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Biomedical subjects

S Takeda

Publications and source records attributed to S Takeda.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

M+(12-crown-4) supramolecular cations (M+ = Na+, K+, Rb+, and NH4+) within Ni(2-thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolate)2 molecular conductor.

Monovalent cations (M+ = Na+, K+, Rb+, and NH4+) and 12-crown-4 were assembled to new supramolecular cation (SC+) structures of the M+(12-crown-4)n (n = 1 and 2), which were incorporated into the electrically conducting Ni(dmit)2 salts (dmit = 2-thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolate). The Na+, K+, and Rb+ salts are isostructural with a stoichiometry of the M+(12-crown-4)2[Ni(dmit)2]4, while the NH4+ salt has a stoichiometry of NH4+(12-crown-4)[Ni(dmit)2]3(CH3CN)2. The electrical conductivities of the Na+, K+, Rb+, and NH4+ salts at room temperature are 7.87, 4.46, 0.78, and 0.14 S cm-1, respectively, with a semiconducting temperature dependence. The SC+ structures of the Na+, K+, and Rb+ salts have an ion-capturing sandwich-type cavity of M+(12-crown-4)2, in which the M+ ion is coordinated by eight oxygen atoms of the two 12-crown-4 molecules. On the other hand, the NH4+ ion is coordinated by four oxygen atoms of the 12-crown-4 molecule. Judging from the M(+)-O distances, thermal parameters of oxygen atoms, and vibration spectra, the thermal fluctuation of the Na+(12-crown-4)2 structure is larger than those of K+(12-crown-4)2 and Rb+(12-crown-4)2. The SC+ unit with the larger alkali metal cation gave a stress to the Ni(dmit)2 column, and the SC+ structure changed the pi-pi overlap mode and electrically conducting behavior.

Journal Article↗

Selective antagonism by naloxonazine of antinociception by Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-beta-Ala, a novel dermorphin analogue with high affinity at mu-opioid receptors.

To examine the role of mu-opioid receptor subtypes, we assessed the antinociceptive effect of H-Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-beta-Ala-OH (TAPA), an analogue of dermorphin N-terminal peptide in mice, using the tail-flick test. Intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) or intrathecally (i.t.) injected TAPA produced potent antinociception with tail-flick as a thermal noxious stimulus. The selective mu(1)-opioid receptor antagonist, naloxonazine (35 mg/kg, s.c.), or the selective mu-opioid receptor antagonist, beta-funaltrexamine, 24 h before testing antagonized the antinociceptive effect of i.t. or i.c.v. TAPA on the response to noxious stimuli. Pretreatment with beta-funaltrexamine completely antagonized the antinociception by both i.c.v. and i.t. administered TAPA and [D-Ala(2), Me-Phe(4), Gly(ol)(5)]enkephalin (DAMGO). Especially in the tail-flick test, pretreatment with naloxonazine produced a marked rightward displacement of the i.t. TAPA dose-response curve for antinociception. Though DAMGO is a highly selective mu-opioid receptor agonist, pretreatment with naloxonazine partially blocked the antinociceptive response to DAMGO after i.c.v., but not after i. t. injection. These results indicate that TAPA can act as a highly selective mu(1)-opioid receptor agonist (notable naloxonazine-sensitive receptor agonist) at not only the supraspinal level, but also the spinal level. These data also reveal different antinociceptive mechanisms for DAMGO and for TAPA.

Analgesics↗

Kinesin superfamily protein 3 (KIF3) motor transports fodrin-associating vesicles important for neurite building.

Kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs) comprise several dozen molecular motor proteins. The KIF3 heterotrimer complex is one of the most abundantly and ubiquitously expressed KIFs in mammalian cells. To unveil the functions of KIF3, microinjection of function-blocking monovalent antibodies against KIF3 into cultured superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons was carried out. They significantly blocked fast axonal transport and brought about inhibition of neurite extension. A yeast two-hybrid binding assay revealed the association of fodrin with the KIF3 motor through KAP3. This was further confirmed by using vesicles collected from large bundles of axons (cauda equina), from which membranous vesicles could be prepared in pure preparations. Both immunoprecipitation and immunoelectron microscopy indicated the colocalization of fodrin and KIF3 on the same vesicles, the results reinforcing the evidence that the cargo of the KIF3 motor consists of fodrin-associating vesicles. In addition, pulse-labeling study implied partial comigration of both molecules as fast flow components. Taken together, the KIF3 motor is engaged in fast axonal transport that conveys membranous components important for neurite extension.

Animals↗

Immune response to adenovirus-delivered antigens upregulates utrophin and results in mitigation of muscle pathology in mdx mice.

