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Biomedical subjects

S Nakahara

Publications and source records attributed to S Nakahara.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Magazine information on safety belt use for pregnant women and young children.

To assess the information on safety belt use for pregnant women and infants in maternity and baby magazines, we reviewed 2003 issues of the three top-selling monthly baby and maternity magazines. Articles on safety belt use during pregnancy and child safety seat (CSS) use for infants, and advertisements of the CSS, automobiles, or CSS-related products were examined for their informational content. Of the 9418 pages in the maternity magazines, 46 pages were on infants, 16 pages on pregnant women and 162 pages displayed advertisements. Of the 9750 pages in the baby magazines, 34 pages of articles addressed CSS use; no articles addressed the issue of pregnant women; 83 pages were advertisements. Although the magazines showed accurate information in general; its amount was not sufficient, and little specific information on appropriate use and selection of a CSS was seen. Some information was misleading and even incorrect: specifically related to when to start using a forward-facing seat, what products are attachable to the CSS, and the reuse of a CSS. Greater amounts and accuracy of safety information in these magazines would help pregnant women and parents acquire important safety knowledge that healthcare providers are falling short of providing in Japan.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Quantitative TEM analysis of a hexagonal mesoporous silicate structure.

TEM analysis of mesoporous materials is generally undertaken to give qualitative results. Accurate quantitative analysis is demonstrated in this study. A systematic image analysis of a powder form of a hexagonal mesoporous material known as KIT-6 is conducted using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Three types of image contrast typically appear in this material (a hexagonal honeycomb structure, wide and narrow parallel lines). The honeycomb face is used to characterise this material in terms of a conventional 2-D hexagonal structure and the d-spacings for the (100) and (110) planes are experimentally measured in varying focus conditions. A tilting experiment is conducted to determine how the angle of tilt affects the line spacing and their visibility. Tilting has very little effect on the line spacing, whereas it affects the visibility of both the wide and narrow lines by limiting an angle range of visibility. The hexagonal lattice structure parameter determined by TEM method is found to be approximately 7% lower than that calculated by low-angle X-ray diffraction. Thus we conclude that TEM data can be used to determine the geometry and dimensions of hexagonal mesoporous silica materials, with a small error in the hexagonal lattice parameter.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed2006

Unintentional injuries among school adolescents in Kathmandu, Nepal: a descriptive study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe detailed mechanisms and activities at the time of unintentional injuries among adolescents in Kathmandu, Nepal. METHODS: A school-based study was conducted on 1557 students in grades 6-8 across 14 schools, using a self-administered questionnaire during August-September 2003. Mechanisms and activities were coded using the Nordic Medico Statistical Committee's classification. FINDINGS: Falls (65%) and cuts (63%) were the most common injuries, followed by transport-related injuries (36%) and burns (22%). In urban areas, falls (59%) were the most common injuries, followed by transport-related injuries (50%); in semi-urban areas, falls (66%) and cuts (65%) were the most common injuries, followed by transport-related injuries (34%). At the time of falls, boys were generally engaged in sports while girls were engaged in walking on streets or on stairs in houses, in both areas. Falls from trees among boys and falls from roofs among girls were also common in semi-urban areas. Cut injuries while processing food were common among boys and girls in both areas, whereas agricultural work was also a source of injury in semi-urban areas. Pedestrian injuries were common during transport among boys and girls in both areas; boys in semi-urban areas were almost equally likely to be injured during cycling. Burn injuries while cooking and serving food were more common among girls in semi-urban areas. CONCLUSION: Falls, cuts, transport-related injuries, and burn injuries were quite prevalent among adolescents in Kathmandu. The reported injury mechanisms and activities posing injury risks have implications for future interventions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Use of rapid diagnostic tests for malaria in an emergency situation after the flood disaster in Mozambique.

