Back pain, mental health and substance use are associated in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: During adolescence, prevalence of pain and health risk factors such as smoking, alcohol use and poor mental health all rise sharply. The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between back pain and health risk factors in adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the Healthy Schools Healthy Futures study, and the Australian Child Wellbeing Project was used, mean age: 14-15 years. Children were stratified according to back pain frequency. Within each strata, the proportion of children that reported drinking alcohol or smoking or that experienced feelings of anxiety or depression was reported. Test-for-trend analyses assessed whether increasing frequency of pain was associated with health risk factors. RESULTS: Data was collected from ~2500 and 3900 children. Larger proportions of children smoked or drank alcohol within each strata of increasing pain frequency. The trend with anxiety and depression was less clear, although there was a marked difference between the children that reported no pain, and pain more frequently. CONCLUSION: Two large, independent samples show adolescents that experience back pain more frequently are also more likely to smoke, drink alcohol and report feelings of anxiety and depression. Pain appears to be part of the picture of general health risk in adolescents.

Knee osteoarthritis phenotypes and their relevance for outcomes: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature for studies investigating knee osteoarthritis (OA) phenotypes to examine what OA characteristics are relevant for phenotyping. METHODS: A comprehensive search was performed in Medline, EMBASE, Web of Sciences, CINAHL, and Scopus databases from inception to September 2016. Inclusion was limited to observational studies of individuals with symptomatic knee OA that identified phenotypes based on any OA characteristics and assessed their association with clinically important outcomes. A descriptive synthesis of the data was performed. RESULTS: Of the 2777 citations retrieved, 34 studies were included. Clinical phenotypes were investigated most frequently, followed by laboratory, imaging and aetiologic phenotypes. Eight studies defined subgroups based on outcome trajectories (pain, function and radiographic progression trajectories). Most studies used a single patient or disease characteristic to identify patients subgroups while five included characteristics from multiple domains. We found evidence from multiple studies suggesting that pain sensitization, psychological distress, radiographic severity, body mass index (BMI), muscle strength, inflammation and comorbidities are associated with clinically distinct phenotypes. Gender, obesity and other metabolic abnormalities, the pattern of cartilage damage, and inflammation may be implicated in delineating distinct structural phenotypes. Only a few studies investigated the external validity of the phenotypes or their prospective validity using longitudinal outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: There is marked heterogeneity in the data selected by the studies investigating knee OA phenotypes. We identified the phenotypic characteristics that can be considered for a comprehensive phenotype classification in future studies. A framework for the investigation of phenotypes could be useful for future studies. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42016036220.

Spectral tuning of photoactive yellow protein.

We report a theoretical study on the optical properties of a small, water-soluble photosensory receptor, photoactive yellow protein (PYP). A hierarchical ab initio molecular orbital calculation accurately evaluated the optical absorption maximum of the wild-type, as well as the lambda(max) values of 12 mutants. Electronic excitation of the chromophore directly affects the electronic state of nearby atoms in the protein environment. This effect is explicitly considered in the present study. Furthermore, the spectral tuning mechanism of PYP was investigated at the atomic level. The static disorder of a protein molecule is intimately related to the complex nature of its energy landscape. By using molecular dynamics simulation and quantum mechanical structure optimization, we obtained multiple minimum energy conformations of PYP. The statistical distribution of electronic excitation energies of these minima was compared with the hole-burning experiment (Masciangioli, T. [2000] Photochem. Photobiol. 72, 639), a direct observation of the distribution of excitation energies.

Prostaglandin analogues possessing antinidatory effects. 1. Modification of the omega chain.

Novel prostaglandin analogues modified in the omega chain were prepared by the reaction of the vinyl aldehydes 1a--e with a variety of organometallic reagents as a key step of the syntheses. Compared with the natural prostaglandin F2 alpha in antinidatory effect, the analogues 4, 7, and 10 were 40 times more potent and the analogue 11 was 50--100 times more potent in the rat.

