Biomedical subjects

K Miyake

Publications and source records attributed to K Miyake.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

The effect of erdosteine and its active metabolite on reactive oxygen species production by inflammatory cells.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the effect of erdosteine (KW-9144), an expectorant, and related compounds on inflammatory cell-derived reactive oxygen species which are involved in airway inflammation. METHODS: Neutrophils were isolated from peritoneal lavages of casein-injected rats and from peripheral blood of healthy human donors. Eosinophils were isolated from peritoneal lavages of horse serum-injected guinea pigs. These cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and the production of reactive oxygen species was measured with luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL). RESULTS: M1, an active metabolite of erdosteine, significantly inhibited PMA-induced LDCL of the all cell populations with treatment before stimulation. The effects of S-carboxymethylcysteine (S-CMC), ambroxol and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the LDCL response were weaker than those of M1. Furthermore, PMA-induced LDCL was decreased by posttreatment with M1. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that M (an active metabolite of erdosteine) may exert an antiinflammatory effect by scavenging inflammatory cells-derived reactive oxygen species.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Epstein-Barr virus infection resembling autoimmune hepatitis with lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase anomaly.

A 73-year-old man had fever, lymphadenopathy, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, ascites, pleural effusion, liver injury, and an allergic-like skin rash. Autoantibodies, such as anti-nuclear antibody, were shown, and there were lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase anomalies and platelet-associated IgG. His liver injury resembled that in autoimmune hepatitis. He was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection associated with autoimmunization because of his clinical course, fluctuation of anti EBV antibodies and positive EBV genome in circulating lymphocytes and serum. This case suggests a close relationship between EBV infection and autoimmunization or autoimmune-like hepatitis.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Capsular block syndrome with external blockage of the capsular opening by a ciliary sulcus fixated posterior chamber lens.

PURPOSE: To report capsular block syndrome with external blockage of the capsular opening by a posterior chamber lens fixated in the ciliary sulcus. METHOD: Case report. RESULTS: In an 89-year-old man who had undergone cataract surgery, a posterior chamber lens was accidentally fixated in the ciliary sulcus after continuous curvilinear capsulohhexis and phacoemulsification/aspiration. The next day, capsular block syndrome was noted along the posterior chamber lens optic, which was blocking the capsular opening from the outside. CONCLUSION: In all previously reported eyes with capsular block syndrome, the posterior chamber lens had been placed inside the lens capsule to block the continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis opening from the inside.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

CD9 molecule expressed on stromal cells is involved in osteoclastogenesis.

Osteoclasts are derived from hematopoietic stem cells and their development is dependent on the products of stromal cells. CD9, a member of the tetraspan transmembrane-superfamily, is expressed on both hematopoietic cells and stromal cells. Addition of antagonistic rat anti-mouse CD9 antibody (KMC8.8) to cultures inhibited osteoclastogenesis on established stromal cell layers. When rat bone marrow cells depleted of adherent stromal cells were cultured on mouse stromal cells, numerous tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinuclear cells were observed, and KMC8.8, which recognizes mouse but not rat CD9, completely prevented the generation of osteoclasts, suggesting that the CD9 expressed on the stromal cell is essential for osteoclastogenesis. Possibly for the same reason, KMC8.8 pretreatment of the mouse macrophage-like cell line C7, which is able to differentiate into mature osteoclasts, did not inhibit subsequent C7 cell differentiation, whereas the addition of KMC8.8 to cocultures of C7 cells with stromal cells inhibited the differentiation of C7 cells into osteoclasts. Moreover, we found that blockage of a signal via CD9 on stromal cells reduced transcription of the osteoclast differentiation factor (Odf) gene, which, together with macrophage colony-stimulating factor, is essential for osteoclastogenesis. These results revealed that CD9 molecules on stromal cells play a critical role in osteoclast development, possibly by modulating the expression of Odf.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Blood-retinal barrier and autofluorescence of the posterior polar retina in long-standing pseudophakia.

