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Tohru Inoue

Publications and source records attributed to Tohru Inoue.

54 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Cloud point temperature of polyoxyethylene-type nonionic surfactants and their mixtures.

The cloud point temperature, T(c), was investigated for aqueous solutions of poly(oxyethylene) alkyl ethers, C(n)E(m), and their mixtures. The experimental T(c)'s for single surfactant systems were analyzed according to the Flory-Huggins model for cloud point phenomenon, and the enthalpy and the entropy changes associated with the process of the separation of micellar solution into pure water and pure surfactant were estimated. It was found that the enthalpy-entropy compensation relationship holds for this process. The Flory-Huggins model was extended to the binary surfactant mixtures, and the expression of T(c) as a function of the composition was derived assuming the regular solution for mixed micelles. The experimental results of T(c) obtained for mixtures of C(n)E(m) were well reproduced by the model calculation. Discussion is given concerning the interaction parameters of different surfactant species in mixed micelles determined by this model calculation.

Journal Article↗

Nanotubules formed by highly hydrophobic amphiphilic alpha-helical peptides and natural phospholipids.

We previously reported that the 18-mer amphiphilic alpha-helical peptide, Hel 13-5, consisting of 13 hydrophobic residues and five hydrophilic amino acid residues, can induce neutral liposomes (egg yolk phosphatidylcholine) to adopt long nanotubular structures and that the interaction of specific peptides with specific phospholipid mixtures induces the formation of membrane structures resembling cellular organelles such as the Golgi apparatus. In the present study we focused our attention on the effects of peptide sequence and chain length on the nanotubule formation occurring in mixture systems of Hel 13-5 and various neutral and acidic lipid species by means of turbidity measurements, dynamic light scattering measurements, and electron microscopy. We designed and synthesized two sets of Hel 13-5 related peptides: 1) Five peptides to examine the role of hydrophobic or hydrophilic residues in amphiphilic alpha-helical structures, and 2) Six peptides to examine the role of peptide length, having even number residues from 12 to 24. Conformational, solution, and morphological studies showed that the amphiphilic alpha-helical structure and the peptide chain length (especially 18 amino acid residues) are critical determinants of very long tubular structures. A mixture of alpha-helix and beta-structures determines the tubular shapes and assemblies. However, we found that the charged Lys residues comprising the hydrophilic regions of amphiphilic structures can be replaced by Arg or Glu residues without a loss of tubular structures. This suggests that the mechanism of microtubule formation does not involve the charge interaction. The immersion of the hydrophobic part of the amphiphilic peptides into liposomes initially forms elliptic-like structures due to the fusion of small liposomes, which is followed by a transformation into tubular structures of various sizes and shapes.

Biomimetic Materials↗

Des-gamma carboxy prothrombin (PIVKA-II) and alpha-fetoprotein producing gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases.

We describe the case of an 87-year-old woman who presented to Tokyo Kousei Nenkin Hospital because of appetite loss and general fatigue. Multiple liver masses and Borrmann type 2 gastric tumor were detected. A clinical diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and gastric cancer was made based on the patient's high levels of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP; 490 200 ng/mL) and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II, 2284 mAU/mL). The patient's general condition worsened gradually and she died 42 days after admission. Autopsy revealed that the predominant histological structure of the gastric tumor was trabecular or sheet-like, although a tubular structure was also found. Venous invasion was prominent. Immunohistochemically, the tumor tissue was positive for AFP and a few tumor cells were positive for PIVKA-II. The histological appearance and immunohistochemical features of the hepatic tumors resembled that of the gastric tumor. This case was pathologically diagnosed as AFP- and PIVKA-II-producing gastric carcinoma with multiple liver metastases. When tumors are found in the stomach and liver and serum PIVKA-II level is abnormally high, the possibility of PIVKA-II-producing gastric cancer with liver metastasis should be considered, especially when hepatitis virus markers are negative and liver cirrhosis is not present.

Aged↗

Hepatoid carcinoma of the uterus that collided with carcinosarcoma.

