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Biomedical subjects

K Fujita

Publications and source records attributed to K Fujita.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Blockade of Angiotensin II type-1 receptor reduces oxidative stress in adipose tissue and ameliorates adipocytokine dysregulation.

Dysregulated production of adipocytokines may be involved in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of treatment with angiotensin II (Ang II) type-1 receptor blocker (ARB) on the regulation of adipocytokines. Olmesartan, an ARB, significantly blunted the age- and body weight-associated falls in plasma adiponectin both in genetically and diet-induced obese mice, without affecting body weight, but had no effect on plasma adiponectin levels in lean mice. Olmesartan also ameliorated dysregulation of adipocytokines in obesity, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and serum amyloid A3. Olmesartan significantly reduced reactive oxygen species originating from accumulated fat and attenuated the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phospho hydrogenase oxidase subunits in adipose tissue. In cultured adipocytes, olmesartan acted as an antioxidant and improved adipocytokine dysregulation. Our results indicate that blockade of Ang II receptor ameliorates adipocytokine dysregulation and that such action is mediated, at least in part, by targeting oxidative stress in obese adipose tissue. Ang II signaling and subsequent oxidative stress in adipose tissue may be potential targets for the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in metabolic syndrome and also in metabolic syndrome-based CKD.

Adiponectin↗
PubMed2006

Early clinical outcomes of 3D-conformal radiotherapy using accelerated hyperfractionation without intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of cervical cancer patients unable to undergo conventional intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) treated with 3D-conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) alone using accelerated hyperfractionation (AHF). METHODS AND MATERIALS: We reviewed the records of 7 patients who had received definitive radiotherapy with 3DCRT alone using AHF for cervical cancer between 2002 and 2005. FIGO stage was IB (1), IIB (2), IIIA (1), IIIB (2), and IVA (1). The reason we did not perform ICBT was due to patient refusal. In 1 patient with stage IB, a total dose of 65.4 Gy was delivered by local irradiation (LI) only. In 1 patient with stage IIIA, a total dose of 60 Gy was delivered by LI only. In 5 patients with Stage IIB-IV, a median total dose of 70.8 Gy was delivered by combination of whole pelvic irradiation (median dose of 45 Gy) with LI. Median overall treatment time was 42 days. RESULTS: Median follow-up for survival patients was 17 months. Out of 7 patients, 6 patients had CR and 1 patient had PR. The response rate was 100%. The 2-year local control rate was 85.7%. Of these patients, 5 are alive without disease and 1 is alive with lung metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Our outcomes suggest that 3DCRT using AHF may be a promising as a definitive treatment for cervical cancer when ICBT is not able to be performed.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Gamow-Teller strengths in the A = 14 multiplet: a challenge to the shell model.

A new experimental approach to the famous problem of the anomalously slow Gamow-Teller (GT) transitions in the beta decay of the A=14 multiplet is presented. The GT strength distributions to excited states in 14C and 14O were studied in high-resolution (d,2He) and (3He,t) charge-exchange reactions on 14N. No-core shell-model calculations capable of reproducing the suppression of the beta decays predict a selective excitation of Jpi=2+ states. The experimental confirmation represents a validation of the assumptions about the underlying structure of the 14N ground state wave function. However, the fragmentation of the GT strength over three 2+ final states remains a fundamental issue not explained by the present no-core shell model using a 6homega model space, suggesting possibly the need to include cluster structure in these light nuclei in a consistent way.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Interplay of electron-lattice interactions and superconductivity in superconductivity in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+delta.

