Clinical pathophysiology of the elderly onset diabetes mellitus

Several studies have shown that fasting blood glucose rises about 1-2 mg/dl/decade and post-prandial glucose by about 15 mg/dl/decade, leading to mild glucose intolerance with insulin resistance associated with aging. There appears to be a distinct group of individuals on an accelerated trajectory to clinically impaired glucose intolerance or frank type 2 diabetes mellitus. There are several characteristics of elderly onset type 2 diabetes as describe below. The incidence and progression of retinopathy were suggested to be rare. Several studies of the association between body mass index and cardiovascular mortality suggested the increased mortality associated with weight loss and underweight. Hypoglycemia is an underappreciated and potentially fatal complication of insulin and sulfonylurea treatment.     

Sexually transmitted diseases in Japanese female commercial sex workers working in massage parlors with cell baths

A cross-sectional study of Japanese female commercial sex workers (FCSWs) working in massage parlors with cell baths (MPCBs) was conducted between July 1999 and December 2001. The study subjects were 171 FCSWs aged from 19 to 36 years. A questionnaire included sexual characteristics in addition to working name and date of birth. We serologically or bacteriologically confirmed the prevalence of HIV-1, HIV-2, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. There were no differences in the clinical characteristics of FCSWs working in standard-class MPCBs (group A) and those working in expensive-class MPCBs (group B). With respect to sexual characteristics, HIV-1 and HIV-2 were not confirmed in any subjects, but N. gonorrhoeae was detected in 1.2%. Use of condoms was 98.4% in group A and 83.3% in group B (P < 0.01). No HIV infection and an extremely low prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were recognized in Japanese FCSWs working in standard- and expensive-class MPCBs.     

Current state and effectiveness of abdominal ultrasonography in complete medical screening

Purpose The current state and effectiveness of abdominal ultrasonography (US) were investigated by reviewing statistical data for US of the kidney as part of complete medical screenings conducted at our institution between April 1994 and March 2004. Methods Among 4339 individuals with US findings, computed tomography (CT) was performed on 129 individuals at our institution. Among these individuals, US findings and CT diagnoses were compared and analyzed. Results US findings indicated renal tumors in 73 of the 129 subjects, and the breakdown of CT diagnoses for these 73 individuals was as follows: no lesion, n = 45 (61.6%); simple renal cyst, n = 13 (17.8%); complicated renal cyst, n = 5 (6.8%); suspected malignant tumor, n = 5 (6.8%); renal angiomyolipoma, n = 2 (2.7%); pelvic dilatation, n = 1 (1.4%); granuloma, n = 1 (1.4%); teratoma, n = 1 (1.4%). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on 4 of the 5 subjects with suspected malignant tumor, and surgery was performed in all 4 cases with suspected kidney cancer. Kidney cancer was histopathologically confirmed in 2 patients, resulting in a detection rate of 0.046% for kidney cancer by US as part of a complete medical screening. In the 2 patients with kidney cancer, differentiating cystic renal cell cancer from a renal cyst was not possible based on US findings alone in 1 patient, and no thorough examinations were performed in the 3 years leading up to surgery. Conclusions These results suggest that additional US and thorough examinations are necessary if a lesion cannot be confirmed as a simple renal cyst on initial US. Furthermore, to improve the skill levels of healthcare professionals who perform and interpret US, a feedback system should be established where data related to complete medical screenings are available to the personnel involved.     

Stat5b Is Essential for Natural Killer Cell–mediated Proliferation and Cytolytic Activity

We have analyzed the immune system in Stat5-deficient mice. Although Stat5a^−/− splenocytes have a partial defect in anti-CD3-induced proliferation that can be overcome by high dose interleukin (IL)-2, we now demonstrate that defective proliferation in Stat5b^−/− splenocytes cannot be corrected by this treatment. Interestingly, this finding may be at least partially explained by diminished expression of the IL-2 receptor β chain (IL-2Rβ), which is a component of the receptors for both IL-2 and IL-15, although other defects may also exist. Similar to the defect in proliferation in activated splenocytes, freshly isolated splenocytes from Stat5b^−/− mice exhibited greatly diminished proliferation in response to IL-2 and IL-15. This results from both a decrease in the number and responsiveness of natural killer (NK) cells. Corresponding to the diminished proliferation, basal as well as IL-2– and IL-15–mediated boosting of NK cytolytic activity was also greatly diminished. These data indicate an essential nonredundant role for Stat5b for potent NK cell–mediated proliferation and cytolytic activity.     

Hypercapnic acidosis minimizes endotoxin-induced gut mucosal injury in rabbits

Objective  Recent evidence demonstrated that hypercapnic acidosis due to lung protective strategy was not only permissive but also even therapeutic for injured lung. Since the effects of hypercapnic acidosis on extra-pulmonary organs remain to be clarified, we tested the hypothesis that hypercapnic acidosis protects gut mucosal barrier function by modulating inflammation in a rabbit model of endotoxemia. Design  Prospective randomized animal study. Setting  University research laboratory. Subjects  Male New Zealand white rabbits. Interventions  Thirty-two animals were randomly allocated into two groups: normocapnia (n = 17) and hypercapnia (n = 15). The latter group received F_ICO₂ 5% under mechanical ventilation to achieve hypercapnia throughout the study periods, whereas the former with F_ICO₂ 0%. Measurements and results  Arterial blood gas, intramucosal pH (pHi) and portal blood flow were assessed at baseline, 2-h and 4-h infusion of lipopolysaccharide. At 4 h, ileal myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and intestinal permeability were measured. The animals in the hypercapnia group showed apparent hypercapnic acidosis and progressive intramucosal acidosis at 4 h, accompanied by significantly lower intestinal permeability versus normocapnia group. Ileal MPO activity was comparable between the study groups. Conclusions  Hypercapnic acidosis attenuates endotoxin-induced gut barrier dysfunction possibly through neutrophil-independent mechanisms. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

An outbreak of measles in Saitama City in 2007. What is the vaccination strategy to eliminate measles in Japan?

In the present study, to elucidate an outbreak of measles in Saitama City, Japan, we analyzed the data for all notified subjects with measles. According to an active surveillance program, a total of 464 subjects were notified in 2007. The clinical criteria for the diagnosis of measles were defined as at least 3 days of a generalized maculopapular rash; a fever of 38.0 degrees C or more; and cough, mucus, or pharyngitis. Two peaks according to age group were recognized: namely, children less than 2 years of age and adolescents from 15 to 19 years of age. The latter peak was associated with the period of time when the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine had become a social problem (40.9% of vaccinees and 41.6% of non-vaccinees in this group). Japan is said to be a developing country regarding its measles vaccination strategy. In addition, no national program against measles has yet been established. Continuous efforts to increase immunization coverage are needed to interrupt indigenous measles transmission. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare should therefore plan and implement a nationwide program to eliminate measles in Japan.