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S Uchida

Publications and source records attributed to S Uchida.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Cortical oscillations in human medial temporal lobe during wakefulness and all-night sleep.

We have recorded human medial temporal lobe electrocorticogram during wakefulness and natural sleep in epileptic patients with subdural electrodes. From these recordings, we have found gamma (30-150 Hz) [Neuroscience 90 (1999) 1149] and beta-1 (10-20 Hz) [NeuroReport 10 (1999) 3055] activities during wakefulness in human medial temporal lobe. In this paper, we will report changes of these frequencies across wake and natural sleep. Electrocorticograms during wake, slow wave sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep were subjected to fast Fourier transformation analysis. During wake two spectral enhancements, beta-1 and gamma, were consistently observed across subjects. In the raw signal, beta-1 was observed as a regular rhythmic oscillation. In slow wave sleep, the beta-1 peak disappeared but gamma remained, although slightly reduced in power. During REM sleep, beta-1 appeared again, but the peak frequency was significantly lower than during wake (mean frequency: wake=16.6, REM=12.8 Hz). The gamma peak was also present in REM sleep. It has been known that the rhythmic slow activity (RSA) or theta is observed in some animals. However, it is unclear whether the human hippocampus displays similar activity. Since human beta-1 appears during wake and REM sleep when RSA is observed in other species, and since beta-1 is also a regular rhythmic oscillation, we propose that beta-1 may be the functional equivalent of hippocampal RSA (theta) observed in some animals. Functional significances of the gamma activity should be further investigated.

Adult↗

Therapeutic potential of ex vivo expanded endothelial progenitor cells for myocardial ischemia.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the therapeutic potential of ex vivo expanded endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) for myocardial neovascularization. METHODS AND RESULTS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from healthy human adults were cultured in EPC medium and harvested 7 days later. Myocardial ischemia was induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in male Hsd:RH-rnu (athymic nude) rats. A total of 10(6) EPCs labeled with 1,1'-dioctadecyl-1 to 3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate were injected intravenously 3 hours after the induction of myocardial ischemia. Seven days later, fluorescence-conjugated Bandeiraea simplicifolia lectin I was administered intravenously, and the rats were immediately killed. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that transplanted EPCs accumulated in the ischemic area and incorporated into foci of myocardial neovascularization. To determine the impact on left ventricular function, 5 rats (EPC group) were injected intravenously with 10(6) EPCs 3 hours after ischemia; 5 other rats (control group) received culture media. Echocardiography, performed just before and 28 days after ischemia, disclosed ventricular dimensions that were significantly smaller and fractional shortening that was significantly greater in the EPC group than in the control group by day 28. Regional wall motion was better preserved in the EPC group. After euthanization on day 28, necropsy examination disclosed that capillary density was significantly greater in the EPC group than in the control group. Moreover, the extent of left ventricular scarring was significantly less in rats receiving EPCs than in controls. Immunohistochemistry revealed capillaries that were positive for human-specific endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Ex vivo expanded EPCs incorporate into foci of myocardial neovascularization and have a favorable impact on the preservation of left ventricular function.

Animals↗

c-axis optical response in the static stripe ordered phase of the cuprates.

The c-axis far-infrared reflectivity spectra in the superconducting state were investigated for La1.85-yNd(y)Sr0.15CuO4. The Josephson plasma edge rapidly shifts towards lower frequency with increasing y, and almost disappears when y exceeds a critical value ( y(c) approximately 0.12) above which the low-temperature-tetragonal (LTT) deformation switches on, stabilizing the spin/charge ordered stripe phase. In the vicinity of y(c), a "normal state" reentrant behavior was observed with lowering temperature below Tc. This clearly demonstrates that the static stripe order pinned by the LTT distortion suppresses the interlayer phase coherence.

Journal Article↗

Localization of mouse CLC-6 and CLC-7 mRNA and their functional complementation of yeast CLC gene mutant.

