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Biomedical subjects

H Kurita

Publications and source records attributed to H Kurita.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Nosocomial transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus via the surfaces of the dental operatory.

OBJECTIVE: We assess the possibility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) transmission via the surfaces of the dental operatory. METHODS: A survey of MRSA contamination on the surfaces of the dental operatory, and an analysis of MRSA transmission via the dental operatory between patients was carried out in the department of special dental care and oral surgery. RESULTS: MRSA was observed on the surfaces of dental operatory including the air-water syringe and reclining chair. Nosocomial infection or colonisation of MRSA occurred in eight out of 140 consecutive patients who had no evidence of MRSA at admission. Antibiograms of 30 antibiotics revealed that the isolates from the eight patients were of the same strain as those from the surface of dental operatory. After treating the patients under a revised infection control (IC) protocol including a single use of barrier covers, MRSA was not detected on the surfaces of the dental operatory, and no nosocomial infection or colonisation occurred during hospitalisation (0/117 patients). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MRSA contaminates the surfaces of the dental operatory, and therefore the dental operatory should be considered a possible reservoir of MRSA.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed2006

Young adult-specific hyperphagia in diabetic Goto-kakizaki rats is associated with leptin resistance and elevation of neuropeptide Y mRNA in the arcuate nucleus.

The present study aimed to examine whether hyperphagia, which is frequently observed in type 1 diabetic patients and model animals, also occurs in type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats and, if so, to explore underlying abnormalities in the hypothalamus. GK rats at postnatal weeks 6-12, compared to control Wistar rats, exhibited hyperphagia, hyperglycaemia, hyperleptinemia and increased visceral fat accumulation, whereas body weight was unaltered. The ability of leptin to suppress feeding was reduced in GK rats compared to Wistar rats of these ages. In GK rats, leptin-induced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 was significantly reduced in the cells of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC), but not of the ventromedial hypothalamus, whereas the mRNA level of functional leptin receptor was unaltered. By real-time polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridisation, mRNA levels of neuropeptide Y, but not pro-opiomelanocortin and galanin-like peptide, were significantly increased in the ARC of GK rats at 11 weeks, but not 26 weeks. Following i.c.v. injection of a NPY Y1 antagonist, 1229U91, the amount of food intake in GK rats was indistinguishable from that in Wistar rats, thus eliminating the hyperphagia of GK rats. These results demonstrate that young adult GK rats display hyperphagia in association with leptin resistance and increased NPY mRNA level in the ARC.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

A long-term follow-up study of radiographically evident degenerative changes in the temporomandibular joint with different conditions of disk displacement.

The purpose of this retrospective study is to assess the relationship between an initial and persisting condition of disk displacement (DD) and the long-term course of radiographically evident degenerative changes of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Nineteen patients agreed to a radiographic follow-up examination of 29 joints and were included in this study. The joints were radiographically assessed at the first visit and at least 46 months after the first visit (mean 89.3 months). At the time of the follow-up, all subjects had a good clinical course after a favorable response to the treatments. There were significant relationships between the initial diagnosis of DD and the interval change in the morphology of the articular eminence. The articular eminence became flattened or deformed only in the joints with persistent DD without reduction. And there was a tendency that the condyle became smaller in the joints initially with permanent DD and in the joints which show a progression in the disk-condylar relationship. The results of this study suggested that, in the joints with persisting non-reducing disk displacement, flattening and deformation of the articular eminence and regression of the condylar size were likely to happen even after symptoms and signs of TMJ disorders were resolved or reduced.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Nutritional and mental health status of Afghan refugee children in Peshawar, Pakistan: a descriptive study.

The study sought to ascertain and describe the physical and mental health states of Afghan refugee children after the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 in the US and the aerial bombing of Afghanistan that followed. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in four refugee camps in Peshawar, Pakistan from February to March 2002, and comparisons among camps were made. A total of 70 males (mean age SD = 9.81 +/- 1.98 years old) and 30 females (7.94 +/- 2.07) answered a self-developed questionnaire on demographic data, traumatic events experience, living environment in the camps, and physical and mental health, through interviews. Anthropometric measures were measured and physical symptoms including anaemia and edema were assessed. Severe malnutrition was not shown and there were no significant differences in most nutritional and physical states among the camps. Nevertheless, in the newer camps more children experienced war related traumatic events. Mental symptoms were prevalent in all camps, though the characteristics of the symptoms differed among the camps.

