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Background Acute kidney injury (AKI), accompanied by the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome, is associated with a high risk of death. Bioartificial renal tubule device (BTD) is a cell therapy that improves the conditions common to artificial kidney recipients treated for kidney diseases. In this paper, we describe the establishment of BTD with lifespan-extended human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells. Methods AKI goats were established by performing bilateral nephrectomy followed by lipopolysaccharide administration. The AKI goats were treated with BTD or sham-BTD, and the two groups of animals were compared by measuring the respective life spans and the levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and serum electrolytes. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines were detected by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, and plasma interleukin (IL)-6 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The life span of AKI goats was extended: the lifetime with the BTD treatment compared with sham-BTD. BTD and sham-BTD showed a similar degree of small solute clearance. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and plasma IL-6 levels were decreased by the BTD treatment. Conclusions BTD treatment results in less damage from endotoxin shock and increased life span in AKI goats. These results suggest that BTD may be a useful component of bioartificial kidneys and should be considered in the next generation of renal replacement therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the reduction of antigenecity of Cryj, major allergen of Japanese cedar pollen by the attachment of polysaccharides. Accounts on the presence and absence of N-linked carbohydrate chains; Suppression of T cell reactivity; Identification of the epitope of immunoglobulin E.

Studies the mutant glycosylated lysozyme secretion in Pichia pastoris expression system. Analyses confirming the glycosylation; Chemical composition of the lysozymes; Effect of glycosylation on lysozymes.

Focuses on the improved functional properties of the ovoinhibitor, a serine proteinase inhibitor, by conjugating with galactomannan. Preparation of the ovoinhibitor from chicken egg white; Measurement of the emulsifying properties; Inhibitory activity and heat stability of the ovoinhibitor and its galactomannan conjugate.

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an evolutionary conserved developmental process, which is evoked during tumour invasion and metastasis. In the tumour microenvironment, a variety of resident and recruited cells participate in tumour progression. Kawata et al. demonstrated an experimental model where proinflammatory cytokines derived from macrophages could enhance EMT of cancer cells. Endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is originally observed during heart development, and recent studies suggest its role in pathological settings such as cancer and fibrosis. Mihira et al. demonstrated a line of evidence showing endothelial cell plasticity to undergo EndMT in vitro. Both in EMT and EndMT, transforming growth factor-β played pivotal roles, and multiple downstream mechanisms were used, depending on cell context. These recent works unraveled discrete regulatory networks in mesenchymal transition of epithelial and endothelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the heterogeneity of the complementary DNA (cDNA) of granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI) in sweet potato. Researchers found six types of GBSSI expressed in the tuberous root, with a high heterogeneity at the poly(A) sites in GBSSI. Several poly(A) sites were determined within or downstream of the polymorphic TA repeat.

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) combined with brilliant X-rays from synchrotron radiation (SR) can provide various possibilities of original and important applications, such as the elemental analysis on solid surfaces at an atomic scale. The principle of the elemental analysis is based on the inner-shell excitation of an element-specific energy level “under STM observation”. A key to obtain an atomic locality is to extract the element-specific modulation of the local tunneling current (not emission that can damage the spatial resolution), which is derived from the inner-shell excitation [1]. On this purpose, we developed a special SR-STM system and smart tip. To surmount a tiny core-excitation efficiency by hard X-rays, we focused two-dimensionally an incident beam having the highest photon density at the SPring-8.After successes in the elemental analyses by SR-STM [1,2] on a semiconductor hetero-interface (Ge on Si) and metal-semiconductor interface (Cu on Ge), we succeeded in obtaining the elemental contrast between Co nano-islands and Au substrate. The results on the metallic substrate suggest the generality of the method and give some important implications on the principle of contrast. For all cases of three samples, the spatial resolution of the analysis was estimated to be ∼1 nm or less, and it is worth noting that the measured surface domains had a deposition thickness of less than one atomic layer (Fig. 1, left and center).Fig. 1.