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Sonoko Yasui, Kazuaki Mawatari, Ran Morizumi, Hiroko Furukawa, Takaaki ...
2012 Volume 59 Issue 1,2 Pages
36-44
Published: 2012
Released on J-STAGE: March 08, 2012
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Both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and insulin resistance have been reported to play essential pathophysiological roles in cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. However, the mechanistic link between ROS and insulin resistance in the vasculature remains unclear. Recently we have shown that insulin causes membrane hyperpolarization
via ATP-sensitive potassium (K
ATP) channel activation, which is mediated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). K
ATP channel in the vasculature is critical in the regulation of vascular tonus. Here we examined the effects of ROS induced by hydrogen peroxide (H
2O
2) on insulin-induced K
ATP channel activities in cultured VSMCs, A10 cells. H
2O
2 (10 µM) increased significantly intercellular ROS in A10 cells. By using a cell-attached patch clamp experiment, 10 µM H
2O
2 suppressed significantly insulin-induced K
ATP channel activation without inhibition of insulin receptor signal transduction component including IRS and Akt in A10 cells. Furthermore 10 µM H
2O
2 suppressed significantly pinacidil-induced K
ATP channel activation in A10 cells. These data suggest that H
2O
2 might inhibit directly K
ATP channel independent of insulin signaling pathway. This study may contribute to our understanding of mechanisms of insulin resistance-associated cardiovascular disease. J. Med. Invest. 59: 36-44, February, 2012
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Kyoko Taniguchi, Satsuki Sumitani, Yukina Watanabe, Mai Akiyama, Tetsu ...
2012 Volume 59 Issue 1,2 Pages
45-52
Published: 2012
Released on J-STAGE: March 08, 2012
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The purpose of the present study was to investigate the activity of frontal lobe of patients with schizophrenia during performance of two Japanese versions of the Stroop task (kana and kanji) by measuring changes in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin (oxyHb) with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Fourteen schizophrenia patients and 14 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects participated in the study after giving consent. The relative changes of concentrations of oxyHb were measured by NIRS during performance of the Stroop task. Significant Stroop effects, as measured by the number of correct responses, were observed with both the kana and the kanji versions. Analysis of NIRS data revealed that the schizophrenia patients showed reduced activation in the prefrontal cortex compared to healthy controls during performance of the kana Stroop task, and that both schizophrenia patients and healthy controls showed lack of activity in the prefrontal cortex during performance of the kanji Stroop task. The results of the present study suggest the possibility that the kana Stroop task cause a greater Stroop effect than the kanji Stroop task, and schizophrenia patients show decreased prefrontal vascular reactivity associated with the inhibition required during the performance of the kana Stroop task. J. Med. Invest. 59: 45-52, February, 2012
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Le Thi Tuyet Nhung, Hirofumi Nagata, Akira Takahashi, Mutsumi Aihara, ...
2012 Volume 59 Issue 1,2 Pages
53-58
Published: 2012
Released on J-STAGE: March 08, 2012
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UV light and photocatalysts such as titanium dioxide (TiO
2) and silver (Ag) are useful for disinfection of water and surfaces. However, the effect of UV wavelength on photocatalytic disinfection of spores is not well understood. Inactivation of
Bacillus spores has been examined using different UV wavelengths and TiO
2 or TiO
2/Ag composite materials. The level of UVA disinfection of
Bacillus anthracis and
Bacillus brevis vegetative cells increased with the presence of the TiO
2 and Ag photocatalysts, but had little effect on their spores.
B.
brevis spores were slightly more sensitive to UVB and UVC than the spores of
B.
