Biomedical subjects

M Minowa

Publications and source records attributed to M Minowa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Adolescent smoking behaviour and cigarette brand preference in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: As part of efforts to develop a smoking control strategy for Japanese adolescents, the results of two nationwide surveys on adolescent smoking behaviour were compared. DESIGN: Descriptive study on smoking behaviour among high school students was conducted. Self-reporting anonymous questionnaires were administered to 115,814 students in 1996 and 106,297 in 2000 through randomly sampled junior and senior high schools throughout Japan. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Smoking prevalence, proportion of smokers by usual sources of cigarettes, national estimated cigarettes consumed by minors, share of cigarette brands smoked by high school students. RESULTS: The experiment rate among junior high school boys decreased in 2000 compared with that in 1996, whereas current and daily smoking rates did not. Although prevalence among Japanese girls was much lower than that among boys, prevalence among girls increased in 2000. The main source of cigarettes among high school smokers was vending machines. The proportion of smokers who usually purchased cigarettes from vending machines increased in 2000, in spite of the 1998 introduction of restrictions on night-time operations. Japanese adolescents were more likely than adults to smoke American cigarette brands, and the adolescent market share of American brands has increased rapidly, especially for menthol brands. CONCLUSIONS: This survey revealed the seriousness of the problem of smoking behaviour among Japanese high school students, and suggested that this behaviour may be influenced by social environmental factors, including the marketing strategies of the tobacco industry. Action should be taken to reduce the prevalence and impact of pro-tobacco marketing messages and to abolish cigarette vending machines.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

[Schwannoma arising from brachial plexus with intrathoracic extension; report of a case].

We report a case of schwannoma arising from brachial plexus with intrathoracic extension. An 18-year-old man demonstrated a tumor shadow at the right pulmonary apex area. In the 2-months of follow-up, tumor size had been growing rapidly. Chest computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a giant tumor mass infiltrated right lung. We perfomed operation under the posterolateral incision approach. The pathological diagnosis was schwannoma. We resected this tumor safely and conserved with the seventh, eighth cervical nerve of the brachial plexus under posterolateral incision approach.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

[Primary lung cancer incidentally diagnosed in lung biopsy for diffuse pulmonary disease].

UNLABELLED: We here presented 2 cases of interstitial pneumonia with lung adenocarcinoma incidentally diagnosed by partially resected lung for diffuse pulmonary disease. CASE 1: A 78-year-old female was admitted to the hospital complaining of productive cough and general fatigue. The chest computed tomography (CT) revealed diffuse honey comb pattern in bilateral lung field especially in the right lower lung. Video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy was performed and was diagnosed as diffuse spreading well differentiated adenocarcinoma. CASE 2: A 59-year-old male was admitted to the hospital complaining of dyspnea and general fatigue. The chest X-ray revealed right pneumothorax and chest CT revealed diffuse honey comb pattern and bullae in bilateral lung field and fibrous tumor-like lesion in the right middle lung. Video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy was performed and was diagnosed as pulmonary fibrosis with papillary adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: It is important to examine carefully the specimen obtained from thoracoscopic lung biopsy even if interstitial pneumonia is strongly suspected.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2003

[The establishment of the styles of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for spontaneous pneumothorax].

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been widely used in the treatment of a pneumothorax, but the high incidence of recurrence from spontaneous pneumothorax after VATS is an important problem. In this study, we classified the groups into two categories from the thoracoscopic observations, and discussed whether or not there was reappearance of pneumothorax. In addition, we examined whether adjunctive procedure contributes to recurrent of pneumothorax after operation or not. We concluded that there is a tendency to recurrence in the group with multiple and skip lesions in the lung, and then concluded that the cases apical covering with absorbable material sheet and the use of fibrin glue spray was thought to be effective of recurrence of pneumothorax in cases of multiple and skip lesions from the intraoperative findings through the thoracoscopes. Finally, we examined application of Foley catheter for spontaneous pneumothorax under VATS. It is possible that the application of Foley catheter to prevention against recurrence of pneumothorax is a valid method.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Factors associated with earthquake deaths in the great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake, 1995.

The authors conducted descriptive and case-control studies to find factors associated with earthquake deaths due to the Great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake on January 17, 1995, in Nishinomiya, Japan. In the case-control study, cases included all 1,104 deaths. Controls were randomly selected from survivors. Earthquake mortality increased for people over age 50 years. Mortality among people who had lived in dwellings that were completely destroyed was much higher. One risk factor was physical disabilities (odds ratio = 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0, 3.4). When the analysis was limited to the people who had lived in intact or partially destroyed dwellings, the odds ratio rose to 5.6 (95% CI: 1.6, 19.8).