(left) Topographic image and (center) beam-induced tip current image of Ge(111)-Cu (-2V, 0.2 nA). (right) X-ray- induced atomic motion tracks on Ge(111) that were newly imaged by the Xray-STM.On the other hand, we found that the “X-ray induced atomic motion” can be observed directly with atomic scale using the SR-STM system effectively under the incident photon density of ∼2 x1015 photon/sec/mm2 [3]. SR-STM visualized successfully the track of the atomic motion (Fig. 1, right), which enabled the further analysis on the mechanism of the atomic motion. It is worth comparing our results with past conventional thermal STM observations on the same surface [4], where the atomic motion was found to occur in the 2-dimensional domain. However, our results show the atomic track having a local chain distribution [3].The above mentioned results will allow us to investigate the chemical analysis and control of the local reaction with the spatial resolution of STM, giving hope of wide applications. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Browning of plant tissue is generally considered attributable to enzymatic oxidation by polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Electrophoresis followed by activity staining has been used as an effective procedure to visually detect and isolate isozymes; however, it has not been applied for examination of various PPO isozymes in lettuce. Our study demonstrated that different lettuce PPO isozymes could be detected at different pH in active staining, and multiple isozymes were detected only under alkaline conditions. As a result, we concluded that activity staining with approximately pH 8 enabled to detect various PPO isozymes in lettuce. By expression analysis of the PPO isozymes after wounding, PPO isozymes that correlated with time-course of tissue browning were detected. The wound-induced PPO may play a key role in enzymatic browning. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article examines the thermostability of hen egg-white lysozymes mutated at sites designed to interact with α-Helix dipoles. According to the authors, the secretion amounts of various mutant lysozymes in yeast were related to the stability of protein conformation. They add the decrease in the denaturation transition point and Gibbs energy change of the mutant lysozymes suggested that positive charge at the C-terminals of helices is involved in the stabilization of the helix dipole.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors responsible for depressed mood in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Clinical and laboratory measures were collected from 4558 RA patients enrolled in a large clinical cohort study for RA conducted at the Institute of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University (IORRA study). A two-question depressed screening included in the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation were utilized to identify “depressed patients.” A total of 1875 (41.1%) were identified as “depressed patients” who presented with symptoms suggestive of depression. Patient's Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for general health (43.3 mm vs 24.6 mm, P < 0.0001) and pain (40.9 mm vs 23.8 mm, P < 0.0001) and the disability index scores measured by the Health Association Questionnaire (HAQ) (0.986 vs 0.574, P < 0.0001) were significantly higher in depressed patients than in nondepressed patients. The presence of three or more comorbidities (odds ratio [OR] 2.157, P < 0.0001), infection (OR 1.754, P < 0.0001), and joint surgery (OR 1.878, P < 0.0001) were significantly correlated with depressed mood in RA. The results of the Generalized Linear Model analysis showed that HAQ disability index ( P < 0.0001) and patient's VAS for general health ( P < 0.0001) were also strongly and significantly associated to the response variable “probability of depressed patients.” Patient appraisal of poor general health and greater disability were associated with depressed mood in RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and the association of H. pylori infection and/or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use with upper gastrointestinal (UGI) ulcers in a cohort of Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Using the clinical database of the cohort of RA patients and the serum titers of H. pylori antibody, 1815 patients were analyzed. Clinical data were successfully collected for 1529 patients over 2 years, and the history of NSAID use and the occurrence of newly diagnosed UGI ulcer were ascertained by patient self-reports and confirmed by their medical records. A total of 871 patients (49.3%) were H. pylori antibody-positive. Rates of positivity for H. pylori in patients with and without NSAID use were 47.5% and 54.7%, respectively (odds ratio = 0.75, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.58–0.96). The incidence of newly diagnosed UGI ulcer was 0% in the H. pylori−/NSAID− group, 1.24% in the H. pylori−/NSAID+ group, 1.06% in the H. pylori+/NSAID− group, and 3.46% in the H. pylori+/NSAID+ group. The odds ratios of H. pylori infection and NSAID for the occurrence of new UGI ulcers after adjusting for age and sex were 2.97 (95% CI: 1.19–7.38) and 4.31 (95% CI: 0.57–32.4), respectively. Although the prevalence of H. pylori antibody was low in patients with RA compared with that in healthy Japanese individuals, H. pylori infection was a significant risk factor for UGI ulcer in patients with RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies chicken lysozyme fused serine-rich hepapeptides by researchers from Japan. Examination on the structural and functional properties of chicken lysozymes; Modification of the gene to improve the functional properties of lysozyme; Indications for the possibility of the fused serine-rich hepapeptides.

