microenvironment under which specific organogenesis or carcinogenesis occurs. The findings of the present study under the RFB culture conditions show that cancer cells underwent a shift from aerobic to hypoxic energy metabolism, in addition to protein expression to maintain the 3D structure. In RFB-cultured cells, protein stability of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1) α, a subunit of HIF1, was increased without upregulation of its mRNA. Under these conditions, PHD2, HIF-prolyl-4-hydroxy-lase 2 and a HIF1 downstream enzyme, were stabilized without affecting the mRNA levels via downregulation of FK506-binding protein 8. PHD2 accumulation, which occurred concomitant with HIF1 stabilization, may have compensated for the lack of oxygen under hypoxic conditions to regulate the HIF levels. 3D-culture-induced overexpression of carbonic anhydrase (another representative HIF downstream enzyme) was found to occur independently of cell density in RFB--cultured cells, suggesting that the RFB provided an adequately hypoxic microenvironment for the cultured cells. From these results, it was hypothesized that the key factors are regulatory molecules, which stabilize and degrade HIF molecules, thereby activating the HIF1 pathway under a hypoxic milieu.

Enhanced CEA production associated with aspirin in a culture of CW-2 cells on some polymeric films

Human colorectal adenocarcinoma tumor (CW2) cells were cultivated in RPMI 1640 media containing 0-7.5 mM aspirin and 10% fetal bovine serum for the production of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). By adding aspirin to the media, the production of CEA per cell increased by up to one hundred fold compared to cultivation in normal media containing no aspirin, even though the total cell concentration decreased with the increase in aspirin in the media. The production of CEA was also investigated for CW2 cells cultured on silk fibroin, poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate) and poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate)/poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymer films prepared by the Langmuir-Blodgett and casting methods. The highest production of CEA per cell was observed for the CW2 cells on poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate) and its diblock copolymer films prepared by the Langmuir-Blodgett method in the medium containing 5 mM aspirin after 168 hr of inoculation. This originates from the fact that the cell density on the films in the medium containing 5 mM aspirin was the lowest under these conditions. It is suggested that CW2 cells produce CEA more effectively when the cell growth is suppressed by addition of toxic chemicals such as aspirin or by culture on unfavorable films for cell growth.

Production of interferon-beta in a culture of fibroblast cells on some polymeric films

Normal human skin (NB1-RGB) cells were cultured in the presenceof polyinosinic and polycytidylic acids, diethylaminoethyldextran, cycloheximide and actinomycin D, which induced humaninterferon-beta. The simplest induction method, that requiredonly polyinosinic and polycytidylic acids and diethylaminoethyldextran was found to give the highest production ofinterferon-beta by the cells. The cell growth and productionof interferon-beta were investigated for NB1-RGB cellscultured on silk fibroin, poly(gamma-methyl-L-glutamate),poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate) and collagen films prepared bythe Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) and casting methods. The cell densityof NB1-RGB cells cultured on the LB films was found to be higherthan that on the cast films made of the same polymer. Thisindicates that not only the chemical structure of the polymersused for the preparation of the films but the preparationmethods of the films, i.e., casting and LB methods, are also astrong factor affecting the cell growth. The production ofinterferon-beta per unit number of cells was found to behigher on the cast films than that on the LB films made of thesame polymer. This is explained by the fact that the optimalsuppressed growth of NB1-RGB cells on the cast films leads tothe enhanced production of interferon-beta on the cast filmscompared to those on the LB films prepared by the same polymer.

A case of thyroid-type papillary carcinoma derived from ovarian mature cystic teratoma, resected by laparoscopic surgery

Follicular variant thyroid-type papillary carcinoma (FVTPC) arising from thyroid tissue in mature cystic teratoma of the left ovary is extremely rare, and it is not easy to diagnose preoperatively. However, with reports of an early postoperative death, we must prudently select the strategy for this lesion. A 50-year-old woman had a uterine fibroid with hypermenorrhea and a left ovarian tumor measuring approximately 8 cm diameter. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level was within the normal limit. A laparoscopic hysterectomy and left salpingo-oophorectomy were performed. During surgery, there were no signs of invasion or metastasis, and there was no spillage in the abdomen. On histopathological examination of the left ovary, we diagnosed FVTPC arising from thyroid tissue in mature cystic teratoma of the left ovary. FVTPC in ovarian struma is a rare malignant transformation. We must be aware of the possibility of such a rare malignant disease when treating teratoma laparoscopically.

Target chemotherapy of anti-CD147 antibody-labeled liposome encapsulated GSH-DXR conjugate on CD147 highly expressed carcinoma cells

It was confirmed that CD147 (Emmprin) was expressed on the cell surface of carcinoma cells. For the purpose of studying the efficacy of a CD147-targeting agent on CD147-expressing carcinoma cells, we investigated the effect of a conjugate of glutathione-doxorubicin (GSH-DXR) encapsulated in an anti-CD147 antibody-labeled liposome (aCD147ab-liposome) in terms of specific accumulation and cytotoxicity in CD147-expressing human carcinoma cells. Expression of CD147 was not observed in many normal human tissues. However, slight expression of CD147 in kidney, prostate and breast tissues was observed. By contrast, high-level expression of CD147 in all carcinoma cells such as A431, PC3 and Ishikawa cell lines was confirmed by fluorescent microscopy and Western blot analysis. Specific accumulation of the aCD147ab-liposome in the above-described CD147-expressing cells was observed. GSH-DXR encapsulated in an aCD147ab-liposome expressed specific cytotoxicity against these carcinoma cells. These results suggested that target chemotherapy of GSH-DXR encapsulated in an aCD147ab-liposome on CD147-expressing carcinoma cells was effective.

