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Biomedical subjects

A Shimouchi

Publications and source records attributed to A Shimouchi.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

[Reproducibility of a self-administered questionnaire for dietary habits, smoking, and drinking].

Reproducibility of results from a self-administered questionnaire on dietary habits (the frequency of taking various foods and eating habits), smoking and drinking was examined to study the reliability of the questionnaire, stability of lifestyle, and the validity of the questionnaire in assessing lifestyle as a risk factor in chronic diseases. The study sample included 120 males and 173 females in a rural town in Kyoto Prefecture, who participated in a series of three health examinations in 1988, 1989, and 1992. A survey using the same questionnaire was performed before each health examination. Reproducibility was assessed by correlation (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient or kappa coefficient), exact agreement of category answered, and comparison of mean frequency. An attempt was made to separate reliability and stability from reproducibility using the data from the questionnaire obtained in the three years. Good reproducibility for one-year and four-year intervals was found for foods taken habitually or often (boiled rice, cooked rice gruel with tea, milk, coffee, fruits and bread), and habits (eating breakfast, some eating habits, smoking and drinking). The same was also found for cigarette or alcohol consumption among current consumers except that cigarette consumption over a four-year interval was more likely to change. The reliability of the questionnaire and stability of these items were considered satisfactory, suggesting that the questionnaire was a valid method of assessing long-term lifestyle. Poor reproducibility of results regarding consumption of green-yellow and other vegetables indicated both poor reliability and a change in consumption over four years, and suggested poor validity. However, disagreement in more than one category of vegetables was not large and misclassification in assessing them as risk factors and changes in frequency of consumption may not be large either. Although correlation coefficients for the items of dairy food and eating snacks were fair, disagreement in more than one category was relatively large which may have caused misclassification. The mean frequency of consumption of pickles and fishpaste, ham or sausage significantly decreased over the four year interval. This may reflect the influence of health education on reducing salt intake.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Burden of cigarette smoking on medical costs paid by national health insurance in a rural town].

This study examined the direct association between medical costs and cigarette smoking and modification of interest in visiting medical facilities. The study sample consisted of 966 males 30 years of age or older in a rural town in Kyoto Prefecture, who were members of the National Health Insurance. The subjects were respondents to a previous questionnaire about smoking in February, 1989. There were 544 current smokers, 226 ex-smokers and 141 nonsmokers. Fifty-five subjects did not answer the question about smoking habits. Outpatient medical costs paid by National Health Insurance for the fiscal year 1989 were analyzed. Average medical costs of ex-smokers were the highest of all groups-current, ex-, and non-smokers (30-49, 50-69, and 70+ years of age). Those of current smokers and of the combined current or ex-smokers group were higher than those of non-smokers (30-49 and 50-69 years of age). None of these differences were significant by nonparametric test. The effect of smoking on medical costs was evaluated by odds ratio of the largest class of costs (50,000+ yen for 30-49 years of age, 200,000+ yen for 50-69 years of age, and 500,000+ yen for 70+ years of age) for various types of smokers compared with non-smokers by logistic regression. The odds ratios of current, ex-, and current or ex-smokers 30-49 and 50-69 years of age were between 2 to 3, but not significant. The odds ratio of subjects 70 years of age or older was smaller than unity and not significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

cAMP regulates soluble guanylate cyclase beta 1-subunit gene expression in RFL-6 rat fetal lung fibroblasts.

Endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF)/nitric oxide (NO) activates soluble guanylate cyclase, thereby stimulating the synthesis of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). To investigate the regulation of this important EDRF/NO receptor, we studied soluble guanylate cyclase gene expression in a rat fetal lung fibroblast cell line (RFL-6). 3-Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, forskolin, and dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), agents which increase intracellular cAMP, decreased the concentration of mRNA encoding the beta 1-subunit of soluble guanylate cyclase in RFL-6 cells. To investigate whether a decrease in beta 1-subunit mRNA concentration was reflected in diminished capacity to produce cGMP, forskolin-treated RFL-6 cells were exposed to the NO-donor compound sodium nitroprusside. Exposure to forskolin reversibly reduced the ability of RFL-6 cells to increase cGMP in response to NO. These observations suggest that cAMP can modulate the cellular response to EDRF/NO by decreasing the expression of one of the subunits of soluble guanylate cyclase.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed1993

Inhaled nitric oxide reverses pulmonary vasoconstriction in the hypoxic and acidotic newborn lamb.

