X-ray Microanalysis Studies on the Calcium Localization along the Inner Surface of Plasma Membranes in the Anterior Byssus Retractor Muscle of Mytilus edulis

To investigate the role of plasma membranes in the regulation of intracellular Ca translocation in smooth muscles, the intracellular Ca localization in the anterior byssus retractor muscle (ABRM) of Mytilus edulis was examined by the quantitative X-ray microanalysis of cryosections. When the spot analysis was carried out successively along the plasma membrane in the cryosections of resting ABRM fibers, significant amounts of Ca (～8 mmol/kg dry wt) were frequently detected, although in some cases the Ca concentration was negative. Averaged Ca concentration detected was approximately 3.0 mmol/kg dry wt (n=25), while the Ca concentration was negligible at the myoplasm. By the pyroantimonate method including the semi-quantitative X-ray microanalysis, the intracellular Ca localization and its translocation during the contraction were also observed. These results indicate that, in the ABRM fibers, the plasma membranes accumulate Ca on their inner surface, and release Ca to cause contraction

Stiffness Changes of Holothurian Dermis Induced by Mechanical Vibration

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Patient characteristics and EPN distribution.

<p>Patient characteristics and EPN distribution.</p

The early onset of peripheral neuropathy might be a robust predictor for time to treatment failure in patients with metastatic breast cancer receiving chemotherapy containing paclitaxel

<div><p>Background</p><p>Paclitaxel plays a central role in chemotherapy for breast cancer. Peripheral neuropathy, a well-known toxicity with paclitaxel, may be of interest in predicting the efficacy of paclitaxel therapy for patients with metastatic breast cancer. We performed a retrospective analysis assessing whether the early occurrence of peripheral neuropathy (EPN) was a predictive marker for better efficacy in patients with metastatic breast cancer receiving chemotherapy containing paclitaxel.</p><p>Patients and methods</p><p>Between January 2000 and August 2008, we examined the records of 168 patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with paclitaxel in our hospital. EPN was defined as a symptom of Grade 2 or more during first three months of treatment. The overall response rate (ORR) and time to treatment failure (TTF) in each group were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p>Results</p><p>Of 168 patients with metastatic breast cancer who were treated with paclitaxel, EPN was documented in 101 patients (60.1%). The clinical benefit rate (CR, PR, and SD ≥ 6 months) was 72.3% in the EPN group and 49.3% in the non-EPN group (p = 0.002). The TTF of the EPN group (median 11.2 months, 95% CI: 9.5–12.9) was significantly longer than that of the non-EPN group (5.7 months, 95% CI: 4.6–6.8) (p<0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that EPN (p<0.001), dose intensity of less than 70% (p<0.001), and the history of microtubule agents (p = 0.001) were the significant favorable prognostic factors for TTF.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>The early onset of peripheral neuropathy might be a robust predictor for TTF in patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with paclitaxel.</p></div

Patient characteristics and EPN distribution.

<p>Patient characteristics and EPN distribution.</p

Kaplan-Meier plots for TTF according to subtypes.

<p>Among the four subtypes, TTF was 10.0 months in the EPN group and 3.7 months in the non-EPN group in the luminal type (p = <0.001); 31.7 months in the EPN group and 17.5 months in the non-EPN group in the luminal-HER2 type (p = 0.270); 15.9 months in the EPN group and 9.5 months in the non-EPN group in the HER2 type (p = 0.029); and 6.1 months in the EPN group and 3.7 months in the non-EPN group of the triple negative type (p = 0.043).</p

Univariate and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors.

<p>Univariate and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors.</p