The upregulation of endogenous utrophin in skeletal muscle may lead to a new approach to the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). We found that injection of an E1, E3-deleted adenovirus vector expressing beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal) or green fluorescent protein (GFP) into the skeletal muscle of neonatal dystrophin-deficient mdx mice alleviated dystrophic pathology. In the adenovirus-infected muscles, an evaluation of sarcolemma stability showed low permeability and immunohistochemistry revealed utrophin upregulation at the extrasynaptic sarcolemma of mature muscle fibers. This utrophin upregulation was concomitant with endomysial cellular infiltration from a host immune reaction. There was no evidence of active muscle regeneration. In normal C57BL/10 mice, utrophin was also upregulated in adenovirus-injected skeletal muscles, where upregulated utrophin often coexisted with dystrophin. FK506 and anti-CD4 antibody administration decreased utrophin expression in adenovirus-injected mdx muscles and prevented the dystrophic phenotype from being mitigated, suggesting that an immune reaction is involved in utrophin upregulation. This is the first report demonstrating the improvement of the dystrophic phenotype as a result of the acquired overexpression of endogenous utrophin. Our findings provide an important clue to understanding the mechanism of utrophin expression and the development of an effective treatment for DMD.

Adenoviridae↗

The controlling role of ATM in homologous recombinational repair of DNA damage.

The human genetic disorder ataxia telangiectasia (A-T), caused by mutation in the ATM gene, is characterized by chromosomal instability, radiosensitivity and defective cell cycle checkpoint activation. DNA double-strand breaks (dsbs) persist in A-T cells after irradiation, but the underlying defect is unclear. To investigate ATM's interactions with dsb repair pathways, we disrupted ATM along with other genes involved in the principal, complementary dsb repair pathways of homologous recombination (HR) or non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) in chicken DT40 cells. ATM(-/-) cells show altered kinetics of radiation-induced Rad51 and Rad54 focus formation. Ku70-deficient (NHEJ(-)) ATM(-/-) chicken DT40 cells show radiosensitivity and high radiation-induced chromosomal aberration frequencies, while Rad54-defective (HR(-)) ATM(-/-) cells show only slightly elevated aberration levels after irradiation, placing ATM and HR on the same pathway. These results reveal that ATM defects impair HR-mediated dsb repair and may link cell cycle checkpoints to HR activation.

Animals↗

Leptin inhibits bone formation through a hypothalamic relay: a central control of bone mass.

Gonadal failure induces bone loss while obesity prevents it. This raises the possibility that bone mass, body weight, and gonadal function are regulated by common pathways. To test this hypothesis, we studied leptin-deficient and leptin receptor-deficient mice that are obese and hypogonadic. Both mutant mice have an increased bone formation leading to high bone mass despite hypogonadism and hypercortisolism. This phenotype is dominant, independent of the presence of fat, and specific for the absence of leptin signaling. There is no leptin signaling in osteoblasts but intracerebroventricular infusion of leptin causes bone loss in leptin-deficient and wild-type mice. This study identifies leptin as a potent inhibitor of bone formation acting through the central nervous system and therefore describes the central nature of bone mass control and its disorders.

Animals↗

Simultaneous determination of bromide, nitrite and nitrate ions in seawater by capillary zone electrophoresis using artificial seawater as the carrier solution.

We describe capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) for the simultaneous determination of bromide, nitrite and nitrate ions in seawater. Artificial seawater was adopted as the carrier solution to eliminate the interference of high concentrations of salts in seawater. The artificial seawater was free from bromide ion to enable the determination of bromide ion in a sample solution. For the purpose of reversing the electroosmotic flow (EOF), 3 mM cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) was added to the carrier solution. A 100 microm ID (inside diameter) capillary was used to extend the optical path length. The limits of detection (LODs) for bromide, nitrite, and nitrate ions were 0.46, 0.072, and 0.042 mg/L (as nitrogen), respectively. The LODs were obtained at a signal to noise ratio (S/N) of 3. The values of the relative standard deviation (RSD) of peak area for these ions were 1.1, 1.5, and 0.97%. The RSDs of migration time for these ions were 0.61, 0.69, and 0.66%. Artificial seawater samples containing various concentrations of bromide, nitrite, and nitrate ions were analyzed by the method. The error was less than +/-12% even if the concentration ratio of bromide ion to nitrite or nitrate ion was 20-240. The proposed method was applied to the determination of bromide, nitrite, and nitrate ions in seawater samples taken from the surface and the seabed. These ions in other environmental waters such as river water and rainwater samples were also determined by ion chromatography (IC) as well as this method.