Successful allogeneic blood stem cell transplantation for aplastic anemia in a patient with renal insufficiency requiring dialysis.

A 27-year-old man with aplastic anemia and renal insufficiency requiring dialysis underwent allogeneic PBSCT. The preparative regimen consisted of melphalan, ATG and TLI. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine and prednisolone. He was dialyzed prior to administration of melphalan and at 24 and 72 h after it. Otherwise, the dialysis schedule was unchanged, at three times a week. Engraftment was rapid. Regimen-related toxicity was minimal. Pharmacokinetic parameters of melphalan were not significantly altered with its plasma half-life 1.5 h. Patients with renal failure can receive allogeneic HSCT, and a combination of melphalan, ATG and TLI may serve as an alternative to CY and ATG.

Identification of residue 103 in hen egg-white lysozyme.

Since it has been uncertain whether residue 103 in hen egg-white lysozyme is aspartic acid or asparagine, we reexamined the identity of this residue. To avoid complication, the tryptic peptide T-13 (Ile 98-Arg 112) was further cleaved. The peptide containing residues Gly 102-Arg 112 was obtained by tryptic digestion of lysozyme modified at Asp 101 with diethylenetriamine. The peptide containing residues Ile 98-homoserine 105 was obtained by BrCN treatment of peptide T-13. Both Edman degradation of the former peptide and carboxypeptidase X digestion of the latter peptide identified residue 103 in hen egg-white lysozyme as asparagine.

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus with contralateral hemiplegia and normal pressure hydrocephalus.

A case of herpes zoster ophthalmicus complicated by contralateral hemiplegia and normal pressure hydrocephalus is presented. The hydrocephalus is considered to be caused by recurrent haemorrhage from extensive cerebral arteritis.

Absence of exacerbation of myocardial stunning in anesthetized dogs treated with KAD-1229, a novel hypoglycemic agent.

The effect of (+)-momocalcium bis[(2S,3a,7a-cis)-alpha-benzylhexahydro-gamma-oxo-2-isoindolinebutyrate]dihydrate (KAD-1229), a novel hypoglycemic agent with a chemical structure different from that of the sulfonylureas, on myocardial stunning was assessed in anesthetized dogs by comparison with that of glibenclamide, a sulfonylurea. Even though their hypoglycemic effects were of similar magnitude, glibenclamide (1 mg/kg, i.v.), but not KAD-1229, exacerbated the myocardial stunning induced by occlusion/reperfusion of the descending coronary artery. In a receptor-binding experiment, unlabeled glibenclamide completely inhibited [(3)H]glibenclamide binding to the myocardium, but KAD-1229 did not. These results suggest that the difference in binding properties of KAD-1229 and glibenclamide toward cardiac sulfonylurea receptors is one of the causes of their different effects on myocardial stunning. It is likely that KAD-1229 is highly specific for pancreatic sulfonylurea receptors and is speculated to be a safer hypoglycemic agent than, at least, glibenclamide.

Characterization of the mutations of the K-ras, p53, p16, and SMAD4 genes in 15 human pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Human pancreatic cancer is one of the most malignant diseases in the world. In order to save patients with pancreatic cancer, it is necessary to develop novel methods for treatment. For such a purpose, a series of well-characterized cancer cell lines are of great help for in vitro studies that are generally the first step in approaching the invention of novel methods for treatment. In the present study, we analyzed 15 human pancreatic cancer cell lines for genetic alterations of the K-ras, p53, p16, and SMAD4 genes, which are very frequent targets for mutation in pancreatic cancer; these cell lines are useful resources in cancer research.

Esophagoplasty with an autogenous tubed gastric flap.

As an esophageal substitute, a tubed gastric flap 2.5 cm in inner diameter and 38 cm in length, was constructed from the gastric wall along the greater curvature; a pedicle was attached to the gastric antrum, and its oral stump was brought up into the left supraclavicular fossa through a retrosternal tunnel to perform an esophagogastrostomy. Anastomotic breakdown occurred in only three of fifty cases in which this procedure was used.

