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1.
J Orthop Sci ; 2024 Jul 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39003183

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In Japan, there are currently no general guidelines for the treatment of primary malignant bone tumors. Therefore, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association established a committee to develop guidelines for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of primary malignant bone tumors for medical professionals in clinical practice. METHODS: The guidelines were developed in accordance with "Minds Clinical Practice Guideline Development Handbook 2014″ and "Minds Clinical Practice Guideline Development Manual 2017". The Japanese Orthopaedic Association's Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor Committee established guideline development and systematic review committees, drawing members from orthopedic specialists leading the diagnosis and treatment of bone and soft tissue tumors. Pediatricians, radiologists, and diagnostic pathologists were added to both committees because of the importance of multidisciplinary treatment. Based on the diagnosis and treatment algorithm for primary malignant bone tumors, important decision-making points were selected, and clinical questions (CQ) were determined. The strength of recommendation was rated on two levels and the strength of evidence was rated on four levels. The recommendations published were selected based on agreement by 70% or more of the voters. RESULTS: The guideline development committee examined the important clinical issues in the clinical algorithm and selected 22 CQs. The systematic review committee reviewed the evidence concerning each CQ and a clinical value judgment was added by experts. Eventually, 25 questions were published and the text of each recommendation was determined. CONCLUSION: Since primary malignant bone tumors are rare, there is a dearth of strong evidence based on randomized controlled trials, and recommendations cannot be applied to all the patients. In clinical practice, appropriate treatment of patients with primary malignant bone tumors should be based on the histopathological diagnosis and degree of progression of each case, using these guidelines as a reference.

2.
Ecol Lett ; 25(9): 2009-2021, 2022 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35904819

ABSTRACT

Concerning declines in insect populations have been reported from Europe and the United States, yet there are gaps in our knowledge of the drivers of insect trends and their distribution across the world. We report on our analysis of a spatially extensive, 14-year study of ground-dwelling beetles in four natural forest biomes spanning Japan's entire latitudinal range (3000 km). Beetle species richness, abundance and biomass declined in evergreen coniferous forests but increased in broadleaf-coniferous mixed forests. Further, beetles in evergreen coniferous forests responded negatively to increased temperature and precipitation anomalies, which have both risen over the study's timespan. These significant changes parallel reports of climate-driven changes in forest tree species, providing further evidence that climate change is altering forest ecosystems fundamentally. Given the enormous biodiversity and ecosystem services that forests support globally, the implications for biodiversity change resulting from climate change could be profound.


Subject(s)
Coleoptera , Tracheophyta , Animals , Biodiversity , Climate Change , Ecosystem , Forests , Japan , Trees
3.
Pharmacol Res ; 175: 105981, 2022 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34798264

ABSTRACT

Inchinkoto (ICKT) is a popular choleretic and hepatoprotective herbal medicine that is widely used in Japan. Geniposide, a major ingredient of ICKT, is metabolized to genipin by gut microbiota, which exerts a choleretic effect. This study investigates the relationship between stool genipin-producing activity and diversity of the clinical effect of ICKT in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice. Fifty-two patients with malignant obstructive jaundice who underwent external biliary drainage were included. ICKT was administered as three packets per day (7.5 g/day) for three days and 2.5 g on the morning of the fourth day. Stool samples were collected before ICKT administration and bile flow was monitored on a daily basis. The microbiome, genipin-producing activity, and organic acids in stools were analyzed. The Shannon-Wiener (SW) index was calculated to evaluate gut microbiome diversity. The stool genipin-producing activity showed a significant positive correlation with the SW index. Stool genipin-producing activity positively correlated with the order Clostridia (obligate anaerobes), but negatively correlated with the order Lactobacillales (facultative anaerobes). Moreover, stool genipin-producing activity was positively correlated to the concentration valeric acid, but negatively correlated to the concentration of lactic acid and succinic acid. The change of bile flow at 2 and 3 days after ICKT administration showed significant positive correlation with genipin-producing activity (correlation coefficient, 0.40 and 0.29, respectively, P < 0.05). An analysis of stool profile, including stool genipin-producing activity, may predict the efficacy of ICKT. Modification of the microbiome may be a target to enhance the therapeutic effect of ICKT.


