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S Tokunaga

Publications and source records attributed to S Tokunaga.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Pattern of dietary fiber intake among the Japanese general population.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the dietary fiber (DF) intake pattern among the Japanese general population. DESIGN: We performed a dietary survey among the general population in northern Japan to evaluate the intake patterns. DF intake was calculated by substituting the DF content of each food in the Dietary Fiber Table for the intake of each food from this dietary survey. SUBJECTS: Five hundred and seventy-seven subjects participated in the study, 198 men and 379 women. RESULTS: In subjects with higher DF intakes the origins of the DF that were from all food groups, but with the notable exception of rice. The contribution of the seaweed group was of particular interest. From multiple regression analysis, as for food group, seaweeds showed the highest positive correlation with DF intake in both genders, followed by vegetables, pulses, fruits. On the other hand, rice showed the negative correlation with DF intake in both genders. As for life factor, body mass index showed the negative correlation with DF intake in women. CONCLUSION: Seaweed, a typical Japanese food, was most related to the increase in DF intake for the Japanese general population, whereas rice, the Japanese staple, had a small influence on decreased DF intake.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Chemical extraction of arsenic from contaminated soil.

A series of batch extraction experiments were conducted using a fortified soil with different extracting solutions such as inorganic acids (hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), phosphoric acid (H3PO4), perchloric acid (HClO4), or nitric acid (HNO3)), organic acids (acetic acid (C2H4O2), citric acid (C6H8O7)) and alkaline agent (NaOH). Various concentrations were used to investigate the removal efficiency and to optimise the concentration of each extractant. In the present investigation a Kuroboku soil contaminated with arsenite (As(III)) was used as a model soil. Arsenic was extracted most efficiently by 5% H3PO4 with a maximum of more than 99% from the model soil. Sulfuric acid also showed high percentage extraction efficiency. On the other hand, C2H4O2 and oxidizing acids such as HNO3 and HClO4 showed low efficiency of As extraction compared with C6H8O7. Although, NaOH also showed higher extraction efficiencies compared with organic and oxidizing acids but mainly arsenate (As(V)) was found to be the major component. A significant fraction of the As(III) was oxidized to As(V) during mineral acid and alkaline extraction and extraction efficiency also varied with the concentration of the acid and alkali solution.

Acids↗
PubMed2005

Extraction behavior of metallic contaminants and soil constituents from contaminated soils.

With an aim of developing an effective remediation technology for soils contaminated by heavy metals and metalloids, the extraction behavior of metallic contaminants as well as those of soil constituents was studied on a laboratory scale. Three contaminated soils collected from a former metal recycling plant were examined. These three soils were found to be contaminated by As, Cu, Pb, Sb, Se and Zn as compared to the non-contaminated soil. The pH-dependent extraction behavior of various elements from the soils was measured in a wide pH range and categorized into three groups. Hydrochloric acid (HCl), H2SO4, H3PO4, HNO3, sodium citrate, sodium tartrate, disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid were evaluated as extractants for removing contaminants from the soils. Extraction behavior of the soil constituents was also studied. The efficiency of the extraction was evaluated by the Japanese content and leaching tests. The stabilization of Pb remaining in the soil after the extraction process was conducted by the addition of iron(III) and calcium chloride.

