Biomedical subjects

Kei Watanabe

Publications and source records attributed to Kei Watanabe.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2024

Chromosome-scale assembly with improved annotation provides insights into breed-wide genomic structure and diversity in domestic cats.

INTRODUCTION: Comprehensive genomic resources offer insights into biological features, including traits/disease-related genetic loci. The current reference genome assembly for the domestic cat (Felis catus), Felis_Catus_9.0 (felCat9), derived from sequences of the Abyssinian cat, may inadequately represent the general cat population, limiting the extent of deducible genetic variations. OBJECTIVES: The goal was to develop Anicom American Shorthair 1.0 (AnAms1.0), a reference-grade chromosome-scale cat genome assembly. METHODS: In contrast to prior assemblies relying on Abyssinian cat sequences, AnAms1.0 was constructed from the sequences of more popular American Shorthair breed, which is related to more breeds than the Abyssinian cat. By combining advanced genomics technologies, including PacBio long-read sequencing and Hi-C- and optical mapping data-based sequence scaffolding, we compared AnAms1.0 to existing Felidae genome assemblies (20 scaffolds, scaffolds N50 > 150 Mbp). Homology-based and ab initio gene annotation through Iso-Seq and RNA-Seq was used to identify new coding genes and splice variants. RESULTS: AnAms1.0 demonstrated superior contiguity and accuracy than existing Felidae genome assemblies. Using AnAms1.0, we identified over 1.5 thousand structural variants and 29 million repetitions compared to felCat9. Additionally, we identified > 1,600 novel protein-coding genes. Notably, olfactory receptor structural variants and cardiomyopathy-related variants were identified. CONCLUSION: AnAms1.0 facilitates the discovery of novel genes related to normal and disease phenotypes in domestic cats. The analyzed data are publicly accessible on Cats-I (https://cat.annotation.jp/), which we established as a platform for accumulating and sharing genomic resources to discover novel genetic traits and advance veterinary medicine.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Contributions of prefrontal cue-, delay-, and response-period activity to the decision process of saccade direction in a free-choice ODR task.

To examine how the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) contributes to the decision process of the saccade direction, we recorded single-neuron activity while two monkeys performed two oculomotor delayed-response (ODR) tasks. In an ordinary ODR task, monkeys were required to make a memory-guided saccade to the cue location after a 3-s delay. In a self-selection version of the ODR task (S-ODR), four identical visual cues were presented simultaneously at the cue period, and monkeys were required to make a saccade toward any one of four directions after a 3-s delay. By comparing the same neuron's activity between two tasks, we found (1) neurons having directional cue-period activity in the ODR task did not show directionally selective activity in the S-ODR task, (2) neurons having directional pre-saccadic activity showed highly similar directional preferences in two tasks and exhibited temporal coupling between the onset of pre-saccadic activity and the initiation of saccadic eye movements, (3) neurons with directional delay-period activity in the ODR task exhibited similar directional preferences and showed gradual increase in the strength of the directional selectivity toward the end of the delay period in the S-ODR task. These results suggest that directional delay-period activity contributes to the decision process of the saccade direction in the S-ODR task, while directional cue-period and pre-saccadic activities do not. The gradual increase of the directional selectivity in delay-period activity might correspond to neural correlates of the decision process of the saccade direction in the S-ODR task.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2006

Visual function with acupuncture tested by visual evoked potential.

Visual evoked potential (VEP) testing is used frequently and is an important ophthalmologic physiological test to examine visual functions objectively. The VEP is a complicated waveform consisting of negative waveform named N75 and N135, and positive waveform named P100. Delayed P100 latency and greatly attenuated amplitude on VEP are known characteristics for diagnosing optic nerve disease. Acupuncture has been used to treat wide clinical symptoms with minimal side effects. The confirmation of the efficacy of acupuncture generally relies on subjective symptoms. There is not much scientific evidence supporting the acupuncture treatments for eye diseases up to today. However, the VEP test can evaluate objectively and numerically the efficacy of the treatment by the acupuncture. We analyzed 19 healthy subjects (38 eyes). The P100 latencies in the group of less than 101.7 msec (total average) before acupuncture stimulations were not different than those after treatment (98.2 +/- 3.0 msec, 98.2 +/- 4.0 msec, respectively, p = 0.88, n = 17), but the latencies in those subjects with longer or equal to 101.7 msec were statistically different after acupuncture (104.6 +/- 2.8 msec, 101.9 +/- 3.7 msec, respectively, p = 0.006, n = 21). These results show that the acupuncture stimulation contributes to the P100 latencies of pattern reversal (PR)-VEP to some subjects who have delayed latencies, and this electrophysiological method is a valuable technique in monitoring the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy in the improvements of visual functions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the physiological effects by acupuncture stimulations using PR-VEP in normal subjects.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

PubMed2005

Use of the scoliosis research society outcomes instrument to evaluate patient outcome in untreated idiopathic scoliosis patients in Japan: part I: comparison with nonscoliosis group: preliminary/limited review in a Japanese population.

