Effect of total parenteral nutrition products on enzymatic measurements of glycated albumin.
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Amino Acids↗
Biomedical subjects
Naoki Watanabe
Publications and source records attributed to Naoki Watanabe.
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↗
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↗
Analysis on distribution and genomic diversity of high-level antiseptic resistance genes qacA and qacB in human clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus.
High-level antiseptic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus is mediated by multidrug efflux pumps encoded by qacA and qacB genes. We investigated distribution and genomic diversity of these antiseptic resistance genes in a total of 522 clinical strains of S. aureus isolated recently in a Japanese hospital. The qacA/B gene was detected in 32.6% of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and 7.5% of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), whereas the low-level resistance gene smr, which was examined simultaneously, was detected at lower frequencies in both MRSA (3.3%) and MSSA (5.9%). Epidemiologic typing of S. aureus isolates suggested that higher prevalence of qacA/B in MRSA may be due to spread of a single predominant MRSA strain carrying qacA/B in the hospital. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis indicated higher prevalence of the qacB-type gene (59.3%) than the qacA-type gene (40.7%) among the qacA/B genes detected. Nucleotide sequencing analysis revealed the presence of two genetic variants in qacA (V1 and V2) and four variants in qacB (V1-V4) that differ from the qacA prototype in pSK1 by 1-5 nucleotides and 7-9 nucleotides, respectively. Although most strains with qacA-V1, qacA-V2, qacB-V3, and qacB-V4 showed high-level resistance to ethidium bromide (EB)(MIC > 100 microg/ml), all of the S. aureus isolates carrying qacB-V1 and qacB-V2 showed lower MICs of EB and some monovalent cationic antiseptic substances. By analysis of the genomic organization of the qacA/B downstream region, divergent forms of this region rearranged with an insertion of IS256 or IS257 were found primarily for qacB. The downstream region of qacA-V1 was suggested to be an evolutionary origin for other divergent forms. These findings indicated that both qacA and qacB are prevalent in recent clinical isolates, especially in MRSA, and these genes consist of variable genetic variants that may be responsible for different resistance levels against antiseptic substances.
Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗
Detection of anti-livin antibody in gastrointestinal cancer patients.
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Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
[Morita therapy in cultural context].
East is characterized by concepts of transcendence of ego structure, equality of mind to body and psychic structure of emptiness or nothingness. West is on the other hand characterized by concepts of ego strength, superiority of mind to body and psychic structure of fullness. Namely in the East ego is not strengthened but dispersed into relationships of a person with other persons, animated and in-animated others. There is no differentiation between mind and body. Also there is a traditional way of reaching a psychic state of emptiness or nothingness which is found in Zen-Buddhism. However in the West nothingness or emptiness has only negative meaning. West has also linear way of thinking that one lives by developing oneself towards God as progress whereas East has circular way of thinking like Nietzches word, "Eternal repeat of the sameness". Such traditional concepts of Eastern culture are reflected on our Japanese language. For example we would like to omit subject and object and propose to go to drink something, tea or coffee. We would like to keep the ambiguity in our expression so that we could avoid harming the others who actually wanted to go with us. Morita Therapy is based on the Eastern culture and has such cultural backgrounds. Indicated are the patients who have a tendency to be hypochondriacal and called "shinkeishitu". These patients have namely strong fear of death and also at the same time strong wish to live a full life. However the fear of death predominate and suppress the desire to live a full life which produces several neurotic symptoms like simple phobia, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc. For such patients we do absolute bed rest in order to let the patients discern the natural process of their inner self through paradoxical setting of lying down for 7 days that is usually unnatural. Patients are prescribed to lie down in bed except eating, face-washing and keeping hygiene. The bed rest induces at first boredom which would bring about paradoxically desire to live a full life. Also in the following work therapy period patients would not fixate their attention inwards, namely to their symptoms but learn to pay attention towards outwards even though they have still symptoms. In the body action we could acknowledge changes of our inner perception that is also possessed by other persons, other animated creatures and in-animated creatures as a form of "Inter-perceptivity". We do not only perceive the atmosphere established between us and others but also between us and outer nature. Patients learn that anxiety is not to be eliminated but to be accepted as it is. So we just accept and do "nothing" to eliminate anxiety. We address that Morita Therapy is not only indicated for "shinkeishitu" personality but also for other anxiety based disorders, such as cancer patients, traumatized patients, etc.
