Serum PKCδ is a useful biomarker to distinguish hepatocellular carcinoma from other gastrointestinal cancers.

Protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) is a leaderless protein generally localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus; however, its extracellular unconventional protein secretion occurs exclusively in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells (but not in normal and non-cancerous hepatocytes or other gastrointestinal cancer cells) via an autophagy mechanism, despite the lack of a secretory signal. Therefore, PKCδ is detectable in the peripheral blood of HCC patients. Serum PKCδ indicates cancer-related unconventional protein secretion of an inactive form of cytosolic PKCδ and can be a unique biomarker independent of conventional markers.

Photoimmunotechnology as a powerful biological tool for molecular-based elimination of target cells and microbes, including bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Microbial pathogens, including bacteria, fungi and viruses, can develop resistance to clinically used drugs; therefore, finding new therapeutic agents is an ongoing challenge. Recently, we reported the photoimmuno-antimicrobial strategy (PIAS), a type of photoimmunotechnology, that enables molecularly targeted elimination of a wide range of microbes, including the viral pathogen severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and the multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogen methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). PIAS works in the same way as photoimmunotherapy (PIT), which has been used to treat recurrent head and neck cancer in Japan since 2020.

Development of a Monoclonal Antibody Targeting HTLV-1 Envelope gp46 Glycoprotein and Its Application to Near-Infrared Photoimmuno-Antimicrobial Strategy.

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), a retrovirus, causes adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma, HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis, and HTLV-1 uveitis. Currently, no antiretroviral therapies or vaccines are available for HTLV-1 infection. This study aimed to develop an antibody against the HTLV-1 envelope protein (Env) and apply it to a near-infrared photoimmuno-antimicrobial strategy (NIR-PIAS) to eliminate HTLV-1 infected cells.

A Case Report of a Vertical Zone III Sacral Fracture Due to Acute Lower Extremity Hyperabduction While Windsurfing.

Typically associated with motor vehicle accidents and falls, sacral fractures result from sudden compression of the iliac wings, placing bidirectional traction forces on the anterior and/or posterior aspects of the sacrum. Here we describe a vertical Zone III sacral fracture caused by sudden, forceful hyperabduction of the lower extremities. To the authors' knowledge this is the first report of a Zone III sacral fracture caused by this mechanism which occurred when the patient encountered a large wave while windsurfing.

Antimicrobial strategy for targeted elimination of different microbes, including bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens.

The continuous emergence of microbial pathogens for which there are no effective antimicrobials threatens global health, necessitating novel antimicrobial approaches. Here, we present a targeted antimicrobial strategy that can be applied to various microbial pathogens. A photoimmuno-conjugate composed of an antibody against the target pathogen and a photoplastic phthalocyanine-derivative probe that generates photo-induced mechanical stress was developed based on photoimmuno-technology.