Induction of Tissue Factor Expression in Endothelial Cells by Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor and its Modulation by Fenofibric acid

BACKGROUND: Tissue factor (TF), expressed in endothelial cells (ECs) and enriched in human atherosclerotic lesions, acts as a critical initiator of blood coagulation in acute coronary syndrome. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) induces the proliferation and migration of ECs and plays a role in angiogenesis and restoration of endothelial integrity. As TF is implicated in angiogenesis, we studied the effect of bFGF on TF gene and protein expression. Methods: Human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) were exposed to bFGF. TF mRNA was assessed by Northern blot and TF protein was assessed by Western blot. TF promoter activity was assessed by transient transfection assay and transcription factor was identified by electro mobility shift assay. RESULTS: bFGF increased TF mRNA and protein expression in HUVECs. Increased TF mRNA was attenuated by inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase in human ECV304 cells. Transient transfection assays of the human TF promoter-luciferase construct (-786/+121 bp) demonstrated that bFGF induced transcription was dependent on the elements within the -197 to -176 bp relative to the transcription start site of the human TF gene. This region contains NF-κB like binding site. Electro mobility shift assay showed that bFGF increased nuclear translocation or DNA binding of NF-κB transcription factor to TF promoter. Nucleotide substitution to disrupt NF-κB like site reduced bFGF stimulated promoter activity. Fenofibric acid, an agonist ligand for the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α, reduced basal and bFGF stimulated TF expression. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that bFGF may increase TF production in ECs through activation of transcription at NF-κB binding site, and control coagulation in vessel walls. Fibrate can inhibit TF expression and therefore reduce the thrombogenecity of human atherosclerotic lesions

Gene expression profile in diabetic KK/Ta mice

Gene expression profile in diabetic KK/Ta mice.BackgroundTo identify susceptibility genes for diabetic nephropathy, GeneChip® Expression Analysis was employed to survey the gene expression profile of diabetic KK/Ta mouse kidneys.MethodsKidneys from three KK/Ta and two BALB/c mice at 20weeks of age were dissected. Total RNA was extracted and labeled for hybridizing to the Affymetrix Murine Genome U74Av2 array. The gene expression profile was compared between KK/Ta and BALB/c mice using GeneChip® expression analysis software. Competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to confirm the results of GeneChip® for a selected number of genes.ResultsOut of 12,490 probe pairs present on GeneChip®, 98 known genes and 31 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were found to be differentially expressed between KK/Ta and BALB/c kidneys. Twenty-one known genes and seven ESTs that increased in expression and 77 known genes and 24 ESTs that decreased in KK/Ta kidneys were identified. These genes are related to renal function, extracellular matrix expansion and degradation, signal transduction, transcription regulation, ion transport, glucose and lipid metabolism, and protein synthesis and degradation. In the vicinity of UA-1 (quantitative trait locus for the development of albuminuria in KK/Ta mice), candidate genes that showed differential expression were identified, including the Sdc4 gene for syndecan-4, Ahcy gene for S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, Sstr4 gene for somatostatin receptor 4, and MafB gene for Kreisler leucine zipper protein.ConclusionThe gene expression profile in KK/Ta kidneys is different from that in age-matched BALB/c kidneys. Altered gene expressions in the vicinity of UA-1 may be responsible for the development of albuminuria in diabetic KK/Ta mice

Tubulointerstitial Nephritis and Uveitis Syndrome Associated with Renal Tryptaseand Chymase-positive Mast Cell Infiltration

We report the clinical course and immunohistochemical analysis of a patient who presented with tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome (TINU syndrome). The patient, a 40-year-old woman, was referred to our hospital with general fatigue and a slight fever from another hospital. Mast cells are closely related to the development of renal interstitial fibrosis in patients with glomerulonephritis. To determine the role of mast cells in renal interstitial injury in TINU patients, we performed immunohistochemical studies on renal biopsy specimens using anti-human tryptase and anti-human chymase antibodies specific for mast cells. Double immunostaining of tryptase and chymase was also performed in renal tissues. In double immunofluorescence, cells with both chymase and tryptase (MCtc) were marked in the regions of interstitial fibrosis in this patient. It appears that mast cells are one of the constitutive cells of interstitial fibrosis in patients with TINU syndrome

