Yu Tamura
Hokkaido University
Network
Latest external collaboration on country level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots.
Publication
Featured researches published by Yu Tamura.
Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology | 2013
Hiroshi Ohta; Kanae Takada; Shidow Torisu; Masashi Yuki; Yu Tamura; Nozomu Yokoyama; Tatsuyuki Osuga; Sue Yee Lim; Masahiro Murakami; Noboru Sasaki; Kensuke Nakamura; Masahiro Yamasaki; Mitsuyoshi Takiguchi
Inflammatory colorectal polyps (ICRPs) in miniature dachshunds are recently recognized as a major cause of large bowel diarrhea in this dog breed in Japan. ICRPs are characterized by the formation of multiple small polyps and a space-occupying large polyp in the colorectal area, and are thought to be a novel form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In humans, specific cytokine patterns attributed to T helper (Th)1, Th17 and regulatory T cells have important roles in the pathogenesis of IBD. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the gene expression of cytokines of T cell subsets in the colorectal mucosa from dogs with ICRPs. Colorectal mucosal specimens from 10 dogs with ICRPs and 14 control dogs were used in this study. Interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-17A and IL-10 mRNA expression was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR. IL-17A mRNA expression was significantly increased in large polyps compared to small polyps and controls. IFN-γ and IL-10 mRNA expression in large polyps were significantly higher than in controls. There was no significant difference in IL-4 mRNA expression among the three groups. IL-17A is thought to play important roles in the pathogenesis of ICRPs. IL-10 up-regulation could oppose the proinflammatory function of IL-17A.
Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology | 2013
Yu Tamura; Hiroshi Ohta; Shidow Torisu; Masashi Yuki; Nozomu Yokoyama; Masahiro Murakami; Sue Yee Lim; Tatsuyuki Osuga; Keitaro Morishita; Kensuke Nakamura; Masahiro Yamasaki; Mitsuyoshi Takiguchi
Inflammatory colorectal polyps (ICRPs) in miniature dachshunds were recently recognized as a major cause of large bowel diarrhea in this dog breed in Japan. ICRPs are characterized by the formation of multiple small polyps and/or space-occupying large polyps in the colorectal area and are thought to be a novel form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To explore key mediators in the pathogenesis of ICRPs, we analyzed several pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-12p35, IL-12/23p40, and IL-23p19) mRNA expressions in colorectal polyps in ICRP dogs by quantitative PCR. Among these cytokines, IL-8 mRNA expression was markedly up-regulated in large polyps. To examine IL-8 protein expression, we analyzed IL-8 protein level and its location in colorectal mucosal specimens of ICRP dogs by ELISA and immunofluorescence microscopy. IL-8 protein was significantly increased in large polyps and serum in dogs with ICRPs compared to controls. By immunofluorescence microscopy, IL-8 was only localized in macrophages, but not in mucosal epithelial cells or neutrophils. IL-8-positive macrophages were significantly increased in large polyps compared to controls. These results suggest that IL-8 is produced mainly by macrophages and may induce neutrophil infiltration in the colorectal area of ICRP dogs.
Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology | 2012
Noboru Sasaki; Nobuki Kudo; Kensuke Nakamura; Sue Yee Lim; Masahiro Murakami; W.R. Bandula Kumara; Yu Tamura; Hiroshi Ohta; Masahiro Yamasaki; Mitsuyoshi Takiguchi
Ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction has succeeded in delivering drugs and genes. This study was designed to explore characteristics of ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction using short-pulsed diagnostic ultrasound. Canine thyroid adenocarcinoma cells were exposed to short-pulsed diagnostic ultrasound in the presence of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (cisplatin) and ultrasound contrast agent Sonazoid(®) microbubbles. The cytotoxic effect of cisplatin was enhanced by short-pulsed diagnostic ultrasound and microbubbles. Incubation time with microbubbles influenced the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin. However, exposure duration did not affect the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin. Therefore, short-pulsed diagnostic ultrasound may activate microbubbles near cells and deliver cisplatin into cells. In addition, activation of microbubbles may be concluded in a short time. Our results suggest that short exposure duration could be potentially sufficient to induce efficient drug delivery by ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction using short-pulsed diagnostic ultrasound.
American Journal of Veterinary Research | 2014
Hiroshi Ohta; Yuji Sunden; Nozomu Yokoyama; Tatsuyuki Osuga; Sue Yee Lim; Yu Tamura; Keitaro Morishita; Kensuke Nakamura; Masahiro Yamasaki; Mitsuyoshi Takiguchi
OBJECTIVE To determine the expression of tight junction and adherens junction proteins in duodenal mucosa samples of dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). ANIMALS 12 dogs with IBD and 6 healthy control Beagles. PROCEDURES Duodenal mucosa biopsy samples were endoscopically obtained from dogs with IBD and healthy control Beagles. The expression of claudin-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -7, and -8; E-cadherin; and β-catenin in the duodenal mucosa samples was determined by means of immunoblotting. The subcellular localization of E-cadherin in the duodenal mucosa samples was determined with immunofluorescence microscopy. RESULTS The expression of each claudin and β-catenin was not significantly different between control dogs and dogs with IBD. However, expression of E-cadherin was significantly lower in duodenal mucosa samples of dogs with IBD than it was in samples obtained from healthy control dogs. Results of immunofluorescence microscopy indicated decreased intensity of E-cadherin labeling in the tips of villi in duodenal mucosa samples obtained from 6 dogs with IBD, compared with staining intensity for other dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results of this study indicated expression of claudin-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -7, and -8 and β-catenin was not significantly different between duodenal mucosa samples obtained from control dogs and those obtained from dogs with IBD. However, E-cadherin expression was significantly lower in the villus epithelium in duodenal mucosa samples obtained from dogs with IBD versus samples obtained from control dogs, which suggested that decreased expression of that protein has a role in the pathogenesis of IBD in dogs.
