Search Results - (Author, Cooperation:T. Fujimura)

2018-02-07

Wiley-Blackwell

0007-0963

1365-2133

Medicine

2014-08-15

Nature Publishing Group (NPG)

0028-0836

1476-4687

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Medicine

Natural Sciences in General

Physics

Animals ; Base Pairing ; Base Sequence ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases/*metabolism ; Diphosphates/*metabolism ; Female ; Genome, Viral/genetics ; *Immunity, Innate ; Male ; Mice ; RNA, Viral/*chemistry/genetics/*metabolism ; Reoviridae/*genetics/*immunology/physiology

2018-03-06

Oxford University Press

0021-924X

1756-2651

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

1365-2230

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Electronic Resource

1365-2133

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Electronic Resource

1468-2494

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

We compared age-related changes in wrinkles in eight areas of facial skin (forehead, glabella, upper eyelid, corner of the eye, lower eyelid, nasolabial groove, cheek, and corner of the mouth) and sagging in the subzygomatic area of Caucasian females and of Japanese females. The subjects studied included 85 healthy Caucasian females (aged 20–69 years) living in Cincinnati in the U.S. and 70 Japanese females (aged 20–69 years) living in Tokyo. Photos of the face in frontal and in oblique 45 views were analyzed. Wrinkles in the face and sagging in the subzygomatic area were graded on Japanese photoscales, respectively, by the same experi-enced observer. The wrinkle score increased with age in all eight areas of the face examined in Caucasian females as well as in Japanese females. In the group aged 20–29 years, the wrinkle score in each area was significantly higher in Caucasian females than in Japanese females. The wrinkle scores in the forehead, glabella, upper eyelid, and corner of the eyes were similar at advanced ages between the two groups, while the wrinkle scores in lower areas of the face (lower eyelid, nasolabial groove, cheek, and corner of the mouth) were markedly higher in Caucasian females than in Japanese females in each age group, and reached an upper limit at advanced ages in Caucasian females. The sagging score also increased with age in Caucasian females as well as in Japanese females. The sagging score was significantly higher in Caucasian females than in Japanese females in the groups aged 40 years or more. These results suggest more marked wrinkle formation in all areas of the face in younger age groups of Caucasian females living in North America than in Japanese females living in Tokyo. In particular, Caucasian females showed marked age-related wrinkle formation in the lower areas of the face, probably due to sagging in the subzygomatic area, which suggests a higher susceptibility to sagging in the subzygomatic area of Caucasian females.

Electronic Resource

1468-2494

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Lower eyelid sags as well as wrinkles represent age-related morphological changes of the skin surface. However, a quantitative method to evaluate lower eyelid sagging has not been previously established. We designed a new quantitative evaluation method that uses non-invasive skin scanning, which is based on the difference between the superficial dimension of the sagging surface of the lower eyelid and the dimension of its projection area. In 97 females, 2-D and the 3-D images were taken. By 3-D image analysis, the difference between the superficial dimension of the sagging surface of the lower eyelid and the dimension of its virtual projection area was assessed, and was defined as the sag parameter. This parameter was significantly correlated with the sag score (a photographic scale to assess the degree of sagging) and with aging. The accuracy of the sag parameter was confirmed in a clinical test using a sag treatment lotion and a placebo lotion. The sag score decreased in skin treated with the sag treatment lotion, but the change was not significantly different from that of the placebo treated skin. On the contrary, the sag parameter was significantly reduced (P 〈 0.05) after topical application of the sag treatment lotion compared with the placebo-treated skin. These results indicate that the sag parameter as proposed herein is useful in clinical studies to evaluate slight changes in lower eyelid sagging.