Subject(s)
Cholagogues and Choleretics/therapeutic use , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use , Feces/chemistry , Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects , Iridoids/metabolism , Jaundice, Obstructive/drug therapy , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Bile/chemistry , Carboxylic Acids/metabolism , Clostridium/genetics , Clostridium/metabolism , Female , Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics , Humans , Jaundice, Obstructive/microbiology , Lactobacillales/genetics , Lactobacillales/metabolism , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Neoplasms/microbiology , Treatment Outcome
4.
Metabolomics ; 17(12): 106, 2021 12 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34855010

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The precise pharmacological action of inchinkoto (ICKT, Yin-Chen-Hao-Tang in Chinese), a hepatoprotective herbal medicine, on total metabolic pathways has not been well investigated. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the serum metabolites reflecting the pharmacological activity of ICKT, and mechanism of action of ICKT using serum metabolome analysis. METHODS: 54 patients with obstructive jaundice due to malignancies were included in this study. ICKT was administered for 3 days. Serum and bile samples were collected before and 1 h after ICKT administration on days 1 and 4. Serum metabolome analysis including ICKT components were performed. RESULTS: The levels of total/direct bilirubin, C-reactive protein, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, and albumin in the serum were significantly improved after ICKT administration. In the serum metabolome analysis, inosine was the only elevated metabolite on days 1 and 4. Most of the metabolites which were significantly changed after ICKT administration were lipid mediators, and all decreased on day 1. Notably, the levels of many lipid mediators were increased on day 4. The difference in serum aspartic acid 1 h after ICKT administration was significantly correlated with a decrease in the levels of total bilirubin in the serum on day 4. CONCLUSIONS: Using metabolome analysis, we demonstrated several metabolic changes that may be associated with the pharmacological mechanisms of ICKT. The biological implications of these metabolites should be further investigated in basic research studies.


Subject(s)
Herbal Medicine , Plants, Medicinal , Humans , Metabolome , Metabolomics
5.
Ecol Appl ; 31(2): e2248, 2021 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33205530

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic and its global response have resulted in unprecedented and rapid changes to most people's day-to-day lives. To slow the spread of the virus, governments have implemented the practice of physical distancing ("social distancing"), which includes isolation within the home with limited time spent outdoors. During this extraordinary time, nature around the home may play a key role in mitigating against adverse mental health outcomes due to the pandemic and the measures taken to address it. To assess whether this is the case, we conducted an online questionnaire survey (n = 3,000) in Tokyo, Japan, to quantify the association between five mental health outcomes (depression, life satisfaction, subjective happiness, self-esteem, and loneliness) and two measures of nature experiences (frequency of greenspace use and green view through windows from home). Accounting for sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, we found that the frequency of greenspace use and the existence of green window views from within the home was associated with increased levels of self-esteem, life satisfaction, and subjective happiness and decreased levels of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Our findings suggest that a regular dose of nature can contribute to the improvement of a wide range of mental health outcomes. With the recent escalation in the prevalence of mental health disorders, and the possible negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on public mental health, our findings have major implications for policy, suggesting that urban nature has great potential to be used as a "nature-based solution" for improved public health.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Humans , Japan , Mental Health , SARS-CoV-2
6.
BMC Musculoskelet Disord ; 21(1): 131, 2020 Feb 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32111198

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia is one of the most serious complications in patients treated with a halo-vest brace. However, the cause of dysphagia development by halo-vest fixation is not yet clear. We therefore investigated the incidence of dysphagia and cervical alignment as well as clinical data from medical charts in patients treated with a halo-vest brace. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical data from the medical charts of 49 patients who had undergone halo-vest fixation. Occipito (O)-C2 angle, C2-C6 angle, and pharyngeal inlet angle were assessed by lateral plain X-rays of the cervical spine. The impacts of these parameters on incidence and severity of dysphagia were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (32%) suffered from dysphagia during halo-vest fixation, and age and length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay were greater in the dysphagia group (p = 0.044 and 0.013, respectively) than in those who did not develop dysphagia. O-C2 angle was smaller in the dysphagia group (p = 0.016). After multivariate logistic analysis, body mass index, ICU stay, and O-C2 angle remained as independent risk factors related to incidence of dysphagia. Spearman rank correlation showed a negative correlation between ICU stay and Food Intake Level Scale (FILS) (p = 0.026), and a positive correlation between O-C2 angle and FILS (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: This study suggested that O-C2 angle is related to both incidence and severity of dysphagia due to halo-vest fixation.