Anxiety Disorders↗
[A prospect of genetic tests].
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Biomarkers↗
Cryptic t(12;15)(p13;q26) producing the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion gene and no loss of IGF2 imprinting in congenital mesoblastic nephroma with trisomy 11: fluorescence in situ hybridization and IGF2 allelic expression analysis.
In the present fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) study of six congenital mesoblastic nephromas (CMNs) using ETV6 and NTRK3 probes as well as a chromosome 15 painting probe, we identified a cryptic reciprocal translocation, t(12;15)(p13;q26), in one tumor, and an insertion, ins(12;15)(p13;q22q26), in another that were not previously identified by cytogenetic analysis. An interphase FISH study with the same probes detected the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion signal in all three cellular or mixed type tumors, but not in all three classical type tumors. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis detected the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion transcript in the three cellular or mixed type tumors, but not in the three classical type tumors. FISH analysis using a chromosome 11-centromere probe detected trisomy or tetrasomy 11 in all three tumors with the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion signal. To clarify whether IGF2, a paternally expressed gene on chromosome 11, has a certain role in the tumorigenic process of CMN through a loss of imprinting (LOI), we studied IGF2 allelic expression. We found no LOI in two cellular or mixed type tumors or in two classical type tumors, and concluded that the role of the LOI of IGF2 is not essential for the development and progression of CMN with or without trisomy 11. Furthermore, we showed no rearrangements of the MLL gene, which is frequently rearranged in acute leukemia with +11 in the three CMN tumors with +11.
Alleles↗
Induction of heat shock protein 47 synthesis by TGF-beta and IL-1 beta via enhancement of the heat shock element binding activity of heat shock transcription factor 1.
With most immunological reactions, tissue fibrosis, collagen overproduction caused by immune cytokines, is inevitably associated. Among the various immune cytokines, heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) is a procollagen-specific molecular chaperon and is essential for secretion of procollagen from cells. Induction of HSP47 by TGF-beta has been previously reported in rat skeletal myoblasts and mouse osteoblasts, but not in human diploid fibroblasts. As for IL-1beta, its effect on HSP47 has not been elucidated. In the present study, using human embryonic lung fibroblast cells, we first disclosed that both TGF-beta and IL-1beta induced HSP47 synthesis. We then revealed that the binding of the heat shock element (HSE) by heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) was enhanced by both cytokines. We further demonstrated that trimer formation of HSF1, which is essential for its binding to HSE, was induced by these cytokines. The enhancement of HSP47 synthesis and their trimer formation of HSF1 were augmented by using a combination of both cytokines. Collectively, TGF- beta and IL-1beta were found to induce trimer formation of HSF1 which in turn bound to HSE of HSP47, resulting in the enhancement of HSP47 expression. Thus, HSP47 could well be a good candidate for molecular targeting in controlling tissue fibrosis, given that both principal fibrinogenetic cytokines (TGF-beta, IL-1beta) are commonly involved in its induction through HSF1 trimerization.
Cell Line↗
TCV-116, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist, reduces hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.
BACKGROUND: In Pringle's maneuver during liver surgery and liver transplantation, ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is an unavoidable process, and protection against hepatic I/R injury is a major unresolved problem. Therefore, various pharmacologic approaches to prevent hepatic I/R injury are currently under trial. In this study, we investigated whether TCV-116, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist, can reduce this injury. METHODS: The rats were pretreated either with TCV-116 (group 1) or with the vehicle alone (group 2). The rats in group 3 were not pretreated. Thereafter, they were subjected to partial hepatic I/R. RESULTS: After reperfusion, the mean peak plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactic dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase were lower in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. The magnitude of hepatic injury was reduced in group 1 compared with that in groups 2 and 3. The mean peak plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractants-1, and interleukin-6 were lower in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. The number of neutrophils infiltrating the liver was also lower in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. The mean peak plasma concentration of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was higher in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: TCV-116 reduced the hepatic I/R injury by inhibiting inflammatory cytokine production and by enhancing HGF production.
