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Biomedical subjects

Y Yamazaki

Publications and source records attributed to Y Yamazaki.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

[Usefulness of combination therapy with expandable metallic stent replacement and FLEP chemotherapy (consisting of 5-FU, leucovorin, etoposide and cisplatin) for advanced esophageal cancer invading the bronchus: a case report].

A 63-year-old male with an esophageal cancer invading the bronchus was treated with radiation therapy (70 Gy) from November 1995, resulting in the disappearance of the lesion. He was later readmitted due to dysphagia from the recurrence of the esophageal cancer. We diagnosed, by endoscopic and chest CT scan findings, that the esophageal cancer was invading the right bronchus. We inserted an expandable metallic stent endoscopically, and the patient could eat well. We performed two courses of FLEP chemotherapy (consisting of 5-FU, leucovorin, etoposide and cisplatin) from November 12, 1997. He then suffered from an esophagobronchial fistula, but was cured by a covered expandable metallic stent replacement. No esophageal stenoses or recurrences were seen endoscopically and he could eat well on December 7, 1998. The standard modality of treatment for patients with advanced esophageal cancer invading adjacent structures is not yet established, and the prognosis for such patients remains quite poor. We performed combination therapy with an expandable metallic stent replacement and FLEP chemotherapy, and improved the patient's quality of life. This form of therapy was thus proved useful for patients with esophageal cancer invading adjacent structures.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

[Factors leading to parenting-strain in mothers with young children].

In order to highlight factors leading to problems in parenting, a survey of 450 mothers with children aged three or younger was conducted. Data from 370 respondents who completed the questionnaire were used for the analysis. The results were as follows: 1) From factor analysis, a concept of parenting-strain was formed comprising: a) anxiety about children and child-raising; b) irritation towards the children; c) feelings of burden or denial; d) feelings of discontent or insufficiency. 2) The results from multiple regression analysis were as follows: a) Feelings of burder or denial, feelings of discontent or insufficiency in working mothers were significantly lower than those in the housewives. b) Anxiety about children and child-raising, irritation towards the children, and feelings of discontent or insufficiency were negatively associated with a positive image towards the family where the mothers themselves had been raised. c) Received support from the husband lowered feelings of burden or denial, feelings of discontent or insufficiency with statistical significance.

Child, Preschool↗

[Client anxiety from awareness of personal HIV risk and relation to taking HIV test at public health centers in Japan].

Clients taking HIV antibody tests at public health centers (PHCs) in Japan were surveyed in autumn of 1995 centered on 17 PHCs selected by a snow-ball sampling method in domestic PHCs. The anonymous self-administered questionnaires were given out by PHC's medical doctors or public health nurses after receiving informed consent of this survey's objectives following HIV post-test counseling. A total of 250 questionnaires were collected (71.8%). Valid questionnaires were 233 (67.0%) and 62.7% (146 people) were male, 37.3% (87 people) were female, with differences in mean age by sex being significant (p < .001). The greatest motivating factor for getting HIV testing was concerning secondary infection to partners and extreme anxiety relating to one's own possible infection. This motivating factor was greater than having experienced previous HIV infectious high-risk behavior (i.e. condomless sex). Repeat (more than twice) visitors totaled 49 (21.0%), with 75% having experienced HIV infectious high-risk behavior since the last HIV test. "Having being advised or having received from partners or friends" affected decision making to get tested. About half of subjects vacillated before coming to the PHC for taking anonymous the HIV antibody test. Through multiple-logistic regression analysis factors causing vacillation were: greater self-awareness of possibility of having HIV infection and the fact that HIV infected people must retire from their work (or studies) despite their current health condition being fine. While HIV medical/clinical treatment progress continues, the stigma toward HIV/AIDS and the resulting discrimination is not changing in terms of the general citizen's knowledge and attitudes. This result will likely curtail HIV antibody testing behavior.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

[Amyopathic dermatomyositis with interstitial pneumonia: effective treatment with cyclophosphamide pulse therapy].

