Kanazawa Medical University

About: Kanazawa Medical University is a education organization based out in Kanazawa, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 3103 authors who have published 6322 publications receiving 144592 citations. The organization is also known as: Kanazawa ika daigaku.

Secular trends of the impact of overweight and obesity on hypertension in Japan, 1980–2010

Abstract: The prevalence of overweight (body mass index (BMI)=25.0–29.9 kg m−2) and obesity (⩾30.0 kg m−2) has been increasing over the last several decades in Japan. We examined trends of the impact of overweight and obesity on hypertension (systolic/diastolic blood pressure ⩾140/90 mm Hg or antihypertensive drugs use) using four national surveys in Japan, from which the participants were randomly sampled from the entire population. Study participants aged 30–79 years were selected for each survey (10 370 in 1980, 8005 in 1990, 5327 in 2000 and 2547 in 2010). The results showed that the impact of overweight and obesity on hypertension had increased significantly (P=0.040 and 0.006 in men and women, respectively). From 1980 to 2010, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratios for hypertension, comparing overweight and obesity with normal weight (BMI =18.5–24.9 kg m−2), went from 1.94 (95% confidence intervals: 1.64, 2.28) to 2.82 (2.07, 3.83) in men, and from 2.37 (2.05, 2.73) to 3.48 (2.57, 4.72) in women. Most of the association was observed in overweight participants, as only 3% of the Japanese were obese. In addition to the relationship between excessive BMI and other adverse health conditions, the rise in the association with hypertension increases the urgency in addressing weight control. We need to address the overweight and obesity epidemic.

Repair of ultraviolet radiation damage in xeroderma pigmentosum cells belonging to complementation group F

Abstract: DNA-repair characteristics of xeroderma pigmentosum belonging to complementation group F were investigated. The cells exhibited an intermediate level of repair as measured in terms of (1) disappearance of T4 endonuclease-V-susceptible sites from DNA, (2) formation of ultraviolet-induced strand breaks in DNA, and (3) ultraviolet-induced unscheduled DNA synthesis during post-irradiation incubation. The impaired ability of XP3YO to perform unscheduled DNA synthesis was restored, to half the normal level, by the concomitant treatment with T4 endonuclease V and ultraviolet-inactivated Sendai virus. It is suggested that xeroderma pigmentosum cells of group F may be defective, at least in part, in the incision step of excision repair.

Roles of TGF β and FGF Signals in the Lens: Tropomyosin Regulation for Posterior Capsule Opacity

Abstract: Transforming growth factor (TGF) β and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 2 are related to the development of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after lens extraction surgery and other processes of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Oxidative stress seems to activate TGF β1 largely through reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which in turn alters the transcription of several survival genes, including lens epithelium-cell derived growth factor (LEDGF). Higher ROS levels attenuate LEDGF function, leading to down-regulation of peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6). TGF β is regulated by ROS in Prdx6 knock-out lens epithelial cells (LECs) and induces the up-regulation of tropomyosins (Tpms) 1/2, and EMT of LECs. Mouse and rat PCO are accompanied by elevated expression of Tpm2. Further, the expression of Tpm1/2 is induced by TGF β2 in LECs. Importantly, we previously showed that TGF β2 and FGF2 play regulatory roles in LECs in a contrasting manner. An injury-induced EMT of a mouse lens as a PCO model was attenuated in the absence of Tpm2. In this review, we present findings regarding the roles of TGF β and FGF2 in the differential regulation of EMT in the lens. Tpms may be associated with TGF β2- and FGF2-related EMT and PCO development.