Elsevier Ltd.Acta Medica Okayama0273-11774152008Spaceflight results in increase of thick filament but not thin filament proteins in the paramyosin mutant of Caenorhabditis elegans816823ENR.AdachiT.TakayaK.KuriyamaA.HigashibataN.IshiokaH.KagawaWe have investigated the effect of microgravity during spaceflight on body-wall muscle fiber size and muscle proteins in the paramyosin mutant of Caenorhabditis elegans. Both mutant and wild-type strains were subjected to 10 days of microgravity during spaceflight and compared to ground control groups. No significant change in muscle fiber size or quantity of the protein was observed in wild-type worms; where as atrophy of body-wall muscle and an increase in thick filament proteins were observed in the paramyosin mutant unc-15(e73) animals after spaceflight. We conclude that the mutant with abnormal muscle responded to microgravity by increasing the total amount of muscle protein in order to compensate for the loss of muscle function.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.Elsevier Ltd.Acta Medica Okayama0969-80436652008Radioactivity and radon emanation fraction of the granites sampled at Misasa and Badgastein648652ENAkihiroSakodaKatsumiHanamotoYuIshimoriTomohiroNagamatsuKiyonoriYamaokaThe chemical composition was analyzed and the radioactivity, radon exhalation rate and emanation fraction were measured to investigate the characteristics of the granites sampled at Misasa and Badgastein, world famous for radon therapy. The Misasa granite was probably composed of quartz, albite and microcline. The Badgastein granite was probably composed of quartz and muscovite. The radon exhalation rates and emanation fractions of the Misasa granite were much higher than those of the Badgastein granite, regardless of the Ra-226 activity concentrations.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.Elsevier Ltd.Acta Medica Okayama0960-894X19132009Carrier PNA for shRNA delivery into cells34103413ENMizukiKitamatsuTakanoriKuboRinoMatsuzakiTamakiEndohTakashiOhtsukiMasahikoSisidoA peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) conjugate (carrier PNA) was used as 'bridgebuilder' to connect a CPP with an shRNA. The carrier PNA successfully formed a hybrid with an shRNA bearing complementary dangling bases and the shRNA was introduced into cells by the carrier PNA, and RNAi was induced by the shRNA.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.Elsevier Ltd.Acta Medica Okayama0142-96123342012The mechanical stimulation of cells in 3D culture within a self-assembling peptide hydrogel10441051ENYusukeNagaiThe aim of this present study was to provide a scaffold as a tool for the investigation of the effect of mechanical stimulation on three-dimensionally cultured cells. For this purpose, we developed an artificial self-assembling peptide (SPG-178) hydrogel scaffold. The structural properties of the SPG-178 peptide were confirmed by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanical properties of the SPG-178 hydrogel were studied using rheology measurements. The SPG-178 peptide was able to form a stable, transparent hydrogel in a neutral pH environment In the SPG-178 hydrogel, mouse skeletal muscle cells proliferated successfully (increased by 12.4 +/- 1.5 times during 8 days of incubation; mean +/- SEM). When the scaffold was statically stretched, a rapid phosphorylation of ERK was observed (increased by 2.8 +/- 0.2 times; mean +/- SEM). These results demonstrated that the developed self-assembling peptide gel is non-cytotoxic and is a suitable tool for the investigation of the effect of mechanical stimulation on three-dimensional cell culture.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.Elsevier Ltd.Acta Medica Okayama0142-961233272012Combining poly-arginine with the hydrophobic counter-anion 4-(1-pyrenyl)-butyric acid for protein transduction in transdermal delivery64686475ENGerileCandanHiroyukiMichiueSanaeIshikawaAtsushiFujimuraKeiichiroHayashiAtsuhitoUnedaAkikoMoriIoriOhmoriTei-ichiNishikiHidekiMatsuiKazuhitoTomizawaTopical therapy is the most favored form of treatment for whitening against hyperpigmentation and sunburn because it lends itself to self-administration, patient compliance, and absence of systemic adverse effects. However, transdermal delivery of hydrophilic chemicals is difficult. The main purpose of this study is to develop a delivering system of hydrophilic drugs and proteins across the skin. Hydroquinone (HQ), a well-known tyrosinase inhibitor and antimelanogenesis compound, and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) were fused with eleven poly-arginine (11R). Both HQ-11R and EGFP-11R were efficiently delivered in B16 cells, a mouse melanoma cell line. HQ-11R was as effective as HQ alone at inhibiting melanin synthesis in B16 cells. EGFP-11R was efficiently delivered into cells of the epidermis with 4-(1-pyrenyl)-butyric acid (PB), a counteranion bearing an aromatic hydrophobic moiety, in vivo, but EGFP alone or EGFP-11R without PB was not. Finally, topical application of HQ-11R with PB significantly inhibited UV irradiation-induced pigmentation in guinea pigs compared with HQ alone. These results suggest that topical therapy using poly-arginine in combination with PB is useful for the delivery of hydrophilic drugs and proteins by the transdermal route.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.Elsevier LtdActa Medica Okayama1063-45842112013Histone deacetylase inhibitors suppress mechanical stress-induced expression of RUNX-2 and ADAMTS-5 through the inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway in cultured human chondrocytes165174ENT.SaitoK.NishidaT.FurumatsuA.YoshidaM.OzawaT.OzakiObjective: To investigate the inhibitory effects and the regulatory mechanisms of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors on mechanical stress-induced gene expression of runt-related transcription factor (RUNX)-2 and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif (ADAMTS)-5 in human chondrocytes.
