1.Survey on the Awareness of Children's Illness by Their Mothers of Minorities Living in Northern Hilly Area, Lao P. D. R.
Tsutomu KOBAYASHI ; Hideki YAMAMOTO
Journal of International Health 2008;23(3):181-190
Objectives
Many ethnic groups live in northern hilly area in Lao people’s Democratic Republic. We can find some delays of development by the geographical and cultural reasons. This research clarified what kind of awareness about children’s health among the minority people living with their specificlifestyles and circumstances.
Methods
The participatory research for health problems was conducted to Khamu people at C-village in northern Laos. Data were analyzed qualitatively. Mothers who have children aged less than 10 years, were interviewed about illness of children and its treatment. The author interviewed about health problems with some key persons who were important position in the village.
Results
At C-village, they produced sticky rice which was their staple food. They depended on other food from forests. Mothers are aware that their children were always healthy when children were vigorous. Mothers brought their children to the hospital in spite of its long way when children got illness. Children had some experiences of malaria, diarrhea and other illnesses. Villagers stored up the knowledge of illness by themselves with their experience that children getting serious by specific illness. The key persons were also aware of health problems, for example malaria or parasite diseases.
Conclusion
At C-village, in recent years they didn’t suffer serious starving. Houses were comfortable because of its well-ventilated against hotness but structure of their houses can’t prevent children’s health by the aggression of mosquito, and smoke from kitchen. Their lives were exposed to some harmful influence; by malaria and pastured animals. About children’s health, mothers were aware of some specific illness and brought children to hospital. Mothers thought that their children had not any problems of health when they were vigorous and active. Many children had suffered some illness and villagers stored up the knowledge of illness by themselves with their experience that children got serious situation by specific illness.
The key-persons and villagers expected infrastructural developments such as the high-way which was under construction at that time.
2.Health Problems Due to Agricultural Decline in Cambodia- The Effects by the Superfluous Shift to a Cash Crop -
Tsutomu KOBAYASHI ; Hideki YAMAMOTO
Journal of International Health 2009;24(2):107-113
Introduction
Currently Cambodia depends on imported foods from Viet Nam and Thailand. To address this situation, the Asian Sustainable Village Network OKAYAMA that the author belongs to, has been cooperating with Cambodian Federal Farmers Organization, a local NGO to undertake a farming project. The importance of agricultural promotion mainly in vegetable farming sector was examined and it is hoped that this project will reduce malnutrition in Cambodia, particularly among the rural poor who suffer with malnutrition, disease and disorder related conditions and will make Cambodia a sustainable society.
Method
In order to determine agricultural conditions, we investigated market places in Phnom Penh and examined utilizing farmland in Kampong Cham. In addition, we visited market places in rural districts and farmers' homes to gain more information about eating habits of the population. To find out farming production we referred to statistical data from Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture. A PubMed review was undertaken to determine aspects of malnutrition.
Results
Phnom Penh is a very busy place for the daily sale of perishable vegetables which are predominantly transported from Viet Nam. Cambodia, despite of its little irrigation system, and another technical problems is sufficient in its production due to its large farming area. Recently, cassava cultivation has increased in Cambodia in order to meet increasing demands in bio-fuel. We came to know that Cambodians do not have a favorable opinion about vegetables imported from Viet Nam. One of the dissatisfaction voted by the people in Cambodia is that the vegetables from Viet Nam have excessive chemical contamination and they lack in freshness. Restaurants and supermarkets in Phnom Penh preferred local products if they were available. In farming areas the production and consumption of vegetables are limited. For many, vegetables are a luxury. Meals predominantly consist of rice, small dried salted fish and some herbs. This situation is considered a leading factor of malnutrition.
Conclusion
As a result of the limited production and supply of vegetables in Cambodia, vegetable consumption is limited and viewed as a luxury. This situation has led to a mal-balanced diet and requires considerable effort to uplift vegetable production in Cambodia to reverse the imbalance of nutritional intake. Thus it can be very well said that agricultural promotion in Cambodia, particularly in vegetable sector is deemed extremely important for the future development of Cambodia.