We determined whether inhaling low levels of nitric oxide (NO) gas could selectively reverse hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in the near-term newborn lamb and whether vasodilation would be attenuated by respiratory acidosis. To examine the mechanism of air and NO-induced pulmonary vasodilation soon after birth, we measured plasma and lung cGMP levels in the newly ventilated fetal lamb. Breathing at FIO2 0.10 nearly doubled the pulmonary vascular resistance index in newborn lambs and decreased pulmonary blood flow primarily by reducing left-to-right blood flow through the ductus arteriosus. Inhaling 20 ppm NO at FIO2 0.10 completely reversed hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction within minutes. Maximum pulmonary vasodilation occurred during inhalation of > or = 80 ppm NO. Breathing 8% CO2 at FIO2 0.10 elevated the pulmonary vascular resistance index to a level similar to breathing at FIO2 0.10 without added CO2. Respiratory acidosis did not attenuate pulmonary vasodilation by inhaled NO. In none of our studies did inhaling NO produce systemic hypotension or elevate methemoglobin levels. Four minutes after initiating ventilation with air in the fetal lamb lung, cGMP concentration nearly doubled without changing preductal plasma cGMP concentration. Ventilation with 80 ppm NO at FIO2 0.21 increased both lung and preductal plasma cGMP concentration threefold. Our data suggest that inhaled NO gas is a rapid and potent selective vasodilator of the newborn pulmonary circulation with an elevated vascular tone due to hypoxia and respiratory acidosis that acts by increasing lung cGMP concentration.

Acidosis, Respiratory↗
PubMed1993

[Association between participation in health check and visiting medical facilities in residents in a rural town].

Participants in a community secondary prevention action sponsored by the local government were compared with non-participants with respect to utilization of medical facilities for medical examinations. The study sample consisted of 1,013 males and 1,042 females aged 40 years or over, in a rural town in Kyoto prefecture, who were members of the National Health Insurance. Data from National Health Insurance records, such as date of consultation and type of medical examinations, were analyzed. The secondary prevention action sponsored by the town consisted of a multiphasic health check for circulatory or other chronic diseases, and screenings for tuberculosis and cancers of the stomach, lung, breast and cervix. Medical examinations included urine test, blood cell count, electrocardiography, laboratory tests for serum transaminases, serum glucose, and fecal occult blood, X-ray or endoscopy of the stomach, chest X-ray, mammography, and cervical cytology. Results of the study showed that those who attended the town sponsored secondary prevention action were more likely to utilize local medical facilities, and those who did not participate were likely to visit facilities outside the town. Medical facilities, both local and outside the town, had a larger proportion of examinations corresponding to health examinations or stomach cancer screening than the town office, however, the town office had a larger proportion of lung or cervical cancer screening. The health examination and stomach cancer screening in the town office, and in the medical facilities appeared to be redundant while lung and cervical cancer screening were complemented tests at medical facilities. When these examinations are targeted as modifying factors in the natural history of diseases, consideration should be given to both the records of secondary prevention actions as well as medical records of other medical facilities that may be utilized.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Cloning and expression of a cDNA encoding human endothelium-derived relaxing factor/nitric oxide synthase.

