著者

Lei Wang Zhuo Shao Shiyue Chen Lu Shi Zhaoshen Li

出版者

東北ジャーナル刊行会

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.241, no.4, pp.287-295, 2017 (Released:2017-04-11)

参考文献数

38

被引用文献数

5

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Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents as an aggressive malignancy caused by environmental and genetic factors. In order to identify causal genes for PDAC, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) to detect gene mutations in seven pairs of PDAC tissue and adjacent non-tumor tissue samples. Finally, we found a new nonsynonymous single nucleotide variant (nsSNV) in solute carrier 24 family member 2 (SLC24A2) gene resulting in the substitution of native glutamic acid (E) into aspartic acid (D) at position of 287 amino acid (E287D) in SLC24A2 protein, and confirmed this variant by Sanger gene sequencing. SLC24A2 is a potassium-dependent sodium-calcium exchanger and can transport metal ion across cell membrane. Multiple in silico variants’ effects analyses methods including SIFT, PolyPhen, PROVEAN, and PANTHER demonstrated this variant had probably damaging effects, which was consistent with the results obtained from Mutation Taster software analysis with a probability of 0.99999997 to be “disease causing.” The three dimension (3D) structure analysis results suggested this variant had little effects on the solubility and hydrophobicity of the protein; but it could decrease the protein stability by increasing the total protein structure energy (−8874.33 kJ/mol for the mutant and −8963.54 kJ/mol for the native) and by causing the mutant protein decreasing three stabilizing residues. Less stability of the mutant 287D protein than the native E287 protein was also supported by I-Mutant and Western-blotting analysis results. Overall, a new mutation in SLC24A2 gene was identified to decrease the stability of SLC24A2, which may have potential clinical usages.

著者

Masako Miyashita Masahiro Kikuya Chizuru Yamanaka Mami Ishikuro Taku Obara Yuki Sato Hirohito Metoki Naoki Nakaya Fuji Nagami Hiroaki Tomita Hideyasu Kiyomoto Junichi Sugawara Atsushi Hozawa Nobuo Fuse Yoichi Suzuki Ichiro Tsuji Shigeo Kure Nobuo Yaegashi Masayuki Yamamoto Shinichi Kuriyama

出版者

東北ジャーナル刊行会

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.237, no.4, pp.297-305, 2015 (Released:2015-12-02)

参考文献数

32

被引用文献数

1 21

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After the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, there has been a concern about health problems among children. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of wheeze and eczema symptoms and associated factors among children in areas primarily affected by the disaster. From 2012 to 2014, we distributed the parent-administered questionnaire to 25,198 children in all 233 public schools in the 13 municipalities of Miyagi Prefecture in northeast Japan. A total of 7,155 responses (mean age 10.5 ± 2.2 years) were received (response rate: 28.4%). The prevalence of allergic symptoms according to the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire in 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th graders was 12.4%, 9.9%, 9.3%, and 5.6% for wheeze, and 20.1%, 18.0%, 14.0%, and 12.4% for eczema. In multivariate logistic analysis, younger age, history of hospitalization, and difficulties in children’s daily lives as assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), were significantly and consistently associated with both allergic symptoms (both P < 0.05). Living in a coastal municipality was also associated with eczema symptoms (P = 0.0278). The prevalence of eczema symptoms in the 2nd (20.1%) and 8th (12.4%) grades was significantly higher than previously reported in Japan. Living in a coastal municipality was independently associated with eczema symptoms, and psychometric properties were also closely linked to allergic symptoms. These findings are clinically important for understanding the risks of allergic disorders after natural disasters.

