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Biomedical subjects

T Mizoue

Publications and source records attributed to T Mizoue.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Analysis of Japanese occupational health services for small-scale enterprises, in comparison with the recommendations of the Joint WHO/ILO Task Group.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate Japanese occupational health services (OHSs) for small-scale enterprises (SSEs). METHODS: The current Japanese OHSs for SSEs were compared with 15 recommendations of the Joint WHO/ILO Task Group. The status of OHSs was analyzed using the published papers collected by means of a computerized literature search. Thirty-five papers were used in the analysis, which was first conducted by the four authors separately, followed by discussion among the authors. Evaluation was conducted by classifying the status of Japanese OHSs for SSEs into three classes (A: good, B: average, C: poor) based on comparison with each recommendation. RESULTS: Six issues were evaluated as "A": establishment of a national policy for the provision of OHSs for SSEs, occupational health and safety inspection for SSEs, legislation to ensure services for SSEs and provision of financial incentives, adoption of occupational health programs using multiple channels, training in occupational health issues, and establishment of national data collection and registration systems. Nine issues were evaluated as "B": provision of OHSs for all SSEs as a part of the "national Health for ALL" strategy, intervention combining economic development and OHSs, extension of OHSs to vulnerable groups, coverage of migrant and seasonal workers by OHSs, the establishment of a national collaborative and coordinative body on OHSs, control of transfer of hazardous technology, encouragement of applied research, employers' commitment and worker participation, and integration of OHSs with primary health care. None of them was evaluated as "C". CONCLUSIONS: Japanese OHSs for SSEs were fairly well established in terms of compliance with the recommendations of the Joint WHO/ILO Task Group, although evaluation may be somewhat subjective and rather qualitative.

Facility Regulation and Control↗

Prospective study on the relation of cigarette smoking with cancer of the liver and stomach in an endemic region.

BACKGROUND: Smoking has not been confirmed as a risk factor for cancers of the liver and stomach. The authors examined prospectively the relationship between smoking and these cancers in an endemic region. METHODS: The data used were a cohort study on the relationship between lifestyle and health in the region having the highest liver cancer mortality in Japan. Of the cohort members, 4050 males aged > or =40 years were included in the present analysis with a 9-year mean follow-up. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate relative risks (RR) for cancer of the liver, stomach, smoking-related sites and others, while adjusting for age, residence, and alcohol intake. RESULTS: By the end of the study period, 59 cases of liver cancer and 53 cases of stomach cancer were identified. Current smokers, compared to subjects who had never smoked, had a threefold risk of liver cancer (RR = 3.3; 95% CI: 1.2-9.5) and a twofold risk of stomach cancer (RR = 2.2; 95% CI: 0.8-5.7). Sub-cohort analysis showed that adjustment for history of chronic liver disease did not attenuate the risk of liver cancer. Light/medium smokers had almost the same risk of these cancers as heavy smokers, while they showed a relatively low risk of smoke-related cancers. CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that smoking is a risk factor of liver and stomach cancer in a population with a high background risk for these cancers. However, causal inferences should be made cautiously due to a lack of information on known risk factors.

Adult↗

A case of hemangioma accompanied by inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen.

Both hemangioma and inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) of the spleen are rare benign mass lesions. Moreover, a splenic hemangioma accompanied by IPT is extremely rare. A 61-year-old woman who suffered from liver cirrhosis had a splenic cavernous hemangioma surrounded by granuloma. The literature on IPT of the spleen has described several possibilities of its causes; however, it is still unknown. This case was accompanied by portal hypertension due to liver cirrhosis, which may cause microrupture of hemangioma resulting in an IPT.

Female↗

A modified burr-hole method 'galeoduroencephalosynangiosis' in a young child with moyamoya disease. A preliminary report and surgical technique.

We performed combined indirect surgical procedures using encephaloduroarteriomyosynangiosis and a burr-hole method according to descriptions by Suzuki et al. and Kawaguchi et al. with some modifications in a 4-year-old child with moyamoya disease. Transient ischemic attacks on both sides completely disappeared within 1 month and never occurred during 2.5 years follow-up period. This surgical procedure may have enough value as the first operation to prevent ischemic damage in the territories of both the anterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery in children with moyamoya disease.

Anterior Cerebral Artery↗

[Relationship between fatty liver and coronary risk factors].

