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Biomedical subjects

N Takatsuka

Publications and source records attributed to N Takatsuka.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Decreased serum total cholesterol concentration is associated with high intake of soy products in Japanese men and women.

The relationship between soy product intake and serum total cholesterol concentration was examined in 1242 men and 3596 women who participated in an annual health check-up program in Takayama City, Japan, provided by the municipality in 1992. The intake of soy products and various foods and nutrients was assessed by a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from fasting subjects to measure the serum total cholesterol concentration. A significant trend (P for trend = 0. 0001) was observed for decreasing total cholesterol concentration with an increasing intake of soy products in men after controlling for age, smoking status and intake of total energy, total protein and total fat. This negative trend (P for trend = 0.0001) was also noted in women after controlling for age, menopausal status, body mass index and intake of total energy and vitamin C. An additional adjustment for physical activity, coffee and tea consumption, and intake of cholesterol, carbohydrates, fiber and vitamin E did not change the results. These data suggest a role for soy products in human cholesterol homeostasis.

Cholesterol↗
PubMed1998

Effects of passive smoking on serum levels of carotenoids and alpha-tocopherol.

To evaluate the effects of passive smoking identified by urine cotinine on serum carotenoids and alpha-tocopherol, we categorized 124 residents in a rural city of Japan into 4 groups by their urine cotinine/creatinine (Cot/Cr) ratio (u.d. (undetectable); low (0-50 ng/mg); moderate (50-120 ng/mg); high (> 120 ng/mg)) and compared the serum carotenoids and alpha-tocopherol levels among these groups. We identified passive smoking by low Cot/Cr ratio level. After controlling on related factors, men with low Cot/Cr ratio showed significantly lower serum zeaxanthin/lutein levels than men with u.d. Cot/Cr ratio. The difference was still marginally significant after excluding self-reported current smokers from the low Cot/Cr group. It is suggested that low level exposure to tobacco smoke, which has been reported to be equivalent to that for passive smokers, could be associated with decreased serum zeaxanthin/lutein levels in men.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[Environmental factors possibly associated with onset of senile dementia].

Factors associated with senile dementia have not been clarified, and factors, especially those in the living environment which seem to have a close link to the dementia need to be analysed. We conducted a case-control study targeting patients within the jurisdiction of Nagahama Public Health Center in Shiga and Hikone city, who are diagnosed to have senile dementia of the Vascular type, senile dementia of the Alzheimer type, and senile dementia of the Mixed type, and compared them to age matched controls. The outcome of the study by Matched pair analysis (McNemar's test) before the onset of the senile dementia were as follows. 1 The factors related to senile dementia of the vascular type were: Previous histories (Matched Odds Ratio (MOR): 8.0 p < 0.05), disturbance of the lower limbs (MOR = 8.0 p < 0.05). Environmental factors were: strong preference for sweets (MOR = 8.0 p < 0.05 female), smoking (MOR = 3.7 p < 0.10), lower utilization of health care (MOR = 3.3 p < 0.10), such as periodic medical check (MOR = 0/6 p < 0.10), sleep (MOR = 0/5 p < 0.10), less commitment to hobbies (MOR = 2.6 p < 0.10), such as handicrafts (MOR = 0/5 p < 0.10) etc, less intercourse with relatives (MOR = 0/9 p < 0.01), not living together with children's family (MOR = 0.20 p < 0.05 female), and death (MOR = 8/0 p < 0.05) or hospitalization (MOR = 9.0 p < 0.05) of a family member. 2 The factors related to senile dementia of the Alzheimer type and the Mixed type were: some previous histories (MOR = 8.0 p < 0.05), less disturbance of gait (MOR = 0/5 p < 0.10). Environmental factors were: lower utilization of health care, such as periodic medical check (MOR = 0.18 p < 0.05), and lower participation in exercise (MOR = 0/5 p < 0.10) etc, less association with neighbors (MOR = 0.11 p < 0.05), less participation in community activities (MOR = 0.11 p < 0.05), not living together with children's family (MOR = 0/8 p < 0.05), relocation (MOR = 5/0 p < 0.10) and retirement (MOR = 5/0 p < 0.10).

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Effects of smoking on the incidence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Replication and extension in a Japanese cohort of male employees.

