Nippon Eiseigaku Zasshi (Japanese Journal of Hygiene)
Online ISSN : 1882-6482
Print ISSN : 0021-5082
ISSN-L : 0021-5082
Volume 56, Issue 4
Displaying 1-12 of 12 articles from this issue
  • Hiroyoshi FUJITA
    2002 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 603-605
    Published: January 15, 2002
    Released on J-STAGE: February 17, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Last decade, remarkable progress was achieved in the field of environmental sciences, especially those related to biological functions against environmental stress. Recent progress has been focused on the transcriptional control of proteins, such as cytochrome P450, UDP-glucronosyltransferase, and metallothionein. Along with these studies, entirely new functions of some proteins were identified; for example heme oxygenase-1, originally isolated by the catalytic activity of heme, is nowadays recognized as one of the stress proteins. We are, therefore, interested in the relationship among proteins of body defense mechanisms; i. e., co-regulation of two (or more) distinct proteins, and why they should be under the same regulation.
    One possible idea is that they are members of the defense system against active oxygen, which will be described by Drs. Sato and Inoue in a future review. Alternatively, they might have evolved from an ancestor of the defense system that originally protected from oxygen toxicity. Findings on AhR/Arnt and HIF1 systems demonstrating that they are members of the same PAS family seem to support this hypothesis. One of the missing links of the hypothesis is the so called oxygen sensor, suggesting (a) hemoprotein in 19884). A review by Dr. Ogawa on Bach1, the first vertebrate transcription factor controlled by heme, will provide on answers to the missing links.
    Through this series of reviews, we have a rough map of the biological system against environmental stress to explore the new frontier of environmental science.
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  • Eisuke F. SATO, Masayasu INOUE
    2002 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 606-614
    Published: January 15, 2002
    Released on J-STAGE: February 17, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Mammalian tissues have large amounts of available ATP which are generated by oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria. To maintain the body, large amounts of oxygen are required to regenerate the ATP molecules. A small fraction of the inspired oxygen is converted to superoxide radicals and related metabolites even under physiological conditions. Most reactive oxygen species react rapidly with a variety of molecules, thereby interfering with cellular functions and various diseases.
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  • Kazuhiro OGAWA
    2002 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 615-621
    Published: January 15, 2002
    Released on J-STAGE: February 17, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Heme and its metabolism fulfill significant roles in many homeostatic and adaptative reactions. For example, heme (protein) senses oxygen concentration to regulate hypoxia response genes such as erythropoietin, and free heme, a proxidant, controls levels of several oxidative stress response proteins as well as that of a few enzymes in the heme metabolic pathway. Heme oxygenase (HO) is the key enzyme in heme catabolism, which degrades heme to Fe, CO, and biliverdin. CO is known as a gaseous messenger in the vascular and nervous systems. Biliverdin is rapidly converted to bilirubin, whose antioxidative effect is proposed to protect cells against reactive oxygen species. HO-1, the inducible isozyme of HO, is induced not only by its substrate heme, but also NO, metals, hypoxia, and various other stimuli. Studies on HO-1 deficiency indicate that induction of HO-1 is essential to homeostasis, at least in humans. Heme response elements (HREs), which mediate the induction of HO-1 expression by heme, are identified in enhancer regions of the mouse HO-1 gene. HRE shares a nucleotide sequence with the Maf recognition element (MARE). A transcriptional activator, Nrf2, has been shown to participate in HO-1 induction by several stimuli, including heme via HRE. A heme-binding transcription factor such as yeast Hapl had been supposed to also exist in vertebrates, however, no such factor had been identified. Recently, we found that a mammalian transcription repressor, Bach1, directly binds heme, and that the DNA binding activity of Bach1 is negatively regulated by heme. Bach1 is capable of competing the binding to MARE with activators including Nrf2, therefore, HO-1 and other stress response genes bearing MARE may be regulated by heme via the MARE-binding transcription factors. Further analyses on the gene regulatory mechanism by heme would help us to understand the stress response system, especially against oxidative stress.
