Biomedical subjects

H Sakurai

Publications and source records attributed to H Sakurai.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

Reproducibility of urinary cadmium, alpha1-microglobulin, and beta2-microglobulin levels in health screening of the general population.

The present study examined whether levels of cadmium, and alphal- and beta2-microglobulin in urine (Cd-U, ac-MG-U, and beta2-MG-U, respectively) were reproducible in urine samples collected from the same subjects on multiple occasions. For this purpose, two databases on background exposure to cadmium in Japan-one from study I between 2000 and 2001 and the other from study II in 2002-were revisited to find 231 apparently healthy, nonpregnant, nonlactating adult women who participated in both studies and thus had provided two urine samples. The databases contained information on Cd-U, alphal,-MG-U, and beta2-MG-U, creatinine (CR), and specific gravity (SG) as well as smoking and other lifestyle factors. Of the 231 women, 195 who had never smoked were selected for the present analysis. Cd-U as well as alpha1-MG-U were reproducible (e.g., with correlation coefficients [r] between study I and II results of 0.4 to 0.6) when measured on two occasions 9 to 10 months apart. The r values were lower for beta2-MG-U (r0.3). Exclusion of urine samples with inadequate urine density(i.e., CR <0.5 or >3.0 g/L or SG <1.010 or >1.030) resulted in substantial improvement of the agreements between the two measures (e.g., r = 0.6 to 0.7 for Cd-U and alpha1-MG-U). CR and SG correlated closely with each other, especially in low-density urine samples (r >0.9), and therefore the effects of CR and SG could not be evaluated separately. In the overall evaluation,single determination (i.e., without repeated urine sampling) of Cd-U and alpha1-MG-U should be acceptable, and it may also be acceptable for beta2-MG-U. Use of samples with adequate urine density rather than application of density correction to low-density urine samples in recommended.

Cadmium↗

PubMed2005

Epidemiological and outcome characteristics of major burns in Tokyo.

The Tokyo Burn Unit Association (TBUA) was established in 1983 funded by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and is organized by 13 burn units in Tokyo. TBUA covers more than 90% of severe burn patients occurring in Tokyo, and all of the cases are registered according to the burn injury registration format. The purpose of this study is to analyze the registered data and to elucidate epidemiological and outcome characteristics of major burn injuries in Tokyo. The total of 6988 hospitalized patients had data for epidemiological analysis, and 6401 patients had complete data for outcome analysis as well, and were included in this study. The characteristic profiles for the analysis included age, sex, cause of burns, inhalation injury, %BSA, burn index (BI), length of burn unit stay, and outcome, and were analyzed by age groups. The mean age of the patients was 40.4 years, and 63% of them were male. It was noteworthy that 25% of the total patients were elderly patients over 60 years of age. Flame was the most common cause making up 45.6% followed by scalding (32.0%). The overall mortality rate was 15.4%. Inhalation injury was accompanied in 27.3% of burn patients. The mortality rate was 34.6% with inhalation injury, and 8.2% without inhalation injury. Causes of death showed that multiple organ failure made up 36.9% of total mortality, followed by sepsis 25.2 and shock 19.0%. The burn size (%BSA and BI) and inhalation injury were the factors for high mortality rate in all age groups whereas age was a predictor for high mortality in the patients older than 16 years of age. Gender was not a factor for high mortality in any age group. The mortality rate showed mildly decreasing tendency since 1995 for which implementation of skin bank was thought to be responsible.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Use of real-time magnetic resonance image guidance in endoscopic sinus surgery.

We evaluated the effectiveness of magnetic resonance image (MRI) guidance using an optical tracking system (MRI-guided therapy: MRT) in performing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The profiles of the fourteen patients in the present study were as follows: eleven with mucocele in the paranasal sinus, one with recurrent chronic sinusitis, one with maxillary cancer, and one with Graves' ophthalmopathy. Preparation of the MRT system required an additional 54 min in cases involving general anesthesia, and an additional 17 min in cases involving local anesthesia, in comparison with corresponding control groups undergoing ESS in a traditional operating room. We developed nonmetal probes that were visualized in a real-time mode and assistive devices for the optical tracking system that were equipped to avoid obstruction caused by surgical instruments as well as by the hands of surgeons. Using these unique devices, anatomic landmarks were visualized using the present MRT system. The prognosis of patients was favorable, and in particular, no patients with sinus mucocele showed a recurrence of their lesions. We concluded that the MRT system used here for performing ESS was beneficial, especially in terms of the intranasal marsupialization of sinus mucoceles and for the verification of orbital contents.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

[Short-term results of the Fontan operation in patients with Down syndrome].

