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Volume 206 (2005)
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Volume 206, Issue 4
August
Displaying 1-12 of 12 articles from this issue
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Regular Contributions
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Daizoh Saitoh, Daofeng Ben, Jingning Huan, Kousuke Hatanaka, Yoshiaki ...2005 Volume 206 Issue 4 Pages 283-290
Published: 2005
Released on J-STAGE: July 05, 2005
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSTo know the therapeutic level at one's own institute is important and contributes to improving the treatment of patients. We compared the outcomes of extensively burned patients between a Chinese hospital and a Japanese hospital in order to identify the differences in the clinical treatment of severe burn patients. Thirty-four burn patients who were admitted to the National Defense Medical College Hospital (NDMC) in Japan and 95 burn patients who were admitted to the Changhai Hospital of the Second Military Medical University (SMMU) in China from January 1999 to December 2003 were studied. All patients were transported to the respective hospitals within 3 days after suffering burns and their total body surface area of burns was greater than 20%. Fourteen of the 34 patients (41.2%) at NDMC hospital and 1 of the 95 patients (1.1%) at SMMU hospital were injured by attempted suicide; namely, the suicide rate was significantly higher in the patients at NDMC hospital (p < 0.001). Moreover, the age (p = 0.005) and inhalation rate (p = 0.013) were significantly higher at NDMC hospital than those at SMMU hospital. Consequently, the survival rate at SMMU was higher than at NDMC in the patients with a burn surface area of greater than 80% or with a burn index of greater than 60. The excellent outcomes of the extensively burned patients at SMMU were in part due to the fact that Chinese doctors tend to perform an immediate tracheostomy and a traditional Chinese operation with alloskin, called microskin grafting or intermingled skin grafting.View full abstractDownload PDF (275K) -
Kazunori Kageyama, Takako Moriyama, Satoru Sakihara, Shinobu Takayasu, ...2005 Volume 206 Issue 4 Pages 291-297
Published: 2005
Released on J-STAGE: July 05, 2005
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSAcromegaly is caused primarily by pituitary growth hormone (GH)-secreting tumors. It is usually recognized because of characteristic manifestations, and diagnosed clinically. However, there exists a mild stage of acromegaly, which poses a diagnostic problem due to the absence of typical clinical manifestations. Here we present four patients with pre-clinical acromegaly, who showed minimal acromegaloid features with elevated levels of insulin-like growth factor-I. Basal GH levels were within normal levels in 3 of 4 cases, while insulin-like growth factor-I levels were elevated above normal in all cases. Plasma GH levels were elevated in response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in all cases, indicating a diagnostic value of the TRH stimulation test. In contrast, an oral glucose tolerance test was not useful for the diagnosis, because of the low GH levels (less than 1 ng/ml) and/or secondary to diabetes mellitus. In response to a dopamine agonist, GH levels were increased in the two cases, whereas GH levels were decreased or remained unchanged in the other two cases. We therefore suggest that the TRH stimulation test would be helpful to examine the presence of pre-clinical acromegaly. Diagnosis of the early stages of acromegaly is important to prevent progression to overt acromegaly.View full abstractDownload PDF (630K) -
Mustafa Yildirim, Mevlit Ikbal, Tulay Tos, Bedri Seven, Ibrahim Pirim, ...2005 Volume 206 Issue 4 Pages 299-304
Published: 2005
Released on J-STAGE: July 05, 2005
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSThallium-201 (201Tl) has been widely used as a nuclear reagent for myocardial blood flow imaging. The purpose of this study was to investigate genotoxic effects of 201Tl in patients with angina pectoris (n = 21), who had undergone myocardial perfusion imaging. Lymphocytes were isolated from each patient before, and 3, 30 and 90 days after 201Tl administration (111 MBq, 3 mCi) and were analyzed for chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges, mitotic index and replicative index. There were significant increases in chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges 3 days after 201Tl administration (p < 0.001), although no difference was noted in these values after 30 and 90 days (p > 0.05). Moreover, decreased mitotic index and replicative index were noted after 3 days of 201Tl administration (p < 0.001). These results suggest that the administration of 201Tl for myocardial blood flow imaging may induce genetic damage.View full abstractDownload PDF (296K) -
Yunus Saral, Basak Kandi Coskun, Perihan Ozturk, Fikret Karatas, Ahmet ...2005 Volume 206 Issue 4 Pages 305-312
Published: 2005
Released on J-STAGE: July 05, 2005