Background In elderly hemodialysis (HD) patients, the risk of medication-related problems is particularly high. Thus, certain medications should generally not be prescribed to those patients. The Beers criteria for potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) have been publicized. Still, with regard to elderly HD patients, the prevalence and risk factors for prescription of PIMs are unknown. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of data from the Japan Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (2002–08). Patients were included if they were 65 years old or older and were currently receiving HD treatment at a hospital or clinic. We counted the number of patients who were prescribed at least one PIM, as defined by the modified Beers criteria. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to determine which patient characteristics and facility characteristics were associated with prescription of PIMs. Results Data from 1367 elderly patients were analyzed. More than half of the patients (57%) had been prescribed a PIM. The three most frequently prescribed PIMs were H2 blockers (33%), antiplatelet agents (19%) and α-blockers (13%). PIM prescriptions were less likely at facilities that conducted multidisciplinary rounds {adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.67 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.48–0.93]} and at teaching hospitals [AOR: 0.59 (95% CI, 0.39–0.90)]. PIM prescriptions are more likely if more than one physician has clearance to alter the HD regimen [AOR: 1.65 (95% CI, 1.12–2.44)]. Conclusions PIMs were prescribed to many elderly HD patients in Japan. Nephrologists should become more aware of PIMs. Multidisciplinary rounds could benefit patients by reducing the prescription of PIMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The bioartificial renal tubule device is a cell therapy system for renal failure. The major obstacle in the development of the bioartificial renal tubule device is the obtainment of a large number of viable renal tubule cells to seed on the inner surface of hollow fibers. Although our previous studies had used a transformed cell line, they may be dangerous for clinical uses. Therefore, different approaches to amplify renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (RPTEC) in culture without oncogenes, vectors and carcinogens have been required.Methods. The limitation of the replicative lifespan of human RPTEC, which is ∼12 population doublings (PDs), was extended by invalidating messenger RNA of cell cycle-related genes with antisense oligonucleotide or small interfering RNA (siRNA).Results. Periodic transfection of siRNA to a tumor suppressor p53 or a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p16INK4a extended the lifespan by 33 and 63 PDs, respectively, in 3 months of culture. The siRNA-mediated lifespan extension was controllable because cell division ceased within 2 weeks after the transfection was discontinued. Expressions of γ-glutamyltransferase 1 and glucose transporter 1 were recovered in siRNA-transfected RPTEC cultured on porous membranes. Bioartificial renal tubule devices (0.8 m2) constructed with these cells showed reabsorption of water (122.3 ± 4.2 mL/30 min), sodium (18.1 ± 0.7 mEq/30 min) and glucose (121.7 ± 4.4 mg/30 min) after 1 week of circulation. Furthermore, β2-microglobulin and pentosidine were metabolized by RPTEC in mini-devices (65 cm2) within 48 h of circulation.Conclusions. These approaches enabled us to yield a high enough number of RPTEC for construction of bioartificial renal tubule devices repeatedly. Lifespan-extended RPTEC could recover their specific characteristics by culturing on porous membranes, and bioartificial renal tubule devices constructed with these cells showed good performances of reabsorption and metabolism.Summary: A large number of human renal tubular cells required for construction of the bioartificial renal tubule device were prepared by extending the lifespan of the primary cells by invalidating mRNA of cell cycle-related genes. Constructed bioartificial renal tubule devices with lifespan-extended cells showed good performances of in vitro examination of reabsorption and metabolism. Requiring no oncogenes, vectors or cell cloning, the RNAi-mediated lifespan extension can help advance tissue-replacement therapy as well as basic research. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background. Haemodialysis patients were studied in 12 countries to identify practice patterns of prescription of antihypertensive agents (AHA) associated with survival. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background. Bodily pain and psychiatric distress are common symptoms in patients with dialysis. However, the temporal relationships have not yet been investigated. Objective. To evaluate the longitudinal association between depressive symptoms and subsequent risk of developing severe bodily pain in dialysis patients. Design. Prospective cohort study. Methods. We assessed bodily pain using a self-reported questionnaire and depressive symptoms using scores from the short version of Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Screening Index (CES-D) from 531 participants showing no/mild bodily pain at baseline, based on the Japan Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study, a cohort study of hemodialysis patients. To evaluate the relationship between depressive symptoms and development of severe bodily pain, multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. Results. The 531 patients had a mean age of 57.9 years, 61.4% were male, and 33.1% had depressive symptoms. Logistic regression analysis revealed that depressive symptoms at baseline were significantly associated with higher odds of developing severe bodily pain during a 0.5- to 2.5-year follow-up period (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.13, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.36–3.33, P = 0.001). Further, patients with higher CES-D scores were likely to develop severe bodily pain (AOR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04–1.15, P = 0.001). Conclusions. Results of this study suggest that depressive symptoms measured by CES-D predict the future risk of developing severe bodily pain in dialyis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Japanese haemodialysis (HD) patients not only have a very low mortality and hospitalization risk but also low haemoglobin (Hb) levels. Internationally, anaemia is associated with mortality, hospitalization and health-related quality of life (QoL) measures of HD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article examines a cryptic polyadenylation of transcripts of an RNA virus gene introduced into tobacco plants. RT-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the transcripts had a poly(A) tail and that polyadenulation occurred on the 5' side of the 3' untranslated region. The results suggest that the cryptic polyadenylation signal in the viral sequence permits 3'-end processing of the transcripts.