Fatty liver is a common finding in abdominal ultrasonographic examination in health check-ups, but the relationship between fatty liver and so-called coronary risk factors has rarely been investigated from the viewpoint of prevention of coronary heart disease. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate such a relationship by comparing the coronary risk factors with and without fatty liver by using data from health check-ups for the mid-management and management staff of a manufacturing company. The majority (77.1%) of those with fatty liver in the present study were categorized as "normal" or "marginally obese" and only a small portion (22.9%) were categorized as "obese" according to the classification of the body mass index. The group of subjects with fatty liver had significantly lower mean HDL-cholesterol and higher levels of fasting blood sugar, HDL/total cholesterol ratio, triglyceride, uric acid and transaminases, than those parameters in subjects without fatty liver, even after adjustment for age and body-mass index. The blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) and total cholesterol level did not show any significant difference after controlling the covariates. Our results indicated that fatty liver has a close correlation with the majority of coronary risk factors causing atheroscleotic diseases, and most of these relationships are independent of total body mass. Our results regarding fatty liver are a help to occupational health personnel when advising workers to reduce their own risk of atherogeic diseases.

Adult↗

Workplace exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and high density lipoprotein cholesterol among nonsmokers.

There are few epidemiologic studies among adult nonsmokers on the effects of workplace environmental tobacco smoke on high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The authors investigated this relation, using data from health examinations conducted in 1995 on 3,062 Japanese nonsmokers in a total of 27 municipal offices with few smoking restrictions. Multiple regression analysis with adjustments for age, body mass index, alcohol drinking, and sports activities showed that in women, and in men lacking both alcohol consumption and sports activities characteristics, there were inverse linear relations between workplace smoking indices and HDL-C levels. Multivariate logistic regression showed that nonsmoking women in the upper two thirds of offices ranked by smoking intensity had an increased risk of low HDL-C levels (<45 mg), taking those in the lowest third of offices as reference (the medium third: odds ratio = 1.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.2, 2.5; the highest third: odds ratio = 1.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.1, 2.4). The results indicated that workplace environmental tobacco smoke exposure is associated with HDL-C among nonsmokers. However, the lack of data on home exposure limits causal inferences about the effects of workplace exposure.

Adult↗

Support for and observance of worksite smoking restriction policies--A study of municipal employees at a city office in Japan.

BACKGROUND: While various types of smoking restrictions have been introduced in Japanese workplaces, it is not clear what restriction policies workers find acceptable. This study examined the relationship between the extent of worksite smoking restriction and worker attitudes toward these policies. METHODS: Municipal employees randomly selected from a city office were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire concerning support for and smokers' observance of their present smoking restriction. A total of 2857 (88. 6%) workers responded. RESULTS: More than 60% of respondents regarded a work-area ban with a designated smoking space as the most desirable policy. Among subjects who were aware of the current policies in their workplaces, positive support was highest for a total ban (73.9%) and decreased as the extent of the restriction became milder (P for trend <0.001). In contrast, an inverse relation was found for negative support (P for trend <0.001). These trends were observed among both nonsmokers and smokers. Smokers subject to a work-area ban observed the policy more faithfully than those subject to milder policies. CONCLUSIONS: Policies prohibiting smoking in work areas were favorably accepted by municipal employees, irrespective of smoking status. These results should encourage Japanese workplaces to adopt work-area bans, through which nonsmokers are effectively protected from environmental tobacco smoke.

Adult↗

Secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 by meningiomas detected by cell immunoblot analysis.

To identify features of meningiomas that infiltrate dura mater, and to examine the role Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) secretion in meningiomas, a cell immunoblot assay study was performed in 20 meningiomas. MMP-9 secretion was detected in 20 (100%) meningiomas and was independent of histological features. TIMP-1 secretion was detected in 8 (40%) meningiomas. For a cell immunoblot volume which included approximately 1350 cells, there were 50.4 +/- 49.4 dots which showed immunoreactivity to MMP-9 and 2.0 +/- 4.2 which showed immunoreactivity to TIMP-1. The number of dots that showed immunoreactivity to MMP-9 was not significantly different between tumours with atypical and benign histological features. TIMP-1 secretion was found in only 8 (40%) specimens and the percentage of TIMP-1 secreting cells was significantly lower than that of MMP-9 secretion. Thus, we propose that meningiomas classified histologically as both atypical and benign have the potential to infiltrate dura mater.

Adult↗

Dissecting aneurysm of basilar artery presenting with recurrent subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Spontaneous basilar dissecting aneurysms secondary to subarachnoid hemorrhage are rare, usually presenting with ischemia rather than a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A 63-year-old man who had SAH repeatedly from a ruptured basilar dissecting aneurysm was treated with endovascular occlusion of the unilateral vertebral artery. Postoperative angiograms 1 month after the procedure showed complete obliteration of the aneurysm. The clinical follow-up at 20 months showed no evidence of recurrent hemorrhage.

Aortic Dissection↗

[A case of cerebral juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma: observation of the development of the tumor].

