AIM: To investigate the impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on cellular gene expression, by conducting both in vitro and in vivo studies. METHODS: Knockdown of HBV was targeted by stable expression of short ha...AIM: To investigate the impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on cellular gene expression, by conducting both in vitro and in vivo studies. METHODS: Knockdown of HBV was targeted by stable expression of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in huH-1 cells. Cellular gene expression was compared using a human 30K cDNA microarray in the cells and quantified by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (qRT-PCR) in the cells, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and surrounding non-cancerous liver tissues (SL). RESULTS: The expressions of HBsAg and HBx protein were markedly suppressed in the cells and in HBx transgenic mouse liver, respectively, after introduction of shRNA. Of the 30K genes studied, 135 and 103 genes were identified as being down- and up-regulated, respectively, by at least twofold in the knockdown cells. Functional annotation revealed that 85 and 62 genes were classified into four up-regulated and five down-regulated functional categories, respectively. When gene expression levels were compared between HCC and SL, eight candidate genes that were confirmed to be up- or down-regulated in the knockdown cells by both microarray and qRT-PCR analyses were not expressed as expected from HBV reduction in HCC, but had similar expression patterns in HBV- and hepatitis C virus-associated cases. In contrast, among the eight genes, only APM2 was constantly repressed in HBV non-associated tissues irrespective of HCC or SL. CONCLUSION: The signature of cellular gene expression should provide new information regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms of persistent hepatitis and hepatocarcinogenesis that are associated with HBV infection.展开更多
BACKGROUND Uncovered stents used for malignant obstructions in the biliary tree, especially in the hilar area, are prone to obstruction by tumor ingrowths. In comparison, however, covered stents may block bile duct br...BACKGROUND Uncovered stents used for malignant obstructions in the biliary tree, especially in the hilar area, are prone to obstruction by tumor ingrowths. In comparison, however, covered stents may block bile duct branches and are at risk of migration. We have developed a multi-hole self-expandable metallic stent (MHSEMS), with a hole in each cell, to prevent the obstruction of bile duct branches. In addition, the holes may prevent migration due to small ingrowths by reducing the tension of the membrane. CASE SUMMARY MHSEMS were placed in five patients with a malignant obstruction and one with post-endoscopic sphincterotomy bleeding. Each MHSEMS was successfully deployed in all cases. Patients showed no complications. Two cases were reviewed. Case 1: A 74-year-old male presented with jaundice and was diagnosed with a sigmoid colon cancer and giant liver metastases in the right liver lobe. A MHSEMS was placed in the left bile duct. The jaundice improved and peroral cholangioscopy was performed. Case 2: A 90-year-old female was admitted to hospital for jaundice and diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma. A MHSEMS was placed in the left bile duct but after 8 months the stent became obstructed by tumor ingrowth. We treated the patient by ablation therapy. A silicone cover separated the internal bile duct from the surrounding tissue, protecting the latter from thermal injury during treatment by endobiliary ablation of the reobstruction. CONCLUSION A MHSEMS is a new choice of stent for biliary tract diseases.展开更多
BACKGROUND During pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with celiac axis(CA)stenosis due to compression by the median arcuate ligament(MAL),the MAL has to be divided to maintain hepatic blood flow in many cases.However,...BACKGROUND During pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with celiac axis(CA)stenosis due to compression by the median arcuate ligament(MAL),the MAL has to be divided to maintain hepatic blood flow in many cases.However,MAL division often fails,and success can only be determined intraoperatively.To overcome this problem,we performed endovascular CA stenting preoperatively,and thereafter safely performed pancreaticoduodenectomy.We present this case as a new preoperative treatment strategy that was successful.CASE SUMMARY A 77-year-old man with a diagnosis of pancreatic head cancer presented to our department for surgery.Preoperative assessment revealed CA stenosis caused by MAL.We performed endovascular stenting in the CA preoperatively because we knew that going into the operation without a strategy could lead to ischemic complications.Double-antiplatelet therapy(DAPT)–which is needed when a stent is inserted–was then administered in parallel with neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC).This allowed us to administer DAPT for a sufficient period before the main pancreaticoduodenectomy procedure while obtaining therapeutic effects from NAC.Subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was thenperformed.The operation did not require any unusual techniques and was performed safely.Postoperatively,the patient progressed well,without any ischemic complications.Histopathologically,curative resection was confirmed,and the patient had no recurrence or complications due to ischemia up to six months postoperatively.CONCLUSION Preoperative endovascular stenting,with NAC and DAPT,is effective and safe prior to pancreaticoduodenectomy in potentially resectable pancreatic cancer.展开更多
