Clinical Impact of Palliative Treatment Using Octreotide for Inoperable Malignant Bowel Obstruction Caused by Advanced Urological Cancer

Kubota, Hiroki,Taguchi, Kazumi,Kobayashi, Daichi,Naruyama, Hiromichi,Hirose, Masahito,Fukuta, Katsuhiro,Kubota, Yasue,Yasui, Takahiro,Yamada, Yasuyuki,Kohri, Kenjiro Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO), an occasional complication in patients with advanced urological cancer, causes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting leading to suffering which severely impairs quality of life (QOL). Drug therapy, especially octreotide, a synthetic analog of somatostatin, is reportedly effective in controlling the symptoms of MBO. In the present study, we administered octreotide to urological cancer patients with MBO and evaluated the improvement of subjective symptoms, oral intake, and nasogastric intubation. Fourteen terminally ill urological cancer patients suffering with MBO were included (age range 55-92, 10 male, 4 female). Octreotide was administered at $300{\mu}g/day$ to those patients subcutaneously as a continuous injection. Significant improvements in subjective symptoms were observed in thirteen patients (92.8%), and ten patients (71.4%) were able to resume oral intake. Four patients required nasogastric drainage before the administration of octreotide, but nasogastric intubation was discontinued in all these cases after the use of octreotide. Early initiation of octreotide resulted in better improvement of MBO symptoms, and no adverse event was observed in any of the patients. These results revealed that $300{\mu}g/day$ dose of octreotide is safe and effective for managing gastrointestinal symptoms of terminally ill urological cancer patients with MBO. We also recommend starting the treatment with ocreotide as soon as MBO is diagnosed.

Team Approach to Professional Oral Care for Hospitalized Elderly Patients

Jumpei Kubota,Mami Endoh,Emi Nagatomi,Takayuki Kimura,Yuka Kubota,Yasuaki Kakinoki,Tetsuo Kubo,Yutaka Hayasida Asia association of Disability and Oral health 2012 대한장애인치과학회지 Vol.8 No.1

NPI licensing and the logic of the syntax-semantics interface

Yusuke Kubota,Robert Levine 경희대학교 언어정보연구소 2021 언어연구 Vol.38 No.2

In this paper, we propose an explicit syntax-semantics interface of NPI licensing in Hybrid TLG. Hybrid TLG is a version of categorial grammar that inherits properties of both lexicalist and derivational variants of generative grammar, and it has been shown in our previous research (summarized in Kubota and Levine 2020) that it offers elegant analyses for a number of complex phenomena at the interface of syntax and semantics (especially in the domains of coordination and ellipsis) that turn out to be highly problematic for other grammatical theories. In the present paper, we extend our work to NPI licensing and report on some initial results suggesting that the flexible and systematic architecture of Hybrid TLG turns out to be successful in this domain too. Specifically, our approach captures interactions between NPI licensing (or polarity sensitivity) and other complex phenomena at the syntax-semantics interface including the scopal properties of modal auxiliaries, Gapping, and VP fronting.

TCP4-dependent induction of <i>CONSTANS</i> transcription requires GIGANTEA in photoperiodic flowering in <i>Arabidopsis</i>

Kubota, Akane,Ito, Shogo,Shim, Jae Sung,Johnson, Richard S.,Song, Yong Hun,Breton, Ghislain,Goralogia, Greg S.,Kwon, Michael S.,Laboy Cintró,n, Dianne,Koyama, Tomotsugu,Ohme-Takagi, Masaru,Prune Public Library of Science 2017 PLoS genetics Vol.13 No.6

<▼1><P>Photoperiod is one of the most reliable environmental cues for plants to regulate flowering timing. In <I>Arabidopsis thaliana</I>, CONSTANS (CO) transcription factor plays a central role in regulating photoperiodic flowering. In contrast to posttranslational regulation of CO protein, still little was known about <I>CO</I> transcriptional regulation. Here we show that the CINCINNATA (CIN) clade of class II TEOSINTE BRANCHED 1/ CYCLOIDEA/ PROLIFERATING CELL NUCLEAR ANTIGEN FACTOR (TCP) proteins act as <I>CO</I> activators. Our yeast one-hybrid analysis revealed that class II CIN-TCPs, including TCP4, bind to the <I>CO</I> promoter. TCP4 induces <I>CO</I> expression around dusk by directly associating with the <I>CO</I> promoter <I>in vivo</I>. In addition, TCP4 binds to another flowering regulator, GIGANTEA (GI), in the nucleus, and induces <I>CO</I> expression in a <I>GI</I>-dependent manner. The physical association of TCP4 with the <I>CO</I> promoter was reduced in the <I>gi</I> mutant, suggesting that GI may enhance the DNA-binding ability of TCP4. Our tandem affinity purification coupled with mass spectrometry (TAP-MS) analysis identified all class II CIN-TCPs as the components of the <I>in vivo</I> TCP4 complex, and the <I>gi</I> mutant did not alter the composition of the TCP4 complex. Taken together, our results demonstrate a novel function of CIN-TCPs as photoperiodic flowering regulators, which may contribute to coordinating plant development with flowering regulation.</P></▼1><▼2><P><B>Author summary</B></P><P>For plant adaptation to seasonal environments, a crucial developmental event is flowering, as proper timing of flowering affects reproductive success. Although plants monitor various environmental parameters to optimize this timing, photoperiod information is important for plants to regulate seasonal flowering time, because changes in photoperiod occur in a predictable manner throughout the year. The model plant <I>Arabidopsis thaliana</I> responds to photoperiodic changes and flowers under long-day conditions. Based on genetic analyses using mutants defective in the photoperiodic flowering response, we learned that the transcription factor referred to as CONSTANS (CO) plays a central role in regulating the timing of flowering by directly controlling the expression of florigen (flowering-inducing substrate) gene. Long-day afternoon expression of <I>CO</I> is critical for this regulation; however, we had limited knowledge of <I>CO</I> transcriptional regulation. Here we identified that a group of plant-specific transcription factors belonging to the <I>TCP</I> gene family function as novel <I>CO</I> transcriptional activators. We demonstrated that TCP transcription factors regulate <I>CO</I> transcription together with known regulators of <I>CO</I>. Our results imply that plants utilize multiple transcription factors to precisely coordinate the expression of the key regulator gene, <I>CO</I>, which will directly affect flowering time.</P></▼2>