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  • Hideaki KIKUCHI
    2002 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 622-628
    Published: January 15, 2002
    Released on J-STAGE: February 17, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Many xenobiotics are metabolized and detoxified by cytochrome P-450s (CYP). The xenobiotics metabolizing CYPs are induced by various kinds of receptors. To induce CYP1A1, the Ah receptor requires a ligand for its activation as a transcription factor. On the other hand, benzimidazole compounds can induce CYP1A1 without binding to the Ah receptor as a ligand (ligand-independent pathway). In response to phenobarbital (PB) and other PB-type inducers, the nuclear receptor CAR (the NR-constitutive active receptor) translocates to the nucleus, forms a dimer with the retinoid X receptor (RXR), and activates the PB-responsive enhancer module (PBREM) in the PB-inducible CYP2B genes. For human CYP3A4 genes, pregnane X receptor (PXR) binds to the xenobiotic-responsive enhancer module (XREM) and upon induction by rifampicin, a PXR: RXR heterodimer could transactivate XREM.
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  • Yoshihiro MARUO, Hiroshi SATO
    2002 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 629-633
    Published: January 15, 2002
    Released on J-STAGE: February 17, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) represent a family of enzymes that glucuronidate many internal substances and drugs. This family acts as a drug metabolism phase II reactor in the liver and comprises one of the major protective mechanisms from toxic chemical substances. UGTs have two subfamilies; UGT1 and UGT2. UGT1 gene expresses 12 isoforms which are produced from a single gene by alternative splicing of a primary transcript. Each isoform has specific substrates. UGT1A1 conjugates bilirubin, and mutations of the gene cause hereditary unconjugated hyperbilirubinemias (Crigler-Najjar syndrome and Gilbert's syndrome). Recently, polymorphisms of UGT1A1 were revealed. In the Japanese population, there is a polymorphism of G71R and this mutation is a risk factor of neonatal hyperbiliruibnemia and a genetic cause of breast milk jaundice. These polymorphisms of UGTs might contribute to individual variations of drug metabolism and toxicity as well as inherited diseases.
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  • Metallothionein
    Masuo KONDOH, Masao SATO
    2002 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 634-642
    Published: January 15, 2002
    Released on J-STAGE: February 17, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Metallothionein (MT) is a small, cysteine-rich, metal-binding protein. MT synthesis is induced by various stimuli such as heavy metals, oxidative stress, anticancer drugs and fasting stress. MT is capable of not only reducing metal toxicity but also scavenging free radicals. In fact, MT is involved in the protection of tissues against various forms of oxidative injury, including radiation, lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress caused by anticancer drugs, and conditions of hyperoxia. However, MT still lacks a manifest established biological function. Recently, transgenic mice with loss-of-function mutations in the MT-I/-II genes were established. Unexpectedly, the mice were in apparent good health, and the critical biological roles for MT have been questioned. Here the basic characteristics of MT are reviewed, the current MT study highlights summarized, and the putative biological functions of MT discussed.
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  • Yunbao LIU, Momoko CHIBA, Yutaka INABA, Masao KONDO
    2002 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 641-648
    Published: January 15, 2002
    Released on J-STAGE: February 17, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Objective: Keshan disease is an endemic cardiomyopathy found in Keshan, north-east China. The first patient was identified in 1935. This disease is characterized by a blood circulation disorder, endocardium abnormality and myocardium necrosis. Selenium (Se) deficiency is thought to be a major factor by Chinese scientists. However, the exact etiology has not been clarified up to now. The government decided to apply sodium selenite to growing crops, and the incidence of the disease decreased dramatically. However, a few cases still occur as chronic or latent types. This paper reviews Keshan disease from a historical aspect and also the present situation.
    Methods: We made a reference survey and summarised the etiology, pathological changes, clinical manifestation, and other views of Keshan disease.