Despite an extensive experience with Fontan operation, there is a paucity of information to guide the indication of the procedure in patients with Down syndrome. Of 79 patients who had undergone a Fontan operation in our hospital between 1995 and 2003, 3 had Down syndrome. All 3 patients had complete atrioventricular septal defect with single ventricular physiology. Two patients survived, and 1 died of chylothorax and respiratory infection. The 2 survivors have done well in the short-term without complications. We consider that in appropriately selected patients with Down syndrome in whom biventricular repair is precluded, the Fontan operation is the choice of the procedures.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed2005

[Repair of tetralogy of Fallot with obstruction of right pulmonary artery; report of a case].

Patients with tetralogy of Fallot showing unilateral obstruction of a pulmonary artery, especially the right pulmonary artery, are a high-risk group for pulmonary hypertension after repair. This case of tetralogy of Fallot with the obstruction of the right pulmonary artery received a Blalock-Taussig shunt at 7 months old, and the occluded right pulmonary artery caused empyema after surgery. At 2 years old, a cardiac catheter study showed a pulmonary artery index of 193.6 mm2/m2, so we undertook intracardiac repair. After the repair, she showed a relativery favorable clinical course. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricular pressure were about 30 and 50 mmHg, respectively. We considered that tetralogy of Fallot with obstruction of right pulmonary artery could be repaired, as long as the pulmonary artery index was within the limits of indication and the left ventricle was well-developed.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗

PubMed2005

[Chondrosarcoma of the chest wall].

We report 2 patients with chondrosarcoma of the chest wall. They were a 67-year-old woman (case 1) with an anterior chest wall tumor and a 68-year-old woman (case 2) with a painful rib tumor. Their computed tomography (CT) both revealed calcified tumors. Case 1 underwent a wide resection by partial sternectomy, with free surgical margins. Case 2 underwent tumor resection with the posterior part of the 3rd rib, with positive surgical margin in the vertebral site, and received adjuvant radiotherapy. Both patients were pathologically diagnosed as having grade II chondrosarcoma. In their postoperative courses, they are free from recurrence. Wide resection is likely to be the key to successful management of chest wall chondrosarcoma.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

alpha1-Microglobulin as a promising marker of cadmium-induced tubular dysfunction, possibly better than beta2-microglobulin.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the validity of alpha1-microglobulin (alpha1-MG) in comparison with popularly used beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG). A database on 8975 cases of never-smoking adult women was revisited; the data were based on spot urine samples from the women in 10 prefectures all over Japan. The validity of alpha1-MG was examined following essentially the same protocol as beta2-MG was examined in a previous study. Comparisons were made for alpha1-MG as observed (e.g. alpha1-MG(ob)), as corrected for creatinine (CR or cr) (e.g. alpha1-MGcr) and as corrected for a specific gravity (SG or sg) of 1.016 (e.g. alpha1-MGsg). A cut-off value of 5.0 mg alpha1-MG/g cr or l was deduced from 400 microg beta2-MG/g cr taking advantage of the regression equation between alpha1-MG and beta2-MG. The prevalence of alph1-microglobulinuria as corrected for a specific gravity of 1.016 (or alpha1-MGsg-uria in short) was essentially unchanged irrespective of SG, except for in very dense or very thin urine samples. alpha1-MGcr-uria prevalence decreased at higher CR. Comparison of the present observation with previous findings on beta2-MG-uria prevalence showed that the variation in prevalence of MG-uria as a function of urine density was smaller for alpha1-MGsg whereas it was substantially larger for beta2-MGcr, and thus it appeared prudent to consider alpha1-MGsg rather than beta2-MGcr as a marker of tubular dysfunction.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Anomalously hindered E2 strength B(E2;2+(1)-->0+) in 16C.

