PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

K Fujishiro

Publications and source records attributed to K Fujishiro.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Examination of dust generated from a workplace where steel wire coil are unwound].

Analyses of constituents, measurement of concentrations, research of size distributions and scanning electron microscopic examinations were carried out to determine the type and amount of dust generated in a working environment where steel wire coils are unwound. In about a 700 m2 work area unit, stationary samplings, including A-sampling (24 points) and B-sampling (1 point), which are defined by the law, were carried out. The dust concentration was measured by a digital dust indicator. A low volume air sampler was used to determine the conversion factor of the values obtained by the digital dust indicator. Because the result of the dust level by A-sampling and B-sampling were 0.64 mg/m3 and 0.82 mg/m3 respectively, they can both be classified as Control Class 1. A proportion of less than 7 microns of the airborne dust made up about 15 to 20% (volume %) of the total dust in the working environments. Metallic dust and white dust were identified in the accumulated dust. By measuring with a X-ray diffractometry, it was determined that the metal dust constituent was Zn and the white dust constituent was Zn4CO3(OH)6.H2O. By a scanning electron microscopic examination, the scope of the particles was proven to be non-fibrous.

Air Pollutants, Occupational

[Research on the contents of material safety data sheets].

The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) system for the safe management of chemical substances was officially promulgated in 1993 and has been gradually put into practice through administrative guidance in Japan. However, little research has been done on the quality of such data sheets provided from various sectors of industries. We examined two sets of MSDSs obtained from a refractory ceramic plant. In the first survey in 1995, the set of MSDSs was from July, 1992 to March, 1994; and in the second survey in 1997, the set was from April, 1994 to November, 1996. The number of MSDSs examined in these two surveys was 159 and 81, respectively. The number of MSDSs in which "Hazard Identification" was indicated was 100 (63%) in the 1995 survey and 75 (93%) in the 1997 survey. The number of those in which "Toxicological Information (Stability and Reactivity)" was indicated was 81 (51%) and 80 (99%), respectively. The description rates for the essential items, including the above two, were found to be improving.

Data Collection

[Carotid blood flow volume measurement using an ultrasonic Doppler flowmeter--predictive diagnosis of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases].

BACKGROUND: It is difficult to predict ischemic cerebrovascular diseases by noninvasive methods before overt symptoms develop. Advanced carotid and cerebral atherosclerosis reduce common carotid blood flow volume due to increased resistance of peripheral circulation. According to a study in which clinical and pathological specimens were compared, the lower threshold for the flow volume in normal individuals has been confirmed to be 6.5 ml/s. We investigated the possibility that the development of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases can be predicted based on blood flow volume. METHOD: We conducted a retrospective study on 314 patients who were available for determination of common carotid blood flow volume with an ultrasonic quantitative flowmeter. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients developed ischemic cerebrovascular attacks during the observation period (onset group), while the remaining 281 did not develop attacks (non-onset group). The discriminating value for common carotid blood flow volume between the onset and non-onset groups was 6.8 ml/s. Based on an odds ratio of 6.7, it was concluded that a common carotid blood flow volume of less than 6.8 ml/s is highly likely to predict the onset of ischemic cerebrovascular accidents.

Aged

[A case of Satoyoshi syndrome with symptoms resembling neuroleptic malignant syndrome].

Satoyoshi syndrome is a rare neurological disorder of unknown etiology characterized by progressive muscle spasms, alopecia, diarrhea and skeletal abnormalities. We here describe a 25-year-old man who developed symptoms similar to neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). He began to have the clinical characteristics of Satoyoshi syndrome at the age of 12 years. He was admitted to hospitals many times with painful muscle spasms and pyrexia in the early stage of the disease. He received steroid pulse therapy and oral prednisone at the age of 19, the extent and frequency of the spells being reduced thereafter. He was admitted to our hospital due to recurrence of his usual muscle spasms. He was treated with midazolam intravenously to relieve severe muscle ache, pain in the left shoulder, and insomnia. About 90 minutes later, he became comatose, with the following manifestations: hyperthermia, low blood pressure, tachycardia, profuse perspiration, acute respiratory failure, and ensuing cardiac arrest. He developed rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure, hepatic damage, and diffuse intravascular coagulation. Serum creatine kinase level was elevated to 306,910 IU. He died of multiple organ failure 13 days after admission. His symptoms resembled NMS and malignant hyperthermia (MH). None of patients with Satoyoshi syndrome accompanied by NMS or MH have been reported. It remains to be clarified whether midazolam administration induces NMS in Satoyoshi syndrome. Nevertheless, careful attention should be paid when one administers midazolam to patients with this syndrome.