Electronic Resource

1468-2494

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

To evaluate individual differences in the recognition of facial wrinkles, we asked 40 Japanese female observers to identify wrinkles using transparent sheets over frontal facial photos of four females aged 20, 39, 55 or 75 years. We then measured the number and length of those wrinkles by image analysis. Wrinkles identified by those 40 observers showed aged-related increases in the standard deviation (SD) values for number and length but age-related decreases in the coefficient of variation (CV)%. Therefore, to clarify factors affecting the degree of wrinkle detection, wrinkles were identified by two groups of age-matched male and female observers, by two groups that differed by age, and by two other groups, one of which who felt that there was an improvement in their wrinkles after application of an antiwrinkle agent and another group who did not feel that there was any improvement after the same treatment. Improvement was observed by replica image analysis in all groups. The degree of wrinkles identified was not affected by the age or by the sex of the observer group. However, the group who felt that there was an improvement in their wrinkles after treatment with the antiwrinkle agent identified a significantly higher number of wrinkles than did the group who did not feel that there was an improvement.These results suggest marked individual differences in the recognition of wrinkles. Fine wrinkles in relatively young subjects are difficult to detect, but moderate to marked wrinkles in middle-aged and in aged subjects can easily be detected. Concerning the cause of individual differences in the extent of wrinkle detection, observers who identified a large number of wrinkles tended to recognize not only pronounced wrinkles but also recognized fine wrinkles as ‘wrinkles’. This seems to have also affected their feelings about the success of treatment with the antiwrinkle agent.

Electronic Resource

1600-0846

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

The human face shows morphological changes with age. Although these changes are generally recognized as wrinkle formation, there have been no quantitative studies of three-dimensional morphological changes with age in each area of the face. The object of the present study, therefore, was to evaluate age-related three-dimensional morphological changes in each area of the face.〈section xml:id="abs1-2"〉〈title type="main"〉Methods: We obtained replicas using a silicon impression material from eight areas of the face (forehead, eye corners, upper eyelids, lower eyelids, glabella, cheeks, mouth angles, and nasolabial groove) of 136 healthy women, and performed morphological evaluations using a small object type three-dimensional surface morphology measurement system (Voxelan, NKK Co. Ltd., Japan).〈section xml:id="abs1-3"〉〈title type="main"〉Results: All parameters examined, with the exception of sWvin the cheeks, increased with age. The correlation between sWp and age was high in the following order: eye corners 〉 mouth angles 〉 glabella 〉 nasolabial groove 〉 upper eyelids 〉 lower eyelids 〉 forehead 〉 cheeks. sWp in all areas except the eye corners was similar to the mean value in the cheeks in the group aged 18-20 years. However, in the group aged 71-83 years, marked differences were observed among the eye corners, glabella, mouth angles, nasolabial groove, and upper eyelids. Conclusion: Although sunlight is important in the development of three-dimensional changes in surface morphology (wrinkles) in the face, other factors seem to play important roles for the progression of these changes.

Electronic Resource

1365-3083

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Bartonella henselae upregulated the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The induction level of ICAM-1 depended on the inoculation bacterial dose. ICAM-1 expression began increasing 4 h after infection and reached a sustained peak beginning at 12 h after B. henselae infection; this time course was similar to that of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Escherichia coli. The stimulatory effect was abolished when live B. henselae were separated from HUVECs by a filter membrane. The nonpiliated strain, which is unable to invade endothelial cells, induced ICAM-1 expression to the same extent as the piliated strain. Inactivation of B. henselae by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, heat (56 °C, 30 min), or sonication did not alter its stimulatory activity. Polymyxin B, which strongly inhibited the effect of LPS, did not exert any influence on the stimulatory activity of B. henselae. Furthermore, the effect of sonicated B. henselae was not inhibited even by boiling, which was also the case with LPS. Our data suggest that some heat-stable component of B. henselae binds to the endothelial cell surface, inducing ICAM-1 expression. Though the participation of LPS could not be completely ruled out, we suppose that some unidentified heat-stable proteins, lipids, or polysaccharides may be the stimulatory factor(s). The ability of B. henselae to enhance the expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells may be an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of B. henselae infection.

