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Naoki Tsuji

Publications and source records attributed to Naoki Tsuji.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

[Direct carotid approach for carotid angioplasty and stenting with a small incision: a technical case report].

Direct carotid puncture is an important option in endovascular surgery when a guiding catheter is not advanced into the common carotid artery because of arterial tortuosity. However, hemostasis after the procedure is not easy and hematoma formation from the puncture site sometimes causes serious complications. We present our carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) method with a direct carotid puncture and a small incision. An 85-year-old male with transient ischemic attack had severe left carotid artery stenosis. CAS was planned considering his age, but arterial tortuosity prevented a guiding catheter from being introduced into the left common carotid artery. Following this, the left common carotid artery was exposed with a small skin incision under local anesthesia, and a direct carotid puncture was made. A 7-French short sheath was carefully advanced and positioned into the left common carotid artery and a self-expandable stent was delivered through it. Upon completion of the procedure, the puncture point of the vascular wall was sutured with 6-0 proline immediately after withdrawing the sheath, and the skin was closed. A direct carotid puncture with a small incision can be performed safely. This method can reliably stop bleeding from the puncture site and also avoid the need for prolonged manual compression of the carotid artery under systemic anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy. We think our method is useful for accessing corotid artery stenosis when the transfemoral approach is difficult.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

[Evaluation of SMBG values using various instruments and clinical significance of forearm SMBG measurement].

Whole blood or plasma glucose values were compared between those measured using various instruments for SMBG and automated analyses in samples (antecubital vein) from 20 approximately 70 years old obtained at cookie tests. A good correlation between values in whole blood SMBG and plasma automated analyses values greater than r = 0.94 was observed for instruments A, C, F, and H, and the per cent difference from the automated values was less than 5% for A, B, E and H. Per cent difference of SMBG values by I was -16% in whole blood and -9% in plasma, suggesting the possibility of measuring real values in whole blood. With plasma, a good correlation greater than r = 0.95 was noted for A, C, F and K, and the per cent difference less than 10% was noted for C, E, F and I. A relatively good correlation (r: 0.63 approximately 0.90) between forearm SMBG value and plasma automated values was noted with the % difference of the mean less than 11%. During cookie test, there is no significant difference between forearm SMBG values and antecubital plasma automated values. Values at finger tips are significantly greater by 5 approximately 20% over automated plasma values. In conclusion, whole blood values by most of the SMBG instruments are well correlated with plasma automated values, although some disagreement was noted. Values at forearm are not different from plasma val ues of antecubital vein, while at finger tip SMBG values showed higher levels. The measurement at forearm is therefore recommended, and in addition the pain is less.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

A novel aspartate protease gene, ALP56, is related to morphological features of colorectal adenomas.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The recently identified aspartate protease gene ALP56 is up-regulated in human malignant tumors, including colorectal cancers, but the relationship remain unclear between ALP56 gene expression and clinicopathological findings, as well as when genetic alterations in ALP56 occur during the colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence. We therefore investigated expression of ALP56 mRNA in various human colorectal tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 18 colorectal adenomas 22 cancers, and 24 adjacent normal mucosal samples from patients undergoing conventional resection or endoscopic mucosal resection. Expression of ALP56 mRNA was determined by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Up-regulation of ALP56 gene transcription was observed in both adenomas and cancers compared to normal mucosa. ALP56 expression in exophytic adenomas was significantly greater than in flat adenomas. CONCLUSION: ALP56 may contribute to colorectal adenoma formation and to an exophytic growth pattern in these adenomas.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2003

Regulation of phytochelatin synthesis by zinc and cadmium in marine green alga, Dunaliella tertiolecta.

