Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the liver at 3.0 Tesla using TRacking Only Navigator echo (TRON): A feasibility study

Purpose: To assess the feasibility of TRacking Only Navigator echo (TRON) for diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) of the liver at 3.0T. Materials and Methods: Ten volunteers underwent TRON, respiratory triggered, and free breathing DWI of the liver at 3.0 Tesla (T). Scan times were measured. Image sharpness, degree of stair-step and stripe artifacts for the three methods were assessed by two observers. Results: Mean scan times of TRON and respiratory triggered DWI relative to free breathing DWI were 34% and 145% longer respectively. In four of eight comparisons (two observers, two b-values, two slice orientations), TRON DWI image sharpness was significantly better than free breathing DWI, but inferior to respiratory triggered DWI. In two of four comparisons (two observers, two b-values), degree of stair-step artifacts in TRON DWI was significantly lower than in respiratory triggered DWI. Degree of stripe artifacts between the three methods was not significantly different. Conclusion: DWI of the liver at 3.0T using TRON is feasible. Image sharpness in TRON DWI is superior to that in free breathing DWI. Although image sharpness of respiratory triggered DWI is still better, TRON DWI requires less scan time and reduces stair-step artifacts. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:1027–1033. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/64324/1/21939_ftp.pd

Epidemiology of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance in salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium isolates from food-producing animals in Japan

A total of 225 isolates of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium from food-producing animals collected between 2003 and 2007 were examined for the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants, namely qnrA, qnrB, qnrC, qnrD, qnrS, qepA and aac(6')Ib-cr, in Japan. Two isolates (0.8%) of S. Typhimurium DT104 from different dairy cows on a single farm in 2006 and 2007 were found to have qnrS1 on a plasmid of approximately 9.6-kbp. None of the S. Typhimurium isolates had qnrA, qnrB, qnrC, qnrD, qepA and acc(6')-Ib-cr. Currently in Japan, the prevalence of the PMQR genes among S. Typhimurium isolates from food animals may remain low or restricted. The PFGE profile of two S. Typhimurium DT104 isolates without qnrS1 on the farm in 2005 had an identical PFGE profile to those of two S. Typhimurium DT104 isolates with qnrS1. The PFGE analysis suggested that the already existing S. Typhimurium DT104 on the farm fortuitously acquired the qnrS1 plasmid

Lysophosphatidic acid stimulates the proliferation and motility of malignant pleural mesothelioma cells through lysophosphatidic acid receptors, LPA1 and LPA2

金沢大学がん研究所分子標的がん医療研究開発センターLysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is one of the simplest natural phospholipids. This phospholipid is recognized as an extracellular potent lipid mediator with diverse effects on various cells. Although LPA is shown to stimulate proliferation and motility via LPA receptors, LPA1 and LPA2, in several cancer cell lines, the role of LPA and LPA receptors for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) has been unknown. MPM is an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis and the incidence is increasing and is expected to increase further for another 10-20 years worldwide. Therefore, the development of novel effective therapies is needed urgently. In this study, we investigated the effect of LPA on the proliferation and motility of MPM cells. We found that all 12 cell lines and four clinical samples of MPM expressed LPA1, and some of them expressed LPA2, LPA3, LPA4 and LPA5. LPA stimulated the proliferation and motility of MPM cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, LPA-induced proliferation was inhibited by Ki16425, an inhibitor of LPA1, and small interfering RNA against LPA1, but not LPA2. Interestingly, LPA-induced motility was inhibited by small interfering RNA against LPA2, but not LPA1, unlike a number of previous reports. These results indicate that LPA is a critical factor on proliferation though LPA1, and on motility though LPA2 in MPM cells. Therefore, LPA and LPA receptors, LPA2 as well as LPA1, represent potential therapeutic targets for patients with MPM. © 2008 Japanese Cancer Association

Expression and function of ephrin-B1 and its cognate receptor EphB2 in human abdominal aortic aneurysm

