Reviewing the definition of "elderly"

Conventionally, "elderly" has been defined as a chronological age of 65 years old or older, while those from 65 through 74 years old are referred to as "early elderly" and those over 75 years old as "late elderly." However, the evidence on which this definition is based is unknown. We have attempted to review the definition of elderly by analyzing data from long-term longitudinal epidemiological studies, and clinical and pathological studies that have been accumulated at the Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology. Our recommendation might be a starting point in developing a strategy for a successful society by reviewing the definition of elderly based on comprehensive evidence in all aspects of social, cultural and medical sciences.     

Synthetic/secreting and apoptotic phenotypes in renal biopsy tissues from hypertensive nephrosclerosis patients.

The major glomerular abnormalities in hypertensive nephrosclerosis are described as glomerular obsolescence (GO), glomerulosclerosis (GS), and glomerular collapse (GC). However, glomerular cellular changes caused by hypertensive insults have not been well analyzed. Using an immunoenzyme method, we examined eleven biopsy samples from patients with hypertensive nephrosclerosis for two synthetic and secreting phenotypes, a-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and collagen type III (Col. III), and two apoptotic phenotypes, pro-apoptotic molecule Bax and anti-apoptotic molecule BcI-2. Together with the glomerular and vascular changes and interstitial fibrosis (IF) area, the results were scored quantitatively and semi-quantitatively and compared to the clinical findings, which included systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), serum creatinine levels (sCr) and creatinine clearance (Ccr), using univariate and multivariate analyses. As a result, GS was frequently observed in the mild-to-moderate hypertensive group (140 < or = SBP<180 mmHg), whereas GC was positively correlated with SBP. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation of GS with mesangial alpha-SMA and Col. III, suggesting that GS was the reflection of these synthetic and secreting phenotypic changes in mesangial cells. Endothelial Bax was positively correlated with Ccr (p<0.01); in contrast, podocytic Bax was positively correlated with sCr (p<0.05) and showed a tendency to correlate with MAP (p=0.054). In conclusion, these findings support the view that mesangial synthetic and secreting phenotypic changes may be a reflection of cellular activation caused by mild-to-moderate hypertension and that apoptotic phenotypic expression in podocytes, rather than endothelial cells, may be related to the development of a severe form of hypertensive nephrosclerosis.     

Four novel mutations in the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl co-transporter gene in Japanese patients with Gitelman's syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Gitelman's syndrome (GS) is an autosomal recessive disorder resulting from inactivating mutations in the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl co-transporter (NCCT) gene. To date, almost 90 mutations have been identified. It is possible that there is a population-specific distribution of mutations. In this study, we analysed mutations in the NCCT gene of seven Japanese patients with GS. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from patients with GS, their family members and healthy control subjects. A mutation analysis of the NCCT gene was performed completely by direct automated sequencing of polymerase chain reaction-amplified DNA products. In patients with a deletion or splice site mutation, we undertook cDNA sequence analysis. RESULTS: We identified nine mutations. Five of them [c.185C>T (Thr60Met), c.1712C>T (Ala569Val), c.1930C>T (Arg642Cys), c.2552T>A (Leu849His) and c.1932delC] have been reported in Japanese patients, but not in GS patients from other ethnic groups. The remaining four mutations [c.7A>T (Met1Leu), c.1181_1186+20del26, c.1811_1812delAT and IVS16+1G>A] were novel. In cDNA derived from a patient with c.1181_1186+20del26, a deletion of exon 9 and a frameshift at the start of exon 10 were observed. In cDNA derived from patients with IVS16+1G>A, an additional 96 bp insertion between exons 16 and 17 was observed. Six out of seven patients were compound heterozygotes, and the remaining one carried a single heterozygous mutation. CONCLUSIONS: We found four novel mutations in the NCCT gene in seven Japanese patients with GS. Moreover, our study suggests that the distribution of mutations in the NCCT gene in Japanese GS patients potentially differs from that in other populations.     

Diagnostic Validity of Fecal Occult Blood Tests for Detecting Gastroenterological Cancers

In order to estimate the diagnostic validity of chemical fecal occult blood tests, i.e. orthotolidine (Shionogi A) and guajac (Shionogi B) slides for detecting cancers of the esophagus, stomach and colorectum, the authors followed up all the examinees (n=3,449) of comprehensive medical check-ups at the Center for Adult Diseases, Osaka, by means of record linkage to the Osaka Cancer Registry's files. Then, diagnostic validity was calculated based on the results of two years' follow-up. Sensitivity for the respective cancers was 20.0%, 11.8% and 62.5% for Shionogi A, and 20.0%, 5.9% and 43.8% for Shionogi B slides. Likelihood ratio for the respective cancers was 1.4, 0.8 and 4.5 for Shionogi A, and 3.3, 1.0 and 7.5 for Shionogi B. Specificity was analogous among the three cancer sites, being 86% for Shionogi A and 94% for Shionogi B. These results suggest that the diagnostic validity of chemical occult blood tests for detecting cancers of the esophagus and the stomach is very poor, and therefore imply that close examinations of these sites for screening positives is unnecessary in mass screenings for colorectal cancer.     

