Generation of human GAPDH knock-in reporter iPSC lines for stable expression of tdTomato in pluripotent and differentiated culture conditions

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can differentiate into multiple cell types and are utilized for research on human development and regenerative medicine. Here, we report the establishment of human GAPDH knock-in reporter iPSC lines (GAPDH-tdT1 and 2), via CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homologous recombination, that stably express tdTomato as a constitutive cell label in both iPSCs and their differentiated derivatives. These cell lines will provide useful tools to trace cell locations and fates in 2D cultures and 3D organoids and will facilitate in vivo experiments

Generation of a human SOX10 knock-in reporter iPSC line for visualization of neural crest cell differentiation

SOX10 (SRY-box transcription factor 10) is not only a definitive molecular marker of neural crest cells (NCCs) but also an essential transcription factor for the differentiation of NCCs in vertebrate embryogenesis. Here, we report the establishment of a human SOX10 knock-in reporter iPSC line (SOX10-tdT) by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homologous recombination, in which the expression of SOX10 can be monitored as tdTomato fluorescence. This iPSC line can provide a useful tool to model the differentiation process of human NCCs in vitro

A Feasibility Study of Postoperative Adjuvant Therapy of Carboplatin and Weekly Paclitaxel for Completely Resected Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

IntroductionRecent clinical trials have shown significant survival benefits from postoperative adjuvant therapy for respectable nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, evaluation of adjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin combination is still uncertain. The purpose of the study was to test the feasibility of adjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin and separate weekly paclitaxel after complete resection of pStage IB, II, IIIA NSCLC in a multicenter study.MethodsThe study was conducted from 2001 to 2006 in the outpatient setting. A total of 61 patients were enrolled. Patients received adjuvant chemotherapy with 4 cycles of carboplatin (AUC 5) on day 1 and paclitaxel (70 mg/m2) on day 1, 8, and 15 every 4 weeks. Primary endpoints were toxicity and chemotherapy compliance. Secondary endpoints were disease-free survival and overall survival.ResultsMore than 65% of eligible patients had pStage IIIA. The median number of chemotherapy cycles was 4 (range 1–4). Grade 3 or 4 toxicities of neutropenia were 34% (grade 4: 2%). Other hematologic adverse effects were extremely less frequent. Regarding the nonhematologic adverse effect, hair loss was frequent; however, peripheral neuralgia was less frequent. Treatment-related death was not registered. During median follow-up of 21 months, 24 patients developed recurrent disease. Estimated disease-free survival and overall survival at 2 years was 51.2% and 84.6%, respectively.ConclusionsPostoperative carboplatin and weekly paclitaxel showed favorable feasibility and acceptable toxicity in comparison with the cisplatin-containing regimen. Consequently, it is desirable that this regimen would be validated in a phase III clinical trial for NSCLC after curative resection

奄美大島と八重山諸島における集落等の現状と課題 : 集落・町内会・自治会代表者へのアンケート調査から

本研究の目的は、琉球弧の島喚集落の現状と課題を明らかにすることであった。奄美大島と八重山諸島の集落・町内会・自治会の代表者を調査対象にした郵送調査を実施し、177人から回答を得た(回収率61.9%)。調査内容は、集落の団体、集落の行事、集落維持の見通し、郷友会、支え合い活動、災害対策の現状、集落の課題、回答者の個人属性等であった。結果、台風被害、伝統的行事の種類、郷友会の現状、支え合い活動については奄美大島と八重山諸島で共通性が見られた。一方、八重山諸島のように観光産業が盛んでない奄美大島では人口減少が大きいため課題を抱えた集落が多かった。また、伝統的行事の存続や集落の維持の見通しについても奄美大島の方がより深刻であった。The purpose of this study was to clarify the actual conditions and problems of the village communities in the islands of the Ryukyu arc. The questionnaire survey was conducted on 286 chiefs of the village communities and the neighborhood associations in Amami Oshima and the Yaeyama islands. The number of respondents was 177, and the response rate was 61.9%. The contents of the questions were concerning the associations in the village community, the present situations and the prospects for the maintenance of the traditional events, "Goyukai" (immigrant\u27s voluntary association), the situations of the reciprocal help activities, the disaster-related measures, the problems of the community, and the personal attributes of the respondents. Amami Oshima and the Yaeyama islands had many common features as to typhoon damage, traditional events, the present state of "Goyukai", and mutual support activities. On the other hand, since Amami Oshima was less active in the tourism industry than the Yaeyama islands, many village communities in Amami Oshima had some problems due to a decrease in population. They were also pessimistic about prospects for the maintenance of the traditional events and the community itself