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During chemo- or radiotherapy, oral mucositis is associated with severely affected nutrition, prolonged hospital stays, increased risk of infections, death, hindered cancer treatment, and compromised patient prognosis. Although oral mucositis management is critical, no preventive methods have been firmly established. Nutritional therapy with the oral amino acid-rich elemental diet (ED) Elental® may prevent body composition changes and oral mucositis as dose-limiting toxicities of cancer therapy. This meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of ED for the prevention of grade ≥2 oral mucositis in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.A PubMed literature search for randomized clinical trials and/or observational studies in English was conducted. Odds ratios and their confidence intervals were calculated, and fixed- or random-effects models applied.Of 24 relevant studies, nine conducted in Japan (including 445 patients) were subjected to a meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was 56%. Using a random-effects model, the resulting odds ratio (95% confidence interval) was 0.25 (0.10, 0.61). Funnel plot analysis showed no publication bias. There was no heterogeneity by study design, but esophageal cancer exhibited heterogeneity. The respective odds ratios (fixed-effects model) were 0.10 (0.03, 0.30) for observational studies and 0.48 (0.28, 0.82) for randomized control trials. The odds ratio (confidence interval) using a random-effects model was 0.35 (0.12, 0.99) for esophageal cancer; using a fixed-effects model, odds ratios were 0.07 (0.02, 0.29) for gastroenterological cancer and 0.26 (0.04, 1.60) for oral cancers.The ED reduced the risk of developing oral mucositis, regardless of study design. The effectiveness was more marked in patients with gastroenterological cancer followed by esophageal cancer; ED was not effective in patients with oral cancer.

The identification of novel stratification biomarkers would benefit the clinical management of patients with salivary gland Tumor. Migration stimulating factor is a potent stimulator of cell invasion, matrix remodelling and angiogenesis.&nbsp

BACKGROUND TAS-102 is effective against unresectable advanced or recurrent colorectal and gastric cancer. However, its effect on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is still unknown. Here, we tried to clarify the possible effect of TAS-102 against angiogenesis and proliferation of human OSCC cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, migration assay and mice xenograft models were used to determine the effect of TAS-102 on growth and migration of OSCC. The activity of phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa light-chain-enhancer of activated B-cells (NF-κB) (p-p65) in cells was detected by immunocytochemistry. The expression of p-AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (p-AKT), p-p65, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) and CD31 in mouse tumors were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS TAS-102 significantly inhibited growth and migration of OSCC both in vitro and in vivo. It suppressed the activity of NF-κB in cells. TAS-102 down-regulated the expression of p-AKT, VEGF, FGF2 and CD31, which was associated with reduced vascularization of HSC2 tumor lesions. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that TAS-102 might inhibit angiogenesis and proliferation of OSCC cells.

The effectiveness of an elemental diet (ED), Elental®, against radiotherapy‑ or chemoradiotherapy‑induced oral mucositis was previously reported. However, the administration of additional nutrition or an ED in patients with oral cancer may also provide extra nutrition for cancer cells, which could result in cancer development. At present, it remains unclear whether the beneficial effects of an ED are likely to surpass its potential harmful effects on oral cancer treatment. In the present study, we aimed to clarify whether Elental® has different effects on a healthy human oral keratinocyte (HOK) cell line compared with its effects on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines (HSC2, HSC3, HSC4). The efficacy of Elental® was compared in relation to the growth and migration ability of HOK and OSCC cell lines using MTT assay and migration assay, respectively. In addition, whole transcriptome analysis and network analysis were performed to determine the difference in the mechanism of action of Elental® between HOK and HSC2 cells. In addition, Elental® promoted growth and migration ability of‑malnourished and 5‑fluorouracil (5‑FU)‑treated damaged HOK cells cultured in low nutrition medium (0% growth supplement). However, Elental® did not affect the growth ability of 5‑FU‑treated damaged HSC2 cell line in low nutrition medium (0 or 1% fetal bovine serum (FBS), as well as the growth ability of HSC3 and HSC4 cell lines in medium containing 0% FBS. Elental® pre‑treatment also enhanced the apoptosis‑inducing effect of anticancer agents against OSCC cells. In addition, whole transcriptome analysis and Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA) data suggested that Elental® may help in the proliferation and survival of HOK through the induction of ERK. Moreover, Elental® added stress to HSC2 cells through the induction of the endoplasmic reticulum stress response marker, BiP and GRP 94. The results showed that Elental® may add stress to HSC2 cells and provide growth stimulation to HOK. These findings suggest that the effects of Elental® on healthy oral cells and oral cancer cells may differ.

