A physical performance battery assessing low/high extremity functional fitness in older Japanese women

The aim of this study was to establish a physical performance test battery to assess the wide variation of functional fitness in older Japanese women. The criteria for sampling low/high extremity functional fitness were the amount of physical activities that older women perform on a regular basis and the distance they could move by foot. Seventeen tests related to the activities parallel to daily living (APDL) were completed for 178 women, aged 60 to 91 years. Principal component analysis of the 17 performance tests in the reference group (n = 140) yielded 5 components accounting for 63.5% of the total variance. Fourteen test items were heavily loaded on the 1st principal component, so that 31.4% of the total variance was accounted for by this component. Considering these results as well as test-retest reliability, kurtosis, and skewness of each item, the following four items were selected as a combination of test battery: (X1) repetition of the bicipital flexion/extension, (X2) walking around two cones and sitting on a chair, (X3) moving beans with chopsticks, and (X4) functional reach. Principal component analysis was again applied to these four variables so as to obtain the first principal component score of each person. As a result, the following equation was drawn: the first principal component score = 0.063X1 - 0.055X2 + 0.098X3 + 0.042X4 - 2.65. The scores averaged 0.68 +/- 0.27 for the exercise group (n = 19) (those who played croquet or other similar sports activities consistently twice or more a week); and -0.76 +/- 0.55 for the sedentary group (n = 19) (those who did no exercise and confined their activities to the home). Biserial correlation coefficient as an index of criterion-related validity was 0.67 (P < 0.05) between the scores in the exercise and sedentary groups. These results indicate that a wide range of functional fitness among older Japanese women can be assessed by the four tests.     

Measurement of local blood flow of the intestine by hydrogen clearance method; Experimental study

Local blood flow of the bowel wall was measured by hydrogen clearance method both in the muscular and submucosal layers in the mongrel dog, separately and concurrently. A platinum wire electrode with a bare tip of 0.5 mm in length and 0.2 mm in diameter was inserted into each layer. About 10 per cent hydrogen gas was inhalated directly through the side hole attached to the endotracheal tube for 1–2 minutes and the obtained clearance curves were plotted on the semi-logarithmic scale, which was almost monoexponential. The results obtained were as follows:

1. Mean basal perfusion rate of the muscular layer of the intestine was 0.81–0.92 ml/min/gm, whereas that of the submucosal layer was 1.29–1.31 ml/min/gm, respectively. There was little difference of perfusion rates between the small and the large intestine. The results showed good correlationship with those reported by other authors.
2. The effect of vasoactive substances such as vasoconstrictor and vasodilator on the local blood flow in the bowel wall was confirmed.
3. This method is repeatedly applicable for measurement and also renders the information on the distribution of blood flow in the splanchnic area.

     

Evaluation of syringomyelia with three-dimensional constructive interference in a steady state (CISS) sequence

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a three-dimensional (3D) constructive interference in steady state (CISS) sequence in the assessment of syringomyelia. Eleven patients with syringomyelia were prospectively studied with magnetic resonance imaging. All patients underwent sagittal imaging with T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo (SE), and 3D-CISS sequences. The SE and 3D-CISS images, as well as multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images of the 3D-CISS sequence, were analyzed with regard to image quality, degree of artifacts, visualization of the extent and internal structure of the syringomyelia, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the fluid within the syringomyelia. Contrast between the spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), as well as delineation was significantly poorer for the T1-weighted SE sequence than for the 3D-CISS sequence (P < 0.01), while there was no significant difference between the T2-weighted SE sequence and the 3D-CISS sequence. Artifacts induced by CSF flow were significantly more for the T2-weighted SE sequence than for the 3D-CISS sequence (P < 0.01). Although the extent of syringomyelia was delineated equally among the three sequences in 9 of 11 patients, it was better for the 3D-CISS sequence than for the SE sequences in the remaining two. Septation and communication between the cavities were best detected by the 3D-CISS MPR images. The CNR of the 3D-CISS sequence was significantly higher than that of the SE sequence (P < 0.01). The 3D-CISS sequence demonstrates the extent and internal structures of syringomyelia better than conventional SE sequences and should be added to SE sequences in the evaluation of syringomyelia.     

TH1/TH2 and regulatory cytokines in adults with otitis media with effusion.

OBJECTIVE: Otitis media with effusion is one of the most common and intractable ear diseases. However, the role of Th1, Th2, and immunoregulatory cytokines on the pathogenesis of the disease in adult patients remains to be determined. The aim of this study is to disclose the cytokine expression in middle ear effusions (MEEs) in adults and to compare the profile on the basis of the presence of allergic rhinitis and the type of effusions. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective controlled clinical study. PATIENTS: MEEs were collected from 80 adult subjects. The concentration of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, and interferon (IFN)-gamma in MEEs were determined by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, and IFN-gamma in MEEs were detected in 60 (75.0%), 33 (41.3%), 42 (52.5%), 14 (17.5%), 80 (100%), and 66 (82.5%) samples, respectively. Among these cytokines, only the concentration of IL-4 in the allergic rhinitis-positive group was significantly higher than that in the allergic rhinitis-negative group. On the other hand, IL-2, IL-12, and IFN-gamma were detected, regardless of the presence of allergic rhinitis, and the concentration of these cytokines correlated with each other. The correlation between the concentration of IL-4 and IL-5 was also detected. In addition, both the incidence rate and the concentration of IL-10 in MEEs were significantly higher in the mucoid type compared with those in the serous type effusions. CONCLUSION: Regardless of allergic status, IL-12 may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion by affecting the production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma. In addition, IL-4 may have some impact on the immunologic condition in adults with allergic rhinitis. IL-10 potentially affects the viscosity of MEEs.     