The electric quadrupole transition from the first 2(+) state to the ground 0(+) state in 16C is studied through measurement of the lifetime by a recoil shadow method applied to inelastically scattered radioactive 16C nuclei. The measured mean lifetime is 77+/-14(stat)+/-19(syst) ps. The central value of mean lifetime corresponds to a B(E2;2+(1)-->0(+)) value of 0.63e(2) fm(4), or 0.26 Weisskopf units. The transition strength is found to be anomalously small compared to the empirically predicted value.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

No effects of hematuria and proteinuria in school days, and probably current pregnancy and current lactation also, as risk factors of cadmium-induced renal tubular dysfunction among adult women in general populations in Japan.

This study was initiated to examine if hematuria and proteinuria in school days, current pregnancy, or current lactation are risk factors of cadmium-induced tubular dysfunction for adult women among general populations in Japan. For this purpose, a database of 9,967 never-smoking adult women were reviewed for urinary levels of cadmium (Cd) and three other elements, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and zinc (Zn), and two tubular dysfunction markers of alpha1-microglobulin (alpha1-MG) and beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG); the analyte concentrations were corrected for creatinine (cr) and expressed as, e.g., Cd-Ucr. From the total, 160 cases were selected as those who were informed of urinary abnormality (i.e., proteinuria, hematuria, or both) in their school days (the abnormality being found to be transient, later), and each case was matched by age and prefecture of residence. Separately, seven women with persistent urinary abnormality, seven pregnant women, and six lactating women were identified, and the case was matched with three cases each of the same age and living in the same prefecture. Statistical analyses showed that Cd-Ucr and other markers were not elevated in the transient urinary abnormality group as compared with the matched controls. This was also observed in the subjects with persistent abnormality. In the pregnant women, alpha1-MG-Ucr and possibly beta2-MG-Ucr were elevated, but Cd-Ucr did not increase, suggesting that the observed elevation in alpha1-MG and beta2-MG was not due to the effects of Cd but a part of the physiology of pregnancy itself. There was no change in marker levels in lactating women except for an increase in alpha1-MG. In overall evaluation, it was considered prudent to conclude that urinary abnormality in school days does not increase the risk of Cd-induced nephrotoxicity in adult women, whereas the negative findings with pregnancy and lactation should be taken as preliminary because the numbers of cases studied were limited.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Critical evaluation of alpha1- and beta2-microglobulins in urine as markers of cadmium-induced tubular dysfunction.

The purpose of the study was to examine the validity of alpha1-microglobulin (alpha1-MG) in comparison with popularly used beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG). A database was revisited to select ca. 7,500 spot urine samples (of adequate urine density) from non-pregnant, non-lactating and never-smoking adult women. The validity of the MGs was examined in terms of stability of the MG-uria prevalence in urine samples of various creatinine (CR or cr) concentration or specific gravity (SG or sg). Comparisons were made for MGs as observed (e.g., alpha1-MGob), as corrected for CR (e.g., alpha1-MGcr) and as corrected for SG of 1.016 (e.g., alpha1-MGsg). A cut-off value of 5.7 mg/g cr (or mg/l) for alpha1-MG was deduced from a cut-off value of 400 microg/g cr (or mcirog/l) for beta2-MG, because the correlation between alpha1-MGcr and beta2-MGcr was statistically significant. The prevalence of a 1-MGsg-uria was essentially unchanged (i.e., from a low of 13.6% to a high of 17.0%, or 1.2 times) except for in very dense or very thin urine samples, in contrast, beta2-MGcr-uria showed a substantial increase (from 0.0% to 2.8% with an infinite rate) as a reverse function of a decrease in CR in urine. The prevalence of uncorrected markers, i.e., alpha1-MGob-uria and beta2-MGob-uria, showed even greater CR- or SG-dependent changes. Thus, it appeared prudent to consider a alpha-MGsg rather than beta2-MGcr as a marker of tubular dysfunction among a general population with various urine density.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Radicicol potentiates heat-induced cell killing in a human oesophageal cancer cell line: the Hsp90 chaperone complex as a new molecular target for enhancement of thermosensitivity.