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSRecurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU) is a common oral mucosal disorder characterized by recurrent, painful oral aphthae. Although the exact cause of RAU is not known, local trauma, microorganisms, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, genetics, and immunological factors have been suggested to contribute to its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the level of lipid peroxidation and status of antioxidant vitamins in patients with RAU. Thirty patients with RAU and 20 healthy controls were recruited. Vitamins A, E, and C and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in both serum and saliva of patients with RAU and control subjects by high performance liquid chromatography. Levels of vitamins A, E and C in both fluids were significantly lower (p < 0.05 for vitamins A and E, and p < 0.005 for vitamin C, respectively) in patients with RAU than in healthy control subjects. Conversely, the levels of MDA in serum and saliva were significantly higher (p < 0.005) in patients with RAU than in the control group. Furthermore, strong and highly significant correlation was found between serum and salivary levels of vitamins A, E and C, and MDA in patients with RAU (r ≥ 0.90, p < 0.0001). The present study demonstrates that the serum and saliva levels of selected antioxidant vitamins are lower, while the degree of lipid peroxidation, as judged by the MDA levels, is higher in patients with RAU than in the control subjects. This is the first to measure specific antioxidant levels in both saliva and blood in the same patients, and indicates that the non-enzymatic anti-oxidant ability is impaired in patients with RAU.View full abstractDownload PDF (306K) -
Oguz Ozcelik, Yusuf Ozkan, Fikret Karatas, Haluk Kelestimur2005 Volume 206 Issue 4 Pages 313-318
Published: 2005
Released on J-STAGE: July 05, 2005
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSThe anti-obesity drug orlistat promotes weight loss and improves obesity-related risk factors, but its effect on oxidative stress is not clear yet. Orlistat reduces dietary fat absorption, which may have effects on fat soluble vitamins especially the antioxidant vitamins A and E. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the effects of weight loss achieved by orlistat therapy and a combination of orlistat with aerobic exercise training on lipid peroxidation and antioxidative defense in obese subjects. Total of 24 obese subjects were randomly assigned to receive 12-week treatment with hypocaloric diet-orlistat (120 mg three times daily) (DO group) or diet-orlistat-exercise (DOE group). Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker for lipid peroxidation, and vitamins A and E were measured by high performance liquid chromatography at baseline and at the end of the treatment. Body weight and fat mass were significantly reduced in the two groups (p < 0.001). In the DO group, the MDA levels remained unchanged (p = 0.59), while vitamins A (p < 0.01) and E (p < 0.001) were significantly decreased. In contrast, the subjects treated with DOE exhibited marked decreases in MDA (p = 0.002) and a small but significant decrease in vitamins A (p = 0.003) and E (p = 0.003). Thus, orlistat therapy alone caused a significant reduction in antioxidative capacity without affecting oxidative stress, whereas orlistat in combination with exercise training provided a significant decrease in MDA levels. The beneficial effect of aerobic exercise as an adjunct to the orlistat therapy is of importance with regard to the obesity-associated risk factors.View full abstractDownload PDF (280K) -
Kimiko Ueno, Kazutoshi Nakamura, Tomoko Nishiwaki, Toshiko Saito, Yoko ...2005 Volume 206 Issue 4 Pages 319-326
Published: 2005
Released on J-STAGE: July 05, 2005
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSThe purposes of this study were to determine intakes of nutrients related to bone health, such as calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), potassium (K), and protein, in Japanese female college students, using the duplicate portion sampling method, and to identify possible lifestyle factors explaining their calcium intakes. Subjects were 106 Japanese female college students aged 19-23 years. All foods in the duplicate portions, as eaten by the subjects during a three-weekday period, were collected. The minerals and protein in the food samples were analyzed. Life-style information was obtained by interview. Levels of cognitive eating restraint (CER) were assessed by the Three-Factor Eating Inventory. Average intakes of dietary Ca, P, Na, K, and protein were 380 (SD 209) mg/day, 649 (SD 212) mg/day, 2,535 (SD 847) mg/day, 1,108 (SD 429) mg/day, and 41.7 (SD 12.6) g/day, respectively. Ca intake was significantly associated with the frequency of milk intake (R2 = 0.278, p < 0.001), intake of other dairy products (R2 = 0.338, p < 0.001), and meal skipping (R2 = 0.161, p < 0.001), but not with CER score (p = 0.378). Female college students are at high risk for poor Ca nutrition. Low intake of nutrients relevant to bone health is considered to adversely affect bone metabolism in young women.View full abstractDownload PDF (306K) -
