Biomedical subjects

Y Shimonaka

Publications and source records attributed to Y Shimonaka.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

National character does not reflect mean personality trait levels in 49 cultures.

Most people hold beliefs about personality characteristics typical of members of their own and others' cultures. These perceptions of national character may be generalizations from personal experience, stereotypes with a "kernel of truth," or inaccurate stereotypes. We obtained national character ratings of 3989 people from 49 cultures and compared them with the average personality scores of culture members assessed by observer ratings and self-reports. National character ratings were reliable but did not converge with assessed traits. Perceptions of national character thus appear to be unfounded stereotypes that may serve the function of maintaining a national identity.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[An investigation of age related slowing in cognitive processing speed in a mental rotation task].

The age related slowing in cognitive processing speed was investigated with a mental rotation task. Slope of regression line predicting reaction time from rotation angle was assumed to be an index of mental rotation speed, and the intercept increase when the task was changed standard to mirror image, an index of decision process speed. Three groups were compared: young control (mean age = 19.1), younger elderly (M = 69.5) and older elderly (M = 79.0). In the mental rotation speed, an age difference between the control and older groups, but not between the older groups, was found. However, the decision process speed differed no only between the control and older groups, but also between the two older groups. These findings indicated that the effect of aging was larger on decision process than on mental rotation.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Androgyny and successful adaptation across the life span among Japanese adults.

The purposes of this study were (a) to examine androgynous, masculine, feminine, and undifferentiated traits of Japanese respondents ranging in age from 13 to 92 years old, as measured by the Bem Sex Role Inventory and (b) to measure the relationship between androgyny and successful adaptation. The respondents were randomly sampled from Yokohama City (634 men, 802 women) and were classified by age as follows: 13-24 years old, 25-44 years old, 45-64 years old, and 65 and older. Successful adaptation was measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the CES-Depression Scale, the Hassles Scale, and by subjective health. No age effects for androgyny and masculinity were found in men. The undifferentiated type was predominant in adolescents, both male and female. In the oldest age group, most women were classified as feminine. Adaptation of the four sex roles was different depending on sex and age. Throughout the life span of both sexes, there was a relationship between androgyny and successful adaptation. Self-esteem and subjective health seemed to be the most effective predictors of adaptation.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1996

Personality, longevity, and successful aging among Tokyo metropolitan centenarians.

The purpose of our study was to examine two hypotheses: 1) that androgyny and Type B behavior are related to longevity; and 2) that personality characteristics associated with longevity may also be related to successful aging. Participants were eighty-two centenarians (37 men and 45 women) who were compared with 605 elderly in their sixties, seventies, and eighties. Both groups were living in the Tokyo metropolitan area. We used the Bem Sex Role Inventory and Bortner Pattern A Behavior Scales to measure personality, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Cattell Anxiety Scale to measure successful aging. We found that androgyny was not more prominent among centenarians than masculinity, femininity, or undifferentiated. In fact, more femininity was observed. Additionally, we found that more women were classified as feminine than were men. The results indicated more Type B's among centenarians than among those in their sixties and more women than men showed Type B behavior. Our hypothesis that Type B behavior is related to longevity was supported. We observed lower self-esteem for femininity than for either the masculinity or androgyny. We also observed that anxiety was lower for femininity than masculinity but higher than androgyny among women. Type B women showed lower self-esteem than Type A women. Type B men showed lower anxiety than Type A men. We conclude that femininity is related to longevity and that androgyny may be related to successful aging. Further, we suggest that Type B behavior is associated with longevity, but its relationship to successful aging differs between men and women.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Behavior of propylene glycol (PG) in dermis after treatment of rat intact skin surface with fatty acids, fatty amines or azone dissolved in PG.

Rat abdominal intact skin was treated with fatty acids, fatty amines, or Azone which were dissolved in propylene glycol (PG) and PG appearing in the rat dermis was studied. Analysis was done by Fourier transform infrared/attenuated total reflection (FT-IR/ATR) spectroscopy. The appearance of PG with time seemed to be in three phases when the skin sample was treated with a skin penetration enhancer such as oleic acid: (1) in the first stage, PG penetrated the skin barrier which was not substantially altered, and gradually appeared in the dermis; (2) in the second stage, it rapidly distributed in/throughout the dermis, and this rapid distribution was probably due to the alteration of the dermal structure: the penetration enhancing effect of the enhancer was thought to reach maximal; and (3) in the third stage, PG was saturated in the dermis. The value of T(max alteration), at which the alteration of the dermal structures is completed, showed that the action of both oleic acid and oleylamine were more rapid than other enhancers. Both the value of PG peak area(max) at the third stage which reflects the distribution volume of PG in the dermis and the value of T(sat) at which PG is saturated in the dermis were calculated, and the results suggested that both the distribution volume of PG in the dermis and the time of the saturation varied depending on the enhancer. In conclusion, our present work indicated the importance and necessity of evaluating the rate and extent of appearance of a drug in the dermis to characterize an enhancer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amines↗

PubMed1994

Androgyny and psychological well-being among older and younger Japanese adults.