PURPOSE: To examine the ability of a heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) chaperone complex inhibitor, radicicol, to modify thermal response and heat-induced cell killing, and to clarify the underlining mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A human oesophageal cancer cell line (TE-1), with a mutant p53 gene, was used. To examine the effect of radicicol on heat-induced cell killing, radicicol at a concentration of 100 nM was incubated with the cells for 7 h during heat treatment. Changes in the expression of proteins were examined by Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis. RESULTS: Radicicol in combination with heat synergistically potentiated heat-induced cellular killing despite an increase in the expression of Hsp72 and Hsp27 caused by radicicol. Heat alone activated Raf-1 and p42/p44 extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk), and heat in combination with radicicol inhibited the activation of Raf-1 and p42/p44 Erk through reduced binding of Raf-1 to Hsp90. Phosphorylation of Akt was also decreased by radicicol. CONCLUSIONS: The Hsp90 chaperone complex inhibitor, radicicol, potentiated heat-induced cellular killing, and inhibition of p42/p44 Erk and Akt activation rather than modification of Hsp expression might be involved in enhancing cellular thermosensitivity. Results suggest that the Hsp90 chaperone complex could be a new molecular target for the modification of the cellular response to heat.

Cell Line, Tumor↗

PubMed2004

A six year follow up study of the subclinical effects of carbon disulphide exposure on the cardiovascular system.

AIMS: A six year prospective cohort study was conducted to clarify whether the current carbon disulphide (CS2) exposure level is low enough to prevent subclinical health impairment and/or to ameliorate health effects due to previous high exposure. This paper describes the effects on the cardiovascular systems. METHODS: The study subjects were 432 male workers exposed to CS2 and 402 non-exposed workers in Japan, all of whom were examined in 1992-93. A total of 251 CS2 exposed, 140 formerly exposed, and 359 non-exposed workers participated in the follow up survey (follow up rate 89.9%) in 1998-99. Mean duration of exposure was 19.3 years at the end the study. Mean CS2 and 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) concentrations were 5.0 ppm and 1.6 mg/g creatinine. Health items examined were serum biochemical indices including lipids and coagulation-fibrinolysis factors, blood pressure, aortic stiffness, ophthalmography, and electrocardiography at rest and after Master's double 2 step test. Potential confounding factors were adjusted for. RESULTS: Incidence of ischaemic findings, defined as Minnesota codes I, IV(1-3), V(1-3) (at rest and after the load), or receiving treatment for ischaemia, was significantly higher in the exposed workers, especially for the spinning/refining workers (adjusted OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.1 to 4.0) or the highest quartile of six year mean TTCA (adjusted OR 3.9; 95% CI 1.8 to 8.7), although the observed increase in risk was diminished when rigorous ECG criteria were applied. Incidence of retinal microaneurysm was increased with marginal significance. Among cardiovascular risk factors we examined, only blood pressure values were significantly increased in the exposed workers. CONCLUSIONS: Increased risk of ischaemic electrocardiogram findings among Japanese viscose rayon workers was observed. Although its clinical significance is to be discussed, the current Japanese occupational exposure limit for CS2, 10 ppm, would be high to prevent subclinical cardiovascular effects in this study population.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Six year observational cohort study of the effect of carbon disulphide on brain MRI in rayon manufacturing workers.