Electronic Resource

1365-3083

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Viable and inactivated Porphyromonas gingivalis dose-dependently induced interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) secretion in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The inactivated P. gingivalis, in comparison with viable bacteria, tended to enhance the production of both chemokines more strongly. The production of MCP-1 protein began increasing immediately after stimulation by P. gingivalis, and there was a nearly linear increase from 0 to 8 h of incubation, whereas IL-8 production showed a linear increase between 4 and 12 h of incubation. The IL-8 and MCP-1 mRNA expressions in HUVECs as determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or Quantikine mRNA colorimetric quantification kits were found to be enhanced by P. gingivalis. Furthermore, the time courses of IL-8 and MCP-1 mRNA expressions were in accordance with those of protein production. Addition of polymyxin B or boiling did not weaken the stimulatory effect of P. gingivalis, which inhibited the effect of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (E. coli LPS) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), respectively. In contrast, the induction of IL-8 and MCP-1 by P. gingivalis was significantly reduced by anti-CD14 antibody. Our results suggest that some heat-stable component of P. gingivalis, including LPS, may be responsible for the induction of IL-8 and MCP-1 in HUVECs by a CD14-dependent mechanism. These effects might be involved in the accumulation and activation of neutrophils and monocytes at an early stage of the periodontal pathogenesis.

Electronic Resource

1365-3040

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Biology

‘Ionic effects’ and ‘osmotic effects’ are major components of salt stress in plants. In this study these two parameters were clearly discriminated in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) using a modified cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique. Soybean (cv. Lee) seedlings were exposed to iso-osmotic treatment consisting of 100 mm NaCl and 12% (w/v) polyethylene glycol 6000 for 24 h. The NaCl treatment fully activated salt tolerance as confirmed by the expression of the inositol-1-phosphate synthase gene. Then, gene expression in each sample was examined by cDNA-AFLP, and 140 differentially expressed cDNA fragments were obtained out of 13 000 amplicons. The percentage of transcripts dependent on ionic (NaCl-specific) and osmotic effects (common with NaCl and polyethylene glycol) could be evaluated for 44 and 40% of them, respectively. cDNA-AFLP also revealed the distribution of transcripts in shoots and roots. The ionic effect-dependent gene expression was more abundant in roots indicating that they showed a greater response to ionic stress than shoots. Several ion transporters, transcription factors and redox enzymes that were specific to the ionic effect may play important roles in the salt tolerance of soybean. The technical advantages of this modified cDNA-AFLP method are also discussed.

Electronic Resource

1365-2222

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Background Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen is a major cause of seasonal pollinosis, and more than 10% of Japanese people suffer from this allergic disorder. However, only two major pollen allergens, Cry j 1 and Cry j 2, have been identified and exclusively characterized.Objective The aim of this study was to explore and identify important Japanese cedar pollen allergens other than Cry j 1 or Cry j 2.Methods C. japonica cDNA library was immunoscreened by rabbit antiserum raised against a partially purified cedar pollen allergen fraction. An isolated cDNA clone was inserted into a glutathione S-transferase (GST)-tagged Escherichia coli expression vector to obtain recombinant GST fusion protein. Non-fusion recombinant protein was purified by glutathione Sepharose affinity chromatography in conjunction with factor Xa cleavage of the GST moiety. IgE-binding ability of the recombinant protein was then evaluated by western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results The cDNA encodes 306 amino acids with significant sequence similarity to those of plant isoflavone reductase-like proteins, which include a recently identified birch pollen allergen Bet v 5. Western blot analysis demonstrated that recombinant protein was recognized by cedar pollinosis patient IgE. In contrast to Bet v 5 being reported as a minor allergen, the recombinant protein exhibited 76% IgE binding frequency (19/25) against pollinosis patients.Conclusion Here we identified the third member of Japanese cedar pollen allergen homologous to isoflavone reductase. Its high IgE-binding frequency implicates that the isoflavone reductase homologue might be an additional major pollen allergen in C. japonica.

