Biomedical subjects

M Igarashi

Publications and source records attributed to M Igarashi.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

EMG responses in lower leg muscles elicited by head-taps.

Forehead-taps elicited short-latency motor responses in the lower leg muscle which, together with vestibulocollic reflexes, might contribute to multisensory control of posture. We tested this paradigm in human subjects standing upright in order to determine if the responses differed depending on whether the taps were to the forehead or temporal bone. Forehead-taps elicited short-latency inhibitory EMG responses in both gastrocnemius muscles with a mean latency of 48 to 99 ms. The right or left temporal bone-taps elicited short-latency inhibitory EMG responses in the ipsilateral gastrocnemius muscle of 47 to 77 ms, short-latency excitatory EMG responses in the contralateral gastrocnemius muscle of 46 to 78 ms, and short-latency excitatory EMG responses in the contralateral tibialis anterior muscle of 48 to 78 ms. The temporal bone-taps elicited short-latency inhibitory EMG responses in the ipsilateral gastrocnemius muscle and excitatory EMG responses in the contralateral gastrocnemius muscle, which were thought to be generated by vestibular afferents and convergent with vestibular input for the multisensory control of posture.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

[Usefulness of endoscopic polypectomy in early colorectal cancer].

This study was carried out to clarify the usefulness of endoscopic polypectomy in early colorectal cancer. Six hundred and sixty-four patients with polypectomized early colorectal cancer were compared with 89 who underwent surgical resection. Among the polypectomized patients, 361 had pedunculated (Ip)-type, 255 semi-pedunculated (Isp)-type, and 48 sessile (Is)-type cancer. The early colorectal cancer was submucosal-invasive cancer (sm cancer) in 16.1% of Ip, 19.2% of I sp, and 22.9% of Is patients. Among the surgically resected patients, sm cancer was present in 41.2% of Ip. 62.1% of I sp. and 58.1% of Is patient in. The percentage of sm cancer and the tumor size surgically resected patients were greater than in polypectomized patients. Local recurrence and distant metastases were investigated after endoscopic polypectomy during follow-up. Two cases (0.4%) of local recurrence were detected after polypectomy among 555 patients with mucosal cancer. Twenty-three (19.8%) of 116 patients with sm cancer underwent surgical resection after polypectomy due to cancer invasion into the vessels and/or extension to the resected margin recognized in polypectomized specimens. Only one case (0.9%) of local recurrence and no distant metastases were detected after polypectomy in 116 patients with sm cancer. Endoscopic polypectomy is very useful as a minimally invasive surgical technique in the protruding type of early colorectal cancer.

Colonoscopy↗

PubMed1998

Characterization of recombinant human fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-10 reveals functional similarities with keratinocyte growth factor (FGF-7).

A newly identified member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family, designated FGF-10, is expressed during development and preferentially in adult lung. The predicted FGF-10 protein is most related to keratinocyte growth factor (KGF, or FGF-7). The latter is unique among FGFs in that it binds and signals only through the FGF receptor (FGFR2b) isoform KGF receptor (KGFR) expressed specifically by epithelial cells. In order to examine the biological and biochemical properties of human FGF-10, we isolated the cDNA and expressed its encoded protein in bacteria. The recombinant protein (rFGF-10) was a potent mitogen for Balb/MK mouse epidermal keratinocytes with activity detectable at 0.1 nM and maximal at around 5 nM. Within this concentration range, FGF-10 did not stimulate DNA synthesis in NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblasts. rFGF-10 bound the KGFR with high affinity comparable to that of KGF, and did not bind detectably to either the FGFR1c (Flg) or FGFR2c (Bek) receptor isoforms. The mitogenic activity of FGF-10 could be distinguished from that of KGF by its different sensitivity to heparin and lack of neutralization by a KGF monoclonal antibody. These results indicate that FGF-10 and KGF have similar receptor binding properties and target cell specificities, but are differentially regulated by components of the extracellular matrix.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1998

