Three-dimensional Navigation for Thoracoscopic Sublobar Resection Using a Novel Wireless Marking System.

We developed a novel localization technique for small intrapulmonary lesions using radiofrequency identification (RFID) technology. Micro-RFID markers with nickel-titanium coils were designed to be placed from subsegmental bronchi to the peripheral parenchyma. In this preclinical study, thoracoscopic subsegmentectomy of a canine pseudotumor model was performed to demonstrate the feasibility and three-dimensional positional accuracy of the system. To recover subcentimeter pseudotumors, markers were bronchoscopically placed to determine the resection line: (1) next to the pseudotumor; (2) in the responsible subsegmental bronchi as the central margin; and (3) on the intersubsegmental plane as the lateral margin. Specific marker positions were located by wireless communication using a wand-shaped probe with a 30-mm communication range, with the distance to the marker indicated by gradual changes in sound pitch. Thirty-four markers were placed for 10 pseudotumors (14.6 mm from the pleura) in 10 canines. Three markers were placed at a mean distance of 5.5 mm from the pseudotumors, and 11 central and 20 lateral markers were placed at mean distances of 17.2 and 20.7 mm from the pseudotumors, respectively. Central markers (20.5 mm from the pleura) were detected within 16.0 seconds in 2.9-mm-diameter bronchi. All resection stumps were within 5.4 mm (range 2-8 mm) from each marker, and pseudotumors were removed with adequate surgical margins toward the central (11.5 mm; range 7-16 mm) and lateral (12.4 mm; range 9-17 mm) directions. RFID wireless markers provided precise three-dimensional positional information and are a potential viable alternative to conventional markers.

Integrated pathway-based transcription regulation network mining and visualization based on gene expression profiles.

Conventionally, workflows examining transcription regulation networks from gene expression data involve distinct analytical steps. There is a need for pipelines that unify data mining and inference deduction into a singular framework to enhance interpretation and hypotheses generation. We propose a workflow that merges network construction with gene expression data mining focusing on regulation processes in the context of transcription factor driven gene regulation. The pipeline implements pathway-based modularization of expression profiles into functional units to improve biological interpretation. The integrated workflow was implemented as a web application software (TransReguloNet) with functions that enable pathway visualization and comparison of transcription factor activity between sample conditions defined in the experimental design. The pipeline merges differential expression, network construction, pathway-based abstraction, clustering and visualization. The framework was applied in analysis of actual expression datasets related to lung, breast and prostrate cancer.

Shootin1-cortactin interaction mediates signal-force transduction for axon outgrowth.

Motile cells transduce environmental chemical signals into mechanical forces to achieve properly controlled migration. This signal-force transduction is thought to require regulated mechanical coupling between actin filaments (F-actins), which undergo retrograde flow at the cellular leading edge, and cell adhesions via linker "clutch" molecules. However, the molecular machinery mediating this regulatory coupling remains unclear. Here we show that the F-actin binding molecule cortactin directly interacts with a clutch molecule, shootin1, in axonal growth cones, thereby mediating the linkage between F-actin retrograde flow and cell adhesions through L1-CAM. Shootin1-cortactin interaction was enhanced by shootin1 phosphorylation by Pak1, which is activated by the axonal chemoattractant netrin-1. We provide evidence that shootin1-cortactin interaction participates in netrin-1-induced F-actin adhesion coupling and in the promotion of traction forces for axon outgrowth. Under cell signaling, this regulatory F-actin adhesion coupling in growth cones cooperates with actin polymerization for efficient cellular motility.

Development of a novel marking system for laparoscopic gastrectomy using endoclips with radio frequency identification tags: feasibility study in a canine model.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative identification of early gastric cancer is difficult to conduct during laparoscopic procedures. In this study, we investigated the feasibility and accuracy of a newly developed marking system using endoclips with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in a canine model. METHODS: RFID is a wireless near field communication technology. Among the open frequency bands available for medical use, 13.56 MHz is suitable for a surgical marking system because of the similar and linear signal decay both in air and in biological tissues. The proposed system consists of four parts: (a) endoclips with RFID tags, (b) endo-clip applier equipment, (c) laparoscopic locating probe, and (d) signal processing units with audio interface. In the experimental setting using canine models, RFID-tagged endoclips were applied to the mucosa of each dog's stomach. During the subsequent operation, the clips with RFID tags placed in five dogs were located by the detection of the RFID signal from the tag (RFID group), and the conventional clips in the other six dogs were located by finger palpation (FP group). The detected sites were marked by ablation on the serosal surface. Distance between the clips and the metal pin needles indicating ablated sites were measured with X-ray radiographs of the resected specimen. RESULTS: All clips were successfully detected by the marking system in the RFID group (10/10) and by finger palpation in the FP group (17/17). The medians of detection times were 31.5 and 25.0 s, respectively; the distances were 5.63 and 7.62 mm, respectively. The differences were not statistically significant. No adverse event related to the procedures was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Endoclips with RFID tags were located by our novel marking system in an experimental laparoscopic setting using canine stomachs with substantial accuracy comparable to conventional endoclips located by finger palpation through an open approach.

KNApSAcK Metabolite Activity Database for retrieving the relationships between metabolites and biological activities.

