Variation in ligand responses of the bitter taste receptors TAS2R1 and TAS2R4 among New World monkeys

Background New World monkeys (NWMs) are unique in that they exhibit remarkable interspecific variation in color vision and feeding behavior, making them an excellent model for studying sensory ecology. However, it is largely unknown whether non-visual senses co-vary with feeding ecology, especially gustation, which is expected to be indispensable in food selection. Bitter taste, which is mediated by bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) in the tongue, helps organisms avoid ingesting potentially toxic substances in food. In this study, we compared the ligand sensitivities of the TAS2Rs of five species of NWMs by heterologous expression in HEK293T cells and calcium imaging. Results We found that TAS2R1 and TAS2R4 orthologs differ in sensitivity among the NWM species for colchicine and camphor, respectively. We then reconstructed the ancestral receptors of NWM TAS2R1 and TAS2R4, measured the evolutionary shift in ligand sensitivity, and identified the amino acid replacement at residue 62 as responsible for the high sensitivity of marmoset TAS2R4 to colchicine. Conclusions Our results provide a basis for understanding the differences in feeding ecology among NWMs with respect to bitter taste

Comparison of Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery and Intrapleural Urokinase as an Initial Treatment for Parapneumonic Effusion and Thoracic Empyema

Introduction: The treatment of complicated parapneumonic effusion (PPE) and thoracic empyema (TE) is controversial; and the choice of treatment after confirming the failure of simple drainage remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of intrapleural urokinase (UK) administration and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) as initial treatment options for PPE and TE. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed and compared the data of 20 patients with PPE and TE diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2012 at our hospital, dividing them on the basis of the initial treatment into a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) group (n=9) and UK group (n=11). Results: Age was the only statistically different parameter between both groups (P=0.025); with the mean age of the VATS and UK groups being 64 and 76 years, respectively. There was no significant difference in the duration of drainage or success rate between the UK or VATS groups. Although no statistically significant differences (P=0.20) were observed, duration of hospital stay was longer in the UK group (21 and 28 day for VATS and UK, respectively). Conclusion: VATS for PPE and TE may shorten the duration of hospital stay.However, UK administration may be used for selective patients because it is considered to yield outcomes similar to VATS

Comparison of Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery and Intrapleural Urokinase as an Initial Treatment for Parapneumonic Effusion and Thoracic Empyema

Introduction: The treatment of complicated parapneumonic effusion (PPE) and thoracic empyema (TE) is controversial; and the choice of treatment after confirming the failure of simple drainage remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of intrapleural urokinase (UK) administration and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) as initial treatment options for PPE and TE. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed and compared the data of 20 patients with PPE and TE diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2012 at our hospital, dividing them on the basis of the initial treatment into a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) group (n=9) and UK group (n=11). Results: Age was the only statistically different parameter between both groups (P=0.025); with the mean age of the VATS and UK groups being 64 and 76 years, respectively. There was no significant difference in the duration of drainage or success rate between the UK or VATS groups. Although no statistically significant differences (P=0.20) were observed, duration of hospital stay was longer in the UK group (21 and 28 day for VATS and UK, respectively). Conclusion: VATS for PPE and TE may shorten the duration of hospital stay.However, UK administration may be used for selective patients because it is considered to yield outcomes similar to VATS

Future Perspective for ALK-Positive Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma with Initial Central Nervous System (CNS) Involvement: Could Next-Generation ALK Inhibitors Replace Brain Radiotherapy for the Prevention of Further CNS Relapse?

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) at diagnosis is rare and leads to poor prognosis with the use of the standard ALCL99 protocol alone. CNS-directed intensive chemotherapy, such as an increased dose of intravenous MTX, increased dose of dexamethasone, intensified intrathecal therapy, and high-dose cytarabine, followed by cranial irradiation, has been shown to improve survival in this population. In this paper, the authors describe a 14-year-old male with an intracranial ALCL mass at onset who received CNS-directed chemotherapy followed by 23.4 Gy of whole-brain irradiation. After the first systemic relapse, the CNS-penetrating ALK inhibitor, alectinib, was applied; it has successfully maintained remission for 18 months without any adverse events. CNS-penetrating ALK inhibitor therapy might prevent CNS relapse in pediatric ALK-positive ALCL. Next-generation ALK inhibitors could be introduced as a promising treatment option, even for primary ALCL with CNS involvement, which could lead to the omission of cranial irradiation and avoid radiation-induced sequalae. Further evidence of CNS-penetrating ALK inhibitor combined therapy for primary ALK-positive ALCL is warranted to reduce radiation-induced sequalae in future treatments

Fluorescent data (mutants)

Fluorescence measurement dat