Clinical studies against chronic prostatitis and prostatitis-like syndrome (1). Clinico-statistical observation

We clinically evaluated 605 cases of chronic prostatis and other resembling disorders. The incidence was 4.34% of all out-patients (7.54% of male patients). The average age was 38.1 years, and many were adolescents. A greater number of out-patients were seen in October, November, and December (p less than 0.01) and June (p less than 0.05). The type of disease was chronic prostatitis in 48.1% (bacterial in 5.3%, non-bacterial in 42.8%) and prostatitis-like syndrome in 51.9%. The incidence among male patients was 3.63% for chronic prostatitis (bacterial in 0.40%, non-bacterial in 3.23%), and 3.91% for prostatitis-like syndrome. In the case of chronic prostatis, the abnormal finding rate (p less than 0.01), tenderness (p less than 0.01), induration (p less than 0.05) on prostatic palpation, non-pretreated rate (p less than 0.01), urological past history (p less than 0.05) except prostatitis and urological complications (p less than 0.01) were significantly higher. On the other hand, the negative rate on urine culture (p less than 0.01), no abnormal findings on palpation (p less than 0.01), discomfort (p less than 0.01), discomfort with tenderness (p less than 0.01) and past prostatitis episodes (p less than 0.01) were seen significantly more in the case of prostatitis-like syndrome. In conclusion, chronic prostatitis with inflammatory change on prostate and prostatitis-like syndrome without inflammation have similar clinical features, but should be diagnosed as totally different types of disease.     

Simplified quantification of regional cerebral blood flow with99mTc-ECD SPECT and continuous arterial blood sampling

The goal of this study was to develop a simple method for quantification of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) with^99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dinier (ECD) SPECT. Following an intravenous constant infusion of ECD for one minute, serial dynamic SPECT imaging was performed for 40 minutes in 6 healthy male volunteers with intermittent arterial blood sampling. PET scan with¹⁵O-water was performed on the same day before the SPECT study for measurement of rCBF. Arterial blood data demonstrated rapid conversion of ECD to the hydrophilic metabolites, and most of the arterial input to the brain was completed within 5 minutes after the injection. Brain activity reached a peak value soon after the cessation of infusion, and was stable thereafter with very little washout. Net extraction of ECD in the brain calculated by arterial input of ECD and rCBF demonstrated a rapid decrease within a few minutes, reaching 42.7% at 5 minutes. The simulation study suggested that the arterial blood activity obtained by continuous drawing for 5 minutes and a single SPECT scan would provide a reasonable estimate of rCBF under the assumption of constant net extraction in the brain.     

A Clone with a Chromosome Abnormality, i(17q), in the Myeloid Crisis of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Is Able to Differentiate into Neutrophil, Basophil and Eosinophil Lineages

Simultaneous cytogenetic and morphologic observations of singlecolonies derived from granulocytic precursor cells were performedon a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) duringthe myeloid crisis. Colonies having a Ph¹ chromosome and i(17q)were found to consist of neutrophilic/basophilic, eosinophilic/basophilicor basophilic granulocytes. These findings led to the conclusionthat cells having the additional abnormality, i(17q), are stillable to differentiate into neutrophil, basophil and eosinophillineages. In other words, this chromosome abnormality does notgive a proliferative advantage to a restricted cell lineage.     

Modification of the cysteamine side chain of thienamycin. II

A new type of thienamycin derivatives (3a-3j, 4a, 4b), having a monothioacetal or a thioacetal side chain at the C-2 position was prepared, and the susceptibility to renal dehydropeptidase-1 (DHP-1) and the antimicrobial activity of these compounds were determined. The structure-activity relationships of these derivatives are also discussed.     

Effects of osteoporotic fractures on quality of life-related variables in the community elderly in Japan: An 8-year follow-up study in TMIG-LISA

Background:   The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term influence of osteoporotic fractures on (1) self-rated health (SRH); (2) instrumental activity of daily living (I-ADL); and (3) state of depression, all of which are the major variables related to quality of life (QOL) in the elderly.
Methods:   The subjects were 504 men and women who participated in the Longitudinal Interdisciplinary Study on Aging conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology (TMIG-LISA) from 1992 to 2000. Among those interviewed, 50 participants (15 males and 35 females) who sustained fractures spontaneously or by minor trauma were diagnosed as having osteoporotic fractures.
A nested case-control (1 : 1) study with sex-and age-matched controls was conducted as statistical analysis to identify the effects of osteoporotic fractures on QOL-related variables.
Results:   For self-rated health, the frequency of 'poor' self-rated health increased significantly in the cases from 19.6% at baseline (1992) to 42.6% at the 8-year follow-up (2000). In the controls, there was no significant increase in frequency of 'poor' rating.
The proportion of subjects with impaired I-ADL during 8 years increased significantly in the cases from 12.0% in 1992 to 38.0% in 2000, and also in the controls from 14.0% in 1992 to 36.0% in 2000.
The prevalence of depressive status increased in the cases from 32.6% to 50.0%. There was, however, no statistically significant difference between cases and controls.
Conclusion:   The results suggest that osteoporotic fractures at any site are associated with serious and remarkable decline of overall QOL-related variables among the community elderly.     

Active life expectancy based on activities of daily living for older people living in a rural community in Japan

Objectives:   To examine functional transitions in activities of daily living (ADL) over a one-year interval among older Japanese living in a rural community, and to estimate their active life expectancy (ALE) based on ADL.
Design:   A prospective cohort study.
Setting:   A community-based environment.
Participants:   A total of 1069 residents aged 65 or older in Nangai Village, Akita, Japan
Measurements:   A structured interviewed questionnaire, which involved age, sex, and four ADL items, was used for each survey in both 1996 and 1997. We defined functional dependency in ADL as a loss of independence in any ADL item. In addition, we defined ALE as the average number of remaining life years free of ADL dependence at a given age.
Results:   Of the baseline cohort ( n  = 1069), we received 1068 analyzable questionnaires at the follow-up survey in 1997. During the follow-up, 95% of subjects who were initially independent in ADL remained independent. Active life expectancies for men and women were estimated to be 15.4 and 17.8 more years at 65 years of age, respectively.
Conclusion:   The study revealed that women had longer average life years than men in terms of ADL disabilities.     

Biomaterials lubricated for minimum frictional resistance.

To improve the frictional characteristics of a biomaterial, the mechanical performance of a lubricated surface was studied. In vitro friction tests showed that the coefficient of dynamic friction of the lubricated surface was about 0.01 against rabbit bladder and the coefficient of static friction increased with the preload period. The efficacy of a lubricated cystoscope was evaluated by an in vivo test simulating cystoscope operation. The maximal and the total resistance force on the cystoscope model were found to decrease with the surface lubrication. Histological study revealed that urethral damage caused by rubbing with the cystoscope model was reduced by this lubrication technique. Presumably, prolonged retention of water on the lubricated surface region prevented tissue adhesion to the foreign material.