atrophaeus. Photocatalytic sterilization against spores was strongest in UVC and UVB and weakest in UVA. The rate of inactivation of
Bacillus spores was significantly increased by the presence of TiO
2, but was not markedly different from that induced by the presence of Ag. Therefore, TiO
2/Ag plus UVA can be used for the sterilization of vegetative cells, while TiO
2 and UVC are effective against spores. J. Med. Invest. 59: 53-58, February, 2012
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Taro Muto, Keiko Miyoshi, Taigo Horiguchi, Takafumi Noma
2012 Volume 59 Issue 1,2 Pages
59-68
Published: 2012
Released on J-STAGE: March 08, 2012
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Tooth enamel is the hardest organ in the body. In rodent incisor, the enamel is exclusively produced by ameloblasts with yellowish-brown pigmentation, indicating normal enamel formation. However, the molecular mechanisms of ameloblast differentiation and amelogenesis are not fully understood. Specificity protein (Sp) 6 has been reported as one of the critical factors for tooth development. To explore SP6 function, we generated
Sp6 transgenic (Tg) rats. Unexpectedly, the enamel surfaces of the incisors in Tg rats were discolored, even though enamel formation and serum iron concentrations were normal. Histological analysis of incisors from 6-week-old Tg rats demonstrated that the ameloblast layer at the pigmentation stage was elongated up to the gingival margin with ectopic SP6 expression in longitudinal incisor sections. In contrast, the incisors from 10-week-old Tg rats revealed that the pigmented ameloblasts were morphologically changed to those of the reduced stage, concomitant with the sporadic disappearance of ectopic SP6 expression. Here we report that morphological differentiation and metabolism of the iron-containing pigment in ameloblasts are independently regulated during amelogenesis by means of ectopic SP6 expression. J. Med. Invest. 59: 59-68, February, 2012
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Khulood Mohammed Sayed, Takeshi Naito, Mahmoud Mohamed Farouk, Toshihi ...
2012 Volume 59 Issue 1,2 Pages
69-78
Published: 2012
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Purpose: To compare visual outcomes, intraoperative and postoperative complications of 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (25-G TSV) versus conventional 20-gauge vitrectomy in epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery. Methods: A retrospective comparative study was conducted on 200 eyes with idiopathic ERM who underwent either primary 20-gauge vitrectomy (
n=95) or 25-G TSV (
n=105) with 6 months follow up. The following parameters were collected and compared: age, gender, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), postoperative anterior chamber inflammation, intraoperative and postoperative complications. Results: Twenty-five gauge group achieved a significantly better vision at the 1
st postoperative month (
p=0.008) and a significantly higher incidence of visual improvement 6 months postoperatively (
p=0.04) than 20-gauge group. Intraocular pressure was significantly higher at the 1
st, 3
rd and 6
th postoperative months compared with baseline in the 20-G group. However, in the 25-gauge group IOP remained near to the baseline at the same period. Twenty five-gauge group achieved a significantly lower anterior chamber inflammation and a lower incidence of postoperative cystoid macular edema (CME) (
p=0.01), hyphema (
p=0.000) and after cataract (
p=0.000) than 20-gauge group. Conclusions: The 25-gauge sutureless vitrectomy achieves rapid and higher visual improvement, less postoperative inflammation and complications than the 20-gauge vitrectomy in ERM surgery. J. Med. Invest. 59: 69-78, February, 2012
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Haruyuki Nakayama-Imaohji, Minoru Ichimura, Tomoya Iwasa, Natsumi Okad ...
2012 Volume 59 Issue 1,2 Pages
79-94
Published: 2012
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Recent analysis of the whole genome sequence of
Bacteroides fragilis revealed extensive duplication of polysaccharide utilization genes in this anaerobe. Here we analyzed a unique 27-kb gene cluster (
sgu) comprised of the 13 sialoglycoconjugates-utilization genes, which include the sialidase gene (
nanH1) in
B.
fragilis strain YCH46. The genes were tightly organized and transcribed polycistronically. Comparative PCR scanning demonstrated that the
sgu locus was conserved among the
Bacteroides strains tested. Based on the transcriptional profiles generated by reverse transcriptase PCR, the
sgu locus can be classified into at least three regulatory units: 1) sialic acid- or sialooligosaccharide-inducible genes, 2) constitutively expressed genes that can be down-regulated by catabolite repression, and 3) constitutively expressed genes.
In vitro comparison of the growth of a
sgu locus deletion mutant (SGUM172941) with a wild type strain indicates that this locus is necessary for
B.
fragilis to efficiently utilize mucin as a carbon source. Furthermore, SGUM172941 was defective in colonization of the intestines of germ-free mice under competitive conditions. These data indicate that the
sgu locus in
B.
fragilis plays a crucial role in the utilization of host-derived sialoglycoconjugates and the stable colonization of this anaerobe in the human gut. J. Med. Invest. 59: 79-94, February, 2012
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Tohru Sakai, Emi Shuto, Tomoyo Taki, Honami Imamura, Miku Kioka, Akiko ...
