Quantification of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate Inhibition of Migration and Invasion of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines Using Real-time Cell Analysis

Catechins found in green tea, in particular (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), have antitumor activity. The primary antitumor actions of catechins are anti-oxidative, anti-angiogenic, and anti-metastatic effects. Cell migration and invasion contribute to the metastatic potential of tumors. Real-time cell analysis (RTCA) measures cell migration and invasion in vitro. In the present study, using RTCA, we investigated whether the cell migration and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) of the tongue and floor of the mouth were inhibited by EGCG. Studies were performed using the human SCC-4 and SAS cell lines, which are poorly differentiated OSCCs of the tongue, and the HO-1-u-1 cell line, an OSCC of the floor of the mouth. SCC-4 cells exhibited high cell migration and invasion compared with the SAS and HO-1-u-1 cells. EGCG was most effective in inhibiting the migration and invasion of SCC-4 cells, and inhibited OSCC cell invasion more strongly than it inhibited cell migration. EGCG inhibited the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and integrin α1 and β1 mRNA in the OSCC cell lines, particularly SCC-4 cells. The findings of the present study suggest that EGCG inhibits OSCC cell migration and invasion by inhibiting MMP-2, MMP-9, and integrin α1and β1 expression. Thus, EGCG may be a suitable agent or lead compound for the inhibition of OSCC metastasis

The apelin‑apelin receptor signaling pathway in fibroblasts is involved in tumor growth via p53 expression of cancer cells

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are pivotal in tumor progression. TP53-deficiency in cancer cells is associated with robust stromal activation. The apelin-apelin receptor (APJ) system has been implicated in suppressing fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition in non-neoplastic organ fibrosis. The present study aimed to elucidate the oncogenic role of the apelin-APJ system in tumor fibroblasts. APJ expression and the effect of APJ suppression in fibroblasts were investigated for p53 status in cancer cells using human cell lines (TP53-wild colon cancer, HCT116, and Caco-2; TP53-mutant colon cancer, SW480, and DLD-1; and colon fibroblasts, CCD-18Co), resected human tissue samples of colorectal cancers, and immune-deficient nude mouse xenograft models. The role of exosomes collected by ultracentrifugation were also analyzed as mediators of p53 expression in cancer cells and APJ expression in fibroblasts. APJ expression in fibroblasts co-cultured with p53-suppressed colon cancer cells (HCT116sh p53 cells) was significantly lower than in control colon cancer cells (HCT116sh control cells). APJ-suppressed fibroblasts treated with an antagonist or small interfering RNA showed myofibroblast-like properties, including increased proliferation and migratory abilities, via accelerated phosphorylation of Sma- and Mad-related protein 2/3 (Smad2/3). In addition, xenografts of HCT116 cells with APJ-suppressed fibroblasts showed accelerated tumor growth. By contrast, apelin suppressed the upregulation of phosphorylated Smad2/3 in fibroblasts. MicroRNA 5703 enriched in exosomes derived from HCT116sh p53 cells inhibited APJ expression, and inhibition of miR-5703 diminished APJ suppression in fibroblasts caused by cancer cells. APJ suppression from a specific microRNA in cancer cell-derived exosomes induced CAF-like properties in fibroblasts. Thus, the APJ system in fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment may be a promising therapeutic target.Saiki H., Hayashi Y., Yoshii S., et al. The apelin‑apelin receptor signaling pathway in fibroblasts is involved in tumor growth via p53 expression of cancer cells. International Journal of Oncology 63, 139 (2023); https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2023.5587

Spectroscopic Observations of the WZ Sge-Type Dwarf Nova GW Librae during the 2007 Superoutburst

We carried out an international spectroscopic observation campaign of the dwarf nova GW Librae (GW Lib) during the 2007 superoutburst. Our observation period covered the rising phase of the superoutburst, maximum, slowly decaying phase (plateau), and long fading tail after the rapid decline from the plateau. The spectral features dramatically changed during the observations. In the rising phase, only absorption lines of H$\alpha$, H$\beta$, and H$\gamma$ were present. Around the maximum, the spectrum showed singly-peaked emission lines of H$\alpha$, He I 5876, He I 6678, He II 4686, and C III/N III as well as absorption lines of Balmer components and He I. These emission lines significantly weakened in the latter part of the plateau phase. In the fading tail, all the Balmer lines and He I 6678 were in emission, as observed in quiescence. We find that the center of the H$\alpha$ emission component was mostly stable over the whole orbital phase, being consistent with the low inclination of the system. Comparing with the observational results of WZ Sge during the 2001 superoutburst, the same type of stars as GW Lib seen with a high inclination angle, we interpret that the change of the H$\alpha$ profile before the fading tail phase is attributed to a photoionized region formed at the outer edge of the accretion disk, irradiated from the white dwarf and inner disk.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in PAS