Subject(s)
Deglutition Disorders/epidemiology , Fracture Fixation/adverse effects , Orthotic Devices/adverse effects , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cervical Vertebrae/anatomy & histology , Cervical Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging , Cervical Vertebrae/injuries , Deglutition Disorders/diagnosis , Deglutition Disorders/etiology , Female , Fracture Fixation/instrumentation , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Occipital Bone/anatomy & histology , Occipital Bone/diagnostic imaging , Postoperative Complications/diagnosis , Postoperative Complications/etiology , Radiography , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Severity of Illness Index , Spinal Cord Injuries/surgery , Spinal Fractures/surgery , Young Adult
7.
Mod Rheumatol ; 30(2): 282-286, 2020 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30786801

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To compare the inflammation of synovium before and after biological agents in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to investigate the association between synovial histopathology and disease activity.Methods: Synovial tissues were obtained during operations from 34 patients before and after treatment with biological agents. The synovial tissue was evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Synovial histopathology was evaluated by Rooney score.Results: The Rooney score was also significantly decreased after treatment with biological agents in all items (p < .001). After the treatment with biological agents, Moderate disease activity group had significantly higher scores of focal aggregates of lymphocytes (p = .02), diffuse infiltrates of lymphocytes (p = .019), and the Rooney total scores (p = .002) than remission and low disease activity groups.Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that biological agents significantly decreased the RA synovial inflammation and synovial histopathology in sublining layer reflected disease activity.


Subject(s)
Antirheumatic Agents/pharmacology , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy , Biological Factors/pharmacology , Synovial Membrane/drug effects , Adult , Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology , Biological Factors/therapeutic use , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged
8.
Foot Ankle Surg ; 24(3): e13-e17, 2018 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29933964

ABSTRACT

Isolated avulsion fracture of the peroneus longus tendon insertion at the base of the first metatarsal without injury of the tarsometatarsal joint is very rare. Similar to most avulsion fractures, this type of injury is caused by strong tension exerted by the peroneus longus tendon. The mechanism leading to this lesion and treatment options are not clearly defined. Several surgical techniques have been advocated for this fracture, including excision of an avulsion fragment and open reduction for internal fixation through the medial aspect of the foot or minimal plantar incision. We have described a method of percutaneous fixing of the avulsion fracture at the plantar lateral base of the first metatarsal using the ZipTight Fixation System (Zimmer Biomet Warsaw, Indiana, USA), which offers the advantage of allowing a rigid fixation and minimal invasive surgical technique for a small fragment.


Subject(s)
Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation , Fractures, Avulsion/surgery , Fractures, Bone/surgery , Metatarsal Bones/surgery , Adult , Equipment Design , Fractures, Avulsion/diagnosis , Fractures, Bone/diagnosis , Humans , Male , Metatarsal Bones/diagnostic imaging , Metatarsal Bones/injuries , Tendons/surgery , Tomography, X-Ray Computed
9.
Metabolomics ; 13(12): 155, 2017 Nov 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31375927

