<p>WT and IFNAR1KO mice were infected intratracheally with <i>C</i>. <i>n... more <p>WT and IFNAR1KO mice were infected intratracheally with <i>C</i>. <i>neoformans</i>. (<b><i>A</i></b>) IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 production in the lung homogenates was measured on day 3, 7, 14, and 28 after infection. Each column represents the mean ± SD of five to six mice. (<b><i>B</i></b>) LN cells obtained on day 7 post-infection were stimulated with indicated doses of <i>C</i>. <i>neoformans</i> or ConA for 48 h, and production of IL-4 was measured. Each column represents the mean ± SD of triplicate cultures. The lung leukocytes (<b><i>C</i></b>) and LN cells (<b><i>D</i>)</b> were prepared on day 7 post-infection. Expression of IL-4 in CD3<sup>+</sup> CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells was analyzed using flow cytometry and the number of IL-4<sup>+</sup> CD3<sup>+</sup> CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells was calculated. Each column represents the mean ± SD of five mice. Experiments were repeated twice with similar results and the representative data are shown. <i>NS</i>, not significant; *, <i>p < 0</i>.<i>05</i>.</p
Carboxyboranylamino ethanol is cell membrane permeable and has low cytotoxicity. It shows high mo... more Carboxyboranylamino ethanol is cell membrane permeable and has low cytotoxicity. It shows high molecular docking scores and improved antitumor efficacy in vitro.
Objective We aimed to clarify the clinical significance of serum levels of MMPs in interstitial l... more Objective We aimed to clarify the clinical significance of serum levels of MMPs in interstitial lung disease (ILD) complicated with PM/DM (PM/DM-ILD). Methods We retrospectively analysed serum levels of seven subsets of MMPs in 52 PM/DM-ILD patients diagnosed at Kyoto University Hospital or Tenri Hospital from January 2005 to December 2014. The patients were sub-grouped based on the presence of anti-amimoacyl-tRNA synthetase antibody (anti-ARS antibody), anti-melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 antibody (anti-MDA5 antibody) or lack of the antibodies (ARS-ILD, MDA5-ILD and other-ILD groups, respectively) and independently analysed. Eighteen PM/DM patients without ILD and 55 healthy control were also analysed. Associations between serum levels of MMPs and clinical findings including mortality were analysed. Results Among the MMPs analysed, MMP-7 serum levels in the ARS-ILD group were significantly higher compared with those in any of the other groups of PM/DM patients or in ...
Primary systemic vasculitis associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA) differs i... more Primary systemic vasculitis associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA) differs in its frequency and clinical expression between Japan and Europe. We sought to ascertain whether such differences arise from the performance of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for ANCA. Plasma samples from 64 consecutive Japanese patients with a clinical and histological diagnosis of primary systemic vasculitis including microscopic polyangiitis (MPA; n=52), Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS; n=1), and Wegener's granulomatosis (WG; n=11), or those from disease controls with non-vasculitic glomerulonephritis (n=54) and healthy controls (n=55) were tested for the presence of myeloperoxidase (MPO) by ELISAs available in Japan (Nipro and MBL) and compared with those in Europe (Wieslab). The sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each ELISA, and its diagnostic performance was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The sensitivity and specificity of ei...
We investigated the effect of human recombinant interferon-alpha A/D A/D-IFN), which is known to ... more We investigated the effect of human recombinant interferon-alpha A/D A/D-IFN), which is known to delay the growth of murine tumor cells, on the growth of S1 and R1 subline cells of murine Meth A fibrosarcoma in the peritoneal cavity of mice. In vitro growth of S1 cells was sensitive to, and that of R1 cells was resistant to, the direct effect of A/D-IFN, as with murine natural IFN-alpha/beta, which was used originally to isolate these sublines. In vivo, however, the growth of not only S1 cells but also R1 cells was suppressed by the administration of A/D-IFN, and the survival time of tumor-bearing mice was prolonged. Although A/D-IFN had a direct effect on S1 cells in vivo, R1 cells were susceptible only to the indirect effect via the host cells. Macrophages (M phi) harvested from the peritoneal cavity of A/D-IFN-treated mice bearing ascitic R1 cells were very effective in suppressing the in vitro growth of R1 cells; those from non-R1-bearing A/D-IFN-treated mice were less effective...