Adult

[Report on occupational health and safety practice, level 4].

Recently, because international standardization systems have been set up in many fields, it is necessary for Japanese companies to employ persons who have specific knowledge and techniques in regards to occupational health and safety. In this paper, therefore, we discuss Occupational Health and Safety Practice, Level 4, and try to compare it with Japanese licences. The standard was developed by the Occupational Health and Safety Lead Body (OHSLB) in England. This standard is intended for occupational health and safety practitioners working in general health and safety. We conclude that the training system for occupational health and safety practitioners in Japan must be developed more fully.

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice

Relationship between ultrasound assessment of arterial wall properties and blood pressure.

Physical properties of an artery can be described in terms of stiffness, distensibility, and compliance. Changes in these properties can predict atherosclerosis disease, but it is necessary to identify an index that is independent of changes in blood pressure. We measured common carotid artery diameter and pulsatile change with an ultrasonic phase-locked, echo-tracking system in 7 subjects whose mean brachial blood pressure had varied 15 mm Hg or more within a month. Patients taking antihypertensive agents were excluded from the study. We measured changes in arterial diameter (n = 41) at least four times during the study period and calculated the pressure-strain elastic modulus (Ep), distensibility coefficient (DC), cross-sectional compliance (CC) and stiffness parameter (beta) from inner diameter, its pulsatile change, and blood pressure. The correlation coefficients of mean blood pressure with each index are as follows: Ep, 0.53; DC, 0.58; CC, 0.63; beta, 0.21. When mean blood pressure increased 1 mm Hg, the change in each index at 100 mm Hg was as follows: Ep, 1.48 +/- 1.30%; DC, -1.05 +/- 0.97%; CC, -0.69 +/- 0.90%; beta, 0.45 +/- 1.11%. Among the four indices that measure the properties of the arterial walls, stiffness parameter beta was the least dependent on blood pressure. Thus, it appears to have usefulness as an index of arterial wall sclerosis.

Aged

Acetylpolyamine amidohydrolase from Mycoplana ramosa: gene cloning and characterization of the metal-substituted enzyme.

We have cloned a gene (aphA) encoding acetylpolyamine amidohydrolase from Mycoplana ramosa ATCC 49678, (previously named Mycoplana bullata). A genomic library of M. ramosa was screened with an oligonucleotide probe designed from a N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme purified from M. ramosa. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed an open reading frame of 1,023 bp which encodes a polypeptide with a molecular mass of 36,337 Da. This is the first report of the structure of acetylpolyamine amidohydrolase. The aphA gene was subcloned under the control of the trc promoter and was expressed in Escherichia coli MM294. The recombinant enzyme was purified, and the enzymatic properties were characterized. Substrate specificities, Km values, and Vmax values were identical to those of the native enzyme purified from M. ramosa. In the analysis of the metal-substituted enzymes, we found that the acid limb of pH rate profiles shifts from 7.2 for the original zinc enzyme to 6.6 for the cobalt enzyme. This change suggests that the zinc atom is essential for the catalytic activity of the enzyme similarly to the zinc atom in carboxypeptidase A.

Actinomycetales

Common carotid artery wall properties in Takayasu's arteritis.

The vessel wall properties of the common carotid artery have been noninvasively and quantitatively assessed with an ultrasonic instrument. Stiffness parameter beta, which represents the mechanical properties of the vessel, was calculated from the relationship between blood pressure and the diameter of the artery. There are no reports that quantitatively assess wall properties in Takayasu's arteritis. The authors compared, in vivo, the vessel wall properties of the common carotid artery in 14 patients with Takayasu's arteritis versus those in 60 normal subjects (controls). They measured changes in the inner diameter of the artery between systole and diastole with an ultrasonic, phase-locked, echo-tracking system. Beta was significantly higher in Takayasu's arteritis than in normal subjects (better than a 99% confidence interval). The findings for each decade were as follows: 3rd decade (20s): 35.7 +/- 28.9 vs 5.01-6.46, P=0.0001; 4th decade (30s): 19.5 +/- 9.71 vs 6.09-7.80, P=0.02; 5th decade (40s): 26.2 +/- 11.3 vs 7.26-9.28, P = 0.0001; 6th decade (50s): 19.1 +/- 4.27 vs 8.66-11.25, P = 0.0001. Takayasu's arteritis significantly impaired the mechanical performance of the common carotid artery. Thus, beta shows promise as a useful diagnostic indicator of Takayasu's arteritis.

Adult

Alterations of hepatic drug metabolising system due to dimethylformamide (DMF).

