Molecular cloning and functional expression of hemolysin from the sea anemone Actineria villosa.

The full-length cDNA that encodes the hemolytic toxin Avt-I, with 226 amino acids, from the venomous sea anemone Actineria villosa has been cloned using the oligo-capping method. The cDNA contains 681bp open reading frame and its predicted amino acid sequences revealed that Avt-I was basic polypeptides without cysteine residues and Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif sequence. The mature Avt-I has a predicted molecular weight of 19.

Retroperitoneoscopic live donor nephrectomy (RPLDN): establishment and initial experience of RPLDN at a single center.

We tried to establish the technique of retroperitoneoscopic live donor nephrectomy (RPLDN). Between July 2001 and March 2004, 135 renal transplant donors underwent RPLDN. Low (average: 7 mmHg) CO2 gas pressure was employed during the procedure.

Effect of inflammation on costimulation blockade-resistant allograft rejection.

Previously, we reported that allogeneic skin grafts were rapidly rejected by CD28 and CD40 ligand double deficient mice mediated by CD8+ T cells. These results indicated that some elements in addition to CD28- and CD40-mediated costimulation provide stimulatory signals for the activation of donor-specific CD8+ T cells. In this report, we investigated the role of inflammation associated with transplantation on costimulation-independent priming of CD8+ T cell during graft rejection.

ICOS-mediated costimulation on Th2 differentiation is achieved by the enhancement of IL-4 receptor-mediated signaling.

ICOS is the third member of the CD28 family molecules and plays a critical role in many T cell-dependent immune responses. Although accumulated data suggest that ICOS costimulatory signals play an important role in Th2-mediated immune responses, the molecular basis for this selective differentiation mechanism is largely unknown. To clarify this mechanism, we used DO11.

Evaluation of flow cytometric panel reactive antibody in renal transplant recipients - examination of 238 cases of renal transplantation.

In Japan, the complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC-crossmatch) test and the anti-donor antibody flow cytometric assay (FCXM) are used to evaluate presensitization among transplantation candidates. We introduced the flow cytometric panel reactive antibody method (FlowPRA) at our institution, and in this paper, we compared the results of FCXM and FlowPRA. Sera of a total of 238 patients receiving the first graft were analyzed by FlowPRA retrospectively.

A distinct role for ICOS-mediated co-stimulatory signaling in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets.

While the ligand of inducible co-stimulator (ICOS), B7 homologous protein, is widely expressed in somatic cells, B7-1 and B7-2 expression is mainly limited to lymphoid organs. Thus, the activation of T cells through ICOS without a CD28-mediated signal may occur in physiological situations. In order to gain a better understanding of the role of the ICOS co-stimulatory signal in immune responses, we studied the cellular response of T cells to beads coated with anti-ICOS or anti-CD28, plus sub-optimal anti-CD3 mAb.

Cobalt oxide/tetraruthenated cobalt-porphyrin composite for hydrogen peroxide amperometric sensors.

A new composite material constituted by mu-{5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrinato cobalt(iii)}-tetrakis-{chloro-bis-(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(ii)} complex (or CoTRP) and cobalt oxide, exhibiting high stability and sensitivity for the quantification of hydrogen peroxide, was obtained by the electrochemical polymerization of the tetraruthenated cobalt porphyrin in alkaline medium. The optimized experimental conditions for the preparation of the modified glassy carbon electrodes and for analysis of H2O2 were carefully determined. Fast sequential analysis (120 determinations h(-1)) in a wide linear dynamic range (5.

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and semi-empirical calculations for a low spin carbonyl, pyridine(alpha-iminooxime)iron(II) macrocyclic complex.

Synthetic route and detailed characterization of the macrocyclic complex [Fe(II)(dohpn)(py)(CO)](ClO4) (dohpn = 2,3,9,10-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazaundecane-1,3,8,10-tetraen-11-ol-1-olate and py = pyridine) based on analytical, spectrometric and spectroscopic methods are herein reported. The corresponding vibrational and electronic features are discussed and a consistent assignment is proposed on the basis of semi-empirical theoretical calculations.

Retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy: lateral versus posterior approach.

