前立腺癌における血清γ-セミノプロティンの測定

前立腺癌の新しいマーカーとして, γ-セミノプロテイン(γ-Sm)と前立腺性酸性ホスファターゼ(PAP)とを比較評価した.未治療前立腺癌におけるγ-SMおよびPAPのsensitivityは, それぞれ81%, 67%であった.γ-Smはすべての病期で前立腺肥大症と比較して陽性率が高かった.前立腺癌ではγ-SmとPAPは相関を示さなかった.γ-SmとPAPを同時に測定することにより, 感度が上昇した.γ-SmおよびPAPのspecificityはそれぞれ87%と90%であった.内分泌療法を施行した病期D2において, γ-SmはPAPよりもより多く正常化した.以上より, γ-Smは前立腺癌のもう1つの有用なマーカーであるといえるSerum gamma-seminoprotein (gamma-Sm) was evaluated as a new marker for prostatic cancer in comparison with prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP). The sensitivity of gamma-Sm and PAP for untreated prostatic cancer was 81% and 67%, respectively. gamma-Sm showed a higher positive rate over all stages than in benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). There was no correlation between gamma-Sm and PAP in prostatic cancer. Improved sensitivity was obtained by simultaneous measurement of gamma-Sm and PAP. Specificity of gamma-Sm and PAP for BPH was 87% and 90%, respectively. gamma-Sm normalized after endocrine therapy for stage D2 more often than did PAP. These results indicate that gamma-Sm is another useful marker to evaluate prostatic cancer

Analyzing and simulating supply chain disruptions to the automobile industry based on experiences of the Great East Japan Earthquake

The Great East Japan Earthquake revealed serious weaknesses in the supply chain management (SCM) employed by Japanese industries, and particularly by the automobile industry. Observed supply chain disruptions and production line shutdowns are recognized as symbolic of weaknesses in industrial SCM. The Japanese automobile industry in particular is now keen to improve supply chain resiliency in terms of automobile assembly line continuity. In view of this, we i) review observed negative impacts of the Great East Japan Earthquake on the automobile industry, ii) identify current strategies being evaluated by the automobile industry for improving supply chain resiliency, iii) develop a numerical supply chain model for the automobile industry, and iv) evaluate efforts to improve SCM practice through inclusion of risk mitigation measures. We conclude with recommendations for policy development to further strengthen automobile industry resiliency

Comparative efficacy and safety of treatments for localised prostate cancer: an application of network meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: There is ongoing uncertainty about the optimal management of patients with localised prostate cancer. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of different treatments for patients with localised prostate cancer. DESIGN: Systematic review with Bayesian network meta-analysis to estimate comparative ORs, and a score (0-100%) that, for a given outcome, reflects average rank order of superiority of each treatment compared against all others, using the Surface Under the Cumulative RAnking curve (SUCRA) statistic. DATA SOURCES: Electronic searches of MEDLINE without language restriction. STUDY SELECTION: Randomised trials comparing the efficacy and safety of different primary treatments (48 papers from 21 randomised trials included 7350 men). DATA EXTRACTION: 2 reviewers independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. RESULTS: Comparative efficacy and safety evidence was available for prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy (different types and regimens), observational management and cryotherapy, but not high-intensity focused ultrasound. There was no evidence of superiority for any of the compared treatments in respect of all-cause mortality after 5 years. Cryotherapy was associated with less gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicity than radiotherapy (SUCRA: 99% and 77% for gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicity, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The limited available evidence suggests that different treatments may be optimal for different efficacy and safety outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of informed patient choice and shared decision-making about treatment modality and acceptable trade-offs between different outcomes. More trial evidence is required to reduce uncertainty. Network meta-analysis may be useful to optimise the power of evidence synthesis studies once data from new randomised controlled studies in this field are published in the future

Re: A review of continuous vs intermittent androgen deprivation therapy: Redefining the gold standard in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Myths, facts and new data on a ?perpetual dispute?

Objectives: To review the literature and present new data of continuous androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) vs intermittent androgen deprivation (IAD) as therapies for prostate cancer in terms of survival and quality of life and clarify practical issues in the use of IAD. Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic search on Medline and Embase databases using “prostatic neoplasm” and “intermittent androgen deprivation” as search terms. We reviewed meta-analyses, randomised controlled trials, reviews, clinical trials and practise guidelines written in English from 2000 and onwards until 01/04/2013. Ten randomized controlled trials were identified. Seven of them published extensive data and results randomizing 4675 patients to IAD versus CAD. Data from the other three randomized trials were limited. Results: Over the last years studies confirmed that IAD is an effective alternative approach to hormonal deprivation providing simultaneously several potential benefits in terms of quality of life and cost effectiveness. Thus, in patients with non metastatic, advanced prostate cancer IAD could be used as standard treatment, while in metastatic prostate cancer IAD role still remains ambiguous. Conclusions: Nowadays, revaluation of the gold standard of ADT in advanced prostate cancer appears essential. Recent data established that IAD should no longer be considered as investigational, since its effectiveness has been proven, especially in patients suffering from non-metastatic advanced prostate cancer

