Biomedical subjects

Akira Nakajima

Publications and source records attributed to Akira Nakajima.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Bioactivity of CaSiO3/poly-lactic acid (PLA) composites prepared by various surface loading methods of CaSiO3 powder.

Mixing bioactive ceramic powders with polymers is an effective method for generating bioactivity to the polymer-matrix composites but it is necessary to incorporate up to 40 vol% of bioactive ceramic powder. However, such a high mixing ratio offsets the advantages of the flexibility and formability of polymer matrix and it would be highly advantageous to lower the mixing ratio. Since surface loading of ceramic powders in the polymer is thought to be an effective way of reducing the mixing ratio of the ceramic powder while maintaining bioactive activity, CaSiO(3)/poly-lactic acid (PLA) composites were prepared by three methods; (1) casting, (2) spin coating and (3) hot pressing. In methods (1) and (2), a suspension was prepared by dissolving PLA in chloroform and dispersing CaSiO(3) powder in it. The suspension was cast and dried to form a film in the case of method (1) while it was spin-coated on a PLA substrate in method (2). In method (3), CaSiO(3) powder was surface loaded on to a PLA substrate by hot pressing. The bioactivity of these samples was investigated in vitro using simulated body fluid (SBF). Apatite formation was not observed in the samples prepared by method (1) but some apatite formation was achieved by mixing polyethylene glycol (PEG) with the PLA, producing a porous polymer matrix. In method (2), apatite was clearly observed after soaking for 7 days. Enhanced apatite formation was observed in method (3), the thickness of the resulting apatite layers becoming about 20 microm after soaking for 14 days. Since the amount of CaSiO(3) powder used in these samples was only <or=0.4 vol%, it is concluded that this preparation method is very effective in generating bioactivity in polymer-matrix composites by loading with only very small amounts of ceramic powder.

Biocompatible Materials↗

PubMed2007

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and its inducer inhibit morphine-induced rewarding effects and sensitization.

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is emerging as an important modulator of the function of the central nervous system (CNS). We have demonstrated that TNF-alpha or Leu-Ile, a TNF-alpha inducer, inhibits methamphetamine-induced rewarding effects and sensitization. In this study, we investigated the effects of TNF-alpha or Leu-Ile on morphine (MOR)-induced rewarding effects and sensitization. METHODS: Levels of TNF-alpha messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein were determined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Effects of TNF-alpha or Leu-Ile on MOR-induced rewarding effects and sensitization were investigated by conditioned place preference and locomotor activity tests. Extracellular dopamine levels were examined using in vivo microdialysis. Effects of TNF-alpha or Leu-Ile on MOR-induced antinociceptive effect and withdrawal symptoms were examined by hot plate test and naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. RESULTS: Morphine induced TNF-alpha mRNA expression via dopamine and opioid receptors. Posttreatment with TNF-alpha or Leu-Ile attenuated the MOR-induced place preference and sensitization even after their development, as well as pretreatment with TNF-alpha or Leu-Ile blocked them. An inhibitory effect of Leu-Ile on MOR-induced place preference was not observed in TNF-alpha knockout mice. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha or Leu-Ile inhibited the increase in extracellular dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens induced by repeated MOR treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that TNF-alpha inhibits MOR-induced rewarding effect and sensitization by regulating extracellular dopamine levels, and Leu-Ile inhibits them via the induction of TNF-alpha.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Simultaneous uptake of Ni2+, NH4+ and PO4(3-) by amorphous CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 compounds.

