The Application of a Three-Step Proteome Analysis for Identification of New Biomarkers of Pancreatic Cancer

We searched for novel tumor markers of pancreatic cancer by three-step serum proteome analysis. Twelve serum abundant proteins were depleted using immunoaffinity columns followed by fractionation by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Proteins in each fraction were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Then the gel was stained by Coomassie Brilliant Blue. Protein spots in which the expression levels were significantly different between cancer and normal control were identified by LC-MS/MS. One hundred and two spots were upregulated, and 84 spots were downregulated in serum samples obtained from patients with pancreatic cancers, and 58 proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. These candidate proteins were validated using western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). As a result of these validation process, we could confirm that the serum levels of apolipoprotein A-IV, vitamin D-binding protein, plasma retinol-binding protein 4, and tetranectin were significantly decreased in patients with pancreatic cancer

Reconstructive Surgery of Poliomyelitic Disabled Hand and Arm with particular Reference to Opponens Plasty

The purpose of this report is to give light on problems concerning surgical reconstruction of the hand and arm disabled by poliomyelitis. Before any surgical intervention, too much attention cannot be placed to the over-all gain sought for the patient. With regard to opponens plasty, it must be emphasized that there are inherent obstacles against the complete reconstruction of poliomyelitic thumb. Authors have come to conclude that no stereotyped measure can be made for any weak thumb

Photoemission in the system of linear chains : application to PrBa2_2Cu3_3O7_7 and La2−x−y_{\rm 2-x-y}Ndy_{\rm y}Srx_{\rm x}CuO4_4

Photoemission in the system of linear charged chains has been studied with the dipole matrix incorporated, from which its dependencies on the photoelectron momentum (${\bf k}$), photon polarization ($\hat{\bf E}$), and photon energy ($\omega$) can be explored. The used model is the three-dimensional array of noninteracting chains, which is so simple as to allow an analytic approach. Motivations of the study are for the doped CuO$_3$ chain in PrBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_7$ and the doped static stripe phase in La$_{\rm 2-x-y}$Nd$_{\rm y}$Sr$_{\rm x}$CuO$_4$. The one-dimensional dispersion exhibiting spin-charge separation and its dependence on the momentum perpendicular to the chain and its $\hat{\bf E}$-dependency as well are discussed in PrBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_7$. For La$_{\rm 2-x-y}$Nd$_{\rm y}$Sr$_{\rm x}$CuO$_4$, the anomalous spectral distribution formed by two sets of stripes perpendicular to each other is investigated. The geometric effects led to by the dipole transition matrix including the interference of photocurrents from different chains are found to change the simple one-dimensional feature drastically. We find these changes are consistent with experiment for the chain system PrBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_7$, but less satisfactory for the stripe phase in La$_{\rm 2-x-y}$Nd$_{\rm y}$Sr$_{\rm x}$CuO$_4$. This means that in the stripe phase much two-dimensional characters still exist unlike the chain system.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figure

Reconstructive Surgery of Poliomyelitic Disabled Hand and Arm with particular Reference to Opponens Plasty

The purpose of this report is to give light on problems concerning surgical reconstruction of the hand and arm disabled by poliomyelitis. Before any surgical intervention, too much attention cannot be placed to the over-all gain sought for the patient. With regard to opponens plasty, it must be emphasized that there are inherent obstacles against the complete reconstruction of poliomyelitic thumb. Authors have come to conclude that no stereotyped measure can be made for any weak thumb

Adhesion molecule periplakin is involved in cellular movement and attachment in pharyngeal squamous cancer cells

Abstract Background We previously reported that periplakin (PPL) is downregulated in human esophageal cancer tissues compared to the adjacent non-cancer epithelium. Thus PPL could be a useful marker for detection of early esophageal cancer and evaluation of tumor progression, but largely remains unknown in this field. To investigate PPL involvement in carcinogenesis, tumor progression, cellular movement or attachment activity, siRNAs against PPL were transfected into pharyngeal squamous cancer cell lines and their effects on cellular behaviours were examined. Results PPL knockdown appeared to decrease tumor cell growth together with G2/M phase accumulation in cells attached to a culture dish. However, the extent of cell growth suppression, evaluated by the number of cells attached to the culture dish, was too distinctive to be explained only by cell cycle delay. Importantly, PPL knockdown suppressed cellular movement and attachment to the culture dish accompanied by decreased pAktSer473 phosphorylation. Additionally, LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor that dephosphorylates pAktSer473, significantly suppressed D562 cell migration. Thus PPL potentially engages in cellular movement al least partly via the PI3K/Akt axis. Conclusions PPL knockdown is related to reduced cellular movement and attachment activity in association with PI3K/Akt axis suppression, rather than malignant progression in pharyngeal cancer cells.</p

Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody-Positive Meningoencephalitis in the Preclinical Period of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid meningoencephalitis (RM) is a rare complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This report describes a 63-year-old man with complaints of high-grade fever, headache, and vomiting for several days before admission. Both his serum and cerebrospinal fluid were positive for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody and rheumatoid factor, and contrast-enhanced fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed abnormal gadolinium enhancement of the meninges and high-intensity lesions in the subarachnoid spaces. The patient was diagnosed with RM despite lack of signs suggesting RA. His symptoms drastically improved with intravenous infusion of high-dose methylprednisolone. Two months later, he developed RA. The findings in this patient suggest that RM could develop prior to the onset of RA. Anti-CCP antibody and MRI findings may be useful for the diagnosis of RM, regardless of RA history