Current status of benign biliary disorders in Japan and accuracy rates of preoperative diagnoses. Collective review of 14,654 patients.

Data on 14,654 patients preoperatively diagnosed for benign lesions who had undergone surgical treatment during a 2 year period (April 1979 to March 1981) were obtained from 145 institutions. A total of 18,891 biliary disorders were confirmed and classified into 18 groups: stones in the gallbladder, 12,272 patients (83.7 percent of all patients); stones in the extrahepatic bile duct, 3,605 patients (24.6 percent); stones in the intrahepatic bile duct, 570 patients (3.9 percent); acalculous cholecystitis, 463 patients (3.2 percent); idiopathic dilatation of bile ducts, 375 patients (2.6 percent); stenosing papillitis, 274 patients (1.9 percent); benign stricture of bile ducts, 133 patients (0.9 percent); and others. Malignant tumors were found in 243 patients, of whom 132 (54.3 percent) were not expected to have gallbladder cancer. Accuracy rates for preoperative diagnoses in the patients with gallstones of the intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile ducts or the gallbladder, idiopathic dilatation of the bile ducts, benign stricture of the bile ducts, or benign stenosis of the papilla of Vater were higher than 90 percent. However, the false-negative rates for these six disorders, except gallstones of the gallbladder, were higher than 16 percent. Therefore, despite advances in diagnostic procedures before surgery, intraoperative examinations remain indispensable for determining the most effective approach to surgical repair.

Relationship of glucose intolerance and indocyanine green clearance to respiratory enzyme levels in human cirrhotic liver.

The relationship of glucose intolerance and indocyanine green clearance to respiratory enzyme levels in liver mitochondria was studied along with standard liver function tests in 40 patients (8 cirrhosis, 19 cirrhosis with hepatoma, 13 non-cirrhotic with hepatoma). There was a negative correlation between cytochrome a(+a3) concentrations and phosphorylative activity per unit of cytochrome a(+a3) (r = -0.75, p less than 0.01), but no correlation between ICG-K and cytochrome a(+a3) concentrations. Cytochrome a(+a3) concentrations in cirrhotic patients with linear oral glucose tolerance pattern, characterized with no return toward normal glucose levels within 120 minutes after an oral glucose load, increased to 1.45 +/- 0.11 (10(-10) mol/mg of protein) compared with 0.90 +/- 0.07 in cirrhotic patients with parabolic OGTT pattern, characterized with a return toward normal glucose levels within 120 minutes (p less than 0.01) (0.82 +/- 0.02 in control patients without liver diseases). The former had high operative mortality regardless of ICG-K value and the latter had virtually uneventful clinical courses. It was suggested that increased cytochrome a(+a3) concentrations and impaired glucose tolerance might be responsible for decreased hepatic functional reserve and poor prognosis in cirrhotics.

Effects of randomization of partially hydrogenated corn oil on fatty acid and cholesterol absorption, and tissue lipid levels in rats.

Randomization of partially hydrogenated corn oil containing approximately 45% of trans octadecenoic acid only slightly, but not significantly, increased the lymphatic fatty acid absorption in rats. No effect of randomization was observed on cholesterol absorption. When rats were fed these fats at the 8.8% level (with 1.2% safflower oil) for three weeks, the concentrations of serum cholesterol, and serum and liver phospholipid were significantly higher in randomized fat than in control fat, which was composed of 9% high-oleic safflower oil and 1% palm oil. Liver cholesterol tended to be higher in randomized fat. In contrast, nonrandomized fat was not hyperlipidemic compared to control fat. Although the fatty acid composition of liver phospholipids suggested a possible interference of trans fatty acid with the metabolism of linoleic acid to arachidonic acid, there was no effect of randomization. In the two hydrogenated fat groups, trans octadecenoic acid was incorporated and distributed similarly in adipose tissue triacylglycerol. These observations indicated that randomization of partially hydrogenated fat is not beneficial to various lipid parameters in rats.

