Temporal trends in handgrip strength for older Japanese adults between 1998 and 2017.

OBJECTIVE: to estimate temporal trends in handgrip strength (HGS) for older Japanese adults between 1998 and 2017. DESIGN AND METHODS: adults aged 60-79 years were included. Annual nationally representative HGS data (n = 176,449) for the 19-year study period were obtained from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Temporal trends in mean HGS were estimated by sample-weighted regression models relating the year of testing to mean HGS. National trends in absolute, percent and standardised HGS were estimated by a post-stratified population-weighting procedure. Temporal trends in variability were estimated as the ratio of coefficients of variation (CVs). RESULTS: collectively, there was a small improvement in mean HGS of 1.4 kg (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-1.5), 4.5% (95%CI: 4.3-4.7) or 0.27 standard deviations (95%CI: 0.26-0.28) between 1998 and 2017. The rate of improvement progressively increased over time, with more recent values (post-2008) 1.5-fold larger than earlier values. Gender- and age-related temporal differences were negligible. Variability in HGS declined substantially over time (ratio of CVs [95%CI]: 0.88 [0.86-0.90]), with declines 1.9-fold larger in women compared to men and 1.7-fold larger in 70- to 79-year-olds compared to 60- to 69-year-olds. CONCLUSIONS: there has been a small, progressive improvement in mean HGS for older Japanese adults since 1998, which is suggestive of a corresponding improvement in strength capacity. The substantial decline in variability indicates that the improvement in mean HGS was not uniform across the population.

Sex-specific associations of moderate and vigorous physical activity with physical fitness in adolescents.

The present study examined the sex-specific associations of moderate and vigorous physical activity (VPA) with physical fitness in 300 Japanese adolescents aged 12-14 years. Participants were asked to wear an accelerometer to evaluate physical activity (PA) levels of various intensities (i.e. moderate PA (MPA), 3-5.9 metabolic equivalents (METs); VPA, ≥6 METs; moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), ≥3 METs). Eight fitness items were assessed (grip strength, bent-leg sit-up, sit-and-reach, side step, 50 m sprint, standing long jump, handball throw, and distance running) as part of the Japanese standardised fitness test. A fitness composite score was calculated using Japanese fitness norms, and participants were categorised according to their score from category A (most fit) to category E (least fit), with participants in categories D and E defined as having low fitness. It was found that for boys, accumulating more than 80.7 min/day of MVPA may reduce the probability of low fitness (odds ratio (ORs) [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 0.17 [0.06-0.47], p = .001). For girls, accumulating only 8.4 min of VPA could reduce the likelihood of exhibiting low fitness (ORs [95% CI] = 0.23 [0.05-0.89], p = .032). These results reveal that there are sex-specific differences in the relationship between PA and physical fitness in adolescents, suggesting that sex-specific PA recommendation may be needed to improve physical fitness in adolescents.

Interrupting Sitting Time with Regular Walks Attenuates Postprandial Triglycerides.

We compared the effects of prolonged sitting with the effects of sitting interrupted by regular walking and the effects of prolonged sitting after continuous walking on postprandial triglyceride in postmenopausal women. 15 participants completed 3 trials in random order: 1) prolonged sitting, 2) regular walking, and 3) prolonged sitting preceded by continuous walking. During the sitting trial, participants rested for 8 h. For the walking trials, participants walked briskly in either twenty 90-sec bouts over 8 h or one 30-min bout in the morning (09:00-09:30). Except for walking, both exercise trials mimicked the sitting trial. In each trial, participants consumed a breakfast (08:00) and lunch (11:00). Blood samples were collected in the fasted state and at 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after breakfast. The serum triglyceride incremental area under the curve was 15 and 14% lower after regular walking compared with prolonged sitting and prolonged sitting after continuous walking (4.73±2.50 vs. 5.52±2.95 vs. 5.50±2.59 mmol/L∙8 h respectively, main effect of trial: P=0.023). Regularly interrupting sitting time with brief bouts of physical activity can reduce postprandial triglyceride in postmenopausal women.

CDC20, a potential cancer therapeutic target, is negatively regulated by p53.

The p53 protein inhibits malignant transformation through direct and indirect regulation of transcription of many genes related to cell cycle, apoptosis and cellular senescence. A number of genes induced by p53 have been well characterized, but biological significance of genes whose expression was suppressed by p53 is still largely undisclosed. To clarify the roles of p53-suppressive genes in carcinogenesis, we analysed two data sets of whole-genome expression profiles, one for cells in which wild-type p53 was exogenously introduced and the other for a large number of clinical cancer tissues. Here, we identified CDC20 that was frequently upregulated in many types of malignancies and remarkably suppressed by ectopic introduction of p53. CDC20 expression was suppressed by genotoxic stresses in p53- and p21-dependent manners through CDE-CHR elements in the CDC20 promoter. Furthermore, small interference RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing of p53 induced CDC20 expression in normal human dermal fibroblast cells. As we expected, treatment of cancer cells with siRNA against CDC20 induced G(2)/M arrest and suppressed cell growth. Our results indicate that p53 inhibits tumor cell growth through the indirect regulation of CDC20 and that CDC20 might be a good potential therapeutic target for a broad spectrum of human cancer.

