Six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate4 (STEAP4) is a tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein that regulates IL-6, IL-8, and cell proliferation in synovium from patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Human six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate4 (STEAP4), an ortholog of mouse tumor necrosis factor-α-induced adipose-related protein (TIARP), plays a role in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-dependent arthritis models. However, its role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is still obscure. This study explored such a role for STEAP4. The expressions of STEAP4, TNFα, and IL-6 were compared in synovia of RA and osteoarthritis patients. STEAP4 induction was examined in TNFα-stimulated fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) in vitro. FLS (with/without TNFα stimulation) were also analyzed for IL-6 expression after STEAP4 knockdown, using siRNA or transfection with STEAP4-plasmid DNA. IL-8, cell proliferation, and apoptosis were also evaluated in STEAP4-overexpressing FLS. The expression of STEAP4 in joints correlated with TNFα expression, specifically in RA synovium. In the cultured FLS, STEAP4 protein expression was augmented by TNFα activation, and localized in endosomal/lysosomal compartments. STEAP4 downregulation by siRNA enhanced the expression of IL-6 mRNA, while STEAP4 overexpression suppressed IL-6 and IL-8 expression, inhibited cell proliferation, and induced apoptosis via caspase-3. The results indicated that human STEAP4 is regulated by TNFα in synovium, where it controls IL-6 secretion and proliferation of FLS, suggesting that STEAP4 might potentially suppress the pathogenesis of TNFα-induced arthritis such as RA.     

Retraction: Effect of temperature and large guest molecules on the C–H symmetric stretching vibrational frequencies of methane in structure H and I clathrate hydrates

Retraction of ‘Effect of temperature and large guest molecules on the C–H symmetric stretching vibrational frequencies of methane in structure H and I clathrate hydrates’ by Akihiro Hachikubo et al., RSC Adv., 2018, 8, 3237–3242, DOI: 10.1039/c7ra12334e.

We, the authors, hereby wholly retract this article due to the incorrect calibration of temperature in the Raman measurements. This incorrect calibration means that the temperature values for Raman spectroscopy shown in the article were inaccurate, and the actual temperature range was higher than the range reported in the original article.Having consulted with an independent expert, the Royal Society of Chemistry has determined that any changes made to the paper to correct this would be major, and therefore that the best course of action is retraction and republication of the article with the correct data. The Royal Society of Chemistry is happy that the overall conclusions of the paper are not affected by this error, and therefore that republication of the work with the correct data is appropriate. The republished article can be found at https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA02748K.We, the authors, brought this matter to the attention of the Royal Society of Chemistry ourselves, and are happy with the decision to retract and republish this article.Signed: Akihiro Hachikubo (on behalf of the authors)Date: 15^th April 2020Retraction endorsed by Laura Fisher, Executive Editor, RSC Advances     

Surgery for a gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (GEPNET) in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominantly inherited endocrine tumor syndrome characterized by tumor development in various endocrine organs such as the parathyroid, endocrine pancreas, anterior pituitary and adrenal cortex. The first extensive database for Asian patients with MEN1 was established by the MEN Consortium of Japan. Although the clinical features of Japanese patients with MEN1 are similar to those from Western countries, there are several characteristic differences between them. In particular, gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (GEPNET) is seen in approximately 60 % of patients with MEN1 in Japan. Although its development is the strongest prognostic factor in patients with MEN1, the characteristics of MEN1-associated GEPNET still remain unclear. This is especially true for the differences in clinical features of GEPNET with and without MEN1. Improved long-term survival is obtained by curative surgery for patients with MEN1-associated GEPNET. The current surgical indications are expanding even in patients with hepatic metastases because of the improved surgical outcome. This article reviews the clinical characteristics in these patients with a particular focus on surgery, diagnosis, surgical indications, surgical method, and surgical outcome.     

Congenital prepubic sinus associated with a urachal remnant: report of a case

Congenital prepubic sinus is a rare congenital anomaly situated in the midline of the lower abdomen. We report a case of congenital prepubic sinus, closely associated with a urachal remnant. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed clearly that the sinus tracked the urachus caudally. This finding supports the theory that the anomaly is caused by abnormal remnant tissue originating from the cloacal membrane, which tracks the allantois duct caudally along with fetal longitudinal growth.     

