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Biomedical subjects

I Kato

Publications and source records attributed to I Kato.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

A prospective study of stomach cancer among a rural Japanese population: a 6-year survey.

Stomach cancer mortality was prospectively studied among 9753 Japanese men and women who first responded to a mailed questionnaire in 1985 and were then followed through May 31, 1991. During this follow-up period, 57 stomach cancer deaths were identified. Current smokers had an increased risk of deaths from stomach cancer compared with never smokers (relative risk (RR) = 2.29, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15-4.56), but there was no dose-response to amount of cigarettes smoked. Daily alcohol drinkers who consumed 50 ml or more of alcohol per day also had a greater risk than nondrinkers (RR = 3.05, 95% CI: 1.35-6.91). There was no association between stomach cancer mortality and individual food consumption except a positive association with fruit intake. However, frequent use (greater than or equal to 3-4/week) of broiling of meats and traditional style Japanese salad preparation in their cooking procedures were positively associated with stomach cancer mortality. The RR values compared with infrequent use (less than or equal to 1-2/month) were 2.27 (95% CI: 1.06-4.85) and 3.10 (95% CI: 1.40-6.85), respectively. A positive family history of cancer, especially stomach cancer, significantly increased the risk of stomach cancer deaths (RR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.12-3.63). The effects of these variables remained after adjustment for other variables.

Age Factors↗

Atrophic gastritis and stomach cancer risk: cross-sectional analyses.

The relationship between atrophic gastritis and stomach cancer risk was investigated in case-control analyses involving 387 cases with stomach cancer and 5,422 control subjects who received gastroscopic examination at Aichi Cancer Center Hospital from April, 1985 to March, 1989. The presence of atrophic gastritis, the degree and extension of the atrophy and the presence of granularity and erosion were diagnosed endoscopically by six gastroenterologists. The prevalence of atrophic gastritis increased with age and was higher in males than in females. The relative risk (RR) of stomach cancer was 5.13 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.79-9.42) if a subject had any type of atrophic gastritis. The risk further increased with advancing degree of atrophy and increasing extension on the greater and lesser curvatures. The RR associated with severe atrophy was 7.73 (95% CI: 3.95-15.12). These associations remained significant when analyzed by sex and age. The presence of granularity and erosion did not much affect the estimated risks. A clear difference in risk appeared in the analyses by histological type of cancer. The RR associated with atrophic gastritis was 24.71 (95% CI: 3.46-176.68) for the intestinal type and 3.49 (95% CI: 1.77-6.87) for the diffuse type. These findings may suggest a need for intensive follow-up of patients with severe atrophic gastritis.

Adult↗

A prospective study of atrophic gastritis and stomach cancer risk.

The relation of atrophic gastritis, other gastric lesions and lifestyle factors to stomach cancer risk was prospectively studied among 3,914 subjects who underwent gastroscopic examination and responded to a questionnaire survey at the Aichi Cancer Center Hospital. During 4.4 years of follow-up on average, 45 incident cases of stomach cancer were identified at least three months after the initial examination. If the baseline endoscopic findings indicated the presence of atrophic gastritis, the risk of developing stomach cancer was increased 5.73-fold, compared with no indication at the baseline. The risk further increased with advancing degree of atrophy and increasing extension of atrophy on the lesser curvature. These trends in the relative risks were statistically significant (P = 0.027 and P = 0.041, respectively). The risk of developing stomach cancer was statistically significantly increased among subjects with gastric polyps, but not among those with gastric ulcer. Stomach cancer cases tended to consume more cigarettes, alcohol, rice, pickles and salted fish gut/cod roe and less fruits and vegetables and to have more family histories of stomach cancer than noncases, although these differences were not statistically significant. The results of the present study provide additional evidence on the relation between atrophic gastritis and stomach cancer and suggest a need for intensive follow-up of patients with atrophic gastritis and gastric polyps.

Adult↗

Cystatin activity in gingival crevicular fluid from periodontal disease patients measured by a new quantitative analysis method.

Cystatins are protein inhibitors of cysteine proteinases, which are believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. In this study, we report a new sensitive method for the quantitative analysis of cystatin activity in a small amount of crude sample such as gingival crevicular fluid. Cystatin activity in the crude sample was determined by using active site-titrated papain, which is a cysteine proteinase from the plant Carica papaya. Crude samples usually contain endogenous cysteine proteinases. These competed with the added papain for the active sites of the cystatins. The cystatin-cysteine proteinase complex was able to be dissociated by the addition of papain. This competition and dissociation could interfere with the determination of cystatin activity, since some of the cysteine proteinases, such as cathepsin B, hydrolyzed the specific substrate for papain during titration with the papain. In order to exclude this interference and measure total cystatin activity, the crude sample must be alkalinized (pH 11.0) for 5 min at 4 degrees C followed by 10 min at 40 degrees C before titration with papain. The minimum detectable amount of cystatins was 20 fmol/assay when it was calculated per mole of papain inhibitory sites. Using this method, significant levels of cystatin activity were detected in all the samples of gingival crevicular fluid taken from periodontal disease patients. These results suggest that cystatins could regulate the cysteine proteinases in gingival crevicular fluid and that this new method could be useful to clarify the role of cystatins in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease.

