The protective effect of hepatocyte growth factor against cell death in the hippocampus after transient forebrain ischemia is related to the improvement of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease/redox factor-1 level and inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity.

Early oxidative DNA damage is regarded to be an initiator of neuronal apoptotic cell death after cerebral ischemia. Although evidence suggests that HGF has the ability to protect cells from oxidative stress, it remains unclear as to how HGF suppresses oxidative DNA damage after cerebral ischemia. Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease/redox factor-1 (APE/Ref-1) is a multifunctional protein in the DNA base repair pathway that is responsible for repairing apurinic/apyrimidinic sites in DNA after oxidation.

Hepatocyte growth factor attenuates cerebral ischemia-induced increase in permeability of the blood-brain barrier and decreases in expression of tight junctional proteins in cerebral vessels.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) exerts its physiological activities as that of an organotropic factor for regeneration and can prevent ischemia-induced injuries; however, its effect and mechanism of action under in vivo pathophysiological conditions remains to be determined. Recently, we demonstrated that treatment with human recombinant HGF (hrHGF) attenuated the disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) observed after microsphere embolism-induced sustained cerebral ischemia. To see if tight junctional proteins were involved in this attenuation, in the present study, we investigated the effects of HGF on the levels of occludin and zonula occludens (ZO)-1 in cerebrovascular endothelial cells after microsphere embolism.

Electron transfer dynamics from organic adsorbate to a semiconductor surface: zinc phthalocyanine on TiO2(110).

The femtosecond time evolutions of excited states in zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPC) films and at the interface with TiO2(110) have been studied by using time-resolved two-photon photoelectron spectroscopy (TR-2PPE). The excited states are prepared in the first singlet excited state (S1) with excess vibrational energy. Two different films are examined: ultrathin (monolayer) and thick films of approximately 30 A in thickness.

In situ observation of CO oxidation on Ag110(2 x 1)-O by scanning tunneling microscopy: structural fluctuation and catalytic activity.

On the added-row reconstructed Ag(110)(nx1)-O surfaces where one-dimensional -Ag-O-Ag-O- chains arrange periodically, the clean-off reaction of O adatoms by CO was investigated using variable temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (VT-STM). Based on the in situ STM observations of the surface structure variation in the course of the reaction at various temperatures, we found that the reaction kinetics are significantly affected by the structural transition of AgO chains from a solid straight line configuration to dynamically fluctuating configurations. Below 230 K where the chains are straight, the reaction takes place only at the end of the chains, so that the reaction progresses in the zero-order kinetics with the reaction front propagating along the chain.

Inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase attenuates cellular proliferation and differentiation to mature neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus after transient forebrain ischemia in the adult rat.

Neurogenesis in the adult hippocampal dentate gyrus is promoted by transient forebrain ischemia. The mechanism responsible for this ischemia-induced neurogenesis, however, remains to be determined. It has been suggested that there may be a close relationship between neurogenesis and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, an angiogenic factor.

Attenuated spread of X-inactivation in an X;autosome translocation.

X inactivation in female mammals involves transcriptional silencing of an entire chromosome in response to a cis-acting noncoding RNA, the X inactive-specific transcript (Xist). Xist can also inactivate autosomal sequences, for example, in X;autosome translocations; but here, silencing appears to be relatively inefficient. This variation has been attributed to either attenuated spreading of Xist RNA at the onset of X inactivation or inefficient maintenance of autosomal silencing.

Effects of hepatocyte growth factor on phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and hippocampal cell death in rats with transient forebrain ischemia.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been implicated in protection against several types of cell injuries. We investigated the effects of human recombinant HGF (hrHGF) on the selective neuronal cell death in the hippocampal CA1 region after transient forebrain ischemia in rats and explored the nature of the intracellular signaling pathway for the protection against this neuronal injury. hrHGF was injected continuously into the hippocampal CA1 region directly using an osmotic pump from 10 min to 72 h after the start of reperfusion.

