PERK/CHOP contributes to the CGK733-induced vesicular calcium sequestration which is accompanied by non-apoptotic cell death

Calcium ions (Ca²⁺) are indispensable for the physiology of organisms and the molecular regulation of cells. We observed that CGK733, a synthetic chemical substance, induced non-apoptotic cell death and stimulated reversible calcium sequestration by vesicles in pancreatic cancer cells. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2-alpha kinase 3/C/EBP homologous protein (PERK/CHOP) signaling pathway was shown to be activated by treatment with CGK733. Ionomycin, an ER stress drug and calcium ionophore, can activate PERK/CHOP signaling and accelerate CGK733-induced calcium sequestration. Knockdown of CHOP diminished CGK733-induced vesicular calcium sequestration, but had no effects on the cell death. Proteomic analysis demonstrated that the ER-located calcium-binding proteins, calumenin and protein S100-A11, were altered in CGK733-treated cells compared to non-treated controls. Our study reveals that CGK733-induced intracellular calcium sequestration is correlated with the PERK/CHOP signaling pathway and may also be involved in the dysregulations of calcium-binding proteins.     

A successful antimicrobial therapeutic strategy for the discitis caused by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans under unknown drug susceptibility: A case report

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is well-known as the pathogen of gingivitis or periodontitis, and discitis or vertebral osteomyelitis cases caused by this organism have rarely been reported. Ampicillin or amoxicillin has been used in the previously reported discitis cases; however, no cases have been reported that is treated with levofloxacin. We report the first published case we chose levofloxacin to treat. We failed to perform the susceptibility testing because of the poor growth and fastidious nature of the organism, and the result of susceptibility of amoxicillin was unclear. Levofloxacin, which A. actinomycetemcomitans is usually susceptible to, can be an effective alternative oral antimicrobial agent in such cases.     

Endoscopic ultrasonography guided drainage:Summary of consortium meeting,May 21,2012,San Diego,California

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) is the preferred procedure for biliary and pancreatic drainage.While ERCP is successful in about 95% of cases,a small subset of cases are unsuccessful due to altered anatomy,peri-ampullary pathology,or malignant obstruction.Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage is a promising technique for biliary,pancreatic and recently gallbladder decompression,which provides multiple advantages over percutaneous or surgical biliary drainage.Multiple retrospective and some prospective studies have shown endoscopic ultrasoundguided drainage to be safe and effective.Based on the currently reported literature,regardless of the approach,the cumulative success rate is 84%-93% with an overall complication rate of 16%-35%.endoscopic ultrasoundguided drainage seems a viable therapeutic modality for failed conventional drainage when performed by highly skilled advanced endoscopists at tertiary centers with expertise in both echo-endoscopy and therapeutic endoscopy     

Spread of lymph node metastasis and adjuvant therapy for distal cholangiocarcinoma

International Journal of Clinical Oncology - Lymphatic metastasis is a major route of metastasis in distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC). The present study aimed to elucidate the pattern of lymph node...