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Biomedical subjects

S Kono

Publications and source records attributed to S Kono.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Relationship of cigarette smoking, alcohol use, recreational exercise and obesity with serum lipid atherogenicity: a study of self-defense officials in Japan.

We investigated the relationship of cigarette smoking, alcohol use, recreational exercise and obesity with serum lipid atherogenicity because of paucity of epidemiological studies. The subjects were 2,228 male officials of the Self-Defense Forces in Japan, who were aged 49-55 years and received a preretirement health examination in the period from 1991 to 1992. A self-administered questionnaire was used to ascertain cigarette smoking, alcohol use and recreational exercise. Serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were increased with increasing levels of body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and decreased with increasing levels of cigarette smoking and alcohol use. Serum high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was positively associated with alcohol use and recreational exercise, and negatively associated with cigarette smoking, BMI and WHR. BMI and alcohol use were most strongly associated with both LDL-C/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratios with BMI in an atherogenic direction and alcohol use in an antiatherogenic direction. Recreational exercise was weakly associated with less atherogenic lipid profile. BMI was the strongest determinant of serum lipid atherogenicity whereas alcohol use was most antiatherogenic. WHR was less important than BMI in the determination of serum lipid atherogenicity in Japanese men.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1998

The effect of soybean protein on bone loss in a rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

This study was designed to investigate the modulatory effect of dietary soybean protein on the skeleton of an ovariectomized rat model with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Thirty-two female Sprague-Dawley rats were weight matched and divided into the following four experimental groups: Soy group, ovariectomized and fed soy protein diet; Estrogen group, ovariectomized, fed casein diet and injected with estrogen; Casein group, ovariectomized and fed casein diet; and Sham group, sham-operated and fed casein diet. The diets and estrogen were started two weeks after surgery, and continued for four weeks. Rats in the Sham, Soy and Estrogen groups had significantly higher (p < 0.05) femur and tibia ash content than those in the Casein group. Accordingly, the calcium content of the tibia and femur were also significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the Soy, Estrogen and Sham groups as compared to the Casein group. Serum total and bone-type alkaline phosphatase levels were both significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the Estrogen and Sham groups in relation to the Soy and Casein groups. This study demonstrated that a 22% soybean protein diet could be just as effective as daily estrogen administration in suppressing bone loss due to ovariectomy. However, unlike estrogen, soy protein diet did not have any uterotrophic effect and did not decrease the markers of bone turnover measured, suggesting a possible difference in the mechanism of action.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1998

[Arterial infusion of SMANCS for multiple recurrent tumors after hepatic resection].

We investigated the possible side effects and efficacy of arterial infusion of SMANCS as compared to Lipiodol + epirubicin TAE for multiple recurrent tumors after hepatic resection. As a result, no significant difference in GOT, GPT, and total bilirubin was observed between the two groups. No significant difference was found in white blood cell count and platelet count, and there was no significant difference in clinical side effects between the two groups. Grade III response rates after arterial infusion of SMANCS were found in 4 patients (66.6%), and these results showed no significant difference as compared to Lipiodol + epirubicin TAE. Proper hepatic arterial infusion of SMANCS appeared to be useful in multiple recurrent tumors from the standpoints of safety and the rate of Lipiodol deposition.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Esophageal dilatation in a patient with myotonic dystrophy: a correlative study on CT and pathologic findings].

We reported a 63-year-old woman with myotonic dystrophy (MD), who had frequent swallowing disturbances and died from suffocation asphyxia. Her esophagus on CT image 30 minutes after taking semi-solid meal showed dietary remnants in the middle portion of esophagus with entire esophageal dilatation. At autopsy, there was marked atrophy in the striated muscles in the upper part and smooth muscles in the lower part of the esophagus. The site of dietary stagnation on CT image was identical to the atrophic smooth muscle layer seen at autopsy. We speculate that one of the causes of esophageal motor dysfunctions is smooth muscle atrophy. The dietary stagnation in the esophagus may increase a risk of the asphyxia. Therefore we need to keep patients at the straight position during and after dietary ingestion to prevent respiratory problems.

Dilatation, Pathologic↗
PubMed1998

Cryopreservation of Eisenia bicyclis (Laminariales, Phaeophyta) in liquid nitrogen.

Gametophytic cells of Eisenia bicyclis (Kjellman) Setchell were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen (LN). Ethylene glycol was the most effective cryoprotectant when used alone, and in combination with 10% (w/v) proline improved the survival. Viability of female and male cryopreserved cells after thawing reached 62.0% and 52.6% immediately after thawing, but these levels decreased to 31.1% and 27.2% after 4 days postthawing culture. The optimal prefreezing temperature was -40 degreesC, and cells prefrozen to temperatures >-40 degreesC were damaged mainly by intracellular ice crystal formation during immersion in LN, while those prefrozen to temperatures <-40 degreesC were damaged mainly by excessive dehydration during prefreezing. The survival rates were not affected after storage in LN for at least 200 days.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Diet/nutrition and stomach cancer in Japan.