Alkalies↗

Spontaneous release of nitric oxide inhibits electrical, Ca2+ and mechanical transients in canine gastric smooth muscle.

1. In canine antrum, rhythmic electrical activity consists of a rapid upstroke phase followed by a plateau depolarization. In response to slow waves, cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]cyt) and tension increased. 2. Addition of sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 0.5 microM) decreased the amplitude of the plateau phase of slow waves without significant effects on the upstroke depolarization. SNP also inhibited changes in [Ca2+]cyt and tension associated with the plateau potential. SNP induced a negative chronotropic effect at concentrations above 0.1 microM. 3. Similar to the effects of SNP, illumination of muscles during slow waves with ultraviolet (UV) light caused premature repolarization. UV illumination is known to release NO in some tissues. 4. L-NG-monomethyl-arginine (L-NMMA, 300 microM), Methylene Blue (MB, 5 microM) and oxyhaemoglobin (oxy-Hb, 5 microM) increased the force of contractions. In contrast, L-arginine (L-Arg, 300 microM) decreased contractile force and antagonized the effects of L-NMMA. 5. During the upstroke phase, SNP caused a small reduction in [Ca2+]cyt and a large reduction in force, suggesting that SNP caused a decrease in Ca2+ sensitivity. 6. In muscles permeabilized by alpha-toxin, cyclic GMP (100 microM) and UV illumination inhibited Ca(2+)-induced contraction (at pCa 5.5). 7. These data suggest that NO or NO-related compounds are spontaneously released in gastric muscles. These agents have two effects on excitation-contraction coupling: (i) inhibition (directly and/or indirectly) of the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels that participate in the plateau phase of slow waves, and (ii) reduction in the Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile element.

Animals↗

Acholeplasma laidlawii has tRNA genes in the 16S-23S spacer of the rRNA operon.

We amplified the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region of Acholeplasma laidlawii PG8 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and obtained two specific PCR products in different sizes. We have sequenced both PCR products and found that one of them has sequence homologous to the spacer tRNA genes in Bacillus subtilis. This is the first evidence of tRNA genes between the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions in members of the class Mollicutes.

Acholeplasma laidlawii↗

Diet, nutrition and cancer in Japan.

A number of epidemiological and experimental studies have revealed that dietary habits and nutrition are one of the major risk factors for cancer. Dietary habits and nutrition are related to cancer in various ways and many factors are involved in the development of cancer. These include large intakes of salted foods and pickled vegetables, and too low intakes of fresh vegetables and fruits which are known to be major risk factors for stomach cancer. A large intake of green-yellow vegetables is known to be a protective factor against cancer of the stomach, lung and some other sites. In Japan the westernization of dietary habits and nutrition may have contributed to the changes in the mortality of several kinds of cancers which have been observed in Japan in recent years. Further improvements of dietary habits and nutrition intake are important and will be effective for primary prevention of cancer.

Cause of Death↗

Effects of fibronectin-type V collagen recombinant fusion protein on cell adhesion and cell proliferation.

An expression vector pTF7520-Col-V-In, which encodes a fusion protein of the cell-binding domain of fibronectin (C277) and the insulin- and heparin-binding domain of the alpha 1 chain of human type V collagen, was constructed. E. coli transfected with this plasmid synthesized a 50-kDa fusion protein. This fusion protein, C277-V, was purified from the crude extract by a single step heparin HPLC. Similar amounts of insulin bound to purified C277-V and to the alpha 1 chain of type V collagen as judged by the binding of peroxidase-conjugated insulin. Cell-adhesive activity of C277-V was lower than that of the original fibronectin fragment C274, but similar numbers of cells adhered to both protein substrates when the culture dishes were coated with 1 mM of each protein. Insulin bound to the C277-V substratum stimulated the growth of mouse mammary tumor MTD cells in serum-free culture medium.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Distribution of natural killer cells in periodontal diseases: an immunohistochemical study.