著者

Haneul Lee Jerrold Petrofsky Nirali Shah Abdulaziz Awali Karan Shah Mohammed Alotaibi JongEun Yim

出版者

東北ジャーナル刊行会

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.234, no.2, pp.117-122, 2014 (Released:2014-09-17)

参考文献数

25

被引用文献数

2 14

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Evaporation by sweating is the most effective way to remove heat from the body. Sweat rates increase under both local and whole-body heat stress. Men and women differ in how they respond to heat, because sexual steroids alter resting body core temperature and the threshold for sweating and skin blood flow (SBF) during heating. The purpose of the present study was to compare local sweat rates and cutaneous vasodilatation during heat exposure in women with a regular menstrual cycle. The cutaneous vasodilatation was judged by measuring the SBF. Eight female and nine male subjects participated in this study, and their age range was 24-29 years. Female subjects were tested twice throughout one full menstrual cycle: once during the middle follicular phases and once during the luteal phase. Subjects remained in a temperature-regulated room at 41°C and 21% of relative humidity for 40 minutes. Sweat rate was recorded from the forehead, forearm, and thigh, and skin temperature and SBF were measured on the thigh and forehead. We found that the sweating rate and SBF were greater in the luteal phase compared to follicular phase (p < 0.05). Since both SBF and sweating were controlled by the sympathetic nerve system, the sympathetic outflow was greater during whole body heat exposure in the luteal phase. In contrast, for men, there was no significant difference in sweating and SBF over the same calendar period (p > 0.05). We propose the enhanced sympathetic activity in the luteal phase with a regular menstrual cycle.

著者

Kyoko Yamamoto Yasuhiro Komatsu Hiroyuki Yamamoto Hiroko Izumo Kyo Sanoyama Masami Monden Kyoko Takeda Fumiko Nakahara Katsumi Yoshida

出版者

Tohoku University Medical Press

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.225, no.3, pp.195-202, 2011 (Released:2011-10-19)

参考文献数

27

被引用文献数

6 6

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Diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) which are risk facters of cardiovascular disease, are increasing global public health problems. Microalbuminuria is an early sign of progressive cardiovascular and renal disease in individuals with or without diabetes. Screening for microalbuminuria and early treatment are recommended for patients with increased cardiovascular and renal risk factors. However, the procedure used to measure urinary albumin is expensive. Alternatively, the measurement of total urinary protein is simple and inexpensive. Thus, we aimed to establish a method that could predict the presence of microalbuminuria by measuring the total protein-to-creatinine ratio. Spot urine samples were obtained from 150 patients with diabetes mellitus, and the total protein-to-creatinine ratio and the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) were measured. There was a significant positive correlation between the protein-to-creatinine ratio and the ACR (r = 0.95). The presence of albuminuria (both micro- and macroalbuminuria) could be predicted from the value of the protein-to-creatinine ratio in more than 90% of patients. A receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the protein-to-creatinine ratio had a sensitivity and a specificity of 90.8% and 91.9%, respectively, for the detection of albuminuria and a cutoff value of 0.091 g/g creatinine. These results suggest that screening for microalbuminuria can be replaced by the detection of the protein-to-creatinine ratio, which may be cost-effective for patients with cardiovascular risks as well as for the general population.

著者

Chitaru Tokutake Akiko Haga Kesami Sakaguchi Atsuko Samejima Miki Yoneyama Yoshiharu Yokokawa Masayoshi Ohira Motoki Ichikawa Makoto Kanai

出版者

Tohoku University Medical Press

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.246, no.2, pp.121-130, 2018 (Released:2018-10-24)

参考文献数

45

被引用文献数

10 11

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Co-sleeping and breastfeeding in the side-lying position have recently been pointed out as risk factors for suffocation in sleeping infants; however, there is no actual report on an “incident.” “Incident” is defined as a tense or sobering experience without a consequential fatal suffocation accident. It is important to understand infant suffocation incidents to prevent accidents during co-sleeping and breastfeeding in the side-lying position. We investigated factors and frequency of infant suffocation incidents associated with co-sleeping and breastfeeding in the side-lying position using a self-administered questionnaire survey of 895 mothers during their infant’s 1-, 4-, or 10-month health checkups. Co-sleeping and breastfeeding in the side-lying position were practiced by 28.3% and 56.0% of mothers, respectively; thus, 84.3% of the mothers surveyed were practicing either co-sleeping or breastfeeding in the side-lying position. Of those who received guidance from a medical professional, 36.1% practiced only co-sleeping while 60.1% practiced only side-lying breastfeeding. In the co-sleeping group, 10.6% had faced infant suffocation incidents, while 13.2% in the breastfeeding in the side-lying position group had faced similar incidents. Regarding factors associated with suffocation incidents while co-sleeping, the frequency of occurrence was significantly more in mothers of 1-month and 4-month-old infants compared with those of 10-month-old infants. Of mothers who faced suffocation incidents while breastfeeding in the side-lying position, 45% also had faced similar incidents while co-sleeping. These results demonstrate the importance of thoroughly educating mothers about the risks associated with co-sleeping and breastfeeding in the side-lying position for preventing infant suffocation.

