Structure-guided engineering of a mutation-tolerant inhibitor peptide against variable SARS-CoV-2 spikes.

Pathogen mutations present an inevitable and challenging problem for therapeutics and the development of mutation-tolerant anti-infective drugs to strengthen global health and combat evolving pathogens is urgently needed. While spike proteins on viral surfaces are attractive targets for preventing viral entry, they mutate frequently, making it difficult to develop effective therapeutics. Here, we used a structure-guided strategy to engineer an inhibitor peptide against the SARS-CoV-2 spike, called CeSPIACE, with mutation-tolerant and potent binding ability against all variants to enhance affinity for the invariant architecture of the receptor-binding domain (RBD).

Diagnostic performance of TILs-US score and LPBC in biopsy specimens for predicting pathological complete response in patients with breast cancer.

Background: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes-ultrasonography (TILs-US) score is used to predict lymphocyte-predominant breast cancer (LPBC) in surgical specimens. We aimed to compare diagnostic performance of TILs-US score for predicting pathological complete response (pCR) with that of LPBC in biopsy specimens.

Methods: TILs ≥ 50% in biopsy specimens was defined as biopsy-LPBC, and TILs-US score ≥ 4 was categorized as TILs-US score-high.

Adaptive gene expression of alternative splicing variants of PGC-1α regulates whole-body energy metabolism.

The transcriptional coactivator PGC-1α has been implicated in the regulation of multiple metabolic processes. However, the previously reported metabolic phenotypes of mice deficient in PGC-1α have been inconsistent. PGC-1α exists as multiple isoforms, including variants transcribed from an alternative first exon.

A nomogram to predict the pathological complete response in patients with breast cancer based on the TILs-US score.

Background: The tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes-ultrasonography score is a calculation system for predicting lymphocyte-predominant breast cancers in surgical specimens. A nomogram based on the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes-ultrasonography score was developed to predict the pathological complete response in breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods: A retrospective evaluation was conducted on 118 patients with breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy at Hiroshima University Hospital.

Distinct motifs in the E protein are required for SARS-CoV-2 virus particle formation and lysosomal deacidification in host cells.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has caused a global public health crisis. The E protein, a structural protein found in this virus particle, is also known to be a viroporin. As such, it forms oligomeric ion channels or pores in the host cell membrane.

Dimerized fusion inhibitor peptides targeting the HR1-HR2 interaction of SARS-CoV-2.

Membrane fusion is a critical and indispensable step in the replication cycles of viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1). In this step, a trimer of the heptad repeat 1 (HR1) region interacts with the three HR2 regions and forms a 6-helix bundle (6-HB) structure to proceed with membrane fusion of the virus envelope and host cells. Recently, several researchers have developed potent peptidic SARS-CoV-2 fusion inhibitors based on the HR2 sequence and including some modifications.

[A Case of Breast Metastasis from Renal Cell Carcinoma].

The patient was a woman in her 90s. Right radical nephrectomy for right renal cell carcinoma had been performed 2 years and 6 months ago. Since then, there had been no recurrence.

F-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Predicts Tumor Immune Microenvironment Function in Early Triple-negative Breast Cancer.

Background/aim: The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) obtained using F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) is presumed to indicate tumor and active immune cells in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) based on their glycolysis activity. Therefore, this study investigated whether the metabolic parameter SUVmax could provide information regarding TIME in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients.

Patients And Methods: Fifty-four patients with TNBC underwent FDG PET/CT before neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Effect of Secondary Prophylactic G-CSF on the Occurrence of Febrile Neutropenia in Breast Cancer.

Background/aim: Docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (TC) combination therapy is widely used as adjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer and is associated with a high incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN). Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is recommended in the primary prevention of febrile neutropenia (FN). This study aimed to evaluate the FN-suppressing effect of G-CSF in patients with breast cancer receiving TC.

Identification of the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 antagonists as inhibitors of Chikungunya virus replication using a Gaussia luciferase-expressing subgenomic replicon.

The Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an enveloped RNA virus that has been identified in over 40 countries and is considered a growing threat to public health worldwide. However, there is no preventive vaccine or specific therapeutic drug for CHIKV infection. To identify a new inhibitor against CHIKV infection, this study constructed a subgenomic RNA replicon expressing the secretory Gaussia luciferase (Gluc) based on the CHIKV SL11131 strain.

Impact of oral hygiene on febrile neutropenia during breast cancer chemotherapy.

Purpose: Oral hygiene is crucial in the management of oral and febrile complications during chemotherapy for cancer. This study aimed to investigate the impact of oral hygiene on the incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN) throughout the course of chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Methods: A total of 137 patients with breast cancer who underwent four cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (TC) combination therapy or docetaxel alone were assessed for oral hygiene by quantifying the number of oral bacteria they harbored.

The tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte ultrasonography score can provide a diagnostic prediction of lymphocyte-predominant breast cancer preoperatively.

