Publications by authors named "Kosuke Saita"

The ocular cytokine network plays pivotal roles in terms of the initiation and progression of retinal degeneration. Several types of immunocompetent cells such as microglia participate in inflammation, and a temporal transition in the molecular events of inflammation has been hypothesized. We previously found that the Csf2 gene was induced in the early phase of retinal degeneration.

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Background: In our published randomized controlled trial, we revealed that patients with acute ASIA Grade C incomplete cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) who underwent early surgery (within 24 h post-injury) had accelerated motor recovery at six months than those with delayed surgery (>2 weeks post-injury); however, neuropathic pain (NeP) worsened regardless of surgery timing. Here, we conducted analyses to intensively assess NeP development and maintenance.

Methods: Of 44 patients (median 64.

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Sodium iodate (NaIO3) induces retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) dysfunction, which leads to photoreceptor degeneration. Previously, we used electron microscopy to show that the administration of NaIO3 resulted in the accumulation of cell debris in the subretinal space, which was thought to be caused by failed phagocytosis in the outer segment of the photoreceptor due to RPE dysfunction. We further analyzed the pathological changes in the retina and choroid of NaIO3-injected mice, and found that the expression of OTX2, an RPE marker, disappeared from central part of the RPE 1 day after NaIO3 administration.

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Background: Pain and numbness in cancer survivors frequently have negative impacts on quality of life (QoL). This meta-analysis aimed to identify the current treatment options for pain and numbness in cancer survivors and to evaluate their effects.

Methods: Cancer survivors were defined as patients diagnosed with cancer who had completed active cancer treatment, whose conditions were stable, and who had no evidence of recurrent or progressive disease.

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Article Synopsis
  • Genetic factors influence how individuals experience pain, prompting researchers to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) focused on patients with cancer pain and the general population.
  • The study combined two cohorts: an exploratory group assessed using pain intensity ratings and opioid dosages, and a confirmatory group that evaluated habitual use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • A novel single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associated with pain was identified on chromosome 7, linked to the gene for pleiotrophin, which showed significant correlations with analgesic use, although its minor allele affected pain in the opposite way than expected.
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Colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) is a potent cytokine that stimulates myeloid cells, such as dendritic cells and macrophages. We have been analyzing the roles of microglia in retinal degeneration through the modulation of inflammation in the eye, and examined the roles of CSF2 in this process. Both subunits of the CSF2 receptor are expressed in microglia, but no evidence suggesting the involvement of CSF2 in inflammation in the degenerating eye has been reported.

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Background: Neuropathic components and catastrophic thoughts contribute to the quality of life impairments in patients with chronic pain. This retrospective cross-sectional observational study examined the extent to which neuropathic components affect pain intensity and catastrophic thoughts using a mathematical model.

Methods: Participants with chronic pain with spinal or joint disorders were rated for pain intensity using a numerical rating scale (NRS), painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ), and pain catastrophizing scale (PCS).

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Introduction: Opioid analgesics are the mainstay of cancer pain management. The annual opioid consumption globally indicates adequate opioid availability and the quality of palliative care. We investigated the current situation regarding the adequacy of opioid availability in individual prefectures in Japan and explored the determinants of adequacy.

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The purinergic P2Y12 receptor regulates microglial activation, resulting in persistence and aggravation of pain in neuropathic and nociceptive pain models. We conducted a retrospective chart review to explore the analgesic potency of the P2Y12 receptor-specific antagonist, clopidogrel, for clinical management of postoperative pain in patients who underwent abdominal surgery. Twenty-seven patients with cardiovascular comorbidities, who underwent laparoscopic abdominal surgery and had ceased aspirin (ASP, = 17) or clopidogrel (CLP, = 10) for 14 days pre-operatively, were enrolled retrospectively.

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Background: the current consensus is that primary spontaneous pneumothorax frequently occurs in young male patients who are tall and thin. However, upon careful observation, many chest wall deformities have been recognized in primary spontaneous pneumothorax patients. We investigated the distinctive features of the chest wall configuration of primary spontaneous pneumothorax patients by comparing them with controls (normal and Marfan syndrome patients).

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