JAK2 Val617Phe activating tyrosine kinase mutation in juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia.
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Child, Preschool↗
Biomedical subjects
S Sasaki
Publications and source records attributed to S Sasaki.
Upper thoracic disc herniation followed by acutely progressing paraplegia.
STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: To report a rare thoracic intervertebral disc herniation followed by acutely progressing paraplegia. SETTING: Spinal Injuries Center, Fukuoka, Japan. METHOD: A 37-year-old man presented with sudden severe backache and acutely progressing motor impairments of both lower extremities after antecedent backache lasting about 5 days. Neurological examination showed analgesia and hypoesthesia below the T4 dermatome level, dysesthesia to pinprick below right inguinal level, and severe motor impairments of the lower extremities (Frankel classification C). Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrated spinal cord compression due to a postero-laterally existing epidural mass at the T2-T3 level. After laminectomy at the T2-T3 level, the sequestrated disc material was detected and excised as one piece through the right side of the dura. The excised herniated mass had a ring-like form and was thought to originate from the annulus fibrosis. RESULT: After the emergency surgery, he had complete relief from the backache and control of both lower extremities recovered gradually. At 4 weeks after the emergent operation, motor power of both lower extremities recovered almost completely. He was able to walk without any assistance. MR imaging study after surgery did not reveal the sequestrated mass, except for a mild disc bulging at the T2-T3 level. CONCLUSION: Accurate diagnosis of acute symptomatic thoracic disc herniation is occasionally difficult. However, timely and successful surgery could result in complete symptom relief and satisfactory results.
Acute Disease↗
Arrangement of high-energy neutron irradiation field and shielding experiment using 4 m concrete at KENS.
An irradiation field of high-energy neutrons produced in the forward direction from a thick tungsten target bombarded by 500 MeV protons was arranged at the KENS spallation neutron source facility. In this facility, shielding experiment was performed with an ordinary concrete shield of 4 m thickness assembled in the irradiation room, 2.5 m downstream from the target centre. Activation detectors of bismuth, aluminium, indium and gold were inserted into eight slots inside the shield and attenuations of neutron reaction rates were obtained by measurements of gamma-rays from the activation detectors. A MARS14 Monte Carlo simulation was also performed down to thermal energy, and comparisons between the calculations and measurements show agreements within a factor of 3. This neutron field is useful for studies of shielding, activation and radiation damage of materials for high-energy neutrons, and experimental data are useful to check the accuracies of the transmission and activation calculation codes.
Computer Simulation↗
Radiation safety design for the J-PARC Project.
The High-Intensity Proton Accelerator Project, named J-PARC, is in progress, with the aim of enabling studies on the latest basic science and the advancement of nuclear technology. In the project, a high-energy proton accelerator complex with the world's highest instantaneous intensity is under construction. In order to establish a reasonable shielding design, both simplified and detailed design methods were used in the shielding design of J-PARC. This paper reviews the present status of the radiation safety design study for J-PARC.
Computer Simulation↗
Influence of prostaglandin F2alpha and its analogues on hair regrowth and follicular melanogenesis in a murine model.
Latanoprost and isopropyl unoprostone, which are analogues of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha), are promising drugs for the reduction of intra-ocular pressure. However, they have been reported to have side effects, including hypertrichosis and hyperpigmentation of the eyelashes and periocular skin, and occasionally poliosis. In order to investigate these effects further, PGF2alpha, latanoprost and isopropyl unoprostone were applied to the dorsal skin of 7-week-old C57BL/6 mice, and hair length was measured during the treatment. The three molecules all showed stimulatory effects on the murine hair follicles and the follicular melanocytes in both the telogen and anagen stages, and stimulated conversion from the telogen to the anagen phase. PGE2 is known to act synergistically with PGF2alpha, and hence the influence of PGE2 was also examined. PGE2 did not induce distinct telogen-to-anagen conversion, but showed moderate growth stimulatory effects on early anagen hair follicles. In addition, we observed a case of hypertrichosis and trichomegaly with an excess of melanogenesis, leading to the emergence of white hair, suggesting that poliosis can occur as a side effect of eye treatment with solutions of PGF2alpha analogues. The stimulatory effects of PGF2alpha and PGE2 on hair growth have been discussed with regard to the role of protein kinase C and mast cells.
