Development of HVJ Envelope Vector and Its Application to Gene Therapy.

To create a highly efficient vector system that is minimally invasive, we initially developed liposomes that contained fusion proteins from the hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ; Sendai virus). These HVJ-liposomes delivered genes and drugs to cultured cells and tissues. To simplify the vector system and develop more efficient vectors, the next approach was to convert viruses to non-viral vectors.

Prevention of amputation caused by rheumatic diseases following a novel therapy of exposing bone marrow, occlusive dressing and subsequent epidermal grafting.

Background: Wounds with exposed bones caused by rheumatic diseases commonly result in amputation despite progress in our understanding of wound-healing mechanisms.

Objectives: To determine whether an experimental therapy of bone marrow exposure, an occlusive dressing and subsequent grafting of epidermal sheets accelerates healing and reduces the need for amputation in patients with rheumatic diseases.

Methods: Fifteen patients, including those with rheumatoid arthritis or systemic sclerosis, who had wounds with exposed bones were treated either with the standard procedure, consisting of local wound care, debridement with a scalpel, bed rest and parenteral antibiotics (n = 8), or with a newly developed experimental procedure (n = 7).

Mutation in nucleotide-binding domains of sulfonylurea receptor 2 evokes Na-ATP-dependent activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels: implication for dimerization of nucleotide-binding domains to induce channel opening.

The ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel is composed of a sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) and a pore-forming subunit, Kir6.2. SUR is an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) protein with two nucleotide-binding domains (NBD1 and NBD2).

Reduced MLH1 expression after chemotherapy is an indicator for poor prognosis in esophageal cancers.

Purpose: Loss of function or expression of the mismatch repair gene MLH1 has been implicated in experimentally acquired resistance to cisplatin (CDDP) and other anticancer agents. The clinical significance of MLH1 expression was evaluated in advanced thoracic squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (ESCC) treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Experimental Design: We investigated MLH1 and P53 expression by immunohistochemistry in the surgical specimens of 107 patients who had undergone preoperative chemotherapy using CDDP along with 5-FU and ADM.

Selection system for forensic expert witness and their qualification in Japan.

The origin of modern Japanese criminal procedure can be traced back to 1880, when the Code of Criminal Procedure saying that the judge can summon an expert to make an expert opinion was enacted. Broadly speaking, this procedure derived from continental law. After the end of World War II, some Anglo-American approaches were fused with the former continental system.

Suppression of oxidative stress-induced hepatocyte injury by calpain antisense.

Background: Calpain, a cytosolic Ca(2+)-dependent proteinase, plays a pivotal role in cell injury. In this study, we investigated the effect of calpain-mu antisense oligonucleotide on oxidative stress induced-hepatocyte injury.

Materials And Methods: Hemagglutinating virus of Japan liposome complex with one of three types of antisense oligonucleotide (AS-1, AS-2, AS-3) or scramble oligonucleotide was added to the culture medium of HuH7 cells and incubated for 6 days.

Polyclonal nature of diffuse proliferation of interstitial cells of Cajal in patients with familial and multiple gastrointestinal stromal tumours.

Background: Diffuse proliferation of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in the myenteric plexus layer of the intestine has been described in patients with familial and multiple gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs). However, it is not fully understood whether proliferation is polyclonal or monoclonal.

Aims: To evaluate the clonal nature of diffuse ICC proliferation in familial and multiple GIST cases, we carried out clonal analysis using inactivation at the human androgen receptor (HUMARA) locus.

Thiazolidinedione derivative improves fat distribution and multiple risk factors in subjects with visceral fat accumulation--double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Background: It has been clarified that visceral fat accumulation leads to atherosclerosis through multiple risk factors such as insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hyperlipidemia and hypertension. So far, it has been reported that a thaizolidinedione derivative, troglitazone, improves the insulin resistance in subjects with diabetes, glucose intolerance and obesity. However, it has not been reported yet that troglitazone affects fat distribution in subjects concomitant with visceral fat accumulation and multiple risk factors.

Cloning of a lymphatic peptide/histidine transporter.

Although peptide transport across the plasma membrane has been characterized well in the kidney and the intestine, the functional relevance of this transport in other organs has not been addressed. Here we report the cloning of a cDNA for a novel peptide/histidine transporter found in the rat (rPHT2), whose mRNA is expressed mainly in the lymphatic system. rPHT2 encodes a protein of 582 amino acids and showed 49% identity with the brain PHT (PHT1) [Yamashita, Shimada, Guo, Sato, Kohmura, Hayakawa, Takagi and Tohyama (1997) J.