Possible Case of Elderly-onset Intestinal Behçet's Disease with Trisomy 8 Following COVID-19 Vaccination Exacerbated by COVID-19 Infection.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines are effective in reducing the prevalence of this disease. However, some patients develop autoimmune diseases after vaccination. We herein report a case of elderly onset intestinal Behçet's disease (BD) with trisomy 8 following COVID-19 vaccination in which the disease was exacerbated by COVID-19 infection.

Differences in pharmacological property between combined therapy of the vasopressin V2-receptor antagonist tolvaptan plus furosemide and monotherapy of furosemide in patients with hospitalized heart failure.

Background: Tolvaptan has been shown to improve congestion in heart failure patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacology and clinical efficacy of combined tolvaptan and furosemide therapy.

Methods: This study included 40 patients with systemic volume overload who were hospitalized for heart failure.

Clinical significance of arterial stiffness as a factor for hospitalization of heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction: a retrospective matched case-control study.

Background: Previous studies have been conducted to identify characteristics of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), but the risk factors of HFpEF remain unclear. We investigated the associations between arterial stiffness and the risk of hospitalization for HFpEF patients.

Methods: For the case group, we enrolled patients with preserved EF who had been hospitalized for HF from April 2013 to March 2015 and examined the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI).

Efficacy of HLA virtual cross-matched platelet transfusions for platelet transfusion refractoriness in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background: Cross-matched platelet (cross-matched PLT) transfusion is effective for immune-mediated platelet transfusion refractoriness (PTR), but is more costly and time-consuming for physical cross-match than using standard PLT units. Recent studies have reported the utility of human leucocyte antigens (HLA) virtual cross-matched PLT (HLA-matched PLT) that is defined as HLA-A/B matched or no antibody against donor-specific antigen. Here, we evaluated the effect of HLA-matched PLTs for PTR in post hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients.

[Role of intracellular Ca2+ dynamics in the development of drug dependence--Participation of Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors].

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) are classified to a multigene family of channel proteins that mediate Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum, and are one of regulators to modify intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Little is known about functional relationship between rewarding effects due to drugs of abuse and IP3Rs. This report reviews the roles and regulatory mechanisms of intracellular Ca2+ channels, especially type 1 IP3Rs (IP3Rs-1), in brain of animals with rewarding effects produced by drugs of abuse.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors regulate type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor expression via calmodulin kinase IV activation.

Type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3 R-1) are among the important calcium channels regulating intracellular Ca(2+) concentration in the central nervous system. In a previous study, we showed that drugs of abuse, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and ethanol, induced IP3 R-1 upregulation via the calcium signal transduction pathway in psychological dependence. Although nicotine, a major component in tobacco smoke, participates in psychological and/or physical dependence, it has not yet been clarified how nicotine alters IP3 R-1 expression.

Increase of type 2 ryanodine receptors in mouse nucleus accumbens in the development and expression of morphine-induced place preference.

The present study investigated the effect of ryanodine receptors (RyRs) in the development and expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP). Type 2 RyRs (RyRs-2) in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) significantly increased in morphine-conditioned mice, whereas type 1, 2, and 3 RyRs in the frontal cortex and ventral tegmental area showed no changes. Intracerebroventricular pretreatment with dantrolene, a RyRs antagonist, during the conditioning phase of CPP, dose-dependently inhibited morphine-induced CPP.

[Role of alteration in intracellular Ca2+ dynamics in the development of drug dependence].

Ca2+ influx into neuron through L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VDCCs) plays an important role in psychostimulant-induced behaviroal and neuronal plasticity. On the other hand, Ca2+ release from ryanodine receptors in the endoplasmic reticulum is one mechanism altering the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Little is known about functional relationship between psychological dependence due to drugs of abuse and L-type VDCCs or ryanodine receptors.

Sensitization of ethanol-induced place preference as a result of up-regulation of type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors in mouse nucleus accumbens.

This study involved mice that received 4 days of ethanol (EtOH) vapor inhalation and then were assessed for type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3 Rs-1) expression and the development of EtOH-induced place preference at various time points in withdrawal. IP3 R-1 protein was found to be significantly increased in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) of mice immediately after 4-day EtOH vapor inhalation, while it significantly reduced to the control level during the next 3 days of withdrawal from EtOH inhalation. EtOH (2 g/kg, i.