Alanine Transaminase↗
Efficient method for simulating quantum electron dynamics under the time-dependent Kohn-Sham equation.
A numerical scheme for solving the time evolution of wave functions under the time-dependent Kohn-Sham (TDKS) equation has been developed. Since the effective Hamiltonian depends on the wave functions, the wave functions and the effective Hamiltonian should evolve consistently with each other. For this purpose, a self-consistent loop is required at every time step for solving the time evolution numerically, which is computationally expensive. However, in this paper, we develop a different approach, expressing a formal solution of the TDKS equation, and prove that it is possible to solve the TDKS equation efficiently and accurately by means of a simple numerical scheme without the use of any self-consistent loops.
Journal Article↗
Single-molecule speckle analysis of actin filament turnover in lamellipodia.
Lamellipodia are thin, veil-like extensions at the edge of cells that contain a dynamic array of actin filaments. We describe an approach for analyzing spatial regulation of actin polymerization and depolymerization in vivo in which we tracked single molecules of actin fused to the green fluorescent protein. Polymerization and the lifetime of actin filaments in lamellipodia were measured with high spatial precision. Basal polymerization and depolymerization occurred throughout lamellipodia with largely constant kinetics, and polymerization was promoted within one micron of the lamellipodium tip. Most of the actin filaments in the lamellipodium were generated by polymerization away from the tip.
Actin Cytoskeleton↗
A new technique for muscle flap closure of the empyema space in complicated chronic bronchopleural fistula. Wedging the causative bronchus with a plug.
OBJECTIVES: It is difficult to close the empyema space once it is opened, especially in cases complicated with a chronic bronchopleural fistula. A muscle flap closure is generally employed to prevent this situation. However, this operation occasionally fails because the space newly recurs around the fistula due to atrophic change occurring in these translocated muscles. The aim of the present new technique was to prevent inspiratory pressure from the inside of the bronchus by bronchial emboli, and help the adhesion between the fistula stump and the muscle flap, even if they have become atrophic and no longer have sufficient volume to fill the entire empyema space. METHODS: We carried out fiberscopic embolism of causative bronchioles followed by muscle flap closure in 4 patients in whom open drainage had already been performed against parapneumonic empyema within the bronchial fistula. The bronchial fistula was plugged from the inside of the bronchus by silicon material, and stainless steel wire was used to connect this plug tightly to the muscle flaps, so that the fistula was sandwiched between them. In all cases, we succeeded in complete closure of the bronchial fistula and empyema space without using the omentum, and there has been no recurrence. CONCLUSION: The presented new technique was beneficial for achieving muscle flap closure of the empyema space with a chronic bronchopleural fistula.
Bronchi↗
Corrosion by bacteria of concrete in sewerage systems and inhibitory effects of formates on their growth.
Not only sulfur-oxidizing bacteria but also an acidophilic iron-oxidizing bacterium (or bacteria) were found in the corroded concrete from several sewerage systems in Japan. The surface pH of concrete test piece exposed to an atmosphere containing hydrogen sulfide of the concentrations more than 600 ppm in the systems was usually below 2 after a month. This was attributable to ability of the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria to grow in the thin water layer which contained hydrogen sulfide and covered the piece even when the surface pH of concrete was 12-13. When the sulfuroxidizing bacteria grew in the surface of concrete and produced sulfuric acid, the pH of the inner parts of concrete was lowered where the bacteria were hardly found. Probably, sulfuric acid formed by the bacteria in the surface parts penetrated into the inner parts. The different species of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria were found in different sewerage systems. The growth of the sulfur-oxidizing and acidophilic iron-oxidizing bacteria was completely inhibited by formates, especially by calcium formate of concentrations more than 50 mM. Calcium formate can protect concrete in sewerage systems from bacterial corrosion.
Bacteria↗
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↗
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↗
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↗
[Mutagens inducing mutations in mammalian mitochondrial DNA].
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Animals↗