2012 Volume 59 Issue 1,2 Pages
95-101
Published: 2012
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NC/Nga (NC) mice are an animal model for human atopic dermatitis. We found that induction of antigen (Ag)-specific T cell response is diminished in ovalbumin (OVA)-immunized NC mice. Ability of Ag presentation in NC mouse dendritic cells (DCs) was significantly weaker than that in BALB/c and DBA/2 mouse DCs. Expression levels of MHC class II molecules and cathepsin E in NC mouse DCs were significantly lower that those in BALB/c and DBA/2 mouse DCs. These results indicate that low expression levels of MHC class II and cathepsin E might contribute to the defect in induction of Ag-specific T cells in NC mice. J. Med. Invest. 59: 95-101, February, 2012
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Kae Yanagisawa, Osamu Ito, Satsuki Nagai, Shohei Onishi
2012 Volume 59 Issue 1,2 Pages
102-110
Published: 2012
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To prevent water loss in the early stage of high altitude training, we focused on the effect of electrolyte-carbohydrate beverage (EC). Subjects were 16 male university students who belonged to a ski club. They had ski training at an altitude of 1,800 m. The water (WT) group drank only water, and the EC group drank only an electrolyte-carbohydrate beverage. They arrived at the training site in the late afternoon. The study started at 7 pm on the day of arrival and continued until noon of the 4
th day. In the first 12 hours, 1 L of beverages were given. On the second and third days, 2.5 L of beverages were given. All subjects ate the same meals. Each morning while in fasting condition, subjects were weighed and blood was withdrawn for various parameters (hemoglobin, hematocrit, sodium, potassium and aldosterone). Urine was collected at 12 hour intervals for a total 60 hours (5 times). The urine volume, gravity, sodium and potassium concentrations were measured. Peripheral oxygen saturation and heart rate were measured during sleep with a pulse oximeter. Liquid intakes in both groups were similar, hence the electrolytes intake was higher in the EC group than in the WT group. The total urine volume was lower in the EC group than in the WT group, respectively (
p<0.05). Plasma volume decreased in the WT group and increased in the EC group but a significant difference was not observed in the final value. Aldosterone concentration tended to be less in the EC group than in the WT group. Electrolyte-carbohydrate beverage in the early stage of high altitude training may be effective in decreasing urinary output and preventing loss of blood plasma volume. J. Med. Invest. 59: 102-110, February, 2012
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Atsuko Yamaguchi, Nobuko Tanaka, Yoko Eguchi, Kazue Kuno, Noriko Wakik ...
2012 Volume 59 Issue 1,2 Pages
111-115
Published: 2012
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Theoretically, the longer the period of a nutrition survey, the more reliable the results. However, a long survey can impose a burden on subjects and cause the results to become inaccurate. For adults, a 3 non-consecutive day survey is usually recommended; however, for school children, at least in Japan, it has not been determined whether this is necessary. In this study we conducted a survey of 7 days and tried to find the minimum number of days necessary to determine the energy intake. The subjects were about 300 children aged from 6 to 7, 10 to 11 and 13 to 14 years old in a city in the western part of Japan. The weighing method was used for the school lunch and other meals were surveyed by 24-recalling method. For the 6-7 year-old school children, guardians were asked to keep dietary records. The final number of subjects who were able to complete the 7-day survey was 139. Energy intakes for each weekday were not statistically different (p>0.05) and those for each weekend did not differ (p>0.05). Average energy intakes on weekdays were higher than those on weekend days in 10-11 and 13-14 year-old children. The average intakes of energy in 10-11 and 13-14 year-old children were lower than Japanese estimated energy requirements (EER). However, body weight of more than 90% of subjects was within the normal range. The results suggest that a survey of one weekday is reliable for all weekdays and that of one week-end day is reliable for any weekend day and also indicate the necessity of further studies of EER in rapidly growing children. J. Med. Invest. 59: 111-115, February, 2012
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Shoji Kuwahara, Fumito Aranami, Hiroko Segawa, Akemi Onitsuka, Naoko H ...
