Novel immunotherapeutic approaches to skin cancer treatments using protein transduction technology

Protein-transduction domains (PTDs) are short stretches of cationic amino acids that enable peptides, proteins, oligonucleotides, and other reagents to efficiently enter multiple cell types. Therefore, PTDs offer unique therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of many diseases. Previous studies examined the in vivo distribution of PTD-containing fusion proteins following administration via different routes, including portal vein, intravenous, intraperitoneal, and oral administration. Skin may be an appropriate target organ for this new molecular-carrier system; however, there are no studies on the in vivo kinetics and biological effects of PTD-containing proteins following intradermal application. Among the PTDs, poly-arginine peptides, especially nona-arginine (R9), is transported most efficiently with minimal cytotoxicity. Here, we review protein transduction technology from a different angle, as a novel tool in immunotherapeutic approaches to the skin cancers that depend on the biological characteristics of poly-arginine. This could be used in place of gene therapy for skin cancer patients.     

A case of intrahepatic clear cell cholangiocarcinoma

Intrahepatic clear cell cholangiocarcinoma is very rareonly 8 cases have been reported.A 56-year-old Japanese man with chronic hepatitis B infection was diagnosed with a 2.2 cm hepatocellular carcinoma on imaging,and hepatic segmentectomy was performed.Histopathologically,the tumor cells had copious clear cytoplasm and formed glandular structures or solid nests.These pathological findings suggested the tumor was a clear cell variant of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.Particular stains and radiological image...     

A case of intracranial vasospasm in a patient with extensive retropharyngeal cellulitis

Retropharyngeal cellulitis/abscesses are deep neck infections that may become life-threatening if airway compromise occurs. This condition is more common in children than in adults, and associated intracranial vessel narrowing has been reported. We report an adult patient with extensive retropharyngeal cellulitis and intracranial vasospasm. The patient was a 62-year-old woman who presented with fever, sore throat, and neck pain. She also had uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus. Leukocytosis, prolonged erythrocyte sedimentation rate, elevated C-reactive protein, and hyperglycemia were present on admission. Computed tomography and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging revealed severe swelling in the nasopharyngeal, retropharyngeal, prevertebral, and bilateral carotid spaces. Gadolinium enhancement extended to the middle cranial fossa and visceral space. Multiple stenoses in several intracranial vessels was also identified. Intravenous antibiotic therapy was initiated, the patient''s symptoms resolved, and repeat imaging confirmed improvement. Intracranial vasospasm should be considered in patients with retropharyngeal cellulitis.     

Reversible Periventricular Hyperintensity Lesions in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy: A Case Mimicking Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy-related Inflammation

A 59-year-old man with progressive cognitive decline and mood disturbances was admitted to the hospital. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed marked white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and widespread lobar cerebral microbleeds. Because he had untreated hypertension, we started antihypertensive treatment and found a significantly improved cognitive function and WMH regression. We diagnosed him with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) based on the modified Boston Criteria with the rare apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ε2/ε4 genotype. The mechanism underlying reversible leukoencephalopathy in CAA may be related to the loss of autoregulation of brain circulation: cerebrovascular amyloid β deposits damaged the blood-brain barrier of the capillaries, which led to vasogenic edema induced by blood pressure surges.     

Effects of risedronate on trabecular microstructure and biomechanical properties in ovariectomized rat tibia

We determined the effect of risedronate on the trabecular microstructure of ovariectomized rat tibiae, using micro-computed tomography, in order to investigate how changes in microstructure contribute to biomechanical properties. Fifty 18-week-old rats underwent sham operation (n=10) or ovariectomy (OVX) (n=40). The OVX rats were further divided into four groups (n=10 for each group) and treated with risedronate at doses of 0, 0.1, 0.5 or 2.5 mg/kg for 9 months. OVX caused deterioration of three-dimensional trabecular microstructure, notably structure model index (SMI) and connectivity density, while treatment of OVX rats with risedronate at 0.5 and 2.5 mg/kg improved those deleterious microstructural changes. Biomechanical property, as assessed by finite element analysis (FEA), correlated significantly with trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV), and the correlation further increased substantially when microstructural parameters were added, especially SMI and connectivity density, with risedronate therapy. Thus, it is suggested that, in addition to increasing bone mass, risedronate improves biomechanical property by maintaining a plate-like structure as well as connectivity of trabeculae.     

A Dedicated Z-Stent for Acquired Saber-Sheath Tracheobronchomalacia

The tracheobronchial lumen has a continuous horseshoe arch morphology. We formed Z-stents accordingly to support the weakened cartilagenous portions. With this type of stent we treated a patient with acquired saber-sheath type tracheobronchomalacia (TBM), Rayl's type II, Johnson's grade III, whose condition was aggravated even under positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) therapy. The patient improved gradually. No immediate complication was observed. Bronchofiberscopic examination revealed that the tracheobronchial arcade was closely strut-braced and showed no expiratory collapse. Six months later, when the patient was intubated due to asthmatic attacks, tissue ingrowth through the stent was found and removed. There was no recurrence of TBM. The patient died 2 years later of pneumoconiosis. Received: 0/00/00/Accepted: 0/00/00