Hideaki Takahashi

Synthesis of aluminum oxy-hydroxide nanofibers from porous anodic alumina

A novel method for the synthesis of aluminum oxy-hydroxide nanofibers from a porous anodic oxide film of aluminum is demonstrated. In the present method, the porous anodic alumina not only acts as a template, but also serves as the starting material for the synthesis. The porous anodic alumina film is hydrothermally treated for pore-sealing, which forms aluminum oxy-hydroxide inside the pores of the oxide film as well as on the surface of the film. The hydrothermally sealed porous oxide film is immersed in the sodium citrate solution, which selectively etches the porous aluminum oxide from the film, leaving the oxy-hydroxide intact. The method is simple and gives highly uniform aluminum oxy-hydroxide nanofibers. Moreover, the diameter of the nanofibers can be controlled by controlling the pore size of the porous anodic alumina film, which depends on the anodizing conditions. Nanofibers with diameters of about 38-85xa0nm, having uniform shape and size, were successfully synthesized using the present method.

Association between cholecystokinin type A receptor haplotypes and growth traits in Japanese Hinai-dori crossbred chickens.

We previously identified quantitative trait loci for body weight and average daily gain in a common region between MCW0240 (chr 4: 69.9xa0Mb) and ABR0622 (chr 4: 86.3xa0Mb) on chicken chromosome 4 in an F2 resource population produced by crossing low- and high-growth lines of the Hinai-dori breed. Cholecystokinin type A receptor (CCKAR) is a candidate gene affecting growth traits in the region. In this study, we genotyped polymorphisms of the CCKAR gene and investigated its association with growth traits in a Hinai-dori F2 intercross population. All the exons of the CCKAR gene in the parental population were subjected to PCR amplification, nucleotide sequenced and haplotypes identified. To distinguish resultant diplotype individuals in the F2 population, a mismatch amplification mutation assay was performed. Five haplotypes (Haplotypes 1–5) were accordingly identified. Six genotypes produced by the combination of three haplotypes (Haplotype 1, 3, and 4) were examined in order to identify associations between CCKAR haplotypes and growth traits. The data indicate that Haplotype 1 was superior to Haplotype 3 and 4 in body weight at 10 and 14xa0weeks of age, average daily gain between 4 and 10xa0weeks, 10 and 14xa0weeks, and 0 and 14xa0weeks of age. It was concluded that CCKAR is a useful marker of growth traits and could be used to develop strategies for improving growth traits in the Hinai-dori breed.

Age-related changes in gene expression of the growth hormone secretagogue and growth hormone-releasing hormone receptors in Holstein-Friesian cattle.

Growth hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary gland is controlled by interactions between three hormone receptors, between GHRH and GHRH receptor (GHRH-R), between ghrelin and growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a), and between somatostatin and somatostatin receptors in the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland. Ghrelin-GHS-R1a is involved in many important functions, including GH secretion and appetite. We investigated age-related changes in the expressions of GHS-R1a, GHS-R1b (the truncated-type receptor), and GHRH-R mRNAs by real-time reverse transcription-PCR using 16 tissues, leukocytes, oocytes, and cumulus cells in Holstein-Friesian cattle. The tissue samples were divided into three age classes: 1) 19 to 26 d of age (preweaning calves), 2) 2 mo to 6.5 mo of age (postweaning calves), and 3) 3.2 to 8.1 yr of age (cows). The GHS-R1a mRNA was highly (P < 0.05) expressed in the arcuate nucleus, pituitary gland, and liver compared with that of the other tissues in all age classes. Expression of GHS-R 1a mRNA in the arcuate nucleus of postweaning calves was > 10-fold greater (P < 0.01) than those of preweaning calves and cows, and its expression level was the greatest (P < 0.01) in all tissues examined in age group 2. GHS-R1a and GHRH-R mRNA expressions in the pituitary gland of preweaning calves tended to be greater (P < 0.20 and P < 0.17, respectively) than those of postweaning calves and cows. GHS-R1b mRNA expression was detected in all tissues examined, and abundance was greater (P < 0.05) in the pancreas, pituitary gland, spleen, arcuate nucleus, adipose tissue, and leukocyte compared with that of the other tissues examined in age group 3. Interestingly, a relatively large animal-to-animal variation was observed in pancreas GHS-R 1b mRNA expression. The GHRH-R mRNA was markedly increased (P < 0.01) in the pituitary gland in all age groups compared with that of the other tissues. GHRH-R mRNA abundance in the arcuate nucleus, pituitary gland, liver, spleen, adipose tissue, and heart of preweaning calves tended to be greater than those of postweaning calves and cows. The GHRH-R mRNA was not detected in the mammary gland and adipose tissue of nonlactating cows.