著者

Kyoungsim Jung Young Kim Yijung Chung Sujin Hwang

出版者

Tohoku University Medical Press

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.232, no.3, pp.195-199, 2014 (Released:2014-03-19)

参考文献数

30

被引用文献数

55 64

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Trunk instability is one of main problems in survivors following stroke. We investigated the effects of weight-shift training (WST) on an unstable surface in sitting position on trunk control, proprioception, and balance in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Eighteen participants with chronic hemiparetic stroke were recruited and were allocated to either WST or control group. The WST group received a weight-shift training program for 30 min and then received a conventional exercise program for 30 min, while the control group received conventional exercise program for 60 min, five times a week for four weeks for both groups. In this randomized control study, we used three outcome measures: trunk reposition error (TRE), Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. TRE was measured by each participant’s reposition error to the target angle during his/her active trunk movement. TIS and TUG were examined for trunk control abilities and dynamic balance abilities, respectively. After training, TRE showed significantly greater improvement in the WST group (mean change, 1.67 ± 1.45˚) than the control group (mean change, 0.08 ± 1.05˚). The TIS score was significantly higher in the WST group (mean change, 2.33 ± 1.50) than the control group (mean change, 0.13 ± 0.83). The TUG test also showed a significant improvement in the WST group (mean change, 5.03 ± 1.88 sec) than the control group (mean change, 2.59 ± 1.86 sec). Our findings indicate that weight-shift training is beneficial for improving trunk control and proprioception in patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke.

著者

Yuri Murayama Ken Inoue Chiho Yamazaki Satomi Kameo Minato Nakazawa Hiroshi Koyama

出版者

Tohoku University Medical Press

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.249, no.2, pp.101-111, 2019 (Released:2019-10-22)

参考文献数

44

被引用文献数

6

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For the prevention of suicides, the early detection of depression symptoms and the implementation of suicide prevention measures based on the local community’s conditions are critical. In rural or remote communities with poor access to urban areas, the medical care is often insufficient. We conducted the present study to investigate the relationship between depressive state and social-environmental factors in a depopulated inland rural area in central Japan, where the suicide rate is high and specialized psychiatric care is not available. Using a correspondence analysis, logistic regression analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM), we examined the questionnaire responses of 912 residents (average 60.5 years old). Total Health Index-Depression (THI-D) scale scores were used to measure depressive state. The lifestyle-related factor with the strongest link to depressive state was ‘concerns about interpersonal relationships’ (OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 2.06-3.53, p < 0.0001), whereas financial concerns, number of friends, exercise habits, and perceived amount of sleep were also useful for predicting depressive state. The SEM showed that one’s job and private life, particularly concerns about interpersonal relationships, are correlated with higher THI-D scores. Thus, social and lifestyle factors (e.g., concerns about interpersonal relationships and financial situation) can be used to predict depressive state in a depopulated rural area, and the newly revealed order in which depressive symptoms manifest is important. Our findings can be used to advance assessments of depressive symptoms and will be useful for mental health and suicide prevention.

