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Objective: We report our first experience of using a case‐specific three‐dimensional (3D) hologram for tumor resection in otolaryngology to show the proof of concept. In addition, a questionnaire was administered to assess the usefulness of the mixed reality technique in otolaryngology. Methods: A case‐specific 3D hologram was developed from enhanced images of dynamic computed tomography, with reference to contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance images, and used for preoperative planning and intraoperative image reference. To evaluate the usefulness of the 3D hologram with head mount displays (HMDs), 18 attendings and resident otolaryngologists completed a questionnaire with the Likert scale. Results: The case‐specific 3D hologram on HMDs was successfully used by means of easy gesture‐handling without any monitors preoperatively and intraoperatively. The experience of picturing the tumor localization and evaluating the surgical approach was statistically better using the 3D hologram on HMDs than using the computer images (P <.01). Similarly, the holograms were observed to be better for intraoperative application and surgical education than computer images (P <.01). Conclusion: We demonstrated the use of a case‐specific 3D hologram for tumor resection in otolaryngology. The technology may be useful for preoperative planning and intraoperative image reference, especially for challenging cases, and surgical education. Level of Evidence: NA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foreign language teaching in distance education is administratively and pedagogically challenging; research on the perspectives of novice practitioners' online teaching is also relatively scarce. This study explores how a novice Japanese teacher navigated and negotiated her professional development in a two-way virtual practitionership during her first online teaching. Data were collected from ongoing dialogue journals between the novice and her mentor followed by a semi-structured interview. Qualitative results indicate that pedagogically-sound and personalized digital tools can not only reduce the psychological distance between the teachers and students, but facilitate online teaching and learning via a performance-driven, standard-based curriculum. Informed by Action Research, the study reveals how both practitioners de/reconstructed their teacher identities and achieved professional empowerment through robust supervision and reciprocal teacher evaluation in a virtual environment. It further demonstrates the extent to which this evidence-driven and research-oriented approach can better address the genuine concerns of a foreign language program in distance education. Specifically, this context-responsive study indicates the improvement of online course delivery, teacher training and program sustainability in its own right. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Treatment and Outcome Study (EUTOS) long‐term survival (ELTS) score predicts disease‐specific death in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) being treated with imatinib during the chronic phase (CP) of the disease. However, it is unclear whether the ELTS score predicts CML‐related events or treatment responses. This study evaluated the predictive value of the ELTS score regarding prognosis and treatment response in patients with CML‐CP. Clinical data were retrospectively obtained from patients enrolled in the CML Cooperative Study Group (CML‐CSG), which included patients diagnosed with CML‐CP from April 2001 to January 2016, and treated with any tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) as first‐line therapy. Among 342 eligible patients, the ELTS scores indicated low‐, intermediate‐, and high‐risk in 74%, 21%, and 5% of patients, respectively. Patients with high ELTS scores had significantly higher disease‐specific mortality and worse event‐free survival, progression‐free survival, and overall survival. Among four risk scores, including the Sokal, Hasford, EUTOS, and ELTS scores, risk stratification by the ELTS score had the highest predictive value in assessing patient prognosis, and also in treatment responses. In fact, the EUTOS and ELTS scores were able to predict the major molecular response within 12 months. Most importantly, the ELTS score was the only scoring system that predicted deep molecular response at any time, regardless of risk level (65.0%, 43.7%, and 23.5% in low‐, intermediate‐, and high‐risk groups, respectively). Compared to other risk scores, the ELTS score was the most sensitive risk classification tool for the four endpoints of interest in this study, as well as molecular responses in patients with CML‐CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Basic surgical skills such as knot-tying and suturing are important for all otolaryngologists, regardless of subspecialty. The present study was undertaken in order to assess basic surgical techniques such as knot-tying and suturing required for novice otolaryngology residents with taking the variety of subspecialties into consideration, and evaluate the impact of a proficiency-based training curriculum based on these techniques.Methods: A prospective study was performed for developing of proficiency-based knot-tying and suturing curriculum for otolaryngology residents in the third post-graduate year (PGY-3). The proficiency-based training curriculum was developed based on the tasks selected by RAND/UCLA method with expert panel, which is an iterative and anonymous survey used to establish consensus among participants. Expert panelists were selected from various divisions to reflect variety of their subspecialties. PGY-3 residents trained with the developed curriculum that included proctored pre-test, self-training to proficiency, and proctored post-test. Visual analogue scale (VAS) of trainees' overall competence in the operating room was self-assessed by each resident, before and after completing the training curriculum.Results: Nine PGY-3 residents were enrolled as trainees. Eleven experts chosen as panelists had various subspecialty, including 2 from otology, 2 from rhinology, 2 from laryngology, 2 from head and neck surgery, and 3 from general otolaryngology. Seven tasks were selected from RAND/UCLA method and used to develop the curriculum. Trainee scores at pre-test were significantly lower than expert scores for all 7 tasks (p < 0.01) and each coefficient of variation of trainee score was larger than that of expert score (p < 0.05), supporting construct validity. The mean of composite scores between pre-test and post-test had statistical significance (68.6 ± 11.6 vs 95.9 ± 3.6, p < 0.01), documenting substantial improvement after training. Self-assessment VAS was also improved pre- to post-training (1.2 ± 0.9 vs 4.5 ± 1.4, p < 0.01). A follow-up questionnaire showed that trainees felt the educational curriculum to be beneficial.Conclusion: In the present study, seven basic technical skills were selected using the RAND/UCLA method and used to create a proficiency-based training curriculum. Our results indicate that this curriculum significantly improves proficiency of basic surgical skills of junior otolaryngology residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graft copolymers show microphase separated structure as seen in block copolymers and have lower intrinsic viscosity than block copolymers because of a branching structure. Therefore, considering molding processability, especially for polymers containing rigid segments, graft copolymers are useful architectures. In this work, graft copolymers containing rigid poly(diisopropyl fumarate) (PDiPF) branches were synthesized by full free‐radical polymerization process. First, synthesis of PDiPF macromonomers by addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (AFCT) was investigated. 