Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Takeuchi

Publications and source records attributed to K Takeuchi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Polymorphism of the 5' flanking region of the IL-12 receptor beta2 gene partially determines the clinical types of leprosy through impaired transcriptional activity.

BACKGROUND: Individual differences in T cell responsiveness to interleukin 12 (IL-12), resulting from inherited factors, may be responsible for differences in the intensity of cell mediated immune (CMI) responses in patients with leprosy, a disease with a wide clinical spectrum. AIM: Polymorphisms in the 5' flanking region of the IL12RB2 gene were analysed to determine potential immunogenetic factors affecting CMI responses, using leprosy as a model. METHODS: Polymorphisms in the 5' flanking region of IL12RB2 were examined using direct sequencing techniques, and allele frequencies between patients with lepromatous leprosy and patients with tuberculoid leprosy were compared. The effect of these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on IL12RB2 expression was estimated using the dual luciferase reporter gene assay in Jurkat T cells. RESULTS: Several SNPs, including -1035A>G, -1023A>G, -650delG, and -465A>G, were detected within the 5' flanking region of IL12RB2. The frequency of haplotype 1 (-1035A, -1023A, -650G, -464A) was high in the general Japanese population, but was significantly lower in lepromatous patients compared with tuberculoid patients and healthy controls. Reporter gene assays using Jurkat T cells revealed that all haplotypes carrying one or more SNP exhibited a lower transcriptional activity compared with haplotype 1. CONCLUSION: SNPs within the 5' flanking region of IL12RB2 affect the degree of expression of this gene and may be implicated in individual differences in CMI responsiveness to mycobacterial antigens, leading to lepromatous or tuberculoid leprosy.

5' Flanking Region↗

Gastroprotective action of glucocorticoid hormones during NSAID treatment.

In this article we present an overview of the results of our studies suggesting that endogenous glucocorticoid hormones play a role as natural defensive factors in maintaining the integrity of the gastric mucosa during treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In-domethacin and aspirin at ulcerogenic doses induce a rise in corticosterone, which helps the gastric mucosa to resist the harmful actions of these ulcerogenic agents. The gastroprotective action of glucocorticoids during NSAID treatment may be mediated by multiple actions, including maintenance of glucose homeostasis, mucus production and attenuation of enhanced gastric motility and microvascular permeability. According to our findings, glucocorticoid hormones also participate in the healing processes of NSAID-induced gastric injury. It was demonstrated that there is some cooperative interaction between glucocorticoids and prostaglandins (PGs) in gastroprotection, in a way that a deficiency of one protective factor can lead to an apparently compensatory increase of the other. The gastric mucosa becomes more susceptible to injury during deficiency of both glucocorticoids and PGs.

Animals↗

Molecular and biomechanical characterization of mineralized tissue by dental pulp cells on titanium.

The application of implant therapy is still limited, because of various risk factors and the long healing time required for bone-titanium integration. This study explores the potential for osseointegration engineering with dental pulp cells (DPCs) by testing a hypothesis that DPCs generate mineralized tissue on titanium. DPCs extracted from rat incisors positive for CD44, alkaline phosphatase activity, and mineralizing capability were cultured on polystyrene and on machined and dual-acid-etched (DAE) titanium. Tissue cultured on titanium with a Ca/P ratio of 1.4 exhibited plate-like morphology, while that on the polystyrene exhibited fibrous and punctate structures. Tissues cultured on titanium were harder than those on polystyrene, 1.5 times on the machined and 3 times on the DAE. Collagen I, osteopontin, and osteocalcin genes were up-regulated on titanium, especially the DAE surface. In conclusion, DPCs showing some characteristics of the previously identified dental pulp stem cells can generate mineralized tissue on titanium via the osteoblastic phenotype, which can be enhanced by titanium surface roughness.

Acid Etching, Dental↗

Coexistence of brenner tumor and struma ovarii: case report.