Prevention of apoptosis-inducing factor translocation is a possible mechanism for protective effects of hepatocyte growth factor against neuronal cell death in the hippocampus after transient forebrain ischemia.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is one of the prospective agents for therapy against a variety of neurologic and neurodegenerative disorders, although the precise mechanisms for the effect of HGF remain to be elucidated. We showed that treatment with HGF protected hippocampal cornu ammonis (CA) subregion 1 neurons from apoptotic cell death after transient forebrain ischemia. Accumulating evidence indicates that ischemia-induced neuronal damage occurs via caspase-independent pathways.

Photochemistry of cyclohexane on Cu(111).

The photochemistry of cyclohexane on Cu(111) and its excitation mechanism have been studied by temperature-programmed desorption, ultraviolet and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Cyclohexane weakly adsorbed on Cu(111) has been known to show a broadened and redshifted CH stretching band, i.e.

Synthesis and properties of a new kinetically stabilized digermyne: new insights for a germanium analogue of an alkyne.

The reduction of an overcrowded (E)-1,2-dibromodigermene, Bbt(Br)Ge=Ge(Br)Bbt (2) [Bbt = 2,6-bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]-4-[tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl], with KC8 afforded a stable digermyne, BbtGe[triple bond]GeBbt (1). The Ge[triple bond]Ge triple-bond characters of 1 were revealed by the X-ray crystallographic analysis and spectroscopic studies (UV/vis and Raman spectra) together with theoretical calculations. The Ge[triple bond]Ge bond lengths of the two nonidentical molecules of 1 observed in the unit cell were shorter than that of the previously reported digermyne, Ar'Ge[triple bond]GeAr' (Ar' = 2,6-Dip2C6H3, Dip = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl).

Cerebral ischemia enhances tyrosine phosphorylation of occludin in brain capillaries.

Cerebral ischemia induces disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and this disruption can initiate the development of brain injuries. Although the molecular structure of tight junctional complexes in the BBB has been identified, little is known about alterations of tight junctional proteins after cerebral ischemia. Therefore, we investigated alterations of tight junctional proteins, i.

Mode-selective excitation of coherent surface phonons on alkali-covered metal surfaces.

We demonstrate the mode-selective excitation of coherent phonons at Pt(111) surfaces covered with submonolayer caesium atoms. A burst of 150 fs laser pulses with the repetition rate of 2.0-2.

Inhibition of apoptosis-inducing factor translocation is involved in protective effects of hepatocyte growth factor against excitotoxic cell death in cultured hippocampal neurons.

Although hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor are expressed in various regions of the brain, their effects and mechanism of action under pathological conditions remain to be determined. Over-activation of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, an ionotropic glutamate receptor, has been implicated in a variety of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. We investigated the effects of HGF on the NMDA-induced cell death in cultured hippocampal neurons and sought to explore their mechanisms.

A microfabrication method of a biodegradable polymer chip for a controlled release system.

A simple microfabrication method for a controlled-release drug-delivery system has been designed using biodegradable polymeric microchips. Microholes were made in a poly(L-lactic acid) plate and dyes were cast in each well. After drying, the wells were sealed with polymers having different biodegradation rates using a mold that had hollows corresponding to the wells.

[A modified retroperitoneal approach to the kidney in patients with a highly deformed thorax: obtaining a wide operative field through subperiosteal resection of the 10th, 11th and 12th ribs].

We herein report a technique which facilitates a retroperitoneal approach to the kidney in cases of highly deformed thorax due to kyphoscoliosis. The operation consists of a lumbar oblique incision with removal of the 11th rib, combined with the additional removal of the 12th and 10th ribs. Resection of the upper two ribs was performed subperiosteally, leaving the periosteum of the deep side untouched.

[Clinical information and management in patients with adult congenital heart disease undergoing non-cardiac surgery].

Untreated or palliated congenital heart disease has the strong impact on the outcomes of surgery for non-cardiovascular disease that accrues with age. However, excellent guidelines have not been published yet that provide ideal information and expert opinion for patients and doctors in assessing adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). In the global risk assessment for such a condition, American College of Cardiology--American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines can be helpful although developed exclusively from populations with acquired heart disease.