2,2‐Dimethyl‐4‐methylene‐pentanedioic acid dimethyl ester was found to be an efficient AFCT agent for diisopropyl fumarate (DiPF) polymerization because of the suppression of undesired primary radical termination, which significantly took place when common AFCT agent, methyl 2‐(bromomethyl)acrylate, was used. Copolymerization of PDiPF macromonomer with ethyl acrylate accomplished the generation of the graft copolymer having flexible poly(ethyl acrylate) backbone and rigid PDiPF branches. The graft copolymer showed a microphase separated structure, high transparency, and characteristic thermal properties to PDiPF and poly(ethyl acrylate). © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2474–2480 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The alternating copolymer of a conjugated diene monomer and oxygen, i.e., polyperoxide, is a main-chain degradable polymer and undergoes radical chain degradation by heating. During the degradation process, oxygen-centered radicals are formed and thus side reactions such as hydrogen abstraction from the polymer by the oxygen-centered radicals and subsequent coupling, which prevent the degradation, sometimes take place. In this study, in order to promote the degradation of polyperoxides only at elevated temperatures while maintaining their stability at ambient temperature, appropriate organic reductants, which do not significantly react with the polyperoxides at 30 °C but react at 100 °C, were explored. N , N -Dimethylaniline, which is a conventional reductant for redox initiation systems, initiated the redox degradation of cyclopentadiene-based polyperoxides even at 30 °C due to the very high nucleophilicity. The introduction of an electron donating group at the para position, i.e., 4-dimethylaminoacetophenone, 4-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde, and 4-dimethylaminobenzonitrile, successfully maintained the stability of the polyperoxide at 30 °C and accelerated the degradation at 100 °C due to the reduced nucleophilicity. Similar results were obtained by using 1-acetyl-2-phenylhydrazine and 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone (PhP) as a reductant, and PhP resulted in the most significant acceleration effect at 100 °C. The activation energy for the overall degradation of the polyperoxide in the presence of PhP was much lower than that of the polyperoxide in the absence of a reductant. In the case of sorbic ester-based polyperoxides, their stabilities at 30 °C were not maintained in the presence of the reductants and the stability was improved by increasing the 2,5 structure regarding the diene moiety in the main-chain. Highlights • Accelerated degradation of polyperoxides only at elevated temperatures was achieved by the selection of reductants. • The activation energies for the degradation of the polyperoxides in the presence of the reductants were determined. • Effects of the main chain structures of the polyperoxides containing the reductants on their stability were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study aims to highlight the critical role of the introduction of second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (2nd TKIs) on the prognosis of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase (CML-CP), as determined by European Treatment and Outcome Study (EUTOS) system. Patients who were diagnosed with CML-CP before March 2009 were classified into the imatinib group, and those diagnosed after April 2009 were classified into the 2nd TKI group. EUTOS high-risk patients exhibited significantly worse outcomes in terms of event-free survival (EFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and CML-associated death than those considered to be low-risk. Risk stratification by EUTOS score was predictive of risk-associated clinical outcomes in patients classified into the imatinib group; however, the EUTOS score failed to predict the outcomes of patients classified into the 2nd TKI group. Our data suggest that the introduction of 2nd TKIs might have improved treatment outcomes, particularly in EUTOS high-risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of distance learning courses for less commonly taught languages (LCTLs) oftenmeets with instructional challenges, especially for Asian LCTLs with their distinct non-Roman characters and structures. This study documents the implementation of a fully online, elementary Japanese course at Stony Brook University. The curriculum was designed around the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages's (ACTFL)World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages; performance-driven assessments; and task-supported, technology-enhanced principles. Asynchronous and synchronous tools were incorporated to facilitate task delivery and reduce the virtual isolation of learners. A simulated Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) was conducted for the online students in order to compare their oral performance with that of the face-to-face (F2F) cohort in the preceding semester. Quantitative results show that online students outperformed their F2F counterparts in most of the Integrated Performance Assessment's scoring criteria, with a statistically significant difference in the criterion "Communication strategies." Survey results indicate students' positive attitudes toward language gains and corroborate the qualitative results gleaned from student learning journals and survey responses: Students' sense of isolation was replaced by a sense of co-presence. We conclude that developing an online LCTL course, though challenging, is feasible and maximizes outcomes through the synergy of multimodal digital platforms, and a standards-based, task-driven curriculum design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermoresponsive properties of poly(7-methacryloyloxycoumarin) ( P1a ) and its derivatives as homopolymers containing a photoreactive coumarin unit were systematically investigated. P1a showed a lower critical solution temperature (LCST)-type phase separation in dichloromethane, chloroform, and 1,1,2-trichloroethane. The temperature producing a 50% transmittance ( T c ) of 0.1 wt% P1a in distilled chloroform was 26 °C, while the T c value decreased to 21 °C in deuterated chloroform i.e., the deuterium isotope effect. The T c values in chloroform were adjustable from 28 to 57 °C by the introduction of the ethyleneoxy spacer and the substitution of α-methyl group by hydrogen. While the polymers containing 4-substituted coumarins were soluble in chloroform and dichloromethane from 0 °C to their boiling points. In the distilled chloroform solution, the coumarin units in P1a underwent a [2 + 2] cycloaddition and the transmittance at 500 nm decreased from 98% to 29% at 25 °C by a 180-s photoirradiation (326 mJ/cm 2 , emission band at 365 nm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acetal-protected acrylic copolymers consisting of 1-isobutoxyethyl acrylate (iBEA), 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2EHA), and 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) repeating units were applied to the pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) types of dismantlable adhesives. The random and block copolymers with a relatively high HEA content showed good PSA properties before dismantling treatment. The deprotection of the acetal-protected group of the iBEA unit took place in response to individual external stimuli, soaking in boiling water and UV irradiation in the presence of a photoacid generator. The random copolymers containing an HEA unit of more than 10 mol% and an iBEA unit of more than 70 mol% achieved spontaneous debonding with interfacial failures at both the stainless steel and polyethylene terephthalate support film sides by soaking in boiling water within 10 min, whereas the corresponding block copolymer did not achieve interfacial failure even after a 20-min soaking. Photoirradiation of the random copolymers containing N -hydroxynaphthalimide triflate as a photoacid generator resulted in interfacial failures at both sides with a sufficiently reduced peel strength, where cross-linking arose due to the transacetalization and transesterification of a hydroxy group in the HEA unit along with deprotection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We prepared the sequence-controlled block copolymers including poly(1-adamantyl acrylate) (PAdA) and poly( n-butyl acrylate) sequences as the hard and soft segments, respectively, by the organotellurium-mediated living radical polymerization. The thermal, optical, and mechanical properties of the adamantane-containing block copolymers with polar 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) and acrylic acid (AA) repeating units were investigated. The microphase-separated structures of the block copolymers were confirmed by the differential scanning calorimetry and atomic force microscopy observations as well as dynamic mechanical measurements. The α- and β-dispersions due to the main-chain and side group molecular motions, respectively, of the hard and soft segments were observed. Their transition temperatures and activation energies increased due to the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonding by the introduction of the HEA and AA repeating units. The effects of the hydrogen bonding on their tensile elasticity, strength, and strain were also evaluated. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 2899-2910 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free radical bulk and solution polymerizationsof a divinyl monomer,ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), in the presence of methyl2-(bromomethyl)acrylate as an addition–fragmentation chaintransfer agent were investigated to synthesize thermally curable hyperbranchedpolymers by a one-step reaction. Soluble polymers were obtained upto high conversion of EGDMA, and the molecular weight and molecularweight distribution of the polymers increased with increasing EGDMAconversion. 