The present study examined Gutmann's role reversal theory and Sinnott's role blurring (androgyny) theory. A total of 384 Japanese community aged were compared to 289 students using the Bem Sex Role Inventory. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was used to measure psychological well-being. Masculinity was higher among men than women, and the old showed higher femininity than the young. However, no significant cohort by sex interaction was observed in either masculine or feminine scores. To examine the relationship between androgyny and psychological well-being, subjects were classified into androgynous, masculine, feminine and undifferentiated groups. Analysis of variance (sex role typing x sex x cohort) on self-esteem revealed a significant sex role typing effect. The androgynous men and women possessed the highest self-esteem, followed by the masculine, feminine and undifferentiated men and women, in this order. Our results supported Sinnott's but not Gutmann's theory.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Acute myeloid leukemia possibly producing thrombopoietic factor(s).

A 75-year-old man developed a cluster of differentiation (CD)4-positive but human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)-negative T lymphoid neoplasm with overwhelming cutaneous involvement and mild thrombocytosis. Twelve courses tetrahydropyranyl adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone (THP-COP) combination chemotherapy led him to complete remission. After four months of complete remission, however, atypical immature cells (blasts) appeared in peripheral blood and bone marrow. Surface marker analysis revealed the blasts to be CD2-, CD3-, CD4-, CD5-, CD7+, CD8-, CD10, CD13 +/-, CD19-, CD20-, CD25-, CD33+ and human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR+). Staining for myeloperoxidase, esterases, PAS and platelet peroxidase were all negative. The patient was diagnosed as having both CD7 and CD33 positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The relation between the T cell lymphoid neoplasm and AML was not clear. Thrombocytosis became more marked after acute leukemia occurred and the platelet count varied in parallel with the blast cell count in peripheral blood. When the leukemic cell count was high, thrombopoietic activity could be detected in the serum. In addition, conditioned medium obtained from primarily-cultured blasts had detectable thrombopoietic activity, which implied the blasts directly to produce a thrombopoietic factor(s). Analysis of the serum concentration for cytokines with associated thrombopoietic activity indicated that the blasts possibly produced a thrombopoietic factor(s) distinct from interleukin (IL)6, IL3, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), erythropoietin and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an acute myeloid leukemia with marked thrombopoiesis (more than 2000 x 10(3)/microliter of maximum platelet count in peripheral blood.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

PubMed1992

Role of sugar chains in the expression of the biological activity of human erythropoietin.

Various deglycosylated derivatives of recombinant human erythropoietin (hEPO) were prepared and used to determine the role of the sugar chains in the expression of its biological activity in vivo and in vitro. Three N-linked oligosaccharides of hEPO have been partially or fully removed to obtain N-glycan (NG) (2)-, NG(1)-, and NG(0)-hEPO carrying two, one, and no N-linked sugar chains, respectively. The preparation lacking only O-linked sugar chain O O-glycan (OG) (0)-hEPO was also used. As de-N-glycosylation proceeded, the in vivo activity of the hormone decreased drastically, and the activity of these derivatives was correlated with the number of sialic acids bound to them. On the contrary, the in vitro activity was increased by the de-N-glycosylation; NG(0)-hEPO showed a 3-fold higher specific activity than the intact hormone. This was confirmed by binding experiments of the derivatives to target cells. The in vitro activity and the affinity also correlated with the number of sialic acids bound to the deglycosylated hEPO preparations. On the other hand, OG(0)-hEPO was as active as the intact hormone in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, the N-linked sugar chains are not required for in vitro activity but required for in vivo activity, acting as anchors for the essential terminal sialic acids. The O-linked sugar chain has no essential role in the biological activity of the hormone in vivo or in vitro.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1992

[Psychosomatic state of centenarians].