CLC-6 and CLC-7 belong to the family of voltage-dependent chloride channels. To learn more about the in vivo roles of CLC-6 and CLC-7, we performed in situ hybridization of these CLC channels in various mouse organs. Mouse CLC-6 (mCLC-6) was expressed in the peripheral region of seminiferous tubules in the testis, tracheal epithelium, epithelium of bronchioles, alveolar cells in the lung, acinar cells in the pancreas, and intestinal epithelium, but we could not detect signals from pancreatic islets. Mouse CLC-7 (mCLC-7) was expressed in neurons in the medulla oblongata, Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, proximal tubules in the kidney, and hepatocytes in the liver. The distribution of mCLC-6 and mCLC-7 were similar in the lung, pancreas, and testis. mCLC-6 functionally complemented the gef1 phenotype of a yeast strain in which a single CLC channel (GEF1) had been disrupted by homologous recombination. In contrast, mCLC-7 did not complement this gef1 phenotype. This study identified the cell types that express mCLC-6 and mCLC-7 in the mouse tissues, and the complementation assay suggested that mCLC-6 functions as an intracellular chloride channel.

Animals↗

Developmental expression of CLC-K1 in the postnatal rat kidney.

CLC-K1, a kidney-specific chloride channel, has been demonstrated to be involved in the urine concentration mechanism. Here, we investigated the developmental expression of CLC-K1 in the rat kidney. Using immunohistochemistry, we showed that CLC-K1 was not present in the thin ascending limb of Henle's loop during the early prenatal stages but was significantly expressed during the adult stage. CLC-K1 started to appear at day 5 and its expression increased during further development. In developing rats this increase coincided with the increase in the urine-concentrating capacity as the animals matured. We also investigated the expressions of other channels and transporters, including NKCC2, AQP-1, and AQP-2. NKCC2 was strongly expressed throughout the inner medulla in neonatal rat kidneys but was entirely undetectable at the adult stage. The decline in its expression took the form of a gradual recession from the inner medulla together with reciprocal increases in the expression of CLC-K1. AQP-1 was weakly expressed in the inner medulla during early development and showed a rapid increase in expression at a later stage. The collecting duct cells significantly expressed AQP-2 even at birth and maintained its expression throughout the development. These results suggest that CLC-K1 expression is one of the major determinants of the urine-concentrating capacity of the developing rat kidney.

Animals↗

The role of the inferior head of the human lateral pterygoid muscle in the generation and control of horizontal mandibular force.

The aim was to test the hypothesis that the inferior head (IH) of the human lateral pterygoid muscle (LP) is involved in the generation and fine control of horizontal isometric mandibular force. Although previous studies provided some evidence for this, they had limitations that necessitate a re-examination. In eight participants, electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded from the IHLP unilaterally, as well as bilateral surface recordings from the masseter (M) and anterior temporalis (AT), and the submandibular group of muscles (SUBM), during the generation of horizontal isometric mandibular force in a direction contralateral to the side of the IHLP recording. Isometric force at 5-8 mm open from the intercuspal position was exerted on a transducer (attached by a bar to the upper teeth) by a rod attached to the lower teeth. Participants tracked a target on a video screen that required 5-s holding periods at each 100 gwt (0.98 N) between 400 gwt (3.92 N) and 800 gwt (7.84 N). The mean of multi-unit EMG activity from all muscles during the most stable 2-s force-holding periods increased significantly with each force increment (GLM repeated measures: P<0.0001). When normalized, the multi-unit data from the IHLP exhibited the steepest rate of increase. The mean firing rates of 21 IHLP single motor units (SMUs) significantly increased with force (GLM repeated measures: P<0.0001). Two SMUs fired in advance of force onset, which suggests a role in force initiation. There were close associations between fluctuations in force and in IHLP SMU firing rates and multi-unit activity, but a similar correspondence was not as clear for the other recorded jaw muscles. These findings suggest that the IHLP is important in the generation and fine control of contralaterally directed, horizontal jaw forces.

