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Biomedical subjects

H Yanagawa

Publications and source records attributed to H Yanagawa.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in pleural effusion due to inflammatory and malignant lung disease.

Interleukin (IL)-1 is a key cytokine in inflammatory reactions. To clarify the mechanism of inflammation in the pleural cavity, we investigated the contribution of IL-1 and its antagonism to inflammatory processes in the pleural cavity. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) levels as well as IL-1 beta and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay in pleural effusions from 70 patients. Pleural macrophages were also examined as possible sources of these cytokines in 10 patients. IL-1Ra was detectable in 28 patients (40%) out of 70 patients with pleural effusions. Patients with tuberculosis had significantly higher IL-1Ra as well as IFN-gamma levels in pleural effusion than patients with lung cancer. Transudative pleural effusions had low or undetectable IL-IRa levels. On the other hand, IL-1 beta levels were low, except in cases of parapneumonic pleural effusion. Spontaneous production of IL-1Ra pleural macrophages was observed in six patients, and IL-4 significantly augmented its production. Although spontaneous production of IL-1 beta was observed in only two patients, pleural macrophages produced significant amounts of IL-1 beta in response to lipopolysaccharide in all 10 patients examined. These results suggest that interleukin-1 receptor antagonist regulates various reactions by interleukin-1 in pleural effusion, and that pleural macrophages may act in situ as a source of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[A study on the relationship between sources of health information concerning smoking and drinking, and health behavior].

To determine effective measures to popularize knowledge on the health effects of smoking and drinking and to change health behavior, an interview survey of 2000 persons aged 18 or older randomly chosen from national census forms throughout Japan was carried out. The coverage rates of the information concerning smoking and drinking were 97.3% and 92.5%, respectively. Television, newspapers and magazines were the major sources of health information concerning smoking and drinking. In addition, men who gave up or controlled smoking or drinking usually obtained health information from doctors, while those who had never controlled smoking usually obtained health information from their friends and families. Men who could not control drinking effectively usually obtained health information from the health examination consultant at the workplace. However, according to the answers from men who gave up or controlled drinking, the health information useful in changing health behavior was obtained from the health examination consultant at the workplace and from persons who had a disease history. Women who gave up or controlled drinking answered that the health information from their friends and families was helpful to change the health behavior.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

A comparative epidemiological study on the effects of physical fitness on health level.

Clinical tests, a questionnaire on life style and mental health, and physical fitness tests were conducted on 3,132 individuals (1,796 men and 1,336 women) to find the relationships between physical fitness level and life style, mental health, or cardiovascular risk factors among Japanese. Individuals with an advanced physical fitness level also exhibited optimum mental health: the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for their sensation of fatigue (fast recovery) was 1.16 (95% CI = 1.00 to 1.35) and that for mood recovery (fast) was 1.29 (95% CI = 1.12 to 1.49). Among those with an advanced physical fitness level, the following were rare (OR): daily smoking [0.78]; obesity (over 120%) [0.73 (95% CI = 0.62 to 0.87)]; thick subcutaneous fat (over 20 mm on the back) [0.77 (95% CI = 0.66 to 0.90)]; high blood sugar level [0.64 (95% CI = 0.50 to 0.82)]; and hypertension [0.67 (95% CI = 0.49 to 0.91)]. These are risks for circulatory diseases. These data show that risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease are more common in those with a low physical fitness level.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Update of the epidemiology of Kawasaki disease in Japan--from the results of 1993-94 nationwide survey.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to describe the epidemiologic pictures of Kawasaki disease(KD) in Japan during the 2-year period of 1993 and 1994 based on the data obtained by the thirteenth nationwide epidemiologic survey of KD which was conducted by the Japan Kawasaki Disease Research Committee. METHODS: A survey form and diagnostic criteria of KD were sent to all hospital pediatric departments (2,640) throughout Japan with 100 or more beds. The patients to be reported in this surveys were all the incident KD cases who satisfied the diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: (1) A total of 1,730 (65.5%) hospitals responded, reporting 11,458(5,389 in 1993 and 6,069 in 1994; 6,729 males and 4,729 females; male/female ratio = 1.42) with an incidence rate of 95.1 per 100,000 children of age < 5 years. (2) The monthly number of patients was higher in winter and summer, although the monthly difference was not marked. (3) Age specific incidence rates showed a uni-modal peak at one year of age. (4) The proportion of patients with family history of KD in sibling was 1%. (5) The proportion of recurrent patients was 3%. (6) The proportion of patients with cardiac sequelae in one month after disease onset was 13%. (7) Number of fatal patients reported was 9, which conforms to 0.08% of total patients.