PURPOSE: To study the physiological state of the retina in long-standing pseudophakic eyes using blood-retinal barrier (BRB) disruption and autofluorescence as parameters. SETTING: Miyake Eye Hospital, Nagoya, Japan. METHOD: This retrospective, case-controlled study sought to determine whether ultraviolet (UV)-light-filtering and blue-light-filtering intraocular lenses (IOLs) had different outcomes in severity of BRB disruption and autofluorescence of the posterior polar retina than clear (untreated) IOLs. RESULTS: Mean sodium fluorescein transmittance in eyes with untreated IOLs was 3.7 ng/mL +/- 2.2 (SD) 3 years after surgery (n = 40) and 3.5 +/- 1.8 ng/mL 8 years after surgery (n = 18). In eyes with a UV-filtering IOL, the values were 2.4 +/- 1.5 ng/mL (n = 39) and 2.6 +/- 2.0 ng/mL (n = 14), respectively. Eyes with a UV-filtering IOL had significantly lower transmittance (P < .01-< .05). Mean transmittance 5 years after surgery was 4.2 +/- 1.9 ng/mL in eyes with an untreated IOL (n = 31), 3.2 +/- 2.1 ng/mL in eyes with a UV-filtering IOL (n = 30), 2.8 +/- 1.9 ng/mL in eyes with a Menicon blue-light-filtering IOL (n = 20), and 2.6 +/- 1.8 ng/mL in eyes with a Hoya blue-light-filtering IOL (n = 21). The eyes with a UV-filtering and the blue-light-filtering IOLs had significantly lower transmittance than those with an untreated IOL (P < .01-< .05); the eyes with a Hoya IOL had a statistically lower mean than those with the UV-filtering IOL (P < .05). Mean autofluorescence was 44.9 +/- 6.8 (n = 14), 49.5 +/- 6.1 (n = 6), 53.0 +/- 11.9 (n = 15), and 64.5 +/- 13.2 (n = 7) at 1, 4, 9, and 14 years after surgery, respectively; there was a significant difference between 1 and 9 years and between 1 and 14 years (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Eyes with a UV-filtering or blue-light-filtering IOL had a lower incidence of BRB disruption than eyes with an untreated IOL. Autofluorescence increased with age, even in eyes with UV-filtering IOLs.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Effect of tranilast eyedrops in preventing posterior capsule opacification: preliminary report.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of tranilast eyedrops in preventing fibrous opacification of the posterior lens capsule after cataract extraction and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. SETTING: The Second Department of Ophthalmology, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo, and Shohzankai Medical Foundation, Miyake Eye Hospital, Nagoya, Japan. METHODS: This study comprised eyes having continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and phacoemulsification/aspiration followed by implantation of a posterior chamber IOL in the capsular bag. In this prospective, randomized, controlled, and double-masked trial, tranilast 0.5% (Rizaben) eyedrops (15 eyes) or its placebo eyedrops (20 eyes) were given 4 times a day for 3 months after surgery. An anterior eye segment analysis system (EAS 1000, Nidek Co., Ltd.) was used to evaluate the degree of fibrous posterior capsule opacification (PCO) 1 week and 1 and 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: The mean PCO density in the tranilast group was 17.1 cct +/- 4.6 (SD), 20.0 +/- 3.6 cct, and 23.0 +/- 7.7 cct (cct = computer compatible tape) at 1 week and 1 and 3 months, respectively. In the control group, it was 18.2 +/- 5.3, 30.2 +/- 7.8, and 38.4 +/- 8.0 cct, respectively. There was a significant difference in the 1 and 3 month findings between the 2 groups (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Tranilast was effective in preventing fibrous PCO at an early postoperative stage. The possible mechanisms of its effect may be prevention of collagen synthesis by minimizing transforming growth factor type beta released during lens epithelial cell metaplasia.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Cloning and sequencing of the chromosomal DNA and cDNA encoding the mitochondrial citrate synthase of Aspergillus niger WU-2223L.