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration↗
PubMed2005

Effect of paroxetine on marble-burying behavior in mice.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), on marble-burying behavior in mice in comparison with those of fluvoxamine and clomipramine. Marble-burying test is extensively used as an animal model for obsessive/compulsive disorder. A significant inhibition in marble-burying behavior was observed with paroxetine, at a dose of 10 mg/kg. The earlier SSRI, fluvoxamine, also significantly inhibited marble-burying behavior at a dose of 30 mg/kg. Although clomipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, caused an inhibition in marble-burying behavior, a high dose of 100 mg/kg was needed to show a significant effect. On the other hand, all the drugs used in the present study showed no significant changes in spontaneous locomotor activity at doses inhibiting marble-burying behavior. In conclusion, it was confirmed that paroxetine has a potent inhibitory effect on marble-burying behavior in mice, and could have a similar antiobsessive/anticompulsive activity in human beings.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Comparison of diagnostic methods for diabetes mellitus based on prevalence of retinopathy in a Japanese population: the Hisayama Study.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aims of this study were to compare the ability of tests measuring fasting plasma glucose, 2-h plasma glucose and HbA1c levels in predicting specific diabetic retinopathy, and to determine the cut-off level of each measurement for diagnosing diabetes in a Japanese population. METHODS: In a total of 1637 subjects, fasting plasma glucose, 2-h plasma glucose and HbA1c levels were measured in a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, and diabetic retinopathy was assessed by ophthalmic examination. We calculated receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves as well as the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy by deciles of the distribution of these glycaemic measurements. RESULTS: Of the subjects, 37 (2.3%) had diabetic retinopathy. The prevalence of retinopathy dramatically increased in the tenth decile of each variable. Analysis with ROC curves showed that the optimal cut-off levels for diagnosis of diabetes were 6.4 mmol/l for fasting plasma glucose, 11.1 mmol/l for 2-h plasma glucose, and 5.7% for HbA1c. The sensitivities for the cut-off point of the three measurements were identical (86.5%), and the specificities were similar (fasting plasma glucose 87.3%; 2-h plasma glucose 89.6%; HbA1c 90.1%). The area under the ROC curve for 2-h plasma glucose (96.1%) was slightly but not significantly larger than that for fasting plasma glucose (90.0%) and that for HbA1c (94.5%). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: . Our findings suggest that measuring fasting plasma glucose or HbA1c is just as useful as measuring 2-h plasma glucose for the diagnosis of diabetes, and that the cut-off point for diagnostic fasting plasma glucose level is lower than that of the current diagnostic criteria.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed2004

Surgery for Dupuytren's disease in Japanese patients and a new preoperative classification.

The surgical outcome of Dupuytren's disease was evaluated in 73 hands of 57 patients in a Japanese population. Subtotal fasciectomy was performed in all cases. Surgical results were evaluated using the percentage improvement of extension in each finger joint. Statistical analyses were performed on the risk factors associated with recurrence and extension. The surgical outcome depended on the degree of contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint. Recurrence of disease occurred in eight patients (14%) and extension occurred in nine (16%). Recurrence and extension frequently occurred in those who had ectopic lesions or involvement of the radial side of the hand. The present results suggested that the Dupuytren's diathesis had an influence on recurrence and extension. We proposed a new classification of Dupuytren's disease that might help to predict the surgical outcome and facilitate surgical planning.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Dupuytren's disease on the radial aspect of the hand: report on 135 hands in Japanese patients.

We studied 135 hands in 77 Japanese patients to assess the frequency of radial involvement and its association with recurrence and the Dupuytren's diathesis. The radial aspect of the hand was affected in 22% of the hands. Diseased cords were observed in ten patients who underwent surgery on the radial aspect of the hand. Longitudinal cords on the radial side of thenar eminence and distal transverse interdigital cords were common. The radial aspect of the hand was the most common site of disease extension, though recurrence never occurred after excision of a radial lesion. Ectopic lesions, bilateral hand involvement, and recurrence were significantly more frequent in patients with the radial side involvement. Thus the results of this study suggest that radial side disease is associated with the Dupuytren's diathesis and is a risk factor of recurrence.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

An objective method to evaluate the risk of recurrence and extension of Dupuytren's disease.

This study was undertaken to assess the influence of the factors related to Dupuytren's diathesis on the rates of recurrence and extension of Dupuytren's disease after surgery. The records of 65 patients who underwent surgery for Dupuytren's disease were retrospectively studied and the presence of factors related to diathesis were recorded. The sensitivity and specificity of each factor for predicting recurrence and extension were calculated. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were also calculated and a discriminant analysis was performed to explore correlations between recurrence and extension and the significant variables. Our results confirmed the prognostic value of diathesis. The results have been used to develop a new scoring system for evaluating the risk of recurrence and extension.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Expression of Dmrt1 protein in developing and in sex-reversed gonads of amphibians.

Many genes are known to be involved in gonadal differentiation in vertebrates. Dmrt1, a gene that encodes a transcription factor with a DM-domain, is considered to be one of the essential genes controlling testicular differentiation in mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. However, it still remains unknown which testicular cells of animals other than mice and chicks express Dmrt1 protein. For an explanation of its role(s) in testicular differentiation in vertebrates, the expression of the Dmrt1 protein needs to be studied. For this purpose, we conducted an immunohistochemical study of this protein in an amphibian by using an antibody specific for Dmrt1. No positive signal was found in the indifferent gonad of tadpoles of Rana rugosa at early stages. However, in the testis of tadpoles at later stages (XV-XXV) and in frogs one month after metamorphosis, this protein was expressed in interstitial cells and Sertoli cells. In the testis of adult frogs, germ cells also expressed Dmrt1 protein. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the gene for this protein was not transcribed at any time during ovarian development, but was expressed in the female to male sex-reversed gonad. This was true when immunohistological studies were performed. In addition, Southern blot analysis showed DMRT1 to be an autosomal gene. Taken together, our findings indicate that Dmrt1 protein is expressed by interstitial cells, Seroli cells and germ cells in the testis of R. rugosa. Dmrt1 may thus be very involved in the testicular differentiation of amphibians.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Correcting for measurement error in binary and continuous variables using replicates.

