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Biomedical subjects

A Kitamura

Publications and source records attributed to A Kitamura.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Plasma fibrinogen and its correlates in urban Japanese men.

BACKGROUND: The intention of the study was to examine determinants of plasma fibrinogen concentrations in Japanese men. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1991 among 995 male employees aged 40-59 years in two urban companies. RESULTS: The overall mean value (standard deviation) of plasma fibrinogen concentration was 257 (57) mg/dl. There was a strong dose-response relationship between cigarette smoking and plasma fibrinogen concentration. Plasma fibrinogen was positively associated with age and serum total cholesterol, and inversely associated with ethanol intake, dietary intake of sea foods such as squid, octopus or shrimp. Intake of other major protein and lipid resources such as meat, eggs and milk, or intake of vegetables was not related to plasma fibrinogen. An effect of dietary intake of sea foods on plasma fibrinogen was small but significant after controlling for the other covariates; an 80 g/week larger intake of sea foods was associated with a 3.9 mg/dl (95% confidence interval: 0.5, 7.3) lower fibrinogen concentration. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the relation of known coronary risk factors to plasma fibrinogen in Japanese men, and suggests that dietary intake of sea foods affects plasma fibrinogen concentrations.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Effect of growth conditions on antimicrobial activity of DU-6859a and its bactericidal activity determined by the killing curve method.

The effect of growth conditions on the antibacterial activity of DU-6859a against Staphylococcus auerus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was compared with those of levofloxacin, sparfloxacin, and ciprofloxacin. This activity was not affected by different media, inoculum size or the addition of human serum, but was decreased under acidic conditions, in human urine, and in the presence of magnesium and ferrous ion, as were the other quinolones tested. Time-kill curve studies demonstrated the bactericidal action of DU-6859a against S. aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa. Morphological alteration of these bacteria after exposure to DU-6859a also demonstrated its bactericidal activity. The frequency of spontaneous resistance to DU-6859a was less than or equal to those of the reference drugs.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed1996

Epiduroscopic changes in patients undergoing single and repeated epidural injections.

Using a superfine fiberscope with an outer diameter of 0.75 mm, the effect of repeated injections through a single epidural catheter on the epidural space was examined in 18 patients. The subjects were divided into a control group of 10 patients who had not previously received epidural anesthesia (EA) and an EA group of 8 patients who had received repeated EA with 4-6 mL 0.25% bupivacaine through an epidural catheter, two to three times per day for 7-14 days. The epidural space was observed through a fiberscope passed through a 17-gauge Tuohy needle. The epidural space was occupied by large masses of fat, and the blood vessels and connective tissue were confirmed. Adverse reactions in the epidural tissue, such as hemorrhage or congestion with engorgement, were observed in four patients in the EA group. Five patients in the EA group experienced pain when the fiberscope was inserted into the epidural space. These investigations show that continuous EA might be followed by a high incidence of nonspecific epidural changes. Superfine fiberscope may be useful in the detection or diagnosis of local epidural reaction.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Menstrual stage influences postoperative nausea and vomiting following epidural buprenorphine.

BACKGROUND: Although buprenorphine sometimes causes severe emesis, its relation to the menstrual cycle has not been reported. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study on 68 reproductive-age women following lower extremity surgery under epidural anesthesia plus buprenorphine, to assess the effect of the day of the menstrual cycle on the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. The patients were divided according to the phase of the menstrual cycle into four groups: day 1-7 group, day 8-14 group, day 15-24 group and day 25 to end of the cycle group. RESULTS: Nausea and vomiting were reported in 46 patients (67.6%), and the incidence was higher in the day 25 to end of the cycle group than in the day 8-14 or day 15-24 groups, and higher in the day 1-7 group than in the day 8-14 group. CONCLUSION: We conclude that emesis after epidural buprenorphine is related to the menstrual cycle.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Investigation for VP4 region of coxsackie virus A16 RNA sequence from hand-foot-mouth disease patients at eastern district of Shizuoka prefecture in 1995].

In 1995 an investigation was made for VP4 regions of coxsackie virus A16 (CA16) RNA sequence from hand-foot-mouth disease patients in eastern district of Shizuoka Prefecture. Subjects were seven patients who were diagnosed as hand-foot-mouth disease due to CA16 at the Ohashi Pediatric Clinic in Susono City. Throat swabs of patients were extracted to RNA. Extracted RNA were assayed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction that primers corresponded to VP4 resion of enteroviruses. PCR products were marked by dye-deoxy terminator methods and assayed by direct sequence methods. RNA sequences were classified into two types. Type 1 were three cases, and type 2 were four. The homology was 90.8% between type 1 and type 2. All cases of sixty-nine amino acids were the same as prototype strain. We concluded that the two type strains of CA16 were prevalented in eastern district of Shizuoka Prefecture in 1995. It was at the same time and was widely noted in the eastern district.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

A case-reference study on plasma fibrinogen concentrations and coronary atherosclerosis in Japanese.