We studied the distribution and incidence of natural killer (NK) cells in gingiva affected with adult periodontitis (AP) and rapidly progressive periodontitis (RP) with immunohistochemical methods using antibodies Leu-7 and Leu-11b. The incidence of Leu-7 positive cells revealed no significant difference among mild AP, severe AP, and RP. On the other hand, Leu-11b positive cells were frequently found in severe AP and RP. The accumulation of NK cells reacting with Leu-11b in the infiltrated connective tissue was greater in severe forms of periodontal disease (severe AP and RP) than in mild AP. These results suggest that Leu-11b positive NK cells may play a role in the destruction of tissues in periodontal diseases.

Adult↗

Retinal ganglion cells related to optokinetic nystagmus in the rat.

The nucleus of the optic tract (NOT) in the pretectum is the visuo-motor relay between the retina and preoculomotor structure in the pathway conveying signals responsible for optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) in both afoveate and foveate animals. Unilateral lesions of the NOT abolish OKN toward the side ipsilateral to the lesion. However, what parts of the retina and what kinds of retinal ganglion cells project their fibers into the NOT are still unknown. To examine this, horseradish peroxidase conjugated with wheatgerm agglutinin was injected into the NOT of the rat. Labeled retinal ganglion cells were diffusely documented in the contralateral side, whereas those situated only in the lower temporal crescent, were found in the ipsilateral side. Ganglion cells dominated in the range of small cells, i.e., W cells. Therefore, ganglion cells responsible for OKN are believed to be related to W cells. However, medium-sized and large cells were definitely labeled in the rat, suggesting possible participation of these cells in OKN.

Animals↗

Smoking as cardiovascular risk factor in low cholesterol population: the Hisayama Study.

Cigarette smoking as a risk factor for cerebro- and cardiovascular diseases was studied in a long-term prospective population survey which has been carried out in a Japanese rural community, Hisayama. In this population, the incidence of thrombotic brain infarction (TBI) was much higher than that of coronary heart disease (CHD) over a 26-year follow-up period. Cigarette smoking was strongly related to the occurrence of CHD but not to TBI. Comparing the incidence of CHD and TBI between first or early cohort (1961-74) and second or recent cohort (1974-87) during the 13-year follow-up, the incidence remained unchanged for CHD, while it significantly decreased for TBI in recent population. The prevalence of cigarette smoking as well as hypertension decreased in recent years, while hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and glucose intolerance increased. Smoking is a major contributor to CHD for men in both cohorts, but it is not any more for women in the recent cohort.

Adult↗

The risk and predictive factors for developing liver cancer among patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis (n 1441) and those with post-transfusion hepatitis (n 343), whose medical expenses were subsidized by the Aichi Prefectural Government, were followed up for three years by record linkage with the Aichi Cancer Registry. During the follow-up period, 122 incident cases of liver cancer were identified. Compared with the general population, patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were at a 64.9 times greater risk (50.5 times in males and 100.4 times in females) and those with post-transfusion hepatitis were at a 9.4 times greater risk (8.9 times in males and 13.7 times in females) of developing liver cancer. Information on prognostic factors for 1,068 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis was also collected in a questionnaire survey by the physicians in charge. Patients positive to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) and those positive to HBe Ag had a significantly increased risk of subsequent liver cancer. The risk of developing liver cancer was positively associated with base-line levels of GPT and AFP and age and, inversely associated with total alcohol intake and female sex. In multivariate analyses, the associations with HBe Ag, AFP, sex and age remained statistically significant, whereas the associations with GPT, total alcohol intake and HBs Ag were of borderline significance.

Age Factors↗

[Factors associated with the improvement of lifestyle among a middle and advanced aged male population].

Factors associated with improvement of lifestyle (diet, smoking, drinking, exercise and health check-up) were studied among 3,503 males aged 40 or more, based on data obtained by two questionnaire surveys which were conducted at about a five year interval in a mountainous area of Aichi Prefecture. Age was positively associated with the improvement of every habit except for health check-up. Developing diseases was associated with the improvement of every habit except for exercise, with strong associations existing between liver diseases and improvement in drinking habits and between diabetes and improved nutritional balance. Improved dietary habits was inversely associated with frequent use of instant foods and irregular eating habits. Moderation in eating was associated with a balanced diet, frequent intake of yellow/green vegetables, fats & oils, and non-smoking at the time of the initial survey. Cessation of smoking was positively associated with fruit intake and inversely associated with irregular meal times, number of cigarettes per day and alcohol intake at baseline. An increase in frequency of exercise was positively associated with consumptions of fruits and dairy products and inversely associated with frequent use of instant foods at time of the initial survey, while an increase in frequency of health check-up was observed among men who had a balanced diet. The improvement of each habit was associated with the improvement of one or more other habits. These results suggest that likelihood for improving lifestyle is higher among men who have a health consciousness and that improvements in these habits are independent.