Child↗
PubMed1996

Flushing pattern and idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

A cooperative hospital-based case-control study of idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head (IANF) was carried out to clarify the involvement of smoking, drinking, flushing pattern, and other factors in the development of IANF comparing 90 cases (64 males and 26 females) without history of systemic corticosteroid use with 180 matched controls (128 males and 52 females). The results of analyses were represented only for male subjects because of small number of female cases. There was no significant difference in smoking habits, daily and cumulative number of cigarettes smoked between case and control groups. Current drinkers had obviously higher risk (OR = 11.47) of IANF compared to nondrinkers or exdrinkers. In addition, there was a consistent risk increase with increasing alcohol consumption and the highly significant dose-response relationship remained unchanged after adjustment for all other factors (chi 2 = 14.33, p < 0.001 and chi 2 = 13.24, p < 0.001 for daily and cumulative alcohol consumption, respectively). For flushing pattern, although nonflushers had a significantly elevated risk (OR = 2.08) in the univariate analysis, the association disappeared (OR = 0.73) after adjustment for alcohol and other factors. Since nonflushers tend to be heavy drinkers, perhaps, an apparent risk increase among nonflushers may be due to alcohol drinking. Body mass index (BMI) was inversely related to the development of IANF. The risk reduction was found among subjects with higher BMI and an adjusted linear trend of OR was significant (chi 2 = 6.65, p < 0.05). However, further studies were required regarding the association between flushing pattern or BMI and IANF because of a few reports. History of liver diseases and occupational history were not significantly associated with the development of IANF after adjustment for other factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Activities of the Japan Epidemiological Association.

This article summarizes the scientific activities of the Japan Epidemiological Association (JEA). The association was formally inaugurated in January 1991. The major activities of this association are (1) holding annual scientific meetings (it has held six meetings since its inauguration) and sponsoring epidemiology seminars; (2) publishing the official journals (Journal of Epidemiology), news letters and other publications; and (3) other activities to promote the development of epidemiology. The total membership at present is about 1,000. The field of specialty of the members are epidemiology, public health, statistics, health administration, clinical medicine, information science, infectious diseases, industrial health, environmental health and other related areas. The association closely collaborates with other Japanese and international organizations (especially with the International Epidemiological Association) in the field of epidemiology.

Epidemiology↗
PubMed1996

Relationships between smoking habits and other behavior factors among males: from the results of the 1990 National Cardiovascular Survey in Japan.

Relationships between smoking habits and other behavior factors such as habitual exercise, physical activities, and alcohol drinking habits were observed among Japanese males. Data used were obtained in The 1990 National Cardiovascular Survey in Japan, which consisted of 3826 males aged 30+ years selected from the Japanese population randomly. The proportion of current smokers was 53.5% in overall, and it decreased according to aging; these results were similar to Japanese former data. Those exercising habitually were more likely to be former smokers, whereas no relationship was observed between smoking habits and physical activities. Smoking and alcohol drinking habits were closely related; habitual drinkers were 3.34 times as likely to be current smokers as non-drinkers. Dose-response relationship was observed as well. Thus, the relationship between smoking and alcohol drinking habits was shown quantitatively.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Benign infantile mitochondrial myopathy caused by reversible cytochrome c oxidase deficiency].

