Differential localization and roles of splice variants of rat suppressor of cancer cell invasion (SCAI) in neuronal cells.

Suppressor of cancer cell invasion (SCAI) is a suppressor of myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF)-mediated transcription and cancer cell invasion. However, roles of SCAI in the brain and neuronal cells are not fully resolved. In this study, we initially investigated the distribution of Scai mRNA in the developing rat brain and in neurons.

Changes of Early Sepsis Biomarker Presepsin Level during Hemodialysis: Influence of β-Microglobulin Clearance of Dialysis Membrane: A Preliminary Study.

Background: Although presepsin (P-SEP) is an early sepsis biomarker, sepsis is often suspected after starting hemodialysis (HD). To enhance the utility of P-SEP, we investigated whether pre-HD P-SEP levels could be predicted using the P-SEP levels from blood samples collected after starting HD.

Methods: We observed P-SEP level changes due to HD and dialyzer passage in HD patients using a dialysis membrane with a β-microglobulin (β-MG) clearance of either ≥50 mL/min (high-flux) or < 30 mL/min (intermediate-flux).

Rho signaling inhibitor, CCG-1423, inhibits axonal elongation and dendritic complexity of rat cortical neurons.

CCG-1423, a chemical inhibitor of Rho signaling, blocks serum response factor (SRF)/megakaryoblastic leukemia 1 (MKL1)-mediated gene expression by inhibiting the nuclear accumulation of MKL1. Several studies have suggested that CCG-1423 interacts not only with MKL1, which has a critical role in the regulation of neuronal morphology, but also with phosphatase and actin regulator 1 (Phactr1), which is localized at synapses. However, the effect of CCG-1423 on neuronal cells, especially on neuronal morphology, remains to be determined.

Presepsin as a predictor of critical colonization in CLI hemodialysis patients.

Infection during critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a challenging issue. Plasma presepsin is a novel biomarker for infection, which is related to bacterial phagocytosis by macrophages. The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of presepsin as an indicator and predictor for early detection of infectious CLI.

Effect of zinc supplementation on bone formation in hemodialysis patients with normal or low turnover bone.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element, which has been shown to stimulate osteoblastic bone formation and to inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption in vitro. In thalassemia, major patients Zn supplementation was reported to increase whole-body bone mineral content and areal bone mineral density. Therefore, we investigated the effect of Zn supplementation on bone formation in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Cellular localization and dendritic function of rat isoforms of the SRF coactivator MKL1 in cortical neurons.

The ability of megakaryoblastic leukemia 1 (MKL1) to function as a serum response factor (SRF) coactivator is regulated through its association with G-actin. In the cytoplasm, MKL1 binds to G-actin through RPXXXEL (RPEL) motifs. However, dissociation of MKL1 from G-actin triggers its translocation into the nucleus where it stimulates SRF-mediated gene expression.

Identification, expression and characterization of rat isoforms of the serum response factor (SRF) coactivator MKL1.

Megakaryoblastic leukemia 1 (MKL1) is a member of the MKL family of serum response factor (SRF) coactivators. Here we have identified three rat MKL1 transcripts: two are homologues of mouse MKL1 transcripts, full-length MKL1 (FLMKL1) and basic, SAP, and coiled-coil domains (BSAC), the third is a novel transcript, MKL1-elongated derivative of yield (MELODY). These rat MKL1 transcripts are differentially expressed in a wide variety of tissues with highest levels in testis and brain.

Strategies for the creation and maintenance of reconstructed arteriovenous fistulas using the forearm basilic vein.

Reconstruction of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) after an initial failure to provide long-term patency has been desired in the era when hemodialysis patients' prognosis is improving. The forearm basilic vein AVF should be considered, before an artificial graft shunt or an AVF in the cubital region. The present study was designed to establish a strategy for the creation and maintenance of AVFs using the forearm basilic vein.

[Relationship between coronary and abdominal calcification score, serum osteoprotegerin (OPG), and serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) -5b in pre-dialysis CKD patients].