[Surgically resected lung cancer in patients complicated with diffuse interstitial pulmonary shadow].

In 25 patients operated on for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) associated with primary lung cancer, we clinically examined the predictive factors related to the acute exacerbation of IIP preoperatively and during operation. Most were male heavy smokers. Ages ranged 57 to 78 years. Standard surgery was performed in 11 patients, extended resection in 4 patients and limited resection in 10 patients. The incidence of postoperative acute exacerbation of IIP was 40% (10 patients). These patients were treated with steroid pulse therapy, 3 patients died due to acute exacerbation but 7 patients recovered. It seemed difficult to anticipate postoperative exacerbation of IIP based on preoperative patients evaluation and the degree of surgical invasiveness. Seven patients were alleviated with erythromycin before and after the operation and 4 patients were alleviated with high-dose steroid during or after surgery, with these patients not developing exacerbation of IIP. From these results, it was suggested that high-dose steroid administration during or after surgery and erythromycin before and after the operation were effective to avoid postoperative exacerbation of IIP.

[Solitary hemangioma of the rib; report of a case].

A case of solitary hemangioma which occurred in the rib. Tumor located in the right seventh rib, incidentally taken X-ray film demonstrated bone tumor, but she had no symptoms. Four years after, chest pain occurred and taken X-ray film, tumor size was inceeced. Computed tomography (CT) showed an expansile, well demarcated lesion, with thin corices and fine trabeclae. Chest wall, from the sixth rib to the eighth rib resection was performed and surgical margin was 4 cm. This case were diagnosed hemangioma of the rib. Hemangiomas of the bone are rare benign vascular tumors that account for less than 1% of all bony neoplasms. These lesions are most often occurring in the vertebral column or in the skull. The localization to the ribs is even more rare, with only sporadic case reports in the literature.

Trends in HIV and AIDS based on HIV/AIDS surveillance data in Japan.

BACKGROUND: In recent years a decline in the number of new AIDS cases has been observed in several industrialized countries. It is important to know whether these recent trends observed in North America and Europe are also occurring in Japan. METHODS: The number of people reported with HIV and AIDS by nationality, route of infection, and sex was calculated based on the HIV/AIDS surveillance data available in Japan through December 1997. The effect of reporting delay, which was defined as those HIV and AIDS cases reported in the calendar year following diagnosis, on the trends was examined. The coverage rate in reporting HIV cases was estimated as the ratio of the reported AIDS cases with prior report as an HIV-positive to the total number of reported AIDS cases. RESULTS: The cumulative number of reported cases of HIV among Japanese and non-Japanese residents of Japan up to the end of 1997 were 1,300 and 1,190, respectively. The cumulative number of reported cases of AIDS among Japanese and non-Japanese up to the end of 1997 were 758 and 298, respectively. The number of reported cases of HIV among Japanese was found to be still increasing, with the major contribution from male cases. The increasing trend in the number of reported AIDS cases among Japanese began to slow in 1996 and 1997. The number of reported cases of HIV among non-Japanese residents of Japan peaked in 1992, and has decreased since then, and remained constant after 1994. In contrast, the number of reported AIDS cases among these non-Japanese tended to increase gradually. There was a slight reporting delay for people with HIV and AIDS. The estimated coverage rate in reporting HIV cases tended to decrease in 1996 and 1997 (1/7.2, 1/10.2, respectively). We point out several reasons for this recent decline and suggest the possibility of an ostensible decline in the estimates. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the number of people with HIV among Japanese has continued to increase, and that the increase in the number of AIDS cases among Japanese is now slowing.

[A case of uveitis due to gnathostoma migration into the vitreous cavity].

We report a 26 year-old male patient who had floaters and hyperemia in his left eye following uveitis due to gnathostoma that had migrated into the vitreous cavity. Severe iridocyclitis and mild opacity of the vitreous body were observed, together with whitish-yellow subretinal tracks accompanied by dot and blot hemorrhages in the fundus. Slit lamp microscopic examination revealed a worm which writhed in the vitreous cavity. We performed vitrectomy to remove the worm from the anterior vitreous uneventfully, followed by prompt subsidence of the inflammatory signs. The worm was identified as a third instar larva of Gnathostoma doloresi. Eosinophilia and creeping eruption did not appear throughout the follow-up period. The patient was accustomed to eat live roaches and whitebait, as well as sliced raw beef liver.

[11 operated cases of spontaneous hemopneumothorax].

UNLABELLED: During the period 1984-1993, we experienced 11 operated cases of spontaneous hemopneumothorax, which correspond 7.3% of total 150 cases of operated spontaneous pneumothorax. All cases were male, 19-36 years of age. From admission to the end of operation, 6 cases with hemorrhagic shock had bleeding of 2,305-6,670 ml, the average 3,708 ml, whereas 5 cases without shock had bleeding of 1,209-2,405 ml, the average 1,979 ml. In 9 cases operated within 5 days after admission (6 cases with shock and 3 cases without shock), the source of bleeding was detected, but in 2 cases operated over 6 days after admission, the source was not detected. For the emergency operation of hemopneumothorax, we employed axillary thoracotomy by half lateral position in order to avoid the blood pressure depression due to position changing of the patient. The operation performed safely with enough exposure, and all the patients recovered without severe complication. CONCLUSION: the treatment of spontaneous hemopneumothorax is better to choose early operation by axillary thoracotomy with half lateral position.

