A resonant sextuplet of sub-Neptunes transiting the bright star HD 110067

Planets with radii between that of the Earth and Neptune (hereafter referred to as 'sub-Neptunes') are found in close-in orbits around more than half of all Sun-like stars1,2. However, their composition, formation and evolution remain poorly understood3. The study of multiplanetary systems offers an opportunity to investigate the outcomes of planet formation and evolution while controlling for initial conditions and environment. Those in resonance (with their orbital periods related by a ratio of small integers) are particularly valuable because they imply a system architecture practically unchanged since its birth. Here we present the observations of six transiting planets around the bright nearby star HD 110067. We find that the planets follow a chain of resonant orbits. A dynamical study of the innermost planet triplet allowed the prediction and later confirmation of the orbits of the rest of the planets in the system. The six planets are found to be sub-Neptunes with radii ranging from 1.94R⊕ to 2.85R⊕. Three of the planets have measured masses, yielding low bulk densities that suggest the presence of large hydrogen-dominated atmospheres.

Liquid-based cytology (LBC) with immunocytochemical staining improves fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNA) performance for salivary gland tumors

BACKGROUND

Liquid-based cytology (LBC), now used globally for the head and neck region, has been used at our hospital since 2011. This study was designed to analyze the efficacy of LBC with immunocytochemical staining on preoperative diagnosis of salivary gland tumors.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) performance for salivary gland tumors was conducted at Fukui University Hospital. Salivary gland tumor operations conducted during April 2006 - December 2010 (84 cases) were classified as the Conventional Smear (CS) group, which were diagnosed morphologically by Papanicolaou and Giemsa staining. Those done during January 2012 - April 2017 (112 cases) were classified as the LBC group, which were diagnosed using LBC samples with immunocytochemical staining. The FNA results and pathological diagnosis of both groups were analyzed to calculate the FNA performance.

RESULTS

Compared to the CS group, cases of inadequate and indeterminate FNA sample were not reduced significantly by LBC with immunocytochemical staining. As for FNA performance, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of CS group were, respectively, 88.7%, 53.3%, 100%, 100%, and 87.0%. Those of LBC group were all 100%, representing significant improvement over the CS group.

CONCLUSIONS

Analysis results indicated the usefulness of LBC with immunocytochemical staining for preoperative diagnosis of salivary gland tumors.

Real-world treatment patterns and outcomes in Japanese patients with cervical esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Cervical esophageal cancer (CEC) carries a poor prognosis; however, due to its low incidence, optimal treatment for CEC remains to be established. The purpose of this study was to clarify the current status of treatment of CEC in Japan and obtain evidence for establishing the appropriate treatment method.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We asked specialist training facilities accredited by the Japanese Broncho-Esophageal Society to register data on CEC cases that received curative treatment from January 2009 to December 2014, and conducted a retrospective review of the clinical data of 302 cases registered from 27 facilities.

RESULTS

In regard to the initial therapy, of the 302 patients, 33 had undergone endoscopic resection, 41 had undergone surgery, 67 had received induction chemotherapy (IC), and 143 had received chemoradiotherapy (CRT). There were no significant differences in the 5-year overall survival rates among the patient groups that had received surgery, IC or CRT as the initial treatment; advanced stage and recurrent nerve invasion were identified as independent poor prognostic factors. Among the patients who had received IC or CRT as laryngeal-preserving surgery was not indicated at the time of the initial diagnosis, the functional laryngeal preservation rate at the end of the observation period was 34.8%.

CONCLUSION

Even in patients with advanced CEC, there is the possibility of preserving the larynx by adopting IC or CRT. However, if the laryngeal function cannot be preserved, there is a risk of complications from aspiration pneumonia, so that the choice of treatment should be made carefully.

Utility of prognostic nutritional index and systemic immune-inflammation index in oral cancer treatment

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the utility of inflammation-based prognostic scores (IBPS) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in the treatment of oral cancer patients.

METHODS

For the 183 patients enrolled in this study, IBPS and SII were calculated from peripheral blood samples obtained before and after treatment and at the time of relapse. We examined overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) using previously reported cut-off values for IBPS. Cut-off values of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) were analyzed as NLR 1.79, PLR 114.97, LMR 5, and PNI 52.44. The cut-off value for SII was set at 569. OS and DFS were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier methods using the cutoff of each IBPS and SII. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards were performed for OS and DFS.

RESULTS

Kaplan-Meier methods showed the high-PNI group showed good prognosis including OS and DFS, while the high-SII group displayed poor DFS. Univariate analysis showed that pre-treatment high PNI and low SII were significantly associated with better prognosis. Multivariate analysis identified pre-treatment PNI as independently associated with OS. For DFS, univariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards modeling showed that pre-treatment high NLR and high SII were significantly associated with worse prognosis, while high PNI was significantly associated with better prognosis. Multivariate analysis identified pre-treatment PNI and SII as independently associated with DFS. Parameters of PNI and SII components were compared between pre-treatment, post-treatment and at relapse in the high- and low-PNI groups. PNI was predominantly decreased in both high- and low-PNI groups at post-treatment and at relapse compared to pre-treatment. This trend was also observed for albumin.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher pre-treatment PNI was associated with better OS, while lower pre-treatment PNI and higher treatment SII were associated with poorer DFS in oral cancer patients. Our data indicated that PNI and SII might offer useful biomarkers for gauging prognosis and the efficacy of conventional therapies.

ORMDL3 overexpression facilitates FcεRI-mediated transcription of proinflammatory cytokines and thapsigargin-mediated PERK phosphorylation in RBL-2H3 cells

Introduction

The chromosomal region 17q21 harbors the human orosomucoid‐like 3 (ORMDL3) gene and has been linked to asthma and other inflammatory diseases. ORMDL3 is involved in the unfolded protein response (UPR), lipid metabolism, and inflammatory reactions. We investigated the effects of ORMDL3 overexpression in RBL‐2H3 cells to determine the contribution of ORMDL3 to inflammatory disease development.

Methods

We generated ORMDL3 stably overexpressing RBL‐2H3 cells to assess degranulation, transcriptional upregulation of interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation via FcεRI. In addition, we examined the effects of ORMDL3 overexpression on thapsigargin (TG)‐mediated proinflammatory cytokine transcription and UPR by monitoring MAPK, protein kinase‐like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), and inositol‐requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) phosphorylation.