Although Cd(2+) is a more effective inducer of phytochelatin (PC) synthesis than Zn(2+) in higher plants, we have observed greater induction of PC synthesis by Zn(2+) than Cd(2+) in the marine green alga, Dunaliella tertiolecta. To elucidate this unique regulation of PC synthesis by Zn(2+), we investigated the effects of Zn(2+) and Cd(2+) on the activities of both phytochelatin synthase (PC synthase) and enzymes in the GSH biosynthetic pathway. PC synthase was more strongly activated by Cd(2+) than by Zn(2+), but the difference was not very big. On the other hand, gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-ECS) and glutathione synthetase (GS) were activated by both heavy metals, but their activities were higher in Zn-treated cells than in Cd-treated cells. Dose-dependent stimulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was observed with Zn(2+), but not Cd(2+) treatment. These results suggest that Zn(2+) strongly promotes the synthesis of GSH through indirect activation of gamma-ECS and GS by stimulating ROS generation. This acceleration of the flux rate for GSH synthesis might mainly contribute to high level PC synthesis.

Aminoacyltransferases↗
PubMed2003

Removal of hazardous phenols by microalgae under photoautotrophic conditions.

Various algae were screened for their ability to decrease the concentration of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), as a model compound of hazardous phenols, under photoautotrophic conditions. Chlorella fusca var. vacuolata and Anabaena variabilis grew well and showed high DNP removal ability over the concentration range of 5 to 40 microM. Their abilities to remove various phenols were investigated. More than 90% of 40 microM o- and m-nitrophenol and DNP was removed during the cultivation period of 5 d. o-, p-Chlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol could be removed, but not to a significant extent. C. fusca also removed 85% of bisphenol A, suspected to be an endocrine disrupter. It was found that microalgae would be applicable to the removal of hazardous phenols without the addition of any organic carbon sources.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

A novel aspartic protease gene, ALP56, is up-regulated in human breast cancer independently from the cathepsin D gene.

Tumor cell invasion requires expression of degradative enzymes such as plasminogen activator, collagenase, and cathepsins. Cathepsin D, a lysosomal aspartic protease produced constitutively in human breast cancer cell lines, also has mitogenic activity in breast cancer cells. Additionally, high cathepsin D expression is associated with increased risk of metastasis in patients with node-negative breast cancer. Recently, a novel aspartic protease gene, ALP56 (aspartic-like protease 56kDa), has been identified. To examine possible interrelationships we quantitated ALP56 mRNA and cathepsin D mRNA in breast cancers using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. ALP56 mRNA expression was greater in cancers than in noncancerous tissues (p < 0.0001), as was expression of cathepsin D mRNA. ALP56 gene expression was dose-dependently down-regulated in T-47D breast cancer cells treated with estradiol, while cathepsin D was up-regulated. Expression of ALP56 mRNA in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancers was less than that in ER-negative cancers, and mRNA expression for ALP56 and cathepsin D did not correlate with one another. Thus ALP56 as well as cathepsin D may be a useful target molecule in breast cancer treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Enhancement of tolerance to heavy metals and oxidative stress in Dunaliella tertiolecta by Zn-induced phytochelatin synthesis.

The synthesis of phytochelatins (PCs) in a marine alga, Dunalliela tertiolecta, is strongly induced by Zn. Pretreatment of the cells with Zn enhances the tolerance toward toxic heavy metals such as Cd, Hg, Cu, Pb, and arsenate. Moreover, the pretreatment also increases the tolerance toward oxidative stress caused by hydrogen peroxide or paraquat. In vitro analysis shows that PC is a stronger scavenger of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radical than glutathione. These results suggest that PCs inducibly synthesized by Zn treatment could play a role not only in detoxification of heavy metals but also in mitigation of oxidative stress.

Chelating Agents↗
PubMed2002

Gene expression for suppressors of telomerase activity (telomeric-repeat binding factors) in breast cancer.