Nitric oxide, which accounts for the biological activity of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), is synthesized in endothelial cells from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). We report here the cloning and functional expression of a cDNA encoding human endothelial NOS. Oligonucleotides corresponding to amino acid sequences shared by cytochrome P450 reductase and the recently identified brain NOS were synthesized to amplify a partial cDNA encoding a bovine endothelial cell NOS-related protein. This partial cDNA was used to isolate a cDNA encoding a human vascular endothelial NOS. The translated human protein is 1294 amino acids long and shares 52% of its amino acid sequence with brain NOS. Using RNA blot hybridization, abundant endothelial NOS mRNA was detected in unstimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells. To determine the functional activity of the endothelial protein, we ligated the cDNA into an expression vector and transfected it into NIH3T3 cells. Cells expressing this cDNA contained abundant NADPH diaphorase activity, a histochemical marker for NOS. In co-culture assays, nitric oxide production by transfected cells increased guanylate cyclase activity in reporter rat fetal lung fibroblasts. In addition, NOS-catalyzed conversion of arginine to citrulline in transfected cells was significantly increased by A23187, a calcium ionophore. Isolation of a cDNA encoding a calcium-regulated, constitutively expressed human endothelial NOS, capable of producing EDRF in blood vessels, will accelerate the characterization of the role of this enzyme in normal and abnormal endothelial regulation of vascular tone.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1990

A minimally invasive technique for multiple measurement of regional blood flow of the rat brain using radiolabeled microspheres.

To observe the rat brain blood flow with microspheres, a left ventricular catheter for sphere introduction was threaded into position via the right brachial artery. Cross-circulation with a donor rat was employed to prevent any mismatch between the infused and sampled blood volumes. Multiple measurements yielded stable flow data, and the responsiveness to hypercapnia was well preserved, irrespective of the dose of injected spheres (48 x 10(3) and 130 x 10(3)).

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Continuous monitoring of mixed venous oxygen saturation during exercise using fiberoptic pulmonary artery catheter].

We measured the mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) continuously using a fiberoptic thermodilution pulmonary artery catheter to analyze the time course of SvO2 during exercise, and evaluated the relationship between SvO2 and exercise load, SvO2 and cardiac output. Five patients with old myocardial infarction and one healthy man underwent pulmonary arterial catheterization and then performed an incremental steady state exercise test using a supine cycle ergometer. There was a rapid fall in SvO2 43.4 +/- 10.6 seconds after the start of exercise and new steady state were achieved 92.6 +/- 22.5 seconds after changing the exercise load. The value of SvO2 at exercise load 60 watts were 44.7 +/- 9.8% and this value was under the level of lactic acid accumulation. SvO2 correlates well with cardiac output by the thermodilution method in individual patients. We conclude that a fiberoptic thermodilution pulmonary artery catheter was useful to evaluate the dynamic changes of SvO2 during exercise.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Acute fatal pulmonary embolism: its prevention, diagnosis and treatment].

Acute fatal pulmonary embolism is one cause of sudden death which should be guarded against. It is the most often missed diagnosis in sudden death cases within the hospital. Clinical pictures of 10 patients with acute fatal pulmonary embolism proved by autopsy were examined to elucidate the problems of diagnosis, and to look for an effective treatment, and a method of prevention. Common risk factors were old age and immobility due to stroke or postoperative state. Common past histories were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, atrial fibrillation and hyperlipidemia. Electrocardiogram and echocardiogram showed that in these patients there was definite evidence of acute right ventricular overload. High doses of intravenous urokinase should be given whenever acute cardiovascular collapse develops in such high risk patients. Emergent pulmonary angiogram and pulmonary embolectomy could be life-saving in patients with acute massive pulmonary embolism. Prevention is, however, the best treatment. In addition to anticoagulation medication, frequent change of body position and early mobilization are important precautions to prevent fatal pulmonary embolism developing in such patients.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

[Distribution of inspired and alveolar gases in the lung].