The concept, as well as the methodology of using a mineral-inspired approach in combination with solution parallel synthesis (SPS) for exploration of new phosphors among Na/Sr(Ba)/Al-silicate and Zr(Ti)-silicate miner...The concept, as well as the methodology of using a mineral-inspired approach in combination with solution parallel synthesis (SPS) for exploration of new phosphors among Na/Sr(Ba)/Al-silicate and Zr(Ti)-silicate minerals, is reported. By employing the proposed approach, we have discovered new phosphors of NaAlSiO4:Eu2+ and BaZrSi3O9:Eu2+, that emit green-yellow (553 nm) and blue-green (480 nm) light, respectively, when excited by radiation of 290 to 420 nm.展开更多
A LiCaPO4:Eu2+ phosphor with high photoluminescence was synthesized using a polymerizable complex (PC) method employing a water-soluble polyethylene glycol-conjugated phosphate ester (PEG-P). PEG-P could be obtained f...A LiCaPO4:Eu2+ phosphor with high photoluminescence was synthesized using a polymerizable complex (PC) method employing a water-soluble polyethylene glycol-conjugated phosphate ester (PEG-P). PEG-P could be obtained from a reaction among polyethylene glycol 300, phosphorus pentoxide, and pyrophosphoric acid. The PEG-P prepared was stable in an aqueous condition. A transparent solution and gel were obtained when the PEG-P was used as a source of P during the PC method, whereas the use of H3PO4 caused an undesirable precipitate. The LiCaPO4:Eu2+ obtained via the PC method employing the PEG-P showed higher emission intensity than those synthesized by a solid state reaction method and the PC method employing H3PO4. The high luminescence properties of the sample synthesized using the PEG-P may be attributed to high homogeneity of constituents in the sample.展开更多
In this study, fluorescence characteristics were evaluated by synthesizing Eu2+ doped samples for phosphates of various compositions. The study led to a green light emitting KSrY(PO4)2:Eu2+, which is rare for a phosph...In this study, fluorescence characteristics were evaluated by synthesizing Eu2+ doped samples for phosphates of various compositions. The study led to a green light emitting KSrY(PO4)2:Eu2+, which is rare for a phosphate phosphor. KSrY(PO4)2:Eu2+ had an excitation band between 250 and 450 nm and emitted green light, reaching an emission maximum at 520 nm. As this result suggests that excitation by a near-ultraviolet LED is possible, KSrY(PO4)2:Eu2+ could be useful as a phosphor for white LEDs.展开更多
The photoluminescence properties of Eu2+-activated α’-Sr2SiO4 and α’-Ba2SiO4 with a high Eu2+ concentration were investigated. In the case of Sr2-xEuxSiO4, emission was shifted from 585 to 611 nm with increasing t...The photoluminescence properties of Eu2+-activated α’-Sr2SiO4 and α’-Ba2SiO4 with a high Eu2+ concentration were investigated. In the case of Sr2-xEuxSiO4, emission was shifted from 585 to 611 nm with increasing the total Eu2+ concentration (x) from 0.1 to 0.8. This trend was similar to that in Ba2-xEuxSiO4, where the emission was shifted from 513 to 545 nm. The large redshifts in both the excitation and emission spectra were discussed in terms of the Eu2+ occupancies on two kinds of M sites and their local structural changes (M: Sr and Ba).展开更多
Synthesis of oxynitride solid solutions CaAl4-xSixO7-xNx:Eu2+ (x = 0 - 4) was attempted by the solid state reaction (SSR) methods using Si3N4 and AlN as nitrogen sources. The Ca3Al8Si4O17N4 (x = 4/3) sample with the h...Synthesis of oxynitride solid solutions CaAl4-xSixO7-xNx:Eu2+ (x = 0 - 4) was attempted by the solid state reaction (SSR) methods using Si3N4 and AlN as nitrogen sources. The Ca3Al8Si4O17N4 (x = 4/3) sample with the high phase purity was obtained when AlN was used as a nitrogen source whereas the sample synthesized using Si3N4 as another nitrogen source contained a Ca2Al2SiO7 impurity. Thus, it was revealed that AlN was a preferable nitrogen source for the synthesis of Ca3Al8Si4O17N4 by the SSR method. The solid solutions around x = 4/3 activated with Eu2+ exhibited bluish-green luminescence with emission maxima at 480 nm by the excitation at 250 - 450 nm. Thus, the CaAl4-xSixO7-xNx: Eu2+ solid solutions especially for Ca3Al8Si4O17N4:Eu2+ (x = 4/3) were developed as novel展开更多