2012 Volume 59 Issue 1,2 Pages
116-126
Published: 2012
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Mutations in the SLC34A3 gene, a sodium-dependent inorganic phosphate (Pi) cotransporter, also referred to as NaPi IIc, causes hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets with hypercalciuria (HHRH), an autosomal recessive disorder. In human and rodent, NaPi IIc is mainly localized in the apical membrane of renal proximal tubular cells. In this study, we identified mouse NaPi IIc variant (Npt2c-v1) that lacks the part of the exon 3 sequence that includes the assumed translation initiation site of Npt2c. Microinjection of mouse Npt2c-v1 cRNA into
Xenopus oocytes demonstrated that Npt2c-v1 showed sodium-dependent Pi cotransport activity. The characterization of pH dependency showed activation at extracellular alkaline-pH. Furthermore, Npt2c-v1 mediated Pi transport activity was significantly higher at any pH value than those of Npt2c. In an in vitro study, the localization of the Npt2c-v1 protein was detected in the apical membrane in opossum kidney cells. The expression of Npt2c-v1 mRNA was detected in the heart, spleen, testis, uterus, placenta, femur, cerebellum, hippocampus, diencephalon and brain stem of mouse. Using mouse bone primary cultured cells, we showed the expression of Npt2c-v1 mRNA. In addition, the Npt2c protein was detected in the spermatozoa head. Thus, Npt2c-v1 was expressed in extra-renal tissues such as epididymal spermatozoa and may function as a sodium-dependent phosphate transporter. J. Med. Invest. 59: 116-126, February, 2012
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Midori Yoshida, Kazuya Kondo, Chieko Nakanishi, Toshiko Tada
2012 Volume 59 Issue 1,2 Pages
127-135
Published: 2012
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The aim of this study is to evaluate whether leaflet distribution affects lung screening rate, and what factor affects the motivation of consultation. Men and women aged 40 to 59 were targeted to improve screening rate of ages for cancer screening, especially in their prime. Each 1,000 subject, a total of 2,000 were selected and divided into 8 groups in consideration of age group by random sampling method. This group was further divided into two groups, an intervention group including subjects distributed a leaflet and a non-intervention (control) group. A survey was conducted by postal self-administered survey forms. Collection rate was 21.6% for the intervention and 17.6% for the control group. The numbers of respondents who answered that this leaflet was effective for motivation of consulting lung cancer screening and the leaflet was ineffective, were 120 (60.0%) and 80 (40.0%), respectively. This indicated that the leaflet was clearly effective (p<0.01). Actual cancer screening rate was 38.8% for the intervention group and 37.7% for the control group. It was shown that distribution by mail of even a single leaflet made by National Cancer Center was effective for motivation of consultation of lung cancer screening. J. Med. Invest. 59: 127-135, February, 2012
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Tatsuro Miyamoto, Hiroshi Eguchi, Takashi Katome, Toshihiko Nagasawa, ...
2012 Volume 59 Issue 1,2 Pages
136-142
Published: 2012
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Purpose: To report the efficacy of the Quickert procedure in the first case series of involutional entropion in an elderly Asian population, and to introduce the technique to Asian ophthalmologists including general ophthalmologisits and ophthalmic trainees. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 13 consecutive patients underwent the Quickert procedure for involutional entropion by occasional eyelid surgeons at Tokushima University Hospital or Mino Tanaka Hospital from September 2003 to April 2010. Demographic data, including gender, age, history of previous eyelid surgery, systemic disease, recurrence of entropion, postoperative complications, and symptoms were analyzed. Results: There were 5 male (38.5%) and 8 female (61.5%) subjects with a mean age of 77.8 years. Three patients underwent previous surgery for entropion were included. Entropion was rectified in all patients by a single Quickert procedure, and no recurrence was observed for a maximum of 89 months after the surgery. Although notching of the eyelid margin and mild symblepharon were observed in one patient, no symptoms associated with these complications were reported. Conclusion: The Quickert procedure can be one of the surgical procedures of choice for involutional entropion and should be common surgical approach for occasional eyelid surgeons in Asia as well as in western countries. J. Med. Invest. 59: 136-142, February, 2012
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Kensaku Aki, Azusa Izumi, Eiji Hosoi
2012 Volume 59 Issue 1,2 Pages
143-151
Published: 2012
Released on J-STAGE: March 08, 2012
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ABO antigens are oligosaccharide antigens, and are widely distributed on red blood and tissue cells as well as in saliva and body fluid. Therefore, these antigens are important not only for blood transfusion, but also for tissue cell and organ transplantations. Also, blood, hair, and seminal fluid are important sources of evidence at crime scenes, and these antigens are some of the most important markers for personal identification in forensic investigations. Here, we describe the development and use of quantitative analysis of A, B, and H antigens on red blood cells by employing flow cytometric analysis and the ABO genotyping method based on PCR-amplification of specific alleles (PASA) within DNA, especially from blood and saliva. In this study, flow cytometric analysis could be used to compare the differences between the expression of A and/or B and H antigens on red blood cells with various phenotypes, and the PASA method was able to determine the genotype of the type cisA
2B
3 pedigree using only DNA extracted from saliva. These analysis methods are simple and useful for judging the ABO blood group system and genotyping, and are used widely throughout research and clinical laboratories and forensic fields. J. Med. Invest. 59: 143-151, February, 2012
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Takuya Seike, Ichiro Hashimoto, Kazuya Matsumoto, Eiji Tanaka, Hideki ...
