Publications by authors named "Sawako Arai"
Article Synopsis
- * Researchers analyzed RNA-seq data from 465 blood samples, uncovering 1169 expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) and 1549 splice QTLs (sQTLs) linked to COVID-19 severity, including immune-related expressions.
- * The study highlights the impact of disease severity on gene expression, identifying specific eQTLs that interact with COVID-19 phenotypes, and provides an extensive resource for understanding gene regulation in response to the virus.
Article Synopsis
- Researchers conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) with 2,393 COVID-19 patients and 3,289 controls in Japan, identifying a specific genetic variant (rs60200309-A) on chromosome 5 linked to severe cases in individuals under 65.
- The variant is more common in East Asians and associated with reduced expression of the DOCK2 gene, which was found to be lower in severe COVID-19 cases, particularly in non-classical monocytes.
- Additionally, inhibiting DOCK2 in hamsters worsened pneumonia symptoms, indicating its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target for severe COVID-19.
Background: Botulinum toxin (BT) injection is a new treatment for spasticity with hemiplegia after stroke. How a patient decides to receive BT injections after becoming aware of the treatment remains unclear. In this exploratory qualitative study, we aimed to investigate patients' decision-making about treatment strategies in collaboration with family and health professionals and to identify conflicts in patients' feelings about BT treatment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: We have previously found that a disruption to prepulse inhibiton (PPI) induced by methamphetamine (METH) is associated with impaired functioning of pallidotegmental neurons, which play a crucial role in PPI of the startle reflex, through the activation of gamma-aminobutyric acid type B receptors in pedunculopontine tegmental neurons in mice.
Objectives: Here, we examined the effect of nicotine on METH-induced impairment of PPI of the startle reflex focusing on dysfunctional pallidotegmental neurons and the neural system.
Results: Nicotine (0.
In this study, we investigated the effects of GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptor agonists on the methamphetamine-induced impairment of recognition memory in mice. Repeated treatment with methamphetamine at a dose of 1 mg/kg for 7 days induced an impairment of recognition memory. Baclofen, a GABA(B) receptor agonist, ameliorated the repeated methamphetamine-induced cognitive impairment, although gaboxadol, a GABA(A) receptor agonist, had no significant effect.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe have previously demonstrated that pallidotegmental GABAergic neurons play a crucial role in prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle reflex in mice through the activation of GABA(B) receptors in pedunculopontine tegmental neurons. In this study, we investigated whether PPI disruption induced by methamphetamine (METH) or MK-801 is associated with the dysfunction of pallidotegmental neurons. Furthermore, we examined the effects of baclofen, a GABA(B) receptor agonist, on METH- and MK-801-induced PPI impairment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle response is a measure of the inhibitory function and time-linked information processing by which a weak sensory stimulus (the prepulse) inhibits the startle response caused by a sudden intense stimulus. We attempted to clarify the neuronal circuits underlying the control of PPI of the startle reflex in mice.
Methods: c-Fos immunohistochemistry was used to detect neurons activated by startle pulse and/or prepulse trials.