[Mechanisms of ethanol-induced type I IP3 receptor expression].

Ethanol has a variety of action on neuronal functions, though its mechanism of action remains uncertain. Previous investigations have demonstrated functional alteration of neurotransmitter receptors and ion channels by ethanol at its concentration observed in the blood of alcoholics. Our recent studies have shown that chronic ethanol treatment up-regulates high voltage-gated L-type calcium channels and ryanodine receptors, both of which regulate intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and that the up-regulation of these calcium channels participates in behavioral changes including the rewarding effect.

Regulatory mechanisms and pathophysiological significance of IP3 receptors and ryanodine receptors in drug dependence.

Calcium is a ubiquitous intracellular signaling molecule required for initiating and regulating neuronal functions. Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores in the endoplasmic reticulum into intracellular spaces via intracellular Ca(2+)-releasing channels, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) and ryanodine receptors (RyRs), is one mechanism altering the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. Functional abnormalities in endoplasmic calcium channels can disturb cellular calcium homeostasis and, in turn, produce pathological conditions.

Effects of bFGF on the Modulation of Apoptosis in Gingival Fibroblasts with Different Host Ages.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) treatment on the proliferation and apoptosis of cultured gingival fibroblasts (GFs). Human GFs were isolated from the palatal gingival tissues of 16 healthy volunteers ranging in the age from 9 to 35 years old. Cultured GFs were subjected to the analyses for cell proliferation by ELISA assay, gene expression by RT-PCR analysis, and apoptosis potency by caspase-3 assay.

Acamprosate suppresses ethanol-induced place preference in mice with ethanol physical dependence.

The present study investigated the effect of acamprosate on ethanol (EtOH)-induced place preference in mice with EtOH physical dependence. The expression of EtOH (2 g/kg, intraperitoneally)-induced place preference in mice without EtOH treatment before the experiment was dose-dependently suppressed by acamprosate. The levels of protein kinase A (PKA) and phospho-cAMP response element binding protein (p-CREB) in the limbic forebrain after EtOH-conditioning in naïve mice was unchanged.

Regulation of type 1 IP₃ receptor expression by dopamine D2-like receptors via AP-1 and NFATc4 activation.

Type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP₃Rs-1), together with ryanodine receptors, are major calcium channels to regulate intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration. Although our recent report demonstrates the essential involvement of IP₃R-1 up-regulation induced by dopamine D1-like and D2-like receptor (D1 and D2R) stimulation in psychological dependence, exact regulatory mechanisms of IP₃R-1 expression by D2Rs have not yet been clarified. Mouse cerebral cortical neurons were treated with inhibitor of Ca²⁺-related signal transduction pathways coupling to D2Rs and used to analyze the mechanisms of IP₃R-1 expression regulated by transcriptional factor.

Dopamine D1 receptor signaling system regulates ryanodine receptor expression in ethanol physical dependence.

Background: Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) amplifying activity-dependent calcium influx via calcium-induced calcium release play an important role in central nervous system functions including learning, memory, and drug abuse. In this study, we investigated the role and the regulatory mechanisms of RyR expression under continuous exposure of mice to ethanol (EtOH) vapor for 9 days.

Methods: The model of EtOH physical dependence was prepared as follows: 8-week-old male ddY mice were exposed to EtOH vapor for 9 days.

Activation of GABA(A) receptors suppresses ethanol-induced upregulation of type 1 IP(3) receptors.

Although Type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP(3) Rs-1) are one of the major calcium channels to regulate intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, there have been few available data how their expression is modified by long-term exposure to ethanol. The present study attempted to clarify mechanisms of modification of IP(3) R-1 expression during long-term ethanol exposure by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors using mouse cerebral cortical neurons. Long-term exposure to ethanol induced IP(3) R-1 protein upregulation following increased expression of its mRNA.

Possible involvement of type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors up-regulated by dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in mouse nucleus accumbens neurons in the development of methamphetamine-induced place preference.

Little is known about regulatory mechanisms of type 1 inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate receptor (IP(3)R-1) expression in conditioned place preference by methamphetamine (METH), though significant enhancement of IP(3)R-1 expression in the mouse frontal cortex and limbic forebrain by intermittent administration of cocaine is reported. The present study investigated the role and regulation of IP(3)R-1 in mice with METH-induced place preference. Injection of IP(3)R antagonists with different chemical structures, 2-aminophenoxyethane-borate and xestospongin C, into the mouse nucleus accumbens (NAcc) dose-dependently inhibited METH-induced place preference.

