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Biomedical subjects

S Watanabe

Publications and source records attributed to S Watanabe.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Smoking and drinking habits among the JPHC study participants at baseline survey. Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study on Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases.

Smoking and drinking habits at baseline survey among 110,896 male and female residents aged 40-69 are reported as part of an ongoing prospective population-based cohort in 11 geographically diverse health centers in Japan. The age-adjusted proportion of current and former smokers was 54.8% and 21.8% in males and 8.3% and 2.1% in females, respectively. Mean age at initiation of smoking in males and females was 20.6 and 27.8 years of age, respectively. In males, the age-adjusted proportion of those who drink almost daily was 49.1% and that of those who drink almost never was 19.7%, while in females, it was 5.9% and 71.6%, respectively. When compared by health center, the proportion of male current smokers was lower in Miyako and Ishikawa, both located in Okinawa Prefecture, while in females the proportion was higher in urban areas, such as Katsushika and Suita. The proportion of those who drink almost daily in males was higher in Yokote, Kashiwazaki, Katsushika and Suita, and lower in Ishikawa and Miyako, but in Ishikawa and Miyako, the proportion of those who drink at social events was higher. In females, the proportion of those who drink almost daily was higher in urban areas. There was substantial variation in the types of alcohol beverages consumed by males. In contrast, alcohol consumption in females comprised mainly beer.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Baseline data of reproductive system in the JPHC study. Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study on Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases.

Hormonal status in the body is closely related to the occurrence of estrogen-related cancers. Baseline survey data about the female reproductive system in JPHC study showed different gynecological and gestational profiles in each study area. Late menarche (15-16 y/o) was characteristic in the rural areas. Earlier gestational age and larger number of children were also more common in the rural areas. Baseline survey data, including gynecological past history, frequency of examination for uterine cancers, and so forth, showed some profile of middle aged women in the different areas in Japan.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Geographic characteristics and mortality profiles in the JPHC study. Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study on Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases.

The study areas of the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study on Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases (JPHC Study) are distributed throughout Japan and represent both rural and urban communities. These geographical differences yield considerable difference in population, culture, and lifestyle. The mortality rates in the study areas were apparently influenced by these factors. The pattern of standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for all causes of death (cancer, heart diseases, ischemic heart disease, and cerebrovascular diseases) in each area was different. Age-standardized site-specific cancer mortality rates showed large variation even when compared with corresponding figures of prefectures in Japan. The areas of the JPHC study showed different patterns of SMR for major causes of death. The differences in site-specific cancer mortality rates for most of the sites are sufficient for epidemiological analyses.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Adverse effects of excess lysine in calves.

Two main trials and three preliminary experiments were conducted in order to examine adverse effects of excess lysine in 140- to 150-kg Holstein bull calves. The animals had been trained to maintain reflex closure of the reticular groove after weaning and were fed a corn and soybean meal diet. In Trial 1 (n = 30), administration via the reticular groove of 0 to 64 g/d of lysine as L-lysine monohydrochloride resulted in a linear decrease in DMI and N utilization efficiency, with notably lower values at 64 g/d, although ADG and gain/feed ratio were not affected. Plasma arginine and ornithine did not decrease but rather increased over that range. Free lysine but not free arginine was detected in urine. In addition, free ornithine was excreted into urine only when 64 g/d was administered. Unexpectedly, severe but transient diarrhea occurred when 64 g/d of lysine were administered. Preliminary experiments revealed that a single administration of more than 32 g of lysine as L-lysine monohydrochloride could result in diarrhea, and the diarrhea was proven to be due to the lysine itself and not to the HCl portion. In Trial 2 (n = 15), a single administration of 40 or 60 g of lysine as L-lysine monohydrochloride resulted in increased fecal excretion of free lysine and ornithine, especially the latter, although free arginine was not detected in feces. These results suggested that diarrhea could occur almost concurrently with an imbalance in calves when 64 g/d of lysine was administered. However, lysine did not antagonize arginine at that level or at lower levels. The remarkable increase in fecal ornithine may be somehow related to the development of diarrhea from excess lysine.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

CJ-13,981 and CJ-13,982, new squalene synthase inhibitors.

Two new squalene synthase (SSase) inhibitors, CJ-13,981 (I) and CJ-13,982 (II), were isolated from the fermentation broth of an unidentified fungus CL 15036. They inhibited human liver microsomal SSase with IC50s of 2.8 and 1.1 microM, respectively, but showed no inhibitory activity against human brain protein farnesyltransferase (PFTase) at 100 microM. Based on FAB-MS and NMR analyses, the structures of I and II were determined to be 3-hydroxy-3,4-dicarboxy-15-hexadecenoic acid and 3-hydroxy-3,4-dicarboxyhexadecanoic acid, respectively.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗
PubMed2001

CJ-19,784, a new antifungal agent from a fungus, Acanthostigmella sp.

