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Biomedical subjects

E Saito

Publications and source records attributed to E Saito.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Evidence for the involvement of platelet-derived growth factor in the angiotensin II-induced growth of rat vascular smooth muscle cells.

This study examines the possible involvement of endogenous platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in the angiotensin II-induced growth of rat aortic smooth muscle cells. In quiescent confluent cells, anti-PDGF-AB neutralizing antibody inhibited angiotensin II-induced DNA synthesis and protein synthesis. PDGF-AA, -AB, and -BB produced concentration-dependent increases in DNA synthesis and protein synthesis. Genistein did not inhibit PDGF-AB-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation and [3H]leucine incorporation. PDGF-AB stimulated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, and PDGF-induced MAP kinase activation was inhibited by genistein. Angiotensin II induced PDGF-A chain messenger RNA expression, and genistein inhibited angiotensin-induced PDGF gene expression. These findings suggest that endogenous PDGF is, at least in part, involved in angiotensin II-induced cell growth in rat vascular smooth muscle cells. It appears that genistein inhibits angiotensin II-induced DNA synthesis partly by inhibiting PDGF-A gene expression.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1999

[Systemic sclerosis: different subsets and disease remitting drugs].

Systemic sclerosis(scleroderma) is a generalized disorder of connective tissue characterized clinically by thickening and fibrosis of the skin and distinctive forms of involvement of internal organs notably the heart, lungs, kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract. Systemic sclerosis is a complicated disease with wide variation of manifestations and outcomes. It ranged from a disease which is extremely mild hardly effecting someone's life to one that is very severe causing an early demise. We describe different subsets of this complicated disease which allows physicians to have better understanding of its prognosis and outcome. Serum autoantibodies are useful in predicting prognosis, since they have association with serious visceral disease. Recently, laboratory studies are helpful both in identifying organ system abnormalities and the scleroderma specific autoantibodies. These autoantibodies are potentially very important in identifying subsets of patients. Using physical and serologic findings, the physician can determine the specific problems which are need to be addressed and treated.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[A review of methodology on community health nursing diagnosis].

PURPOSE: To develop a systematic method and model for community health nursing diagnosis to be used in teaching and in community practices. METHOD: From searching the databases of Medline (from Jan. 1966 to May 1997) and the Japana Centra Revuo Medicina (from Jan. 1987 to Jan. 1997), literature on community diagnosis, community health nursing, diagnosis, assessment and analysis were classified into keywords, purposes, subjects, health problems and methods. RESULTS: 1. As an explanation of the process of nursing diagnosis the community-as-partner model (Anderson and McFarlane; 1995) is useful for understanding the target community and the use of the community health nursing diagnosis process. 2. The methodology of the community health nursing diagnosis is based on three strategies of public health diagnosis. The method of interview surveys was strengthened by incorporating the ethnographic method. 3. Several case studies in the partnership between communities and universities in USA were introduced. CONCLUSION: Changes in community health policy require that public health nurses develop specialized and comprehensive practices in their communities. The authors presented the model of the community health nursing diagnosis process and proposed a partnership between communities and universities. The construction of community health nursing diagnosis process in this paper is based on the public health diagnosis framework consisting of three strategies, to which analysis of existing data, a social survey utilized in epidemiological community diagnosis, and free interviewing from ethnographic methods are incorporated. Developing this systematic diagnosis process of facilitates the search for potential or actual community health problems or concerns, the practice of applying data from surveys and the discussion of concrete strategies toward problem solving. It is useful for educational and research processes and in practice in the community.

