Microprocessor-Based Memory Device for Ambulatory Heart Rate and Physical Activity Recording

Using microprocessor techniques, a portable digital memory device has been designed for the ambulatory monitoring of heart rate and physical activity. The device consists of a microprocessor, an ECG amplifier to record the heart rate and an accelerometerto detect the physical activity. This accelerometer is piezoresistive and is suitable for ambulatory physical activity recording, because this sensor requires low electrical power, has high durability and wide frequency response (DC~1.2 kHz). Changes in hearti rates and physical activity in daily life have been successfully recorded.

Genetic Relationships Between Cercospora kikuchii Populations from South America and Japan

ABSTRACT A collection 160 isolates of Cercospora kikuchii was made from South America and 245 from Japan. DNA fingerprint patterns were analyzed based on amplified fragment length polymorphism among the sample isolates, dividing the isolates into seven lineages (I to VII). Partial nucleotide sequence analyses of the beta-tubulin gene supported this division into seven lineages. Lineages I and III commonly existed in South America and Japan. In all, 136 of the 160 isolates from South America and 223 of the 245 isolates from Japan belonged to lineage I, indicating that lineage I was the major lineage in each area; 5 isolates from South America and 8 isolates from Japan belonged to lineage III. Lineages II (12 isolates) and IV (2 isolates) were specific to Japan and lineages V (3 isolates), VI (1 isolate), and VII (15 isolates) specifically existed in South America. These results suggest that the population genetic structure of C. kikuchii was different between South America and Japan, but the dominance of lineage I was common between the two areas.

Relationship between regional cerebral blood flow and verbal fluency in Alzheimer's disease

Category and letter verbal fluency tests are widely used for dementia detection and severity measure. Performances of these tasks have been regarded to be mainly associated with the left frontal lobe function. However, some recent studies suggest that there are different neuropsychological bases between these two tasks, and the brain region which contributes to these performances still remains unclear in Alzheimer's disease (AD). To clarify the neural basis of verbal fluency in AD, we examined the relationship between performances of these tasks and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). Twenty-five AD patients were administered verbal fluency tasks and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans. Thirteen cortical regions of interest were symmetrically defined in each hemisphere. Letter fluency scores were correlated significantly only with the left prefrontal (Brodmann's area (BA) 10-46) regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). In contrast, category fluency scores were correlated most strongly with the left temporal rCBF and also with the left prefrontal (BA 10-46) rCBF. In conclusion, the present study suggests that left prefrontal (BA 10-46) dysfunction contributes to decline in both letter and category fluency scores in AD, while typical posterior dysfunction of AD has a closer relationship with decline in category fluency scores.

The effects of acute phencyclidine treatment on neuropeptide Y (NPY) neuronal system in the rat arcuate nucleus studied by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization

Phencyclidine (PCP) is a dissociative drug and an antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. The effects of PCP treatment on neuropeptide Y (NPY) system in the arcuate nucleus of the rat hypothalamus were examined both by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization. In acute PCP-treated rats, the NPY-immunoreactive perikarya appeared in the arcuate nucleus but no perikarya were detected in controls, without colchicine pretreatment. The signals of NPY mRNA by in situ hybridization increased in the PCP-treated rats than those of controls. These results suggest that the NPY system in the arcuate nucleus might be partly controlled by glutamatergic neurons.

[Effect of nicotine-administration on tyrosine hydroxylase-containing neuron in the rat forebrain; immunohistochemical study with semiquantitative morphometric analysis]

Nicotine is toxic substance that is absorbed by cigarette smoking and easily causes dependence. It is clear that smoking is bad for health, however, the effects of nicotine itself on the central nervous system have not been elucidated. We studied the effects of nicotine-administration (5 mg/kg x 2/day, 7 days) on immunoreactivity for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme of catecholamine synthesis, in the rat forebrain including the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, striatum and hypothalamus to investigate the influence on catecholaminergic neurons. In the nicotine-administration group, both the number and intensity of TH-immunoreactive fibers and terminals increased in the fronto-parietal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex and hippocampus in comparison with those of the control group, and a significant difference was demonstrated by computer assisted morphometric analysis. These findings suggest that nicotine-administration influences catecholaminergic neural systems in the forebrain, especially in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus and that these effects might be related to developing the dependence on smoking.

