Synthesis of CMP-9''-modified-sialic acids as donor substrate analogues for mammalian and bacterial sialyltransferases.

Cytidine-5'-monophospho-sialic acid (CMP-Neu5Ac) derivatives bearing a phenyl group in which the tether length between the phenyl group and the 9-position of Neu5Ac varied were synthesized and evaluated as substrates for sialyltransferases. In the synthesis of the compounds, a coupling reaction between methyl 5-acetamido-4,7,8-tri-O-acetyl-9-azido-3,5,9-trideoxy-beta-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosonate and 2-cyanoethyl 2',3'-O,N4, triacetylcytidine-5'-yl N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite was carried out and the phosphite derivative thus obtained was oxidized and then deprotected to yield CMP-9''-azido-Neu5Ac. Modification of the 9-amino group prepared by reduction of the azido groups was performed by the use of several phenyl-substituted alkylcarboxylic acid derivatives.

Bone marrow stromal cells promoting corticospinal axon growth through the release of humoral factors in organotypic cocultures in neonatal rats.

Object: The transplantation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) is considered to be an alternative treatment to promote central nervous system regeneration, but the precise mechanisms of this regeneration after transplantation of BMSCs have not been clarified. In the present study, the authors assessed the effects of BMSC transplantation on corticospinal axon growth quantitatively, and they analyzed the mechanism of central nervous system regeneration in the injured and BMSC-treated spinal cord using the organotypic coculture system.

Methods: Bone marrow stromal cells derived from green fluorescent protein-expressing transgenic Sprague-Dawley rats were transplanted to the organotypic coculture system in which brain cortex and spinal cord specimens obtained in neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats were used.

BDNF, NT-3, and NGF released from transplanted neural progenitor cells promote corticospinal axon growth in organotypic cocultures.

Study Design: Experimental study of spinal cord injury using an organotypic slice culture.

Objective: To clarify the mechanism of corticospinal axon regeneration following transplantation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in the injured spinal cord.

Summary Of Background Data: Several mechanisms underlying central nervous system regeneration after transplantation of NPCs have been proposed; however, the precise mechanism has not been clarified.

Significant correlation between corticospinal tract conduction block and prolongation of central motor conduction time in compressive cervical myelopathy.

We examined the relationship between the CMCT and features of spinal cord evoked potentials (SCEPs) among 25 patients with compressive cervical myelopathy to elucidate the mechanism underlying the prolonged central motor conduction time (CMCT) in patients with compressive cervical myelopathy. CMCT values were calculated by measuring motor evoked potentials from the abductor digiti minimi muscles (ADMs) and abductor hallucis muscles (AHs) following transcranial magnetic stimulation and peripheral conduction times determined in the ulnar and tibial nerves. SCEPs following transcranial electrical stimulation were recorded intraoperatively from C2-3, C6-7 and T11-12.

A novel approach using functional peptides for efficient intestinal absorption of insulin.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether oligoarginine, a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP), can improve intestinal absorption of insulin in rats. Peptides composed of six (R(6)), eight (R(8)) and 10 (R(10)) residues of arginine were used as the CPP. No insulin absorption was observed following administration of insulin solution alone; however, insulin absorption increased dramatically after coadministration of the D-form of R(6) (D-R(6)) and the L-form of R(6) (L-R(6)) in a dose-dependent manner.

Postoperative segmental C5 palsy after cervical laminoplasty may occur without intraoperative nerve injury: a prospective study with transcranial electric motor-evoked potentials.

Study Design: Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring with transcranial electric motor-evoked potentials was performed on patients who underwent cervical laminoplasty at a university hospital in a prospective study.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of intraoperative spinal cord monitoring with transcranial electric motor-evoked potentials for prediction of the occurrence of segmental motor paralysis after cervical laminoplasty.

Summary Of Background Data: Segmental motor paralysis occasionally occurs among patients who undergo expansive laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy, and it has been attributed to nerve root lesions caused by either a traumatic surgical technique or a tethering effect after decompression.

