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Biomedical subjects

H Ohara

Publications and source records attributed to H Ohara.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Changes in muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the isolated duodenum from repeatedly cold-stressed rats and the effect of neurotropin.

In rats repeatedly cold-stressed by specific alternation of rhythm in environmental temperature (SART-stressed rats), the contractile response to acetylcholine (ACh) of the isolated duodenum was remarkably decreased, whereas the contractile responses to K+, Ba2+ and Ca2+ were comparable to those in non-stressed rats. The amount of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate in the duodenum of SART-stressed rats was about 50% of that in non-stressed rats, but the KD value remained unchanged. Long-term administration of hexamethonium prevented the changes in SART-stressed rats. The daily treatment with Neurotropin, an extract isolated from inflamed rabbit dermis inoculated with vaccinia virus, dose-dependently prevented the changes in SART-stressed rats. However, Neurotropin had no effect on the ACh-induced decrease in muscarinic ACh receptor (m-ACh.R) in cultured vas deferens of guinea pig. These results suggest that down-regulation of m-ACh.R in duodenum by SART stress may be associated with enhanced activity in the parasympathetic center. Moreover, Neurotropin is thought to prevent the down-regulation of m-ACh.R throughout the central nervous system.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1992

[Epidemiological studies on viral hepatitis among long-term sojourners in the developing countries and evaluation of preventive measures].

It is known that acute viral hepatitis is very common among sojourners in developing countries. In order to conduct effective health control, epidemiological studies were made on viral hepatitis which occurred among Japanese staying in developing countries, and evaluations were carried out on preventive measures. The subjects of present study were a group of Japanese people staying in developing countries for two years. Mid year population of the group was 1732 in 1988. Period of the present study is ten years from 1979 to 1988. The study was conducted based on the reports from offices in each country, survey trips and serological studies on the subjects. In 1979, frequency of hepatitis A (HA) was very high showing 79% of total hepatitides. However after starting of inoculation of human immune serum globulin (ISG), the frequency of HA declined remarkably. Statistical significance was recognized in the efficacy of ISG. Among 35 cases of hepatitis B (HB) (34 males and 1 female), 2 derived from HBe antigen carrier while the remaining 34 were regarded as infected during their stay in developing countries. No cases of HB were recognized among those who received injections of HB vaccine. The rate of people whose HB marker turned positive during their stay is showing a tendency of increase (4.2% in 1987). The frequency of infection with HB virus is especially high in Asian and African countries where the carrier rates of native people were also high. Ten cases of non-A non-B hepatitis were recognized. Among them 7 were infected in Asia, 1 in Africa and 1 in Central America.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The effect of OK-432 upon erythropoietic recovery in sub-lethally irradiated mice: a preliminary report.

OK-432, a multicytokine inducer and clinically used as an immunopotentiating anti-cancer agent, is known to induce IL-1 and TNF-alpha. The suppressive effect of IL-1 and TNF-alpha on erythropoiesis could limit the clinical use of OK-432 in cancer treatment, especially when combined with radiotherapy. In this study, the effect of OK-432 on normal and X-ray impaired erythropoiesis was examined. C57BL/6J mice were injected with a single dose of OK-432 (5.0 KE). Erythropoietic activity was measured by 59Fe incorporation into circulating erythrocytes and the heme iron fraction of erythropoietic tissue. When irradiated with 662 cGy of X-rays, OK-432 prolonged the survival of mice. No significant change in erythropoiesis was observed when normal mice were treated with OK-432. When treated with OK-432, the recovery of erythropoiesis after irradiation was promoted as judged by the uptake of 59Fe into erythrocytes. This promotion was observed when OK-432 was injected within 1 day before or within 3 hours after the irradiation with 284 cGy of X-rays. This promoting effect, however, appeared to be limited to the spleen. Whether the combination of OK-432 with radiotherapy has the potential to improve the treatment of malignant tumors is still a subject of controversy. The present results, nevertheless, suggest that when combined with radiotherapy, OK-432, at the very least, may have no adverse effects on erythropoiesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[A study on the distortion of distributions of delays in detecting pulmonary tuberculosis].

It is reported that a cumulated percentage of the interval between the onset of symptoms and the first visit to a doctor (patient delay) and that between the first visit and diagnosis (doctor's delay) among pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients demonstrate a straight line on the log-normal probability paper. Factors influencing the straight line nature of these delays were analyzed. The samples consist of 454 patients who were diagnosed between 1986 and 1988, from the area served by the Kochi Chuo Health Center. They were divided into two groups; 125 patients detected due to the manifestation of additional symptoms related to TB while being treated for other diseases (group A), and 329 patients detected only after the onset of TB symptoms (group B). Results are as follows. 1) When considering all patients (group A+B), patient delay among cases found through positive examination of tubercle bacillus and the doctor's delay among cases whose bacillus examination was negative demonstrated a straight line. However patient delay among bacillus negative cases demonstrated a downward tendency and the doctor's delay among bacillus positive cases demonstrated a upward tendency on the log-normal probability paper. 2) In the B group, both the patient's and doctor's delay demonstrated virtually straight lines among both bacillus positive and negative cases. However, in the A group, a straight line among bacillus positive cases was demonstrated, while a downward tendency was revealed among the bacillus negative cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Humans↗
PubMed1992

[Practical use of mortality statistics and mass examination results by health workers in the local authority of the community].

