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We previously generated three types of anti-glycan monoclonal IgM antibodies that react with certain structures on the glycans of glycosphingolipids and glycoproteins. As the nucleotide sequences for the variable regions of these IgM antibodies showed homology with those of anti-DNA antibodies deposited in public databases, we analyzed the reactivity of the anti-glycan IgM antibodies to DNA by ELISA. We found that anti-α2,6-sialyl LacNAc IgM in the supernatant of a hybridoma culture cross-reacted with DNA, and after purification of the IgM by zirconia column chromatography, the highly purified IgM showed increased cross-reactivity to DNA. As most of the contaminating bovine serum proteins in the culture supernatant were removed by the purification process, it is likely that a part of the removed components influences antibody reactivity to DNA. Purified anti-DNA antibodies prepared from lupus model NZB/W F1 and MRL/lpr mouse sera and normal human serum were then analyzed, and similar results showing increased reactivity to DNA were obtained. Furthermore, ELISA using these purified antibodies and various carbohydrate antigens showed that the antigen-binding specificity of these antibodies was altered by the purification process from serum-containing antibody preparations. Our results indicate that mammalian serum contains components that strongly influence antibody reactivity to carbohydrate antigens, including DNA.

Here, we describe porous zirconia particles (PZPs) optimized for the purification of immunoglobulins. PZPs, with a pore size of approximately 10 nm, were designed to specifically interact with antibodies via surface modification with a phosphate functional group. A simple PZP purification method based on precipitation enabled efficient purification of mouse anti-glycosphingolipid globoside/Gb4Cer monoclonal IgM (κ-light chains) from hybridoma culture supernatants. Over 99% of contaminating proteins were removed by the PZP purification process, and approximately 50% of the IgM was recovered in the purified fraction after eluting the PZP-adsorbed antibodies with 100 mM phosphate buffer. Other IgG3 and IgM monoclonal antibodies that react with Gb4Cer or α2,6-sialyl LacNAc-modified glycoproteins could also be purified using PZPs and elution buffer at concentrations of 100–500 mM. All of the purified antibodies retained their antigen reactivity and specificity, indicating that PZP purification does not affect antibody function. As PZP purification is also suitable for purification of IgM consisting of λ-light chains and IgG derived from other mammalian species, it is expected to be applied to the purification of a variety of antibodies, including anti-glycoconjugate IgMs.

Protein–peptide–calcium phosphate composites were developed for achieving sustainable and controlled protein release. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model acidic protein was efficiently encapsulated with basic polypeptides such as polylysine and polyarginine during the precipitation of calcium phosphate (CaP). The prepared composites were fully characterized in terms of their morphologies, crystallinities, and the porosity of their structures, and from these analyses, it was observed that there are no significant differences between the composites. Scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis indicated a homogeneous distribution of nitrogen and sulfur, confirming the uniform distribution of BSA and polypeptide in the CaP composite. In vitro release studies demonstrated that the composite prepared with the peptides α-polylysine and polyarginine were suitable for the gradual release of the protein BSA, while those containing ε-polylysine and no peptide were unsuitable for protein release. Additionally, these composites showed high hemocompatibility for mouse red blood cells, and the osteoblast-like cell proliferation and spread in media with the composites prepared using BSA and α-polylysine showed similar tendencies to medium with no composite. From these results, protein–peptide–CaP composites are expected to be useful as highly biocompatible protein delivery agents.

Eight workers involved in packing cross-linked water-soluble acrylic acid polymer, an organic substance, developed pulmonary fibrosis, and the upper lobe was the most affected. The dust concentration in the polymer packing workstation was measured. Chest computed tomography (CT) was obtained for 82 individuals, including the 8 workers mentioned above. Three workers were histopathologically examined. In six of these eight workers, central pulmonary fibrosis and secondary bulla formation caused pneumothorax. Histopathologically, multiple centrilobular fibrotic foci were observed. Chest CT revealed centrilobular nodular opacity and interlobular septal thickening, suggesting early lesions in the workers because the dust concentration was remarkably high. Although the pathogenesis of the disease is unclear, we reported the occurrence of pulmonary fibrosis caused by the exposure to cross-linked water-soluble acrylic acid polymers in humans as it has not been reported earlier.