Metabolites of (+)-dehydroabietic acid in rabbits

The seven metabolites of (+)-dehydroabietic acid (DHA) were newly isolated from rabbit urine by liquid chromatography. On the basis of chemical and spectral data their structures were established to be (15S)-8,11.13-abietatrien-16,18-dioic acid, 2 alpha-hydroxy-8,11,13,15-abietatetraen-18-oic acid, (15R)-15,16-dihydroxy-8,11,13-abietatrien-18-oic acid, 2 beta,15-dihydroxy-8,11,13-abietatrien-18-oic acid, (15S)-2 beta,16-dihydroxy-8,11,13-abietatrien-18-oic acid, 2 alpha,15-dihydroxy-8,11,13-abietatrien-18-oic acid, and (15S)-2 alpha,16-dihydroxy-8,11,13-abietatrien-18-oic acid. The possible hydroxylation routes of DHA in rabbits and the difference between the metabolism of DHA in microorganisms and that in rabbits are discussed.     

A Clinical Study for the Durability of Oxygenators on Cardiopulmonary Support

Abstract: Cardiopulmonary support (CPS) requires durability of the oxygenator. The life span of the oxygenator is affected by various clinical factors, including patient condition, perfusion condition, and equipment usage. Predictors for the durability of oxygenators were evaluated clinically in this study. Thirty-two patients, who had undergone CPS during the last 3 years in our institute were assigned to this study. Fifty oxygenators had been used (Capiox SX in 19, CB Maxima in 23, and AL-6000 in 8). Significant predictors for the durability of oxygenators were evaluated by nonparametric survival analysis and proportional hazards regression analysis. Univariate regression analysis revealed 6 significant predictors for the life span of oxygenators. These were the oxygenator type, type of centrifugal pump, acidosis with blood pH less than 7.35, base excess less than -5, blood glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) levels greater than 1,000 IU, and blood lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels greater than 3,000 IU. After multivariate analysis, there remained only 2 significant predictors. An oxygenator used with a noncoated CPS system (Capiox SX with Capiox EBS) proved to have a significantly shorter life span than one used with a heparin-coated system (CB Maxima or AL-6000 with CB BP-80) (hazards ratio, 3.588, p = 0.0065). Patient conditions, which revealed acidosis with less than -5 of base excess, significantly shortened the life of the oxygenator (hazards ratio, 3.595, p = 0.0188).     

Primary malignant lymphoma of the rectum with distant metastasis to the stomach: Report of a case

Primary extranodal malignant lymphoma frequently occurs in the gastrointestinal tract; however, it is rarely encountered in the rectum. We report herein the case of an 85-year-old man who underwent abdominoperineal resection for primary malignant lymphoma of the rectum, and 1 year later, developed hematemesis caused by gastric metastasis. To our knowledge this is the first case report of such distant metastasis developing from malignant lymphoma of the rectum.     

Wilms tumor gene immunoreactivity in primary serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube, ovary, endometrium, and peritoneum.

Wilms tumor gene (WT-1) expression has been reported in many human cancers, including most ovarian and peritoneal serous carcinomas, but has not been studied in carcinomas of the fallopian tube. In this study, the authors evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of WT-1 in serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube and compared their reactivity with that of ovarian, peritoneal, and endometrial serous carcinomas. All primary serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube (13 cases), ovaries (25 cases), and peritoneum (3 cases) were reactive with the WT-1 antibody, whereas all five primary endometrial serous carcinomas were nonreactive. WT-1 reactivity in an unknown primary serous carcinoma is therefore suggestive of an extrauterine site. The marked difference in WT-1 staining raises the possibility of genetic differences between serous carcinomas arising in the endometrium compared with those arising in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and peritoneum.     

New surgical technique of left ventricular free wall rupture: double patch sealing method.

We experienced two cases of left ventricular free wall rupture (LVFWR) following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Case 1, with the blowout type of LVFWR was initially closed by direct suture, followed by hemostasis using a double patch sealing method (DPS) by which the tear was doubly sealed with large and small bovine pericardium patches to which GRF glue was applied. Case 2 with the oozing type of LVFWR was treated only using DPS. Complete hemostasis was achieved in both cases, and aneurysmal dilatation or constrictive heart failure were not detected by postoperative left ventriculography. Therefore, DPS may be useful for treating LVFWR following AMI.