マリアナ弧北端部の熱水活動域（日光海山）より単離した新規Epsilon-Proteobacteriaの諸性質

BE09-P99ポスター要旨 / ブルーアース2009（2009年3月12日～13日, 立教大学池袋キャンパス）http://www.godac.jamstec.go.jp/darwin/cruise/natsushima/nt05-18/

Theoretical model for en face optical coherence tomography imaging and its application to volumetric differential contrast imaging

A new formulation of lateral imaging process of point-scanning optical coherence tomography (OCT) and a new differential contrast method designed by using this formulation are presented. The formulation is based on a mathematical sample model called the dispersed scatterer model (DSM), in which the sample is represented as a material with a spatially slowly varying refractive index and randomly distributed scatterers embedded in the material. It is shown that the formulation represents a meaningful OCT image and speckle as two independent mathematical quantities. The new differential contrast method is based on complex signal processing of OCT images, and the physical and numerical imaging processes of this method are jointly formulated using the same theoretical strategy as in the case of OCT. The formula shows that the method provides a spatially differential image of the sample structure. This differential imaging method is validated by measuring in vivo and in vitro samples

伊豆・小笠原カルデラ内熱水活動域における微生物の分布様式と多様性解析

PS63ポスター要旨 / ブルーアース2008（2008年3月13日～14日, 横浜市立大学金沢八景キャンパス）http://www.godac.jamstec.go.jp/darwin/cruise/natsushima/nt06-21_leg1/

Microbiological Investigation of the Iron-Containing Floculent Mats in Various Deep Sea Environments

Conference abstract (August 14-19, 2011, Goldschmidt 2011 in Prague, Czech Republic)http://www.godac.jamstec.go.jp/darwin/cruise/natsushima/nt10-13_leg2/ehttp://www.godac.jamstec.go.jp/darwin/cruise/yokosuka/yk10-10/

Case Report: Retropancreatic fascia hernia protruding into the thoracic cavity through a Bochdalek hernia

Retropancreatic fascia hernia is a novel internal hernia originating from the retropancreatic fascial defect, which subsequently expands toward the dorsal aspect of the pancreatic body and migrates into the retroperitoneal space. We encountered a rare case of concomitant retropancreatic fascia and Bochdalek hernias. Here, we describe the imaging characteristics of this hernia type and its surgical strategies

Case report: Laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy for duodenal atresia with situs inversus and preduodenal portal vein: a report of two cases

Congenital duodenal atresia with situs inversus is occasionally accompanied by a preduodenal portal vein (PDPV), which is incidentally diagnosed during surgery. Duodenoduodenostomy is the most common and effective treatment. However, some patients require other anastomoses. Here, we present two cases of laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy for congenital duodenal atresia with situs inversus and PDPV and describe the reason for selecting gastrojejunostomy. The optimal surgical strategy is patient specific and should be determined based on the patient's general and physical condition

Laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy with ileal-J-pouch anal canal anastomosis without diverting ileostomy for total colonic and extensive aganglionosis is safe and feasible with combined Lugol's iodine staining technique and indocyanine green fluorescence angiography

BackgroundWe present the surgical technique and outcomes of reduced-port laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy with ileal-J-pouch anal canal anastomosis (IPACA) without diverting ileostomy for total colonic and extensive aganglionosis (TCA+).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed TCA+ cases between 2014 and 2022. Preoperative ileostomy was performed when transanal bowel irrigation was ineffective. Radical surgery for TCA+ was performed at approximately 6 kg. The surgery was performed using laparoscopy through a multi-channel trocar with or without an additional 3-mm trocar and IPACA reconstruction with indocyanine green fluorescence angiography (ICG) to assess anastomotic perfusion and Lugol's iodine staining to visualize the surgical anal canal.ResultsTen patients with TCA+ were included. Ileostomy was performed in seven cases. The median operation time and blood loss were 274.5 min and 20 ml, respectively. No significant postoperative complications were found. All patients experienced frequent liquid stools and perianal excoriation in the early postoperative period, requiring anti-flatulence or codeine. The median follow-up period was 3.5 years. Three patients required irrigation management 1 year postoperatively, and the others defecated a median of 3.5 times per day. The median Kelly's clinical score was 5 in 5 patients aged >4 years.ConclusionReduced-port surgery, combined with Lugol's iodine staining and ICG, was safe, feasible, and had cosmetically and clinically acceptable mid-term outcomes