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Biomedical subjects

Y Naruse

Publications and source records attributed to Y Naruse.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

An ecological study on air pollution: changes in annual ring growth of the Japanese cedar and prevalence of respiratory symptoms in schoolchildren in Japanese rural districts.

The effect of air pollution caused by oil-fired electricity-generating stations on the annual ring growth of the Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica, D. Don) and prevalence of respiratory symptoms in schoolchildren were investigated. By retrospective analysis the annual ring growth has been demonstrated to show good agreement with the general trend in air pollution. In addition it was found to be related to the prevalence of respiratory symptoms. The reduction in annual ring growth and increase in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms followed a deterioration in air pollution. Following upgrading of the power station and an improvement in air pollution, the annual ring growth and prevalence of respiratory symptoms showed opposite changes, respectively. Concerning the latter, the prevalence of wheezing and respiratory symptoms associated with school absence in schoolchildren with a positive skin test to house dust extract showed a closer correlation with the annual ring growth when compared with those who had never had a positive skin test.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Conserved structures of cell wall protein genes among protein-producing Bacillus brevis strains.

Bacillus brevis HPD31 contains a surface (S)-layer protein, termed the HWP, which forms a hexagonal array in the cell wall. The 5' region of the HWP gene was isolated from a DNA library constructed in bacteriophage vector EMBL3 from a partial BamHI digest of the chromosomal DNA. The 3' region contained in a 2.7-kilobase BglII fragment of the DNA was cloned into Escherichia coli, using pUC118 as a vector. On the basis of the chemically determined N-terminal amino acid sequence, the HWP gene was found to encode a polypeptide consisting of 1,087 amino acid residues with a signal peptide of 53 or 23 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid composition was similar to the chemical amino acid compositions of other S-layer proteins in the predominance of acidic relative to basic amino acids and in the very low content of sulfur-containing amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence showed high homology (78%) with that of the middle wall protein of B. brevis 47. Furthermore, the multiple 5' ends of the HWP gene transcripts detected on S1 nuclease analysis closely resembled those of the middle wall protein gene transcripts. This complex structure was also conserved (greater than 85%) in the regulatory regions of two other cell wall protein genes isolated from B. brevis HPD52 and HP033, suggesting that the synthesis of the cell wall proteins is intricately regulated through a similar mechanism in protein-producing B. brevis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Rotation-advancement flap method for correction of partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage into the superior vena cava.

Three patients with partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage into the superior vena cava underwent repair by a rotation-advancement flap method. The technique consisted of atrial partitioning, enlargement of the superior vena cava, and protection of sinus node function. Follow-up studies of all patients were done between 12 and 15 months after the operation. The superior vena cava was not stenosed and its diameter was normal, as demonstrated by cavograms. Pulmonary venous return appeared normal on angiograms, and sinus node function was normal by electrophysiologic studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Case of sialolithiasis with severe fatty change of the submandibular salivary gland].

We encountered a 57-year-old female with sialolithiasis associated with severe fatty change in the submandibular salivary gland. The submandibular salivary gland was removed under general anesthesia, and the postoperative course was uneventful. Histopathological changes observed in submandibular salivary glands with sialoliths are mainly inflammatory cell infiltration or connective tissue infiltration. On the other hand, increase in fat cells with age has been reported, but these age-related fatty changes are not severe. It was considered that the cause of the fatty change in this case was related to anoxia, which increased with long-term stasis of the duct system that was brought on by the development of the sialolith.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1989

Urinary sodium and potassium excretion, body mass index, alcohol intake and blood pressure in three Japanese populations.