Electronic Resource

1365-2222

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Background Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollinosis is one of the most prevalent allergic diseases in Japan. Only three C. japonica allergens, Cry j 1, Cry j 2, and CJP-6, have been characterized. The full IgE-binding spectrum of C. japonica pollen allergens demonstrates that many allergens remain to be identified.Objective The aim of this study was to characterize a novel allergen with a high frequency of IgE binding.Methods The cDNA coding for a high-frequency IgE-binding protein, designated CJP-4, was cloned from the total mRNA of C. japonica pollen. The corresponding native allergen was purified by affinity precipitation with colloidal chitin and gel chromatography. The IgE-binding ability of purified native CJP-4 was characterized by ELISA and ELISA inhibition.Results The CJP-4 cDNA encoded 281 amino acids with significant sequence homology to class IV chitinases. Purified native CJP-4, migrated as a homogeneous 34-kDa protein on SDS-PAGE, revealed endochitinase activity on native PAGE. The purified protein displayed the ability to bind IgE from all patients tested (31/31) in ELISA, whereas Cry j 1 bound to IgE at a 71% frequency (22/31). Pre-incubation with latex C-serum completely inhibited the reaction of pooled sera IgE from patients with C. japonica pollinosis and/or latex allergy to purified CJP-4.Conclusion We identified CJP-4 as a novel and fourth C. japonica chitinase allergen with high IgE-binding frequency. The competitive IgE-binding profile between C. japonica chitinase and latex C-serum indicated that C. japonica chitinase should be an important pan-allergen in C. japonica pollen.

Electronic Resource

1365-2133

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Electronic Resource

1365-2133

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Background Ultrasonography has been used as a non-invasive approach to measure skin thickness. To date there have been no studies on diurnal variations in skin thickness. Objectives To evaluate diurnal variations in skin thickness and to compare these with corresponding echogenicity and skin elasticity. Methods Measurements by ultrasonography B-mode and by Cutometer SEM 575 were carried out in the morning and in the afternoon on 20 men and 20 women (mean age 30 years) on three areas of the face (forehead, corner of the eye and cheek), the forearm and the upper arm, and the flank, thigh and calf. Results From the morning to the afternoon, the skin thickness in both sexes significantly decreased on three areas of the face, the forearm and the upper arm, but significantly increased on the thigh and calf. In parallel, the echogenicity significantly increased from the morning to the afternoon on the three areas of the face, the forearm and the upper arm, but decreased significantly on the thigh and calf. Measurements of mechanical properties at four sites demonstrated that from the morning to the afternoon, the major parameters of skin elasticity Ue* and Uf* increased significantly in both sexes on two areas of the face and slightly on the forearm, but decreased significantly on the calf. Conclusions The diurnal profiles of skin thickness and skin elasticity in the upper half of the body are the reverse of those in the lower half of the body. These findings suggest that shifts of dermal fluid from the face to the leg by gravity during the day cause the diurnal variation in skin thickness.

Electronic Resource

1365-2133

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Electronic Resource

1365-2133

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Background  We have previously reported that ultraviolet (UV) B irradiation induces a loss of linearity in the three-dimensional structure of dermal elastic fibres, which results in the reduction of elastic properties of the skin and leads to wrinkle formation. We further reported that repair of wrinkles by all-trans retinoic acid is accompanied by recovery of the linearity of elastic fibres. Carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers are widely used for treating wrinkles in cosmetic surgery. Objectives  To perform CO2 laser treatment of wrinkles induced in rat skin by UVB irradiation and to evaluate changes in the three-dimensional structure of dermal elastic fibres during wrinkle repair. Methods  Wrinkles were induced in the hind limb skin of Sprague–Dawley rats by UVB irradiation (130 mJ cm−2 three times weekly for 6 weeks), followed by CO2 laser treatment (11·3 J cm−2). The surface appearance of the skin was evaluated by replica observation 6 and 10 weeks after CO2 laser treatment followed by measurement of mechanical properties using a Cutometer. Subsequently, perfusion fixation and digestion with formic acid were performed and elastic fibres were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Image analysis of SEM micrographs was carried out to evaluate the linearity in the three-dimensional structure of elastic fibres. Results  Six weeks after CO2 laser treatment, all parameters of skin mechanical properties in the UVB-irradiated group recovered to levels of the control non-irradiated group, accompanied by repair of wrinkles and a significant increase in linearity of the three-dimensional structure of elastic fibres. Conclusions  These findings indicate that CO2 laser treatment has a therapeutic potential to repair wrinkles to non-irradiated levels through recovery of the three-dimensional structure of elastic fibres.

Electronic Resource

0304-8853

Elsevier Journal Backfiles on ScienceDirect 1907 - 2002

Physics

Electronic Resource

0304-8853

Elsevier Journal Backfiles on ScienceDirect 1907 - 2002

Physics

Electronic Resource