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Biomedical subjects

A Higashi

Publications and source records attributed to A Higashi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

[Development of a multi-layer ion chamber for measurement of depth dose distributions of heavy-ion therapeutic beam for individual patients].

In heavy-ion radiotherapy, an accelerated beam is modified to realize a desired dose distribution in patients. The setup of the beam-modifying devices in the irradiation system is changed according to the patient, and it is important to check the depth dose distributions in the patient. In order to measure dose distributions realized by an irradiation system for heavy-ion radiotherapy, a multi-layer ionization chamber(MLIC) was developed. The MLIC consists of 64 ionization chambers, which are stacked mutually. The interval between each ionization chamber is about 4.1 mm water. There are signal and high voltage plates in the MILC, which are used as electrodes of the ionization chambers and phantom. Depth dose distribution from 5.09 mm to 261.92 mm water can be measured in about 30 seconds using this MLIC. Thus, it is possible to check beam quality in a short amount of time.

Heavy Ion Radiotherapy↗
PubMed1999

Helicobacter pylori infection and atrophic gastritis: a nested case-control study in a rural town in Japan.

A seroepidemiologic, nested case-control study was conducted to evaluate the risk for atrophic gastritis associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. Atrophic gastritis was diagnosed on the basis of serum pepsinogen levels: pepsinogen I level < or = 70 ng/ml and pepsinogen I/pepsinogen II ratio < or = 3.0. Cases were 23 men and 39 women who were not diagnosed with atrophic gastritis in 1987, but who were diagnosed with the condition in 1992. Controls were the 120 men and 282 women who did not meet the serologic criteria for atrophic gastritis in either time period. Neither cases nor controls had a history of upper gastrointestinal operations. Helicobacter pylori infection at the initial survey was associated with a significantly increased risk of atrophic gastritis incidence for both sexes combined (odds ratio = 3.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.78-7.79; P = 0.0005). Cigarette smoking and consumption of alcohol and green-yellow vegetables were not associated with incidence of atrophic gastritis.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Relationship between biological activity and heparin-affinity sites of recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor CS23 mutein].

A recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor CS23 mutein (rhbFGF-CS23) obtained from Escherichia coli cells has proliferation-stimulating activity for a fetal bovine heart endothelial cell line, ATCC CRL 1395 (biological activity), and strong affinity for heparin (heparin-affinity) similarly to the natural human basic fibroblast growth factor. Plural species having different kinds of heparin-affinity were formed by acetylation of rhbFGF-CS23 with acetic anhydride. To clarify the relationship between the sites with heparin-affinity and the biologically active sites, we have investigated the acetylation sites by peptide mapping and the biological activity of the acetylated species. Consequently, the sites with heparin-affinity in rhbFGF-CS23 are found to be Lys26, Lys119, Lys125, Lys129, and Lys135 in the primary structure, and these sites with heparin-affinity except Lys26 are also clarified to be very important to retain the biological activity of the factor.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1998

Modified Bankart procedure for recurrent anterior dislocation and subluxation of the shoulder in athletes.