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: In patients with obstructive jaundice, biliary drainage sometimes fails to result in improvement. A pharmaceutical-grade choleretic herbal medicine, Inchinkoto (ICKT), has been proposed to exert auxiliary effects on biliary drainage; however, its effects are variable among patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to explore serum biomarkers that are associated with pharmaceutical efficacy of ICKT. METHODS: Obstructive jaundice patients who underwent external biliary decompression were enrolled (n = 37). ICKT was given orally 3 times a day at daily dose of 7.5 g. Serum and bile samples were collected before, 3 h after, and 24 h after ICKT administration. The concentrations of total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and total bile acid in bile specimens were measured. Metabolites in serum samples were comprehensively profiled using LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS. Pharmacokinetic analysis of major ICKT components was also performed. RESULTS: ICKT administration significantly decreased serum ALT and increased bile volume after 24 h. The serum concentrations of ICKT components were not well correlated with the efficacy of ICKT. However, the ratio of 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid to arachidonic acid and the ratio of glutaric acid to niacinamide, exhibited good performance as biomarkers for the efficacy of ICKT on bile flow and ALT, respectively. Additionally, comprehensive correlation analysis revealed that serum glucuronic acid was highly correlated with serum total bilirubin, suggesting that this metabolite may be deeply involved in the pathogenesis of jaundice. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that ICKT is efficacious and provides candidates for predicting ICKT efficacy. Further validation studies are warranted.

10.
Nihon Rinsho ; 74(6): 986-92, 2016 Jun.
Article in Japanese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27311190

ABSTRACT

Operative therapy for the foot and ankle disorders of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been changing with advances in drug therapy. The surgical techniques, joint-preserving procedure for the RA foot and total ankle arthroplasty for the RA ankle, are the surgical techniques which allow patients with RA not only to relief their pain but also obtain higher lower limb function. Recently, more and more patients with RA have been receiving joint-preserving procedure for the foot or total ankle arthroplasty for the ankle. Therefore, in this article, we would like to describe surgical therapy for the lower limb of patients with RA.


Subject(s)
Ankle/surgery , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/surgery , Arthroplasty/methods , Arthroplasty/trends , Foot/surgery , Arthroplasty, Replacement, Ankle/methods , Arthroplasty, Replacement, Ankle/trends , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Organ Sparing Treatments/methods , Organ Sparing Treatments/trends
11.
BMC Complement Altern Med ; 15: 451, 2015 Dec 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26703073

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hydrarthrosis, which is associated with knee pain and limited range of motion, decreases the quality of life (QOL) of patients with osteoarthritis (OA). The Kampo medicine boiogito is prescribed for the treatment of knee OA with hydrarthrosis; however, its precise mechanisms of action remain unknown. The purposes of this study were to assess the pharmacological effects of boiogito and its mechanisms of action on joint effusion in rats with surgically induced OA. METHODS: A rat OA model was produced by transecting the anterior (cranial) cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, and medial meniscus in the right knee joints of 7-week-old female Wistar rats. The rats were given chow containing boiogito (1 or 2%) or indomethacin (0.002 %) for 4 weeks after surgical transection. Levels of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and hyaluronic acid (HA) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Knee joint pain was assessed using an incapacitance tester. Osmotic water permeability in cultured rabbit synovial cells was assessed using stopped-flow analysis. RESULTS: Increased synovial fluid volume and knee joint pain were observed in rats with surgically induced OA. In rats with OA, levels of IL-1ß and HA in the articular cavity were higher but concentration of HA in synovial fluid was lower than in sham-operated rats, suggesting excessive synovial fluid secretion. Administration of boiogito improved hydrarthrosis, IL-1ß, and HA concentrations and alleviated knee joint pain in rats with OA. Indomethacin reduced IL-1ß and knee joint pain but failed to improve hydrarthrosis or HA concentration in rats with OA. Osmotic water permeability in synovial cells, which is related to the function of the water channel aquaporin, was decreased by treatment with boiogito. CONCLUSION: Boiogito ameliorates the increased knee joint effusion in rats with OA by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1ß production in the articular cavity and regulating function of water transport in the synovium. The improvement of hydrarthrosis by boiogito results in the increased HA concentration in synovial fluid, thus reducing joint pain. Boiogito may be a clinically useful treatment of QOL in patients with OA with hydrarthrosis.


