Downregulation of bcl-xL Is Relevant to UV-induced Apoptosis in Fibroblasts

Nakagawa, Yuki,Okada, Seiji,Hatano, Masahiko,Ebara, Masaaki,Saisho, Hiromitsu,Tokuhisa, Takeshi Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biol 2002 Journal of biochemistry and molecular biology Vol.35 No.5

Exposure to ultraviolet light (UV) induces apoptosis in mammalian cells, The caspase group of proteases is required for the appotosis. This pathway is initiated by a release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol. Several Bcl-2 family proteins can regulate the release of cytochrome c by stabilizing the mitochondrial membrane. Here we show that expression of the endogenous bcl-xL was strongly downregulated in NIH3T3 cells within 2 h after UV-C irradiation, and that of bax was upregulated from 8 h after irradiation. Apoptosis was induced in more than 50% of the NIH3T3 cells 48 h after irradiation. Constitutive overexpression of bcl-xL in NIH3T3 cells protected the UV-induced apoptosis by preventing the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and the activation of caspase 9. There results suggest that downregulation of Bcl-xL is relevant to UV-induced apoptosis of tibroblasts.

Downregulation of bcl - xL Is Relevant to UV - induced Apoptosis in Fibroblasts

(Yuki Nakagawa),(Seiji Okada),(Masahiko Hatano),(Masaaki Ebara),(Hiromitsu Saisho),(Takeshi Tokuhisa) 생화학분자생물학회 2002 BMB Reports Vol.35 No.5

Exposure to ultraviolet light (UV) induces apoptosis in mammalian cells. The caspase group of proteases is required for the apoptosis. This pathway is initiated by a release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol. Several Bcl-2 family proteins can regulate the release of cytochrome c by stabilizing the mitochondrial membrane. Here we show that expression of the endogenous bcl-xL was strongly downregulated in NIH3T3 cells within 2 h after UV-C irradiation, and that of bax was upregulated from 8 h after irradiation. Apoptosis was induced in more than 50% of the NIH3T3 cells 48 h after irradiation. Constitutive overexpression of bcl-xL in NIH3T3 cells protected the UV-induced apoptosis by preventing the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and the activation of caspase 9. These results suggest that downregulation of Bcl-xL is relevant to UV-induced apoptosis of fibroblasts.

Neural Mechanisms of Discogenic Back Pain: How Does Nerve Growth Factor Play a Key Role?

Yasuchika Aoki,Seiji Ohtori,Koichi Nakagawa,Arata Nakajima,Gen Inoue,Masayuki Miyagi,Kazuhisa Takahashi 대한척추신경외과학회 2011 Neurospine Vol.8 No.2

It was reported that nerve fibers were present in the inner part of lumbar intervertebral discs from patients with discogenic pain. Because there are no nerve fibers in the inner part of annulus fibrosus in normal condition, this finding suggests nerve ingrowth into the disc may be a cause of discogenic pain. Disc degeneration is often asymptomatic, thus, to understand the differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic disc, it is necessary to understand the pathogenesis of discogenic pain. We recently revealed that over 90% of the nociceptive dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons innervating the disc are sensitive to nerve growth factor (NGF), which is related to inflammatory pain. This indicates that discogenic pain is closely related to inflammation and NGF may play a key role. The increase of inflammatory mediators in symptomatic discs has been reported; we therefore studied the effects of disc inflammation and found that it induces sensitization of disc-innervating neurons and nerve ingrowth into the disc. More recently, it was shown that annular rupture induces nerve ingrowth, an increase of inflammatory mediators in the disc, and upregulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide, a pain-related molecule in DRGs. These findings led us to believe that annular rupture triggers inflammation and nerve ingrowth, inflammatory mediators then further promote nerve ingrowth into the disc and sensitization of disc-innervating neurons, and discogenic pain finally becomes chronic. NGF, found in symptomatic discs, may act as a key factor in generating chronic discogenic pain by sensitizing disc-innervating neurons and stimulating nerve ingrowth into the disc.