Purpose: We used a lateral or posterior approach to perform retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy for adrenal tumors and compared the results to determine which approach is more advantageous.

Patients And Methods: We removed 42 adrenal tumors from 42 patients by retroperitoneoscopic surgery. We used the posterior approach in 17 cases and the lateral approach in 25 cases.

Efficacy and tolerability of cancer pain management with controlled-release oxycodone tablets in opioid-naive cancer pain patients, starting with 5 mg tablets.

Background: We conducted an open-label, dose titration study to assess the efficacy and tolerability of controlled-release oxycodone in the therapy of cancer pain management, starting with a newly developed 5 mg tablet every 12 h.

Methods: Twenty-two Japanese cancer patients with pain who had not been taking opioid analgesics over the previous 2 weeks were enrolled. The length of time and the dose needed to attain stable and adequate pain control were evaluated in addition to the assessment of analgesic efficacy and safety during the study period.

[Treatment of bone disease in chronic kidney disease and in renal transplant recipients under K/DOQI clinical practice guidelines].

The National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) provides evidence based clinical practice guidelines developed for all phases of kidney disease and related complications, from diagnosis to monitoring and management. Bone disease sets in during the early stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Bone disease is observed in almost patients with chronic renal failure and after renal transplantation.

Efficacy of IgM anti-blood type antibody monitoring by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after renal transplantation across the blood barrier: high-dose immunoglobulin administration blocks IgM rather than IgG anti-blood type antibodies.

We used an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to investigate the presence of subtypes of anti-blood-type antibodies in patients with biopsy-proven humoral rejection after ABO-incompatible renal transplantation. High agglutinin IgG and IgM anti-blood type antibodies from 12 ABO-incompatible recipients with vascular rejection were separately assessed using an ELISA. Patients who exhibited excellent renal function despite high agglutinin titers of anti-blood-type antibodies(n = 8) were also examined.

Excellent outcome of ABO-incompatible living kidney transplantation under pretransplantation immunosuppression with tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroid.

Introduction: ABO-incompatible living kidney transplantation (LKT) has been performed to widen the indications for kidney transplantation. Since 2001, using a 7-day period of pretransplantation immunosuppression with tacrolimus (FK) plus mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) plus methylprednisolone (MP), we have observed a marked reduction in acute humoral/vascular rejection without any serious complications.

Patients And Methods: Forty-five adult patients underwent ABO-incompatible LKT at our institute between January 2000 and September 2002.

Impact of HLA-identity on results of ABO-incompatible living kidney transplantation.

Introduction: Due to the continuing shortage of cadaveric donors in Japan, ABO-incompatible living kidney transplantation is being performed. Our previous studies showed that the long-term graft survival in ABO-incompatible living kidney transplantation was comparable to that in ABO-compatible living kidney transplantation. However, the impact on HLA-identity on the results of ABO-incompatible living donor kidney transplantation had not been investigated previously.

Impact of positive PRA on the results of ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation.

Introduction: Due to the continuing shortage of cadaveric donors in Japan, ABO-incompatible living kidney transplantation (LKT) is being performed. It is well known that highly sensitized patients with positive panel reactive antibodies (PRA) often present with acute rejection. Therefore, we examined the impact of a positive PRA on the results of ABO-incompatible LKT.

Impact of fluvastatin on hyperlipidemia after renal transplantation.

Background: Renal transplant recipients are at increased risk of atherosclerotic vascular disease with hyperlipidemia. Many recipients have preexisting cardiovascular disease at the time of transplantation, and immunosuppressive therapy may aggravate existing risk factors or promote development of new risk factors, notably hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Fluvastatin is one of the statins, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, which has been shown to be effective in lowering cholesterol levels.

Microscopic examination of the urine helps to confirm the recovery of acute tubular necrosis after cadaveric renal transplantation: a case report.

Introduction: Delayed graft function due to acute tubular necrosis (ATN) is frequently seen in kidney transplants from non-heart-beating donors. However, only a biopsy can be used to assess the severity of ATN. Therefore, we studied the validity of microscopic findings in tubular epithelial cells (TECs) from urine as a means to monitor ATN.