Incidence rates of stomach cancer in Japan are much higher than in other countries, but have shown a large decline in the past 20 years. Incidence rates among the Japanese in Hawaii are only one third or less of the indigenous Japanese in Japan. Epidemiologic studies indicate that consumption of salt or salty foods is associated with increased risk of stomach cancer, in concert with the results of experimental studies in rodents. In contrast, consumption of vegetables and fruit is associated with decreased risk. Accumulated evidence is strong that a reduction in salty food intake and an increase in vegetable and fruit intake is important to primary prevention of stomach cancer. Possible protective roles of tea and allium vegetables and supplemental use of micronutrients, interaction between salty food intake and H. pylori infection and other factors need further investigation. Occurrence of stomach cancer in Japan may be reduced by two thirds or more via dietary changes, as seen in the population of Japanese ancestry in Hawaii.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1997

Behavioral correlates of plasma sex hormones and their relationships with plasma lipids and lipoproteins in Japanese men.

In contrast to the hypothesis that endogenous testosterone decreases plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, many, but not all, studies have reported a positive correlation between plasma total testosterone and HDL cholesterol. We examined behavioral correlates of plasma testosterone and estradiol and the relationships between these sex hormones and plasma lipoproteins, in middle-aged Japanese men. Plasma, lipids, including HDL subfractions, total and free testosterone, and total estradiol were determined with 313 men aged 50-54 years who received a preretirement health examination at the Self-Defence Forces Fukuoka Hospital from January to June in 1992. Body mass index and waist-hip ratio were also measured. Smoking habit, alcohol use, and physical activity were ascertained by a self-administered questionnaire. Obesity, especially waist-hip ratio, was a strong correlate of both total and free testosterone, but not of estradiol. Smoking was associated with elevated levels of testosterone without a dose-effect relation. Neither alcohol use nor physical activity was associated with total or free testosterone, but plasma estradiol levels were higher among current alcohol drinkers. HDL and HDL2 cholesterol were unrelated to either total or free testosterone in the univariate analysis, but negatively associated with free, not total, testosterone after adjustment for obesity. HDL and HDL2 cholesterol also were positively associated with estradiol regardless of adjustment for obesity and other covariates. These findings add to evidence for a hypothesis that high levels of endogenous testosterone and low estradiol levels may cause a decrease in plasma HDL cholesterol, thereby being linked with atherosclerosis in middle aged men.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1997

Case-control study of colorectal carcinoma in situ and cancer in relation to cigarette smoking and alcohol use (Japan).

A case-control study was performed in order to examine the relation of cigarette smoking and alcohol use to colorectal carcinoma in situ and cancer, separately. Study subjects consisted of 129 colorectal carcinoma in situ cases, 66 colorectal cancer cases, and 390 controls recruited from health check-up examinees in Tokyo from January 1991 to March 1993. Smoking status and alcohol habit were ascertained from a self-administered questionnaire. Both cumulative cigarette smoking and current smoking status were associated significantly with an increased risk of carcinoma in situ. A statistically nonsignificant increase in the risk of colorectal cancer was noted only among those with the heaviest exposure category of these measures of smoking. The cumulative exposure to cigarette smoking within recent 20 years was associated significantly with an increased risk of carcinoma in situ, whereas smoking until 20 years before the diagnosis was associated significantly with an increase of cancer risk. A significant and positive association was observed between cumulative alcohol drinking and colorectal cancer. These findings suggest that cigarette smoking may act as an initiator in colorectal carcinogenesis and also provide weak evidence that alcohol drinking is related to an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1997

Chronic animal experiment with magnetically suspended centrifugal pump.

We have been developing a new type of centrifugal pump for long-term use. The magnetically suspended centrifugal pump (MSCP) contains no shaft and seal so that long life expectancy is predicted. Paracorporeal left ventricular (LV) assist circulation between the left atrium and the descending aorta was instituted using sheep. The flow rates ranged from 2.5-5.5 L/min. The sheep that lived the longest (46 days) died of an embolism as a result of the thrombus in the pump. No thrombus formation was observed in other pumps. Plasma free hemoglobin levels ranged from 9 to 18 mg/dl, which led to the conclusion that the hemolysis level remained within an acceptable range. Two driving modes were compared. The slope of the pressure-flow relationship plot under a constant motor current mode was steeper than that under a constant rotational speed mode, and thus, the flow fluctuation decreased. In conclusion, the MSCP is durable for more than a month at the current stage of development and is a promising device for long-term ventricular assist.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Anticipation of job loss or job change and cardiovascular risk factors: a study of retiring self-defense officials in Japan.