Action Potentials↗

Orbital inflammatory pseudotumor and ischemic vasculitis in Churg-Strauss syndrome: report of two cases and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the characteristics of ocular manifestations in Churg-Strauss syndrome (allergic granulomatosis and angiitis). DESIGN: Two interventional case reports and literature review. PARTICIPANTS: Two patients with Churg-Strauss syndrome with ocular manifestations are described; 15 previously reported cases and the present 2 cases of Churg-Strauss syndrome with ocular manifestations are reviewed. INTERVENTION: Ocular manifestations were divided into two groups: orbital inflammatory pseudotumor and ischemic vasculitis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The onset, conjunctival involvement, orbital imaging, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), and visual prognosis were evaluated. RESULTS: The characteristics of the orbital inflammatory pseudotumor type (eight cases) are chronic onset, positive conjunctival involvement, abnormalities in orbital imaging studies, negative ANCA, and good visual prognosis. The ischemic type (nine cases) is characterized by sudden onset, no conjunctival involvement or abnormalities in imaging studies, positive ANCA, and occasional poor visual prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Orbital inflammatory pseudotumor and ischemic vasculitis may represent two essential characteristics of Churg-Strauss syndrome, granulomatosis and angiitis, respectively. The clinical features of the two types are so distinct that differentiation may be meaningful for diagnosis and treatment of Churg-Strauss syndrome with ocular manifestations.

Adult↗

Regulation of regional cerebral blood flow by cholinergic fibers originating in the basal forebrain.

The intracranial neural vasodilative system of cholinergic fibers projecting from the basal forebrain to the cortex was discovered by Biesold, Inanami, Sato and Sato (Biesold, D., Inanami, O., Sato, A., Sato, Y., 1989. Stimulation of the nucleus basalis of Meynert increases cerebral cortical blood flow in rats. Neurosci. Lett. 98, 39-44) using laser Doppler flowmetry in anesthetized rats. This cholinergic vasodilative system, which operates by increasing extracellular ACh release, relies upon activation of both muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the parenchyma of the cortex. Further, the involvement of nitric oxide in this cholinergic vasodilation, indicates the necessity to this system of neurons, which contain nitric oxide synthase. The increase in cortical blood flow elicited by this cholinergic vasodilative system is independent of systemic blood pressure and is not coupled to cortical metabolic rates. This cholinergic vasodilative system may be activated by somatic afferent stimulation. Most of the data presented here were obtained in anesthetized animals.

Animals↗

Poly(oxazoline)s with tapered minidendritic side groups as models for the design of synthetic macromolecules with tertiary structure. A demonstration of the limitations of living polymerization in the design of 3-D structures based on single polymer chains.

The synthesis and living cationic ring-opening polymerization of 2-[3,4-bis(n-alkan-1-yloxy)phenyl]-2-oxazolines with alkan being tetradecan and pentadecan, i.e., (3,4)nG1-Oxz with n = 14 and 15, is described. The structural analysis of the resulting polymers with well-defined molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distribution was carried out by a combination of techniques, including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal optical polarized microscopy (TOPM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). At low molecular weights both polymers self-assemble into spherical supramolecules that self-organize into a Pm3n 3-D lattice while at high molecular weights they form cylindrical macromolecules that self-organize into a p6mm 2-D hexagonal columnar lattice. Both polymers exhibit a 3-D shape change as a function of their degree of polymerization as was reported for the first time in a previous publication from our laboratory (Percec, V.; Ahn, C.-H; Ungar, G.; Yeardley, D. J. P.; Möller, M.; Sheiko, S. S. Nature (London) 1998, 391, 161). Since these polymers can be obtained via a living polymerization, a detailed mechanistic investigation of the influence of the degree of polymerization and molecular weight distribution on the formation of a 3-D spherical macromolecule from a single polymer chain, i.e., a tertiary structure, was possible. The experimental results have demonstrated that the synthesis of nonbiological macromolecules exhibiting tertiary structure is possible in at most a few percent of all macromolecules via living polymerization. This is the case even when macromolecules with very narrow molecular weight distributions and well-defined molecular weights are used. Therefore, the design of synthetic macromolecules with tertiary structure requires not only chains with well-defined molecular weight but also, in particular, macromolecules with no distribution of their chain length.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

Absence of sleep spindles in human medial and basal temporal lobes.

