Association of kidney function with cancer incidence and its influence on cancer risk of smoking: The Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study

The association between kidney function and cancer incidence is inconsistent among previous reports, and data on the Japanese population are lacking. It is unknown whether kidney function modifies the cancer risk of other factors. We aimed to evaluate the association of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with cancer incidence and mortality in 55 242 participants (median age, 57 years; 55% women) from the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study. We also investigated differences in cancer risk factors between individuals with and without kidney dysfunction. During a median 9.3-year follow-up period, 4278 (7.7%) subjects developed cancer. Moderately low and high eGFRs were associated with higher cancer incidence; compared with eGFR of 60-74 ml/min/1.73 m², the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for eGFRs of ≥90, 75-89, 45-59, 30-44 and 10-29 ml/min/1.73 m² were 1.18 (1.07-1.29), 1.09 (1.01-1.17), 0.93 (0.83-1.04), 1.36 (1.00-1.84) and 1.12 (0.55-2.26), respectively. High eGFR was associated with higher cancer mortality, while low eGFR was not; the adjusted subdistribution HRs (95% CIs) for eGFRs of ≥90 and 75-89 ml/min/1.73 m² were 1.58 (1.29-1.94) and 1.27 (1.08-1.50), respectively. Subgroup analyses of participants with eGFRs ≥60 and <60 ml/min/1.73 m² revealed elevated cancer risks of smoking and family history of cancer in those with eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m², with significant interactions. Our findings suggest that the relationship between eGFR and cancer incidence was U-shaped. Only high eGFR was associated with cancer mortality. Kidney dysfunction enhanced cancer risk from smoking.     

Distortion and movement of the expander during skin expansion.

Distortion and movement of tissue expanders can cause expansion of the wrong area, such as the naevus or the scar that is to be resected. In 71 rectangular expanders, we examined the incidence of distortion (over 15 degrees) and movement (over 3 cm). We divided the expanders into three anatomical site groups: scalp, body, and extremities, and compared the complication rate between two study groups (distortion or movement, or not). In total, the incidence of distortion was 15/71 (21%) and that of movement 5/71 (7%). Distortion occurred mainly in the extremities (11/33,33%). The implanted expanders tended to move more often in the body part (3/15, 20%). In the extremities, the bigger the angle between the axis of the implanted expander and that of the extremity, the bigger the angle of distortion. Although the incidence of complications between the two groups was not significant, except for alteration in design of the flap, we recommend that these points should be considered when preoperative plans are being made for appropriate patients.     

Dorsal skin responses to topical application with hydrogen peroxide in Mini and Wistar rats.

Mini rats (Jcl: WistarTGN(ARGHGEN) 1Nts) (MRs) are Wistar rat (WR)-derived transgenic rats in which the expression of growth hormone (GH) gene is suppressed under the presence of antisense RNA transgene. In order to evaluate the effects of GH-deficiency on the acute injury by external stimuli, the dorsal skin responses to a single topical application with 20% hydrogen peroxide (HPO), one of the environmental oxidative stressors, were histologically compared between male MRs and WRs of 8 weeks old, whose hair cycle was under the telogen phase. As a result, formation of granulation tissues, reepithelialization and regrowth of hair follicles were delayed in MRs compared with WRs. While hair follicles of MRs of this age are under a long-lasting telogen phase after their 2nd cycle, a new hair cycle started not only in the HPO-applied area but also in the solvent-applied area with a little time lag. These findings suggest that GH-deficiency may influence the skin responses to the external chemical stimuli.     

Immunogenicity of herpes simplex virus glycoprotein gB-1-related protein produced in yeast

A protein related to glycoprotein B of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) produced in yeast (ygB-1) was purified with an immunoadsorbent. The molecular weight of the purified ygB-1 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was 96,000. Mice injected twice with ygB-1 adsorbed to alum developed ELISA antibody to ygB-1, neutralizing antibody to HSV-1 and a lymphoproliferative response to ygB-1 and HSV-1. The immunized mice were protected against intraperitoneal and corneal challenge with HSV-1. Latent infection in the trigeminal ganglia after corneal challenge was also inhibited by immunization with ygB-1. Guinea-pigs pigs immunized with ygB-1 adsorbed to alum also developed ELISA antibody to to ygB-1 and neutralizing antibody to both types of HSV. After the second dose, strong lymphoproliferative responses were seen upon stimulation with HSV-2. Animals were protected against intravaginal challenge with HSV type 2.     

Aminophylline in the emergency department. Maximizing safety and efficacy

An experimental technique designed to predict theophylline doses needed to attain therapeutic theophylline concentrations in 43 emergency department (ED) patients was compared with a standard conventional regimen in 46 ED patients. The experimental protocol utilized a computer-assisted dosage prediction program that incorporated baseline theophylline concentration rapidly obtained using a bedside assay. The standard protocol used conventional loading and infusion rates, as well as an estimate of time of last theophylline dose based on patient history. Plasma theophylline concentrations, estimated 1 and 6 hours after commencement of aminophylline therapy in each regimen, were compared. The experimental protocol was equally rapid but much more accurate in achieving targeted theophylline concentrations. Experimental dosage prediction was associated with a higher proportion of theophylline concentrations in the therapeutic range at 1 (81 percent vs 26 percent; p less than 0.001) and 6 hours (91 percent vs 37 percent; p less than 0.001). There was a trend toward fewer toxic concentrations recorded at 1 (0 percent vs 7 percent; p = 0.27) and 6 hours (0 percent vs 10 percent; p = 0.08). This protocol, which was performed quickly and without difficulty by residents in a busy hospital ED, offers an opportunity to improve the efficacy and decrease the toxicity of theophylline use in asthma emergencies.     

Effect of Cry-consensus peptide, a novel recombinant peptide for immunotherapy of Japanese cedar pollinosis, on an experimental allergic rhinitis model in B10.S mice.

BACKGROUND: We are developing an immunotherapeutic peptide, Cry-consensus peptide, for Japanese cedar pollinosis. Cry-consensus peptide is a recombinant polypeptide containing six major human T-cell epitopes derived from both Cry j 1 and Cry j 2, two major allergens of Japanese cedar pollen. We examined the effect of Cry-consensus peptide on an allergic rhinitis model in B10.S mice, which have one common T-cell epitope in the Cry-consensus peptide. METHODS: B10.S mice were sensitized with Cry j 1/alum, then the Cry-consensus peptide was administered subcutaneously once a week for 5 weeks from the last sensitization. Histamine was dropped in both nostrils (10 microL per nostril) of each mouse on the day before continuous intranasal instillation of Cry j 1. Soon after the final challenge with Cry j 1, the mice were observed for 5 minutes for the resulting number of sneezes. In addition, serum levels of Cry j 1-specific IgE and IgG2a antibody, eosinophil infiltration in nasal tissue, and Cry j 1-specific cytokine production from splenocytes were evaluated. RESULTS: Cry-consensus peptide markedly inhibited Cry j 1-induced sneezes, eosinophil infiltration, and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) activity in nasal tissue. Cry-consensus peptide inhibited the production of anti-Cry j 1 IgE (Th2-mediated) and significantly enhanced anti-Cry j 1 IgG2a (Th1-mediated). In cytokine production from splenocytes, Cry-consensus peptide significantly decreased in IL-4/IFN-gamma and IL-5/IFN-gamma ratios. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that Cry-consensus peptide effectively controlled allergic responses, which results from shifting from a Th2-dominated to a Th1-dominated immune response.