The complementary DNA (cDNA) and chromosomal DNA encoding the citrate synthase (EC 4.1.3.7) gene (cit1) of Aspergillus niger WU-2223L, a citric acid-producing strain, were cloned. Synthetic oligonucleotide primers were designed according to the amino acid sequences of already known eukaryotic citrate synthases and the codon bias of A. niger genes. The 920-bp DNA fragment was amplified by polymerase chain reaction with these primers using chromosomal DNA of WU-2223L as a template, and was employed to screen a cDNA library of A. niger. One full-length cDNA clone was isolated and sequenced, within which an ORF of 1425 by encoding a protein of 475 as with a molecular weight of 52,153 Da was found. Its N-terminal region contains a typical mitochondrial-targeting motif. The predicted as sequence was 82, 68, and 65% homologous with the mitochondrial citrate synthases of Neurospora crassa, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and pig, respectively, but it showed lower homology to bacterial citrate synthases. The full-length cDNA clone was used to screen a chromosomal library of A. niger WU-2223L, and a 7.5 kb-SalI fragment containing the corresponding chromosomal gene was isolated. Comparison of the chromosomal and cDNA sequences revealed that the cit1 gene is interrupted by six introns. In the chromosomal DNA, upstream of the coding region, a CT-rich region, but not the TATAAA or CAAT motifs, was found. Escherichia coli MOB150, a citrate synthase-deficient mutant showing a glutamate-requiring phenotype, was transformed with the plasmid pKAC-35S, which is the expression vector pKK223-3 containing the cDNA fragment encoding a putative mature protein of A. niger citrate synthase. The transformant harboring pKAC-35S showed citrate synthase activity and a glutamate-nonrequiring phenotype.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Solubility and mass and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic studies on interaction of cyclosporin A with dimethyl-alpha- and -beta-cyclodextrins in aqueous solution.

The interaction of cyclosporin A (CsA) with dimethyl-alpha- and -beta-cyclodextrins (DM-alpha-CyD and DM-beta-CyD) was investigated by the solubility method, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). The extremely low solubility (1.9 x 10(-5) M at 25 degreesC) of CsA in water was significantly improved by the complexation with DM-CyDs: for example, the solubility increased 87-fold in the presence of 5.0 x 10(-2) M DM-beta-CyD. The phase solubility diagram of CsA/DM-CyD systems showed an Ap type and the stability constants (1060 M-1 and 1050 M-1, respectively) of the 1:1 CsA/DM-alpha-CyD and CsA/DM-beta-CyD complexes were much higher than those of the 1:2 complexes (15 M-1 and 21 M-1, respectively). In ESI-MS spectra of the CsA/DM-beta-CyD system, a new signal emerged at 1268 which corresponds to the 1:1 adduct of the di-ionized guest molecule with the host molecule. This signal intensity was significantly decreased by the addition of chlorpromazine (CPZ) which has a large stability constant (8800 M-1) of the DM-beta-CyD complex, whereas the signal corresponding to the CPZ/DM-beta-CyD complex was little affected by the addition of CsA, indicating a competitive inclusion of CPZ and CsA within the host cavity. CsA gave many new peaks in the 1H NMR spectrum when the solvent was changed from chloroform to methanol/water, suggesting conformational diversity of CsA in polar solvents. Inspection of 1H-chemical shift changes and the two-dimensional rotating frame nuclear Overhauser effect (ROESY) spectra of the CsA/DM-CyD system suggested that the side chains of amino acids in CsA molecule take part in the inclusion within DM-CyDs, although there is seemingly no preference of particular amino acid residues. All the data obtained here suggested that CsA forms inclusion complexes with DM-alpha- and -beta-CyDs in an aqueous medium and side chains of CsA are mainly involved in the inclusion.

