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BackgroundTwist is a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcriptional factor that has been identified to play an important role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-mediated metastasis through the regulation of E-cadherin expression. However, few authors have examined the expression of Twist and E-cadherin and their prognostic value in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical significance of Twist and E-cadherin expression in ESCC.MethodsWe immunohistochemically investigated the relationship between their expression and clinicopathological factors including prognosis in surgical specimens of primary tumors in 166 patients with ESCC.ResultsThe expression rate of high Twist was 42.0% and that of preserved E-cadherin was 40.4%. The expression of high Twist and reduced E-cadherin was significantly associated with depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant nodal metastasis, stage and lymphatic invasion, and poor prognosis. High Twist expression significantly correlated with reduced E-cadherin expression. In the preserved E-cadherin group, the 5-year survival rate was better for patients who were low for Twist expression than for those who were high for Twist expression. Multivariate analysis indicated that the combination of low Twist and preserved E-cadherin expression was an independent prognostic factor along with tumor depth, distant nodal metastasis and E-cadherin expression.ConclusionsEvaluation of Twist and E-cadherin expressions should be useful for determining tumor properties, including prognosis, in patients with ESCC.

The history and typical achievements in the development of glass–ceramics are reviewed on the basis of the engineering principles of crystallization in glass and its application. Bulk and surface crystallization phenomena and their practical applications are described as well as the forming process of glass–ceramics. In addition to conventional glass–ceramic materials and processes, novel potentialities of glass–ceramics in next‐generation devices are also indicated. Luminous glass–ceramics for high‐power lighting and display systems, and electrode materials for rechargeable batteries are emphasized. Recent developments on the position‐selective laser crystallization of the glass surface and a glass–ceramic with anomalous thermal expansion are also introduced.

The performance of a lithium-ion battery (LiB) fabricated with a tin-phosphate glass anode was studied as well as the characteristics of the anode. It was confirmed that the total positive charge of Sn2+ ions in the glass anode is compensated by a reaction with lithium during the first charge by forming tin crystals. It was observed after the first charge that the glass is converted into a nanocomposite in which the metallic crystals are embedded in an amorphous lithium phosphate matrix. A half-cell fabricated with the glass anode showed a reproducible capacity of 550 mAh/g at room temperature, which was much higher than that of the cell with a graphite anode. The cell also showed a steady capacity of 160 mAh/g even at −20°C with no deposition of lithium dendrites. A full-cell fabricated with the glass anode and LiMn2O4 cathode showed a good life cycle performance at 60°C along with no degradation in its life cycle performance. The tin-phosphate glass is a promising candidate as a new anode material that realizes LiBs with a high energy density that can be used over a wide temperature range.

Snail is a zinc-finger transcription factor that triggers the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by directly repressing E-cadherin expression. However, the relationship between E-cadherin and Snail expression remains unclear in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical significance of E-cadherin and Snail expression in ESCC. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the expression of E-cadherin and Snail proteins in 194 patients with ESCC. The relationship between expression of these proteins and clinicopathological factors was analyzed, and the usefulness of Snail in disease prognosis was evaluated in relation to E-cadherin expression. E-cadherin expression was preserved in 41.2% of tumors, and Snail expression was confirmed in 61.7%. Tumors with reduced E-cadherin expression invaded deeper (P<0.0001), had more lymph node metastasis (P<0.0001) and had more lymphatic invasion (P=0.0011) than tumors with preserved expression. Tumors that were positive for Snail expression invaded deeper (P=0.0385), had more distant lymph node metastasis (pM) (P=0.0051) and had a more advanced stage (P=0.0044) than those that were negative for Snail expression. Snail expression was not significantly correlated with reduced E-cadherin expression. Patients with reduced E-cadherin expression or positive Snail expression had poor clinical outcomes. In the preserved E-cadherin group, overall survival rate was better in patients with negative Snail expression than in those with positive Snail expression (P=0.035). Snail appears to play a key role in preserved E-cadherin expression. Further studies on other molecules in the pathways related to reduced E-cadherin expression in ESCC from the viewpoint of EMT are necessary.

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Cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAF) are a key component in the tumor microenvironment and play functional roles in tumor metastasis and resistance to chemotherapies. We have previously reported that CAF isolated from lymphoma samples increase anaerobic glycolysis and decrease intracellular production of reactive oxygen species, promoting the survival of tumor cells. Herein, we analyzed the mechanisms underlying this support of tumor‐cell survival by CAF. As direct contact between lymphoma cells and CAF was not indispensable to survival support, we identified that the humoral factor pyruvate was significantly secreted by CAF. Moreover, survival of lymphoma cells was promoted by the presence of pyruvate, and this promotion was canceled by inhibition of monocarboxylate transporters. Metabolome analysis of lymphoma cells in coculture with CAF demonstrated that intermediates in the citric acid cycle were significantly increased, indicating that tumor cells produced energy by aerobic metabolism. These findings indicate that energy production in lymphoma cells is regulated in coordination not only with anaerobic glycolysis, but also with aerobic metabolism termed the reverse‐Warburg effect, involving the secretion of pyruvate from CAF resulting in increased use of the citric acid cycle in lymphoma cells.