Interaction of human and rat organic anion transporter 2 with various cephalosporin antibiotics.

Cephalosporin antibiotics are thought to be excreted into the urine via organic anion transporters (OATs) and OAT can mediate nephrotoxicity by cephalosporins, particularly by cephaloridine. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the interaction of human-OAT2 and rat-OAT2 with cephalosporin antibiotics using proximal tubule cells stably expressing human-OAT2 and rat-OAT2. Human-OAT2 is localized to the basolateral side of the proximal tubule, whereas rat-OAT2 is localized to the apical side of the proximal tubule.

A conceptual model of cultural predictors of anxiety among Japanese American and part-Japanese American adolescents.

A model integrating Japanese ethnicity, cultural identity, and anxiety was developed and assessed in Japanese American and part-Japanese American high school seniors (N = 141). Using measures from the Hawaiian High Schools Health Survey, the model incorporated the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Major Life Events Scale, and the Japanese Culture Scale (JCS). Japanese American adolescents scored higher on the JCS and reported fewer anxiety symptoms than part-Japanese American adolescents.

Interactions of human organic anion transporters and human organic cation transporters with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the interactions of human organic anion transporters (hOATs) and human organic cation transporters (hOCTs) with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) using cells stably expressing hOATs and hOCTs. NSAIDs tested were acetaminophen, acetylsalicylate, salicylate, diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, mefenamic acid, naproxen, piroxicam, phenacetin, and sulindac. These NSAIDs inhibited organic anion uptake mediated by hOAT1, hOAT2, hOAT3, and hOAT4.

Characterization of the system L amino acid transporter in T24 human bladder carcinoma cells.

System L is a major nutrient transport system responsible for the Na(+)-independent transport of large neutral amino acids including several essential amino acids. In malignant tumors, a system L transporter L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is up-regulated to support tumor cell growth. LAT1 is also essential for the permeation of amino acids and amino acid-related drugs through the blood-brain barrier.

Inpatient and partial hospital treatment for adolescent eating disorders.

The eating disorders are complex illnesses that tend to have a chronic relapsing course with severe morbidity and high mortality rates. Outcome seems to be best when the disorders are recognized early, brought to treatment quickly, the family is involved, and the first episode of care results in full return and maintenance of weight and menstruation. Adolescents who reach the point of needing hospitalization should be treated aggressively.

Molecular identification of a novel carnitine transporter specific to human testis. Insights into the mechanism of carnitine recognition.

l-Carnitine is an essential component of mitochondrial fatty acid beta-oxidation and plays a pivotal role in the maturation of spermatozoa within the male reproductive tract. Epididymal plasma contains the highest levels of l-carnitine found in the human body, and initiation of sperm motility occurs in parallel to l-carnitine increase in the epididymal lumen. Using a specific carrier, epididymal epithelium secretes l-carnitine into the lumen by an active transport mechanism; however, the structure-activity relationship comprising the carnitine-permeation pathway is poorly understood.

C-kit associated with the transmembrane 4 superfamily proteins constitutes a functionally distinct subunit in human hematopoietic progenitors.

The transmembrane 4 superfamily (TM4SF) has come into prominence for its association with a wide range of cell surface molecules, especially integrins. We report that TM4SF molecules CD9, CD63, and CD81 are physically associated with c-kit receptor tyrosine kinase in the human factor-dependent myeloid cell line, MO7e. We characterized this complex using coimmunoprecipitation and colocalization methods.

Training persons with schizophrenia in illness self-management: a randomized controlled trial in Japan.

Despite the worldwide shift from inpatient to community-based treatment for individuals with severe mental illness, Japanese psychiatric services remain hospital based. In 1998, Japan had 29 psychiatric beds per 10,000 persons, twice as many as in most European countries and five times as many as in the United States (1). The reasons for Japan's slow transition to a community-based mental health system are both economic and cultural.

The multivalent PDZ domain-containing protein CIPP is a partner of acid-sensing ion channel 3 in sensory neurons.

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are cationic channels activated by extracellular pH. They are present in the brain, where they are thought to participate in signal transduction associated with local pH variations, and in sensory neurons, where they have been involved in pain perception associated with tissue acidosis and in mechanoperception. The ASIC3 subunit is mainly expressed in dorsal root ganglion neurons.

Development of renal potassium excretion capacity in the neonatal rat.

We investigated the capacity of newborn rats to excrete an acute potassium load to understand the development of a renal potassium excretion system. Three groups of the rats (7-14 d) were used to collect urine periodically over 6 h after oral infusion of potassium: control (no potassium loading) and low- and high-potassium-loaded rats. In the low-potassium-loaded group, infused with about 0.

Inhibition of DNA adduct formation and mutagenic action of 3-amino-1-methyl-5h-pyrido[4,3-b]indole by chlorophyllin-chitosan in rpsL transgenic mice.

We have studied the inhibitory effect of chlorophyllin-chitosan (Chl-Chi) complex, an insoluble form of chlorophyllin, on the DNA adduct formation and mutagenesis by a heterocyclic food mutagen-carcinogen, 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), in mice carrying the E. coli rpsL gene as a mutagenesis reporter. Upon administration of a diet containing 0.

Transcriptional and ERK1/2-dependent synergistic upregulation of p21(cip1/waf1) associated with steel factor synergy in MO7e.