Integration-Free iPS Cells Engineered Using Human Artificial Chromosome Vectors

Human artificial chromosomes (HACs) have unique characteristics as gene-delivery vectors, including episomal transmission and transfer of multiple, large transgenes. Here, we demonstrate the advantages of HAC vectors for reprogramming mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Two HAC vectors (iHAC1 and iHAC2) were constructed. Both carried four reprogramming factors, and iHAC2 also encoded a p53-knockdown cassette. iHAC1 partially reprogrammed MEFs, and iHAC2 efficiently reprogrammed MEFs. Global gene expression patterns showed that the iHACs, unlike other vectors, generated relatively uniform iPS cells. Under non-selecting conditions, we established iHAC-free iPS cells by isolating cells that spontaneously lost iHAC2. Analyses of pluripotent markers, teratomas and chimeras confirmed that these iHAC-free iPS cells were pluripotent. Moreover, iHAC-free iPS cells with a re-introduced HAC encoding Herpes Simplex virus thymidine kinase were eliminated by ganciclovir treatment, indicating that the HAC safeguard system functioned in iPS cells. Thus, the HAC vector could generate uniform, integration-free iPS cells with a built-in safeguard system

製図教育用ネットワークコンピュータテストシステムの開発とその評価

著者らはこれまでに製図教育用コンピュータテストシステムを開発し、数年間にわたり、実際に利用してその効果を検討してきた。このテストシステムは、製図の2つの能力、すなわち立体をイメージする能力と三面図への変換能力を分離測定することができるものである。そこで、テストシステムを使ってこの能力が身についているかどうかを判定するが、イメージ能力が十分に身に付いていない学習者は、何度もシステムを使ってテストを受験することで、得点の向上がはかれた。すなわち、テストシステムは自主学習システムとして役立った。さらにスタンドアロン型のテストシステムを発展させ、ネットワーク上にこのコンピュータテストシステムを構築したところ、学習者は空間的・時間的に自由にシステムを利用できるようになり、スタンドアロン型のテストシステムよりさらに自主学習者が増加した。また、自主学習システムとして利用した場合には、学習者のシステムに対する主観的評価が高まることもわかった。A computerized testing system previously developed by the authors for mechanical drawing education can assess two different skills independently. Learners whose skills had lagged behind achieved better marks through repeated experience in the examination using this test system. In other words, the test system proved to be useful as a self-lerning system. Furthemore, when used as a self-lerning system, lerners\u27 subjective evaluation of the test system improved. Additionally, con- struction of the computerized testing system on the network enabled lerners to use the system without the constraints of time and space. Compared to the results obtained with stand-alone systems, this led to increasing numbers of self-leaners, better marks, and higher evaluation

The cientificWorldJOURNAL Clinical Study Fasting Blood Glucose and Lipid Profile Alterations following Twelve-Month Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Men with Prostate Cancer

properly cited. Purpose. In this retrospective study, we aimed to investigate the effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on blood glucose and blood cholesterol levels over a 12-month period. Materials and Methods. Between January 2010 and June 2012, the data of 44 patients with prostate cancer who were receiving ADT were collected from a hospital database. Patients with additional malignancy or diabetes and those who had been prescribed and were currently taking cholesterol-lowering medication were excluded from the study. Data (including fasting blood glucose levels and a cholesterol profile) were collected and analysed statistically. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. Twelve months after the initiation of ADT, fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride (TG) levels changed. FBG, TC, LDL cholesterol, and TG increased significantly (P = 0.009, 0.000, 0.000, and 0.000, resp.), while HDL cholesterol decreased (P = 0.000). Conclusion. ADT may increase FBG, TC, LDL cholesterol, and TG but decrease HDL cholesterol by the end of a year of treatment. Therefore, close followup may be needed as a consequence of one-year ADT regarding metabolic alterations

Hypoxia enhances the expression of autocrine motility factor and the motility of human pancreatic cancer cells

The incidence of distant metastases is higher in the tumours with low oxygen pressure than in those with high oxygen pressure. It is well known that hypoxia induces the transcription of various genes involved in angiogenesis and anaerobic metabolism necessary for the growth of tumour cells in vivo, suggesting that hypoxia may also induce the transcription of metastasis-associated genes. We sought to identify the metastasis-associated genes differentially expressed in tumour cells under hypoxic conditions with the use of a DNA microarray system. We found that hypoxia enhanced the expression of autocrine motility factor mRNA in various cancer cells and also enhanced the random motility of pancreatic cancer cells. Autocrine motility factor inhibitors abrogated the increase of motility under hypoxic conditions. In order to explore the roles of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, we established hypoxia-inducible factor-1α-transfectants and dominant negative hypoxia-inducible factor-1α-transfectants. Transfection with hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and dominant-negative hypoxia-inducible factor-1α enhanced and suppressed the expression of autocrine motility factor/phosphohexase isomerase/neuroleukin mRNA and the random motility, respectively. These results suggest that hypoxia may promote the metastatic potential of cancer cells through the enhanced autocrine motility factor/phosphohexase isomerase/neuroleukin mRNA expression and that the disruption of the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 pathway may be an effective treatment for metastasis