Simultaneous uptake of Ni2+, NH4+, and PO4(3-) by amorphous CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 (C-A-S) compounds was investigated using batch and column methods. Fifteen different C-A-S samples with systematically varied chemical compositions were prepared by coprecipitation from ethanol-water solutions containing Ca(NO3)2.4H2O, Al(NO3)3.9H2O, and Si(OC2H5)4, using NH4OH as the precipitating agent. The resulting precipitates were dried and heated at various temperatures to produce the C-A-S samples, which were then characterized by XRD, FTIR, solid state MAS NMR, DTA-TG, and N2 adsorption. All the C-A-S samples prepared at 600-900 degrees C were amorphous, apart from the CaO-rich samples. Simultaneous uptake of Ni2+, NH4+, and PO4(3-) was determined by a batch method using a solution with an initial concentration of 2 mM. In these experiments, the uptake abilities of the C-A-S samples for Ni2+ and PO4(3-) were high, but were relatively low for NH4+. The uptake abilities for Ni2+ and PO4(3-) increased but that for NH4+ decreased as the silica content in the C-A-S decreased, suggesting that similar uptake mechanisms (ion substitution and/or precipitation) are operating for Ni2+ and PO4(3-), but the uptake mechanism for NH4+ is different (physical adsorption). The column experiments indicate that the order of uptake ability of C-A-S for the three ions is NH4+ << PO4(3-) < Ni2+. Although the silica content of the C-A-S does not have the expected influence on the uptake of these three ions, for NH4+ it plays an important role in the formation of the amorphous phase and also in the suppression of Ca2+ and/or Al3+ release from the C-A-S during the uptake experiments. The optimum uptake properties of the C-A-S can thus be controlled by adjusting the chemical compositions and heating conditions under which the samples are prepared.

Aluminum Silicates↗

PubMed2006

An inducer for glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and tumor necrosis factor-alpha protects against methamphetamine-induced rewarding effects and sensitization.

BACKGROUND: There are few efficacious medications for drug dependence. We investigated the potential of Leu-Ile, which induces the expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), as a novel therapeutic agent for methamphetamine (METH)-induced dependence. METHODS: The levels of GDNF and TNF-alpha messenger RNA (mRNA) were determined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Enzyme immunoassays and immunohistochemistry were employed to determine levels of these proteins. Effects of Leu-Ile on METH-induced rewarding effects and sensitization were investigated with conditioned place preference and locomotor activity tests. Extracellular dopamine (DA) levels and DA uptake into synaptosomes were examined with an in vivo microdialysis and trititated thymidine ([(3)H]) DA uptake assay. RESULTS: Leu-Ile induced the expression of not only GDNF but also TNF-alpha. Pretreatment with Leu-Ile blocked the acquisition of METH-induced place preference and sensitization. Interestingly, post-treatment with Leu-Ile attenuated them even after their development. An inhibitory effect of Leu-Ile on METH-induced place preference was observed in neither GDNF heterozygous nor TNF-alpha knockout mice. Leu-Ile inhibited DA release in the nucleus accumbens and the decrease in synaptosomal DA uptake in the midbrain induced by repeated METH treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Leu-Ile inhibits METH-induced rewarding effects and sensitization by regulating extracellular DA levels via the induction of GDNF and TNF-alpha expression.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2006

Dynamic shear properties of the porcine molar periodontal ligament.

The role of the periodontal ligament (PDL) is to support the tooth during function and resist external forces applied to it. The dominant vertical component of these forces is associated with shear in the PDL. Little information, however, is available on the dynamic behavior of the PDL in shear. Therefore, the present study was designed to determine the dynamic shear properties of the PDL in the porcine molar (n=10). From dissected mandibles transverse sections of the mesial root of the first molar were obtained at the apical and coronal levels and used for dynamic shear tests. Shear strain (0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%) was applied in superoinferior direction parallel to the root axis with a wide range of frequencies (0.01-100 Hz). The dynamic complex and storage moduli increased significantly with the loading frequency, the dynamic loss modulus showed only a small increase. The dynamic elasticity was significantly larger in the coronal region than in the apical region although the dynamic viscosity was similar in both regions. The present results suggest that non-linearities, compression/shear coupling, and intrinsic viscoelasticity affect the shear material behavior of the PDL, which might have important implications for load transmission from tooth to bone and vice versa.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Effect of TiO2 powder addition on sonochemical destruction of 1,4-dioxane in aqueous systems.

Effects of TiO(2) powder addition on sonochemical destruction of 1,4-dioxane in water were investigated through comparison of a SiO(2) powder that had similar specific surface area. Results show that addition of TiO(2) is more effective for decomposition of 1,4-dioxane in water than addition of SiO(2). The contribution of photocatalytic destruction through sonoluminescence is not a dominant mechanism for acceleration of sonochemical reactions by adding TiO(2). Sonication of TiO(2)-added water generated thermally excited holes in this case. Moreover, intrinsic oxygen vacancies in TiO(2) surface play an important role in achieving high decomposition efficiency by producing cavitation. The addition of reduced TiO(2) powder increases both the ultrasonication energy that is consumed in water and the destruction efficiency of 1,4-dioxane.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Discriminative-stimulus effects of methamphetamine and morphine in rats are attenuated by cAMP-related compounds.