著者

Shinichi Okamura Yoshie Sawada Teturou Satoh Hironosuke Sakamoto Yuichiro Saito Hiroyuki Sumino Takako Takizawa Toshiaki Kogure Chiayo Chaichantipyuth Yoshihiro Higuchi Tsutomu Ishikawa Tetsuo Sakamaki

出版者

東北ジャーナル刊行会

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.216, no.4, pp.341-351, 2008 (Released:2008-12-06)

参考文献数

34

被引用文献数

11 29

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Impaired lipid metabolism is an important health problem in postmenopausal women with insufficient estrogens, because dyslipidemia is a risk factor for development of atherosclerosis and the incidence of cardiovascular disease markedly increases after menopause. Pueraria mirifica (PM), a Thai herb, has been noticed as a source of phytoestrogens, estrogen-mimicking plant compounds. However, the clinical effects of PM on lipid metabolism and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain undetermined. Therefore, we examined the effects of PM on serum lipid parameters in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Nineteen postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to receive oral administration of PM powder or placebo. After 2 months of treatment, the PM group showed a significant increase in serum concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein (apo) A-1 (34% and 40%, respectively), and a significant decrease in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and apo B (17% and 9%, respectively), compared with baseline measurements. Moreover, significant decreases were observed in the ratios of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol (37%) and apo B to apo A-1 (35%). Next, we determined the effects of PM phytoestrogens on the activation of estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated transactivation by transient expression assays of a reporter gene in cultured cells. Among PM phytoestrogens, miroestrol and coumestrol enhanced both ERα- and ERβ-mediated transactivation, whereas other phytoestrogens, including daidzein and genistein, preferentially enhanced ERβ-mediated transactivation. In conclusion, PM has a beneficial effect on lipid metabolism in postmenopausal women, which may result from the activation of gene transcription through selective binding of phytoestrogens to ERα and ERβ.

著者

本川 弘一

出版者

Tohoku University Medical Press

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.51, no.1-2, pp.119-129, 1949-10-31 (Released:2008-11-28)

参考文献数

8

被引用文献数

2 4

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Electrical energy per unit time of brain waves was measured on elec-troencephalograms of man and animal, and the following law was estab-lished with regard to the distribution of energy in the electroencephalo-gram, namely: ƒ(ε)dε=1/-εe-ε/-εdε, where ƒ(ε)dε represents the probability that energy ε lies between ε and ε+dε, and -ε the mean energy. To deduce this law theoretically from plausible assumptions, a statistical theory was advanced. An important conclusion from this theory is that the utilizable energy of the brain must be kept constant at its maximum, and this inference seems to be consistent with experimental evidence on brain metabolism: It can be explained also from this theory that the mean energy of brain waves increases under unfavorable conditions such as oxygen deficiency, narcosis etc.

著者

Jieun Lee Young Ah Lee Seong Yong Lee Choong Ho Shin Jae Hyun Kim

出版者

Tohoku University Medical Press

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.256, no.1, pp.53-62, 2022 (Released:2022-01-27)

参考文献数

50

被引用文献数

8

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Triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C), triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), and non-HDL cholesterol level (non-HDL-C) have been proposed as surrogate markers for predicting metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study investigated whether these lipid-derived surrogate markers can predict MetS in Korean children and adolescents. Data from 1,814 participants were analyzed from the 2013-2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. MetS was defined using three sets of criteria: Cook et al. (MetS1), de Ferranti et al. (MetS2), and the International Diabetes Federation (MetS3). The prevalence of MetS1, MetS2, and MetS3 was 4.6%, 11.3%, and 2.7%, respectively. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of MetS and lipid-derived surrogate markers, TG/HDL-C (0.937 for MetS1, 0.894 for MetS2, and 0.897 for MetS3) had the largest area under the curve (AUC), followed by TyG (0.906 for MetS1, 0.864 for MetS2, and 0.887 for MetS3), and non-HDL-C (0.752 for MetS1, 0.708 for MetS2, and 0.703 for MetS3) (all P < 0.001). The cutoff values for detecting MetS with TG/HDL-C, TyG, and non-HDL-C were 2.64, 8.52, and 111.6 for MetS1; 2.23, 8.47, and 110.7 for MetS2; and 2.64, 8.74, and 110.8 for MetS3, respectively. In conclusion, TG/HDL-C and TyG were similarly predictive of MetS. We propose using TG/HDL-C and TyG as surrogate markers for assessing MetS in Korean children and adolescents.