3.The Survival of Vibrio cholerae in the Natural Environment of Zambia : Fish, the suspicious Gateway of Cholera Outbreak?
Tsutomu KOBAYASHI ; Hang'ombe B.MUDENDA ; Hideki YAMAMOTO
Journal of International Health 2010;25(1):33-39
Preface and Objectives
Cholera has recently become more serious in African countries. In southern Africa, a serious cholera outbreak was reported in 2008. Here we investigate Vibrio cholerae in aquatic environments, rivers, tube well waters, fish tissues, and aquatic plants in Zambia.
Methods
The sampling was conducted on Kafue and Zambezi rivers as well as at public wells. The samples included river water, mud, fish, floating grass, and well water. All samples were enriched in alkaline peptone water (APW) and streaked on thiosulfate citrate bilesalts saccharos (TCBS) Vibrio agar. Some types of colonies were isolated using polymyxin mannose tellurite (PMT) agar. All water samples were analyzed for enterobacteria as well as vibrio contamination. River and shallow tube well water samples were analyzed for E. coli.
Results
Samples, including fish tissues, river, and tube well waters, except for the fish intestines, were found to be contaminated with vibrios when cultured on TCBS Vibrio agar.
Deep tube well water was not contaminated with vibrios or E. coli. V. cholerae El Tor was not detected through sampling and culturing on PMT agar. E. coli was detected in river and shallow tube well water samples.
Discussion
Vibrios were detected in Zambia’s aquatic environments. Cholera outbreak may occur. Vibrio contaminations in fish have been reported from Bangladesh, Laos, Kenya, and India. Fish is a good source of protein to improve person’s nutritional status. However, it must be treated properly so that any contamination of residential areas is avoided. Therefore, people must pay attention to fish.
Conclusion
Here several types of V. cholerae were isolated from different aquatic environments. Fish is a nutritious diet, but contaminated Vibrios fish must be treated so that it will not contaminate residential areas. We must investigate the gateway of cholera outbreaks in Zambia.
4.PROFILES OF ACTIVITIES OF THIGH MUSCLES DURING SPRINT RUNNING IN TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES EXPERIENCED HAMSTRINGS (MUSCLE) STRAIN INJURY - DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INJURED AND NON INJURED LEGS -
MASUO KOBAYASHI ; HIDEKI GAKUHARI ; HIROAKI KANEHISA ; TOSHIHARU AOYAMA ; NAOYA TSUNODA
Japanese Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine 2009;58(1):81-90
The present study aimed to investigate the profiles of activities of thigh muscles during 100 m sprint running in track and field athletes experienced hamstrings (muscle) strain injury, with specific emphasis on the difference between injured and non-inured legs. The subjects were 20 track and field athletes who were divided into muscle strain injury group (MS) and non muscle strain injury group (NMS). The electromyograms (EMGs) of five thigh muscles (the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis and vastus medialis) and knee joint angles were recorded during 100 m sprint running. For NMS, there were no significant differences between the right and left legs. For MS, the averaged EMG of every muscle,expressed as relative to that during maximum voluntary contraction (%mEMGMVC), values of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus in the latter phases of takeoff and swing periods were significantly higher in the injured leg than in the non-injured leg. Also, the maximal flexed and extended angles of the knee joint during takeoff and swing period, respectively, for the injured leg were significantly greater than those for non-injured leg. Thus, the present results indicate that track and field athletes experienced hamstrings (muscle) strain injury show by higher EMG activities in the biceps femoiris and semitendinosus of the injured leg at the later phases of swing and takeoff periods during 100 m sprint running. This may be partially related to the running style with a greater extended position of knee joint angles at the corresponding phases.
5.The Effect of Moxibustion Stimulation on Duodenal Motility in Anesthetized Rats.