Community Health Nursing↗
PubMed1999

[Incidence proportion estimation, prevalence and effective visiting nurse care of pressure ulcers].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study are as follows: 1. To determine incidence proportion estimations and prevalence of pressure ulcers in home care settings. 2. To clarify the effective nursing care for prevention and treatments of pressure ulcers at visiting nursing service stations. 3. To show whether demographic characteristics are factors in pressure ulcer development. METHODS: This research is a part of the series of studies on prevalence of pressure ulcers in 934 visiting nursing service stations on October 1995 in Japan. This was followed in November 1, 1996 to October 31, 1997, by another investigation for incidence proportion estimation and prevalence of pressure ulcers and their relationship to nursing care facilities, in which questionnaires were mailed to 620 facilities that participated in the first research. Responses from 294 (47.4%) facilities and 1,208 subjects were received. We analyzed the responses from 215 facilities (73.1%) and 864 subjects to the two types of questionnaires. RESULTS: Prevalence of pressure ulcers was found to be 8.0% (95% CI: 7.5-8.6) on July 1, 1997 and incidence proportion estimation was 3.7% (95% CI: 3.3-4.1) from November 1, 1996 to October 31, 1997 for the 10,750 clients in 215 facilities. The number of prescriptions for turning of client sleep position (p = 0.044), and having a standard care assessment procedure (p = 0.015) were significantly higher for no-present pressure ulcer than in facilities with under 5% having present pressure ulcers and facilities with over 5% having present pressure ulcers. Subtracting the prevalence point in 1997 from 1995, the utilization of a primary nursing care plan (p = 0.021), and the number of part-time nurses (p = 0.008) were significantly higher in the groups that had a decrease or no-change compared to the increased groups. 45.6% of the ulcers identified were situated on the sacrum/buttocks and 39.4% of the ulcers were grade 2. The mean total score on the Braden Scale was 12.7. A score of 18 may be considered as the cut-off point in home care settings. DISCUSSION: Prevalence of pressure ulcers was found to be 8.0% and incidence proportion estimation was 3.7%. The present findings concerning incidence proportion estimation and prevalence of pressure ulcers and the practice of nursing care in visiting nursing service stations suggests possibility for improving outcomes for clients with pressure ulcers and for those at risk factors of developing them.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Evidence that angiotensin II, endothelins and nitric oxide regulate mitogen-activated protein kinase activity in rat aorta.

We measured the activity of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, enzymes believed to be involved in the pathway for cell proliferation, in rat aortic strips with or without endothelium, and examined effects of angiotensin receptor antagonists, endothelin receptor antagonists and nitric oxide (NO)-related agents. Endothelium removal produced an activation of MAP kinase activity in the strips, whereas the enzyme activity was not affected in the adventitia. The MAP kinase activation was inhibited by either the angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonist losartan or the endothelin ETA receptor antagonist BQ 123. The combination of both antagonists caused an additive inhibition. The angiotensin AT2 receptor antagonist PD 123,319 and the endothelin ETB receptor antagonist BQ 788 did not affect the MAP kinase activation. The NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) caused an activation of MAP kinase in the endothelium-intact aorta and the MAP kinase activation was inhibited by losartan or BQ123. The NO releaser nitroprusside inhibited the MAP kinase activation induced by endothelium removal or angiotensin II. These results suggest that even in isolated arteries, NO of endothelial origin tonically exert MAP kinase-inhibiting effects and endogenous angiotensin II and endothelins in the media are tonically released to cause MAP kinase-stimulating effects in medial smooth muscle.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1998

Agonist-induced sequestration, recycling, and resensitization of platelet-activating factor receptor. Role of cytoplasmic tail phosphorylation in each process.

Agonist-induced sequestration, recycling, and resensitization of platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor were characterized in transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells. Exposure of the cells to PAF led to rapid sequestration of the receptors into the intracellular compartment and desensitization of the response to PAF. The sequestration was inhibited by pretreatments that perturbed the clathrin-mediated pathway. Subsequent removal of PAF by washing with receptor antagonists led to rapid recycling of the sequestered receptors to the cell surface accompanied by resensitization to PAF. To evaluate the potential role of phosphorylation in the receptor cytoplasmic tail during these processes, mutant receptors in which the tails were truncated or substituted, so as to lack serine/threonine residues, were created. PAF phosphorylated the wild-type receptor rapidly and strongly, but the mutants did not. The maximal extent of sequestration of each mutant was lower than that of the wild-type, and one of the substituted mutants showed no sequestration. Furthermore, the sequestration-defective mutant showed evidence of desensitization after agonist stimulation but not resensitization after agonist removal. Thus, agonist-induced phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic tail facilitates but is not essential for receptor sequestration, and sequestration/recycling appears important in receptor resensitization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Influence of FK506 on experimental atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

To investigate the role of activated T lymphocytes in the formation of atherosclerotic lesions, we studied the influence of FK506, an immunosuppressant, on the development of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits. New Zealand White rabbits fed on a 1.5% cholesterol diet were administered FK506 at 0.05 mg/kg (n = 12), 0.1 mg/kg (n = 12) or isotonic saline (as the control, n = 12) intramuscularly three times a week for 12 weeks. Although FK506 treatment did not affect plasma lipid levels, it caused an increase in the development of atherosclerotic lesions in a dose-dependent manner. Immunohistochemical analysis of the aorta after 8 weeks on the diet revealed that the ratio of T lymphocytes to the total number of cells in the plaques decreased significantly in the FK506 treated rabbits compared to the control rabbits. In culture, FK506 did not affect smooth muscle cell proliferation and cholesteryl ester formation in the macrophages. In contrast, culture medium from lymphocytes stimulated by concanavalin A decreased the accumulation of cholesteryl ester in the macrophages. This effect was inhibited by the culture medium in the presence of FK506. These findings suggest that activated T lymphocytes may inhibit intracellular cholesterol accumulation in atherosclerotic plaque.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Effects of genistein and staurosporine on angiotensin II-induced DNA synthesis, protein synthesis and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in vascular smooth muscle cells.