To examine contribution of plasma fibrinogen concentrations to coronary atherosclerosis in Japanese, a cross-sectional study was conducted from 1991 to 1993 for 169 myocardial infarction cases and 1 : 1 matched references. All cases had one to three coronary vessels with 50 percent or more stenosis. References were chosen out of Osaka residents who had no cardiac event by matching sex and age ((+)-3 years) with cases. Mean (SD) values of plasma fibrinogen concentration were 322 (81) mg/dl in men and 377 (77) mg/dl in women for cases, and were 282 (56) mg/dl in men and 277 (48) mg/dl in women for references; mean plasma fibrinogen was significantly higher in cases than in references for both men and women. Furthermore, mean plasma fibrinogen was progressively higher as the number of stenotic vessels increased for men, and similar trend was seen for women. The case-reference difference remained significant even after adjusting smoking status, hypertension, serum total cholesterol, serum HDL cholesterol. Although plasma fibrinogen concentration was reported lower in Japanese than in American Caucasians, plasma fibrinogen is suggested to be a risk factor for myocardial infarction among Japanese as so among Caucasians.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Selective epidural nerve root block using a superfine fiberscope].

A 65 yr-old male with severe scar pain on his right lower abdomen underwent selective nerve block through epidural space using a superfine fiberscope. A12-gauge Tuohy needle (internal diameter 2.2 mm) was inserted at the intervertebral space of Th12-L1. The fiberscope (external diameter 1.1 mm) was introduced through the needle and the epidural space was observed. When the dura mater of Th12 nerve root level was seen, the patient had pain on the scar area. Then 2% lidocaine 1.5 ml and 60% megumine sodium amidotrizoate 1.5 ml were slowly injected. Soon after injection of anesthetic, analgesia area (Th11-L1) was obtained, and Th12 nerve root was identified by X ray. Epidural blockade using a superfine fiberscope seems to be one of the useful and reliable methods for the selective nerve blockade.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[The relation of alcohol intake to constitutional and biochemical variables in Japanese populations].

To investigate associations of alcohol intake to constitutional and biochemical variables, cross-sectional studies of men aged 40-59 years from six geographical and occupational populations with varied lifestyles were conducted in the 1990's. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, HDL-cholesterol, and uric acid were linearly associated with alcohol intake in all six populations. Drinkers of 2+ drinks (46 g ethanol or more) per day showed higher levels of triglyceride, glutamic pyruvic transaminase than never-drinkers. In two urban occupational populations, men who mainly drank beer had higher uric acid levels; men mainly drinking sake had higher blood pressures and lower serum total cholesterol; men mainly drinking whiskey had higher obesity indices. These differences in constitutional and biochemical variables related to type of alcoholic beverage consumed may be due to differences in lifestyles such as diet and physical activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Use of a guanidine extract of demineralized bone in the treatment of osteochondral defects of articular cartilage.

In order to evaluate the ability of a guanidine extract of demineralized bone to repair osteochondral defects in articular cartilage, plugs made of this extract were implanted into defects in rabbit knees. The repair tissue was examined macroscopically, histologically, and immunohistochemically at 4, 8, 12, and 30 weeks. Controls (defects that were left empty) showed no cartilage formation. Four weeks after implantation of a guanidine extract plug, histological examination showed a nonhomogeneous metachromatically stained region extending from the surface of the repair tissue down to cancellous bone. This region also was labeled by an anti-type-II collagen antibody, indicating that cartilage-like tissue had been induced. At 8 weeks, the newly formed cartilage in the subchondral and cancellous bone had been partially replaced by bone. At 12 weeks, the thickness of the newly formed cartilage layer had decreased, and most of the newly formed cartilage in the subchondral and cancellous bone had been replaced by bone. In addition, a tidemark was observed. At 30 weeks, the repair tissue was a mixture of cartilage and fibrocartilage, and there was severe degeneration of the cartilage surrounding the repaired defects. These findings indicate that osteochondral defects of articular cartilage can be partially repaired by the implantation of a guanidine extract and that the newly formed cartilage-like tissue is not permanent.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Contribution of the C-8 substituent of DU-6859a, a new potent fluoroquinolone, to its activity against DNA gyrase mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Inhibitory effects of five quinolones against DNA gyrases purified from four quinolone-resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the quinolone-susceptible strain PAO1 were examined. All of the quinolone-resistant strains tested were found to be DNA gyrase mutants. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of the quinolones for these DNA gyrases roughly correlated with their MICs. Interestingly, gyrase inhibition by DU-6859a was found to be significantly less affected by these mutations that inhibition by other currently available quinolones. To assess the enhanced activity shown by DU-6859a, the effects of quinolones with altered substituents at the N-1, C-7, and C-8 positions of the quinolone ring of DU-6859a were tested. Measurement of MICs for four DNA gyrase mutants and IC50s for their purified DNA gyrases showed that removal of the C-8 chlorine of DU-6859a significantly increased MICs and IC50s for DNA gyrase mutants. However, no deleterious effects were observed when either the fluorine on the cyclopropyl substituent at the N-1 position or the cyclopropyl ring at the C-7 substituent was removed. Moreover, removal of the C-8 chlorine also increased the MIC for 19 of 20 quinolone-resistant clinical isolates. Our results led to the conclusion that DU-6859a is much more active against quinolone-resistant clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa than other currently available quinolones, probably because of its strong inhibitory effects against mutant quinolone-resistant DNA gyrases, and that the C-8 chlorine is necessary for these potent effects.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed1995