An elemental diet (ED) reduces adverse effects of chemotherapy, including oral mucositis, in patients with cancer. However, the detailed mechanism(s) of the healing effects of an ED remains unclear. In the present study, the protective effects of the ED, Elental

Fifty-four slaughtered horses were classified into groups having adipose tissue in the crest of the neck with or without hemorrhage (AH and NH groups, respectively). Blood biochemical tests (Alb, TP, T-bil, GOT, GPT, LDH, T-cho, and BUN) and an epidemiological survey (age, gender, weight, origin, breed, BCS, CNS, and hoof disease) were performed. T-bil tended to be high, while the other parameters were normal. Weight, BCS, and CNS were higher in the AH group (P0.05). GOT was lower in the AH group (P0.05). It was suspected that the horses in the AH group had lipomatosis. It was assumed that the adipose tissue of the horses in the AH group contained damaged capillaries, and inflammation was confirmed based on evidence of macrophages and lymphocytes.

Background/Aims: We invented a cell-mixed sheet consisting of autologous fibroblast cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) to treat refractory cutaneous ulcers. These sheets secrete the growth factors needed throughout the wound healing process in animal models. Methods: We performed this study as a pilot phase I clinical trial (UMIN-CTR: UMIN000031645). Fibroblast cells were isolated and cultured from the oral tissue, and PBMNCs were collected by apheresis. A cell-mixed sheet was prepared by co-culturing these collected cells for 3 days. The primary observation index was safety, including all adverse events. Additional observation indices were wound healing over 1, 3, and 6 months; wound healing rate at 7 days and 1, 3, and 6 months. Results: Six patients with venous leg ulcers (VLUs) were enrolled in the study, including three patients who were treated with the cell-mixed sheet transplantation. One patient was excluded because no fibroblast cells grew from the oral tissue culture, and other two were excluded because the growth factor secreted from mixed-cell sheets did not reach the reference value. The VLUs of two patients who received the cell-mixed sheet transplantation healed, and the VLU in one patient decreased in size. Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrated that cell-mixed sheets might be a new topical intervention to treat VLUs. However, it was also suggested that this treatment might be limited when using autologous cells collected from patients with VLUs. Therefore, it may be necessary to use high-quality allogeneic cells instead of autologous cells to improve the feasibility of this treatment.

Background: Fusobacterium nucleatum, which is associated with periodontitis and gingivitis, has been detected in colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: We evaluated the bactericidal effect of deep ultraviolet (DUV) light-emitting diode (LED) light therapy on F. nucleatum both qualitatively and quantitatively. Two DUV-LEDs with peak wavelengths of 265 and 280-nm were used. DNA damage to F. nucleatum was evaluated by the production of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) and pyrimidine (6–4) pyrimidone photoproducts (6–4PP). Results: DUV-LEDs showed a bactericidal effect on F. nucleatum. No colony growth was observed after 3 min of either 265 nm or 280 nm DUV-LED irradiation. The survival rates of F. nucleatum under 265 nm DUV-LED light irradiation dropped to 0.0014% for 10 s and to 0% for 20 s irradiation. Similarly, the survival rate of F. nucleatum under 280 nm DUV-LED light irradiation dropped to 0.00044% for 10 s and 0% for 20 s irradiation. The irradiance at the distance of 35 mm from the DUV-LED was 0.265 mW/cm2 for the 265 nm LED and 0.415 mW/cm2 for the 280 nm LED. Thus, the radiant energy for lethality was 5.3 mJ/cm2 for the 265 nm LED and 8.3 mJ/cm2 for the 280 nm LED. Amounts of CPD and 6–4PP in F. nucleatum irradiated with 265 nm DUV-LED light were 6.548 ng/µg and 1.333 ng/µg, respectively. Conclusions: DUV-LED light exerted a bactericidal effect on F. nucleatum by causing the formation of pyrimidine dimers indicative of DNA damage. Thus, DUV-LED light therapy may have the potential to prevent CRC.

