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Kanae Karita

Publications and source records attributed to Kanae Karita.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Respiratory symptoms and lung function in Bangkok school children.

BACKGROUND: Previous epidemiological studies have shown acute effects of ambient air pollutants in children with respiratory disorders. METHODS: The chronic effects of air pollution in Bangkok children were investigated. Children aged 10-15 years were examined for lung functions using spirometry tests and for respiratory symptoms by the American Thoracic Society's Division of Lung Diseases (ATS-DLD-78-C) questionnaire during May-August 2004. Effects of residential area were estimated by multiple logistic regression analysis. Of the 878 children, 722 (82%) had completed lung function test and ATS-DLD questionnaire. RESULTS: In children, who live in roadside (R) and general (G) areas with high (H) pollution, the prevalence of respiratory symptoms increased significantly [odds ratios (95% confidence interval) in HR and HG are 2.44 (1.21-4.93) and 2.60 (1.38-4.91), respectively]. Children with normal lung function were less observed in H- and M-polluted roadside and general area [HR, OR = 1.41 (95% CI 0.89-2.22); HG, 1.08 (0.71-1.64); and MR, 0.99 (0.63-1.57)]. Residential locations and family members were associated with the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, whereas factors such as the responder of ATS-DLD, gender, age, residential years, home size, parental smoking habits, use of air conditioners, and domestic pets were not associated. Age was associated with the impaired lung function, whereas others factors were not associated. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function were higher among children living in areas with high pollution than those in areas with low pollution.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Gastric electrical activity and cardiovascular risk factors in relation to autonomic nervous function, hormonal responses, and health-related lifestyles in young men.

BACKGROUND: Electrogastrography (EGG) is the noninvasive recording of gastric myoelectrical activity. The purpose of the present study was to assess associations of EGG with risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), autonomic nervous function, hormonal responses, and health-related lifestyles. METHODS: EGG was measured in 435 Japanese men, aged 24-39 years, who worked at the same company. In addition to anthropometric measurements and blood examinations, power spectral analysis of heart rate variability in low-frequency (LF; 0.04-0.15 Hz) and high-frequency (HF; 0.15-0.40 Hz) bands was conducted. LF/HF and HF were used as the indicators of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous activity, respectively. Serum cortisol and catecholamine levels were measured as well. RESULTS: In univariate analyses, the EGG frequency was associated positively with the serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and cholesterol level (both-P < 0.0001) and negatively with age, body mass index (BMI), serum triglyceride level, fasting blood sugar, and diastolic blood pressure (all P < 0.05). The EGG frequency tended to increase with increases in the HF band (P = 0.10) and was not significantly associated with the LF/HF ratio (P = 0.45). Neither hormonal responses nor health-related lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol were significant (all P > 0.05). A multivariate analysis indicated that both the HDL cholesterol level and BMI were independent predictors of EGG frequency (both P < 0.05), after adjusting for the significant effects of age, HF, and other CVD factors. CONCLUSIONS: Slowed EGG frequency appeared to be linked with various CVD risk factors, including obesity and low HDL cholesterol levels, in young men.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Expression of transforming growth factor beta1, beta2, and beta3 in chronic, cancer-associated, obstructive pancreatitis.

