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Biomedical subjects

M Odawara

Publications and source records attributed to M Odawara.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

MTHFR gene variant is not associated with diabetic nephropathy in Japanese.

Genetic predisposition has been implicated in diabetic nephropathy. The C677T variant of the MTHFR gene has been suggested to play a role in the development of not only vascular diseases but also diabetic microangiopathies. By using polymerase chain reaction-restriction length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method using Hinf I, we investigated whether this variant is associated with diabetic nephropathy in Japanese. By analysing 274 unrelated Japanese patients with type II DM with or without nephropathy, there was no significant difference in the genotype distribution of this variant. The distribution of the three genotypes were not different among patients with micro- or macroalbuminuria and those without nephropathy. Although previous reports suggest a role of this variant with diabetic microangiopathies, our observations suggest that this variant is does not play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy in Japanese.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Mistyping frequency of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism and an improved method for its avoidance.

A DD genotype of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme gene has been implicated in various diseases. However, genotype frequencies differ between previous reports, and data on the association of DD genotype with disease are sometimes conflicting. Although elimination of mistyping is of crucial importance, assessment of the accuracy of currently adopted typing methods has rarely been performed. Mistyping of the DD genotype is reported to occur by a conventional method with insertion/ deletion (I/D) flanking primers using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We investigated whether currently adopted genotyping methods by PCR are reliable or not. We genotyped 248 patients by conventional PCR methods with I/D flanking primers with or without dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and confirmed the DD genotype with insertion-specific primers with or without DMSO. Mistyping occurred frequently, not only in both methods without DMSO but also in a modified method with I/D flanking primers with inclusion of DMSO. Typing by these methods proved to lead to erroneous results more frequently than had been previously thought. To reduce mistyping frequency, initial PCR genotyping with I/D flanking primers with an inclusion of DMSO, followed by confirmation of the DD genotype by insertion-specific primers with DMSO, is recommended.

Artifacts↗
PubMed1997

Blinking is controlled primarily by ocular surface conditions.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relation between blinking and ocular surface conditions and to introduce and examine a new index, the maximum blink interval. METHODS: In a prospective study, the blink rate of subjects under relaxed conditions was determined from a video recording taken by a hidden observer. The maximum blink interval was defined as the longest time subjects can avoid blinking without feeling uncomfortable. RESULTS: Significant changes in the blink rate and maximum blink interval were induced by factors that directly or indirectly affect the ocular surface: topical anesthesia, changing exposed ocular surface area, and wind. Moreover, the blink rate and maximum blink interval were significantly different in dry eye patients compared with healthy volunteers, with the values of the former approaching the values of the latter after use of artificial tears. The maximum blink interval was decreased by the same factors that increased the blink rate, and there was a significant inverse correlation between blink rate and maximum blink interval. Use of video display terminals was associated with decreased maximum blink interval and, hence, the development of dry eye symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: There was an important association among blink rate, maximum blink interval, and ocular surface conditions. The blink rate and our newly introduced measurement, the maximum blink interval, should prove useful in assessing factors that cause dry eye. This prospective study should contribute to the understanding and treatment of dry eyes.

Administration, Topical↗