A 5 year follow-up study on the relationship between changes in serum lipids and blood pressure, and changes in exercise habits in subjects 30 years of age

A 5 year follow-up study was conducted to investigate the relationships between %changes in serum lipids and blood pressure and corresponding changes in exercise habits in the middle-aged. The subjects were 152 males and 169 females who received a health check-up at 30-years-old during the period between 1990-1992 and then at 35-years-old during the period between 1995-1997. The results are as follows: 1. In multiple regression analysis, % delta toriglyceroid (TG) and % delta AI(atherogenic index) ratio were associated significantly with changes in exercise habits in males (P < 0.05) and % delta high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) was associated with changes in exercise habits in females (P < 0.05). % delta TG and % delta HDLC were affected by changes in exercise habits adjusted for BMI, smoking, and drinking. But changes in TC and blood pressure were not affected by changes in exercise habits. 2. In males, % delta TG was significantly lower in those subjects who started their exercise habit than in the no exercise group and than in those within the ceased exercise group who ceased their exercise during the study period (P < 0.05). % delta AI was significantly lower in the started exercise group than in the no exercise group. Also, the continued exercise group had a significantly (P < 0.05) lower % delta AI as compared to the ceased exercise group. In females, % delta TG was significantly lower in the started exercise group than in the no exercise group (P < 0.05). % delta HDLC was higher significantly in the continued exercise group than in the ceased exercise group (P < 0.05). From the results obtained, it is recommended that the no exercise subjects should have exercise more than once time per week and those with more than 1 time per week maintain their exercise habits.     

Tumor-specific Activation of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase in Human Colorectal and Gastric Carcinoma Tissues

To search for the signaling events in colorectal carcinoma relevant to its tumorigenesis, we investigated the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in human colorectal carcinoma tissues and paired normal tissues. Of 64 cases examined, approximately 75% (48 cases) showed tumor-specific activation of MAPK by in situ kinase renaturation assay, as well as in vitro kinase assay with immunoprecipitated MAPK. In addition, tumor-specific activation of MAPK was associated with the activation of MAPK kinase in the cases we examined. However, no clear correlation of MAPK activation with lymph node involvement, metastatic rate, stage, histological classification, age or sex was observed. These results suggest that the MAPK pathway is involved in colorectal tumor development, but its activation alone is not sufficient for malignant conversion. In contrast to colorectal carcinoma, gastric carcinoma tissues showed a lower rate of MAPK activation, suggesting that the signaling pathway activated in colorectal carcinoma tissues may differ in part from that of gastric carcinoma.     

Overexpression of the aldo-keto reductase family protein AKR1B10 is highly correlated with smokers' non-small cell lung carcinomas.

PURPOSE: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma of the lung are currently subject to similar treatment regimens despite distinct differences in histology and epidemiology. The aim of this study is to identify a molecular target with diagnostic and therapeutic values for SCC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Genes specifically up-regulated in SCC were explored through microarray analysis of 5 SCCs, 5 adenocarcinomas, 10 small cell lung carcinomas, 27 normal tissues, and 40 cancer cell lines. Clinical usefulness of these genes was subsequently examined mainly by immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Seven genes, including aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B10 (AKR1B10), were identified as SCC-specific genes. AKR1B10 was further examined by immunohistochemical analysis of 101 non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) and its overexpression was observed in 27 of 32 (84.4%) SCCs and 19 of 65 (29.2%) adenocarcinomas. Multiple regression analysis showed that smoking was an independent variable responsible for AKR1B10 overexpression in NSCLCs (P < 0.01) and adenocarcinomas (P < 0.01). AKR1B10 staining was occasionally observed even in squamous metaplasia, a precancerous lesion of SCC. CONCLUSION: AKR1B10 was overexpressed in most cases with SCC, which is closely associated with smoking, and many adenocarcinoma cases of smokers. These results suggest that AKR1B10 is a potential diagnostic marker specific to smokers' NSCLCs and might be involved in tobacco-related carcinogenesis.     

A case of recurrent cholangitis after bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Value of scintigraphy with Tc-99m GSA and hepatobiliary scintigraphy for indication of lobectomy

A 39-year-old woman with acute cholecystitis and gallstones underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. She suffered from recurrent episodes of cholangitis due to injury of the major bile ducts during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy with Tc-99m Sn-N-pyridoxyl-5-methyltryptophan was performed. Although normal bile excretion was found from the left hepatic duct to the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) tube, excretion from the right hepatic lobe was prolonged. Scintigraphy with Tc-99m diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-galactosyl human serum albumin demonstrated atrophy of the right hepatic lobe and enlargement of the left hepatic lobe. Cholangiography via the PTBD tube revealed complete obstruction of the left hepatico-jejunal anastomosis and could not enhance the right intrahepatic bile duct. A right hepatic lobectomy was performed because of the atrophy, glissonitis and the absence of an appropriate bile duct for reconstruction. Postoperatively she was active and exhibited no evidence of recurrent cholangitis.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for a large gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach

We report two cases of large gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the stomach that were successfully treated by hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS). Two patients, a 56-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man, were admitted to our department for the treatment of a large submucosal tumor of the stomach. After gastrointestinal endoscopy, ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, we suspected that the masses, measuring 7.0 cm and 8.0 cm in diameter, respectively, were GISTs in the stomach. However, preoperatively, we could not rule out the possibility of malignant neoplasms, because they had been bleeding or gradually growing. Hand-assisted laparoscopic wedge resection was safely performed for the diagnosis and treatment of the submucosal tumor of the stomach. The immunohistochemical diagnosis in both patients was GIST of the stomach with intermediate-grade malignancy. HALS may be a good indication for large GISTs of the stomach that are difficult to diagnose preoperatively, whether they are malignant or benign, because it is safe and minimally invasive, promoting rapid recovery.     

Metabolite alterations in basal ganglia associated with psychiatric symptoms of abstinent toluene users: a proton MRS study.

Long-term toluene abuse causes a variety of psychiatric symptoms. However, little is known about abnormalities at the neurochemical level in the living human brain after long-term exposure to toluene. To detect neurochemical changes in the basal ganglia of subjects with a history of long-term toluene use, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) was performed in 12 abstinent toluene users and 13 healthy comparisons with no history of drug abuse. N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine plus phosphocreatine (Cr + PCr), choline-containing compounds (Cho), and myo-inositol (MI) levels were measured in the left and right basal ganglia. The Cho/Cr + PCr ratio, a marker of membrane metabolism, was significantly increased in the basal ganglia of toluene users in comparison to that of the control subjects. Furthermore, the increase in the Cho/Cr + PCr ratio was significantly correlated with the severity of residual psychiatric symptoms. These findings suggest that long-term toluene use causes membrane disturbance in the basal ganglia, which is associated with residual psychiatric symptoms that persist even after long-term abstinence from toluene use.