Anti-TGF-β1 aptamer enhances therapeutic effect of tyrosine kinase inhibitor, gefitinib, on non-small cell lung cancer in xenograft model.

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine that plays crucial pathophysiological roles in various diseases, such as cancer and fibrosis. However, the disease modulation by targeting TGF-β1 isoform remains to be established, regardless of several studies employed with limited antibodies. Here, we developed an RNA aptamer to human active TGF-β1, named APT-β1, and characterized its properties and .

Recurrence hernia in the broad ligament of the uterus: a case report.

Background: Bowel herniation through a defect in the broad ligament of the uterus is a rare disease and few cases of recurrence have been reported. We report herein a recurrence case of a patient with broad ligament hernia (BLH), along with a review of the literature.

Case Presentation: A 53-year-old woman complaining of abdominal pain was transported to our hospital.

ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Polycipiviridae.

Polycipiviridae is a family of picorna-like viruses with non-segmented, linear, positive-sense RNA genomes of approximately 10-12 kb. Unusually for viruses within the order Picornavirales, their genomes are polycistronic, with four (or more) consecutive 5'-proximal open reading frames (ORFs) encoding structural (and possibly other) proteins and a long 3' ORF encoding the replication polyprotein. Members of species within the family have all been detected in ants or via arthropod transcriptomic datasets.

ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Solinviviridae.

Solinviviridae is a family of picorna/calici-like viruses with non-segmented, linear, positive-sense RNA genomes of approximately 10-11 kb. Unusually, their capsid proteins are encoded towards the 3'-end of the genome where they can be expressed both from a subgenomic RNA and as an extension of the replication (picorna-like helicase-protease-polymerase) polyprotein. Members of two species within the family infect ants, but related unclassified virus sequences derive from a large variety of insects and other arthropods.

Small Bowel Obstruction After Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis With a Loop Ileostomy in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis.

Purpose: Small bowel obstruction (SBO) remains a common complication after pelvic or abdominal surgery. However, the risk factors for SBO in ulcerative colitis (UC) surgery are not well known. The aim of the present study was to clarify the risk factors associated with SBO after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) with a loop ileostomy for patients with UC.

Complete study demonstrating the absence of rhabdovirus in a distinct Sf9 cell line.

A putative novel rhabdovirus (SfRV) was previously identified in a Spodoptera frugiperda cell line (Sf9 cells [ATCC CRL-1711 lot 58078522]) by next generation sequencing and extensive bioinformatic analysis. We performed an extensive analysis of our Sf9 cell bank (ATCC CRL-1711 lot 5814 [Sf9L5814]) to determine whether this virus was already present in cells obtained from ATCC in 1987. Inverse PCR of DNA isolated from Sf9 L5814 cellular DNA revealed integration of SfRV sequences in the cellular genome.

[A Case of Intussusception Caused by Descending Colon Cancer].

A46 -year-old male presented with bloody stool and a descending colon tumor, as identified using colon fiberscopy. The patient did not complain of any remarkable abdominal symptoms. Computed tomography revealed descending colon tumor intussusception.

Nonstop-mRNA decay machinery is involved in the clearance of mRNA 5'-fragments produced by RNAi and NMD in Drosophila melanogaster cells.

When translating mRNAs are cleaved in protein-coding regions, 5' fragments of mRNAs are detached from stop codons (i.e., nonstop mRNAs) and protected from 3'-5' exonucleases by ribosomes stalled at the 3' termini.

[Usefulness of Palliative Gastrojejunal Bypass Surgery].

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of gastrojejunal bypass surgery performed in patients presenting with upper gastrointestinal tract obstruction due to unresectable advanced cancer.

Subjects And Methods: The subjects were 21 patients who underwent gastrojejunal bypass surgery at our division between 2010 and 2014 for symptom palliation. We retrospectively evaluated the operative outcomes, whether chemotherapy was administered, the oral ingestion period, and survival time.

Calpain mediates processing of the translation termination factor eRF3 into the IAP-binding isoform p-eRF3.

The involvement of polypeptide chain-releasing factor eRF3 in translation termination and mRNA decay is well established. Moreover, the finding that the proteolytically processed isoform of eRF3 (p-eRF3) interacts with inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) to activate caspase, implies that eRF3 is a cell death regulator. However, the protease(s) responsible for p-eRF3 production and how p-eRF3 regulates apoptosis remain unknown.

[A case of an elderly patient who underwent single-incision laparoscopic surgery for small intestine cancer].

An 81-year-old man presented with chief complaints of abdominal pain and vomiting. Intestinal obstruction was found at the time of admission to a local hospital in October 2011. Conservative treatment provided symptomatic relief; however, he was readmitted with similar symptoms in December 2011.

[A case of descending colon cancer with multiple liver metastases effectively treated with capecitabine/oxaliplatin (CapeOX) and bevacizumab].

A 57-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of descending colon cancer with multiple liver metastases. Abdominal magneticresonanc e imaging (MRI) revealed 13 liver metastases across the lobes. We started combination che- motherapy with capecitabine/oxaliplatin (CapeOX) and bevacizumab.

Modifications of cysteine residues in the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of a recombinant hemagglutinin protein prevent cross-linked multimer formation and potency loss.

Background: Recombinant hemagglutinin (rHA) is the active component in Flublok®; a trivalent influenza vaccine produced using the baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS). HA is a membrane bound homotrimer in the influenza virus envelope, and the purified rHA protein assembles into higher order rosette structures in the final formulation of the vaccine. During purification and storage of the rHA, disulfide mediated cross-linking of the trimers within the rosette occurs and results in reduced potency.

A functional involvement of ABCE1, eukaryotic ribosome recycling factor, in nonstop mRNA decay in Drosophila melanogaster cells.

