The high-affinity tryptophan uptake transport system in human cells.

The L-tryptophan (Trp) transport system is highly selective for Trp with affinity in the nanomolar range. This transport system is augmented in human interferon (IFN)-γ-treated and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1)-expressing cells. Up-regulated cellular uptake of Trp causes a reduction in extracellular Trp and initiates immune suppression.

Tryptophan-Starved Human Cells Overexpressing Tryptophanyl-tRNA Synthetase Enhance High-Affinity Tryptophan Uptake via Enzymatic Production of Tryptophanyl-AMP.

Our previous study demonstrated that L-tryptophan (Trp)-depleted cells display a marked enhancement in Trp uptake facilitated by extracellular tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS). Here, we show that Trp uptake into TrpRS-overexpressing cells is also markedly elevated upon Trp starvation. These findings indicate that a Trp-deficient condition is critical for Trp uptake, not only into cells to which TrpRS protein has been added but also into TrpRS-overexpressing cells.

Effects of wearing an opaque or transparent face mask on the perception of facial expressions: A comparative study between Japanese school-aged children and adults.

The negative side effects of mask-wearing on reading facial emotional cues have been investigated in several studies with adults post-2020. However, little is known about children. This study aimed to determine the negative influence of mask-wearing on reading emotions of adult faces by Japanese school-aged children, compared to Japanese adults.

Cricothyrotomy for an Unexpected Cannot Intubate, Cannot Ventilate Situation for a Patient with Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease After Induction of General Anesthesia: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantations. Due to fibrotic changes, patients with GVHD are at risk for difficult airway management. We encountered a case of chronic GVHD that went into a "cannot intubate, cannot ventilate" (CICV) condition after induction of general anesthesia and was managed using cricothyrotomy.

Effects of wearing a transparent face mask on perception of facial expressions.

Wearing face masks in public has become the norm in many countries post-2020. Although mask-wearing is effective in controlling infection, it has the negative side effect of occluding the mask wearer's facial expressions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of wearing transparent masks on the perception of facial expressions.

Tryptophan Depletion Modulates Tryptophanyl-tRNA Synthetase-Mediated High-Affinity Tryptophan Uptake into Human Cells.

The novel high-affinity tryptophan (Trp)-selective transport system is present at elevated levels in human interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-treated and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1)-expressing cells. High-affinity Trp uptake into cells results in extracellular Trp depletion and immune suppression. We have previously shown that both IDO1 and tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS), whose expression levels are increased by IFN-γ, have a crucial function in high-affinity Trp uptake into human cells.

Non-canonical functions of human cytoplasmic tyrosyl-, tryptophanyl- and other aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases catalyze the aminoacylation of their cognate tRNAs. Here we review the accumulated knowledge of non-canonical functions of human cytoplasmic aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, especially tyrosyl- (TyrRS) and tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS). Human TyrRS and TrpRS have an extra domain.

Comparative Study of TOF-Cuff, a New Neuromuscular Blockade Monitor, and TOF-Watch, an Acceleromyography.

Train-of-four ratios were recorded to assess the agreement between the TOF-Cuff and TOF-Watch, and residual paresis was assessed to evaluate the clinical utility of TOF-Cuff. Train-of-four ratios were evaluated using Lin concordance correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman analyses. Measured train-of-four ratios demonstrated high accuracy and precision over the entire range of train-of-four ratios.

Tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase mediates high-affinity tryptophan uptake into human cells.

The tryptophan (Trp) transport system has a high affinity and selectivity toward Trp, and has been reported to exist in both human and mouse macrophages. Although this system is highly expressed in interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-treated cells and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1)-expressing cells, its identity remains incompletely understood. Tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS) is also highly expressed in IFN-γ-treated cells and also has high affinity and selectivity for Trp.

Intracerebroventricular administration of Cystatin C ameliorates disease in SOD1-linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice.

Cystatin C (CysC) is a major protein component of Bunina bodies, which are a pathological hallmark observed in the remaining motor neurons of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Dominant mutations in the SOD1 gene, encoding Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), are causative for a subset of inherited ALS cases. Our previous study showed that CysC exerts a neuroprotective effect against mutant SOD1-mediated toxicity in vitro; however, in vivo evidence of the beneficial effects mediated by CysC remains obscure.

A novel function of neuroglobin for neuroregeneration in mice after optic nerve injury.

Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a recently discovered heme protein in the vertebrate brain that can bind to oxygen molecules. Mammalian Ngb plays a crucial role in neuroprotection under conditions of oxidative stress. To investigate other potential functions of Ngb, we investigated the mouse retinal Ngb system following optic nerve injury.

An alternative conformation of human TrpRS suggests a role of zinc in activating non-enzymatic function.

Tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS) in vertebrates contains a N-terminal extension in front of the catalytic core. Proteolytic removal of the N-terminal 93 amino acids gives rise to T2-TrpRS, which has potent anti-angiogenic activity mediated through its extracellular interaction with VE-cadherin. Zinc has been shown to have anti-angiogenic effects and can bind to human TrpRS.

Chimeric ZHHH neuroglobin acts as a cell membrane-penetrating inducer of neurite outgrowth.

Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a heme protein expressed in the vertebrate brain. We previously engineered a chimeric Ngb protein, in which module M1 of human Ngb is replaced by that of zebrafish Ngb, and showed that the chimeric ZHHH Ngb has a cell membrane-penetrating activity similar to that of zebrafish Ngb and also rescues cells from death caused by hypoxia/reoxygenation as does human Ngb. Recently, it was reported that overexpression of mammalian Ngb in neuronal cells induces neurite outgrowth.