Regenerative capacity of augmented bone in rat calvarial guided bone augmentation model

Kubota, Tatsuya,Hasuike, Akira,Ozawa, Yasumasa,Yamamoto, Takanobu,Tsunori, Katsuyoshi,Yamada, Yutaka,Sato, Shuichi Korean Academy of Periodontology 2017 Journal of Periodontal & Implant Science Vol.47 No.2

Purpose: Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is the most widely used technique to regenerate and augment bones. Even though augmented bones (ABs) have been examined histologically in many studies, few studies have been conducted to examine the biological potential of these bones and the healing dynamics following their use. Moreover, whether the bone obtained from the GBR procedure possesses the same functions as the existing autogenous bone is uncertain. In particular, little attention has been paid to the regenerative ability of GBR bone. Therefore, the present study histologically evaluated the regenerative capacity of AB in the occlusive space of a rat guided bone augmentation (GBA) model. Methods: The calvaria of 30 rats were exposed, and plastic caps were placed on the right of the calvaria in 10 of the 30 rats. After a 12-week healing phase, critical-sized calvarial bone defects (diameter: 5.0 mm) were trephined into the dorsal parietal bone on the left of the calvaria. Bone particles were harvested from the AB or the cortical bone (CB) using a bone scraper and transplanted into the critical defects. Results: The newly generated bone at the defects' edge was evaluated using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histological sections. In the micro-CT analysis, the radiopacity in both the augmented and the CB groups remained high throughout the observational period. In the histological analysis, the closure rate of the CB was significantly higher than in the AB group. The numbers of cells positive for runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in the AB group were larger than in the CB group. Conclusions: The regenerative capacity of AB in the occlusive space of the rat GBA model was confirmed. Within the limitations of this study, the regenerative ability of the AB particulate transplant was inferior to that of the CB particulate transplant.

Changes in blood flow at the mandibular angle and Horner syndrome in a rat model of superior cervical ganglion block

Kubota, Kazutoshi,Sunada, Katsuhisa The Korean Dental Society of Anesthsiology 2018 Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Vol.18 No.2

Background: A stellate ganglion block (SGB) causes increased blood flow in the maxillofacial region, exhibiting the potential for regenerative effects in damaged tissue. The focus of this study was to understand the efficacy of SGB for regenerative effects against nerve damage. A rat model of the superior cervical ganglion block (SCGB) was created instead of SGB, and facial blood flow, as well as sympathetic nervous system function, were measured. Methods: A vertical incision was made on the left side of the neck of a Wistar rat, and a 5-mm resection of the superior cervical ganglion was performed at the back of the bifurcation of the internal and external branches of the left common carotid artery. Blood flow in the skin at the mandibular angle and mean facial temperature were measured using a laser-Doppler blood flow meter and a thermographic camera, respectively, over a 5-week period after the block. In addition, the degree of ptosis and miosis were assessed over a period of 6 months. Results: The SCGB rat showed significantly higher blood flow at the mandibular angle on the block side (P < 0.05) for 3 weeks, and significantly higher skin temperature (P < 0.05) for 1 week after the block. In the SCGB rat, ptosis and miosis occurred immediately after the block, and persisted even 6 months later. Conclusions: SCGB in rats can cause an increase in the blood flow that persists over 3 weeks.

Cooperative interaction of Angiopoietin-like proteins 1 and 2 in zebrafish vascular development.