The case of a 68-year-old woman who was seen at Tokyo Kousei Nenkin Hospital because of abnormal genital bleeding is described. A malignant uterine tumor was suspected based on biopsy results. Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed. Grossly, a solid whitish tumor occupied the area from the endocervix to the uterine body. On the consecutive fundal side, a whitish tumor protruded into the uterine cavity. Histologically, the tumor occupying the endocervical side showed a trabecular growth pattern. Many periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive hyaline globules were observed. The cytoplasm of the tumor cells and the hyaline globules were immunohistochemically positive for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The tumor occupying the fundal side was identified as having endometrioid adenocarcinoma and spindle cell sarcoma components. The two tumors collided at a clear boundary. The present case was pathologically diagnosed as a collision cancer involving a hepatoid carcinoma and a carcinosarcoma. To our knowledge, this is the fourth reported case of a hepatoid carcinoma of the uterus. When no lesion is detected in the liver and stomach of a patient whose serum AFP level is abnormally high, the female reproductive system, such as the ovaries and uterus, should be examined as a possible site of AFP-producing cancer.

Aged↗

Feedback loops comprising Dll1, Dll3 and Mesp2, and differential involvement of Psen1 are essential for rostrocaudal patterning of somites.

Elaborate metamerism in vertebrate somitogenesis is based on segmental gene expression in the anterior presomitic mesoderm (PSM). Notch signal pathways with Notch ligands Dll1 and Dll3, and the transcription factor Mesp2 are implicated in the rostrocaudal patterning of the somite. We have previously shown that changes in the Mesp2 expression domain from a presumptive one somite into a rostral half somite results in differential activation of two types of Notch pathways, dependent or independent of presenilin 1 (Psen1), which is a Notch signal mediator. To further refine our hypothesis, we have analyzed genetic interactions between Dll1, Dll3, Mesp2 and Psen1, and elucidated the roles of Dll1- and Dll3-Notch pathways, with or without Psen1, in rostrocaudal patterning. Dll1 and Dll3 are co-expressed in the PSM and so far are considered to have partially redundant functions. We find in this study that positive and negative feedback loops comprising Dll1 and Mesp2 appear to be crucial for this patterning, and Dll3 may be required for the coordination of the Dll1-Mesp2 loop. Additionally, our epistatic analysis revealed that Mesp2 affects rostrocaudal properties more directly than Dll1 or Dll3. Finally, we find that Psen1 is involved differently in the regulation of rostral and caudal genes. Psen1 is required for Dll1-Notch signaling for activation of Dll1, while the Psen1-independent Dll3-Notch pathway may counteract the Psen1-dependent Dll1-Notch pathway. These observations suggest that Dll1 and Dll3 may have non-redundant, even counteracting functions. We conclude from our analyses that Mesp2 functions as a central mediator of such Notch pathways and regulates the gene expression required for rostrocaudal patterning of somites.

Animals↗

Mechanisms of benzene-induced hematotoxicity and leukemogenicity: cDNA microarray analyses using mouse bone marrow tissue.

Although the mechanisms underlying benzene-induced toxicity and leukemogenicity are not yet fully understood, they are likely to be complicated by various pathways, including those of metabolism, growth factor regulation, oxidative stress, DNA damage, cell cycle regulation, and programmed cell death. With this as a background, we performed cDNA microarray analyses on mouse bone marrow tissue during and after a 2-week benzene exposure by inhalation. Our goal was to clarify the mechanisms underlying the hematotoxicity and leukemogenicity induced by benzene at the level of altered multigene expression. Because a few researchers have postulated that the cell cycle regulation mediated by p53 is a critical event for benzene-induced hematotoxicity, the present study was carried out using p53-knockout (KO) mice and C57BL/6 mice. On the basis of the results of large-scale gene expression studies, we conclude the following: (a) Benzene induces DNA damage in cells at any phase of the cell cycle through myeloperoxidase and in the redox cycle, resulting in p53 expression through Raf-1 and cyclin D-interacting myb-like protein 1. (b) For G1/S cell cycle arrest, the p53-mediated pathway through p21 is involved, as well as the pRb gene-mediated pathway. (c) Alteration of cyclin G1 and Wee-1 kinase genes may be related to the G2/M arrest induced by benzene exposure. (d) DNA repair genes such as Rad50 and Rad51 are markedly downregulated in p53-KO mice. (e) p53-mediated caspase 11 activation, aside from p53-mediated Bax gene induction, may be an important pathway for cellular apoptosis after benzene exposure. Our results strongly suggest that the dysfunction of the p53 gene, possibly caused by strong and repeated genetic and epigenetic effects of benzene on candidate leukemia cells, may induce fatal problems such as those of cell cycle checkpoint, apoptosis, and the DNA repair system, finally resulting in hemopoietic malignancies. Our cDNA microarray data provide valuable information for future investigations of the mechanisms underlying the toxicity and leukemogenicity of benzene.