OBJECTIVES: To determine how diagnosis of malaria may be improved by combining the use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for Plasmodium falciparum malaria with clinical diagnosis by the presence or history of fever compared with clinical diagnosis alone in emergency situations with flood-affected displaced populations in Mozambique. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study conducted at the emergency outpatient clinic in a village in the Chòkwè district of Gaza Province, 3 weeks after Cyclone Eline hit Mozambique in February 2000. METHODS: A hundred and thirty children aged less than 15 years with clinical malaria were selected for examination by RDT and fluorescent microscopy using acridine orange as a reference test. The diagnosis of clinical malaria was made by a history of fever in the last three days or axillary temperature above 37.0 degrees C at the time of attending the emergency outpatient clinic. Two positive predictive values were calculated; RDTs combined with clinical diagnosis and clinical diagnosis alone. RESULTS: Positive predictive values of RDTs combined with clinical diagnosis by the presence of fever or history of fever were 87.6% (92/105) (95% confidence interval (CI) 80.8-92.8) compared with 74.6% (97/130) (95% CI 66.2-81.8) for clinical diagnosis alone. Five patients were diagnosed false negative. CONCLUSION: RDTs combined with clinical diagnosis has sufficient positive predictive value to be used in emergency situations, while RDTs could result in increasing failure to treat when they are used for decisions of treatment compared with clinical diagnosis alone.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

On the role of galectin-3 in cancer apoptosis.

Galectin-3, a member of the beta-galactoside-binding gene family, is a multifunctional protein implicated in a variety of biological functions, including tumor cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, cancer progression and metastasis. Recent studies revealed that intracellular galectin-3 exhibits the activity to suppress drug induced apoptosis and anoikis (apoptosis induced by the loss of cell anchorage) that contribute to cell survival. Resistance to apoptosis is essential for cancer cell survival and plays a role in tumor progression. Conversely, it was recently shown that tumor cells' secreted galectin-3 induces T-cells' apoptosis, thus playing a role in the immune escape mechanism during tumor progression through induction of apoptosis of cancer-infiltrating T-cells. This review summarizes recent evidences on the role of galectin-3 as an anti-apoptotic and/or pro-apoptotic factor in various cell types and discusses the recent understanding of the molecular mechanisms of galectin-3 role in apoptosis. We also suggest potential directions for further analyses of this multifunctional protein.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Herbal medicine use and quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS in northeastern Thailand.

Many people living with HIV/AIDS (PHA) use herbal medicine as one of alternative therapies, where curative options are limited. This study aimed to examine the association between the herbal medicine use and quality of life (QOL) among PHA in northeastern Thailand. Participants were 132 HIV-positive Thai adults who attended the PHA's self-help group meetings from June to July 2002. Health-related QOL scores were measured by self-administered questionnaire from the Medical Outcomes Study-HIV Health Survey. Dimensions of physical function (PF) and mental health (MH) in QOL were assessed. Additional data were collected on herbal medicine use, socio-demographic, psychosocial and HIV-related characteristics. The herbal medicine users had significantly better MH scores than the non-users, while the herbal medicine use was not statistically associated with PF scores. When stratified, herbal medicine users with the following characteristics had significantly better MH scores than the non-users: female, widowed, having no income, reporting any HIV-related symptom, having no instrumental support or receiving subsidies. In conclusion, herbal medicine use was associated with better MH especially among socially vulnerable PHA. This study suggests that herbal medicine has a potential to improve the MH aspect of QOL among socially vulnerable PHA who cannot easily receive antiretroviral therapy in Thailand.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Linkage and association of febrile seizures to the IMPA2 gene on human chromosome 18.

BACKGROUND: Febrile seizures (FSs) are the most common form of childhood seizures, and genetic factors play a role in susceptibility to FS. OBJECTIVE: To identify novel loci and genes associated with susceptibility to FS. METHODS: Study participants were the FS probands and family members of 59 Japanese nuclear families (223 members including 112 affected children). Forty-eight of these families had at least two affected children for which genome-wide linkage screening was carried out. The Genehunter software was used to perform nonparametric multipoint linkage analysis. Mutational and association analyses were conducted in all 59 Japanese FS families. RESULTS: Genotyping data of 407 microsatellite markers suggested linkage of FSs to chromosome 18p11.2 (non-parametric linkage score = 3.68, p = 0.0001). This region includes the IMPA2 gene, which encodes myo-inositol monophosphatase (IMPase) 2. In the phosphatidylinositol-signaling pathway, IMPase is inhibited by lithium, which has a proconvulsant effect, and is stimulated by carbamazepine, an anticonvulsant. A systematic search was performed for mutations in IMPA2 in 24 unrelated randomly selected Japanese FS patients; seven variants were detected. Haplotype analysis revealed an association of a common haplotype in IMPA2 with FSs (p = 0.0009). CONCLUSION: The authors found a novel locus on chromosome 18p11.2 for febrile seizures (FSs). IMPA2 is likely to be an FS susceptibility gene.

