Adherence index to the American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendation is associated with the metabolic syndrome in Japanese male workers

BackgroundAs Japanese societies rapidly undergo Westernization, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increasing. We investigated the association between dietary habits and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome using a new adherence index to optimal dietary habits based on the American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendation (AHA-DLR).MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of 503 male workers who completed a brief food frequency questionnaire. Adherence to the AHA-DLR was assessed using a 10-component adherence index (AI-84; a total possible score of 84 points). Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the most recently published harmonized criteria by the International Diabetes Federation in conjunction with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, American Heart Association, World Heart Federation, International Atherosclerosis Society, and International Association for the Study of Obesity.ResultsThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 26.6% and the AI-84 score ranged from 5 to 56 points. Subjects with metabolic syndrome had a significantly lower AI-84 score compared with those without (27.1 ± 9.1 vs. 28.9 ± 9.2, p = 0.042). After adjusting for age, energy intake, smoking habit and physical activity, a higher AI-84 score was associated with a significantly lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome, with an odds ratio of 0.778 (95% CI 0.614–0.986, p = 0.038) for each 10-point score increment.ConclusionsA lower AI-84 score was associated with increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Our findings support a potential beneficial impact of nutritional assessment using adherence to the AHA-DLR for prevention of metabolic syndrome.     

Relationship between stx genotype and Stx2 expression level in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 strains

To determine the expression level of Shiga toxin (Stx) 2-related toxins (Stx2 and Stx2c) produced by each of 33 Stx-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 strains, stx2 and stx2c mRNAs (stx2-related mRNA) were measured using real-time PCR with primers that recognize sequences common to stx2 and stx2c. The amount of Stx2 and Stx2c protein was measured using a reversed passive latex agglutination (RPLA) kit. Expression of stx2-related mRNA was significantly higher in STEC O157 strains carrying the stx2 gene (i.e., stx2, stx1/stx2, or stx2/stx2c) than in most strains that carried the stx2c gene but not the stx2 gene (i.e., stx2c or stx1/stx2c). RPLA might not measure the precise amount of each toxin variant; nevertheless, stx2-inclusive strains had 40-fold higher mean toxin titers than did strains that carried the stx2c gene but not the stx2 gene, with the exception of 1 stx2c strain. Interestingly, 1 stx2c strain that was isolated from a patient with severe hemorrhagic diarrhea had the highest stx2-related mRNA expression and the highest toxin titer of all 33 STEC O157 strains. Taken together, these findings indicated that measurement of stx2-related mRNA expression could reflect differences in production levels of toxins among STEC strains.     

Elimination of esophageal multiple precancerous lesions by chemotherapy: potential chemoprevention of metachronous multiple cancer development after curative treatment

Background

Dysplastic squamous epithelium is a precancerous lesion for squamous cell carcinoma. It is often present in the esophagus and head and neck region, and can be visualized as a Lugol-voiding lesion (LVL) by iodine chromoendoscopy. However, effective treatment for such dysplastic epithelia has not yet been developed.

Methods

Between March 2008 and July 2011, 40 consecutive patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were treated by two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) (5-fluorouracil, 800?mg/m², d 1?C5; cisplatin, 80?mg/m², d 1: q 21?days) at Kyoto University Hospital, and received iodine chromoendoscopy both before and after NAC. Iodine chromoendoscopy findings were divided into 4 groups: group?A, absence of LVLs; group?B, several (??10/one endoscopic view) small (??5?mm) LVLs; group?C, many (??10/one endoscopic view) small (??5?mm) LVLs; group?D, numerous irregular-shaped multiform LVLs. Group?C and D are defined as multiple LVLs. Endoscopic changes of LVLs before and after NAC were investigated retrospectively.

Results

Before NAC, 6, 12, 9, and 13 cases were classified in group?A, B, C, and D, respectively. All cases in group?A before NAC remained in group?A after NAC. Multiple LVLs (group?C and D) were significantly improved in 17 of 22 patients (77.3?%), while several small LVLs (group?B) were improved in only 4 of 12 cases (33.3?%) (p?=?0.025 by Fisher??s exact test).

Conclusions

Multiple dysplastic lesions tended to improve by chemotherapy. In contrast, there was little change in the mucosa with fewer dysplastic lesions after chemotherapy. These data show that chemotherapy has the potential to eliminate precancerous lesions.     

Comparison of the Loss of Renal Function after Cold Ischemia Open Partial Nephrectomy,Warm Ischemia Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy and Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy Using Microwave Coagulation

Purpose

Nephron sparing surgery is an effective surgical option in patients with renal cell carcinoma. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy involves clamping and unclamping techniques of the renal vasculature. This study compared the postoperative renal function of partial nephrectomy using an estimation of the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) for a Japanese population in 3 procedures; open partial nephrectomy in cold ischemia (OPN), laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in warm ischemia (LPN), and microwave coagulation using laparoscopic partial nephrectomy without ischemia (MLPN).

Materials and Methods

A total of 57 patients underwent partial nephrectomy in Yokohama City University Hospital from July 2002 to July 2008. 18 of these patients underwent OPN, 17 patients received MLPN, and 22 patients had LPN. The renal function evaluation included eGFR, as recommended by The Japanese Society of Nephrology.

Results

There was no significant difference between the 3 groups in the reduction of eGFR. eGFR loss in the OPN group was significantly higher in patients that experienced over 20 minutes of ischemia time. eGFR loss in LPN group was significantly higher in patients that experienced over 30 minutes of ischemia time.