This study examines the effects of protein kinase inhibitors and activator on angiotensin II-induced DNA synthesis and protein synthesis of rat aortic smooth muscle cells. In quiescent confluent cells, angiotensin II induced a concentration-dependent increase in thymidine incorporation and leucine incorporation. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein caused an inhibition of the angiotensin II-induced DNA synthesis but not of the agent-induced protein synthesis. The protein kinase C inhibitors staurosporine and calphostin C caused an inhibition of the angiotensin II-induced protein synthesis but not of the agent-induced DNA synthesis. The protein kinase C activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate stimulated protein synthesis. Angiotensin II stimulated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and the angiotensin II-induced MAP kinase activation was inhibited by genistein but not by staurosporine. These findings suggest that angiotensin II-induced DNA synthesis is at least partly mediated via protein-tyrosine phosphorylation and angiotensin II-induced protein synthesis is at least partly mediated by activation of protein kinase C. It seems likely that MAP kinase activation is involved in DNA synthesis but not in protein synthesis induced by angiotensin II.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1998

[Effectiveness of day care service for elderly patients with dementia and their caregivers as observed by comparison of days with and without day care services].

PURPOSE: To explore the effectiveness of day care service for the dementia elderly and their caregivers. METHODS: Subjects were sixty caregivers who took care of dementia elderly and were using day care service in two municipalities. The data on caregiving, care burden of caregivers, and time schedule of daily life were obtained from a questionnaire that was distributed at the five day care centers and collected through home visits. The data from a day with day care were compared with data from a day without. RESULTS & DISCUSSION: 1. Caregivers reported that their care burden was reduced on the day with day care, even though their time schedule for the day was not so different from the day without day care. 2. The harder the caregiving became, the more caregivers felt relieved on the day with day care. 3. Obviously, day care would no be expected to have the same effect in situations in which the caregiver is elderly or works outside the home all day. CONCLUSION: When we think about day care it is important to provide a well adapted home care program which effectively meets the needs of the dementia elderly and their caregivers.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Hyperventilation syndrome in a very old woman].

A 92-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital due to hypertension, nausea, pain in the anterior part of the chest, epigastralgia, and tachypnea. During the initial examination of the patient in the emergency ward, she was very excited, howled, and both her hands were numb. Arterial blood gas analysis revealed a marked alkalemia (pH greater than 7.55) and hypocapnia (Pco2 24.1 mmHg). After paper bag re-breathing, the pH and Pco2 were within normal limits. Because there was no lesion in the lungs or the brain that would account for hyperventilation and convulsions, the attack was considered to be a manifestation of hyperventilation syndrome should be carefully considered in the differential diagnosis of disturbance of consciousness even in elderly patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Regression of atherosclerosis and centrally depressed lesions in rabbit aortas].

Atherosclerotic plaque with central depression (depressed lesion) has been hypothesized to be a morphological feature of atherosclerosis regression. We tested this hypothesis in New Zealand white rabbits. After the animals were fed a diet containing 1% cholesterol for three months, they were changed to a normal diet for 6 to 9 months. Several aortas had centrally depressed lesions similar to those found in elderly people, and the animals had low serum cholesterol levels. Immunohistochemical study showed that the depressed lesions contained more smooth muscle cells and collagen type IV, and fewer macrophage-derived foam cells than did common atherosclerotic elevated lesions found in rabbits. We know of no other report of depressed lesions in rabbits with atherosclerosis. Thus we believe that the centrally depressed lesion is a histological characteristic of regression of atherosclerosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Required manpower for health care and nursing services for the aged at home public health nurses, visiting nurses, dental hygienists, dietitians, physical therapists, and occupational therapists].