Subject(s)
Hydrarthrosis/drug therapy , Medicine, Kampo , Osteoarthritis, Knee/drug therapy , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Animals , Female , Humans , Hyaluronic Acid/metabolism , Hydrarthrosis/metabolism , Interleukin-1beta/metabolism , Osteoarthritis, Knee/metabolism , Plants, Medicinal , Rabbits , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Synovial Fluid/metabolism
12.
Molecules ; 20(10): 18031-46, 2015 Sep 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26437394

ABSTRACT

Most orally administered polyphenols are metabolized, with very little absorbed as aglycones and/or unchanged forms. Metabolic and pharmacokinetic studies are therefore necessary to understand the pharmacological mechanisms of polyphenols. Jumihaidokuto (JHT), a traditional Japanese medicine, has been used for treatment of skin diseases including inflammatory acne. Because JHT contains various types of bioactive polyphenols, our aim was to clarify the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of the polyphenols in JHT and identify active metabolites contributing to its antidermatitis effects. Orally administered JHT inhibited the increase in ear thickness in rats induced by intradermal injection of Propionibacterium acnes. Quantification by LC-MS/MS indicated that JHT contains various types of flavonoids and is also rich in hydrolysable tannins, such as 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl glucose. Pharmacokinetic and antioxidant analyses showed that some flavonoid conjugates, such as genistein 7-O-glucuronide and liquiritigenin 7-O-glucuronide, appeared in rat plasma and had an activity to inhibit hydrogen peroxide-dependent oxidation. Furthermore, 4-O-methylgallic acid, a metabolite of Gallic acid, appeared in rat plasma and inhibited the nitric oxide reaction. JHT has numerous polyphenols; it inhibited dermatitis probably via the antioxidant effect of its metabolites. Our study is beneficial for understanding in vivo actions of orally administered polyphenol drugs.


Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacokinetics , Antioxidants/pharmacokinetics , Dermatitis/drug therapy , Plant Extracts/pharmacokinetics , Polyphenols/pharmacokinetics , Propionibacterium acnes/immunology , Administration, Oral , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/blood , Antioxidants/administration & dosage , Dermatitis/microbiology , Flavanones/blood , Flavanones/pharmacokinetics , Genistein/blood , Genistein/pharmacokinetics , Male , Medicine, Traditional , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Plant Extracts/blood , Polyphenols/administration & dosage , Polyphenols/blood , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley
13.
BMJ Glob Health ; 9(3)2024 Apr 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38594079

ABSTRACT

Red meat consumption is associated with an elevated risk of mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In contrast, forage fish, as highly nutritious, environmentally friendly, affordable, and the most abundant fish species in the ocean, are receiving increasing interest from a global food system perspective. However, little research has examined the impact of replacing red meat with forage fish in the global diet on diet-related NCDs. METHODS: We based our study on datasets of red meat projections in 2050 for 137 countries and forage fish catches. We replaced the red meat consumption in each country with forage fish (from marine habitats), without exceeding the potential supply of forage fish. We used a comparative risk assessment framework to investigate how such substitutions could reduce the global burden of diet-related NCDs in adults. RESULTS: The results of our study show that forage fish may replace only a fraction (approximately 8%) of the world's red meat due to its limited supply, but it may increase global daily per capita fish consumption close to the recommended level. Such a substitution could avoid 0.5-0.75 million deaths and 8-15 million disability-adjusted life years, concentrated in low- and middle-income countries. Forage fish as an alternative to red meat could double (or more) the number of deaths that could be avoided by simply reducing red meat consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis suggests that forage fish is a promising alternative to red meat. Policies targeting the allocation of forage fish to regions where they are needed, such as the Global South, could be more effective in maximising the potential of forage fish to reduce the global burden of disease.


Subject(s)
Global Burden of Disease , Red Meat , Animals , Humans , Diet , Risk Assessment , Forecasting
14.
Clin Exp Rheumatol ; 31(4): 589-95, 2013.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23622344

