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Biomedical subjects

Y Mino

Publications and source records attributed to Y Mino.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Protein chemotaxonomy of the solanaceae. VI. Amino acid sequence of ferredoxin from Nicotian tabacum.

The complete amino acid sequence of [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin from Nicotiana tabacum has been determined by automated Edman degradation of the entire Cm-protein and of the peptides obtained by trypsin and Asp-N endoproteinase digestions. This ferredoxin exhibited 9, 10, 8, and 10 differences respectively in its amino acid sequence, when compared with the ferredoxins of Datura stramonium, D. metel, D. arborea, and Physalis alkekengi var.francheti but 17-28 differences for other angiosperms, and 34-37 differences for fern and horsetails. These results are in agreement with the taxonomic position for these plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

The role of perceived job stress in the relationship between smoking and the development of peptic ulcers.

Although smoking has been considered a risk factor in causing pepticulcers, no study has examined the effects of job stress on the relationship between peptic ulcers and smoking. To establish a link between gastric or duodenal ulcers over two years and a state of perceived job stress, a questionnaire, including questions on demographics, smoking, history of peptic ulcer and perceived job stress was conducted. Follow-up surveys were carried out every six months to accumulate the data for this analysis and the time span of this follow up study was two years. To examine the role of perceived job stress on the relationship between smoking and peptic ulcers, stratified analyses were performed. Some specific causes of perceived job stress such as "Too much competition," "Schedule is too tight or pressed to work too hard" had high estimated relative risks: 2.13 with 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.09-4.16 and 2.50 with 95% CI of 0.98-6.40, respectively. Stratified analyses suggested an effect-measure modification of perceived job stress in the relationship between peptic ulcers and smoking. Multiplicative and additive models suggest positive interaction between perceived job stress and smoking. These results suggest that specific perceived job stress is an effect modifier in the relationship between the history of the peptic ulcer and smoking.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Expressed emotion of families and negative/depressive symptoms in schizophrenia: a cohort study in Japan.

This study investigated whether the Expressed Emotion (EE) status of families is associated with an increased risk of negative and depressive symptoms in schizophrenia. The subjects were 52 schizophrenic patients from mental hospitals in Kochi, Japan, who satisfied the DSM-III-R or ICD-9 criteria for schizophrenia. The Japanese version of the Camberwell Family Interview was administered to 73 key relatives of the patients within 2 weeks after admission. A certified rater evaluated the EE's status of each family, using an audiotaped interview and its transcript. Using cohort study design, the subjects were followed for 9 months after their discharge and were monitored for negative and depressive symptoms. Trained psychiatrists who were blind to the EE status of the patients' households administered the Brief Psychiatric Rating scale (BPRS) at discharge, and 9 months after discharge. Repeated-measures analyses of variance showed that EE effects were significant in Emotional withdrawal in all subjects, Depressive mood and Total depressive symptoms in non-relapsers. A multiple regression analyses revealed that EE's effect was significant only in Depressive mood in non-relapsers controlling confounding factors. In non-relapsers in positive symptoms, high EE families could make patients depressed. EE's effect on negative symptoms remains to be established.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Amino acid sequence of ferredoxin from Physalis alkekengi var. francheti.

The complete amino acid sequence of [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin from Physalis alkekengi var. francheti has been determined by automated Edman degradation of the entire Cm-protein and of the peptides obtained by trypsin and endoproteinase Asp-N digestions. This ferredoxin exhibited ten, ten, and nine differences respectively in the amino acid sequence, when compared with the ferredoxins of Datura stramonium, D. metel, and D. arborea, but 21-28 differences for other angiosperms, and 34-37 differences for fern and horsetails. These results are in harmony with the taxonomic position for these plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Health policy in transition: terminal care and site of death in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: In Japan, hospitals have replaced homes as the predominant site of death, especially for the elderly. Site of death is a reliable indicator of where older people receive care before they die. We conducted a population-based study to identify the factors that determine site of death in a typical rural area in Japan. METHODS: Study subjects were residents of Kawakami town, aged 70 years or older, who died during 1981 and 1990. Death certificates provided information on age, gender, cause of death, duration of illness before death, family members, family occupation, and site of death. RESULTS: Among 455 subjects, 52.7% died at home, while 47.3% died in hospital. Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that subjects with cancer were 6.1 times more likely to die in hospitals than those with other diseases. Subjects who died in their seventies were 2.3 times more likely to die in hospital than older subjects. Members of non-farming families were 1.7 times more likely to die in hospital than members of farming families. Gender, duration of illness, and the presence of spouse or children in the household were not significantly related to site of death according to multivariate analyses, although trends did exist. CONCLUSION: This case study illustrates the importance of developing geriatric care systems in Japan, utilizing alternatives to hospitals, such as nursing homes and formal home care. This is particularly true for patients with cancer. As the older population rapidly increases in Japan, the need for alternatives in geriatric care grows more critical.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Characterization of Fe(III)-deferoxamine and Mn(II)-pectin as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents.