The non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse is an animal model of human insulin dependent diabetes mellitu... more The non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse is an animal model of human insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). In this strain, the serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) after OK432 (a streptococcal preparation) stimulation is much lower than in any other non-diabetic control strain. Female NOD mice which have a higher incidence of diabetes have significantly lower TNF alpha level (6.5 +/- 4 U/ml, mean +/- SEM) than do male NOD mice (21 +/- 5 U/ml) (P < 0.02) which have lower incidence of diabetes. On the basis of these results, we designed a prospective study to evaluate the relationship between the serum TNF alpha concentration and the incidence of diabetes in individual male NOD mice. Mice were studied until 30 weeks of age. During this period four of eight mice with a low TNF alpha level (TNF alpha < or = 1.1 U/ml) became diabetic, whereas none of eighteen mice with a high TNF alpha level (TNF alpha > 1.1 U/ml) developed overt diabetes. These results indicate that by measuring of endogeneous TNF alpha level after stimulation by OK432, one could predict IDDM in male NOD mice.
This study utilized data on serum cytokines, chemokines, and soluble receptors of 129 Bangladesh ... more This study utilized data on serum cytokines, chemokines, and soluble receptors of 129 Bangladesh COVID19-infected patients within days of disease onset and prior to treatment. The majority of patients in Bangladesh between December 2021 to September 2022 was infected with the Omicron strain, and over 88% of them were vaccinated. Patients were divided into two groups: those who were cured with mild disease and who deteriorated and progressed to moderate and severe disease. This data was used as training data to identify markers with the LASSO method, and a formula containing 15 predictive markers was selected. The predictive markers were then used to predict the nal outcome for 194 Japanese patients. The Japanese patients transitioned from the Wuhan to the Omicron strain, with data collected for almost two years from June 2020 to June 2022. Japanese patients' results showed a good AUC of 0.9219. We observed that the percentage of correct answers for the virus strain in waves 5 and 6 (over 80%) were higher than the strains in waves the 2 to 4. These results are particularly useful as predictive markers of exacerbation to determine whether postvaccine COVID infection can be handled with medication and home care, or whether hospitalization is required.
Seven different embryoid body (EB) lines of mouse teratocarcinoma were isolated from a single EB.... more Seven different embryoid body (EB) lines of mouse teratocarcinoma were isolated from a single EB. With regard to each of the lines, a comparison was made of the following developmental properties, including potentiality: (1) cavity formation in a short term intraperitoneal passage, (2) growth in vivo, (3) cardiac muscle differentiation in vitro following intraperitoneal passage and (4) differentiation of solid tumours in vivo. These lines could be divided into three distinct groups with respect to their capacity for cardiac muscle differentiation. It has been shown that a high capacity for cell differentiation in vitro correlates well with the capacity for cavity formation of an EB during the in vivo period. This cavity formation was followed by the appearance of primitive-streak-like structures, from which mesodermal cells were subsequently formed.
Information spreading on social media is a crucial issue to build a safe society. In particular, ... more Information spreading on social media is a crucial issue to build a safe society. In particular, during emergencies, misinformation and uncertain information can lead to social disruption and cause significant damage to our lives. Here we built a retweet network from 24 million radiation-related tweets by 1.3 million accounts in the immediate aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in 2011. Then we simulated the information spreading on the network to explore ways to spread scientifically accurate information. Our simulation replicated the reality in which the number of scientific evidence-based tweets experienced a gradual decline while the number of emotional tweets increased. We also showed that increasing new direct retweets from the influencers could effectively spread scientific evidence-based information in our hypothetical simulations.
Background Kawasaki disease (KD) is usually treated with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IV... more Background Kawasaki disease (KD) is usually treated with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) as severe infectious and other diseases. Due to issues that are associated with immunoglobulin preparation, such as the risk of possible contamination by infectious agents and limited blood banking resources, recombinant immunoglobulins are required.
After the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, artificial radionuclides such as... more After the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, artificial radionuclides such as radioactive cesium and iodine were released into the environment. It caused great anxiety not only in the vicinity of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant but also in other regions of the world. Some members of the Japan Health Physics Society (JHPS), a leading academic society in Japan in the field of radiation protection, volunteered to establish a website called “Question and Answer (Q&A) about radiation in daily life” shortly after the accident to help reduce the residents’ anxiety about the health effects of radiation. In August 2011, “Committee for Q&A about radiation in daily life” was established in JHPS, making the website-related activities a responsibility of JHPS. The Q&A website continued to respond to the questions from the general public with expertise and sincerity until February 2013 when the Committee members decided to end the activities because the number of que...