American Journal of Veterinary Research | 2013
Tatsuyuki Osuga; Kensuke Nakamura; Sue Yee Lim; Yu Tamura; Wickramasekara Rajapakshage Bandula Kumara; Masahiro Murakami; Noboru Sasaki; Keitaro Morishita; Hiroshi Ohta; Masahiro Yamasaki; Mitsuyoshi Takiguchi
OBJECTIVE To evaluate left atrial phasic function in healthy dogs by means of 2-D speckle tracking echocardiography with time-left atrial area curve analysis and to assess repeatability and reproducibility of obtained measurements. ANIMALS 6 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURES Each dog underwent echocardiography twice on different days (3 nonconsecutive examinations/d). Images were analyzed with offline software; area of the left atrium was automatically calculated in each frame throughout the cardiac cycle to derive time-left atrial area curves. Variables used to assess left atrial phasic function (total, passive, and active emptying area and emptying fractions and mean active and total emptying rates) were calculated. Agreement between variables measured via speckle tracking echocardiography and a manual tracing method was assessed with modified Bland-Altman analysis. Within-day and between-day coefficients of variation were determined. RESULTS Mean ± SD total, passive, and active emptying fractions of the left atrium were 49.8 ± 3.5%, 277 ± 4.0%, and 30.5 ± 4.3%, respectively. Mean ± SD total and active emptying rates were 16.0 ± 2.5 cm(2)/s and 25.1 ± 4.9 cm(2)/s, respectively. Within-day and between-day coefficients of variation were < 20% (range, 0.41% to 16.4%) for all variables except mean active emptying rate (between-day coefficient of variation, 29.2%). Agreement between variables measured via speckle tracking echocardiography and the manual tracing method was good, and differences between methods were nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Evaluation of left atrial phasic function via speckle tracking echocardiography was feasible; repeatability and reproducibility of measurements were adequate in healthy dogs. Studies are needed to determine clinical applicability in canine patients.
Veterinary Parasitology | 2014
Masahiro Yamasaki; Eriko Harada; Yu Tamura; Sue Yee Lim; Tatsuyuki Ohsuga; Nozomu Yokoyama; Keitaro Morishita; Kensuke Nakamura; Hiroshi Ohta; Mitsuyoshi Takiguchi
Babesia gibsoni is a causative pathogen of canine babesiosis, which is commonly treated with anti-babesial drugs; however, the development of novel, more effective anti-babesial drugs is necessary because the currently used drugs cannot remove the parasites from dogs. Therefore we investigated the anti-babesial effect of amphotericin B (AmB), a membrane-active polyene macrolide antibiotic. The interaction of such compounds with sterols in bilayer cell membranes can lead to cell damage and ultimately cell lysis. AmB exhibits in vitro activity against B. gibsoni in normal canine erythrocytes within 12h. We also studied liposomal AmB (L-AmB), a liposomal formulation of AmB that required a longer incubation period to reduce the number of parasites. However, L-AmB completely inhibited the invasion of free parasites into erythrocytes. These results indicated that free parasites failed to invade erythrocytes in the presence of L-AmB. Both AmB and L-AmB induced mild hemolysis of erythrocytes. Moreover, the methemoglobin level and the turbidity index of erythrocytes were significantly increased when erythrocytes were incubated with AmB, suggesting that AmB induced oxidative damage in erythrocytes. Finally, the anti-babesial activity of AmB in vivo was observed. When experimentally B. gibsoni-infected dogs were administered 0.5 and 1mg/kg AmB by the intravenous route, the number of parasites decreased; however, recurrence of parasitemia was observed, indicating that AmB did not eliminate parasites completely. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine of dogs were abnormally elevated after the administration of 1mg/kg AmB. These results indicate that AmB has in vivo activity against B. gibsoni; however, it does not eliminate parasites from infected dogs and affects kidney function at a high dose.
