Structural mechanism and photoprotective function of water-soluble chlorophyll-binding protein

This research was originally published in Journal of Biological Chemistry. Daisuke Horigome, Hiroyuki Satoh, Nobue Itoh, Katsuyoshi Mitsunaga, Isao Oonishi, Atsushi Nakagawa and Akira Uchida. Structural mechanism and photoprotective function of water-soluble chlorophyll-binding protein. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2007; 282, 6525-6531. © the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Different effects of carbon ion beams and X-rays on clonogenic survival and DNA Repair in human pancreatic cancer stem-like cells

Purpose: The effects of a carbon ion beam and X-rays on human pancreatic cancer stem-like cells were examined from the point of view of clonogenic survival and DNA repair.Materials and methods: Human pancreatic cancer stem-like cells were treated with and without carbon ion and X-ray irradiation, and then colony, spheroid and tumor formation assays as well as rH2AX foci formation assay were performed.Results: The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) values of a carbon ion beam relative to X-ray for the MIA PaCa-2 and BxPc-3 cells at the D10 values were 1.85–2.10. The ability for colony, spheroid formation, and tumorigenicity from cancer stem-like CD44+/CD24+ cells is significantly higher than that from noncancer stem-like CD44-/CD24-cells. FACS data showed that CD44+/CD24+ cells were more highly enriched after X-rays compared to carbon ion irradiation at isoeffective doses. The RBE values for the carbon ion beam relative to X-ray at the D10 levels for CD44+/CD24+ cells were 2.0–2.19.The number of rH2AX foci in CD44-/CD24-cells was higher than that of CD44+/CD24+ cells after irradiation with either X-ray or carbon ion beam. The number of rH2AX foci in CD44+/CD24+ cells was almost the same in the early time, but it persists significantly longer in carbon ion beam irradiated cells compared to X-rays.Conclusions: Carbon ion beam has superior potential to kill pancreatic cancer stem cell-like cells, and prolonged induction of DNA damage might be one of the pivotal mechanisms of its high radiobiological effects compared to X-rays

Immediate Effects of Single-Session High-Velocity Training for Lateral Trunk Movement on Gait Function in Early Postoperative Patients after Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial

Background: Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) is an effective method for relieving pain and improving gait function. However, THA patients demonstrate slow gait speed at discharge. Rehabilitation programs after THA require the immediate improvement of gait speed early in the postoperative period. To examine the immediate effects of seated side tapping training (SSTT), which focuses on lateral trunk movement and movement velocity, on gait function in early postoperative THA patients, the methods were as follows: The SSTT group performed five repetitions of a task in which they moved their trunks laterally to alternately touch markers to their left and right side as quickly as possible 10 times in a seated position. One set of SSTT lasted approximately 3 min. The control group rested in a seated position for 10 min. Results: Significant interactions were observed for gait speed, stride time, and stride time coefficient of variability. The SSTT group demonstrated significant pre-post-intervention improvement in gait speed, stride time, and coefficient of variability. Conclusions: SSTT improved both gait speed and gait stability and can be performed easily and safely. Therefore, single-session high-velocity trunk training may be an effective method to improve gait function immediately in early postoperative THA patients