Thirty-four athletes (34 shoulders) with recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability were treated with a modified Bankart procedure, using a T-shaped capsular incision in the anterior capsule. The inferior flap was advanced medially and/or superiorly and rigidly fixed at the point of the Bankart lesion by a small cancellous screw and a spike-washer. The superior flap was advanced inferiority and sutured over the inferior flap. Twenty-five athletes (median age: 22) were evaluated over a mean period of follow-up of 65 months. The clinical results were graded, according to Rowe, as 22 (88%) excellent, 3 (12%) good, and none as fair or poor. The mean postoperative range of movement was 92 degrees of external rotation in 90 degrees of abduction. Elevation and internal rotation was symmetrical with the opposite side. Twenty-four patients returned to active sport, 22 at their previous level. This modified Bankart procedure is an effective treatment for athletes with recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Zinc status relates to hematological deficits in middle-aged women.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to investigate zinc (Zn) status and the effects of Zn supplementation in relation to iron deficiency anemia in middle-aged women. It is important to define the role of Zn in hematologic abnormalities and to determine the frequency of Zn deficiency. METHODS: Fifty-two Japanese women, selected from a health examination survey on 6200 women, had hemoglobin concentrations below 12.0 g/dl, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) below 390 micrograms/dl and fairly normocytemia. These 52 were divided into three groups and we then compared the hematological status before and after iron (group A) or Zn (group B) or iron plus Zn (group C) supplementation. RESULTS: After treatment, concentrations of hemoglobin (Hb) increased slightly in groups A and B, but not statistically significant. In group C, Hb levels were significantly increased from 10.8 +/- 1.1 to 12.8 +/- 1.1 g/dl. Furthermore, numbers of RBC and reticulocytes, and concentrations of albumin were also increased significantly. Increased values over 1.0 g/dl of hemoglobin levels were noted in four women (26.6%) in group A, three women (14.2%) in group B and 13 women (81.2%) in group C. CONCLUSION: Zn status to some extent can account for hematological abnormalities in middle-aged women. At least 5.0% of middle-aged Japanese women may have Zn deficiency. Normocytic anemia with low TIBC levels may serve as a good indicator of a marginal Zn deficiency.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Relationship between CT number and electron density, scatter angle and nuclear reaction for hadron-therapy treatment planning.

The precise conversion of CT numbers to their electron densities is essential in treatment planning for hadron therapy. Although some conversion methods have already been proposed, it is hard to check the conversion accuracy during practical therapy. We have estimated the CT numbers of real tissues by a calculational method established by Mustafa and Jackson. The relationship between the CT numbers and the electron densities was investigated for various body tissues as well as some tissue-equivalent materials used for a conversion to check the accuracy of the current conversion methods. The result indicates a slight disagreement at the high-CT-number region. A precise estimation of the multiple scattering, nuclear reaction and range straggling of incident particles has been considered as being important to realize higher-level conformal therapy in the future. The relationship between these parameters and the CT numbers was also investigated for tissues and water. The result shows that it is sufficiently practical to replace these parameters for real tissues with those for water by adjusting the density.

Biophysical Phenomena↗
PubMed1997

Depressed natural killer cell activity due to decreased natural killer cell population in a vitamin E-deficient patient with Shwachman syndrome: reversible natural killer cell abnormality by alpha-tocopherol supplementation.

UNLABELLED: Natural Killer (NK) cell activity was examined in a 16-month-old Japanese boy with Shwachman syndrome associated with severe vitamin E deficiency. As evaluated by 51Cr-release assay from K562 cells, NK cell activity was constantly decreased. After 8 weeks of oral alpha-tocopherol (alpha-Toc) supplementation (100 mg/day), NK cell activity had normalised. When alpha-Toc supplementation was interrupted for 16 weeks. NK cell activity again decreased. Flow cytometry of peripheral lymphocytes revealed a lowered number of CD16+ CD 56- fraction, which has the most potent NK cell activity. Single cell-in-agarose assay, to investigate the binding and cytolytic activity of NK cell at the single cell level, revealed that the number of NK cells which bind to K562 cell was decreased, but that the cytolytic activity of the individual binding cell was relatively unaffected. A second supplementation of alpha-Toc for 8 weeks successfully restored NK cell activity, the number of cells expressing NK cell markers and the number of K562-binding cells as compared to the age-matched normal range. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that severe vitamin E deficiency caused impaired NK cell activity due to a decrease in the number of CD16+ CD56- NK cells and that this abnormality is reversible with alpha-Toc supplementation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Helicobacter pylori infection and atrophic gastritis. A case-control study in a rural town of Japan.