Migration Stimulating Factor (MSF) is a 70 kDa truncated isoform of fibronectin (FN); its mRNA is generated from the FN gene by an unusual two-stage processing. Unlike full-length FN, MSF is not a matrix molecule but a soluble protein which displays cytokine-like activities not displayed by any other FN isoform due to steric hindrance. There are two isoforms of MSF; these are referred to as MSF+aa and MSF-aa, while the term MSF is used to include both.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) serves an important role in new blood vessel formation or angiogenesis, which is a critical event in tumor growth and metastasis. Bevacizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody against VEGF-A, whereas S-1 is a fluoropyrimidine antineoplastic agent that induces apoptosis in various types of cancer cells. The present study evaluated the antitumor effects of bevacizumab in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or S-1 against oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in vitro and in vivo. Two human OSCC cell lines were used, namely the high VEGF-A-expressing HSC-2 cells and the low VEGF-A-expressing SAS cells. MTT assay was used to evaluate the effect of bevacizumab and/or 5-FU against HSC-2 and SAS cell proliferation. Additionally, the antitumor effect of bevacizumab was evaluated alone and in combination with S-1 against HSC-2 tumors in nude mice. S-1 (6.9 mg/kg/day) was administered orally every day for 3 weeks, and bevacizumab (5 ml/kg/day) was injected intraperitoneally twice per week for 3 weeks. Apoptotic cells in mouse tumors were detected using the TUNEL method, and cell proliferation and microvessel density (MVD) were determined by immunohistochemical staining of Ki-67 and CD31, respectively. Bevacizumab alone did not inhibit OSCC cell proliferation in vitro, and did not exhibit any synergistic inhibitory effect in combination with 5-FU in vitro. However, combined bevacizumab and S-1 therapy exerted synergistic and significant antitumor effects in vivo on HSC-2 tumor xenografts, and induced apoptosis in tumor cells. Furthermore, this combination therapy led to decreased MVD and cell proliferative abilities, as well as increased apoptosis in residual tumors. The present findings suggested that the bevacizumab plus S-1 combination therapy may exert antitumor effects in high VEGF-A-expressing OSCC cells.

We propose a new approach to Nuclear Effective Field Theory (NEFT) on a lattice on the basis of Renormalization Group (RG) analysis. In order to perform Markov-chain Monte Carlo lattice simulation of NEFT, we introduce auxiliary fields to integrate nucleon field so that its effects are represented as a determinant. The problem is that the determinant becomes complex and cannot be considered as a part of probability distribution function. We introduce a reweighting method, in which the reference determinant is chosen to be optimal in the RG analysis sense: the reference determinant contains only the relevant interactions and the closest to the original determinant. We calculate the standard deviation of the absolute value of the reweighting factor in a simple model, isospin-symmetric S-wave NLO NEFT without pions, and explain why our choice is optimal.

BACKGROUND/AIM We have previously reported that treatment of pancreatic cancer cells with active hexose-correlated compound (AHCC), an extract of a basidiomycete mushroom, decreases the levels of tumor-associated proteins including heat-shock protein 27 (HSP27), heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) and sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2). The transmembrane glycoprotein, CUB domain-containing protein 1 (CDCP1) has been reported to be up-regulated in various cancers, and be associated with invasion and metastasis. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of AHCC on the expression of CDCP1 in KLM1-R cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS Gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells (KLM1-R) were treated with AHCC (10 mg/ml) for 48 h. Western blot analysis of cell extracts with anti-CDCP1 or anti-actin antibodies was performed to assess the expression of CDCP1. RESULTS Expression of CDCP1 was reduced by AHCC treatment of KLM1-R cells, whereas expression of actin was not affected. The ratio of intensities of CDCP1/actin in AHCC-treated KLM1-R cells was significantly suppressed (p

Forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1) is an oncoprotein that is involved in cell proliferation, differentiation and aging, and overexpression of FOXM1 is thought to be associated with the development and progression of various types of cancer. The expression of FOXM1 was retrospectively examined in tumor tissues taken from 56 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients by immunohistochemical staining. All of these patients received docetaxel (Doc)-containing regimens as treatments against OSCC. The association between FOXM1 expression and the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of these patients was then examined. FOXM1 was expressed in the nucleus and cytoplasm of OSCC tissues samples. There was a significant association between FOXM1 expression in tumor tissues and N classification (P=0.0395), stage (P=0.004), therapeutic efficacy (P=0.0113) and outcome (P=0.0134) of patients. However, FOXM1 expression had no association with patients' sex, age or T classification. Additionally, high expression of FOXM1 in tumor cells was associated with a shorter overall survival (P=0.0257) of patients. Multivariate analysis also revealed that elevated expression of FOXM1 was a predictor of patients' poor survival (P=0.0327). The results suggested that high expression of FOXM1 in OSCC tumors may result in reduced therapeutic effects and poor clinical outcomes of patients receiving Doc-based treatment regimens.

text, 紀要論文 / Departmental Bulletin Paper

Gimeracil or 5-chloro-2,4-dihydroxypyridine (CDHP) enhances the antitumor effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) by inhibiting dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), which is involved in the degradation of 5-FU. CDHP, as part of a combination therapy, was also reported to exert a radiosensitizing effect. Therefore, CDHP may have underlying mechanisms of action other than DPD inhibition. The focus of the present study was to investigate the antitumor effects of CDHP and cisplatin (CDDP) combination treatment in vitro and in vivo against oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tumors. The inhibitory growth effects of CDHP and/or CDDP treatment on SAS and HSC2 cells were examined using an MTT assay. The expression levels of DNA double strand break repair proteins, including Ku70, DNA-dependent-protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), Rad50 and Rad51 in CDHP and/or CDDP-treated cells were detected using western blotting. Nude mice with SAS or HSC2 tumors were treated with CDHP (administered orally 7 times/week) and/or CDDP (administered by intraperitoneal injection once/week) for 2 weeks. Combined treatment of CDHP and CDDP significantly suppressed the growth of SAS and HSC2 cells in vitro and that of tumors in vivo compared with the effects caused by single drug only or control treatments. Western blotting demonstrated that the expression levels of Ku70, DNA-PKcs, Rad50 and Rad51 were downregulated in cells treated with CDHP and CDDP combination treatment. Immunohistochemistry also identified that the expression of DNA double strand break repair proteins was downregulated in tumors treated with CDHP and CDDP combination treatment compared with that of tumors treated with CDDP alone or control. The results of the current study suggest that CDHP may be responsible for enhancing the antitumor effects of CDDP by suppressing the DNA double strand break repair system. Therefore, the combination of CDHP and CDDP may be a potential effective option for OSCC treatment.

Mucositis and dermatitis induced by anticancer agents are common complications of anticancer therapies. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of Elental (Ajinomoto Pharmaceutical Ltd, Tokyo, Japan), an elemental diet with glutamine in the treatment of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced oral mucositis and dermatitis in vivo and tried to clarify the underlying mechanisms of its action. Oral mucositis and dermatitis was induced through a combination of 5-FU treatment and mild abrasion of the cheek pouch in hamsters and the dorsal skin in nude mice respectively. These animals received saline, dextrin or Elental suspension (18 kcal/100 g) by a gastric tube daily until sacrifice. Elental reduced oral mucositis and dermatitis more effectively than dextrin in the animal model. Moreover, growth facilitating effects of Elental on HaCaT cells were examined in vitro. MTT assay, wound healing assay, and migration assay revealed that Elental could enhance the growth, invasion, and migration ability of HaCaT. ELISA and Western blotting showed upregulated FGF2 in Elental-treated HaCaT. These findings suggest that Elental is effective for the treatment of mucositis and dermatitis, and may accelerate mucosal and skin recovery through FGF2 induction and reepithelization.

