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Noriko Sasaki

Publications and source records attributed to Noriko Sasaki.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Q89R polymorphism in the LDL receptor-related protein 5 gene is associated with spinal osteoarthritis in postmenopausal Japanese women.

STUDY DESIGN: An association study investigating the genetic etiology for spinal osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) causing an amino-acid change (Q89R) in the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) coding region with spinal osteoarthritis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway regulates bone density through a Wnt coreceptor LRP5. This pathway is also involved in cartilage development and homeostasis, suggesting that genetic variation in LRP5 gene may affect the pathogenesis of cartilage-related diseases, such as osteoarthritis. METHODS: We evaluated the presence of osteophytes, endplate sclerosis, and narrowing of disc spaces in 357 Japanese postmenopausal women. Missense coding SNP for Q89R of LRP5 gene was determined using TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. RESULTS: We found that subjects without the R allele (QQ; n = 321) had a significantly lower osteophyte formation score than did subjects bearing at least one R allele (QR + RR; n = 36) (7.80 vs. 10.89, P = 0.0019 by analysis of covariance). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that a genetic variation at the LRP5 gene locus is associated with spinal osteoarthritis, in line with the involvement of the LRP5 gene in the bone and cartilage metabolism.

Aged↗
PubMed2007

Relapsing polychondritis and malignant lymphoma: is polychondritis paraneoplastic?

BACKGROUND: Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is associated with other rheumatic or autoimmune disease in about 30% of cases; however, an association with malignancy is rare with the exception of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Observation Herein we report the first case, to our knowledge, of RP following splenic non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and we have reviewed all the previous well-documented reports that described the cases of RP associated with malignant lymphoma (ML). CONCLUSIONS: Our case and the review of reported cases showed that RP preceded ML in 2 cases, RP occurred after diagnosis and treatment of ML in 2 cases, and RP and ML occurred simultaneously in 1 case. The types of ML encountered were Hodgkin lymphoma, orbital mucosa associated lymphoid tissue type lymphoma, nodal NHL, and splenic NHL. From the frequent association of RP with MDS and, less frequently, with ML, we speculate that some RP cases may occur as a paraneoplastic condition of the concurrent hematological malignancies.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed2006

[CHARGE syndrome].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed2006

Problems experienced by nurses in relation to disclosure of patient data immediately after enforcement of the personal information protection law in Japan.

An extension course for nurses providing details about the Act on the Protection of Personal Information was offered using a remote conferencing system. Experiences or problems related to disclosure of patient data were collected from the participants using a questionnaire. Most of the problems were placed in the category of disclosure of personal data to a third party, followed by those related to security safeguards and administration of employees. It is necessary for the JMHLW to gather more cases in order to expand the number of items in the Casebook by JMHLW. Also, systematic on-the-job education will be needed for nurses.

Confidentiality↗
PubMed2004

Induction of endothelin-1 production in endothelial cells via co-operative action between CD40 and lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor (LOX-1).

Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1), originally identified as the major receptor for oxidized low-density lipoprotein in endothelial cells, mediates the interaction between activated platelets and endothelial cells. Stimulation of LOX-1 causes various functional changes in endothelial cells relevant to 'endothelial dysfunction'. This study investigated the cellular responses to platelet binding via LOX-1, comparing it with CD40, which also mediates platelet-binding in endothelial cells. Activated platelets, which bind both LOX-1 and CD40, induced endothelin-1 production via co-operation of LOX-1 and CD40. Stimulation of LOX-1 by oxidized low-density lipoprotein induced the expression of CD40 as well as LOX-1 itself, and stimulation of CD40 by CD40L induced the expression of LOX-1 as well as CD40. Activated platelets induced both LOX-1 and CD40 expression via these two systems in endothelial cells. Application of superoxide dismutase suppressed LOX-1-mediated, but not CD40-mediated, induction of endothelin-1. LOX-1 and CD40 synergistically, but through a distinct pathway, work to induce endothelin-1 expression in endothelial cells. This co-operative action between LOX-1 and CD40 might play a key role in the induction of endothelial dysfunction.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Restrictive cardiomyopathy with right-sided dominant heart failure after sinus conversion from atrial fibrillation: case report.

A 44-year-old woman with restrictive cardiomyopathy showed right-sided dominant heart failure after conversion to sinus rhythm from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). During cardiac catheterization, the hemodynamics were compared before and after cardioversion; that is, with AF and with sinus rhythm. The hemodynamic parameters worsened after conversion to sinus rhythm, with a significant decrease in heart rate, but improved with atrial pacing. Pacemaker implantation was performed to avoid bradycardia while keeping the sinus rhythm with amiodarone. As a result, the patient has been free from symptoms of heart failure for almost 1 year and her serum brain natriuretic peptide level also improved remarkably.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Prostacyclin therapy before pulmonary thromboendarterectomy in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: The continuous IV administration of prostacyclin improves pulmonary hemodynamics and prognosis in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension. We investigated whether the administration of prostacyclin therapy to patients before they undergo pulmonary thromboendarterectomy ameliorates pulmonary hypertension in patients with the most severe form of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). METHODS: Of the 33 patients with CTEPH who were candidates for pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, 12 patients with severe pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary vascular resistance, > 1,200 dyne. s. cm(-5)) received IV prostacyclin prior to undergoing pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. Right heart catheterization and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurements were repeated at baseline, immediately before surgery, and 1 month after surgery. RESULTS: During a mean (+/- SEM) follow-up period of 46 +/- 12 days, the IV administration of prostacyclin resulted in a 28% decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance (1,510 +/- 53 to 1,088 +/- 58 dyne. s. cm(-5); p < 0.001) before surgery. Prostacyclin therapy markedly decreased plasma BNP level (547 +/- 112 to 188 +/- 30 pg/mL; p < 0.01), suggesting improvement in right heart failure. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy caused a further reduction of pulmonary vascular resistance (302 +/- 47 dyne. s. cm(-5)) and plasma BNP levels (60 +/- 11 pg/mL) compared to each preoperative value (p < 0.05). Operative mortality rates were relatively low (8.3%) in patients with the most severe form of CTEPH. CONCLUSION: The IV administration of prostacyclin caused beneficial hemodynamic effects in patients with severe CTEPH and may serve as pretreatment for patients undergoing pulmonary thromboendarterectomy.

Adult↗