    Result: So far, epidemiological surveys have shown that Keshan disease occurs in large areas in 14 provinces in China, mainly in the countryside. It has been confirmed by clinical and pathological studies that Keshan disease is an independent endemic myocardial disease caused by biological and geological factors. The largest prevalence age rates are boys under 15 years old and women of childbearing age. There are several hypotheses; acute carbon monoxide poisoning, virus infection, malnutrition, or selenium deficiency. The first is not currently believed to be the cause. The following was pointed out; studies on the relationship between diet and the endemic areas of Keshan disease in 1961, where the food custom of the local residents was relatively simple and a so-called “one-sided diet” (eating a limited variety of food) might be related to the incidence of Keshan disease. In 1973, large-scale investigations on the natural environments were performed in the endemic areas of Keshan disease in the whole country. As a result, it was reported that there was a relationship between the incidence of Keshan disease and the special natural environment in the endemic areas and the cause of Keshan disease was strongly supported by nutritional, biological, geological and chemical (selenium deficiency) factors. In 1981, on the other hand, it was found that the levels of antibodies against Coxsackie virus were higher in the serum of Keshan disease patients than of normal subjects. This fact supposed that the cause of Keshan disease was related to a virus infection. However, it is difficult to explain why the clinical and pathological manifestations of Keshan disease are similar to those of other diseases, e. g. idiopathic dilatational myocardial disease. Further research should be performed on Keshan disease to clarify the etiology.
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  • Nobuo ISHIHARA
    2002 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 649-654
    Published: January 15, 2002
    Released on J-STAGE: February 17, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    In 1958, Minamata Disease was suggested to be organic mercury compounds intoxication. This suggestion was based on Hunter and Russel's report3) on occupational exposure to methylmercury. This report is known to have established the typical symptoms of methyl mercury intoxication. However, it has been widely believed since the official recognition of Minamata Disease (1956) that, at the moment of outbreak, no reports were available on organic mercury formation from inorganic mercury in acetaldehyde production from acetylene, or on organic mercury intoxication among workers in acetaldehyde production from acetylene. However, this was not the case.
    The formation of organic mercury from inorganic mercury used as a catalyst was reported by Vogt and Nieuwland12) in 1921. In 1930, Zangger reported several cases of organic mercury intoxication among workers in acetaldehyde production from acetylene. Soon after, Koelsch7) reported that the cases were methyl-and/or ethylmercury intoxication, and that such cases had been common since 1916. These reports6, 7, 12) were already available at the time of the Minamata Disease outbreak.
    However, Zangger's report6), the most important of these three was not referred to until 1987, notwithstanding its listing in the references of Kurland et al.8). Zangger's report6) was not referred to not by investigators, but by a lawyer. If these reports6, 7, 12) had been referred to at the outbreak of Minamata Disease, the number of victims in Minamata would have been minimized, and Minamata Disease in Niigata would have been prevented.
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  • Shinichi DEMURA, Masaki MINAMI, Masahiro NODA, Yukio ISHIKAWA, Yohei N ...
    2002 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 655-663
    Published: January 15, 2002
    Released on J-STAGE: February 17, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The purpose of this study was to examine the morale of older people living in 7 cities (and towns), using the PGC morale scale, from the relationship between morale score and life-style. Data were collected from 1, 269 people aged 60 or more in the community (619 males and 650 females) in cities (and towns). A questionnaire included the PGC morale scale and 14 life-style factors. There was no remarkable gender difference in the morale score. The relationship between morale and life-style were different in both sexes and higher in males. Female morale when living with a husband is generally high. It is important for females to have a husband. In the relationship between economics and morale, economic satisfaction was considered to be more important than the level of income. Eating regularly, participating as a volunteer and having a best friend are related to morale, but factors of job, smoking, drinking and sports enforcement-frequency are not. It is considered that there is no significant gender difference, but the relationship between morale and life-style in older people living in cities (towns) are different in both sexes.
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  • Yoko TSURUGI, Mieko YAMAMOTO, Shinya MATSUDA
    2002 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 664-672
    Published: January 15, 2002
    Released on J-STAGE: February 17, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Objectives: The purpose of this study was to clarify the actual sexual behavior and attitudes of high school students in Kitakyushu city, Fukuoka and then to develop effective sex education methods for high school students in this region.
    Methods: This study investigated the sexual behavior and attitudes of 1, 297 high school students in Kitakyushu by self-administered questionnaire. The differences in their answers by sex, prevalence of sexual intercourse and change in sexual behavior and attitude before and after the sex education lecture were examined.