BACKGROUND: There has been controversy regarding the histogenesis of Brenner tumors. It is generally accepted that Brenner tumors are derived directly from ovarian surface epithelium, which undergoes metaplasia to form the typical urothelial-like components, whereas some investigators assume that Brenner tumors arise from immature germ cells. CASE: We describe a well-documented case of the coexistence of struma ovarii regarded as a form of teratoma and Brenner tumor in the same ovary. Immunohistologically, not only columnar cells of thyroid follicles, but also transitional cells of Brenner nests were positive for thyroglobulin. CONCLUSIONS: In the present case, Brenner tumors and thyroid elements coexisted and were positive for thyroglobulin. While there is strong evidence that pure Brenner tumors originate mostly from the ovarian surface, at least Brenner tumors associated with teratomatous elements may have a germ cell origin.

Adult↗

ACE inhibitor and AT1 antagonist stimulate duodenal HCO3- secretion mediated by a common pathway - involvement of PG, NO and bradykinin.

Recent study demonstrated that duodenal HCO3- secretion is affected by modulation of the renin-angiotensin system. We examined the effects of enalapril (angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor) or losartan (angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonist) on duodenal HCO3- secretion in rats and investigated the mechanisms involved in the renin-angiotensin system-related HCO3- response. A proximal duodenal loop was perfused with saline, and HCO3- secretion was measured at pH 7.0 using a pH-stat method and by adding 2 mM HCl. Enalapril increased the HCO3- secretion in a dose-dependent manner, with a decrease in arterial blood pressure (MBP), and these effects were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with indomethacin, L-NAME and FR172357 (a selective bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist). Although losartan alone did not affect the HCO3- secretion, despite reducing MBP, the agent dose-dependently increased the HCO3- secretion in the presence of angiotensin II, and this response was totally antagonized by prior administration of FR172357, indomethacin and L-NAME. Bradykinin also dose-dependently increased the HCO3- secretion with no change in MBP, though transient, and again the effects were blocked by indomethacin, L-NAME and FR172357. Both prostaglandin (PG) E2 and the nitric oxide (NO) donor NOR-3 also increased the HCO3- secretion, the latter effect being inhibited by indomethacin. These results suggest that both an ACE inhibitor and AT1 antagonist (in the presence of angiotensin II) increase duodenal HCO3- secretion via a common pathway, involving bradykinin, NO and PGs. It is also assumed that bradykinin releases NO locally, which in turns stimulates HCO3- secretion mediated by PGs.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers↗

Adenofibromasarcoma originating from a mural nodule of ovarian serous cystadenoma.

A 83-year-old woman received bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and hysterectomy due to a provisional diagnosis of ovarian cystic tumor. The tumor had a unilocular cystic cavity demonstrating serous cystadenoma and a solid mural nodule representing a biphasic pattern with mesenchymal and glandular components. The glandular elements were composed of benign serous cells, whereas the mesenchymal components consisted of an admixture of fibromatous stromal cells without atypia and sarcomatous overgrowth. The area of transition from a fibromatous component to sarcomatous overgrowth was identified. After a 2-year follow-up, there were no signs of tumor recurrence or systemic disease. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of adenofibrosarcoma originating from a mural nodule of ovarian serous cystadenoma.

Adenosarcoma↗

Glass formation at the limit of insufficient network formers.

Inorganic glasses normally exhibit a network of interconnected, covalent-bonded, structural elements that has no long-range order. In silicate glasses, the network formers are based on SiO4 tetrahedra interconnected through oxygen atoms at the corners. Conventional wisdom implies that alkaline and alkaline-earth orthosilicate materials cannot be vitrified, because they do not contain sufficient network-forming SiO2 to establish the needed interconnectivity. We studied a bulk magnesium orthosilicate glass obtained by containerless melting and cooling. We found that the role of network former was largely taken on by corner and edge sharing of highly distorted, ionic Mg-O species that adopt 4-, 5-, and 6-coordination with oxygen. The results suggest that similar glassy phases may be found in the containerless environment of interstellar space.

Journal Article↗

Mapping, profiling and clustering of pressure pain threshold (PPT) in edentulous oral mucosa.