The Purple leaf(Pl) locus of rice (Oryza sativaL.) affects regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in various plant tissues. The tissue-specific patterns of anthocyanin pigmentation, together with the syntenic relationship, indicate that the rice Pl locus may play a role in the anthocyanin pathway similar to the maize R/B loci. We isolated two cDNAs showing significant identity to the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins found in the maize R gene family. OSB1 appeared to be allelic to the previously isolated R homologue, Ra1, but showed a striking difference at the C-terminus because of a 2-bp deletion. Characterization of the corresponding genomic region revealed that the sequence identical to a 5′-portion of OSB2 existed ~10-kb downstream of the OSB1 coding region. OSB2 lacks a conserved C-terminal domain. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses using an F2 population indicate that both genes co-segregate with the purple leaf phenotype. A transient complementation assay showed that the anthocyanin pathway is inducible by OSB1or OSB2. These results suggest that the Plw allele may be complex and composed of at least two genes encoding bHLH proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background We initially performed minimally invasive esophagectomy in a left lateral decubitus position through 5 ports in 1996, and we have now treated over 900 cases using this approach. This position has many benefits, but it also has some drawbacks. We were able to operate with good results after we introduced artificial pneumothorax with CO2 insufflation in 2010. We investigated the short- and long-term outcomes of thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal cancer in the left lateral decubitus position at our institution. Methods From 1996 to 2016, 807 esophageal cancer patients were treated with minimally invasive esophagectomy in the left lateral decubitus position at our hospital. We compared the 289 cases treated in the early period (1996–2005) and 518 cases treated in the late period (2006–2016), in which the procedure was standardized and operator training was established Results The completion rate of thoracoscopic surgery was 99.5%, with the procedure switched to thoracotomy in only 3 patients in whom hemorrhage occurred. The mean intrathoracic operative time was 205.0 min, mean intrathoracic blood loss was 127.3 mL, and mean number of dissected mediastinal lymph nodes was 24.7. The postoperative complications were pneumonia (8.5%), anastomotic leakage (7.5%), and recurrent nerve paralysis (7.8%). The 5-year overall survival rate was 69.5%. Comparison of 289 cases treated in the early period (1996–2005) and 518 cases treated in the late period (2006–2016), revealed significant differences in mean intrathoracic blood loss (174.0 vs. 94.2 mL); number of dissected mediastinal lymph nodes (20.0 vs. 28.4); postoperative hospital stay (33.4 vs. 20.0 days, all P  < 0.001); and postoperative anastomotic leakage (13.9% vs. 1.6%, P  < 0.0001). In recent operation, we do not have recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis and hoarseness after we take care of the micro anatomical layer, stretch and thermal damage of recurrent laryngeal nerve when we dissect the lymph node. Conclusion These data indicate significant improvements in intrathoracic blood loss, number of dissected mediastinal lymph nodes, anastomotic leakage, and postoperative hospital stay, reflecting continued improvement of minimally invasive esophagectomy performed in the left lateral decubitus position at our institution. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a common complication observed in long-term dialysis patients. Percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) of parathyroid glands (PTGs) is now established in Japan as a treatment option for SHPT. In this study, to elucidate the factors influencing efficacy in 1 year and relapse following PEIT, we analysed the long-term prognosis of parathyroid function that is known to have the greatest effect on therapeutic results. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]