AIMS: To clarify whether the current occupational exposure limit (OEL) for carbon disulphide (CS2) is low enough to prevent the occurrence of adverse effects on the cerebrovascular system. METHODS: A total of 432 male workers exposed to CS2 and 402 male referent workers in 11 Japanese viscose rayon factories were studied at baseline; 750 of these were followed up. Brain MRI was performed at both baseline and follow up surveys. Changes in the number of hyperintense spots in T2 weighted images (HIS), which point to so-called "silent cerebral infarctions", were evaluated over six years. A total of 666 subjects (217 exposed, 125 ex-exposed, and 324 referent subjects) who twice received brain MRI were subjected to analysis. Mean duration of exposure to the end of the study was 19.6 years for the exposed workers. The geometric mean CS2 (ppm) and TTCA (mg/g creatinine) concentrations for the past six years were 4.9 and 1.6 for all exposed workers, 5.8 and 1.9 for spinning/refining workers, and 2.7 and 0.9 for other exposed workers, respectively. RESULTS: Exposed subjects showed a significantly higher risk for an increase in the number of HIS over six years. Odds ratios adjusted for possible confounders in the exposed and ex-exposed workers were 2.27 (95% CI 1.37 to 3.76) and 1.33 (95% CI 0.70 to 2.54), respectively. No exposure-response relations were observed in a number of analyses among the exposed workers. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to CS2 under the current Japanese OEL, 10 ppm, might increase the number of HIS in brain MRI. However, results should be interpreted with caution.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Prognosis of resected stage I bronchioloalveolar carcinoma of the lung].

In this retrospective study, we investigated the prognosis of 25 patients with resected bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) of 3.0 cm or less in diameter. We assigned a diagnosis of BAC for non-invasive tumors as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. The patients ranged in age from 47 to 78 years with an average of 64.0 years. Eighteen patients (72%) were male and 7 patients (28%) were female. All the patients underwent complete resection. As the mode of surgical resection, at least lobectomy was performed in 84%. Sections of the resected tumor were stained by HE and Elastica, and then examined by light microscopy. The tumors ranged in size from 0.5 to 3.0 cm with an average of 1.9 cm. Neither pleural involvement nor vascular permeation was seen in BACs. There was also no lymph node involvement for BACs. The 5-year disease-free survival rate of all 25 patients with BAC was 100%. The unequivocally recognizing invasive features by morphology is important for a prospect of the prognosis of resected BACs.

Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar↗

PubMed2004

A case of rhabdomyosarcoma of the vagina in an elderly woman.

Most rhabdomyosarcomas of the vagina (RMSV) occur in infants and children up to six years old. RMSV in elderly patients is extremely rare. We report a case of a 70-year-old woman with RMSV. She had received surgery for uterine endometrial cancer one year before and a vaginal polypoid tumor was noted during routine follow-up vaginal examination. She was referred to our department for radiation therapy following partial tumorectomy of the lesion. She was given three sessions of intra-vaginal radiation therapy, once a week with 6 Gy at 7.5 mm below the vaginal surface and external irradiation of 50 Gy to the pelvis. However, paraaortal lymph node metastasis developed during initial radiation therapy. Furthermore, multiple bone metastases appeared at the completion of the radiation therapy. Six months after initial treatment the patient died from progression of the disease. Autopsy demonstrated small residual tumor at the primary site as well as multiple systemic metastases.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Bias induced by the use of creatinine-corrected values in evaluation of beta2-microgloblin levels.

The present study was initiated to examine if the correction for creatinine (CR or cr) is the best approach among the three methods of correction for CR, correction for a specific gravity (SG or sg) and the use of observed values in managing difference in urine density. For this purpose, a database previously developed on 10,753 adult women in 10 non-polluted areas in Japan was re-visited for information on age, urinary levels of Cd, Mg, Ca, Zn, beta(2)-MG, and creatinine, and urine specific gravity as well as smoking habits. Never-smoking women with various urine density counted 8975 cases (the various urine density group). From these cases, 7081 cases with adequate urine density (i.e. 0.5 g/l < or = CR < or = 3.0 g/l and 1.010 < or = SG < or = 1.030) were selected (the adequate urine density group). When a beta(2)-MG level of 400 microg/g CR or 400 microg/l was taken as a cut-off value for beta(2)-MG-uria, both the prevalence of beta(2)-MG(cr)-uria [i.e. cases with beta(2)-MG (as corrected for CR) in excess of 400 microg/g cr] and that of beta(2)-MG(sg)-uria increased as a function of the decrease in Cd(cr) or Cd(sg). The prevalence of beta(2)-MG(ob)-uria also varied as a function of CR and SG, especially of CR, but its range of variation was smaller than the corresponding changes in beta(2)-MG(cr)-uria prevalence. A noteworthy advantage for the use of observed values over that of SG-corrected values was the minimum effect of age. In over-all evaluation, therefore, the recommended approach appeared to be the use of non-corrected observed values (after selection of urine samples for adequate urine density if desired) or correction for SG, rather than correction for CR.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Comparative evaluation of four urinary tubular dysfunction markers, with special references to the effects of aging and correction for creatinine concentration.

