A Simple, Reproducible, Inexpensive, Yet Old-Fashioned Method for Determining Phagocytic and Bactericidal Activities of Macrophages

Masashi Emoto,Masakazu Kaneko,Yoshiko Emoto 연세대학교의과대학 2016 Yonsei medical journal Vol.57 No.2

Macrophages (Mo|) play a pivotal role in the protection system by recognizing and eliminating invading pathogenic bacteria. Phagocytosis and the killing of invading bacteria are major effector functions of Mo|. Although the phagocytic and bactericidal activitiesof Mo| have been analyzed via several methods using a light microscope, a fluorescence microscope, or a fluorescence-activatedcell sorter, expensive materials and equipment are usually required, and the methods are rather complicated. Moreover, it is impossible to determine both the phagocytic and bactericidal activities of Mo| simultaneously using these methods. In this review,we describe a simple, reproducible, inexpensive, yet old-fashioned method (antibiotic protection assay) for determining the phagocytic and bactericidal activities of Mø.

Intracellular Bacterial Infection and Invariant NKT Cells

Masashi Emoto,Yoshiko Emoto 연세대학교의과대학 2009 Yonsei medical journal Vol.50 No.1

The invariant (i) natural killer (NK)T cells represent a unique subset of T lymphocytes which express the Valpha14 chain of the T cell receptor (TCR), that recognizes glycolipid antigens presented by the nonpolymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-like antigen presentation molecule CD1d, and they participate in protection against some microbial pathogens. Although iNKT cells have originally been regarded as T cells co-expressing NKR-P1B/C (NK1.1: CD 161), they do not seem to consistently express this marker, since NK1.1 surface expression on iNKT cells undergoes dramatic changes following facultative intracellular bacterial infection, which is correlated with functional changes of this cell population. Accumulating evidence suggests that NK1.1 allows recognition of "missing-self", thus controling activation/inhibition of NK1.1-expressing cells. Therefore, it is tempting to suggest that iNKT cells participate in the regulation of host immune responses during facultative intracellular bacterial infection by controlling NK1.1 surface expression. These findings shed light not only on the unique role of iNKT cells in microbial infection, but also provide evidence for new aspects of the NK1.1 as a regulatory molecule on these cells.

Risk factors for non-reaching of ileal pouch to the anus in laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy with handsewn anastomosis for ulcerative colitis

Shigenobu Emoto,Keisuke Hata,Hiroaki Nozawa,Kazushige Kawai,Toshiaki Tanaka,Takeshi Nishikawa,Yasutaka Shuno,Kazuhito Sasaki,Manabu Kaneko,Koji Murono,Yuuki Iida,Hiroaki Ishii,Yuichiro Yokoyama,Hiroyu 대한장연구학회 2022 Intestinal Research Vol.20 No.3

Background/Aims: Restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and handsewn anastomosis for ulcerative colitis requires pulling down of the ileal pouch into the pelvis, which can be technically challenging. We examined risk factors for the pouch not reaching the anus.Methods: Clinical records of 62 consecutive patients who were scheduled to undergo RPC with handsewn anastomosis at the University of Tokyo Hospital during 1989–2019 were reviewed. Risk factors for non-reaching were analyzed in patients in whom hand sewing was abandoned for stapled anastomosis because of nonreaching. Risk factors for non-reaching in laparoscopic RPC were separately analyzed. Anatomical indicators obtained from presurgical computed tomography (CT) were also evaluated.Results: Thirty-seven of 62 cases underwent laparoscopic procedures. In 6 cases (9.7%), handsewn anastomosis was changed to stapled anastomosis because of non-reaching. Male sex and a laparoscopic approach were independent risk factors of non-reaching. Distance between the terminal of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) ileal branch and the anus > 11 cm was a risk factor for non-reaching.Conclusions: Laparoscopic RPC with handsewn anastomosis may limit extension and induction of the ileal pouch into the anus. Preoperative CT measurement from the terminal SMA to the anus may be useful for predicting non-reaching.

Improvement of the anaerobic Digestion Efficiency for Municipal Secondary Sludge using the Fenton Reaction

( Kazunori Emoto ),( Hyo Sang Kim ),( Hidenari Yasui ) 한국물환경학회(구 한국수질보전학회) 2011 공동 추계학술발표회 Vol.2011 No.-

Advanced performance evaluation system for existing concrete bridges

Ayaho Miyamoto,Hisao Emoto,Hiroyoshi Asano 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2014 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.14 No.6

The management of existing concrete bridges has become a major social concern in many developed countries due to the large number of bridges exhibiting signs of significant deterioration. This problem has increased the demand for effective maintenance and renewal planning. In order to implement an appropriate management procedure for a structure, a wide array of corrective strategies must be evaluated with respect to not only the condition state of each defect but also safety, economy and sustainability. This paper describes a new performance evaluation system for existing concrete bridges. The system evaluates performance based on load carrying capability and durability from the results of a visual inspection and specification data, and describes the necessity of maintenance. It categorizes all girders and slabs as either unsafe, severe deterioration, moderate deterioration, mild deterioration, or safe. The technique employs an expert system with an appropriate knowledge base in the evaluation. A characteristic feature of the system is the use of neural networks to evaluate the performance and facilitate refinement of the knowledge base. The neural network proposed in the present study has the capability to prevent an inference process and knowledge base from becoming a black box. It is very important that the system is capable of detailing how the performance is calculated since the road network represents a huge investment. The effectiveness of the neural network and machine learning method is verified by comparing diagnostic results by bridge experts.