Bromides↗

A neuro (endo)crine regulation of bone remodeling.

Bone remodeling is the normal physiologic process that is used by vertebrates to maintain a constant bone mass during the period bracketed by the end of puberty and the onset of gonadal failure in later life. Besides the well-characterized and critical process of local regulation of bone remodeling, achieved by autocrine and paracrine mechanisms, recent genetic studies have shown that there is a central control of bone formation, mediated by a neuroendocrine mechanism. This central regulation involves leptin, an adipocyte-secreted hormone that controls body weight, reproduction and bone remodeling, and which binds to and exerts its effect through the cells of the hypothalamic nuclei in the brain. This genetic result in mice is in line with clinical observations in humans and generates a whole new direction of research in bone physiology. BioEssays 22:970-975, 2000.

Animals↗

Improvement of capillary zone electrophoresis sensitivity with artificial seawater as the background electrolyte utilizing transient isotachophoresis for the determination of nitrate and nitrate ions in seawater.

We describe capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with transient isotachophoresis (ITP) for the determination of low concentrations of nitrite and nitrate ions in seawater. Bromide-free artificial seawater was adopted as background electrolyte (BGE) to eliminate the interference of high concentrations of salts in seawater. To reverse the electroosmotic flow (EOF), 3 mM cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) was added to the BGE. High concentrations of chlorate were added to sample solutions as the terminating ion to generate the ITP process before the CZE separation. In general, the stacking effect increased with increasing amounts of chlorate injected into the capillary. The limits of detection (LODs) for nitrite and nitrate were 0.063 and 0.033 mg/L when the chlorate concentration was 600 and 200 mM, respectively; these were half of those obtained by CZE without the transient ITP. The LODs were obtained at a signal to noise ratio (S/N) of 3. The relative standard deviations (RSD, n = 10) of the peak areas for these ions were 3.2 and 2.9%. The RSDs of peak heights for these ions were 1.6 and 2.1%. The RSDs of migration times for these ions were 0.67 and 0.46%.

Electrolytes↗

Tubular carcinoma of the breast: a histologic subtype indicative of breast-conserving therapy.

We reviewed the clinical and pathologic features of pure tubular carcinoma of the breast with particular emphasis on the reported risk factors associated with local recurrences and survival following breast-conserving therapy. Of 1653 cases of invasive breast cancer, 12 (0.7%) were identified as pure tubular carcinoma. Clinical/pathologic features of pure tubular carcinoma were compared with those of T1 invasive carcinoma of all other histologic types (T1 IC). Of the 12 patients with pure tubular carcinoma (median tumor diameter 1.4 cm; range 0.5-3.0 cm), a multicentric association was identified in one patient while a multifocal association was seen in two. One patient had nodal metastatic disease out of the ten who underwent axillary dissection. No lymphatic vessel invasion was identified in any tumors (P < 0.1 vs T1 IC). In addition, extensive intraductal spread was not present in any tumors (P < 0.05 vs T1 IC). This study shows that patients with pure tubular carcinoma are appropriate candidates for breast-conserving therapy based on the clinical/ pathologic features. When a multifocal association is suspected preoperatively, either a wide local excision or a quadrantectomy which includes other lesions is thus recommended.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Endolymphatic hydrops induced by chronic administration of vasopressin.

Recently, many lines of evidence have supported the possibilities that vasopressin (VP) is closely linked to the formation of endolymphatic hydrops in Meniere's disease. In the present study, it was examined whether or not the chronic administration of VP might induce endolymphatic hydrops. For this purpose, histological studies and VP radioimmunoassay were independently performed in 20 and 40 guinea pigs, respectively. The degree of hydrops was quantitatively assessed by the increase ratio (IR) of the scala media area in the mid-modiolar sections of the cochlea. The IR was defined by the following equation: 100x(A-B)/B (A: the cross-sectional area of the bulging scala media; B: the no-bulging scala media, enclosed by an idealized straight Reissner's membrane). VP was administered at the rates of 200 microU/kg/min, 400 microU/kg/min and 1000 microU/kg/min for 1 week via the osmotic mini-pump. The IR of the total of the apical, second, third and basal turns (means+/-S.D.s) were 4.4+/-0.7, 10.4+/-1.8, 17.4+/-7.9 (n=10 ears, each) in respective doses of VP. Comparing with that of the control animals (5.2+/-1.7, n=10 ears), the area increased significantly in the VP dosage of 400 and 1000 microU/kg/min (Bonferroni's method, P<0.05). Plasma VP concentrations produced by the VP administration in these dosages were 2.2+/-0.4, 3.5+/-0.8 and 14.0+/-3.9 (n=10, each) pg/ml. Although 3.5 pg/ml is the upper limit of plasma VP concentration in normal human subjects, 14.0 pg/ml was almost the same concentration as those observed in the acute phase of Meniere's disease (Takeda et al., 1995). Therefore, the formation of endolymphatic hydrops in cases of Meniere's disease might be caused by high concentrations of plasma VP.