Measurement error in exposures and confounders leads to bias in regression coefficients. It is possible to adjust for this bias if true values or independent replicates are observed on a subsample. We extend a method suitable for quantitative variables to the situation where both binary and quantitative variables are present. Binary variables with independent replicates introduce two extra problems: (i) the error is correlated with the true value, and (ii) the measurement error probabilities are unidentified if only two replicates are available. We show that - under plausible assumptions - adjustment for error in binary confounders does not need to address these problems. The regression coefficient for a binary exposure is overadjusted if methods for continuous variables are used. Correct adjustment is possible either if three replicates are available, or if further assumptions can be made; otherwise, bounds can be put on the correctly adjusted value, and these bounds are reasonably close together if the exposure has prevalence near 0.5.

Bias↗
PubMed2001

Successful staged-Fontan operation in a patient with ectopia cordis.

Ectopia cordis is a very rare and often fatal disease. We report a successful surgery case of thoracoabdominal ectopia cordis with univentricular heart. This patient underwent a three-stage Fontan procedure, a right-modified Blalock-Taussig shunt at the age of 1 month, bidirectional Glenn shunt and pulmonary arterioplasty at 2 years 8 months, and finally a total cavopulmonary connection at 4 years. This patient was discharged from the hospital in good condition and has been doing well since. Thus, ectopia cordis is not a contraindication for a Fontan operation.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2001

Alcohol consumption and severity of angiographically determined coronary artery disease in Japanese men and women.

The relation of alcohol consumption to the severity of coronary atherosclerosis was examined among 323 men and 220 women who underwent coronary arteriography. Severity of coronary atherosclerosis was assessed by the number of vessels obstructed > or =75% in diameter and Gensini's severity score. Alcohol consumption was divided into 5 categories in men (never, past, 1-24, 25-49, and > or =50 ml per day) and 3 categories in women (never, past, and current). Among men, odds ratios of severe stenosis (multiple-vessel disease or Gensini's score >15) decreased substantially and significantly in all current drinking categories but without dose-response effect. There was a weak, inverse association of current alcohol consumption with one-vessel disease, but not with moderate stenosis in terms of Gensini's score (< or =15). Past drinkers showed a fairly large, but statistically nonsignificant, decrease in the odds ratios of not only severe stenosis but also of moderate stenosis. Among women, current drinkers showed a small, statistically nonsignificant decrease in the risk of severe stenosis in terms of Gensini's score. These associations with alcohol use did not change after adjustment for known coronary risk factors. The present findings add to evidence that alcohol drinking confers protection against coronary atherosclerosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Extraction of arsenic in a synthetic arsenic-contaminated soil using phosphate.

An environment-friendly and cost-effective extraction method has been studied for the removal of arsenic from contaminated soil. A yellow-brown forest soil was contaminated with arsenic(V) and used as a model soil. Among various potassium and sodium salts, potassium phosphate was most effective in extracting arsenic, attaining more than 40% extraction in the pH range of 6-8 with minimum damage to the soil properties. Exchange mechanism is proposed for the extraction of arsenic from soil by phosphate. Sequential extraction shows that phosphate is effective in extracting arsenic of Al- and Fe-bound forms. Arsenic of residual form was not extracted. Arsenic was efficiently extracted by phosphate solution of pH 6.0 at 300 mM phosphate concentration and at 40 degrees C.

