Immunostimulation-Mediated Anti-tumor Activity of Bamboo (Sasa senanensis) Leaf Extracts Obtained Under ‘Vigorous’ Condition

Traditional Japanese medicine uses the leaves of Kumaizasa bamboo extracted in hot water at 100°C. For this study, we developed a new, ‘vigorous’ extraction method involving steps at 100, 121 and 196°C. This procedure not only yielded greater amounts of extract but also with significant increase in immunostimulating activity, which induces activation of human natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages and potent induction of IL-2, IL-12 and IFN-γ in tumor bearing mice. The efficacy of the extract to facilitate phagocytosis and nitric oxide production by mouse peritoneal macrophages was determined and compared with that of 1,3-β-glucan. Anti-tumor activity was evaluated in vivo in several mouse tumor models (S-180, C38 and Meth-A). Oral administration of the extracts was carried out when tumor reached size of approximately 6 mm at concentrations of 0.05% or higher. The extracts significantly suppressed tumor growth in S-180 and C38 tumor models. Overall survival was significantly prolonged in the treatment group than that of control. Activation of macrophages and NK cells by the extracts suggests that the anti-tumor efficacy of the extract is mediated by immunopotentiation. The extracts resolved into three major fractions (F-I, F-II and F-III) in Sephadex gel chromatography. Fraction F-I consists of 1,3-β-glucan and stimulated both macrophages and NK cells suggesting that it may be the primary immunopotentiating factor in suppressing cancer. Fraction F-III has potent free radical scavenging effects and may play an important role in cancer prevention. These results warrant further translation and clinical investigations

バイオテクノロジー バイオ ガスカ バイオ エタノールカ オ クシシタ シゲン ジュンカンガタ プロセス ノ コウチク ト チイキ ノ カッセイカ

Waste biomass of about 300 million ton is being discharged every year in Japan, and in addition, the emission quantity of CO2 has to be reduced for global warming prevention. In order to solve these problems, we studied about the recovery of biogas from waste biomass by methane fermentation, and by our technologies, a biomass-town had been constructed on Okimachi in Fukuoka Prefecture. We also focused our study on the production of bio-fuel ethanol from various biomass such as garbage, resource crops and cellulosic biomass (bamboo, corn stover), corporating with Sojo University and Peking University. Based on these achievements of ethanol production, the construction of a resource recycling-oriented city in Minamata area is being considered. Moreover, we aim to develop a zero emission process for the production of ethanol from agricultural waste straw and make it industrialize in China as well as other Asia countries

Dose responses of scattered- and direct-X-ray-irradiated CR-39 and methylviologen-encapsulated silica nanocapsule-doped CR-39 and their mechanisms

The photoexcited emissions of direct- and scattered-X-ray-irradiated CR-39 and methylviologen-encapsulated silica nanocapsule (MV2+@SiO2 NC)-doped CR-39 were observed, and they showed a dose response. The benzophenone radical was formed in a shallow trap in CR-39 upon X-ray irradiation from 10 to 30 Gy, and the fluorescence intensity increased with the dose. Methylviologen in SiO2 NCs competitively captured electrons generated by X-ray irradiation, and the captured electrons were reverse transferred to the shallow traps with time. A minimum dose rate of 300 µGy/s was observed between 1 and 5 Gy. Finally, a dose response of less than 2 mGy for scattered X-rays was obtained in this system

Emission image of X-ray-irradiated CR-39 stick doped with methylviologen-encapsulated silica nanocapsules using LED light

Light-emitting diode (LED)-light-excited emission images of 6 MeV-X-ray (10 Gy)-irradiated CR-39 doped with methylviologen-encapsulated silica nanocapsules (MV @SiO2 NCs) were observed using an iPhone 5S for the first time. The excitation and fluorescence spectra were also observed, and the emission peak at 580 nm produced by the X-ray irradiation was confirmed. Emission intensities of 80 kV-X-ray (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 Gy)-irradiated CR-39 doped with MV @ SiO2 NCs could be measured using a portable fluorometer (FC-1), and a good linear relationship between their emission intensity and dose was clearly observed

Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Hepatectomy for Primary Clear Cell Hepatocellular Carcinoma of the Liver

We report a case of primary clear cell hepatocellular carcinoma of the liver (PCCCL) for which we performed hand-assisted laparoscopic hepatectomy. A 71-year-old female with hepatitis C infection and diabetes mellitus was admitted to our department for a hepatic tumor with gallstone. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a tumor 25 mm in diameter on the surface in segment 5 of the liver. The imaging results suggested small hepatocellular carcinoma located on the surface in segment 5 of the liver, and we performed laparoscopic surgery aiming at a minimally invasive procedure. We performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy and hand-assisted laparoscopic hepatectomy. Histopathological findings showed moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma, and as the proportion of clear cells was 75%, the tumor was diagnosed as PCCCL. This is the first report of hand-assisted laparoscopic hepatectomy for PCCCL. Laparoscopic hepatectomy is a useful minimally invasive surgical procedure when the tumor is located on the surface of the liver