A survey to investigate the psychiatric and physical characteristics of centenarians was conducted from 1987 to 1989 in the Tokyo metropolitan area with a team of psychiatrists and psychologists using a semi-structured interview form. In that 3-three period, out of 509 centenarians living in Tokyo, 294 persons and their caregivers (57.8%) including the 65 institutionalized centenarians were examined. Two hundred and fifteen centenarians were not able to be interviewed due to various reasons. Out of 294 centenarians, 76 persons (25.9%) were interviewed by telephone. Also out of these, 176 (59.8%) were living with their son's or daughter's family. Ten male centenarians (12.8%) were living with their wives, while no female was living with a spouse. Five men and four women were living alone. There was a marked difference of education in years between both sexes. Mean years of education were 10.2 in the male and 5.5 in the female. According to the Clinical Dementia Rating, 31.6% out of 218 centenarians interviewed were not demented and those with dementia were even distribution of mild, moderate and severe dementia. There were marked differences according to sex, similar to that found in ADL. Of 63 males, 46.0% were not demented, whereas 25.8% of 155 females were not demented. Only 3.2% of males were severely demented, but in females 27.1% showed severe dementia. HDS scores decreased in relation to the advance in severity of dementia. Approximately 27% of the cases had no previous physical histories; 21.8% for the male and 29.2% for the female.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1991

Aging and terminal changes in Rorschach responses among the Japanese elderly.

The Rorschach Inkblot Test was used to examine how personality changes among the elderly and whether significant changes precede death. Six measurements were conducted over 10 years. The original subjects were 236 healthy Japanese elderly with an average age of 76.4 years; 52 subjects survived throughout the 10-year study. Age-related changes were reflected in the number of responses; responses regarding rejection, shading, and popular; poor form level (F-%); and content range. The changes in these variables suggest that productive and creative thinking, cooperativeness, and concerns for and interests in society lessen with advancing age. Over the 4 to 6 years preceding death, the popular responses and content range declined, and the decline accelerated before death. Tests within 2 years of death showed less animal movement response (FM), and higher form (F%), F-%, and human content (H%) compared to the survivors. These results suggest that productivity, vital energy, and ego strength become reduced prior to death, whereas interest in and sensitivity to others is maintained to the end.

Aged↗

PubMed1991

[Development of behavior rating scale for the elderly].

The purpose of this study was to develop a behavior rating scale to measure adaptation of the elderly using care staff as evaluators and to examine the reliability and validity of the scale. The behavior rating scale consists of 51 items and 5 subscales to measure areas of ADL, activity, interpersonal relationships, dementia syndromes, and socially irritating behavior. The scale was administered to 280 elderly residing in 4 nursing homes. Each reliability index, including internal consistency, test-retest, and inter-rater agreement was satisfactory. Validity was examined by relating total score or each subscale score to 19 external variables including physical condition, state of daily living, cognitive ability and personality. The correlations between external variables and the scale scores indicated that the behavior rating scale was valid.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1991

Reduced response to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in W/Wv and Sl/Sld mice.

The response of W/Wv and Sl/Sld mice to recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rG-CSF) was investigated. Purified rG-CSF was injected every day for 1 week in doses up to 1000 micrograms/kg. Both untreated Sl/Sld and W/Wv mice initially showed an ordinary number of neutrophils and then an increase in neutrophils in response to rG-CSF injections. However, the effective dose of rG-CSF was much higher than that for normal mice. An increase in splenic CFU-GM was observed in both types of mice receiving 1000 micrograms/kg of rG-CSF, regardless of the reported defects in their hemopoietic system. These results indicate that W/Wv and Sl/Sld mice show a reduced response to exogenous rG-CSF and that a large amount of exogenous rG-CSF may allow an increase in neutrophils in certain hemopoietic defects.

Anemia, Macrocytic↗

PubMed1990

Physicochemical and biological characterization of asialoerythropoietin. Suppressive effects of sialic acid in the expression of biological activity of human erythropoietin in vitro.