Bipolar Disorder↗
PubMed2003

Mutation analysis of the leucine-rich, glioma inactivated 1 gene (LGI1) in Japanese febrile seizure patients.

Mutations in the leucine-rich, glioma inactivated 1 gene (LGI1) were recently identified in some families with autosomal dominant lateral temporal epilepsy (ADLTE). To investigate whether the LGI1 gene is a susceptibility gene for febrile seizures (FS), we performed a systematic search for mutations in 94 unrelated Japanese patients with FS. We detected two intronic polymorphisms (IVS2 + 19 A/G and IVS6 - 18 T/C). No non-synonymous mutation was detected. We genotyped these polymorphisms and performed a case-control study and transmission disequilibrium testing (TDT) of 62 FS families (n = 230) and 105 control subjects. None of the polymorphisms was significantly associated with FS. Our results indicate that genomic variations in the LGI1 gene are not likely to be substantially involved in the etiology of FS in the Japanese population.

Alleles↗
PubMed2003

Seatbelt legislation in Japan: high risk driver mortality and seatbelt use.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify why seatbelt legislation did not achieve the expected reduction in mortality in Japan. LOCATION AND BACKGROUND: Seatbelt legislation was enacted in Japan in September 1985 and penalties were introduced in November 1986. METHODS: The driver deaths per vehicle km traveled (D/VKT) were calculated to adjust for changes in traffic volume. Decreases in D/VKT were compared with the reduction expected after legislation. The association between percentage changes of driver D/VKT, seatbelt use rate, and seatbelt non-use rate were explored. Deaths of passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists were also examined. Mortality data were obtained from vital statistics, traffic volume figures from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, and seatbelt use rates from the National Police Agency. RESULTS: Although the decrease in D/VKT after the law was enforced was larger than the absolute number of deaths, it was far less than predicted. The percentage decrease in seatbelt non-use rate showed the strongest correlation with the percentage decrease in driver mortality. Mortality did not increase among other road users after the law was enacted. CONCLUSION: Accurate evaluation of the effect of seatbelt legislation must take into account changes in traffic volume. The selective recruitment hypothesis-that high risk drivers were less responsive to seatbelt legislation-fits well with the findings. There was no conclusive evidence supporting risk compensation-that is, an increase in injuries among other road users.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2003

Car seatbelt use during pregnancy in Japan: determinants and policy implications.

CONTEXT: Pregnant women are exempted from the current seatbelt legislation in Japan despite the fact that seatbelt use is essential to reduce the risk of fatalities for these women and their fetuses in car crashes. OBJECTIVE: To examine factors that might influence seatbelt use during pregnancy. METHODS: A cross sectional study, with data collected via an anonymous, self administered questionnaire at obstetric clinics in suburban areas of Japan. Altogether 880 pregnant women receiving prenatal care in July 2001 were recruited. The relative effects of factors that might influence seatbelt use during pregnancy were estimated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Almost 70%-80% of pregnant women were consistent seatbelt wearers before pregnancy but seatbelt compliance was reduced by about half at 20 weeks or more gestation. Only 20% had received information on maternal seatbelt use, with one third reporting that seatbelt use is beneficial during pregnancy. Those who perceived that maternal seatbelt use is beneficial tended to maintain use, but daily car users and those who knew that they were exempted from seatbelt legislation were more likely to reduce use. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the legislative exemption for pregnant women, misunderstanding of the benefits, and daily car use contributed to the reduction in seatbelt use after pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Differences between Japanese pre-school and school-age pedestrian mortality and morbidity trends.