Afghanistan↗
PubMed2004

Ice-water interface migration by temperature controlling for stretching of DNA molecules.

This report shows a new DNA stretching method using migration of an ice-water interface. DNA molecules were stretched accompanying the migration of the solid-liquid interface and immobilized in frozen area. This simple method needs no chemical modification to keep DNA in the stretched form. For full stretching of DNA molecules, one terminus of the DNA molecules were anchored on silanized substrate. The anchored DNA molecules were stretched by freezing the DNA solution. The stretched DNA molecules were observed after sublimation of the frozen solution keeping its stretched form on silanized surface which had no attractive interaction with DNA molecules except for the SH-modified terminus in solution. An infrared (IR) laser beam was introduced to a frozen DNA solution through an objective lens for local area melting of the solution. Scanning of the laser irradiation caused stretching and enclosing of DNA molecules in the frozen area followed by migration of the solid-liquid interface.

Biophysical Phenomena↗
PubMed2004

Relationship between temporomandibular joint (TMJ)-related pain and morphological changes of the TMJ condyle in patients with temporomandibular disorders.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between temporomandibular joint (TMJ)-related pain and morphological change of the TMJ condyle in patients with temporomandibular disorders. METHODS: Data were obtained from 178 joints in 89 patients. The joints were clinically assessed for pain on mandibular function and on lateral palpation of the TMJ. They were also assessed for radiographic evidence of bone change at the articular surface (OAAS) and resorption of the lateral part of the condyle (RLC). RESULTS: A higher prevalence of joint pain on function was observed in joints with OAAS than in those without OAAS (Chi-square test of independence, P < 0.05). Significant relationships were found between palpation pain and OAAS and between palpation pain and RLC (Chi-square test of independence, P < 0.05). In addition, patients with RLC showed a significantly lower pain threshold for external mechanical stimuli than those without RLC (Welch's t-test, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a possible relationship between pain on function and OAAS as well as a relationship between palpation pain and RLC. Pain on lateral palpation may be related to the pathological conditions that induce RLC.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Resorption of the postero-superior corner of the lateral part of the mandibular condyle correlates with progressive TMJ internal derangement.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that resorption of postero-superior corner of lateral part of the mandibular condyle (RLC) occurs with the advancement of TMJ internal derangement (ID). One hundred and sixty-seven TMJs in 122 patients were studied. RLC was assessed on plane radiographs of frontal oblique projection. The correlation between the prevalence of RLC and radiological stage of ID was analysed and clinical correlations to the radiological stage of ID and the prevalence of RLC were discussed. The higher prevalence of RLC in joints with advanced ID was statistically significant (Mann-Whitney U-test, P< 0.05). There was no correlation between the prevalence of RLC and neither OA on the articular surface of the condyle nor clinical symptoms/signs. The result of this study suggests that RLC appears to occur in joints with advanced ID as a result of remodelling changes secondary to ID.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Relationship between increased horizontal condylar angle and resorption of the posterosuperior region of the lateral pole of the mandibular condyle in temporomandibular joint internal derangement.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between horizontal condylar angle, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disk displacement and resorption of the lateral pole of the mandibular condyle (RLC). METHODS: The study comprised 162 TMJs (81 patients). Disk displacement was assessed and the horizontal angle of the condyle was measured on axial MR images. RLC was assessed on oblique frontal projection plain radiographs. RESULTS: The horizontal angle was increased in joints with disk displacement without reduction (one-factor ANOVA and Scheffe's f-test, P<0.05). The angle was greater in joints with RLC than in the joints without RLC (Student's t-test, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that the horizontal condylar angle is increased in joints with disk displacement without reduction. A possible relationship exists between RLC and increased horizontal condylar angle.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Relationship between alteration of horizontal size and bony morphological change in the mandibular condyle.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the relationship between horizontal size and morphological changes on the articular surface and the lateral part of the mandibular condyle. METHODS: The study group comprised 139 joints in 88 women aged over 18 years. Horizontal condylar size was measured in the anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) dimensions using axial MR images. Bony morphological change on the articular surface (sagittal change) was assessed on the sagittal MR image, and resorption of the lateral part of the condyle (RLC) was assessed on a plane radiograph in the AP projection. RESULTS: There was no significant relationship between horizontal condylar size and sagittal change. However, condyles with RLC were smaller than those without RLC in the ML dimension. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest a possible relationship between decreased horizontal condylar size and RLC. It is also suggested that sagittal bone changes do not influence the horizontal size of the condyle.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Two-dimensional thick-slice MR digital subtraction angiography in the assessment of small to medium-size intracranial arteriovenous malformations.