STUDY DESIGN: This preliminary study evaluates untreated Japanese patients with idiopathic scoliosis using the Scoliosis Research Society Outcomes Instrument (SRS-24). OBJECTIVES: To determine the baseline patient outcome score using the SRS-24 for untreated Japanese scoliosis patients compared with a nonscoliosis group. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The SRS instrument with 24 questions was developed to help evaluate patient-perceived outcomes of idiopathic scoliosis treatment. Evaluation of untreated Japanese idiopathic scoliosis patients using the SRS instrument has not been reported. METHODS: Japanese idiopathic scoliosis patients (n = 141) (mean age, 13.6 years; range, 10-17 years) with a Cobb angle of more than 20 degrees who were not treated with a brace or surgery, were evaluated in comparison with a nonscoliosis group (healthy junior high school students; n = 72) using the SRS-24. The scoliosis group was categorized as mild deformity group with a major curve Cobb angle of less than 30 degrees, moderate deformity group with 30 degrees to 49 degrees, and severe deformity group with more than 50 degrees. The patients were evaluated using section 1 (15 questions) of the SRS-24, which was divided into four domains: total pain, general self-image, general function, and activity. Reliability, as determined by internal consistency, was validated using Cronbach's alpha for these domain scales. RESULTS: The severe deformity group had the lowest scores compared with the other deformity groups and the nonscoliosis group in pain (P < 0.0001) and self-image (P < 0.05) domains. The scores for questions 3 (P < 0.0001) and 5 (P < 0.0001), evaluation of self-image of back appearance, were significantly lower in the scoliosis group than those in the nonscoliosis group. This tendency was more significant in the patients with greater curve magnitude. Scores for questions 14 and 15, evaluation of general self-image, in the scoliosis group were, however, higher than those in the nonscoliosis group. Internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha was 0.57 (pain), 0.27 (general self-image), -0.08 (general function), and 0.15 (overall level of activity). CONCLUSION: Untreated scoliosis patients with severe deformity were inclined to complain of being self-conscious or distressed regarding their back appearance compared with age- and sex-matched control adolescents. The control group was inclined to have, however, a negative general self-image compared with the patients group. Internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha for all domains was considerably low. The baseline of the SRS-24 scores in the Japanese population might differ from that of the Western population because of differences in national culture. Therefore, further study is necessary to clarify the validity of the SRS-24 domains for Japanese patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Use of the scoliosis research society outcomes instrument to evaluate patient outcome in untreated idiopathic scoliosis patients in Japan: part II: relation between spinal deformity and patient outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN: This study clarifies the relation between the results of the Scoliosis Research Society Outcomes Instrument (SRS-24) and radiographic parameters of back deformity in Japanese idiopathic scoliosis patients. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relation between magnitude of back deformity and results of the SRS-24 in untreated patients. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: In idiopathic scoliosis, it is necessary to clarify the relation between patient-perceived outcomes of the deformity and magnitude of back deformity before considering treatment. The relation between the magnitude of spinal deformity and outcomes of untreated patients, however, has not been fully investigated. METHODS: Patients (n = 166) under 30 years of age with untreated scoliosis were evaluated. Radiologic examination included Cobb angle, rotation angle of apical vertebrae, and translation of C7 vertebra from the central sacral line (C7 translation) on the coronal plane. Patient evaluation using section 1 (15 questions) of the SRS-24 was compared with radiologic findings using Spearman's correlation coefficient by rank (rs). RESULTS: The average pain domain score was 27.0 +/- 2.2 points, general self-image 9.9 +/- 1.7 points, general function 12.7 +/- 1.1 points, and overall level of activity 14.9 +/- 0.6 points. In radiologic deformity, the average Cobb angle and rotation angle of the thoracic curve were 35.8 degrees +/- 12.1 degrees (range, 17 degrees-73 degrees) and 13.9 degrees +/- 8.2 degrees (range, 0 degrees-38 degrees), respectively. The average Cobb and rotation angle of the lumbar curve were 31.4 degrees +/- 9.3 degrees (range, 13 degrees-56 degrees) and 15.4 degrees +/- 9.7 degrees (range, 2 degrees-36 degrees), respectively. The mean C7 translation was 12.4 +/- 9.7 mm (range, 0-48 mm). Comparison between individual domains and radiologic measurements revealed that the total pain (rs = -0.33; P < 0.0001) and general self-image (rs = -0.25; P = 0.0024) domain scores had a significant inverse correlation with thoracic curve Cobb angle. Comparison between the scores of individual questions and radiologic measurements revealed that the scores of question 3 (total pain domain) had a significant inverse correlation with thoracic curve Cobb angle (rs = -0.36; P < 0.0001). The scores of question 5 (general self-image domain) had a significant inverse correlation with thoracic curve Cobb angle (rs = -0.41; P < 0.0001) and rotation angle (rs = -0.30; P = 0.0006). CONCLUSION: The patients did not have negative self-image regarding back appearance when the thoracic curve Cobb angle was less than 30 degrees but had a negative self-image when the thoracic curve Cobb angle was more than 40 degrees and the rotation angle was more than 20 degrees. On the other hand, the lumbar curve Cobb angle and the rotation angle did not correlate with patient self-image. The results of the present study will help to define the parameters for the initiation of active treatment and physicians should maintain or reduce scoliotic deformity so that the thoracic curve Cobb angle is less than 40 degrees and the rotation angle is less than 20 degrees in idiopathic scoliosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Acupuncture for patients with glaucoma.