Animals↗
Cytoplasmic and mitochondrial Ca levels in brown adipocytes.
AIM: We elucidated the mitochondrial functions of brown adipocytes in intracellular signalling, paying attention to mitochondrial activity and noradrenaline- and forskolin-induced Ca(2+) mobilizations in cold-acclimated rats. METHODS: A confocal laser-scanning microscope of brown adipocytes from warm- or cold-acclimated rats was employed using probes rhodamine 123 which is a mitochondria-specific cationic dye, and the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial Ca(2+) probes fluo-3 and rhod-2. X-ray microanalysis was also studied. RESULTS: The signal of rhodamine 123 in the cells was decreased by antimycin A which effect was less in cold-acclimated cells than warm-acclimated cells. Cytoplasmic and mitochondrial Ca(2+) in cold-acclimated brown adipocytes double-loaded with fluo-3 and rhod-2 were measured. Noradrenaline induced the rise in cytoplasmic Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](cyto)) followed by mitochondrial Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](mito)), the effect being transformed into an increase in [Ca(2+)](cyto) whereas a decrease in [Ca(2+)](mito) by antimycin A or carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP). Antimycin A induced small Ca(2+) release from mitochondria. CCCP induced Ca(2+) release from mitochondria only after the cells were stimulated with noradrenaline. Further, forskolin also elicited an elevation in [Ca(2+)](cyto) followed by [Ca(2+)](mito) in the cells. The Ca measured by X-ray microanalysis was higher both in the cytoplasm and mitochondria whereas K was higher in the mitochondria of cold-acclimated cells in comparison to warm-acclimated cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that noradrenaline and forskolin evoked an elevation in [Ca(2+)](cyto) followed by [Ca(2+)](mito), in which H(+) gradient across the inner membrane is responsible for the accumulation of calcium on mitochondria. Moreover, cAMP also plays a role in intracellular and mitochondrial Ca(2+) signalling in cold-acclimated brown adipocytes.
Adipocytes↗
Alcohol consumption and other risk factors for self-reported diabetes among middle-aged Japanese: a population-based prospective study in the JPHC study cohort I.
AIMS: Few prospective studies have examined the relationship between lifestyle characteristics and the incidence of diabetes mellitus in an Asian general population. This study was undertaken to evaluate the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes in a population-based prospective study of middle-aged Japanese. METHODS: We investigated 12,913 men and 15,980 women, aged 40-59 years at baseline (year 0), who participated in the Japan Public Health Center-based prospective study on cancer and cardiovascular diseases (JPHC Study) Cohort I. The participants were followed for up to 10 years. Incident cases of diabetes were identified by self-reporting of a physician's diagnosis on two questionnaires sent to each participant, one at year 5 and the second at year 10. RESULTS: During the 10-year follow-up, 703 men and 482 women reported newly diagnosed diabetes. Age, body mass index (BMI), family history of diabetes and cigarette smoking were independent risk factors in both genders by multivariate analysis. Among men with a BMI < or = 22 kg/m2, a significant positive association was observed between the diabetes incidence and moderate (23.0 < 46.0 g/day) to high (> 46.0 g/day) alcohol consumption, odds ratio 1.91 (95% CI, 1.05-3.46) and 2.89 (1.63-5.11), respectively. Among men with a BMI > 22 kg/m2, a small non-significant increase in odds ratio was observed with alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Established risk factors for diabetes in western populations were also identified as predictors of the disease among Japanese. Moderate to high alcohol consumption was positively associated with the incidence of diabetes in Japanese lean (BMI < or = 22 kg/m2) men.