Results

Overexpression of ORMDL3 enhanced IL‐4, TNF‐α, and MCP‐1 expression after FcεRI cross‐linking, whereas the sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) agonist FTY720 suppressed this enhancement. There was no significant difference in degranulation and MAPK phosphorylation via FcεRI‐mediated activation between vector‐transfected and ORMDL3‐overexpressing cells. ORMDL3 overexpression accelerated TG‐mediated PERK phosphorylation, while MAPK phosphorylation and proinflammatory cytokine expression showed no significant changes in ORMDL3‐overexpressing cells.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that ORMDL3 plays an important role in regulating proinflammatory cytokine expression via the S1P pathway and selectively affects the UPR pathway in mast cells.

Increased Thrombin-Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor in Response to Sublingual Immunotherapy for Allergic Rhinitis

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

The objective of this study was to determine the role of thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) as a candidate biomarker for therapeutic efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) and to identify the role of TAFI in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study and laboratory study.

METHODS

Serum was collected from patients with allergies to Japanese cedar pollen before, during, and after treatment with SLIT. We measured the levels of immunoreactive TAFI, C3a, and C5a in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and assessed their relative impact on a combined symptom-medication score. We also examined the impact of TAFI on mast cells and fibroblasts in experiments performed in vitro.

RESULTS

Serum levels of TAFI increased significantly in response to SLIT. By contrast, serum C3a levels decreased significantly over time; we observed a significant negative correlation between serum levels of TAFI versus C3a and symptom-medication score. Mast cell degranulation was inhibited in response to TAFI, as it was the expression of both CCL11 and CCL5 in cultured fibroblasts.

CONCLUSIONS

High serum levels of TAFI may be induced by SLIT. TAFI may play a critical protective role in pathogenesis of AR by inactivating C3a and by inhibiting mast cell degranulation and chemokines expression in fibroblasts.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 2021.

A nearby transiting rocky exoplanet that is suitable for atmospheric investigation

Spectroscopy of transiting exoplanets can be used to investigate their atmospheric properties and habitability. Combining radial velocity (RV) and transit data provides additional information on exoplanet physical properties. We detect a transiting rocky planet with an orbital period of 1.467 days around the nearby red dwarf star Gliese 486. The planet Gliese 486 b is 2.81 Earth masses and 1.31 Earth radii, with uncertainties of 5%, as determined from RV data and photometric light curves. The host star is at a distance of ~8.1 parsecs, has a J-band magnitude of ~7.2, and is observable from both hemispheres of Earth. On the basis of these properties and the planet's short orbital period and high equilibrium temperature, we show that this terrestrial planet is suitable for emission and transit spectroscopy.

Baicalin suppresses type 2 immunity through breaking off the interplay between mast cell and airway epithelial cell

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The traditional Japanese herbal medicine Shin'iseihaito was reported to ameliorate the airway type 2 inflammatory response in clinical and experimental studies. Airway type 2 inflammatory diseases, including bronchial asthma and eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS), often coexist and interact with each other. However, it is still unclear how Shin'iseihaito exerts its pharmacological effects on cells involved in airway mucosa.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to examine the direct effect of baicalin, a representative bioactive compound of Shin'iseihaito, on type 2 immune responses in human airway epithelial cells and mast cells.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We measured the plasma pharmacokinetics of flavonoids derived from Shin'iseihaito and investigated the effects of baicalin on type 2 immune responses in human airway epithelial cells and human mast cells.

RESULTS

Baicalin, wogonin, and wogonoside were detected in the plasma. The maximum plasma concentration of baicalin was highest at 1610 ng/ml (3.6 μM). In the normal human bronchial epithelial cells treated with baicalin, with or without stimulation by IFN-γ, the IL-33 expression was significantly downregulated. However, baicalin treatment did not affect the levels of thymic stromal lymphopoietin and IL-25. We noted that IL-33-dependent expression of tryptase mRNA in mast cells was significantly inhibited by baicalin. Also, the expression of IL-5 in mast cells enhanced by stimulation with TSLP plus IL-1β was significantly downregulated by baicalin treatment. Moreover, the enhancement of IL-13 expression in mast cells by IL-33 simulation was also significantly inhibited by baicalin.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results prove that by breaking off the vicious circle of mast cells and airway epithelial cells, baicalin may be an effective alternative therapeutic option for the treatment of type 2 inflammatory diseases, such as ECRS and comorbid asthma.

Comparison of sensitization and prevalence of Japanese cedar pollen and mite-induced perennial allergic rhinitis between 2006 and 2016 in hospital workers in Japan

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) is increasing worldwide, mainly due to an increase in antigen exposure. We conducted an epidemiological study involving the staff of the University of Fukui Hospital and its associated hospital in 2006. There were 1540 participants aged ≥20 years, and the rates of Japanese cedar (JC) pollinosis and mite-induced perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) were 36.8% and 15.8%, respectively. In 2016, we conducted a second survey.

METHODS

The rate of sensitization to JC pollen and mites and the prevalence of JC pollinosis and mite-induced PAR were analyzed based on data from questionnaires and antigen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels.

RESULTS

In the present study, we analyzed data of 1472 participants aged between 20 and 59 years. Total sensitization to JC pollen and total prevalence of JC pollinosis were 57.8% (851/1472) and 40.8% (601/1472), respectively. Total sensitization to mites and total prevalence of mite-induced PAR were 41.4% (610/1472) and 18.8% (276/1472), respectively. Total prevalence of JC pollinosis and mite-induced PAR increased significantly over a decade. Among the 334 people who participated in the 2006 and 2016 cross-sectional studies, 13% of JC pollinosis and 36% of mite-induced PAR experienced remission. However, since the number of new onset cases was higher that the number of remission cases, a slight increase in prevalence was observed over a decade.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of JC pollinosis and mite-induced PAR continues to show increasing trends, accompanied by an increase in antigen exposure. The remission rate of JC pollinosis was particularly low.

Enhanced 15-Lipoxygenase 1 Production is Related to Periostin Expression and Eosinophil Recruitment in Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis

BACKGROUND

The pathological features of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) tissues include an eosinophilic infiltration pattern (eosinophilic CRS (ECRS)) or a less eosinophilic pattern (non-ECRS). Recently, it has been suggested that 15-lipoxygenase 1 (15-LOX-1) may have significant roles in allergic disease; however, the significance of 15-LOX-1 in CRS is not well understood. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the expression of 15-LOX-1 in CRS.