The prognostic significance of microvessel density and thymidine phosphorylase expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus is among the most malignant of neoplasms and is associated with a dismal prognosis. Although tumor microvessel density (MVD) is an important prognostic factor in several carcinomas, its role in SCC of the esophagus is still controversial. Also, the role of thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase), a key angiogenic growth factor, is yet to be delineated in this disease. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal antibodies was used to quantify microvessel and dThdPase expression in archival tissue specimens from 93 patients with SCC of the esophagus. RESULTS: High dThdPase expression and high MVD were associated with tumor progression (size and stage) and lymph node metastasis, but only MVD was a predictor of survival. dThdPase expression was significantly correlated with depth of tumor invasion (P = 0.015). In multivariate analysis, MVD was an independent predictor of survival in the lymph node negative cases. A significant correlation was noted between MVD and dThdPase expression, with a correlation coefficient of 0.083 (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: MVD is an independent factor in determining the prognoses of lymph node negative patients with SCC of the esophagus. dThdPase could be a key factor in the angiogenesis of this disease and may be responsible for its aggressive behavior.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Stimulation of L-type Ca2+ channel in growth cones activates two independent signaling pathways.

Although growth cones respond to various modulators of neurite outgrowth, such as neurotrophins, neurotransmitters, and cell adhesion molecules, the signal-transducing mechanisms for these modulators in growth cones are unclear. Since recent studies have suggested that the signals of these modulators are mediated by Ca2+ influx through L-type voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels (VSCCs) in the growth cone, we examined L-type VSCC-dependent signaling pathways, using isolated growth cones (IGCs) from developing rat forebrains. Binding assays revealed that L-type VSCC is enriched in growth cone membrane and gradually decreased in amount developmentally, while N-type VSCC has the opposite tendency. In intact IGCs, Bay K 8644 (BK, an L-type agonist) induced much more rapid elevation of [Ca2+]i than that in adult synaptosomes. Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation of GAP-43 and MARCKS protein by protein kinase C (PKC) was enhanced in the IGC by BK, resulting in the release of these proteins from the membrane, which is consistent with our recent report. In addition, the Ca2+-dependent degradation of brain spectrin (fodrin) by calpain was also enhanced by BK or GABA, consequently inducing the release of alpha-actinin from the membrane skeleton of the growth cones. The activities of PKC and calpain were not inhibited by inhibitors of the other, indicating that these reactions occur independently. Our results suggest that Ca2+ influx through L-type VSCCs activates two distinct signaling branches, probably in the different domains of the growth cone, i.e., Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation of GAP-43 and MARCKS protein, and Ca2+-dependent degradation of brain spectrin and the release of alpha-actinin by calpain.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Clinical significance of microvessel density and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and surrounding liver: possible involvement of vascular endothelial growth factor in the angiogenesis of cirrhotic liver.

As in other tumors, the assessment of microvessel density (MVD) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may be essential to perform an effective anti-angiogenic therapy for this tumor. The relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and MVD of HCC as well as the surrounding liver remains to be elucidated. In 71 patients who had undergone curative hepatic resection for HCC, MVD and VEGF expressions were evaluated for HCC and the liver by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and/or immunostaining. The intensity and extent of VEGF immunoreactivity were evaluated using a computer image analyzer-cell analysis system (CAS). Angiographic data were re-evaluated and compared with MVD in 50 tumors. Tumoral MVD was significantly correlated with tumor capsule formation (t test, P = .0016). Small HCCs (< or = 2 cm) had a significantly lower MVD compared with moderate-sized HCCs (2-5 cm) (t test, P = .016), and the MVD of large HCCs was relatively lower than that of moderate tumors. Tumor vascularity on angiography was not correlated with the MVD. Neither VEGF mRNA levels nor protein expression in HCC were correlated with the tumoral MVD or any histopathological features of the tumor. However, cirrhotic livers had significantly higher MVD and VEGF expressions compared with noncirrhotic livers (t test, P = .0015 and P = .047, respectively). Only the MVD of tumor was significantly correlated with intrahepatic recurrence (t test, P = .0048) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates (log rank test, P = .0035). Moreover, the MVD was an independent predictor for DFS by multivariate analysis (chi2 test, P = .03). In conclusion, the MVD in HCC may be involved in the dismal prognosis of this tumor, and VEGF may be associated with the angiogenic process of the cirrhotic liver, but not with the angiogenesis of HCC.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Effects of glucagon on glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis are region-specific in periportal and perivenous hepatocytes.

