Tokyo University of Science

About: Tokyo University of Science is a education organization based out in Tokyo, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Thin film. The organization has 15800 authors who have published 24147 publications receiving 438081 citations. The organization is also known as: Tōkyō Rika Daigaku & Science University of Tokyo.

IL-27 induces Th1 differentiation via p38 MAPK/T-bet- and intercellular adhesion molecule-1/LFA-1/ERK1/2-dependent pathways.

Abstract: IL-27, a novel member of the IL-6/IL-12 family, activates both STAT1 and STAT3 through its receptor, which consists of WSX-1 and gp130 subunits, resulting in positive and negative regulations of immune responses. We recently demonstrated that IL-27 induces Th1 differentiation through ICAM-1/LFA-1 interaction in a STAT1-dependent, but T-bet-independent mechanism. In this study, we further investigated the molecular mechanisms by focusing on p38 MAPK and ERK1/2. IL-27-induced Th1 differentiation was partially inhibited by lack of T-bet expression or by blocking ICAM-1/LFA-1 interaction with anti-ICAM-1 and/or anti-LFA-1, and further inhibited by both. Similarly, the p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, or the inhibitor of ERK1/2 phosphorylation, PD98059, partially suppressed IL-27-induced Th1 differentiation and the combined treatment completely suppressed it. p38 MAPK was then revealed to be located upstream of T-bet, and SB203580, but not PD98059, inhibited T-bet-dependent Th1 differentiation. In contrast, ERK1/2 was shown to be located downstream of ICAM-1/LFA-1, and PD98059, but not SB203580, inhibited ICAM-1/LFA-1-dependent Th1 differentiation. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that STAT1 is important for IL-27-induced activation of ERK1/2, but not p38 MAPK, and that IL-27 directly induces mRNA expression of growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible 45γ, which is known to mediate activation of p38 MAPK. Finally, IL-12Rβ2 expression was shown to be up-regulated by IL-27 in both T-bet- and ICAM-1/LFA-1-dependent mechanisms. Taken together, these results suggest that IL-27 induces Th1 differentiation via two distinct pathways, p38 MAPK/T-bet- and ICAM-1/LFA-1/ERK1/2-dependent pathways. This is in contrast to IL-12, which induces it via only p38 MAPK/T-bet-dependent pathway.

Brillouin scattering study of gallium nitride: elastic stiffness constants

Abstract: High-resolution Brillouin scattering measurements on a high-quality wurtzite gallium nitride (GaN) single crystal were carried out and elastic stiffness constants were determined. A comparison is given with the results of a recently reported model for calculation of the elastic constants of III-V semiconductors based on the modified version of Keyes's relations. A good agreement is found between the experimental and theoretical elastic constants for GaN.

Identification of influx transporter for the quinolone antibacterial agent levofloxacin.

Abstract: Quinolone antibacterial agents exhibit high intestinal absorption, selective tissue distribution, and renal and biliary excretion. Several ATP-binding cassette transporters are involved in efflux transport of these agents, but no influx transporters have yet been molecularly identified. In the present study, we aimed to identify the influx transporter(s) of quinolone antibiotics using levofloxacin as a model compound. Several candidate transporter genes were selected based on differential expression of mRNAs among Caco-2 cell subclones that exhibited differential uptake activities for levofloxacin. Based on a functional analysis of each transporter gene for which a good correlation was found between expression level and levofloxacin transport activity in the Caco-2 subclones, organic anion transporting polypeptide 1A2 (OATP1A2 (OATP-A), SLCO1A2) was concluded to transport levofloxacin. When OATP1A2 was expressed in Xenopus oocytes, levofloxacin transport was essentially pH-independent and was not stereoselective. OATP1A2-mediated uptake of levofloxacin showed a K(m) value of 136 microM. Apparent uptake of levofloxacin by Caco-2 cells showed high- and low-affinity components with K(m) values of 0.489 and 14.6 mM, respectively. Accordingly, plural transporters are functional for the transport of levofloxacin in Caco-2 cells, and OATP1A2 is likely to function as a high-affinity transporter. The inhibitory effects and the expression of transport activity of other quinolone antibacterial agents suggested that OATP1A2 commonly transports all the agents tested. In conclusion, this is the first identification of an influx transporter for fluoroquinolones, and the results suggest that active influx transport at least partially explains the high membrane permeability of the quinolone agents in various tissues.

Primary CNS germ cell tumors in Japan and the United States: an analysis of 4 tumor registries

Abstract: Intracranial germ cell tumors (GCTs) are relatively rare. Their incidence has been considered to be higher in East Asia than in the United States. This study estimates the incidence of CNS GCTs in Japan and the United States, investigates gender discrepancies in each country, and describes treatment outcomes. Data on primary CNS GCTs from 4 databases were utilized: population-based malignant incidence data from (1) the Japan Cancer Surveillance Research Group (2004–2006; 14 registries), malignant and nonmalignant incidence data from (2) the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (2004–2008; 17 registries), and hospital-based observed survival data from (3) the Brain Tumor Registry of Japan (1984–2000) and (4) the US National Cancer Data Base (1990–2003). Incidence rates per 100 000 for malignant GCTs were not statistically significantly different between Japan (males = 0.143, females = 0.046) and the United States (males = 0.118, females = 0.030). The malignant incidence-rate ratio was higher for pineal GCTs versus nonpineal (ie, the rest of the brain) GCTs in Japan (11.5:1 vs 1.9:1, respectively) and the United States (16.0:1 vs 1.7:1, respectively). In general, 5-year survival estimates were high: over 75% for all GCTs, and over 81% for germinomas, regardless of the type of treatment in either Japan or the United States. The incidence of primary GCTs is similar between Japan and the United States and has the same gender-based patterns by location. High rates of survival were observed in both countries.