PurposeTo retrospectively assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of artificial carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumothorax for computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Materials and methodsThis study included 26 sessions of 24 patients in whom the creation of artificial CO2 pneumothorax was attempted to avoid the transpulmonary route during CT fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous RF ablation of HCC between April 2011 and December 2017. In these 26 sessions, 29 HCCs (mean tumor diameter: 12 mm, range: 6–22 mm) were treated.ResultsAdequate lung displacement after induction of artificial CO2 pneumothorax was achieved in 23 of the 26 sessions (88.5%). In the remaining three sessions, transpulmonary RF ablation, transthoracic extrapulmonary RF ablation after switching to an artificial pleural effusion procedure, or RF ablation with electrode insertion in the caudal-cranial oblique direction was performed. No major complications were found. Among the 29 treated tumors, one (3.4%) showed local progression, and the other 28 (96.6%) were completely ablated at the last follow-up (mean follow-up period: 39.3 months, range: 7–78 months).ConclusionArtificial CO2 pneumothorax for CT fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous RF ablation appeared to be a feasible, safe, and useful therapeutic option for HCC.

In the present study, malignant mesothelioma (MM) cases in Japan were investigated retrospectively. We extracted records for 6030 cases of death due to MM between 2003 and 2008 to clarify the clinical features of MM, including its association with asbestos exposure (AE). Of all these cases, a clinical diagnosis of MM was confirmed for 929. The origin of MM included the pleura in 794 cases (85.5%), the peritoneum in 123 cases (13.2%), the pericardium in seven cases (0.8%), and the testicular tunica vaginalis in five cases (0.5%). The histological subtypes of MM included 396 epithelioid (55.9%), 154 sarcomatoid (21.7%), 126 biphasic (17.8%), and 33 cases (4.7%) classified as “other types”. Of all the MM cases, AE was indicated in 76.8% and pleural plaques were detected in 34.2%. The number of asbestos particles was determined in 103 cases of MM. More than 1000 asbestos particles per gram dried lung tissue were detected in 74.8% of cases and more than 5000 particles were detected in 43.7% of cases. We compared patient characteristics and the diagnostic procedures for MM before and after the “Kubota shock”. Compared with the early phase of this study (2003–2005), the median age at diagnosis of MM was higher, the number of cases without definite diagnosis of MM was lower, the proportion of cases diagnosed by thoracoscopy was higher, and the percentage of cases in which the occupational history was described in the medical records was significantly higher in the later phase (2006–2008). Our study confirmed that more than 70% of MM cases in Japan are associated with AE. The “Kubota shock” may affect some features pertaining to MM. (Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 483–490)

Due to the scarcity of large‐sized prospective databases, the Japanese Joint Committee for Lung Cancer Registry conducted a nationwide prospective registry for newly diagnosed and untreated pleural mesothelioma. All new cases diagnosed pathologically as any subtype of pleural mesothelioma in Japan during the period between April 1, 2017, to March 31, 2019, were included before treatment. Data on survival were collected in April 2021. The eligible 346 patients (285 men [82.3%]; 61 women [17.7%]; median age, 71.0 years [range, 44–88]) were included for analysis. Among these patients, 138 (39.9%) underwent surgery, 164 (47.4%) underwent non‐surgical therapy, and the remaining 44 (12.7%) underwent best supportive care. The median overall survival for all 346 patients was 19.0 months. Survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years for all patients were, 62.8%, 42.3%, and 26.5%, respectively. Median overall survival was significantly different among patients undergoing surgery, non‐surgical treatment, and best supportive care (32.2 months vs. 14.0 months vs. 3.8 months, p < 0.001). The median overall survival of patients undergoing pleurectomy/decortication and extrapleural pneumonectomy was 41.8 months and 25.0 months, respectively. Macroscopic complete resection resulted in longer overall survival than R2 resection and partial pleurectomy/exploratory thoracotomy (41.8 months vs. 32.2 months vs. 16.8 months, p < 0.001). Tumor shape, maximum tumor thickness, and sum of three level thickness were significant prognostic factors. The data in the prospective database would serve as a valuable reference for clinical practice and further studies for pleural mesothelioma. The median overall survival and survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were 32.2 months and 81.8%, 61.3%, and 41.9%, respectively, for the surgery group; at 14.0 months and 56.5%, 32.3%, and 17.2%, respectively, for the non‐surgical treatment group; and at 3.8 months and 22.9%, 17.8%, and 11.4% for the best supportive care group, respectively.