It has been established, mainly by histochemical and immunohistochemical studies, that liver cells are functionally heterogeneous, with periportal hepatocytes (PPHs) being predominantly gluconeogenic and perivenous hepatocytes (PVHs) being glycolytic. We therefore investigated the region-specific functional effects of glucagon on glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in isolated PPHs and PVHs prepared by the digitonin-collagenase method. BB rats, a model of insulin-dependent diabetes, were used to study the region-specific heterogeneity of gluconeogenesis in the diabetic state. Although glycogen content was not different between PVHs and PPHs in rats fed the normal diet, basal glucose release was 1.37 times greater in PVHs than in PPHs (P <.05). The increase in glucose release stimulated by 0.01 to 0.1 nmol/L glucagon was 1.52 times greater in PVHs than in PPHs (P < .05), whereas no differences were seen in response to 1 to 100 nmol/L glucagon. Glucose release from gluconeogenic substrates was 1.57 times greater in the PPHs than in the PVHs of fasted normal rats (P < .05), whereas the increase in gluconeogenesis produced by glucagon was not different between PPHs and PVHs. The glucagon-binding capacity, the cAMP release, and the increase in intracellular Ca2+ stimulated by glucagon were not different between PPHs and PVHs in the fed or fasted states. Gluconeogenesis from gluconeogenic substrates was 1.52 times greater in the PPHs than in the PVHs of fasted nondiabetic BB rats (P < .05). After the development of diabetes, the gluconeogenic capacity in PVHs increased to the level observed in PPHs, but that in PPHs did not change. Thus there was no difference in gluconeogenesis between the PPHs and PVHs of diabetic BB rats. In both the PPHs and PVHs of diabetic BB rats, the 0.01 to 100 nmol/L glucagon-induced increase in gluconeogenesis was greater than that in PPHs from nondiabetic BB rats (2.30 and 3.07 times, P < .01, respectively). We conclude that PPHs and PVHs of normal rat liver express region-specific differences in their glycogenolytic and gluconeogenic responses to glucagon. In diabetic BB rats, the difference in the gluconeogenic capacity between PPHs and PVHs disappeared, whereas glucagon-induced gluconeogenesis was enhanced.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Impaired vagus nerve-mediated control of insulin secretion in Wistar fatty rats.

It has been reported that hyperglycemia in the portal venous blood suppresses afferent activity of the hepatic branch of the vagus nerve, which in turn accelerates efferent activity of the pancreatic branch of the vagus nerve to stimulate insulin secretion. The present study examined this neural control mechanism in genetically obese diabetic male Wistar fatty (fa/fa) rats. Adult (aged 12 to 14 weeks) Wistar fatty rats were obese, hyperinsulinemic, and hyperglycemic. Young (aged 5 to 6 weeks) Wistar fatty rats were slightly obese and hyperinsulinemic, but were euglycemic compared with the lean littermates. In both adult and young lean littermates, the plasma insulin response after an intragastric glucose load (1 g/kg) was diminished by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) atropine methylbromide (methylatropine 10 nmol) pretreatment, and a transient increase in plasma insulin was observed after selective hepatic vagotomy, as reported in normal rats. In contrast, in both adult and young Wistar fatty rats, the plasma insulin response after an intragastric glucose load was not diminished by i.c.v. methylatropine pretreatment, and plasma insulin decreased slightly after selective hepatic vagotomy. Further, afferent discharges of the hepatic vagal branch decreased and efferent discharges of the celiac/pancreatic vagal branch increased when 10 mg glucose was infused into the portal vein in the 9-week-old lean littermates, as reported in normal rats. In 7-week-old Wistar fatty rats, afferent discharges of the hepatic vagal branch decreased but efferent discharges of the celiac/pancreatic vagal branch did not increase after intraportal glucose infusion. It is concluded that the vagus nerve-mediated regulation of insulin secretion is impaired from an early stage of life in Wistar fatty rats. Efferent discharges of the vagus nerve to the pancreas seem not to be suppressed by afferent discharges from the hepatic vagus branch, which may lead to insufficient insulin secretion in response to nutrient ingestion followed by a delayed peak. These abnormalities may thus lead to the insulin resistance and fasting hyperinsulinemia that characterize the Wistar fatty rat model.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Thymidine phosphorylase (platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor), microvessel density and clinical outcome in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Angiogenesis plays an important role in tumor growth and metastasis. It is regulated by angiogenic factors. Thymidine phosphorylase (platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor) is one such factor. Although the significance of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor has been studied for several types of tumor, the expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor and its correlation with microvessel density or clinicopathological factors in hepatocellular carcinoma are unknown. We evaluated microvessel density and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor expression in hepatocellular carcinoma to determine whether microvessel density and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor expression are correlated with the clinicopathological factors of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Using immunohistochemical staining with anti-platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor antibody and the ELISA method, we evaluated the correlation among platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor expression, microvessel density and clinicopathological factors in 84 hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Microvessels were stained with anti-human von Willebrand factor (anti-Factor VIII) and anti-CD34. RESULTS: In the surrounding liver, there was a significant correlation between microvessel density and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor expression (p=0.002), and hepatitis C virus-positive livers had higher microvessel densities than otherwise (p=0.003). However, this correlation was not found for hepatocellular carcinoma, but hepatitis C virus-positive tumors had higher expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (p=0.018). Microvessel density in hepatocellular carcinoma obtained by Factor VIII staining inversely affected the recurrence-free survival rate (p=0.0416), but the microvessel density by CD34 staining was not a significant predictor. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor may not be a major regulator of angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma, but this enzyme may play an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis cooperating with hepatitis C virus. Also, the density, not of sinusoid-like vessels, but of larger vessels in hepatocellular carcinoma could be a prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed1998

