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Background Primary ovarian signet-ring cell carcinoma is extremely rare, with only five recent case reports. Almost all reported cases of ovarian signet-ring cell carcinoma have been treated with TC therapy and none have reported regarding the use of S-1/CDDP therapy. We report a case of primary ovarian signet-ring cell carcinoma treated postoperatively with S-1/CDDP therapy. Case presentation We describe a 55-year-old woman diagnosed with stage IB primary ovarian signet-ring cell carcinoma that was treated with S-1/CDDP therapy. Preoperative transvaginal ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a solid tumor measuring 10 cm in diameter in the pelvis. The tumor marker levels were as follows: CA125, 41.6 U/mL; CA19–9, 2 day 8, q 21 days) was administered for six cycles. There was no recurrence 27 months after the initial treatment. Conclusions We considered S-1/CDDP therapy was effective for primary ovarian signet-ring cell carcinoma. This is the first case report of primary ovarian signet-ring cell carcinoma treated with S-1/CDDP therapy in the world.

Summary This study aims to determine the relationship between advanced glycation end-product (AGE) accumulation in skin tissue and bone strength, assessed by quantitative ultrasound, among healthy adult Japanese men. The results of the study suggest that men with higher AGE accumulation in skin tissue have a lower osteo-sono assessment index. Introduction AGE accumulate in bone collagen with age and diabetes and decrease the mechanical properties of bone. Although increased AGE levels are associated with fractures among diabetic patients and elderly women, it is unclear whether a relationship between increased AGE levels and bone strength is present in apparently healthy adult males. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between AGE accumulation in tissue and the mechanical properties of bone among adult Japanese men, using quantitative ultrasound as a surrogate measure of the latter. Methods Skin autofluorescence (AF), which is a noninvasive method for measuring tissue AGEs, and osteo-sono assessment index (OSI), which is determined by quantitative ultrasound, were measured in 193 adult Japanese men (median age 43 years; interquartile range 37.0–55.0 years). Results Adjusted for age, BMI, calcium intake, physical activity, smoking status, and education level, log-transformed skin AF had a negative association with log-transformed OSI (β = −0.218, P

The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) Early Light-Induced Protein (ELIP) is thought to act as a photoprotectant, reducing the damaging effects of high light (HL). Expression of ELIP2 is activated by multiple environmental stresses related to photoinhibition. We have identified putative regulatory elements in an ELIP2 promoter using an octamer-based frequency comparison method, analyzed the role of these elements using synthetic promoters, and revealed a key transcriptional regulatory unit for ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation, HL, and cold stress responses. The unit is composed of two elements, designated as Elements A (TACACACC) and B (GGCCACGCCA), and shows functionality only when paired. Our genome-wide correlation analysis between possession of these elements in the promoter region and expression profiles in response to UV-B, HL, and cold suggests that Element B receives and integrates these multiple stress signals. In vitro protein-DNA binding assays revealed that LONG HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5), a basic domain-Leucine zipper transcription factor, directly binds to Element B. In addition, mutant analysis of HY5 showed partial involvement in the UV-B and HL responses but not in the cold stress response. These results suggest that signals for UV-B, HL, and cold stress join at Element B, which recognizes the signals of multiple transcription factors, including HY5.

In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) the root apex is protected from aluminum (Al) rhizotoxicity by excretion of malate, an Al chelator, by ALUMINUM-ACTIVATED MALATE TRANSPORTER1 (AtALMT1). AtALMT1 expression is fundamentally regulated by the SENSITIVE TO PROTON RHIZOTOXICITY1 (STOP1) zinc finger protein, but other transcription factors have roles that enable Al-inducible expression with a broad dynamic range. In this study, we characterized multiple cis-elements in the AtALMT1 promoter that interact with transcription factors. In planta complementation assays of AtALMT1 driven by 5′ truncated promoters of different lengths showed that the promoter region between –540 and 0 (the first ATG) restored the Al-sensitive phenotype of atalm1 and thus contains cis-elements essential for AtALMT1 expression for Al tolerance. Computation of overrepresented octamers showed that eight regions in this promoter region contained potential cis-elements involved in Al induction and STOP1 regulation. Mutation in a position around –297 from the first ATG completely inactivated AtALMT1 expression and Al response. In vitro binding assays showed that this region contained the STOP1 binding site, which accounted for the recognition by four zinc finger domains of the protein. Other positions were characterized as cis-elements that regulated expression by repressors and activators and a transcription factor that determines root tip expression of AtALMT1. From the consensus of known cis-elements, we identified CALMODULIN-BINDING TRANSCRIPTION ACTIVATOR2 to be an activator of AtALMT1 expression. Al-inducible expression of AtALMT1 changed transcription starting sites, which increased the abundance of transcripts with a shortened 5′ untranslated region. The present analyses identified multiple mechanisms that regulate AtALMT1 expression.

Purpose There are no reports on the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in non-squamous cell cervical carcinoma. We examined the effectiveness and safety of paclitaxel/carboplatin (TC) and docetaxel/carboplatin (DC). Methods Stage Ib2 to IIb disease was present in 23 patients scheduled for radical hysterectomy. We administered 1–3 courses of either the TC or the DC regimen. Anti-tumor effects were found superior by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Safety was assessed with National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Results Median age was 50 years (range 32–63 years), with stage Ib2 in 6 cases (26.1 %) and IIb in 17 cases (73.9 %). Complete response was achieved in 5 cases (21.7 %), partial response in 13 (56.5 %), stable disease in 5 (21.7 %); the response rate was 78.3 %, and surgery completion rate was 78.3 %. Leukopenia or neutropenia ≥grade 3 was seen in 12 (52.2 %) and 21 (91.3 %) cases, respectively, with grade 3 febrile neutropenia in 2 cases (8.7 %) and no anemia or thrombocytopenia ≥grade 3. Median progression-free survival was 26 months (95 % Cl, 13.5–38.5 months); median overall survival was 35 months (95 % Cl, 20.9–49.1 months). Conclusion NAC for non-squamous cell cervical carcinoma showed potent anti-tumor effects and manageable adverse events.

Aging is associated with decreased skeletal muscle function. Increased levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in skeletal muscle tissue are observed with advancing age and in diabetes. Although serum AGE level is negatively associated with grip strength in elderly people, it is unknown whether this association is present in adult males. To determine the relationship between AGE accumulation in tissue and muscle strength and power among Japanese adult men. Skin autofluorescence (AF) (a noninvasive method for measuring tissue AGEs), grip strength (n = 232), and leg extension power (n = 138) were measured in Japanese adult men [median (interquartile range) age, 46.0 (37.0, 56.0) years]. After adjustment for potential confounders, the adjusted means [95% confidence interval (CI)] for grip strength across the tertiles of skin AF were 44.5 (43.2, 45.9) kg for the lowest tertile, 42.0 (40.6, 43.3) kg for the middle tertile, and 41.7 (40.3, 43.1) kg for the highest tertile (P for trend