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) inhibits interaction of the receptor-activator of nuclear factor-kappaB (RANK) ligand (RANKL) with its receptor RANK, which is expressed on osteoclasts. OPG appeared to accelerate vascular calcification in vitro by the inhibition of vascular osteoclast-like cells. On the contrary, early-onset arterial calcification was observed in OPG-deficient mice.

Involvement of the serum response factor coactivator megakaryoblastic leukemia (MKL) in the activin-regulated dendritic complexity of rat cortical neurons.

Dynamic changes in neuronal morphology and transcriptional regulation play crucial roles in the neuronal network and function. Accumulating evidence suggests that the megakaryoblastic leukemia (MKL) family members, which function not only as actin-binding proteins but also as serum response factor (SRF) transcriptional coactivators, regulate neuronal morphology. However, the extracellular ligands and signaling pathways, which activate MKL-mediated morphological changes in neurons, remain unresolved.

[Association of mineral and bone disorder with increasing PWV in CKD 1-5 patients].

The association between pulse wave velocity(PWV) and chronic kidney disease mineral and bone disorder(CKD-MBD) was investigated in CKD 1-5 patients without dialysis. Pulse pressure(PP), PWV, serum Cr, non-HDL-cholesterol, Alb, Ca, Pi, calcitriol, intact-PTH and BAP were measured in sixty patients not receiving a phosphate binder or vitamin D. Using the relationship between age and baPWV in healthy subjects, we determined delta baPWV(measured baPWV-calculated baPWV) as an index for the effect of CKD-related factors.

Regulation of neurotrophin-3 gene transcription by Sp3 and Sp4 in neurons.

Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), a neurotrophin member, plays crucial roles in neuronal development, function and plasticity. Previous studies have demonstrated that NT-3 gene transcription is driven by alternative promoters A and B, located upstream of exons 1A (EIA) and 1B (EIB), respectively. However, the transcription factors and DNA elements that drive NT-3 gene transcription remain to be identified.

Developmental expression of the SRF co-activator MAL in brain: role in regulating dendritic morphology.

The dynamic changes in dendritic morphology displayed by developing and mature neurons have stimulated interest in deciphering the signaling pathways involved. Recent studies have identified megakaryocytic acute leukemia (MAL), a serum response factor (SRF) co-activator, as a key component of a signaling pathway linking changes in the actin cytoskeleton to SRF-mediated transcription. To help define the role of this pathway in regulating dendritic morphology, we have characterized the pattern of MAL expression in the developing and adult brain, and have examined its role in regulating dendritic morphology in cultured cortical neurons.

Nuclear translocation of the SRF co-activator MAL in cortical neurons: role of RhoA signalling.

Although it is well established that RhoA signaling pathways play key roles in regulating neuronal morphology, their involvement in other aspects of neuronal function has received little attention. Recent studies have elucidated a novel intracellular signaling pathway used by RhoA to elicit activation of serum response factor (SRF)-mediated transcription. In this pathway, activation of RhoA triggers nuclear translocation of the SRF co-activator, megakaryocytic acute leukemia (MAL).

[A case with secondary hyperparathyroidism suggesting the direct suppressive effect of maxacalcitol on osteoblasts].

The direct effect of vitamin D on osteoblasts in secondary hyperparathyroidism(2 degrees HPT) is not necessarily obvious. We found an unusual hemodialyzed patient without any response to oral calcitriol pulse therapy(4 micrograms x 2/week), and who was administered maxacalcitol at a dose of up to 15 micrograms x 3/week for 28 months. Plasma intact parathyroid hormone(PTH) was not suppressed from the initial level of 1,773 pg/ml to 2,100 pg/ml.

Down-regulation of CD43 molecule expression on intraperitoneal neutrophils in CAPD patients with peritonitis.

To assess the release of proteases from neutrophils infiltrated into the peritoneal cavity in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), we investigated the regulation of CD43, LAM-1 and Mac-1 expression on the neutrophil plasma membrane using FACS analysis in CAPD patients with peritonitis. Five CAPD patients with peritonitis and five CAPD patients without peritonitis were studied. CD43 expression was immunohistochemically determined in both groups of patients using flow cytometry, and comparisons were made between the two groups.