OBJECTIVES: Edentulous oral mucosa involves different tissue types, various innervation and wound healing process. We hypothesized that pressure pain threshold (PPT) of edentulous oral mucosa varies significantly among different regions. The objective of this study is to examine regional differences and correlations of PPT in edentulous oral mucosa. METHODS: Pain threshold (PPT) was measured at 112 sites in 15 edentulous patients using an electric-controlled pressure algometer. PPT mapping was created by the level of PPT, and PPT clustering was undertaken based on the inter-site correlation of PPT. RESULTS: PPT increased from the anterior to posterior alveolus in both maxilla and mandible, but decreased from the anterior palate to the posterior palate. PPT decreased from the ridge crest to the buccal vestibule. The inter-site difference was four fold within the maxilla and 2.4 fold within the mandible. Principal component analysis applied on PPT inter-site correlation matrix revealed that the maxilla and mandible could be differentiated statistically. The maxilla and mandible were divided into three and four clusters, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that different areas of edentulous oral mucosa have different PPT and that the PPT varies proportionally in selected areas, providing useful diagnostic and therapeutic information in removable prosthodontics and a new opportunity for understanding pain underneath the denture.

Aged↗

Adeno-associated virus vector-mediated interleukin-10 gene transfer inhibits atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

Inflammation is a major contributor to atherosclerosis by its effects on arterial wall biology and lipoprotein metabolism. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that may modulate the atherosclerotic disease process. We investigated the effects of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-mediated gene transfer of IL-10 on atherogenesis in apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-deficient mice. A murine myoblast cell line, C2C12, transduced with AAV encoding murine IL-10 (AAV2-mIL10) secreted substantial amounts of IL-10 into conditioned medium. The production of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) by the murine macrophage cell line, J774, was significantly inhibited by conditioned medium from AAV2-mIL10-transduced C2C12 cells. ApoE-deficient mice were injected with AAV5-mIL10 into their anterior tibial muscle at 8 weeks of age. The expression of MCP-1 in the vascular wall of the ascending aorta and serum MCP-1 concentration were decreased in AAV5-mIL10-transduced mice compared with AAV5-LacZ-transduced mice. Oil red-O staining of the ascending aorta revealed that IL-10 gene transfer resulted in a 31% reduction in plaque surface area. Serum cholesterol concentrations were also significantly reduced in AAV5-mIL10-transduced mice. To understand the cholesterol-lowering mechanism of IL-10, we measured the cellular cholesterol level in HepG2 cells, resulting in its significant decrease by the addition of IL-10 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, IL-10 suppressed HMG-CoA reductase expression in the HepG2 cells. These observations suggest that intramuscular injection of AAV5-mIL10 into ApoE-deficient mice inhibits atherogenesis through anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering effects.

Adenoviridae↗

A case of primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma with variant anaplastic lymphoma kinase translocation.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is frequently observed in systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), mostly in childhood or adolescence, but only rarely in primary cutaneous cases. We report a case of primary cutaneous ALCL (pcALCL) with cytoplasmic ALK expression. A 54-year-old woman with an ulcerative tumour on her forehead was admitted to our hospital. Histologically, there was an infiltrate consisting of atypical large lymphocytes and small lymphocytes in the dermis and fat tissue. Southern blot analysis showed monoclonal T-cell receptor Cbeta1 gene rearrangement. Atypical large lymphocytes were positive for CD30, CD4 and CD25, and negative for CD3 and CD79a. They were also positive for ALK only in the cytoplasm, and neurophosmin (NPM)-ALK fusion transcript was not detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. This suggested that the translocation partner of the ALK gene in this case was different from NPM (variant translocation). The tumour on the forehead resolved in 1 month after biopsy. Nodular lesions recurred on the right knee, and were histologically identical with the forehead lesion. Our case suggests the existence of a subgroup with variant ALK translocation in pcALCL; examining NPM-ALK translocation in each case with ALK expression should be useful to characterize the disease further.

Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase↗

Quantitative nested reverse transcriptase PCR vs. real-time PCR for measuring AML1/ETO (MTG8) transcripts.

