Time-Dependent Effects of Cryoablation for Renal Tumor on Overall and Split Renal Function

Purpose

To evaluate the influence of percutaneous cryoablation for renal cell carcinoma on function of the affected kidney.

Validation of the Japanese version of the life satisfaction checklist (LiSat-11) in patients with low back pain: A cross-sectional study

Background

Previous studies suggest that life satisfaction assessment using the Life Satisfaction checklist (LiSat-11) is a meaningful outcome measure and may play an important role in setting rehabilitation goals in patients with chronic pain. Until now, there was no Japanese version of this questionnaire, and the psychometric properties of the original version of the LiSat-11 have only been investigated using classical test theory approaches. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the LiSat-11-J using Rasch analysis in a sample of Japanese people with low back pain (LBP).

High-risk populations for nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

To determine the population at high risk of nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on hospital patients admission, a nasal swab was taken from the following patients: (1) those aged 70 years or over (age 70), (2) non ambulatory receiving regular home visits by nurses and physicians (visiting), (3) residents of nursing homes (nursing home), (4) patients from other hospitals (another Hp), and (5) those scheduled for surgery (presurgery). Between March and July 2000, a total of 412 patients were admitted and 136 were enrolled. MRSA was isolated from 12 (8.8%) patients. The number of patients positive for MRSA in the five groups, age 70, visiting, nursing home, another Hp, and presurgery, were 3 of 68, 3 of 21, 2 of 3, 3 of 9, and 1 of 35, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that living in a nursing home [odds ratio (OR) = 32.82, P = 0.010] or coming from another hospital (OR = 14.55, P = 0.0043) were high risk factors with for nasal carriage of MRSA. Furthermore, patients ages were further divided into three categories, 79, 80–89, 90, and regarded as independent high risk factors (OR = 3.08, P = 0.043). The results were that advanced living in a age (80, 90), living in a nursing home or coming from another hospital are high risk factors of nasal carriage of MRSA on hospital admission.     

Relationship between depression and risk of malnutrition among community-dwelling young-old and old-old elderly people

Objectives: This study explores the association between nutritional status and depression among healthy community-dwelling young-old (aged 65–74) and old-old elderly (aged 75 and older).

Method: A cross-sectional design was implemented. A total of 274 community-dwelling older individuals (142 young-old; 132 old-old) were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF) and Life-Space Assessment. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine if depression was independently associated with risk of malnutrition, stratified by age (young-old vs. old-old).

Results: In the logistic regression model for young-old, being at risk of malnutrition (MNA-SF (≦11) was strongly associated with depression (GDS (≧5;) (likelihood ratio ν?=?6.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.91–20.49). In contrast, in the old-old group, the model was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Depression and nutritional status were strongly correlated in young-old but not in old-old community-dwelling elderly. This study reveals that not only the factors correlated with but also the symptoms of depression may vary among different age stratifications of the elderly.     

Experimental and clinical investigations for the time interval from onset of symptoms to the coronary reperfusion

To clarify the relationship between time interval from the onset of coronary occlusion to the reperfusion and reperfusion rates or left ventricular function, an experiment with 113 mongrel dogs was carried out. Coronary thrombi experimentally induced within 4 hours in 63 dogs were rapidly lysed by intracoronary thrombolytic agent (Experiment 1). Infarct size was investigated in 17 dogs. The infarct size (% of left ventricle) in 9 dogs with 4-hour reperfusion following 2-hour coronary occlusion was significantly smaller than that in 8 dogs with 6-hour occlusion (12.0 +/- 7.9 vs 19.1 +/- 8.7% respectively p less than 0.05) (Experiment 2). The infarct size in 8 dogs with 7-day reperfusion following 2-hour occlusion was also significantly reduced compared to that in 7 dogs with 7-day occlusion (16.3 +/- 7.4 vs 28.5 +/- 8.9%, respectively p less than 0.02) (Experiment 3). The infarct size in 11 dogs with 4-hour reperfusion with verapamil administration following 2-hour occlusion was significantly reduced compared to that in 7 dogs with 6-hour occlusion without verapamil (5.5 +/- 1.9 vs 20.3 +/- 3.3%, respectively p less than 0.01) (Experiment 4). In experiment 3, anterior wall motion also was assessed by contrast ventriculography and infarct related areas in reperfused group was found to be improved compared to non-reperfused group at 7 days after infarction. In clinical studies, 121 patients who were admitted within 12 hour of onset of symptoms, were investigated to evaluate reperfusion rates and left ventricular function. The reperfusion rate of young age thrombus within 3 hours was 89% of 18 patients with completely occluded coronary artery. It was 77% of the 52 patients with 3 to 6 hour occlusion and 72% of the 18 patients with over 6 hour occlusion. There was a tendency towards high reperfusion rates in younger thrombus. In patients who were recanalized within 3 hours from the onset of symptoms ejection fraction of left ventricle at the chronic stage had a significantly higher percentage when compared to the unsuccessful group. Wall motion of infarct-related areas in patients who were thrombolysed within 6 hours was improved compared to the unsuccessful group. Administration of verapamil during reperfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction suppressed rapid CK release and sigma CK. Thus, young age thrombus can be lysed easily, earlier recanalization after coronary occlusion can reduce infarct size and improve left ventricular function. Reinforced administration of verapamil during reperfusion can also reduce infarct size.