Immunotherapeutic targets in non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common types of cancer in the world and has a 5-year survival rate of ~20%. Immunotherapies have shown promising results leading to durable responses, however, they are only effective for a subset of patients. To determine the best therapeutic approach, a thorough and in-depth profiling of the tumour microenvironment (TME) is required. The TME is a complex network of cell types that form an interconnected network, promoting tumour cell initiation, growth and dissemination. The stroma, immune cells and endothelial cells that comprise the TME generate a plethora of cytotoxic or cytoprotective signalling pathways. In this review, we discuss immunotherapeutic targets in NSCLC tumours and how the TME may influence patients' response to immunotherapy.     

Hand-arm vibration syndrome and its prevalence in the present status of private forestry enterprises in Japan

Summary Currently there are no limitations on age of employment on private forestries in Japan. Hence, it was hypothesized that in these kind of enterprises, elderly chain saw operators, or those with long-term exposure, might be at higher risk of developing hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). We consequently investigated the prevalence of HAVS in 447 chain saw workers on private forestries in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, with particular reference to age and exposure period. Of this population, 43 (9.6%) had signs and symptoms of vibration-induced white finger (VWF), and among these workers the severity of finger blanching was significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with the exposure period. Classification of all subjects by exposure period showed that workers with 30 years' exposure had higher prevalences of VWF (20.9%) and numbness of the hands (25.4%) compared to other groups. Significant differences (P < 0.01) were found between the functional capacities of workers with VWF and those of control subjects. We concluded that (a) the elderly chain saw operators and those with longer exposure should be moved to other jobs with a lower or no risk of exposure to vibration, and (b) the results of screening tests, even without cold water immersion (which we did not employ, in order to protect workers' hands), could be helpful for the identification of workers with VWF.     

Hydatid cyst of the pancreas

A rare case of hydatid cyst of the pancreas is reported. Although ultrasonography and computerised tomography scan confirmed the presence of a cystic mass in the body and tail of the pancreas, diagnosis was made only on laparotomy. A distal pancreatectomy was done and the diagnosis of hydatid cyst of the pancreas was confirmed by histopathology. Though very rare, pancreatic hydatidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions of the pancreas in the appropriate epidemiological setting.     

Supraventricular arrhythmia: A complication of 5-fluorouracil therapy

5-Fluorouracil is an S-phase-specific, synthetic pyrimidine antimetabolite, which is used as a cytostatic agent for a variety of malignant lesions, either singly or in multidrug regimens. Gastrointestinal toxicity and myelosuppression are the most common adverse reactions, but, of late, clinical cardiotoxicity has been reported in both prospective and retrospective studies. We present our experience of clinical cardiotoxicity in five patients.     

Multimodal imaging in photic retinopathy

Letter to the Editor     

Development of a novel explant culture method for the isolation of mesenchymal stem cells from human breast tumor

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from various sources, including various types of tumors. However choosing an appropriate isolation method is an important step in obtaining cells with optimal quality and yield in companion with economical considerations. The purpose of this study was to isolate more pure MSCs from human breast tumor tissue by a modified explant culture method.

Methods and Materials: The tumor tissues (n = 8) were cut into 1 to 3-mm cube-like pieces (explant). Each explant was placed in a well of 24-well format plates, cultured in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM), and maintained at 37°C with 5% humidified incubator. Morphological phenotypes of the cells were surveyed by an inverted microscope and wells with rather homogenous fibroblast-like morphology cell were considered as positive and selected for more expansion and characterization.

Results: A total of 185 wells, 63.7% of wells were positive that were chosen for expansion. Flowcytometry analysis demonstrated that isolated cells were positive for CD73, CD44, CD29, CD105, and CD90 but negative for CD11b, CD45, CD34, and HLA?DR. In addition, cells possessed the capability of multipotential differentiation into osteoblasts and adipocytes.     

Effects of two anaesthetic regimes, MS-222 and eugenol, on plasma biochemical profile in Barbus sharpeyi

For choosing an anaesthetic agent for a particular purpose, the different properties has been notified such as the convenience for use, safety for the fish, humans and the environment, effectiveness, physiological disturbances and its cost. Invariably, in any study with clove oil, it has been regarded as an effective and acceptable alternative to other anaesthetics. The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of two anaesthetic regimes, MS-222 and eugenol, on plasma biochemical parameters in Barbus sharpeyi. B. sharpeyi fingerlings (mean weight, 5?g?±?1; mean length, 6?cm?±?1) were exposed to MS-222 (100?ppm) and eugenol (40?ppm) for induction of anaesthesia. Blood samples were taken to verify the effects of these anaesthetics on plasma biochemical parameters may use as an indicator of stress at time 0 (designated for each tank at the time of exposure to anaesthetic agent), 0.5, 1, 2 and 24?h after exposure by caudal severance. Plasma biochemical parameters concentrations were not significantly affected in B. sharpeyi (p?<?0.05). These results were expected because the trials were conducted in short-term exposures. Ion balance appears to be altered only in long-term stressing condition. Based on the results of this study, eugenol appears to be a safe anesthetic for use in B. sharpeyi.