著者

Hirofumi Tsuboi Kenji Fujimori

出版者

Tohoku University Medical Press

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.251, no.3, pp.225-230, 2020 (Released:2020-07-17)

参考文献数

27

被引用文献数

6

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For increasing medical care demand by aging population, the Japanese government is shifting to home medical care for treatments that do not necessarily require hospitalization. It is therefore essential to identify factors involved in improving the quality and outcomes of home medical care. This study examined the effect of hospital discharge support in long-term care wards on readmission rates. We used medical insurance and the Long-Term Care Insurance data of patients aged ≥ 65. Participants were patients who discharged between April 2012 and March 2016 from long-term care wards that did not require 24-hour monitoring and had no specific incurable diseases. Participants were divided into two groups according to hospital discharge support, defined by medical fee incentives for discharge planning and coordination of medical and nursing services after discharge. We explored the association between hospital discharge support and risk-adjusted readmission based on patient characteristics for one year beginning the month after patient discharge. This study involved a total of 10,998 patients: 2,563 patients with hospital discharge support and 8,435 patients without relevant support. In the group with hospital discharge support, there was a significant reduction in readmission rates. When examined by patients’ characteristics, this association was significant in groups with age ≥ 85, care needs levels 1 to 2 (conditions requiring partial care for daily living), dementia or fracture. Our results suggest that hospital discharge support by medical and nursing care workers is effective in reducing readmission rates. Moreover, patients’ age, care needs, and underlying disease should be considered.

著者

Yutaka Yabe Yoshihiro Hagiwara Takuya Sekiguchi Haruki Momma Masahiro Tsuchiya Kaoru Kuroki Kenji Kanazawa Masashi Koide Nobuyuki Itaya Shinichiro Yoshida Yasuhito Sogi Toshihisa Yano Eiji Itoi Ryoichi Nagatomi

出版者

Tohoku University Medical Press

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.244, no.4, pp.297-304, 2018 (Released:2018-04-10)

参考文献数

29

被引用文献数

1 9

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Verbal or physical abuse from coaches has a negative impact on young athletes. To prevent abuse against young athletes, it is important to know the characteristics of abusive coaches. This study aimed to elucidate the characteristics of coaches who commit verbal or physical abuse in youth sports teams. A cross-sectional study was conducted with coaches of youth sport teams in Miyagi prefecture, Japan (n = 1,283), using a self-reported questionnaire (response rate was 24.0%). Multivariate logistic regression models were used for analyses. The prevalence of verbal and physical abuse towards young athletes was 64.7% (n = 830) and 6.2% (n = 79), respectively. Verbal abuse was significantly associated with lower educational attainment (odds ratio (OR): 1.32, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.03-1.69), experiences of verbal abuse by own coaches (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.37-2.50), acceptability for verbal or physical abuse (OR: 2.53, 95% CI: 1.82-3.52), and dissatisfaction with athletes’ attitude (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.26-2.07). Physical abuse was significantly associated with experiences of physical abuse by respondents’ coaches (OR: 2.71, 95% CI: 1.50-4.92), acceptability for verbal or physical abuse (OR: 3.89, 95% CI: 2.39-6.33), and longer experience of coaching in years (OR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.20-4.98). The results of this study show that coaches who commit verbal or physical abuse had typically experienced abuse from their former coaches, and adopted a similar style. Breaking the negative cycle of verbal and physical abuse is necessary to eliminate the abuse of young athletes.

著者

Takashi Ohrui Hidenori Takahashi Satoru Ebihara Toshifumi Matsui Katsutoshi Nakayama Hidetada Sasaki

出版者

Tohoku University Medical Press

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.192, no.1, pp.81-86, 2000 (Released:2005-04-21)

参考文献数

11

被引用文献数

16 16

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This report presents the cases of two patients with rapidly progressive hypoxemia associated with influenza A(H3N2) virus infection, who were diagnosed with influenza related acute pulmonary microthromboembolism by serum D-dimer, lung perfusion and ventilation scans and computed-tomography scan of the chest, and were successfully treated by anti-coagulant therapy. The present cases suggest that acute onset pulmonary microthromboembolism should be considered in some patients with sudden, unexplained dyspnea during an outbreak of influenza infection and prompt diagnosis is essential to save the patient from acute death associated with influenza.