Invasive carcinomas derived from intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas: a long-term follow-up assessment with CT imaging.

Objective: To describe computed tomography (CT) findings of invasive carcinoma derived from intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas during long-term follow-up.

Methods: Follow-up CT findings of 5 patients with IPMNs progressing to invasive carcinomas were respectively reviewed for 12 to 63 months. All patients underwent thin-section 3-phase helical and/or multislice CT.

Surgical outcome of posterior decompression for cervical spondylosis with unilateral upper extremity amyotrophy.

Study Design: Case studies of patients with cervical spondylosis with unilateral upper extremity amyotrophy.

Objective: To clarify the surgical outcome of posterior decompression for this amyotrophy.

Summary Of Background Data: Cervical spondylosis sometimes causes a characteristic severe muscular atrophy without sensory disturbance or lower-extremity dysfunction, which is the so-called "cervical spondylotic amyotrophy.

Magnetic targeting of bone marrow stromal cells into spinal cord: through cerebrospinal fluid.

We established a new magnetic targeting system in which bone marrow stromal cells migrate through the cerebrospinal fluid to the desired site in the spinal cord in rats. Subarachnoid injection has been reported as a minimally invasive method of transplantation of bone marrow stromal cells for spinal cord injury. It may be, however, less effective than direct injection into the spinal cord in terms of cell delivery.

Decreased total and high molecular weight adiponectin are independent risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes in Japanese-Americans.

Context: Adiponectin is a hormone secreted by adipocytes that acts as an antidiabetic adipokine. Adiponectin exists as multimers in plasma, and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin is particularly thought to be the active form of the protein.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess whether decreased total and HMW adiponectin are independent risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes.

Overexpression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in adipose tissues causes macrophage recruitment and insulin resistance.

Adipose tissue expression and circulating concentrations of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) correlate positively with adiposity. To ascertain the roles of MCP-1 overexpression in adipose, we generated transgenic mice by utilizing the adipocyte P2 (aP2) promoter (aP2-MCP-1 mice). These mice had higher plasma MCP-1 concentrations and increased macrophage accumulation in adipose tissues, as confirmed by immunochemical, flow cytometric, and gene expression analyses.

Corticospinal tract conduction block results in the prolongation of central motor conduction time in compressive cervical myelopathy.

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze corticospinal function in patients with compressive cervical myelopathy and to elucidate the mechanism underlying its prolonged central motor conduction time (CMCT).

Methods: Motor evoked potentials following transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and peripheral conduction time in the ulnar and tibial nerves following electrical stimulation were measured from the abductor digiti minimi (ADM) and abductor hallucis (AH) muscles in 24 patients with compressive cervical myelopathy and used to calculate CMCT. Spinal cord evoked potentials (SCEPs) following transcranial electric stimulation were recorded intraoperatively from the C2-3 to C6-7 intervertebral levels.

Characterization of labeled neural progenitor cells for magnetic targeting.

For many diseases and injuries of the central nervous system, transplantation of neural progenitor cells is being evaluated as a possible treatment option. Although local, intravenous and subarachnoid injections have been reported as administration methods of neural progenitor cells, each of these methods has limitations. More effective and minimally invasive cell delivery systems are necessary for transplanting neural progenitor cells.

The bioconcentration factor of perfluorooctane sulfonate is significantly larger than that of perfluorooctanoate in wild turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans and Chinemys reevesii): an Ai river ecological study in Japan.

Turtles rank high in the river food chain, and are suitable for predicting the bioconcentrations of chemicals through the food chain. Trachemys scripta elegans (N=46) and Chinemys reevesii (N=51) were captured in a river in Japan, from September to October 2003 and April to June 2004. Surface water samples were collected simultaneously from the same sites at which the turtles were caught.

Effects of a westernized lifestyle on the association between fasting serum nonesterified fatty acids and insulin secretion in Japanese men.