Dopamine D1 receptors regulate type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor expression via both AP-1- and NFATc4-mediated transcriptional processes.

Although our recent report demonstrates the essential involvement of up-regulation of a regulator of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP(3) Rs-1), mediated via dopamine D1-like receptor (D1DR) stimulation in the cocaine-induced psychological dependence, the exact mechanisms of regulation of IP(3) R-1 expression by D1DRs have not yet been clarified. This study attempted to clarify these mechanisms using mouse cerebral cortical neurons. An agonist for phosphatidylinositide-linked D1DRs, SKF83959, induced dose- and time-dependently IP(3) R-1 protein up-regulation following its mRNA increase without cAMP production.

Increase of ryanodine receptors by dopamine D1 receptors is negatively regulated by γ-aminobutyric acid type B receptors in primary cultures of mouse cerebral cortical neurons.

Although upregulation of ryanodine receptor (RyR)-1 and -2 is mediated through the activation of dopamine D1 receptors (D1DRs) in the development of psychostimulant-induced place preference, little is known about how such increased expressions of RyRs are negatively regulated. This study investigated negative regulatory mechanisms of increase of RyR-1 and -2 expression by D1DR stimulation with its full agonist, SKF82958 or A 68930, using cultures of mouse cerebral cortical neurons. Sustained exposure to SKF82958 or A 68930 of the neurons increased RyR-1 and -2 proteins in a dose- and time-dependent-manner.

Actin dynamics in development of behavioral sensitization after withdrawal from long-term ethanol administration to mice.

Background And Methods: The present study investigated the role of actin depolymerizing factor (ADF) in the brain of mice after withdrawal from continuous ethanol (EtOH) vapor inhalation for 9 days using C57BL/6J and ADF mutant mice.

Results: C57BL/6J mice with withdrawal signs 10 hours after withdrawal from EtOH vapor inhalation showed transient and significant enhancement of locomotor activity by a single injection of EtOH (2 g/kg, i.p.

Effect of aripiprazole on anxiety associated with ethanol physical dependence and on ethanol-induced place preference.

In the present study, we investigated the effect of aripiprazole, a dopamine system stabilizer, on ethanol-induced psychological and physiological dependence and anxiety-like behavior. First we determined the effect of aripiprazole, a dopamine system stabilizer, on the development and expression of ethanol-induced place preference. Both the development and expression of ethanol-induced place preference was significantly suppressed by treatment of aripiprazole.

Dopamine release via the vacuolar ATPase V0 sector c-subunit, confirmed in N18 neuroblastoma cells, results in behavioral recovery in hemiparkinsonian mice.

A 16-kDa proteolipid, mediatophore, in Torpedo electric organs mediates Ca(2+)-dependent acetylcholine release. Mediatophore is identical to the pore-forming stalk c-subunit of the V0 sector of vacuolar proton ATPase (ATP6V0C). The function of ATP6V0C in the mammalian central nervous system is not clear.

[Mechanism of withdrawal syndrome in alcohol dependence].

Pathophysiological process of ethanol physical dependence and its withdrawal syndrome is supposed to result from adaptive changes in a number of neurotransmission systems, and several reports have demonstrated functional relationship between behavioral responses and neurotransmission systems in ethanol-dependent and -withdrawn animals. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying behavioral responses observed in these animals are still controversial at present. Alterations of beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) function in the brains of mice physically dependent on ethanol were examined because of few available data on functional changes of beta-ARs and its significance in ethanol withdrawal signs.

Regulation of type 1 inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor by dopamine receptors in cocaine-induced place conditioning.

Recent study shows that type 1 inositol-1,4,5-triphosohate receptors (IP(3) Rs) may be involved in amphetamine-induced conditioned preference, but little is known about its role in psychological dependence on cocaine. This study investigated the role and regulation of IP(3) R-1 in mice with cocaine-induced place preference. The cocaine-induced place preference was dose-dependently inhibited by intracerebroventricular pretreatment with IP(3) R antagonists, 2-aminophenoxyethane-borate (2-APB), and xestospongin C.