著者

Nobuyuki Sakayori Hisanori Tokuda Kaichi Yoshizaki Hiroshi Kawashima Sheila M. Innis Hiroshi Shibata Noriko Osumi

出版者

Tohoku University Medical Press

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.240, no.1, pp.31-37, 2016 (Released:2016-08-24)

参考文献数

29

被引用文献数

8 19

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Omega-6 (n-6) and omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential nutrients for normal brain development. The principal dietary n-6 and n-3 PUFAs are linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA), respectively, We have previously shown that maternal dietary imbalance between these PUFAs, i.e., rich in LA and poor in ALA, affected brain development and increased anxiety-related behavior in the mouse offspring. Here we further addressed sex difference in anxiety-related behavior in the offspring exposed to maternal LA:ALA imbalance. We fed pregnant mice a LA excess/ALA deficient (LAex/ALAdef) diet, and raised their offspring on a well-balanced LA:ALA diet from an early lactation period. When the offspring were grown to adulthood, they were subjected to behavioral and biochemical analyses. We found that both male and female offspring exposed to the LAex/ALAdef diet showed increased anxiety-related behavior compared to those exposed to the control diet, which was differently observed between the sexes. The female offspring also exhibited hyperactivity by maternal intake of the LAex/ALAdef diet. On the other hand, abnormal depressive behavior was undetected in both sexes. We also found that the ratio of n-6 to n-3 PUFAs in the brain was unaffected regardless of maternal diet or offspring’s sex. Since the n-6/n-3 ratio is known to influence emotional behavior, it is reasonable to assume that LA:ALA imbalance exposed during brain development is the key for causing enhanced anxiety in adulthood. The present study indicates that maternal dietary imbalance between LA and ALA increases offspring’s anxiety-related behavior with a sex-dependent manner.

著者

Shinichi Takenoshita Kyoko Nomura Sachiko Ohde Gautam A. Deshpande Haruka Sakamoto Honami Yoshida Kevin Urayama Seiji Bito Yasushi Ishida Takuro Shimbo Kunihiko Matsui Tsuguya Fukui Osamu Takahashi

出版者

Tohoku University Medical Press

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.239, no.4, pp.325-331, 2016 (Released:2016-08-13)

参考文献数

20

被引用文献数

2 2

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The evidence suggests that mentoring is one of useful teaching methods in academic medicine but it is not clear for which outcome mentoring is effective. In this study, the authors investigated the number of original research articles that the participants had published in peer-reviewed English-language journals (as a first or a corresponding author) within one year prior to investigation and what characteristics of the participants who published at least one paper would be like compared to those who did not. In March 2015, the authors recruit early- and mid-career Japanese physicians (238 men and 240 women; mean age 40.6 years old) in a web survey. In total, 23.9% of physicians had published at least one original research article as a first author, 10.0% had published as a corresponding author, and 23.4% had a research mentor. A multivariate logistic regression model adjusting for variables selected at p < 0.15 in univariable models showed that even after adjusting for their motivation levels for clinical research, physicians with a research mentor [odds ratio (OR) 6.68; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.74-11.93], physicians who obtained DMSc, roughly equivalent to PhD in the West (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.26-3.72), and physicians who worked at teaching hospitals (OR 6.39; 95% CI, 2.54-16.04) were more likely to publish an original paper in a peer-reviewed journal. Having a research mentor or DMSc is associated with an experience of successfully publishing original papers in peer-reviewed journals for young and mid-career physician-researchers.