Nermin Kiliç, Süleyman Sandal, Neriman Çolakoglu, S ...2005 Volume 206 Issue 4 Pages 327-332
Published: 2005
Released on J-STAGE: July 05, 2005
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent environmental pollutants. Aroclor 1221 (A1221) and Aroclor 1254 (A1254) are commercial PCB mixtures with low and high number of chlorination, respectively. We have comparatively investigated effects of A1221 and A1254 on serum levels of thyroid hormones and thyroid gland histology in adult female Wistar rats. Animals were subcutaneously injected with A1221 (10 mg/kg) or A1254 (10 mg/kg) for six weeks. One group of animals served as control. At the end, all animals were decapitated and trunk blood collected. Serum levels of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were measured by the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method. Thyroid glands were removed for histopathological examination under light microscopy. Serum total T4 levels were significantly increased in A1221- and A1254-treated rats (p < 0.05). Serum free T4 levels were significantly increased in the A1254-treated rats (p < 0.01), but not in the A1221-treated rats. In contrast, the treatment with A1221 caused a significant increase in serum free T3 concentrations (p < 0.05) but not with A1254. Notably, either A1221 or A1254 caused distinct histopathological changes, such as formation of many microfollicles in the thyroid gland, which mimic the changes seen in thyrotoxicosis. In conclusion, both PCB mixtures induce toxic effects in the thyroid gland regardless of their degree of chlorination. We suggest that these environmental contaminants may disrupt thyroid hormone homeostasis in exposed individuals and thus pose a threat to human health.View full abstractDownload PDF (887K) -
Ikuko Takahashi, Tsutomu Takahashi, Tamaki Mikami, Masaki Komatsu, Tos ...2005 Volume 206 Issue 4 Pages 333-340
Published: 2005
Released on J-STAGE: July 05, 2005
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSAcid sphingomyelinase (ASM) is the lysosomal enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin to ceramide and phosphocholine. An inherited deficiency of this enzymatic activity results in the Type A and B forms of Niemann-Pick disease (NPD). ASM is also readily secreted from cultured cells and can rapidly move from lysosomes to the cell surface upon stimulation by cytokines and other factors. Recent interest has focused on the role of this secreted/cell surface enzyme in ceramide-mediated signal transduction. We therefore sought to understand the mechanism(s) that might regulate intracellular targeting and secretion of this important hydrolase. Most lysosomal proteins are targeted to lysosomes in mammalian cells via the mannose 6-phosphate recognition system. Using cultured skin fibroblasts from I-cell disease patients, in which one of the enzymes responsible for mannose phosphorylation, GlcNAc-phosphotransferase, is deficient, we determined ASM activities in cell homogenates and media. The ratio of secreted to intracellular activity was ∼8-fold greater in I-cell than in normal cells, indicating that mannose phosphorylation is important in the trafficking of this hydrolase. Most of the secreted activity required Zn+2 for full activity, supporting the concept that intracellular exposure of ASM to zinc within lysosomes is required for enzymatic activation. The recognition of lysosomal proteins by GlcNAc-phosphotransferase is mediated by protein structure, and a specific three-dimensional arrangement of lysine residues exposed on the surface of several enzymes has been shown to be critical for mannose phosphorylation. Alanine scanning mutagenesis of thirteen lysine residues in ASM demonstrated that 93lysine residue plays a critical role in ASM targeting since the K93A mutant had reduced intracellular activity, but enhanced secreted activity that was zinc responsive.View full abstractDownload PDF (515K) -
Simin Rota, Basak Yildirim, Babür Kaleli, Hülya Aybek, Koray ...2005 Volume 206 Issue 4 Pages 341-345
Published: 2005
Released on J-STAGE: July 05, 2005
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSA low-grade systemic inflammation is concomitant in diabetes. There is a pathophysiological relation between gestational diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus, which was further supported by significantly elevated risk of type 2 diabetes in women with a history of previous gestational diabetes mellitus. We investigated the relation between low-grade systemic inflammation expressed as C-reactive protein and gestational diabetes in non-obese pregnant women. This study included 20 non-obese pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and 30 non-obese pregnant women without gestational diabetes mellitus as a control group. The body mass index of all the subjects were < 25 kg/m2. During 26-28 gestational weeks 100-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed and simultaneously fasting C-reactive protein levels were measured. Serum median C-reactive protein level was higher in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (p = 0.0001). C-reactive protein was strongly associated with glycemic parameters and weight gain during pregnancy. A model consisting of glucose intolerance, age, parity, and weight gain during pregnancy accounted for 61% of the variance in log C-reactive protein. We demonstrated that serum C-reactive protein level was related with gestational diabetes mellitus and weight gain during pregnancy in late second and early third trimesters.View full abstractDownload PDF (249K) -