Methods: Human chondrocytes were seeded in stretch chambers at a concentration of 5 x 10(4) cells/chamber. Cells were pre-incubated with or without HDAC inhibitors (MS-275 or trichostatin A; TSA) for 12 h, followed by uniaxial cyclic tensile strain (CTS) (0.5 Hz, 10% elongation), which was applied for 30 min using the ST-140-10 system (STREX, Osaka, Japan). Total RNA was extracted and the expression of RUNX-2, ADAMTS-5, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, and MMP-13 at the mRNA and protein levels were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunocytochemistry, respectively. The activation of diverse mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways with or without HDAC inhibitors during CTS was examined by western blotting.
Results: HDAC inhibitors (TSA: 10 nM, MS-275: 100 nM) suppressed CTS-induced expression of RUNX-2, ADAMTS-5, and MMP-3 at both the mRNA and protein levels within 1 h. CTS-induced activation of p38 MAPK (p38), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (INK) MAPKs was downregulated by both HDAC inhibitors.
Conclusion: The CTS-induced expression of RUNX-2 and ADAMTS-5 was suppressed by HDAC inhibitors via the inhibition of the MAPK pathway activation in human chondrocytes. The results of the current study suggested a novel therapeutic role for HDAC inhibitors against degenerative joint disease such as osteoarthritis.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.Elsevier Ltd.Acta Medica Okayama0045-65351202015Toxicity of tetramethylammonium hydroxide to aquatic organisms and its synergistic action with potassium iodide299304ENIzumi C.MoriCarlos R.Arias-BarreiroApostolosKoutsaftisAtsushiOgoTomonoriKawanoKazuharuYoshizukaSalmaan H.Inayat-HussainIsaoAoyamaThe aquatic ecotoxicity of chemicals involved in the manufacturing process of thin film transistor liquid crystal displays was assessed with a battery of four selected acute toxicity bioassays. We focused on tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH, CAS No. 75-59-2), a widely utilized etchant. The toxicity of TMAH was low when tested in the 72 h-algal growth inhibition test (Pseudokirchneriellia subcapitata, EC50 = 360 mg L−1) and the Microtox® test (Vibrio fischeri, IC50 = 6.4 g L−1). In contrast, the 24 h-microcrustacean immobilization and the 96 h-fish mortality tests showed relatively higher toxicity (Daphnia magna, EC50 = 32 mg L−1 and Oryzias latipes, LC50 = 154 mg L−1). Isobologram and mixture toxicity index analyses revealed apparent synergism of the mixture of TMAH and potassium iodide when examined with the D. magna immobilization test. The synergistic action was unique to iodide over other halide salts i.e. fluoride, chloride and bromide. Quaternary ammonium ions with longer alkyl chains such as tetraethylammonium and tetrabutylammonium were more toxic than TMAH in the D. magna immobilization test.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.Elsevier Ltd.Acta Medica Okayama13474367402021Blood concentrations of tacrolimus upon conversion from rabeprazole to vonoprazan in renal transplant recipients: Correlation with cytochrome P450 gene polymorphisms100407ENShogoWatariDepartment of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityMotooArakiDepartment of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityJunMatsumotoDepartment of Personalized Medicine and Preventive Healthcare Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityKasumiYoshinagaDepartment of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityTakanoriSekitoDepartment of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityYukiMaruyamaDepartment of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityYosukeMitsuiDepartment of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityTakuyaSadahiraDepartment of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityRisaKubotaDepartment of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityShingoNishimuraDepartment of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityKoichiroWadaDepartment of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityYasuyukiKobayashiDepartment of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityHidemiTakeuchiDepartment of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical ScienceKatsuyukiTanabeDepartment of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical ScienceMasashiKitagawaDepartment of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical ScienceHiroshiMorinagaDepartment of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical ScienceShinjiKitamuraDepartment of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical ScienceHitoshiSugiyamaDepartment of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical ScienceNoritakaAriyoshiDepartment of Personalized Medicine and Preventive Healthcare Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityJunWadaDepartment of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical ScienceMasamiWatanabeDepartment of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical ScienceToyohikoWatanabeDepartment of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityYasutomoNasuDepartment of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityWe evaluated the impact of vonoprazan on blood concentrations of tacrolimus via a retrospective analysis of 52 renal transplant recipients who took tacrolimus and converted from rabeprazole to vonoprazan between August 2018 and September 2019. We compared tacrolimus trough levels upon conversion among groups that were classified based on cytochrome P450 (CYP) gene polymorphisms. CYP3A5 groups were heterozygous or homozygous for CYP3A5∗1 and CYP3A5∗3 alleles. CYP2C19 genotypes were classified as extensive (∗1/∗1), intermediate (∗1/∗2 and ∗1/∗3) or poor metabolizers (∗2/∗2, ∗2/∗3 and ∗3/∗3). Tacrolimus trough levels increased only 0.3 ng/mL upon conversion in the CYP3A5∗3/∗3 group: 5.8 [3.4-7.2] vs 6.1 [3.8-7.9]; p = 0.06. No statistically significance changes in tacrolimus levels also occurred in the CYP3A5∗1/∗1 or CYP3A5∗1/∗3 groups. Subgroup analyses of CYP3A5∗3/∗3 demonstrated low changes for all three CYP2C19 subgroups: 5.2 [4.3-6.5] vs 6.2 [4.3-7.9]; p = 0.07, 6.1 [3.4-7.2] vs 6.7 [4.6-7.9]; p = 0.12 and 5.4 [3.6-6.5] vs 4.7 [3.8-6.3]; p = 1.00, respectively. Conversion to vonoprazan thus resulted in little increase of tacrolimus trough levels, even in the group predicted to be most susceptible (CYP3A5∗3/∗3 and 2C19∗1/∗1), thus supporting the safety of concomitant use of vonoprazan with tacrolimus.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.Elsevier Ltd.Acta Medica Okayama073352101012021Germplasm evaluation for crop improvement: Analysis of grain quality and cadmium accumulation in barley103297ENKazuhiroSatoInstitute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama UniversityKazuyoshiTakedaInstitute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama UniversityJian FengMaInstitute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama UniversityEvaluating genetic variation in barley (Hordeum vulgare) germplasm, combined with genome-wide genotyping, is vital for identifying genes controlling important grain-quality traits. For example, in addition to traditional grain quality properties such as starch and protein contents, grain safety parameters such as heavy metal content, are important in the use of barley for human food and animal feed. A number of genes affecting grain quality have been identified by map-based cloning strategies and functionally analyzed by genetic transformation experiments. Moreover, germplasm evaluation yielded information that enabled the introgression of a key gene controlling grain cadmium accumulation into an elite barley cultivar, reducing the content of this heavy metal in grain. Genotyping of molecular markers and resequencing of germplasm accessions may provide information about how grain quality–related loci evolved and how the current allelic diversity was established. In this review, we describe germplasm resources for barley grain quality–related traits and the methods used to analyze the functions of genes controlling these traits, illustrating cadmium accumulation as an example. We also discuss future directions for the efficient identification of grain quality–related genes.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.Elsevier Ltd.Acta Medica Okayama1882-7616572021Outer membrane vesicles of Porphyromonas gingivalis: Novel communication tool and strategy138146ENHirohikoOkamuraDepartment of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityKatsuhikoHirotaDepartment of Medical Hygiene, Dental Hygiene Course, Kochi Gakuen CollegeKayaYoshidaDepartment of Oral Healthcare Education, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate SchoolYaoWengDepartment of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityYuhanHeDepartment of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityNorikoShiotsuComprehensive Dental Clinic, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama UniversityMikaIkegameDepartment of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityYokoUchida-FukuharaDepartment of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityAiriTanaiDepartment of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityJiajieGuoDepartment of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityExtracellular vesicles (EVs) have been recognized as a universal method of cellular communications and are reportedly produced in bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. Bacterial EVs are often called "Outer Membrane Vesicles" (OMVs) as they were the result of a controlled blebbing of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). Bacterial EVs are natural messengers, implicated in intra-and inter-species cell-to-cell communication among microorganism populations present in microbiota. Bacteria can incorporate their pathogens into OMVs; the content of OMVs differs, depending on the type of bacteria. The production of distinct types of OMVs can be mediated by different factors and routes. A recent study highlighted OMVs ability to carry crucial molecules implicated in immune modulation, and, nowadays, they are considered as a way to communicate and transfer messages from the bacteria to the host and vice versa. This review article focuses on the current understanding of OMVs produced from major oral bacteria, P. gingivalis: generation, characteristics, and contents as well as the involvement in signal transduction of host cells and systemic diseases. Our recent study regarding the action of P. gingivalis OMVs in the living body is also summarized. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.Elsevier Ltd.Acta Medica Okayama1882-7616582022Managements of sleep bruxism in adult: A systematic review124136ENHajimeMinakuchiDepartment of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical SciencesMasanoriFujisawaDivision of Fixed Prosthodontics, Department of Restorative & Biomaterials Sciences, Meikai University School of DentistryYukaAbeDepartment of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Showa UniversityTakashiIidaDepartment of Oral Function and Fixed Prosthodontics, Nihon University School of Dentistry at MatsudoKyosukeOkiSection of Fixed Prosthodontics, Division of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu UniversityKazuoOkuraDepartment of Stomatognathic Function and Occlusal Reconstruction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate SchoolNorimasaTanabeDepartment of Prosthodontics and Oral Implantology, School of Dentistry, Iwate Medical UniversityAkiraNishiyamaGeneral Dentistry, Comprehensive Patient Care, Oral Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental UniversityThis systematic review aimed to update the management of sleep bruxism (SB) in adults, as diagnosed using polysomnography (PSG) and/or electromyography (EMG). Management methods covered were oral appliance therapy (OAT) with stabilization splints, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), biofeedback therapy (BFT), and pharmacological therapy. A comprehensive search was conducted on MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science up to October 1st, 2021. Reference list searches and hand searches were also performed by an external organization. Two reviewers for each therapy independently performed article selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment. The reviewers resolved any disagreements concerning the assortment of the articles by discussion. Finally, 11, 3, 14, and 22 articles were selected for each therapy. The results suggested that OAT tended to reduce the number of SB events, although there was no significant difference compared to other types of splints, that the potential benefits of CBT were not well supported, and that BFT, rabeprazole, clonazepam, clonidine, and botulinum toxin type A injection showed significant reductions in specific SB parameters, although several side effects were reported. It can be concluded that more methodologically rigorous randomized large-sample long-term follow-up clinical trials are needed to clarify the efficacy and safety of management for SB.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.Elsevier Ltd.Acta Medica Okayama1341321X2023Super acute-onset disseminated BCG infection: A case reportENRyosukeTakaseDepartment of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical SciencesHideharuHagiyaDepartment of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical SciencesTakumiFujimoriMicrobiology Division, Clinical Laboratory, Okayama University HospitalYukikaYokoyamaMicrobiology Division, Clinical Laboratory, Okayama University HospitalKojiIioMicrobiology Division, Clinical Laboratory, Okayama University HospitalHiroyukiHondaDepartment of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical SciencesKouHasegawaDepartment of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical SciencesFumioOtsukaDepartment of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical SciencesIntravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) instillation is an established immunotherapy for superficial bladder cancer. Herein, we describe a case of disseminated BCG infection that developed immediately after the first BCG injection. A 76-year-old man diagnosed with non-invasive bladder cancer underwent intravesical BCG instillation; he developed high fever and systemic arthralgia later that night. General examination did not reveal any infectious sources, and a combination therapy of isoniazid, rifabutin, and ethambutol was initiated after collecting his blood, urine, bone marrow, and liver biopsy samples for mycobacterial cultures. Three weeks later, Mycobacterium bovis was detected in the urine and bone marrow samples, and pathological investigation of liver biopsy revealed multiple small epithelial granulomas with focal multinucleated giant cells, leading to a diagnosis of disseminated BCG infection. The patient recovered after long-term antimycobacterial therapy without remarkable sequelae. Most cases of disseminated BCG infection occur after several doses of BCG injections, and its onset reportedly varies among cases, ranging from a few days to several months. The present case was notable as disease onset was observed only a few hours after the first BCG injection. Although rare, development of disseminated BCG infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients at any time after intravesical BCG instillation therapy.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.