[Clinicopathological study of minute cancer of the stomach].

Nineteen patients with solitary minute carcinoma (single cases) and 16 with foci of minute cancer, found as a component of multiple early gastric carcinoma (multiple cases) were studied. The results were as follows; 1) The histological type of the single cases was the differentiated type in 95%. 2) All lesions of the multiple cases were mucosal invasive carcinoma, while 16% of the single cases (3/19) had submucosal invasive carcinoma. 3) As for the distribution of the single and multiple cases according to the surrounding mucosal atrophy, the single eases were in the pyloric gland zone, the multiple cases in the intermediate zone.

[Clinical trials of plasma exchange therapy in patients with recurrent colon cancer].

Plasma exchange was performed in patients with recurrent colon cancer with evaluable liver metastasis or abdominal tumor with dissemination. This therapy was undertaken a total of 19 times in 11 cases. The cases were divided into effective and ineffective cases according in terms of the clinical effects, and changes in blood parameters and prognosis were examined in each case. Subjective symptoms, such as increase in appetite and disappearance of general fatigue or pain, were remarkably improved in 6 cases, and these patients were allowed to be discharged from the hospital. Marked regression of hepatomegalia was observed in 2 cases out of these 6 cases, but no remarkable effect was noted in patients with abdominal dissemination. In the effective cases the following parameters were significantly improved; beta- and gamma-globulin of serum protein fractions, IgG, IgA and IgM of immunoglobulin, alpha 2-macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin, and transferrin. However, since these effects are temporal and short-lived, one must consider applying plasma exchange therapy in conjunction with anticancer drugs, and the like. Plasma exchange seems applicable to cases of colon cancer with metastasis in the liver, because this therapy showed improvement in clinical symptoms, decreased hepatomegaly and prolonged survival.

[Penetration of cefbuperazone, a new cephamycin antibiotic, into human peritoneal exudate].

Pharmacokinetic studies were carried out on cefbuperazone ( CBPZ ) in 9 patients undergoing postoperative drainage. The concentration of CBPZ in serum and peritoneal exudate after one shot intravenous administration of 1 g was measured by bioassay and calculated respectively by two- and one-compartment open model. The results obtained were as follows: The pharmacokinetic parameters calculated from the serum levels were compared to those reported previously; T1/2 = 101 min., Vd = 4.06 L and Cl = 76 ml/min. The simulation curve of the peritoneal exudate level fit fairly with the mean values of 6 patients. It appeared that CBPZ penetrated somewhat slowly into peritoneal exudate with the peak value of 27.05 micrograms/ml at about 1 hour after the administration. The exudate levels thereafter declined more slowly than the serum ones (T1/2 = 134 min.). IT was 6.2 micrograms/ml even at 6 hours after the administration.

[Experimental studies of plasma exchange therapy for malignant tumor].

We conducted the experiment to evaluate the effect of plasma exchange in treatment of cancer. Donryu rats of 8-10 week old female were used: 1 X 10(6) AH109A were inoculated subcutaneously in the back of rats. We performed comparative study on four groups: 1) untreated group; 2) plasma exchanged group; 3) MMC treated group; and 4) plasma exchange + MMC treated group. Plasma exchange was conducted from 8th day of the tumor inoculation for three consecutive days. The plasma contained in 6ml blood was taken out from the tumor-bearing rats and same volume of fresh frozen normal serum was replaced. MMC (0.5 mg/kg/day) was administered intraperitoneally from 13th day of the tumor inoculation for five consecutive days. Efficacy of plasma exchange therapy was evaluated by tumor inhibition effect as well as by 50% survival time. Plasma exchanged group showed no tumor inhibition effect, however a considerable extention of survival of 36 days was observed compared with the untreated group (29.3 days). Five out of 14 cases of MMC treated group showed tumor inhibition effect and survived for 36.5 days. Six out of 10 cases of plasma exchange + MMC treated group showed tumor inhibition effect and the survival time was 49 days. The above findings indicate: plasma exchange therapy has effects on prolongation in survival time, but has no effects on tumor inhibition and; a combination of plasma exchange and chemotherapy (MMC) produces greater tumor inhibition effect and longer survival compared to plasma exchange therapy alone and chemotherapy alone.

Histopathological study on N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-induced colon cancer in dogs.

We prepared a suppository containing 50 mg of N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (ENNG), and successfully produced experimental colon cancer with good reproducibility by continuous intrarectal insertion of one or two suppositories per day in dogs. The tumors were very similar to human colon cancers, macroscopically and histologically. In one of three dogs subjected to histopathological study, metastases to the lymph nodes, lung, liver and kidney were observed. This animal model produced by a simple procedure will be helpful in investigating treatment of rectal cancer.