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of leptin on the production of proinflammatory cytokines by rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts (RSFs). METHODS: Synovial tissue was obtained from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Leptin receptor mRNAs were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Productions of mRNA and protein of interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-6 in the culture medium were detected by real-time PCR and ELISA kit, respectively. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected into RSF to down-regulate the expression of leptin receptor. Effects of inhibitors of janus kinase 2 (JAK2), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) on IL-6 production were evaluated. Phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in RSF were determined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: We detected leptin receptor mRNAs in RSFs. Expression of IL-1ß and IL-6 mRNA was enhanced in a concentration-dependent manner by addition of leptin to RSFs. IL-6 secretion by RSFs showed an increase after leptin stimulation. Leptin-induced production of IL-6 by RSFs was decreased after exposure to siRNA targeting leptin receptor (Ob-Rb). A JAK2 inhibitor, but not PI3K and MAPK inhibitors, decreased leptin-induced IL-6 production. Enhanced phosphorylation of STAT3 was observed in RSFs after stimulation by leptin. CONCLUSIONS: Leptin may be one of the proinflammatory cytokines that up-regulates IL-6 production in RSFs via activation of JAK2/STAT3. Leptin and JAK/STAT pathway may represent a new alternative therapeutic target in the treatment of RA.


Subject(s)
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism , Fibroblasts/metabolism , Interleukin-6/metabolism , Janus Kinase 2/metabolism , Leptin/metabolism , STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology , Fibroblasts/cytology , Fibroblasts/drug effects , Humans , Interleukin-6/genetics , Leptin/pharmacology , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism , Phosphorylation/physiology , Primary Cell Culture , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , RNA, Small Interfering/genetics , Receptors, Leptin/genetics , Receptors, Leptin/metabolism , Recombinant Proteins/metabolism , Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Signal Transduction/physiology , Synovial Membrane/cytology
15.
Inflamm Res ; 61(12): 1385-94, 2012 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22885734

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Although the effects of tacrolimus on T cells are well-known, direct effects on rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts (RSF) remain unclear. We studied the effects of tacrolimus on RSF by a DNA microarray analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tacrolimus and interleukin (IL)-1ß were added to cultured RSF. Total RNA was prepared from the cells and the gene expression profile was analyzed by a DNA microarray screening system. mRNA expressions influenced by tacrolimus in the screening system were confirmed by real-time PCR. The effects of tacrolimus on nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were also examined. RESULTS: The mRNA expressions of CCL3, CCL4, and CXCL8 were up-regulated by IL-1ß and down-regulated by tacrolimus. The levels of these IL-1ß-induced chemokines in culture supernatant were decreased by a therapeutic concentration of tacrolimus. Tumor necrosis factor-α as well as IL-1ß induced these chemokines, while tacrolimus inhibited their production and mRNA expression. Chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear cells in response to IL-1ß was also inhibited by tacrolimus. Nuclear translocation of p50 and p65 NF-κB in response to IL-1ß was decreased by tacrolimus. CONCLUSION: IL-1ß-induced chemokine expressions were down-regulated by tacrolimus, suggesting that tacrolimus exerts its anti-inflammatory effect partly through inhibiting chemokine production by RSF.


Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism , Chemokines/genetics , Fibroblasts/drug effects , Immunosuppressive Agents/pharmacology , Tacrolimus/pharmacology , Cells, Cultured , Down-Regulation , Fibroblasts/metabolism , Humans , Interleukin-1beta/pharmacology , NF-kappa B/metabolism , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Synovial Membrane/cytology
17.
J Nat Med ; 76(1): 59-67, 2022 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34304352

ABSTRACT

Paclitaxel, a standard chemotherapeutic agent for several types of cancer, including ovarian, breast, and non-small-cell lung cancer, causes peripheral neuropathy as an adverse effect in 60-70% of the patients. The utility of combination therapy with paclitaxel and goshajinkigan, a traditional Japanese Kampo medicine, in managing paclitaxel-induced neuropathy during chemotherapy has been explored. Paclitaxel is predominantly metabolized in the liver by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 to produce 6α-hydroxypaclitaxel and by CYP3A4 to produce 3'-p-hydroxypaclitaxel. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory or inducing effects of goshajinkigan extract (GJG) and its representative and bioavailable constituents, geniposidic acid, plantagoguanidinic acid, paeoniflorin, catalpol, loganin, and neoline, on the metabolism of paclitaxel via CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 using pooled human liver microsomes and cultured human cryopreserved hepatocytes to provide the drug information about the pharmacokinetic interaction of this combination therapy. GJG significantly inhibited the production of 3'-p-hydroxypaclitaxel and 6α-hydroxypaclitaxel in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of GJG were 4.5 and 7.8 mg/ml, respectively, for 3'-p-hydroxypaclitaxel and 6α-hydroxypaclitaxel productions. Neoline inhibited the production of 3'-p-hydroxypaclitaxel at 50 µM, but not at lower concentrations. Apart from neoline, other GJG constituents (at concentrations up to 50 or 10 µM of all test substances) did not exhibit inhibitory or inducing effects. Since GJG showed the inhibitory effect on the metabolism of paclitaxel at much higher concentrations than those used clinically, it can be concluded that GJG product does not exhibit any pharmacokinetic interaction with paclitaxel in clinical practice.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Lung Neoplasms , Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C8 , Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A , Drug Interactions , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Humans , Microsomes, Liver , Paclitaxel
18.
J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) ; 68(Supplement): S137-S139, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36436997

