Very short bouts of non-exercise physical activity associated with metabolic syndrome under free-living conditions in Japanese female adults

To assess the association between very short daily non-exercise physical activity (PA) lasting <5?min and metabolic syndrome (MS). A total of 42 females (50?±?6?years) wore a pedometer with a one-axial accelerometer (Lifecorder, Kenz, Japan) to determine the time and the frequency of PA and the moderate to vigorous intensity PA (MVPA). In addition to the PA and the MVPA (PA(all) and MVPA(all)), the PA and MVPA were analyzed based on the bout duration, such as >32?s, >1?min, >3?min, and >5?min (PA(32S), PA(1M), PA(3M), PA(5M); MVPA(32S), MVPA(1M), MVPA(3M), MVPA(5M)). MS was defined according to the Japanese standard based on waist circumfluence, blood lipids, blood glucose, and blood pressure. The frequency of the MVPA(1M) was significantly lower in subjects with MS compared with that in subjects without MS (P?32?s to 3?min, has significantly associated with the components of MS. The specific advantages with regard to PA lasting <32?s remain unclear.     

Repeat treatment for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma: is it validated?

Purpose  

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) usually recurs repeatedly and locoregional treatment is attempted unless liver function has deteriorated. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of repeated treatment on patient prognosis.     

Airway cytokine expression measured by means of protein array in exhaled breath condensate: correlation with physiologic properties in asthmatic patients

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous monitoring of airway inflammation and physiology might be useful for asthma management. OBJECTIVE: We examined the upregulated molecules in asthmatic airways. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between these molecules and the airway physiologic properties of asthma. METHODS: Ten nonsmoking healthy subjects and 16 steroid-naive asthmatic patients were enrolled. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) sampling, spirometry, and methacholine inhalation challenge were performed on one occasion in this cross-sectional study. Peak expiratory flow was also measured for 4 weeks. Airway cytokine-chemokine-growth factor production was analyzed with a protein array. RESULTS: The expressions of IL-4, IL-8, IL-17, TNF-alpha, RANTES, IFN-gamma-inducible protein 10, TGF-beta, and macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha and 1beta were significantly upregulated in asthmatic airways compared with those of nonsmoking healthy subjects. Among the upregulated molecules, RANTES expression was significantly correlated with the parameters that represent airway caliber, FEV(1) and respiratory resistance values. In addition, the levels of both TNF-alpha and TGF-beta were significantly correlated with the methacholine threshold and peak expiratory flow variability for the week. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory molecule analysis with EBC appeared to be useful for monitoring the asthmatic airway condition. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Measurements of cytokine levels in EBC might be a promising approach to assess the efficacy of pharmacologic interventions and to investigate the pathophysiology of asthma.     

Two neonatal cholestasis patients with mutations in the SRD5B1 (AKR1D1) gene: diagnosis and bile acid profiles during chenodeoxycholic acid treatment

Background and aims

In two Japanese infants with neonatal cholestasis, 3-oxo-Δ⁴-steroid 5β-reductase deficiency was diagnosed based on mutations of the SRD5B1 gene. Unusual bile acids such as elevated 3-oxo-Δ⁴ bile acids were detected in their serum and urine by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. We studied effects of oral chenodeoxycholic acid treatment.

Patients and methods

SRD5B1 gene analysis used peripheral lymphocyte genomic DNA. Diagnosis and treatment of these two patients were investigated retrospectively and prospectively investigated.

Results

With respect to SRD5B1, one patient was heterozygous (R266Q, a novel mutation) while the other was a compound heterozygote (G223E/R261C). Chenodeoxycholic acid treatment was effective in improving liver function and decreasing unusual bile acids such as 7α-hydroxy- and 7α,12α-dihydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholen-24-oic acids in serum and urine.

Conclusion

Primary bile acid treatment using chenodeoxycholic acid was effective for these patients treated in early infancy before the late stage of chronic cholestatic liver dysfunction.     

Phenotype analysis of lymphoid cells in Marek's disease of CD4(+) or CD8(+) T-cell-deficient chickens: Occurrence of double negative T-cell tumour.

Chickens rendered either CD4(+) or CD8(+) T-cell-deficient by thymectomy and subsequent inoculation of anti-CD4 or anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody (mAb), were infected with Marek's disease herpesvirus (MDV). All the non-treated control (4/4) and CD8-deficient chickens (5/5) formed gross tumours. However, one of three CD4(+) T-cell-deficient chickens developed gross tumours. Histologically, all chickens had tumourous lesions in the liver and nerve fibres. In CD4(+) T-cell-deficient chickens, the phenotypes were CD3(+)CD4(-)CD8(-)Vss1-alphassTCR(+) T-cells and CD3(-)CD4(-)CD8(-) cells. These findings indicate that the double negative T-cells (CD3(+) CD4(-) CD8(-)) and CD3(-) CD4(-) CD8(-) cells are transformed morphologically in addition to CD3(+) CD4(+) CD8(-) T-cells by MDV infection.     

