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Biomedical subjects

N Kawakami

Publications and source records attributed to N Kawakami.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

A case-control study of myelodysplastic syndromes among Japanese men and women.

To determine the risk factors of the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) we conducted a case-control study in Japan. One hundred and sixteen MDS patients were diagnosed from 1 September to 31 October 1992 and from 1 August to 31 October 1993 in the 32 hospitals enrolled in the idiopathic Disorders of Hematopoietic Organs Research Committee. Age, sex, and hospital-matched controls were selected for each case. Information on cigarette smoking and drinking habits, hair dye use, history of keeping pet animals, and occupational exposures to organic solvents, lead and radiation was obtained from self-administered questionnaires. Conditional logistic regression was applied to this individually matched case-control study and odds ratios (ORs) were computed to estimate association between each exposure variable and risk of MDS. Alcohol drinking was associated with increased risk of MDS (OR = 2.15; 95% confidence interval = 1.12-4.16) and there was a significant trend in risk with increasing amounts of ethanol consumed per week (P < 0.05). We also found elevated ORs for cigarette smokers (OR = 1.80), users of hair dye products (OR = 1.77), and workers exposed to organic solvents (OR = 1.50), although these ratios were not statistically significant. Exposure to pet animals was not associated with risk of MDS. The association observed between alcohol drinking and MDS was still eminent even after adjusted with other variables of cigarette smoking, hair dye use and occupational exposure to organic solvents, and the dose-response relationship was also confirmed.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders in a working population in Japan.

To learn the prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders (as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition, Revised) in a working population in Japan, we analyzed data from a population-based survey. Among 140 respondents who had a job, 8% experienced any of seven mood and anxiety disorders in the past 6 months and 19% had in their lifetime. The 6-month and lifetime prevalence rates of major depressive episodes were 4% and 14%, respectively. The 6-month and lifetime prevalence rates of phobic disorders were both 4%. The lifetime prevalence rates for other anxiety disorders were 1% or less. The 6-month rate of any disorder, as well as 6-month and lifetime rates of phobic disorders, was higher in white-collar employees than in self-employed workers (P < 0.05). The multiple logistic regression confirmed the tendency after controlling for sex and age, although the result was not significant (P > 0.05).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor on chronic ischemic patients.

Most of patients with cerebrovascular disease are associated with hypertension. Hypertension induces progressive atheromatous changes in cerebral arteries, and often causes steno-occlusive lesions of cerebral arteries. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor cilazapril is one of the antihypertensive drugs. It was reported that cilazapril improved resting cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebrovascular reserve capacity (CRC) in experimental studies. In this clinical study, the authors investigated whether long-term treatment with cilazapril could improve CBF and CRC in patients with steno-occlusive lesions of the major cerebral arterial trunk, measured by stable xenon computerized tomography (Xe-CT) with acetazolamide challenge. On the other hand, CBF and CRC in the calcium blocker-treated patients were measured in the same way. CBF did not change after long-term treatment with both cilazapril and calcium blocker. In the cilazapril-treated group, CRC was increased significantly (p < 0.05). However, CRC did not change in the calcium blocker-treated group. It was recognized that long-term treatment with cilazapril did not decrease CBF and improved CRC in patients with occlusive lesions of the major cerebral arterial trunk.

Acetazolamide↗
PubMed1996

Hemodynamics of hypertensive putaminal hemorrhage evaluated by Xenon-enhanced computed tomography and acetazolamide test.

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is usually decreased in patients with hypertensive putaminal hemorrhage (HPH). However, there are few reports concerning cerebrovascular reserve capacity (CRC) in these cases. This study evaluated cerebral hemodynamics in patients with HPH by measuring CBF and CRC. CBF and CRC were measured by stable xenon enhanced computed tomography (Xe-CT) in 11 patients with HPH (HPH group) and 11 patients with essential hypertension without intracerebral hematoma (non-HPH group). CBFs of the hemisphere and thalamus in the HPH group were lower than those in the non-HPH group. And the CBF of the hemisphere was increased transiently after the surgical evacuation of the hematoma. Thereafter, it fell gradually. The CRCs were also lower in acute stage of the HPH group. The CRC recovered during the chronic stage. Hemodynamics in patients with HPH can be modulated by surgical removal of hematoma. However, some adjunct therapies are necessary to prevent delayed neuronal inactivity, Stable Xe-CT with acetazolamide test is useful to evaluate hemodynamics in the HPH patients.