<p>WT and IFNAR1KO mice were infected intratracheally with <i>C</i>. <i>n... more <p>WT and IFNAR1KO mice were infected intratracheally with <i>C</i>. <i>neoformans</i>. (<b><i>A</i></b>) IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 production in the lung homogenates was measured on day 3, 7, 14, and 28 after infection. Each column represents the mean ± SD of five to six mice. (<b><i>B</i></b>) LN cells obtained on day 7 post-infection were stimulated with indicated doses of <i>C</i>. <i>neoformans</i> or ConA for 48 h, and production of IL-4 was measured. Each column represents the mean ± SD of triplicate cultures. The lung leukocytes (<b><i>C</i></b>) and LN cells (<b><i>D</i>)</b> were prepared on day 7 post-infection. Expression of IL-4 in CD3<sup>+</sup> CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells was analyzed using flow cytometry and the number of IL-4<sup>+</sup> CD3<sup>+</sup> CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells was calculated. Each column represents the mean ± SD of five mice. Experiments were repeated twice with similar results and the representative data are shown. <i>NS</i>, not significant; *, <i>p < 0</i>.<i>05</i>.</p
Carboxyboranylamino ethanol is cell membrane permeable and has low cytotoxicity. It shows high mo... more Carboxyboranylamino ethanol is cell membrane permeable and has low cytotoxicity. It shows high molecular docking scores and improved antitumor efficacy in vitro.
Objective We aimed to clarify the clinical significance of serum levels of MMPs in interstitial l... more Objective We aimed to clarify the clinical significance of serum levels of MMPs in interstitial lung disease (ILD) complicated with PM/DM (PM/DM-ILD). Methods We retrospectively analysed serum levels of seven subsets of MMPs in 52 PM/DM-ILD patients diagnosed at Kyoto University Hospital or Tenri Hospital from January 2005 to December 2014. The patients were sub-grouped based on the presence of anti-amimoacyl-tRNA synthetase antibody (anti-ARS antibody), anti-melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 antibody (anti-MDA5 antibody) or lack of the antibodies (ARS-ILD, MDA5-ILD and other-ILD groups, respectively) and independently analysed. Eighteen PM/DM patients without ILD and 55 healthy control were also analysed. Associations between serum levels of MMPs and clinical findings including mortality were analysed. Results Among the MMPs analysed, MMP-7 serum levels in the ARS-ILD group were significantly higher compared with those in any of the other groups of PM/DM patients or in ...
Primary systemic vasculitis associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA) differs i... more Primary systemic vasculitis associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA) differs in its frequency and clinical expression between Japan and Europe. We sought to ascertain whether such differences arise from the performance of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for ANCA. Plasma samples from 64 consecutive Japanese patients with a clinical and histological diagnosis of primary systemic vasculitis including microscopic polyangiitis (MPA; n=52), Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS; n=1), and Wegener's granulomatosis (WG; n=11), or those from disease controls with non-vasculitic glomerulonephritis (n=54) and healthy controls (n=55) were tested for the presence of myeloperoxidase (MPO) by ELISAs available in Japan (Nipro and MBL) and compared with those in Europe (Wieslab). The sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each ELISA, and its diagnostic performance was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The sensitivity and specificity of ei...
We investigated the effect of human recombinant interferon-alpha A/D A/D-IFN), which is known to ... more We investigated the effect of human recombinant interferon-alpha A/D A/D-IFN), which is known to delay the growth of murine tumor cells, on the growth of S1 and R1 subline cells of murine Meth A fibrosarcoma in the peritoneal cavity of mice. In vitro growth of S1 cells was sensitive to, and that of R1 cells was resistant to, the direct effect of A/D-IFN, as with murine natural IFN-alpha/beta, which was used originally to isolate these sublines. In vivo, however, the growth of not only S1 cells but also R1 cells was suppressed by the administration of A/D-IFN, and the survival time of tumor-bearing mice was prolonged. Although A/D-IFN had a direct effect on S1 cells in vivo, R1 cells were susceptible only to the indirect effect via the host cells. Macrophages (M phi) harvested from the peritoneal cavity of A/D-IFN-treated mice bearing ascitic R1 cells were very effective in suppressing the in vitro growth of R1 cells; those from non-R1-bearing A/D-IFN-treated mice were less effective...