In Kochi prefecture, the prefectural health service bureau tabulates both mortality statistics and mass examination results for each community and the tabulated report is sent annually to public health services staff in each local authority. While recognizing its limitations, methods of how to use the annual report are demonstrated. For example comparison of the mortality statistics and the mass examination results of the male population of A town, which is administered by Susaki Health Center, to that of the combined male population of all the towns administered by the health center shows that although the mortality rate for cerebrovascular disease for the A town-male population had been much higher than that of the combined male population in the early 1980's, the difference disappeared in the late 1980's. On the other hand, prevalence of systolic hypertension in the A town-male population continued to be higher than that for the combined male population in the late 1980's. Therefore hypertension prevention programs appears to still have significance in the A town-male population. Certain weaknesses exist in this annual report. In the comparison of mass examination results among different populations, the presence of selection bias of those receiving examinations should be considered. Standardization of mass examination procedures and quality controls of the examinations should also be considered. To get health workers to utilize the annual report further, the reported items should be improved. Particularly useful would be tabulation by residential subdivision and occupation.

Community Health Services↗
PubMed1992

[Relationship between alcohol use and depressive/anxiety symptoms among a general population: a review of literature].

Studies of a relationship between alcohol use and depressive/anxiety symptoms among a general population are reviewed, regarding characteristics of subjects, study design, methods for evaluation of alcohol use and of psychiatric symptoms, and consideration of confounding factors, such as age and sex. The authors concluded that there could be some relationships between alcohol use and psychiatric symptoms. However, they found that there were differences in findings among the studies. There might be a possibility that an existence and forms of the relationship differ by sex and by methods for evaluation of alcohol use. The relationship among Japanese might be different from that among people in Western countries. The authors emphasize that further epidemiological studies are required and point out some conditions with which the studies should satisfy.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1991

Methylphenidate and interpersonal relationships of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

In order to clarify the effects of methylphenidate on interpersonal relationships of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), data from sociometric tests conducted in 28 classes to which ADHD children belonged was analyzed, comparing patients who had a history of methylphenidate treatment with those who had not. It was suggested that ADHD children with a history of methylphenidate treatment had more favorable votes and fewer unfavorable ones than those without it. However, there were more isolated children among ADHD children with methylphenidate treatment than in those without it. The results are discussed in the light of previous findings in the literature and a hypothesis for methylphenidate induced isolation is proposed.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed1991

Mechanism of hyperalgesia in SART stressed (repeated cold stress) mice: antinociceptive effect of neurotropin.

Exposing mice to 24 and 4 degrees C in alternate 1 hr periods in the day time and maintaining 4 degrees C at night for several days decreases the tail clamp pressure required to evoke pain behavior. This model is referred to as SART (specific alternation rhythm of temperature) stress. An extract from inflamed skin of rabbits inoculated with vaccinia virus (neurotropin) clearly normalized the hyperalgesia in this SART stress model. To clarify the mechanism of the hyperalgesia in SART mice and the mode of the antinociceptive action of neurotropin in this model, the influence of systemically administered neurotransmitter related drugs was studied. 1) Neurotropin, 5-hydroxytryptophan and L-dihydroxyphenylalanine significantly normalized the decrease in nociceptive threshold, and muscimol tended to inhibit it in nociceptive threshold in SART stressed mice. 2) Haloperidol, phenoxybenzamine, reserpine, bicuculline, scopolamine, physostigmine and naloxone alone did not influence the nociceptive threshold in SART stressed mice. 3) The antinociceptive effect of neurotropin was significantly attenuated by p-chlorophenylalanine, haloperidol and phenoxybenzamine; and it was completely inhibited by reserpine. 4) Naloxone, bicuculline, scopolamine and physostigmine had no influence on the antinociceptive effect of neurotropin. These results suggest that hypofunction mainly of the monoaminergic systems contributes to hyperalgesia in SART stressed mice and that neurotropin produces the antinociceptive effect by restoring these neural functions.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗
PubMed1991

[A review on mental health and psychiatric services in England].

Psychiatric care in Japan has received criticism not only within Japan but from other parts of the world. By contrast, the services for mentally ill in England is considered to be superior and is therefore presented briefly to benefit the development of better community psychiatric care in Japan. The history of psychiatric services in England is described briefly. After World War II, deinstitutionalization has been occurring and the in-patient rate per 100,000 population which was 354 in 1954 and has decreased to 120 in 1990. Despite a decrease in the in-patient rate, the admission rate per 100,000 population has been increasing gradually during this period. Deinstitutionalization process and the development of community care services are summarized. Among these are alternative services such as primary care, day care and residential services in the community which are considered to be important elements. Problems associated with deinstitutionalization process are also discussed. In developing community care services in Japan, lessons can be learned from the success and failures of England's attempt over the last 30-years to build a better, more community-based system.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Detection of pulmonary tuberculosis. Special characteristics of patients detected while receiving treatment for other diseases].