Cyclodextrins↗

PubMed1999

Estimates of mineral intakes using food composition tables vs measures by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry: Part 2: sodium, potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the accuracy of food composition table (FCT)-based estimation of dietary nutrient element intake in reference to the instrumental measurement by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), as an extension of the first part of this study. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Communities. SUBJECTS: 782 adult non-smoking women in 21 sites in 4 areas [China (Mainland), Japan, Korea and Malaysia] in Asia. METHODS: 24-h food duplicate samples offered by the women were subjected 1. to the estimation (E) of daily element intake taking advantage of national food composition tables (FCTs) and 2. to the measurement (M) by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The two sets of the results were compared in terms of the (E)/(M) ratio. Because of the limited availability of the element database in the FCTs, the comparison on Na and K was possible in the 4 areas, whereas that of Mg, Cu and Zn was only in two areas of China (Mainland) and Japan. RESULTS: The (E)/(M) ratio was in a relatively narrow range of 75 to 114% in case of Na, and 91 to 120% for K (with one exception of 201% for K in Malaysia). Correlation coefficients between (E) and (M) were statistically significant for both Na and K in the 4 areas. In cases of Mg, Cu and Zn, agreements were generally poor, and the (E)/(M) ratio was close to 100% only in the cases of Cu and Zn in Japan. CONCLUSIONS: In overall evaluation combining the results on Ca, P and Fe in the preceding report with the results in the present report on Na, K, Mg, Cu and Zn, FCT-based estimation generally did not agree with the measure by ICP-MS. The disagreement did not allow precise FCTs-based estimation of dietary intakes of these nutrient elements, possibly except for Na.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Estimates of mineral intakes using food composition tables vs measures by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry: Part 1. calcium, phosphorus and iron.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the accuracy of food composition table (FCT)-based estimation of dietary nutrient element intake in reference to the instrumental measurement by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Communities. SUBJECTS: 884 adult non-smoking women in 23 study sites in 6 areas in Asia (i.e. China (Mainland), China (Taiwan), Korea, Japan, Malaysia and the Philippines. METHODS: 24-hour food duplicate samples foods offered by the women were subjected (1) to the estimation of daily dietary intake of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe), using 6 types of national FCTs one for each area, and (2) to ICP-MS analysis for the measurement of the same elements. RESULTS: Comparison of the estimated values (E) with corresponding measured values (M) in terms of the mean (E)/(M) ratio for each area showed that the ratio was various among the 6 areas studied. Ca showed smallest deviation (69 to 165%) from the agreement (100%), which was followed by P (113 to 306%), whereas Fe showed the largest deviation (124 to 368%). CONCLUSIONS: Caution should be exercised in using FCTs for estimation of dietary Fe intake. The wide variation was not due to the use of the FCT established for each area, because the inter-study site variation within one area was as large as the inter-area variation.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Two polymorphisms within interleukin-3 (hIL3) gene detected by mismatch PCR/RFLP.

Two alleles of IL-3 have been reported to GenBank (GenBank M14743, M20137). The sequence difference between these two alleles is at the first nucleotide of the 27th codon (the 131st nucleotide from the initiation site): thymine and cytosine, and leading the amino acid difference: proline and serine (Pro27Ser). The other allelism, thymine and cytosine, was also observed at position -16 of the IL-3 upstream promotor region (GenBank L10616, M60870). We clarified that these substitutions were frequent polymorphisms in the Japanese population by using the mismatch-PCR (polymerase chain reaction)/RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) method.

Alleles↗

PubMed1999

Rebamipide prevents occurrence of gastric lesions following transcatheter arterial embolization in the hepatic artery.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of the hepatic artery is a common treatment method for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but it often induces gastric mucosal injury. We examined whether or not rebamipide administration, beginning 1 week before and ending 2 weeks afterTAE, can prevent worsening of gastric mucosal disorders. METHODS: The subjects were 73 chronic hepatitis C or type C liver cirrhosis patients who concomitantly had HCC and received TAE in our hospital. The patients were randomly allocated to the rebamipide group (oral, 300 mg/day for 3 weeks starting 1 week before TAE) or the non-rebamipide group. Gastric endoscopy was performed 1 week before and 2 weeks afterTAE and the presence of erythema, erosion and/or submucosal haemorrhagic spots was monitored. Based on the findings, gastric mucosal disorder before and after TAE was quantitatively evaluated using the modified Lanza score (MLS). RESULTS: Overall, MLS after TAE increased significantly (P< 0.05). However, in the rebamipide group, MLS did not change. The MLS after TAE increased significantly in patients who had either liver cirrhosis, oesophageal varices or gastropathy (P< 0.01 or < 0.05). In the non-rebamipide group, a significant increase in MLS after TAE was observed in patients who had one of the above-mentioned three diseases (P< 0.01 or < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Gastric lesions which were present before TAE were significantly worsened after TAE. Rebamipide administration prevents TAE-induced aggravation of gastric lesions.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Association of a tetraspanin CD9 with CD5 on the T cell surface: role of particular transmembrane domains in the association.