ABSTRACT

Agriculture has been an important source of the human diet throughout human history, but its relationship with human societies has transformed over the long course of more than 10,000 y. Urbanization and agricultural commercialization are significant among such changes and wield considerable impact on human diets, nutrition, and health. This paper presents four studies examining the influence of agriculture on diet and general health: 1) the impact of urban allotment gardening on human health and wellbeing in Japan, 2) the preference of people in Japan for collaborations between citizens' farms and food-support organizations 3) the linkages between dietary diversity and agriculture in Indonesia, and 4) food sources and child nutrition in the deforested frontiers of Cambodia.


Subject(s)
Agriculture , Health Promotion , Child , Humans , Nutritional Status , Food , Diet
19.
PeerJ ; 7: e6704, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30993042

ABSTRACT

On the temperate lowland plain of the lower Tumen River, agricultural development has converted most marshland into paddy fields. However, the locations of old paddy fields in the lowland temperate zone, where the vegetation structure is dominated by herbs adapted to seasonally wet or waterlogged conditions, are poorly known, and the impact of land use history on marshland diversity and shifts in plant functional groups has been scantly researched. In this study, we used a chronosequence approach to investigate herbaceous wetland communities in different recovery phases (<5 years, 5-15 years, and >15 years), as well as natural wetland as a reference. We assessed their ecological characteristics, species composition and diversity to determine how they change during natural succession. Plant species composition and dominance in the abandoned fields changed markedly during natural secondary succession. Initially, the annual weeds Echinochloa crus-galli and Bidens tripartita were dominant. Later, communities gradually became dominated first by Polygonum thunbergii and then by tussock-forming Carex rostrata. Species diversity was higher in abandoned fields than in natural wetlands and decreased with time. The partition of ß-diversity components revealed that replacement was the prominent process structuring plant communities in paddy field at different times since abandonment. Our results suggest that the vegetation of abandoned paddy fields could be restored effectively through natural succession, although there were some differences in plant functional group traits. Abandoned paddy fields may be good sites for restoration of wetland species and conservation of wetland habitat.

20.
Case Rep Orthop ; 2019: 7384701, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31001442

ABSTRACT

A 76-year-old woman with a spinal subdural hematoma (SDH) was presented with severe back pain without headache. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed 4 days after onset showed SDH extending from Th2 to L3. She was diagnosed with spontaneous SDH without neurological manifestation, and conservative treatment was selected. Transient disturbance of orientation appeared 7 days after onset. Small subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was detected on head CT, and strict antihypertensive therapy was started. Symptoms changed for the better. Back pain disappeared 4 weeks after onset. On follow-up MRI at 6 months after onset, the SDH had been resolved spontaneously. Although adhesive arachnoiditis was observed at Th4-6, the recurrence of clinical symptoms was not observed at one year and a half after onset. Spinal subdural space is almost avascular; a hematoma in a subdural space is considered to come from a subarachnoid space when it is a lot. A hemorrhage in subarachnoid space was flushed by cerebral spinal fluid; hematoma or arachnoiditis was not formed in general. In our case, hemorrhage was a lot and expansion of SDH was large enough to cause cranial SAH and arachnoiditis. But longitudinally expanded SDH did not show neurological manifestation and resolved spontaneously in our case.

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