The non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse is an animal model of human insulin dependent diabetes mellitu... more The non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse is an animal model of human insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). In this strain, the serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) after OK432 (a streptococcal preparation) stimulation is much lower than in any other non-diabetic control strain. Female NOD mice which have a higher incidence of diabetes have significantly lower TNF alpha level (6.5 +/- 4 U/ml, mean +/- SEM) than do male NOD mice (21 +/- 5 U/ml) (P < 0.02) which have lower incidence of diabetes. On the basis of these results, we designed a prospective study to evaluate the relationship between the serum TNF alpha concentration and the incidence of diabetes in individual male NOD mice. Mice were studied until 30 weeks of age. During this period four of eight mice with a low TNF alpha level (TNF alpha < or = 1.1 U/ml) became diabetic, whereas none of eighteen mice with a high TNF alpha level (TNF alpha > 1.1 U/ml) developed overt diabetes. These results indicate that by measuring of endogeneous TNF alpha level after stimulation by OK432, one could predict IDDM in male NOD mice.
This study utilized data on serum cytokines, chemokines, and soluble receptors of 129 Bangladesh ... more This study utilized data on serum cytokines, chemokines, and soluble receptors of 129 Bangladesh COVID19-infected patients within days of disease onset and prior to treatment. The majority of patients in Bangladesh between December 2021 to September 2022 was infected with the Omicron strain, and over 88% of them were vaccinated. Patients were divided into two groups: those who were cured with mild disease and who deteriorated and progressed to moderate and severe disease. This data was used as training data to identify markers with the LASSO method, and a formula containing 15 predictive markers was selected. The predictive markers were then used to predict the nal outcome for 194 Japanese patients. The Japanese patients transitioned from the Wuhan to the Omicron strain, with data collected for almost two years from June 2020 to June 2022. Japanese patients' results showed a good AUC of 0.9219. We observed that the percentage of correct answers for the virus strain in waves 5 and 6 (over 80%) were higher than the strains in waves the 2 to 4. These results are particularly useful as predictive markers of exacerbation to determine whether postvaccine COVID infection can be handled with medication and home care, or whether hospitalization is required.
Seven different embryoid body (EB) lines of mouse teratocarcinoma were isolated from a single EB.... more Seven different embryoid body (EB) lines of mouse teratocarcinoma were isolated from a single EB. With regard to each of the lines, a comparison was made of the following developmental properties, including potentiality: (1) cavity formation in a short term intraperitoneal passage, (2) growth in vivo, (3) cardiac muscle differentiation in vitro following intraperitoneal passage and (4) differentiation of solid tumours in vivo. These lines could be divided into three distinct groups with respect to their capacity for cardiac muscle differentiation. It has been shown that a high capacity for cell differentiation in vitro correlates well with the capacity for cavity formation of an EB during the in vivo period. This cavity formation was followed by the appearance of primitive-streak-like structures, from which mesodermal cells were subsequently formed.
Information spreading on social media is a crucial issue to build a safe society. In particular, ... more Information spreading on social media is a crucial issue to build a safe society. In particular, during emergencies, misinformation and uncertain information can lead to social disruption and cause significant damage to our lives. Here we built a retweet network from 24 million radiation-related tweets by 1.3 million accounts in the immediate aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in 2011. Then we simulated the information spreading on the network to explore ways to spread scientifically accurate information. Our simulation replicated the reality in which the number of scientific evidence-based tweets experienced a gradual decline while the number of emotional tweets increased. We also showed that increasing new direct retweets from the influencers could effectively spread scientific evidence-based information in our hypothetical simulations.
Background Kawasaki disease (KD) is usually treated with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IV... more Background Kawasaki disease (KD) is usually treated with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) as severe infectious and other diseases. Due to issues that are associated with immunoglobulin preparation, such as the risk of possible contamination by infectious agents and limited blood banking resources, recombinant immunoglobulins are required.
After the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, artificial radionuclides such as... more After the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, artificial radionuclides such as radioactive cesium and iodine were released into the environment. It caused great anxiety not only in the vicinity of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant but also in other regions of the world. Some members of the Japan Health Physics Society (JHPS), a leading academic society in Japan in the field of radiation protection, volunteered to establish a website called “Question and Answer (Q&A) about radiation in daily life” shortly after the accident to help reduce the residents’ anxiety about the health effects of radiation. In August 2011, “Committee for Q&A about radiation in daily life” was established in JHPS, making the website-related activities a responsibility of JHPS. The Q&A website continued to respond to the questions from the general public with expertise and sincerity until February 2013 when the Committee members decided to end the activities because the number of que...
Uploads
Papers by Kazuko Uno