Animal models of drug discrimination have been used to examine the subjective effects of addictive substances. The cAMP system is a crucial downstream signaling pathway implicated in the long-lasting neuroadaptations induced by addictive drugs. We examined effects of rolipram, nefiracetam, and dopamine D2-like receptor antagonists, all of which have been reported to modulate cAMP level in vivo, on the discriminative-stimulus effects of methamphetamine (METH) and morphine in rats. All these compounds inhibited the discriminative-stimulus effects of METH, while only rolipram and nefiracetam attenuated the discriminative-stimulus effects of morphine. In addition, neither nifedipine nor neomycin, two voltage-sensitive calcium channel blockers, was found to modulate the effect of nefiracetam on METH-associated discriminative stimuli, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of nefiracetam may not involve the activation of calcium channels. These findings suggest that the cAMP signaling cascade may play a key role in the discriminative-stimulus effects of METH and morphine and may be a potential target for the development of therapeutics to counter drugs of abuse.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2006

Simultaneous uptake of ammonium and phosphate ions by compounds prepared from paper sludge ash.

Al-containing CaO-SiO(2)-H(2)O phases were prepared by hydrothermal treatment of mixtures of paper sludge ash (PSA) with various silica and calcia sources and their properties were determined with particular reference to the simultaneous uptake of ammonium and phosphate ions, which are implicated in the eutrophication of lakes and ponds. After examination of various silica and calcia sources, Ca(OH)(2) and SiO(2) sol were selected as the most appropriate starting materials. Dry milling was found to be superior to wet milling in avoiding contamination from the milling media during mixing. Nine samples with three different Ca/Si ratios and Al(2)O(3) contents were prepared with various mass ratios of Ca(OH)(2), PSA and SiO(2). The chemical compositions of the hydrothermal products of these mixtures moved towards the tieline of CaSiO(3)-PSA, with respect to the starting compositions. The major phase formed in all samples was poorly crystalline C-S-H(I), with hydroxysodalite also formed in the Al-containing mixtures. All the products showed a capacity for the simultaneous uptake of ammonium and phosphate ions. The saturated sorption capacities calculated from the Langmuir equation ranged from 0.9 to 2.4mmol/g for the ammonium ion and from 3.3 to 5.2mmol/g for the phosphate ion. Since the sorption capacities for both ions increased with increasing Ca contents of the product, substitution of Ca(2+) for NH(4)(+) and the formation of calcium phosphate phases such as apatite and brushite by precipitation are thought to be the main sorption mechanisms.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2006

Direct observation of internal fluidity in a water droplet during sliding on hydrophobic surfaces.

In the current study, we used a high-speed camera system with particle image velocimetry to observe the internal fluidity of water droplets during sliding. The droplets' velocity during sliding was controlled by slipping and rolling motions. On the superhydrophobic surface, with a contact angle of 150 degrees, the droplet fell at high velocity by slipping. However, on a normal hydrophobic surface whose water contact angle was around 100 degrees, both slipping and rolling controlled the droplet's velocity during sliding. In addition, the advancing velocity might be large when the slip velocity is large and the contact area is small.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Effect of grinding and heating on Ni2+ uptake properties of waste paper sludge.

Uptake properties of Ni2+ were examined for unmilled and milled paper sludge calcined at various temperatures to develop a new usage of waste paper sludge. Since paper sludge mainly consists of cellulose ([C6H(10)O5]n) fibers, calcite (CaCO3), kaolinite (Al2Si2O5(OH)4) and talc (Mg3Si(4)O(10)(OH)2), amorphous and crystalline CaO(MgO)-Al(2)O(3)-SiO(2) compounds are formed by calcining paper sludge. Wet and dry milling treatments were performed to accelerate solid-state reaction to form the above mentioned target compounds. The crystalline phases originally present decompose at increasing calcining temperature (up to 800 degrees C) in the order cellulose <kaolinite <calcite <talc. An amorphous phase was formed in the samples below 800 degrees C and the temperatures changed depending on the milling conditions in the order dry milled <wet milled <unmilled. Gehlenite (Ca(2)Al(2)SiO(7)) and anorthite (CaAl(2)Si(2)O(8)) crystallized by calcining at 900 degrees C in all the samples, formed by solid-state reaction of kaolinite with calcite. The (29)Si and (27)Al MAS NMR spectra of the amorphous samples were similar to those of crystalline phases, suggesting that the local structure of the amorphous phase resembles the crystalline structures. Maximum Ni2+ uptake occurred in the dry-milled samples calcined at 600 degrees C, and wet-milled and unmilled samples calcined at 700 degrees C, respectively. The dry-milled and calcined at 600 degrees C sample showed the highest Ni2+ uptake (4.54 mmol/g) and an uptake rate of 3.5 micromol/(gmin).

