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Jun Ueki

Publications and source records attributed to Jun Ueki.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Binary vectors and super-binary vectors.

A binary vector is a standard tool in the transformation of higher plants mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. It is composed of the borders of T-DNA, multiple cloning sites, replication functions for Escherichia coli and A. tumefaciens, selectable marker genes, reporter genes, and other accessory elements that can improve the efficiency of and/or give further capability to the system. A super-binary vector carries additional virulence genes from a Ti plasmid, and exhibits very high frequency of transformation, which is valuable for recalcitrant plants such as cereals. A number of useful vectors are widely circulated. Whereas vectors with compatible selectable markers and convenient cloning sites are usually the top criteria when inserting gene fragments shorter than 15 kb, the capability of maintaining a large DNA piece is more important for consideration when introducing DNA fragments larger than 15 kb. Because no vector is perfect for every project, it is recommended that modification or construction of vectors should be made according to the objective of the experiments. Existing vectors serve as good sources of components.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗
PubMed2005

Elicitor-induced activation of phospholipases plays an important role for the induction of defense responses in suspension-cultured rice cells.

Biphasic generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by N-acetylchitooligosaccharide elicitor in rice cells was associated with the activation of phopholipase C (PLC) and phospholipase D (PLD). The activation of both enzymes was observed for the first phase of ROS generation, but only the activation of PLD was evident for the second response. Activation of PLD was associated with its recruitment to the membrane. Enzymatic products of these phospholipases, diacylglycerol (DG) and phosphatidic acid (PA), could induce ROS generation by themselves. Moreover, the addition of these lipids compensated the inhibition of the second phase of ROS generation by cycloheximide, indicating the involvement of the synthesis of PLD or related proteins in the second phase of ROS generation. DG and PA also induced the expression of elicitor-responsive genes in the absence of the elicitor. They could not induce phytoalexin biosynthesis by themselves but greatly enhanced the elicitor-induced phytoalexin accumulation. Further, the inhibition of PLD by 1-butanol inhibited the elicitor-induced phytoalexin accumulation, indicating the involvement of PLD and its reaction product, PA, in the induction of phytoalexin biosynthesis. These results indicated the importance of phospholipid signaling, especially by PLD and its product PA, in plant defense responses.

Cell Membrane↗
PubMed2005

[Measurement of diffusing capacity by the intrabreath method].

The diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLco) is usually measured by the single breath method with a 10-second breath hold. With the introduction of rapid gas analyzers, an alternative method for measurement of DLco, the intrabreath method, has been developed. The intrabreath method does not depend upon length of time or other conditions during either breath holding or expiration. The aim of this study was to compare the single breath method and intrabreath method of DLco measurement. DLco measured by the intrabreath method (DLco IB) was compared with DLco measured by the single breath method (DLco SB) in 32 normal subjects, 88 patients with obstructive impairment and 39 patients with restrictive impairment. DLco SB could not be measured in 2 patients with obstructive impairment and 7 patients with restrictive impairment, while in all except one patient with severe restrictive impairment, DLco IB was able to be measured. There was an excellent correlation between DLco IB and DLco SB in normal subjects (rho = 0.942, p < 0.0001). There was no difference in the mean value between DLco IB (21.0 +/- 5.4 ml/min/mmHg) and DLco SB (20.9 +/- 4.9 ml/min/mmHg). In the obstructive impairment group there was also an excellent correlation between DLco IB and DLco SB (rho = 0.922, p < 0.0001). In the mild or moderate obstructive impairment group (%FEV1 > 50%), no difference between DLco IB (11.8 +/- 5.80 ml/min/mmHg) and DLco SB (12.4 +/- 4.68 ml/min/mmHg) was found. In the severe obstructive impairment group (%FEV1 < 50%), the DLco IB (7.29 +/- 3.61 ml/min/mmHg) was lower than the DLco SB (8.58 +/- 3.24 ml/min/mmHg) (p < 0.0001). The relation between DLco SB and DLco IB was equally strong in patients with restrictive impairment (rho = 0.742, p < 0.0001). There was an excellent correlation between DLco IB and DLco SB in normal subjects, the obstructive impairment group and the restrictive impairment group. The intrabreath method therefore seems to be a useful and reliable alternative to the single breath method for clinical measurement of DLco.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

[Questionnaire on the attitude of the physicians in educating the elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease about smoking cessation].

Smoking status, the extent of recognition of the relationship between smoking and COPD, and actual nature of education for smoking cessation by physicians have not yet been fully elucidated. To investigate perceptions about education for smoking cessation in the elderly by physicians who work in the clinic, questionnaires were sent to the 1,012 physicians who belong to the Yokohama City Medical Association. Of these, 311 respond and their data (31%) were included in the analysis. The questionnaire included questions on the importance of smoking cessation in the elderly, on the perception about the relationship between smoking and various diseases, and actual education for smoking cessation. The smoking status of the physicians themselves was also investigated. The distribution of current smokers, ex-smokers, and non-smokers among the physicians was 13%, 33%, and 54%, respectively. Seventy-five percent of ex-smokers answered that their experience of smoking cessation influenced their patient education for smoking cessation, and 39% of smokers answered that their smoking status did not influence it. Only 53% of the physicians replied that they actually performed education for smoking cessation to the elderly, and 8% of them replied that they hardly perform any or do not perform it. Smoking cessation is thought to be the only way to prevent the development of COPD. However, only a half of physicians recognized the importance of smoking cessation for the treatment and control of COPD in the elderly. In addition, less than one third of physicians perform nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation. Enlightenment for physicians should be needed to make them perform education for smoking cessation more aggressively.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the elderly: analysis from questionnaire about attitudes to the COPD guideline of the Japanese Respiratory Society and actual therapy for COPD used by physicians].

We have conducted a survey of attitudes to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the elderly, a survey of attitudes to the COPD guideline prepared by the Japanese Respiratory Society, and a survey of the therapies actually used for this disease among physicians belonging to the Yokohama Medical Association. The results showed that most respondents thought that physicians, mainly except for respiratory physicians, miss the COPD patients because of failure to recognize COPD. The spread of the COPD guideline among physicians and the amount of therapy conducted according to this guideline were also insufficient. However, most physicians who know this guideline have used it well, and have also appreciated the contents. Thus, the results of our surveys suggested that this COPD guideline, with its step-by-step pharmacologic therapy, should be more widely disseminated, mainly among clinics and physicians that are not respiratory specialists. This would enable them to follow the guideline and improve their treatment of COPD. In addition, it was also supposed that the comprehensive respiratory rehabilitation should be more executed in the hospitals.

Aged↗