Administration, Inhalation↗

[Twenty-eight day repeated dose oral toxicity test of synergist of a pyrethroid insecticide, 2,3,3,3,2',3',3',3'-Octachlorodipropyl ether (S-421) in rats].

2,3,3,3,2',3',3',3'-Octachlorodipropyl ether (Abbreviation; S-421) is originally developed as synergist of a pyrethroid insecticide. In recent years, S-421 is used widely at home, for a mosquito-repellent incense, electric mosquito-repellent, an insect-killing spray, a vacuum cleaner paper pack, etc. as well. On the other hand, S-421 has been detected in vacuum cleaner dust samples as well as human milk samples in Japan indicating that our living environment is already contaminated by this compound. Long term toxicity studies including a carcinogenesis study have been performed and NOEL of chronic toxicity has been settled. However, it is clear that S-421 is used in close proximity so that acute or subacute exposure at relatively higher dose levels than chronic NOEL values are easily assumed, such as use of a spray in an ill-ventilated room, etc. This study, 28 day repeated oral dose toxicity study of S-421 was performed to monitor the outcome of acute and subacute exposure assuming possible exposure accidents mentioned above. The protocol is as follows; Groups of 10 rats of each sex(5 week-old), were treated with intragastric administration of S-421 with a dose of 0 (olive oil, control), 10, 40, 160 or 640 mg/kg body weight. For recovery test, 14 day after the last treatment, the control and 640 mg/kg groups were examined, respectively. All animals of all groups in both sexes survived. In the 640 mg/kg groups of the both sexes, all animals were set to drowsiness from about 5 hours after administration, however, they recovered by the next morning. In the hematology examination, Hb, MCH, MCHC, WBC values were significantly decreased and MCV value was significant increased in the 640 mg/kg group of both sexes. In the serum biochemistry, items increased in the 640 mg/kg groups of both sexes returned to normal level after 14 days recovery period. Absolute and relative liver weight increase seen in the 160 mg/kg and above also returned to control level after recovery. Histopathologically, slight hepatocellular swelling was observed in the 160 mg/kg groups and severe hepatocellular swelling with vacuolization and slight necrosis was seen in the 640 mg/kg group. In conclusion, the no-observed-effect levels (NOEL) of S-421 under these conditions was judged to be 40 mg/kg/day.

Administration, Oral↗

Age/sex dependent and non-monotonous dose-response effect of diethylstilbestrol on the immune functions in mice.

High amounts of estrogens are known to suppress immune functions in both human and animal models. Our supportive data is that the immune functions were activated by gonadectomy in young adults mice. However, recent reports indicate that estrogen is required for the normal development of thymus. These findings lead us to an assumption that sex hormone status induces much more complex effects on immune functions depending on the host age/sex and dose ranges. Here, low doses of DES (diet containing 0.4 or 4.0 microg/kg diet) were given for 2 months to young adult and aged C57BL/6 mice, and thymic and splenic parameters including flow-cytometric subpopulation analyses, mitogenic responses and NK activity were monitored. This study revealed that the low dose effects of exogenous estrogen are strongly dependent on the age and sex of the recipients and many parameters show non-monotonous dose response effect. In conclusion, effect of exogenous estrogens on immune functions should be assessed for all age and sex, and in expectation of non-monotonous dose-response relationship.

Age Factors↗

Phytoestrogen-low diet for endocrine disruptor studies.