METHODS

The mRNA expression levels of 15-LOX-1 and periostin in nasal tissues were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. We also performed an immunofluorescence study of nasal tissues. Cells of the Eol-1 eosinophilic leukemic cell line were stimulated with interleukin-33 to test the induction of 15-LOX-1.

RESULTS

The expression level of 15-LOX-1 mRNA in nasal polyps (NPs) was significantly higher in ECRS patients than in non-ECRS patients. The immunofluorescence study revealed that both airway epithelial cells and eosinophils in NPs expressed 15-LOX-1. A significant correlation was seen between the number of eosinophils and the mRNA expression levels of 15-LOX-1 and periostin in nasal polyps. Moreover, interleukin-33 enhanced 15-LOX-1 expression in Eol-1 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

15-LOX-1 was shown to be a significant molecule that facilitates eosinophilic inflammation in ECRS.

P856Incidence and Outcomes of irregular protrusion after stent implantation in patients with acute myocardial infarction: An in in vivo optical coherence tomography study

Background

Irregular protrusion, a protrusion of material with an irregular surface into the lumen of the vessel after stent implantation, can only be identified by optical coherence tomography (OCT). A previous study demonstrated that irregular protrusion after stent implantation was an independent predictor of 1-year major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in CAD patients. However, the true incidence and prognostic significance of irregular protrusion after stenting in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have not previously examined.

Aims

The aims of this study were the following: 1) to evaluate the incidence of irregular protrusion detected by OCT in STEMI patients after stenting; and 2) to compare the long-term outcomes between patients with and without irregular protrusion.

Methods and results

A total of 210 STEMI patients who had post-procedure OCT imaging after coronary stenting within 12 hours after symptom onset were studied. We divided them into two groups: those with irregular protrusion (n=159) and those without (n=51) after stenting. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the 2 groups except that peak CK-MB levels were higher in patients with irregular protrusion than those without (289 (137–563) vs. 260 (63–349) U/L, p<0.05). During mean follow-up period of 298 days, the overall incidence of MACE defined as cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization was 15.3%. Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the incidence of MACE did not differ between patients with and without irregular protrusion (14.7% vs. 17.7%, p=0.53 by Log-rank).

Conclusions

Irregular protrusion after stent implantation was detected in three-fourth of STEMI patients. Although patients with irregular protrusion had a greater myocardial damage, it did not influence clinical outcomes.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Donation course from Abbott Japan

Increased expression of L-plastin in nasal polyp of patients with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-exacerbated respiratory disease

BACKGROUND

Most patients with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-exacerbated respiratory disease (NERD) suffer from recurrence of nasal polyps. However, little is known about the specific cellular and molecular mechanisms contributing to the pathogenesis of nasal polyp development in patients with NERD in particular, especially at baseline when cyclooxygenase 1 inhibitors are not present. The objectives of this study were to identify proteins involved in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps in patients with NERD.

METHODS

We collected nasal polyp tissue from patients with NERD and from patients with aspirin-tolerant chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Protein profiles were analyzed by 2-dimensional electrophoresis and identified several proteins, including L-plastin, as highly expressed. We examined L-plastin and tissue factor (TF) expression by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analyses. To examine the role of L-plastin in eosinophils, we knocked down L-plastin expression in Eol-1 cells by using siRNA transfection.

RESULTS

L-plastin protein levels in nasal polyp tissue were increased in patients with NERD relative to those in patients with aspirin tolerant CRSwNP. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that L-plastin was dominantly expressed in eosinophils and L-plastin and TF were co-expressed in eosinophils in NERD nasal polyp tissue. Knockdown of L-plastin in Eol-1 cells disrupted the cell surface distribution of TF by stimulation with granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

CONCLUSION

Increased expression of L-plastin by eosinophils may contribute to abnormal fibrin deposition through TF translocation to the eosinophil cell surface in NERD nasal polyp tissue, which in turn may contribute to the pathogenesis of NERD.

Suppression of SESN1 reduces cisplatin and hyperthermia resistance through increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human maxillary cancer cells

INTRODUCTION

Cisplatin is used as a standard chemotherapeutic agent for head and neck cancer treatment. However, some head and neck cancers have cisplatin resistance, leading to difficulty in treatment and poor prognosis. Overcoming cisplatin resistance remains an important strategy to improve prognoses for head and neck cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE

Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying cisplatin resistance can suggest novel targets to enhance the anticancer effects of cisplatin for treating head and neck cancers.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We used a cisplatin-resistant human maxillary cancer cell line, IMC-3CR to analyse the cisplatin resistance mechanisms. Cisplatin-induced genes were analysed in IMC-3CR cells using PCR array. Among the genes with expression increased by cisplatin, we specifically examined SESN1. SESN family reportedly regenerates peroxiredoxin and suppresses oxidative DNA injury by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can be induced by chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin, radiation, and hyperthermia. The function of SESN1 in cisplatin resistance and ROS generation were analysed using specific RNAi.

RESULTS

Results show that SESN1 was induced by cisplatin treatment in IMC-3CR cells. Suppression of SESN1 by RNAi induced apoptosis and reduced cell viability through enhancement of ROS after cisplatin treatment. Moreover, suppression of SESN1 enhanced the cell-killing effects of hyperthermia with increased ROS, but did not affect the cell-killing effects of radiation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the participation of SESN1 in cisplatin and hyperthermia resistance of human head and neck cancers. SESN1 is a novel molecular target to overcome cisplatin resistance and hyperthermia resistance and improve head and neck cancer treatment.

Selected PET radiomic features remain the same

Purpose

We investigated whether PET radiomic features are affected by differences in the scanner, scan protocol, and lesion location using ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and PET/MR scans.

Results

SUV, TMR, skewness, kurtosis, entropy, and homogeneity strongly correlated between PET/CT and PET/MR images. SUVs were significantly higher on PET/MR_{0-2 min} and PET/MR_{0-10 min} than on PET/CT in gynecological cancer (p = 0.008 and 0.008, respectively), whereas no significant difference was observed between PET/CT, PET/MR_{0–2 min}, and PET/MR_{0–10 min} images in oral cavity/oropharyngeal cancer. TMRs on PET/CT, PET/MR_{0–2 min}, and PET/MR_{0–10 min} increased in this order in gynecological cancer and oral cavity/oropharyngeal cancer. In contrast to conventional and histogram indices, 4 textural features (entropy, homogeneity, SRE, and LRE) were not significantly different between PET/CT, PET/MR_{0–2 min}, and PET/MR_{0–10 min} images.

