Kumamoto University

About: Kumamoto University is a education organization based out in Kumamoto, Kumamoto, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 19602 authors who have published 35513 publications receiving 901260 citations. The organization is also known as: Kumamoto Daigaku.

Free Radicals in Viral Pathogenesis: Molecular Mechanisms Involving Superoxide and NO:

Abstract: The importance of free radical molecular species in the pathogenesis of various viral diseases has been increasingly recognized in recent years. Oxygen radicals such as superoxide (O2-) and hydroxyl radical (.OH) have been implicated as possible pathogenic molecules in viral disease pathogenesis. Much attention has been given to another simple inorganic radical [nitric oxide (NO)] in the host's defense mechanism and pathogenesis of virus infection. The NO synthesis pathway, in particular, the inducible isoform of NO synthase (iNOS), is expressed in different viral diseases via induction of proinflammatory cytokines such as interferon-gamma. iNOS produces an excessive amount of NO for a long time compared with other constitutive isoforms of NOS (i.e., neuronal NOS and endothelial NOS). Recent studies indicate that NO and O2- are produced in excess during the host's defense responses against various intruding microbes. Reactive nitrogen oxide species such as peroxynitrite (ONOO-) and NOx (NO2 and N2O3) are produced in biological systems through the reaction of NO with either O2- or O2. Among these reactive nitrogen species, ONOO- and its biological actions are of considerable interest in that ONOO- causes oxidation and nitration of amino acid residues of proteins and guanine of DNA, lipid peroxidation, and DNA cleavage. Because the ONOO- is formed via a diffusion-limited fast reaction of NO and O2-, it may be a dominant nitrogen oxide species during the host's defense reactions, when both NO and O2- are produced in excess. Thus, understanding the role of NO and oxygen radical generation in virus infections will provide insight into not only viral pathogenesis but also the host-pathogen interaction in microbial infections at a molecular level.

Cys34-cysteinylated human serum albumin is a sensitive plasma marker in oxidative stress-related chronic diseases

Abstract: The degree of oxidized cysteine (Cys) 34 in human serum albumin (HSA), as determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), is correlated with oxidative stress related pathological conditions. In order to further characterize the oxidation of Cys34-HSA at the molecular level and to develop a suitable analytical method for a rapid and sensitive clinical laboratory analysis, the use of electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ESI-TOFMS) was evaluated. A marked increase in the cysteinylation of Cys34 occurs in chronic liver and kidney diseases and diabetes mellitus. A significant positive correlation was observed between the Cys-Cys34-HSA fraction of plasma samples obtained from 229 patients, as determined by ESI-TOFMS, and the degree of oxidized Cys34-HSA determined by HPLC. The Cys-Cys34-HSA fraction was significantly increased with the progression of liver cirrhosis, and was reduced by branched chain amino acids (BCAA) treatment. The changes in the Cys-Cys34-HSA fraction were significantly correlated with the alternations of the plasma levels of advanced oxidized protein products, an oxidative stress marker for proteins. The binding ability of endogenous substances (bilirubin and tryptophan) and drugs (warfarin and diazepam) to HSA purified from chronic liver disease patients were significantly suppressed but significantly improved by BCAA supplementation. Interestingly, the changes in this physiological function of HSA in chronic liver disease were correlated with the Cys-Cys34-HSA fraction. In conclusion, ESI-TOFMS is a suitable high throughput method for the rapid and sensitive quantification of Cys-Cys34-HSA in a large number of samples for evaluating oxidative stress related chronic disease progression or in response to a treatment.

Sports Activity After Arthroscopic Superior Labral Repair Using Suture Anchors in Overhead-Throwing Athletes

Abstract: PurposeTo evaluate the results of arthroscopic repair of type II superior labral anterior posterior lesions of the shoulder in overhead athletes.HypothesisSuch repair is useful for overhead athletes in terms of postoperative sports activity.Study DesignCase series; Level of evidence, 4.MethodsThe study group was composed of 40 patients with a mean age of 24 years (range, 15-38 years); mean follow-up was 41 months (range, 24-58 months). They were divided into an overuse (n = 22) and a trauma group (n = 18). The authors used 2 suture anchors loaded with a nonabsorbable suture at the 11-o'clock and 1-o'clock positions through the anterosuperior and lateral trans-rotator cuff portal. A modified Rowe score and postoperative athletic activities were evaluated.ResultsAfter arthroscopic repair, mean modified Rowe scores improved from 27.5 to 92.1 points (P <. 0001). Rated on this scale, the results were excellent in 30 (75%), good in 6 (15%), and fair in 4 (10%) athletes; there were no poor results. Satisfactory ...