Critical contribution of MCL-1 in EMT-associated chemo-resistance in A549 non-small-cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the leading causes of death in all lung cancer patients due to its metastatic spread. Even though cisplatin treatment after surgical resection of the primary tumor has been established as a standard chemotherapy for residual disease including metastatic spread, NSCLC often acquires a resistance against chemotherapy, and metastatic disease is often observed. Amongst many potential mechanisms, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been considered as an important process in acquiring both metastatic spread and chemo-resistance of NSCLC. In this study, we identified MCL-1 as a critical molecule for chemoresistance in A549 cells associated with TGF-β-induced EMT. Importantly, downregulation of MCL-1 by siRNA or inhibition of MCL-1 with pan-BCL2 inhibitor to inhibit MCL-1 was able to overcome the EMT-associated chemo-resistance in A549 cells. Collectively, MCL-1 can be a new therapeutic target for overcoming EMT-associated chemo-resistance in NSCLC patients in the context of post-operative chemotherapies

Differences in cell viabilities of phytoplankton between spring and late summer in the northwest Pacific Ocean

Cell viabilities of phytoplankton in the Oyashio and Kuroshio-Oyashio transition regions of the northwest Pacific Ocean were examined in September 2003 (late summer) and May 2005 (spring) using a membrane permeability test. Specific lysis rates of the phytoplankton during late summer were also assessed by an esterase activity assay. In late summer, cyanobacteria Synechococcus spp. were > 2 x 10^4 cells ml^[-1] and numerically dominated the phytoplankton communities. The cell viabilities of Synechococcus spp. and eukaryotic ultraphytoplankton ( 70% and significantly higher than those in late summer. During spring, Synechococcus spp. only occurred with < 1 x 10^4 cells ml^[-1] in the Kuroshio-Oyashio transition region, and their viabilities were 80%. In the Oyashio region where a spring diatom bloom developed, the viability of fucoxanthin-containing algae (mainly diatoms and prymnesiophytes) was ca. 90%. These results suggested that the cell viability of phytoplankton could vary seasonally with their community structure in the study area. The phytoplankton cell death in late summer was particularly significant for their loss process and could support the microbial food webs by supplying dissolved organic carbon (DOC) derived from the dead cells

Vertically Fixated Posterior Chamber Phakic Intraocular Lens Implantation Through a Superior Corneal Incision

Abstract Introduction To assess the 1-year outcomes of vertically fixated posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens implantation through a superior corneal incision. Methods This pilot study comprised 71 eyes of 43 consecutive patients undergoing vertically fixated implantable collamer lens (ICL) implantation through a superior corneal incision to correct moderate to high myopia and myopic astigmatism. We prospectively determined the safety, efficacy, predictability, stability, and adverse events preoperatively, and at 1 week and 1, 3, and 12 months postoperatively. Results The mean follow-up period was 10.4 ± 5.4 months. Uncorrected and corrected visual acuity were −0.20 ± 0.10 and −0.25 ± 0.07 logMAR, respectively, at 1 year postoperatively. At 1 year postoperatively, 98% and 100% of eyes were within 0.5 and 1.0 D, respectively, of the targeted correction. A nonsignificant change in manifest refraction of −0.01 ± 0.08 D occurred from 1 week to 1 year. The manifest astigmatism decreased significantly, from 0.69 ± 0.73 D preoperatively to 0.21 ± 0.27 D at 1 year postoperatively (Mann–Whitney U test, p < 0.001). No vision-threatening complications occurred at any time in this series. Conclusions According to our experience, the vertically fixated ICL through a superior incision achieved good results, without significant complications. Considering that younger patients requiring ICL surgery tend to have with-the-rule astigmatism, this surgical technique may be a viable option for reducing astigmatism without using toric ICLs

A Small Fish Model for Quantitative Analysis of Radiation Effects Using Visualized Thymus Responses in GFP Transgenic Medaka.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish a new method of real-time, in vivo detection of radiation damage and recovery.Methods: The thymus was observed under fluorescent light in a green fluorescent protein transgenic medaka. After irradiation, medaka thymus images were analyzed to quantify the effects of radiation by measuring changes in thymus size. A single acute irradiation of X-rays (0–30 Gy) or heavy Fe ions (0–10 Gy) was delivered to the medaka. Images were captured 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, and 21 days after irradiation. Dose-response assessment was conducted to provide a direct measurement of the effects of the radiation.Conclusion: A biomonitoring system to detect the effects of radiation in real time was established. Using this system, the threshold doses for the induction of thymic atrophy by acute X-rays and Fe ions were 2–5 Gy and 0.5–1 Gy, respectively. The Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE) of Fe-ion to X-rays was estimated to be around 3. This system may be used to evaluate the risk from concurrent exposure to hazards, such as chemicals and radiation, and for aging research