The risk of pedestrian injury during childhood in industrialised countries is decreasing in a trend that is related to exposure to traffic. Examining the differences between age groups and their behaviour provides an insight into exposure to risks. Using data for the period 1968-1998, we compared the changes in pedestrian mortality and morbidity in pre-school children (aged 0-6) with those of school-age children (aged 7-12). Pedestrian mortality and morbidity decreased in children of all ages in the early 1970s. However, after the mid-1970s, both mortality and morbidity continued to decrease only in pre-schoolers. In school-age children, mortality continued to decrease but morbidity did not change. These age-related differences in mortality and morbidity indicate that over the past 30 y the environment for child pedestrians did not become safer. Instead, some of the decrease in children's injuries was probably achieved at the expense of their outdoor activities. Efforts to protect children from vehicular traffic should focus on changing the outdoor environment rather than on restricting children's activities.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2001

The original hole-in-one guide for atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation.

Atlantoaxial fusion by transarticular screw fixation provides firm fixation, and good results have been reported. However, there are also problems, such as injury of the vertebral artery at the time of screw insertion. For accurate facet fusion, we developed a new hole-in-one guide for screw fixation and obtained good results with its use. In 60 adult subjects. we measured the antero-posterior and transverse axes and determined the center of the atlantoaxial surface and the insertion point of the screw in three dimensions on computed tomography scans. Based on these values, we measured the optimum screw insertion angle on sagittal and coronal planes, and the distance between the center and the posterior margin of the joint surface; our new hole-in-one guide was produced with these data. When the guide tip is determined to be located at the center posterior margin of the axial joint surface, and the guidewire insertion point is determined to be located at the center of the axial inferior facet immediately above the C2/3 joint, the guidewire is passed through the axial pedicle and the center of the atlantoaxial joint. Since April 1997, we have used this hole-in-one guide technique in eight patients with atlantoaxial instability. The screws passed the pars interarticularis and the center of the atlantoaxial joint in all patients with safety and accuracy. No complications associated with this technique occurred.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

English language education in Japanese dental schools.

English is the common language of international scientific and cultural exchange. As the world becomes more globalized and with increasing dependence on the Internet, English becomes increasingly important as a second language. English is the official language for all international associations, societies, organizations etc and their meetings and publications. High quality international collaboration usually requires a high standard of English language proficiency. There is very little information regarding English language education in dentistry on a global basis, particularly in Japan. In 1999 we undertook a comprehensive survey of English education in all 29 Japanese dental schools in the form of a questionnaire. Few schools had native-speaking educators or those at native speaker level and most did not have a background in dentistry or the health sciences. There are no ideal textbooks for dental students studying English. Most disciplines within dentistry have a professional society or an association with meetings and publications. Currently there is no such group for English-language education in dentistry. Closer collaboration amongst those concerned may help improve the quality of education. The level of English-language ability of current dental students will affect the quality of future dental educators and researchers.

Dental Research↗
PubMed2001

Phylogenetic relationships among fruit flies, Bactrocera (Diptera, Tephritidae), based on the mitochondrial rDNA sequences.

Nucleotide sequences of a 1.6 kb long portion of the mitochondrial DNA containing the majority of the 16S rRNA gene, the tRNAval gene, and the 5' half-region of the 12S rRNA gene were determined for forty-eight individuals of nineteen Bactrocera species and one other tephritid taxon, Anastrepha ludens. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using the consistently aligned 1.5 kb long sequences, excluding seventeen portions that could not be aligned unambiguously and were aligned inconsistently among analyses using different programs and parameters. Results of phylogenetic analyses were highly congruent among distance, unweighted parsimony, and weighted parsimony methods in terms of topology of resulting trees. Bootstrap analyses supported many of the phylogenetic relationships resolved by these analyses. Although aligned sequences showed apparent biases in nucleotide content and substitutions that differed among sites within the stem/loop structure of rRNA molecules, compensation for such factors did not greatly affect the topology. The results are discussed in relation to the taxonomic positions of species used in this study and in relation to the phylogenetic and diagnostic utility of the mitochondrial rDNA fragment.

Animals↗