Poly(lactic acid)/hydroxyapatite (PLA/HAp) core–shell particles are prepared using the emulsification method. These particles are safe for living organisms because they are composed of biodegradable polymers and biocompatible ceramics. These particles are approximately 50–100 nm in size, and their hydrophobic substance loading can be controlled. Hence, PLA/HAp core–shell particles are expected to be used as drug delivery carriers for hydrophobic drugs. In this work, PLA/HAp core–shell particles with a loading of vitamin K1 were prepared, and their drug-loading ability was evaluated. The particles were 40–80 nm in diameter with a PLA core and a HAp shell. The particle size increased with an increase in the vitamin K1 loading. The drug-loading capacity (LC) value of the particles, an indicator of their drug-loading ability, was approximately 250%, which is higher than the previously reported values. The amount of vitamin K1 released from the particles increased as the pH of the soaking solution decreased because the HAp shell easily dissolved under the acidic conditions. The PLA/HAp particles prepared in this work were found to be promising candidates for drug delivery carriers because of their excellent drug-loading ability and pH sensitivity.

Background Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a fatal and rare disease that is caused by the inhalation of asbestos. Treatment and care requests made by MPM patients to their physicians were collected and analyzed. Methods This cross-sectional survey was part of a larger study ( N  = 133) regarding the quality of life of MPM patients. Specific responses to two open-ended questions related to patients’ requests regarding treatment and care were quantified, analyzed and divided into categories based on content. Results Responses ( N  = 217) from MPM patients ( N  = 73) were categorized into 24 subcategories and then abstracted into 6 categories. The majority of requests were related to patient-physician communication. Patients wanted clear and understandable explanations about MPM and wanted their physician to deliver treatment based on the patient’s perspective by accepting and empathizing with their anxiety and pain. Patients expected physicians to be dedicated to their care and establish an improved medical support system for MPM patients. Conclusion Patients with MPM had a variety of unmet needs from their physicians. Physicians who provide care to MPM patients should receive training in both communication skills and stress management. A multidisciplinary care system that includes respiratory and palliative care for MPM patients should be established.

Background Previous studies have indicated that people with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) have a poor quality of life (QOL); however, information about the QOL of people with MPM in Japan is anecdotal. The aims of this study were to investigate the QOL of survivors of MPM in Japan and to determine the factors that correlate with their QOL. Methods This was a cross sectional study. The included patients were those diagnosed with MPM in Japan. We created a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 64 questions. The questionnaires were sent to hospitals and patient advocacy groups, distributed to the patients, completed, and sent back to the researchers by postal mail. QOL was assessed with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer 16 questionnaire (QLQ) and the short version of the core domains of the Comprehensive Quality of Life Outcome questionnaire (CoQoLo). Results In total, 133 questionnaires were collected. The QLQ assessments demonstrated that the survivors of MPM most frequently complained of fatigue, pain, sleep disturbances, and dyspnea. The symptom scales were acceptable, but the functional scales were significantly poorer for the patients with poor performance statuses (PSs). The short CoQoLo assessment was very unfavorable for ‘Being free from physical pain.’ Being a long-term survivor and a survivor with a poor PS were significantly correlated with poor global health status. Conclusions Survivors of MPM have impaired function, a variety of symptoms, and lower QOL. Survivors of MPM, even those in good physical condition, need broad support.