著者

Kotaro Hiraoka Hitoshi Inada Kazuhiko Yanai Noriko Osumi

出版者

Tohoku University Medical Press

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.252, no.3, pp.199-208, 2020 (Released:2020-10-22)

参考文献数

19

被引用文献数

3

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Ependymal cells have an essential role in regulating the dynamics of the cerebrospinal fluid flow by the movement of their multiple cilia. Impaired generation or function of cilia could cause hydrocephalus due to the disordered dynamics of the cerebrospinal fluid flow. However, molecular bases regulating differentiation of the ependymal cells and their ciliogenesis have not been fully elucidated. We report here that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), growth factors orchestrating tissue architecture throughout the body, inhibit ciliogenesis during ependymal cell differentiation in primary cell culture. Previous in vitro study has reported that ectopic expression of Smad6 and Smad7 promotes differentiation of embryonic stem cells into multi-ciliated ependymal-like cells. Since Smad6 and Smad7 have been known as the intracellular inhibitory factors of the BMP signaling pathway, the activation of the pathway could cause a deficit in ciliogenesis of ependymal cells. To examine whether activation of the pathway affects ciliogenesis, we investigated the effects of two BMPs, BMP2 and BMP4, on the ependymal differentiation of the primary cultured cells prepared from the neonatal mouse brain. Supplementation of BMP2 or BMP4 in culture media significantly reduced the number of cells with multiple cilia among the total cells, while most of the cells expressed FoxJ1, a master regulator of ciliogenesis. Activation of the pathway was confirmed by the phosphorylation of intracellular Smad1/5/8, downstream factors of the BMP receptors. These in vitro results suggest that inhibition of the BMP signaling pathway might be essential for ciliogenesis during the ependymal cell differentiation in vivo.

著者

Ayako Saito Yoichi Takeuchi Saeko Kagaya Yoshie Ojima Hirotaka Fukami Hiroyuki Sato Ken Matsuda Tasuku Nagasawa

出版者

東北ジャーナル刊行会

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.242, no.1, pp.53-62, 2017 (Released:2017-05-24)

参考文献数

36

被引用文献数

7

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Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is systemic vascular inflammation. Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is a major type of AAV in Japan. MPA often affects the kidneys and lungs, leading to death if untreated. Induction therapy (i.e., initial treatment) for MPA has not been optimized, although methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide are commonly used. Recently, rituximab (RTX) (a monoclonal antibody against the protein CD20) has also been used to treat refractory AAV. RTX at 375 mg/m2/week for 4 weeks (i.e., the conventional lymphoma dosing schedule) is used, but the optimal dosing schedule is controversial. Indeed, a single-dose of RTX successfully controlled nephrotic syndrome. However, to date, the effectiveness of a single RTX dose in treating MPA has not been fully investigated in Japan. This was a retrospective observational study. Six newly diagnosed patients with MPA were initially treated with methylprednisolone and a single dose of RTX (375 mg/m2). We investigated the patients’ clinical features, as well as the efficacy and safety of RTX treatment. All patients attained remission on a tapered prednisolone dose of < 10 mg/day during the first 12 months. One patient relapsed after 12 months whereas another required hospitalization owing to infective spondyloarthritis. Adverse reactions to RTX infusion and late-onset neutropenia were not observed. Therefore, a single-dose treatment with RTX induced remission with few complications, and allowed tapering the prednisolone treatment. We conclude that a single dose of RTX is a promising induction therapy for MPA, reducing the cost associated with multiple doses.

著者

Ahmet Ak Cemile Oztin Ogun Aysegul Bayir Seyit Ali Kayis Ramazan Koylu

出版者

東北ジャーナル刊行会

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.210, no.4, pp.285-290, 2006 (Released:2006-12-05)

参考文献数

18

被引用文献数

23 68

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Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis has an important role in the clinical assessment of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). However, arterial puncture or insertion of an arterial catheter has many drawbacks. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether venous blood gas (VBG) values of pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) and oxygen (PO2), bicarbonate (HCO3), and oxygen saturation (SO2) can reliably predict ABG levels in patients with AECOPD. One hundred and thirty-two patients with a prior diagnosis of COPD presenting with acute exacerbation according to AECOPD criteria were included in this prospective study. AECOPD is defined as a recent increase in cough, wheezing, the volume and purulence of sputum or shortness of breath necessitating a change in regular medication, including corticosteroids or antibiotics. ABG samples were taken immediately after venous sampling, and both were analyzed. Linear regression analysis was performed and equations were established for the estimation of arterial values. The Pearson correlation coefficients for pH, PCO2, HCO3, PO2, and SO2 were 0.934, 0.908, 0.927, 0.252, and 0.296, respectively. There was a significant correlation between ABG and VBG values of pH, PCO2, and HCO3 (p < 0.001). Linear regression equations for the estimation of pH, PCO2, and HCO3 were as follows: arterial pH = 1.004 × venous pH; arterial PCO2 = 0.873 × venous PCO2; and arterial HCO3 = 0.951 × venous HCO3. VBG analysis can reliably predict the ABG values of pH, PCO2 and HCO3 in patients with AECOPD.