A 42-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of dyspnea on exertion, skin eruptions on the face and extremities, and interstitial shadows mainly in the lower fields of both lungs. Characteristic skin lesions and skin biopsy findings without muscle symptoms or elevated CPK resulted in a diagnosis of amyopathic dermatomyositis (ADM). Thoracoscopic lung biopsy specimens disclosed BOOP-type interstitial pneumonia. Oral prednisolone (PSL) was initiated at 60 mg/day and gradually tapered. However, because his respiratory symptoms and laboratory findings deteriorated, the patient underwent 5 courses of cyclophosphamide (CPA) pulse therapy. Following improvement of his subjective symptoms, arterial blood gas data, and respiratory functions, the patient was discharged and placed on oral PSL and CPA. CPA was discontinued 18 months later. The patient has continued to receive PSL (5 mg/day) and has been in good condition for 3 years. Though the prognosis for interstitial pneumonia associated with ADM is reported to be poor, our patient represented a rare case of BOOP-type interstitial pneumonia brought into remission by CPA pulse therapy.

Adult↗

[The effects of paid employment, social activities participation on women's health and comparison of role qualities].

PURPOSES: We examined how differences in employment status and social activities participation related to mental and physical health of women in middle age. Moreover we examined how the relation between employment status, social activities participation and health could be explained by the differences of role qualities between housework, paid work, and social activities. METHODS: The subjects were 640 women aged 35 to 44 in Tokyo, and the study was carried out with mailed questionnaires in 1997. RESULTS: 1. Women with full-time jobs had higher purpose-in-life scores than women with part-time jobs, or who didn't work, but they were also most fatigued physically. 2. Women who participated in social activities for 1 to 4 hours per week had lower depression scores and higher purpose-in-life scores than women who did not participate in any social activities, or who participated in social activities for more than 5 hours per week. 3. Women who weren't employed and didn't participate in any social activities were most depressed and had the lowest purpose-in-life scores. 4. Paid work and social activities were evaluated higher in 'fulfillment' and 'relation to society' than housework. Full-time job was evaluated higher in physical and mental 'workload' than housework, but social activities did not differ from housework in physical and mental 'workload'. 5. The role quality differences of housework from that of paid work and social activities, explained the relation between employment status, social activities participation and health.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Evaluation of endoscopic 13C-urea breath test for assessment of Helicobacter pylori eradication.

To minimize the inaccuracies of the diagnostic methods for Helicobacter pylori infection, we developed a new diagnostic method and called it the endoscopic 13C-urea breath test (EUBT). We evaluated the accuracy of EUBT for detecting this infection and assessing its eradication. EUBT was conducted on 267 patients with gastroduodenal disease. After the collection of a baseline breath sample, gastroduodenal endoscopy was performed. A 20-ml aliquot of a solution containing 100 mg of 13C-urea was sprayed over the entire gastric mucosa via the endoscope. A breath sample was then collected 15 min after spraying. The content of 13CO2 was measured in the breath samples by ratio mass spectrometry. Two biopsy specimens each from the antrum and the middle corpus were obtained for culture and histology. The EUBT cutoff level was 1.4%. The sensitivity and specificity of EUBT for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection were both 98.2%, and for assessment of the eradication they were 100% and 98.9%, respectively. EUBT is an accurate method not only for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection but also for assessment of its eradication.

Breath Tests↗

[Sense of coherence, stressful life events and psychological health].