Standardised data on blood pressure, 24 hour urinary electrolyte excretion and other lifestyle factors were obtained in three Japanese populations as part of the INTERSALT study. Urinary sodium excretion and sodium/potassium ratio were significantly (P less than 0.01) higher in Toyama (a semi-rural area in central Japan) than in Tochigi (a rural area 100 km north of Tokyo) and Osaka. There were also significant (P less than 0.01) differences between the centres in diastolic blood pressure (highest in Toyama), although systolic pressure was similar in all three centres. Average potassium excretion was low (46 mmol/day), and the prevalence of both heavy alcohol drinking (greater than or equal to 300 ml/week) and smoking was high in men (33% and 61% respectively); compared with other countries, there were favourable levels of body mass index (mean 22.4 kg/m2). Despite a recent decline in sodium consumption in Japan, which has been accompanied by a fall in blood pressure levels, in the prevalence of hypertension and also in stroke mortality, average sodium excretion in the three centres was high compared to other countries (187 mmol/day). Applying overall INTERSALT regression coefficients to the Japanese data, suggested that further falls in sodium intake together with a modest increase in potassium intake and a reduction (in men) in the prevalence of heavy alcohol drinking could have an important impact on average blood pressures and the prevalence of hypertension. It can be expected that these nonpharmacological approaches to improved blood pressure levels will be accompanied by continued reductions in mortality from stroke.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Effects of theophylline, beta-adrenergic stimulants and prednisolone on platelet and urine cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP).

Experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of anti-asthma drugs on cGMP levels. In vitro, theophylline (5 X 10(-4) M) increased basal and 5-hydroxytryptamine stimulated cGMP formation by platelets (p less than 0.05) while salbutamol and prednisolone produced no change. No significant differences were found in urine cGMP levels in healthy subjects, after short term treatment with theophylline, isoprenaline or prednisolone. Urinary cGMP levels were lower than normal in the majority (7/10) of asthma patients tested and in female patients this difference was significant (p less than 0.05). Severity of asthma symptoms were not found to be associated with particular changes in urinary cGMP levels. Fluctuations in the cGMP levels were, however, greater (p less than 0.01) in asthma patients with a more unstable respiratory condition. The differences between in vitro and in vivo results may demonstrate that beta-stimulants and theophylline have different acute and chronic effects on cGMP formation, or show that in vivo these drugs primarily affect tissue enzymes that differ from those on platelets.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1987

Mast cells in the ovarian bursa of the golden hamster.

In the golden hamster, the number and maturity of mast cells were determined in serial sections of the ovarian bursa stained with either toluidine blue and acid fuchsin or alcian blue and safranin. The number of mast cells in connective tissue within 250 microns of the bursal mesothelium significantly decreased on Day 4 compared to the numbers between Days 1, 2, and 3 of the estrous cycle. The number of mast cells in connective tissue within 50 microns of the bursal mesothelium significantly decreased from Day 1 to 2 of the cycle, but did not vary between Days 2 and 4 of the cycle. Mast cells in this zone accounted for approximately 40-50% of the mast cells located within 250 microns of the bursal mesothelium throughout the cycle. If the tissue volume is taken into consideration, mast cells occurred in concentrations several times higher in connective tissue close to the bursal mesothelium than in connective tissue more distant from the mesothelium. Mast cells were occasionally located in the layer of bursal mesothelium, and some of them appeared to discharge granules into the bursal cavity. All mast cells encountered in the hamster bursa were mature cells, which stained reddish-orange with safranin. These results suggest that mast cells in the golden hamster ovarian bursa may act on the submesothelial connective tissue, bursal cavity, or ovary. The possible biological significance of their proximity to the bursal mesothelium is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

A possible mechanism of cadmium-copper interaction in embryonic chick bone in tissue culture.