Expression of the Zinnia TED3 promoter in developing tracheary elements of transgenic Arabidopsis.

To determine the regulatory mechanism of gene expression in the early stages of tracheary element (TE) differentiation, we isolated and characterized a genomic fragment of TED3 whose mRNA is expressed preferentially in differentiating TEs 12-24 h before morphological changes in the in vitro Zinnia system. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants with a chimeric gene of the 537 bp TED3 promoter and the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene indicated the strong expression of the GUS gene by the TED3 promoter in TEs, in particular in immature TEs as well as stipules and trichomes. GUS expression driven by the promoter was also induced in callus, in which GUS activity was localized in immature TEs and slender cells around TEs that may be TE precursor cells. The TED3 promoter was not significantly activated by wounding. This pattern of expression differed clearly from that of other vascular tissue-related genes such as PAL, 4CL, and GRP1.8. The nature of TED3 promoter enables us to use it to monitor TE differentiation in tissue and to introduce foreign genes preferentially into immature TE.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Autoimmune enteropathy with severe atrophic gastritis and colitis in an adult: proposal of a generalized autoimmune disorder of the alimentary tract.

BACKGROUND: We describe the case of an adult with autoimmune enteropathy consistent with both severe atrophic gastritis accompanying antral stenosis and colitis. METHODS AND RESULTS: The patient, positive for anti-intrinsic factor antibody, had intractable diarrhea and protein-losing enteropathy. In the ileum inflammatory cells were observed infiltrating the lamina propria along with villus atrophy, and similar inflammation was also found in the lamina propria of the colon and stomach, with complete loss of specialized glands. The myenteric ganglion cells of the hypertrophied muscularis propria in the stenosed antrum showed degeneration with surrounding T-lymphocyte infiltration. There were more CD8+ than CD4 lymphocytes in the lamina propria of the stomach and colon. CONCLUSIONS: The CD8+ (suppressor-cytotoxic) T lymphocytes may have played an important role in the production of lesions in the stomach, small intestine, and colon, so we propose this case as an example of a generalized autoimmune disorder of the alimentary tract.