All-night recordings from subdural electrocorticographic (ECoG) electrodes on the human medial and basal temporal lobes were analysed to examine spindling activities during sleep. Subjects were three males and three females who were candidates for neurosurgical treatments of partial epilepsy. Subdural electrodes were attached to the medial and basal temporal lobe cortices, allowing ECoG and electroencephalogram from the scalp vertex (Cz EEG) to be recorded simultaneously during all night sleep. In one case, subdural electrodes were attached also on the parietal lobe. Fast Fourier transformation (FFT) analyses were performed on the ECoG and Cz EEG signals. No organized sleep spindles or sigma band (12-16 Hz) peaks in FFT power spectra were observed from the medial or basal temporal lobes of the non-epileptogenic hemispheres during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. In a case with parietal electrodes, organized spindle bursts were observed in parietal signals synchronized with Cz spindles. Although delta band (0.3-3 Hz) power from both the medial and basal temporal lobes fluctuated across each night as expected, sigma activity changed little. However, 14 Hz oscillatory bursts were observed in the medial basal temporal lobe of epileptogenic hemisphere in two cases and bilaterally in one case during not only NREM sleep but rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and wakefulness. From the present study we conclude that sleep spindle activities are absent in the medial and basal temporal lobes. Fourteen Hz oscillatory bursts observed from the medial or basal temporal lobe in some cases were not considered to be sleep spindles since they also appeared during REM sleep and wakefulness. These waveforms could have originated due to epileptic pathology, since they frequently appeared in epileptic regions.

Adult↗

Comparisons of sleep patterns between mothers in post-partum from 9 to 12 weeks and non-pregnant women.

In order to evaluate two patterns of interrupted and non-interrupted sleep for the post-partum mothers from 9 to 12 weeks after delivery, we compared them with sleep patterns of non-pregnant women. Subjects were 10 primipara and 12 non-pregnant women. Their polysomnographic recordings were made using a Medilog recorder at home. In interrupted sleep, low sleep efficiency, decreased total sleep time, and a decreased percentage of stage 2 were significantly observed compared with non-pregnant women. Sleep parameters of non-interrupted sleep, except for increased percentage of stage 4, did not show any significant differences from non-pregnant women. Mothers' sleep fluctuated between interrupted sleep similar to the early post-partum sleep from 1 to 6 weeks and non-interrupted sleep with increased stage 4.

Adult↗

Isolation of a novel zinc finger repressor that regulates the kidney-specific CLC-K1 promoter.

CLC-K1 and CLC-K2, two kidney-specific CLC chloride channels, are transcriptionally regulated on a tissue-specific basis. We have shown that a GA element near their transcriptional start sites is important for basal and cell-specific activities of the CLC-K1 and CLC-K2 gene promoters. To identify the GA-binding proteins, a kidney cDNA library was screened by a yeast one-hybrid system. A novel member of the Cys2-His2 zinc finger gene designated as KKLF (kidney-enriched Krüppel-like factor) and the myc-associated zinc finger protein (MAZ) were cloned. KKLF was found to be abundantly expressed in the liver, kidney, heart, and skeletal muscle. In the kidney, KKLF protein was localized in interstitial cells, mesangial cells, and nephron segments where CLC-K1 and CLC-K2 were not expressed. Gel mobility shift assay revealed that recombinant KKLF and MAZ proteins exhibited sequence-specific binding to the CLC-K1 GA element and that the consensus sequence for the KKLF binding site was GGGGNGGNG. In transient transfection, MAZ had a strong activating effect on the CLC-K1-luciferase reporter gene transcription. On the other hand, KKLF coexpression with MAZ appeared to block the activating effect of MAZ. These results suggest that a novel set of zinc finger proteins may help regulate the strict tissue and nephron segment-specific expression of CLC-K1 and CLC-K2 channel genes through their GA cis element.

3T3 Cells↗

"Avian-type" renal medullary tubule organization causes immaturity of urine-concentrating ability in neonates.

