Biomedical subjects

K Ozasa

Publications and source records attributed to K Ozasa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1997

Hypermethylation in the retinoblastoma gene is associated with unilateral, sporadic retinoblastoma.

We previously reported 9 unilateral, sporadic retinoblastomas with hypermethylation in the 5' region of the RB gene, and we found that CpG methylation in the RB promoter inhibits the binding of the retinoblastoma binding factor 1 (RBF-1) and the activating transcription factor (ATF)-like factors, thereby resulting in a considerable reduction in RB promoter activity. In this study, we screened for hypermethylation in 121 additional cases of retinoblastoma, and found 5 tumors with hypermethylation, including 4 unilateral, sporadic tumors, and one hereditary tumor. The hereditary tumor had a germline deletion of one allele, and the hypermethylation was an acquired, epigenetic change in the other allele. Another tumor had hypermethylation restricted to approximately 800 base pairs in the RB promoter region including the essential RBF-1 and ATF sites. The frequency of hypermethylation in unilateral, sporadic tumors was 9.3% combining our previous and present examinations (13 among 140), whereas the frequency was 1.0% in bilateral hereditary tumors (one among 101). The statistical analyses using the chi-square test indicated significant correlation between hypermethylation and unilateral, sporadic tumors (p < 0.05). These results suggest that hypermethylation in the RB gene is always an acquired, epigenetic change and causes about 9% of unilateral, sporadic tumors.

Blotting, Southern↗

PubMed1997

Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric cancer. A nested case-control study in a rural area of Japan.

We conducted a seroepidemiological nested case-control study to determine the association of gastric cancer with Helicobacter pylori infection and atrophic gastritis. A cohort of 2858 participants in an annual multiphasic health check-up were followed for eight years. Data for 45 gastric cancer cases and 225 sex-, age-, and address-matched control subjects were analyzed. Helicobacter pylori infection was determined by IgG antibodies, and atrophic gastritis was diagnosed by both serum pepsinogen I level (< or = 70 ng/ml) and the pepsinogen I/II ratio (< or = 3.0). Univariate analysis showed that Helicobacter pylori and atrophic gastritis were significantly associated with gastric cancer. In a multivariate analysis, atrophic gastritis was associated with significantly increased risk of cancer (odds ratio, 3.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.54-7.42); however, Helicobacter pylori was not associated with cancer (odds ratio, 1.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.59-5.72). These results suggest that Helicobacter pylori infection alone is not directly associated with gastric carcinogenesis but has an indirect relation to gastric cancer through the development of atrophic gastritis.

Adult↗

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

[An epidemiological study on an outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection].

We conducted an epidemiological study on an outbreak of Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 to reveal the food vehicle for E. coli O157:H7. An approach of descriptive and analytical epidemiology was conducted on the basis of a case definition, that is workers reported the onset of diarrhea in between July 15 and July 22, 1996. There were 47 workers including five patients who had stool cultures that yielded E. coli O157:H7. A case-control study of all workers who dined at the company cafeteria during the 8 days probable exposure period was conducted using cafeteria computer records. Eating in the cafeteria on July 11 or 12 was associated with illness. Further case-control study using a self-administered questionnaire revealed that eating radish sprout salad on July 11 was the only food item slightly associated with diarrhea. Since the epidemiological study could reveal the cause of the outbreak of E. coli O157:H7, it should be used more and properly in collaboration with epidemiologists.

Case-Control Studies↗

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

Tuberculous spondylitis (Pott's disease) with bilateral pleural effusion.

We report a case of tuberculous spondylitis (Pott's disease) with bilateral pleural effusion in a 25-year-old male patient. Left-pleural effusion was observed on admission. The initial diagnosis was tuberculous pleuritis. However, during anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy, back pain and right-pleural effusion appeared. by further examination, we diagnosed an active tuberculous spondylitis of the 11th and 12th thoracic vertebrae possibly by the dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis through blood circulation or lymphatic circulation. In cases in which anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy is not so effective, the possibility of the rarely-appearing extra-pulmonary manifestation of tuberculous spondylitis must be considered.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Incidence, risk factors relating to bacillary tuberculosis and secondary infections from registered patients in Hunai-Gun, Kyoto Prefecture].