A 2-month-old girl had generalized weakness, profound muscular hypotonia, hepatomegaly and severe lactic acidosis. She needed ventilatory support. Muscle specimen taken at 2 months showed ragged-red fibers, abnormal mitochondria, and reduced cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) staining Biochemical analysis showed CCO activity to be reduced to about 16% of the normal mean. She received carnitine and coenzyme Q10 supplementation from the age of 3 months and abnormal blood lactate values declined to near normal values during the first three weeks. Gradually her condition started to improved: she held her head at 9 months, and walked alone at 15 months. The second biopsy specimen at 3 years and 8 months showed almost normal CCO staining and she was free of clinical signs. This case is an example of a rare benign infantile mitochondrial myopathy caused by CCO deficiency. Early diagnosis is crucial to provide intensive treatment until spontaneous clinical improvement appears. We concluded that carnitine and coenzyme Q10 supplementation was a useful treatment for clinical improvement in patients with a benign infantile mitochondrial myopathy caused by CCO deficiency.

Carnitine↗
PubMed1996

[Commencement and discontinuance of receiving financial aid for intractable disease treatment].

Data concerning all patients receiving financial aid for 26 types of intractable diseases in 1984, 1988 and 1992 were individually linked. Proportions of patients who discontinued financial aid in 1988 or 1992 among patients who were receiving aid in 1984 (ratio of discontinuance per patients); and ratios of the numbers of patients newly commencing aid in 1988 or 1992 to the numbers of patients who were receiving aid in 1984 (ratio of commencement per patients) were calculated. The results were as follows; 1. Among patients receiving financial aid in 1984, ratios of discontinuance per 100 patients were 28 in 1985-88 and 43 in 1985-92. Ratios of commencement per 100 patients were 96 in 1985-88 and 203 in 1985-92. 2. Ratios of discontinuance and of commencement per 100 patients in 1985-92 among 26 intractable diseases were 27-96 and 31-1,068, respectively. 3. Ratios of discontinuance per patients were higher an age groups 0-19 year and 60 year and over than in other age groups. Ratios of commencement per patients were higher in age groups 20-29 year and 70 year and over than in other age groups. Both ratios were higher among males than among females. 4. Ranges of ratios of discontinuance per patients and of ratios of commencement per patients were smaller among 47 prefectures than among diseases and age groups. The number of patients receiving financial aid in 1984 per population among prefectures was inversely correlated to ratios of commencement per patients, and were not correlated with ratios of discontinuance per patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Systemic chemotherapy alters interleukin-1 beta and its receptor antagonist production by human alveolar macrophages in lung cancer patients.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether cytotoxic chemotherapy influences the number and function of alveolar macrophages (AM) in patients with lung cancer. AM were obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage from 24 patients with lung cancer and 17 control patients. The functional integrity of AM was determined by their ability to produce interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) before and after platinum-containing systemic chemotherapy. The productions of IL-1 beta and IL-1ra were quantitated by enzyme immunoassays. The proportions of multinucleated cells among AM were significantly decreased after systemic chemotherapy in lung cancer patients. No significant difference in spontaneous and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated IL-1 beta or IL-1ra production by AM was observed between lung cancer patients and control patients. Significant increase of IL-1 beta and significant decrease of IL-1ra production by AM were demonstrated in patients with small cell lung cancer who experienced response to systemic chemotherapy. These results suggest that systemic chemotherapy may influence functional roles of AM in the lung, and consideration of influence of systemic chemotherapy on host functions is important in cancer treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Results of 12 nationwide epidemiological incidence surveys of Kawasaki disease in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the long-term trend of incidence and other epidemiological pictures of Kawasaki disease in Japan, by using the results of 12 nationwide epidemiological surveys on Kawasaki disease that have been conducted throughout Japan (ie, surveys that have encompassed the pediatric departments of hospitals with more than 100 beds) every 2 years since 1970. RESULTS: At the end of December 1992, the total number of patients with this disease was 116,848 (males, 67,815; females, 49,033; male-female ratio, 1.38). The number of cases increased year by year, with three outbreaks in 1979, 1982, and 1986. There have been no cyclical changes since 1986. The incidence was higher in males and in those children who were 1 year of age or younger. The fatality rate decreased from 1% in 1974 to 0.04% in 1992. CONCLUSIONS: The patterns of descriptive epidemiology, such as seasonality and cyclical changes in incidence, supported the theory of an infectious agent as the causal agent. However, the incidence data since 1986 provide less support for an infectious theory.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1995

Formation of amino acid precursors in cometary ice environments by cosmic radiation.