We enrolled five hundred twenty-one patients with atrophic gastritis and 769 controls in a case-control study of atrophic gastritis and Helicobacter pylori infection and lifestyle factors. The participants had no history of upper gastrointestinal surgery. They were selected from 1,395 adult (35 years or older) residents of a rural town in Kyoto prefecture who participated in an annual health examination in 1987. Atrophic gastritis was diagnosed on the basis of serum pepsinogen levels: pepsinogen I levels (< or = 70 ng/ml) and pepsinogen I/pepsinogen II ratios (< or = 3.0). The presence of immunoglobulin G antibodies to H. pylori indicated H. pylori infection. At the time of the health examination, participants were interviewed about daily lifestyle habits such as use of cigarettes and alcoholic beverages and consumption of green-yellow vegetables. Unconditional logistic regression analysis indicated that H. pylori infection was associated with a significantly increased risk for atrophic gastritis for all participants (odds ratio, 8.17; 95% confidence interval, 5.63-11.84); for men (odds ratio, 10.91; 95% CI, 5.25-22.67); and for women (odds ratio, 7.28; 95% CI, 4.72-11.22). We found no statistically significant relations between lifestyle factors and atrophic gastritis.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Validity of self-reported passive smoking evaluated by comparison with smokers in the same household.

Validity of self-reported passive smoking among nonsmokers was evaluated by comparing it with data from smokers in the same household. Eight hundred and ninety-four males and 990 females responded to a lifestyle survey for a cohort study. Subjects consisted of all members aged 20 years or older in each household. One hundred and thirty-six males and 692 females nonsmokers within this group were examined for self-reported passive smoking. It should be noted that guests' smoking was also considered because the question about passive smoking included that when guests visited although guests' smoking could not be evaluated. Four percent of nonsmokers who reported passive smoking almost every day lived in households without smokers. This value was considered a misclassification of negative passive smoking as positive unless these subjects were visited by smoking guests almost every day. Eight percent of nonsmokers who reported no passive smoking had a spouse who smoked and 18% of these subjects also had other smokers in the same household. The misclassification rate for positive passive smoking as negative was thought to be 8% or higher although it was possible that the smoking spouse smoked only outside the home and that household members may live in different structures at the same site. The validity was thought to be fair in comparison with similar previous studies in Western countries.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Association of participation in health checkups with medical service utilization in a rural town].

Association of participation in health checkups in 1983-94 with medical service utilization in 1989-94 was studied. The study subjects consisted of 1,198 males and 1,247 females aged 30 years or over, who were members of the National Health Insurance in a rural town in Kyoto prefecture. One hundred and four males and 95 females died during 1989-94. Cumulative death rates were higher among both males and females with less participation in checkups than among those with higher participation, however, there was no difference seen for medical service utilization. Regarding subjects alive in 1994, both males and females who participated frequently in checking in 1983-88 also visited medical facilities more frequently and had higher medical costs in 1989-94 than those with less frequent participation. Similar analysis for checkups in 1989-94, showed that only females had that tendency. Among participants in checkups in 1989-94, there were smaller numbers of hypertensives, current smokers, and current drinkers than among non-participants, therefore, the participants are thought to have decreased their risk for chronic diseases. In conclusion, frequent participation in health checkups are thought to increase medical utilization even with a lower prevalence or risk of chronic diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Zinc status relates to hematological deficits in women endurance runners.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated zinc (Zn) status and effect of Zn supplementation in relation to iron deficiency anemia in Japanese female endurance runners in an attempt to define the role of Zn in hematologic abnormalities. METHODS: After estimating zinc status based on total body zinc clearance (ClZn), 21 women runners were divided into two groups: one group was of normal Zn status (group A), and the other was a Zn deficient group (group B). We then compared the hematological status in both groups, before and after iron or iron plus Zn supplementation. RESULTS: Number of red blood cells (RBC), serum concentrations of hemoglobin (Hb), iron and total protein in Group A were significantly higher than those in Group B, while serum Zn levels were similar in both groups. There was a significantly positive correlation between ClZn and total protein, and hemoglobin in all subjects. After combined treatment with ferrous citrate and zinc sulfate, the concentrations of total protein, iron, RBC, and Hb were significantly increased in the four Zn deficient runners. CONCLUSION: Zn status to some extent can account for hematological abnormalities in female endurance runners.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Examination of stability of anticonvulsants in a protease solution and assay of anticonvulsants in hairs.