Identification of residues crucial for the interaction between human neuroglobin and the α-subunit of heterotrimeric Gi protein.

Mammalian neuroglobin (Ngb) protects neuronal cells under conditions of oxidative stress. We previously showed that human Ngb acts as a guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (GDI) for the α-subunits of heterotrimeric Gi/o proteins and inhibits the decrease in cAMP concentration, leading to protection against cell death. In the present study, we used an eukaryotic expression vector driving high-level expression of human wild-type Ngb or Ngb mutants that either exhibit or lack GDI activities in human cells.

Identification of a residue crucial for the angiostatic activity of human mini tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase by focusing on its molecular evolution.

Human tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS) exists in two forms: a full-length TrpRS and a mini TrpRS. We previously found that human mini, but not full-length, TrpRS is an angiostatic factor. Moreover, it was shown that the interaction between mini TrpRS and the extracellular domain of vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin is crucial for its angiostatic activity.

Effect of Metabolic Inhibitors on the Hepatic Disposition of 5-Fluorouracil after Application to the Rat Liver Surface.

We evaluated the effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) metabolic inhibitors, gimeracil or uridine, on the hepatic disposition of 5-FU after application to the liver surface in rats, aiming to enhance the availability of 5-FU in the liver. 5-FU solution with or without metabolic inhibitors was applied to the rat liver surface using a cylindrical diffusion cell. The liver, blood and the remaining solution in the diffusion cell were collected at specified times, and assayed for 5-FU content.

[McGRATH® MAC Is Useful to Learn Tracheal Intubation Using a Macintosh Laryngoscope].

Background: Learning tracheal intubation using a Macintosh laryngoscope (McL) is important although video laryngoscope is becoming popular. The purpose of this study was to compare the usefulness as a training device for intubation technique using McL with three devices; McGRATH® MAC (MAC), Airwayscope® (AWS) and McL.

Methods: In this prospective study, 60 nurses not experienced in tracheal intubation were randomly assigned to MAC, AWS, and McL groups (each group: n=20), and 10 times of practice using each device were carried out.

A Possible Role of Neuroglobin in the Retina After Optic Nerve Injury: A Comparative Study of Zebrafish and Mouse Retina.

Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a new member of the family of heme proteins and is specifically expressed in neurons of the central and peripheral nervous systems in all vertebrates. In particular, the retina has a 100-fold higher concentration of Ngb than do other nervous tissues. The role of Ngb in the retina is yet to be clarified.

Cystatin C protects neuronal cells against mutant copper-zinc superoxide dismutase-mediated toxicity.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the selective and progressive loss of motor neurons. Cystatin C (CysC), an endogenous cysteine protease inhibitor, is a major protein component of Bunina bodies observed in the spinal motor neurons of sporadic ALS and is decreased in the cerebrospinal fluid of ALS patients. Despite prominent deposition of CysC in ALS, the roles of CysC in the central nervous system remain unknown.

Crucial roles of Glu60 in human neuroglobin as a guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor and neuroprotective agent.

Mammalian neuroglobin (Ngb) protects neuronal cells under conditions of oxidative stress. We previously showed that human Ngb acts as a guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (GDI) for the α-subunits of heterotrimeric Gi/o proteins and inhibits reductions in cAMP concentration, leading to protection against cell death. In the present study, we created human E60Q Ngb mutant and clarified that Glu60 of human Ngb is a crucial residue for its GDI and neuroprotective activities.

Expression of the rodent-specific alternative splice variant of tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase in murine tissues and cells.

Tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS) catalyzes the aminoacylation of tRNA(Trp). mRNA of a rodent-specific alternative splice variant of TrpRS (SV-TrpRS), which results in the inclusion of an additional hexapeptide at the C-terminus of full-length TrpRS (FL-TrpRS), has been identified in murine embryonic stem (ES) cells. In the present study, we evaluated the expression of mouse TrpRS mRNA by real-time reverse transcription PCR.

Functional characterization of fish neuroglobin: zebrafish neuroglobin is highly expressed in amacrine cells after optic nerve injury and can translocate into ZF4 cells.

Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a recently discovered vertebrate heme protein that is expressed in the brain and can reversibly bind oxygen. Mammalian Ngb is involved in neuroprotection under conditions of oxidative stress, such as ischemia and reperfusion. We previously found that zebrafish Ngb can penetrate the mammalian cell membrane.

Impact of the VIO system in hepatic resection for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purposes: This study aimed to evaluate a novel surgical device combination [VIO system containing a bipolar clamp (BiClamp) and the monopolar soft-coagulation (SOFT COAG)] in hepatic resection for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: This study performed 124 hepatic resections for HCC and divided them into 2 groups: 60 patients (Conventional group) underwent liver parenchymal transection using Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA) system and saline-coupled bipolar electrocautery for hemostasis; the BiClamp was used with the CUSA system for liver parenchymal transection and SOFT COAG was used with saline-coupled bipolar electrocautery for hemostasis in 64 patients (VIO group).

Results: The median blood loss in the VIO group was 345 mL, which was less than that in the Conventional group (median 548 mL, P = 0.

Human neuroglobin functions as an oxidative stress-responsive sensor for neuroprotection.

Mammalian neuroglobin (Ngb) protects neuronal cells under conditions of oxidative stress. The mechanism underlying this function is only partly understood. Here, we report that human Ngb exists in lipid rafts only during oxidative stress and that lipid rafts are crucial for neuroprotection by Ngb.