Femurs from 9-day-old embryo were cultured for 4 days by the roller-tube method in the presence of Cd and/or Cu. The combination of both Cd and Cu caused a significantly interactive decrease in hydroxyproline (Hyp) synthesis as well as bone growth compared with that in the presence of Cd (1.1 or 3.3 microM) or Cu (1.1 or 2.2 microM) alone. The presence of both 2.2 microM Cd and 3.3 microM Cu also showed a significantly interactive decrease in the incorporation of [3H]proline (Pro) into collagenase-digestible protein (CDP), but it showed no interactive inhibition of the hydroxylation of [3H]Pro in CDP. The two metals were also interactive with respect to the inhibition of the synthesis of protein, RNA and DNA. Culture of epiphysis in the presence of both Cd and Cu resulted in higher content of Cd and Cu compared to those cultured in Cd or Cu alone. Subcellular fractions from epiphysis cultured in Cd plus Cu contained more Cd than those cultured in Cd alone. Cu was increased in two fractions, nuclei and cytosol, following co-incubation. The cytosol from epiphysis cultured in the presence of both Cd and Cu contained more Cd in both a metallothionein (MT)-like protein and a high-molecular-weight (HM) protein than cytosol from Cd-treated bones. The amount (nmol) of Cu in the MT fraction was nearly equal to the sum of the increased amounts (nmol) of Cd in HM fraction of cytosol and particulate fractions. This indicates that some Cd in MT-like protein induced by Cd is replaced with Cu and the released Cd redistribution to HM fraction and particulate fractions. Most of the Cd in the solubilized particulate fractions was detected in the HM fraction. A marker enzyme or component in each fraction was interactively inhibited by both Cd and Cu. Therefore, the interactive inhibition of bone metabolism by both Cd and Cu in the cultured bone is at least partly due to the increase in Cd content of HM fraction of cytosol and particulate fractions.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

An experimental study on the long-term effect of cadmium in mice fed cadmium-polluted rice with special reference to the effect of repeated reproductive cycles.

Long-term biological effects of cadmium-polluted rice and the effect of repeated reproductive cycles on them were examined. Female SLC-B6D2F mice (female C57BL/6, male DBA/2) were fed a rice diet containing 65% unpolished rice for about 2 years from 7 weeks of age. The unpolished rice preparations used were commercially available rice (non-Cd-polluted) and Cd-polluted rice (over 1.0 ppm). Average Cd contents in each diet class were 0.12, 0.48, 1.78, 1.75, and 47.1 ppm (50 ppm Cd as CdCl2 added). Some experimental mice were subjected to repeated reproductive cycles (parity group). Hematological, biochemical, and pathological examinations of urine, blood, and tissues, including Cd measurement, were carried out. Results after statistical analysis indicate Cd toxicities such as anemia and disturbances of Ca metabolism. These Cd effects were found to be enhanced by the reproductive cycles. Soft X-ray radiograms showed osteoporosis in the parity groups, especially in the groups with diets of higher Cd content. However, we could not find any sign of disturbance of renal function under our experimental conditions.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1986

The changing prevalence of respiratory symptoms in atopic children in response to air pollution.

Following the promotion of anti-air pollution measures in steam power stations using crude oil, atmospheric concentrations of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and suspended particulates have declined. These changes in atmospheric concentrations were accompanied by a decline in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among schoolchildren living near the power stations. In analysing the correlation between air pollutant concentrations and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, those with positive skin reactions to house dust extract (the positive group) showed a more significant correlation coefficient compared to those who had never had a positive skin reaction (the negative group). In addition, schoolchildren more heavily exposed to air pollutants showed the higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms than the others. With regard to the kind of air pollutants, both sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide were more closely associated with the prevalence of respiratory symptoms than suspended particulates. This study has therefore demonstrated that the positive group is a useful population for monitoring the health effects associated with low-degree air pollution of gaseous agents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Accuracy of gas analysis in lung function laboratories.