Autoimmune Diseases↗

PubMed1998

A study of clinical features and treatment of acute bronchitis by Japanese primary care physicians.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the factors affecting prescription of antibiotics for acute bronchitis in ambulatory care settings in Japan. METHOD: A prospective study was conducted on 92 physicians engaged in primary care regarding their prescription behaviour for a series of 20 new patients with acute respiratory diseases seen during November 1996 and the background factors affecting the behaviour. RESULTS: A total of 1755 patients were registered during the study period, 302 (17.2%) of whom were diagnosed with acute bronchitis and 1165 (66.4%) with upper respiratory tract infection. Independent background factors related to diagnosis of acute bronchitis included self-care prior to visit (odds ratio 1.93, 95% CI 1.33-2.80), complaints such as cough (8.80, 4.77-16.2), sputum (2.24, 1.59-3.14) and purulent sputum (6.47, 3.02-13.9). The odds ratio was high in patients with more severe findings of the chest (5.00, 3.64-6.85), given chest X-ray (2.68, 1.33-5.38) while it was low in those feeling cold (0.68, 0.48-0.96), and those with a sore throat (0.63, 0.45-0.90), nasal symptoms (0.75, 0.54-1.04) and more severe findings of the pharynx (0.74, 0.58-0.92). In those with an upper respiratory tract infection, the odds ratio was high for complaints such as feeling cold (1.51, 1.11-2.05) and nasal symptoms (1.39, 1.04-1.86), while it was low for complaints such as cough (0.67, 0.48-0.95), sputum (0.43, 0.30-0.62), purulent sputum (0.19, 0.08-0.44), wheeze (0.34, 0.13-0.92), in those with more severe findings of the tonsil (0.36, 0.29-0.44) and the chest (0.30, 0.19-0.47) and given chest X-rays (0.29, 0.12-0.66). For acute bronchitis, antibiotics were administered to 67.5% and symptomatic therapy concurrently given to 64.9%. As for independent background factors related to prescription of antibiotics for acute bronchitis, the odds ratio was higher in physicians denying the efficacy of antibiotics for treating a cold (4.58, 1.94-10.8), and the patients with complaints such as purulent sputum (22.9, 2.66-197.2), more severe findings of the pharynx (2.26, 1.34-3.79) and of the chest (2.73, 1.53-4.88), and those who had a body temperature measurement taken (4.42, 1.71-11.4) and a chest X-ray (6.11, 1.07-34.9), but was lower in those complaining of chills (0.16, 0.04-0.66) and diarrhoea (0.11, 0.01-1.11). CONCLUSIONS: A majority of patients receiving medical care for acute bronchitis are given an unnecessary antibiotic prescription. The result of this study may be useful for the finding of appropriate forms of intervention for changing physicians' prescription behaviour.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1998

Novel vaginal danazol ring therapy for pelvic endometriosis, in particular deeply infiltrating endometriosis.

Danazol is routinely administered orally to inhibit ovulation and to treat pelvic endometriosis. However, recent evidence suggests that danazol can act directly on endometriotic tissue in vitro to inhibit DNA synthesis and induce apoptosis. Danazol was administered via the vagina in this study, using a vaginal ring drug delivery system containing 1500 mg of danazol. This therapy was effective for treatment of pelvic endometriosis, especially for deeply infiltrating endometriosis, resulting in a cure of dysmenorrhoea and tenderness in the cul-de-sac within 3 months, and of induration or nodularity in the cul-de-sac within 7 months. Moreover, conception was possible during insertion of the vaginal ring in 17 out of 31 infertile women with deeply infiltrating endometriosis, and in two out of eight infertile women with ovarian endometriotic cysts not adhering to the cul-de-sac and without deeply infiltrating endometriosis. Serum danazol concentrations, high during oral daily 400 mg danazol therapy, but undetectable during vaginal danazol ring therapy, explain why ovulation and conception could occur during insertion of the vaginal danazol ring, and why general side-effects, which are often observed during oral danazol therapy, were not observed during vaginal danazol ring therapy. Danazol seems to be absorbed through the vaginal mucosa and reaches the deeply infiltrating endometriosis via diffusion.

Absorption↗

PubMed1998

Dietary fatty acids are possible key determinants of cellular retinol-binding protein II gene expression.

We previously found that dietary unsaturated fatty acids increase cellular retinol-binding protein type II (CRBP II) mRNA and its protein levels in rat jejunum. To obtain insight into mechanisms for its gene induction, we investigated the effect of depletion of dietary fat on CRBP II mRNA levels and we further examined whether dietary retinol is necessary for dietary fat-induced CRBP II gene expression. Feeding the fat-free diet, which contained a sufficient amount of vitamin A, repressed CRBP II mRNA accumulation by 50% within 1 day, and this low level was sustained over the next 9 days. Parallel to the decreased CRBP II mRNA level, the peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha) mRNA level in rat jejunum was decreased by long-term (7 days) feeding of an isocaloric low-fat diet compared with the control. Oral administration of corn oil in the animals fed vitamin A-free diet elicited approximately threefold accumulation of CRBP II mRNA within 6 h. However, the administration of 9-cis-retinoic acid brought about no accumulation of CRBP II mRNA. Even when rats were vitamin A-deficient, oral administration of corn oil, but not 9-cis-retinoic acid, caused an increase in jejunal CRBP II mRNA level. These results suggest that CRBP II gene expression in rat jejunum may be regulated predominantly by dietary fatty acids but little by dietary retinoids.