The effects of the prolonged elevation of nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels on insulin secretion have been controversial and thought to be sex-specific. To investigate the association between a westernized lifestyle and the effects of NEFA on insulin secretion in Japanese men, we examined 67 nondiabetic Japanese-American men and 220 nondiabetic native Japanese men who underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Most Japanese Americans we surveyed are genetically identical to Japanese living in Japan, but their lifestyle is more westernized.

A protective effect of adiponectin against oxidative stress in Japanese Americans: the association between adiponectin or leptin and urinary isoprostane.

Adiponectin, which is produced by adipose tissue, is thought to play an important role in inflammation. On the other hand, adiposity, or the hypertrophy of adipose tissue, has been reported to increase oxidative stress. Accordingly, the possibility exists that adiponectin, as well as leptin, influences oxidative stress, resulting in a proinflammatory state.

Erectile dysfunction is strongly linked with decreased libido in diabetic men.

Erectile dysfunction frequently occurs with diabetes mellitus. A survey of diabetic men was conducted by anonymous questionnaire to investigate the associations of erectile dysfunction with various predictive factors. A total of 112 diabetic males without an obvious history of erectile dysfunction were available for analyses.

Effectiveness of Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination for diabetic peripheral neuropathy screening.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination (SWME) for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) screening at an outpatient clinic.

Methods: Eighty-two type 2 diabetic outpatients were questioned about 13 subjective symptoms and tested for deep reflexes. They were examined using two types of quantitative sensory testing: SWME (using 4.

Neural progenitor cells promote corticospinal axon growth in organotypic co-cultures.

The CNS is limited in regeneration following injury in adult mammals. Recent studies show that the transplantation of the neuronal progenitor cells is useful in promoting regeneration. However, the mechanisms of action of the transplanted neural progenitor cells have not been clarified.

Expression of DGAT2 in white adipose tissue is regulated by central leptin action.

Acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) enzymes catalyze the final step in mammalian triglyceride synthesis, and their functions are considered to be involved in the mechanisms of obesity, insulin resistance, and leptin resistance. Insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2)-deficient mice exhibit obesity-associated with hypertrophic adipocytes and leptin resistance. Screening for transcripts of genes involved in fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis to investigate the mechanism of the hypertrophic change in the adipocytes showed that expression of DGAT2 mRNA was up-regulated in the white adipose tissue (WAT) of Irs2-/- mice, whereas that of DGAT1 was down-regulated.

Reverse hydroxamate-based selective TACE inhibitors.

Reverse hydroxamate-based selective TACE inhibitors are described. They have potent TACE inhibitory activities and excellent selectivities against MMP-1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 13, 14, and 17. One representative compound, 18 has demonstrated an excellent oral inhibitory activity of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated TNF-alpha production in rats.

The effect of polymorphism in the intestinal fatty acid-binding protein 2 gene on fat metabolism is associated with gender and obesity amongst non-diabetic Japanese-Americans.

Aim: The role of the codon 54 polymorphism of the fatty acid-binding protein 2 (FABP2) gene on fat metabolism has been controversial. Assuming that the effects of the polymorphism were modulated by gender and obesity which were related to lipid and glucose metabolism, we investigated this polymorphism and its effect on fat metabolism according to such factors.

Methods: Subjects were Japanese-Americans (123 men and 126 women) who were diagnosed as non-diabetic by a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test at the baseline.

The species-specific egg receptor for sea urchin sperm adhesion is EBR1,a novel ADAMTS protein.

Species-specific adhesion of sperm to the egg during sea urchin fertilization involves the interaction of the sperm adhesive protein,bindin, and a complementary receptor on the egg surface,and serves to restrict the gene pool to individuals of the same species. We used PCR representation difference analysis to clone the species-specific egg receptor for bindin, EBR1, from Strongylocentrotus franciscanus (Sf) and S. purpuratus (Sp).