Conclusions

¹⁸F-FDG PET radiomic features strongly correlated between PET/CT and PET/MR images. Dixon-based attenuation correction on PET/MR images underestimated tumor tracer uptake more significantly in oral cavity/oropharyngeal cancer than in gynecological cancer. ¹⁸F-FDG PET textural features were affected less by differences in the scanner and scan protocol than conventional and histogram features, possibly due to the resampling process using a medium bin width.

Methods

Eight patients with gynecological cancer and 7 with oral cavity/oropharyngeal cancer underwent a whole-body ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scan and regional PET/MR scan in one day. PET/MR scans were performed for 10 minutes in the list mode, and PET/CT and 0–2 min and 0–10 min PET/MR images were reconstructed. The standardized uptake value (SUV), tumor-to-muscle SUV ratio (TMR), skewness, kurtosis, entropy, homogeneity, short-run emphasis (SRE), and long-run emphasis (LRE) were compared between PET/CT, PET/MR_{0-2 min}, and PET/MR_{0-10 min} images.

Nattokinase, profibrinolytic enzyme, effectively shrinks the nasal polyp tissue and decreases viscosity of mucus

BACKGROUND

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is often comorbid with asthma and resistant to therapeutic interventions. We recently reported that excessive fibrin deposition caused by impairment of fibrinolysis might play pivotal role in forming nasal polyp. Nattokinase (NK), a serine protease produced by Bacillus subtilis, has been reported to be a strong fibrinolytic enzyme. NK could be a promising drug candidate for use in the treatment of both CRSwNP and asthma. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of NK on nasal polyp tissues from patients with CRSwNP. The nasal discharge from patients with CRSwNP and sputum from subjects with asthma were also used to investigate whether NK influences the viscosity of mucus.

METHODS

To examine the effects on NK on nasal polyp tissues, pieces of nasal polyps were incubated either with saline or NK (10-1000 FU/ml) at 37 °C for 24 h. We assessed the presence of fibrin in nasal polyp tissue incubated with NK by means of immunohistochemistry. To examine the effects of NK on nasal discharge and sputum from patients with CRSwNP and asthma, respectively, were incubated with NK solution at 37 °C for 1 h.

RESULTS

NK effectively shrinks the nasal polyp tissue through fibrin degradation. We also found that the viscosity of the nasal discharge and sputum from patients with CRSwNP and asthma, respectively, was significantly reduced by incubation with NK solution.

CONCLUSIONS

NK may be an effective alternative therapeutic option in patients with CRSwNP and comorbid asthma by causing fibrin degradation.

Oral-maxillofacial trauma of a geriatric population in a super-ageing country

BACKGROUND/AIM

World population has been ageing, and oral-maxillofacial trauma of geriatric population is expected to increase. The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristic features of oral-maxillofacial trauma in the geriatric population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from 127 patients aged 65 years old or older, who were treated for oral-maxillofacial trauma at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hirosaki University, from 2000 to 2014, were retrospectively analysed. The data from 292 patients aged 20-64 years were used as a comparison.

RESULTS

Oral-maxillofacial trauma in the geriatric population had been increasing over 15-year period. The male to female ratio was 1.05:1 in the older group and 2.3:1 in the younger group. In the older group, 117 patients (92.1%) had one or more underlying systemic diseases, and 16 (12.6%) had suffered injuries in association with acute medical disorders. The most common injuries in the older group were bone fractures (46.5%). The ratio of fractures in the older group was lower than in the younger group (69.2%). Trauma in the older group most frequently occurred because of falls from a standing height or lower (52.0%), and the mandible was the most common site of fracture (74.6%). A conservative form of treatment for maxillofacial fractures was most commonly (86.4%) chosen for the older group, whilst surgical treatment was most commonly in the younger group (55.0%).

CONCLUSION

Oral-maxillofacial trauma in the geriatric population shows characteristic features in terms of aetiology, patterns and treatment modalities.

Methotrexate-Related Lymphoproliferative Disorder in Patients With Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: A 3-Case Report and Literature Review

Patients with immunodeficiency or immunosuppression are at risk of developing a lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD). Methotrexate (MTX) is an iatrogenic cause of LPD, which in up to 50% cases occurs in extranodal sites. The occurrence of MTX-related LPD with osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) has rarely been reported. Moreover, there are no clear diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies for management of these lesions. In the present cases, discontinuing MTX and debridement of the necrotic bone were effective. This report describes 3 cases of MTX-related LPD in patients with longstanding rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who presented with ONJ. The first patient was a 74-year-old man with RA who had received treatment with MTX for 7 years before presenting with ONJ and submental lymphadenopathy. The second patient was a 79-year-old woman who had been treated for 21 years with MTX and who presented with ONJ. The third patient was a 67-year-old man who had been treated with MTX for more than 15 years. In all 3 cases, biopsy, histology, and immunohistochemistry using a panel of lymphoid markers (Epstein-Barr virus [EBV], CD79a, CD20, PAX-5, CD3, and CD30) resulted in the diagnosis of EBV-driven T-cell, B-cell, and Hodgkin-like LPD. All 3 patients recovered after cessation of MTX and surgical debridement. Biopsy examination, diagnostic immunohistochemistry using lymphoid immune markers, and imaging studies using computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron-emission tomographic computed tomography were useful for the correct diagnosis of this condition.

Toll-like receptor ligands induce cytokine and chemokine production in human inner ear endolymphatic sac fibroblasts

OBJECTIVE

Against recent reports concerning cytokine or chemokine in mouse or rat inner ear cells, it is almost unknown whether human inner ear cells would produce cytokine or chemokine. We have for the first time established the human inner-ear-derived fibroblasts from endolymphatic sac.

METHODS

The expression levels of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in human endolymphatic sac fibroblasts, and the effect on cytokine or chemokine production of the TLR ligands have been examined. To demonstrate the intracellular pathways involved in the regulation of cytokine-production, we used specific inhibitors of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK)-signaling and N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC).

RESULTS

TLR 2, 3, 4 and 9 were highly expressed in human endolymphatic sac fibroblasts. The TLR 3 ligand, polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) significantly enhanced the secretion of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), IFNγ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), and macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MIP-1α) from the cells. The inhibitor of JNK strongly reduced the poly(I:C)-induced TSLP-production. The antioxidant drug, NAC also reduced the TSLP-production in fibroblasts stimulated with poly(I:C).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest human inner-ear-endolymphatic sac derived fibroblasts can produce the cytokine and chemokine in response to TLR ligands and play a certain role during the initiation of an immune response.