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Smoking behavior and related factors among Japanese nursing students: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although there have been several surveys on smoking behavior among Japanese nursing students, most have been cross-sectional studies. No longitudinal studies, such as a prospective cohort study, have ever been carried out. We therefore conducted a cohort study on, and analyzed smoking behavior and related factors among, Japanese nursing students. METHODS: A survey on smoking behavior using a confidential questionnaire was conducted on nursing students at two vocational schools of nursing and two nursing colleges/universities located in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Another survey was subsequently conducted in the same manner among the same subjects 1 year later. The surveys were conducted between 1997 and 1999. RESULTS: Over the 1-year period, the prevalence of smoking among nursing students increased by 10% for students at the vocational schools of nursing (n = 224) and by 3% for students at the nursing colleges/universities (n = 222). The average score for nicotine dependence for students who were daily smokers at both time points rose from 3.6 to 4.4 (P < 0.05). Two factors found to significantly predict smoking behavior were having friends who smoke and living alone. CONCLUSION: Smoking prevalence is increasing among Japanese nursing students. Smoking prevention and cessation interventions should be instituted in all nursing training programs.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Diagnostic results before and after introduction of autofluorescence bronchoscopy in patients suspected of having lung cancer detected by sputum cytology in lung cancer mass screening.

For the purpose of early detection, we have conducted population-based mass screening for lung cancer by sputum cytology since 1982. Although detection of lung cancer in its early stage is important for a good prognosis, it is often difficult to localize lesions in roentgenographically occult cancer. To clarify the role of autofluorescence bronchoscopy in localizing tumors in patients with roentgenographically occult cancer, we analyzed our diagnostic results. Fifty patients who had been detected by sputum cytology were screened by the light-induced fluorescence endoscope (LIFE)-Lung System from November 1997 to April 1999. We compared the results according to the screening methods: conventional bronchoscopy alone versus LIFE with conventional white-light bronchoscopy (November 1997 to April 1999). Twenty-eight cancerous lesions and 39 borderline lesions were detected by LIFE. Of the 39 borderline lesions, nine were detected only by LIFE. Multicentric lesions including cancer or dysplasia were also detected in 21 of the 50 patients by LIFE. The sensitivity by white-light bronchoscopy alone was 85.3%, whereas that of the LIFE-Lung System with white-light bronchoscopy was 94.1% (P=0.078). There were no cancerous lesions in the area observed as normal by LIFE. We also compared the diagnostic results of two localization methods: brushing of all bronchi (September 1986 to December 1990) and the LIFE-Lung System (November 1997 to April 1999). Although this was a historical comparison, the number of detected borderline lesions increased, which led to a high detection rate in patients with suspected-positive sputum (P=0.0006) by the LIFE-Lung System. In conclusion, the LIFE-Lung System is a safe and non-invasive system for detecting small intraepithelial lesions of the tracheobronchial tree. Autofluorescence bronchoscopy is more efficacious for localizing intraepithelial lesions and places fewer burdens on the patient than brushing of all bronchi.

Bronchoscopy↗

PubMed2001

Subjective sleep quality and sleep problems in the general Japanese adult population.

To dimensionally describe subjective sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and estimate the prevalence rate of sleep problems (PSQI global score > 5) in the general Japanese adult population, 1871 subjects randomly selected from the 1995 Census were examined. The PSQI component scores (mean +/- SD) widely ranged (e.g. 0.04 +/- 0.31 in hypnotic medication use for males aged 20-29 years, 0.03 +/- 0.18 in hypnotic medication use for females aged 20-29 years, 1.10 +/- 0.94 in sleep latency for males aged 80 or older, 1.52 +/- 1.03 in sleep latency for females aged 80 or older). Statistical significance was found in each component score among age groups by gender. The PSQI global scores (mean +/- SD) by age groups ranged from 4.00 +/- 2.59 to 5.02 +/- 3.89 for males (P < 0.39) and 4.30 +/- 2.34 to 6.75 +/- 4.10 for females (P < 0.001). The respective prevalence rates of sleep problems were 26.4% (95% CI = 23.6, 29.3) for males and 31.1% (95% CI = 28.1, 33.9) for females.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

[Drinking behaviors of Japanese adolescents' problem drinker--report of 1996 national survey].

The first national survey of Japanese adolescent drinking behaviors was conducted in 1996. Based on the survey results, this study focused on high risk drinking behaviors of Japanese adolescent problem drinkers. The subjects were 42,183 junior high school students and 72,396 senior high school students who responded to questions on drinking frequency and drinking quantity among the national survey subjects. The subject students were divided into three groups: normal adolescents, drinkers and problem drinkers by the QF scale. The problem drinkers according to the QF scale accounted for 3% of the junior high school students and 14% of senior high school students. Problem drinkers among both junior and senior high school students had characteristic drinking behaviors such as various drinking occasions, obtaining alcoholic drinks by various methods, drinking hard liquor, and many instances of vomiting or blackouts due to drinking. Many problem drinkers considered that the national law prohibiting minors from drinking was unnecessary because they have the right to decide whether to drink. Both junior and senior high school problem drinkers showed high risk drinking behaviors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

[The validity of repeated mail surveys concerning smoking habits for Japanese physicians].