A case with cerebral juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA) was reported. The patient was 33-month-old boy, who developed headache and loss of activity on December, 1994. Although he was indicated macrocephaly at the age of just 1 year, CT scan showed no abnormality at that time. On admission, MRI revealed multiple large cysts with an enhanced mural nodule in the left frontal lobe. The tumor was totally removed, and histologically diagnosed as JPA, because of alternating two types of structures of loose knit tissue composed of satellite astrocytes and compact tissue consisting of highly fibrillate cells. MIB-1 percent positivity was almost negative. We summarized and discussed the clinicopathological and proliferating characteristics of the cerebral JPA. These considerations suggested that the tumor already existed at the age of 1 year and developed during these 20 months, according to the theory that the growth rate of JPAs is programmed to slow down as the patient grows.

Astrocytoma↗

[Study of transforming growth factor-alpha expression in duodenal ulcer].

Various growth factors were also reported to promote healing of peptic ulcer. We have used a monoclonal antibody in conjunction with a standard immunohistochemical technique to characterize the expression of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) in duodenal ulcer. TGF-alpha immunoreactivity is found in Brunner's gland, also in immature gland and in duodenal epitheliums, but not in gastric metaplasia of the duodenum. TGF-alpha expression of healing and scar stage was higher than that of active stage. The presence or absence of Helicobacter pylori infection did not affect the expression of TGF-alpha in duodenal ulcer.

Adult↗

Can positive affect items be used to assess depressive disorders in the Japanese population?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to examine the measurement properties of positive affect items among the Japanese population. METHODS: Responses to the Japanese version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and four additional negatively revised items of the original positive affect items were compared for 85 Japanese psychiatric out-patients with dysphoric-mood-related symptoms and 255 demographically matched controls. RESULTS: Responses to positive affect items were generally comparable between the two groups, whereas responses to negative symptom items were markedly different (P < 0.002 for all comparisons). The group difference was most marked for symptom persistence. Responses to the four negatively revised items of positive affect revealed a similar picture to that of the negative symptom items. The internal consistency of the scale significantly improved when the original positive affect items were replaced by the negatively revised items (P < 0.001 for both). CONCLUSIONS: Positive affect items with positive wording cannot be used to assess depressive disorders in the Japanese population adequately, but this can be done with the corresponding negatively revised items.

Adult↗

Body mass decrease after initial gain following smoking cessation.

BACKGROUND: Although smoking cessation is strongly associated with subsequent weight gain, it is not clear whether the initial gain in weight after smoking cessation remains over time. METHOD: Cross-sectional analyses were made, using data from periodic health examinations for workers, on the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the length of smoking cessation. In addition, linear regression coefficients of BMI on the length of cessation were estimated according to alcohol intake and sport activity, to examine the modifying effect of these factors on the weight of former smokers. RESULTS: Means of BMI were 23.1 kg/m2, 23.3 kg/m2, 23.6 kg/m2 for light/medium smokers, heavy smokers and never smokers, respectively. Among former smokers who had smoked > or = 25 cigarettes a day, odds ratio (OR) of BMI >25 kg/m2 were 1.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] : 1.05-3.35), 1.32 (95% CI : 0.74-2.34), 0.66 (95% CI: 0.33-1.31) for those with 2-4 years, 5-7 years, and 8-10 years of smoking cessation, respectively. The corresponding OR among those who previously consumed <25 cigarettes a day were 1.06 (95% CI: 0.58-1.94), 1.00 (95% CI: 0.58-1.71), and 1.49 (95% CI: 0.95-2.32). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that although heavy smokers may experience large weight gain and weigh more than never smokers in the few years after smoking cessation, they thereafter lose weight to the never smoker level, while light and moderate smokers gain weight up to the never smoker level without any excess after smoking cessation.

Adult↗

Trans-sellar color Doppler ultrasonography during transsphenoidal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To improve the safety and efficacy of transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma surgery, we investigated transsphenoidal intraoperative color Doppler ultrasonography using a biplane transducer system. METHODS: We studied 23 patients with pituitary adenomas (18 patients with macroadenomas and 5 patients with microadenomas) who underwent transsphenoidal surgery. The Hitachi EUB555 color Doppler ultrasound system (Hitachi Medical, Tokyo, Japan) was used with a pediatric biplane transesophageal echo cardiography probe (EUP-ES533, 7.5 MHz, biplane phased array sector probe, 9.8-mm tip). The probe was inserted into the saline-filled sphenoid sinus after the sellar floor was opened. Intra- and suprasellar images were obtained just before dural incision and after the tumor removal was thought to have been accomplished. RESULTS: In all patients, the tumor was depicted as a slightly hyperechoic mass, as compared with the cerebrum. Using color Doppler imaging, major cerebral arteries were depicted clearly in 74% of patients. The pituitary glands, pituitary stalks, and optic chiasms were observed in patients with small adenomas, but not when large adenomas were present. Cavernous sinus invasion, concomitant aneurysm, and residual tumor were clearly visualized. In patients with large adenomas, the end point of surgery was decided when there was an ultrasonographically demonstrated collapsed tumor capsule, subcapsular total vacancy, and reappearance of the optic chiasm. CONCLUSION: Trans-sellar color Doppler ultrasonography seems to be a useful intraoperative guiding system that may improve the safety and efficacy of transsphenoidal surgery.

