Shotaro Takano

To investigate the role of macrophages as a regulator and producer of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the synovial tissue (ST) of osteoarthritis (OA) joints, the gene expression profiles of several inflammatory cytokines in the ST, including synovial macrophages and fibroblasts, of OA mice (STR/Ort) were characterized. Specifically, real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to evaluate the expression of tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-6, and NGF in CD11b+ and

Synovial VEGF may be involved in pain pathways in KOA and its action may be mediated by apelin.

These findings suggest that CGRP expression in the synovial fibroblasts is regulated by the COX-2/PGE2 pathway and that elevation of synovial CGRP levels may contribute to OA pain.

Recent studies have reported that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) contributes to joint pain. However, regulation of the CGRP/CGRP receptor signalling in osteoarthritis (OA) is not fully understood. To investigate the regulation of CGRP/CGRP receptor signalling by macrophages in the synovial tissue (ST) of OA joints, we characterized the gene expression profiles of CGRP and CGRP receptors in the ST of OA mice (STR/Ort). In addition, we examined whether macrophage depletion by the systemic

TGF-β regulates NGF production via the TGF-β/ALK5 signaling pathway in osteoarthritic synovium. This effect may partially occur through inhibition of the TAK1/p38 pathway in the SYT of KOA patients.

Nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) are commonly used in human activities and pollute aquatic environments including rivers and oceans. Recently, Ni, Cu, and Zn isotope ratios have been measured to identify their sources and cycles in environments. We precisely determined the Ni, Cu, and Zn isotope ratios in rain, snow, and rime collected from Uji City and Mt. Kajigamori in Japan, and investigated the potential of isotopic ratios as tracers of anthropogenic materials. The isotope and element

We report here on the syntheses of rhodium(I) complexes bearing a phosphine-quinolinolate ligand and the isolation of two classes of important intermediates in the anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of terminal alkynes with secondary amines: vinylidene-bridged dirhodium complexes and (amino)carbene complexes. We first prepared various rhodium(I) complexes bearing a phosphine-quinolinolate ligand and found that some of these complexes had catalytic activity for the anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of

In this study, we have investigated the evolution of concentrations and isotope ratios of dissolved nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) from the North Equatorial Current in the western North Pacific to the Kuroshio in the East China Sea, where the inputs of anthropogenic and lithogenic materials through riverine and aeolian pathways are relatively high. The concentrations and isotope ratios for Ni, Cu, and Zn in the deep water of the East China Sea are similar to those of the western North P

Adrenomedullin (AM) plays an important role in the regulation of inflammatory processes; however, the role and expression of AM in synovial inflammation have not been determined. To investigate the expression and role of AM in inflamed synovial tissue (ST), the gene expression profiles of AM in the ST, including synovial macrophages and fibroblasts, of a murine patellar surgical dislocation model were characterized. In addition, the effects of interleukin- <i>(IL-) 1β</i> and AM in cultured syno

We report a hydroaminative cyclization of enynes using phosphine-quinolinolato rhodium catalysts. The hydroaminative cyclization of 2-vinylphenylacetylene derivatives with secondary amines gives 2-aminoindenes in good yields. The reaction is considered to proceed through carbon-carbon bond formation on a catalytically generated aminocarbene ligand.

A novel (PNO)Rh/CuBr (PNO: phosphine-quinolinolate) tandem catalyst system was developed for facile synthesis of α-monosubstituted propargylamines from aliphatic terminal alkynes and secondary amines. Various terminal alkynes and amines were applicable to this reaction and the corresponding propargylamines were obtained in good yields.