Acetazolamide↗
PubMed1996

Inhibitory effect of acetylshikonin on the activation of NADPH oxidase in polymorphonuclear leukocytes in both whole cell and cell-free systems.

The effects of acetylshikonin (AS) on the activation of NADPH oxidase (EC 1.6.99.6) in guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in both whole cell and cell-free activation systems were investigated. When PMNs were treated with AS before exposure to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), superoxide (O2-) generation in these cells was significantly reduced, but after exposure of PMNs to PMA, inhibition of O2- generation by AS did not occur. Thiol compounds completely abolished the inhibitory effect of AS on the O2- generating activity of PMNs. In the cell-free system, AS inhibited the activation of NADPH oxidase induced by myristate in a combination of cytosol and membrane fractions obtained from intact PMNs, but did not inhibit the activity of NADPH oxidase already induced. These results suggest that AS inhibits the generation of NADPH oxidase complex in the activation of respiratory burst of PMNs, but does not directly inhibit the activity of NADPH oxidase already generated.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Zinc-ion-dependent acid phosphatase exhibits magnesium-ion-dependent myo-inositol-1-phosphatase activity.

We have purified bovine brain Zn(2+)-dependent acid phosphatase (Zn(2+)-APase), which requires Zn2+ ions to hydrolyze the substrate p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) in an acidic environment. The substrate specificity and metal requirement of Zn(2+)-APase at a physiological pH was also studied. The enzyme exhibited hydrolytic activity on myo-inositol-1- and -2-monophosphates, 2'-adenosine monophosphate, 2'-guanosine monophosphate, and the alpha- and beta-glycerophosphates, glucose-1-phosphate, and fructose-6-phosphate in 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.4) in the presence of Mg2+ ions, but not on pNPP and phosphotyrosine. Zn2+, Mn2+ and Co2+ ions were less effective for activation. Among the above substrates, myo-inositol-1-phosphate was the most susceptible to hydrolysis by the enzyme in the presence of 3 mM Mg2+ ions. The enzyme exhibited an optimum pH at around 8 for myo-inositol-1-phosphate in the presence of 3 mM Mg2+ ions. The Mg(2+)-dependent myo-inositol-1-phosphatase activity of the enzyme was significantly inhibited by Li+ ions. The Zn(2+)-dependent p-nitrophenyl phosphatase activity and Mg(2+)-dependent myo-inositol-1-phosphatase activity of the purified enzyme fraction exhibited similar behavior on Sephadex G-100 and Mono Q colomns. These findings suggest that Zn(2+)-APase also exhibits Mg(2+)-dependent myo-inositol-1-phosphatase activity under physiological conditions.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1996

Validation of recalled food intake in the past in a Japanese population.

To evaluate the validity of the recall method in estimating food intake in the distant past, we assessed past and current food intakes by mailed food questionnaires among 80 residents in Gifu, Japan who had answered the same questionnaire 9 years ago. We compared rank correlations and differences between recalled food intake scores and past ones with those between current food intake scores and past ones. We observed higher scores of recalled intake for meat, potatoes and alcohol, and a lower score of recalled intake for cereals than the scores of past intake. We observed increase in food intake scores of soyabean products, dairy products and potatoes and decrease in that of cereals intakes from past to current. The rank correlation coefficients between the recalled and past food intake scores (r = 0.24-0.89) were greater than those between the current and past ones (r = 0.10-0.70) for every food item except for dairy products. After stratification by sex, age and degree of change in body mass index (BMI), the greater correlation between the recalled and past food intake scores remained. These findings suggest that the recall method is more preferable than the current data to estimate food intake in the distant past in Japan.

Diet Surveys↗
PubMed1996

Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of Job Content Questionnaire: replication and extension in computer company employees.

