Molecular principles of recruitment and dynamics of guest proteins in liquid droplets.

Despite the continuous discovery of host and guest proteins in membraneless organelles, complex host-guest interactions hinder the understanding of the molecular grammar governing liquid-liquid phase separation. In this study, we characterized the localization and dynamic properties of guest proteins in liquid droplets using single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. Eighteen guest proteins of different sizes, structures, and oligomeric states were examined in host p53 liquid droplets.

Falsely elevated plasma ACTH levels measured by the Elecsys assay related to heterophilic antibody in a case of secondary adrenocortical insufficiency.

A 49-year-old woman with membranous nephropathy was referred to our hospital during the tapering of oral prednisolone, because of suspicion of primary adrenal insufficiency based on a plasma ACTH level of 399.1 pg/mL in the Elecsys assay and a serum cortisol level of 3.1 μg/dL.

Identification of Mitosis-Specific Phosphorylation in Mitotic Chromosome-Associated Proteins.

During mitosis, phosphorylation of chromosome-associated proteins is a key regulatory mechanism. Mass spectrometry has been successfully applied to determine the complete protein composition of mitotic chromosomes, but not to identify post-translational modifications. Here, we quantitatively compared the phosphoproteome of isolated mitotic chromosomes with that of chromosomes in nonsynchronized cells.

Comprehensive identification of translation start sites by tetracycline-inhibited ribosome profiling.

Tetracycline-inhibited ribosome profiling (TetRP) provides a powerful new experimental tool for comprehensive genome-wide identification of translation initiation sites in bacteria. We validated TetRP by confirming the translation start sites of protein-coding genes in accordance with the 2006 version of Escherichia coli K-12 annotation record (GenBank U000962) and found ∼150 new start sites within 60 nucleotides of the annotated site. This analysis revealed 72 per cent of the genes whose initiation site annotations were changed from the 2006 GenBank record to the newer 2014 annotation record (GenBank U000963), indicating a high sensitivity.

Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of erlotinib administered in combination with amrubicin in patients with previously treated, advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Objectives: We conducted a phase I trial of erlotinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, combined with amrubicin, a topoisomerase II inhibitor. The aim was to determine the maximum tolerated dose, the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), and the pharmacokinetics of this combination in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who had received previous chemotherapy.

Methods: A total of 9 patients with stage IV disease were treated at 3-week intervals with erlotinib once daily on days 1 through 21 plus a 5-minute intravenous injection of amrubicin on days 1 through 3.

Insulin resistance in nonobese Japanese women with polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with poorer glucose tolerance, delayed insulin secretion, and enhanced insulin response.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in PCOS patients, the optimal screening method, and to compare our findings between nonobese and obese Japanese women with PCOS.

Methods: Ninety-eight PCOS patients were included in this research from 2006 to 2013. Glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed.

Evaluation of gefitinib efficacy according to body surface area in patients with non-small cell lung cancer harboring an EGFR mutation.

Background: Exon 19 deletions and L858R point mutation are the most commonly encountered active epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and they predict greater efficacy of gefitinib therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether body surface area (BSA) affects the efficacy of gefitinib in patients with NSCLC harboring an active EGFR mutation.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of consecutive patients with advanced NSCLC harboring an active EGFR mutation who received gefitinib monotherapy.

Successful chemotherapy with Carboplatin and s-1 for thymic carcinoma: a case report.

Thymic carcinoma is a rare but aggressive neoplasm. Although there is no clearly optimal first- or second-line chemotherapy regimen for thymic carcinoma, platinum-based chemotherapy has repeatedly been shown to be of benefit to patients with advanced thymic carcinoma. Some case reports have described S-1 as a novel agent with good activity against advanced thymic carcinoma.

[Comparison of ultrasound-guided and blindly placed radial artery catheterization].

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether ultrasound (US)-guided radial artery catheterization decreases the number of failed attempts.

Methods: A total of 36 patients requiring an arterial catheter were enrolled. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 1) a blind palpation technique group, 2) an US-guided short-axis group, and 3) an US-guided long-axis group.

[Pemetrexed as second-line treatment and beyond for elderly patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer].

Background: In Japan, the standard first-line therapy for elderly patients with advanced non-small lung cancer(NSCLC)is docetaxel(DOC)monotherapy. However, there is very limited information about second-line and beyond chemotherapy regimens for elderly patients with advanced NSCLC. Pemetrexed(PEM)monotherapy has been recognized as a standard regimen for advanced NSCLC in second-line settings, just as DOC monotherapy has been.

Canine herpesvirus ORF2 is a membrane protein modified by N-linked glycosylation.

Canine herpesvirus (CHV) ORF2, located downstream of the glycoprotein C (gC) gene, has homologues with some of the alphaherpesviruses. To characterize CHV OFR2, a recombinant CHV carrying a LacZ gene in the ORF2 locus, and recombinant vaccinia virus expressing ORF2 protein were constructed. Northern blot analysis revealed ORF2 and a gamma2 class late gene, and its protein product was detectable in CHV-infected cells reacted with ORF2 protein antiserum.