For analyzing the concentrations of drugs in hairs, a new method of digestion of hairs with Biopurase, a protease obtained from Bacillus subtilis, was examined. The concentrations of drugs in hairs were then determined in order to examine the usefulness of the protease for the digestion of hairs. The stability of five anticonvulsants in the protease solution was maintained over a 12-h period. In the clinical tests, the concentrations of the drugs in hairs obtained from patients who were taking anticonvulsants for a long time were determined. The concentration of phenobarbital in hairs in 10 patients taking phenobarbital ranged from 194 to 5020 ng/10 mg with a mean of 578 ng/10 mg, and the concentration of phenytoin in hairs in 6 patients taking phenytoin ranged from 44 to 299 ng/10 mg with a mean of 115 ng/10 mg. From these results, the transfer of phenobarbital and phenytoin from circulating blood into hairs was confirmed, and the usefulness of Biopurase for the digestion of hairs was proved.

Anticonvulsants↗
PubMed1996

[Heparin affinity high-performance liquid chromatography as an alternative to bioassay of CS23 mutein of recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor].

We investigated whether a chemical assay by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as an alternative to the complicated and time-consuming bioassay for CS23 mutein of recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor (rhbFGF-CS23) using the fetal bovine heart endothelial cell line ATCC CRL 1395. Physically, chemically or enzymatically denatured rhbFGF-CS23 was subjected to heparin affinity (HA)-HPLC and the bioassay. Good agreement was observed between the results obtained by these two methods. Moreover, HA-HPLC gave much more reproducible results (RSD = 1.9%, n = 6) than the bioassay (RSD = 7.4%, n = 18). HA-HPLC is therefore a simple, accurate and reproducible alternative to the bioassay for quality control and stability studies for rhbFGF-CS23 preparations. HA-HPLC is also considered to be applicable to assays for FGFs which have heparin affinity and biological activity similar to those of the CS23 mutein.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Validation of the hospital anxiety and depression scale in a gastro-intestinal clinic].

This study examined the validity of the Japanese version of the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD) in a gastro-intestinal outpatient clinic. One hundred and twenty-three men and 142 women consulting a gastro-intestinal outpatient clinic at a primary care hospital in Kyoto during 1995 were surveyed. Item-remainder correlation and internal consistency were examined for reliability. Concurrent validities were examined using the stait-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) and Zung's self-rating depression scale (SDS). The prevalence of psychiatric disorder in this population ranged from 27% to 39%. Cronbach's coefficients were greater than 0.8 for the anxiety subscale and more than 0.7 for the depression subscale. Spearman's correlation of the anxiety subscale scores and the STAI were r = 0.678 for men, and r = 0.717 for women. The correlation of depression subscale scores and SDS were r = 0.457 for men, and r = 0.565 for women. It is suggested that the use of the HAD to general hospital outpatients clinic would facilitate detecting emotional disorders in outpatients.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Cross sectional study of the relationship between bone density to diet and life style using ultrasound bone densitometry].

The relationship between bone density to diet and life style was investigated in pre- and postmenopausal women in Kyoto Prefecture in 1994 by a cross-sectional study. Bone densities of 453 women aged 30-86 years were measured by ultrasound bone densitometry. History of pregnancy and delivery, menstruation, medical history, bone and arthral symptoms, life style, food intake frequency, current and past intake of dairy products, and physical activity were examined by self-administered questionnaire. Analysis of covariance and multiple-regression analysis were performed to determine the relation between bone density and life style adjusted for age and obesity index among 151 premenopausal women (PRE), 244 postmenopausal but not sedentary (under 65 years of age) women (POST), and 58 sedentary (older than 65 years of age) women (SED). The results were as follows; 1) A marked age-related decline in bone density was observed at 45-55 years of age. The correlation coefficient between age and bone density was significant at -0.65 (p < 0.01). 2) Obesity index and bone density were positively correlated in each group. 3) Among the PRE group women, there was no relation between life style and bone density. Those who experienced bone fractures tended toward low bone density. Among the POST group, time since menopause, exercise, and current milk intake were significantly correlated with bone density. In the SED group, women with arthralgia showed significantly lower densities. 4) From multiple-regression analysis, age, obesity index, and milk intake during childhood were shown to be related to bone density in each group.

Adult↗