When ribosomes encounter mRNAs lacking stop codons, two quality-control machineries, NSD for nonstop mRNA decay and ribosome quality control (RQC) for co-translational degradation of the nonstop protein by the proteasome, are triggered to eliminate aberrant molecules. In yeast, it is known that Dom34 (a homolog of eRF1) and Ltn1 (an E3 ubiquitin ligase) play crucial roles in NSD and RQC, respectively, by triggering ribosome rescue at the 3' end of nonstop mRNAs and proteasome-dependent polypeptide degradation. Here we confirmed the essential role of Ltn1 in RQC for nonstop products in Drosophila cells, and further uncovered a functional role of ABCE1, a eukaryotic ribosome recycling factor, in NSD in Drosophila cells.

The processed isoform of the translation termination factor eRF3 localizes to the nucleus to interact with the ARF tumor suppressor.

The eukaryotic releasing factor eRF3 is a multifunctional protein that plays pivotal roles in translation termination as well as the initiation of mRNA decay. eRF3 also functions in the regulation of apoptosis; eRF3 is cleaved at Ala73 by an as yet unidentified protease into processed isoform of eRF3 (p-eRF3), which interacts with the inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs). The binding of p-eRF3 with IAPs leads to the release of active caspases from IAPs, which promotes apoptosis.

[A case of hyperammonemic encephalopathy related to 5-FU in an aged patient with recurrent colon cancer treated with FOLFIRI therapy].

We report a case of hyperammonemic encephalopathy related to 5-FU in an aged patient with recurrent colon cancer treated with FOLFIRI therapy. An 80-year-old man underwent right hemicolectomy for cecal cancer. After 10 months, surgical resection was performed for its local recurrence.

The transcriptome of the baculovirus Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus in Trichoplusia ni cells.

Baculoviruses are important insect pathogens that have been developed as protein expression vectors in insect cells and as transduction vectors for mammalian cells. They have large double-stranded DNA genomes containing approximately 156 tightly spaced genes, and they present significant challenges for transcriptome analysis. In this study, we report the first comprehensive analysis of AcMNPV transcription over the course of infection in Trichoplusia ni cells, by a combination of strand-specific RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and deep sequencing of 5' capped transcription start sites and 3' polyadenylation sites.

Translation termination factor eRF3 is targeted for caspase-mediated proteolytic cleavage and degradation during DNA damage-induced apoptosis.

Polypeptide chain release factor eRF3 plays pivotal roles in translation termination and post-termination events including ribosome recycling and mRNA decay. It is not clear, however, if eRF3 is targeted for the regulation of gene expression. Here we show that DNA-damaging agents (UV and etoposide) induce the immediate cleavage and degradation of eRF3 in a caspase-dependent manner.

A fast track influenza virus vaccine produced in insect cells.

The viral surface protein hemagglutinin (HA) has been recognized as a key antigen in the host response to influenza virus in both natural infection and vaccination because neutralizing antibodies directed against HA can mitigate or prevent infection. The baculovirus-insect cell system can be used for the production of recombinant HA molecules and is suitable for influenza vaccine production where annual adjustment of the vaccine is required. This expression system is generally considered safe with minimal potential for growth of human pathogens.

An initiative to manufacture and characterize baculovirus reference material.

This letter to the editor brings to the attention of researchers an initiative to develop a baculovirus reference material repository. To be successful this initiative needs the support of a broad panel of researchers working with baculovirus vectors for recombinant protein production and gene delivery for either therapy or vaccination. First there is a need to reach a consensus on the nature of the reference material, the production protocols and the baculovirus characterization methods.

Establishment, growth kinetics, and susceptibility to AcMNPV of heat tolerant lepidopteran cell lines.

Lepidopteran heat-tolerant (ht) cell lines have been obtained with sf-9, sf-21 and several Bombyx cells. They have a distinct karyotype, membrane lipid composition, morphology and growth kinetics from the parental cell lines. In this paper, we report the development of ht cell lines from other insect species and examination of their growth characteristics and virus susceptibility.

LuxS coexpression enhances yields of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli in part through posttranscriptional control of GroEL.

Cell-to-cell communication, or quorum sensing (QS), enables cell density-dependent regulation of bacterial gene expression which can be exploited for the autonomous-signal-guided expression of recombinant proteins (C. Y. Tsao, S.

Ao38, a new cell line from eggs of the black witch moth, Ascalapha odorata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is permissive for AcMNPV infection and produces high levels of recombinant proteins.

Background: The insect cell line is a critical component in the production of recombinant proteins in the baculovirus expression system and new cell lines hold the promise of increasing both quantity and quality of protein production.

Results: Seventy cell lines were established by single-cell cloning from a primary culture of cells derived from eggs of the black witch moth (Ascalapha odorata; Lepidoptera, Noctuidae). Among 8 rapidly growing lines, cell line 38 (Ao38) was selected for further analysis, based on susceptibility to AcMNPV infection and production of secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) from a baculovirus expression vector.

Isolation and characterization of Solenopsis invicta virus 3, a new positive-strand RNA virus infecting the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta.

We report the discovery of a new virus from the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. Solenopsis invicta virus 3 (SINV-3) represents the third virus discovered from this ant species using the metagenomics approach. The single (positive)-strand RNA, monopartite, bicistronic genome of SINV-3 was sequenced in entirety (GenBank accession number FJ528584), comprised of 10,386 nucleotides, and polyadenylated at the 3' terminus.

Infection characteristics of Solenopsis invicta virus 2 in the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta.

Solenopsis invicta virus 2 (SINV-2) is the second virus identified from the fire ant, S. invicta Buren. SINV-2 is unique among positive-strand RNA viruses from insects by possessing four cistrons in a monopartite genome.