Databases (DBs) are required by various omics fields because the volume of molecular biology data is increasing rapidly. In this study, we provide instructions for users and describe the current status of our metabolite activity DB. To facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between the metabolites of organisms and the chemical-level contribution of metabolites to human health, we constructed a metabolite activity DB known as the KNApSAcK Metabolite Activity DB. It comprises 9,584 triplet relationships (metabolite-biological activity-target species), including 2,356 metabolites, 140 activity categories, 2,963 specific descriptions of biological activities and 778 target species. Approximately 46% of the activities described in the DB are related to chemical ecology, most of which are attributed to antimicrobial agents and plant growth regulators. The majority of the metabolites with antimicrobial activities are flavonoids and phenylpropanoids. The metabolites with plant growth regulatory effects include plant hormones. Over half of the DB contents are related to human health care and medicine. The five largest groups are toxins, anticancer agents, nervous system agents, cardiovascular agents and non-therapeutic agents, such as flavors and fragrances. The KNApSAcK Metabolite Activity DB is integrated within the KNApSAcK Family DBs to facilitate further systematized research in various omics fields, especially metabolomics, nutrigenomics and foodomics. The KNApSAcK Metabolite Activity DB could also be utilized for developing novel drugs and materials, as well as for identifying viable drug resources and other useful compounds.

A novel surgical marking system for small peripheral lung nodules based on radio frequency identification technology: Feasibility study in a canine model.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the feasibility and accuracy of a novel surgical marking system based on radiofrequency identification (RFID) technology for the localization of small peripheral lung nodules (SPLNs) in a canine model. METHODS: The system consists of 4 components: (1) micro RFID tags (13.56 MHz, 1.0 × 1.0 × 0.8 mm), (2) a tag delivery system with a bronchoscope, (3) a wand-shaped locating probe (10-mm diameter), and (4) a signal processing unit with audio interface. Before the operation, pseudolesions mimicking SPLNs were prepared in 7 dogs by injecting colored collagen. By use of a computed tomographic (CT) guide, an RFID tag was placed via a bronchoscope close to each target lesion. This was then followed by scanning with the locating probe, and wedge resection was performed when possible. Operators can locate the tag by following the sound emitted by the system, which exhibits tone changes according to the tag-probe distance. The primary outcome measure was the rate of wedge resection with good margins. RESULTS: A total of 10 pseudolesions imitating SPLNs were selected as targets. During thoracoscopic procedures, 9 of 10 tags were detected by the system within a median of 27 seconds. Wedge resections were performed for these 9 lesions with a median margin of 11 mm. The single failure was caused by tag dislocation to the central airway. CONCLUSIONS: Successful localization and wedge resection of pseudolesions with appropriate margins were accomplished in an experimental setting. Our RFID marking system has future applications for accurately locating SPLNs in a clinical setting.

A novel single virus infection system reveals that influenza virus preferentially infects cells in g1 phase.

BACKGROUND: Influenza virus attaches to sialic acid residues on the surface of host cells via the hemagglutinin (HA), a glycoprotein expressed on the viral envelope, and enters into the cytoplasm by receptor-mediated endocytosis. The viral genome is released and transported in to the nucleus, where transcription and replication take place. However, cellular factors affecting the influenza virus infection such as the cell cycle remain uncharacterized. METHODS/RESULTS: To resolve the influence of cell cycle on influenza virus infection, we performed a single-virus infection analysis using optical tweezers. Using this newly developed single-virus infection system, the fluorescence-labeled influenza virus was trapped on a microchip using a laser (1064 nm) at 0.6 W, transported, and released onto individual H292 human lung epithelial cells. Interestingly, the influenza virus attached selectively to cells in the G1-phase. To clarify the molecular differences between cells in G1- and S/G2/M-phase, we performed several physical and chemical assays. Results indicated that: 1) the membranes of cells in G1-phase contained greater amounts of sialic acids (glycoproteins) than the membranes of cells in S/G2/M-phase; 2) the membrane stiffness of cells in S/G2/M-phase is more rigid than those in G1-phase by measurement using optical tweezers; and 3) S/G2/M-phase cells contained higher content of Gb3, Gb4 and GlcCer than G1-phase cells by an assay for lipid composition. CONCLUSIONS: A novel single-virus infection system was developed to characterize the difference in influenza virus susceptibility between G1- and S/G2/M-phase cells. Differences in virus binding specificity were associated with alterations in the lipid composition, sialic acid content, and membrane stiffness. This single-virus infection system will be useful for studying the infection mechanisms of other viruses.

Thoracoscopic surgery support system using passive RFID marker.

This paper proposes a RFID based thoracoscopic surgery support system, which is capable of marking a tumor inside organ tissue. The marker composed of small RFID-tags is implanted in the vicinity of tumor found in the endoscopy test. In the thoracoscopic surgery operation for removing the tumor, an RFID detector determines the accurate position of the implanted RFID-tag markers by measuring the strength of the signal emitted from the target tag. Due to limitation in the size of RFID-tag, the proposed system employs a passive RFID. To activate the passive tag implanted in the organ tissue, this paper designs a saddle-shape efficient power supply antenna. A sensitive and frequency-selective receiver is then designed for detecting the weak signal from the tag. The feasibility test confirms that the proposed method is capable of determining the accurate location of RFID tags implanted in the patient's organ tissue.