Adult↗
Myocardial performance index for assessment of left ventricular outcome in successfully recanalised anterior myocardial infarction.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the myocardial performance index (MPI) can predict left ventricular functional outcome in patients with early recanalisation after anterior acute myocardial infarction (MI) and to determine when the index should be measured. DESIGN: MPI was measured serially by two dimensional Doppler echocardiography after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Left ventricular function was evaluated by echocardiography and left ventriculography. To assess coronary microvascular damage, the coronary flow velocity pattern was measured immediately after PCI with a Doppler guidewire. SETTING: Hiroshima City Asa Hospital. PATIENTS: 32 consecutive patients with their first anterior acute MI who had complete occlusion of left anterior descending coronary artery. INTERVENTIONS: Successful PCI within six hours of symptom onset. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Left ventricular anterior wall motion score index (A-WMSI), left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV). RESULTS: There was a significant negative correlation between MPI on day 2 and the coronary diastolic deceleration time (r = -0.66, p < 0.002), as well as a significant positive correlation with the coronary diastolic deceleration rate (r = 0.74, p < 0.0001). MPI on day 2 was significantly correlated with the short and long term changes of A-WMSI and with the short term changes of LVEDP. Furthermore, MPI on day 2 was significantly correlated with the short and long term changes of LVEF (r = -0.52, p < 0.003, and r = -0.64, p < 0.0008, respectively) and of LVEDV (r = 0.51, p < 0.003, and r = 0.41, p < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Doppler derived MPI on day 2, representative of the early coronary microvascular state, can predict the left ventricular functional outcome after early successful recanalisation of a patient's first anterior acute MI.
Aged↗
Statin attenuates high glucose-induced and angiotensin II-induced MAP kinase activity through inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase activity in cultured mesangial cells.
An increased oxidative stress may contribute to the development of diabetic nephropathy. We have recently reported that high glucose level stimulated superoxide production through protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent activation of NAD(P)H oxidase in cultured vascular cells. Here we show that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) attenuates both high glucose level-induced and angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced activation of p42/44 mitogen-activated kinase (MAP kinase) in cultured human mesangial cells through inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase activity. The intracellular oxidative stress in cultured mesangial cells was evaluated by electron spin resonance (ESR) measurement. MAP kinase activity was evaluated by western blot analysis using anti phospho-specific MAP kinase antibody and anti-ERK-1 antibody. Exposure of the cells to high glucose level (450 mg/dl) for 72 hrs significantly increased MAP kinase activity as compared to normal glucose level (100 mg/dl). This increase was completely blocked by the treatment of pitavastatin (5x10(-7) M) as well as a NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor (diphenylene iodonium, 10(-5) M) in parallel with the attenuation of oxidative stress. Ang II-induced activation of MAP kinase was also completely blocked by pitavastatin as well as a diphenylene iodonium in parallel with the attenuation of oxidative stress. In conclusion, pitavastatin attenuated high glucose-induced and Ang II- induced MAP kinase activity in mesangial cells through inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase. Thus, statins may have a potential as a therapeutic tool for early diabetic nephropathy.
Angiotensin II↗
Coexistence of idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis and idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.
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Biopsy↗
[The tape for pulmonary artery banding].
Pulmonary artery banding remains a useful procedure for special conditions. A 3-month-old girl diagnosed as Down syndrome with atrioventricular septal defect underwent pulmonary artery banding. We used polyester tape smeared with Bone Wax for this pulmonary artery banding. After 7 months period, the tape was easily dissected from surrounding tissue and removed at radical operation. Microscopic appearance showed that the tape was intact and no evidence of inflammation or mineralization. We believe Bone Wax smeared polyester tape accomplishes well as silicone impregnated one.
Biocompatible Materials↗
High hRFI expression correlates with resistance to fluoropyrimidines in human colon cancer cell lines and in xenografts.