Endoscopic treatment of hemorrhagic gastric ulcer in patients aged 80 years or more.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hemorrhagic gastric ulcer is a more serious disorder in elderly patients than in young patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic treatment for hemorrhagic gastric ulcer in patients aged 80 years or more. METHODOLOGY: A total of 269 patients underwent endoscopic treatment for hemorrhagic gastric ulcer with hemoclipping and pure ethanol injection, either alone or in combination. These patients were divided into two groups: elderly (> or = 80 years old) and younger (< 80 years) groups. The clinical data, endoscopic findings and outcomes of endoscopic treatment were compared between these two groups. RESULTS: Patients in the elderly group had a significantly higher incidence of concomitant disease (73% vs. 23%), anemia (7.9 +/- 2.1 g/dL vs. 9.3 +/- 2.8 g/dL) and large ulcer (23% vs. 6%) compared with the younger group. However, all patients in the elderly group underwent endoscopic hemostasis successfully with no complications and no deaths. The rebleeding rate was not significantly different (8% vs. 4%) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with hemorrhagic gastric ulcer have high incidences of severe ulcer disease and concomitant medical problems. Endoscopic hemostasis for hemorrhagic gastric ulcer is effective and safe, even for such elderly patients.

Peroral jejunoscopy for treating stenosis of hepaticojejunostomy after pancreatoduodenectomy.

A 72-year-old woman suffered from relapsing cholangitis after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy for chronic pancreatitis. The common hepatic duct had been anastomosed to the jejunum 8 cm distal to the duodenojejunostomy. Peroral jejunoscopy showed a severe stenosis of the hepaticojejunostomy, which was endoscopically enlarged by means of electroincision and balloon dilation, subsequently. No procedure-related complications occurred. The patient has been asymptomatic for 34 months. Most of the strictures of bilioenterostomy are reportedly treated by surgical revision, the percutaneous transhepatic approach, or the percutaneous transjejunal approach. Endoscopic treatment may be attempted in cases in which the postoperative anatomy potentially allows endoscopic access, because of its minimal invasiveness and effectiveness.

Endoscopic biliary stenting for treatment of bile leakage after hepatic resection.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Persistent bile leakage after hepatic resection may cause intraperitoneal sepsis and hepatic failure. Surgical treatment for bile leakage carries a high risk. Endoscopic treatment has only infrequently been documented. METHODOLOGY: Ten patients underwent endoscopic biliary stenting without sphincterotomy for persistent (9-138 days; median, 19 days) bile leakage after hepatic resection. Bile leakage was complicated by intraperitoneal sepsis in seven patients. RESULTS: ERCP showed bile leakage from the bile duct stump in nine patients. Stent placement was successful without complications in all 10 patients. Bile leakage disappeared within 1-17 days (mean, 5 days) in all patients. After 55-91 days, the stent was removed and ERCP confirmed disappearance of the leak. No patients have developed recurrent bile leakage for a mean of 4.1 years of follow-up after stent removal. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic biliary stenting is a safe and effective treatment for persistent bile leakage after hepatic resection. Endoscopic treatment may eliminate the need for difficult operations in high risk postoperative cases.

Preoperative endoscopic pancreatic stenting for safe local pancreatic resection.

Local pancreatic resection and enucleation have the advantage of preserving pancreatic parenchyma but pancreatic fistula often occurs postoperatively. We describe a case in which preoperative endoscopic pancreatic stenting prevented pancreatic fistula formation following local pancreatic resection. A pancreatic stent seems to prevent leakage from small pancreatic branch ducts not identified or ligated intraoperatively, via the pancreatic decompression effect. The present case demonstrates a novel indication for endoscopic pancreatic stenting.