Kubota, Yoshiaki,Oike, Yuichi,Satoh, Shinya,Tabata, Yoko,Niikura, Yuichi,Morisada, Tohru,Akao, Masaki,Urano, Takashi,Ito, Yasuhiro,Miyamoto, Takeshi,Nagai, Norihiro,Koh, Gou Young,Watanabe, Sumiko,Sud National Academy of Sciences 2005 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF Vol.102 No.38

<P>Angiopoietin-like protein (Angptl) 1 and Angptl2, which are considered orphan ligands, are highly homologous, particularly in the fibrinogen-like domain containing the putative receptor binding site. This similarity suggests potentially cooperative functions between the two proteins. In this report, the function of Angptl1 and Angptl2 is analyzed by using morpholino antisense technology in zebrafish. Knockdown of both Angptl1 and Angptl2 produced severe vascular defects due to increased apoptosis of endothelial cells at the sprouting stage. In vitro studies showed that Angptl1 and Angptl2 have antiapoptotic activities through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway, and coinjection of constitutively active Akt/protein kinase B mRNA rescued impaired vascular development seen in double knockdown embryos. These results provide a physiological demonstration of the cooperative interaction of Angptl1 and Angptl2 in endothelial cells through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt mediated antiapoptotic activities.</P>

Effects of Dietary Rna and Adenine on Feed Intake and Kidney Weight and Function in Adult Cockerels

Kubota, T.,Karasawa, Yutaka Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1997 Animal Bioscience Vol.10 No.3

This study was conducted with adult cockerels to determine whether dietary RNA affects feed intake and renal weight and function, and if the responses are similar to dietary adenine. Chickens were ad libitum fed a RNA diet (100 g/kg) or an adenine diet (9.1 g/kg) for 14 d and catheterized in right jugular vein, hepatic portal vein and both urethers, and saline together with para-amino hippuric acid and sodium thiosulfate was continuously infused into them to evaluate renal functions. Dietary RNA reduced feed intake and body weight, and dietary adenine increased kidney weight expressed as a proportion of body weight (P < 0.05). Feed intake and body weight on the adenine diet and kidney weight on the RNA diet showed similar though non significant tendencies. No calculi were detected in the kidney in chickens fed either the RNA or adenine diets. Plasma inorganic phosphate (IP), Ca and 1,25 $(OH)_2$ vitamin $D_3$ concentrations were increased by dietary RNA and adenine, although the increases of IP and Ca in adenine-fed chickens were not significant. Uric acid and urea concentrations in the blood plasma were unaffected by dietary RNA or adenine. Both dietary RNA and adenine increased renal blood flow rates 3.5-3.7 fold, renal plasma flow rates 3.4-3.7 fold and glomerular filtration rates (GFR) 2.9-3.0 fold (p < 0.01). Clearance of urea, IP and Ca were also enhanced by dietary RNA, but not by dietary adenine. However, neither RNA nor adenine affected uric acid clearance. Only IP clearance was significantly augmented at the glomerular level by dietary RNA (p < 0.05). Glomerular filtration of uric acid, urea, IP and Ca and reabsorption of urea, IP and Ca at the renal tubule were increased by dietary RNA and adenine (p < 0.05), whereas tubular secretion of uric acid was decreased by both dietary treatments. It is concluded that dietary adenine is effective in changing renal function and P and Ca metabolism in chickens.

Traveltime estimation of first arrivals and later phases using the modified graph method for a crustal structure analysis

Kubota, Ryuji,Nishiyama, Eiichiro,Murase, Kei,Kasahara, Junzo Korean Society of Earth and Exploration Geophysici 2009 지구물리와 물리탐사 Vol.12 No.1

관측된 파형의 특성들을 해석하여 굴절파와 광각으로 도달한 반사파를 분석하면 결과물로 얻어지는 지각구조 모델의 신뢰도를 향상시킬 수 있으며, 균일한 격자상의 그래프 이론에 기반한 파면법은 복잡한 구조에서도 주시와 파선경로를 효과적으로 계산할 수 있으나, 기본적으로 초동만을 이용하게 되는 단점이 있다. 이번 연구에서는 초동뿐만 아니라 후기 시간대에 도달하는 반사파와 굴절파 및 변환된 P파와 5파의 주시와 파선경로를 계산하기 위하여 다층 모델상에서 표현되는 slowness network 노드에 기반한 수정 파면법을 이용하는 새로운 알고리즘을 개발하였다. 새로운 알고리즘을 통해 모호면의 형태와 변환된 P파와 S파의 위상을 획득하기 위하여 후기 시간대의 Pg파, Pn파 이후에 들어오는 강한신호의 파, 모호면에서 중첩된 PmP를 분석하였다. 제안된 알고리즘의 효용성을 검증하기 위하여 해양-대륙의 전이대와 해령 및 해산에 러한 모델링 연구를 수행하였으며, 2차원 유한차분법을 이용한 수치모형을 통해 그 효용성을 확인하였다. 초동 주시만을 해석에 사용할 경우 대륙-해양 전이대와 해령 및 해산과 같은 모델에서 획득되는 도달파들과 파선경로들의 특성이 각기 다르게 나타나 많은 해석상의 오류가 발생할 수 있는 위험성이 있기 때문에 제안된 기법을 통해 효과적인 해석을 수행할 수 있을 것이다.

RAPID FLOW OF MATTER IN A DARK FILAMENT

KUBOTA JUN,KITAI REIZABURO,TOKIMASA NORITAKA The Korean Astronomical Society 1996 Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society Vol.29 No.suppl1