Alitretinoin↗

PubMed1998

Chemical assay of iron in ovarian cysts: a new diagnostic method to evaluate endometriotic cysts.

CA-125 is abundantly secreted from ovarian endometriotic cysts, but is not specific to endometriosis. In order to develop a new, more specific diagnostic marker for endometriosis, the iron concentrations in various ovarian cysts were assayed. The ovarian cysts were punctured and the contents aspirated laparoscopically, laparotomically, or transvaginally. The iron concentration in the ovarian cystic fluid was assayed using a spectrophotometer after protein precipitations and chromogen treatment. The iron concentrations in ovarian cysts were 69.5+/-10.4 micromol/l in serous cystadenomas, 73.5+/-29.3 in mucinous cystadenomas, 65.4+/-12.4 in dermoid cysts, and 92.5+/-18.2 micromol/l in adenocarcinomas. On the other hand, high iron concentrations were demonstrated in endometriotic cysts (1,749.6+/-41.5 micromol/l), a lutein cyst (1,393.8), hemorrhagic corpus luteum (1,957.5) and endometrioid adenocarcinomas (1,860.9+/-157.9 micromol/l). Cytological smear tests of the contents as well as histological examination allowed differential diagnosis between endometriosis and endometrioid adenocarcinoma. In conclusion, assay of the ovarian cystic iron concentration is a useful diagnostic tool for the evaluation of ovarian endometriotic cysts.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Health-related behaviors, social support, and community morale.

The relation among health behaviors, social support, and community morale--attitudes toward one's community, such as attachment and social participation--was examined in 597 adults living in a Japanese community. Logistic models revealed that strong spousal support was related to reduced alcohol drinking and enhanced family support was related to a reduction in smoking. The support of friends was positively associated with the frequency of alcohol drinking by men. Among women, family support was positively related to the frequency of consuming Japanese-style food. Community morale was positively associated with consuming Japanese-style side dishes and negatively associated with alcohol consumption. The results indicate that there are varied associations between social relationships and health-related behavior and that these associations are gender-related. Knowing the specific associations between an individual's social relationships and his or her health-related behavior will he helpful for community-based intervention.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

Job strain and biological coronary risk factors: a cross-sectional study of male and female workers in a Japanese rural district.

To investigate the association between job strain and biological coronary risk factors, a demand-control questionnaire was applied to 138 male (mean age 51.5) and 166 female (50.8) workers in Japanese rural town. In Model I, workers rated as both above the median on demands and below the median on control were defined as a strain group and compared to the rest. In Model II, the effect of a multiplicative term of demands by control was tested once the component main effects were controlled. In both models, possible confounders were controlled. Men in the strain group had higher blood glucose than did the others (Model 1), and the multiplicative term was significantly associated with diastolic blood pressure in men and with Lipoprotein(a) in women (Model II). The results suggest that the demand-control model predicts coronary risk factors in Japanese rural workers, and the associations are different between genders.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

Glycated hemoglobin levels and their correlation with atherosclerotic risk factors in a Japanese population--the Jichi Medical School Cohort Study 1993-1995.

We conducted a large population-based study to assess levels of glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and to evaluate the correlation between HbA1c and other cardiovascular risk factors in Japan. A total of 910 men and 1,890 women aged 30-69 years participated in the Jichi Medical School Cohort Study (1993-95). Mean HbA1c was 5.61% in men and 5.49% in women. HbA1c levels were significantly correlated with levels of triglycerides, fibrinogen, and factor VII, and inversely correlated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level in both sexes. Lipoprotein(a) was inversely correlated in men. Blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and total cholesterol were significantly associated with HbA1c in women. After adjusting for significant variables in univariate analyses, fibrinogen and factor VII remained as significant correlates in men, and BMI and total cholesterol in women. The authors conclude that HbA1c level is correlated not only with classical cardiovascular risk factors, but also with fibrinogen and factor VII. Our results suggest that HbA1c could be an alternative to blood glucose in evaluating atherosclerotic risk in a large-sized population study.

Adult↗