Plant metabolomics developed as a powerful tool to examine gene functions and to gain deeper insight into the physiology of the plant cell. In this study, we screened Arabidopsis lines overexpressing rice full-length ...Plant metabolomics developed as a powerful tool to examine gene functions and to gain deeper insight into the physiology of the plant cell. In this study, we screened Arabidopsis lines overexpressing rice full-length （FL） cDNAs （rice FOX Arabidopsis lines） using a gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry （GC-TOF/MS）-based technique to identify rice genes that caused metabolic changes. This screening system allows fast and reliable identification of candi- date lines showing altered metabolite profiles. We performed metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis of a rice FOX Ara- bidopsis line that harbored the FL cDNA of the rice ortholog of the Lateral Organ Boundaries （LOB） Domain （LBD）/ Asymmetric Leaves2-1ike （ASL） gene of Arabidopsis, At-LBD37/ASL39. The investigated rice FOX Arabidopsis line showed prominent changes in the levels of metabolites related to nitrogen metabolism. The transcriptomic data as well as the results from the metabolite analysis of the Arabidopsis At-LBD37/ASL39-overexpressor plants were consistent with these findings. Furthermore, the metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis of the Os-LBD37/ASL39-overexpressing rice plants indicated that Os-LBD37/ASL39 is associated with processes related to nitrogen metabolism in rice. Thus, the combination of a metabolomics-based screening method and a gain-of-function approach is useful for rapid characterization of novel genes in both Arabidopsis and rice.展开更多
The physiological properties of rice grains are immediately obvious to consumers. High-coverage metabolomic characterization of the rice diversity research set predicted a negative correlation between fatty acid and l...The physiological properties of rice grains are immediately obvious to consumers. High-coverage metabolomic characterization of the rice diversity research set predicted a negative correlation between fatty acid and lipid levels and amylose/total starch ratio （amylose ratio）, but the reason for this is unclear. To obtain new insight into the relationships among the visual phenotypes of rice kernels, starch granule structures, amylose ratios, and metabolite changes, we investigated the metabolite changes of five Japonica cultivars with various amylose ratios and two knockout mutants （e 1, a Starch synthase Ilia （SSIIla）-deficient mutant and the SSIIla/starch branching enzyme （BE） double-knockout mutant 4019） by using mass spectrometry-based metabolomics techniques. Scanning electron microscopy clearly showed that the two mutants had unusual starch granule structures. The metabolomic compositions of two cultivars with high amylose ratios （Hoshiyutaka and Yumetoiro） exhibited similar patterns, while that of the double-knockout mutant, which has an extremely high amylose ratio, differed. Rice pedigree network analysis of the cultivars and the mutants provided insight into the association between metabolic-trait properties and their underlying genetic basis in rice breeding in Japan. Multidimensional scaling analysis revealed that the Hoshiyutaka and Yumetoiro cultivars were Indica-like, yet they are classified as Japonica subpopulations. Exploring metabolomic traits is a powerful way to follow rice genetic traces and breeding history.展开更多
文摘AIM: To investigate the impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on cellular gene expression, by conducting both in vitro and in vivo studies. METHODS: Knockdown of HBV was targeted by stable expression of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in huH-1 cells. Cellular gene expression was compared using a human 30K cDNA microarray in the cells and quantified by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (qRT-PCR) in the cells, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and surrounding non-cancerous liver tissues (SL). RESULTS: The expressions of HBsAg and HBx protein were markedly suppressed in the cells and in HBx transgenic mouse liver, respectively, after introduction of shRNA. Of the 30K genes studied, 135 and 103 genes were identified as being down- and up-regulated, respectively, by at least twofold in the knockdown cells. Functional annotation revealed that 85 and 62 genes were classified into four up-regulated and five down-regulated functional categories, respectively. When gene expression levels were compared between HCC and SL, eight candidate genes that were confirmed to be up- or down-regulated in the knockdown cells by both microarray and qRT-PCR analyses were not expressed as expected from HBV reduction in HCC, but had similar expression patterns in HBV- and hepatitis C virus-associated cases. In contrast, among the eight genes, only APM2 was constantly repressed in HBV non-associated tissues irrespective of HCC or SL. CONCLUSION: The signature of cellular gene expression should provide new information regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms of persistent hepatitis and hepatocarcinogenesis that are associated with HBV infection.