CONTEXT: Myofibroblasts are considered to play central roles in pancreatic fibrosis. The potent fibrogenic capacities of transforming growth factor betas (TGF-betas) have been emphasized in vitro and in animal studies. However, the roles of TGF-betas in human chronic pancreatitis have not been fully clarified. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether expressions of TGF-betas are related to myofibroblast distribution in chronic, cancer-associated, obstructive pancreatitis (COP). DESIGN: Histopathologic studies using hematoxylin-eosin and Elastica-Masson trichrome and immunohistochemical studies using antibodies against alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA); CD68; TGF-beta1, -beta2, and -beta3; and TGF-beta soluble receptor type II were performed in 19 COP cases and 6 controls. By classifying COP tissues into 3 fibrosis phases by the amount of collagen deposits, immunoreactivities for TGF-betas, histopathologic changes, and myofibroblast distribution were examined for each fibrosis phase. RESULTS: Six cases were categorized in the early stage of fibrosis, 8 in the intermediate stage, and 5 in the advanced stage. Immunoreactivities for all 3 isoforms of TGF-beta were observed in occasional myofibroblasts. In the early and intermediate stages, TGF-beta1-expressing macrophages and neutrophils were distributed in the midst of myofibroblasts. TGF-beta2 and TGF-beta3 expressions were observed in ductal structures, sometimes even in sites where no or few myofibroblasts were seen. TGF-beta soluble receptor type II was immunoreactive for myofibroblasts, endothelium, and ductal structures. CONCLUSIONS: All 3 isoforms of TGF-betas may contribute to fibrosis in COP. Macrophages and neutrophils may be sources of fibrogenic TGF-beta1. Infiltration of these cells appears to play an important role in the progression of COP fibrosis.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Autonomic nervous activity changes in relation to the reporting of subjective symptoms among male workers in an information service company.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to clarify the relationship between major subjective symptoms and autonomic nervous system function by power spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). METHODS: Short-term HRV was examined for 413 male workers in a Japanese information service company aged 19-45 years, and questionnaire survey on subjective symptoms and biochemical measurements were conducted at annual health checkup. RESULTS: The most prevalent subjective symptom (> or =10%) was dullness, followed by fatigue, backache, diarrhea, sleep disorder, and irritation. HRV in high frequency (HF 0.15-0.40 Hz) bands and the coefficient of variance in the electrocardiographic R-R interval (CVrr) were lower in the subjects with any of these six symptoms than in those without the symptoms. Both parameters were negatively associated with the reporting of any of the six symptoms by multiple regression analyses, controlling for the significant effects of age (HF and CVrr) and plasma cortisol levels (HF). CONCLUSION: It was suggested that the reporting of the subjective symptoms is one of good predictors for reduced parasympathetic tones.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Effects of shift work on QTc interval and blood pressure in relation to heart rate variability.

OBJECTIVES: There is evidence that shift work contributes to excess cardiovascular mortality. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of shift work on heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) and blood pressure in relation to heart rate variability (CV(RR)). METHODS: The study population consisted of 153 male shiftworkers and 87 male day workers who were employed at a copper-smelting plant. The QTc interval, total power spectral density (t-PSD) of 100 RR intervals, PSDs with frequencies of 0.01 Hz-0.15 Hz and 0.15 Hz-0.40 Hz (PSD(LF) and PSD(HF)), CV(RR), low frequency (LF) component variability and high frequency (HF) component variability (CCV(LF) and CCV(HF)) and %LF (PSD(LF)/(PSD(LF)+PSD(HF)) .100) were measured (LF and HF components are thought to reflect the sympathetic and parasympathetic activities, respectively). RESULTS: The QTc interval was significantly longer in the shiftworkers than in the day workers, although there was no significant difference in systolic or diastolic blood pressure between the two groups. Also, the CCV(LF) and log(PSD(LF)) were significantly depressed in the shiftworkers. In the day workers, the QTc interval was significantly related to the CV(RR), log(t-PSD), CCV(HF), log(PSD(HF)),%LF, and log(LF/HF ratio) (partial correlation coefficient r=-0.305, -0.377, -0.312, -0.355, 0.297, and 0.277, respectively). In the shiftworkers only two relations of the QTc interval to non-specific CV(RR) and log(t-PSD) were significant. CONCLUSION: The clear association between long QTc interval and reduced parasympathetic activity observed in the day workers did not exist in the shiftworkers. Rather, the shiftworkers had a selective reduction in sympathetic drive, which may have compensated for prolonged QTc interval due to shift work. On the other hand, the impact of shift work on hypertension remains unclear, although reduced sympathetic drive in the shiftworkers may explain the absence of differences in blood pressure between shiftworkers and day workers to some extent.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Critical dose of lead affecting postural balance in workers.