チッチョウ ジカン ノ セイヤク ジョウケン カ ニ オケル ビロードシバ ト コウライシバ ノ セイイク カノウ セイ

日長時間の違いがビロードシバとコウライシバの生育に及ぼす影響について検討した。日長時間6,5,4,3,2,1,0時間の各実験区を設定し,約4ケ月間処理を行い,生育反応について探った。その結果,コウライシバでは,日長6時間区に比べて,5時間日長区以下では生育量が漸減し,4時間区では1/2程度に,3時間区や2時間区では葉の黄化現象や枯葉も認められるようになり,2時間区でも生育量は1/4程度となった。また1時間区では3.5ケ月後,0時間区では1.5ケ月後には枯死した。一方,ビロードシバでは,日長6,5,4時間区では生育量に大差がなく,3時間区で生育量が1/2以下となり,葉の黄化現象も認められ,2時間区では枯葉も見られるようになった。そして,1時間区では3ケ月後に3個体中2個体が枯死し,0時間区では3.5ケ月後にはすべて枯死した。つまり,ビロードシバの方がコウライシバに比べて,日長時間が短くなっても被害の発現やその後の進行度合も遅く,地下部も含めて生育量の低下や葉身の葉緑素含量(SPAD値)の低下もそれほど顕著でないことが解った。In this research, whether or not Daylength exposure effected the growth and development of Zoysia tenuifolia and Zoysia matrella were investigated. Each Zoysia individual was planted in 1/5000a pot and exposed 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6hrs per day from August to December 2001. The color and chlorophyll of leaf in the experiment categories were measured by chrometer (CR-200b, Minolta Co.) and chlorophyllmeter (SPAD-502, Minolta Co.). The results are as follows : The growth ratio of the Zoysia matrella showed half and quarter in 4hrs and 2hrs treatments compared with 6hrs treatment, and the necrosis leaves and yellow colored leaves appeared in 3hrs and 2hrs treatments. And Zoysia matrella showed necrosis conditions in 1hr and 0hr treatments after 3.5 and 1.5months. Zoysia tenuifolia maintained the growing conditions under the 4, 5, 6hrs treatments. The growth ratio of 3hrs treatment showed fewer than half compared with 6hrs treatment, and the necrosis leaves were recognized in 3hrs treatment. Yellow leaves appeared in 2hrs treatment. 2 of 3 individuals of Zoysia tenuifolia exhibited necrosis conditions in the 1hr treatment after 3months. But in 0hr treatment, all individuals showed necrosis conditions after 3.5months. From those results, it is recognized that Zoysia tenuifolia showed injury and became damaged slower than Zoysia matrella, although Daylength Time is shortened. And it is recognized that the down ratio of the growth quantity including rhizosphere and SPAD of Lamina were not prominent

Magnifying Colonoscopy Findings for Differential Diagnosis of Sessile Serrated Adenoma/Polyps and Hyperplastic Polyps