1H NMR and MALDI-MS analyses revealed thatthe soluble polymers were obtained after the consumption of a considerableamount of the pendant methacryloyl groups, and one polymer chain containeda number of end groups indicating the formation of hyperbranched polymers.The isolated hyperbranched polymers underwent thermal curing above110 °C without curing agents, and the polymers having a largenumber of pendant methacryloyl groups resulted in a significant increasein glass transition temperature, i.e., from around room temperatureto above 210 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reversible control of the thickness of polymer thin films was investigated using (meth)acrylic polymers containing photoreactive coumarin derivative units in the side chain. Coumarin derivative units underwent dimerization and the reverse-dimerization by photoirradiation and were used as a reversible cross-linking point. The homopolymer of 7-methacryloyloxy-4-methylcoumarin (T g =194°C) did not cause changes in film thickness after photoreactions. The homopolymer of 7-(2′-acryloyloxyethoxy)-4-methylcoumarin (AEMC) (T g =89°C) decreased 19% of film thickness by photodimerization and 73% of the decreased thickness was recovered after the reverse-dimerization and the subsequent thermal annealing at 130°C. The reverse-dimerization of the copolymer of AEMC and n-butyl acrylate (AEMC content=19mol%, T g =11°C) resulted in 53% of recovery from the decreased film thickness without annealing. The mobility of polymer main-chain was revealed to be essential factor to change film thickness by photoreactions. Photodimerization of coumarin derivative units in low glass transition temperature (T g) tended to proceed faster than in high T g polymers and resulted in larger decrease in film thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catch connective tissue of echinoderms at rest (in the standard state) either stiffens or softens in response to different kinds of stimulation. The energy consumption associated with the changes was estimated by measurement of the oxygen consumption rate (V02) in three types of connective tissues--echinoid catch apparatus (CA), holothuroid body-wall dermis (HD), and asteroid body-wall dermis (AD). Mechanical stimulation by repetitive compression (10%-15% strain), which increased viscosity measured by creep tests, was employed for inducing the stiff state. Noradrenaline (10-3 mol 1-1-j), which decreased viscosity of CA, and static 80% compressive strain, which decreased viscosity of HD, were used to induce the soft state in the respective tissues. The V02 (in/µl/g/h) values of the standard state were 2.91 (CA), 1.41 (HD), and 0.56 (AD), which were less than 1/4 of the VO2: of the resting body-wall muscle of the starfish. The VO2 of the stiff state was about 1.5 times greater than that of the standard state in all types of connective tissues. The VO2 of the soft state was 3.4 (CA)-9.1 (HD) times greater than that of the standard state. The economical nature of catch connective tissue in posture maintenance is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some uterine endometrial cancers conserve estrogen dependency in advancement. However, the concept of advancement in tumor is complicated, because it involves simple growth in primary tumor and secondary spreading. The expression manner of estrogen receptor alpha exon 5 splicing variant, ER beta, progesterone receptor-A (N-terminus deletion mutant) is associated with metastatic potential in uterine endometrial cancers. Increased estrogen-related receptor alpha expression is related to tumor advancement with the loss of estrogen dependency. Steroid receptor coactivator-3 contributes to tumor progression and can be used as a treatment target for advanced uterine endometrial cancers. Estrogen responsive oncogenes, c-jun and c-Ha-ras, are not modi-fied by progestin in uterine endometrial cancer cells and are considered to be an instinct phenotype as such cancers. By contrast, metastatic potential of estrogen-dependent uterine endometrial cancers can be partially controlled by progestin via metastasis-related genes, E-cadherin/catenins, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, vascular endothelial growth factor. Thus, sex steroids related phenomena are impress-ive in the advancement of uterine endometrial cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Estrogen receptor (ER)α and ERβ mRNAs levels decreased with clinical stage, myometrial invasion and dedifferentiation. On the other hand, ERRα mRNA levels and histoscores increased with clinical stage and myometrial invasion, regardless of dedifferentiation. ERRα can bind to the steroid receptor coactivator family without any ligands, and drive transcription activity of the target genes. The competitive interaction of ERRα/ER expression associated with the use of common cofactors during loosing estrogen dependency might cause their expression manner. The up-regulation of ERRα might be related to tumor growth and advancement in uterine endometrial cancers. It is speculated that ERRα is a candidate for prognostic factors in uterine endometrial cancer, although ERRs are not directly related to growth of uterine endometrial cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The polymerization of ω-haloalkyl propiolates initiated by [Rh(norbornadiene)Cl]2 in methanol has been investigated in detail together with the geometrical forms of the resulting polymers. The polymer yield and molecular weight of poly(2-haloethyl propiolate)s (P(2XEPA)s) were markedly reduced in the order of X=Cl, Br, and I. 1H NMR, electron spin resonance, and diffuse reflective UV–vis spectroscopic studies of P(2XEPA)s revealed that the content of cis form regarding the Ckedly decreased from 60% for P(2ClEPA) to 15% for P(2IEPA). The decrease in the cis content also resulted in notable reduction of the crystallinity of the polymer from 30% for P(2ClEPA) to less than 10% for P(2IEPA). Compression of P(2XEPA)s at room temperature induced the so-called cis-to-trans isomerization accompanied with decomposition of the polymers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Angiogenesis is essential for the development, growth and advancement of solid tumors. Interferon-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) regulates lymphocyte chemotaxis, mediates vascular pericyte proliferation and acts as an angiostatic agent, thus inhibiting tumor growth. This prompted us to study the clinical implications of IP-10 expression related to angiogenesis in uterine endometrial cancers. Method: Sixty patients underwent curative resection for uterine endometrial cancers. In the tissue of these cancers, the levels of IP-10, vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin-8 and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were determined by enzyme immunoassay, and the localization of IP-10 and counts of microvessels were determined by immunohistochemistry. Result: IP-10 is diffusely localized in the cancer cells, but not in the stromal cells. There was a significant, reverse correlation between microvessel counts and IP-10 levels in uterine endometrial cancers. The IP-10 levels significantly decreased with more advanced disease and significantly reverse-correlated with bFGF levels in uterine endometrial cancers. Conclusions: IP-10 might affect the suppression of angiogenesis associated with bFGF in advanced cancer. Furthermore, IP-10 activation might be effective in the suppression of regrowth or recurrence after intensive treatment for advanced endometrial cancers. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Angiogenesis is essential for the development, growth and advancement of solid tumors. Angiogenesis is induced by hypoxia with the angiogenic transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). This prompted us to study the clinical implications of HIF relative to angiogenesis in uterine endometrial cancers. Methods: Sixty patients underwent curative resection for uterine endometrial cancers. In the tissue of 60 uterine endometrial cancers, HIF-1α, HIF-2α and HIF-1β mRNA levels, and the ratio of angiopoietin (Ang)-2 to Ang-1 (Ang-2/Ang-1) mRNA levels were determined by RT real-time PCR; histochemical scores and localization of HIF-1α were determined by immunohistochemistry. Levels of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), thymidine phosphorylase (TP) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were determined by enzyme immunoassay. Results: In stage I uterine endometrial cancers, HIF-1α histochemical scores and mRNA levels significantly increased with myometrial invasion of uterine endometrial cancers. HIF-1α histochemical scores and mRNA levels correlated with the levels of Ang-2/Ang-1 and IL-8. Conclusion: The angiogenic mediator HIF-1α, linked to Angs and IL-8, might work on angiogenesis with myometrial invasion of cancer cells in uterine endometrial cancers. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the antagonistic roles of pseudo-response regulator 5 to circadian clock-associated 1 in Arabidopsis thaliana. Identification of the best candidate forclock components; Characterization of small family of proteins; Assessment of the molecular mechanisms underlying a variety of circadian-controlled biological events.