Formation of electron pairs is essential to superconductivity. For conventional superconductors, tunnelling spectroscopy has established that pairing is mediated by bosonic modes (phonons); a peak in the second derivative of tunnel current d2I/dV2 corresponds to each phonon mode. For high-transition-temperature (high-T(c)) superconductivity, however, no boson mediating electron pairing has been identified. One explanation could be that electron pair formation and related electron-boson interactions are heterogeneous at the atomic scale and therefore challenging to characterize. However, with the latest advances in d2I/dV2 spectroscopy using scanning tunnelling microscopy, it has become possible to study bosonic modes directly at the atomic scale. Here we report d2I/dV2 imaging studies of the high-T(c) superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+delta. We find intense disorder of electron-boson interaction energies at the nanometre scale, along with the expected modulations in d2I/dV2 (refs 9, 10). Changing the density of holes has minimal effects on both the average mode energies and the modulations, indicating that the bosonic modes are unrelated to electronic or magnetic structure. Instead, the modes appear to be local lattice vibrations, as substitution of 18O for 16O throughout the material reduces the average mode energy by approximately 6 per cent--the expected effect of this isotope substitution on lattice vibration frequencies. Significantly, the mode energies are always spatially anticorrelated with the superconducting pairing-gap energies, suggesting an interplay between these lattice vibration modes and the superconductivity.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Protective effect against 17beta-estradiol on neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus tissue following transient ischemia/recirculation in mongolian gerbils via down-regulation of tissue transglutaminase activity.

We analyzed the protective effect of 17beta-estradiol (17beta-ED) injection against delayed neuronal death in the hippocampus tissue of the brain in Mongolian gerbils after transient ischemia/recirculation treatment, especially in relation with bcl-2 gene expression and enzymatic activity changes of caspase-3 and tissue transglutaminase (tTGase). Daily intraperitoneal injection of 17beta-ED to the animal after the ischemia stimulated the expression of an apoptosis suppressor gene, bcl-2, in the hippocampal tissue for a week. The gradually increasing apoptotic enzyme activity of caspase-3 and increased number of TUNEL positive fragmented neuronal nuclei caused by ischemic attack in the gerbil brain were clearly suppressed by 17beta-ED administration. The reduced activity and enzyme protein of tTGase, a neurodegenerative marker of apoptosis in the hippocampus after ischemia, were also restored to nearly normal levels by 17beta-ED injection. These results suggest that daily 17beta-ED administration to the gerbil after transient ischemic insult with progressing neuronal deteriorative changes in hippocampus tissue can effectively prevent apoptotic changes through a molecular cascade involving gene expression regulation.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Aberrant trafficking of a proteolipid protein in a mild Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease.

Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) is a rare X-linked leukodystrophy caused by proteolipid protein 1 (PLP1) gene mutations. Previous studies indicated that proteolipid proteins (PLPs) with disease-associated mutations are misfolded and trapped in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) during transportation to the cell surface, which eventually leads to oligodendrocyte cell death in PMD. Here we report a PMD patient with a very mild phenotype carrying a novel mutation (485G-->T) in exon 4 of the PLP1 gene that causes a Trp(162)Leu substitution in the protein. We also investigated intracellular trafficking of this mutant PLP in COS-7 cells. Transiently transfected mutant PLP(W162L) fused to an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) or a short peptide tag was not carried to the plasma membrane. However, in contrast to previous studies, this mutant PLP was not retained in the ER, indicating an escape of the newly translated protein from the quality control machinery. We also found that the mutant PLP accumulated in the nuclear envelope (NE) in a time-dependent manner. This mutant PLP, with its distribution outside the ER and a very mild phenotype, supports the idea that accumulation of misfolded mutant protein in the ER causes the severe phenotype of PMD.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Fine structure of the Gamow-Teller resonance in 90Nb and level density of 1+ states.

The fine structure of the Gamow-Teller resonance in a medium-heavy nucleus is observed for the first time in a high-resolution 90Zr(3He,t)90Nb experiment at the Research Center for Nuclear Physics, Osaka. Using a novel wavelet analysis technique, it is possible to extract characteristic energy scales and to quantify their relative importance for the generation of the fine structure. This method combined with the selectivity of the reaction permits an extraction of the level density of 1+ states in 90Nb.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Association between ADAM33 polymorphisms and adult asthma in the Japanese population.

