Disparity in pre-emptive end-of-life conversation experience caused by subjective economic status among general Japanese elderly people: a cross-sectional study with stratified random sampling.

Objectives: Pre-emptive conversations (PCs) about end-of-life (EOL) preferences are beneficial for both elderly people and their families to understand and share the preferences. However, the factors which promote/inhibit PCs have yet to be clarified. We therefore aimed to determine the factors related to having PCs with hypothesis that age, subjective economic status and subjective health status are associated with having PC experience.

[A CASE OF SMALL CELL CARCINOMA IN A DIVERTICULUM OF THE BLADDER].

An 80-year-old man was referred to our hospital with a complaint of acute urinary retention due to hematuria. Cystoscopy revealed a broad-based tumor arising in a diverticulum on the right lateral wall of the bladder. Transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) was performed immediately.

Effect of vitamin E on learning and memory deficit in aged rats.

In order to verify whether vitamin E improves the cognitive impairment induced through aging, aged rats fed a vitamin E-supplemented diet had their learning and memory functions assessed in comparison with the aged rats fed a normal diet using a Morris water maze test. Although normal aged rats showed very poor learning ability concerning the place of a platform in the water maze apparatus, the aged rats fed the vitamin E-supplemented diet learned the place with a marked speed in only 5 trials. After old animals showed the maximum learning ability, they were kept in a normal atmosphere for 48 h without a trial followed by an assessment of their memory function using the same apparatus.

Elevation by oxidative stress and aging of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity in rats and its prevention by vitamin e.

The present study was conducted in order to determine whether oxidative stress during aging involves dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in association with the emergence of cognitive deficits. When young rats were subjected to oxidative stress in the form of hyperoxia, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, conjugated diene and lipid hydroperoxides increased markedly in the HPA axis. Vitamin E inhibited such increases in lipid peroxides in each organ.

Kinetic study of the aroxyl radical-scavenging reaction of alpha-tocopherol in methanol solution: notable effect of the alkali and alkaline earth metal salts on the reaction rates.

A kinetic study of the aroxyl (ArO*) radical-scavenging reaction of alpha-tocopherol (alpha-TocH) has been performed in the presence of six kinds of alkali and alkaline earth metal salts (LiI, LiClO(4), NaI, NaClO(4), KI, and Mg(ClO(4))(2)) in methanol solution, using stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The decay rate of the ArO* for the reaction of alpha-TocH with ArO* increased linearly with increasing concentration of metal salts. The second-order rate constants (k(s)) for the reaction of alpha-TocH with ArO* increased in the order of no metal salt < KI approximately NaClO(4) approximately NaI View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Comparison of the inhibitory effects of vitamin E analogues on melanogenesis in mouse B16 melanoma cells.

The effect of eight vitamin E analogues (d-alpha-, dl-alpha-, d-beta-, d-gamma-, and d-delta-tocopherols, d-alpha- and dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetates) and 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethyl-6-hydroxychroman (PMC) on melanogenesis were compared in mouse B16 melanoma cells. D-beta-tocopherol at 250 mug ml(-1) inhibited not only 28% of melanin synthesis in B16 cells, but also 34% of the tyrosinase activity, a very important cascade enzyme involved in the synthesis of melanin in melanoma cells. D-gamma-tocopherol also strongly inhibited up to 39% of melanin synthesis and 45% of the tyrosinase enzyme activity at the same concentration.

Comparison between the free-radical-scavenging activities with vitamin E and ubiquinol in biological systems based on their reaction rates: a research account.

Detailed kinetic studies have been performed for the reaction of aroxyl (ArO.) radical with vitamin E (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-tocopherol, TocH), ubiquinol-10, and related antioxidants in micellar solution, using a stopped-flow spectrophotometer. The second-order reaction rates (ks) obtained increased in the order of hydroquinone < tocol View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Effect of alpha-tocopherol on carbon tetrachloride intoxication in the rat liver.

Carbon tetrachloride (1 ml/kg body weight as a 1:1 mixture of CCl(4) and mineral oil) was orally administered to rats. After 12 h, the activity of plasma ALT (alanine aminotransferase) was significantly higher than that of the control group, and plasma ALT and AST (aspartate aminotransferase) activities significantly increased 24 h after CCl(4) administration. These results indicated that the necrotic process had initiated at about 12 h and developed thereafter.