A new antifungal agent, CJ-19,784 (I), was isolated from the fermentation broth of a fungus, Acanthostigmella sp. CL12082. Based on spectroscopic analyses, structure of I was determined to be 3'-bromo-2',5-dihydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxy-flavone. Compound I inhibits the growth of pathogenic fungi, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus with IC50 values of 0.11, 20 and 0.54 microg/ml, respectively.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed2001

CJ-15,183, a new inhibitor of squalene synthase produced by a fungus, Aspergillus aculeatus.

A new squalene synthase (SSase) inhibitor, CJ-15,183 (I) was isolated from the fermentation broth of a fungus, Aspergillus aculeatus CL38916. The compound potently inhibited rat liver and Candida albicans microsomal SSases and also inhibited the human enzyme. It also showed antifungal activities against filamentous fungi and a yeast. The structure was determined to be an aliphatic tetracarboxylic acid compound consisting of an alkyl gamma-lactone, malic acid and isocitric acid moieties by spectroscopic studies.

Alkenes↗
PubMed2001

Paraformaldehyde protects of hepatitis C virus particles during ultracentrifugation.

Divergent buoyant densities of hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been reported. If the destruction of HCV particles occurs during the ultracentrifugation process to separate fractions with different densities, an accurate evaluation of the HCV buoyant density is difficult. To examine this concern, changes were examined in HCV RNA titer of each density fraction after paraformaldehyde fixation of virus particles in the sera of 9 patients with chronic HCV infection. Serum was treated with 4% paraformaldehyde, and the density fractions were then separated by ultracentrifugation. The HCV RNA titer of each fraction was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, and the results were compared with those obtained from the serum without paraformaldehyde fixation. After fixation, the HCV RNA titer was significantly increased in the 1.11-1.14 g/mL fraction (P=0.0018), and decreased in the 1.14-1.17 and 1.17-1.20 g/mL fractions (P=0.0457 and 0.0003, respectively). Using immunogold electron microscopy, it was found that morphologically destroyed HCV particles are present mainly in the 1.17 g/mL fraction of paraformaldehyde-untreated samples, whereas the intact HCV virion particles are present in the 1.12 and 1.14 g/mL fractions of the paraformaldehyde-treated samples. These results suggest that the destruction of HCV virions occurs during the ultracentrifugation process and that paraformaldehyde treatment protects from destruction. It was also considered that the accurate buoyant density of the HCV virion is 1.11-1.14 g/mL. This study describes a useful method for the purification of HCV virions, and provides new insights for elucidating the physicochemical properties of HCV particles.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Carinal resection for bronchogenic carcinoma].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of carinal resection for bronchogenic carcinoma in our institute. From 1981 to 1999, 24 carinal resection were performed for squamous cell carcinoma (n = 19), adenoid cystic carcinoma (n = 2), small cell carcinoma (n = 1), adenocarcinoma (n = 1), and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (n = 1). Nineteen underwent sleeve pneumonectomy, 2 had carinal resection without lung resection, 2 had carinal resection with right middle and lower lobectomy, and 1 had wedge pneumonectomy. In the patients with sleeve or wedge pneumonectomy, there were 5 operative death and 3 patients had survived for more than 3 years. Two patients with low-grade malignant tumors underwent carinal resection without lung resection and survived more than 10 years. We believe that limited carinal resection for low-grade malignant tumors are safe and valuable procedure. Careful selection of patients with sleeve or wedge pneumonectomy is mandatory.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[A case report of radiation-induced cancer of the buccal mucosa, effectively treated with CF therapy].

We report favorable effect of combination chemotherapy with CDDP and 5-FU for a case of radiation-induced cancer of the left buccal mucosal membrane. A 71-year-old man underwent external-beam radiotherapy for a squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. He developed left buccal mucosal cancer 13 years after the start of this radiotherapy. One course of the therapeutic regimen consisted of CDDP 70 mg/m2/day drip infusion for 2 hours (day 1) and 5-FU 700 mg/m2/day drip infusion for 120 hours (days 1-5). The patient underwent 4 courses. A partial response was achieved after 1 course, after which additional treatment with the same regimen was made with favorable effect. Four years after the treatment, 2 courses of the same chemotherapy were performed because of a recurrence of radiation-induced cancer, with a complete response. No serious side effects appeared. A histopathological examination of the lesion showed no cancer tissue. The patient was alive and cancer free 4 years after the treatment, and has been followed.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Experience of four cases of postoperative pulmonary embolism requiring surgical treatment].

Four patients underwent a pulmonary embolectomy using cardiopulmonary bypass for acute pulmonary embolism which had occurred after various operations. In two cases, dehydration due to either diabetes insipidus or ileus had existed. In two cases, pulmonary embolism suddenly occurred in our hospital. In the remainder, the disease occurred in the previous hospitals and its diagnosis was established on the 6th and 7th postoperative days, respectively. In massive pulmonary embolism, echocardiography and/or enhanced chest CT are useful for prompt and noninvasive diagnosis. Thrombolytic therapy was performed in only one case before surgical embolectomy, which was not effective. Three patients were discharged without any postoperative complications, but one requiring preoperative external cardiac massage died of multiple organ failure 9 days after operation. Acute pulmonary embolism is one of the fatal postoperative complications. Recognition of this entity, and prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential for managing the fatal disease. Even in the early postoperative period, embolectomy using cardiopulmonary bypass is a safe and effective treatment.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Rapid N transport to pods and seeds in N-deficient soybean plants.