A quantitative nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (QN-RT-PCR) method was developed using a plasmid cDNA containing the AML1/ETO (MTG8) fusion transcript from Kasumi-1 cells, an acute-myelogenous leukemia cell line with the t(8;21) translocation. In this method, the plasmid was detectable at a concentration of 10(-17) m. The fusion transcript in a mixture of 10(7) Rice94 (Burkitt lymphoma cell line) cells containing two Kasumi-1 cells was detectable at 10(-17) m. In a previously published real-time PCR method, the plasmid containing the fusion transcript was detectable at 10(-16) m or higher, and 20 or more Kasumi-1 cells were detectable in 10(7) Rice94 cells. Thus, this QN-RT-PCR method is more sensitive than the real-time PCR. When the same samples were examined by real-time PCR and our QN-RT-PCR method, in one patient in clinical remission after chemotherapy and allogeneic-bone marrow transplantation (BMT), the transcript was detected by QN-RT-PCR 60 days prior to hematological relapse, in contrast to 10 days before hematological relapse by real-time PCR. The transcript level was below 10(-17) m (undetectable) with this QN-RT-PCR in patients in clinical remission after chemotherapy and BMT, while it was 10(-15)-10(-16) m in patients in clinical remission after chemotherapy alone. The quantitative difference of the transcript level in minimal residual disease (MRD) between these two different types of clinical remission was estimated to be at least 10(2)-fold. This QN-RT-PCR method is useful for predicting hematological relapse and for quantitatively estimating MRD in different types of clinical remission.

Cell Line, Tumor↗

Acarbose lowers serum triglyceride and postprandial chylomicron levels in type 2 diabetes.

AIM: This study was designed to examine the therapeutic effect of acarbose on serum triglyceride (TG), free fatty acid (FFA), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and chylomicron (CM) in the meal tolerance test (MTT) before and after acarbose treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). METHODS: Effects of acarbose on postprandial lipid metabolism were examined in DM2 patients. The subjects with normotriglyceridaemia (TG > or = 1.7 mmol/l, n = 60) were divided to three groups (A, B and C), and DM2 patients with hypertriglyceridaemia (TG > 1.7 mmol/l, n = 20) were designated group D. Group A was a control, and group B was designed to examine the one-dose effect of acarbose (100 mg) on lipid levels in MTT using the balanced food of 400 kcal. In groups C and D, acarbose 300 mg/day was administered for 8 weeks, and MTT with the one-dose acarbose administration was performed. We determined the levels of fasting and postprandial levels of glucose, insulin, FFA and TG-rich lipoproteins such as CM and VLDL. RESULTS: Acarbose treatment lowered plasma glucose levels and insulin secretion. In comparison among study groups A, B and C, acarbose significantly lowered serum TG levels in postprandial state. In group D, after the 8-week acarbose administration, fasting or postprandial FFA, TG and VLDL levels were also lowered. Interestingly, postprandial increase in CM was suppressed by acarbose administration in group B, C or D. CONCLUSIONS: Acarbose lowers postprandial TG and CM levels in DM2 with either normotriglyceridaemia or hypertriglyceridaemia. Improvement of insulin resistance with acarbose may also reduce fasting TG levels in DM2 with hypertriglyceridaemia. Acarbose is a beneficial therapeutic agent to reduce TG levels in DM2 patients, thereby leading to suppression of cardiovascular events.

Acarbose↗

Implications of plasma concentrations of adiponectin in patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether concentrations of plasma adiponectin constitute a significant coronary risk factor, with particular focus on the relation between plasma concentrations of adiponectin and the development of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Plasma concentrations of adiponectin were measured in 123 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and in 17 control participants. Patients were divided into three groups according to condition type: acute myocardial infarction (AMI) group (n = 59), unstable angina pectoris (UAP) group (n = 28), and stable angina pectoris (SAP) group (n = 36). RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of adiponectin correlated negatively with body mass index (r = -0.18, p < 0.05), serum triglyceride (r = -0.25, p < 0.01), and fasting glucose concentrations (r = -0.21, p < 0.05), but correlated positively with age (r = 0.26, p < 0.01), high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (r = 0.35, p < 0.01), and low density lipoprotein particle size (r = 0.37, p < 0.01). Plasma concentrations of adiponectin in patients with ACS, in both the AMI and UAP groups, were significantly lower than those in patients with SAP and in the control group (ACS, 6.5 (3.0) microg/ml; SAP, 11.3 (5.9) micro g/ml; control 12.8 (4.3) microg/ml; p < 0.01). Additionally, plasma concentrations of adiponectin in patients with CAD (7.9 (4.6) microg/ml, p < 0.01) were significantly lower than in the control group. There were, however, no significant differences between patients with SAP and the control group (p = 0.36). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that smoking, fasting glucose concentration, and low log adiponectin concentration correlated independently with the development of an ACS. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that measurement of plasma concentrations of adiponectin may be of use for assessing the risk of CAD and may be related to the development of ACS.