Alveolar components in single breath tests were studied in normal subjects and patients with COPD using simultaneous He and N2 single breath washout and the "Air N2 method" developed in our laboratory since 1979, which was summarized as follows: Special device for the N2 fractional output of a mass spectrometer (Perkin Elmer MGA1100B) was made using a DC cancellation amplifier with inspired N2 concentration (FIN2) suppressed to zero voltage and the changing fraction (FEN2-FIN2) of expired N2 concentration (FEN2) was magnified by the high fidelity DC amplifier. FAirN2 (=FEN2-FIN2) versus expired volume (VE) was designated "Air N2 Curve" with prominent cardiac oscillations (CO) on its mild ascending plateau in normal subjects. Air N2 curve of COPD, however, showed a much steeper ascending plateau without CO. The slope of the air N2 curve under normal resting tidal volume breathing, expressed as the increase in nitrogen concentration per liter BTPS expired (delta AirN2), has been of particular value in the diagnosis of COPD as a new indicator of V A/Q inequality. The air N2 curve expired from tidal volume breath to residual volume (RV) was utilized to analyze phase IV and V. Fractional concentration of Air N2 ceased to increase with the appearance of phase IV and thereafter began to decrease, and then showed abrupt terminal rise at the onset of phase V. High VA/Q units must contribute to phase IV and to the contrary low VA/Q units must contribute to phase V. This provided supporting evidence of the contribution of upper lung regions in causing phase IV and of lower lung regions in causing phase V. Combined He bolus and N2 washout and Air N2 methods with changing expiratory flow rates proved phase IV and V to be flow-dependent. Closing volume (CV) in a static condition could be determined by the extrapolation of phase IV volume to zero flow. Phase IV and V were also shown to be parallel compartments of gravity dependence by the technique of postural change between inspiration and expiration. Simultaneous He and N2 washout curves revealed terminal falling He against continuous rising N2 without CO in COPD. This dissociation of slopes of alveolar plateaus was never seen in normal subjects when the usual amount of He bolus (200 ml) was introduced properly on RV. This offers the possibility of a unique, physiologically significant method to diagnose COPD indicating the disappearance of interregional non-homogeneity and the development of much more serious intraregional non-homogeneity with increased residual volume of poorly ventilated units.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[An epidemiological study on the similarity of dietary habits among brothers and sisters].

An epidemiological study was conducted to ascertain the similarity of dietary habits among grown-up brothers and sisters who live separately in a small town. Twenty-three dietary habits of 53 pairs of brothers and 29 pairs of sisters were analyzed in comparison with the same number of control pairs who were matched with sex and age. Cramér's coefficients of contingency on many dietary habits in brother pairs were larger than those in control pairs. Multivariate analysis (quantification method of the third type) also showed that similarity of dietary habits both in brothers and sisters. Therefore, familial aggregation of any diseases is supposed to result in an interaction between hereditary factors and similarity of dietary habits among family members.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Change in PCO2 in red cell suspension following bicarbonate shift.

To reveal the CO2 diffusion process into and out of the red blood cell (RBC), changes in PCO, following the HCO3- shift were examined. The RBC suspension was mixed at 37 degrees C with saline solution having different HCO3- concentrations. In proportion to the intracellular HCO3- change caused by the HCO3- shift, the PCO2 change was increased. The rate of change increased as the hematocrit and the initial intracellular HCO3- content decreased. For calculating the above PCO2 change, a theoretical equation was derived from the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation and the relation between both the changes in buffer base and intracellular pH. The calculated PCO2 change coincided well with the measured value, suggesting the validity of the theoretical equations.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

A new indirect method for measuring arteriovenous O2 content difference and cardiac output from O2 and CO2 concentrations by rebreathing air.

A new indirect method for measuring the arteriovenous O2 content difference (avDO2) was developed. The avDO2 was calculated by dividing the gradient of the CO2 dissociation curve by that of a gas exchange ratio against PCO2. The latter slope was obtained from O2 and CO2 concentrations in rebreathing air. The validity of the method was tested preliminarily in human subjects by comparing the cardiac output calculated from avDO2 and O2 uptake (VO2) with that measured hitherto by other authors, and then in dogs by comparing the calculated avDO2 with the measured value. In the dog experiments, the rebreathing was performed 7 times in each of 7 dogs. Immediately after the rebreathing arterial and mixed venous blood were sampled and analyzed for avDO2. For each rebreathing period the avDO2 was calculated by using the CO2 dissociation curve obtained in the individual dogs. The correlation coefficient between the measured and calculated avDO2 was 0.87, demonstrating reasonable validity of the method. The VO2 was further measured from the time interval during which a known amount of pure O2 was consumed. Then, the cardiac output was calculated by dividing the VO2 by the measured and calculated avDO2. The correlation coefficient between the respective cardiac output values was 0.88, indicating the reliability of using the calculated avDO2.

Animals↗