Elental(®) is an L-glutamine-rich elemental diet (ED) that has been widely used in Japan as a nutritional supplement for malnourished patients. In addition, Elental(®) has been successfully used in the management of chemotherapy-induced mucositis in cancer patients. Recently, it was also reported that Elental(®) can effectively reduce chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma, and can also reduce mucositis and dermatitis in animal models. However, it is unclear whether oral intake or topical application of Elental(®) can act directly on chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis or dermatitis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible direct healing effect of Elental(®) on chemotherapy-induced dermatitis and raw wound areas in a mouse model. Dermatitis and raw wounds were induced in nude mice by administration of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (via gastric tube) and mechanical injury (using a metal brush or a surgical knife). We then compared the outcome following oral or topical application of Elental(®) in these mice. The effect of Elental(®) on the growth and migration ability of the human oral keratinocyte cell line, HOK, was also examined using MTT and migration assays, respectively. In the mouse model, both oral administration and topical application of Elental(®) reduced 5-FU-induced dermatitis and healed raw wound areas more effectively compared with the topical application of saline. The MTT assay revealed that Elental(®) exerted a growth-promoting effect on HOKs. In addition, Elental(®) enhanced the ability of HOKs to migrate, as demonstrated by the migration assay. These findings demonstrated that the topical application as well as the oral intake of Elental(®) exerted a direct healing effect on chemotherapy-induced dermatitis or raw wound areas. The data also indicated that oral intake of an ED may exert a direct healing effect on chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis.

Introduction: Providing self-management education for residents with cardiometabolic conditions in remote islands is a challenge due to the shortage of primary care practitioners (PCPs), specialist physicians, and nurses. Therefore, we applied telenursing with lifestyle-related chronic diseases in remote island residents in Japan. This project aimed to improve the self-management behavior, cardiometabolic indicators, self-efficacy, and quality of life (QoL) of residents with cardiometabolic risks. Methods: We chose Ōsakikamijima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, which is designated under the Remote Islands Development Act. The project was conducted from 2013 to 2014. The residents aged over 40 and under 75 years old, selected from the annual specific health check-up examination and from PCPs for screening cardiometabolic risks (urinary protein, glycohemoglobin A1c, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride) were included. The effectiveness of telenursing for self-management education was 6-month-long with a 6-month follow-up and evaluated by a single-group pre-and post-test design. Face-to-face health education was applied at the initial interview followed by telenursing (biweekly telephone calls till third-month, and a monthly telephone call during the fourth and fifth-month) by the trained nurses outside the island. To enhance participants’ self-monitoring health behavior changes, the nurses used motivational interviewing and behavior change techniques based on the transtheoretical model. Results: A total of 130 residents, 42 agreed to participate, 41 finished the 6-month program, and 33 completed the 12-month follow-up. Most of their behavior changes like self-management behaviors, cardiometabolic indicators, and self-efficacy at 6-month were improved significantly except QoL. Among the 12-month study periods, self-management behaviors, body mass index, systolic BP, diastolic BP, and self-efficacy (sense of control), (all P Conclusion: This study results indicated that telenursing might be effective to improve the lifestyles-related behaviors in chronic diseases on the remote island of Ōsakikamijima, Japan.

BACKGROUND/AIM Gimeracil or 5-chloro-2, 4-dihydroxypyridine (CDHP) has been reported to exert radiosensitization effects in cancer cells by suppressing DNA repair pathways. Here, we investigated the antitumor effect of gimeracil and radiation combination therapy against oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). MATERIAL AND METHODS The antitumor activity of gimeracil and/or radiation was investigated in HSC2 and/or SAS cells by growth inhibition assays and clonogenic survival assay. The expression of DNA double-strand break repair proteins were assessed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry, also fluorescent measurements of intracellular reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) were carried out in gimeracil and/or radiation-treated HSC2 cells/tumors. RESULTS Gimeracil and radiation combination treatment significantly inhibited OSCC cell/tumor growth and colony formation. Down-regulated expressions of DNA double-strand break repair proteins were observed in gimeracil and/or radiation treated cells/tumors. Additionally, the growth inhibitory effect of this combination treatment was associated with reactive oxygen species/reactive nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) generation. CONCLUSION Gimeracil might exert radiosensitizing effects on OSCC cells.