    Result: 39.3% of the students had had sexual intercourse and 74.1% answered that they might have sex, if it were with a partner whom they loved. However, they did not have enough knowledge about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases. This result shows that they did not recognize the risks accompanying sexual intercourse.
    There are significant differences between male and female students in their sexual attitudes. Male students tend to permit premarital sexual intercourse, unfaithfulness, prostitution, hiring a prostitute and abortion. Male students tend to give more approval to the following opinions: both men and women should agree to sexual contact if the partner wants it; men should take the initiative in sexual contact; women should not talk about sex. Many female students answered that women should make their own decisions to have or not to have sex, however a considerable number of female students answered that for their first intercourse, they just agreed with their partner even though they really did not want to do so.
    After the sex education lecture, the students have more knowledge about contraception and STDs. However, there is no significant difference in their sexual attitudes before and after the lecture.
    Conclusion: In order to facilitate more desirable and safer sexual behavior among the younger generation, it is not enough to simply give them knowledge about contraception or STDs, etc. To organize more comprehensive sex education, it is also important to pay enough attention to gender problems and other social factors such as family background or regional background, etc.
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  • Kiyomi TAKEUCHI
    2002 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 673-681
    Published: January 15, 2002
    Released on J-STAGE: March 31, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Objectives: This study examined the relationship between undergoing the basic health checkup based on the Health and Medical Services Law for the Aged among urban residents and medical expenditure covered under the National Health Insurance in Japan.
    Methods: The subjects were all residents of a city with a population of three hundred and fifty thousand, covered by National Health Insurance and over forty years of age. Medical expenditure was compared by age and sex between examinees who had undergone the basic health checkup for the past three years running and non-examinees who had had no checkup.
    In addition, from the results of a questionnaire survey of randomly sampled citizens, we compared the living habits of the above two groups, the examinees and non-examinees.
    Results: For outpatients, the medical expenditure per case, the medical expenditure per capita for seniors, and the medical expenditure per day were lower, and the number of examination days per case and the examination rate (the number of receipts per capita) were higher in the examinee group than in the non-examinee group. For inpatients, the medical expenditure per case, the medical expenditure per capita, the medical expenditure per day for seniors, the number of examination days per case, and the examination rate were lower in the examinee group compared to the non-examinee group. The increase in medical expenditure with age was less in the examinee group than in the non-examinee group. In men, the examinees had significantly better living habits (especially exercise and meals) than the non-examinees. No differences in living habits were found in women.
    Conclusions: Medical expenditure was lower among examinees than non-examinees. In men, regular examinees had better living habits than non-examinees.
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  • Masaki MINAMI, Shinichi DEMURA, Yoshinori NAGASAWA
    2002 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 682-692
    Published: January 15, 2002
    Released on J-STAGE: February 17, 2009
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine gender and age-related differences in life style such as exercise and dietary habits etc., health conditions and unidentified complaints in healthy older-aged people.
    Method: A questionnaire consisting of 40 items on life style and 16 items on unidentified complaints was administered to 890 people aged 60 to 89 in the community (304 males and 586 females). The proportions of gender and age-range for each item were computed, and a two-way analysis of variance based on the Lancaster method was applied.
    Results: Most of the aged spend their time living regularly and have leisure activities. The smoking and drinking rates for males are higher than those for females in all age-ranges. The aged exercise more than one or two days a week for both sexes. Many aged males have exercised more than three days a week and/or for more than seven years. Most of the aged have regular dietary habits and there are many males who are careful to eat appropriate portion sizes. Females have more interest in food in the higher age-ranges, but tend to control meal-portions voluntarily. The rate of seeing a doctor regularly and having fractures increases in the higher age-ranges. The rates of arthritis and neuralgia are higher for females than for males. More females complain of ‘eyes have grown blurred’ and ‘pain and swelling in a joint’ and males complain more of ‘cough and phlegm’ and ‘feel very thirsty’.
    Conclusion: Gender and age-related differences exist in most life style items for healthy old-aged people, and there is little in the way of age-related differences in the content of unidentified complaints.
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