A Case of Long Partial Response to Combination Therapy of Bevacizumab and Capecitabine for Liver Metastases of Rectal Cancer

A 69-year-old female visited our department with a diagnosis of rectosigmoid cancer and multiple hepatic metastases (stage IV). Abdominal CT revealed multiple metastatic lesions in the bilateral lobes of the liver. The primary lesion was considered to be resectable, and high anterior resection of the rectum was performed. After the operation, 6 courses of therapy with bevacizumab (BV) and modified FOLFOX6 were performed. CT showed a partial response, and tumor marker levels became normal. After a total of 11 courses of this therapy, grade 3 peripheral neuropathy developed, and the therapy was changed to BV and capecitabine (Cape). After 6 courses of this therapy, CT showed the maintenance of partial response, and tumor marker levels were also within the normal range. BV and Cape therapy may be useful not only for reducing peripheral neuropathy, but also as a maintenance therapy in patients requiring the suspension of oxaliplatin administration due to peripheral neuropathy

Exertional evaluation for BT

Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) had been reported to improve the symptoms of severe asthma. However, the exertional responses of BT based on the mechanisms have not been elucidated. A 57-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman underwent BT due to intractable severe asthma. We evaluated the therapeutic effects of BT using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). After BT, the exercise time during CPET substantially prolonged reducing exertional dyspnea in the former (good), but not in the latter (poor). In the good responder, the high air remaining in the lung after expiration (i.e., inspiratory tidal volume minus expiratory tidal volume) during CPET decreased after BT. In contrast, in the poor responder, the high air remaining after expiration during exercise was not obtained before BT. Further investigations are necessary to confirm that the presence or absence of the exertional wasted ventilation on CPET may be informative to evaluate the therapeutic effects of BT

Prognostic value of metastin expression in human pancreatic cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>KiSS-1 </it>was identified as a metastasis-suppressing gene in melanoma cells. The <it>KiSS-1 </it>gene product (metastin) was isolated from human placenta as the ligand of GPR54, a G-protein-coupled receptor. The role of metastin and GPR54 in tumor progression is not fully understood.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We investigated the clinical significance of metastin and GPR54 expression in pancreatic cancer. We evaluated immunohistochemical expression of metastin and GPR54 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissues obtained from 53 consecutive patients who underwent resection between July 2003 and May 2007 at Kyoto University Hospital. In 23 consecutive patients, the plasma metastin level was measured before surgery by enzyme immunoassay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Strong immunohistochemical expression of metastin was detected in 13 tumors (24.5%), while strong expression of GPR54 was detected in 30 tumors (56.6%). Tumors that were negative for both metastin and GPR54 expression were significantly larger than tumors that were positive for either metastin or GPR54 (p = 0.047). Recurrence was less frequent in patients who had metastin-positive tumors compared with those who had metastin-negative tumors (38.5% versus 70.0%, p = 0.04). Strong expression of metastin and GPR54 was significantly correlated with longer survival (p = 0.02). Metastin expression by pancreatic cancer was an independent prognostic factor for longer survival (hazard ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–4.7; p = 0.03), and the patients with a high plasma metastin level (n = 6) did not die after surgical resection.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Strong expression of metastin and GPR54 by pancreatic cancer is associated with longer survival. Metastin expression is an independent prognostic factor for the survival of pancreatic cancer patients. The plasma metastin level could become a noninvasive prognostic factor for the assessment of pancreatic cancer.</p

Dynamic three-dimensional shoulder kinematics in patients with massive rotator cuff tears: a comparison of patients with and without subscapularis tears

Background Massive rotator cuff tears (MRCTs) with subscapularis (SSC) tears cause severe shoulder dysfunction. In the present study, the influence of SSC tears on three-dimensional (3D) shoulder kinematics during scapular plane abduction in patients with MRCTs was examined. Methods This study included 15 patients who were divided into two groups: supraspinatus (SSP) and infraspinatus (ISP) tears with SSC tear (torn SSC group: 10 shoulders) or without SSC tear (intact SSC group: 5 shoulders). Single-plane fluoroscopic images during scapular plane elevation and computed tomography (CT)-derived 3D bone models were matched to the fluoroscopic images using two-dimensional (2D)/3D registration techniques. Changes in 3D kinematic results were compared. Results The humeral head center at the beginning of arm elevation was significantly higher in the torn SSC group than in the intact SSC group (1.8±3.4 mm vs. −1.1±1.6 mm, p<0.05). In the torn SSC group, the center of the humeral head migrated superiorly, then significantly downward at 60° arm elevation (p<0.05). In the intact SSC group, significant difference was not observed in the superior-inferior translation of the humeral head between the elevation angles. Conclusions In cases of MRCTs with a torn SSC, the center of the humeral head showed a superior translation at the initial phase of scapular plane abduction followed by inferior translation. These findings indicate the SSC muscle plays an important role in determining the dynamic stability of the glenohumeral joint in a superior-inferior direction in patients with MRCTs