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Biomedical subjects

N Ohashi

Publications and source records attributed to N Ohashi.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Clinical manifestations of Japanese cedar pollinosis: an epidemiological study.

In an investigation of the clinical features of Japanese cedar pollinosis in Toyama Prefecture, Central Japan, an epidemiological study was carried out in 1991 by means of questionnaires. There were 1,720 female and 1,163 male patients, a total of 2,883 patients. In both female and male patients, the highest incidence was found in those in their thirties. The most frequent onset was 19th March 1991, when the maximum number of air-borne pollen was detected and also the highest temperature in March was recorded. The 236 patients in the children's group ranged in age from 5 to 15 years, and the number of male children was greater than that of female. The number of patients tended to increase only gradually up to the age of 11 years, and then rapidly from 12 to 15 years of age. The greatest number of patients developed symptoms at the age of 10 years. HD-RAST positivity was definitely higher in the children group than in the adult group. No significant association was found between the age of development of symptoms and HD-RAST positivity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Phylogenetic position of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi and the relationship among its antigenic variants by analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences.

The 16S rRNA gene sequences of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi and Rickettsia sibirica were determined by PCR and DNA sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that R. sibirica is positioned in a cluster of the genus Rickettsia with a similarity value of 98.1-99.6%, whereas R. tsutsugamushi is located apart from the cluster with a similarity value of 90.2-90.6%. This evidence suggests that R. tsutsugamushi should be excluded taxonomically from the genus Rickettsia. The phylogenetic classification of six antigenic variants in R. tsutsugamushi moderately reflected their antigenic relationship known in closely and distantly related strains.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed1995

[Prostate specific antigen (PSA)/gamma-seminoprotein ratio in the cases with PSA levels less than or equal to 10.0 ng/ml].

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) and gamma-seminoprotein (gamma-Sm) have been revealed to be the same protein and used as tumor markers for prostate cancer (CaP). However, it seems impossible to detect prostate cancer in the cases with PSA levels of 10.0 ng/ml or less. We now report on PSA/gamma-Sm ratio in the cases with PSA levels of 10.0 ng/ml or less, and on the relation between PSA and gamma-Sm in those cases. Serum samples were obtained from the patients with no cancer (NC) (n = 118) and CaP (n = 39). In the cases with PSA ranging from 4.1 to 10.0 ng/ml, gamma-Sm levels in the patient with CaP were significantly lower than in those with NC (3.744 +/- 2.481 (mean +/- SD, n = 27) VS. 7.573 +/- 4.182 (n = 41), p < 0.0001) though PSA levels in both groups were not significantly different, and consequently, PSA/gamma-Sm ratio in the patients with CaP were significantly higher than in those with NC (2.181 +/- 0.802 VS. 1.095 +/- 0.804, p < 0.0001). In the cases with PSA levels of 4.0 ng/ml or less, gamma-Sm levels in the patient with CaP were significantly lower than in those with NC (1.600 +/- 0.705 (n = 12) VS. 3.243 +/- 2.456 (n = 77), p = 0.0064), while PSA levels in the patients with CaP were not significantly different from those in the patients with NC, and consequently, PSA/gamma-Sm ratio in the patients with CaP were significantly higher than in those with NC (1.762 +/- 0.544 VS. 0.808 +/- 0.330, p < 0.0001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1995

Analysis of pedestrian injuries in traffic accidents (2)--Especially on leg injury.

A deep case study on 118 pedestrians struck to fronts of vehicles or vehicle derivatives was carried out. In this paper we investigated a leg injury which occurs the most frequently in a vehicle-pedestrian collision. The data obtained from the case study were compared with those of autopsied cases. Influence of impact speed and point, and of an accident pattern were considered. The leg injury showed higher AIS (Abbreviated Injury Scale) than that of the arm injury caused by direct impact against the front exterior of vehicles. The impact speed and ISS (Injury Severity Score) showed strong correlation, but the former and AIS did not show significant correlation. The higher impact speed and the run-over are likely to cause a bilateral leg fracture.

Abbreviated Injury Scale↗
PubMed1994

[Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate. A case report and analysis of the literature].