Aaron Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence (SOC), as a stable disposition of personality that serves as a major coping resource for the preservation of health, has been widely used in many studies. However, few empirical studies are conducted on the concept of SOC. We examined the stability of SOC and the buffering effect of SOC on the psychological health in dealing with stressful life events. The subjects were 200 adults randomly selected in Tokyo, and follow-up survey was conducted one year after the first survey. Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) was used for assessing psychological health. Antonovsky's SOC scale was translated into Japanese (and reverse translated) in this study. The test-retest reliability of SOC scale was 0.78. Cronbach's alpha was 0.91. The factors related to the SOC supported previous findings and Antonovsky's theory about the positive correlation with educational and economic status. In the follow-up survey, the subjects were also asked about the experience of 56 stressful life events (SLE) composed of four aspects of life during the previous year: personal, family, work and environment. The SLE was assessed through the total number and the weighted score. Contrary to the theory, the results showed that the SOC score has no intra-individual stability. The mean score of SOC in 1998 was 131.1 +/- 23.9, significantly lower than that in the previous year. When the subjects were divided into two groups based on a median 1997 score, the effect of SLE negatively affected SOC scores after one year among those who had a low SOC, although this effect was not observed among those who had a high SOC. The effect of SLE on changes of SOC was stronger among men compared to women. Also, the results showed the SOC was positively related to psychological health, and the buffering effect of SOC on the psychological health in dealing with stressful life events was only observed among men. Findings in this study suggest that SOC is variable for those with weak SOC if they experienced stressful life events. Also, the stressful life events differentially affect the SOC among men and women. The buffering effect was not sufficiently proven in this study. Methodological issues to confirm Antonovsky's theory are also presented.

Adult↗

[Treatment of an iliac artery pseudoaneurysm managed with a stent graft].

Recent developments have extended the indications for endovascular intervention to include endovascular lesions, such as aneurysms and sclerotic arterioocclusive disease. Although conventional treatment of pseudoaneurysms is mainly surgical intervention, the development of stent grafts has made this treatment less invasive than previously. We placed a stent graft in a pseudoaneurysm of the iliac artery with good results, as described in this report. Treatment of a pseudoaneurysm with a stent graft avoids the risk associated with general anesthesia and reduces surgical invasiveness, similar to laparotomy. We expect that this therapeutic mode will be developed further in the future.

Aneurysm, False↗

Clinical application of a fiberscope for periodontal lesions: case reports.

In dentistry, the endoscope has generally been used to visualize inaccessible areas, e.g., inside root canals or coronal surfaces of teeth; however, it has not been used in periodontally diseased lesions. In this study, a newly designed fine fiberscope (0.8- to 1.0-mm outer diameter) with an irrigation system was used to visualize root surfaces and periodontal tissues affected by periodontal disease. The fiberscope was inserted through fistulas, periodontal pockets, or root furcations in 5 patients to provide clear operational views without the obstruction of blood or soft tissues. The irrigation system of the endoscope effectively allowed differentiation of hard and soft tissues as well as restorative materials. The fiberscope system developed in this study was effective for diagnosis, for enhancing visualization for periodontal surgery, and for treating lesions such as fistulous tracts or furcation lesions.

Adult↗

Protective actions of 5'-n-alkylated curcumins on living cells suffering from oxidative stress.

To elucidate the roles of 5'-n-alkyl chains of curcumin derivatives in their protective actions on cells against oxidative stress, we compared the efficacy of curcumin and 5'-alkylated curcumins to inhibit the peroxidation of linoleic acid and to protect rat thymocytes suffering from H2O2-induced oxidative stress with their permeation into cells. The inhibitory action of 5'-n-alkylated curcumins on lipid peroxidation increased as the length of hydrocarbon chains of 5'-n-alkylated curcumins was prolonged. This potency order was not confirmed for the protective actions of 5'-n-alkylated curcumins on cells against oxidative stress. Among 5'-alkylated curcumins, the most potent protective action was observed for 5'-n-C3H7-curcumin because it had the greatest permeation into the cells. Further increases in the length of hydrocarbon chains (up to n-C19H39) of 5'-n-alkylated curcumins greatly attenuated their protective actions by reducing their permeation into the cells.

Animals↗

Characteristics of mutations in the p53 gene of oral squamous-cell carcinomas associated with betel-quid chewing in Sri Lanka.