Hormonally active chemicals (HACs) that are capable of inducing adverse effects on wildlife as well as human beings are featured as "endocrine disruptors". Various animal studies conducted to clarify the characteristics of HACs, including the uterotrophic assay, are sufficiently sensitive to detect the effect of 17-beta-estradiol in micrograms per kilogram of body weight or lower. In such systems, a trace amount of HACs in the dietary pellets may interfere with the test results and thus can be a serious problem for the low-dose issue, which is now a major topic in the field of endocrine disruptor research. Here, the significance of the hormonal effects of phytoestrogen components in the NIH-07 diet is confirmed and a NIH-07-based open formula "phytoestrogen-low diet" (PLD) is proposed, which effectively reduces uterine weight as well as the uterine luminal epithelial labeling index in ovariectomized rats.

Animals↗

Stem-cell leukemia: p53 deficiency mediated suppression of leukemic differentiation in C3H/He myeloid leukemia.

C3H/He mice produce myeloid leukemias after whole body irradiation of 1-3Gy as compared with non-irradiated controls that produce fewer than 1% of leukemia [Radiatiton Research 127 (1991) 146]. Thus, p53-deficient C57BL/6 strain, a malignant lymphoma prone, was crossed back into C3H/He strain. Lethally irradiated wild-type mice to which p53-deficient bone marrow cells were transplanted (transplantation assay) showed dramatic change in the propensity of leukemia of myeloid lineages, the cells lacking CD3, Thy1.2, sIgM, B220, Mac-1, Gr-1, but being positive for c-Kit and CD44. Furthermore, transplanted mice subjected to 3Gy irradiation gave rise to a faster development of leukemia and a higher frequency of double-lineage leukemias than the non-irradiated control.

Acute Disease↗

Overexpression of human thioredoxin in transgenic mice controls oxidative stress and life span.

Transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing human thioredoxin (TRX), a small redox-active protein, were produced to investigate the role of the protein in a variety of stresses. Bone marrow cells from TRX-Tg mice were more resistant to ultraviolet C-induced cytocide compared with those from wild type (WT) C57BL/6 mice. TRX-Tg mice exhibited extended median and maximum life spans compared with WT mice. Telomerase activity in spleen tissues in TRX-Tg mice was higher than that in WT mice. These results suggest that overexpression of TRX results in resistance against oxidative stress and a possible extension of life span without apparent abnormality in mammals.

Animals↗

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor mediates benzene-induced hematotoxicity.

Benzene can induce hematotoxicity and leukemia in humans and mice. Since a review of the literature shows that the CYP2E1 knockout mouse is not known to possess any benzene toxicity, the metabolism of benzene by CYP2E1 in the liver is regarded to be prerequisite for its cytotoxicity and genotoxicity, although the mechanism is not fully understood yet. Because it was found some years ago that benzene was also a substrate for CYP1A1, we investigated the involvement of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in benzene hematotoxicity using AhR wild-type (AhR(+/+)), heterozygous (AhR(+/-)), and homozygous (AhR(-/-)) male mice. Interestingly, following a 2-week inhalation of 300 ppm benzene (a potent dose for leukemogenicity), no hematotoxicity was induced in AhR(-/-) mice. Further, there were no changes in cellularity of peripheral blood and bone marrow (BM), nor in levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units in BM. This lack of hematotoxicity was associated with the lack of p21 overexpression, which was regularly seen in the wild-type mice following benzene inhalation. Combined treatment with two major benzene metabolites, phenol and hydroquinone, induced hemopoietic toxicity, although it was not known whether this happened due to a surprising lack of expression of CYP2E1 by AhR knockout, or due to a lack of other AhR-mediated CYP enzymes, including 1A1 (i.e., a possible alternative pathway of benzene metabolism). The former possibility, evaluated in the present study, failed to show a significant relationship between AhR and the expression of CYP2E1. Furthermore, a subsequent evaluation of AhR expression after benzene inhalation tended to show higher but less significant expression in the liver, and none in the BM, compared with sham control. Although this study failed to identify the more likely of the above-mentioned two possibilities, the study using AhR knockout mice on benzene inhalation presents the unique possibility that the benzene toxicity may be regulated by AhR signaling.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Serial transplantation of p53-deficient hemopoietic progenitor cells to assess their infinite growth potential.