PURPOSE: A cross-sectional study of smoking prevalence among medical doctors was performed using questionnaires. Mailing four times proved essential in order to obtain a reasonable number of responses from the subjects. The objective of the present study was to analyze the smoking characteristics of the subjects who returned the questionnaires after the second to fourth mailings. METHODS: A set of an anonymous questionnaire and a letter from the President of the Japan Medical Association (JMA) requesting cooperation was mailed with a return envelope with the subject's name and address written to 3,000 male and 1,500 female doctors randomly selected from the roster membership of the JMA. The survey was conducted between February and June 2000. RESULTS: The collection rate after the first mailing was 66%, while the subtotal collection rate for the second through fourth mailings was 21%, bringing the grand-total to 87%. The total prevalence of smoking among the subjects who had sent back the questionnaire on the second to fourth mailings was approximately 1.5 times higher than for those who had sent back the questionnaire after the initial mailing for both male and female subjects. As to other characteristics of the subjects who only responded after the second to fourth mailings were: working in hospitals (odds ratios; male: 1.39, female: 1.47), not giving smoking cessation guidance (odds ratio; male: 0.58), and not recognizing the idea that doctors should not smoke (odds ratio; female: 0.67). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that for future surveys on smoking to be conducted in academic institutions or work-places, efforts to obtain responses from those who do not answer the first attempt should take into consideration these points.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Psychometric assessment of subjective sleep quality using the Japanese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-J) in psychiatric disordered and control subjects.

Subjective sleep quality has been identified as an important clinical construct in psychiatric disordered patients. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), one of the most widely used standardized measures to assess subjective sleep quality, generates a global score and scores seven components. The present study psychometrically assessed clinical profiles of subjective sleep quality in 82 control and 92 psychiatric disordered subjects (primary insomnia, n=14; major depression, n=30; generalized anxiety disorder, n=24; and schizophrenia, n=24), using the Japanese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-J). The overall reliability coefficient of the PSQI-J was high (Cronbach's alpha=0.77). Correlation coefficients between the PSQI-J global and component scores were statistically significant. The PSQI-J global and component mean scores were significantly higher in psychiatric disordered subjects than control subjects, except for the component of sleep duration. Using a cut-off point of 5.5 in the PSQI-J global score, estimations of sensitivity and specificity provided 85.7 and 86.6% for primary insomnia, 80.0 and 86.6% for major depression, 83.3 and 86.6% for generalized anxiety disorder, and 83.3 and 86.6% for schizophrenia, respectively. The present study supports the utility of the PSQI-J as a reliable and valid measure for subjective sleep quality in clinical practice and research.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Sleep loss and daytime sleepiness in the general adult population of Japan.

There are few epidemiological studies on sleep loss and daytime sleepiness in the general adult population of Japan. A total of 4000 adult people, aged 20 and over, were randomly drawn from five areas of Japan, and 3030 individuals were interviewed and completed a questionnaire including information about sleep duration and sleep problems. Overall, 29% slept less than 6 h at night, 23% reported having insufficient sleep, and 6% took sleep enhancing medications. The prevalence rates were 21% for symptoms of insomnia and 15% for excessive daytime sleepiness. Symptoms of insomnia were more prevalent in the elderly, whereas young people were more likely to report short sleep duration, subjective insufficient sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness. A multiple logistic regression model revealed that excessive daytime sleepiness had significant associations with young people, short sleep duration, insomnia symptoms, subjective insufficient sleep and sleep enhancing medication use. Short sleep duration was the strongest predictor of excessive daytime sleepiness. The findings indicate that sleep loss and excessive daytime sleepiness in the Japanese adult population are common, and comparable to those reported in Western countries. Excessive daytime sleepiness in the general adult population seems more likely to be attributed to short sleep duration.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Smoking behaviors among medical doctors in Fukui, Japan].

This study was conducted in order to identify the smoking prevalence among all doctors (N = 874) belonging to the medical associations in Fukui Prefecture and factors that might possibly indicate causal smoking habits. A survey was conducted from December of 1996 to February of 1997, using a self-administered questionnaire, and the response rate for the survey was 91%. The main results of this survey were as follows: The prevalence of smoking among male and female medical doctors was 28% and 8% respectively, which was lower than that of adults in the general population, but higher than that of doctors in the developed countries. The prevalence of smoking among doctors was almost highest when they were 20 to 29 years old, and that among medical practitioners with their own institution was higher than doctors employed by an institution. In particular, medical practitioners who did not smoke were more likely to restrict or ban smoking in their hospitals or clinics.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Study of the smoking behavior of medical doctors in Fukui, Japan and their antismoking measures.

