Handheld virus concentration method using a hollow fiber filter module

A virus concentration method is required for viral vaccine manufacturing and virus-related research. However, concentration methods, such as ultracentrifugation, often require capital investment. We report a simple and easy-to-use handheld syringe method for virus concentration using a hollow fiber (HF) filter module, which can be applicable to viruses of different sizes, without incorporating any special machines or reagents. This virus concentration method does not use pumps, which might cause shear stress for virus particles; therefore, it is useful for stress-sensitive virus particles, and virus-like particles, as well as other proteins.The clarified harvest of flavivirus (Zika virus) was concentrated using an HF filter module and compared with a centrifugal ultrafiltration device (CUD) for demonstration of the HF filter method. The HF filter method achieved concentration of the virus solution in less time than the CUD. The yield comparison of the recovered virus solution indicated that recovery from the developed method was comparable to using the CUD, and infectivity was maintained throughout. • The Zika virus was concentrated from 200 mL to 5 mL within 45 min using the HF filter and handheld syringe module method. • The handheld HF filter method may be applicable to stress-sensitive viruses and proteins of different sizes. • The virus concentration process should be conducted in a safety cabinet, which is preferred for virus containment

A Patient with a Large Gastric Tumor and Protein-Losing Gastroenteropathy Successfully Treated with Neoadjuvant TS-1 Combined with CDDP Therapy

Gastric cancer with protein-losing gastroenteropathy is relatively rare worldwide. The most important problem for the treatment of these patients is their low nutritional status and protein level, which can cause severe postoperative complications. We report a 49-year-old Japanese female with a large gastric tumor and protein-losing gastroenteropathy successfully treated with neoadjuvant TS-1 combined with CDDP therapy. She had a type 5 tumor with partially cauliflower-like appearance. Her blood chemistry revealed low serum total protein (3.3 g/dl) and low albumin (1.7 g/dl). She was additionally diagnosed with protein-losing gastroenteropathy based on 99mTc-human serum albumin scintigraphy. Initial neoadjuvant chemotherapy decreased the size of the tumor and led to a marked improvement in her serum protein levels. She then underwent a total gastrectomy and lymph node dissection (D2) with a combined resection of the spleen and gallbladder. Therefore, neoadjuvant chemotherapy may provide a safe treatment before definitive surgery for gastric cancer with protein-losing gastroenteropathy

Heterogeneous composition of key metabolic gene clusters in a vent mussel symbiont population

http://www.godac.jamstec.go.jp/darwin/cruise/natsushima/nt07-08/ehttp://www.godac.jamstec.go.jp/darwin/cruise/natsushima/nt10-08/ehttp://www.godac.jamstec.go.jp/darwin/cruise/natsushima/nt11-09/