Takashi Ohrui, Kazunori Tanaka, Kazue Chiba, Toshifumi Matsui, Satoru ...2005 Volume 206 Issue 4 Pages 347-352
Published: 2005
Released on J-STAGE: July 05, 2005
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSCognitive and psycho-physiological condition in patients with long-term domiciliary oxygen therapy (DOT) remains uncertain. A cross sectional analysis was performed to investigate the age-related changes in cognitive and psycho-physiologic functions in patients with chronic respiratory failure receiving long-term DOT. Two expert practitioners visited the patient's home and examined them for analysis of cognitive function, emotional status, physical activity and degree of dyspneic sensation. One hundred and thirty-five patients completed the study. Control data from a cohort of 718 community dwellers were also included in this study. Male patients had significantly higher rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (71% vs 47%, p = 0.001), lower values of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0) % (49.7 ± 10.3 [standard deviation, S.D.] vs 66.0 ± 7.5% predicted, p = 0.002) and higher Borg score, an indicator of dyspneic sensation, during daily exercise (3.2 ± 0.8 [S.D.] vs 1.4 ± 0.6, p = 0.01) compared with female patients. Linear regression analysis based on mean Mini-Mental State Examination scores, an indicator of cognitive function, showed that age-related cognitive decline was more pronounced in female patients than in female controls (−0.524/year, R2 = 0.426 vs −0.120/year, R2 = 0.027, p < 0.0001), while there was no significant difference between male patients and male controls (−0.156/year, R2 = 0.054, vs −0.077/year, R2 = 0.016, p = 0.231). These results demonstrate that age-related cognitive decline is more exaggerated in female patients receiving long-term DOT which should be taken into consideration in caring for patients with chronic respiratory failure.View full abstractDownload PDF (289K)
Case Reports
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Masaaki Suzuki, Hanako Saigusa, Shintaro Chiba, Tomoko Yagi, Kana Shib ...2005 Volume 206 Issue 4 Pages 353-360
Published: 2005
Released on J-STAGE: July 05, 2005
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSOvernight polysomnography (PSG) is indispensable for diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome. However, studies on interscorer agreement on PSG scoring between laboratories are few. The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability of interscorer agreement on PSG scoring among 16 sleep laboratories in Japan. We found a relatively moderate interscorer reliability of the index of oxygen desaturation and arousal during sleep, but a relatively low reliability of the index of transient reduction in and complete cessation of breathing (apnea hypopnea index). The median rate of interscorer coincidence of sleep staging was the lowest for slow wave (deep) sleep (23.5%), followed by those for Stage 1 (59.8%), Wake (73.2%) and Stage 2 (74.2%) in this order, and rapid eye movement was the most reliably identified stage (91.3%). The median rate of interscorer coincidence for all stages was 71.8%. The present study demonstrates that scorers tend to analyze PSG data according to a relatively empirical decision as opposed to a rule-dependent decision. Further detailed scoring manuals are required to decrease the interscorer discrepancy in PSG scoring.View full abstractDownload PDF (335K) -
Hideyuki Onami, Hiroshi Kunikata, Masayoshi Hojo, Yoichi Nakagawa, Mak ...2005 Volume 206 Issue 4 Pages 361-364
Published: 2005
Released on J-STAGE: July 05, 2005
JOURNAL FREE ACCESSWe report a patient with a spontaneous intramuscular hematoma in the lateral rectus muscle of the eye that resolved without medication with maintenance of good vision. A 40-year-old woman presented with ocular pain and exophthalmos in her right eye. She had no history of trauma or surgery. Exophthalmos and limitation of abduction and supraduction of her right eye were present at the initial examination. Magnetic resonance (MR) images showed an intramuscular hematoma in the right lateral rectus muscle. Her other ocular findings were within normal limits. Five months later without any treatments, the MR images were within normal limits, and her ocular signs and symptoms were completely resolved. Careful observations including MR imaging is sufficient for patients with a spontaneous intramuscular hemorrhage in the extraocular muscle, and the visual prognosis is good.View full abstractDownload PDF (473K)
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