The effects of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2) on cell cycle status, viability, and chemoresistance in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells.

S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2), a member of the F-box family of ubiquitin-protein ligase complexes, controls the stability of cell cycle-related proteins including p27Kip1. The authors examined how the expression level of SKP2 affects the expression level of cell cycle-related proteins, cell cycle status, viability, and chemoresistance in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. Overexpression of SKP2 reduced the expression of p27Kip1, cyclin E, and p21Cip1, increased S-phase cells, rescued A549 cells from apoptosis due to adenoviral infection, and also increased chemoresistance against camptothecin, cisplatin, and AG1478.

GSTP1 affects chemoresistance against camptothecin in human lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) is known as a xenobiotic enzyme through conjugation of glutathione and also as an inhibitor of Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). We intended to investigate whether GSTP1 affects chemoresistance against camptothecin in human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Camptothecin induced GSTP1 expression.

[A case of cT0N2M0 small cell lung cancer with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome].

We encountered a very rare case of cT0N2M0 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). A 69-year-old man with a complaint of muscle weakness was admitted to our hospital. Although his chest radiograph on admission showed no abnormal findings, CT scanning detected a mediastinal lymphadenopathy.

[A national survey of results of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) for pulmonary emphysema in Japan].

We made a national questionnaire survey of conditions and results of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) performed for pulmonary emphysema in 273 hospitals. The survey covered: number of hospitals, number of patients, indications, operative procedures, improvement of FEV1% and dyspnea score, mortality, cause of death, 5-year survival rate, characteristics of patients who died, and current conditions of LVRS. The response rate was 63%.

Nutritional deficiency affects cell cycle status and viability in A549 cells: role of p27Kip1.

We investigated how nutritional deficiency affects cell cycle and cell viability in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. Deprivation of various amino acids or glucose induced cell cycle arrest and cell death in a different manner. Cell death on deprivation of these nutrients was increased by downregulating of p27Kip1 with RNA interference.

A methylated oligonucleotide induced methylation of GSTP1 promoter and suppressed its expression in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) belongs to xenobiotic enzymes, and is supposed to contribute to chemoresistance. Though it was reported that GSTP1 gene is suppressed by cytosine-guanine (CpG) island methylation of its promoter, this promoter is not strongly methylated and GSTP1 protein is highly expressed in lung cancer. We intended to induce methylation of GSTP1 CpG island by using a methylated sense oligonucleotide complementary to this region.

Glutathione S-transferase P1 has protective effects on cell viability against camptothecin.

Glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) is one of the important xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes. It was reported that GSTP1 was overexpressed in malignant tissues, and its expression level was associated with resistance to chemotherapeutics. We carried out transfection of GSTP1 sense and antisense vectors to examine effects of GSTP1 on cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induced by camptothecin in HeLa cells.

Depletion of glutathione S-transferase P1 induces apoptosis in human lung fibroblasts.

Glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) is one of the xenobiotic-metabolizing and antioxidant enzymes, identified in the peripheral lungs. Recently, the authors reported the association between GSTP1 gene polymorphism and susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and protective effect of GSTP1 against cigarette smoke in human lung fibroblasts in vitro. In this study, the authors investigated that depletion of GSTP1 by itself could induce cell death, including apoptosis, in human lung fibroblast-derived HFL-1 cells.

Oxygen administration improves the serum level of nitric oxide metabolites in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Objectives And Background: Nocturnal apnea and hypoxia are implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary and systemic hypertension in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). We have hypothesized that vasodilating factors including nitric oxide (NO) are affected by nocturnal apnea and hypoxia in patients with OSAS.

Method: We examined the serum level of NO production in 24 patients with OSAS (mean age 54.

Clinical significance of nocturnal oximeter monitoring for detection of sleep apnea syndrome in the elderly.

Objectives: The sensitivity and specificity of overnight monitoring of arterial oxygen saturation (SaO(2)) using an oximeter were evaluated in elderly subjects who are being investigated for possible sleep apnea syndrome (SAS).

Methods: Seventy-five consecutive elderly subjects with habitual snoring (47 men, 28 women; mean (+/-SE) age 75.5+/-0.

Effects of oxygen administration on the circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Objective: Repeated nocturnal hypoxia is implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). We hypothesized that circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels are affected by nocturnal hypoxemia in patients with OSAS.

Methods: We examined the serum VEGF levels in patients with OSAS and in control subjects.

[Hypogammaglobulinemia associated with thymoma (Good syndrome) similar to diffuse panbronchiolitis].

A 65-year-old woman complained of dyspnea and a productive cough after surgical treatment and irradiation therapy for thymoma. Chest radiography and high-resolution computed tomography showed small nodules in centrilobular lesions in all of both lung fields, but predominantly in the lower fields. In addition, blood tests showed hypogammaglobulinemia.

[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the elderly: analysis from questionnaire about attitudes to the COPD guideline of the Japanese Respiratory Society and actual therapy for COPD used by physicians].

We have conducted a survey of attitudes to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the elderly, a survey of attitudes to the COPD guideline prepared by the Japanese Respiratory Society, and a survey of the therapies actually used for this disease among physicians belonging to the Yokohama Medical Association. The results showed that most respondents thought that physicians, mainly except for respiratory physicians, miss the COPD patients because of failure to recognize COPD. The spread of the COPD guideline among physicians and the amount of therapy conducted according to this guideline were also insufficient.

[Monoclonal antibody therapy for allergic asthma].

Allergic responses at the level of the respiratory system are mostly mediated by IgE-dependent mechanisms. The first selective anti-IgE therapy, a recombinant humanized monoclonal anti-IgE antibody(rhuMAb-E25), binds with high affinity to the Fc epsilon RI receptor binding site on IgE, thereby reducing the amount of free IgE available to bind to Fc epsilon RI receptors on mast cells and basophils. In addition, administration of rhuMAb-E25 indirectly reduces Fc epsilon RI receptor density on cells involved in allergic responses.