Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive and the second most common bone tumor in adolescent and young adult patients. The 5-year survival rate is 60–70% for localized disease but 30% for patients with metastases. Here, we aimed to identify a therapeutic target for Ewing sarcoma and evaluate antibody-based therapeutic agents using in vitro and in vivo models. We identified G protein-coupled receptor 64 (GPR64) as a therapeutic target for Ewing sarcoma via next-generation RNA-sequencing. GPR64v205 mRNA was expressed in HTB166, A673, MG63, 143B, HS-Sy II, and HT1080 cell lines as well as in Ewing sarcoma, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, dedifferentiated liposarcoma, and synovial sarcoma tissues. GPR64 expression was observed in 62.5% of sarcoma cases and was overexpressed in 33.9% cases. GPR64-specific monoclonal antibodies were tested as near-infrared probes for in vivo imaging using subcutaneous tumor mouse xenografts. Fluorescence intensity was stronger for the AF700-labeled anti-GPR64 antibody than that for the AF700-labeled isotype control antibody. GPR64 was detected in engrafted tumors of A673, 143B, HT1080, and the epididymis but not in other resected tissues. The anti-GPR64 antibody showed excellent binding to GPR64-positive tumors but not to healthy tissues. This antibody has potential for drug delivery in the antibody-based treatment of sarcomas.

The aim of this study was to evaluate calcium charge and release of conventional glass-ionomer cement (GIC) containing nanoporous silica (NPS). Experimental specimens were divided into two groups: the control (GIC containing no NPS) and GIC-NPS (GIC containing 10 wt % NPS). The specimens were immersed in calcium chloride solutions of 5 wt % calcium concentration for 24 h at 37 °C, whereupon the calcium ion release of the specimens was measured. The calcium ion release behavior of GIC-NPS after immersion in the calcium solution was significantly greater than that of the control. Scanning electron microscopy and electron-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy results indicated that calcium penetrated inside the GIC-NPS specimen, while the calcium was primarily localized on the surface of the control specimen. It was demonstrated that NPS markedly improved the calcium charge and release property of GIC.

The combination of the mammalian target of rapamycin and proteasome inhibitors is a new treatment strategy for various tumors. Herein, we investigated the synergistic effect of everolimus and bortezomib on tumor growth and metastasis in bone and soft tissue sarcomas. The antitumor effects of everolimus and bortezomib were assessed in a human fibrosarcoma (FS) cell line (HT1080) and mouse osteosarcoma (OS) cell line (LM8) by MTS assays and Western blotting. The effects of everolimus and bortezomib on HT1080 and LM8 tumor growth in xenograft mouse models were evaluated using tumor volume and the number of metastatic nodes of the resected lungs. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate cleaved PARP expression. The combination therapy decreased FS and OS cell proliferation compared with either drug alone. This combination induced more intense p-p38, p-JNK, and p-ERK and activated apoptosis signals, such as caspase-3, compared with single-agent treatment. The combination treatment reduced p-AKT and MYC expression, decreased FS and OS tumor volumes, and suppressed lung metastases of OS. The combination therapy inhibited tumor growth in FS and OS and metastatic progression of OS via the JNK/p38/ERK MAPK and AKT pathways. These results could aid in the development of new therapeutic strategies for sarcomas.

This study examined the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the inflammatory reactions of murine osteoblastic cells cultured on the 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride/methyl methacrylate (4-META/MMA)-based resin. Superbond C&B (SB) was used as the 4-META/MMA-based resin and placed in a 48-well cell culture plate. The cells were cultured in αMEM (control) as well as on SB and SB in αMEM with NAC (SB+NAC). They were examined using the WST-1 proliferation assay, real-time PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurements, and cellular glutathione (GSH) detection. COX-2 and IL-6 gene expressions were upregulated in SB; however, they were suppressed by NAC. Furthermore, PGE2 production in the culture medium was increased in SB, whereas NAC decreased the PGE2 production. NAC lowered the ROS level in the culture medium and significantly increased the intracellular GSH level. The present in vitro study demonstrated that NAC might be effective for dental material detoxification.

The effect of a fabric softener treatment on the properties of the crossing torque–intersecting angle behavior of yarns and the transverse compression properties of single and crossing yarns, which are related to the shear properties of a fabric, is investigated. The crossing torque required to change the intersecting angle between two yarns, the hysteresis in the crossing torque–intersecting angle curve (i.e., crossing torque hysteresis), and the compression properties of cotton yarns after water treatment with and without softener were measured. To measure those properties, the drying condition was varied after the treatment to comprise crossed yarns with an applied load and parallel yarns in a bundled state. The average crossing torque value of the sample with a softener treatment was less than that with a water treatment for yarns from a bundle. For yarns dried while crossed, the average crossing torque value of the sample with a softener treatment was somewhat less than that with a water treatment. For both drying conditions, the average crossing torque hysteresis value decreased after a softener treatment. The compressional resilience value of the sample with a softener treatment was greater (bouncier) than that with a water treatment for yarns dried while crossed. The results suggest that the softener treatment reduces the crossing torque and increases the compressional resilience of yarns. This is due to the reduction of hydrogen bonding between surface fibers via the softener. The softener treatment also decreased the crossing torque hysteresis, corresponding to decreased friction between fibers.

Spontaneous pneumothorax in a 17-year-old male patient with multiple exostoses: A case report and review of the literature