An 80-year-old man, who had been treated for colon cancer 25 years ago, presented with gross hematuria. Rectal examination revealed a soft nodule in the right lobe. The serum prostatic specific antigen (PSA) was elevated to 5.2 ng/ml, while prostatic acid phosphate (PAP) was normal. Transrectal ultrasound revealed a hypoechoic mass in peripheral zone of the prostate and dilated seminal vesicle. A needle biopsy of the prostate showed mucinous adenocarcinoma. Under the diagnosis of prostatic tumor with seminal vesicle involvement, radical prostatectomy was performed. Histological findings showed organ confined cancer, of which most was composed of extracellular mucin lakes. Immunohistochemical study revealed the tumor cells positive for PSA and PAP. Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate has been known to be clinically different from non-mucinous adenocarcinoma, in that the former is insensitive to hormonal therapy, is rarely associated with elevated PAP and rarely metastasize to the bone. But our analysis of the literatures is Japan showed no significant difference clinically between mucinous and non mucinous prostatic adenocarcinoma. However mucinous adenocarcinoma with signet ring cell rarely responds to hormonal therapy, which should not be classified to true mucinous adenocarcinoma in the current criteria. True mucinous adenocarcinoma could be a variant of prostatic adenocarcinoma, which is peripheral origin and should be treated like non-mucinous adenocarcinoma.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1994

[Diagnosis of prostate cancer by means of the ratio of prostate specific antigen/gamma-seminoprotein (P/S ratio)].

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) and gamma-seminoprotein (gamma-Sm) are revealed to be the same protein. However, the serum concentrations of PSA and gamma-Sm in the same samples are frequently different. We previously measured a ratio of serum PSA concentration and gamma-Sm concentration (P/S ratio), and evaluated its usefulness for diagnosis of prostate cancers. In this paper, we tried to determine the cutoff value which brings better efficiency and diagnose prostate cancer by means of P/S Ratio. Between April 1988 and September 1992, 221 men underwent prostatic biopsy and/or TUR-P, and were diagnosed pathologically. Of 221 patients, 130 were diagnosed as BPH, prostatis or normal prostate (no cancer; NC) and 91 were diagnosed as prostate cancer (CaP). 1) The mean +/- SD of P/S ratio in 130 patients with NC was 0.919 +/- 0.563. While, the mean +/- SDs of P/S ratio were 12.447 +/- 44.353 in 91 patients with CaP and 2.052 +/- 0.751 in 39 Cap patients with serum PSA level of < or = 10 ng/ml. The mean P/S Ratios in CaP patients with serum PSA of < or = 10 ng/ml as well as in all CaP patients were significantly higher than those in NC patients (p < 0.0001). 2) When the cutoff value of P/S Ratio was determined to be 1.45, the highest efficiency (= sensitivity x specificity divided by 100), 83.4, was obtained. The sensitivity and specificity were 91.2% and 91.5%, respectively as a cutoff value of 1.45.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1994

[Distribution of pulmonary neuroendocrine cells--an immunohistochemical study of the lung in autopsied infants including sudden infant death syndrome].

The distribution of pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNEC) was analyzed immunohistochemically in 14 victims of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and 10 cases of infant death unrelated to SIDS, excluding congenital heart disease. Lung tissue sections were immunostained with antibodies against chromogranin A (CGA), calcitonin (CT) and gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP). CT/GRP immunoreactivity decreased in older infants of each group, while CGA immunoreactivity showed almost no decrease. Serial section analysis showed some PNEC produced CGA, CT and GRP. However, CGA-immunoreactive PNEC sometimes lacked of CT/GRP immunoreactivity. The difference of PNEC distribution between SIDS and the control cases could not be verified. To date, there have been no studies reported of PNEC distribution in infants by using CGA expression. CGA is considered to be the most useful marker for detecting PNEC in infant lung. Our findings suggest that substances produced by PNEC changed with postnatal development both in SIDS and the control group. This result may be one clue to clarifying the development and function of small airways in infants, allowing further progress in SIDS research.

Calcitonin↗
PubMed1994

[A case of life-threatening acute asthma with marked elevation of serum theophylline level during inhalational anesthesia].