Purpose: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are known to predict the therapeutic effect in breast cancer. Although a preoperative tissue biopsy can be used to evaluate TILs, TILs that are heterogeneously distributed might require examination of all preoperative tissue biopsy samples. We have recently reported that the TIL ultrasonography (US) score, as determined by characteristic US findings, provides excellent predictive performance for lymphocyte predominant breast cancer (LPBC).

Dual-phase FDG PET/CT for predicting prognosis in operable breast cancer.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the role of dual-phase FDG PET/CT in predicting the prognosis of patients with operable breast cancer.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 998 patients who underwent radical treatment for breast cancer. Before treatment, PET/CT scans were performed 1 and 2 h after FDG administration.

Ultrasonography Combined With Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography Can Predict Lymphocyte-predominant Breast Cancer.

Background: We investigated whether contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) scores can predict lymphocyte-predominant breast cancer (LPBC).

Patients And Methods: We evaluated 75 patients who underwent US and CEUS. LPBC was defined as tissues with ≥50% stromal tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) preoperatively.

The TILs-US score on ultrasonography can predict the pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer.

Background: The tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL)-ultrasonography (US) score determined through characteristic US findings has predictive performance of lymphocyte-predominant breast cancer (LPBC). This study aimed to investigate whether the TIL-US score before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) can predict the pathological complete response (pCR).

Methods: We evaluated patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (n = 55) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) (n = 24) who underwent surgery after NAC from November 2012 to April 2019.

Malignant prediction of incidental findings using ring-type dedicated breast positron emission tomography.

The classification according to uptake patterns and metabolic parameters on ring-type dedicated breast positron emission tomography (dbPET) is useful for detecting breast cancer. This study investigated the performance of dbPET for incidental findings that were not detected by mammography and ultrasonography. In 1,076 patients with breast cancer who underwent dbPET, 276 findings were incidentally diagnosed before treatment.

Monitoring of Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 Blockade Using FDG PET/CT for Microsatellite Instability-High Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Microsatellite instability-high/mismatch repair deficiency is one of biomarkers predicting the response to pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor for metastatic solid tumors. A 44-year-old woman with stage IIIC right breast cancer was treated with mastectomy and axillary node dissection after primary systemic chemotherapy followed by radiation, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy. Eighteen months after surgery, recurrent diseases were revealed and refractory to multiple treatments.

Strong alkaline electrolyzed water efficiently inactivates SARS-CoV-2, other viruses, and Gram-negative bacteria.

Air spaces and material surfaces in a pathogen-contaminated environment can often be a source of infection to humans, and disinfection has become a common intervention focused on reducing the contamination levels. In this study, we examined the efficacy of SAIW, a unique electrolyzed water with chlorine-free, high pH, high concentration of dissolved hydrogen, and low oxygen reduction potential, for the inactivation of several viruses and bacteria. Infectivity assays revealed that initial viral titers of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza A virus, herpes simplex virus type 1, human coronavirus, feline calicivirus, and canine parvovirus, were reduced by 2.

Effect of Wnt5a on drug resistance in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

Background: Previously, we reported that Wnt5a-positive breast cancer can be classified as estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer; its prognosis is worse than that of Wnt5a-negative breast cancer. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the poor prognosis in Wnt5a-positive breast cancer patients.

Methods: In total, 151 consecutive ER-positive breast cancer patients who underwent resection between January 2011 and February 2014 were enrolled.

Clinical effect of the pathological axillary assessment method in breast cancer without clinical nodal metastasis.

Background: This study aimed to assess the clinical effect of the pathological axillary assessment method in breast cancer without clinical lymph node metastasis.

Methods: Data of patients with clinically node-negative breast cancer were retrospectively reviewed. The study period was divided into early (January 2000-July 2007) and late (August 2007-December 2014) periods based on the pathological assessment method used (single-sectional and detailed multi-sectional lymph node processing).

Performance of dedicated breast positron emission tomography in the detection of small and low-grade breast cancer.

Purpose: This study compares the sensitivity of dedicated breast positron emission tomography (DbPET) and whole body positron emission tomography (WBPET) in detecting invasive breast cancer based on tumor size and biology. Further, we explored the relationship between maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of DbPET and biological features of the tumor.

Methods: A total of 639 invasive breast cancer lesions subjected to both DbPET and WBPET before surgery, between January 2016 and May 2019, were included in the study.

Febrile neutropenia and role of prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in docetaxel and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Purpose: Febrile neutropenia (FN) incidence during docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (TC) chemotherapy, known as a high-risk regimen, differs among countries. The role of prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in FN is unclear. This study aimed to investigate FN frequency and relative dose intensity (RDI) of TC chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer and identify the correct population requiring prophylactic G-CSF.

Microwave Breast Imaging Using Rotational Bistatic Impulse Radar for the Detection of Breast Cancer: Protocol for a Prospective Diagnostic Study.

Background: Mammography is the standard examination for breast cancer screening; however, it is associated with pain and exposure to ionizing radiation. Microwave breast imaging is a less invasive method for breast cancer surveillance. A bistatic impulse radar-based breast cancer detector has recently been developed.