Trimellitic anhydride induces low-grade mast cell degranulation without specific IgE

Objectives

Low-molecular-weight (LMW) substances are known to be causative agents of occupational asthma (OA) and occupational rhinitis (OR). Although most LMW substances are irritants or allergens, some can cause immediate type immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic reactions. Trimellitic anhydride (TMA) is one such LMW substance, which is known as an immunological sensitizer. However, the exact molecular biological details of the effects of TMA remain unclear.

Methods

We measured the β-hexosaminidase release from mast cells after directly exposing the cells to various LMW substances. The tyrosine phosphorylation of whole cellular molecules and the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were assessed by immunoblot assay.

Results

Among the LMW substances tested, only TMA induced β-hexosaminidase release. However, the mast cell degranulation induced by TMA was lower than that induced by an antigen or a calcium ionophore. Moreover, the pattern of tyrosine phosphorylation of whole cellular molecules was quite different between IgE-mediated antigen stimulation and TMA exposure. The TMA effect on mast cells was independent of not only IgE but also Ca²⁺ influx. ERK phosphorylation was not detected in mast cells exposed to TMA.

Conclusions

TMA induced mild degranulation of mast cells without IgE, even though the phosphorylation of ERK was not detected. This reaction suggests that TMA affects humans even upon first exposure. Therefore, it is imperative to avoid human exposure to high concentrations of TMA. In order to stop the development of severe asthma in individuals with OR, we need to be able to identify cases of OR caused by TMA as soon as possible.

Assessment of the Tumor Redox Status in Head and Neck Cancer by 62Cu-ATSM PET

Purpose

Tumor redox is an important factor for cancer progression, resistance to treatments, and a poor prognosis. The aim of the present study was to define tumor redox (over-reduction) using ⁶²Cu-diacetyl-bis(N⁴-methylthiosemicarbazone) (⁶²Cu-ATSM) PET and compare its prognostic potential in head and neck cancer (HNC) with that of 2-deoxy-2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-D-glucose (¹⁸F-FDG).

Methods

Thirty HNC patients (stage II–IV) underwent pretreatment ⁶²Cu-ATSM and ¹⁸F-FDG PET scans. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUV_ATSM and SUV_FDG) and tumor-to-muscle activity concentration ratios (TMR_ATSM and TMR_FDG) were measured. Reductive-tumor-volume (RTV) was then determined at four thresholds (40%, 50%, 60%, and 70% SUV_ATSM), and total-lesion-reduction (TLR) was calculated as the product of the mean SUV and RTV for ⁶²Cu-ATSM. In ¹⁸F-FDG, metabolic-tumor-volume (MTV) and total-lesion-glycolysis (TLG) were obtained at a threshold of 40%. A ROC analysis was performed to determine % thresholds for RTV and TLR showing the best predictive performance, and these were then used to determine the optimal cut-off values to stratify patients for each parameter. Progression-free-survival (PFS) and cause-specific-survival (CSS) were evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

The means ± standard deviations of PFS and CSS periods were 16.4±13.4 and 19.2±12.4 months, respectively. A ROC analysis determined that the 70% SUV_ATSM threshold for RTV and TLR was the best for predicting disease progression and cancer death. Optimal cut-offs for each index were SUV_ATSM = 3.6, SUV_FDG = 7.9, TMR_ATSM = 3.2, TMR_FDG = 5.6, RTV = 2.9, MTV = 8.1, TLR = 14.0, and TLG = 36.5. When the cut-offs for TMR_ATSM and TLR were set as described above in ⁶²Cu-ATSM PET, patients with higher TMR_ATSM (p = 0.03) and greater TLR (p = 0.02) showed significantly worse PFS, while patients with greater TLR had significantly worse CSS (p = 0.02). Only MTV in ¹⁸F-FDG PET predicted differences in PSF and CSS (p = 0.03 and p = 0.03, respectively).

Conclusion

Tumor redox parameters measured by ⁶²Cu-ATSM PET may be determinants of HNC patient outcomes and help define optimal patient-specific treatments.

Factors associated with the development and remission of allergic diseases in an epidemiological survey of high school students in Japan

BACKGROUND

Allergic diseases are an important health problem for children and adults. It is important to know how allergic diseases develop and remit from infancy to adolescence. Early intervention is effective in treating allergic diseases.

OBJECTIVE

We performed a large-scale questionnaire survey of high school students in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, and analyzed the factors associated with the development and remission of allergic diseases.

METHODS

A total of 21,802 students participated in the epidemiologic survey, and the valid response rate was 89.3% (19,461). We applied an inverse probability weighting method with propensity scores.

RESULTS

The present prevalence rate of allergic rhinitis (AR) was 19.2%. The remission rate of AR was 15.3%. Only children and firstborns had a significantly higher risk of developing symptoms of allergic diseases [only child: AR, 1.37; bronchial asthma (BA), 1.30; food allergy (FA), 1.33 and firstborn: AR, 1.38; BA, 1.10]. Constipation was an associated factor for development of atopic dermatitis (AD) (1.17) and AR (1.17), regular intake of lactic acid bacteria was not an associated factor for development of allergic diseases but was a factor for remission of AD (1.22). Hypohidrosis was an associated factor for development of AD (1.25). High academic performance was an associated factor for development of AR (1.20) but was a negative factor for development of BA (0.89). The values in parentheses are significant adjusted odds ratios.

CONCLUSION

This epidemiologic survey showed that the hygiene hypothesis and intestinal bacterial flora might influence the development of symptoms and remission of allergic diseases.

Suppression of Poly(rC)-Binding Protein 4 (PCBP4) reduced cisplatin resistance in human maxillary cancer cells

Cisplatin plays an important role in the therapy for human head and neck cancers. However, cancer cells develop cisplatin resistance, leading to difficulty in treatment and poor prognosis. To analyze cisplatin-resistant mechanisms, a cisplatin-resistant cell line, IMC-3CR, was established from the IMC-3 human maxillary cancer cell line. Flow cytometry revealed that, compared with IMC-3 cells, cisplatin more dominantly induced cell cycle G2/M arrest rather than apoptosis in IMC-3CR cells. That fact suggests that IMC-3CR cells avoid cisplatin-induced apoptosis through induction of G2/M arrest, which allows cancer cells to repair damaged DNA and survive. In the present study, we specifically examined Poly(rC)-Binding Protein 4 (PCBP4), which reportedly induces G2/M arrest. Results showed that suppression of PCBP4 by RNAi reduced cisplatin-induced G2/M arrest and enhanced apoptosis in IMC-3CR cells, resulting in the reduction of cisplatin resistance. In contrast, overexpression of PCBP4 in IMC-3 cells induced G2/M arrest after cisplatin treatment and enhanced cisplatin resistance. We revealed that PCBP4 combined with Cdc25A and suppressed the expression of Cdc25A, resulting in G2/M arrest. PCBP4 plays important roles in the induction of cisplatin resistance in human maxillary cancers. PCBP4 is a novel molecular target for the therapy of head and neck cancers, especially cisplatin-resistant cancers.