Reactions of the adduct radical obtained by addition of the initiator-derived 2-carbomethoxy-2-propyl radical to methyl α-[(2-methyl-2-carbomethoxy)propyl]acrylate (the unsaturated dimer of methyl methacrylate (MMAD)) have been monitored by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Rate constants for addition of the 2-carbomethoxy-2-propyl radical to MMAD, mutual reactions between the adduct radicals, and reactions of the adduct radical and the 2-carbomethoxy-2-propyl radical, and β-fragmentation of the adduct radical were evaluated by steady-state and non-steady-state kinetic analysis in tandem with computer modeling and simulations involving parameter optimization procedures. The resulting rate constants showed that addition and radical–radical reactions between low molecular weight radicals are suppressed due to the marked steric congestion of the carbon-carbon double bond and radical center, respectively, and that β-fragmentation can compete with radical–radical reactions of the adduct radicals depending on the radical concentration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In Arabidopsis thaliana, the transcripts of the APRR1/TOC1 family genes each start accumulating after dawn rhythmically and one after another at intervals in the order of APRR9→APRR7→APRR5→APRR3→APRR1/TOC1 under continuous light. Except for the well-characterized APRR1/TOC1, however, no evidence has been provided that other APRR1/TOC1 family genes are indeed implicated in the mechanisms underlying circadian rhythms. We here attempted to provide such evidence by characterizing transgenic plants that constitutively express the APRR5 gene. The resulting APRR5-overexpressing (APRR5-ox) plants showed intriguing properties with regard to not only circadian rhythms, but also control of flowering time and light response. First, the aberrant expression of APRR5 in such transgenic plants resulted in a characteristic phenotype with regard to transcriptional events, in which free-running rhythms were considerably altered for certain circadian-regulated genes, including CCA1, LHY, APRR1/TOC1, other APRR1/TOC1 members, GI and CAB2, although each rhythm was clearly sustained even after plants were transferred to continuous light. With regard to biological events, APRR5-ox plants flowered much earlier than wild-type plants, more or less, in a manner independent of photoperiodicity (or under short-day conditions). Furthermore, APRR5-ox plants showed an SRL (short-hypocotyls under red light) phenotype that is indicative of hypersensitiveness to red light in early photomorphogenesis. Both APRR1-ox and APRR9-ox plants also showed the same phenotype. Therefore, APRR5 (together with APRR1/TOC1 and APRR9) must be taken into consideration for a better understanding of the molecular links between circadian rhythms, control of flowering time through the photoperiodic long-day pathway, and also light signaling-controlled plant development. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Synthesis of the A/D/E-ring core compounds of maoecrystal V was achieved. The key Diels-Alder reactions between tricyclic α-methylene lactones and Kitahara-Danishefsky dienes afforded the spirocyclic core compounds in a regioselective and stereoselective manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coumarin-containing vinyl homopolymers, such as poly(7-methacryloyloxycoumarin) (P1a) and poly(7-(2′-methacryloyloxyethoxy)coumarin) (P1b), show a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in chloroform, which can be controlled by the [2 + 2] photochemical cycloaddition of the coumarin moiety, and they are recognized as monofunctional dual-stimuli-responsive polymers. A single functional group of monofunctional dual-stimuli-responsive polymers responds to dual stimuli and can be introduced more uniformly and densely than those of dual-functional dual-stimuli-responsive polymers. In this study, considering a wide range of applications, organogels consisting of P1a and P1b, i.e., P1a-gel and P1b-gel, respectively, were synthesized, and their thermo- and photoresponsive behaviors in chloroform were investigated in detail. P1a-gel and P1b-gel in a swollen state (transparent) exhibited phase separation (turbid) through a temperature jump and reached a shrunken state (transparent), i.e., an equilibrium state, over time. Moreover, the equilibrium degree of swelling decreased non-linearly with increasing temperature. Furthermore, different thermoresponsive sites were photopatterned on the organogel through the photodimerization of the coumarin unit. The organogels consisting of homopolymers of coumarin-containing methacrylate exhibited unique thermo- and photoresponsivities and behaved as monofunctional dual-stimuli-responsive organogels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we consider the control of a liquid droplet movement rolling down on an inclined plate with gravitational force using a micro-wrinkle on a wall. The micro-wrinkle was manufactured by the buckling of a thin polymer film (poly(N-vinylcarbazole), PVK) on a base polymer (poly(vinyl chloride), PVC). The PVC was stretched once and then PVK (~ 100-nm thickness) was spin-coated on the surface of the base polymer at ambient temperature. When the strain was released in a thermostatic chamber heated above the glass transition temperature of PVC, a two-dimensional micro-wrinkle having a wavelength of several micrometers was formed on the surface. The advancing and receding contact angles were measured in directions parallel and perpendicular to the wrinkle. It was observed that there were several degrees of contact angle anisotropy. When the droplet was set on the wrinkle surface inclined at 45° to the gravitational force, the direction of droplet movement could be changed by ~ 20° from the gravitational direction. The deflection angle was estimated from a theoretical model with the principle of minimum work of the contact line. The micro-wrinkle was manufactured by the buckling of a thin polymer film (poly(N-vinylcarbazole), PVK) on a base polymer (poly(vinyl chloride), PVC). It was observed that there were several degrees of contact angle anisotropy dependent on the direction in normal and parallel to the wrinkle. When the droplet was set on the oblique wrinkle, the direction of droplet sliding movement could be changed by ~20° from the gravitational direction in the plane as shown in the figure below. The deflection angle β can be roughly estimated from a theoretical model with the principle of minimum work of the droplet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Laryngeal complications have been reported after endotracheal intubation and prone positioning in patients with critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), but their association is unclear. In this study, we investigated the rate of laryngeal complications in patients with COVID‐19 compared to an alternative condition (control group). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 40 patients who underwent endotracheal intubation for either COVID‐19 or an alternative condition (control group). Data on age, sex, body mass index (BMI), cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, use of prone therapy, duration of endotracheal intubation, and duration from extubation/tracheostomy to laryngeal evaluation were collected from medical records. Results: There were no significant differences in BMI, frequency of CVD risk factors, duration of endotracheal intubation, or duration from extubation/tracheostomy to laryngeal evaluation between the two groups. In the COVID‐19 group, all patients adopted the prone position. In comparison, only one patient in the control group adopted the prone position. Significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding the incidence of vocal fold immobility and laryngeal granuloma. Conclusion: Laryngeal complications were more common in the COVID‐19 group than in the control group. Prone positioning may be a risk factor for these complications. Level of Evidence: 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Living radical polymerizations of diisopropyl fumarate (DiPF) are carried out to synthesize poly(diisopropyl fumarate) (PDiPF) as a rigid poly(substituted methylene) and its block copolymers combined with a flexible polyacrylate segment. Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is suitable to obtain a high-molecular-weight PDiPF with well-controlled molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and chain-end structures, while organotellurium-mediated living radical polymerization (TERP) and reversible chain transfer catalyzed polymerization (RTCP) give PDiPF with controlled chain structures under limited polymerization conditions. In contrast, controlled polymerization for the production of high-molecular-weight and well-defined PDiPF is not achieved by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization (NMP). The block copolymers consisting of rigid poly(substituted methylene) and flexible polyacrylate segments are synthesized by the RAFT polymerization. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 2136-2147 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have synthesized degradable network polymers containing readily labile peroxy bonds as the repeating units in the main chain or as the cross-linking point in the side chain. Poly(2-hydroxyethyl sorbate-alt-O2) was obtained by the radical copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl sorbate with oxygen, and then cross-linked using tolylene 2,4-diisocyanate as the cross-linking agent to obtain a new type of degradable gel. We also investigated the cross-linking of conventional polymers by the reaction of the diene moieties introduced into the polymer side chain with oxygen. The hydroxy group in the side chain of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was reacted with 1-isocyanate-1,3-pentadiene in order to introduce a diene moiety into the side chain of the PVA. The dienylated PVA was reacted with oxygen in the presence of a radical initiator, leading to the formation of a gel containing a labile peroxy linkage at the cross-linking point. These gels containing peroxy units in the main chain or at the cross-linking points degraded upon heating. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have synthesized degradable network polymers containing readily labile peroxy bonds as the repeating units in the main chain or as the cross-linking point in the side chain. Poly(2-hydroxyethyl sorbate-alt-O2) was obtained by the radical copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl sorbate with oxygen, and then cross-linked using tolylene 2,4-diisocyanate as the cross-linking agent to obtain a new type of degradable gel. We also investigated the cross-linking of conventional polymers by the reaction of the diene moieties introduced into the polymer side chain with oxygen. The hydroxy group in the side chain of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was reacted with 1-isocyanate-1,3-pentadiene in order to introduce a diene moiety into the side chain of the PVA. The dienylated PVA was reacted with oxygen in the presence of a radical initiator, leading to the formation of a gel containing a labile peroxy linkage at the cross-linking point. These gels containing peroxy units in the main chain or at the cross-linking points degraded upon heating. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report the fabrication of a Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) film of magnetic nanoparticles (iron oxide) coated by poly(N-alkylmethacrylamide)s with various alkyl chain lengths. The iron oxide nanoparticle (nP) was first modified with a reactive polymer, poly(N-hydroxysuccinimide methacrylate) (pSucMA) by applying surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique. Then the succinimide group was replaced by various amine derivatives. The monolayer behaviors of the resultant nanoparticles, as modified by various poly(N-alkylmethacrylamide)s, such as poly(octylmethacrylamide) (pOMA), poly(dodecylmethacrylamide) (pDDMA), polytetradecylmethacrylamide (pTDMA), and poly(hexadecylmethacrylamide) (pHDMA) were elucidated using surface pressure–area isotherm measurements. Results show that pTDMA-modified nanoparticles (nP-pTDMA) exhibit the highest collapse pressure with a steeply rising surface pressure. The monolayer of nP-pTDMA on the water surface was transferred onto a solid substrate using the LB technique. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of the transferred LB film show that nP-pTDMA particles form a uniform nanoparticle monolayer. The LB film of nP-pTDMA with multilayers was fabricated through sequential transfer of the particles monolayer onto the substrate surface. The resultant LB film of nanoparticles shows a superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We investigated the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of paclitaxel with carboplatin or gemcitabine in patients with urogenital cancer to clarify the significance of monitoring of the serum concentration of paclitaxel. Paclitaxel was administered at 175 mg/m2 or 150 mg/m2 to patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer ( n = 10) or advanced transitional cell carcinoma ( n = 6) along with carboplatin or gemcitabine, respectively. The relationships between pharmacokinetic parameters and hematological adverse effects, as well as pharmacological effects, were examined. The effects of patient characteristics, including single-nucleotide polymorphisms of MDR1(ABCB1), CYP2C8, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5, on the total body clearance of paclitaxel were evaluated. Total body clearance and volume of distribution at a steady-state after the intravenous infusion of paclitaxel were not significantly different between patients with carboplatin or gemcitabine. The percent decreases in neutrophils and platelets for the regimen with gemcitabine were significantly greater than those with carboplatin, and showed a significant positive relationship with the observed concentration at the end of infusion or time above 0.1-µM concentration of paclitaxel. Post-therapy decreases in prostate-specific antigen were not positively correlated with the extent of paclitaxel exposure in the prostate cancer patients. Neither the polymorphisms at exon 26 (C3435T) and at exon 21 (G2677A/T) in MDR1 nor the CYP3A5*1 allele significantly affected the total body clearance of paclitaxel. The hematological side effects of paclitaxel were intensified by gemcitabine, and were correlated with paclitaxel pharmacokinetics. Monitoring of the serum concentration of paclitaxel will facilitate the therapy, with less myelosuppression and without any loss of therapeutic efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiogenesis is essential for development, growth and advancement of solid tumors. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is recognized as an angiogenic factor in various tumors. This prompted us to study the clinical implications of COX-2 expression related to angiogenesis in uterine cervical cancers. There was a significant correlation between microvessel counts and COX-2 levels in uterine cervical cancers. COX-2 localized in the cancer cells, but not in the stromal cells of uterine cervical cancer tissues. COX-2 levels increased with advancement, and the prognosis of the 30 patients with high COX-2 expression in uterine cervical cancers was poor (60%), while the 24-month survival rate of the other 30 patients with low COX-2 expression was 90%. Furthermore, COX-2 levels significantly correlated with VEGF levels in uterine cervical cancers. VEGF associated with COX-2 might work on angiogenesis in advancement. Therefore, long-term administration of COX-2 inhibitors might be effective on the suppression of regrowth or recurrence after intensive treatment for advanced uterine cervical cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: 2-Substituted-2-propenyl groups can be introduced as polymer ω-end-groups by a variety of means in free radical polymerization. Addition-fragmentation chain transfer (AFCT) and catalytic chain transfer have been employed to introduce the 2-substituted-2-propenyl groups almost quantitatively under appropriate conditions when bimolecular termination cannot compete effectively with these processes as an end forming event. Unsaturated oligomers (dimers, trimers, tetramers and oligomers of higher degrees of polymerization) of methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate function as carbon–carbon bond cleavage type AFCT agents and can be used to introduce the propenyl end-group. However, these compounds are not as reactive chain transfer agents as carbon-heteroatom bond cleavage type AFCT agents such as α-(bromomethyl)-, α-(alkylthiomethyl)- and α-(arenesulfonylmethyl)acrylates, which effectively reduce the molecular weight of the polymer formed and introduce the propenyl end-group. Mid-chain radicals formed during polymerization of acrylic esters are structurally similar to the radicals generated by radical addition to the 2-carbalkoxy-2-propenyl end-group. β-Fragmentation of the mid-chain radical can be regarded as the reverse reaction of radical addition to the propenyl end-group. Steric congestion accelerates formation of the propenyl end-group via β-fragmentation of the adduct radical, and suppresses intermolecular reactions of the adduct radicals to a larger extent than addition of the propagating radical to the propenyl end-group. Low molecular weight polymers bearing 2-carbalkoxy-2-propenyl and 2-phenyl-2-propenyl ω-end-groups undergo copolymerization as macromonomers with common vinyl monomers, with the exception of poly(methyl methacrylate)s bearing the propenyl end-groups, which primarily act as AFCT agents. Reactivities and reaction modes of α-(substituted methyl)acrylates and related monomers are also described in relation to the behavior of propenyl groups bound to polymer chains. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Procarboxypeptidase B (also known as thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor) is a recently described plasma zymogen known to be activated by thrombin in plasma. Carboxy-terminal lysine residues from partially degraded fibrin are important for the binding and activation of plasminogen, and carboxypeptidase B, an active form of procarboxypeptidase B, has been shown to inhibit fibrinolysis by eliminating these residues. The present paper investigates the effects of carboxypeptidase B inhibitors, dl-mercaptomethyl-3-guanidinoethylthiopropanoic acid (MGPA) and potato-derived carboxypeptidase inhibitor (CPI), on tissue factor (TF)-induced microthrombosis in rats. Intravenous injection of MGPA (3 mg/kg and higher) or CPI (0.3 mg/kg and higher) after microthrombi formation dramatically attenuated TF-induced glomerular fibrin deposition with an increase in plasma levels of d-dimer. These results indicate that carboxypeptidase B inhibitors can enhance endogenous fibrinolysis and reduce thrombi in the TF-induced microthrombosis model after systemic administration even after thrombi formation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study investigated the incidence rate and features of vascular adverse events (VAEs) in Japanese patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who were treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The analysis included 369 CML patients in the chronic or accelerated phases, selected from the CML Cooperative Study Group database; 25 events in 23 (6.2%) of these patients were VAEs. At the time of VAE incidence, nine patients were on treatment with imatinib, 12 with nilotinib, three with dasatinib, and one with bosutinib. VAE incidence comprised 13 cases of ischemic heart disease (IHD), eight of cerebral infarction (CI), and four of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). IHD incidence rate in the study population was higher than that in the age-matched general population, particularly in nilotinib-treated patients, while CI incidence rate was almost equivalent. Compared with the Suita score, the SCORE chart and the Framingham score risk assessment tools detected more patients with high or very high risk of VAEs. In conclusion, incidence of IHD requires closer monitoring in nilotinib-treated patients. More detailed investigations for determining the most useful tool to predict VAE incidence and long-term analysis of therapy-related VAE cases are needed for improving safety during TKI therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study deals with the control of the movement of liquid droplets rolling down an inclined plate based on the differences in the wettability of the plate. We used a photoreactive polymer poly(7-methacryloyloxy coumarin) (PMC) whose molecular structure can be changed reversibly to realize different wettabilities by ultraviolet irradiation. We proposed employing sawtooth patterns at boundaries between areas with different contact angles to control the droplet trajectory. Furthermore, we experimentally observed that the droplet moves along a line inclined to the direction of gravity. The droplet behavior can be analyzed using a theoretical model based on the droplet dynamics wherein the surface tension acting on the contact line and the gravitational force are considered. The theoretical results suggest that inclination from the gravitational direction can be increased if the advancing contact angle is reduced. In the experiments conducted herein, ultrasonic vibration was applied to the inclined plate to reduce the contact angle hysteresis. The results showed that the advancing contact angle actually decreased and that the droplet trajectory was controlled to realize motion along a line with inclination angle almost twice of that realized without vibration.Graphical abstract: A saw-tooth pattern of boundary between the areas with different contact angles was proposed to control the trajectory of a droplet rolling down on an inclined plate. As shown in the right figure, the droplet immediately diverges from the direction of gravity and moves in accordance with the target lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors led to an improvement in the prognoses of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The aims of this study were to investigate the efficacy and safety of dasatinib in Japanese patients and to explore the factors that affect the achievement of molecular responses. Methods: The primary endpoint was a major molecular response (MMR) by 12 months. The halving time for BCR-ABL1 transcripts was calculated using transcript levels. Results: Thirty-two patients with chronic-phase CML (CML-CP) were