The purpose of this study was to estimate the manpower required for the health care and nursing services for the aged at home. For prefectural health care and welfare planning for the aged, data such as the proportion of the aged who need help, service demand, and required frequency of services were obtained. The means and "mean +/- 2 x standard deviations" were calculated to obtain various parameters. Calculated figures were those which can be obtained with some effort. The results are as follows (middle level estimation (low level estimation-high level estimation)): requirements are 1.9 (0.61-5.7) public health nurses, 2.6 (0.63-14) visiting nurses, 0.20 (0.084-0.42) dental hygienists, 0.35 (0.17-0.66) dietitians, and 0.25 (0.014-1.27) physical and occupational therapists per population 10,000. For the national total, requirements are 23 (7.3-67) thousand public health nurses, 31 (7.5-160) thousand visiting nurses, 2.4 (1.0-5.0) thousand dental hygienists, 3.9 (2.0-7.8) thousand dietitians, and 3.0 (0.17-15) thousand physical and occupational therapists. By population sizes, for example in the municipalities which has 10-30 thousand people, required are 4.2 (1.7-11) public health nurses, 5.3 (1.3-27) visiting nurses, 0.4 (0.2-0.8) dental hygienists, 0.5 (0.3-0.9) dietitians, and 0.5 (0.0-2.5) physical and occupational therapists. Comparison of the present numbers with estimated manpower needs show that, the present number of public health personnel is almost the same as the low level estimation. But the present numbers of other manpower is lower than the low level estimation. Considering other services such as maternal and child health, it seems that the municipalities which has 10+ thousand population should employ full-time dietitians and dental hygienists. For policy making in a municipality, the policies of other municipalities should be considered. Because it is based on means for municipalities, the results of this study should be useful for application by other municipalities.

Community Health Nursing↗
PubMed1997

[A case of advanced gastric cancer with carcinomatosa peritonitis effectively treated by 5-FU and low-dose CDDP therapy].

A 66-year-old woman was admitted to our clinic for appetite loss and abdominal distension in August 1995. Endoscopic study revealed an advanced gastric cancer in the upper body of her stomach. Abdominal CT study revealed massive ascites and para-aortic lymph nodal involvement. Cytological study of the ascites revealed class V. She was diagnosed to be in the terminal stage of gastric cancer with carcinomatosa peritonitis. Combination chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and low-dose cisplatin (CDDP) was given by continuous intravenous injection of 5-FU 500 mg/day, and intermittent intravenous injection of CDDP 30 mg/week was performed for reduction of the ascites and her complaint. Endoscopic study 6 weeks after starting chemotherapy could not find crater of the gastric cancer but only a shallow ulcerative lesion. The biopsy specimen of that lesion was group III. No ascites and over 50% reduction of the para-aortic lymph node were found by the abdominal CT study. This state persisted over 4 weeks. No myelo-suppression, renal dysfunction or any severe side effect were observed during chemotherapy. Her performance status improved from 3 to 1.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Transfer of genes to human airway epithelial cells in vitro via DNA virus vectors].

Transfer of genes via DNA virus vectors to human airway epithelial cells is not fully understood. We tested the effects of multiplicities of infection (moi) and incubation time on the efficiency of gene transfer by adenovirus vectors and AAV vectors in cultures of human airway epithelial cells. The cells were exposed to Ad-CMV-lacZ or AAV-CMV-LacZ for 1 to 48 hours at different moi from 0.1 to 100. Efficiency of transduction was assessed as the percentage of cells that expressed LacZ, and was measured by using X-gal staining. A dose-dependent relationship was found between vector moi and the percentage of cells that expressed LacZ. For both vectors, gene expression was greater when incubation time was longer (up to 12 hours), which suggests that the uptake of vectors into the cells is not selective. Efficiency of transduction did not differ between adenovirus and AAV vectors at the same moi. These results suggest that (1) gene transfer via DNA virus vectors increases in a moi-dependent fashion, and that (2) gene expression of the DNA virus vector may be increased by prolonged exposure of the vector to human airway epithelial cells.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed1996

[Atherosclerosis regression in the elderly--correlation between centrally depressed lesions and risk factors].

Atherosclerotic plaque with central depression (depressed lesion) may indicate regression of atherosclerosis in the aorta. Aortic depressed lesions have a solitary elevated area of plaque with a sharply-bordered roung depression in its center and no area ulceration. This may be interpretable as a sign of regression of atherosclerosis. To clarify the pathogenesis of depressed lesion, we studied clinical risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia in patients with depressed lesions that were confirmed at autopsy. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their total cholesterol level at autopsy: a high-risk group (> or = 220 mg/dl), a moderate-risk group (180-220 mg/dl), and a low-risk group (< or = 180 mg/dl). Depressed lesions were found in 16.4% of those in the high-risk group, in 14.6% of those in the moderate-risk group and in 69.0% of those in the low-risk group. Severe aortic atherosclerosis was found in 69.8% of the patients; 50.9% of those with severe disease were in the-low risk group. Depressed lesions were also found in those with low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (< or = 140 mg/dl), 58.8% of whom were found to have severe atherosclerosis. There was no relationship between total cholesterol level and the presence of depressed lesions. However, a clinical prevention trial may result in sufficient control of ahterosclerosis among those in the high-risk group and may also lead to regression of aortic lesions.

Aortic Diseases↗