Publications by authors named "A Kitoh"

Recent advances in neural network-based computing have enabled human-like information processing in areas such as image classification and voice recognition. However, many neural networks run on conventional computers that operate at GHz clock frequency and consume considerable power compared to biological neural networks, such as human brains, which work with a much slower spiking rate. Although many electronic devices aiming to emulate the energy efficiency of biological neural networks have been explored, achieving long timescales while maintaining scalability remains an important challenge.

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Vesiculobullous dermatomyositis (VD) is a rare manifestation of dermatomyositis (DM) and has been suggested to be associated with malignancy. Although the myositis-specific autoantibodies are associated with distinct clinical presentations of DM, those associated with VD remain unclear. Here, we present the case of a 54-year-old man with VD who tested positive for antinuclear matrix protein 2 (NXP-2) antibodies, one of the DM-specific autoantibodies.

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Article Synopsis
  • The integumentary system, particularly the stratum corneum, acts as a key protective barrier for the skin, with keratinocytes producing filaggrin (Flg) essential for skin health; however, the role of sensory nerves in the skin's recovery process after damage remains unclear.
  • This study aimed to explore how sensory nerves contribute to the repair of the skin barrier post tape stripping, using a mouse model to analyze nerve activity, skin recovery rates, and the involvement of specific neuropeptides.
  • Results indicated that TRPV1-positive sensory nerves are crucial for skin barrier recovery, as their absence led to inflammation and reduced production of Flg; treatment with somatostatin showed potential in improving barrier recovery, highlighting
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To investigate the mechanism of autoimmunity and peripheral tolerance in the skin, several transgenic mouse strains expressing membrane-bound ovalbumin (mOVA) as an epidermal self-antigen under the control of keratinocyte-specific promotors, such as keratin 5 and keratin 14, were employed in combination with adoptive transfer of CD8 T cells from OT-I mice (OT-I T cells) that recognize an ovalbumin-derived peptide. However, these strains showed bodyweight loss and required additional inflammatory stimuli, such as γ-irradiation and tape-stripping, to induce skin inflammation. In this study, we generated a mouse strain expressing mOVA under the control of human involucrin promoter (involucrin-mOVA mice).

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Background: The circadian rhythm controls multiple biological processes, including immune responses; however, its impact on cutaneous adaptive immune response remains unclear.

Methods: We used a well-established cutaneous type IV allergy model, contact hypersensitivity (CHS). We induced CHS using dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB).

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