Oral squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common neoplasm in Sri Lanka, accounting for approximately 30% of all cancers in males. Epidemiologic evidence indicates that there is an unequivocal relationship between betel chewing and oral carcinogenesis, suggesting that there may be specific genetic targets of betel-quid ingredients. The p53 gene has been indicated to be a tumor-suppressor gene that is found in mutated form in common human cancers; however, there are few reports about "carcinogen-specific" p53 mutation. Because of this background, primary resected specimens from 23 oral SCCs, 7 leukoplakias and 2 oral submucous fibrosis were collected from oral SCC patients in Sri Lanka and were used for p53 mutation analysis. Exons 5 through 8 of the p53 gene were examined by polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and direct sequencing. Mutations in the p53 gene were frequent (10/23) in oral SCC specimens from Sri Lanka. Moreover, the mutations clustered significantly in exon 5 (7/10) of the p53 gene, and small deletions and inclusions other than point mutations were observed. These results indicate that 1) betel-quid chewing may cause specific genetic changes, including mutation in the p53 gene; 2) mutations in the p53 gene are not rare events in SCC patients who are betel-quid chewers, which contrasts with other reports; 3) exon 5 of the p53 gene could be one of the specific targets for some betel-quid ingredients; and 4) betel-quid chewing may be a critical environmental factor in the development of oral SCC.

Adult↗

Transcriptional regulatory region of Brn-2 required for its expression in developing olfactory epithelial cells.

Brain-2 is a class III POU transcription factor expressed in developing nervous system. In this study, we have examined the transcriptional regulatory region of Brn-2. Expression of Brn-2 is activated when P19 embryonal carcinoma cells are induced to differentiate into neural cells with retinoic acid (RA). In P19 cells, the 0.5 kb upstream region of Brn-2 was sufficient for the transcriptional activation during RA-induced differentiation. Deletion analysis of the 0.5 kb region located a proximal enhancer (between -422 and -379 with respect to the translational initiation codon), which was essential for the activation. By gel shift assay and methylation interference assay, a specific binding factor was detected that recognized a core sequence GAGCCAAT found within the proximal enhancer. To examine whether the 0.5 kb upstream region can function in embryos, transgenic mice were generated that contained LacZ gene driven by the 0.5 kb upstream region. In these transgenic mice, LacZ was expressed in developing olfactory epithelial cells between embryonic day 12.5 and 14.5. Immunostaining with an anti-Brain-2 antibody demonstrated the expression of Brain-2 in the olfactory epithelium (most likely olfactory receptor neurons) at similar developmental stages. These results suggest that the 0.5 kb upstream region of Brn-2 is sufficient for the expression in the developing olfactory cells and that the DNA binding factor recognizing the proximal enhancer may be involved in the olfactory cell specific expression.

Animals↗

In situ evaluation of esterase stereoselectivity in two-dimensional electropherograms and tissue sections.

Staining with both enantiomers of an alpha-naphthyl ester plus a diazonium salt and comparing the color intensities given by the two enantiomers is a convenient method to evaluate the esterase stereoselectivity for that ester in two-dimensional electropherograms and tissue sections. Application of this method for rat liver has shown that (1) several esterases, e.g., one of pI 6.4 and Mr 118 kDa, are moderately stereoselective against alpha-naphthyl (R)-N-acetylalaninate and (R)-N-methoxycarbonylalaninate but strictly stereoselective against alpha-naphthyl (S)-N-methoxycarbonylvalinate, implying that esterase stereoselectivity may be inverted by changing the ester structure; and (2) these esterases are mainly contained in the hepatocytes around central veins.

Alanine↗

Association of high-altitude pulmonary edema with the major histocompatibility complex.

