Active Transport of Lignin Precursors into Membrane Vesicles from Lignifying Tissues of Bamboo.

Lignin is the second most abundant natural polymer on Earth and is a major cell wall component in vascular plants. Lignin biosynthesis has three stages: biosynthesis, transport, and polymerization of its precursors. However, there is limited knowledge on lignin precursor transport, especially in monocots. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the transport mode of lignin monomers in the lignifying tissues of bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens). The growth manners and lignification processes of bamboo shoots were elucidated, which enabled us to obtain the lignifying tissues reproducibly. Microsomal membrane fractions were prepared from tissues undergoing vigorous lignification to analyze the transport activities of lignin precursors in order to show the ATP-dependent transport of coniferin and p-glucocoumaryl alcohol. The transport activities for both precursors depend on vacuolar type H+-ATPase and a H+ gradient across the membrane, suggesting that the electrochemical potential is the driving force of the transport of both substrates. These findings are similar to the transport properties of these lignin precursors in the differentiating xylem of poplar and Japanese cypress. Our findings suggest that transport of coniferin and p-glucocoumaryl alcohol is mediated by secondary active transporters energized partly by the vacuolar type H+-ATPase, which is common in lignifying tissues. The loading of these lignin precursors into endomembrane compartments may contribute to lignification in vascular plants.

[A Case of Metastatic Recurrent Breast Cancer Successfully with Olaparib in Late Line Therapy].

A 44-years-old woman who underwent bilateral mastectomy was treated with chemotherapy after axillary lymph nodes and liver metastases recurrence. She was referred to our hospital for BRCA1/2 germline test and the test revealed BRCA2 pathogenic mutation. Before the administration of olaparib as the fourth-line therapy, liver dysfunction, caused by extensive liver metastasis, was observed. The liver damage improved, and tumor markers decreased immediately as shown in the blood test and CT examination results after 2 months; indicating marked reduction of liver metastasis. In the OlympiAD trial, the patients received olaparib as either the first-, second- or third-line treatment; however, few data on the efficacy of olaparib in the patients, as a late line treatment, were reported. In this article, we report a case of a woman in whom olaparib was used as the fourth-line treatment for metastatic recurrent breast cancer. A high therapeutic effect was obtained and the quality of life has been maintained in her for the past 1 year.

[A Case of Primary Lymphoma of the Breast with Hepatic Cirrhosis].

We report a case of primary lymphoma of the breast complicated by heart failure and alcoholic-decompensated hepatic cirrhosis. The patient was a woman in her 60s who noticed a right breast tumor growing 3 months previously. The size of the tumor was approximately 5 cm, and the tumor had infiltrated the skin. There was no metastasis to the axillary lymph node or other organs by CT. We performed right breast mastectomy. Pathology indicated diffuse large B cell lymphoma(DLBCL). We considered chemotherapy, but her general condition was not good because of hepatic cirrhosis, so we administered palliative care. Although chemotherapy is the first choice of treatment for DLBCL, it is necessary to individually consider each patient's circumstances.

[Bone Marrow Metastases of Breast Cancer Treated with Endocrine Therapy-A Case Report].

We report a case of bone marrowmetastases of breast cancer treated with endocrine therapy. A 54-year-old woman underwent right partial mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She declined the endocrine therapy and was lost to follow-up after 3 postoperative years. After 9 postoperative years, she visited our hospital because of backache and an axillary lump. FDG-PET scan, incisional biopsy of the axillary lump, and bone marrowbiopsy revealed multiple bone and bone marrowmetastases of the breast cancer. She was treated with endocrine therapy(fulvestrant: FUL), which effectively decreased the FDG uptake in the metastatic lesions after 6 months. However, tumor markers elevated after 1 year and 6 months, and she is currently under combination therapy with aromatase inhibitors and CDK4/6 inhibitors.