Non-nodulated soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) plants were cultivated hydroponically under N-sufficient (5 mM NaNO(3)) or N-deficient (0.5 mM NaNO(3)) conditions. (13)N- or (15)N- labelled nitrate was fed to the cut end of the stems, and the accumulation of nitrate-derived N in the pods, nodes and stems was compared. Real-time images of (13)N distribution in stems, petioles and pods were obtained using a Positron Emitting Tracer Imaging System for a period of 40 min. The results indicated that the radioactivity in the pods of N-deficient plants was about 10 times higher than that of N-sufficient plants, although radioactivity in the stems and nodes of N-deficient versus N-sufficient plants was not different. A similar result was obtained by supplying (15)NO(3) to cut soybean shoots for 1 h. The fact that the N translocation into the pods from NO(3) fed to the stem base was much faster in N-deficient plants may be due to the strong sink activity of the pods in N-deficient plants. Alternatively, the redistribution of N from the leaves to the pods via the phloem may be accelerated in N-deficient plants. The temporal accumulation of (13)NO(3) in nodes was suggested in both N-sufficient and N-deficient plants. In one (13)NO(3) pulse-chase experiment, radioactivity in the stem declined rapidly after transferring the shoot from the (13)NO(3) solution to non-labelled NO(3); in contrast, the radioactivity in the node declined minimally during the same time period.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2001

[A case of rheumatoid lung disease in which lung involvement preceded arthritis].

A 75-year-old man was admitted because of dyspnea on exertion and diffuse pulmonary interstitial shadows. An open lung biopsy revealed unclassified interstitial pneumonia. The abnormal shadow subsided spontaneously. Three years later, however, rheumatoid arthritis developed with a simultaneous relapse of interstitial pneumonitis, which was alleviated by steroid therapy. We report here the rheumatoid lung disease that preceded the onset of arthritis, together with a review of the literature.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of the AMPLICOR CMV, COBAS AMPLICOR CMV monitor and antigenemia assay for cytomegalovirus disease.

The AMPLICOR CMV (qualitative DNA assay by PCR), COBAS AMPLICOR CMV Monitor (quantitative DNA assay by PCR), and antigenemia assay were tested for their ability to diagnose cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in 115 immunocompromised patients. The AMPLICOR qualitative assay and the antigenemia assay were positive for all nine patients with a clinical diagnosis of CMV disease. The AMPLICOR quantitative assay was negative for one of the nine patients. In 106 patients without CMV disease, the AMPLICOR qualitative test was positive in 22, the quantitative test was positive in 23, and the antigenemia test was positive in 55 patients. The AMPLICOR qualitative and quantitative assays had specificities of 79% and 78% in patients without CMV disease, while that of the antigenemia assay was 48%. Diagnostic efficiencies were 79% for the AMPLICOR qualitative assay, 69% for the AMPLICOR quantitative assay, and 48% for the antigenemia assay. All three tests yielded positive results before, or at the same time as, the onset of CMV disease in most cases, which suggests they can be used to predict disease before the onset of symptoms. During antiviral treatment, test results tended to decrease quantitatively and finally became negative; negative results were followed by remission of symptoms. This suggests that the AMPLICOR quantitative assay and the antigenemia assay could be useful for monitoring therapeutic efficacy. The AMPLICOR qualitative and quantitative assays, as well as the antigenemia assay were considered effective for all of the following: diagnosing CMV disease, predicting the onset of disease, and evaluating the effectiveness of antiviral chemotherapy. The antigenemia assay was at times difficult to perform in the case of severely neutropenic patients, whereas the AMPLICOR assays could be used in such cases.

Antigens, Viral↗
PubMed2001

[Weight reduction improves high blood pressure and microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients with obesity].

We investigated the effect of weight reduction on blood pressure, microalbuminuria and renal function in hypertensive patients with obesity for over 12 months. Twenty-five patients with a body mass index (BMI) of over 25 were prescribed low calorie diet (25 kcal/kg). All patients had mild hypertension and microalbuminuria. They were classified into 2 groups after 12 months. Group A consisted of 10 patients who had a weight loss of at least 5%. Group B consisted of 15 patients who did not have any weight loss. The following results were obtained. (1) The percentage of patients with hyperfiltration (GFR; more than 140 ml/min) was 20%. (2) Blood pressure, fasting plasma insulin level, urinary sodium and albumin excretion rate were significantly decreased in Group A. On the other hand, these changes were not observed in Group B. (3) Reduction in mean arterial blood pressure significantly correlated with the fall in body weight. (4) Renal function did not change during the study period in both groups. (5) Urinary albumin excretion rate significantly correlated with weight reduction, decrease in blood pressure and fasting insulin levels. Blood pressure and urinary albumin excretion rate in hypertensive patients with obesity significantly decreased with weight reduction. Probably, weight loss improves insulin resistance and decrease in the plasma insulin level causes a reduction in blood pressure and urinary albumin excretion rate.

Adult↗