We previously reported that the over-expression of hRFI, a protein preferentially expressed in the digestive tract regions of several cancers, exhibited a tendency to inhibit TNF-alpha induced apoptosis. In this study, we sought to determine the potential effect of hRFI expression on the sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and/or other fluoropyrimidines. For the whole lysates of 8 colon cancer cell lines, we performed Western blotting with anti-hRFI antibody and analyzed the correlations between the expression level of hRFI and the cell lines' sensitivity to 5-FU induced apoptosis. Furthermore, for a tissue microarray consisting of 32 xenograft derived human cancer cell lines, we examined the expression levels of hRFI and survivin by immunohistochemical staining, and analyzed the correlations between the expression of each protein and the sensitivity to several chemotherapeutic agents in the xenografts examined. Both in colon cancer cell lines and in xenografts, the expression level of hRFI was correlated with resistance to 5-FU and its derivatives. This evidence suggests that hRFI may be a marker predicting the response to fluorouracil derived chemotherapeutic agents and that the reduction of the expression level of hRFI might improve the outcome of chemotherapy.
Carrier Proteins↗
Study on the rapid deswelling mechanism of comb-type N-isopropylacrylamide gels.
The shrinking mechanism of comb-type grafted poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gel was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS). The SAXS reveals that the microdomain structure with characteristic dimension of 460A is developed in the comb-type grafted poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gel during the shrinking process. Fluorescence spectroscopy together with SAXS observation suggests that the freely mobile characteristics of the grafted chains are expected to show the rapid dehydration to make tightly packed globules with temperature, followed by the subsequent hydrophobic intermolecular aggregation of the dehydrated graft chains. The dehydrated grafted chains created the hydrophobic cores, which enhance the hydrophobic aggregation of the networks. These aggregations of the NIPA chains contribute to an increase in void volume, which allow the gel having a pathway of water molecules by the phase separation.
Acrylamides↗
Relationship between active and passive smoking and total serum IgE levels in Japanese women: baseline data from the Osaka Maternal and Child Health Study.
BACKGROUND: Many studies have shown that cigarette smoking is associated with elevated concentrations of total serum IgE. Few studies, however, have examined total IgE in relation to passive smoking exposure, especially in adults. This cross-sectional study investigated the association of active and passive smoking exposure with levels of total serum IgE in Japan. METHODS: Study subjects were 981 pregnant women in Osaka. Total IgE levels were measured using UniCAP 1000 and were defined as elevated if they exceeded 170 ml/UI. Age, gestation, parity, family history of asthma, atopic eczema and allergic rhinitis, indoor domestic pets, family income, education and the mite allergen level in house dust were selected as potential confounding factors. RESULTS: Current smoking of at least 15 cigarettes a day and 8.0 or more pack-years of smoking were independently related to an increased prevalence of elevated total serum IgE (adjusted odds ratios 3.40 and 2.51, 95% confidence intervals 2.12-5.47 and 1.55-4.06, respectively), and both cigarette smoking status and pack-years of smoking were significantly positively associated with total serum IgE levels, especially in subjects with a positive familial allergic history. There was no measurable association of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) at home or at work with total serum IgE concentrations among those who had never smoked. CONCLUSIONS: Our results corroborate a positive relationship between active smoking and total serum IgE levels; however, this study failed to substantiate a positive association of ETS exposure with total IgE. Investigations with more precise and detailed exposure measurements are warranted.
Adult↗
Ah receptor, CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 gene polymorphisms are not involved in the risk of recurrent pregnancy loss.
The etiology of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) remains unclear, but it may be related to a possible genetic predisposition together with involvement of environmental factors. We examined the relation between RPL and polymorphisms in four genes, human aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor, cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1, which are involved in the metabolism of a wide range of environmental toxins and carcinogens. All cases and controls were women resident in Sapporo, Japan and the surrounding area. The Ah receptor, CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 genotypes were assessed in 113 Japanese women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and 203 ethnically matched women experiencing at least one live birth and no spontaneous abortion (control). No significant differences in Ah receptor, CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 genotype frequencies were found between the women with RPL and the controls [Ah receptor: Arg/Arg (reference); Arg/Lys and Lys/Lys, odds ratio (OR)=0.67; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.40-1.11, CYP1A1: m1m1 (reference); m1m2 and m2m2, OR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.53-1.40, CYP1A2: C/C and C/A (reference); A/A, OR = 1.16; 95% CI = 0.71-1.88, CYP1B1: Leu/Leu (reference); Leu/Val and Val/Val, OR = 1.18; 95% CI = 0.68-2.02]. The present study suggests that the Ah receptor, CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 gene polymorphisms are not major genetic regulators in RPL.