We examined the expression of ephrin-B1 and its cognate receptor EphB2, key regulators of angiogenesis and embryogenesis, in human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and analyzed their functional roles in cell migration. From 10 patients (9 males and 1 female; age, 68.5 ± 2.4) who underwent vascular surgery for AAA, we obtained AAA and adjacent control tissues. Using real-time RT-PCR, we analyzed expression of ephrin-B1 and EphB2. We also histologically localized these molecules in AAA tissues. Finally, effects of ephrin-B1 and EphB2 on inflammatory cell chemotaxis were examined by cell migration assay. Expression levels of ephrin-B1 (0.410 ± 0.046 versus 1.198 ± 0.252, P = 0.027) and EphB2 (0.764 ± 0.212 versus 1.272 ± 0.137, P = 0.594) were higher in AAA than normal control. Both ephrin-B1 and EphB2 were expressed in macrophages, T lymphocytes, and endothelial cells within AAA. In chemotaxis assay, ephrin-B1 and EphB2 inhibited mononuclear-cell chemotaxis induced by stromal derived factor-1 down to 54.7 ± 12.7 (P = 0.01) and 50.7 ± 13.1 (P = 0.01), respectively. These data suggest that ephrin-B1 and EphB2 might be functional in human adult inflammatory cells and involved in the pathogenesis of AAA, although specific roles of these molecules should further be sought. © 2012 Aiji Sakamoto et al

Expression and function of ephrin-B1 and its cognate receptor EphB2 in human abdominal aortic aneurysm

We examined the expression of ephrin-B1 and its cognate receptor EphB2, key regulators of angiogenesis and embryogenesis, in human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and analyzed their functional roles in cell migration. From 10 patients (9 males and 1 female; age, 68.5 ± 2.4) who underwent vascular surgery for AAA, we obtained AAA and adjacent control tissues. Using real-time RT-PCR, we analyzed expression of ephrin-B1 and EphB2. We also histologically localized these molecules in AAA tissues. Finally, effects of ephrin-B1 and EphB2 on inflammatory cell chemotaxis were examined by cell migration assay. Expression levels of ephrin-B1 (0.410 ± 0.046 versus 1.198 ± 0.252, P = 0.027) and EphB2 (0.764 ± 0.212 versus 1.272 ± 0.137, P = 0.594) were higher in AAA than normal control. Both ephrin-B1 and EphB2 were expressed in macrophages, T lymphocytes, and endothelial cells within AAA. In chemotaxis assay, ephrin-B1 and EphB2 inhibited mononuclear-cell chemotaxis induced by stromal derived factor-1 down to 54.7 ± 12.7 (P = 0.01) and 50.7 ± 13.1 (P = 0.01), respectively. These data suggest that ephrin-B1 and EphB2 might be functional in human adult inflammatory cells and involved in the pathogenesis of AAA, although specific roles of these molecules should further be sought. © 2012 Aiji Sakamoto et al

Proton beam therapy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A multicenter prospective registry study in Japan

Introduction: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) can be treated with chemotherapy in unresectable cases, but outcomes are poor. Proton beam therapy (PBT) may provide an alternative treatment and has good dose concentration that may improve local control. Methods: Fifty-nine patients who received initial PBT for ICC from May 2016 to June 2018 at nine centers were included in the study. The treatment protocol was based on the policy of the Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology. Forty patients received 72.6-76 Gy (RBE) in 20-22 fr, 13 received 74.0-76.0 Gy (RBE) in 37-38 fr, and 6 received 60-70.2 Gy (RBE) in 20-30 fr. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: The 59 patients (35 men, 24 women; median age 71 years; range 41-91 years) had PS of 0 (n=47), 1 (n=10) and 2 (n=2). Nine patients had hepatitis and all 59 cases were considered inoperable. The Child-Pugh class was A (n=46), B (n=7), and unknown (n=6); the median maximum tumor diameter was 5.0 cm (range 2.0-15.2 cm); and the clinical stage was I (n=12), II (n=19), III (n=10), and IV (n=18). At the last follow-up, 17 patients were alive (median follow-up 36.7 months; range 24.1-49.9 months) and 42 had died. The median OS was 21.7 months (95% CI 14.8-34.4 months). At the last follow-up, 37 cases had recurrence, including 10 with local recurrence. The median PFS was 7.5 months (95% CI 6.1-11.3 months). In multivariable analyses, Child-Pugh class was significantly associated with OS and PFS, and Child-Pugh class and hepatitis were significantly associated with local recurrence. Four patients (6.8%) had late adverse events of Grade 3 or higher. Discussion/Conclusion. PBT gives favorable treatment outcomes for unresectable ICC without distant metastasis and may be particularly effective in cases with large tumors