Analysis of cause of death with a functioning graft: a single-center experience.

Introduction: After the introduction of new immunosuppressants, such as tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil, we have achieved excellent results for kidney transplantation with a low acute rejection rate. Currently, nonimmunological factors are considered to be the main cause of graft loss for long-term transplant patients. In this study, we analyzed the cause of death with a functioning graft.

Transplantation of pediatric cadaveric kidneys into adult or pediatric recipients.

In Japan, nationwide cadaveric organ sharing for kidney transplantation by the Japan Organ Transplant Network (JOTN) has operated since April 1995. This study retrospectively analyzed the long-term results of single pediatric donor kidneys transplanted into adult or pediatric recipients at a single center. From March 1983 to December 2002, 281 cadaveric renal allografts were transplanted at our center, including, 17 recipients of cadaveric kidneys from donors aged less than 16 years.

Retroperitoneoscopic live donor nephrectomy: extended experience in a single center.

Introduction: Retroperitoneoscopic live donor nephrectomy (RPLDN) was performed because it is considered to be less invasive than open live donor-nephrectomy (OLDN) or transperitoneal laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy.

Patients And Methods: Between July 2001 and May 2003, 118 consecutive live donor kidney grafts were procured using RPLDN or OLDN. The patients who underwent RPLDN were divided into 2 groups: an initial group 1 (n = 38) and a subsequent group 2 (n = 48).

Spoke-wheel-like enhancement as an important imaging finding of chromophobe cell renal carcinoma: a retrospective analysis on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging studies.

Aim: Little information has been reported with regard to the radiological features of chromophobe cell renal carcinomas (CCRC). The aim of the present study was to identify imaging characteristics which lead to the histological diagnosis of CCRC.

Methods: The imaging findings of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were retrospectively analyzed in 11 patients with CCRC operated on at Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.

Electrospray mass and tandem mass spectrometry of homologous and isomeric singly, doubly, triply and quadruply charged cationic ruthenated meso-(phenyl)m-(meta- and para-pyridyl)n (m + n = 4) macrocyclic porphyrin complexes.

Ten homologous or isomeric singly, doubly, triply and quadruply charged cationic macrocyclic complexes I-Va, bn+ (n = 1-4) formed by the coordination of [Ru(bipy)2Cl]+ to the pyridyl N-atoms of a series of meso-(phenyl)m-(meta or para-pyridyl)n-porphyrins (m + n = 4) were transferred to the gas phase and structurally characterized by electrospray ionization (ESI) mass (MS) and tandem mass (MS/MS) spectrometry. Previously known to be stable in solution and in the solid state, I-Va, bn+ are found to constitute also a new class of stable, long-lived multiply charged gas-phase ions with spatially separated charge sites. Increasing intramolecular electrostatic repulsion from Ia, b+ to IVa, b3+ facilitates in-source and tandem collision-induced dissociation (CID).

Quality of life assessments in women operated on by tension-free vaginal tape (TVT).

The aim of the study was to evaluate quality of life (QOL) prospectively in women who undergo tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) operation for stress urinary incontinence. Sixty-six women who completed QOL questionnaires and a 2-year follow-up examination were included. Improvement of health-related QOL was assessed by the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7), the Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6), and two questions regarding patient satisfaction and de novo urge incontinence.

Subtypes of BK virus prevalent in Japan and variation in their transcriptional control region.

BK polyomavirus (BKV) is ubiquitous in the human population, infecting children without obvious symptoms, and persisting in the kidney in a latent state. In immunosuppressed patients, BKV is reactivated and excreted in urine. BKV isolates have been classified into four subtypes (I-IV) using either serological or genotyping methods.

ABO-incompatible renal transplantation at Tokyo Women's Medical University.

One hundred and forty-one patients with end-stage renal failure underwent ABO-incompatible living kidney transplantation at our institute between January 1989 and December 2001. To remove anti-A and/or anti-B antibodies, the recipients received sessions of double-filtration plasmapheresis and/or sessions of regular plasmapheresis before renal transplantation. Among the initial 53 patients, 1-4 sessions of immunoadsorption were performed before transplantation.