Enhancement of visible light response of TiO2 photocatalyst by 3D-deposited Ag nanowires and its charge separation mechanism.

In 3D-deposited AgNW/TiO2, which is prepared by spray-applying titanium dioxide suspension to deposited silver nanowire sheets, the synergistic effects of increased crossing points of AgNWs to enhance localized surface plasmon resonance excitation and longer-lived electrons in the conduction band of TiO2 generated by plasmon-induced charge transfer have successfully resulted in photocatalytic activity in the visible light range. We have developed photocatalytic sheets in which TiO2 particles are uniformly attached to 3D-deposited AgNWs. Regarding the prepared sheet, it was confirmed that TiO2 was indeed well adhered to the AgNWs, and electron transfer was efficient at the interface.

Mass++: A Visualization and Analysis Tool for Mass Spectrometry.

We have developed Mass++, a plug-in style visualization and analysis tool for mass spectrometry. Its plug-in style enables users to customize it and to develop original functions. Mass++ has several kinds of plug-ins, including rich viewers and analysis methods for proteomics and metabolomics.

High expression of CD109 antigen regulates the phenotype of cancer stem-like cells/cancer-initiating cells in the novel epithelioid sarcoma cell line ESX and is related to poor prognosis of soft tissue sarcoma.

Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is a relatively rare, highly malignant soft tissue sarcoma. The mainstay of treatment is resection or amputation. Currently other therapeutic options available for this disease are limited.

The gating mechanism of the bacterial mechanosensitive channel MscL revealed by molecular dynamics simulations: from tension sensing to channel opening.

One of the ultimate goals of the study on mechanosensitive (MS) channels is to understand the biophysical mechanisms of how the MS channel protein senses forces and how the sensed force induces channel gating. The bacterial MS channel MscL is an ideal subject to reach this goal owing to its resolved 3D protein structure in the closed state on the atomic scale and large amounts of electrophysiological data on its gating kinetics. However, the structural basis of the dynamic process from the closed to open states in MscL is not fully understood.

SYT-SSX breakpoint peptide vaccines in patients with synovial sarcoma: a study from the Japanese Musculoskeletal Oncology Group.

In the present study, we evaluated the safety and effectiveness of SYT-SSX-derived peptide vaccines in patients with advanced synovial sarcoma. A 9-mer peptide spanning the SYT-SSX fusion region (B peptide) and its HLA-A*2402 anchor substitute (K9I) were synthesized. In Protocols A1 and A2, vaccines with peptide alone were administered subcutaneously six times at 14-day intervals.

SOX2 is overexpressed in stem-like cells of human lung adenocarcinoma and augments the tumorigenicity.

Recently, the SOX2 gene has been reported to be amplified in human lung squamous cell carcinomas. However, its roles in human lung adenocarcinomas are still elusive. In this study, we analyzed the functions of SOX2 in cancer stem-like cells (CSCs)/cancer-initiating cells (CICs) derived from human lung adenocarcinoma.

Autologous CTL response against cancer stem-like cells/cancer-initiating cells of bone malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the bone is an aggressive tumor with high rates of local recurrence and metastasis. The development of novel therapeutic approaches is critical to improve the prognosis of patients with MFH. We reported previously that the side population (SP) cells of the MFH2003 bone MFH cell line have the characteristics of cancer stem-like cells (CSC)/cancer-initiating cells.

Integrated mass spectrometry-based analysis of plasma glycoproteins and their glycan modifications.

We present a protocol for the identification of glycosylated proteins in plasma followed by elucidation of their individual glycan compositions. The study of glycoproteins by mass spectrometry is usually based on cleavage of glycans followed by separate analysis of glycans and deglycosylated proteins, which limits the ability to derive glycan compositions for individual glycoproteins. The methodology described here consists of 2D HPLC fractionation of intact proteins and liquid chromatography-multistage tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS(n)) analysis of digested protein fractions.

HLA-A*0201-restricted CTL epitope of a novel osteosarcoma antigen, papillomavirus binding factor.

Background: To develop peptide-based immunotherapy for osteosarcoma, we previously identified papillomavirus binding factor (PBF) as a CTL-defined osteosarcoma antigen in the context of HLA-B55. However, clinical application of PBF-based immunotherapy requires identification of naturally presented CTL epitopes in osteosarcoma cells in the context of more common HLA molecules such as HLA-A2.

Methods: Ten peptides with the HLA-A*0201 binding motif were synthesized from the amino acid sequence of PBF according to the BIMAS score and screened with an HLA class I stabilization assay.

Prognostic impact and immunogenicity of a novel osteosarcoma antigen, papillomavirus binding factor, in patients with osteosarcoma.

To develop peptide-based immunotherapy for osteosarcoma, we previously identified papillomavirus binding factor (PBF) as a cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL)-defined osteosarcoma antigen in the context of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B55. In the present study, we analyzed the distribution profile of PBF in 83 biopsy specimens of osteosarcomas and also the prognostic impact of PBF expression in 78 patients with osteosarcoma who had completed the standard treatment protocols. Next, we determined the antigenic peptides from PBF that react with peripheral T lymphocytes of HLA-A24(+) patients with osteosarcoma.

Clonal T-cell response against autologous pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytoma antigen presented by retrieved HLA-A*0206.

Towards the goal of identifying tumor-rejection antigens on eradicated tumors in bone and soft tissue sarcomas, we evaluated the immune response against antigens presented by lost HLA class I molecules. Tumor specimens and peripheral blood samples were obtained from a 70-year-old woman with pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Over 1-year culture, a tumor cell line (MFH2004) was established.

Influence of diabetes mellitus on diagnostic potential of iodine-123-BMIPP imaging for coronary artery stenosis in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using a fatty acid analogue, iodine-123-beta-methyl iodophenyl-pentadecanoic acid (123I-BMIPP), as a tracer may be effective for detecting coronary artery disease in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. In this study, we investigated whether the presence of diabetes mellitus may affect the diagnostic potential of BMIPP SPECT for detecting coronary stenosis in ESRD patients.

Methods: 123I-BMIPP SPECT was performed in 98 diabetic hemodialysis patients (male to female ratio 66:32; mean age 63.