Magnesium intake is inversely associated with the prevalence of tooth loss in Japanese pregnant women: the Osaka Maternal and Child Health Study.

There have only been a few studies on the role of mineral intake in tooth loss. We investigated the association between mineral intake and the prevalence of tooth loss in Japan. We used the baseline data on 1002 pregnant women who were enrolled in the Osaka Maternal and Child Health Study between November 2001 and March 2003. Tooth loss was defined as the previous extraction of one or more teeth. Nutrient intake was assessed by a validated diet history questionnaire. Prevalence odds ratios and confidence intervals were estimated by applying a multiple logistic regression model. The adjusted odds ratio upon comparison of the highest quartile with the lowest quartile of magnesium intake was 0.64 (95% confidence interval, 0.42-0.99), showing a tendency for an inverse dose-response relationship (p for linear trend = 0.05). There were no associations between the level of consumption of calcium, phosphate, iron, zinc, or copper and tooth loss. The present findings suggest that intake of magnesium is related to reduced prevalence of tooth loss among young Japanese women.     

Effects of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus on the risk of total cardiovascular events in Japanese patients with hypercholesterolemia: implications from the Japan Lipid Intervention Trial (J-LIT).

Hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus (DM) are well-established risk factors for cardiovascular disease. We analyzed the cardiovascular events in hyperlipidemic patients with or without DM who were administered open-labeled simvastatin in groups stratified by blood pressure level using data from the Japan Lipid Intervention Trial (J-LIT). Hyperlipidemic patients with DM (n=6,288) had significantly more cardiovascular events than those without DM (n=33,933). The incidence rates of total cardiovascular events in the Non-DM and DM groups were 15.40 and 25.76 per 1,000 patients for the 6-year period, respectively. The relative risk of total cardiovascular events in the DM vs. the Non-DM group was 1.68, and the relative risk was significantly higher in the DM than in the Non-DM group. The relative risks of total cardiovascular events were significantly higher in DM and Non-DM patients whose systolic blood pressure (SBP) was greater than or equal to 130 mmHg compared to that of Non-DM patients whose SBP was less than 130 mmHg, and in DM and Non-DM patients whose diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was greater than or equal to 80 mmHg compared to that of Non-DM patients whose DBP was less than 80 mmHg. In all groups stratified by SBP and DBP, relative risks of total cardiovascular events were higher in DM patients than in Non-DM patients. For patients with hypercholesterolemia and DM, blood pressure should be strictly controlled in order to prevent both coronary events and stroke. These results are in good agreement with the JNC 7 and the ESH/ESC guidelines for DM patients, which recommended that the SBP and DBP be less than 130 and 80 mmHg, respectively.     

Hematospermia associated with congenital arteriovenous malformation of internal iliac vessels

The presence of blood in the ejaculate is called hematospermia or hemospermia. While often perceived as a symptom of little significance, hematospermia can cause great concern to men who experience it. We report an unusual case of hematospermia associated with pelvic arteriovenous malformation (AVM). A 60-year-old man who visited our hospital complaining of hematospermia and pollakisuria was found to have AVM and aneurysmal changes in the left side of the pelvis using computed tomography (CT). The patient was treated with steel coil embolization of the left inferior gluteal artery, and after the procedure the hematospermia and pollakisuria remained absent without flare-ups.     

Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid with exuberant nodular fasciitis-like stroma

 We describe a rare case of papillary carcinoma with extensive proliferation of stromal cells. The stromal cells were immunocytochemically positive for vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin and desmin, but negative for cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, S-100, thyroglobulin and CD34. These results and the ultrastructure of the stromal cells, which exhibited the characteristics of both fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells, indicated an origin from myofibroblasts. We conclude that myofibroblastic proliferation may contribute to the stromal response in the slow growth of the papillary carcinoma. Received: 29 August 1996 / 26 May 1997     

Anti-gal-C antibody in autoimmune neuropathies subsequent to mycoplasma infection

Four of 82 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and 1 of 12 with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN), who previously had had Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections, had serum antibody to galactocerebroside (Gal-C). Two patients with GBS without mycoplasma infection also had anti-Gal-C antibody, whereas none of the normal or the disease controls had it. As Gal-C is a major glycolipid antigen in myelin, anti-Gal-C antibody may function in the pathogenesis of autoimmune demyelinative neuropathies. Mycoplasma pneumoniae appears to be an important preceding infectious agent in autoimmune neuropathies with anti-Gal-C antibody. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A case of humidifier lung associated with BHL]

We encountered a rare case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis associated with bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (BHL). The patient was a 53-year-old male, who developed dry cough and shortness of breath when using a humidifier since 1982. He was admitted to our hospital for further evaluation in 1987. Chest X-ray films showed BHL and ground glass appearance in the bilateral lung fields. Pulmonary function test indicated disturbance of diffusing capacity. Transbronchial lung biopsy revealed interstitial pneumonitis, and lymph node biopsy by mediastinoscopy showed lymphoid sinus histiocytosis without noncaseating granuloma. Provocation test using the humidifier was positive, and the diagnosis of humidifier lung with BHL was made.     

Management of respiratory diseases in the elderly]

Aspiration pneumonia is the fourth cause of death in Japanese, of which 92% occurs in elderly people aged more than 65 years. Pneumonia in the elderly is mostly due to aspiration. Aspiration is caused by disturbance of the pharyngeal reflex and cough mechanisms are due to disturbances of brain activity. Respiratory diseases including bronchial asthma must be treated with consideration of brain activity.