To review how to strengthen tuberculosis program in Hunai-Gun, Kyoto Prefecture, the recent trend of incidence of tuberculosis and 148 index cases with pulmonary tuberculosis newly registered from 1987 to 1992 were analyzed regarding the mode of detection, conditions when consulting medical facilities, risk factors, bacteriological findings, and secondary infections among contacts. 1. The high crude incidence of tuberculosis in Hunai-Gun is explained by the high proportion (19.3%) of the elderly population of 65 years old and over in Hunai-Gun compared with the average (12.6%) in the Prefecture and the high tuberculosis incidence among age group of 70 years old and over in Hunai-Gun compared with the prefectural average. However, the reason of higher incidence of tuberculosis among the elderly in the district was not clear. 2. The proportion of bacillary as well as culture positive cases were higher among patients who were diagnosed by consulting medical facilities than those detected by regular health check. The proportion of bacillary cases without risk factors for tuberculosis among patients who were diagnosed at medical facilities was the highest among those newly attending medical facilities due to complaints related to tuberculosis (group A), followed by those patients regularly attending medical facilities for other diseases but consulting because of additional complaints related to tuberculosis (group B), and lowest among patients regularly attending medical facilities but detected by chance while being examined for other diseases (group C). The severer the diseases stage, the higher the proportion of bacillary cases, however, there were no difference in the proportion of bacillary cases among the above three groups including those with risk factors. It is explained by the fact that the ratio of patients with risk factors was high in group C, which masked the higher proportion of bacillary cases among patients with risk factors. 3. As future activities of public health center on tuberculosis control, it is important to give health education to those with risk factors on the fact that the progression of the disease is faster among them in addition to the increased risk of the disease onset, and advise them to attend regular health check and visit medical facilities when they have any symptom related to tuberculosis. 4. Considering the fact that the risk of secondary infection to contacts is higher among smear positive patients than bacilli negative patients, it is needed to examine all contacts of sputum smear positive patients thoroughly. In addition, it is advisable to follow-up contacts of smear negative but culture positive patients with the similar intensity with those for smear positive patients because their risk of secondary infection to contacts was also higher than bacilli negative patients although it was not statistically significant.

Adolescent↗

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↗

PubMed1995

[A case control study of risk factors for Japanese cedar pollinosis].

Risk factors for Japanese cedar pollinosis including past or family history of allergic diseases, smoking and passive smoking, dwelling conditions, and life events were analyzed by a case control method. Patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis (22 males and 67 females) were matched with a corresponding number of patients without potential symptoms of pollinosis according to sex and age (+/- 5 years). The mean age was 39 years in both groups. The odds ratio (OR) was calculated by McNemar's method and the conditional logistic regression model. The design and methodology in this study were somewhat inadequate so that the validity of the results is limited. The most important problem was no-matching according to exposure to pollen. Significantly high OR for past history of allergic disease (8.80, 95% confidence interval (CI); 3.49-22.2), atopic sermatitis (9.00, 95% CI; 1.14-71.0), and a sibling history of allergic disease (3.25, 95% CI; 1.06-9.97) were consistent with former genetical studies. ORs were lower than unity for current smokers (0.36, 95% CI; 0.11-1.13) and those smoking 10 cigarettes/day or more (0.20, 95% CI; 0.04-0.91) relative to nonsmokers. The OR for passive smoking from 7-15 years of age as a result of the father's smoking habit (0.38, 95% CI; 0.17-0.86) was also significantly low. Smoking was suggested to increase the level of total and antigen-specific IgE in serum by former studies, so that sensitization and symptoms should be studied separately. The high OR of residents in a business or light industrial area (5.00, 95% CI; 1.45-17.3) suggested an association with air pollution.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

[Efficacy of smoking cessation instruction for general smokers at an annual physical examination].

A randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of smoking cessation instruction given to general smokers at an annual physical examination. Four hundred and twenty-six male and 42 female clients were randomly assigned to an intervention group (I), and 413 males and 76 females were assigned to a control (C) group. The I group was given an approximately 2-minute smoking cessation instruction by physicians, answered a quiz concerning tobacco, chose their own behavioral goals and were handed a leaflet on how to quit smoking. Subjects in both groups responded to a self-administered questionnaire and a 6-month and 12-month follow-up was performed by post card or telephone. The I group received an encouragement card one month after instruction and abstainers of the I group were awarded a telephone card at the 6-month follow-up. The results were as follows: 1) The male I group exhibited 7.3% (6 months), 10.1% (12 months) abstinence rates and the male C group 4.4% (6 months), 5.3% (12 months), respectively. The difference in 12-month abstinence rates was statistically significant. 2) The female I group exhibited abstinence rates of 16.7% (6 months), 23.8% (12 months) and the female C group 14.5% (6 months), 17.1% (12 months), respectively. 3) A multivariate analysis of smoking cessation showed that lower nicotine dependency, strong determination for smoking cessation, and being female were significant factors for abstinence at the 6-month follow-up. At 12 months, the smoking cessation instruction also became a significant factor. These data suggest that a simple smoking cessation instruction at an annual physical examination was effective for general smokers.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Characteristics of smoking, drinking, dietary habits, and physical exercise in health behavioral models].