Analysis of Variance↗

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated at Fukuoka University Hospital and hospitals and clinics in the Fukuoka city area.

Bacteriological and epidemiological studies were carried out on 106 isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated at our hospital (56 isolates) and from 15 other hospitals and clinics (50 isolates) in the Fukuoka city area. Strains were studied regarding coagulase-type, beta-lactamase production, and antimicrobial susceptibility; genotype studies used pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with cluster analysis. The majority of isolates produced coagulase type II (75.5%) and beta-lactamase (72. 6%); there was high susceptibility to arbekacin (84.9%) but no resistance to vancomycin. Dendrogram analysis of PFGE patterns identified five major clusters that generally correlated with coagulase-type and beta-lactamase production. Though isolates of two clusters were both coagulase type II and beta-lactamase producing, which was the most common circulating strain both in our hospital and other hospitals and clinics, dendrogram analysis of PFGE patterns showed that they were heterogeneous. Four genetically identical isolates from the same hospital suggested the existence of hospital-specific strains. Nine genetically identical isolates from intensive care units (ICU) in our hospital suggested that a unique strain of MRSA was found there. It had not been transmitted from another area. PFGE with cluster analysis seemed to be an essential tool to detect area-specific or hospital-specific strains undifferentiated by phenotyping. These findings confirmed that a combination of PFGE, including cluster analysis along with coagulase-type and beta-lactamase production may provide more detailed information for the epidemiological study of MRSA.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗

Genetic analysis of homologous DNA recombination in vertebrate somatic cells.

The maintenance of genomic stability and the ability to repair induced DNA damage in vertebrate cells require homologues of the yeast RAD52 epistasis group genes. The homologous recombination carried out by the products of these genes is essential and appears to be closely linked to DNA replication. Defects in recombination and associated activities are implicated in human cancer. This review summarises recent biochemical and genetic findings on the roles played by the vertebrate RAD52 group gene products in recombination. We describe the phenotypic analysis of genetically engineered mammalian and chicken mutants of homologous recombination genes.

Animals↗

Interaction of merosin (laminin 2) with very late activation antigen-6 is necessary for the survival of CD4+ CD8+ immature thymocytes.

The laminin alpha2-chain is a component of merosin, a member of the laminin family molecules, which is mainly expressed in the basement membranes of striated muscle. It is known that laminin alpha2 gene (lama2) null mutant mice (dy3k/dy3k) exhibit congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD). Because the laminin alpha2-chain is also expressed in the thymus, the role of merosin in the thymus was examined. In association with the onset of muscular dystrophy, CD4+ CD8+ double-positive (DP) thymocytes disappear by apoptotic cell death, while CD4+ CD8- or CD4- CD8+ thymocytes remain. In order to study the mechanisms leading to the selective death of DP cells in the absence of merosin, the role of the interaction between very late activation antigen-6 (VLA-6), a candidate merosin ligand in the thymus, and merosin was examined. The in vitro survival of thymocytes from normal mice was maintained by the addition of either anti-VLA-6 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or merosin. Furthermore, when the normal thymocytes were cultured on thymic epithelial cell lines, viable DP cell recoveries on wild-type epithelial cells were better than on cells from null mutant mice. The results suggest that DP cells are more sensitive to an uncharacterized apoptotic death signal, and that survival is supported by the interaction between VLA-6 and merosin.

Animals↗

Neuron-specific phosphorylation of Alzheimer's beta-amyloid precursor protein by cyclin-dependent kinase 5.

The mature form of Alzheimer's beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) is phosphorylated specifically at Thr(668) in neurons. In mature neurons, phosphorylated APP is detected in neurites, with dephosphorylated APP being found mostly in the cell body. In vitro, active cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) phosphorylated the cytoplasmic domain of APP at Thr(668). Treatment of mature neurons with an antisense oligonucleotide to Cdk5 suppressed Cdk5 expression and significantly diminished the level of phosphorylated APP. The expression of APP was unaffected in antisense-treated neurons. These results indicate that in neurons APP is phosphorylated by Cdk5, and that this may play a role in its localization.

Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor↗