文摘BACKGROUND Uncovered stents used for malignant obstructions in the biliary tree, especially in the hilar area, are prone to obstruction by tumor ingrowths. In comparison, however, covered stents may block bile duct branches and are at risk of migration. We have developed a multi-hole self-expandable metallic stent (MHSEMS), with a hole in each cell, to prevent the obstruction of bile duct branches. In addition, the holes may prevent migration due to small ingrowths by reducing the tension of the membrane. CASE SUMMARY MHSEMS were placed in five patients with a malignant obstruction and one with post-endoscopic sphincterotomy bleeding. Each MHSEMS was successfully deployed in all cases. Patients showed no complications. Two cases were reviewed. Case 1: A 74-year-old male presented with jaundice and was diagnosed with a sigmoid colon cancer and giant liver metastases in the right liver lobe. A MHSEMS was placed in the left bile duct. The jaundice improved and peroral cholangioscopy was performed. Case 2: A 90-year-old female was admitted to hospital for jaundice and diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma. A MHSEMS was placed in the left bile duct but after 8 months the stent became obstructed by tumor ingrowth. We treated the patient by ablation therapy. A silicone cover separated the internal bile duct from the surrounding tissue, protecting the latter from thermal injury during treatment by endobiliary ablation of the reobstruction. CONCLUSION A MHSEMS is a new choice of stent for biliary tract diseases.
文摘BACKGROUND During pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with celiac axis(CA)stenosis due to compression by the median arcuate ligament(MAL),the MAL has to be divided to maintain hepatic blood flow in many cases.However,MAL division often fails,and success can only be determined intraoperatively.To overcome this problem,we performed endovascular CA stenting preoperatively,and thereafter safely performed pancreaticoduodenectomy.We present this case as a new preoperative treatment strategy that was successful.CASE SUMMARY A 77-year-old man with a diagnosis of pancreatic head cancer presented to our department for surgery.Preoperative assessment revealed CA stenosis caused by MAL.We performed endovascular stenting in the CA preoperatively because we knew that going into the operation without a strategy could lead to ischemic complications.Double-antiplatelet therapy(DAPT)–which is needed when a stent is inserted–was then administered in parallel with neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC).This allowed us to administer DAPT for a sufficient period before the main pancreaticoduodenectomy procedure while obtaining therapeutic effects from NAC.Subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was thenperformed.The operation did not require any unusual techniques and was performed safely.Postoperatively,the patient progressed well,without any ischemic complications.Histopathologically,curative resection was confirmed,and the patient had no recurrence or complications due to ischemia up to six months postoperatively.CONCLUSION Preoperative endovascular stenting,with NAC and DAPT,is effective and safe prior to pancreaticoduodenectomy in potentially resectable pancreatic cancer.
文摘The concept, as well as the methodology of using a mineral-inspired approach in combination with solution parallel synthesis (SPS) for exploration of new phosphors among Na/Sr(Ba)/Al-silicate and Zr(Ti)-silicate minerals, is reported. By employing the proposed approach, we have discovered new phosphors of NaAlSiO4:Eu2+ and BaZrSi3O9:Eu2+, that emit green-yellow (553 nm) and blue-green (480 nm) light, respectively, when excited by radiation of 290 to 420 nm.
文摘A LiCaPO4:Eu2+ phosphor with high photoluminescence was synthesized using a polymerizable complex (PC) method employing a water-soluble polyethylene glycol-conjugated phosphate ester (PEG-P). PEG-P could be obtained from a reaction among polyethylene glycol 300, phosphorus pentoxide, and pyrophosphoric acid. The PEG-P prepared was stable in an aqueous condition. A transparent solution and gel were obtained when the PEG-P was used as a source of P during the PC method, whereas the use of H3PO4 caused an undesirable precipitate. The LiCaPO4:Eu2+ obtained via the PC method employing the PEG-P showed higher emission intensity than those synthesized by a solid state reaction method and the PC method employing H3PO4. The high luminescence properties of the sample synthesized using the PEG-P may be attributed to high homogeneity of constituents in the sample.