Various kinds of preventive health behaviors are promoted by health education. The extent of behavioral modification achieved, however, obviously differs from individual to individual according to habits, one of the reasons being the characteristics of various health habits are perceived differently. This cross-sectional study examined the association of indices representing health behavior models with smoking, drinking, dietary habits, and physical exercise. The indices and their meaning were as follows; health locus of control (HLC) and saliency of health are thought to cause the most active behavioral change, health norm relatively passive change, and vulnerability to illness the most passive change. The indices and lifestyle (health related practices) were surveyed by a self-administered questionnaire in a rural town in March 1994. The study sample consisted of 1,010 males and 1,055 females aged 20 years or older who responded to all questions related to the indices. Results are as follows: 1) Smoking and alcohol drinking were associated with vulnerability to illness, suggesting that people who quit smoking or alcohol drinking do so because of perception of their association with illness. Alcohol drinking seemed to have a higher magnitude of being associated with becoming ill or with fear of illness than smoking. 2) Consuming green-yellow vegetables and fresh fish, and physical fitness were associated with internal HLC, saliency of health, and health norm. These habits appeared to be easy to modify by active personal behavior choice. 3) Consuming milk, yogurt, boiled beans, tofu, oranges, and other fruits were associated with saliency of health. These habits seemed to relate to personal sense of being "healthy". 4) It seemed that younger people more likely changed their behavior by active self-management, while, older people changed due to their sense of value or norm. While it is important for health education to promote "self-management of health" by active behavioral change, certain habits are more resistant to change despite educational efforts possibly because of their characteristics in health behavioral models. For cases such as these, techniques promoting passive behavioral change should be considered.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[A cross-sectional study of factors associated with production of Japanese cedar pollen specific IgE antibody and total IgE antibody, and symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis in primary school children].

Frequency of and factors associated with sensitization by Japanese cedar pollen (JCP) and Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCPS) were analyzed by a cross-sectional method. Four hundred and five primary school children in a rural town were examined by a questionnaire filled out by their parents and a serum test in May, 1994. Children with positive JCP specific IgE antibody (CAP-RAST score > = 1) comprised 39%, and those with a score of 2 or more, 35%. Prevalence of JCPS defined as positive IgE antibody and "definite symptoms" (any nasal and/or conjunctival symptom continuing for three weeks or more in March and/or April) was 8%, and that of JCPS defined as positive IgE antibody and "definite or possible symptoms" (no condition for duration) was 22%. Children with a high total IgE antibody level (> = 250 U/ml) comprised 26%. The JCP specific IgE antibody level revealed a strong positive correlation with the total IgE antibody level. Past and family history of allergic disease in general was associated with a total IgE antibody level stronger than the JCP specific IgE antibody level, and the history was also associated with allergic-like symptoms except for JCPS stronger than the symptoms of JCPS. Passive smoking by family and use of kerosene stove were negatively associated with the highest level of JCP specific IgE antibody and was not associated with other levels. One explanation may be that allergic disposition influences smoking habits, but the unique condition of nasal mucosa for allergic reaction should be considered.

Antibodies↗

PubMed1994

Immunization coverage and infant mortality rate in developing countries.

We examined whether immunization coverage (IMC) is one of the predictors of infant mortality rate (IMR), as a single indicator representing the availability of primary health care (PHC) services in developing countries. Multiple regression analysis showed that partial correlation coefficients for IMR with immunization coverage (-0.224), logarithm of per capita GNP (-0.294), total fertility rate (0.269), and adult literacy rate (-0.325) were all statistically significant (p < 0.001) in 97 developing countries which make up more than 97% of the population in all the developing countries of the world. Multiple correlation coefficients of IMR with these four variables in 97 countries was 0.921. Thus, more than 80% of variation of IMR in developing countries were explained by the variation of the four variables. The study also showed that IMC was well correlated (simple correlation) with the four indicators of the availability of primary health care services; access to local care (0.730), care of pregnant women (0.603), delivery care (0.666), and infant care (0.553), all of which were statistically significant (p < 0.001) in the 48 developing countries which make up 42% of the population of all developing countries. Multiple correlation coefficients of these four variables was 0.787. About 60% of the variation of IMC will be explained by the variation of the four variables. Thus we conclude that immunization coverage is one of the main predictors of the infant mortality rate. It represents one of the health intervention components which can be used as a proxy indicator of the availability of PHC service in developing countries.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

[Reproducibility of a self-administered questionnaire for dietary habits, smoking, and drinking].