BACKGROUND: While neonatal kidneys are not powerful in concentrating urine, they already dilute urine as efficiently as adult kidneys. To elucidate the basis for this paradoxical immaturity in urine-concentrating ability, we investigated the function of Henle's loop and collecting ducts (IMCDs) in the inner medulla of neonatal rat kidneys. METHODS: Analyses of individual renal tubules in the inner medulla of neonatal and adult rat kidneys were performed by measuring mRNA expression of membrane transporters, transepithelial voltages, and isotopic water and ion fluxes. Immunofluorescent identification of the rCCC2 and rCLC-K1 using polyclonal antibodies was also performed in neonatal and adult kidney slices. RESULTS: On day 1, the transepithelial voltages (V(Ts)) in the thin ascending limbs (tALs) and IMCDs were 14.6 +/- 1.1 mV (N = 27) and -42.7 +/- 6.1 mV (N = 14), respectively. The V(Ts) in the thin descending limbs (tDLs) were zero on day 1. The V(Ts) in the tALs were strongly inhibited by luminal bumetanide or basolateral ouabain, suggesting the presence of a NaCl reabsorption mechanism similar to that in the thick ascending limb (TAL). The diffusional voltage (V(D)) of the tAL due to transepithelial NaCl gradient was almost insensitive to a chloride channel blocker 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate (NPPB). The V(Ts) in the IMCDs were strongly inhibited by luminal amiloride. On day 1, both the tDL and tAL were impermeable to water, indicating the water impermeability of the entire loop. Diffusional water permeability (P(dw)) and urea permeabilities (P(urea)) in the IMCDs indicated virtual impermeability to water and urea on day 1. Stimulation by vasopressin (1 nmol/L) revealed that only P(dw) was sensitive to vasopressin by day 14. A partial isoosmolar replacement of luminal urea by NaCl evoked negligible water flux across the neonatal IMCDs, indicating the absence of urea-dependent volume flux in the neonatal IMCD. These transport characteristics in each neonatal tubule are similar to those in quail kidneys. Identification of mRNAs and immunofluorescent studies for specific transporters, including rAQP-1, rCCC2, rCLC-K1, rENaC beta subunit, rAQP-2, and rUT-A1, supported these findings. CONCLUSION: We hypothesize that the renal medullary tubule organization of neonatal rats shares a tremendous similarity with avian renal medulla. The qualitative changes in the organization of medullary tubules may be primarily responsible for the immature urine-concentrating ability in mammalian neonates.

Age Factors↗

Long-term follow-up of initial 5-fluorouracil trabeculectomy in primary open-angle glaucoma in Japanese patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of initial trabeculectomy with subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil in Japanese patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Clinical records of 117 eyes from 117 patients with records of up to 14 years were retrospectively analyzed using the appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 6.2 +/- 3.6 years. Criteria for successful intraocular pressure control and success probability by Kaplan-Meier method at 12 years were intraocular pressure < 21 mm Hg without medication plus a 30% or more reduction in intraocular pressure, 50.4 +/- 5.2% (SE) 38.2 +/- 5.3%; and intraocular pressure < 16 mm Hg without medication plus a 30% or more reduction in intraocular pressure, 45.9 +/- 5.1% (36.5 +/- 5.2%). Cox multiple regression analysis showed that a younger age was associated with a higher success probability (P <0.01). Eyes with lower postoperative intraocular pressure tended to show more positive value of the MD slope (P = 0.0669), whereas 7% of successfully treated eyes showed a negative postoperative MD slope (P < 0.1). The probabilities for developing bleb leaks and bleb-related infections in eyes with a functioning bleb were 28.9 +/- 12.5% and 13.0 +/- 10.4% at 12 years. CONCLUSION: Trabeculectomy with 5-fluorouracil as an initial surgery in Japanese patients with primary open-angle glaucoma was effective for long-term control of glaucoma. However, the probability of late-onset bleb-related complications was not low in eyes with a functioning bleb, stressing the importance of constant care regarding bleb status.