Exploring the Customization Decision Support System Using Waypoint Solutions

Akinori Ono,Kiyokazu Matsuura,Seiji Endo,Yuji Nakagawa 한국마케팅학회 2016 ASIA MARKETING JOURNAL Vol.18 No.1

Product customization has been popular since Internet shopping began. Many firms have introduced customization configuration systems, allowing customers to choose a wide range of product attributes, attracting them to participate in the shopping process, and increasing customer satisfaction. Paradoxically, the attribute-by-attribute (AbA) choice in the customization process requires a high-information processing load resulting in shopper confusion. To reduce this confusion, the CvSS (customization via starting solution) system has recently been developed. However, this system provides solution support only for the starting point of the configuration process. Thus, in this study, the authors proposes the CvWS (Customization via Waypoint Solutions) system, which would greatly reduce the customer effort needed to complete the configuration process by using a novel approach to solve the nonlinear knapsack problem. The newly proposed system is theoretically compared with the AbA customization as well as the CvSS system. Also, its feasibility is discussed in the context of the nonlinear multiconstraint knapsack problem.

Identification of the Fourth Member of the Mammalian Endoprotease Family Homologous to the Teast Kex2 Protease

Kazuhisa Nakayama,Kim, Won-Sin,Seiji Torii,Masahiro Hosaka,Tsutomu Nakagawa,Jo Ikemizu,Tadashi Baba,Kazuo Murakami 원광대학교기초자연과학연구소 1992 基礎科學硏究誌 Vol.11 No.3

We used the polymerase chain reaction to identify a mouse testis cDNA that represented another member of a growing class of mammalian endoproteases involved in the processing of precursor proteins. This cDNA encoded a 655-residue protein, designated PC4, containing a bacterial subtilisin-like catalytic domain closely related to those of the recently characterized precursor-processing endoproteases, furin, PC1/PC3, PC2, and Kex2. Within this domain, the amino acid sequence of PC4 was 70, 58, 55, and 45% identical with those of mouse furin, mouse PC1/PC3, mouse PC2, and yeast Kex2, respectively. Northern blot analysis indicated that the PC4 mRNA was detectable only in the testes after the 20th day of postnatal development. Moreover, this message was mainly expressed in the round spermatids. These data suggest that PC4 represents a prime candidate for a precursor-processing endoprotease in the testicular germ cells and that its gene expression is regulated during spermatogenesis.

Evaluation of spatial distribution of tactile sensitivity on the palm for developing tactile interface

Kensuke Takenkaka,Akihito Jinnai,Kentaro Kotani,Satoshi Suzuki,Takafumi Asao,Asuka Otsuka,Seiji Nakagawa 대한인간공학회 2014 대한인간공학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2014 No.5

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the intensity of perceived tactile stimuli on the difference of the spatial location on the palm. Air-puff stimuli were presented on 16 different locations on the palm as well as the tip of the index finger. Participants performed magnitude estimation protocol, where each tactile stimulus was evaluated in terms of the stimulus intensity. The results revealed that the relationship of perceived tactile intensity between distal and proximal sides showed no significant difference, whereas the relationship between medial and lateral sides showed significant differences in perceived stimulus. Difference of perceived intensity between medial and lateral sides implied that hardness of the skin surface may affect the perceived intensity rather than the distribution of mechanoreceptors on the palm. Overall, current results obtained in this study would contribute to the optimum design specifications for tactile interface devices.

Evaluation of Spatial Distribution of Tactile Sensitivity on the Palm for Developing Tactile Interface

( Kensuke Takenkaka ),( Akihito Jinnai ),( Kentaro Kotani ),( Satoshi Suzuki ),( Takafumi Asao ),( Asuka Otsuka ),( Seiji Nakagawa ) 한국감성과학회 2014 춘계학술대회 Vol.2014 No.-

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the intensity of perceived tactile stimuli on the difference of the spatial location on the palm. Air-puff stimuli were presented on 16 different locations on the palm as well as the tip of the index finger. Participants performed magnitude estimation protocol, where each tactile stimulus was evaluated in terms of the stimulus intensity. The results revealed that the relationship of perceived tactile intensity between distal and proximal sides showed no significant difference, whereas the relationship between medial and lateral sides showed significant differences in perceived stimulus. Difference of perceived intensity between medial and lateral sides implied that hardness of the skin surface may affect the perceived intensity rather than the distribution of mechanoreceptors on the palm. Overall, current results obtained in this study would contribute to the optimum design specifications for tactile interface devices.