Adenoma↗

Effects of successful adenomectomy on body composition in acromegaly.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate postsurgical change in body composition in patients who have undergone surgery for acromegaly. Eight patients with acromegaly had determination of serum GH, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), height, body weight, and bioelectric impedance before surgery and at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. Body composition was analyzed by bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA). We analyzed body fat (BF), body lean mass (BLM), body cell mass (BCM), total body water (TBW), intracellular water (ICW) and extracellular water (ECW). The serum GH concentration and IGF-I had decreased significantly 2 weeks after surgery. Body weight had decreased significantly 1 month after surgery and recovered 3 months after surgery. BIA showed that TBW and BCM had decreased significantly 2 weeks after surgery. BF gradually increased up to 1 month after surgery and was increased significantly at 3 months after surgery. The percent ratio of TBW/body weight decreased and the percent ratio of BF/body weight increased during the 6 months after surgery. The percent ratio of ECW/TBW did not change during the 6 months following surgery. In conclusion, the rapid body weight loss which occurred within 2 weeks after surgery was caused by decreases in TBW and BCM. The recovery of body weight, which was seen later than 1 month after surgery, was caused by an increase in BF. The postoperative change in body composition in acromegaly ceased 3 months after surgery.

Acromegaly↗

[Medical behavior after colo-rectal cancer screening--comparison with that after stomach cancer screening].

Medical behavior for intensive examination after colo-rectal cancer screening was examined in comparison with that after stomach cancer screening. Examinees who were positive in colo-rectal or stomach cancer screening, provided by an Occupational Health Organization from April 1993 to March 1994, were monitored for their medical behavior through notifications from physicians. The main results were as follows: 1. The proportion of those with the notification from a physician after colo-rectal cancer screening was half of that after stomach cancer screening. 2. Among those notified the rate of those who undertook intensive examination by the end of 12 weeks after the screening was 79.7% for a colo-rectal site and 87.0% for the stomach. The time interval from the screening to the intensive examination for the colo-rectal site was significantly longer than that for stomach. 3. For colo-rectal cancer screening, the proportion of those with the notification was lower in females than in males, and in those aged less than 50 than in those aged 50 or older. There were no differences in the proportion between those screened at the work site and those at the occupational health service center, and between those positive in the fecal occult blood test and those negative in the test but positive in the health interview. These results indicated, assuming that the probability of the physicians' notification was unrelated to the type of examination, a smaller proportion of the examinees positive in the colo-rectal cancer screening consulted a physician for the intensive examination later than those positive in the stomach cancer screening. It is therefore necessary to make colo-rectal cancer screening effective to establish a collaborating system which effectively facilitates the medical behavior of the screening positives.

Adult↗

Positive and negative affect in the factor structure of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Japanese workers.

The factor structure of Form Y of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y) was examined with 1,862 Japanese adult workers (1,509 men, 353 women). The initial principal component analysis extracted three factors based on the scree test. All 20 state (S-Anxiety) and 20 trait (T-Anxiety) items had dominant salient loadings on the first factor, which reflected "over-all anxiety." The three factors identified by an oblique (promax) rotation were labeled "anxiety-absent," "state anxiety-present," and "trait anxiety-present." All 20 items with dominant salient loadings on the first oblique factor were clearly grouped on the basis of their content, indicating the absence of anxiety. The second and third oblique factors, defined almost entirely by the STAI-Y anxiety-present items, clearly reflected the state-trait distinction in this sample of Japanese workers.

Adult↗

The Japanese adaptation of the STAI Form Y in Japanese working adults--the presence or absence of anxiety.

Symptom endorsements and response patterns of 1,862 Japanese adult workers (1,509 males and 353 females) to the Japanese adaptation of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y (STAI-JY) items, were examined in this study. The mean STAI-JY State and Trait anxiety scores of Japanese workers were substantially higher than those of American workers reported in the Manual, due primarily to the much higher scores of Japanese workers in responding to the anxiety-absent items. The correlations between the State and Trait anxiety-present scales and those of their anxiety-absent scales' counterparts were higher than those between the State anxiety-present and -absent scales and those of their Trait scales' counterparts. These findings suggested that responses to anxiety-present and -absent items should be considered independently in scoring the STAI-JY scales in Japanese working adults.

Adolescent↗