Peripheral basophil reactivity, CD203c expression by Cryj1 stimulation, is useful for diagnosing seasonal allergic rhinitis by Japanese cedar pollen

Measuring specific IgE can yield direct, accurate, and objective data. Nevertheless, clinical symptoms of allergy are often inconsistent with these data. Recently, the expression of CD203c, a surface marker of basophils, has been reported as capable of distinguishing allergic patients. This study compared specific IgE in serum and skin tests against antigen to assess CD203c as a biomarker correlated with allergic rhinitis (AR). We asked 3,453 subjects whether they experienced any AR related symptom. All subjects were assessed for six specific IgEs for common aeroallergens. Skin tests were also conducted for six aeroallergens. We observed the reactivity of peripheral basophil by measuring the levels of CD203c by Cryj1 stimulation using flow cytometry. Of the 3,453 participants, 1,987 (57.5%) possessed Japanese cedar pollen (JCP) specific IgE in their serum. Among those 1,987 JCP specific IgE positive participants, 552 (27.8%) had not experienced any allergic symptom during the JCP season. The levels of CD203c in the peripheral basophil by Cryj1 stimulation were significantly higher in SAR-JCP subjects than in non-SAR-JCP subjects (Cryj1 0.5 ng/ml: 2.25 ± 0.90% vs. 60.2 ± 27.4%, p < 0.01, Cryj1 50 ng/ml: 1.89 ± 0.90% vs. 68.0 ± 21.2%, p < 0.01). Our results indicate that the levels of CD203c in peripheral basophils by Cryj1 stimulation is a more objective and reliable marker that better reflects the allergic reaction by SAR-JCP in vivo than measuring specific IgE in serum or skin tests.

Snapping pes syndrome after total knee arthroplasty

Snapping syndrome rarely occurs at the knee joint. This is the first report of snapping pes syndrome after total knee arthroplasty. Surgeons should be aware of the presence of such a case and pay attention to the fact that snapping symptoms could be caused by a residual bony prominence and a change in alignment after total knee arthroplasty.

Cytosine-phosphate-guanosine-DNA induces CD274 expression in human B cells and suppresses T helper type 2 cytokine production in pollen antigen-stimulated CD4-positive cells

Co-stimulatory molecules are important for regulating T cell activation and immune response. CD274 [programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), B7-H1] has emerged as an important immune modulator that can block T cell receptor signalling. We have investigated whether PD-L1 and other co-stimulatory ligands could be expressed in human B cells stimulated by cytosine-phosphate-guanosine (CpG)-DNA. CpG-DNA strongly induced the co-inhibitory molecule ligand, PD-L1, of human B cells. Results show that nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signalling is involved directly in CpG-DNA-induced PD-L1 expression in human B cells. We sought to determine the effect of CpG-DNA-treated B cells on T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokine production in Cry j 1 (Japanese pollen antigen)-stimulated human CD4-positive cells from patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis caused by Japanese cedar pollen. CpG-DNA-treated B cells reduced Cry j 1-induced interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 production in CD4-positive cells. When the binding of PD-1 to PD-L1 was inhibited by PD-1-immunoglobulin (Ig), this chimera molecule reversed the previously described reductions in IL-5 and IL-13 production. In contrast, the CpG B-treated B cells increased both interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-12 production in the presence of Cry j 1-stimulated CD4-positive cells. CpG-DNA simultaneously reduced the expression of B7RP-1 [also known as inducible co-stimulator ligand (ICOSL), B7-H2] and the ligand of CD30 (CD30L). These results indicate that CpG-DNA induces co-inhibitory molecule ligand PD-L1 expression in human B cells and PD-L1 can suppress Th2 cytokine production in Cry j 1-stimulated CD4-positive cells, while CpG-DNA increased Th1 cytokine production and reduced the expression of co-stimulatory molecule ligands that can promote Th2 inflammatory responses.

Systemic pregabalin attenuates sensorimotor responses and medullary glutamate release in inflammatory tooth pain model

Our previous studies have demonstrated that application of inflammatory irritant mustard oil (MO) to the tooth pulp induces medullary glutamate release and central sensitization in the rat medullary dorsal horn (MDH), as well as nociceptive sensorimotor responses in craniofacial muscles in rats. There is recent evidence that anticonvulsant drugs such as pregabalin that influence glutamatergic neurotransmission are effective in several pain states. The aim of this study was to examine whether systemic administration of pregabalin attenuated glutamate release in the medulla as well as these nociceptive effects reflected in increased electromyographic (EMG) activity induced by MO application to the tooth pulp. Male adult rats were anesthetized with isofluorane (1.0-1.2%), and jaw and tongue muscle EMG activities were recorded by needle electrodes inserted bilaterally into masseter and anterior digastric muscles and into the genioglossus muscle, and also the medullary release of glutamate was assessed by in vivo microdialysis. Pregabalin or vehicle control (isotonic saline) was administered 30 min before the pulpal application of MO or vehicle control (mineral oil). Application of mineral oil to the maxillary first molar tooth pulp produced no change in baseline EMG activity and glutamate release. However, application of MO to the pulp significantly increased both the medullary release of glutamate and EMG activity in the jaw and tongue muscles for several minutes. In contrast, pre-medication with pregabalin, but not vehicle control, significantly and dose-dependently attenuated the medullary glutamate release and EMG activity in these muscles after MO application to the tooth pulp (analysis of variance (ANOVA), p<0.05). These results suggest that pregabalin may attenuate the medullary release of glutamate and associated nociceptive sensorimotor responses in this acute inflammatory pulpal pain model, and that it may prove useful for the treatment of orofacial inflammatory pain states.