In order to investigate the reliability and validity of selected scales from the Japanese version of Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ, Karasek 1985), a survey was conducted of 1,126 employees of a computer company in Japan using a questionnaire including 31 items from the JCQ. Ten JCQ scales on psychological and physical demands were examined in 603 male and 84 female respondents. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients for nine JCQ scales which consisted of two or more items ranged from 0.66 to 0.90 for males and from 0.64 to 0.88 for females. Item factor analysis for each scale indicated that the first factor explained 50 or more percent of item variation of decision authority, supervisor support, coworker support and Framingham physical exertion in males and females and of psychological demands in females. The skill discretion, decision authority and decision latitude significantly and positively correlated with age, years of employment and years of experience in males (p < 0.05). The decision authority significantly and positively correlated with age and years of experience in females (p < 0.05). Psychological demands, Framingham demand and physical exertion significantly and positively correlated with overtime in males and females (p < 0.05). Skill discretion, decision authority and decision latitude, psychological demands and Framingham demand were lowest in computer equipment operators; physical exertion and Framingham physical exertion were lowest in computer software engineers/technicians. It is suggested that these JCQ scales are reliable and valid instruments for assessing job stressors in computer company employees in Japan.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Correction of scoliosis by rib resection in pinealectomized chickens.

Experimental scoliosis with the potential for marked progression was treated by rib resection without spinal fusion to investigate the corrective effect of rib resection on progressive scoliosis. Forty chickens were divided into two groups (groups A and B) and pinealectomy was performed at 3 days of age. In group B, three ribs were resected on the concave side if scoliosis of > 20 degrees developed before the age of 4 weeks. Spinal radiographs were taken until the age of 20 weeks at 4-week intervals to evaluate the scoliosis. Chickens in group A developed severe scoliosis (24-85 degrees) that progressed until 20 weeks of age, and chickens in group B showed mild scoliosis (6-56 degrees). Some degree of reprogression was found after early bone union at the sites of rib resection. Rib resection may be able to control progressive scoliosis when performed on the concave side of the curve.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effect of local administration of basic fibroblast growth factor against neuronal damage caused by transient intracerebral mass lesion in rats.

There has been controversy regarding the best treatment for acute intracerebral hemorrhage. Early surgical evacuation alone seems to provide only limited amelioration of this condition, and additional therapeutic strategies should be investigated to obtain a better outcome. To test the feasibility of post-evacuation treatment, basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) was administered into the evacuated cavity and its effect was evaluated in terms of the pathological changes around the lesion. A transient (10 min) intracerebral mass lesion was created by inflation of a microballoon in the caudate nucleus in rats. Basic-FGF (500 or 1000 ng) was injected into the evacuated cavity after deflation and removal of the balloon, and then histological changes were evaluated in the CA1 subfield of the hippocampus and cavity wall. The results demonstrate a protective effect against the neuronal damage in CA1 pyramidal cells and an increase of angiogenesis in the evacuated cavity wall after b-FGF administration. These observations suggest that local administration of b-FGF after evacuation may prevent secondary neuronal damage in the area surrounding an acute mass lesion and facilitate more rapid repair of the damaged brain.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Japan-U.S. comparison of responses to depression scale items among adult workers.

The operating characteristics of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale were compared between Japanese and U.S. adult workers. Data were analyzed from age- and education-matched male white collar workers (n = 368 for each) selected from 2016 workers in Japan and 3059 in the United States. The U.S. data were obtained from the 1974-75 Augmentation Survey of the National Health and Examination Survey I. The Japanese responses to positively worded items markedly differed from those of U.S. workers, whereas responses to negatively worded items were generally comparable in the two groups. Thus, spuriously higher positive subscale and whole scale scores were found among the Japanese workers compared with U.S. workers (mean scores: 6.03 vs. 1.83 for the positive subscale and 9.94 vs. 5.35 for the whole scale, respectively; both differences were statistically significant). Negative subscale scores did not differ significantly in the two samples (3.91 vs. 3.52). The present study confirmed the hypothesis of Iwata et al. that Japanese respondents have a tendency to suppress the expression of positive affect.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Spinal cord expansion after decompression in cervical myelopathy. Investigation by computed tomography myelography and ultrasonography.

