No abstract

Highly efficient and site-specific gene transfer can be achieved by applying a few pulses of nanosecond pulsed LISWs to rat skin in vivo.

Plasmid DNA has been successfully delivered to mammalian cells by applying a nanosecond pulsed laser-induced stress wave (LISW). Cells exposed to a LISW were selectively transfected with plasmids coding for green fluorescent protein. It was also shown that transient, mild cellular heating (approximately 43 degrees C) was effective in improving the transfection efficiency.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a transcription factor that plays an important role in tumor growth and metastasis by regulating energy metabolism and inducing angiogenesis. Elevated levels of HIF-1α α α α, a subunit of HIF-1, are noted in various malignant tumors, but it is unclear whether this is so in esophageal carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implications of HIF-1α α α α expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In 215 patients with esophageal carcinoma, we examined immunoreactivity for HIF-1α α α α protein, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein and p53 protein. In 38 patients, we examined the expression of HIF-1α α α α messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) (using the semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR]). A positive HIF-1α α α α protein expression was recognized in 95% of the patients, and was strongly apparent within both the nuclei and/or cytoplasm of tumor cells. The proportion of patients in the 'high score' group for HIF-1α α α α protein expression increased significantly with increasing VEGF protein expression. Immunoreactivity for HIF-1α α α α protein was found to have a significant effect on disease-free survival rate in our univariate analysis, but no effect on overall survival rate.

Using a microwave antenna attached to the room ceiling, we conducted non-contact monitoring of respiratory chest wall motions of subjects in bed and covered by a soft comfortable bedding, to measure the vital signs of patients under nursing care in a welfare institution. Long-term vital sign monitoring using electrodes places a heavy burden on monitored individuals. Our non-contact respiratory monitoring system comprises a 1,215 MHz-microwave radar (LDR-1), antenna box attached to the ceiling, and personal computer with analyzing software. The system was tested on eight healthy volunteers (mean age, 25 years; range, 21-44 years) and eight elderly volunteers with some disorders (mean age, 69 years; range, 66-75 years). Respiratory rates of subjects measured using this system correlated with rates measured using respiration sensors (r=0.97, P<0.001 for healthy volunteers, r=0.98, P<0.0001 for elderly volunteers). The system could monitor subtle changes in respiratory rate, and monitoring respiratory rate increases caused by disorders such as pneumonia will be possible.