BACKGROUND: The threshold blood lead (BPb) level for nervous system dysfunction in adults has been estimated to be 30-40 microg/dl. This study was carried out to estimate the critical dose of lead affecting the neuromotor function in workers by introducing the benchmark dose (BMD) approach, as well as to identify the specific postural sway to lead exposure. METHODS: Postural sway parameters with spectral analysis were compared between 121 lead workers with BPb levels of 6-89 (mean 40) microg/dl and 60 unexposed controls. RESULTS: All sway parameters, except for sagittal sways with eyes open, were significantly larger in the lead workers than in the controls; also, the Romberg quotient for sagittal sway was significantly higher in the lead workers. The BPb level in the lead workers was significantly related to sagittal sways at 1-2 Hz and 2-4 Hz with eyes open, and sagittal and transversal sways at 1-2 Hz and 2-4 Hz with eyes closed. The BMD levels of BPb (i.e., lower 95% confidence limits of BMD) were estimated to be 12.1-17.3 (mean 14.4) microg/dl for postural sway. CONCLUSIONS: Neuromotor dysfunction in lead workers may be initiated at BPbs below the level previously accepted as effectless, and be characterized mainly by an increased sway of high frequency (1-4 Hz) in the sagittal direction with eyes closed (high Romberg quotient).

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2005

Measurement of articular cartilage volumes in the normal knee by magnetic resonance imaging: can cartilage volumes be estimated from physical characteristics?

In recent times several studies have been performed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences for imaging cartilage. A fat-suppressed three-dimensional sequence is one such noteworthy example. More recent studies have reported that the total volume of cartilage in a knee joint can be elucidated using this sequence. Based on these studies, we hypothesized that the total volume of cartilage in the knee joint may reflect certain other physical characteristics. The purpose of the current study was to clarify the articular cartilage volumes of the patella and femur in the human knee joints of healthy adults using MRI and to analyze the correlation of these volumes with other physical characteristics. The material comprised 68 knees of 68 Japanese healthy volunteers, aged from their twenties to their forties (37 men and 31 women) who had no past history of joint disease or trauma in the legs. The knees were imaged by MRI with a fat-suppressed three-dimensional sequence, and the cartilage volumes were calculated by computer processing. The factors analyzed were age, body weight, height, leg length, foot size, circumferences of the thigh and lower leg, the distance between medial and lateral femoral condyles, the diameter of the tibial head, body mass index, general joint laxity, quadriceps angle, and leg-heel alignment. The mean cartilage volume was 7.6 +/- 1.6 cm(3) (8.3 +/- 1.6 cm(3) in men, 6.7 +/- 0.9 cm(3) in women). It was significantly larger in men than in women. However, the volume positively correlated with body weight, height, leg length, and foot size, without distinction of gender or age. Based on these data, a multiple regression analysis was developed: cartilage volume = 0.113 x height - 11.053. We concluded that the cartilage volume depends on physical size regardless of gender, and it can be estimated from factors of physical size.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Geographical distribution of judo therapists and orthopedists in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Judo therapy is a unique and long-established Japanese comedical profession, specialized in manually treating fractures and sprains in practitioners' offices. Having the overlapped scopes of services between judo therapists and orthopedists, disputes between the 2 have gradually emerged recently. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between judo therapists and orthopedists by comparing their geographic distributions at the whole country level and at prefecture level. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: The numbers of judo therapist facilities and orthopedists per 100,000 population in each municipality were obtained through web yellow pages and from the Japanese census data. Lorenz curves and Gini indices were calculated to show the distributions and to compare the numbers of judo therapist facilities and orthopedists per 100,000 population. RESULTS: The median number of judo therapist facilities per 100,000 population in all municipalities was 12.0 (range 0-135) and that for orthopedists was 4.3 (0-186). The Gini indices of the nationwide judo therapist facilities and those for orthopedists were 0.29 and 0.36, respectively. CONCLUSION: These data show the relatively homogeneous distribution of judo therapist facilities compared with orthopedists. In smaller municipalities, judo therapist facilities may fill in the absence of orthopedists. As for lager municipalities, further study is needed to examine whether the relationships between them are competitive or complementary.