2012 Volume 59 Issue 1,2 Pages
152-165
Published: 2012
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Background: Alveolar bone grafting is a standard procedure used to achieve good occlusion for both functional and aesthetic purposes in patients with cleft lip and palate. At the past, main methods used to evaluate bone bridge formation after bone grafting are radiographs, such as dental, occlusal, and panoramic. Purpose: To evaluate bone bridge both qualitatively and quantitatively, we used CT scans (conventional and QCT). Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) has previously been used for measuring bone mineral density of the lumbar vertebrae. Patients and methods: The study comprised 26 male and 15 female patients who underwent alveolar bone grafting. We analyzed bone bridge with regard to four factors: marginal bone level, vertical height, anteroposterior bone width and bone mineral density using dental radiographs, and CT scans such as conventional and QCT. The clinical results of orthodontic treatment were evaluated more than 2 years postoperatively. Results: Orthodontic treatment was considered to be successful when the bone bridge satisfied the following criteria: marginal bone level >= 3, vertical height >= 6.5 mm, anteroposterior bone width >= 5 mm, and bone mineral density < 350 mg Ca
5 (PO
4) OH/mL. Conclusion: we could predict the prognosis of patients’ orthodontic treatment in early stage after bone grafting. J. Med. Invest. 59: 152-165, February, 2012
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Satoru Sumitani, Shinya Morita, Yoshihiko Utsu, Kosuke Mukai, Shunji M ...
2012 Volume 59 Issue 1,2 Pages
166-173
Published: 2012
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Although global guidelines recommend metformin and lifestyle interventions as an initial treatment in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2DM), few reports exist about its effectiveness in Japanese patients. To examine its effectiveness, we performed a prospective observational study within a routine clinical setting. We provided metformin (≥1,500 mg/day) and lifestyle interventions to 23 patients with newly diagnosed T2DM (20 men and 3 women, mean age 53 years, mean body mass index [BMI] 25.7 kg/m
2). After 16 weeks, HbA1c levels significantly decreased from 9.1±2.1% (mean±SD) to 6.6±0.8% (p<0.001). Thirteen patients (56.5%) achieved a target HbA1c<6.5%. We did not find a significant correlation between baseline BMI and the changes in HbA1c (ΔHbA1c) (r=-0.165, p=0.451). In contrast, we found a significant correlation between baseline fasting plasma glucose and ΔHbA1c (r=-0.755, p<0.001). Body weight decreased from 73.3±13.3 kg to 69.8±11.6 kg (p<0.001). Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein - cholesterol, non-high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and serum vitamin B-12 concentrations also significantly decreased. Adverse events included diarrhea (26.1%) and mild elevation of liver enzymes (8.7%). These results suggest that metformin and lifestyle interventions is effective and safe as an initial treatment in Japanese patients with newly diagnosed T2DM. J. Med. Invest. 59: 166-173, February, 2012
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Keiko Miyake, Kenji Tani, Soji Kakiuchi, Chiyuki Suzuka, Yuko Toyoda, ...
2012 Volume 59 Issue 1,2 Pages
174-185
Published: 2012
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Background: Gefitinib, an inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase, has been reported to be associated with interstitial lung disorders, and their high incidence and mortality have become a matter of great concern, especially in Japan. In this study, we investigated the effect of gefitinib on different phases of radiation-induced lung disorders in an experimental model.