Hideki TANAKA ; Eitaro NOGUCHI ; Satoshi KOBAYASHI ; Hideo OHSAWA ; Yuko SATO
Journal of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion 2002;52(4):427-434
The effect of moxibustion on duodenal motility was examined. Duodenal motility was measured by the balloon method in anesthetized, artificially ventilated rats. The stimulation temperature and duration of moxibustion varied. Treatments were applied to the hind paw and abdomen.
The duodenal motility exhibited an excited response by pinch stimulation of hind paw, and inhibitory response by abdominal pinch stimulation. Duodenal motility did not show any response to indirect moxibustion stimulation of the hind paw and abdomen. Duodenal motility exhibited an excited response by direct application of moxibustion to the hind paw and an inhibitory response by direct application of moxibustion to the abdomen.
6.Clinicopathological Study on Five Male Breast Cancer Cases Experienced During Past 10 Years
Hideki KOBAYASHI ; Hirokatsu MORIAI ; Terumi FUTAKI ; Hiroko MATSUKI ; Takashi DOI ; Fusakuni KURODA ; Yoshihiro NOZAWA
Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 2015;64(1):8-13
We experienced five cases of male breast cancer for during the past 10 years from 2002 through 2011, and performed the clinicopathologic study. Male breast cancer accounts for as low as 1.59% of all breast cancers, and the average age at occurrence is 70.4 years. In every case of ours the tumor was located around the nipple with its nodular diameter not exceeding 2.0 cm. By histological types, our case consisted of two papillotubular carcinoma, two solid-tubular carcinoma and one scirrhous carcinoma. Pathological findings showed that all cancers had infiltrated into the surrounding fat tissues of the mammary gland and four of them into the overlying skin. One case of papillotubular carcinoma was diagnosed as neuroendocrine carcinoma. Four cancers examined for ER and PgR were all positive, but all cases for HER2 was negative. There was a tendency for the age and clinical history of breast cancer to be older and longer in men than in women. Information about male breast cancer should be disseminated more widely and more effects toward early detection should be made.
7.Successful Treatment of Post-influenza Chronic Fatigue Syndrome with Kampo Medicine : a Case Report
Junji MORIYA ; Kenji TAKEUCHI ; Hiroaki UENISHI ; Sumiyo AKAZAWA ; Yoshiharu MOTOO ; Hideki HASHIMOTO ; Mitsuo KANESHIMA ; Junji KOBAYASHI ; Jun-ichi YAMAKAWA
Kampo Medicine 2014;65(2):87-93
A main symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is fatigue which continues for more than 6 months and does not improve with rest, leading to a marked decrease in quality of life. Other problems include fever, sleep disorder, and headache. Etiologically, a preceding viral infection, immunological disorder, and changes in the central nervous system, especially in hippocampus have been reported. However, the precise pathogenesis of CFS has not been elucidated, and neither diagnostic markers nor effective treatments have yet to be discovered. Here, we report a case of CFS, successfully treated with Kampo medicines.
The patient was a 16-year-old high school student, who had received medical therapy for one year under the diagnosis of CFS. His chief complaint was a continuing fever and strong malaise after influenza infection. At his visit to our outpatient clinic, we confirmed that his symptoms met the criteria for CFS. A combination treatment with Kampo medicine (sanoshashinto) and duloxetine improved his malaise and fatigue in 4 weeks, but fever and anorexia remained. The addition of hochuekkito to the combination dramatically ameliorated his symptoms. This case suggests that Kampo medicines would contribute to the effective treatment of CFS, which is refractory to Western medicines.
8.Evaluation by Students of Bedside Learning in the Department of Pediatric Surgery.