Tuberculosis (TB) detection is mainly classified as being either passive case-finding, at a hospital, or positive case-finding through a mass screening. Pulmonary TB patients detected while being examined for other complaints at a hospital are classified as passive findings. It is suspected that these patients have special characteristics which separate them from patients that are detected only after the onset of TB symptoms. The aim of this study is to elucidate those special characteristics of patients where detection occurred while being examined for other diseases by comparing them with patients detected by the other means. A survey was conducted on 686 pulmonary TB patients, diagnosed between 1986 and 1988, from the area served by the Kochi Prefectural Chuo Health Center, with the following results. 1) Among the 533 patients who were detected at a hospital, and excluding those detected by mass screening, 331 patients were detected only after the onset of TB symptoms (group B), with 202 patients being treated for other diseases before being diagnosed as having TB (classified as group A). In group A, 130 patients were detected because of manifesting additional symptoms related to tuberculosis such as fever and cough (group A-1), while the remaining 72 patients were detected by chance while being examined for other diseases (group A-2). 2) The number of elderly people and relapse cases was higher in group A compared to B group and the group detected by mass screening. 3) Symptoms, the rate of tubercle bacillus positives, and the period from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis (defined delay) in group A-1, were similar to group B. In group A-2, symptoms and the rate of tubercle bacillus positives were less than those of the other groups. 4) From the above findings, it is concluded that passive case-findings should be classified into 3 distinct groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Fundamental and clinical studies of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for pancreatic duct stones].

The application of ESWL for pancreatic duct stones was studied clinically, and the safety of this technique was also investigated experimentally. In 12 patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis and having calcified stones in the main pancreatic duct, ESWL was performed. None of the patient had received endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy before ESWL. Stone disintegration was obtained in all cases, and the main pancreatic duct stones completely disappeared in 9 of 12 cases. As a result, not only exacerbation of pancreatitis was removed, but also the preservation of pancreatic endocrine and exocrine functions was suggested. With regard to complications, no abnormalities were observed experimentally in the pancreatic parenchyma of treated dogs, and similarly no acute symptoms were recognized in the patients with pancreatic duct stones. ESWL for pancreatic duct stones is low in stress for the patient, and is effective for large stones. We therefore conclude that ESWL might be an extremely useful, new non-surgical treatment approach to control of pancreatic duct stones.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Role of CT and ultrasonography in acute blunt trauma of the abdomen].

From March 1985 to April 1989, one hundred thirty-one patients were examined using computed tomography (CT) and/or ultrasonography (US) in the evaluation of acute blunt trauma of the abdomen (CT and US in 36 patients, CT in 25 US in 70). Twenty-three out of the 131 cases (17.6%) showed positive findings of abdominal trauma on CT and/or US. Sixteen of the 23 patients with positive findings underwent therapeutic laparotomy, while all of the other 108 patients with negative findings were successfully managed conservatively. This fact suggests that one of the roles of CT and/or US is to pick up patients with negative findings who do not have any laparotomy. Free fluid collection was demonstrated in all of the 23 patients with positive findings in: all 22 on CT (100%), and 13 of 14 on US (92.9%). In all of the 23 patients but one with an injured mesenterium, injured organ was demonstrated by CT and/or US in: 21 of 22 by CT (95.5%), and 11 of 14 by US (78.6%). In one of the 11 patients, not an immediate US but a follow-up on the next day revealed an injured organ. In 6 out of the 12 patients who underwent both plain and contrast enhancement (CE), CT, CE-CT demonstrated the injured organ more clearly than plain CT. US with sector probe was also useful for demonstrating the injured lesion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed1990

Time-lapse microscopy and DNA double-strand breakage of Chinese hamster cells under conditions promoting or preventing PLD repair after irradiation with 60Co gamma rays.

We have confirmed previous time-lapse microscopic observations (Suzuki 1985) using Chinese hamster hai and V79 cells. The proportion of non-dividing to dividing cells was the same under conditions of potentially lethal damage (PLD) repair and non-PLD repair after irradiation with 60Co gamma-rays. This finding suggested that the radiation-induced damage to cellular DNA was similarly repaired so that cells undergo a first division to the same extent under both sets of conditions. In fact, direct measurement of double-strand breaks (dsb) in DNA from the two cell lines by the neutral elution technique showed no differences either in the initial amount of damage or in the time-course under conditions promoting or preventing PLD repair. These results indicate that PLD repair (i.e. an increase in cell survival) cannot be simply explained by a difference in the repair of dsb, but it can perhaps be explained by assuming that DNA damage is repaired with either fewer or more errors in the presence or absence of PLD repair respectively.

Animals↗