This
review article summarizes the methods of regulating cell-cell interactions that
significantly increase the therapeutic effects of cell-based therapy. Since transplanted
cells, which are generally cultured as a monolayer, are unable to recapitulate similar
interactions in vivo, the regulation of cell-cell interactions can
immensely increase the function and therapeutic effect of transplanted cells. The
discussed methods in this article include the generation of multicellular
spheroids, use of adhesamine derivatives that accelerate cell adhesion, and cell
surface modification using the avidin-biotin complex method, all of which can
be useful tools for advanced cell-based therapy, promising future clinical
applications.
Dry skin is a common symptom,
which is known to cause itching and careless inflammation. Authors hypothesized
that dry skin might be affected not only by aging and environmental factors,
but also by organ inflammation and changes in trace elements inside the body.
Therefore, for treating dry skin, authors considered that special attention
should be paid to both internal and external factors; these should include
internal supplementation as well as skin care with external preparations such
as moisturizers.
Skin rash is a common
adverse event associated with EGFR-inhibitors, which often accompany drug
discontinuation and dose reduction. This study examined immunological blood
biomarkers for the prediction of erlotinib-induced skin rash. In consideration
of clinical care, the occurrence of skin rash was evaluated by erlotinib dose,
treatment discontinuation, and restart dose. The authors revealed that
erlotinib reduced neutrophils’ CD45 expression and its reduction levels were
strongly correlated with the rash occurrence and dynamics. The study has a novelty in that it proposes new
insight for evaluating skin rash associated with EGFR-inhibitors.
Androgen-dependent expression
of cytochrome P450 (CYP) subfamily
genes, such as CYP2A19, CYP2B22, CYP2C33, CYP2C49, CYP3A29, CYP3A46 and CYP4A24/25, in the kidney was found using both sexes of Landrace,
Meishan, and their crossbred pigs. The amounts of those CYP mRNAs were confirmed to be, at least in part, dependent on the
levels of serum testosterone by additional experiments using pigs treated with
castration and/or testosterone propionate. Furthermore, the androgen-dependency on the expression of some of CYP mRNAs was different between the
kidney and the liver, indicating that there is a tissue-selective factor(s)
responsible for the androgen-related expression of CYP genes.
DHA
and EPA have been reported to improve lower gastrointestinal (LGI) disorders
through their anti-inflammatory effects. However, few studies examine the
effects of DHA and EPA on LGI tract motility. To elucidate this, authors evaluated their effects on guinea pig
ileal/colonic longitudinal smooth muscle (LSM) contractions. DHA
and EPA significantly inhibited ileal/colonic LSM contractions induced by
acetylcholine/histamine/PGF2α/PGD2/CaCl2.
All ileal/colonic LSM contractions were completely suppressed by verapamil.
These findings suggest that DHA and EPA could improve the abnormal contractile
functions of the LGI tract associated with inflammatory diseases, partly
through inhibition of voltage-gated Ca2+ channel-dependent
ileal/colonic LSM contractions.