Sessile serrated adenoma/polyps (SSA/Ps) are thought to be precursors of colorectal cancers. However, current endoscopic techniques for differentiating SSA/Ps from conventional hyperplastic polyps (HPs) have low diagnostic accuracy. The aim of the present study was to assess the ability of mucosal crypt patterns to distinguish SSA/Ps from HPs. We examined 140 lesions from 93 patients that had been diagnosed histologically as SSA/Ps or HPs at the Showa University Hospital between June 2010 and May 2012. Three experienced colonoscopists reviewed the endoscopic findings of magnifying colonoscopy. Type II open-shape (Type II-O) pit patterns and varicose microvascular vessels (VMVs) were identified according to previously proposed definitions. Although 140 lesions were initially identified for the study, 27 lesions were excluded from analysis because of insufficient endoscopic findings. Thus, endoscopic findings from a total of 113 lesions (68 SSA/Ps and 45 HPs) were evaluated. Of 113 serrated polyps, 51 lesions (44 SSA/Ps and 7 HPs; P<0.01) had Type II-O pit patterns. The inter- and intra-observer agreement for these patterns among three colonoscopists was κ=0.61 (range 0.57–0.65) and κ=0.68 (range 0.52–0.94), respectively. The positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), sensitivity, and specificity of Type II-O pit patterns for differentiating between SSA/P and HP were 86%, 61%, 65%, and 84%, respectively. In contrast, the PPV, NPV, sensitivity, and specificity of VMVs were 68%, 43%, 37%, and 73%, respectively. The results indicate that Type II-O mucosal crypt patterns may be useful for the differential diagnosis of SSAPs and HPs

The tremendous potential of deep-sea mud as a source of rare-earth elements

金沢大学理工研究域地球社会基盤学系Potential risks of supply shortages for critical metals including rare-earth elements and yttrium (REY) have spurred great interest in commercial mining of deep-sea mineral resources. Deep-sea mud containing over 5,000 ppm total REY content was discovered in the western North Pacific Ocean near Minamitorishima Island, Japan, in 2013. This REY-rich mud has great potential as a rare-earth metal resource because of the enormous amount available and its advantageous mineralogical features. Here, we estimated the resource amount in REY-rich mud with Geographical Information System software and established a mineral processing procedure to greatly enhance its economic value. The resource amount was estimated to be 1.2 Mt of rare-earth oxide for the most promising area (105 km2 × 0-10 mbsf), which accounts for 62, 47, 32, and 56 years of annual global demand for Y, Eu, Tb, and Dy, respectively. Moreover, using a hydrocyclone separator enabled us to recover selectively biogenic calcium phosphate grains, which have high REY content (up to 22,000 ppm) and constitute the coarser domain in the grain-size distribution. The enormous resource amount and the effectiveness of the mineral processing are strong indicators that this new REY resource could be exploited in the near future. © 2018 The Author(s)

On the origin and evolution of the asteroid Ryugu: A comprehensive geochemical perspective

Presented here are the observations and interpretations from a comprehensive analysis of 16 representative particles returned from the C-type asteroid Ryugu by the Hayabusa2 mission. On average Ryugu particles consist of 50% phyllosilicate matrix, 41% porosity and 9% minor phases, including organic matter. The abundances of 70 elements from the particles are in close agreement with those of CI chondrites. Bulk Ryugu particles show higher δ18O, Δ17O, and ε54Cr values than CI chondrites. As such, Ryugu sampled the most primitive and least-thermally processed protosolar nebula reservoirs. Such a finding is consistent with multi-scale H-C-N isotopic compositions that are compatible with an origin for Ryugu organic matter within both the protosolar nebula and the interstellar medium. The analytical data obtained here, suggests that complex soluble organic matter formed during aqueous alteration on the Ryugu progenitor planetesimal (several 10’s of km), <2.6 Myr after CAI formation. Subsequently, the Ryugu progenitor planetesimal was fragmented and evolved into the current asteroid Ryugu through sublimation

A pristine record of outer Solar System materials from asteroid Ryugu’s returned sample

Volatile and organic-rich C-type asteroids may have been one of the main sources of Earth’s water. Our best insight into their chemistry is currently provided by carbonaceous chondritic meteorites, but the meteorite record is biased: only the strongest types survive atmospheric entry and are then modified by interaction with the terrestrial environment. Here we present the results of a detailed bulk and microanalytical study of pristine Ryugu particles, brought to Earth by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft. Ryugu particles display a close compositional match with the chemically unfractionated, but aqueously altered, CI (Ivuna-type) chondrites, which are widely used as a proxy for the bulk Solar System composition. The sample shows an intricate spatial relationship between aliphatic-rich organics and phyllosilicates and indicates maximum temperatures of ~30 °C during aqueous alteration. We find that heavy hydrogen and nitrogen abundances are consistent with an outer Solar System origin. Ryugu particles are the most uncontaminated and unfractionated extraterrestrial materials studied so far, and provide the best available match to the bulk Solar System composition