Steel factor (SLF) plus GM-CSF induces proliferative synergy in myeloid progenitors and factor-dependent cell line MO7e. We previously reported that the protein level of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(cip1/waf1) (p21) increased synergistically when MO7e cells were stimulated with SLF plus GM-CSF and that p21 induction was required for SLF synergistic responses. Here we show that this p21 induction is regulated at the transcriptional level.

[Possibility of discharge and need for rehabilitation of psychiatric patients hospitalized for one year or more in Japan: a preliminary report. Committee on Rehabilitation Affairs, Subcommittee of Survey on Rehabilitation Need].

A total of 19,342 psychiatric patients staying in a total of 143 hospitals in Japan for one year or more entered in this study in order to determine the possibility of discharge (POD) and the need for rehabilitation. Those who were assessed by the psychiatrist in charge to have POD provided community support was assured accounted for 32.5%.

Abnormal chemokine-induced responses of immature and mature hematopoietic cells from motheaten mice implicate the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 in chemokine responses.

Chemokines regulate a number of biological processes, including trafficking of diverse leukocytes and proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells. SHP-1 (Src homology 2 domain tyrosine phosphatase 1), a phosphotyrosine phosphatase, is considered an important regulator of signaling for a number of cytokine receptors. Since specific tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins is important for biological activities induced by chemokines, we examined the role of SHP-1 in functions of chemokines using viable motheaten (me(v)/me(v)) mice that were deficient in SHP-1.

Roles of vasopressin and hypertonicity in basolateral Na/K/2Cl cotransporter expression in rat kidney inner medullary collecting duct cells.

The basolateral Na/K/2Cl cotransporter mRNA (rNKCC1) increased when the cultured kidney inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells of rats were exposed to vasopressin (10(-8) M) and/or hypertonicity (500 mOsm/kgH2O). However, only hypertonicity was effective in increasing the expression of rNKCC1 protein.

Modulation of integrin function in hematopoietic progenitor cells by CD43 engagement: possible involvement of protein tyrosine kinase and phospholipase C-gamma.

Attachment of cells to extracellular matrix components is critical for the regulation of hematopoiesis. CD43 is a mucin-like transmembrane sialoglycoprotein expressed on the surface of almost all hematopoietic cells. A highly extended structure of extracellular mucin with negative charge may function as a repulsive barrier to hematopoietic cells.

CCR7 ligands, SLC/6Ckine/Exodus2/TCA4 and CKbeta-11/MIP-3beta/ELC, are chemoattractants for CD56(+)CD16(-) NK cells and late stage lymphoid progenitors.

Two human CC chemokines, SLC/6Ckine/Exodus2/TCA4 and CKbeta-11/MIP-3beta/ELC, are previously reported as efficacious chemoattractants for T- and B-cells and dendritic cells. SLC and CKbeta-11 share only 32% amino acid identity, but are ligands for the same chemokine receptor, CCR7. In this study, we examined chemotactic activity of SLC and CKbeta-11 for NK cells and lymphoid progenitors in bone marrow and thymus.

Interrater reliability of the Japanese version of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the appraisal of its training effect.

The purpose of the present study is to test interrater reliability of the Japanese version of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and to examine factors possibly affecting the reliability. The study group conducted the PANSS rating on 20 patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia. For the analysis of interrater reliability, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated.

H-Ras is involved in the inside-out signaling pathway of interleukin-3-induced integrin activation.

The proto-oncogene product, p21(ras), has been implicated in the cellular mechanism of adhesion, although its precise role has been controversial. Numerous cytokines and growth-factors activate Ras, which is an important component of their growth-promoting signaling pathways. On the other hand, the role of Ras in cytokine-induced adhesion has not been elucidated.

Renal compensation for body water loss during dehydration in neonatal rats.

The present study was designed to investigate whether the limited capacity for concentrating urine in neonatal rats is associated with an immature ability to regulate serum osmolality. During milk deprivation, the percent of reduction in body weight per 10 h (mean +/- SE) was 4.3 +/- 0.

Interleukin-3 and Flt3-ligand induce adhesion of Baf3/Flt3 precursor B-lymphoid cells to fibronectin via activation of VLA-4 and VLA-5.

Adhesion of hematopoietic cells to extracellular matrix components is important for blood cell development. However, little is known regarding the potential influence of IL-3 on this process for precursor B cells and Flt3-ligand has not yet been implicated in induction of adhesion of any blood cell types to extracellular matrix components. Therefore, we examined the characteristics of cytokine-induced cell adhesion to fibronectin (FN), using as a model the murine precursor B cell line, Baf3, a factor-dependent cell line requiring IL-3 for both growth and survival.

Apoptosis as a cell biological abnormality in myelodysplasia.

Evidence is accumulating to indicate that alterations in the control of apoptosis can contribute to a variety of disorders. Among the disorders associated with abnormal regulation of apoptosis, MDS stands out unequaled in that apoptosis is related, in apparently opposite directions, to ineffective hematopoiesis and leukemic transformation of MDS; notably, excessive apoptosis in the former and deranged apoptosis or escape from apoptotic control in the latter. In this review, we want to focus on the role of apoptosis in various stages of MDS, and to discuss its possible relevance to further therapeutic interventions.