Various partially or fully desialylated human erythropoietins were obtained by neuraminidase digestion of the hormone, without non-specific proteolysis and degradation of carbohydrates. Asialoerythropoietin showed a specific activity of 220-IU/mg protein in vivo, although that of the intact erythropoietin was 2.2 x 10(5) IU/mg. A linear relationship was found between the logarithm of the specific activity in vivo and the number of sialic acids. The asialoerythropoietin showed a four-times-higher specific activity in vitro compared with intact erythropoietin using mouse bone marrow cells. It also showed an approximately six-times-higher specific activity in a colony-forming assay for the erythroid colony-forming unit and the erythroid burst-forming unit. Partially or fully de-N-glycosylated erythropoietin derivatives also showed lower in vivo activity but higher in vitro activity than the intact erythropoietin, dependent on the number of sialic acids. To clarify the reason for the enhanced biological activity of asialoerythropoietin in vitro, the binding of intact 125I-erythropoietin or 125I-asialoerythropoietin to cells containing specific receptors for the hormone was analyzed. 125I-asialoerythropoietin bound to spleen cells from anemic mice approximately five times faster than did intact 125I-erythropoietin. The amount of 125I-asialoerythropoietin internalized by target cells, measured in the absence of NaN3, was four times higher than that of intact erythropoietin. These results demonstrate that asialoerythropoietin binds to its receptor faster than the intact form. This may be the main reason for the increased activity of asialoerythropoietin in vitro.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Effects of recombinant human erythropoietin on haemolytic anaemia in mice.

The effects of repeated administration of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) were investigated in mice with haemolytic anaemia. Mice with haemolytic anaemia induced by phenylhydrazine (PHZ mice) were examined as an acute model and New Zealand black mice (NZB mice) at 13 months of age were examined as a chronic model. The plasma erythropoietin (EPO) level in PHZ mice was high and showed a strong inverse correlation with the Hb in the anaemia development period. However, it was relatively low in the recovery period from anaemia. On the other hand, the plasma EPO level in NZB mice showed a simple inverse correlation with the Hb. The rHuEPO was injected every day for a week into these mice. While a high plasma EPO level was maintained in PHZ mice, no significant effect was observed by injection with rHuEPO at dose of 600 IU/kg. However, in the recovery period from anaemia, RBC and haemoglobin in PHZ mice were increased by the rHuEPO treatment and recovered more quickly to their normal levels. In NZB mice, RBC and haemoglobin were also increased by treatment with rHuEPO at dose of 600 IU/kg. Anti-RBC autoantibodies and anti-EPO antibodies did not increase, while RBC and plasma EPO levels were increased by the rHuEPO treatment. These results suggest that some types of haemolytic anaemia are not always combined with high endogenous EPO levels and that exogenous rHuEPO may be effective for use in the treatment of haemolytic anaemia.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1989

The Japanese State-Trait Anxiety Inventory: age and sex differences.

Purpose of the present study was to investigate scores on anxiety among adults of different ages. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was administered to a representative community sample of 1,234 men and women whose ages ranged from 25 to 92 yr. Anxiety declined linearly over the series of age groups. A sex difference was also observed on trait anxiety; women showed higher anxiety than men. Occupation was associated with anxiety for men but with education for women. Possible development of anxiety and differential association of demographic variables with anxiety between sexes were discussed in relation to personality.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

A new screening test for dementia.

The purpose of this study is to develop a new screening test for detecting the demented elderly in the early stage in communities. The test is easy to apply for consultation, guidance and care and is capable of administering differential diagnoses. Based on the 9 dementia rating scales used in Japan, Europe and the U.S., a new test was completed after investigating and modifying the design 5 times. The test consists of 20 items. This test was given to 203 subjects (59 males and 144 females) including normal elderly as well as those suspected of suffering from dementia. The internal consistency, reliability and validity were studied using clinical diagnoses (diagnostic criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-III) and Karasawa's Criteria for Judging Senility), Hasegawa's Dementia Rating Scale and Mental Status Questionnaire (MSQ) as external criteria. The present test was confirmed to have sufficient effectiveness as the screening test for dementia.

Aged↗

PubMed1980

Psychological characteristics of Japanese aged: a comparison of sentence completion test responses of older and younger adults.

The psychological characteristics of 199 older Japanese adults were compared to those of 224 Japanese university students by means of a 20-item sentence completion procedure. Older Japanese adults were found to have positive images of their family, while the younger adults were more positive with respect to their friends. Older adults displayed more positive self-perceptions with respect to their present self; the young were more negative with respect to their past self-images and more positive with respect to their future self-images. With respect to present self, women displayed more positive self-perceptions consistently; men displayed more negative self-perceptions. Both age groups tended to view the aging process as a negative one, although their attitudes toward the aged were relatively positive. Young adults indicated that happiness was obtained through personal or social achievements, a result comparable to that found in American students. Older Japanese adults found pleasure in associations with their families and in being healthy. Approximately one-half of each age group viewed death in a neutral manner, although the old were more likely than the young to view death positively whereas the young were more likely than the old to view death negatively.

Adolescent↗