Adult↗

Impaired solute accumulation in inner medulla of Clcnk1-/- mice kidney.

The CLC-K1 chloride channel is a kidney-specific CLC chloride channel expressed in the thin ascending limb of Henle's loop (tAL). Recently, we determined that Clcnk1-/- mice show nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI). To investigate the pathogenesis of impaired urinary concentrating ability, we analyzed renal functions of Clcnk1-/- mice in more detail. The osmolar clearance-to-creatinine clearance ratio was not significantly different between Clcnk1+/- and Clcnk1+/+ mice. Fractional excretion of sodium, chloride, and urea was also not significantly affected in Clcnk1-/- mice. These results indicate that the polyuria observed in Clcnk1-/- mice was water diuresis and not osmotic diuresis. The papillary osmolarity in Clcnk1-/- mice was significantly lower than that in Clcnk1+/+ mice under a hydrated condition, and it did not increase even after water deprivation. Sodium and chloride contents in the inner medulla in Clcnk1-/- mice were at about one-half the levels observed in Clcnk1+/+ mice. Furthermore, the accumulation of urea was also impaired in Clcnk1-/- mice, suggesting that the overall countercurrent system was impaired by a defect of its single component, chloride transport in the tAL. The aldose reductase mRNA abundance in Clcnk1-/- mice was decreased, further evincing that inner medullary tonicity is decreased in Clcnk1-/- mice. We concluded that NDI in Clcnk1-/- mice resulted from an impairment in the generation of inner medullary hypertonicity by a dysfunction of the countercurrent systems.

Aldehyde Reductase↗

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor mobilizes bone marrow--derived endothelial progenitor cells.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been isolated from circulating mononuclear cells in peripheral blood and shown to incorporate into foci of neovascularization, consistent with postnatal vasculogenesis. These circulating EPCs are derived from bone marrow and are mobilized endogenously in response to tissue ischemia or exogenously by cytokine stimulation. We show here, using a chemotaxis assay of bone marrow mononuclear cells in vitro and EPC culture assay of peripheral blood from simvastatin-treated animals in vivo, that the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, simvastatin, augments the circulating population of EPCs. Direct evidence that this increased pool of circulating EPCs originates from bone marrow and may enhance neovascularization was demonstrated in simvastatin-treated mice transplanted with bone marrow from transgenic donors expressing beta-galactosidase transcriptionally regulated by the endothelial cell-specific Tie-2 promoter. The role of Akt signaling in mediating effects of statin on EPCs is suggested by the observation that simvastatin rapidly activates Akt protein kinase in EPCs, enhancing proliferative and migratory activities and cell survival. Furthermore, dominant negative Akt overexpression leads to functional blocking of EPC bioactivity. These findings establish that augmented mobilization of bone marrow-derived EPCs through stimulation of the Akt signaling pathway constitutes a novel function for HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.

Animals↗

Non-neuronal neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors in amniotic epithelial cells: expression and function in humans and monkey.

Human amniotic epithelial cells (HAEC) are formed from epiblasts on the 8th day after fertilization. Because they lack major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen, human amniotic tissue transplantation has been used for allotranplantation to treat patients with lysosomal diseases. We have provided evidence that HAEC have multiple functions such as synthesis and release of acetylcholine (ACh) and catecholamine (CA) as well as expressing mRNA coding for dopamine receptors and dopamine (DA) transporter (DAT). On the other hand, we showed that monkey amniotic epithelial cells (MAEC) synthesize and release CA and posses DA receptors and DAT. Detection of muscarinic actylcholine receptors indicates the presence of an autocrine mechanism in HAEC. Recently, we found that HAEC have neurotrophic function in conditioned medium from HAEC, indicating the presence of a novel neurotrohpic factor that is synthesized and released from HAEC. The amniotic membrane may have a significant role in supplying neurotrophic factors as well as neurotransmitters to the amniotic fluid, suggesting an important function in the early stages of neural development of the embryo. This review will focus on the neuropharmacological aspects of HAEC and MAEC in relation to the physiology of amniotic membrane.

Acetylcholine↗