Thirty-five years ago, Siminovitch et al. (Siminovitch L, Till JE, McCulloch EA. J Cell Com Physiol 64:23-32, 1964), using serially transplanted mouse spleens at 14-day intervals, observed a markedly progressive decline in the proliferative capacity of bone marrow (BM) cells, with the loss of clonogenicity by the fourth transplant generation. Using the same protocol, we assessed the proliferative capacity of p53-deficient mouse BM cells transplanted serially at the same 14-day intervals into lethally irradiated mice, which was a useful tool for understanding the characteristics of hemopoietic stem cells lacking solely the p53 gene function. BM cells from p53-deficient homozygous (p53(-/-)), p53-heterozygous (p53(+/-)), and wild-type (p53(+/+)) C57BL/6 mice were transplanted into lethally irradiated C57BL/6 recipients. Fourteen days later, the repopulated spleens were harvested, and 10(7)cells were retransplanted into secondary recipients. Serial transplantation was continued at 14-day intervals until hemopoietic repopulation failure. The number of heterozygous and homozygous p53-deficient spleen cells increased logarithmically up to the fourth and fifth passages, respectively, whereas wild-type spleen cells ceased to proliferate by the third passage. The number of macroscopic spleen colonies increased logarithmically until the third passage in recipients of heterozygous and homozygous p53-deficient cells, but ceased to grow by the second passage in recipients of wild-type cells. The numbers of heterozygous and homozygous p53-deficient colony forming units in spleen (CFUs-S) remained stable during the first four transplant generations, whereas that of wild-type CFUs-S decreased progressively from the first transplant generation onward. The clonogenicity of p53-deficient cells was lost when the number of CFUs-S per spleen decreased to below 10. This suggests that one out of 10 CFUs-S might be long-term repopulating cells (LTRCs), and that p53-deficient LTRCs may proliferate more rapidly than wild-type LTRCs. Longer passages that were possible in the p53-deficient groups were considered to be due to the faster cell cycle of the p53-deficient hemopoietic progenitor cells, as determined by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation with purging by UV light exposure, followed by hemopoietic colony assay (BUUV assay).

Animals↗

Hypomorphic Mesp allele distinguishes establishment of rostrocaudal polarity and segment border formation in somitogenesis.

A bHLH-type transcription factor, Mesp2, plays an essential role in somite segmentation in mice. Zebrafish mespb (mesp-b), a putative homologue of mouse Mesp2, is transiently expressed in the rostral presomitic mesoderm similarly to Mesp2. To determine whether zebrafish mespb is a functional homologue of mouse Mesp2, zebrafish mespb was introduced into the mouse Mesp2 locus by homologous recombination. Introduced mespb almost rescued the Mesp2 deficiency in the homozygous mespb knockin mouse, indicating that mespb is a functional homologue of mouse Mesp2. Segmented somites were clearly observed although the partial fusion of the vertebral columns still occurred. Interestingly, however, the nature and dosage of the mespb gene affected the rescue event. A mouse line, which has a hypomorphic Mesp2 allele generated by the introduction of neo-mespb, gave rise to an epithelial somite without normal rostrocaudal (RC) polarity. RC polarity was also lacking in the presomitic mesoderm. The defects in RC polarity were determined by the altered expressions of Uncx4.1 and Dll1 in the segmented somites and presomitic mesoderm, respectively. In contrast, the expression of EphA4 (Epha4), lunatic fringe or protocadherin, thought to be involved in segment border formation, was fairly normal in hypomorphic mutant embryos. These results suggest that the Mesp family of transcription factors is involved in both segment border formation and establishment of RC polarity through different genetic cascades.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Assessment of quantitative dual-parameter flow cytometric analysis for the evaluation of testicular toxicity using cyclophosphamide- and ethinylestradiol-treated rats.

In the drug discovery process, effects to the human spermatogenesis must be fully evaluated before the first human trial. To estimate testicular toxicity, histopathological evaluation has been recommended in addition to the traditional mating procedure. However, it is laborious and time-consuming. Flow cytometric analysis (FCM) has also been applied to estimate testicular toxicity because of its speed, simplicity, and the objectivity of the data. Using cyclophosphamide (CP)- and ethinylestradiol (EE)-treated rat testis, we attempted to validate our dual-parameter, DNA ploidy and cell-size FCM, in a high-throughput toxicity study. Our results showed that CP damaged some spermatogonia and some early meiotic spermatocytes and EE caused severe decrease of spermatogenic cells except for spermatogonia as well as marked decrease of somatic cells, most probably Leydig cells. This is the first report discriminating between the changes of spermatogonia and that of somatic cells with FCM analysis. These results demonstrate that this method is a very useful and powerful tool to assess testicular toxicity, especially in high-throughput toxicological studies.