Three-dimensional culture using a radial flow bioreactor induces matrix metalloprotease 7-mediated EMT-like process in tumor cells via TGFbeta1/Smad pathway

To confirm the usefulness of the radial flow type bioreactor (RFB) for a three-dimensional (3D) culture system, which provides a tissue architecture and molecular function mimicking the in vivo environment, molecular expression in the A431 human squamous carcinoma cell line during culture were analyzed under the physically different environments of 3D culture in the RFB, 2D culture in a monolayer as well as in nude mice. Time-dependent accumulation of autocrine transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1 was found in spent culture media obtained only from 3D cultured A431 cancer cells, which grew well with a stratified-sheet morphology. Cells in the RFB overexpressed matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) and showed an increased release of soluble 80-kDa fragments of E-cadherin into the media time-dependently, resulting in the reduction of E-cadherin protein at the cell surface without down-regulation of the mRNA. beta-Catenin and its nuclear partner, LEF1, were up-regulated and Wnt protein secretion was also accelerated. Additional up-regulation of the transcriptional factors, HMGA2 and down-stream Slug, was noted. TGFbeta1-dependent, MMP7-mediated up-regulation of beta-catenin/LEF1 signaling and TGFbeta1-activated HMGA2 pathways consequently converged with Slug overexpression, due to disassembly and further repression of E-cadherin expression, which was reproducible in the epithelial mesenchymal transition process without any manipulation. Other transcriptional factors, Notch/HEY1 and NF-kappaB, were also up-regulated in 3D-cultured cells. These signals recruited molecules related to extracellular matrix-cell remodeling and angiogenesis. Expression of several representative molecules in the 3D cultured cells was parallel with that in xenotransplanted A431 tumor tissues in nude mice. 3D culture of tumor cells in the RFB is a useful tool for cancer experimental biology and evaluation of cancer therapeutic-like systems in nude mice.

Insulin delivery with FlexPen: dose accuracy, patient preference and adherence

The introduction of insulin pens has helped improve adherence in Type 1 or 2 diabetes, and reduce inaccurate dosing, fear of injection, and social embarrassment associated with vial and syringe. This report presents the published evidence base for the accuracy, patient preference and economic evaluation of one prefilled pen, FlexPen (Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) and discusses recent changes to the design of this pen. Primary research publications that included the study of FlexPen were identified from various sources. Several studies have shown that FlexPen delivers high, medium and low doses of insulin significantly more accurately than vial and syringe, SoloStar (sanofi-aventis, Paris, France) or OptiClik (sanofi-aventis, Paris, France). Patients have also found FlexPen easier to use than vial and syringe. A Next Generation FlexPen has been developed, which maintains the demonstrated accuracy of FlexPen and is accompanied by a reduced injection force for simpler and more comfortable use, and clear colour scheme for insulin type to avoid medication errors.

The association of deamidation of Bcl-xL and translocation of Bax to the mitochondria through activation of JNK in the induction of apoptosis by treatment with GSH-conjugated DXR

We investigated the induction of apoptosis via deamidation of Bcl-xL and translocation of Bax to the mitochondria by treatment with GSH-DXR. GSH-DXR treatment of HepG2 cells, which did not express GST P1-1, exhibited deamidation of Bcl-xL, and the degree of deamidation was related to the activation of caspase-3. Overexpression of GST P1-1 in HepG2 cells decreased both the Bcl-xL deamidation and caspase-3 activation induced by treatment with GSH-DXR. Bcl-xL deamidation and caspase-3 activation were also suppressed by co-treatment with SP600125, a specific inhibitor of JNK activity. Overexpression of wild-type Bcl-xL in HepG2 decreased GSH-DXR-induced apoptosis although deamidation was observed. However, expression of the deamidated mutant of Bcl-xL, in which aspartic acid was substituted for both arginine 52 and 66 (N52,66D-Bcl-xL), exhibited high sensitivity for the induction of apoptosis. Expression of the Bcl-xL mutant, in which alanine was substituted for both arginine 52 and 66 (N52,66A-Bcl-xL), suppressed deamidation and showed resistance to the induction of apoptosis by treatment with GSH-DXR. On the other hand, endogenous Bax and overexpressed Flag-Bax were localized in the cytosolic fraction of HepG2 cells. Treatment of the cells with GSH-DXR caused translocation of Flag-Bax to the mitochondrial fraction following the induction of apoptosis. The induced apoptosis was enhanced by the expression of Flag-Bax. Moreover, Flag-Bax was partly located in the mitochondrial fraction in N52,66D-Bcl-xL-expressed cells without the induction of apoptosis. Therefore, the induction of apoptosis by treatment of HepG2 with GSH-DXR was enhanced, thereby facilitating the release of cytochrome c by both deamidated inactivation of Bcl-xL and functional translocation of Bax to the mitochondria via JNK activation. Deamidation of Bcl-xL might be induced in order to translocate Bax to the mitochondria.