In vitro and in vivo antifungal activities of DU-6859a, a fluoroquinolone, in combination with amphotericin B and fluconazole against pathogenic fungi.

DU-6859a is an investigational fluoroquinolone agent with potent bactericidal activity, but by itself it has no antifungal activity. When combined with amphotericin B (AmB), however, DU-6859a clearly enhanced the in vitro antifungal activity of AmB against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, and Cryptococcus neoformans in microdilution checkerboard studies. Positive interactions of DU-6859a with AmB against Aspergillus fumigatus were dependent on the medium used; yeast nitrogen base supplemented with amino acids, ammonium sulfate, and 1% glucose was better for demonstrating synergism, while in RPMI 1640 medium, unexpected antagonism between the drugs occurred against three of the strains tested. In combination with fluconazole (Flu), DU-6859a increased the activity of Flu against C. albicans both in synthetic amino acid medium fungal and in supplemented yeast nitrogen base. An in vitro time-kill study revealed that DU-6859a combined with AmB significantly suppressed the regrowth of C. albicans compared with the suppression brought about by AmB used alone in a concentration-dependent fashion. Furthermore, in a model of C. albicans infection in mice, the fungal load in infected kidneys was significantly less in mice given the combination treatment of DU-6859a plus either AmB or Flu, and thus, the combination treatment resulted in prolonged survival of infected mice compared with treatment with either antifungal alone. The prolonged survival in mice given the combined treatment was also observed in mice with A. fumigatus infection, indicating that DU-6859a potentiated the actions of the antifungal agents in vivo as well as in vitro.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1995

Alcohol intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease in middle-aged Japanese men.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Understanding the effects of alcohol intake on stroke and other cardiovascular diseases is an important issue for public health. METHODS: A 10.5-year prospective study of the relationship between alcohol intake and cardiovascular disease incidence was conducted in 2890 men, aged 40 to 69 years and free of a history of stroke and coronary heart disease, in three rural communities of Japan. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-eight strokes (40 intracerebral hemorrhages, 18 subarachnoid hemorrhages, 104 nonhemorrhagic strokes, and 16 unclassified strokes), 34 coronary heart disease events, and 19 sudden unclassified deaths occurred. Drinkers of > or = 70 g/d ethanol had an approximately 2.5 times higher age-adjusted risk of all stroke than never-drinkers; the excess risk was more evident for hemorrhagic stroke than nonhemorrhagic stroke. When hypertension category, serum total cholesterol level, cigarette smoking, and diabetes mellitus were taken into account, these excess risks were reduced but remained significant for all stroke (2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 3.1) and hemorrhagic stroke (3.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 9.2). A J-shaped relationship was suggested between alcohol intake and risk of nonhemorrhagic stroke; drinkers of < 42 g/d ethanol had a slightly lower risk and heavy drinkers had a higher risk than never-drinkers. Current drinkers had a slightly lower risk of coronary heart disease than never-drinkers, although the risk difference was not statistically significant. The age-adjusted risk of sudden death was 10 times higher in heavy drinkers than never-drinkers, and the excess risk did not change when the covariates were controlled for. Total cardiovascular disease showed a similar pattern as did all stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Heavy drinking appeared to increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, in part due to hypertension, and to increase the risk of sudden death, which was probably due to drinking per se. Light or moderate alcohol consumption seemed to protect against nonhemorrhagic stroke and coronary heart disease.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

[Characteristics of participants in community-based rehabilitation programs and their levels of independence in activities of daily living].