The effect of repeated exposures to N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) on the liver and the hepatic microsomal monooxygenase system and glutathione metabolizing enzymes were investigated. DMF was administered to Wistar male rats by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection at 1.0 ml/kg body weight (950 mg/kg), 3 times a week for 2 weeks. The gain in the body weight in the DMF group were suppressed compared with the control group at 2 week. The relative weight of the liver, spleen and kidney also appeared to increase in the DMF group as same as in the control group. Hematological examinations showed no changes. Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) did not change in the DMF group. Hepatic microsomal protein and cytochrome P-450 did significantly decrease by 30% and 38%, respectively, while there was no change in cytochrome b5, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and NADH-ferricyanide reductase. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was not affected by DMF administration, while glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase, (GST) activity were significantly increased by 16% and 64%, respectively. These results indicate that DMF alters tke hepatic drug metabolizing system without significant increase of the serum transaminase levels. These findings may contribute to elucidate the mechanism of DMF hepatotoxicity.

Animals

[Application of neurobehavioral tests in a manufacturing automotive parts factory].

Three neurobehavioral tests and a profile of mood states (POMS) test, which are included in the WHO neurobehavioral core test battery, were applied to 106 workers engaged in manufacturing automotive parts, especially for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of a significant difference in the score between a group of sixty-one workers chronically exposed to organic solvents and a group of forty-five workers unexposed. The scores of both pursuit-aiming and digit-symbol substitution tests were lower (P < 0.02 and P < 0.01, respectively, in analysis of covariance) in the group of exposed workers than in the group of unexposed workers. Furthermore, in the group of exposed workers, the pursuit-aiming and digit-symbol substitution scores showed a positive correlation (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) to the fatigue score in the POMS test. On the other hand, the score of the digit span test showed no significant difference between the two groups. No significant correlation was found between the urinary hippuric acid level and the score of each of the three neurobehavioral tests. Therefore, among the exposed workers, the perceptual motor function evaluated in pursuit-aiming and digit-symbol tests seems to be affected. The neurobehavioral tests administered in this study are limited in number and in function, however, the comparison of their scores between the exposed and unexposed workers may suggest the presence of adversive effects of chronic exposure to organic solvents.

Adult

Correlation of ultrasound-measured common carotid artery stiffness with pathological findings.

To quantitatively and noninvasively evaluate common carotid atherosclerosis in a series of patients, we measured the stiffness parameter beta, which represents the mechanical properties of the vessel. beta was calculated from the relationship between blood pressure and the diameter of the artery as measured by an ultrasonic, phase-locked, echotracking system. Increases in the severity grade of atherosclerosis as subsequently determined at autopsy were correlated with increased beta values in 60 common carotid arteries (r = .68). Patients with beta values greater than 13 had a pathological diagnosis of atherosclerosis in the common carotid artery. The sensitivity of this discrimination ratio was 80%, and the specificity was 80% as well. Thus, beta shows promise as a useful diagnostic indicator for detecting asymptomatic common carotid atherosclerosis.

Adult

Liver injury induced by dichloropropanols--changes in the time course on hematological and blood chemical examinations.

The toxicity of dichloropropanols (DCPs) was investigated by hematological and blood chemical examination. Solutions of two isomers of DCPs, 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol (DC2P) and 2,3-dichloro-1-propanol (DC1P) were dissolved in saline at a concentration of 100 mg/ml and 0.1 ml of each was subcutaneously injected into male Wistar rats weighing about 200 g. Acute changes on transaminases and number of platelets were determined in the time course. 6 hours later, transaminases showed significant increases while the number of platelets significantly decreased in the DC2P-treated group. In the half the of DC2P-treated group, transaminases had increased furthermore at 24 hours, while those in the rest were recovered to the control level. No changes were observed in the DC1P-treated group. These results indicate that there is a prominent hepatotoxicity in DC2P, with the individual diversities to some extent and the hepatic toxicity differs considerably between DC2P and DC1P. Therefore, the monitoring of the working environment and biological monitoring of DCPs should be mandatory, in the workplace where DCPs, especially DC2P, are utilized.

Alanine Transaminase

Liver injury and alterations of hepatic microsomal monooxygenase system due to dimethylformamide (DMF) in rats.