Methods: The thoraxes of Wistar rats were irradiated on day 1 with a single X-ray dose of 20 Gy, and gefitinib (50 mg/kg/day) was orally administered from day 1 to 14. The rat lungs were harvested on days 15 and 57 and the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed.
Results: Gefitinib treatment increased the infiltration of inflammatory cells, which produced more pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β), in the lungs of the irradiated rats on days 15 and 57, while gefitinib treatment reduced collagen content of the lungs in irradiated rats and decreased proliferation and EGFR expression in the lung fibroblasts from irradiated rats on day 57.
Conclusions: In irradiated rats, gefitinib treatment augmented lung inflammation, including inflammatory cell infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, while gefitinib treatment attenuated fibrotic lung remodeling due to the inhibition of lung fibroblast proliferation. J. Med. Invest. 59: 174-185, February, 2012
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Hirofumi Shibata, Noriko Nishitani, Sayuri Yaohara, Naokatu Arakaki, T ...
2012 Volume 59 Issue 1,2 Pages
186-191
Published: 2012
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes both invasive (bacteremic) and chronic noninvasive infections. An increase in intestinal epithelial permeability is a characteristic of severe sepsis. Alterations in the normal barrier function of the gut mucosa may result in the translocation of microbial cells and products. On the otherhand, it has been demonstrated that statin use is associated with a lower risk of mortality from bloodstream infections. Therefore, we investigated the ability of
P.
aeruginosa PAO1 to translocate across the Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell monolayers in the presence and absence of simvastatin. The bacteria readily translocated across MDCK cell monolayers after 3 h of infection irrespective of the presence or absence of the drug in the medium. However, the bacteria were less able to penetrate the MDCK monolayers in the presence of simvastatin than in its absence. A gentamicin survival assay demonstrated that simvastatin did not affect the bacteria’s invasive behavior in the MDCK cells. J. Med. Invest. 59: 186-191, February, 2012
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Chieko Fujii, Reiko Okahisa, Yasuko Matsushita, Toshiko Tada
2012 Volume 59 Issue 1,2 Pages
192-205
Published: 2012
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The aim of this study is to clarify the health behavior of elderly people engaged in agriculture and information communication technology (ICT). The participants were 61 people engaged in agriculture in conjunction with ICT systems (group A), and 49 people not engaged in this (group B) from among the people aged 65 years or over in village C, both living located in a mountain areas. Data were collected from August 2009 to June 2011 in two stages: interviews to members of group A through home visits, and a group survey of groups A and B through questionnaires. The results of the study were as follows: 1) members of group A lived with feelings of attachment to the land to which they were accustomed and showed gratitude to their ancestors; 2) in group A, the desire of participants to continue their life was sufficient motivation to look after their own health and maintain independence; and 3) they provided a new challenge and a sense of achievement. The results suggest that the health behavior in group A was behavior adopted voluntarily in order to maintain an independent lifestyle supported by working, and it is likely to be linked to the preservation of health. J. Med. Invest. 59: 192-205, February, 2012
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Hiroko Kunikata, Kumi Watanabe, Makoto Miyoshi, Tetsuya Tanioka
2012 Volume 59 Issue 1,2 Pages
206-212
Published: 2012
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This study examined the effects of hand massage on autonomic activity, anxiety, relaxation and sense of affinity by performing it to healthy people before applying the technic in actual clinical practice. Findings were showed below: 1) the significant increase in the pNN50 and the significant decrease in the heart rate meant the intervention of massage increased the autonomic nervous activity, improved the parasympathetic nerve activity and reduced the sympathetic nerve activity. This means the subjects were considered to be in a state of relaxation. 2) Salivary α amylase has been reported as a possible indicator for sympathetic nerve activity. In this study, there was no significant difference in the salivary α amylase despite a decrease after massage. 3) State anxiety score is temporal situational reactions while being in the state of anxiety and this score decreased significantly after massage. 4) The level of willingness to communicate with other person and the sense of affinity toward the massage-performer had a positive change of 70 percent. From this, it can be considered that a comfortable physical contact between a patient and a nursing profession, who are in a supported-supportive relationship, leads to an effect of shortening the gap in their psychological distance. J. Med. Invest. 59: 206-212, February, 2012
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