Comparative evaluation was made on alpha(1)-microglobulin (alpha(1)-MG), beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)-MG), retinol binding protein (RBP) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), as a marker of renal tubular dysfunction after environmental exposure to cadmium (Cd), with special references to the effects of aging and correction for creatinine concentration. For this purpose, a previously established database of 817 never-smoking Japanese women (at the ages of 20 to 74 years) on hematological [hemoglobin, serum ferritin (FE), etc.] and urinary parameters [alpha(1)-MG, beta(2)-MG, creatinine (cr), and a specific gravity] was revisited. For the present analysis, the database was supplemented by the data on RBP and NAG in urine. The exposure of the women to Cd was such that the geometric mean Cd in urine was 1.3 microg/g cr. Among the four tubular dysfunction markers, NAG showed the closest correlation with Cd, followed by alpha(1)-MG and then beta(2)-MG, and RBP was least so although the correlations were all statistically significant. The observed values of the markers gave the best results, whereas correction for a urine specific gravity gave poorer correlation, and it was the worst when correction for creatinine concentration was applied. Age was the most influential confounding factor. The effect of age appeared to be attributable at least in part to the fact that both creatinine and, to a lesser extent, the specific gravity decreased as a function of age. Iron deficiency anemia of sub-clinical degree as observed among the women did not affect any of the four tubular dysfunction markers. In conclusion, NAG and alpha(1)-MG, rather beta(2)-MG or RBP, are more sensitive to detect Cd-induced tubular dysfunction in mass screening. The use of uncorrected observed values of the markers rather than traditional creatinine-corrected values is recommended when comparison covers people of a wide range of ages.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

PubMed2003

No significant effect of iron deficiency on cadmium body burden or kidney dysfunction among women in the general population in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To examine if iron-deficient conditions modify body burden or health effects of cadmium among women in the general population in Japan. METHODS: In 2002, 1,482 women aged 20 to 74 years in six prefectures in Japan provided informed consent to participate in this study. They offered peripheral blood and spot urine samples, and answered questionnaires on their social habits and health conditions. Never-smoking, non-pregnant and non-lactating healthy women (1,190 subjects) were selected from the volunteers. Blood samples were analyzed for serum iron, ferritin and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) in addition to red blood cell (RBC) counts and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration as markers of anemia and iron deficiency. Urine samples were analyzed for cadmium (Cd), alpha(1)-microglobulin (alpha(1)-MG), beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)-MG) as markers of Cd burden and Cd-induced tubular dysfunction; the measures were expressed after being corrected for creatinine (cr) as, e.g., Cd-Ucr. RESULTS: The subjects were classified into anemic (37 women) and iron-deficient (388 women) groups separately from healthy controls (765 women), taking ferritin (<20 ng/ml) and Hb (<10 g/100 ml) as classification indicators. Strictly matched pairs (with regard to age and prefecture) were established for 36 anemic and 280 iron-deficient cases. Comparison between the cases and the matched controls showed that serum iron was lower and TIBC was higher in accordance with lower levels of ferritin and Hb in the anemic and iron-deficient groups, although the RBC count was only slightly reduced (the anemic group) or stayed essentially unchanged (the iron-deficient group). In contrast, no significant increase in Cd-Ucr, alpha(1)-MG, or beta(2)-MG was observed in either the anemic group or the iron-deficient group compared with the matched controls. Cd-Ucr in one case of clinical anemia, however, tended to be higher than the levels among women of the same age range and from the same prefecture. Her alpha(1)-MG-Ucr and beta(2)-MG-Ucr, however, remained un-elevated. CONCLUSIONS: The current level of iron deficiency among women in the general population in Japan may not induce significant increase in Cd body burden or Cd-induced tubular dysfunction.

Adult↗