Mechanisms regulating telomerase activity and telomere length remain incompletely understood in human breast cancer. We therefore studied gene expression for telomeric-repeat binding factors (TRFs) in relation to telomerase activity, telomere length, and clinicopathologic factors in human breast cancer. Telomerase activity was detected in 65.8% of 38 breast cancers, but none of 16 noncancerous samples. Terminal restriction fragments were longer in noncancerous than in cancerous tissues, but not significantly. Among 8 patients with both cancer and paired noncancerous tissue available for terminal restriction fragments length assay, terminal restriction fragments were shorter in cancers than in paired noncancerous samples in all but one. Significantly more mRNA encoding TRF1 and 2 was detected in noncancerous than in cancer tissues. Additionally, expression of TRF1 and 2 mRNA was significantly higher in cancers without detectable telomerase activity than in cancers showing activity. Expression of these genes tended to show a negative correlation with terminal restriction fragments length, but this was not statistically significant. No correlation was seen between TRF1 or 2 mRNA expression, and clinicopathologic factors except for TRF1 with respect to tumor size and progesterone receptor status. In addition to reactivation of telomerase activity, escape from negative regulation of this activity is needed to maintain telomere length during cell proliferation in breast cancer. Genes encoding telomerase inhibitors might be of value in gene therapy against human breast cancer.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗
PubMed2002

A role for survivin in radioresistance of pancreatic cancer cells.

Using gene-transduced pancreatic cancer cells, we examined whether survivin expression is directly involved in regulation of radiosensitivity. Ordinarily radiosensitive MIAPaCa-2 cells transduced with wild-type survivin gene (MS cells) proliferated more rapidly than cells transduced with control vector. MS cells were significantly less radiosensitive than control vector-transduced cells. Radiation-induced activity of caspase-3, but not caspase-7, was significantly inhibited in MS cells. On the other hand, transduction of a dominant-negative mutant survivin gene into radioresistant PANC-1 cells augmented radiosensitivity. Further, the radiation-induced increase in caspase-3 activity was enhanced, indicating that survivin function was truly inhibited. These results indicate that survivin expression directly down-regulates radiosensitivity.

Caspase 3↗
PubMed2002

Endogenous reactive oxygen species is an important mediator of miconazole antifungal effect.

We investigated the significance of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by fungi treated with miconazole. ROS production in Candida albicans was measured by a real-time fluorogenic assay. The level of ROS production was increased by miconazole at the MIC (0.125 micro g/ml) and was enhanced further in a dose-dependent manner, with a fourfold increase detected when miconazole was used at 12.5 micro g/ml. This increase in the level of ROS production was completely inhibited by pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC), an antioxidant, at 10 micro M. In a colony formation assay, the decrease in cell viability associated with miconazole treatment was significantly prevented by addition of PDTC. Moreover, the level of ROS production by 10 clinical isolates of Candida species was inversely correlated with the miconazole MIC (r = -0.8818; P < 0.01). These results indicate that ROS production is important to the antifungal activity of miconazole.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed2002

[Telomerase].

Telomerase, an intranuclear enzyme, binds to telomeres at chromosome ends, helps to elongate telomere length and is closely linked to attainment of cellular immortality, a step in carcinogenesis. Since telomerase activity has been detected in several human tumors and hematopoietic malignancies, this enzyme is thought to be a useful marker for cancer diagnosis. Among the components of telomerase, human telomerase catalytic subunit(hTERT) is the most important regulatory factor for telomerase activity. Therefore, quantitation of hTERT mRNA expression may be a new approach to measuring telomerase activity.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed2002

[ED-71].

ED-71 is a potent analog of active vitamin D, 1,25 (OH) (2)D(3), bearing a hydroxypropoxy substituent at the 2beta-position. In ovariectomized rats, ED-71 prevented the reduction in bone mass and strength of lumber spine without causing hypercalcemia. From those results, it was suggested that ED-71 preferentially enhances bone formation with less effects on intestinal calcium absorption. In osteoporotic patients, oral daily administration of ED-71 (0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 microg) for 6 months increased bone mineral density (BMD) at L(2-4) in a dose-dependent manner. ED-71 also exhibited a dose-depend suppression of urinary deoxypyridinoline with no significant reduction in serum osteocalcin. These results demonstrate that ED-71 can effectively increase bone mass without causing hypercalcemia, and suggest that ED-71 can be a promising candidate for the treatment of osteoporosis with prominent effect on bone formation.