Angiogenesis in adipose tissues and skeletal muscles with rebound weight-gain after diet-restriction in rabbits

The mechanisms of excessive body weight gain after diet-restriction are still unclear. In this study, we investigated expression of angiogenic factors in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle of rabbits which had rebound weight gains; trying to make inquiries into the mechanisms of this rebound weight gain. Ten rabbits were divided into two groups. One group had free food intake (group C), and the other group had restricted food intake until day 40 of the experiments and then had free food intake (group DR). Specimens of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle were collected from each rabbit on days 20, 40, and 60 after the initial examination, and expressions of CD34, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) were investigated. Expression of VEGF was significantly strong in the adipose tissue of group DR at the recovery period of body weight. In conclusion, rebound weight gain after a restricted-diet may be associated with angiogenesis in adipose tissue, and the angiogenesis may be induced by VEGF.     

Four resected cases with basaloid carcinoma of esophagus--comparison of 5-FU-related enzymes (thymidylate synthase (TS), dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), orotate phosphoribosyl transferase (OPRT)) between basaloid carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma

We reported herein four resected cases with basaloid carcinoma of the esophagus and measured the activity of 5-FU related enzymes (TS, DPD, OPRT) in cancer tissue. These activities compared with those in squamous cell carcinoma. Only one case was diagnosed as basaloid carcinoma by preoperative biopsy specimen at endoscopic examination. The esophagectomy was performed thoracoscopically in all cases, and the abdominal procedure was done with the laparoscopic approach in two cases. Anastomotic leakage occurred in one case. No case had lymph node metastasis. On the other hand, a lymphatic invasion was detected in one case, and venous invasion in two, respectively. Two cases had mediastinal lymph node recurrence. DPD activity and OPRT activity showed no difference between squamous cell carcinoma and basaloid carcinoma. On the other hand, the TS activity was significantly higher in basaloid carcinoma. From the standpoint of 5-FU-related enzyme activities, basaloid carcinoma possibly has more resistance to 5-FU than squamous cell carcinoma.     

Effect of ethanol treatment on metabolic activation and detoxification of esophagus carcinogenic N-nitrosamines in rat liver

In order to elucidate the mechanism underlying enhancement by ethanol of N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN)- and N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA)-induced esophageal tumorigenesis in rats, hepatic levels of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) enzymes, mutagenic activation of several N-nitrosamines and three kinds of UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UDPGT) activities were assayed in F344 rats. Immunoblot analyses of microsomal CYP proteins revealed induction of CYP2E1 (approximately 2-fold), but not CYP2B1/2, 1A1/2 or 3A2, by treatment with 10% ethanol in the drinking water for 2 weeks. In contrast, s.c. treatment with 0.5 mg/kg NMBA three times per week for 2 weeks produced no significant alterations in the levels of these CYP species. Ethanol treatment also elevated the mutagenic activities of N-nitrosodimethylamine (DMN), DEN and N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR) in strain TA100 up to 2.1-, 1.6- and 2.3-fold above each control, respectively. However, this was not the cases for four N-nitrosamines, including NMBA, in strain TA100 and two heterocyclic amines and aflatoxin B(1) in strain TA98. In addition, ethanol did not affect UDPGT activities towards 4-nitrophenol, bilirubin and testosterone. Hepatic CYP species responsible for mutagenic activation of selected N-nitrosodialkylamines were confirmed by use of specific CYP inducers and inhibitors with the liver from F344 and Wistar rats, indicating that DMN, DEN and NMBA are selectively activated by CYP2E1, predominantly by CYP2E1 with a slight contribution by CYP2B2 and selectively by CYP2B1/2, respectively. These results demonstrate that ethanol exerts an enhancing effect on mutagenic activation by CYP2E1 of DMN, DEN and NPYR, but does not affect that of NMBA and the other carcinogens by CYP2B1/2, 1A1/2 and 3A2 and UDPGT1A1, 1A6 and 2B1 activities. Consequently, this suggests that enhancement by ethanol of DEN-induced esophageal carcinogenesis in F344 rats can be attributed to an increase in hepatic activation during the initiation phase, but that of NMBA-induced tumorigenesis is not attributable to metabolic activation and inactivation via glucuronidation in liver.     

Attitudes of Japanese nursing personnel toward patients who have attempted suicide

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the attitudes among Japanese nurses together with their perceived need for training in relation to understanding the nature of suicidal behavior and preventive strategies.

Methods

The Understanding Suicidal Patients scale together with additional questions reflecting training and the psychiatric treatment of suicide attempters were administered.

Results

A total of 323 nurses attended this study. Overall, the nurses thought patients who attempted suicide were not treated well. The nurses who worked in the psychiatric unit or had the experience in psychiatric nursing had more favorable attitudes toward suicidal patients and viewed themselves as having more relevant skill training in dealing with suicidal patients than those who did not. The nurses who worked at emergency care/intensive care unit were less likely to understand suicidal patients, and were less inclined to be sympathetic and to verbally interact with suicidal patients concerning their problems. The nurses who have confidence in the psychiatric care of suicidal patients, confidence in their own skills, and have a need for more training had the more positive attitudes.

Conclusions

The results suggest that less favorable attitudes may to some extent be the result of lack of knowledge regarding suicidal patients. Future studies should focus on the evaluation of educational experiences on attitudes and skill acquisition of nurses.