Changes in the expression of Hes5 and Mash1 mRNA in the adult rat dentate gyrus after transient forebrain ischemia.

Accumulating evidence indicates that neurogenesis in the adult brain occurs in restricted brain regions, including the hippocampal dentate gyrus and is promoted by ischemia. The mechanism responsible for ischemia-induced neurogenesis in the adult brain, however, remains unclear. Notch pathway plays a pivotal role in the regulation of the timing for differentiation and determination of the fate of neural progenitor cells in the developing nervous system.

Synthesis and characterization of stable hypervalent carbon compounds (10-C-5) bearing a 2,6-bis(p-substituted phenyloxymethyl)benzene ligand.

X-ray analysis of bis(p-fluorophenyl)methyl cation bearing a 2,6-bis(p-tolyloxymethyl)benzene ligand showed a symmetrical structure (10-C-5) where the two C-O distances are identical, although the distance (2.690(4) A) is longer than those (2.43(1) and 2.

Syntheses and structures of hypervalent pentacoordinate carbon and boron compounds bearing an anthracene skeleton--elucidation of hypervalent interaction based on X-ray analysis and DFT calculation.

Pentacoordinate and tetracoordinate carbon and boron compounds (27, 38, 50-52, 56-61) bearing an anthracene skeleton with two oxygen or nitrogen atoms at the 1,8-positions were synthesized by the use of four newly synthesized tridentate ligand precursors. Several carbon and boron compounds were characterized by X-ray crystallographic analysis, showing that compounds 27, 56-59 bearing an oxygen-donating anthracene skeleton had a trigonal bipyramidal (TBP) pentacoordinate structure with relatively long apical distances (ca. 2.

Effects of nefiracetam on the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and synapsin I mRNA and protein in the hippocampus of microsphere-embolized rats.

Our recent study demonstrated that nefiracetam, N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-(2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl) acetamide, prevented impairment of the cyclic AMP (cAMP)/cAMP-responsive element binding (CREB) protein signaling pathway in sustained cerebral ischemia. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether nefiracetam has an effect on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and synapsin I mRNAs that are believed to be produced via CREB, and the alteration in their protein contents in the hippocampus after cerebral ischemia. Sustained cerebral ischemia was induced by injection of 700 microspheres into the right hemisphere of each rat.

Time course and sequence of pathological changes in the cerebellum of microsphere-embolized rats.

Ischemia is a major cause of damage to the central nervous system as a consequence of stroke or trauma. Here, we analyzed with high temporal resolution the time course of pathological changes in the neurons (granule and Purkinje cells) and glia (Bergmann and astroglia cells) in the cerebellar cortex and white matter. The period studied ranged from 30 min to 7 days after a microsphere-induced embolism used as a model of stroke and multi-infarct dementia.

Effect of water intake on pharmacokinetics of lansoprazole from fast disintegrating tablet in human subjects.

Lansoprazole fast disintegrating tablet (LFDT) has been developed as a multiple unit formulation to increase the QOL of patients, i.e., easy intake without water.

Evaluation of fast disintegrating lansoprazole tablet in human subjects.

Fast disintegrating lansoprazole tablet (LFDT) has been developed as a multiple unit formulation and evaluated using human subjects as compared to the conventional lansoprazole (LPZ) capsule containing enteric coated granules. Twelve healthy male volunteers, who were confirmed as extensive metabolizers (EMs) based on the plasma levels of LPZ sulphone metabolite, were enrolled into the study and genotype of CYP2C19 was confirmed. They kept 30 mg LFDT in their mouths for 2 min and the saliva was recovered without swallow.

Isolation of a Se-nitrososelenol: a new class of reactive nitrogen species relevant to protein Se-nitrosation.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a messenger molecule implicated in a number of physiological processes. Nitrosation of selenoproteins has been suggested as playing an important role in NO-mediated cellular functions such as the inactivation of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), but no chemical information about Se-nitrosated species has been available to date. Here a stable Se-nitrososelenol (RSeNO), a new class of NO derivative, was synthesized and fully characterized by X-ray crystallography and spectroscopic methods.