CD9 is a member of the tetraspanin superfamily which is characterized by four transmembrane (TM) domains and associates with other surface molecules. This tetraspanin was recently found to be expressed on mature T cells. Here, we investigated which molecules associate with CD9 on T cells and which CD9 domains are required for the association. Immunoprecipitation of T cell lysates with anti-CD9 mAb followed by immunoblotting with mAb against various T cell molecules showed the association of CD9 with CD3, CD4, CD5, CD2, CD29 and CD44. Because association with CD5 was most prominent, we determined the role of CD9 TM or extracellular (EC) domains in the association with CD5. CD9 mutant genes lacking each domain were constructed and introduced into EL4 thymoma cells deficient in CD9 but expressing CD5. Among various types of stable EL4 transfectants, EL4 transfected with the mutant gene lacking TM domains (TM2/TM3) between two EC domains expressed a small amount of the relevant protein without showing association with CD5. CD9(-)CD5(-) monkey COS-7 cells transfected with this mutant gene and the CD5 gene expressed both transfected gene products, but the association of these was not detected. EL4 cells transfected with a CD9/CD81 chimera gene (the CD9 gene containing TM2/TM3 of CD81) expressed the chimeric protein on the cell surface and showed association with CD5. These results suggest an essential role of particular CD9 TM domains in the surface expression of the CD9 molecule as well as the association with CD5.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Molecular characterization of type-specific capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis genes of Streptococcus agalactiae type Ia.

The type-specific capsular polysaccharide (CP) of a group B streptococcus, Streptococcus agalactiae type Ia, is a high-molecular-weight polymer consisting of the pentasaccharide repeating unit 4)-[alpha-D-NeupNAc-(2-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1- ->3 )]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-(1. Here, cloning, sequencing, and transcription of the type Ia-specific capsular polysaccharide synthesis (cps) genes and functional analysis of these gene products are described. A 26-kb DNA fragment containing 18 complete open reading frames (ORFs) was cloned. These ORFs were designated cpsIaA to cpsIaL, neu (neuraminic acid synthesis gene) A to D, orf1 and ung (uracil DNA glycosylase). The cps gene products of S. agalactiae type Ia were homologous to proteins involved in CP synthesis of S. agalactiae type III and S. pneumoniae serotype 14. Unlike the cps gene cluster of S. pneumoniae serotype 14, transcription of this operon may start from cpsIaA, cpsIaE, and orf1 because putative promoter sequences were found in front of these genes. Northern hybridization, reverse transcription-PCR, and primer extension analyses supported this hypothesis. DNA sequence analysis showed that there were two transcriptional terminators in the 3' end of this operon (downstream of orf1 and ung). The functions of CpsIaE, CpsIaG, CpsIaI, and CpsIaJ were examined by glycosyltransferase assay by using the gene products expressed in Escherichia coli JM109 harboring plasmids containing various S. agalactiae type Ia cps gene fragments. Enzyme assays suggested that the gene products of cpsIaE, cpsIaG, cpsIaI, and cpsIaJ are putative glucosyltransferase, beta-1, 4-galactosyltransferase, beta-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase, and beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase, respectively.

Bacterial Capsules↗

PubMed1999

Enhanced absorption of cyclosporin A by complexation with dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin in bile duct-cannulated and -noncannulated rats.