A 21-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of life-threatening acute asthma. His condition deteriorated while he was receiving aminophylline and high-dose corticosterolids, and complicated by pneumomediaststinum. He was intubated and ventilated mechanically. Since peak inspiratory pressure was very high and arterial blood gases were not improving, he was treated with inhaled haltohane and enflurane, and bronchial lavage was done via a bronchoscope. Anesthesia continued for 114 hours before his condition improved. The serum theophylline levels were elevated during anesthesia. Since the dose of aminophylline was not very high, this elevation may have been related to the inhalation of halothane and enflurane.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

The use of auto-correlation function to quantify periodicity in smooth pursuit.

Smooth pursuit eye movement was recorded with a DC amplifier during horizontal sinusoidal target movement at 0.3, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 Hz. Eye movement was digitalized at 100 Hz and 12 bits accuracy. The digitalized eye movements were analyzed by the auto-correlation function, and the auto-correlation coefficient was used to quantify periodicity. In 13 healthy volunteers, the auto-correlation coefficient was nearly equal to 1.0 at 0.3 Hz but gradually decreased as the target frequency increased. In 8 patients with various neurological disorders, the auto-correlation coefficient was significantly smaller at all target frequencies than in the healthy volunteers. Less periodicity, as indicated by the decreased auto-correlation coefficient, suggests a disorder in the control visual feedback mechanism in smooth pursuit.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Measurement of prostate specific antigen and gamma-seminoprotein ratio: a new means of distinguishing benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.

We measured a ratio of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and gamma-seminoprotein concentrations (referred to as the PSA/gamma-seminoprotein ratio) and evaluated its usefulness for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Between April 1988 and October 1992, 214 men underwent prostatic biopsy and/or transurethral resection of the prostate, and the disease was diagnosed pathologically. Of 214 patients 127 were diagnosed as having benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis or a normal prostate (no cancer), while 87 had prostate cancer. Of 61 patients with a serum PSA level greater than 10 ng./ml. 50 (82.0%) had prostate cancer, compared to 31 of 84 (36.9%) with a serum PSA level of 3.0 to 10 ng./ml. Of 113 patients with a serum gamma-seminoprotein level greater than 4.0 ng./ml. 52 (46.0%) had prostate cancer. The mean plus or minus standard deviation of the PSA/gamma-seminoprotein ratio for 127 patients without cancer was 0.942 +/- 0.564, while that for 87 prostate cancer patients was 12.840 +/- 45.327 (Wilcoxon p < 0.0001). The mean plus or minus standard deviation of the PSA/gamma-seminoprotein ratios for 37 prostate cancer patients with a PSA level of 10 ng./ml. or less and for 50 prostate cancer patients with a PSA level of more than 10 ng./ml. were 2.044 +/- 0.767 and 20.829 +/- 58.757, respectively. Even the mean PSA/gamma-seminoprotein ratio for prostate cancer patients with a PSA level of 10 ng./ml. or less was significantly greater than that for patients without cancer (Wilcoxon p < 0.0001). The sensitivities for PSA (cutoff value 3.0 ng./ml.), gamma-seminoprotein (cutoff value 4.0 ng./ml.) and PSA/gamma-seminoprotein ratio (cutoff value 1.45) were 93.1%, 59.8% and 92.0%, respectively, and the specificities were 49.6%, 52.0% and 91.3%, respectively. Of 91 patients with a PSA/gamma-seminoprotein ratio of 1.45 or more 80 (87.9%) had prostate cancer, while 116 of 123 (94.3%) with a PSA/gamma-seminoprotein ratio of less than 1.45, had no cancer. These results suggest that PSA/gamma-seminoprotein ratio yields the same sensitivity as PSA and more specificity than PSA levels, offering significant advantage over PSA in detecting prostate cancer. The mean plus or minus standard deviations of PSA/gamma-seminoprotein ratios for stages A, B, C and D prostate cancer were 1.847 +/- 0.786 (11 patients), 2.740 +/- 1.536 (30), 7.626 +/- 9.140 (12) and 27.149 +/- 70.500 (34), respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1993

Large tonsillolith mimicking peritonsillar abscess: a case report.

