Kanazawa Medical University

About: Kanazawa Medical University is a education organization based out in Kanazawa, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 3103 authors who have published 6322 publications receiving 144592 citations. The organization is also known as: Kanazawa ika daigaku.

Effects of angiotensin II receptor antagonists on insulin resistance syndrome and leptin in sucrose-fed spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Abstract: In order to investigate the usefulness of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) antagonists (ARA) in the treatment of hypertension with insulin resistance syndrome, we studied the effects of a high dose sucrose diet and ARA on insulin sensitivity, plasma lipids, and leptin in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). SHR and WKY were divided into three groups and treated for 12 weeks: those fed a standard chow, those given a sucrose-rich chow or those given a sucrose-rich chow and ARA. While in SHR the weight of both subcutaneous and mesenteric adipose tissue was greater in the sucrose-rich chow fed animals than in the standard chow fed animals, ARA treatment significantly decreased the weights of both subcutaneous and mesenteric adipose tissue. ARA treatment decreased free fatty acid and triglyceride in SHR, and increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol in SHR and WKY. Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, plasma levels of leptin, and leptin mRNA in mesenteric adipose tissue were significantly greater in the sucrose-rich chow fed animals than in the standard chow fed animals, and significantly lower in the ARA-treated sucrose-rich chow fed animals than in the sucrose-rich chow fed animals in both SHR and WKY. ARA improved insulin resistance, and reduced plasma leptin and leptin mRNA in adipose tissue. These results suggest that the improvement of insulin resistance by ARA may be attributed, at least in part, to the reduction of adipose tissue weight. It is concluded that ARA is useful in the treatment of patients with hypertension and concomitant insulin resistance syndrome.

Liver steatosis, but not fibrosis, is associated with insulin resistance in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Abstract: Background To address the hypothesis that liver steatosis causes systemic insulin resistance, we sought to determine the liver histological feature that most strongly contributes to insulin resistance in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Efficacy and retention rate of two types of silicone punctal plugs in patients with and without Sjögren syndrome.

Abstract: Objective: To compare the efficacy, retention rates, and complications of two types of silicone lacrimal punctal plugs in patients with or without Sjogren syndrome Methods: We studied 36 patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) including 17 cases with Sjogren syndrome (SS) and 19 without SS The fluorescein and rose bengal staining scores and the Schirmer values with and without nasal stimulation were evaluated before and after insertion of the Eagle Plugs and the punctal plugs (FCI Punctal Plugs) The retention rates and complications of these plugs were also investigated Results: The staining scores were significantly improved after the insertion of the plugs, but the Schirmer values did not increase significantly in either SS or non-SS patients A spontaneous loss of the plugs was observed in 29% of all plugs within 1 month after insertion The Eagle Plugs were lost more frequently, and plugs in the upper punctum were lost more often for the Eagle Plugs There was one case of granulomatous proliferation and two cases of punctal infection with the FCI Punctal Plugs Conclusions: Both types of punctal plugs led to an improvement of the fluorescein and rose bengal staining scores in eyes with KCS The difference in the retention rate and complications between the two types of plugs was probably caused by the differences in the material and the design of the plugs Close monitoring is necessary to check for loss of plugs and to prevent complications

Neuropathological studies of the spinal cord in early stage HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM).

Abstract: Necropsy findings for a patient with HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM) of 9 months clinical duration are reported. Loss of myelin sheaths and axons together with perivascular lymphocytic infiltration was seen in the lateral and posterior columns of the spinal cord from the cervical to the lumbar region where vacuolar changes caused by the splitting of myelin sheaths were prominent. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed CD8+ cytotoxic T cell infiltration predominated in the absence of HTLV-I core protein antigen bearing-cells in the brain and spinal cord. Myelin sheath damage and predominant CD8+ cytotoxic T cell infiltration are thought to be the main neuropathological findings in the spinal cord in early stage HAM.

Impacts of Perinatal Dioxin Exposure on Motor Coordination and Higher Cognitive Development in Vietnamese Preschool Children: A Five-Year Follow-Up.

Abstract: Dioxin concentrations remain elevated in the environment and in humans residing near former US Air Force bases in South Vietnam. Our previous epidemiological studies showed adverse effects of dioxin exposure on neurodevelopment for the first 3 years of life. Subsequently, we extended the follow-up period and investigated the influence of perinatal dioxin exposure on neurodevelopment, including motor coordination and higher cognitive ability, in preschool children. Presently, we investigated 176 children in a hot spot of dioxin contamination who were followed up from birth until 5 years old. Perinatal dioxin exposure levels were estimated by measuring dioxin levels in maternal breast milk. Dioxin toxicity was evaluated using two indices; toxic equivalent (TEQ)-polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDDs/Fs) and concentration of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Coordinated movements, including manual dexterity, aiming and catching, and balance, were assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (Movement ABC-2). Cognitive ability was assessed using the nonverbal index (NVI) of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (KABC-II). In boys, total test and balance scores of Movement ABC-2 were significantly lower in the high TEQ- PCDDs/Fs group compared with the moderate and low exposure groups. NVI scores and the pattern reasoning subscale of the KABC-II indicating planning ability were also significantly lower in the high TCDD exposure group compared with the low exposure group of boys. However, in girls, no significant differences in Movement ABC-2 and KABC-II scores were found among the different TEQ-PCDDs/Fs and TCDD exposure groups. Furthermore, in high risk cases, five boys and one girl highly exposed to TEQ-PCDDs/Fs and TCDD had double the risk for difficulties in both neurodevelopmental skills. These results suggest differential impacts of TEQ-PCDDs/Fs and TCDD exposure on motor coordination and higher cognitive ability, respectively. Moreover, high TEQ-PCDDs/Fs exposure combined with high TCDD exposure may increase autistic traits combined with developmental coordination disorder.