CONTEXT: Research of the effects of one acupuncture method for patients with glaucoma, focusing on intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual acuity. OBJECTIVE: To explore the possibility of using acupuncture for patients with glaucoma. DESIGN: Pilot study utilizing a one-group preintervention, postintervention design. SETTING: Eleven patients with glaucoma were recruited through advertisement at the clinic for glaucoma. INTERVENTION: Acupuncture was carried out twice a week over 5 weeks. OUTCOME MEASURES: IOP, visual acuity, and subjective symptoms were observed at 15 minutes before and after acupuncture once a week and in a four-week follow-up. RESULTS: IOP was significantly improved at 15 minutes after acupuncture, at one week, two weeks, and five weeks and tended to be lower weekly. Uncorrected visual acuity was significantly improved at three weeks, four weeks, and five weeks, and best corrected visual acuity was significantly improved at five weeks. However at the four-week follow-up, significance remained only in uncorrected visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Although these results should be interpreted cautiously, acupuncture can be used to supplement the conventional therapy for glaucoma.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

PubMed2005

Anterior spinal decompression and fusion for cervical flexion myelopathy in young patients.

OBJECT: The mechanism underlying cervical flexion myelopathy (CFM) is unclear. The authors report the results of anterior decompression and fusion (ADF) in terms of neurological status and radiographically documented status in young patients and discuss the pathophysiological mechanism of the entity. METHODS: Twelve patients underwent ADF in which autogenous iliac bone graft was placed. The fusion area was one segment in four cases, two segments in seven, and three segments in one. Neurological status, as determined by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, radiographic findings, and intraoperative findings were evaluated. The mean follow-up period was 63.3 months (range 20-180 months). Grip strength was significantly improved and sensory disturbances resolved completely. Intrinsic muscle atrophy, however, persisted in all patients at the final follow-up examination. Local kyphosis in the flexed-neck position at the fusion levels was corrected by surgery. Preoperative computerized tomography myelography revealed that the cord compression index, which was calculated by anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the spinal cord, decreased to 33 +/- 6.2% in the flexed-neck position from 39.7 +/- 9.9% in the extended-neck position. The anterior dura mater-spinal cord distance decreased to 1.9 +/- 0.7 mm in the flexed-neck position from 4 +/- 1.2 mm in extended-neck position. The posterior dura mater-spinal cord distance increased to 2.5 +/- 1.1 mm in the flexed-neck position from 1.3 +/- 0.5 mm in the extended-neck position. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative neurological status was improved in terms of grip strength, sensory disturbance, and JOA score, and local kyphosis in the flexed-neck position at the fusion levels was reduced and stabilized by ADF. In most cases local kyphosis in the flexed-neck position was demonstrated at the corresponding disc level, as were cervical cord compression and decrease of the anterior wall of the dura mater-spinal cord distance in the flexed-neck position. Therefore, the contact pressure between the spinal cord and anterior structures (intact vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs) in the mobile and kyphotic segments was considered to contribute to the onset of CFM. The ADF-related improvement of the clinical symptoms, preventing kyphotic alignment in flexion and decreasing movement of the cervical spine, supports the idea of a contact pressure mechanism. Furthermore, short ADF performed only at the corresponding segments can preserve more mobile segments compared with posterior fusion. Thus, ADF should be the first choice in the treatment of CFM.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Cubic phase prepared in an anionic/amphoteric surfactant/oleic acid/decane/water system and the relationship with the neighboring phase.