In previous research, we produced a japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar (‘Koshihikari Kan No. 1’) with nearly undetectable levels of cadmium (Cd) in the grains. In this study, we hypothesized that growing this cultivar aerobically would simultaneously reduce arsenic (As) and Cd concentrations in the grains. We grew this cultivar and ‘Koshihikari’, its parent, in paddy fields with different soil properties under three water regimes: flooded conditions (FLD), alternate wetting and drying conditions (AWD) and water-saving conditions (WAS). FLD for several weeks before and after heading significantly increased the grain As concentration in both cultivars. AWD, with the soil re-flooded just after disappearance of the ponded water, reduced grain As concentrations by an average of 27% relative to FLD for both cultivars. WAS, with irrigation after drying of the soil surface, decreased grain As concentrations by an average of 43.1% for ‘Koshihikari Kan No. 1’ and 48.2% for ‘Koshihikari’ compared to FLD. Although AWD and WAS remarkably increased grain Cd concentrations in ‘Koshihikari’, ‘Koshihikari Kan No. 1’ had nearly undetectable levels of grain Cd in all treatments. Compared with ‘Koshihikari’ in FLD, grain yield of ‘Koshihikari Kan No. 1’ and ‘Koshihikari’ decreased by averages of 2% for AWD and 4 to 6% for WAS. In addition, WAS tended to decrease grain quality slightly for both cultivars. Although aerobic conditions such as WAS have somewhat adverse effects on grain yield and quality, growing the low-Cd cultivar aerobically is the most practical way to simultaneously reduce Cd and As contents in the rice grains.

Two cases where aberrant tissue was attached to the lower lip mimicking the inferior labial frenum were reported. The frenum-like tissue extended from the gingival margin between the lower left deciduous central and lateral incisors in case 1 and between the lower right deciduous central and lateral incisors in case 2, to the dry lower lip. Histologically, the resected specimen was regarded as normal oral mucosa covered with stratified squamous epithelium, without a clear amniotic band. The frenum-like tissue of the lower lip found in both our patients was diagnosed as a category of oral synechiae, of unknown origin.

Oral mucositis is a common adverse effect of cancer treatment that can increase the risk for local and systemic infection. This prospective study was designed to evaluate the preventive effects of an amino-acid-rich elemental diet (ED), Elental®, on radiotherapy- or chemoradiotherapy-induced mucositis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. Fifty patients were enrolled in this prospective study, who had received radiation (60-70 Gy) with/without chemotherapy [S-1, UFT, cisplatin (CDDP), docetaxel (DOC) plus CDDP, or Cetuximab]. The Elental® group (25 patients) had received Elental® during treatment, and the control group (25 patients) had not. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors related to abatement of oral mucositis. A comparison of the rates of completion of chemoradiation treatments as well as the nutritional or inflammatory status between Elental® and control groups was performed. Multivariate analysis indicated that most of the patients who received Elental® suffered from a lower degree of mucositis and showed significantly improved rate of completion of chemoradiation (no interruption) compared to the control group. There was a significant difference between the Elental® group and the control group in terms of the mean change of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in blood serum; however, there was no significant difference in terms of a mean change of body weight and total protein level in blood serum before and after chemoradiation. Our study shows that the Elental® elemental diet could be useful for the treatment of oral mucositis induced by chemoradiation. Elental® might also promote improved completion rates of chemoradiotherapy in OSCC patients.

Carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1) is an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of numerous compounds by using NADPH-dependent oxidoreductase activity. Decreased expression of CBR1 is associated with disease progression and an unfavorable outcome in several types of malignancies. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether CBR1 expression could be a useful prognostic factor in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Therefore, its mechanisms of action were investigated in order to understand how CBR1 affects cancer cell behavior in vitro. CBR1 expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and tissue samples obtained from 90 patients with OSCC. The associations between CBR1 expression, clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival were also analyzed. In addition, the role of CBR1 in cancer cell invasion and metastasis was examined, along with its underlying molecular mechanisms, via transfecting CBR1-siRNA into the HSC2 human OSCC cell line. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that biopsy tissue samples of 71.1% of the patients with OSCC were positive for CBR1. In addition, CBR1 expression status was correlated with the N classification (P

Stathmin 1 is an oncoprotein that regulates cell cycle by modulating microtubule dynamics and can cause uncontrolled cell proliferation in mutated state. The present study examined stathmin 1 expression in 49 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) treated with docetaxel (Doc)-containing regimens by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we investigated the relationship between stathmin 1 expression and clinicopathological features, as well as the prognosis of above patients. Stathmin 1 could be detected in the cytoplasm of tumor cells in OSCC tissues though its expression level was variable. There was no correlation between stathmin 1 expression and patient gender, or age in OSCC. However, stathmin 1 expression of tumor cell was significantly correlated with T classification (P = 0.0017), N classification (P = 0.0171), stage (P

The compressive strength and resistance to chemical attack of a fly-ash-based geopolymer, to which ground granulated blast furnace slag (B.F.S) and silica fume were added as mineral admixtures, were evaluated. The B.F.S. constituted 10% of the total powder amount in this geopolymer, which exhibited a high compressive strength. In addition, the compressive strength remained unchanged with proportional additions of silica fume to the mixture. The geopolymer exhibited, however, different resistance to sulfuric acid and sodium sulfate solutions during diffusion testing. In fact, the resistance of the B.F.S-containing mix to sulfuric acid was enhanced by the addition of silica fume and by autoclaving.

In this study, utilization of coal fly ash with higher loss on ignition (LOI) for geopolymer mortar was investigated. The fly ash with approximately 9% of LOI was compared with Class F fly ash. Relationship between heat curing condition and strength was clarified. As the results, although compressive strength of geopolymer mortar with higher LOI was 30-50% smaller, it was available for geopolymer mortar as an alumina silicate material. The higher temperature and the longer period for initial curing, the higher strength was obtained. In order to decrease drying shrinkage, the higher temperature and the longer period for heat curing were required.

The use of stem cells represents a promising approach for the treatment of bone defects. However, successful treatments rely upon the availability of cells that are easily obtained and that appropriately differentiate into osteoblasts. The tongue potentially represents a source of autologous cells for such purposes. In the present study, the ability of stem cell antigen-1 (Sca-1) positive cells derived from tongue muscle to differentiate into osteoblasts was investigated. The tongue muscles were excised from Jcl-ICR mice and tongue muscle-derived Sca-1-positive cells (TDSCs) were isolated from the tongue muscle using a magnetic cell separation system with microbeads. TDSCs were cultured in plastic dishes or gelatin sponges of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) with bone differentiation-inducing medium. The expression of osteogenic markers (Runx2, osterix, alkaline phosphatase, fibronectin, osteocalcin, osteonectin and osteopontin) was investigated in cultured TDSCs by western blot analysis. The formation of mineralized matrices was examined using alizarin red S and Von Kossa staining. Bone formation was investigated in cultured TDSCs by hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. In the present study, the expression of Sca-1 in mouse tongue muscle was demonstrated and TDSCs were isolated at high purity. TDSCs differentiated into cells of osteoblast lineage, as demonstrated by the upregulation of osteoblastic marker expression. The formation of mineralized matrices was confirmed by alizarin red S or Von Kossa staining in vitro. Bone formation was observed in the gelatin sponges of β-TCP, which were subsequently implanted under the skin of the backs of nude mice. These results suggested that TDSCs retain their osteogenic differentiation potential and therefore the tongue muscle may be used as a source of stem cells for bone regeneration.