Effect of romosozumab in premenopausal women with severe osteoporosis and anorexia nervosa

Kazuki Fujimoto,Narumi Maki,Daisuke Hashiba,Toshifumi Maeyama,Ryosuke Nakagawa,Hajime Arai,Seiji Ohtori 대한골다공증학회 2023 Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia Vol.9 No.4

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of romosozumab on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism. Methods: In this retrospective case series, romosozumab was administered to 5 premenopausal female patients with osteoporosis and anorexia nervosa with fragility fractures. BMD and bone turnover marker changes were investigated at 6 months and 1 year after administering romosozumab. Results: BMD increased and high-turnover bone metabolism decreased 6 months and 1 year after administering romosozumab. Conclusions: Romosozumab is useful for treating osteoporosis in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Factors Associated with Doses of Mood Stabilizers in Real-world Outpatients with Bipolar Disorder

Norio Yasui-Furukori,Naoto Adachi,Yukihisa Kubota,Takaharu Azekawa,Eiichiro Goto,Koji Edagawa,Eiichi Katsumoto,Seiji Hongo,Hitoshi Ueda,Kazuhira Miki,Masaki Kato,Reiji Yoshimura,Atsuo Nakagawa,Toshiak 대한정신약물학회 2020 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.18 No.4

Objective: Several evidence-based practice guidelines have been developed to better treat bipolar disorder. However, the articles cited in these guidelines were based on clinical or basic studies with specific conditional settings and were not sufficiently based on real-world clinical practice. In particular, there was little information on the doses of mood stabilizers. Methods: The MUlticenter treatment SUrvey on BIpolar disorder in Japanese psychiatric clinics (MUSUBI) is a study conducted to accumulate evidence on the real-world practical treatment of bipolar disorder. The questionnaire included patient characteristics such as comorbidities, mental status, treatment period, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score, and details of pharmacological treatment. Results: Most patients received mood stabilizers such as lithium (n = 1,317), valproic acid (n = 808), carbamazepine (n = 136), and lamotrigine (n = 665). The dose of lithium was correlated with age, body weight, number of episodes, depression and GAF. The dose of valproic acid was correlated with body weight, number of episodes, presence of a rapid cycle and GAF. The dose of carbamazepine was correlated with age, mania, and the presence of a rapid cycle. The dose of lamotrigine was correlated with the number of episodes, depression, mania, psychotic features, and the presence of a rapid cycle. Doses of coadministered mood stabilizers were significantly correlated, except for the combination of valproic acid and lamotrigine. Conclusion: The dose of mood stabilizers was selectively administered based on several factors, such as age, body composition, current mood status and functioning. Further prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.

Assessment of the Initial Diagnostic Accuracy of a Fragility Fracture of the Sacrum: A Study of 56 Patients

Umeda Ryo,Iijima Yasushi,Yamakawa Nanako,Kotani Toshiaki,Sakuma Tsuyoshi,Kishida Shunji,Ueno Keisuke,Kajiwara Daisuke,Akazawa Tsutomu,Shiga Yasuhiro,Minami Shohei,Ohtori Seiji,Nakagawa Koichi 대한척추외과학회 2023 Asian Spine Journal Vol.17 No.6

Study Design: Retrospective study.Purpose: To investigate the clinical manifestations of a fragility fracture of the sacrum (FFS) and the factors that may contribute to a misdiagnosis.Overview of Literature: The number of patients diagnosed with FFS has increased because of extended life expectancy and osteoporosis. Patients with FFS may report nonspecific symptoms, such as back, buttock, groin, and/or leg pain, leading to a misdiagnosis and a delay in definitive diagnosis.Methods: Fifty-six patients (13 males and 43 females) with an average age of 80.2±9.2 years admitted to the hospital for FFS between 2006 and 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The following patient data were collected using medical records: pain regions, a history of trauma, initial diagnoses, and rates of fracture detection using radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Results: Forty-one patients presented with low back and/or buttock pain, nine presented with groin pain, and 17 presented with thigh or leg pain. There was no history of trauma in 18 patients (32%). At the initial visit, 27 patients (48%) were diagnosed with sacral or pelvic fragility fractures. In contrast, 29 patients (52%) were initially misdiagnosed with lumbar spine disease (23 patients), hip joint diseases (three patients), and buttock bruises (three patients). Fracture detection rates for FFS were 2% using radiography, 71% using CT, and 93% using MRI. FFS was diagnosed definitively using an MRI with a coronal short tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequence.Conclusions: Some patients with FFS have leg pain with no history of trauma and are initially misdiagnosed as having lumbar spine disease, hip joint disease, or simple bruises. When these clinical symptoms are reported, we recommend considering FFS as one of the differential diagnoses and performing lumbar or pelvic MRIs, particularly coronal STIR images, to rule out FFS.