Predicted Markers of Overall Survival in Pancreatic Cancer Patients Receiving Dendritic Cell Vaccinations Targeting WT1.

Background: We have developed a Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1)-targeting dendritic cell (DC)-based cancer vaccine combined with standard chemotherapy for patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA).

Methods: We evaluated predictive markers of overall survival (OS) in PDA patients treated with multiple major histocompatibility complex class I/II-restricted, WT1 peptide-pulsed DC vaccinations (DC/WT1-I/II) in combination with chemotherapy. Throughout the entire period of immunochemotherapy, the plasma levels of soluble factors derived from granulocytes of 7 eligible PDA patients were examined.

Pathogen-associated regulatory non-coding RNAs and oncogenesis.

Among all new cancer cases in 2012, on average, 15.4% were caused by or oncoviruses, including Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomavirus, , , Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and human T-lymphotropic virus. These pathogens encode a variety of non-coding RNAs, which are important cofactors for oncogenesis.

Progesterone induced mesenchymal differentiation and rescued cystic dilation of renal tubules of Pkd1(-/-) mice.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the most common hereditary disease affecting the kidneys, is caused in 85% of cases by mutations in the PKD1 gene. The protein encoded by this gene, polycystin-1, is a renal epithelial cell membrane mechanoreceptor, sensing morphogenetic cues in the extracellular environment, which regulate the tissue architecture and differentiation. However, how such mutations result in the formation of cysts is still unclear.

The carpal stretch test at the rheumatoid wrist.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiographic changes of the carpus for rheumatoid wrists in patients who underwent the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure by examining the clinical results and comparing pre- and postoperative radiographic measurements. We studied 43 wrists in 37 patients who showed vertical laxity in the radiocarpal and midcarpal joint on preoperative carpal stretch test. Pain was improved in all patients and the forearm rotation angles of the wrist were significantly improved after the operation.

Prognostic significance of tumor/stromal caveolin-1 expression in breast cancer patients.

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) has been extensively characterized in cancer biological research. However, the role of Cav-1 in the interaction between tumor and stromal cells remains unclear. In the present study, we examined Cav-1 expression in tumor cells and stromal cells in breast cancer tissue by immunohistochemical analysis and evaluated its prognostic value in a training cohort.

NDEL1 phosphorylation by Aurora-A kinase is essential for centrosomal maturation, separation, and TACC3 recruitment.

NDEL1 is a binding partner of LIS1 that participates in the regulation of cytoplasmic dynein function and microtubule organization during mitotic cell division and neuronal migration. NDEL1 preferentially localizes to the centrosome and is a likely target for cell cycle-activated kinases, including CDK1. In particular, NDEL1 phosphorylation by CDK1 facilitates katanin p60 recruitment to the centrosome and triggers microtubule remodeling.

Clinical application of double dorsal plates for the distal radius fractures.

The purpose of this study was to develop plates that fit the contour of the distal radius of the Japanese and can be inserted less invasively. Three-dimensional models of 36 radii of 18 volunteers were prepared. Using these models, the shape of the cortical bone on the radial margin of the distal radius and just below the dorsal fourth compartment of the wrist, to which the plates were expected to be applied, was measured, and the curves of the plates were determined.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt participate in the FSH-induced meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is known to play critical roles in signal transduction processes related to a variety of cellular activities. In the present study, we investigated the role of PI3K during meiotic maturation in mouse oocytes using a specific inhibitor, LY294002. In follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-induced reversal of hypoxanthine-mediated meiotic arrest of cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs), LY294002 suppressed germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), first polar body (PB1) emission, and cumulus expansion.

A new role for expressed pseudogenes as ncRNA: regulation of mRNA stability of its homologous coding gene.

We have earlier generated a mutant mouse in a course of making a transgenic line that exhibited interesting heterozygote phenotypes, which exhibited failure to thrive, severe bone deformities, and polycystic kidneys. This mutant mouse provided a clue to uncover a unique role of expressed pseudogenes. In this mutant the transgene was integrated into the vicinity of the expressing pseudogene of Makorin1 called Makorin1-p1.

An accidental exposure by a medical linear accelerator under construction.

A radiation accident occurred at a medical linear accelerator facility under construction in Japan. The radiation source was a 3- and 6-MV potential drop accelerator designed to produce X-rays for radiation therapy. This accelerator was also capable of producing a 5 to14-MV swept electron beam.

Identification of a new target molecule for a cascade therapy of polycystic kidney.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is a systemic disorder that primary affects the kidney which is characterized by the formation of fluid-filled cysts in both kidneys that leads to progressive renal failure. Mutated genes, polycystin-1 and polycystin-2, are identified, and evidence has emerged that polycystins are ion channels or regulators of ion channels. In spite of extensive characterization of polycystins, how polycystin channel signaling may be involved in cyst formation in ADPKD is still unclear.

An expressed pseudogene regulates the messenger-RNA stability of its homologous coding gene.

A pseudogene is a gene copy that does not produce a functional, full-length protein. The human genome is estimated to contain up to 20,000 pseudogenes. Although much effort has been devoted to understanding the function of pseudogenes, their biological roles remain largely unknown.