Kinetic studies of the free radical-scavenging actions of tocopherol metabolites (alpha-, gamma-, and delta-carboxyethyl-6-hydroxychroman) and Trolox in ethanol and micellar solutions.

The reaction rates ( k s) of tocopherol metabolites (alpha-, gamma-, and delta-CEHC) and Trolox with aroxyl radical have been measured in ethanol and micellar solution by a stopped-flow spectrophotometer, and the k s values obtained were compared with those reported for tocopherols (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol, TocH) and tocol. The rate constants ( k s) increased in the order of Tocol < delta-CEHC < delta-TocH < gamma-CEHC < Trolox approximately gamma-TocH approximately beta-TocH < alpha-CEHC < alpha-TocH in ethanol. The antioxidants that have lower oxidation potentials ( E p) showed higher reactivities.

Oxidized proteins in astrocytes generated in a hyperbaric atmosphere induce neuronal apoptosis.

In the present study, we investigated the influence of the oxidative damage to astrocytes on neuronal cell survival using cultures of rat cerebral astrocytes and neurons. The exposure of astrocytes to hyperbaric oxygen induced a time-dependent apoptotic cell death, as observed by DNA ladder assessment. When astrocytes damaged by oxidative stress were cocultured with normal neurons from the cerebrum of a newborn rat, neuronal cell death was markedly induced, although normal astrocytes not subjected to hyperoxia cocultured with normal neurons showed no neuronal cell apoptosis.

The anti-fibrotic effect of green tea with a high catechin content in the galactosamine-injured rat liver.

Previously, we reported that the oral administration of green tea rich in catechins restored levels of several biomarkers increasing in galactosamine-treated rats to nearly control values. These biomarkers included serum transaminase activities, serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin 1-beta, and the hepatic mRNA expression of these inflammatory cytokines. In the present study, we examined possible anti-fibrotic effects of green tea in galactosamine-induced hepatitis.

Structure-activity relationship of the free-radical-scavenging reaction by vitamin E (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-Tocopherols) and ubiquinol-10: pH dependence of the reaction rates.

The reaction rates (ks) of vitamin E (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-tocopherols, TocH), ubiquinol-10, and related antioxidants (tocol, ubiquinol-0, and hydroquinone) with aroxyl (ArO(.-)) radical have been measured in micellar solution by stopped-flow spectrophotometer. The ks values increased in the order of hydroquinone < tocol < delta-TocH < ubiquinol-0 < gamma-TocH approximately beta-TocH < ubiquinol-10 < alpha-TocH at pH 4 approximately 8.

Influence of oxidative stress on fusion of pre-synaptic plasma membranes of the rat brain with phosphatidyl choline liposomes, and protective effect of vitamin E.

Influence of oxidative stress on fusion of pre-synaptic plasma membranes with phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes as a model of synaptic vesicle was investigated. The inhibitory effect of vitamin E on the decline in the fusion caused by oxidative stress was also assessed. Rats subjected to hyperoxia as oxidative stress showed significant increases in the levels of lipid hydroperoxides and protein carbonyl moieties in pre-synaptic plasma membranes in the brain.

Changes in plasma alpha and gamma tocopherol levels before and after long-term local hyperthermia in cancer patients.

Local hyperthermia is one of the heat therapies for cancer patients. The effect of this therapy is recognized to affect the immune function. On the other hand, researchers have recently suggested that vitamin E has not only antioxidant but also other functions including the immune function.

Appearance of amyloid beta-like substances and delayed-type apoptosis in rat hippocampus CA1 region through aging and oxidative stress.

To elucidate whether oxidative stress induces cognitive deficit, and whether nerve cells in the hippocampus, which modulates learning and memory functions in the brain, are damaged by oxidative stress and during aging, the influence of hyperoxia as oxidative stress on either the cognitive function of rats or the oxidative damage of nerve cells was investigated. Young rats showed better learning ability than both old rats and vitamin E-deficient young rats. Vitamin E- supplemented young rats showed similar ability to young control rats.