Reproducibility of results from a self-administered questionnaire on dietary habits (the frequency of taking various foods and eating habits), smoking and drinking was examined to study the reliability of the questionnaire, stability of lifestyle, and the validity of the questionnaire in assessing lifestyle as a risk factor in chronic diseases. The study sample included 120 males and 173 females in a rural town in Kyoto Prefecture, who participated in a series of three health examinations in 1988, 1989, and 1992. A survey using the same questionnaire was performed before each health examination. Reproducibility was assessed by correlation (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient or kappa coefficient), exact agreement of category answered, and comparison of mean frequency. An attempt was made to separate reliability and stability from reproducibility using the data from the questionnaire obtained in the three years. Good reproducibility for one-year and four-year intervals was found for foods taken habitually or often (boiled rice, cooked rice gruel with tea, milk, coffee, fruits and bread), and habits (eating breakfast, some eating habits, smoking and drinking). The same was also found for cigarette or alcohol consumption among current consumers except that cigarette consumption over a four-year interval was more likely to change. The reliability of the questionnaire and stability of these items were considered satisfactory, suggesting that the questionnaire was a valid method of assessing long-term lifestyle. Poor reproducibility of results regarding consumption of green-yellow and other vegetables indicated both poor reliability and a change in consumption over four years, and suggested poor validity. However, disagreement in more than one category of vegetables was not large and misclassification in assessing them as risk factors and changes in frequency of consumption may not be large either. Although correlation coefficients for the items of dairy food and eating snacks were fair, disagreement in more than one category was relatively large which may have caused misclassification. The mean frequency of consumption of pickles and fishpaste, ham or sausage significantly decreased over the four year interval. This may reflect the influence of health education on reducing salt intake.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

[A comparative study of psycho-social factors in peptic ulcer disease].

To evaluate the psycho-social factors of peptic ulcer, we carried out a comparative study. Seventy-six men and 19 women with peptic ulcers diagnosed at seven hospitals in Kyoto, Osaka and Hyogo Prefectures in Japan were surveyed during November 1990 about their daily hassles, depressive state, social support and life style using a self-administered questionnaire. The results were compared to those for two control groups. One control group was diagnosed with normal, atrophic gastritis, or superficial gastritis by the gastro-duodenal endoscopic examinations in the same hospitals. The other control group consisted of participants in a health-screening examination at one of the above hospitals. There were no significant differences between patients and controls in daily hassles, depressive state, and social support. However, being unmarried, smoking and eating irregular meals significantly increased the relative risk of peptic ulcer in men and family history of peptic ulcer significantly increased the risk in women.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

[Depression, health status and lifestyles of residents of a rural community].

A survey was conducted to examine the prevalence of depressive symptomatology among residents of a rural community using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale. Subjects were 220 men and 319 women aged between 30 and 69 who participated in annual community health examinations. The relation of depressive symptomatology to the results of physical examination, self-rated health status, subjective symptoms and lifestyles were also examined. The results are as follows. 1) Of the subjects, 13.2% of the men and 16.3% of the women had depressive symptomatology (CES-D score > or = 16), with 4.5% of the men and 9.4% of the women having moderate or severe depressive symptomatology (CES-D score > or = 20). Prevalence was higher for younger men and for women in their forties, but these differences were not statistically significant. 2) There was a weak correlation between depressive symptomatology and the results of physical examination. Self-rated health status was more significantly correlated with depressive symptomatology. Self-rated health status and depressive symptomatology each correlated independently with the number of symptoms experienced by the subjects over the past year. The subjective symptoms that were correlated with depressive symptomatology were different from those correlated to self-rated health status. Men and women also had differences in links between depressive symptomatology, self-rated health status and symptoms experienced. 3) Lifestyles of those who had depressive symptomatology were worse than those who did not. But only duration of sleep and food intake had statistically significant relation to depressive symptomatology. Only weak correlations between lifestyles and self-rated health status were observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1994

[Burden of cigarette smoking on medical costs paid by national health insurance in a rural town].

This study examined the direct association between medical costs and cigarette smoking and modification of interest in visiting medical facilities. The study sample consisted of 966 males 30 years of age or older in a rural town in Kyoto Prefecture, who were members of the National Health Insurance. The subjects were respondents to a previous questionnaire about smoking in February, 1989. There were 544 current smokers, 226 ex-smokers and 141 nonsmokers. Fifty-five subjects did not answer the question about smoking habits. Outpatient medical costs paid by National Health Insurance for the fiscal year 1989 were analyzed. Average medical costs of ex-smokers were the highest of all groups-current, ex-, and non-smokers (30-49, 50-69, and 70+ years of age). Those of current smokers and of the combined current or ex-smokers group were higher than those of non-smokers (30-49 and 50-69 years of age). None of these differences were significant by nonparametric test. The effect of smoking on medical costs was evaluated by odds ratio of the largest class of costs (50,000+ yen for 30-49 years of age, 200,000+ yen for 50-69 years of age, and 500,000+ yen for 70+ years of age) for various types of smokers compared with non-smokers by logistic regression. The odds ratios of current, ex-, and current or ex-smokers 30-49 and 50-69 years of age were between 2 to 3, but not significant. The odds ratio of subjects 70 years of age or older was smaller than unity and not significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