Exosomes and Their Role in Cancer Progression

Exosomes are a subset of extracellular vesicles and their size is approximately 100 nm in diameter. They are surrounded by a lipid bilayer membrane and secreted from almost all of cells. Exosomes are generated within the endocytic system as ILV (intraluminal membrane vesicle) and secreted during the fusion of MVB (multivesicular body) with the cell membrane. Recently it has been reported that exosomes modulate cell-cell communication contributing to the maintenance of tissue homeostasis by molecules including exosomes. Moreover, exosomes released from cancer cells are involved in cancer progression. Thus, data regarding the role of the exosomes in malignant cancer will lead to development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic methods

Cell Death Induction of Thymidine Kinase Gene Transfer Followed by Ganciclovir Treatment in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines

The tumoricidal effect of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene transfer followed by ganciclovir (GCV) treatment has been demonstrated in relation to the bystander effect. We examined the mode of cell death after GCV treatment in three human oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell lines that had been infected with adenovirus possessing HSV-tk gene. Oral SCC cell lines displayed high susceptibility to HSV-tk/GCV treatment despite low transduction. Evidence suggests that apoptosis was not found by internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, cell cycle kinetics or gene expressions indicative of apoptosis. However, we observed different levels of expression of annexin V-positive/propidium iodide-negative cells in all the cell lines and occasional TUNEL-positive cells in one cell line. To address these controversial findings, we further confirmed the morphological phenotypes of cell death with semi-thin and ultra-thin sections, which revealed that the cells undergoing death were consistent with necrosis, i.e. swelling of cytoplasm and intracellular organs with membrane disruption. Furthermore, no apoptotic bodies were detected within cytoplasm of apparently intact cells. A nonapoptotic mechanism may play a central role in the HSV-tk/GCV-induced cell death in oral SCC cell lines

Vascular Leiomyoma of the Nasal Cavity: Case Report and Review of the Literature

We reported a rare case of nasal vascular leiomyoma that developed in a 67-year-old man. The tumor showed characteristic histological findings with proliferation of smooth muscle cells intermingled with dilated venous vessels. Review of the literature indicated that nasal vascular leiomyoma is characterized by female predominance, occurrence in aged patients and nasal obstruction or pain as the primary symptom

黒色腫細胞において、miR-19bはPITX1 mRNAを標的としてhTERT mRNAの発現を制御する

Purpose: This article sheds light onto the increasing problem of product returns, which is exacerbated by growing e-commerce. Many retailers and academics are oblivious to the nature and scale of this challenge. Interdisciplinary research is needed to develop supporting theory, and cross-functional teams are required to implement measures addressing economic, ecological and social sustainability issues. Design/methodology/approach: The initial project adopted a multi-case study approach, whereby returns processes were mapped, vulnerabilities identified and a returns cost calculator was developed. Findings: Product returns processes are usually complicated, prone to internal and external fraud, inefficient and lack sustainability. They can generate considerable losses to the business, especially as returns data are often not systematically collected, monitored or reported to senior management. There are important implications for strategic and operational management, namely the need to develop a concept for Lean returns systems. Originality/value: Product returns are a unique and understudied but growing field in academic research, with only few publications over the last two decades. Yet the phenomenon is causing increasing problems in business and society. Robust solutions could achieve great financial and non-financial impacts.</p

A Case of Malignant Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of the Transverse Colon: Evaluation of Proliferation Activity

Here, we report a colonic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in a middle-aged man above 40. A histologically similar second tumor was detected 2 years after initial surgery. The primary GIST, measuring 5.5 ? 6.0 cm, consisted of spindle tumor cells with a higher number of mitoses and Ki67 labeling index (about 20%) than those of the second tumor, implying a de novo GIST. These markers might be useful in evaluating malignant potential, as well as to differentiate between a de novo and a recurrent tumor in the colonic GIST

Allele-Specific Expression Analysis of PEG1/MEST in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic feature that plays a significant role in carcinogenesis. In this study, we examined the expression status of an imprinted gene, paternally expressed gene 1/mesoderm-specific transcript PEG1/MEST, in 38 cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) and in 17 oral squamous cancer cell lines. Loss of imprinting (LOI) of PEG1/MEST was found in 8 of 10 (80%) in tumor specimens, and 6 of 10 (60%) informative cases even in the extracted normal tissue specimens. As for the oral squamous cancer cell lines, LOI was detected in 5 of 8 (62.5%) informative cases in PEG1/MEST. Thus, these data showed that abnormal expression of PEG1/MEST was found at a high frequency in the tumor, the extracted normal tissue specimens and the oral squamous cancer cell lines. PEG1/MEST LOI in extracted normal tissue specimens may have a potential individual cancer risk for HNSCC