Masahiro TANABE ; Naomi OHNUMA ; Jun IWAI ; Hideo YOSHIDA ; Hideki ENOMOTO ; Hiroaki KURODA ; Hiroyuki KOBAYASHI ; Tadaaki OKADA ; Hideyo TAKAHASHI
Medical Education 1997;28(4):239-243
We evaluated bedside learning in the department of pediatric surgery by conducting a questionnaire survey of senior medical students at Chiba University School of Medicine. We obtained responses from 70 of 95 students (74%). Although 84% of students responded by making lists of patients' problems. Many students indicated insufficient knowledge about diseases and insufficient technical skills for medical treatment as the reasons they could not solve these problems. This finding indicates that students do not have sufficient basic knowledge and clinical skills for bedside learning. These skills must be acquired and evaluated before bedside learning can be started.
9.The Current Status of and Issues Surrounding Breast Cancer Screening: A Clinical Survey and Patients' Awareness of the Benefits of Mammography
Koichi Tanaka ; Yukifumi Kondo ; Kuniaki Okada ; Hiroyuki Ishizu ; Hiroyuki Masuko ; Tsunetake Hata ; Toshitsugu Miki ; Hideki Kawamura ; Hideki Yamagami ; Masaru Hagiwara ; Shigenori Honma ; Shinya Ueki ; Keita Noguchi ; Reiko Kobayashi ; Sumie Suzuki
Journal of Rural Medicine 2006;2(2):79-84
Objective: The benefits of combining cancer screenings with clinical surveys have become increasingly obvious as cancer morbidity and mortality have steadily increased. This paper discusses a study on the current status of and issues surrounding breast cancer screening in a clinical survey. The study also investigated the patients' awareness of the benefits of breast cancer screening. A secondary aim of the study was to promote mammographic screening.;Subjects and Methods: During the 72 months between April 1999 and March 2005, a total of 36,505 women underwent clinical surveys in our hospital. In October 2002, mammographic examination was included as an optional part of the routine physical examination. We evaluated the results of breast cancer screening with or without mammographic examination and used a questionnaire to investigate the patients' awareness of the benefits of breast cancer screening.;Results: Compared with the pre-2001 results, the detection rate of breast cancer significantly increased after 2003 when physical examination was combined with mammographic examination. Our study also found that both elderly patients and those residing in the suburbs of Sapporo City tended to choose physical examination alone rather than combining it with mammographic examination. An analysis of the questionnaires collected from these patients indicates they had a poor understanding of and lacked awareness of the benefits of mammographic examinations during breast cancer screenings.;Conclusions: The inclusion of mammographic screenings with clinical surveys was found to be significantly useful in the detection of breast cancer. Further continued education is needed for women, particularly the elderly and residents in the suburbs, so they understand the benefits of breast cancer screening by mammographic examination for the early detection of breast cancer and, consequently, decreased mortality of the disease.
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10.Discovery of New Fusion Inhibitor Peptides against SARS-CoV-2by Targeting the Spike S2 Subunit
Mahmoud KANDEEL ; Mizuki YAMAMOTO ; Hideki TANI ; Ayako KOBAYASHI ; Jin GOHDA ; Yasushi KAWAGUCHI ; Byoung Kwon PARK ; Hyung-Joo KWON ; Jun-ichiro INOUE ; Abdallah ALKATTAN
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2021;29(3):282-289
A novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), caused a worldwide pandemic. Our aim in this study is to produce new fusion inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2, which can be the basis for developing new antiviral drugs. The fusion core comprising the heptad repeat domains (HR1 and HR2) of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) were used to design the peptides. A total of twelve peptides were generated, comprising a short or truncated 24-mer (peptide #1), a long 36-mer peptide (peptide #2), and ten peptide #2 analogs. In contrast to SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 S-mediated cell-cell fusion cannot be inhibited with a minimal length, 24-mer peptide. Peptide #2 demonstrated potent inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 S-mediated cell-cell fusion at 1 µM concentration. Three peptide #2 analogs showed IC50 values in the low micromolar range (4.7-9.8 µM). Peptide #2 inhibited the SARSCoV-2 pseudovirus assay at IC50=1.49 µM. Given their potent inhibition of viral activity and safety and lack of cytotoxicity, these peptides provide an attractive avenue for the development of new prophylactic and therapeutic agents against SARS-CoV-2.