English Abstract↗
PubMed1997

Sulfur-Bridged Cubane-Type Molybdenum-Gallium Clusters with Mo(3)GaS(4)(n)(+) (n = 5, 6) Cores. X-ray Structures of [Mo(3)GaS(4)(H(2)O)(12)](CH(3)C(6)H(4)SO(3))(5).14H(2)O and [Mo(3)GaS(4)(H(2)O)(12)](CH(3)C(6)H(4)SO(3))(6).17H(2)O.

Sulfur-bridged cubane-type molybdenum-gallium clusters [Mo(3)GaS(4)(H(2)O)(12)](5+) (2) and [Mo(3)GaS(4)(H(2)O)(12)](6+) (3) have been synthesized from [Mo(3)S(4)(H(2)O)(9)](4+) (1) and gallium metal and have been isolated as 2(pts)(5).14H(2)O (2.pts) and 3(pts)(6).17H(2)O (3.pts) (Hpts = p-toluenesulfonic acid), whose structures have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Crystal data for 3.pts: orthorhombic, space group Pca2(1), a = 11.188(1) Å, b = 30.936(4) Å, c = 23.987(2) Å, V = 8301(2) Å(3), Z = 4, D(calcd) = 1.628 g cm(-3), D(obsd) = 1.63 g cm(-3), R (R(w)) = 5.8% (6.3%) for 6102 reflections (I > 3.0sigma(I)). Crystal data for 2.pts: triclinic, space group P&onemacr;, a = 16.406(4) Å, b = 16.743(3) Å, c = 13.173(4) Å, alpha = 90.64 degrees, beta = 98.40(2) degrees, gamma = 89.32(2) degrees, V = 3579.2(14) Å(3), Z = 2, D(calcd) = 1.681 g cm(-3), D(obsd) = 1.68 g cm(-3), R (R(w)) = 6.7% (10.1%) for 7612 reflections (I > 3.0sigma(I)). The Mo-Ga distances (3.pts, 3.60[2] Å; 2.pts, 3.52[2] Å) are much longer than the corresponding Mo-Mo (3.pts, 2.679[7] Å; 2.pts, 2.713[3] Å) distances. At low H(+) concentrations, such as 0.5 M HCl, 2 is stable, and at H(+) concentration higher than 2 M HCl, 2 is oxidized by H(+) to give 3 with evolution of hydrogen gas. Chloride ion plays an important role in the oxidation of 2. Electronic spectra of 3.pts and 2.pts are very similar. Peak positions and epsilon values (lambda(max), nm (epsilon, M(-1) cm(-1))): 3.pts, 762 (447), 550 (204); 2.pts, 760 (404), 548 (205). The cyclic voltammogram of 3 shows three reduction processes (the cathodic peak potentials, E(pc), are -0.83, -1.20, and -1.74 V, respectively), where the first and second processes are quasi-reversible (the anodic peak potentials, E(pa), are -0.55 and -1.00 V, respectively). The reduction current of each process is close to 1:1:3.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum interleukin-18 concentrations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Elevated expression of interleukin (IL)-18 mRNA and protein in intestinal mucosa, attributable to activated monocytes and macrophages in that site, has been reported in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, changes in serum IL-18 concentrations in patients with IBD have not been reported. We measured bioactive IL-18 in serum from patients with IBD, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Mean serum IL-18 concentrations in 5 patients with Crohn disease (CD) were 400 pg/mL, approximately 1.7 times higher than concentrations in 21 control subjects (p < 0.01). However, serum IL-18 was not increased in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). These results suggest that like other T-helper type 1 (Th1) cytokines IL-18 may play a key pathogenetic role in Th1-mediated disorders, such as CD. Regulation and expression of IL-18 appears to differ between CD and UC, and serum IL-18 may be a useful clinical marker for CD.

Biomarkers↗