Assessment of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) by conventional catheter angiography carries risks; moreover, this invasive procedure is often repeated for follow-up. We investigated the clinical applicability of two-dimensional thick-slice, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance digital subtraction angiography (2D MRDSA) with high temporal resolution in the assessment of AVMs. We performed 78 2D MRDSA studies of treated or untreated small to medium-size AVMs on a 1.5 tesla imager. Two observers independently evaluated demonstration of nidus flow void on T2-weighted images and each component of the AVM on 2D MRDSA employing a three-point grading scale. In 55 patients with AVMs, the mean ratings of nidus flow voids, feeding vessels, nidi, draining vessels and early venous filling on MRI were 2.8, 2.4, 2.6, 2.8 and 2.8, respectively. sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for an AVM using 2D MRDSA were 87, 100, 100 and 78%, respectively and for nidus flow voids on T2-weighted images 80, 91, 96 and 66%, respectively. 2D MRDSA can thus demonstrate haemodynamic features of AVMs. It can be employed as a less invasive, dynamic angiographic tool for follow-up of AVMs previously delineated by catheter angiography.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Sex-role orientation, marital status and mental health in working women.

The objectives of this study were to make a men-women comparison as to the effects of job stress and sex-role orientation on mental health and to determine if marital status modifies effects of job stress and sex-role orientation on mental health in women. Subjects were 644 men and 301 women who were working at two private companies and one national agency. Job contents, sex-role orientation and mental health were measured by the Job Content Questionnaire, the Bem Sex-Role Inventory and the 30-item General Health Questionnaire, respectively. High job demands and femininity in men, masculinity in women predicted poor mental health. The best predictor of poor mental health was consciousness of being a woman in unmarried women, and stress outside the job in married women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Ectopic osteogenesis with biphasic ceramics of hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate in rabbits.

Porous calcium phosphate ceramics consisting of hydroxyapatite (HA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) with different HA to TCP ratio were implanted intramuscularly in rabbits for six months in order to carry out a comparative study on osteogenic activity of the ceramics. Bone formation was detected only in HT73 (HA to TCP ratio, 7-3) specimens. Other implants, HT28 (2-8) and HT010 (0-10), could not induce bone. After a six-month period of implantation, HT28 and HT010 implants showed obvious degradation of the implants changing their shape and size macro and microscopically. Microscopically, they showed aggregates of fine particles and appearance of multinucleated cells. However, HT73 implants was less degraded and could maintain their original structure macro and microscopically. This study showed that HT73 ceramics can induce bone in rabbit muscle tissue and it is considered that maintenance of porous structure, that is, degradation rate of the materials may be one of the affecting factors in ceramic-induced osteogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Alteration of the horizontal mandibular condyle size associated with temporomandibular joint internal derangement in adult females.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyse the relationship between horizontal size of the mandibular condyle and internal derangement (ID) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). METHODS: One hundred and thirty-nine joints in 88 women aged over 18 years were included in this study. The horizontal condylar size was measured in the antero-posterior and medio-lateral (ML) dimensions using axial magnetic resonance (MR) images. Radiological findings of ID were also assessed from MR imaging. RESULTS: The condyles in the joints with permanent disk displacement were smaller than those in joints without displacement in both dimensions (Fisher's protected least significant difference, P<0.05). There were statistically significant correlations between horizontal condylar size in the ML dimension and both disk morphology and radiological stage of ID (Spearman's correlation coefficient by rank, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest a possible relationship between horizontal condylar size and disk displacement. It is also suggested that the condyle becomes smaller in the ML dimension with advancement of ID.

Adult↗