The Effect of the Dried-Bonito Broth on Blood Pressure, 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), an Oxidative Stress Marker, and Emotional States in Elderly Subjects

Dried-bonito broth (DBB, katsuo-bushi dashi) is commonly used in Japanese cuisine, and is also used as a traditional remedy for recovery from fatigue and improvement of blood circulation. To clarify the effect of DBB on blood pressure, oxidative stress and emotional states, a randomized crossover human trial was performed. Twenty-seven elderly Japanese subjects ingested DBB or water for one month. Measurement of blood pressure and urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and evaluation of emotional states were performed before and after the ingestion periods. The changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) during DBB ingestion was significantly lower than that during water ingestion (p = 0.037). Urinary 8-OHdG significantly decreased during DBB ingestion (p = 0.0002). Evaluation of emotional states indicated that composure significantly improved during DBB ingestion (p = 0.034). These results suggest that the daily ingestion of DBB lower SBP, reduce urinary 8-OHdG and might improve emotional states in elderly subjects

Characterisation of nerve‐mediated ATP release from bladder detrusor muscle and its pathological implications

Background and Purpose. To characterise the molecular mechanisms that determine variability of atropine‐resistance of nerve‐mediated contractions in human and guinea‐pig detrusor smooth muscle Experimental Approach. Atropine‐resistance of nerve‐mediated contractions, and the role of P2X1 receptors, was measured in isolated preparations from guinea‐pigs and also humans with or without overactive bladder syndrome, from which the mucosa was removed. Nerve‐mediated ATP release was measured directly with amperometric ATP‐sensitive electrodes. Ecto‐ATPase activity of guinea‐pig and human detrusor samples was measured in vitro by measuring the concentration‐dependent rate of ATP breakdown. The transcription of ecto‐ATPase subtypes in human samples was measured by qPCR. Key Results Atropine resistance was greatest in guinea‐pig detrusor, absent in human tissue from normally‐functioning bladders and intermediate in human overactive bladder. Greater atropine resistance correlated with reduction of contractions by the ATP‐diphospho‐hydrolase apyrase, directly implicating ATP in their generation. E‐NTPDase‐1 was the most abundantly transcribed ecto‐ATPase of those tested and transcription was reduced in tissue from human overactive, compared to normal, bladders. E‐NTPDase‐1 enzymatic activity was inversely related to the magnitude of atropine resistance. Nerve‐mediated ATP release was continually measured and varied with stimulation frequency over the range 1‐16 Hz. Conclusion and Implications Atropine‐resistance in nerve‐mediated detrusor contractions is due to ATP release and its magnitude is inversely related to E‐NTPDase‐1 activity. ATP is released under different stimulation conditions compared to acetylcholine that implies different routes for their release</p

Relaxin-2 therapy reverses radiation-induced fibrosis and restores bladder function in mice

Aim: To determine the efficacy of human relaxin-2 (hRLX2) in reversing radiation-induced bladder fibrosis and lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). Radiation cystitis is a consequence of radiotherapy for pelvic malignancies. Acutely, irradiation leads to reactive oxygen/nitrogen species in urothelial cells, apoptosis, barrier disruption, and inflammation. Chronically, this results in collagen deposition, bladder fibrosis, and attenuated storage and voiding functions. In severe cases, cystectomies are performed as current therapies do not reverse fibrosis. Methods: We developed a mouse model for selective bladder irradiation (10 Gray; 1 Gy=100 rads) resulting in chronic fibrosis within 6 weeks, with decreased bladder compliance, contractility, and overflow incontinence. Seven weeks post-irradiation, female C57Bl/6 mice were continuously infused with hRLX2 (400μg/kg/day/14 days) or vehicle (saline) via subcutaneous osmotic pumps. Mice were evaluated in vivo using urine spot analysis, cystometrograms and external urethral sphincter electromyograms; and in vitro using length-tension measurements, Western blots, histology, and immunohistochemistry. Results: hRLX2 reversed fibrosis, decreased collagen content, improved bladder wall architecture, and increased bladder compliance, detrusor smooth muscle Cav1.2 expression and detrusor contractility in mice with chronic radiation cystitis. hRLX2 treatment outcomes were likely caused by the activation of RXFP1/2 receptors which are expressed on the detrusor. Conclusion: hRLX2 may be a new therapeutic option for rescuing bladders with chronic radiation cystitis