The formation, properties, and structure of discontinuous cubic phase in the pseudo-ternary system consisting of N'-carboxyethyl N'-hydroxyethyl N-aminoethyl dodecylamide (imidazoriniumbetain), sodium and triethanol amine salt of polyoxyethylene (1.5 mol) myristyl ether sulfate, oleic acid, decane, and water at a constant surfactant/water ratio of 4/6 were studied by means of small-angle X-ray scattering, freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy, static light scattering, and dynamic rheology to gain an insight in its origin and interrelation with neighboring phases. It was found that the cubic phase occupied a rather wide region in a constructed ternary phase diagram, including from 25 to 45% of decane. Its properties and structural parameters varied with changing the oil content. The decane addition caused the swelling of spherical micellar aggregates. This resulted in an increase of their diameter up to 35 nm, which was ca. nine times larger than that of the initial micelles, and micellar volume fraction (packing fraction) up to 72 vol. %, which was close to the theoretically possible value of 74 vol. % for the close-packed spherical particles. The cubic phase was surrounded by a micellar L1 phase from the water-rich side (separated by a short two-phase region), two-phase region (cubic + oil) from the oil-rich side, and a lamellar phase from the surfactant-rich side. A transition from the L1 phase to the cubic state at the packing fraction of 60 vol. % was caused by an increase in the packing density of micellar aggregates, occurring with the decane addition. When it reached 72 vol. %, the oil started forming a separated phase owing to the inability of micelles to dissolve it. The important observation is that the adjacent phase from the surfactant-rich side was a lamellar one made up of flat bilayers. The preliminary data showed that the lamellar phase coexisted with cylindrical micelles in the intermediate two-phase region separating the cubic and lamellar phases.

Anions↗

PubMed2004

Expression of flap endonuclease-1 during meiosis in a basidiomycete, Coprinus cinereus.

In the basidiomycete Coprinus cinereus (C. cinereus), which shows a highly synchronous meiotic cell cycle, the meiotic prophase I cells demonstrate flap endonuclease-1 activity. To investigate its role during meiosis, we isolated a C. cinereus cDNA homolog of flap endonuclease-1 (CcFEN-1), 1377bp in length with the open reading frame (ORF) encoding a predicted molecular mass of 51 kDa. At amino-acid residues Glu276-Pro345, a specific inserted sequence composed of 70 amino acids rich in polar forms was found to exist, without sequence identity to other eukaryotic FEN-1 or the polar amino acid rich sequences found in C. cinereus PCNA and C. cinereus DNA ligase IV, although the lengths and percentages of polar amino acids were similar. Northern hybridization analysis indicated CcFEN-1 to be expressed not only in the pre-meiotic S phase but also in meiotic prophase I. The roles of CcFEN-1 during meiosis are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Leucine aminopeptidase during meiotic development.

We found a leucine aminopeptidase (LAP; EC 3.4.11.1) to be abundant in meiotic prophase tissue of a basidiomycete, Coprinus cinereus. After direct purification of the aminopeptidase component from meiocytes, we cloned the gene by degenerate PCR using partial amino-acid sequences of the purified enzyme and 5' and 3' RACE. It was homologous to the eukaryotic leucine aminopeptidase gene. The recombinant protein possesses the characteristic activities of a Coprinus leucine aminopeptidase (CoLAP) with a molecular mass of 52.4 kDa, and forms a homohexamer. Northern blot and spatial distribution analysis by immunohistochemical staining indicated CoLAP to be abundant in meiotic prophase cells and the supporting cells around meiocytes, but scarce in mycelium cells. Interestingly, from zygotene to pachytene, CoLAP was mostly present in supporting cells around meiocytes, but from diplotene onwards, it was plentiful in meiocytes themselves, suggesting that its expression is required to control some of the biochemical events at meiotic prophase. Moreover, the strong expression of CoLAP mRNA immediately after treatment with methyl methanesulfonate in mycelium implies that CoLAP has a role in somatic DNA repair.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Effects of surgical treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy in patients > or = 70 years of age: a retrospective comparative study.

The objective of this study was to compare efficacy of cervical surgery for myelopathy in patients > or = 70 and < or = 60 years of age. Forty patients > or = 70 years and 50 patients < or = 60 years of age with MRI and CT proven myelopathy were neurologically assessed using the JOA score. Three operative procedures were performed: anterior spinal fusion, laminoplasty, and laminectomy. Postoperatively, patients exhibited comparable outcomes irrespective of age or operative procedure performed. The only exception was the increase in postoperative neurologic complications noted for the older individuals with greater comorbidities.

Aged↗