Conclusion

This study showed that all 3 procedures for small renal tumor resection were safe and effective for preserving postoperative renal function.Key Words: eGFR, Partial nephrectomy, Renal function, Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy     

COX‐1‐dependent prostaglandin D2 in microglia contributes to neuropathic pain via DP2 receptor in spinal neurons

Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme synthesizes prostaglandins (PGs) from arachidonic acid and exists as two major isozymes, COX‐1 and COX‐2. The crucial role of prostaglandins in the pathogenesis of inflammatory pain in peripheral tissue and the spinal cord has been established; however its expression dynamics after peripheral nerve injury and its role in neuropathic pain are not clear. In this study, we examined the detailed expression patterns of genes for COX, PGD2 and thromboxane A2 synthases and their receptors in the spinal cord. Furthermore, we explored the altered gene expression of these molecules using the spared nerve injury (SNI) model. We also examined whether these molecules have a role in the development or maintenance of neuropathic pain. We found a number of interesting results in this study, the first was that COX‐1 was constitutively expressed in the spinal cord and up‐regulated in microglia located in laminae I‐II after nerve injury. Second, COX‐2 mRNA expression was induced in blood vessels after nerve injury. Third, TXA2 synthase and hematopoietic PGD synthase mRNAs were dramatically increased in the microglia after nerve injury. Finally, we found that intrathecal injection of a COX‐1 inhibitor and DP2 receptor antagonist significantly attenuated the mechanical allodynia. Our findings indicate that PGD2 produced by microglia is COX‐1 dependent, and that neurons in the spinal cord can receive PGD2 from microglia following peripheral nerve injury. We believe that PGD2 signaling via DP2 signaling pathway from microglia to neurons is one of the triggering factors for mechanical allodynia in this neuropathic pain model.     

Review of Cognitive Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Performance on Six Subtests on Four Versions of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - This study was a systematic review of research using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to...     

Coronary artery calcium score and CT angiography in asymptomatic elderly patients with high pretest probability for coronary artery disease

Purpose

To evaluate the role of coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) and/or coronary CT angiography (CCTA) in asymptomatic elderly patients with high pretest probability for coronary artery disease (CAD).

Materials and methods

Forty-eight consecutive asymptomatic elderly (>65 years) subjects who had a high pretest probability and underwent CACS/CCTA were included. Each CCTA was evaluated for adequacy for assessment of coronary stenosis. Significant stenosis (>50 % diameter narrowing) was assessed on evaluable CT images and by invasive catheter angiography (ICA).

Results

All subjects were men with mean CACS of 880 ± 1779. Among those with low (0–99), intermediate (100–399), and high (400–999) CACS, ICA-verified significant stenosis was present in 8 % (1/13), 23 % (2/13), and 67 % (8/12), respectively. Among those with very high CACS (≥1000) (n = 10), 90 % of CCTAs were not evaluable for stenosis.

Conclusion

In asymptomatic elderly subjects with high pretest probability, CACS followed by CCTA may be considered for those with intermediate to high CACS.

     

Characterization of R peptide of murine leukemia virus envelope glycoproteins in syncytium formation and entry

Summary The C-terminal R peptide of ecotropic murine leukemia virus (MLV) envelope protein (Env) negatively controls membrane fusion activity. The R peptide cleavage during virion maturation activates its fusogenicity and is required for viral entry. We analyzed fusogenicity and transduction efficiency of mutant Env proteins of ecotropic, amphotropic, polytropic, and xenotropic MLVs. As the result, we found that the hydrophobic amino acid residues around the R peptide cleavage site are important for membrane fusion inhibition by the R peptide. In addition, we found that Env complexes with R peptide-truncated and -containing Env proteins have lower fusogenicity and transduction efficiency than those with the R-peptide-truncated Env alone, suggesting that efficient R peptide cleavage is required for efficient MLV vector transduction. The role of R peptide cleavage in amphotropic, polytropic, and xenotropic MLV infection has not been investigated. We found in this study that the R peptide cleavage is required for amphotropic, xenotropic, and polytropic MLV vector transduction, like with ecotropic MLV. The R-peptide-truncated Env proteins of the xenotropic and polytropic MLVs, however, had much lower fusogenicity than those of the ecotropic and amphotropic MLVs. These results provide valuable information for construction of efficient MLV vectors and for understanding the retroviral entry mechanism.     

The usefulness of day-service in maintaining general nutritional status in elderly Japanese: a longitudinal study

Day-service, commuting service for elderly people requiring care at home, is one healthcare option in Japan. To date, however, there exist no studies that have examined the effects of day-service use on health outcomes in Japan. The objective of the present longitudinal study was to determine whether there is an association between day-service use and various physical and mental health outcomes in elderly people requiring care. The subjects were 61 elderly persons who required between 25 and 49 min of assistance per day and used long-term care insurance. Measurements included demographic characteristics, activities of daily living, frequency of day-service use, body weight, height, grip strength, thigh muscle volume, degree of depression (Geriatric Depression Scale), the mini-mental state examination, and serum albumin and blood hemoglobin levels in the baseline and follow-up surveys two years later. In the day-service user group, the mean changes in serum albumin concentrations using day-service once, twice and three < or = times/week were -0.2, -0.3, and 0 g/dl, respectively, and the mean changes in blood hemoglobin were -0.7, -0.5, and 0.2 g/dl, respectively. The two-year change in serum albumin concentrations was less (p = 0.024) in subjects using day-service "three < or = times" (0 g/dl) than "twice" (-0.3 g/dl). The two-year change in blood hemoglobin was also less (p = 0.043) in subjects using day-service "three < or = times" (0.2 g/dl) than "twice" (-0.5 g/dl). The present study has shown that frequent use of day-service is useful in maintaining general nutritional status in elderly people.