Abstract 1273: Identification of differentially expressed proteins in human papillary thyroid carcinoma using proteomic analysis

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the thyroid glands. It tends to grow slowly but is associated with a poor prognosis when metastasis happens. To better understand basic mechanisms of tumor development and identify potential new biomarkers of PTC, we examined protein expression profiling in clinical PTC tissue and matched normal thyroid tissue using fluorescence two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE). To identify the proteins, peptide mass fingerprinting via MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry was carried out. Using these strategies, 85 up-regulated or down-regulated proteins were found in PTC. Imaging software determined 26 proteins to be differentially expressed at the two-fold (or greater) level. Among them, Cathepsin B and Lamin A/C were selected for further analyses. Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining showed a higher expression of these proteins in clinical PTC tissue compared to normal thyroid tissue. We are presently investigating those roles in PTC. Proteomic analysis of PTC using 2D-DIGE and mass spectrometry could provide novel potential biomarkers and insights into global pathophysiologic changes in PTC.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1273. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1273

Efficacy of mometasone furoate nasal spray for nasal symptoms, quality of life, rhinitis-disturbed sleep, and nasal nitric oxide in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis

Intranasal corticosteroid therapy has exhibited effectiveness for improving nasal symptoms and quality of life (QOL) scores associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis. We prospectively investigated the efficacy of mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS) for improving the total nasal symptom score, QOL score, and sleep quality in subjects with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR). Nasal airway conditions were also objectively assessed by measuring nasal nitric oxide (NO). Fifty-seven patients with PAR were randomized to MFNS or placebo for a 14-day, double-blind, crossover study. The subjects recorded their symptoms on nasal symptom forms and a visual analog scale. QOL and sleep quality were surveyed in accordance with the Japanese version of the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (JRQLQ) and the Japanese version of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Nasal NO was measured during a single exhalation using a chemiluminescence analyzer. MFNS treatment achieved significant reductions versus placebo for total nasal symptoms (p < 0.001). There were significant decreases of the usual daily activity domain (p < 0.005), outdoor activities (p < 0.01), social function (p < 0.05), and the overall QOL score (p < 0.05) of JRQLQ with MFNS therapy versus placebo. A significant reduction of the sleepiness scale was also observed in the MFNS group with high sleep disturbance (p < 0.01). A significant decrease of nasal NO was found in the MFNS group (p < 0.01), especially among patients with severe nasal symptoms (p < 0.005). This prospective study indicated that MFNS therapy significantly improves nasal symptoms, QOL, sleep quality, and upper airway condition in Japanese subjects with PAR.

Prevalence of inhaled antigen sensitization and nasal eosinophils in Japanese children under two years old

OBJECTIVE

The increasingly younger age of onset of allergic rhinitis (AR) has recently become a problem. This study examined the prevalence of inhaled antigen sensitization and nasal eosinophils in children younger than two years old, with measurement of the serum concentrations of aeroallergen-specific IgE antibodies to house dust mites, cat fur, and Japanese cedar pollen, measurement of nasal eosinophil counts, and a questionnaire administered to the children's parents.

METHODS

The subjects were a group of healthy children undergoing 18-month infant health checks provided by the local government, and sick children younger than two years old at the pediatric hospital.

RESULTS

Among 408 healthy infants, 44 (10.7%) had antigen-specific IgE antibodies, 29 (7.1%) had nasal eosinophils, and eight (2.0%) had both specific IgE antibodies and nasal eosinophils. Nasal assessment revealed that 125 children had rhinorrhea. Of the infants who showed both sensitization to antigens and nasal eosinophils, six (1.5%) had confirmed rhinorrhea. Among 186 sick children younger than two years old at the pediatric hospital, aeroallergen-specific IgE antibodies were detected in five (2.6%). The presence of nasal eosinophils was confirmed in six children (3.2%), which percentage was smaller than that of the healthy group. No infant had either sensitization to antigens or nasal eosinophils.

CONCLUSION

The findings described above indicate that the minimum prevalence of AR might be 1.5% in 18-month-old children and that around 10% of affected children have aeroallergen-specific IgE antibodies in Japan. The incidence of AR in young children might increase further.

Interleukin-19 downregulates interleukin-4-induced eotaxin production in human nasal fibroblasts

BACKGROUND

Interleukin-19 (IL-19), a member of the IL-10 family, is characterized as the cytokine suppressing the release and function of several proinflammatory cytokines. For regulation of local reaction in allergic rhinitis (AR), IL-19 might play an especially important role.

METHODS

We examined effects of IL-19 on IL-4-induced eotaxin production by human nasal fibroblasts. Early receptor-mediated events (expression of the suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) and phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 [STAT6]) by IL-19 was examined. Knockdown methods by RNAi were administered to investigate the involvement of those signal transductions.

RESULTS

Pretreatment with IL-19 downregulates IL-4-induced eotaxin production, but not interferon-γ(IFN-γ)-induced RANTES. Pretreatment with IL-19 suppressed the IL-4-induced STAT6 phosphorylation. The IL-19 induced SOCS-1, but not SOCS-3 or SOCS-5. The SOCS-1 knockdown by RNAi diminished pretreatment with IL-19-induced down-regulation of eotaxin production.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that IL-19 down-regulates IL-4-induced eotaxin production via SOCS-1 in human nasal fibroblasts. In non-hematopoietic cells in AR, IL-19 might be an immunosuppressive factor.

Light and Electron Microscopic Observation of Regenerated Fungiform Taste Buds in Patients with Recovered Taste Function after Severing Chorda Tympani Nerve

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the mean number of regenerated fungiform taste buds per papilla and perform light and electron microscopic observation of taste buds in patients with recovered taste function after severing the chorda tympani nerve during middle ear surgery.

Methods:

We performed a biopsy on the fungiform papillae (FP) in the midlateral region of the dorsal surface of the tongue from 5 control volunteers (33 total FP) and from 7 and 5 patients with and without taste recovery (34 and 29 FP, respectively) 3 years 6 months to 18 years after surgery. The specimens were observed by light and transmission electron microscopy. The taste function was evaluated by electrogustometry.

Results:

The mean number of taste buds in the FP of patients with completely recovered taste function was significantly smaller (1.9 ± 1.4 per papilla; p < 0.01) than that of the control subjects (3.8 ± 2.2 per papilla). By transmission electron microscopy, 4 distinct types of cell (type I, II, III, and basal cells) were identified in the regenerated taste buds. Nerve fibers and nerve terminals were also found in the taste buds.