Self-defense officials in Japan are to retire at the age of early 50s. This unique situation prompted the authors to investigate whether preexisting morbid conditions cause any difficulty in finding a post-retirement job and whether anticipation of job loss or job change, as measured by the status of post-retirement job and months remaining until retirement, was related to biological cardiovascular risk factors. The subjects were 2,228 male self-defense officials who received a preretirement health examination at three Self-Defense Forces Hospitals from 1991 to 1992; the period in time remaining until retirement ranged from 1-40 months (median 12 months), and 62% had one year or less until the retirement. The defined preexisting illnesses included a wide range of chronic, non-communicable diseases. Overall, the preexisting illness was unrelated to the determination of a post-retirement job. In men having 6 months or less until retirement, however, the security of post-retirement job was less frequent when they had the preexisting illness, especially cardiovascular diseases. In 1,839 men excluding those with the preexisting illness, the period until retirement was not adversely related to obesity, blood pressure, serum lipids, serum uric acid, or glucose intolerance whether the post-retirement job had been secured or not. The findings suggest that the preexisting illness decreases the chance of obtaining a post-retirement job, but do not provide any evidence that anticipation of job loss or job change due to early retirement exerts an adverse effect on biological cardiovascular risk factors.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed1997

Relationship of cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and dietary habits with Helicobacter pylori infection in Japanese men.

BACKGROUND: Little is known of factors determining infection with Helicobacter pylori. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of 566 men aged 50-55 years, who received a preretirement health examination at the Self Defense Forces Fukuoka Hospital between January 1993 and December 1994, we examined the association of smoking, alcohol use, and dietary habits with H. pylori infection. RESULTS: The overall seropositivity as determined with IgG antibody was 79.3% (449 of 566). The rank was inversely associated with the infection (trend, P = 0.048). Neither smoking nor alcohol drinking was related to the infection. The prevalence adjusted for rank tended to be lower in men consuming raw vegetables (trend, P = 0.12) daily than those with less consumption. Unexpectedly, the consumption of tofu (soybean curd) was significantly, negatively related to the infection (trend, P = 0.013). The seropositivity was unrelated to the consumption of pickled vegetables, soy paste soup, green tea, or garlic. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that fresh vegetables may be protective against H. pylori infection. The study does not support either an increased risk of the infection associated with salty foods or a protective effect of green tea or garlic.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1997

[A case of 47XYY syndrome presenting with male infertility].

A 32-year-old man was referred to our hospital for primary infertility of a 4.5-year duration. Neither character nor intelligence disorders were observed. Bilateral testes measured 16 ml each. Sperm density was 0-0.1 x 10(6)/ml on 3 separate occasions. Endocrine examinations were all within normal limits. Maturation arrest was found on testicular biopsy. Karyotyping showed 47, XYY inversion. Polymerase chain reaction revealed no deletion of the azoospermic factor (AZF) gene on the Y chromosome. This is the 6th case reported in the Japanese literature of the 47XYY syndrome presenting with male infertility.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Histopathological studies on spontaneous vault moyamoya and revascularized collaterals formed by encephalomyosynangiosis.

Two topics concerning the leptomeningeal vessels are discussed. The first portion indirectly proves that angiographic 'vault Moyamoya' consists of dilated preexisted vessels rather than newly-formed vessels, using morphometric analysis. The second portion presents a 67 year old autopsied case with Moyamoya disease who underwent encephalomyosynangiosis (EMS). Collateral vessels fomred by EMS are histopathologically identified.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

In vivo testing of a magnetically suspended centrifugal pump designed for long-term use.

The life of currently-available centrifugal pumps is limited to no more than three days. As a magnetically suspended centrifugal pump (MSCP) contains no shaft or seal, it could be expected to have a longer life expectancy. The MSCP was evaluated in a chronic animal model using eight adult sheep. Left ventricular assist with the MSCP was instituted between the left atrium and the descending aorta. The flow rates ranged from 2.5 to 6.0 L/min. The duration of the experiments ranged from 14 to 60 days. No mechanical failure occurred. The plasma free hemoglobin levels remained within an acceptable range (3-19 mg/dL). No reduction in the counts of red blood cells or platelets was observed. Thrombus formation within the MSCP was recognized in one pump. The main reason for termination was thromboembolism derived from the circuits. Three types of regulation methods (constant rotational speed, constant motor current, and controlled motor current) were also investigated. Regulation by a constant motor current mode altered the pressure-flow (P-Q) characteristics, and thereby, a steadier pump flow was obtained compared with regulation in the constant rotational speed mode. Moreover, the controlled motor current mode can change the P-Q relationship. These results demonstrate that the MSCP is a promising device for long-term use.

Animals↗