Novel candidate factors predicting the effect of S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy of pancreatic cancer.

The collagen gel droplet-embedded drug sensitivity test (CD-DST) was revealed to be useful for predicting the effect of S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, collection of an adequate number of PDAC cells is difficult due to the surrounding fibroblasts. Thus, the aim of this study was to discover novel biomarkers to predict chemosensitivity based on the CD-DST results. Proteomics analysis was performed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Candidate proteins were validated in patients with 5-FU CD-DST results via immunohistochemistry (IHC). The relationships between the candidate proteins and the effect of the adjuvant S-1 were investigated via IHC. Among the 2696 proteins extracted by LC-MS/MS, C1TC and SAHH could accurately predict the CD-DST results. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was significantly improved in the IHC-positive group compared with the IHC-negative group in both factors. The negative group did not show a significant difference from the group that did not receive S-1. The double-positive group was associated with significantly prolonged RFS compared to the no adjuvant chemotherapy group. C1TC and SAHH have been shown to be useful biomarkers for predicting 5-FU sensitivity as a substitute for the CD-DST in adjuvant chemotherapy for PDAC.

Concentration homeostasis and elements in hair and dried serum observed by X-ray fluorescence analysis using synchrotron radiation.

Elemental concentrations in hair and dried serum have been evaluated by X-ray fluorescence analysis using relative concentration independent of specimen thickness. Dried serum samples from 5 male and 5 female subjects given two-week Ca supplementation showed the same concentration for Ca, and for each of the other elements Cl, K, S and P under renal control by parathyroid hormone (PTH). Hair concentrations of these elements have been evaluated for 50 randomly-selected females aged between 30 and 80. It was found that each element has two distinct levels in hair. The content of an element in growing hair must be equal to the inflow of that element into the hair-making cells from serum. Using this principle, the two levels can be attributed to the gating and closing of the ion channels in cell membranes and given as functions of the dried serum standard concentrations. Especially, the difference between [Ca] and [Sr] in hair shows whether Ca channels are gating or closing. The lower level of hair [Ca]_H is normal and is equal to 1/2 of the dried serum [Ca]; only the Ca on serum protein is to be incorporated into the hair in steady-state growth. Store-operated Ca channel gating occurs so as to maintain the normal [Ca]_H. The higher level is seen in cases of calcium deficiency, and implicated in other disease states. Prolonged Ca deficiency causes a higher hair [Ca]_H with Ca channel closing. PTH-operated Ca channel gating induces the Ca^{2+} inflow into the cells to form the hair [Ca]_H upper level and to deteriorate cell functions such as excretion of excess metals by hepatocytes. Hair analysis provides a new diagnostic tool based on cell ion channels.

Clinical efficacy of oral administration of 200 mg gatifloxacin once daily for 3 days for the treatment of patients with uncomplicated cystitis.

To assess the clinical efficacy of oral antibiotic administration for the treatment of lower urinary tract infection (UTI), 102 female patients were given gatifloxacin (200 mg once daily for 3 days). Five to nine days after treatment, drug safety and clinical efficacy were assessed by evaluation of urinalysis and symptoms. Further, the patients were asked to report by mail whether they had persistent or recurrent symptoms at 4-6 weeks after treatment. The overall clinical cure rate was 93.1% (95/102). Of 94 patients with susceptible pathogens and 8 with resistant pathogens, 89 (94.7%) and 6 (75.0%), respectively, were judged as clinically cured. Four to 6 weeks after treatment, 57 (55.9%) of the 102 patients reported their micturition status by mail, and 6 (10.5%) of them claimed that they had some symptoms. The outcomes of this study suggest that a therapeutic regimen such as administration of fluoroquinolones once daily for 3 days can be recommended for the treatment of uncomplicated cystitis.