Effect of a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in the Cholecystokinin Type A Receptor Gene on Growth Traits of the Miyazaki Jitokko Chicken

The Miyazaki Jitokko chicken, native to the Miyazaki Prefecture in southern Kyushu Island, Japan, is the product of a three-way cross involving the Jitokko, White Plymouth Rock, and Kyushu Rhode breeds. In the present study, associations between a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; AB604331, g.420 C>A) of the chicken cholecystokinin type A receptor gene and growth traits in Miyazaki Jitokko chickens were investigated. Unrelated male birds (n=120) that had hatched on the same day were raised in the same chicken house and fed the same diet ad libitum from day 0 to 17 weeks of age. Body weight was recorded at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17 weeks and the average daily gain of each interval was calculated from the body weight data. SNP genotyping of each bird was performed using the mismatch amplification mutation assay. The associations between the SNP and growth traits were examined using the Thesias program. The genotype frequencies of AA, AC, and CC were 0.525, 0.383, and 0.092, respectively. AA birds were significantly heavier than CC birds from 4 to 17 weeks of age. In the estimated effect of alleles, body weight from 1 to 17 weeks of age in birds with the A allele was greater than that in birds with the C allele. During the rearing period, the effect of the A allele on average daily gain in the first half was greater than that in the second half. We conclude that the g.420 C>A SNP can be used as a selection marker for the parent stock lines of the Miyazaki Jitokko chickens to increase their growth performance.

Association Between Arachidonic Acid and Chicken Meat and Egg Flavor, and Their Genetic Regulation

In Japan, the majority of chicken meat is obtained from fast-growing broiler chickens. Because most Japanese chicken breeds have a low meat yield and egg production, many of these breeds are endangered. Recently, the palatability of meat and eggs of native chickens has been reevaluated in the Japanese market. Jidori, which means chicken from the local, is an indigenous local chicken that is more delicious, firmer in texture, and more expensive than the broiler chickens. Most Japanese consumers recognize that the meat of Jidori chicken is richer in flavor than that of the broiler chicken. However, the reason for this rich flavor of the meat of Jidori chicken has not been elucidated. Recently, we found that arachidonic acid (AA) (C20:4n-6), a polyunsaturated fatty acid, is associated with the rich flavor of the meat and eggs of Jidori chicken. The present paper summarizes the discovery of the involvement of AA in the flavor characteristic of the meat and eggs of chicken, and also the genetic regulation of the AA content in the meat and eggs of Jidori chicken.

The A Allele of the Cholecystokinin Type A Receptor Gene g.420 C > A Polymorphism Improves Growth Traits in Amakusa Daioh Cross Chicken

Amakusa Daioh cross chickens are F1 hybrids of restored Amakusa Daioh sires and Kyushu Rhode dams. In the present study, the association between a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; AB604331, g.420 C>A) in the cholecystokinin type A receptor gene and growth traits in Amakusa Daioh cross chicken were investigated. We used 72 male and 72 female birds that had hatched on the same day, were raised in the same chicken house, and were fed the same diet ad libitum from day 0 to 17 weeks (wks) of age. Body weight was recorded at weekly intervals and average daily gain of each week interval was calculated from body weight data. Birds were sacrificed at 17 wks and carcass traits were recorded. SNP genotyping was carried out using the mismatch amplification mutation assay. Associations between the SNP and growth traits were analyzed by a generalized linear model. Body weight from 6 to 17 wks was higher in birds with the A allele than in birds with the C allele, although significant differences in average daily gain traits between birds with A and C alleles were not detected during most of the duration of the experiment. Carcass data showed that birds with the A allele had heavier wings and a smaller proportion of the gizzard than those with the C allele. The g.420 C>A SNP will be useful as a selection marker for parent stock lines to increase the growth performance of Amakusa Daioh cross chickens.