The effects of repeated exposure to N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) on the liver and the hepatic microsomal monooxygenase system were investigated. DMF was administered to Wistar male rats by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection at 0.5 ml/kg body weight daily for 1-17 days. Macroscopically, mild liver swelling was observed and liver weights significantly increased after 3 days of exposure to DMF respectively. Hematological changes were not observed. In exposed rats, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase significantly increased after 3 and 7 days of exposure to DMF. After 17 days of exposure to DMF, transaminases decreased compared to the 7 days. Hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 tended to decrease after 3 days of exposure DMF and decreased by 34% after 7 days and 25% after 17 days. Aminopyrine N-demethylase activity depressed significantly while aniline hydroxylase activity showed no change after 3 days of exposure to DMF. These results indicate that DMF alters the hepatic microsomal monooxygenase system. These findings may greatly contribute to the elucidation of the pathogenesis of DMF hepatotoxicity.

Aminopyrine N-Demethylase

Interrelation between urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), serum ALA, and blood lead in workers exposed to lead.

Using a fluorometric HPLC method, we determined delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in sera and urine samples from 16 lead workers with blood lead levels ranging from 19 to 107 microG/100 ml. The concentration of ALA in serum correlated highly with the urinary ALA concentration (gamma = 0.957 for ALA mg/1; gamma = 0.967 for ALA mg/g creatinine). The ALA concentrations in the serum of lead workers ranged from 11 to 151 micrograms/1 with a mean of 51 micrograms/1. In addition, the concentrations of urinary ALA (mg/g creatinine) and serum ALA micrograms/1) had a strong correlation with blood lead concentrations (gamma = 0.838 and 0.892, respectively). These data indicate that the measurement of serum ALA, as well as urinary ALA, is very useful for the biological monitoring of occupational lead exposure.

Adolescent

A study on cerebral nicotine receptor distribution, blood flow, oxygen consumption, and other metabolic activities--a study on the effects of smoking on carotid and cerebral artery blood flow.

We investigated middle cerebral artery flow velocity (MCA-FV) by a noninvasive method to determine whether or not smoking causes an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF). Furthermore we determined sequentially the changes in CBF caused by smoking in order to evaluate changes in responses at different times in daily activities and the effect from meals. The subjects were 25 healthy individuals ranging in age from 20 to 36 yr. MCA-FV was measured by a transcranial Doppler system. They smoked a filtered cigarette for 5 min at 1 P.M., 3 P.M., 6 P.M., 8 P.M., 10 P.M., 8 A.M., and 11 A.M. Results (1) Smoking caused increases in both common carotid artery flow volume and MCA-FV, and the percentage increase of these parameters showed a good correlation (r = 0.809). (2) MCA-FV increased significantly during the first (by 6.6%) and second halves (by 5.4%) of the smoking period. (3) The change in MCA-FV after meals was slight. (4) Smoking tended to increase MCA-FV during each smoking session but the changes were not significant. The pulsatility index reduced significantly during almost every smoking session. These results lead to the conclusion that smoking reduces vascular resistance in cerebral arteries and increases CBF.

Adult

Reversibility of ethylene oxide-induced testicular damage evaluated by the hemiorchiectomy method.

In the present study, we tried to use the hemiorchiectomy method to examine a reversibility of the testicular damage induced by ethylene oxide (EtO). Wistar male rats were exposed to EtO at a concentration of 500 ppm, 6 hours a day, 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Thereafter we evaluated the reversibility after 13-week recovery period. From the result about a propriety of the hemiorchiecyomy method for recovery study, it was suggested that hemiorchiectomy did not affect remaining testis and epididymis after the recovery period and there was no laterality about the testicular damage just after the exposure period. Therefore we concluded that the hemiorchiectomy method could be used for recovery study for EtO-induced testicular damage. The reversibility was evaluated by comparing the damages of hemiorchiectomized testis just after the exposure period and those of remaining testis removed after the recovery period in the same rat. The result indicated that the reversibility of EtO-induced testicular damage may depend on a degree of damage just after the exposure.

Animals

[Effects of ethylene oxide inhalation on mice].

Male ddY mice were exposed to ethylene oxide (EO) at a concentration of 400 ppm, 6 hours a day, 3 days a week for 13 weeks and the effects of EO on the hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes were investigated. The liver and spleen weight per body weight did not change. Compared to the control group, the kidney weight of the exposed group increased while the testis weight decreased significantly. Hematological examination showed macrocytic anemia in the exposed group. Contents of microsomal cytochrome P-450 in the exposed group increased twice as much as that in the control group, while microsomal protein, cytochrome b5, protoheme and NADPH-cytochrome C reductase activity did not change. NADH-ferricyanide reductase activity of the exposed group increased significantly. Among the glutathione related enzymes in the liver, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activities in the exposed group decreased but glutathione-S-transferase activity increased significantly.

Administration, Inhalation