enrolled and 30 received 100 mg dasatinib once daily. At 24 months of follow-up, 21 (72%) and 24 (83%) patients achieved an MMR by 12 and 24 months, respectively; the rates of a deep molecular response (DMR) by 12 and 24 months were 48 and 59%, respectively. A shorter halving time of BCR-ABL1 transcripts (≤10.6 days) accurately predicted both an MMR and a DMR. The incidence of pleural effusion was 50%. Our study reconfirmed the efficacy and safety of dasatinib treatment in Japanese patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP. In addition, the usefulness of the halving time of BCR-ABL1 transcripts was validated. Conclusion: These data emphasize the significance of an early treatment response in achieving a DMR during dasatinib therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed to investigate the features and outcome of patients with therapy-related chronic myeloid leukemia (TR-CML) who were treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The analysis included 308 patients with CML in the chronic phase who were extracted from the CML Cooperative Study Group database. Of these patients, 11 (3.6%) were identified as having TR-CML. No differences in age, sex, white blood cell count, hemoglobin level, platelet count, or European Treatment and Outcome Study risk were observed between patients with TR-CML vs. de novo CML. However, the responses of TR-CML patients to TKIs (6, 3, and 2 received imatinib, nilotinib, and dasatinib, respectively) were excellent; all achieved major or deep molecular response. Furthermore, the outcomes of TR-CML patients were relatively favorable; the 3-year event-free survival rates in the TR-CML and de novo CML patients were 100% and 94%, respectively; the difference was not statistically significant. In conclusion, our study showed that TR-CML patients could achieve a good clinical course with TKI therapy. Detailed investigations of TR-CML may provide new insights into CML biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented regarding the case of a 76-year-old woman who was diagnosed with simultaneous colon cancer in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma.

We report a rare case of hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis (HCP) associated with invasive Aspergillus mastoiditis. A 63-year-old man with diabetes mellitus underwent mastoidectomy because of chronic discharge from his left ear. The mastoidectomy was unsuccessful in resolving purulent otorrhea; moreover, 7 months later, the patient developed left abducens nerve palsy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed HCP at the left middle cranial fossa. Although the pathogen could not be identified, an Aspergillus infection was considered based on elevated serum β- d -glucan and a positive Aspergillus antigen test result. Voriconazole treatment resolved diplopia and left otorrhea and dramatically improved HCP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the following report we discuss a very rare case of malignant T-cell lymphoma of the thyroid gland that developed in a 70-year-old woman with a past history of hypothyroidism due to chronic thyroiditis. The chief complaint was a rapidly growing neck mass. CT and ultrasonographic examination revealed a diffuse large thyroid gland without a nodule extending up to 13 cm. Although presence of abnormal lymphoid cells in the peripheral blood was not found, the sIL-2 Receptor antibody and thyroglobulin measured as high as 970 U/ml and 600 ng/mL respectively. Fine needle aspiration cytology diagnosed chronic thyroiditis. A preoperative diagnosis of suspicious malignant lymphoma of the thyroid gland accompanied by Hashimoto's thyroiditis was made, and a right hemithyroidectomy was performed to definite diagnosis. Histological examination revealed diffuse small lymphocytic infiltration in the thyroid gland associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Immunohistochemical examination showed that the small lymphocytes were positive for T-cell markers with CD3 and CD45RO. The pathological diagnosis was chronic thyroiditis with atypical lymphocytes infiltration. However, Southern blot analysis of tumor specimens revealed only a monoclonal T-cell receptor gene rearrangement. Finally, peripheral T cell lymphoma was diagnosed. Therefore, the left hemithyroidectomy was also performed one month later. No adjuvant therapy was performed due to the tumor stage and its subtype. The patient is well with no recurrence or metastasis 22 months after the surgical removal of the thyroid. As malignant T-cell lymphoma of the thyroid gland with Hashimoto's thyroiditis was difficult to diagnose, gene rearrangement examination needed to be performed concurrently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: Receptor EphB4 and the corresponding ligand ephrinB2 contribute to tumor growth in various human tumors. This prompted us to study the expression and localization of EphB4 and ephrinB2 in uterine cervical cancers to analyze the EphB4/ephrinB2 functions against clinical backgrounds. Methods: Immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR have been done to determine the histoscores and mRNA levels of EphB4 and ephrinB2, respectively, in sixty-two uterine cervical cancer tissue samples. Patient prognoses were analyzed with a 36-month survival rate. Results: The localization of EphB4 and ephrinB2 was dominantly in the cancer cells of uterine cervical cancers of all cases given. Both the histoscores and mRNA levels of EphB4 and ephrinB2 significantly increased with clinical stages (I

Abstract: The expression of estrogen receptor (ER)α and ERβ mRNAs did not show any specific manner according to clinical backgrounds in ovarian cancers. On the other hand, the levels of estrogen-related receptor (ERR)α mRNA increased with clinical stages regardless of histopathological types in ovarian cancers. However, ERRβ and ERRγ mRNA levels were extremely low to determine reliably. ERRα can bind to the steroid receptor coactivator family without any ligands, and drive transcription activity of the target genes. The manner of ERR and ER gene expressions might show an independent usage of common cofactors. It is speculated that the up regulation of ERRα might be related to advancement of ovarian cancers regardless of plausible interaction via cofactors regulated by ERs. Although ERRα is not directly related to growth of ovarian cancer, ERRα is a candidate for prognostic factors for ovarian cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Neoplasms putatively originating from precursor and mature natural killer (NK) cells are rare, and their clinical features are unclear. A nationwide survey was performed in Japan to clarify the clinical features of these neoplasms diagnosed between 1994 and 1998, and data for 237 patients who met the criteria for putative NK cell-lineage neoplasms were analyzed. Among them, 11 had myeloid/NK-cell precursor acute leukemia, 15 blastic NK-cell lymphoma, 21 precursor NK-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 22 aggressive NK-cell leukemia/lymphoma, 149 nasal-type NK-cell lymphoma (123 nasal and 26 extranasal) and 19 chronic NK lymphocytosis. The median overall survival time of patients with aggressive NK-cell leukemia/lymphoma was 2 months, which for chronic NK lymphocytosis was more than 8 years, and that for the other types of NK-cell neoplasms was between 6 and 22 months. Nasal NK-cell lymphoma and extranasal NK-cell lymphoma share the same histology. The age of affliction was the same, but the sex was different with males predominantly having nasal