Invited Review Articles
Vibration Dose, Disturbance Stage, and Examination Results and Subjective Symptoms in Vibration Syndrome
SHIN'YA YAMADA, HISATAKA SAKAKIBARA and MAKOTO FUTATSUKA
pg(s) 1- 12
<Close> - < PDF >
The 1973 national survey of 461 chainsaw operators in private forests was reexamined with respect to vibration exposure dose and the Stockholm Workshop Scale (CIRP and SN stages). Vibration dose (VD) was calculated by the formula "ahw(eq.4h) x D (days) x Y (years)". Vibration dose index (VDI) was calculated according to the level of VD. Subjects were divided into five VDI, for CIRP stage, and four SN stage groups. Examination results and prevalence of subjective symptoms were compared between VDI-1 and other VDI groups, CIRP-0 and other CIRP groups, and SN-0 and other SN groups. VD had higher values in CIRP-2 and 3, and SN-2 and 3 than CIRP-0 and SN-0, respectively. The most severe CIRP-3 and SN-3 appeared at higher rate in VDI-4 and 5 groups than in VDI-1 group. VDI had a correlation with mean value of prevalence of CIRP, vibrotactile perception, mean SN stage and fingertip pinch strength. A correlation was observed between skin temperature and CIRP stage, and between vibrotactile perception and SN stage. Decrease of muscle strength and difficulty in fine finger movement were associated with severe sensorineural disturbance.
Formation of Epithelial Sheets by Serially Cultivated Human Mucosal Cells and Their Applications as a Graft Material
MINORU UEDA
pg(s) 13- 28
<Close> - < PDF >
A cultured epithelial sheet can be formed from living mucosal cells in vitro and used as a graft material. In this article, we describe our culturing methods for the preparation of mucosal epithelial sheets as well as the biological characteristics of these sheets compared with those of skin epithelial sheets. A cultured epithelial sheet has 5 to 8 cell layers and sufficient mechanical strength to be used as a graft material. It takes 12 days to form an epithelial sheet from small epithelial segments as compared with 14 days in the case of a skin epithelial sheet. Furthermore, viability of mucosal epithelial sheets was maintained for 30 days in vitro as opposed to 22 days for skin epithelial sheets. Based on the findings from an in vitro study, we applied this cultured mucosal epithelium to humans for reconstruction of skin and mucosal defects and succeeded in repairing the defects. This report also presents an overview of the problems relevant to the use of such methods.
Original Papers
Three Types of Voltage-dependent Calcium Currents in Cultured Human Neuroblastoma Cells
MASAO KITO, MITSUO MAEHARA and KAZUYOSHI WATANABE
pg(s) 29- 33
<Close> - < PDF >
The voltage-dependent calcium current (ICa) in cultured human neuroblastoma cells (NB-I) was studied by whole-cell recording. The low-threshold current (Il), the high-threshold, fast inactivating current (Ih.f.), and the high-threshold, slow inactivating current (Ih.s.) were identified. Il. was blocked by Ni2+. Ih.f. was blocked by omega-conotoxin GVIA. Ih.s. was blocked by nifedipine, and enhanced by Bay K 8644. These characteristics indicate that Il, Ih.f. and Ih.s. are consistent with the T-, N- and L-type ICa, respectively.
Serum Inhibin Levels in Normal Men and Men with Idiopathic Infertility
MASANORI YAMAMOTO, SATOSHI KATSUNO, KEISUKE YOKOI, HATSUKI HIBI and KOJI MIYAKE
pg(s) 35- 39
<Close> - < PDF >
In vitro studies have shown that the Sertoli cell is the primary source of inhibin in the male. To assess the regulation of inhibin production we measured serum inhibin, FSH, LH and testosterone in 21 normal men and 104 men with various testicular disorders resulting in infertility. The infertile men were subdivided into groups on the basis of their mean sperm count, FSH and LH levels. The mean serum concentrations of inhibin in the normal men were 602 +/- 29 U/L and were significantly decreased in those groups with severe oligozoospermia (p < 0.01) or azoospermia (p < 0.01; p < 0.001). The FSH concentrations correlated inversely with serum inhibin concentrations (p < 0.001) in azoospermic men. Azoospermic men with high FSH had significantly lower inhibin and testosterone levels when compared with normal men (p < 0.01; p < 0.001). Serum FSH concentrations were significantly increased in azoospermic men (p < 0.001). Our present results of serum concentrations of inhibin correlating inversely with those of FSH levels suggest that measurement of inhibin may be a useful circulating marker of Sertoli cell function.
Antibiotic and Ejaculation Treatments Improve Resolution Rate of Leukocytospermia in Infertile Men with Prostatitis
MASANORI YAMAMOTO, HATSUKI HIBI, SATOSHI KATSUNO and KOJI MIYAKE
pg(s) 41- 45
<Close> - < PDF >
Leukocytospermia has been associated with notable adverse effects on semen parameters and sperm function. The present study was undertaken to identify men with leukocytospermia and prostatitis in an infertility population and assess the effects of various treatments. One million white blood cells (WBC)/ml semen was defined as leukocytospermia. An expressed prostatic fluid was analyzed for the presence of white blood cells. The presence of more than 10 WBCs/high power field on expressed prostatic secretion was needed for the diagnosis of prostatitis. Those men who had more than one million WBCs in their semen and more than 10 WBCs/high power field on expressed prostatic secretion were enrolled in this study. Of two hundred sixty-three men screened for the presence of leukocytospermia and prostatitis, forty-eight men met both criteria. They were blindly and randomly assigned to one of three groups. Group 1 received no treatment. Group 2 were treated with trimethoprim 80 mg-sulfamethoxazole 400 mg (TMP-SMX) orally twice per day for one month. Group 3 were treated not only with the same antibiotic regimen as group 2 but also were instructed to ejaculate frequently (at least once every three days) for one month. Significant resolution of leukocytospermia occurred in the order of patient groups 3 > 2 > 1 at one month. The resolution rate of leukocytospermia of each group was 76% in group 3, 56% in group 2 and 6.7% in group 1. The rates in groups 2 and 3 were significantly higher than that in group 1 (p < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Effect of Varicocelectomy on Testicular Volume in Infertile Patients with Varicoceles
MASANORI YAMAMOTO, SATOSHI KATSUNO, KEISUKE YOKOI, HATSUKI HIBI and KOJI MIYAKE
pg(s) 47- 50
<Close> - < PDF >
The presence of a varicocele has been associated with decrease in testicular volume both in adult and pediatric patients. However, a study on the effect of varicocelectomy on testicular volume in the adult varicocele patient has never been reported. We determined the testicular volume before and after varicocelectomy in 52 patients with varicocele. A significant increase in testicular volume with the right side showing a greater increase was observed (p < 0.05). No greater increase in testicular volume was noted among the patients who achieved a pregnancy with their spouses. In addition, the age of the patient did not correlate with the observed change in testicular volume. These results suggest that varicocele is clearly related to decreased testicular volume and that varicocelectomy can increase bilateral testis volume resulting in improved testicular function.
Abstracts
Annual Research Meeting for Graduate Students: Nagoya, December 1994
pg(s)51-70
< PDF >