[Psychosocial support to improve quality of life (QOL) in home terminal carcinoma patients]

There are numerous psychosocial problems with home care for terminal cancer patients. We studied one case from the viewpoint of providing support for cancer patients and their families. Psychosocial problems are important for the life of cancer patients and their families. The cancer diagnosis and the terminal stage have different levels of psychosocial concerns. We must consider effective intervention with such psychosocial support. (1) The team delivery of health care in oncology is more crucial than ever. (2) Social work plays a key role. (3) We should strive to understand the roles of other members of teams. (4) Members of a support team should take turns in providing care according to the psychosocial conditions of the patients. (5) Sympathy and a broad social outlook are required of medical staff members.

[Assistance to enhance the use of home helper services for the cancer patient]

For the end-stage cancer patient to live at home with his or her quality of life (QOL) sustained, Home Helper Services are considered effective. In fact, however, many do not avail themselves of such services. Since the disease situation is apt to change dramatically, it is difficult to predict the length of time of care at home, and the patient's family does not tend to utilize such services unless the patient is completely bedridden. Short-term use or the difficulty or rapid response of such services has been among the reasons given of this. Given this background, there appears to be a need for suitable assessment in dealing quickly with possible disabilities which might occur and a number of occupations. Also, when considering home medical care for the cancer patient, an administrative system capable of a rapid response when problems of this kind occur is indispensable. Working on the administration to fulfill this need is also the task of the professionals in this field.

Effect of chronic toluene exposure on tyrosine hydroxylase-positive nerve elements in the rat forebrain: an immunohistochemical study combined with semiquantitative morphometric analysis

The effects of chronic toluene exposure [3000 p.p.m. for 4 h (09:00-11:00, 13:00-15:00)] every day for 3 weeks on immunoreactivity for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate limiting enzyme of catecholamine synthesis, in the rat forebrain were studied. In toluene-exposed rats, increases in both number and intensity of TH-immunoreactive fibres and terminals were observed in most parts of the forebrain including the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, lateral septal nucleus and hypothalamus, compared with control rats. These findings suggest that chronic toluene exposure might influence catecholaminergic neural systems.

Visible light-sensitized oxidation of arachidonic acid in the presence of inperatorin

To understand the mechanism of the phototoxic effects of inperatorin, a psoralen derivative used as a pigmentation agent, we have investigated the photosensitized oxidation of arachidonic acid (ARA) by irradiation with visible light (> 400 nm) in the presence of inperatorin. HPLC and GC/MS analyses of the products showed the formation of many hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HPETEs) including the products of lipoxygenase-catalyzed reactions such as 5- and 15-HPETEs, which are the precursors of chemical mediators such as leukotrienes and lipoxins, during the reaction. Active oxygen scavening agents such as D-mannitol, superoxide dismutase, and beta-carotene inhibited the formation of the oxidation products, indicating that the oxidation reaction was mediated by various active oxygen species. These results suggest that the phototoxic effects of inperatorin could also be induced by visible light and could be explained at least partially in terms of inflammation initiated by the biologically active HPETEs arising from photosensitized oxygenation reactions of ARA with the drug.

Immunohistochemical alterations in neuropeptide Y-positive nerve elements in rat cerebral cortex following acute phencyclidine treatment

Phencyclidine (PCP) is a dissociative drug and has been known to be an antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. We examined possible effects of acute treatment with PCP on neuropeptide Y (NPY) immunoreactive nerve fibres and cell bodies in rat forebrain by immunocytochemistry combined with morphometric analysis. Following the treatment, significant alterations were observed throughout the cerebral cortex, compared with controls. NPY-positive perikarya were increased in number (178%) whereas NPY-positive fibres and terminals were decreased in area (38%). The result suggests that the cortical NPY neuronal system is controlled, at least partly, by glutamatergic inputs via NMDA receptor-mediated mechanisms.