A case of large tonsillolith is described. A 26-year-old male presented with a history of recurrent throat infections. A diagnosis of peritonsillar abscess was made. A tonsillolith was spontaneously expelled on admission. A tonsillectomy was subsequently performed. The tonsillolith was yellowish-gray, measured 30 x 26 x 16 mm, and weighed 8.5 g, which was the largest reported case in Japan. Chemical analysis revealed the stone to consist of calcium phosphate.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Two-step polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of scrub typhus and identification of antigenic variants of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi.

Two-step polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) method was examined for the diagnosis of scrub typhus. Primers were derived from the type-specific antigen (TSA) gene DNA sequences of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi, Gilliam strain. These primers served to produce rickettsia-specific products in the amplification of template DNA prepared from all serovariants, Gilliam, Karp, Kato, Kawasaki, Kuroki and Shimokoshi strains, and the fragments of product after digestion with several kinds of restriction endonuclease showed the respective patterns to strain in acrylamide or agarose gel electrophoresis. The rickettsia-specific DNAs were also derived, by this nested PCR, by amplifying DNA from patients' bloods and mites from endemic areas, and the serotype of rickettsiae infected to these hosts could be identified from fragment patterns of the amplified products observed after endonuclease treatment. These results indicate that this PCR is sensitive and specific method not only for detection of rickettsial DNA in patient specimens and in mites, but also for the typing of rickettsiae infected to these hosts.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

The contribution of proprioception to posture control in normal subjects.

In order to investigate the contribution of proprioceptive input to maintaining an upright position, stabilometry via 100-Hz vibratory stimulation applied to the Achilles tendon was studied and analyzed with respect to area, length and power spectra according to the method of fast Fourier transform (FFT). Twenty-one young medical students were analyzed in this study. When vibration was applied, the body sway was significantly greater than that of control in area and length with both eyes open and closed. There was a significant increase of total power in both the lateral (X) and antero-posterior (Y) directions with the eyes closed. With the eyes open, an increase was found only in the antero-posterior direction. The frequency band indicating the maximum spectrum did not shift. Significant increases in power spectra were found in the frequency range of more than 2 Hz in both two directions with the eyes closed. It was concluded that a vibration given to the Achilles tendon provoked a pronounced high frequency body sway especially in the antero-posterior direction when visual information was nullified, and that proprioceptive information may have a minor role compared with visual information.

Achilles Tendon↗
PubMed1993

Contribution of vision to the stabilization of body sway in patients with spinocerebellar degeneration.

Body sway was recorded with closed eyes, open eyes and visual feedback for 30 s each. Thirteen patients with spinocerebellar degeneration and 17 age-matched normal controls underwent the examination. Four parameters (area, length, sums of frequency spectrum in the anterior-posterior and lateral directions) were computed. Furthermore, Romberg ratios between closed and open eye conditions [Romberg c/o] and Romberg ratios between closed eyes and visual feedback conditions [Romberg c/f] were computed. Four parameters were significantly greater in the patients with spinocerebellar degeneration than in the normal controls. However, three of eight Romberg ratios were significantly greater in the patients with spinocerebellar degeneration than in the normal controls. The results implied that the proprioceptive-posture loop was mainly disordered while the visuo-postural loop was intact in patients with spinocerebellar degeneration.

Cerebellum↗
PubMed1993

Evaluation of vestibular function by dynamic posturography and other equilibrium examinations.

We evaluated the significance of dynamic posturography (EquiTest) in vestibular function assessment by comparing it with our routine equilibrium examinations comprised of nystagmographic data and other postural tests. Fifty-two patients with unilateral peripheral vestibular disorders were examined. Differences in test results between pendular rotation test and dynamic posturography were found in 23 out of 52 (44%) patients with unilateral peripheral vestibular disorders. In 5 patients, no abnormality of vestibular function could be detected by means of a three-test battery (spontaneous and positional nystagmus and pendular rotation test) used for evaluating vestibular compensation. In spite of these results, the patients complained of vertigo of dizziness and showed abnormal results in dynamic posturography. Dynamic posturography was superior to other postural tests in the detection of pathology corresponding with the patients' complaints. From these results, dynamic posturography (EquiTest) appeared to provide new information about such conditions of vestibular patients which other equilibrium examinations have not heretofore been able to detect.

Adult↗