Green tea with a high catechin content suppresses inflammatory cytokine expression in the galactosamine-injured rat liver.

Galactosamine is known to induce hepatic injury in rats and the galactosamine-induced hepatitis is believed to be similar to viral hepatitis both morphologically and functionally. In the present study, we examined how drinking green tea affects the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines which may be up-regulated in galactosamine-induced hepatitis. As has been reported, galactosamine caused hepatic injury in rats as evidenced by an increase in serum transaminase activities and histological observations of the liver.

Role of alpha-tocopherol in the regulation of mitochondrial permeability transition.

We previously showed that Ca2+-induced cyclosporin A-sensitive membrane permeability transition (MPT) of mitochondria occurred with concomitant generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and release of cytochrome c (Free Rad. Res.38, 29-35, 2004).

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 suppresses gene expression of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells.

The physiologically active metabolite of vitamin D(3), 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (DVD), is a potent inducer of cell differentiation in human myeloid leukemia cells. In the present study, we examined changes in gene expression during DVD-induced cell differentiation of promyelocytic HL-60 cells employing a DNA microarray technique. The results identified 7 up-regulated and 9 down-regulated genes with a change greater than 1.

Effects of green tea on gene expression of hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes in vivo.

It has recently been reported that the major green tea polyphenolic constituent, epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), mimics the cellular effects of insulin including the reductive effect on the gene expression of rate-limiting gluconeogenic enzymes in a cell culture system. We show that administration of green tea that contains EGCG caused a reduction in the level of mRNAs for gluconeogenic enzymes, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase in the mouse liver. EGCG alone was also found to down-regulate the gene expression of these enzymes but not so curcumin or quercetin.

Pretreatment hepatitis C virus dynamics for predicting virological response to interferon-alpha2b monotherapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

One hundred and forty-one patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treated with 6 MIU of interferon (IFN)-alpha2b for 24 weeks were studied to compare pretreatment viral dynamics during 1 month before the initiation of treatment (DeltaHCV) with other predictive factors. The patients were classified into three groups according to DeltaHCV: the Increase group (DeltaHCV >0.20log copies/ml/month), the Stable group (-0.

Results of orbital preservation for advanced malignant maxillary sinus tumors.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to examine the oncological and functional outcomes of multimodality therapy for patients with advanced malignant maxillary sinus tumors that invaded the orbit.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Methods: The medical records of 26 patients with orbital invasion were retrospectively analyzed.

Oxidative damage of rat cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and changes in antioxidative defense systems caused by hyperoxia.

In order to elucidate the oxidative damage in rat brain caused by oxidative stress, regional changes in the levels of lipid peroxidation products and antioxidative defense systems in cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and in their synapses, which modulate learning and memory functions in the brain, were studied. When rats were subjected to hyperoxia as an oxidative stress, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) in the regions studied increased more than in normal rats by approximately 35%. The values in oxygen-unexposed vitamin E-deficient rats were also higher than in normal rats.

Dietary alpha-tocopherol decreases alpha-tocotrienol but not gamma-tocotrienol concentration in rats.

We previously showed that alpha- and gamma-tocotrienols accumulate in adipose tissue and skin but not in plasma or other tissues of rats fed a tocotrienol-rich fraction extracted from palm oil containing alpha-tocopherol and alpha- and gamma-tocotrienols. To clarify the nature of tocotrienol metabolism, we studied the distribution of alpha- or gamma-tocotrienol in rats fed alpha- or gamma-tocotrienol without alpha-tocopherol, and the effect of alpha-tocopherol on their distribution. Wistar rats (4-wk-old) were fed a diet with 50 mg alpha-tocotrienol/kg alone or with 50 mg alpha-tocopherol/kg in expt.

Cognitive impairment of rats caused by oxidative stress and aging, and its prevention by vitamin E.

In order to verify whether brain damage caused by chronic oxidative stress induces the impairment of cognitive function, the ability of learning and memory was assessed using the water maze and the eight-arm radial maze tasks. Young rats showed significantly greater learning ability before the stress than the old and vitamin E-deficient rats. At five days after subjection to oxidative stress, the memory function of the young declined toward the level of that in the aged rats maintained under normal condition.