Arsenic↗
PubMed2001

Prevalence and mortality of the Brugada-type electrocardiogram in one city in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to study the prevalence and mortality of subjects exhibiting the Brugada-type electrocardiogram (ECG) in a community-based population in Japan. BACKGROUND: The Brugada syndrome has been associated with sudden death in subjects without structural heart disease. Hospital-based studies showed 11% to 38% annual fatal arrhythmic events in patients with the Brugada syndrome. METHODS: Prevalence and mortality of the Brugada-type ECG were studied in subjects who had ECGs during a health examination in Moriguchi, Osaka, Japan. Information about death and relocation from Moriguchi city was obtained prospectively. RESULTS: The Brugada-type ECG was found in 98 of 13,929 study subjects (0.70%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57% to 0.86%). The typical coved-type with an rsR' pattern in V(1) lead ("typical" Brugada-type) was found in 0.12% of subjects (95% CI: 0.07% to 0.20%). The prevalence for male subjects with the Brugada-type ECG (81%) was significantly higher than it was for those without (26%, p < 0.0001). In male subjects, the Brugada-type ECG was found in 2.14% (95% CI: 1.70% to 2.66%), and the "typical" Brugada-type was found in 0.38% (95% CI: 0.21% to 0.64%). After 2.6 +/- 0.3 years of follow-up, there was 1 death (1.0%, 95% CI: 0.03% to 5.6%) of a subject with the Brugada-type ECG, whereas there were 139 deaths (1.0%, 95% CI: 0.85% to 1.2%) of those without the Brugada-type ECG (p = 0.9943, log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: A substantial number of the Brugada-type ECG were observed in subjects in a community-based population in Japan, especially in men. The total mortality of subjects with the Brugada-type ECG did not differ from the mortality of those without the Brugada-type ECG in a community-based population.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Obesity, body fat distribution and coronary atherosclerosis among Japanese men and women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation of the obesity and body-fat distribution with angiographically defined coronary atherosclerosis. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study in a clinical setting. SUBJECTS: Three hundred and twenty men (median age, 59 y) and 212 women (median age, 67 y) who underwent coronary angiography for suspected or known coronary heart disease at 5 cardiology departments between September 1996 and August 1997. Patients with disease duration >1 y were excluded. MEASUREMENTS: The body mass index (BMI) and the waist to hip circumference ratio (WHR) were used as main exposure variables, and either the presence of significant coronary stenosis or the Gensini's score (> or =10 vs<10) as an outcome variable, in a sex-specific multiple logistic regression analysis controlling for age, hospital, and other coronary risk factors. RESULTS: Among male patients, BMI was progressively higher with an increasing number of vessels involved (P trend=0.05); the adjusted odds ratios for the presence of significant stenosis across quartiles of BMI were 1.0 (reference), 1.1, 1.9 and 2.5 (P trend=0.02), and the positive association was more pronounced for younger patients. Among females, however, such associations were not evident. Employing the Gensini's score as an outcome gave similar results. WHR was not significantly associated with either outcome regardless of sex. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that BMI was predictive of coronary stenosis among male patients, but not among female patients. Unlike most previous studies, this study failed to detect a positive association with WHR.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2001

Role of hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus in the development of coronary atherosclerosis in Japan.

The present study evaluated the effect of hypertension (HT), dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus (DM) on the development of coronary atherosclerosis in the Japanese population, using a cross-sectional study of 433 patients (254 men and 179 women) aged 30 years or older who underwent coronary angiography for suspected or known coronary heart disease angina at 5 cardiology departments in the Fukuoka area between September 1996 and August 1997. Patients with a disease duration of 6 months or more were excluded. The main outcome measure was angiographically defined coronary artery stenosis and was found to a significant degree in 146 patients (33.7%). HT, DM, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and hypertriglyceridemia remained as significant coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors even after controlling for age, sex, hospital, smoking, alcohol use, body mass index and leisure time physical activity. However, hypercholesterolemia was not a significant risk factor after adjusting for these variables. After controlling for these variables, DM, low HDL-C and hypertriglyceridemia were significant CAD risk factors for men, but only DM was a significant CAD risk factor in women. These results indicate that in Japan DM, low HDL-C and hypertriglyceridemia may be more important CAD risk factors than hypercholesterolemia.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Lower mortality in patients with the DD genotype of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene after acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism has been associated with different serum ACE concentrations and cardiac ACE activity. We assessed whether the ACE gene I/D polymorphism influenced cardiac mortality in Japanese patients with acute myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: The ACE gene I/D polymorphism was determined in 441 consecutive patients with a first myocardial infarction. There were 69 patients (16%) with the DD genotype, 194 patients (44%) with the ID genotype, and 178 patients (40%) with the II genotype. During a mean follow-up of 9.4 months, there were 49 cardiac deaths (DD, n = 4; ID, n = 26; II, n = 19). The DD genotype was significantly associated with a lower mortality than the other genotypes (p = 0.0363) by Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, site of myocardial infarction, Killip functional class, reperfusion therapy during acute phase, ACE inhibitor use, and beta-blocker use. CONCLUSIONS: In a selected cohort of Japanese patients, the DD genotype was associated with a significantly lower cardiac mortality after a first myocardial infarction.

Female↗