Adsorption↗

PubMed2006

Preparation of sodium oleate/layered double hydroxide composites with acid-resistant properties.

MgAlCO3 type layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with Mg/Al ratios ranging from 2 to 5 were synthesized by coprecipitation. Composites with sodium oleate/LDH were prepared by ion exchange and reconstruction of the LDH in sodium oleate solution. The amount of sodium oleate in the composites prepared by this reconstruction method was higher than that in samples prepared by the ion-exchange method. The basal spacings of the LDHs increased to 3.9 and 1.8 nm after synthesis of the composites, these spacings being in good agreement with models based on the assumption that the oleate ions are intercalated as bilayer and/or micelle structures, and as monolayers in the LDH interlayers, respectively. The number of sorbed oleate ions was higher than calculated from the anion-exchange capacities of the LDHs in most of the samples, increasing as the Mg/Al ratios of the LDHs were increased from 2 to 5. These results suggest that the oleate ions are present not only in the interlayers but also on the surfaces of the LDH particles. The acid-resistant properties of the composites were found to be much higher than for the pure LDHs. It is thus confirmed that the surfaces of the LDH particles in the composites are mostly covered with sorbed oleate ions and that the composites are good candidates as drug delivery materials.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Elevated cholecystokininergic tone constitutes an important molecular/neuronal mechanism for the expression of anxiety in the mouse.

Cholecystokinin (CCK), one of the most abundant neuropeptides in the brain, plays an important role in anxiogenesis through the activation of CCK receptor-2 (CCKR-2). Accumulating evidence, however, has suggested this role depends on endogenous CCKergic "tone," which is largely determined by the expression level of the CCKR-2. Using the tTA/tetO-inducible transgenic (tg) approach, we show here that overexpression of the CCKR-2 in neurons of the forebrain significantly increases CCKR-2 binding capacity in tg mice compared with their littermate controls. Interestingly, these tg mice consistently exhibit increased fear responses, which are generally interpreted as anxiety-like behaviors in the rodent, in a battery of behavioral tests, which represented conflict situations or delivered stress to the subjects. The inhibition of transgene expression with doxycycline treatment completely diminished both increased receptor-binding activity and all behavioral phenotypes. Furthermore, treatment of tg mice with diazepam significantly attenuated these anxiety-like behaviors. Our results directly demonstrate that the elevated CCKergic tone via overexpression of the CCKR-2 in the brain may constitute an underlying molecular/neuronal mechanism for the expression of anxiety. In addition, our study has validated a robust genetic anxiety model in the mouse in terms of their face, constructive, and predictive validity.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Sliding behavior of water droplets on flat polymer surface.

Flat films of methyl methacrylate-fluoroalkyl methacrylate copolymers were prepared, and their hydrophobicity was investigated. It was revealed that the F concentration directly affects the static hydrophobicity on the flat polymer surface in a systematic manner. Furthermore, the sliding behavior of a water droplet on these surfaces depends on the static hydrophobicity; the sliding motion changes from constant velocity to constant acceleration with an increase in the water contact angle.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Characteristics of hepatitis B virus in Ghana: full length genome sequences indicate the endemicity of genotype E in West Africa.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes from A to H have distinct geographical distributions and have been shown to affect the clinical features as well as the course of the HBV infection. HBV genotype E has been found only in Africa. However, the complete genomes of this genotype, which were isolated mainly from West Africa, were available only for a few samples. In this study, five full-length genomes and seven other small S genes of HBV strains from Ghanaian blood donors were sequenced and investigated. Following phylogenetic analysis, all of the Ghanaian HBV strains were clustered closely in genotype E. All of the 12 small S genes showed the same characteristic of subtype ayw4. The complete genomes of the five Ghanaian strains showed marked similarity with each other and with the reported genotype E strains (96.7%-99.1%). Genotype E strains showed low intra-genotypic diversity (1.8%) and carried the conserved signature pattern in pre-S1 as well as in the full genome sequence. Of note, the finding of the G145R escape mutant in an unvaccinated Ghanaian blood donor might raise concern as to the ongoing nation-wide hepatitis B vaccination program in Ghana.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2006

Multi functional uptake behaviour of materials prepared by calcining waste paper sludge.