NK-cell lymphoma and females extranasal NK-cell lymphoma. Patients with extranasal NK-cell lymphoma had the tendency to exhibit a more advanced state of disease, with significantly higher International Prognostic Index and LDH levels, and significantly lower hemogolobin and platelet levels. The overall survival, however, did not differ significantly. Precursor NK-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and blastic NK-cell lymphoma were arbitrarily defined by the presence or absence of 30% or more of blastic cells in the bone marrow or peripheral blood, but there were no significant differences for affected age, gender, involved sites or prognosis. Aggressive NK-cell leukemia/lymphoma and extranasal NK-cell lymphoma were arbitrarily defined by the presence or absence of 30% or more of large granular lymphocytes in the bone marrow or peripheral blood and it is possible that aggressive NK-cell leukemia/lymphoma is a leukemic phase of extranasal NK-cell lymphoma. The incidence of skin involvement, however, was significantly higher for extranasal NK-cell lymphoma, suggesting that the two diseases are different. In nasal NK-cell lymphoma, Epstein–Barr virus in tumor cells was detected in all patients tested, suggesting its causative role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Arabidopsis thaliana, a number of clock-associated protein factors have been identified. Among them, TOC1 (TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION 1) is believed to be a component of the central oscillator. TOC1 is a member of a small family of proteins, designated as ARABIDOPSIS PSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATOR, including PRR1/TOC1, PRR3, PRR5, PRR7 and PRR9. It has not been certain whether or not other PRR family members are also implicated in clock function per se. To clarify this problem, here we constructed a double mutant line, which is assumed to have severe lesions in both the PRR5 and PRR7 genes. Resulting homozygous prr5-11 prr7-11 young seedlings showed a marked phenotype of hyposensitivity to red light during de-etiolation. In addition, they displayed a phenotype of extremely late flowering under long-day photoperiod conditions, but not short-day conditions. The rhythms at the level of transcription of certain clock-controlled genes were severely perturbed in the double mutant plants when they were released into continuous light (LL) and darkness (DD). The observed phenotype was best interpreted as ‘arrhythmic in both LL and DD’ and/or ‘very short period with markedly reduced amplitude’. Even under the light entrainment (LD) conditions, the mutant plants showed anomalous diurnal oscillation profiles with altered amplitude and/or phase with regard to certain clock-controlled genes, including the clock component CCA1 (CIRCADIAN CLOCK-ASSOCIATED 1) gene. Such events were observed even under temperature entrainment conditions, suggesting that the prr5-11 prr7-11 lesions cannot simply be attributed to a defect in the light signal input pathway. These pleiotropic circadian-associated phenotypes of the double mutant were very remarkable, as compared with those observed previously for each single mutant. Taking these results together, we propose for the first time that PRR5 and PRR7 coordinately (or synergistically) play essential clock-associated roles close to the central oscillator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In general, tumors induce angiogenic factors specific to them, which leads to angiogenesis with advancement. However, angiogenesis in uterine endometrial cancers is complicated because hormone dependency in growth also modifies the angiogenic potential. Therefore, anti-angiogenic therapy for tumor dormancy in uterine endometrial cancers must be thoroughly considered. The upstream of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene conserves estrogen-responsive elements. Progesterone primed with estrogen induces thymidine phosphorylase (TP) in uterine endometrium. Sex steroid-dependent VEGF and TP are highly expressed in cases of early stage and well-differentiated uterine endometrial cancers, and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in cases of advanced and poorly differentiated uterine endometrial cancers. A transcriptional factor for angiogenesis, ETS-1, is linked to VEGF in well-differentiated uterine endometrial cancers, and to bFGF in poorly differentiated uterine endometrial cancers. Therefore, even if dedifferentiation and angiogenic switching occur due to advancement and long-term hormone therapy, the inhibition of ETS-1 along with main angiogenic factors might be an effective strategy to suppress uterine endometrial cancers as a novel anti-angiogenic therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

ETS-1 in ovarian endometriomas was significantly positively correlated with microvessel counts (MVCs), but ETS-1 and MVC were not significantly altered during the menstrual cycle. Because ETS-1 persistently expresses in the subepithelial area of endometriotic endometrium, this might contribute to the growth of ovarian endometriomas via subepithelial angiogenesis independently of the menstrual cycle. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: ETS-1 has been identified as a proto-oncogene and a transcription factor for tumor angiogenesis, which is essential for the growth, invasion and metastasis of solid tumors. The aim is to investigate the clinical implications of ETS-1 expression in peritoneal metastatic lesions of ovarian cancers. Methods: In primary tumors and peritoneal metastatic lesions from 30 patients with stage III ovarian cancers, ETS-1 histoscores and ets-1 mRNA levels were determined by immunohistochemistry and competitive RT-PCR-Southern blot analysis using recombinant RNA, respectively. Results: Immunohistochemical staining revealed that ETS-1 was expressed in the cancer cells and vascular endothelial cells. ETS-1 histoscores in the endothelial cells and ets-1 mRNA levels were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in 20 of 30 peritoneal metastatic lesions of ovarian cancers. There was a significant correlation between microvessel counts (MVCs) and ETS-1 histoscores in the endothelial cells (p < 0.001) and between MVCs and ets-1 mRNA levels in the primary tumor and the peritoneal metastatic lesion of ovarian cancers (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the 24-month survival rate of patients with significantly increased ets-1 mRNA level (2/20, 10%) was significantly (p < 0.01) lower than that of patients with no change in the level (6/10, 60%) from the primary tumor to the peritoneal metastatic lesion. Conclusions: ETS-1 might be associated with peritoneal metastasis dominantly as an angiogenic mediator and additionally as an oncogene product to activate tumor invasion in ovarian cancers. Copyright © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: BackgroundA rare case of giant uterine lymphangioma was experienced.: CaseA 44-year-old female noted a rapidly grown abdominal tumor and its accompanied symptoms, progressive abdominal distension, lumbago, and developed leg edema. Ultrasonography made a possible diagnosis of a huge ovarian tumor; postoperative diagnosis was cavernous lymphangioma arising from the uterus.: ConclusionAccording to the literature, lymphangioma itself is a rare tumor, and giant lymphangioma arising from uterine corpus is extremely rare. We experienced an extremely rare case of uterine lymphangioma and ultrasound tomography better imaged the tumor inside. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]