Adiponectin↗

Acute haemodynamic benefits of biatrial atrioventricular sequential pacing: comparison with single atrial atrioventricular sequential pacing.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the acute effects on haemodynamic variables of biatrial pacing in comparison with high right atrial (HRA) pacing and left lateral atrial pacing. PATIENTS AND DESIGN: 23 patients were paced from the HRA site, the lateral site of the coronary sinus (CS), and both sites on two fixed atrioventricular delays (100 and 150 ms) during atrioventricular sequential pacing at 80 and 100 beats/min in random order. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: After five minute pacing, the maximum P wave duration on a 12 lead ECG, cardiac output, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and the transmitral flow pattern by transthoracic echocardiography were measured. RESULTS: Biatrial pacing delivered the shortest P wave duration (133 (25) ms, 133 (27) ms, and 96 (15) ms during HRA, CS, and biatrial pacing, respectively; p < 0.001), and the most improvement in cardiac output and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (3.71 (0.93) l/min and 15 (7) mm Hg, 3.79 (0.97) l/min, and 14 (6) mm Hg, and 4.09 (1.01) l/min and 13(6) mm Hg during HRA, CS, and biatrial pacing, respectively; p < 0.01). Biatrial pacing most significantly decreased the intervals between the atrial pacing spike and the peak and end of the atrial filling wave (186 (16) ms and 250 (22) ms, 172 (19) ms and 242 (24) ms, and 153 (15) ms and 227 (23) ms during HRA, CS, and biatrial pacing, respectively; p < 0.001). It also significantly increased the mitral flow time velocity integral and peak atrial filling wave velocity (7.5 (3.4) cm and 63.8 (17.6) cm/s, 7.8 (3.0) cm and 62.4 (16.6) cm/s, and 8.3 (3.4) cm and 67.8 (19.3) cm/s during HRA, CS, and biatrial pacing, respectively; p < 0.05). The improvements in haemodynamic variables were especially remarkable in patients who had a longer interatrial conduction delay. CONCLUSIONS: Biatrial pacing yielded the most significant improvements in haemodynamic variables. These haemodynamic benefits may play a part in reducing intra-atrial pressure and preventing atrial fibrillation.

Atrial Fibrillation↗

Early detection of cardiac involvement in patients with sarcoidosis by a non-invasive method with ultrasonic tissue characterisation.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the value of cycle dependent variation of myocardial integrated backscatter (CV-IB) analysis, which non-invasively measures acoustic properties of the myocardium, for early detection of cardiac involvement in patients with sarcoidosis. METHODS: The study population consisted of 22 consecutive patients with biopsy proven sarcoidosis who did not have any abnormal findings on conventional two dimensional echocardiogram. Cardiac sarcoidosis was diagnosed by radionuclide testing including thallium-201 scintigraphy, gallium-67 scintigraphy, and cardiac fluorine-18-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography. The magnitude and delay of the CV-IB were analysed in the basal mid septum and the basal mid posterior wall of the left ventricle of all patients. RESULTS: The patients were divided into two groups: 8 patients with cardiac involvement and 14 patients without cardiac involvement. In the basal septum, a major reduction in the magnitude (mean (SD) 1.8 (4.4) v 6.6 (1.3), p = 0.012) and an increase in the time delay (1.3 (0.5) v 1.0 (0.1), p = 0.038) of CV-IB were observed in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis even in the absence of two dimensional echocardiographic abnormalities. The sensitivity for detecting cardiac involvement was such that the magnitude of CV-IB in the basal septum discriminated 75% of patients with cardiac sarcoidosis from those with non-cardiac sarcoidosis, whereas two dimensional echocardiographic parameters did not discriminate between these two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The CV-IB is decreased in the basal septum in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis even in the absence of two dimensional echocardiographic abnormalities. Analysis of CV-IB may be a useful method to detect early myocardial involvement in patients with sarcoidosis.

Cardiomyopathies↗