This study concerns with the utilization of waste paper sludge, which contains mainly cellulose fibers and inorganic fillers together with coating materials such as calcite, kaolinite and talc. Paper sludge was fired at 500-900 degrees C for 6 h. The crystalline phases originally present decomposed at increasing temperatures (up to 800 degrees C) in the order kaolinite < calcite < talc. Gehlenite was formed at 800 degrees C in increasing amounts above this temperature together with small amounts of magnesium aluminum silicate and anorthite. The uptake of these fired samples of Ni2+, PO3 and NH+ was investigated at room temperature. Paper sludge fired at 700 degrees C showed the highest uptake of Ni2+, PO4(3-) and NH4+ (3.93, 1.28 and 0.49 mmol/g, respectively). The main process responsible for the sorption of these ions is the ion change along with precipitation with higher solution pH. From an economic point of view, paper sludge is the cheapest raw material for preparing adsorbents with high uptake ability for heavy metal, phosphate and ammonium ions.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2005

Synthesis of high surface area Al-containing mesoporous silica from calcined and acid leached kaolinites as the precursors.

Al-containing mesoporous silicas were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment of microporous silica prepared by selectively acid leached metakaolinites with Si/Al = 3.9-92.5 mixed with a surfactant of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTABr). The specific surface area of the products increased with higher surfactant/microporous silica (surf/Si) ratio and Si/Al ratio of the microporous silica, reaching about 1400 m2/g at CTABr/Si 0.1 and Si/Al 40. The XRD patterns of these products show a hexagonal (100) peak with the lattice parameter a0=4.2-4.3 nm and the N2 adsorption isotherms show steep increase of adsorption between relative pressure of 0.3 and 0.4. Hexagonal mesoporous microstructure is observed by high resolution TEM. The pore size distributions of the products show a sharp peak at 2.8 nm by the BJH method. The high specific surface area of the present mesoporous samples is attributed to the lower matrix density and surface roughness of mesopore wall. The highest specific surface area of the products reached up to 1420 m2/g and this value is apparently higher than those reported in hexagonal mesoporous silicas. A unique microporous structure of the starting material is thought to be related to achieve such a high specific surface area of the products.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Generation of lipid radicals in the hippocampus of neonatal rats after acute hypoxic-ischemic brain damage.

Free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation has been strongly suggested to be the main cause of neuronal toxicity in the rat brain, including neonatal brain damage. The primary objective of this experiment was to see if the generation of free radicals occurred in the acute phase of ischemic-hypoxic insult in neonatal rats, by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and in vivo brain microdialysis. A spin trap agent, alpha-(4-pyridyl-N-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone was perfused through a probe in the hippocampus before and after hypoxia and then an analysis was performed by EPR. From the EPR analysis of spin adduct in the dialysates, we obtained the EPR spectrum of six line spectra for which the hyperfine coupling constants corresponded to those of the EPR signal from the lipoxygenase/linoleic acid (LPX/LA), a lipid radical generating system, increased transiently just after hypoxia. The results of our in vivo study show the lipid peroxidation of the neuronal membrane to progress during neonatal ischemic-hypoxic insult. We hypothesize that an increased formation of lipid radicals may participate in the cascade of reactions leading to neuronal damage in the hippocampus following ischemic-hypoxic insult in neonatal rats.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2005

Genetic approaches to the molecular/neuronal mechanisms underlying learning and memory in the mouse.

Learning and memory is an essential component of human intelligence. To understand its underlying molecular and neuronal mechanisms is currently an extensive focus in the field of cognitive neuroscience. We have employed advanced mouse genetic approaches to analyze the molecular and neuronal bases for learning and memory, and our results showed that brain region-specific genetic manipulations (including transgenic and knockout), inducible/reversible knockout, genetic/chemical kinase inactivation, and neuronal-based genetic approach are very powerful tools for studying the involvements of various molecules or neuronal substrates in the processes of learning and memory. Studies using these techniques may eventually lead to the understanding of how new information is acquired and how learned information is memorized in the brain.

Animals↗