Transrectal ultrasound-guided 10-core biopsy of the prostate for Japanese patients

To determine the utility of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided 10-core prostate biopsy (sextant plus 4 far lateral cores) for Japanese patients, we compared it with the standard sextant for detection of prostate cancer. The study patients were 564 consecutive Japanese men (median age 71 years) who underwent 10-core biopsy because of PSA values of > or = 2.0 ng/ml at Hiroshima University Hospital between March 2000 and December 2004. The overall cancer detection rate for the 10-core biopsy was 42.6% (240/564), which was significantly higher than the 36.3% (205/564) for the standard sextant biopsy (P=0.0330), with a 14.6% (35/240) improvement. The 10-core biopsy also detected a significant number of additional cancers in the sub-groups of patients with PSA values of 2 to approximately 10 ng/ml (P=0.0275), a prostate volume of > 20 cc (P=0.0440), or normal findings of digital rectal examination (P=0.0304). The 10-core biopsy scheme detected 9.6% and 2.1 to approximately 8.3% more cancers than the lateral sextant (apex, lateral mid portion, and lateral base) and the probable different combinations of 8-core biopsy designs, respectively. Compared to the standard sextant biopsy, the 10-core biopsy did not detect an increased proportion of clinically insignificant cancers. There was no severe morbidity, and only 2 patients (0.4%) were briefly hospitalized due to high fever. These results show that the TRUS-guided 10-core biopsy yields a better prostate cancer detection rate than the 6-core or 8-core protocol without severe complications. Therefore, it seems to be practicable for Japanese patients.     

Vertebral derotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis causes hypokyphosis of the thoracic spine

The underlying purpose of this commentary and position paper is to achieve evidence-based recommendations on prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Such prevention can take different forms (primary, secondary and tertiary), occur at different levels (i.e. in a clinical setting, at the workplace, at national level) and involve several types of activities. Members of the Scientific Committee (SC) on MSDs of the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) and other interested scientists and members of the public recently discussed the scientific and clinical future of prevention of (work-related) MSDs during five round-table sessions at two ICOH conferences (in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2009, and in Angers, France, in 2010). Approximately 50 researchers participated in each of the sessions. More specifically, the sessions aimed to discuss new developments since 1996 in measures and classification systems used both in research and in practice, and agree on future needs in the field. The discussion focused on three questions: At what degree of severity does musculoskeletal ill health, and do health problems related to MSDs, in an individual worker or in a group of workers justify preventive action in occupational health? What reliable and valid instruments do we have in research to distinguish ??normal musculoskeletal symptoms?? from ??serious musculoskeletal symptoms?? in workers? What measures or classification system of musculoskeletal health will we need in the near future to address musculoskeletal health and related work ability? Four new, agreed-upon statements were extrapolated from the discussions: 1. Musculoskeletal discomfort that is at risk of worsening with work activities, and that affects work ability or quality of life, needs to be identified. 2. We need to know our options of actions before identifying workers at risk (providing evidence-based medicine and applying the principle of best practice). 3. Classification systems and measures must include aspects such as the severity, frequency, and intensity of pain, as well as measures of impairment of functioning, which can help in prevention, treatment and prognosis. 4. We need to be aware of economic and/or socio-cultural consequences of classification systems and measures.     

Toll-like receptor 2 mediates apolipoprotein CIII-induced monocyte activation

Apolipoprotein (apo)CIII predicts risk for coronary heart disease. We recently reported that apoCIII directly activates human monocytes. Recent evidence indicates that toll-like receptor (TLR)2 can contribute to atherogenesis through transduction of inflammatory signals. Here, we tested the hypothesis that apoCIII activates human monocytoid THP-1 cells through TLR2. ApoCIII induced the association of TLR2 with myeloid differentiation factor 88, activated nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB in THP-1 cells, and increased their adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Anti-TLR2 blocking antibody, but not anti-TLR4 blocking antibody or isotype-matched IgG, inhibited these processes (P<0.05). ApoCIII bound with high affinity to human recombinant TLR2 protein and showed a significantly higher (P<0.05) and saturable binding to 293 cells overexpressing human TLR2 than to parental 293 cells with no endogenous TLR2. Overexpression of TLR2 in 293 cells augmented apoCIII-induced NF-kappaB activation and beta(1) integrin expression, processes inhibited by anti-apoCIII antibody as well as anti-TLR2 antibody. Exposure of peripheral blood monocytes isolated from C57BL/6 (wild-type) mice to apoCIII activated their NF-kappaB and increased their adhesiveness to HUVECs. In contrast, apoCIII did not activate monocytes from TLR2-deficient mice. Finally, intravenous administration to C57BL/6 mice of apoCIII-rich very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), but not of apoCIII-deficient VLDL, activated monocytes and increased their adhesiveness to HUVECs, processes attenuated by anti-TLR2 or anti-apoCIII antibody. ApoCIII-rich VLDL did not activate monocytes from TLR2-deficient mice. In conclusion, apoCIII activated monocytes at least partly through a TLR2-dependent pathway. The present study identifies a novel mechanism for proinflammatory and proatherogenic effects of apoCIII and a role for TLR2 in atherosclerosis induced by atherogenic lipoproteins.     