PrP fragment 106-126 is toxic to cerebral endothelial cells expressing PrP(C)

A hydrophobic, fibrillogenic peptide fragment of human prion protein (PrP106-126) had in vitro toxicity to neurons expressing cellular prion protein (PrP(C)). In this study, we proved that primary cultures of mouse cerebral endothelial cells (MCEC) express PrP(C). Incubation of MCEC with PrP106-126 (25-200 microM) caused a dose-dependent toxicity assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, lactate dehydrogenase release, bis-benzimide staining for nuclear morphology, and trypan blue exclusion test. Pentosan polysulphate (50-100 microg/ml), a drug effective in scrapie prophylaxis, dose-dependently attenuated the injury. MCEC cultures from mice homogenous for the disrupted PrP gene were resistant to the toxicity of PrP106-126. In conclusion, cerebral endothelium expressing PrP(C) may be directly damaged during spongiform encephalopathies.     

Intermittent antegrade warm blood cardioplegia for CABG: extended interval of cardioplegia

BACKGROUND: Intermittent delivery of warm cardioplegia provides a bloodless surgical field, but it is clinically important to evaluate the periods of normothermic ischemia. The aims of this study are to compare intermittent antegrade warm blood cardioplegia (IAWBC) with intermittent antegrade cold blood cardioplegia (IACBC) groups in terms of myocardial protection, and also to evaluate whether the length of ischemic time in the IAWBC group has an effect on myocardial dysfunction. METHODS: This study is based on a retrospective review of patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass surgery: 162 consecutive patients with IAWBC and 107 consecutive patients with IACBC. RESULTS: The creatinine kinase peak was smaller in the IAWBC group compared with the IACBC group (p<0.0001). The cardiac index after cardiopulmonary bypass was higher in the IAWBC group (p<0.02), and the amount of inotropic support required to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass was less in the IAWBC group compared with the IACBC group (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: IAWBC with 30 minutes of ischemia provides to be clinically acceptable myocardial protection for coronary bypass surgery.     

Physiological analysis of bicozamycin high-producing Streptomyces griseoflavus used at industrial level

Streptomyces griseoflavus, a bicozamycin-producing wild type strain and its high-producing one derived from it by multiple (greater than 15) mutagenic treatments, were analyzed physiologically and biochemically. The high-producing strain was characterized by: (1) An increased pool size of amino acids including leucine and isoleucine, precursors for bicozamycin synthesis, (2) an earlier and greater accumulation of intracellular ppGpp, (3) a more accentuated decrease in GTP pool size, (4) a higher specific activity of ornithine transcarbamylase which produces citrulline, (5) an increased ability to form aerial mycelium, and (6) an increased resistance to its own antibiotic. We propose that (1), (2) and (4) may be responsible for the high yields of bicozamycin and, possibly, of some other antibiotics produced by Streptomyces sp.     

Predicting outcome of one-step total hysteroscopic resection of sessile submucous myoma

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To analyze variables for successful 1-step hysteroscopic myomectomies of sessile submucous myomas. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Single operator's practice in a university hospital and its related hospitals. PATIENTS: Twenty-eight patients with sessile submucous myomas and menorrhagia, infertility, or both. INTERVENTIONS: Our strategy for hysteroscopic myomectomy is as follows. First, we scraped and/or vaporized intrauterine dome of myoma until top of myoma was even with level of wall of cavity. Next, the remnant intramural node was squeezed by uterine contractions induced by prostaglandin F2alpha injection. Finally, the newly raised myoma dome was sectioned or vaporized electrosurgically only within the space of the intrauterine cavity and/or was separated mechanically from healthy myometrium without electrosurgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Submucous myomas in 16 (57.1%) patients were completely removed after 1 surgery. By logistic regression analysis, thickness of outer myometrial layer of myoma node (OR 3.06, p = .02), myoma size (OR 0.86, p = .04), and intramural extension degree (OR 0.91, p = .03) were significantly associated with outcome of complete resection. CONCLUSION: Thickness of outer myometrial layer of myoma node, myoma size, and intramural extension degree predicted outcome of 1-step hysteroscopic myomectomy. The chance of performing successful surgery increased with increased thickness of outer myometrial layer of myoma, and decreased with larger myomas and greater degrees of intramural extension.