Adult↗

The role of socioeconomic factors in the survival of patients with gastrointestinal cancers.

The relations between type of occupation, marital status and residential area and survival from gastrointestinal cancers were examined among 4485 cases of stomach cancer and 2618 cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed between 1983 and 1988 and recorded in the Aichi Cancer Registry. In univariate analyses, the cumulative five-year survival rates of both cancers were highest among professionals and managers and lowest among service workers, in males. They were highest among professionals, managers and clerical workers and lowest among housewives, in females. For both men and women, single people had a lower survival rate than married, and patients living in a metropolis had a higher survival rate than those living in other areas. Multivariate analyses, based on Cox's proportional hazards model, revealed occupation to have a statistically significant effect on prognosis for both sexes, although the effect of extent of disease was definitive. The analyses also confirmed the unfavorable effect of a single marital status and the favorable effect of residing in a metropolis, in women. The results suggest that socioeconomic factors may have a role to play in the survival of patients with gastrointestinal cancers.

Adult↗

Practical applications in molecular biology of sensitive fluorescence detection by a laser-excited fluorescence image analyzer.

A new kind of fluorescence image analyzer was developed for a variety of uses, especially in molecular biology. Compounds labeled with fluorescent groups on a gel or nitrocellulose membrane are excited with 532 nm of light from a green laser. The fluorescence emitted passes through light-collecting fibers to a photomultiplier. Imaging data converted from the emitted light are analyzed by a microcomputer and stored on a magnetic optical disk. Dideoxy DNA sequencing was done with the same amount of DNA used for autoradiography, and the sequencing ladders obtained from gel scanning were automatically converted to sequence data by the analyzer. When an agarose gel was analyzed after electrophoresis, DNA stained with ethidium bromide was detected by the analyzer with higher sensitivity rather than by the conventional photographic method. Nylon and nitrocellulose membranes could be read by the analyzer, so blot hybridization experiments can be done without radioisotopes. High-quality computer storage of the imaging data from gel electrophoresis and hybridized membranes, including pulsed-field gels, make it possible to quantify image intensity and to construct many kinds of databases.

Base Sequence↗

[Factors associated with levels of physical activity at work and during leisure time].

Factors associated with levels of physical activity at work and during leisure time were analyzed among 577 subjects who had been selected as population controls for a case-control study by random selection from telephone directories. The intensity of physical activity at work was inversely associated with body mass index, the proportion of professionals & managers, consumption of western style breakfast, coffee, butter/margarine, and whisky; and positively associated with rice intake. Frequency of physical activities during leisure time was positively associated with consumption of vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, milk, cheese and coffee, and moderation in eating; and inversely associated with rice intake and the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and medication. The association of physical activity with these factors should be considered in studying its relationship to disease risk.

Adult↗

[Lifestyle differentials by occupational group].

Mortality and morbidity differ by occupational group. To clarify factors which account for these variations, lifestyle and other health habits were analyzed according to a subject's main occupation for 12,130 men and 12,759 women. Intake of Western-style foods and fruits and vegetables increased and those of Japanese-style foods and instant foods decreased in the following occupational order; (1) professionals & managers, (2) clerical, (3) sales, (4) service & transportation and (5) agricultural, forestry, fisheries, mining & production process workers. The prevalence of cigarette smoking by subjects themselves and by their parents were higher in service workers than in the other workers for both men and women. Clerical workers, professionals and managers participated more frequently in stomach cancer screening tests than the other workers, and women in these occupational groups had higher prevalences of early menarche and late first childbirth. These differences in characteristics of occupational groups may contribute to the inequalities in health.

Adult↗

[A case report of replacement of the extracardiac conduit for tetralogy of Fallot: reconstruction with autogenous tissue around the conduit].

Replacement of the valved extracardiac conduit with autogenous tissue was performed on a 13-year-old female. The procedure was based on that reported by Danielson in 1987. She underwent the first operation for tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia using a valved extracardiac conduit (#16 mm Björk-Shiley valve) 8 years ago. Recently, she complained exertional dyspnea and chest pain. Reoperation was scheduled because of bleeding tendency, somatic growth of the patient, and severe distal anastomotic stenosis of the conduit by right ventriculogram. At operation, the valved conduit was removed under cardiopulmonary bypass, and autogenous connective tissue around the conduit was preserved as the posterior wall of the new conduit. An onlay patch (pericardial monocusp patch) was sutured to form the roof of the new tract. Postoperative catheterization showed no residual stenosis or pressure gradient between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. This technique is useful as the replacement of extracardiac conduit because of its simplicity, no necessity of postoperative anti-coagulant therapy, and possibility to make a generous-sized new outflow tract.

Adolescent↗