Recent decline in hospital mortality among patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Many patients with acute myocardial infarction will still die after admission. Recent trends in hospital mortality were analyzed to identify aspects that need improvement. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 1,247 patients admitted to Kinki University School of Medicine within 24 h of the onset of infarction were analyzed between 1975 and 2001. The percentage of patients discharged with 100% occlusion decreased gradually from 31.3% during 1975-1982 to 2.1% during 1998-2001, while those with 50% stenosis or less gradually increased from 12.5% to 82.5% during the same period (trends: p < 0.01). The cardiac death rate was 17.1% in 1975-1982, and 7.7% in 1998-2001, showing a significant decrease with time (p < 0.01). This decrease was particularly marked among those admitted within 6 h of the onset of infarction. Death due to cardiac rupture decreased significantly with time (p < 0.001). In contrast, the non-cardiac death rate, amounting to 2.2% on average, did not decline. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac deaths due to acute myocardial infarction have decreased markedly of late. However, patients must be admitted within 6 h of the onset of infarction to benefit from this improvement. More effort should be made to improve the general care of patients in order to reduce the incidence of non-cardiac death.     

Three adult cases with Corynebacterium propinquum respiratory infections in a community hospital

Corynebacterium propinquum, which is included in Corynebacterium group ANF-3, exists as a commensal in the oral flora. This organism has not yet been fully recognized as a respiratory pathogen. We previously reported that the first case with respiratory infection caused by C. propinquum. On the other hand, Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum is recognized as a causative organism in respiratory infections. Recently we experienced two cases with C. propinquum respiratory infections in our hospital. Three types of the onset such as a community-acquired infection, a hospital-acquired infection, and a nursing home acquired infections were observed. Our analysis indicated that gram staining of the purulent sputum is an essential tool to evaluate whether C. propinquum is a respiratory pathogen or not, because this organism is a commensal bacteria.     

Alteration of urinary sorbitol excretion in WBN-kob diabetic rats - treatment with an aldose reductase inhibitor

An accelerated polyol pathway in diabetes contributes to the development of diabetic complications. To elucidate diabetic nephropathy involving also renal tubular damage, we measured urinary sorbitol concentration concomitantly with urinary N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) excretion in WBN-kob diabetic rats.Twenty-four-hour urinary sorbitol concentrations increased in the diabetic rats in parallel with whole blood sorbitol concentrations. An increase in 24-h urinary NAG excretion coincided with the elevated urinary sorbitol levels in the diabetic rats. The administration of epalrestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor, reduced the increased whole blood and urinary sorbitol concentrations and urinary NAG excretion concomitantly with renal aldose reductase inhibition in the diabetic rats.These results indicate that diabetic nephropathy involves distorted cell function of renal tubules, and that treatment with epalrestat may prevent at least the progress of the nephropathy.     

Effect of photoperiod and temperature on gonadal activity and plasma steroid levels in a reared strain of the mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) during different phases of its annual reproductive cycle

Mummichog, a spring and summer spawning teleost, were exposed to various photoperiod and temperature conditions to investigate the environmental regulation of the annual reproductive cycle. In early spring, latter phases of gonadal development (vitellogenesis in females and active spermatogenesis in males) were effectively accelerated by warm temperature (16 degrees C) regardless of the photoperiod (11L or 16L), although internal factor(s) may be concerned with triggering the initiation of the development. In late summer, intense gonadal regression which leads to the termination of the spawning period was accelerated by a short day length (相似文献   

Clinicopathology of pancreaticobiliary maljunction: relationship between alterations in background biliary epithelium and neoplastic development

Background/Purpose

Between 1988 and 2003, 38 patients underwent biliary resection for pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM). We reviewed the histopathologic findings for the surgically resected specimens to compare the clinical and pathologic features and assess the relationship between changes in the background biliary epithelium and the development of neoplasms.

Methods

Papillary hyperplasia (PHP) seen in the biliary epithelium of patients with PBM, was classified into grades 0–III in the gallbladder and grades 0–II in the extrahepatic bile duct, according to the extent, and was assessed for links with tumors in the same specimens.

Results

The incidence of gallbladder carcinoma was 13/21 in grades I–II, versus 0/16 in grade III, while the incidence of bile duct carcinoma was 4/20 in grade I versus 0/5 in grade II. Furthermore, these incidences for patients below age 50 years and age 50 or older were 1/18 versus 12/20, and 0/14 versus 6/17, respectively.

Conclusions

PHP of the biliary epithelium in PBM patients is an important precursor lesion, especially for gallbladder cancer, and the risk becomes greater with age, regardless of the type of pancreatobiliary junction (PBJ) and its location in the biliary tract.