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Air pollution in Tajimi City was obserbed by the filter paper method at five poins from Aug. 1963 to Jul. 1964. It was found that the highest value of sulfer oxide was investigated at Takiro-cho, and the value range was 0.22-0.72mg SO_3/day/100cm-^2 and the mean value was 0.45mg SO_3/day/100cm^2. About the nitrogen oxide, the highest value was investigated at Hirokoji, commercial area, a lot of cars running. The range value was 0.040-0.120mg NO_2/day/100cm^2 and the mean value was 0.077mg NO_2/day/100cm^2

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Air pollution in Gifu City was obserbed by the filter paper method from 1963 to 1965. The measurement on the variation of sulfur oxid and nitrogen oxid value was performed at eight places. It was found that the mean value of sulfur oxid was 0.31mg SO_3/day/100cm^2 and the value range was 0.01-0.71mg SO_3/day/100cm^2. The mean value of nitrogen oxid was 0.063mg NO_2/day/100cm^2,and the value range was 0.017-0.192mg NO_2/day/100cm^2. In Gifu City, we measured the smog states on the 10 th and the 15 th Jun. 1963. On the 10th, SO_2 was measured more than 0.2 ppm. But on the 15 th, SO_2-concentration was very low, and CO_2-concentration was very high. It was caused by burnning the wheat straw, so we call "Rural Type Smog". These smog states were caused by calm weather

Targeting p75 neurotrophin receptors ameliorates spinal cord injury-induced detrusor sphincter dyssynergia in mice

Aims: To determine the role of p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) and the therapeutic effect of the selective small molecule p75NTR modulator, LM11A-31, in spinal cord injury (SCI) induced lower urinary tract dysfunction (LTUD) using a mouse model. Methods: Adult female T8-T9 transected mice were gavaged daily with LM11A-31 (100mg/kg) for up to 6 weeks, starting 1 day before, or 7 days following injury. Mice were evaluated in vivo using urine spot analysis, cystometrograms (CMGs), and external urethral sphincter (EUS) electromyograms (EMGs); and in vitro using histology, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. Results: Our studies confirm highest expression of p75NTRs in the detrusor layer of the mouse bladder and lamina II region of the dorsal horn of the lumbar-sacral (L6-S1) spinal cord which significantly decreased following SCI. LM11A-31 prevented or ameliorated the detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) and detrusor overactivity (DO) in SCI mice, significantly improving bladder compliance. Furthermore, LM11A-31 treatment blocked the SCI-related urothelial damage and bladder wall remodeling. Conclusion: Drugs targeting p75NTRs can moderate DSD and DO in SCI mice, may identify pathophysiological mechanisms, and have therapeutic potential in SCI patients

シャシンシ オヨビ ニュウザイ ギジュツシャ ト シテ ノ キクチ トウヨウ コウ

In 1993,portraits photographed by Toyo KIKUCHI were found from the KUKUCHI family\u27s KURA (Japanese traditional warehouse). The number of the portraits is more than forty, and two albums with thirty portraits were also found. In New York, Toyo KIKUCHI had successed his new buisiness namely "Home Portrait" during the late MEIJI and the early TAISHOU eras. These photographs (8×10 inches) with brilliant highlight and deep shadow tones in sepia color were taken by him at his studio in New York. Toyo\u27s photographs, which were found last year, were evaluated by the current leading photographers as the most excellent studio portraits not only at that time but also with the modern sense of photographic art. On the other hand, Toyo mastered photographic emulsion technology in U.S.A., and he established Oriental Photo Industrial Co., Ltd., a wellknown manufacuturer of photographic materials, after his return from New York. Hitherto, Toyo KIKUCHI\u27s achievemwnts were known as the enterpriser and also the emulsion engineer in photographic industry rather than the studio photographer. The photographs discovered, however, are the definite evidence of his quite outstanding skills in studio photography. The authors worked out "The Exhibition of Home Portrait by Toyo KIKUCHI" which held during June and July, 1994 at THE SHADAI GALLERY. A part of this paper was prepared for the material of the exhibition and deals with the genealogical survey of Toyo KIKUCHI as a studio photographer and also an emulsion engineer