To clarify characteristics of participants in community-based rehabilitation programs provided by local municipalities (cities, towns, and villages) and effect of the program on their levels of independence in activities of daily living (ADL), a cross-sectional study was performed on 422 participants in 49 municipalities in Kochi Prefecture. 1. Mean age of participants was 68.3 +/- 9.0, and 77.7% of them were stroke patients. 2. The mean interval between disease onset and program participation was 40.4 months, and the mean duration of program participation was 54.5 months. 3. At the start of rehabilitation programs and at the time of the investigation (December 1993), about 90% of the participants had good levels of independence in ADL (Rank A and over according to the standard of the Ministry of Health and Welfare). 4. The frequency of rehabilitation programs and the presence of occupational therapists were positively associated with the improvement of levels of independence in ADL. In particular, the frequency of rehabilitation programs was associated with improvement of quality of life in self-supporting participants (Rank J2), and the presence of occupational therapists was associated with the improvement of ADL in semi-bed-ridden participants (Rank A). 5. After adjusting for age and sex, using multiple logistic regression analysis, type of diseases (non-stroke), hospital rehabilitation immediately after onset, higher levels of independence in ADL at the start of rehabilitation programs, and higher frequency of rehabilitation programs were significantly associated with improvements in levels of independence in ADL. Shorter interval between disease onset and program participation, and the presence of occupational therapists were also associated with improvements in levels of independence in ADL, although the relation did not reach statistical significance.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1995

[The clinical usefulness and problem of combined spinal epidural needle].

The clinical usefulness of combined spinal-epidural needles, Portex Spinal/Epidural set (Pencil point tip type and Lancet point tip type), was evaluated on 30 patients undergoing orthopedic lower limb surgeries, hysterectomies or transurethral surgeries. In all the patients, the spinal-epidural needles were successfully inserted with paramedian approach without any problem. The time to appearance of cerebrospinal fluid in the spinal needle hub after removal of the stylet was 15-40 seconds, and no patient in both groups had postspinal headache. Following spinal anesthesia, the local anesthetics injected through the epidural catheter extended the analgesia in the range of 1-2 dermatomes higher in the Lancet point type group in comparison with Pencil point type group. It is possible that the hole in the dura may allow a transfer of local anesthetics into the subarachnoid space. The present study shows that combined spinal-epidural block is clinically useful, and the Pencil point type is safer than the Lancet point type.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Induction of the human gene for p44, a hepatitis-C-associated microtubular aggregate protein, by interferon-alpha/beta.

A hepatitis-C-associated microtubular aggregate protein, referred to as p44, has been identified as a cytoplasmic antigen in the hepatocytes of chimpanzees infected with hepatitis C virus. The production of p44 mRNA is markedly induced in the liver of chimpanzees infected with hepatitis C or hepatitis D virus. To examine the mechanism of this induction, we isolated a genomic clone for the human p44 protein and analyzed its structure. The human p44 gene spans approximately 14 kbp of DNA and consists of nine exons separated by eight introns. An interferon-stimulated response element, which confers inducibility by interferon-alpha/beta, was found in the promoter region of the gene. Northern-blot analysis revealed that the human p44 gene is inducible by interferon-alpha/beta, but not by interferon-gamma. Functional analysis demonstrated that the interferon-stimulated response element in the promoter region of the gene mediates the inducibility of the gene by interferon-alpha/beta. Thus, the human p44 gene is a member of the family of interferon-alpha/beta inducible genes. The protein p44 may be one of the mediators involved in the antiviral action of interferon.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Inhibitory activity of chlorophyllin on the genotoxicity of carcinogens in Drosophila.

Antimutagenic activity of copper chlorophyllin against various carcinogenic mutagens was assayed with Drosophila genotoxicity tests, i.e., the wing spot test for detecting somatic cell mutations and the DNA repair test for detecting DNA damage. In these tests, Drosophila larvae were fed carcinogens together with chlorophyllin. Polycyclic aromatic compounds, including heterocyclic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic amines and aromatic nitro compounds, were subject to inhibition, with a few exceptions. The results support the view that chlorophyllin traps carcinogens by forming complexes, thereby inhibiting the absorption of these compounds from the digestive tract. Consistent with this mechanism, Sepharose-supported chlorophyllin in the feed inhibited the Trp-P-2-induced wing spot formation, while Sepharose itself was ineffective.

Animals↗