Dextran-conjugated vascular endothelial growth factor receptor antibody for in vivo melanoma xenografted mouse imaging.

Intact immunoglobulin G antibody has a relatively large molecule size of approximately 150 kDa that remains in the bloodstream for many weeks, which is a considerable disadvantage when it is used to carry radioactive materials for imaging. To lower background activity and increase the contrast of images, we investigated antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 2 antibody (DC101) conjugated dextran for VEGF receptor 2 imaging in tumor xenografted mice. DTPA-conjugated aminodextran was synthesized, reacted with sulfo-LC-SPDP, and then reacted with DC101.

Ectodomain shedding of nectin-1 regulates the maintenance of dendritic spine density.

Synaptic remodeling has been postulated as a mechanism underlying synaptic plasticity and cell adhesion molecules are thought to contribute to this process. We examined the role of nectin-1 ectodomain shedding on synaptogenesis in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Nectins are Ca(2+) -independent immunoglobulin-like adhesion molecules, involved in cell-cell adherens junctions.

Effect of molecular imaging on validation of developed anti-hVEGFR2 therapeutic antibody.

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 2 (VEGFR2)-targeted tumor treatment is an antiangiogenic therapeutic strategy. The human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS) gene is a useful reporter gene for tumor imaging and radiotherapy. In this study, we investigated the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy in hNIS gene-transfected tumor xenografts using a gamma imaging system after treatment with an anti-VEGFR2 antibody.

Effects of methoxsalen from Poncirus trifoliata on acetylcholinesterase and trimethyltin-induced learning and memory impairment.

Previously, we identified methoxsalen (8-methoxy-2',3',6,7-furocoumarin) as the bioactive compound probably responsible for acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibition achieved by feeding crude extract of Poncirus trifoliate. To confirm the activity of methoxsalen, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were fed a control or a methoxsalen-supplemented diet for 4 weeks, and then learning and memory enhancing effects with respect to trimethyltin (TMT)-induced neurotoxicity were evaluated. The brain tissues of ICR mice were dissected after completion of the behavioral tests for biochemical analysis.

A high speed electro-optic phase shifter based on a polymer-infiltrated P-S-N diode capacitor.

A polymer-infiltrated P-S-N diode capacitor configuration is proposed and a high speed electro-optic phase shifter based on a silicon organic hybrid platform is designed and modeled. The structure enables fast carrier depletion in addition to the second order nonlinearity so that a large electro-optic overlapped volume is achievable. Moreover, the device speed can be significantly improved with the introduction of free carriers due to a reduced experienced transient capacitance.

Characterization of nectin processing mediated by presenilin-dependent γ-secretase.

Nectins play an important role in forming various intercellular junctions including synapses. This role is regulated by several secretases present at intercellular junctions. We have investigated presenilin (PS)-dependent secretase-mediated processing of nectins in PS1 KO cells and primary hippocampal neurons.

Pulmonary function in patients with acute coronary syndrome treated with ticagrelor or clopidogrel (from the Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes [PLATO] pulmonary function substudy).

The Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes (PLATO) trial showed that ticagrelor reduced the risk for cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndromes compared to clopidogrel but was associated with increased incidence of dyspnea. This substudy assessed whether ticagrelor affects pulmonary function in patients with acute coronary syndromes: 199 patients enrolled in the PLATO trial and receiving randomized treatment with ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily (n = 101) or clopidogrel 75 mg/day (n = 98) took part in the pulmonary function substudy. Patients with advanced lung disease, congestive heart failure, or coronary artery bypass graft surgery after the index event were excluded.

Effect of concomitant statin, metformin, or aspirin on rituximab treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Several pre-clinical studies report that statins interfere with the surface binding of rituximab to CD20. This study investigated the effects of statins in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) receiving rituximab-based chemoimmunotherapy, and the impact of commonly used drugs, metformin and aspirin, on the clinical outcomes of patients receiving chemoimmunotherapy. We included 213 patients with DLBCL who received rituximab-based chemoimmunotherapy.

Erythropoietin induces lymph node lymphangiogenesis and lymph node tumor metastasis.

Cancer therapy often produces anemia, which is treated with erthropoietin (EPO) to stimulate erythrocyte production. However, concerns have recently arisen that EPO treatment may promote later tumor metastasis and mortality. The mechanisms underlying such effects are unknown, but it is clear that EPO has pleiotropic effects in cell types other than hematopoietic cells.

Iodine 125-labeled mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor binding peptide-click-cRGDyk heterodimer for glioma imaging.

In our previous study, mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-Met)-binding peptides (cMBP) had been readily radiolabeled with radioactive iodide for glioma imaging because of five histidine amino acids. However, iodinated cMBP showed relatively unfavorable in vivo kinetics. For this reason, we tried to design dual peptide ligands that would be advantageous in recognizing both c-Met receptor and integrin α(v) β(3) .

F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging of metastatic extrarenal Wilms tumor arising in the inguinal canal.

Extrarenal Wilms tumor (ERWT) is rare, and has been reported sporadically in the literatures. ERWT can arise anywhere from the renal bed to the testes; reported locations of ERWTs include the retroperitoneum, inguinal canal, endocervix, uterus, epididymis, and sigmoid mesocolon. We report the F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging findings of an ERWT arising from the inguinal canal in a 9-year-old boy.

Risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in hepatitis B surface antigen negative/hepatitis B core antibody positive patients receiving rituximab-containing combination chemotherapy without routine antiviral prophylaxis.

The use of rituximab has been associated with increased risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in patients who are hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative and antihepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) positive. We aim to determine the rate of HBV reactivation in this group of patients who received rituximab-containing combination chemotherapy without concomitant antiviral prophylaxis and to identify potential risk factors for reactivation. Sixty-two HBsAg negative/anti-HBc positive patients with B-cell lymphoma treated with rituximab-based immunochemotherapy from 2006 to 2009 were included.

Tailor-made hexaethylene glycolic ionic liquids as organic catalysts for specific chemical reactions.

Hexaethylene glycol substituted imidazolium based ionic liquids (hexaEGILs) were designed and prepared well-tailored to a specific organic reaction using alkali-metal fluorides (MFs) as multifunctional organic catalysts. These hexaEGIL catalysts could significantly enhance the reactivity of MF, even KF. Furthermore, the hexaEGIL systems showed tremendous efficiency in the nucleophilic fluorination of base-sensitive substrates.

Membrane palmitoylated proteins regulate trafficking and processing of nectins.

Nectins are cell-cell adhesion molecules involved in the formation of various intercellular junctions and the establishment of apical-basal polarity at cell-cell adhesion sites. To have a better understanding of the roles of nectins in the formation of cell-cell junctions, we searched for new cytoplasmic binding partners for nectin. We report that nectin-1α associates with membrane palmitoylated protein 3 (MPP3), one of the human homologues of a Drosophila tumor suppressor gene, Disc large.

Comparison of daily filgrastim and pegfilgrastim to prevent febrile neutropenia in Asian lymphoma patients.

Aim: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a highly prevalent complication of chemotherapy, particularly in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of filgrastim and pegfilgrastim in Asian lymphoma patients by evaluating the incidence of FN and associated complications.

Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study in Asian lymphoma patients who received chemotherapy with primary prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factors support between January 2008 and August 2009.

Reduction of stimulated sodium iodide symporter expression by estrogen receptor ligands in breast cancer cells.

Purpose: The sodium iodide symporter (NIS) mediates active iodide uptake in lactating breast tissue, and when its levels are enhanced by all-trans retinoic acid (atRA), NIS has been proposed as a target for the imaging and radiotherapy of breast cancer. Importantly, the estrogen receptor α (ERα) is an important regulator of atRA induced NIS gene expression in breast cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of an ER agonist (17β-estradiol, E(2)) or antagonist [trans-hydroxytamoxifen (TOT) or raloxifene (RAL)] treatment on the regulation of NIS gene expression and iodide uptake in an ERα-positive breast cancer (MCF-7) model.

Osteoblastoma in the nasal cavity: F-18 FDG PET/CT and Tc-99m MDP 3-phase bone scan findings with pathologic correlation.

A benign osteoblastoma of the nasal cavity is very rare. A 57-year-old woman, who had a radical hysterectomy for carcinoma of the uterine cervix 5 years ago, underwent F-18 FDG PET/CT. An expansile bone tumor with high glucose metabolism in the middle turbinate of the left nasal cavity was incidentally demonstrated.

Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma: optimal therapy and prognostic factors in 41 consecutive Asian patients.

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of Asian patients with primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) and to determine the role of rituximab in this entity. Forty-one consecutive patients from 1997 to 2009 were included: 14 received CHOP chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone), while 27 more recently treated patients received CHOP with rituximab (R-CHOP). All patients with a complete or partial response received consolidation involved field radiotherapy (RT).

Oleyl-chitosan nanoparticles based on a dual probe for optical/MR imaging in vivo.

Oleic acid-conjugated chitosan (oleyl-chitosan) is a powerful platform for encapsulating oleic acid-decorated iron oxide nanoparticles (ION), resulting in a good magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probe. Oleyl-chitosan could self-assemble into core-shell structures in aqueous solution and provide the effective core compartment for loading ION. ION-loaded oleyl-chitosan nanoparticles showed good enhanced MRI sensitivity in a MR scanner.

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma: review and updates of current management strategies.

The classification of T-cell and natural-killer- (NK-) cell lymphomas has been updated in the 4th edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors of the haematopoietic and lymphoid tissue published in 2008. Based on recent epidemiological studies, NK-cell lymphomas occur almost exclusively in Asia and South America, although T-cell lymphomas appear to occur in the East as commonly as in the West. Due to the low prevalence of this disease, diagnosis and optimal treatment of patients have not been studied prospectively in large randomized trials.

Central nervous system (CNS) relapse in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL): pre- and post-rituximab.

Central nervous system (CNS)-directed prophylactic intrathecal (IT) therapy is indicated in patients with Burkitt and acute lymphoblastic lymphoma. Its role in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a heterogeneous subtype, is less well defined. While addition of rituximab to standard cyclophosphamide-hydroxydaunorubicin-oncovin-prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy (R-CHOP) has improved the outcomes of DLBCL patients, its role in reducing CNS relapse is unclear.