We conducted a survey on smoking among all members of the medical association in Fukui Prefecture, using a questionnaire to be filled in by the subjects. The survey was conducted from December of 1996 to February of 1997, and the return rate was 90.8%. The main results of this survey were as follows: the prevalence of current smoking among medical doctors was 26.0% (male: 27.8%, female: 5.2%), which was lower than that of adults in the general population. The prevalence of past smoking among doctors 20 to 34 years old by age cohort was highest and that among doctors 35 years old and higher declines as age cohort increased. Doctors' participation in activities for the prevention of smoking in the general society was also found to be at a low level.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Smoking behaviors and attitudes among school teachers in Mie, Japan.

We conducted a questionnaire survey of public kindergarten, elementary and high school teachers in Mie Prefecture, concerning smoking habits and attitudes from November 1995 to February 1996. A self-reporting questionnaire was sent to approximately 16,000 teachers and school employees. The questionnaires were collected in a way which took into consideration the privacy of the respondents. A total of 13,998 questionnaires were returned. The percentages of smokers among the teachers were 44.7% for males and 3.1% for females, percentages which are lower than those for the general Japanese population. Almost all of the men and women agreed that anti-smoking education is needed. Most of those who did not feel anti-smoking education was needed were smokers themselves. Seventy percent of both men and women responded that anti-smoking education was a teachers' duty, however, only thirty-six percent of the male and twenty-one percent of the female teachers had actual experience at such education. Finally, almost all teachers wish wish that schools were totally smoke-free or had a partial ban on smoking and believe that school anti-smoking policies in Japan should be introduced.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Household size related to prevalence of smoking in women in Japan.

We investigated the relationship between the prevalence of smoking in females and various social factors, such as household size. Ten thousand and sixty-nine subjects over 20 years of age were randomly selected from the general population of Mie Prefecture. The results showed that the habit of smoking was significantly associated with household size in women (P< 0.01), but not in men. Regarding household size, current smoking rate of women aged 20-59 who live in three-generation household was lower than those who live in others. Therefore, the steady replacement of the traditional three-generation household by smaller households in Japan may lead to an increase in the number of young women who smoke.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Behaviors and attitudes towards smoking among the nurses in Japan.

The study was carried to investigate on the actual conditions related to smoking of the nurses working in all medical institutions under a regional medical association in Mie Prefecture (regional medical institutions). Results obtained were as follows: smoking prevalence of female nurses is considered to be equal to that of the general female population in Japan. About 35% of the nurses with the smoking habit had an opinion to quit it, and about 45% of them practiced it seriously. Nearly 80% nurses favored restriction. In the way of thinking related to smoking, more than 90% of the nurses answered that women should not smoke for the health of the fetuses and infants, while only about 30% of them agreed to stop smoking working as members of the medical staff. The survey suggests that anti-smoking program is necessary to develop for smoking nurses working at medical facilities.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Prevalence of sleep disturbance and hypnotic medication use in relation to sociodemographic factors in the general Japanese adult population.

This study was the first nationwide population-based study to estimate the prevalence rates of sleep disturbance and hypnotic medication use in the general Japanese adult population. In 1997, 2,800 Japanese adults aged 20 years and over were randomly selected from the 1995 Census and 1,871 were examined using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The respective estimated overall prevalences of insomnia (INS), difficulty initiating sleep (DIS), difficulty maintaining sleep (DMS), poor perceived quality of sleep (PQS) and hypnotic medication use (HMU) were 17.3%, 8.6%, 12.9%, 17.8%, and 3.5% in males and 21.5%, 12.6%, 16.2%, 20.2% and 5.4% in females. Among males, DIS (OR = 2.76) and PQS (OR = 2.12) were associated with never having married. DMS was associated with being 60 years and older (OR = 2.68) or divorced/separated (OR = 3.74). Among females, DMS was associated with being widowed (OR = 1.65), unemployed (OR = 1.60), 40 to 59 years old (OR = 0.57) or never having married (OR = 0.39). DIS was associated with being widowed (OR = 1.67) or unemployed (OR = 1.58). HMU was associated with advancing age (OR = 8.26-10.7), being widowed (OR = 2.12) or never having married (OR = 2.84). PQS was associated with advancing age (OR = 0.63-0.50). Our study showed sleep disturbance and hypnotic medication use were prevalent among Japanese adults and some sociodemographic factors contributed to them.

Adult↗