The effects of smoking on the 8-year (1984-1992) incidence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were investigated in a cohort of 2,312 male employees of an electrical company in Japan. The incidence rate was 2.2/1,000 person-years. After controlling for other known risk factors for NIDDM, a proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that those who were currently smoking 16-25 cigarettes per day had a 3.27 times higher risk of developing NIDDM during the follow-up period than never smokers (p < 0.05); the hazard ratio was similar (3.21) for those who were currently smoking > or = 26 cigarettes per day. Among ever smokers, proportional hazards regression analysis also indicated that younger age at starting smoking was associated with an increased risk of NIDDM (p for trend = 0.09). These findings suggest that number of cigarettes smoked per day is important in the relation between smoking and NIDDM incidence, although the risks did not increase above a given amount of smoking. Starting smoking at a younger age also might be independently associated with an increased risk of NIDDM.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Associations of alcohol, height, and reproductive factors with serum hormone concentrations in postmenopausal Japanese women. Steroid hormones in Japanese postmenopausal women.

We measured serum levels of estradiol (E2), sex hormone-binding globulin SHBG), progesterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in 61 postmenopausal women drawn from female residents in a community in Japan to evaluate the relationships between these hormone levels and potential breast cancer risk factors. The information on reproductive history, body size, alcohol use, and physical activity was obtained by means of a self-administered questionnaire. There was a significant trend in increasing E2 level with increasing height after taking account of age and body mass index (BMI) (p for trend = 0.04). BMI was inversely associated with SHBG level after controlling age (p for trend = 0.01). Decreasing progesterone with increasing BMI was observed after controlling age and history of hysterectomy (P = 0.05). Alcohol consumption was positively associated with E2 level and there was a strong linear trend after controlling for age, height, and BMI (p for trend = 0.001). Trend for increasing DHEAS with alcohol consumption was also statistically significant after controlling for age and history of hysterectomy (p for trend = 0.01). Reproductive factors as well as physical activity were not related to any of the hormone levels.

Body Height↗
PubMed1997

Validation of simplified diet history questionnaire.

Simplified methods to estimate long term nutrient intakes would be needed for not only nutritional epidemiologic studies but also other ones. Based on data of diet history questionnaires (DHQ) which ask frequency and portion size for 169 items from 2,371 participants randomly selected from our cohort study in a rural city of Japan, we simplified the DHQ by eliminating some items using stepwise regression method. To examine the validity of the simplified DHQ (SDHQ), we obtained the SDHQs from 31 volunteers who had finished to complete one-day records once a month during the previous year, we calculated Pearson's correlation coefficient and calorie-adjusted correlation coefficient between the SDHQ and twelve one-day records for each nutrient intake value. Thirty one items were selected for our SDHQ. The mean values of most nutrient intakes from the SDHQ were more than those from twelve one-day records. The correlation coefficients between the SDHQ and twelve one-day records were more than 0.30 except for fat and monounsaturated fat. Calorie adjustment increased in the correlation coefficients for some nutrients. Our results suggest that the SDHQ is a validated and easy-to-use method for assessing long term 17 selected nutrient intakes.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Occupational factors, smoking habits and tobacco withdrawal symptoms among male Japanese employees.

The aim of the study is to know the effects of occupational factors and smoking habits on tobacco withdrawal symptoms among male Japanese employees. A total of 2,862 male employees in a company in Japan completed questionnaires concerning tobacco withdrawal symptoms, occupational factors (occupation, shift work, work stress) and smoking habits. Data from 1,443 male ever-quitters were analyzed. Among male ever-quitters, 67% had ever experienced tobacco withdrawal symptoms. Significantly higher age-adjusted rates of tobacco withdrawal symptoms were found in those who experienced frequent exhaustion after work, current smokers, those who smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day, smoked for 20 years or longer and tried to quit smoking twice or more (p < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that younger age, technical/clerical occupation, exhaustion after work, number of cigarettes smoked per day, duration of smoking, currently smoking and number of trials to quit smoking, were significantly associated with tobacco withdrawal symptoms (p < 0.05). It is suggested that younger age, technical/clerical occupation, exhaustion after work, number of cigarettes smoked and duration of smoking are risk factors of tobacco withdrawal symptoms in male Japanese employees.

Adolescent↗
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↗
PubMed1995

Frequent hard physical activity lowered serum beta-carotene level in a population study of a rural city of Japan.