STUDY DESIGN: This study analyzed anatomic characteristics of 44 patients with cervical myelopathy. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to clarify the patterns of spinal cord expansion after decompression, their relationship to clinical recovery, and the capacity of the compressed spinal cord for restoration. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: No previous studies have clearly assessed the relationship between morphological changes of the spinal cord and clinical improvement after posterior decompression in patients with cervical myelopathy using computerized tomography myelography and intraoperative spinal sonography. METHODS: Forty-four patients with cervical myelopathy underwent posterior decompression. The diagnosis was cervical spondylosis in 26 patients and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in 18 patients. The cross-sectional area, sagittal diameter, and frontal diameter of the spinal cord at the level of maximum compression were determined by computerized tomography myelography (performed before and 1 month after decompression) and by intraoperative spinal sonography. RESULTS: Expansion of the spinal cord was defined as immediate or gradual. Of the 44 patients, 20 demonstrated gradual expansion, and their clinical recovery rate was 68.4%. In contrast, the clinical recovery rate of patients without gradual expansion was only 32.6%. Good clinical recovery was significantly related to gradual expansion. The patients were divided into four groups (A-D) based on the clinical recovery rate and compression ratio. Group A (severe compression and poor clinical recovery) showed a significantly smaller cross-sectional area of the spinal cord than Group D (severe compression, but good clinical recovery). CONCLUSIONS: Preservation of the cross-sectional area of the spinal cord, even when it is severely compressed and deformed, is an important factor in a good surgical outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Scoliosis and congenital heart disease.

STUDY DESIGN: This study analyzed clinical characteristics of scoliosis associated with congenital heart disease. Chest roentgenograms were reviewed to determine frequency, type, onset, and progression of scoliosis associated with congenital heart disease. OBJECTIVES: To determine which patients with scoliosis and congenital heart disease should be followed-up carefully. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although several studies have been reported on scoliosis and congenital heart disease, the etiology of scoliosis in patients with congenital heart disease is still unknown. Furthermore, it has been difficult to determine the progression of scoliosis. METHODS: Chest roentgenograms of 680 patients who underwent cardiac operations because of congenital heart disease were evaluated. RESULTS: Seventy-four (10.9%) of these patients had scoliosis of more than 10 degrees, although most of them had mild curves. Scoliosis in patients under 10 years old undergoing cardiac operations was more severe than in those older than 10 years who underwent surgery. Scoliosis associated with congenital heart disease showed no particular features. Patients with patent ductus arteriosus showed left convex, high thoracic scoliosis after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanisms of onset of scoliosis in patients with congenital heart disease were not simple and were affected by several factors, including age at operation, side of approach, and type of congenital heart disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Changes in rates of depressive symptoms in a Japanese working population: life-table analysis from a 4-year follow-up study.

To investigate the effects of demographic variables on changes in rates of depressive symptoms in a non-clinical population, a 4-year follow-up study was conducted on a total of 6378 employees of a Japanese electrical company. Data were collected five times at 1-year intervals (T0-T4) using a questionnaire that included the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). Of the non-depressed (i.e. having a SDS score of 47 or less) at baseline (N = 4857), 14% were found depressed at least once during T1-T4. Younger, never married, female and blue-collar workers were significantly at greater risk for becoming depressed during the follow-up period (P < 0.05). Of the depressed at baseline (N = 505), 20% were depressed every time during T1-T4. Younger workers were significantly at greater risk for persistence of depressive symptoms during the follow-up period (P < 0.05). The results suggested that age is associated with both occurrence and persistence of depressive symptoms, while gender, marital status and occupation are associated only with the occurrence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Experimental scoliosis induced by rib resection in chickens.

Factors which affected the severity of scoliosis induced by rib resection were examined. Seventy chickens were divided into a rib transection group and a rib resection group with seven subgroups, according to the number of ribs treated and the age at surgery, and examined radiographically until 20 weeks postoperatively. Rib transection group chickens showed fusion at the transected site and no marked scoliosis. In the rib resection group, the more ribs resected and the younger the age at operation, the more severely the scoliosis developed. Bone regeneration at the resection site made the progression of scoliosis milder. These findings indicate that the age at rib resection, the number of ribs that are operated on, and nonunion of the resected sites play important roles in the progression of scoliosis induced by rib resection.

Age Factors↗