Fibrinogen and Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Survival in Patients with Advanced Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background/Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate the prognostic significance of the pretreatment F-NLR score, which is based on fibrinogen (F) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma (HPC). Materials and Methods: A total of 111 advanced HPC patients treated with radiotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, or bioradiotherapy were classified into three groups: F-NLR score of 2 (fibrinogen ≥341 mg/dl and NLR≥3.59), score of 1 (fibrinogen ≥341 mg/dl or NLR≥3.59), and score of 0 (fibrinogen <341 mg/dl and NLR<3.59). Results: F-NLR score of 2 was an independent prognostic factor for overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with advanced HPC in the multivariate analysis. Both OS and PFS were significantly lower in patients with an F-NLR score of 2 than in those with an F-NLR score of 0. Conclusion: F-NLR score was useful to stratify patients to extract poor prognostic characteristics in patients with advanced HPC.

Lymph node ratio as a prognostic factor for survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVEnThe purpose of this study is to validate the concept of lymph node ratio (LNR) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).nnnMETHODSnA total of 63 patients with HNSCC who underwent resection of the primary tumor combined with neck dissection in our institution were analyzed in this study. LNR was defined as the number of positive lymph nodes divided by the total number of lymph nodes excised. LNR was categorized into two groups (<0.068 and ≥0.068) according to the results of receiver-operating characteristic plots for determination of the cut-off value.nnnRESULTSnLNR≥0.068 was associated with poor overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) after resection of the primary tumor combined with neck dissection in patients with HNSCC. Univariate and multivariate data analysis showed that LNR≥0.068 was an independent prognostic factor for OS, PFS and LRFS. Both pathological T stage status (pT3 or 4) and ≥3 positive LNs were also an independent prognostic factors for PFS in patients with HNSCC in our univariate and multivariate analysis.nnnCONCLUSIONnThese results suggested that LNR could be useful tools in identifying HNSCC patients with poor outcomes.

The applicability of new TNM classification for humanpapilloma virus-related oropharyngeal cancer in the 8th edition of the AJCC/UICC TNM staging system in Japan: A single-centre study

OBJECTIVEnThe purpose of this study is to validate the applicability of new TNM classification for human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) in the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)/Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) TNM staging system in Japan.nnnMETHODSnA total of 91 OPC patients treated with radiation-based therapy between November 2001 and July 2015 were analyzed retrospectively in this study. HPV infection status was evaluated using tumor p16 expression.nnnRESULTSn40 OPC patients (44.0%) had HPV-positive disease in this study. The distribution of disease stage of HPV-positive OPC patients dramatically changed from the 7th edition to the 8th edition of AJCC/UICC TNM classification. However, neither the 8th edition nor the 7th edition of the AJCC/UICC TNM staging system could adequately predict outcomes of HPV-positive OPC patients in our patient series. On the other hand, our multivariate analysis indicated that matted nodes and age ≥63 were independent prognostic factors for progression-free survival. In addition, HPV-positive OPC patients with stage I without matted nodes showed significantly better overall and progression-free survival compared with those with stage I with matted nodes and stages II and III in the 8th edition of the AJCC/UICC TNM staging system (P=0.008, and P=0.043, respectively).nnnCONCLUSIONnOur results suggested that matted nodes of HPV-positive OPC patients might be additionally examined to apply the 8th edition of AJCC/UICC TNM classification for more adequate predicting outcomes of HPV-positive OPC patients.