To find new contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the spin-lattice relaxation time (T1)-reducing activities of metal complexes of EDTA, N-hydroxyethyethylenediamine-N,N',N'-triacetic acid (HEDTA), diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N'',N''-pentaacetic acid (DTPA), deferoxamine, mugineic acid, and pectin with Fe(III) or Mn(II) were investigated. Strong activity was found in Fe(III)-deferoxamine, Fe(III)-mugineic acid, or Mn(II)-pectin. In the actual MRI tomogram, Fe(III)-deferoxamine exhibited a contrast-enhancing effect comparable with that of Gd(III)-DTPA, and a much stronger effect was observed for Mn(II)-pectin. Fe(III)-deferoxamine and the Mn(II)-pectin appear to be candidates, respectively, as a new intravenous contrast agent and an oral gastrointestinal one.

Chelating Agents↗
PubMed1997

Expressed emotion and social function.

We examined whether expressed emotion (EE) influenced the social functioning of schizophrenia. Twenty-nine subjects meeting the diagnostic criteria of ICD-9 or DSM-III-R participated in the study. The Camberwell Family Interview was conducted to evaluate EE, and subjects were divided into high EE and low EE groups. The subjects had been followed up for 9 months and their social functioning was compared between the two groups as assessed with the Katz Adjustment Scales. In the high EE group, levels of both performance of socially-expected activities and free-time activities slightly declined at follow-up. In contrast, those in the low EE group improved and the score increase in the level of performance of socially-expected activities was significant (P < 0.05). We confirmed the relationship of families' EE status with social functioning in schizophrenia.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Expressed emotion among families and course of schizophrenia in Japan: a 2-year cohort study.

A 2-year cohort study was conducted to determine whether expressed emotion (EE) in families is associated with relapse of schizophrenia in Japan. Key relatives of 52 schizophrenic patients were interviewed using the Camberwell Family Interview (CFI) and the patients were classified into high and low EE groups. The 2-year relapse risks were 71% (17/24) in the high EE group and 37% (10/27) in the low EE group. The risk ratio was 1.9 and the 95% confidence interval (CI) ranged from 1.1 to 3.3. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio between families' EE and schizophrenic relapse was 4.6, controlling for other potential confounding factors. It was concluded that, in Japan, the families' EE is a good predictor for schizophrenic relapse within 2 years. This association between EE and relapse could be due to the strong difference in the first 9 months. The period during which EE's predictive validity for schizophrenic relapse is applicable may vary according to the society to which the patients and their families belong.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Causal inference in medicine: a reaction to the report, "incidence of Minamata disease in communities along the Agano River, Niigata, Japan--patterns of the exposure and official diagnosis of patients"].

Kondo's "Incidence of Minamata Disease in Communities along the Agano River, Niigata, Japan (Jap. J. Hyg. 51:599-611;1996)" is critically reviewed. The data of the article were obtained from most of the residents living in the Agano river villages where Minamata disease was discovered in June, 1965. However, sampling proportions were much different between in the population base and in the cases. The method of identification of cases from the data and the reason for the difference were not clearly demonstrated. The citations of reference articles are insufficient despite the fact that other epidemiologic studies on methyl-mercury poisoning have been reported not only in Japan, but also around the world. His "analysis of the recognized patients" is erroneous. Both the sampling scheme of information of hair mercury and the modeling of the analysis are based on Kondo's arbitrary interpretation, not on epidemiologic theory. His "analysis of the rejected applicants" is also erroneous. His calculations of the attributable proportion are incorrect and self-induced in both the assignments of data and analysis of data. Kondo has failed to study the epidemiologic theories in light of changes in the field. Therefore, his article is lacking in epidemiologic theory, a logical base and scientific inference. In Japan, epidemiologic methodology has rarely been used in studies on Minamata Disease in either Kumamoto and Niigata. The government has used neurologically specific diagnosis based on combinations of symptoms to judge the causality between each of symptoms and methyl-mercury poisoning. Epidemiologic data obtained in Minamata, Kumamoto in 1971 indicate that the criteria set by the government in 1977 have produced much more false-negative patients than false-positive patients. As a result, a huge number of symptomatic patients, including those with peripheral neuropathy or with constriction of the visual field, did not receive any help or compensation until 1995. The authors emphasize that the causal relationship between each symptom and methyl-mercury exposure should be reevaluated epidemiologically in Japan.

Epidemiologic Methods↗
PubMed1997

The relationship between job stress and mental health at work.