Fifty lung function laboratories in England and Wales analysed test gas mixtures of carbon monoxide and helium. Most of them also analysed mixtures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in nitrogen. The percentage accuracy of the results was within 1% of the expected value in only 14% of determinations of carbon monoxide concentration, 28% for carbon dioxide, 37% for helium, and 48% for oxygen. The accuracy of ratios of two concentrations of helium and carbon monoxide was better than that of the individual gas samples. Overall the variation in results between laboratories was wide, the coefficient of variation ranging from about 3% for analysis of helium to 9% for carbon dioxide. This variation affected the values calculated for carbon monoxide transfer factor, where 20% were in error by more than 5%, and for the calculated value of the respiratory exchange ratio, where the interlaboratory coefficient of variation was about 10%. Errors in analysis were due to unsatisfactory calibration of analysers; five oxygen analysers had large zero errors; five carbon monoxide analysers and one helium analyser had notably curvilinear calibration curves. Insufficient information was obtained to ascertain the nature of the errors in analysis of carbon dioxide. Given the improvements in instrumentation, these results are evidence for deterioration in analytical standards in lung function laboratories from the standards of 20 years ago.

Carbon Dioxide↗
PubMed1986

Na-K ATPase activity of erythrocyte membrane correlated with urinary Na/K ratio in normotensive adolescents with a family history of hypertension.

In female adolescents with a normal blood pressure range, the correlation between urinary sodium excretion and Na-K ATPase activity of erythrocyte membrane was investigated. 34 subjects with a family history of hypertension showed a significantly positive correlation between body mass index and mean blood pressure (r = 0.64, p less than 0.01), and a significantly lower urinary Na/Cr and Na/K ratio compared with 37 subjects without the same family history (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01, respectively). The positive correlation between urinary Na/K ratio and Na-K ATPase activity of erythrocyte membrane was demonstrated in only subjects with a family history of hypertension (r = 0.41, p less than 0.05). The authors discuss these significant correlations in terms of the abnormal membrane cation fluxes associated with essential hypertension.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Mortality rates for farmers and fishermen in Japan compared with England and Wales.

Life tables for all causes of death for farmers and fishermen in Japan have been compared with those for England and Wales. Considering all causes of death, there are no occupational differences between farmers and fishermen in Japan. On the other hand, there are large occupational differences indicating that fishermen are worse off than farmers in England and Wales. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) for each disease in terms of occupation have also been compared in the two countries. The SMRs for leading causes of death in Japan, such as cerebrovascular disease, are significantly lower for fishermen than for farmers in Japan. On the contrary, SMRs for leading causes of death in England and Wales, such as ischemic heart disease and lung cancer, are significantly higher for fishermen than for farmers in England and Wales. However the SMRs for ischemic heart disease and lung cancer are significantly higher for fishermen than for farmers in both countries.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1985

Familial aggregation of red blood cell cation transport systems in Japanese families.

The rate of lithium, sodium, and potassium transport in red blood cells is thought to be associated with essential hypertension. In order to investigate the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to cation transport, their correlation was analyzed in 60 parent-offspring pairs and 17 husband-wife pairs in Toyama City, Japan. Lithium-sodium countertransport and sodium-potassium cotransport rates were significantly correlated in parent-offspring pairs (r = 0.52, p less than 0.01 and r = 0.46, p less than 0.01, respectively) but not in husband-wife pairs. Sodium pump rates were significantly correlated in both pairs (r = 0.48, p less than 0.01 in parent-offspring pairs, r = 0.46, p less than 0.05 in husband-wife pairs). Therefore, lithium-sodium countertransport and sodium-potassium cotransport were found to have a substantial genetic component and the sodium pump to have a substantial environmental component. Sodium pump rates were significantly correlated with sodium/creatinine (r = 0.21, p less than 0.05) and sodium/potassium (r = 0.32, p less than 0.01) in casual urine.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Heritability of erythrocyte Na+-Li+ countertransport in relation to essential hypertension.

The Na+-Li+ countertransport system in erythrocytes was investigated in patients with essential hypertension and control subjects. Furthermore, studies on the pairs of parent-offspring and husband-wife were added in order to evaluate heritability of the countertransport. The Na+-Li+ countertransport of patients with essential hypertension and normotensive subjects with the family history of hypertension was significantly increased in comparison with that of normotensive subjects without the family history. The correlation coefficient of the countertransport in pairs of parent-offspring was significant but not between husband-wife. These results support the concept of a genetic determinant for the countertransport system.

Adult↗