著者

Yui Yumiya Michio Murakami Yoshitake Takebayashi Satoshi Suzuki Tetsuya Ohira

出版者

Tohoku University Medical Press

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.248, no.4, pp.261-272, 2019 (Released:2019-08-22)

参考文献数

28

被引用文献数

6

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After the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, there was confusion among the public caused by uncoordinated information about radiation provided by diverse channels. We explored the association between information sources regarding reconstruction progress after the disaster and mental fatigue in Fukushima. We used data from the annual public opinion survey by the Fukushima Prefectural Government on its policies from 2013 to 2015, which contained survey responses from 1,300 community residents randomly selected from the 28 municipalities in the Fukushima Prefecture. The survey contained a question assessing mental fatigue: “How often do you usually feel mentally tired or depressed?” In total, 2,130 participants (758 participants in 2013, 699 participants in 2014, and 673 participants in 2015) were analyzed. The respondents were classified as two categories, “high mental fatigue” and “low mental fatigue,” based on their responses to this question. Overall, the proportion of participants with high mental fatigue was 13.2%. There was no association between the year of survey or occupation and high mental fatigue. Cluster analysis was performed to classify information sources. Then, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the associations between clusters of information sources and high mental fatigue. We found that unreliable information sources, such as “Internet” and “a combination of TV, radio, and word of mouth,” were significantly associated with high mental fatigue, compared with reliable information sources, such as “municipal public relations in addition to major media (newspaper, TV, and radio).” These findings provide important insights into how information sources affect mental fatigue following a disaster.

著者

TOSHIYUKI HASEYAMA TOSHIKI FUJITA FUJIKO HIRASAWA MIKAKO TSUKADA HIDEKI WAKUI ATSUSHI KOMATSUDA HIROSHI OHTANI AKIRA B. MIURA HIROKAZU IMAI AKIO KOIZUMI

出版者

Tohoku University Medical Press

雑誌

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (ISSN:00408727)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.198, no.4, pp.233-244, 2002 (Released:2004-04-19)

参考文献数

26

被引用文献数

32 43

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The Akita mouse, which has a mutation (Cys96Tyr) in the insulin 2 gene (Ins2Akita), is a model for diabetes. The male Akita mouse has diabetes, while females develop mild diabetes. This study aimed to investigate renal complications in the Akita mouse model, which has been maintained in a heterozygous state Ins2Akita (+/−) with a C57BL/6 background (B6). Renal function (BUN, creatinine), serum IgA concentrations and histological changes in the kidneys were evaluated in diabetic and control mice in a B6 background. Five each of male and female mice per group (diabetes vs. control) were killed at 10, 20, 30 and 40 weeks of age. The influence of major histocompatibility antigens (MHC) on renal complications was tested using male diabetic mice in a C3H/He (C3H) background. When compared with controls, diabetic males, but not females, developed impaired renal function with elevation of serum IgA after 30 weeks of age. Diabetic glomerulosclerosis advanced with age in both sexes. Diffuse granular mesangial deposits of IgA were detected by immunofluorescence microscopy in diabetic males after 20 weeks. We tested whether the IgA-associated lesions were influenced by MHC using diabetic males in a C3H background. Similar degrees of diabetic glomerulosclerosis and glomerular IgA deposition were found in mice with C3H and B6 backgrounds. Akita mouse is a unique mouse model showing both mesangial sclerosis and IgA nephropathy.