Polarization State of Scattered Light in Apertureless Reflection-mode Scanning Near-Field Optical Microscopy

Yongfu Cai,Mitsuharu Aoyagi,Akira Emoto,Tatsutoshi Shioda,Takayuki Ishibashi 한국자기학회 2013 Journal of Magnetics Vol.18 No.3

We studied the polarization state in an apertureless scanning near-field microscopy (a-SNOM) operating in reflection mode by using three-dimensional Finite-difference Time-domain (FDTD) method. As a result, the electric field around tip apex in the near-field region enhanced four times stronger than the incident light for ppolarization when the tip-sample separation was 10 nm. We find that the p- and s-polarization state is maintained for the scattered light when the probe is perpendicular to the sample. When the probe is not perpendicular to the sample, the polarization state of scattered light will rotate an angle that equals to the inclination angle of probe with p-polarization illumination. On the other hand, the polarization state will not rotate with s-polarization illumination.

Phospholipase Cβ Serves as a Coincidence Detector through Its Ca²⁺ Dependency for Triggering Retrograde Endocannabinoid Signal

Hashimotodani, Yuki,Ohno-Shosaku, Takako,Tsubokawa, Hiroshi,Ogata, Hidenori,Emoto, Ken,Maejima, Takashi,Araishi, Kenji,Shin, Hee-Sup,Kano, Masanobu Elsevier 2005 Neuron Vol.45 No.2

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Endocannabinoids mediate retrograde signal and modulate transmission efficacy at various central synapses. Although endocannabinoid release is induced by either depolarization or activation of G<SUB>q/11</SUB>-coupled receptors, it is markedly enhanced by the coincidence of depolarization and receptor activation. Here we report that this coincidence is detected by phospholipase Cβ1 (PLCβ1) in hippocampal neurons. By measuring cannabinoid-sensitive synaptic currents, we found that the receptor-driven endocannabinoid release was dependent on physiological levels of intracellular Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> concentration ([Ca<SUP>2+</SUP>]<SUB>i</SUB>), and markedly enhanced by depolarization-induced [Ca<SUP>2+</SUP>]<SUB>i</SUB> elevation. Furthermore, we measured PLC activity in intact neurons by using exogenous TRPC6 channel as a biosensor for the PLC product diacylglycerol and found that the receptor-driven PLC activation exhibited similar [Ca<SUP>2+</SUP>]<SUB>i</SUB> dependence to that of endocannabinoid release. Neither endocannabinoid release nor PLC activation was induced by receptor activation in PLCβ1 knockout mice. We therefore conclude that PLCβ1 serves as a coincidence detector through its Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> dependency for endocannabinoid release in hippocampal neurons.</P>

Exercise Program Improves Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Uncorrected Atrial Septal Defect-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Randomized-Control Pilot Study

Annis Rakhmawati,Indera Noor Achmad,Anggoro Budi Hartopo,Dyah Wulan Anggrahini,Irsad Andi Arso,Noriaki Emoto,Lucia Kris Dinarti 대한재활의학회 2020 Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine Vol.44 No.6

Objective To assess the effect of combined hospital and home-based exercise programs on functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) among uncorrected atrial septal defect-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (ASD-PAH) patients. Methods This study was a randomized controlled trial with uncorrected ASD-PAH patients as the subjects. They were allocated randomly into control and exercise groups. Exercise group subjects performed hospital and home-based exercise programs, completing baseline 6-minute walking test (6MWT) and EQ-5D-3L QoL test (Utility Index and EQ-VAS scores), and were followed up for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were 6MWT distance and EQ-5D-3L score at week 12. The N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level was also assessed. A repeated-measure ANOVA was performed to detect endpoint differences over time. Results The exercise group contained 20 subjects and control group contained 19. In total, 19 exercise group subjects and 16 control group subjects completed the protocol. The 6MWT distance, Utility Index score, and EQ-VAS score incrementally improved significantly in the exercise group from baseline until week 12, with mean differences of 76.7 m (p<0.001), 0.137 (p<0.001) and 15.5 (p<0.001), respectively. Compared with the control group, the exercise group had significantly increased 6MWT distance and utility index score at week 12. The EQ-VAS score increased in the exercise group at week 12. The NTproBNP level decreased at week 12 in the exercise group. Conclusion Combined hospital and home-based exercise program added to PAH-targeted therapy, improving functional capacity and QoL in uncorrected ASD-PAH patients.