Conclusions:

It was clarified that taste buds containing taste cells and nerve endings do regenerate in the FP of patients with recovered taste function.

B type CpG-DNA suppresses poly(I:C)-induced BLyS expression and production in human tonsillar fibroblasts

Although B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) has potent costimulatory effects on B cells, the details of BLyS-expression in tonsillar fibroblasts remain unexplored. We examined the effect of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands on BLyS-expression in human tonsillar fibroblasts as well as the crosstalk that occurs among different TLR ligands. The expression of BLyS mRNA by tonsillar fibroblasts was strongly induced in the presence of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) that is a ligand, of TLR3. We also revealed that DNA containing CpG motifs (CpG-DNA), coding for a TLR9 ligand, markedly suppressed the poly(I:C)-induced mRNA expression and protein production of BLyS. B type CpG-DNA decreased the poly(I:C)-induced phosphorylation of inhibitor kappa B alpha (IκBα) and its degradation. Pre-incubation with nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling inhibitors reduced the poly(I:C)-induced BLyS-expression. These results indicate that human tonsillar fibroblasts strongly induce BLyS-expression and production that can be inhibited by CpG-DNA and regulated through NF-κB signaling.

Prognostic molecular biomarkers for cutaneous malignant melanoma

Molecular signatures of melanoma have propelled new approaches to early diagnosis, monitoring of treatment response, and targeted therapy. This review discusses messenger RNA (mRNA), genomic, and epigenomic melanoma biomarkers in blood and tissue specimens. The major focus is on tissue-based molecular assays to upstage sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs), and blood-based assays to detect melanoma progression by monitoring levels of circulating tumor cells (CTC) and circulating DNA.

Platelet derived endothelial cell growth factor/thymidine phosphorylase enhanced human IgE production

BACKGROUND

Angiogenesis is one pathogenesis of allergic airway disease.

METHODS

A potent angiogenic factor is platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF), also known as thymidine phosphorylase (TP) in the field of cancer-associated research. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is another representative angiogenic factor. Both factors were added to the culture system of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with IL-4 and anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody (mAb). Total IgE levels in the supernatants and signal transduction of stimulated PBMC were evaluated.

RESULTS

Addition of PD-ECGF enhances in vitro IgE production by PBMC in the presence of IL-4 and anti-CD40 mAb, but VEGF does not enhance IgE production. Although PD-ECGF catalyzes the reversible phosphorolysis of thymidine to 2-deoxy-D-ribose-1-phosphate (2DDR), treatment of 2DDR has no effect on IgE production by human PBMC. Both IL-4 and anti-CD40 mAb induce PD-ECGF by human PBMC. Thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor (TPI), 5-chloro-6-[1- (2-iminopyrrolidinyl) methyl] uracil hydrochloride reduce IgE production via blocking of STAT6- phosphorylation.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these results suggest TP involvement in the enhancement of IgE production and suggest that TPI is a novel strategy against IgE-related allergic disease.

Development of sporadic microsatellite instability in colorectal tumors involves hypermethylation at methylated-in-tumor loci in adenoma

Microsatellite instability (MSI) and genomic hypermethylation of methylated-in-tumor (MINT) loci are both strong prognostic indicators in a subgroup of patients with sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC). The present study was designed to determine whether the methylation of MINT loci during the progression of adenoma to CRC is related to MSI in CRC cases. Methylation index (MI) was measured by absolute quantitative assessment of methylated alleles at seven MINT loci in primary CRC with contiguous adenomatous and normal tissues of 79 patients. Results were then validated in primary CRC tissues from an independent group of 54 patients. Increased MI of both MINT loci 1 and 31 was significantly associated with MSI in CRC and was specific for adenoma. Total MI and the number of methylated loci were threefold (P=0.02) and fivefold (P=0.004) higher, respectively, in adenomas associated with microsatellite-stable CRC versus microsatellite-unstable CRC. MINT MI was found to be correlated with mismatch repair protein expression, MSI, BRAF (V600E) mutation status, mut-L homologue 1 methylation status, and disease-specific survival in the second independent validation group of patients. MI of specific MINT loci may be prognostic indicators of colorectal adenomas that will develop into sporadic microsatellite-unstable CRCs. Increased MINT locus methylation appears to precede MSI and may have utility in defining clinical pathology in the absence of features of malignant invasive tumors.

[A case of submandibular gland cancer in elderly patients showed significant effect by S-1 and intravenous docetaxel chemotherapy concurrent with radiotherapy]

An elderly case of with advanced head and neck cancer treated by intravenous infusion chemotherapy with weekly docetaxel( DOC)and concurrent radiotherapy was reported. The patient was a 77-year-old man. Clinical diagnosis was submandibular gland carcinoma. He was treated by intravenous infusion chemotherapy with weekly DOC and concurrent radiotherapy (total dose 66 Gy). Two months after irradiation, PET-CT showed a partial response (PR). Therefore, chemotherapy of S-1 (80 mg/day) for 2 weeks every 3 weeks was performed. Two months after the end of chemotherapy, PET-CT showed a complete response(CR). This therapy is effective for the treatment of advanced head and neck cancers for elderly inoperable patients.

Poly(I:C) induces BLyS-expression of airway fibroblasts through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), B cell activating factor (BAFF), a member of the tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily has potent co-stimulatory activity on B cells, and BLyS-production in the airway mucosa is of potential importance as it triggers innate and adaptive immune responses. To investigate whether airway fibroblast could express BLyS, we examined BLyS-expression in human nasal airway fibroblasts and compared to its expression in tonsillar and skin fibroblasts as well as the effect of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands on that in human nasal airway fibroblasts. The expression of BLyS by nasal fibroblasts in the presence of polyinocinic-polycytidykic acid (poly(I:C)) was markedly induced, to a level of more than 100 times higher than that observed in the absence of poly(I:C). In order to demonstrate the intracellular pathways involved in poly(I:C)-induced BLyS-expression, we used specific inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase), spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and extracellular-signal related kinase (ERK)-signaling in these events. Pre-incubation with the PI3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 or Wortmanin reversed the poly(I:C)-induced production and expression of BLyS. Syk kinase inhibitor Piceatannol partially reduced its production and expression. Thus, we were able to show that PI3-kinase signaling is directly involved in poly(I:C)-induced BLyS-expression in nasal airway fibroblasts. These results indicate that human nasal airway fibroblasts strongly induce BLyS-expression and production by poly(I:C) through PI3-K signaling during airway immune responses.