Animals↗

[Kooroo color: 90-day dietary toxicity study in F344 rats].

A subchronic toxicity study on kooroo color was conducted using F344 rats of both genders. Kooroo color is an extract of yam root, Dioscorea matudai Hayata, of which the major components are known to be flavonoid pigments. Use of kooroo as a food color is permitted by the Food Sanitation Law in Japan, but the chronic toxicity has not been evaluated in the literature. Rats were fed the product of kooroo color (PKC) at doses of 0.5%, 1.50%, and 5.0% in basal powder diet, while control groups received PKC-free basal diet, for ninety days. A vehicle control given propylene glycol (PG) alone, at the same dosage that the 5.0% group received, was included, because PKC used in this study contained ca. 80 percent PG, used as an extractant during the manufacturing processes. Daily observation of general behavior, and weekly measurement of body weight as well as food consumption were performed. Hematological, serum biochemical and anatomopathological examinations were conducted at the end of administration. No abnormalities ascribable to the treatment with PKC or PG were noted in any examination in this study. Hence, dietary intake of 5.0% of PKC, i.e., 2,993 mg/kg/day for males, and 3,376 mg/kg/day for females, as a mean daily intake for 90 days, had no observable adverse effect in F344 rats. Therefore, kooroo color has no significant general toxicity, and its toxicity, if any, is of a very low order.

Animals↗

[Toxicogenomics--a new paradigm of toxicology and birth of reverse toxicology].

Toxicogenomics is, similar to other genome science fields, based on DNA microarray and/or DNA chip technologies, which has enabled a large number of gene expressions, thus, have been applied to such functional genomics as pharmacogenomics, oncogenomics, proteomics, metabonomics, etc. Toxicogenomics has advantages such as deducing the number of test animals and the test period, and adopts simpler techniques using new biomarkers. What toxicogenomics can offer to conventional toxicology is given herein.

Computational Biology↗

Mechanism of benzene-induced hematotoxicity and leukemogenicity: current review with implication of microarray analyses.

Benzene is a potent human leukemogen but the mechanism underlying benzene-induced leukemia remains an enigma due to a number of questions regarding the requirement of extraordinarily long exposure, a relatively low incidence of leukemia for genotoxicity of metabolites and a narrow dose range for leukemogenicity over marrow aplasia (overdoses tend to result in marrow aplasia). Moreover, there were previous controversies as to whether the cell cycle is upregulated or suppressed by the benzene exposure. Subsequently, it was found that the cell cycle is suppressed, but how leukemia develops under such suppression of hemopoiesis remains to be clarified. These questions were fortunately resolved with much effort. Benzene exposure was found to induce the expression of p21, an interlocking counterdevice for cell cycle: due to p53 upregulation, thereby inducing the immediate suppression of the kinetics of hemopoietic progenitors followed by the prominent suppression of hemopoiesis. Intermittent benzene exposure (i.e., cessation of exposure during weekends, for example) allowed an immediate recovery from marrow suppression after terminating exposure, which induced continuous oscillatory changes in marrow hemopoiesis. Benzene-induced leukemia was chiefly due to such an oscillatory change in hemopoiesis, which epigenetically developed leukemia more than 1 year later. The mechanisms of benzene-induced leukemogenicity seem to differ between wild-type mice and mice lacking p53. For p53 knockout mice, DNA damage such as weak mutagenicity or chromosomal damage was retained, and such damage induced consequent activation of proto-oncogenes and related genes, which led cells to undergo further neoplastic changes. In contrast, for wild-type mice carrying the p53 gene, a marked oscillatory change in the cell cycle of the stem cell compartment seems to be important. Compatible and discriminative gene expression profiling between the p53 knockout mice and wild-type mice was observed after benzene exposure by microarray analyses.

Administration, Inhalation↗