[Support system for long-term morphine administration to terminal cancer patients at home--verification from three patients at home with terminal cancer]

The nursing department at the Saitama Prefectural Cancer Center established a Nursing Consultation Section in April 1993 and a Visiting Nursing Program in May 1993 with the purpose of supporting cancer patients who desired home care. From these dates through March 1994, 1,021 patients were instructed in home care methods and visiting nursing was provided in 98 cases. Of these, three patients with terminal cancer received long-term ameliorative treatment using orally administered morphine and were able to maintain satisfactory QOL through their terminal periods. The results are reported herein.

Microprocessor-based memory device for ambulatory heart rate and physical activity recording

Using microprocessor techniques, a portable digital memory device has been designed for the ambulatory monitoring of heart rate and physical activity. The device consists of a microprocessor, an ECG amplifier to record the heart rate and an accelerometer to detect the physical activity. This accelerometer is piezo-resistive and is suitable for ambulatory physical activity recording, because this sensor requires low electrical power, has high durability and wide frequency response (DC approximately 1.2 kHz). Changes in heart rates and physical activity in daily life have been successfully recorded.

[Efficacy of influenza vaccination and its relationship to daily absentee rate]

To determine the efficacy of influenza vaccination and it's relationship to "daily physical condition", an investigation was carried out in two elementary schools and one junior high school. Since children who had many absences during the first and second trimesters, tend to have many absentee days in the third trimester and during the last year, also, absentee rate during the first and second trimesters was considered to be an indicator of "daily physical condition". Vaccinated children tended to have lower absentee rates than nonvaccinated children during the first and second trimesters. This indicates that there is a definite difference between vaccinated and nonvaccinated children in terms of "daily physical condition". Children who had many absences during the first and second trimesters, also tended to have many absentee days during the influenza season, introducing a confounding factor, "daily physical condition", when comparisons are made in the absentee rate between vaccinated and nonvaccinated children during the influenza season. Careful analysis of these data, taking into account their "daily physical condition", showed that vaccinated children tended to have lower absentee rates than the nonvaccinated during the influenza season. However there was no definite difference between vaccinated and nonvaccinated children in length of absentee days during the influenza season.

Effect of physical training on thrombotic tendency in rats: decrease in thrombotic tendency measured by the He-Ne laser-induced thrombus formation method

The effect of physical training on thrombotic tendency was assessed in rats. Exercise was done on a flat treadmill for 30 min at a rate of 1,400 m/h (submaximal speed), 5 times a week for either 1.5 or 3 months. The thrombotic tendency was measured by the He-Ne laser-induced thrombus formation method in microvessels of mesentery, i.e. measurement of the number of laser irradiations necessary to induce stasis of blood flow by occlusive thrombus formation. An increase in the number of irradiations necessary to induce occlusive thrombus formation was observed in arterioles, but not in venules after physical training for 1.5 and 3 months.

Effect of food consumption pattern on total serum cholesterol level: a methodological approach

The food intake and serum cholesterol levels of 60 healthy, middle-aged inhabitants of Kobe city were surveyed from 1974 to 1981. We attempted to estimate the serum cholesterol level in which food consumption patterns (8-factor scores) were chosen as dietary indicators. Every two years, multiple regression analysis was applied cross-sectionally for males and females, using the eight factor scores as independent variables and the total serum cholesterol level as a dependent variable. The multiple regression coefficients based on the factors were significant for both males and females. Reproducibility of the standard partial regression coefficients, beta, for females was also high. We obtained a formula for estimating serum cholesterol level based on the scores of Factor 1 (staple foods), F5 (prepared foods), F6 (traditional Japanese foods), F7 (vegetable oil) and F8 (nutrition-consciousness): multiple regression coefficient R = 0.56 and coefficient of determination R2 = 0.31. The multiple regression equation indicated that serum cholesterol level increased with the combined effects of the uniformity of the food life, westernized-type food consumption, concern for nutrition and a relatively low intake of vegetable oil.