Electrophysiological properties of ventricular muscle obtained from spontaneously diabetic mice.

The electrophysiological properties of cardiac muscle in KK/Ta mouse (hereafter referred to as KK mouse), an animal model of human non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, were investigated, and the findings compared with those obtained from a non-diabetic control mouse (C57BL/6J mouse; referred to as B6 mouse). The ages of the B6 mice were 23.9 +/- 5.4 weeks (n = 24) and those of the KK mice used were 25.7 +/- 10.8 weeks (n = 34). The KK mice had mild obesity, hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Ventricular muscles from both mice were examined by light microscopy. Partial myocardial fibrosis and filament disorder in the ventricular muscles were found only in the KK mice. The resting membrane potential of the ventricular muscle was less negative in the KK mice than in the control mice. The maximum rate of rise in the upstroke of the action potential was significantly decreased in the KK mice compared with that of the control mice. These suggest a decrease in a time-independent K+ current (IK1) in the KK mice. The duration of the action potential (APD) at all levels of repolarization was significantly longer in the KK mice than in the B6 mice. A blocker of transient outward current (I(to)), 4-aminopyridine, significantly prolonged the APD of the B6 mice, but failed to prolong it in the KK mice, suggesting that Ito in the diabetic mice is very small. A Ca2+ channel blocker, CoCl2, dramatically lengthened all levels of APD in both groups, suggesting that there is no difference between B6 mice and KK mice in L-type Ca2+ current via Ca2+ channels. These suggest the malfunction or deficiency of ionic channels which carry, at least Ito and IK1 in diabetic mice.

Postrest contraction in the ventricular papillary muscle of spontaneously diabetic WBN/Kob rat.

In the present study, we investigated the characteristics of the postrest contraction (PRC) in chronic diabetic ventricular muscle. We used WBN/Kob rats of 7-8 weeks as the spontaneously diabetic animal and Wistar rats of 7-8 weeks as the control. We found: (1) No significant differences were seen in the amplitude, the contracting speed, and the relaxing speed of electrically stimulated twitch tension between control and WBN/Kob rats. In addition, the relationship between amplitude of twitch tension and stimulus cycle lengths (0.2-5 sec) was very similar in both animals. (2) The ratios of the first twitch tension (T1) of PRC with various rest intervals (5-600 sec) to the steady-state tension (Tss) were significantly smaller in the diabetic rats than in the controls. (3) When the preparation was stimulated at shorter cycle lengths, the recovery process of PRC was separated into at least two components (fast and slow components). In the diabetic rats, the time constant (tau) of both components was significantly longer than in controls. (4) After caffeine (10(-3) M) treatment, tau of the fast component in the control rats became longer, whereas it remained unchanged in diabetic rats. These findings suggest a dysfunction of the intracellular calcium handling system in spontaneously diabetic heart that is likely to include impaired calcium sequestration and/or extrusion.

Isolation and characterization of the human gene homologous to the Drosophila headcase (hdc) gene in chromosome bands 6q23-q24, a region of common deletion in human pancreatic cancer.

Deletions of the long arm of chromosome 6 (6q) are one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities in multiple human malignancies. Previously, we have identified three commonly deleted regions on 6q (6q21, 6q23-q24, and 6q26) in pancreatic cancer by loss of heterozygosity studies, suggesting the presence of one or more tumor suppressor genes on this chromosome arm. Using a combination of database search and cDNA library screening, we successfully isolated a transcript from 6q24. This mRNA encodes a protein consisting of 543 amino acids with homology to the Drosophila headcase (hdc) gene and, thus, is designated as hHDC. Northern analysis identified a ubiquitously expressed 5.6-kb transcript. Seventeen (81%) of 21 pancreatic cancer cell lines and four (80%) of five renal cell carcinoma cell lines showed low level expression, suggesting that the hHDC gene may play an important role in some human cancers.