Conclusions: Changes in the microscale viscoelastic behavior of the cartilage surface are a functional hallmark of early OA that accompany significant changes to the microstructural organization of the Selleck GANT61 collagenous extracellular matrix. (C) 2012 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Lymphocyte antigen 6 complex

locus K (LY6K) has been identified as a tumor-associated antigen in lung cancers and esophageal squamous cell carcinomas. The immunogenicity of LY6K-177 peptide vaccine therapy has been demonstrated in patients with advanced esophageal cancer. This study extends this treatment to gastric cancer.

LY6K Nutlin3 expression in clinical samples obtained from gastric cancer patients was examined by immunochemistry. As a phase

I clinical trial, the safety and immunogenicity of LY6K-177 peptide vaccine emulsified with Montanide ISA 51 was evaluated in six patients with unresectable advanced gastric cancer. LY6K-177 peptide (1 mg in 1 ml sterile saline) was emulsified with incomplete Freund’s adjuvant (1 ml) and intracutaneously administered to the inguinal region or axilla. One treatment course comprised four vaccinations, performed weekly for the first and second treatment courses and biweekly for the third treatment course.

LY6K expression was confirmed in 85 % of gastric cancer tissues. Induration and redness

at the vaccination site (grade I), possibly a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, was observed in all patients; however, no systemic toxicology was identified in any patient throughout the observation period. Three of the six patients had stable disease, and a tumor contraction effect was observed in one patient.

LY6K was expressed in 85 % of observed gastric cancers. Vaccination with LY6K-177 peptide/Montanide ISA 51 appeared to be tolerated by advanced gastric cancer patients, and moreover anticancer efficacy was suggested. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrial.gov SC79 molecular weight (no. NCT00845611).”
“Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) represents a major complication in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, but its early diagnosis is still problematic. Traditionally, ankle-arm blood pressure index (API) determined by means of a simple hand-held unidimensional Doppler device has been used for noninvasive diagnosis of PAD, with a cutoff value of 0.9. However, in CKD patients, vascular disease includes not only atherosclerosis but also arteriosclerosis with high calcification score. There, the API method often fails.

Development of the method: Based on complex examination of Doppler signals recorded at 4 main arteries of both lower extremities (a. femoralis, a. poplitea, a. dorsalis pedis, a.