To determine the effect of physical activity on serum beta-carotene, we analyzed data about life styles including 3-day food records and blood samples collected from 57 men and 74 women in a rural city of Japan. Physical activity was asked as mean frequency of hard physical activities per week last year. A declining trend in serum beta-carotene was observed with increasing frequency of hard physical activities in men. In multiple regression analyses, the frequency of hard physical activities showed a negative partial correlation coefficient (r = -0.38, p = 0.007) with serum beta-carotene in men when controlled by age, BMI (body mass index), dietary factors (carotene intake, alcohol consumption and vitamin supplements use), smoking status, serum total cholesterol and serum triglycerides. These results suggest that frequent hard physical activity decreases serum beta-carotene especially in men.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Clinical efficacy of arbekacin in patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. Research Group of MRSA Forum].

We investigated the clinical efficacy of arbekacin (ABK) in patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, and also studied coagulase types, beta-lactamase producing activity and drug sensitivity of MRSA isolated from various clinical specimens. A total of 23 patients with MRSA infections (13 cases of pneumonia, 1 case of sepsis, 1 case of pneumonia and sepsis and 8 cases of the others) who were hospitalized from April 1992 to September 1993 were enrolled in this study. They were 14 males and 9 females, and the mean age was 66.9 years (range, 18-91 years). All patients had underlying diseases (mainly malignant tumors and cerebrovascular diseases). ABK was given intravenously at doses ranging from 75 to 100 mg twice daily. The clinical efficacy rate was 90%; 8 cases showed excellent responses, 10 cases good, 1 case fair, 1 case poor and 3 cases were unevaluable. The eradication rate of MRSA was 81.8%; 16 cases were judged as eradicated, 3 cases decreased, 2 cases replaced, 1 case unchanged and in 1 case the bacteriological response was unknown. Side effects were not observed, but S-GPT was elevated in 1 case. Coagulase types of MRSA (123 strains) isolated at the institutes involved in the study were type II (56 strains), type IV (12 strains), type VII (13 strains) and other types (2 strains), but coagulase types of 40 strains could not be determined. Eighty-four strains (68.3%) produced beta-lactamases. MICs of ABK were 0.5 microgram/ml against 43 strains and 1 microgram/ml against 37 strains, and all of the MICs were under 4 micrograms/ml. In summary, ABK showed high antimicrobial activity against MRSA and clinical usefulness in the infections investigated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Galanin analogues: agonist and antagonist.

23 galanin-related peptides were synthesized by solid phase technology or conventional solution method. The purity of the products was carefully assessed by routine analytical criteria. Using these synthetic peptides, we have investigated the effects of galanins and structurally modified galanin peptides on glucose-stimulated insulin release using the isolated perfused rat pancreas, gastrin and somatostatin release using the isolated perfused rat stomach, the neurally-evoked muscle contractions in guinea pig ileum and the C-fiber response in the isolated spinal cord of the new born rat. The results suggest that the galanin amino-terminal 1-15 sequence is crucial for its activity in the above four systems. With the goal of developing a specific antagonist of galanin, synthetic galanin (1-15) analogues [D-Thr6,D-Trp8,9]galanin(1-15)ol, and [D-Trp8,9]galanin(1-15)ol were found to be a potent antagonist for inhibitory effect of galanin on glucose-induced insulin release.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Increasing trends in mortality rate of aortic aneurysms in Japan, 1955-90.

To know the characteristics of mortality from aortic aneurysms in Japan, the age-adjusted and age-specific mortality rates of the diseases were calculated based on the Vital Statistics of Japan published from the Statistics and Information Department, Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of Health and Welfare. The overall age-adjusted mortality rate increased 24.8-fold from 0.43 to 10.98 per 100,000 for males, and 18.6-fold from 0.23 to 4.54 per 100,000 for females from 1955-90. The most common type was abdominal aortic aneurysms followed by dissecting and thoracic aortic aneurysms. The mortality rates of dissecting and thoracic aortic aneurysms increased greater than that of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The mortality rate of dissecting aneurysms was higher than that of abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms in age groups of 64 years or under. The mortality rate of abdominal aortic aneurysms was the most common in age groups of 65 years or over.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Structure-function studies of galanin].

Galanin is widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous system and exerts a variety of physiological effects. This review briefly describes the chemical structure, tissue distribution, physiological effects, receptors and structure-function relationships of galanin. It is worth noting that the inhibitory effect of newly synthesized galanin (1-15)-ol on guinea pig ileum contractions was of the same magnitude as that of galanin. This observation gives us an important clue as to the discovery of antagonists of galanin for neural systems.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

A modified agar plate method for detection of Strongyloides stercoralis.