Abortion, Habitual↗
Chelating of titanium by lactic acid in the water-soluble diammonium tris(2-hydroxypropionato)titanate(IV).
Stable water-soluble diammonium tris(2-hydroxypropionato)titanate(IV) [ammonium trilactatotitanate(IV)], (NH4)2[Ti(C3H4O3)3], was prepared in the crystalline form. According to the X-ray single-crystal diffraction data, this compound crystallizes in the cubic cell with a = 11.649(4) angstroms, space group P2(1)3 (no. 198), and has Z = 4 molecules per unit cell. The 13C NMR data and Raman and IR spectra support the determined structure. The absence of nonbonded functional groups restricts the formation of oligomers in contrast to the reported speciation of citratoperoxotitanate(IV) complexes.
Chelating Agents↗
Molecular and functional characterization of a vasotocin-sensitive aquaporin water channel in quail kidney.
Both mammals and birds can concentrate urine hyperosmotic to plasma via a countercurrent multiplier mechanism, although evolutionary lines leading to mammals and birds diverged at an early stage of tetrapod evolution. We reported earlier (Nishimura H, Koseki C, and Patel TB. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 271: R1535-R1543, 1996) that arginine vasotocin (AVT; avian antidiuretic hormone) increases diffusional water permeability in the isolated, perfused medullary collecting duct (CD) of the quail kidney. In the present study, we have identified an aquaporin (AQP) 2 homolog water channel in the medullary cones of Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix (qAQP2), by RT-PCR-based cloning techniques. A full-length cDNA contains an 822-bp open reading frame that encodes a 274-amino acid sequence with 75.5% identity to rat AQP2. The qAQP2 has six transmembrane domains, two asparagine-proline-alanine (NPA) sequences, and putative N-glycosylation (asparagine-124) and phosphorylation sites (serine-257) for cAMP-dependent protein kinase. qAQP2 is expressed in the membrane of Xenopus laevis oocytes and significantly increased its osmotic water permeability (P(f)), inhibitable (P < 0.01) by mercury chloride. qAQP2 mRNA (RT-PCR) was detected in the kidney; medullary mRNA levels were higher than cortical levels. qAQP2 protein that binds to rabbit anti-rat AQP2 antibody is present in the apical/subapical regions of both cortical and medullary CDs from normally hydrated quail, and the intensity of staining increased only in the medullary CDs after water deprivation or AVT treatment. The relative density of the approximately 29-kDa protein band detected by immunoblot from the medullary cones was modestly higher in water-deprived/AVT-treated quail. The results suggest that 1) medullary CDs of quail kidneys express a mercury-sensitive functioning qAQP2 water channel, and 2) qAQP2 is at least partly regulated by an AVT-dependent mechanism. This is the first clear identification of AQP2 homolog in nonmammalian vertebrates.
Algorithms↗
Daily omega-3 fatty acid intake and depression in Japanese patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer.
The aim of the present study was to examine the association between daily omega-3 fatty acid intake and depression in Japanese cancer patients. Omega-3 fatty acid intake in 771 patients with newly diagnosed primary lung cancer was evaluated using a food-frequency questionnaire, and the prevalence of depression was examined using the cutoff values for the depression subscale included in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, the odds ratio (OR) for depression among patients in the highest quartile of the total eicosapentaenoic acid- (C20:5n-3) and docosapentaenoic acid (C22:6n-3)-intake group compared with patients in the lowest quartile was not significantly different. On the other hand, the OR among the highest quartile of alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3) intake (adjusted OR=0.50, 95% CI: 0.31-0.71, P for trend=0.004) and the highest quartile of total omega-3 fatty acid intake (adjusted OR=0.55, 95% CI: 0.35-0.88, P for trend=0.022) were significantly different. These results suggest that total eicosapentaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid intake might not be associated with depression in Japanese patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer, but that alpha-linolenic acid intake and total omega-3 fatty acid intake might be.
Aged↗