BACKGROUND: A constitutional susceptibility has been suggested in the development of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) because HAPE generally affects healthy young people, some of whom suffer recurrent episodes. We examined whether immunogenetic susceptibility is present in HAPE-susceptible subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS: The frequencies of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles in 28 male and 2 female subjects with a history of HAPE were compared with those in 100 healthy volunteers. We assayed the HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR, and -DQ antigens serologically. The pulmonary hemodynamics on admission to the hospital and the ventilatory response to hypoxia and hypercapnia were retrospectively examined in 10 of the HAPE-susceptible subjects. HLA-DR6 was positive in 14 (46.7%) of the subjects with HAPE but only 16.0% of the control subjects (P=.0005), and HLA-DQ4 was positive in 12 (40.0%) of the subjects with HAPE but only 10.0% of the control subjects (P=.0001). HLA-DR6 or HLA-DQ4 was positive in 8 (100%) of the subjects with recurrent HAPE. The pulmonary arterial pressure on admission of the HLA-DR6-positive subjects with HAPE was significantly higher than that of the HLA-DR6-negative subjects with HAPE. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant associations of HAPE with HLA-DR6 and HLA-DQ4 and of pulmonary hypertension with HLA-DR6. An immunogenetic susceptibility, which is associated with HLA class II alleles located within the major histocompatibility complex, may underlie the development of HAPE, at least in some of its forms.

Adolescent↗

Three classes of GABA-like immunoreactive neurons in the mushroom body of the cockroach.

The mushroom body (MB) is a higher center of the insect brain and is critical to some forms of associative memory. Each MB consists of calyces connected to alpha and beta lobes via pedunculus. In the calyces, input neurons make synaptic connections with intrinsic neurons. In the pedunculus and lobes, intrinsic neurons make synaptic connections with output neurons. Here, the distribution of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-like immunoreactivity in the MB of the cockroach Periplaneta americana was investigated, using an antiserum against a GABA-protein conjugate, to elucidate inhibitory pathways of the MB. We report that three classes of extrinsic neurons of the MB exhibit GABA-like immunoreactivity. The first is four large neurons which arborize in a diffuse neuropil surrounding the alpha lobe and project into whole areas of the calyces. Their cell bodies are 30-50 micron in diameter, among the largest in the brain. The second group is 7-9 neurons ascending from the circumesophageal connective and projecting into the calyces, which probably represent inhibitory input neurons. The third group is ca. 40 neurons with dendritic arborizations in the junction between the pedunculus and the lobes, which probably represent inhibitory output neurons.

Animals↗

The role of the HLA-DQA1 gene in resistance to atrophic gastritis and gastric adenocarcinoma induced by Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that immunogenetic factors for susceptibility or resistance to disease caused by Helicobacter pylori exist in the host. To examine host genetic factors that increase the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma among H. pylori-infected persons, the HLA-DQA1 locus was examined in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Eighty-two gastric adenocarcinoma patients and 167 unrelated controls were examined for H. pylori infection and HLA-DQA1 genotyping. In addition, serum pepsinogen A (PGA) and pepsinogen C (PGC) values and the PGA/PGC ratio, which have been characterized as markers of gastric mucosal atrophy, also were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 167 controls, 121 were H. pylori positive (+) and 46 were H. pylori negative (-). All H. pylori (-) individuals had normal endoscopic and histologic findings. Among the 121 H. pylori (+) controls, 36 had superficial gastritis and 85 had atrophic gastritis. The allele frequency of DQA1*0102 was significantly lower in the H. pylori (+) atrophic gastritis group than in the H. pylori (+) superficial gastritis and H. pylori (-) normal control groups. In addition, the allele frequency of DQA1*0102 also was significantly lower in the H. pylori (+) intestinal type gastric adenocarcinoma group than in the H. pylori (-) normal control, H. pylori (+) superficial gastritis, and H. pylori (-) diffuse type gastric adenocarcinoma groups. Serum PGA and PGC values and the PGA/PGC ratio did not differ significantly among HLA-DQA1 genotypes; however, the PGA/PGC ratio was significantly lower in the H. pylori (+) atrophic gastritis and H. pylori (+) intestinal type gastric adenocarcinoma groups than in the H. pylori (-) normal control and H. pylori (+) superficial gastritis groups. CONCLUSIONS: The DQA1*0102 allele may contribute to resistance against H. pylori-associated gastric atrophy and its association with intestinal type gastric adenocarcinoma, whereas the absence of DQA1*0102 may be a host genetic risk factor for H. pylori-associated atrophic gastritis and intestinal type gastric adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