Cometary ices are believed to contain water, carbon monoxide, methane and ammonia, and are possible sites for the formation and preservation of organic compounds relating to the origin of life. Cosmic rays, together with ultraviolet light, are among the most effective energy sources for the formation of organic compounds in space. In order to study the possibility of the formation of amino acids in comets or their precursory bodies (interstellar dust grains), several types of ice mixtures made in a cryostat at 10 K ("simulated cometary ices") were irradiated with high energy protons. After irradiation, the volatile products were analyzed with a quadrupole mass spectrometer, while temperature of the cryostat was raised to room temperature. The non-volatile products remaining in the cryostat at room temperature were collected with water. They were acid-hydrolyzed, and analyzed by ion-exchange chromatography. When an ice mixture of carbon monoxide (or methane), ammonia and water was irradiated, some hydrocarbons were formed, and amino acids such as glycine and alanine were detected in the hydrolyzate. These results suggest the possible formation of "amino acid precursors" (compounds yielding amino acids after hydrolysis) in interstellar dust grains by cosmic radiation. We previously reported that amino acid precursors were formed when simulated primitive planetary atmospheres were irradiated with cosmic ray particles. It will be of great interest to compare the amount of bioorganic compounds that were formed in the primitive earth and that brought by comets to the earth.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1995

Physical-strength tests and mortality among visitors to health-promotion centers in Japan.

A follow-up study was conducted to clarify the relationship between physical-strength level and risk of death from all causes and from cancer and cardiovascular disease. The 7286 persons who were examined at seven health-promotion centers throughout Japan between 1982 and 1987 were followed up. By January 1992, 6259 persons (85.9%) had been contacted by questionnaire. They included 3117 men (49.8% of all subjects studied) (average age 53.6 years at baseline, SD = 9.0 years, range 40-84 years), and 3142 women (50.2%) (average age 54.5 years at baseline, SD = 8.5 years, range 40-85 years). The follow-up period for each person averaged 6.1 years, for a total of 38,253 person-years. During this period, 155 deaths were reported. At baseline, five physical-strength tests (grip strength, side step, vertical jump, standing trunk flexion, and sit-ups) were performed. Five clinical laboratory tests (thickness of skinfold, blood sugar, total serum cholesterol, percent vital lung capacity, and blood pressure) were also conducted. The examinees were questioned about smoking status (current smoker, nonsmoker, and ex-smoker). Men with thicker skinfold [relative risk (RR) = 2.11] and higher levels of blood sugar (RR = 1.89) had an excess risk of death from all causes. Men with higher serum cholesterol (RR = 5.08), thicker skinfold (RR = 4.54), and elevated blood pressure (RR = 2.33) had an excess risk of death from cardiovascular disease. In women, no relationship was seen between clinical laboratory tests and an excess risk of death. Men exhibiting lower values for side step (RR = 2.43), vertical jump (RR = 2.37), sit-ups (RR = 1.93) and grip strength (RR = 1.92) also had an excess risk of death from all causes. Furthermore, men with lower heights for vertical jump (RR = 5.51) had an excess risk of death from cardiovascular disease. After adjustment for skinfold thickness, blood sugar, total serum cholesterol, blood pressure, percent vital lung capacity and smoking status, men with a lower level of side step, vertical jump, and grip strength had an excess risk of death from all causes. No such relationship was seen between physical-strength level and an excess risk of death in women. It is concluded that a low level of physical strength might be significantly correlated with subsequent health outcomes in men.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Serum levels of interleukin 6 in patients with lung cancer.

Serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were measured in 75 patients with lung cancer and in 20 patients with benign lung diseases. IL-6 was detectable in 29 patients with lung cancer (39%), but was not detectable in any of the patients with benign lung diseases. Serum C-reactive protein levels and plasma fibrinogen levels were significantly higher and serum albumin concentration was significantly lower in lung cancer patients with detectable serum IL-6 levels than in those without detectable serum IL-6 levels and in patients with benign lung diseases. On the other hand, no significant difference was observed in blood platelet counts in these three groups. Moreover, serum IL-6 levels were not significantly different in lung cancer patients with or without clinically demonstrated distant metastasis. These results suggest that IL-6 may be a mediator of various reactions including an inflammatory response in lung cancer patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Cardiac sequelae of Kawasaki disease in Japan over 10 years.

To observe the secular trend of a proportion of Kawasaki disease patients with cardiac sequelae in Japan, we analyzed patients with Kawasaki disease reported to nationwide surveys of the disease during 10.5 years from July 1982 to December 1992. Of 69,382 patients reported to the surveys, 10,596 (15.3%) were reported to have cardiac sequelae such as dilatation or stenosis of coronary arteries, myocardial infarction or valvar lesions, 1 month or more after onset. The percentage of cardiac sequelae was particularly high in males, infants younger than 1 year and children older than 5 years of age. The overall prevalence declined steadily over the observed period. However, the percentage for children older than 5 years of age did not decrease, whether treated with intravenous gamma globulin or untreated. As a consequence of the increased number of patients treated with intravenous gamma globulin, the proportion of Kawasaki disease patients with cardiac sequelae decreased annually. However, the proportion of children older than 5 years of age did not decrease.

Child↗
PubMed1995

Iv gamma globulin treatment of Kawasaki disease in Japan: results of a nationwide survey.

The administration of i.v. gamma globulin (IVGG) for Kawasaki disease was investigated throughout Japan in 1993 by obtaining information from the pediatric departments of 2652 hospitals with more than 100 beds. A total of 1826 hospitals (68.9%) responded, reporting on 11,221 patients who were diagnosed during the survey period from January 1991 to December 1992. There were 8958 patients (79.8%) who received IVGG treatment. The most common treatment modality was 200 mg/kg (29.6%), followed by 400 mg/kg (18.7%) and 300 mg/kg (12.9%), all for 5 days. The distributions of total dose were: 1000 mg/kg or less, 45.7%; 1001-1500 mg/kg, 27.3%; and over 1500 mg/kg, 23.8%. For all patients to whom IVGG was administered, treatment was started in 53.8% by day 5 of illness and in 86.1% by day 7. The proportion of those with cardiac sequelae was higher in patients who were treated with IVGG, possibly due to the fact that those who were more severely affected were more likely to be treated with IVGG.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

Contrasting effect of interleukin-13 on interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and proinflammatory cytokine production by human alveolar macrophages.

We investigated the effect of interleukin-13 (IL-13) on production of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and proinflammatory cytokines by human alveolar macrophages (AM). AM were obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage from healthy donors. The production of IL-1ra and proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1 beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), were quantitated by enzyme immunoassays. AM spontaneously produced IL-1ra, and this production was significantly augmented by IL-13. On the other hand, IL-13 alone did not affect production of proinflammatory cytokines by freshly isolated AM. Upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), AM produced a significantly amount of proinflammatory cytokines as well as IL-1ra, but this production was suppressed by IL-13 in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, IL-13 caused a small but reproducible increase in LPS-induced IL-1ra production. These regulatory effects of IL-13 were also observed in blood monocytes and macrophages generated in vitro by maturation of blood monocytes with granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor. These observations suggest that IL-13 may act as an anti-inflammatory cytokine through regulation of cytokine production by AM in the lung.

Adult↗