BACKGROUND: ADAM33, a member of the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) family, is a putative asthma susceptibility gene recently identified by positional cloning. It is important to know whether the association exists in ethnically diverse populations. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether genetic functional variants of ADAM33 relate to the susceptibility or some phenotypes in adult patients with bronchial asthma in a Japanese population. METHODS: We searched for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ADAM33 by PCR-directed sequencing and identified 48 SNPs. Fourteen SNPs were selected with regard to the LD pattern, and genotyped by Taq-Man and PCR-RFLP methods. We conducted an association study of ADAM33 with 504 adult asthmatic patients and 651 controls, and haplotype analyses of related variants were performed. RESULTS: Significant associations with asthma were found for the SNPs T1 (Met764Thr), T2 (Pro774Ser), S2 and V-3 (with the lowest P-value for T1, P = 0.0015; OR 0.63). We analysed the haplotype using these four polymorphisms, and found a positive association with haplotype CCTG (P = 0.0024). CONCLUSION: Our results replicate associations reported recently in other ethnic populations, and suggest that the ADAM33 gene is involved in the development of asthma through genetic polymorphisms.

ADAM Proteins↗
PubMed2006

Characterization of salt tolerance in ectoine-transformed tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabaccum): photosynthesis, osmotic adjustment, and nitrogen partitioning.

Ectoine (1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid) biosynthetic genes (ect. ABC) from Halomonas elongata were introduced to tobacco plants using an Agrobacterium-mediated gene delivery system. The genes for ectoine biosynthesis were integrated in a stable manner into the tobacco genome and the corresponding transcripts were expressed. The concentration of ectoine under salt-stress conditions was higher in the roots than in leaves. A close relationship was found between stomatal conductance and the amount of transported nitrogen, suggesting that water transport through the xylem in the stem and transpiration may be involved in nitrogen transport to leaves. The data indicate that the turgor values of the ectoine transgenic lines increased with increasing salt concentration. The data revealed two ways in which ectoine enhanced salinity tolerance of tobacco plants. First, ectoine improved the maintenance of root function so that water is taken up consistently and supplied to shoots under saline conditions. Second, ectoine enhanced the nitrogen supply to leaves by increasing transpiration and by protecting Rubisco proteins from deleterious effects of salt, thereby improving the rate of photosynthesis.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2006

Binding of glucan-binding protein C to GTFD-synthesized soluble glucan in sucrose-dependent adhesion of Streptococcus mutans.

Streptococcus mutans produces glucan-binding proteins (Gbp proteins) which promote the adhesion of the organism to teeth. Three Gbp proteins, GbpA protein, GbpB protein, and GbpC protein have been identified; however, the mechanism of adhesion between glucans and bacterial cell surfaces is unknown. We used glucosyltransferase (GTF)- and/or Gbp-deficient mutants to examine the role of GbpC protein in the sucrose-dependent cellular adhesion of S. mutans to glass surfaces. The wild-type strain MT8148 and a GbpA-deficient mutant strain displayed increased sucrose-dependent adhesion following the addition of rGTFD. However, a GbpC-deficient mutant strain demonstrated no changes in the level of sucrose-dependent adhesion in spite of the addition of rGTFD. Further, the binding of rGbpC protein to the glucan synthesized by rGTFD was significantly higher than that to the glucan synthesized by either rGTFB or rGTFC. These results suggest that GbpC protein may play an important role in sucrose-dependent adhesion by binding to the soluble glucan synthesized by GTFD.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed2006

Hydrolysis of functional monomers in a single-bottle self-etching primer--correlation of 13C NMR and TEM findings.

Self-etching primers/adhesives that combine acidic methacrylate monomers with water in a single bottle are hydrolytically unstable and require refrigeration to extend their shelf-lives. This study tested the null hypothesis that one year of intermittent refrigeration of a 4-MET-containing simplified self-etching primer does not result in hydrolytic changes that are identifiable by transmission electron microscopy and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. Human dentin was bonded with UniFil Bond immediately after being unpacked, or after one year of intermittent refrigeration at 4 degrees C. Fresh and aged primers were analyzed by NMR for chemical changes. Ultrastructural observations indicated that there was an augmentation in etching capacity of the aged adhesive that was not accompanied by resin infiltration or effective polymerization. New NMR peaks detected from the aged ethanol-based primer confirmed that degradation occurred initially via esterification with ethanol, followed by hydrolysis of both ester groups in the 4-MET. Hydrolysis of functional methacrylate monomers occurs despite intermittent refrigeration.