Complementary Therapies↗
PubMed2005

Benchmark dose of lead inducing anemia at the workplace.

To estimate the critical dose of lead inducing anemia in humans, the effects of lead on hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) levels and red blood cell (RBC) count were examined in 388 male lead-exposed workers with blood lead (BPb) levels of 0.05-5.5 (mean 1.3) micromol/L by using the benchmark dose (BMD) approach. The BPb level was significantly related to Hb (regression coefficient beta=-0.276), RBC (beta=-11.35), and Hct (beta=-0.563) among the workers (p < 0.001) when controlling for age and working status. The average BPb levels were significantly higher in the workers with anemia (1.85 micromol/L), based on the WHO criteria, than in those without anemia (1.26 micromol/L). The benchmark dose levels of BPb (i.e., lower 95% confidence limits of BMD), calculated from the K-power model set at an abnormal probability of 5% in unexposed workers and an excess risk of 5% in exposed workers were estimated to be 0.94 micromol/L (19.5 microg/dl) for Hb, 0.94 micromol/L (19.4 microg/dl) for RBC, and 1.43 micromol/L (29.6 microg/dl) for Hct. These findings suggest that reduction in hematopoietic indicators may be initiated at BPbs below the level currently considered without effect.

Anemia↗
PubMed2005

Influence of overtime work, sleep duration, and perceived job characteristics on the physical and mental status of software engineers.

To investigate the impact of overtime work, sleep duration, and perceived job characteristics on physical and mental status, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 377 workers (average age; 28 years old) in an information-technology (IT) company, engaged in consultation, system integration solution, and data management relevant to IT system. The psychophysical outcomes of overtime work were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HDS), Profile of Mood Status (POMS), major physical symptoms, and overtime work data for the preceding three-months. Sleep duration was directly asked by a physician. A job strain index was defined as the ratio of job-demands to job-control scores evaluated using the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). In a univariate analysis, overtime work was significantly related with HDS scores, POMS anger-hostility scores, and the total physical symptom count in both sexes (all p < 0.05), but not in multiple regression models, after controlling for sleep duration and the job strain index. Sleep duration was negatively related to the symptom count in men and to POMS tension-anxiety scores in women (both p < 0.05); the job strain index was positively related to POMS anger-hostility scores in both sexes and to HDS scores and POMS tension-anxiety scores in men (all p < 0.05). Although overtime work was associated with physical and mental complaints, sleep duration and the job strain index seemed to be better indicators for physical and mental distress in overloaded workers.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Association between work-related psychological stress and arterial stiffness measured by brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity in young Japanese males from an information service company.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship between work-related psychological stress and arterial stiffness in young Japanese workers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 396 Japanese male workers, aged 24 to 39 years, employed in a Japanese information service company. Work-related psychological stress was measured by the Job Content Questionnaire based on the job demand-control model. The job-strain index was defined as the ratio of job demand to job-control scores. The outcome of the study was the degree of arteriosclerosis as assessed by brachial pulse-wave velocity (baPWV). The cardiovascular risk factors analyzed were age, heart rate, blood pressure, body mass index, serum lipid, blood sugar levels, catecholamine levels, ethanol consumption, smoking, and overtime. In addition, psychological responses were assessed by tension-anxiety and anger-hostility scales in the Profile of Mood States (POMS). RESULTS: The baPWV was positively (P<0.05) associated with physiological variables including age, heart rate, body mass index, and serum levels of total cholesterol, fasting glucose, and noradrenaline, but negatively (P<0.01) associated with the job-strain index. Significant associations were not found on the POMS tension-anxiety and anger-hostility scale scores. The negative correlation between baPWV and the job-strain index was consistent even after control for the effects of significant physiological variables. CONCLUSIONS: The association between job stress and baPWV was found to be inconsistent with the results of previous western studies, and it may require further investigation while taking into account occupation, cardiovascular risk factors, and Japanese culture.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Effects of working and residential location areas on air pollution related respiratory symptoms in policemen and their wives in Bangkok, Thailand.

