Serum heat shock protein 70 levels and lung cancer risk: a case-control study nested in a large cohort study.

Chronic inflammation contributes to the process of carcinogenesis, but few epidemiologic studies have examined associations with risk of lung cancer. Relationships between lung cancer risk and serum levels of both heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were investigated in a case-control study nested in the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for Evaluation of Cancer Risk. Serum samples and lifestyle information were collected at baseline from 39,242 men and women between 1988 and 1990. Of these, 240 deaths from lung cancer were identified through 1999, and 569 controls were matched for sex, age, and study area. Serum levels were measured in 189 cases and 377 controls for Hsp70 and in 209 cases and 425 controls for hsCRP. Odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) across quartiles, adjusted for confounding factors, including smoking habits, were 0.83 (0.44-1.58), 1.41 (0.77-2.60), and 1.84 (0.92-3.71) for Hsp70 (P(trend) = 0.042) and 1.13 (0.67-1.91), 0.66 (0.38-1.16), and 1.19 (0.70-2.02) for hsCRP (P(trend) = 0.941). In males, odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) across quartiles were 1.30 (0.59-2.84), 1.74 (0.83-3.67), and 2.49 (1.06-5.85) for Hsp70 (P(trend) = 0.029). High levels of serum Hsp70 might thus be associated with increased risk of lung cancer among Japanese males, although further studies are needed to clarify associations between chronic inflammation and lung cancer.     

Performance assessment of O-18 water purifier

In the synthesis of 18F-FDG by the nucleophilic substitution method, 18O-H2O is usually used as target water. The target water should be recovered after synthesis and reused, because it is expensive, but recovered water contains impurities such as organic substances, and it must be purified before reuse. For this reason Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. developed an O-18 water purifier for elimination of organic substances in recovered water. This instrument consists of a UV irradiation unit and low-temperature distillation unit. Our institution had an opportunity to test use this instrument and evaluated its performance. The concentrations of organic substances after UV irradiation was greatly reduced, and recovery efficiency after distillation by the low-temperature distillation unit was very satisfactory at 99.3 +/- 0.5%. Furthermore, the yield of 18F-FDG from 18O-H20 purified with this instrument was sufficient for the clinical use.     

Evaluation of a combination chemotherapy with docetaxel and nedaplatin for patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combination chemotherapy with docetaxel (TXT) and nedaplatin (CDGP) for patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas. Eight patients were enrolled in this study (4 men and 4 women, with a mean age of 61.7 years). TXT and CDGP were administered at a dose of 60 mg/m(2) and 70 mg/m(2) by drip infusion for 120 minutes, respectively. Three patients received one more administration 4 weeks after the first one. The locoregional response was evaluated 4 weeks after the final administration of TXT and CDGP. As a result, the locoregional response rate after 1 course was 62.5% including 25.0% of complete response (CR). The response rate after 2 courses was 100.0% with 66.7% of CR. According to Oboshi and Shimosato's classification, histological evaluation of surgical specimens revealed that four cases were Grade IIa, two cases Grade IIb, and two cases Grade IV. The severe adverse events were neutropenia and leukopenia, which were effectively managed with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). No other severe side effects were recognized. The present study suggested that the combination chemotherapy with TXT and CDGP would be an effective and safe regimen in neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for oral squamous cell carcinomas.     

Methemoglobinemia induced by automobile exhaust fumes

Although methemoglobinemia is an uncommon disorder, it should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of cyanosis. Major causes of acquired methemoglobinemia are nitrates, aniline, and analgesics, though rare cases have been reported to have been caused by automobile exhaust fumes. A 24-year-old man had inhaled a large amount of automobile exhaust fumes, intending to commit suicide. He had become unconscious, with dilated pupils and symptoms of cyanosis. Arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation (Sp_O2) was 86%, with a methemoglobin level of 44.3% and a carboxyhemoglobin level of 0%, while electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen, creatine, and glucose measurement results were normal. He was treated with methylene blue 250 mg (approximately 4 mg/kg) through a nasogastric tube. Four hours after the treatment, because the methemoglobin level was slightly above normal (2.2%), we added 180 mg of methylene blue. The results of final arterial blood gas analysis were a methemoglobin level of 0.4% and a carboxyhemoglobin level of 0.8%. He recovered uneventfully and returned home by himself the next day. To summarize, we successfully treated, with methylene blue given through a nasogastric tube, a young man who had developed severe methemoglobinemia from inhaling automobile exhaust fumes.     

Serum carotenoids and other antioxidative substances associated with urothelial cancer risk in a nested case-control study in Japanese men

PURPOSE: We assayed whether high serum carotenoids and antioxidative substances decrease the risk of urothelial cancer in a case-control study nested in a community based cohort in Japan, that is the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information on subject life-styles and serum were collected in 1988 to 1990 and subjects were followed as late as 1999. Individuals who had or died of urothelial cancer and controls were matched for study area, sex and age. Serum was stored at -80C and analyzed in 2003. Of 14,097 male and 25,662 female subjects 40 to 79 years old there were 42 cases, which were matched to 124 controls. RESULTS: The OR for the highest to lowest tertile of serum concentration was 0.28 (95% CI 0.07 to 1.15, trend p = 0.08) for beta-carotene, 0.36 (95% CI 0.10 to 1.27, trend p = 0.10) for total carotenes and 0.31 (95% CI 0.09 to -1.09, trend p = 0.09) for total carotenoids after adjustment for smoking in addition to matching variables. High concentrations of tocopherols and xanthophylls slightly tended to decrease the risk of urothelial cancer. In contrast, serum retinol, oxidized low density lipoprotein and Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase were not associated with urothelial cancer risk. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that high serum carotenoids may decrease the risk of urothelial cancer with carotenes more effective than xanthophylls.     

A new concept of indexing tibiofibular torsion: a pilot study using dry bones

A newly developed clinical method of indexing tibial torsion uses the medial surface of the tibia as the proximal reference; however, the selection of a specific landmark on the medial surface has not been justified. Three different surfaces relating to the tibial tuberosity were tested using 24 dry tibial bones to determine which provides the most accurate and reliable landmark for use as the proximal reference. The medial surface of the tibia at the inferior point of the tibial tuberosity was the most reliable proximal reference that yielded the highest level of association between the newly developed clinical method and true tibial torsion (r = 0.77). The new method has the potential to describe the anatomy of the leg and to improve the clinical measurement of tibiofibular torsion.