The enhancing effects of dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin (DM-beta-CyD) on the absorption of cyclosporin A (CsA) after oral administration to rats under bile duct-cannulated and -noncannulated conditions were investigated. The dissolution rate of CsA was markedly augmented by complexation with DM-beta-CyD. In a closed loop in situ study, DM-beta-CyD considerably increased the cumulative amounts of CsA in the mesenteric venous blood after injection of the aqueous CsA suspension into the small intestinal sac of rats. In addition, the cumulative amount ratio of M1, the dominant metabolite of CsA in rats, to CsA in the mesenteric venous blood for up to 40 min after the injection of the CsA-DM-beta-CyD suspension into the sac was lower than that of the CsA suspension alone. DM-beta-CyD inhibited the bioconversion of CsA in the small intestinal microsomes of rats. These results indicate that the bioconversion of CsA was abated by complexation with DM-beta-CyD. An in vivo study revealed that DM-beta-CyD increased the transfer of CsA to blood, not lymph, with low variability in the absorption after oral administration of the CsA suspension to rats. The variability of bioavailability of DM-beta-CyD complex was lower than that of Sandimmune, although the extent of bioavailability of DM-beta-CyD was only a little higher than that of Sandimmune. The bioavailability of CsA or its DM-beta-CyD complex was appreciably decreased by the cannulation of the bile duct of rats, and the extent of the lowering in the bioavailability in the presence of DM-beta-CyD was much less serious than that of CsA alone. The present results suggest that DM-beta-CyD is particularly useful in designing oral preparations of CsA with an enhanced bioavailability and a reduced variability in absorption.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1999

Effects of methanol and temperature on enzyme immunoassay with monoclonal antibodies specific to the insecticide etofenprox.

We examined the effects of methanol and temperature on the reactivity of monoclonal antibodies specific to the insecticide etofenprox. When the antigen-antibody reaction was done at 4 degrees C in 10% methanol, the sensitivity in the enzyme immunoassay with each antibody was more than 10-fold higher than that measured at 37 degrees C. Although in 10% methanol one of the antibodies reacted equally with both etofenprox and the carbonate-derivative of etofenprox, in 50% methanol the antibody reacted with etofenprox, but not with the derivative.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1999

Assessment of long-distance running performance in elite male runners using onset of blood lactate accumulation.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) and long-distance running performance in order to examine whether OBLA can be a good predictor of long-distance running performance even in elite male runners with similar performance levels. Eleven highly-trained male long-distance runners participated in this study. The average running velocities of the individuals' running performance were 5.918 +/- 0.084 m.s-1 and 5.672 +/- 0.095 m.s-1 for 5000 m (V5000) and 10,000 m (V10000), respectively. The blood lactate concentrations and heart rate responses were measured immediately after field running, and the average value of running velocity corresponding to OBLA (VOBLA) was 5.447 +/- 0.132 m.s-1. Variations of these three velocities expressed as a coefficient of variance (CV) ranged from 1.4 to 2.4%. A strong inverse relationship between heart rate corresponding to OBLA (HROBLA) and performance was observed (r = -0.709, p < 0.02 for V5000 and r = -0.830, p < 0.01 for V10000), while there was a lack of significant relationship between VOBLA and performance (r = 0.293, NS for V5000 and r = 0.130, NS for V10000). Furthermore, the average value of HROBLA obtained in this study (174.5 +/- 8.2 b.min-1) was quite similar to that of the heart rate threshold reported by some previous researchers. In conclusion, VOBLA alone could not explain the small variation of long-distance running performance, and HROBLA should be used in place of VOBLA for evaluating long-distance running performance in elite runners with quite similar performance levels.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

[Validity analysis of Sapporo Medical University-sexual function questionnaire].

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the validity of the Sapporo Medical University-sexual function questionnaire, comparing the response to each question of patients having sexual dysfunction with those of normal volunteers as controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Responses from 335 patients with sexual dysfunction and 490 normal volunteers aged from 20 to 39 years old were evaluated. We compared mean scores of each question for patients having sexual dysfunction with those for controls. Discriminant analysis was used for evaluating which questions contributed more strongly to discriminating patients having the disease from controls. The analysis was also used for validating the questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean scores for patients with sexual dysfunction were significantly lower than those for controls in all questions. Nine of the 11 questions were statistically useful to discriminate these two groups with discriminant analysis. The analysis also revealed that questions about frequency of erection, rigidity of the erectile penis and duration of erection highly contributed to discriminate these two groups. The discriminant analysis achieved high sensitivity and specificity for classifying the groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the use of the Sapporo Medical University-sexual function questionnaire is valid for discriminating patients with sexual dysfunction from subjects with normal sexual function.

Adult↗