Factors, including air pollution, influencing the prevalence of respiratory symptoms were investigated in a cross-sectional study in policemen and their wives (530 couples) in Bangkok. Information on respiratory symptoms was obtained using the American Thoracic Society Division of Lung Diseases (ATS-DLD) questionnaire. Effects of working and residential locations were evaluated using a multiple logistic model adjusted for several potential confounding factors. In the policemen the increased risk of frequent cough or phlegm was related to smoking (OR=2.19, 95% CI: 1.47-3.26) and working in heavy traffic locations (OR=1.27, CI: 1.01-1.61), whereas in their wives it was related to their residential locations (OR=1.53, CI: 1.10-2.13).

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Relationship between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and heart rate variability in young Japanese men.

This study examined the relationship between arterial stiffness and autonomic nervous function in a young population. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 382 Japanese males, aged 24 to 39 years, who worked at the same information service company. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured using an automatic waveform analyzer, and the spectral power of heart rate variability in the low frequency (LF: 0.04-0.15 Hz) and the high frequency (HF: 0.15-0.40 Hz) band was evaluated by the maximum entropy method. LF/HF and HF were used as the indicators of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous activity, respectively. Psycho-hormonal responses were examined by the Profile of Mood State (tension-anxiety and anger-hostility scales) and Hamilton's Depression Scale with serum cortisol and catecholamine levels. In a univariate analysis, baPWV was positively associated with the following variables (all p <0.05): LF/HF, age, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, heart rate, serum total cholesterol and triglycerides, blood glucose, and plasma cortisol and noradrenaline. Multiple regression analysis indicated that LF/HF was an independent predictor of baPWV (p <0.05), after controlling for significant effects of age, systolic blood pressure, and plasma noradrenaline levels. There was no significant effect of HF on baPWV in this multivariate analysis. Neither mood state nor health-related lifestyle factors such as smoking were significant. It was suggested that baPWV is closely associated with sympathetic nervous activity in young men.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Variations in plasma selenium levels as a result of the menstrual cycle and pregnancy in healthy Japanese women.

Plasma levels of selenium (Se) were determined consecutively during a menstrual cycle of six women in three phases (i.e., menses, follicular, and luteal). To detect possible differences in relation to normal pregnancy, plasma levels of Se were also determined in paired samples of maternal and umbilical cord blood from 12 pregnant women. No periodic changes in the plasma Se levels were observed during the menstrual cycle. The intraindividual variation, estimated by coefficients of variation, ranged from 1.9% to 9.9% among the menstrual phases of the subjects. The plasma Se level during pregnancy did not differ significantly from those of nonpregnant women, and those in the second trimester and at delivery were at similar levels (1.58+/-.14 and 1.48+/-.20 mmol/L, respectively). Compared to the levels of maternal Se at delivery, the fetal cord plasma at birth had a significant lower Se level (1.23+/-.34 mmol/L, p<.05).

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Nickel (Ni)].

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Animals↗
PubMed2003

Validity of a self-administered food frequency questionnaire used in the 5-year follow-up survey of the JPHC Study to assess selenium intake: comparison with dietary records and blood levels.

Selenium (Se) levels in serum and erythrocytes were measured in 215 adults to assess the relative validity of Se intake estimated from 28-day dietary records (DR) and the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) used in the 5-year follow-up survey of the JPHC study. Se intake estimated from DR was correlated with that from the FFQ both in males and females (r=0.36 and r=0.32, respectively). Se levels in erythrocytes were weakly correlated with Se intake by DR for men (r=0.21) after adjustments for the total energy intake, though no significant correlation was found for women nor in crude values for either sex. Although Se intake estimated from our FFQ was correlated with that from the DR, no correlation was observed between the Se level in serum and estimated Se intake. In this population, the serum Se level was not a good biomarker for estimated Se intake.

Analysis of Variance↗