The agar plate method is a new technique with high detection rates for coprological diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis. This report details modifications of the technique and establishes a standardized procedure. We recommend that all plates should be carefully observed using a microscope because macroscopic observation can lead to false negative results. It is also advisable to pour formalin solution directly into microscopically positive dishes to collect worms by sedimentation. This procedure enables one to observe worms otherwise hidden. Sealing dishes with adhesive tape prevents larvae from crawling out of the dishes, eliminating any possibility in the reduction of detection rates, and greatly improves the safety conditions for the technician performing the procedure. We consider the agar plate method to be superior to the filter paper method in detecting Strongyloides, and we believe that it will eventually become the technique of choice.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Cutaneous T cell lymphoma differing from classical mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome: clinical, histological and immunohistochemical studies of six cases.

Six cases of cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL), differing from classical mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS), were studied. Initial skin eruptions were erythematoplaques, papules and tumors. Some cases showed frequent spontaneous regressions without any specific therapy; however, the prognosis was not always good. Surface phenotypes of neoplastic cells were markedly heterogeneous from the onset of initial skin eruption. Three cases expressed the T helper/inducer (Th/i) phenotype, one case had both the Th/i and T suppressor/cytotoxic phenotypes, and the other two cases lacked both surface markers. These results suggest that CTCL other than MF and SS displays marked heterogeneous clinical behavior and diverse morphological and immunophenotypical characteristics of the postthymic T cells.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Anti-arrhythmic effects of (-)-carnitine chloride and its acetyl analogue on canine late ventricular arrhythmia induced by ligation of the coronary artery as related to improvement of mitochondrial function.

Using the two-stage coronary ligation method, first described by Harris, (1950), anti-arrhythmic effects (AAE) of (-)-carnitine chloride (LCC) and acetyl (-)-carnitine chloride (ALCC) were studied in conscious unrestrained dogs in comparison with those of disopyramide (D). Two-stage ligation of the coronary artery resulted in a significant decrease in the myocardial free carnitine content. Intravenous administration of LCC (300 mg kg-1) and D (5 mg kg-1) suppressed the ventricular arrhythmia induced by coronary ligation after 24 hours. ALCC (300 mg kg-1) was found to be less potent. An improvement of the mitochondrial function (respiratory control index (RCI) and oxidative phosphorylation rate (OPR) ) was noted with LCC and ALCC and there was a linear correlation between AAE expressed as reduction of arrhythmic ratio and improvement in the OPR, whereas there was no improvement in mitochondrial function after D. Plasma carnitine concentration was increased after administration of LCC, attaining the value of around 8 mM at 10 min after 300 mg kg-1. At 60 min, the plasma carnitine concentration was still about half as high as at 10 min. After ALCC, both acetyl carnitine and free carnitine were found in the plasma. The concentration of the former was decreased after attaining a peak value of around 0.2 mM at 10 min, while the plasma concentration of free carnitine was gradually increased. The anti-arrhythmic effects of LCC and ALCC were ascribed to the improvement of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, while effects other than the improvement of the mitochondrial activity were suggested as mechanisms of anti-arrhythmic effects of D.

Acetylcarnitine↗
PubMed1982

An inhibitor for post-proline cleaving enzyme; distribution and partial purification from porcine pancreas.

An inhibitor(s) for post-proline cleaving enzyme was checked by using a fluorogenic substrate, Z-Gly-Pro-4-methyl coumarinamide, and was found to be distributed widely in rat and porcine organs. The highest inhibitory activity on the enzyme was observed in pancreas and the inhibitor was partially purified from porcine pancreas extract by heat treatment, chromatographies on DEAE-Sephadex and Sephadex G-50 and affinity chromatography on trypsin-Sepharose. This inhibitor was very stable against temperature, pH and trichloroacetic acid treatment. The molecular weight was estimated to be 6500 by gel filtration. This inhibitor was highly specific for prolyl endopeptidases from mammals and Flavobacterium and inhibited the enzyme competitively. It acted neither on proline specific exopeptidases such as dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV, proline aminopeptidase, prolidase, nor usual endopeptidases such as trypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin.

Animals↗