Journal of Veterinary Medical Science | 2014
Yu Tamura; Hiroshi Ohta; Nozomu Yokoyama; Sue Yee Lim; Tatsuyuki Osuga; Keitaro Morishita; Kensuke Nakamura; Masahiro Yamasaki; Mitsuyoshi Takiguchi
ABSTRACT Lymphocytic-plasmacytic colitis (LPC) is a common form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affecting the canine large intestine. Cytokines are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of IBD. However, to date, few studies have investigated cytokine mRNA expression in dogs with LPC. In this study, we investigated mRNA transcription levels of T helper cell cytokines, such as IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17 and IL-10 and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-12 and IL-23, in colonic mucosa from LPC dogs by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. No significant differences were detected in cytokine mRNA expressions between dogs with LPC and controls, except for IL-23p19. Dogs with LPC failed to express a predominant cytokine profile in inflamed colonic mucosa as opposed to human IBD.
Journal of Veterinary Medical Science | 2014
Hiroshi Ohta; Kanae Takada; Yuji Sunden; Yu Tamura; Tatsuyuki Osuga; Sue Yee Lim; Masahiro Murakami; Noboru Sasaki; Bandula Kumara Wickramasekara Rajapakshage; Kensuke Nakamura; Masahiro Yamasaki; Mitsuyoshi Takiguchi
ABSTRACT Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common cause of chronic gastrointestinal signs in dogs. In humans, T helper cells have important roles in the pathogenesis of IBD. In contrast, no specific involvement of a distinct T cell subset has been described in canine IBD. The present study evaluated the gene and protein expression of cytokines of T cell subsets in duodenal mucosa from dogs with IBD. Relative quantification of interleukin (IL)-17A, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA transcription was performed using duodenal mucosa from 27 IBD dogs and 8 controls. Duodenal mucosal IL-17A, IFN-γ and IL-10 protein levels were determined by ELISA in 15 IBD dogs and 8 controls. There was no significant difference in each cytokines mRNA transcription level between groups. There was no significant difference in IL-17A, IFN-γ and IL-10 protein expression levels between groups. Thus, there is no clear evidence for the involvement of distinct Th cytokine in the pathogenesis of canine IBD.
Journal of Parasitology | 2011
Masahiro Yamasaki; Norihisa Tamura; Kensuke Nakamura; Noboru Sasaki; Masahiro Murakami; Wickramasekara Rajapakshage; Bandula Kumara; Yu Tamura; Sue Yee Lim; Hiroshi Ohta; Mitsuyoshi Takiguchi
Abstract Nystatin is a membrane-active polyene macrolide antibiotic and a channel-forming ionophore. Nystatin exhibits in vitro activity against Babesia gibsoni infecting normal canine erythrocytes containing low potassium (LK) and high sodium concentrations, i.e., LK erythrocytes. The calculated IC50 value of nystatin against B. gibsoni infecting LK erythrocytes was 31.96 µg/ml. The anti-babesial activity of nystatin disappeared when B. gibsoni in LK erythrocytes were incubated in culture media containing high potassium concentrations (HK). Moreover, when the parasites were harbored in canine HK erythrocytes, which contained high potassium and low sodium concentrations as a result of high Na-K-ATPase activity, the in vitro anti-babesial activities of nystatin also disappeared, apparently due to protection by HK erythrocytes. This suggested that nystatin could show in vitro anti-babesial activity against B. gibsoni by its ionophorous activity, the same as other ionophores such as valinomycin. Subsequently, the effects of nystatin on the host cells were observed. Nystatin could not modify the intracellular concentrations of potassium, sodium, adenosine triphosphate, or glucose in either LK or HK erythrocytes, although it caused weak hemolysis in HK erythrocytes. In addition, nystatin did not affect the survival of canine peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes. In conclusion, nystatin destroyed B. gibsoni by ionophorous activity but did not affect either canine erythrocytes or leukocytes in vitro.
Veterinary Parasitology | 2014
Yu Tamura; Hiroshi Ohta; Takuya Kashiide; Jun Matsumoto; Tatsuya Sakurai; Nozomu Yokoyama; Keitaro Morishita; Kensuke Nakamura; Masahiro Yamasaki; Mitsuyoshi Takiguchi
An eight-year-old, neutered, female Shetland Sheepdog presented with a 6-week history of small intestinal diarrhea. Regenerative anemia, hypoproteinemia, and an increased plasma C-reactive protein concentration were detected on blood examination. Fecal examination and abdominal radiography were unremarkable. Abdominal ultrasonography showed diffusely hyperechoic mucosa in the small intestine. Gastroduodenoscopy, performed under general anesthesia, revealed mucosal edema and increased granularity in the duodenum and jejunum. Histopathological examination of the endoscopically biopsied small intestinal mucosa revealed tapeworm infection. A single administration of a combined anthelmintic drug (5mg/kg praziquantel, 14.4 mg/kg pyrantel pamoate, and 15 mg/kg febantel) was successful for deworming, and the dog fully recovered. The parasites were removed from stored frozen duodenal mucosa and morphologically identified as Mesocestoides sp. immature adult worms. Mitochondrial (mt) 12S rDNA and mt cytochrome c oxide subunit 1 genes were amplified from the parasites. DNA sequence analysis showed that the genes shared 100% identity with those of reported M. vogae (syn. M. corti). This is the first reported case of protein-losing enteropathy caused by M. vogae in a dog.