In order to evaluate the relationship between job stress and mental health, a cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire relating to demographics, subjective job stress and mental health state. The questionnaire consisted of a 30-item Japanese version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) developed by Goldberg in addition to questions about subjective job stress, to measure mental health and job stress conditions, respectively. All subjects were employees of an electronic company in Japan. Among 782 workers, 763 workers responded to the questionnaire satisfactorily (response rate was 97.6%). People whose GHQ score was more than 7 were classified as having psychiatric problems, while the remaining respondents were considered as having no mental health problems. We employed a multiple logistic regression analysis to estimate the relationship between subjective job stress and mental health, adjusting for gender, age, marital state, familial stress, and physical health state. Subjective job stress was significantly associated with the state of mental health. In particular, the items of "too much trouble at work," "too much responsibility," "are not allowed to make mistakes," "poor relationship with superiors," and "cannot keep up with technology" were significantly related to mental health.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Urinary bacteria in elderly patients with urinary incontinence and low levels of daily activity].

The results of bacteria isolated from the urine of inactive elderly patients with urinary incontinence in 1982, 87, 93 and 95 were compared and the chronological changes of urinary bacteria were analyzed. The following results were obtained: (1) The most common bacteria isolated from the patients in 1995 were D-group Enterococcus, followed by Providencia rettgeri, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis. It is thought that the main cause of the more frequent isolation of Enterococcus is an abuse of cephems and fecal contamination. (2) The most common bacteriaisolated from the patients who were managed with an indwelling urethral catheter were Proteus and Providencia species, and their incidence tended to decrease from 1982 to 1995. (3) Infection with Pseudomonas species tended to increase, as did that Staphylococcus species, especially Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and then decreased. Based on these findings, it is important to assess and treat dysuria before inserting an indwelling urethral catheter, and to select an antibacterial agent that is effective in elderly patients with urinary incontinence and limited activity.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1997

[Public health center based educational approach for families of the mentally disabled in Japan].

In order to evaluate a public health center based educational approach for families of the mentally disabled, questionnaires were sent to all public health centers in Japan. Out of 852 public health centers, 742 responded satisfactorily. At 68.6% of the 742 public health centers, some form of educational programs for families of the mentally disabled have been conducted. In a structured educational program, public health nurses and mental health counselors participated as the main staff. Training seminars for the staff were conducted by prefectural mental health centers or Zenkaren, The National Federation of Families with the Mentally Ill. In order to develop an educational program at the public health centers, the following three elements are required: 1) information transmitted through training seminars and publications, 2) trained staff members including mental health welfare counselors and public health nurses specialized in mental health, and 3) a sufficient budget. Further development of the program is considered crucial for a functional improvement of the public health centers.

Community Health Centers↗
PubMed1996

Metal-containing components in medicinal plants. III. Manganese-containing components in Theae folium as oral magnetic resonance imaging contrast materials.

A manganese-containing component from the water-extract of Theae folium (green tea) was found to exert an augmentative effect in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast and may possibly be a manganese(II) complex with a pectin-like polysaccharide capable of shortening the spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) of water protons. Even though only the manganese(II) ion with S = 5/2 is active in T1-shortening ability, which should enhance contrast, complexation of this ion with the polysaccharide causes a marked increase in its activity. This manganese-containing pectin-like polysaccharides should prove useful as a low-toxic oral gastrointestinal contrast material in MRI.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1996

[Causal inference in medicine--a historical view in epidemiology].

Changes of causal inference concepts in medicine, especially those having to do with chronic diseases, were reviewed. The review is divided into five sections. First, several articles on the increased academic acceptance of observational research are cited. Second, the definitions of confounder and effect modifier concepts are explained. Third, the debate over the so-called "criteria for causal inference" was discussed. Many articles have pointed out various problems related to the lack of logical bases for standard criteria, however, such criteria continue to be misapplied in Japan. Fourth, the Popperian and verificationist concepts of causal inference are summarized. Lastly, a recent controversy on meta-analysis is explained. Causal inference plays an important role in epidemiologic theory and medicine. However, because this concept has not been well-introduced in Japan, there has been much misuse of the concept, especially when used for conventional criteria.

Causality↗
PubMed1996

[The US Health Care and the reform].

Securing access to medical services, controlling costs and improving quality are goals of health care system. Although they are all the same all over the country, each country has its own culture, health care system and health care problems. In the United States, employer-based and individual purchases of private health insurance coverage play a major role, although governmental programs such as Medicaid and Medicare exist for the poor and the elderly. Private health insurance had traditionally secured patients' freedom of choice of health care providers and physicians' professional freedom and had paid providers on a fee-for-service basis. Now, the U.S. has 40 million uninsured persons who do not have access to medical services, although it spends as much as its 14% of GNP on health care. In the early 1990s, this became a major political problem. President Clinton proposed the 'Health Security Act' which would enable any American to have access to comprehensive health care with managed competition to activate the health care market, but it was not enacted. Nevertheless, it is clear that managed care and managed competition will dominate and that traditional fee-for-service plan will be eroded in the health care market. Japan has a universal health care system. We do not have any uninsured or high medical costs. However, it is difficult to improve the quality of health care services within the present system. Japan can learn the system about disclosure of health care information from the managed care in the U.S.

Adolescent↗