Transcription of human β4-galactosyltransferase 3 is regulated by differential DNA binding of Sp1/Sp3 in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma and A549 human lung cancer cell lines.

Poor prognosis of neuroblastoma patients has been shown to be associated with increased expression of β4-galactosyltransferase (β4GalT) 3. To address the underlying mechanism of the increased expression of β4GalT3, the transcriptional regulation of the human β4GalT3 gene was investigated in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell line comparing with A549 human lung cancer cell line, in which the β4GalT3 gene expression was the lowest among four cancer cell lines examined. The core promoter region was identified between nucleotides -69 and -6 relative to the transcriptional start site, and the same region was utilized in both cell lines.

Identification of a gene encoding glutathione S-transferase that is related to anthocyanin accumulation in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum).

Anthocyanins are a group of flavonoids found in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) and many other plant species; however; little is known about their mechanisms of synthesis and regulation in buckwheat. We previously reported a spontaneous mutant buckwheat line that shows the green stem phenotype; this line does not accumulate anthocyanins but synthesizes flavonol and proanthocyanidin in the stem. Here, we used this line and lines developed by this line to search for genes related to anthocyanin accumulation in buckwheat.

The Impaired Balance Systems Identified by the BESTest in Older Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis.

Background: Balance decreases and activities of daily living (ADLs) deteriorate in older people with knee osteoarthritis (KOA); however, little is known about the systems underlying poor balance control and how those impaired systems are related to decreased ADL.

Objectives: To explore which balance systems are particularly impaired and to examine the relationship between physical ADL and balance in older people with KOA.

Design: Case-control study.

Catastrophic head and neck injuries in judo players in Japan from 2003 to 2010.

Background: Few studies have documented catastrophic head and neck injuries in judo, but these injuries deserve greater attention.

Purpose: To determine the features of catastrophic head and neck injuries in judo.

Study Design: Descriptive epidemiological study.

Efficacy of acupuncture during post-acute phase of rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether acupuncture is effective in reducing pain and swelling around the knee and improving range of motion (ROM) during the post-acute phase of rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: Following TKA, 80 knees in 80 patients were randomly assigned to either an acupuncture treatment group (Group A) or a control group (Group C). In Group A, the complementary treatment of acupuncture was performed three times/week from postoperative day 7 until postoperative day 21.

[Severe head injuries during Judo practice].

The goal of this study is to elucidate the characteristic features of Judo head injuries and to propose safety measures and a reaction manual on how to prevent and to deal with such accidents in Japan. Thirty cases of severe head injuries suffered during Judo practice were enrolled in this study. They have made insurance claims for damage compensation and inquiries about Judo accidents attributed to the All Japan Judo Federation, from 2003 to 2010.

In vivo deep-flexion kinematics in patients with posterior-cruciate retaining and anterior-cruciate substituting total knee arthroplasty.

Background: Posterior-cruciate ligament retaining total knee arthroplasty designs have long been used with excellent clinical success, but often have shown kinematics and flexion performance that are significantly different from the natural knee. The purpose of this study was to compare deep-flexion knee kinematics in patients with two types of posterior-cruciate ligament retaining total knee arthroplasty.

Methods: One group received a traditional curved symmetric articular configuration, and one group received a design incorporating a lateral compartment which constrains the lateral condyle to the antero-posterior center of the tibial plateau in extension, but allows translation in flexion--roughly approximating the role of the anterior cruciate ligament.

The influence of sex on patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a large observational cohort.

Objective: To compare the sex differences of various components of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Data of 4823 patients from a large observational cohort study were analyzed. Remarkable differences were noted between the sexes, and overall, women had significantly higher disease activity.

Granzyme B induces apoptosis of chondrocytes with natural killer cell-like cytotoxicity in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Granzyme B, an apoptosis-inducing factor, is expressed in natural killer (NK) cells, an important factor in innate immunity. We previously reported that granzyme B is expressed in arthritic cartilage and chondrocytes, and suggested that granzyme B expression is related to apoptosis distribution. We have now investigated whether granzyme B directly induces apoptosis in chondrocytes and whether chondrocytes possess NK cell-like function.

Risk factors associated with incident fractures in Japanese men with rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective observational cohort study.

There are limited data in the literature concerning risk factors for incident fractures in men with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We evaluated the association between potential risk factors and incident clinical fractures in male Japanese patients with RA. A total of 1050 male patients with RA were enrolled in a prospective, observational cohort study from 2000 to 2005.

A role for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and the dioxin TCDD in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Environmental factors are involved in RA pathogenesis and epidemiological studies have suggested that smoking is an environmental risk factor for RA. The 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is one of the major toxic components in cigarettes. To clarify the biological effects of smoking in RA, we investigated the role of TCDD in RA pathogenesis.

Association of STAT4 with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus in the Japanese population.

Objective: STAT4 encodes a transcriptional factor that transmits signals induced by several key cytokines, and it might be a key molecule in the development of autoimmune diseases. Recently, a STAT4 haplotype was reported to be associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Caucasian populations. This was replicated in a Korean RA population.

Risk factors for wrist surgery in rheumatoid arthritis.

To assess the risk factors for wrist surgery in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients recruited and followed prospectively for 6 years. A linked registry study was performed using information from a large observational cohort of RA patients followed at the Institute of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University. Baseline routine clinical and laboratory assessments were recorded.

Iliopsoas bursitis-associated femoral neuropathy exacerbated after internal fixation of an intertrochanteric hip fracture in rheumatoid arthritis: a case report.

We present the case of a 63-year-old woman with a six-year history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and a left iliopsoas bursitis. Radiography had detected destructive changes in her hip joint associated with her bursitis, and she had reported some paresthesia along the left anterior distal thigh. Her pain and numbness remained tolerable, and her disease activity was well controlled until she accidentally fell on the floor, which resulted in an unstable intertrochanteric fracture of left femur with displacement of the proximal portion.

Low disease activity state with corticosteroid may not represent 'true' low disease activity state in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Corticosteroids constitute one of the most common treatments of RA. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether long-term corticosteroid use suppresses the progression of disability in RA patients with low disease activity state.

Methods: Data collected from a large observational cohort of RA patients at our institution were analysed for 214 RA patients whose disease activity score (DAS) 28 and HAQ were available consecutively from October 2000 to October 2004.

Risk factors for total knee arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis.

We conducted a study to assess the predictive factors for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients recruited and followed prospectively for 5 years. A linked registry study using information from a large observational cohort of RA patients followed at the Institute of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University (IORRA) was done. Baseline routine clinical and laboratory assessments were recorded.

Factors affecting anteroposterior instability following cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Controversy persists concerning around posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) retention in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study investigated factors affecting anteroposterior (AP) instability following cruciate-retaining (CR)-TKA. In a consecutive series of 70 knees from 52 RA patients, total displacement (TD) was measured using a KT-2000 arthrometer before and after CR-TKA under anesthesia, and changes in TD were defined as DeltaTD.

Effect of matrix metalloproteinase-3 functional SNP on serum matrix metalloproteinase-3 level and outcome measures in Japanese RA patients.

Objective: A bi-allelic polymorphism on the promoter region, -1612 ins/del A, was found to influence the production of MMP-3. Since MMP-3 plays a particularly pivotal role in joint destruction, the MMP-3 gene is thought to be an interesting target gene of disease severity in RA. We attempt to determine whether the MMP-3 promoter polymorphism is associated with serum titre of MMP-3, disease activity and severity in Japanese RA patients.