The effect of different positions on lower limbs skin perfusion pressure

We have encountered situations of patients with critical limb ischemia accompanied by pain at rest and necrosis, who hang their legs down from the bed during sleep. This lower limb position is known to be a natural position, which reduces pain in the lower extremity induced by ischemia. However, the effect of this position on blood flow of the lower extremity is poorly understood. We studied whether measurements of skin perfusion pressure (SPP) changes by leg position and the difference between healthy adults and patients with critical limb ischemia. The subjects of this study were 10 healthy adults and 11 patients with critical limb ischemia. Patients with critical limb ischemia, including both dorsum of foot and plantar of foot, having SPP of lower limbs of less than 40 mmHg (supine position) were the object of this study. SPP was measured on four positions (supine position, lower limbs elevation position, sitting position, and reclining bed elevation of 20^° position). In sitting position, both the number of healthy adults and critical patients show significant increases in SPP compared with the other three positions. These results suggest that sitting position is effective to keep good blood stream of lower limbs not only in healthy adults but also in patients with critical limb ischemia. However, an appropriate leg position should not have lower limbs hang downwards for long periods time because edema is caused by the fall in venous return in lower limbs, and the wound healing is prolonged.Our clinical research could be more useful in the future, particularly in developing countries, for surgeons managing wounds in leg and foot and preserving ischemic limbs.KEY WORDS: Critical limb ischemia, peripheral arterial disease, position, skin perfusion pressure     

Usefulness of perflubutane microbubble-enhanced ultrasound in imaging and detection of prostate cancer: phase II multicenter clinical trial

Purpose

To explore the possibility of targeted biopsy (TBx) using transrectal ultrasound (US) with perflubutane microbubbles, we studied the findings of different cancerous tissue imaging modalities and evaluated needle biopsy in prostate cancer (PCa) using contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) in a multicenter clinical trial.

Methods

Seventy-one patients undergoing prostate biopsy received intravenous injection of perflubutane microbubbles (Sonazoid^®). We evaluated and compared images obtained by CEUS. The safety observation period was 2 days after contrast administration.

Results

Among the 30 patients with cancer, one or more sites with findings suggestive of cancer in CEUS were detected in 23 patients (32.4%) by TBx. Although 22 patients had positive cores of cancer by systematic biopsy (SBx), 8 patients had positive cores of cancer in TBx alone (11.3%). There was a significant difference in cancer detection rate by TBx between two cohorts with PSA < 10 ng/mL (22.9%) and PSA ≥ 10 ng/mL (52.2%) (P < 0.02). Close observation of various CEUS findings with Sonazoid^® enabled targeting of cancerous areas, and consequently, a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the detection rate of cancer was recognized in the transition zone (TZ): SBx; 21/120 (17.5%) and TBx; 17/55 (30.9%). The incidence of adverse events was 6.7% and that of adverse reactions was 4%.

Conclusions

CEUS with Sonazoid^® improved the detection rate of PCa by visualizing cancerous lesions. More detailed examination of CEUS images provided efficient characterization especially in the TZ area. TBx according to this procedure is expected to enable a lower number of biopsies and more accurate diagnosis of PCa.     

In vivo bioluminescence imaging of magnetically targeted bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells in skeletal muscle injury model

The purpose of this study is to clarify the kinetics of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in rat skeletal muscle injury model and the contribution of the magnetic cell delivery system to muscle injury repair. A magnetic field generator was used to apply an external magnetic force to the injury site of the tibia anterior muscle, and 1 × 10⁶ MSCs labeled with ferucarbotran–protamine complexes, which were isolated from luciferase transgenic rats, were injected into the injury site. MSCs were injected with and without an external magnetic force (MSC M+ and MSC M? groups, respectively), and phosphate‐buffered saline was injected into injury sites as a control. In vivo bioluminescence imaging was performed immediately after the transplantation and, at 12, 24, and 72 h, and 1 and 4 weeks post‐transplantation. Also, muscle regeneration and function were histologically and electromechanically evaluated. In vivo bioluminescence imaging showed that the photon of the MSC M+ group was significantly higher than that of the MSC M? group throughout the observation period. In addition, muscle regeneration and function in the MSC M+ group was histologically and functionally better than that of the MSC M? group. The results of our study indicated that magnetic cell delivery system may be of use in directing the transplanted MSCs to the injury site to promote skeletal muscle regeneration. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 754–759, 2013