文摘In this study, fluorescence characteristics were evaluated by synthesizing Eu2+ doped samples for phosphates of various compositions. The study led to a green light emitting KSrY(PO4)2:Eu2+, which is rare for a phosphate phosphor. KSrY(PO4)2:Eu2+ had an excitation band between 250 and 450 nm and emitted green light, reaching an emission maximum at 520 nm. As this result suggests that excitation by a near-ultraviolet LED is possible, KSrY(PO4)2:Eu2+ could be useful as a phosphor for white LEDs.
文摘The photoluminescence properties of Eu2+-activated α’-Sr2SiO4 and α’-Ba2SiO4 with a high Eu2+ concentration were investigated. In the case of Sr2-xEuxSiO4, emission was shifted from 585 to 611 nm with increasing the total Eu2+ concentration (x) from 0.1 to 0.8. This trend was similar to that in Ba2-xEuxSiO4, where the emission was shifted from 513 to 545 nm. The large redshifts in both the excitation and emission spectra were discussed in terms of the Eu2+ occupancies on two kinds of M sites and their local structural changes (M: Sr and Ba).
文摘Synthesis of oxynitride solid solutions CaAl4-xSixO7-xNx:Eu2+ (x = 0 - 4) was attempted by the solid state reaction (SSR) methods using Si3N4 and AlN as nitrogen sources. The Ca3Al8Si4O17N4 (x = 4/3) sample with the high phase purity was obtained when AlN was used as a nitrogen source whereas the sample synthesized using Si3N4 as another nitrogen source contained a Ca2Al2SiO7 impurity. Thus, it was revealed that AlN was a preferable nitrogen source for the synthesis of Ca3Al8Si4O17N4 by the SSR method. The solid solutions around x = 4/3 activated with Eu2+ exhibited bluish-green luminescence with emission maxima at 480 nm by the excitation at 250 - 450 nm. Thus, the CaAl4-xSixO7-xNx: Eu2+ solid solutions especially for Ca3Al8Si4O17N4:Eu2+ (x = 4/3) were developed as novel
文摘Plant metabolomics developed as a powerful tool to examine gene functions and to gain deeper insight into the physiology of the plant cell. In this study, we screened Arabidopsis lines overexpressing rice full-length （FL） cDNAs （rice FOX Arabidopsis lines） using a gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry （GC-TOF/MS）-based technique to identify rice genes that caused metabolic changes. This screening system allows fast and reliable identification of candi- date lines showing altered metabolite profiles. We performed metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis of a rice FOX Ara- bidopsis line that harbored the FL cDNA of the rice ortholog of the Lateral Organ Boundaries （LOB） Domain （LBD）/ Asymmetric Leaves2-1ike （ASL） gene of Arabidopsis, At-LBD37/ASL39. The investigated rice FOX Arabidopsis line showed prominent changes in the levels of metabolites related to nitrogen metabolism. The transcriptomic data as well as the results from the metabolite analysis of the Arabidopsis At-LBD37/ASL39-overexpressor plants were consistent with these findings. Furthermore, the metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis of the Os-LBD37/ASL39-overexpressing rice plants indicated that Os-LBD37/ASL39 is associated with processes related to nitrogen metabolism in rice. Thus, the combination of a metabolomics-based screening method and a gain-of-function approach is useful for rapid characterization of novel genes in both Arabidopsis and rice.
文摘The physiological properties of rice grains are immediately obvious to consumers. High-coverage metabolomic characterization of the rice diversity research set predicted a negative correlation between fatty acid and lipid levels and amylose/total starch ratio （amylose ratio）, but the reason for this is unclear. To obtain new insight into the relationships among the visual phenotypes of rice kernels, starch granule structures, amylose ratios, and metabolite changes, we investigated the metabolite changes of five Japonica cultivars with various amylose ratios and two knockout mutants （e 1, a Starch synthase Ilia （SSIIla）-deficient mutant and the SSIIla/starch branching enzyme （BE） double-knockout mutant 4019） by using mass spectrometry-based metabolomics techniques. Scanning electron microscopy clearly showed that the two mutants had unusual starch granule structures. The metabolomic compositions of two cultivars with high amylose ratios （Hoshiyutaka and Yumetoiro） exhibited similar patterns, while that of the double-knockout mutant, which has an extremely high amylose ratio, differed. Rice pedigree network analysis of the cultivars and the mutants provided insight into the association between metabolic-trait properties and their underlying genetic basis in rice breeding in Japan. Multidimensional scaling analysis revealed that the Hoshiyutaka and Yumetoiro cultivars were Indica-like, yet they are classified as Japonica subpopulations. Exploring metabolomic traits is a powerful way to follow rice genetic traces and breeding history.