Acid Etching, Dental↗
PubMed2006

Functional adaptability of jaw-muscle spindles after bite-raising.

In a previous experiment, we found that masseter muscle spindles show functional plasticity after 5 to 15 days under increased occlusal vertical dimension (iOVD). In the present study, we hypothesized that spindle function would eventually recover if longer observation periods were allowed. Therefore, in this study we investigated changes in masseter muscle spindle function over periods of 1 day to 8 weeks. Masseter muscle-spindle responses to ramp-and-hold jaw stretches were recorded from the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus in 35 barbiturate-anesthetized female Wistar rats. The rats were previously divided into Control and iOVD groups, and those in the iOVD group received a 2.0-mm composite resin build-up to the maxillary molars. In this condition, there were no statistically significant differences in masseter muscle spindle sensitivity between Control and iOVD in the six- and eight-week subgroups. Our results further indicate a high degree of adaptability in masseter muscle spindle function following changes in OVD.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2005

Effects of hypoglossal and facial nerve injuries on milk-suckling.

Functional roles of the perioral anatomical structures involved in breastfeeding were examined in newborn rat pups in which the hypoglossal (XII) and facial (VII) nerves had been resected at the neonatal stage. The XII nerve controls tongue movement and is comprised of two functionally distinct branches: the medial branch related to protrusion of the tongue and the lateral branch related to its retraction. Newborn rat pups with bilateral resection of either of the XII nerve components (main trunk: XII-trunk; medial branch: XII-med; lateral branch: XII-lat) failed to suckle milk and did not survive. Unilateral XII nerve-resected neonates showed different milk-suckling capabilities, which thus resulted in differences in survival rate (XII-trunk: 38%; XII-med: 24%; XII-lat: 92%) and postnatal growth during the postnatal 3 weeks until P21. Unilateral and bilateral resections of the VII nerve innervating the buccolabial musculature produced lowered suckling capabilities and retarded postnatal growth, although all pups showed 100% survival. The results indicate a crucial role of the tongue, especially of protruding muscular elements innervated by the XII-med nerve, in breastfeeding. The results also indicate differential effects of the VII and XII nerve components on suckling capability, survival, and postnatal growth of newborn rat pups.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Long-term conservative therapy for endometrial adenocarcinoma in young women.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of long-term conservative therapy with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) for endometrial carcinoma in young patients who had experienced failure after initial therapy or relapse, we reviewed the clinical and pathologic records of eight patients diagnosed with well-differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma without myometrial invasion who were treated with MPA for over 6 months because of treatment failure or relapse. RESULTS: The average duration of MPA treatment was 22 months. All patients were followed-up for a mean of 76.5 months. Seven patients responded to initial MPA treatment within a period of 14 months (mean, 7.9 months). All these patients experienced relapse and the mean time to relapse was 11.6 months (range, 4-33 months). All six patients with relapse were treated with additional treatments of MPA, and all but one responded to this treatment within a period of 16 months (mean, 8.0 months). Six patients ultimately underwent hysterectomy. All presented well-differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinomas without extrauterine disease. Three became pregnant and two delivered full-term normal infants. No patient died of the disease. CONCLUSION: Although lesions are expected to disappear with prolonged MPA treatment, this form of progestin therapy is hazardous because recurrence occurs frequently. Only strictly selected patients should therefore be indicated for long-term MPA treatment and careful evaluation before and after treatment should be performed.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

Gamow-teller strengths in proton-rich exotic nuclei deduced in the combined analysis of mirror transitions.

Isospin symmetry is expected for the T(z)=+/-1-->0 isobaric analogous transitions in isobars with mass number A, where T(z) is the z component of isospin T. Assuming this symmetry, strengths of analogous Gamow-Teller (GT) transitions within A = 50 isobars were determined from a high energy-resolution study at 0 degrees in combination with the decay Q value and lifetime from the beta decay. This method can be applied to other pf-shell nuclei and can be used to study GT strengths of astrophysical interest.

Journal Article↗