Minimal influenza virus transmission from touching contaminated face masks: a laboratory study.

The risk of virus transmission via the touching of contaminated masks has long been assumed by infection control teams. Yet, robust evidence to support this belief has been lacking. This risk was investigated in a laboratory setting by measuring the amount of viable influenza virus successfully transferred from artificially contaminated medical (surgical) mask surfaces to a human finger used to swipe their outer surface under various experimental conditions. Despite being exposed to high levels of virus contamination on the masks, very little or no viable virus was successfully transferred from the mask to the finger in these experiments.

A possible manifestation of pancreas divisum-pancreatic pseudocyst in an infant with no apparent history of pancreatitis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Pancreas divisum (PD), the most common pancreatic anomaly, is caused by the failure of pancreatic bud fusion in the embryo. Although most cases are asymptomatic, it can cause pancreatitis or epigastric pain. We report an unusual case of PD in an infant. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was a 9-month-old girl with no pertinent medical history. She had suffered vomiting and diarrhea for 1 week before transfer to our hospital. Her general condition was poor, and abdominal distention was noted. Blood tests revealed microcytic anemia with normal chemical markers. The parents reported no episode of pancreatitis. Ultrasonography revealed massive ascites, which was later found to be bloody. Enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging depicted a cystic lesion, approximately 2 cm in size, anterior to the second portion of the duodenum. During exploratory laparotomy, a pinhole was identified on the cyst wall, which was mistakenly identified as a duodenal perforation, and direct closure was performed. Postoperative levels of serum amylase and inflammation markers were elevated, and the amount of ascites increased, impairing oral feeding. The level of pancreatic enzymes in the ascites was high. Imaging studies were repeated, but the cause of pancreatic fistula was not identified. Conservative therapy, including administration of total parenteral nutrition, antibiotics, and octreotide, was initiated, but the situation did not improve. Three months after admission, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed a thick dorsal pancreatic duct communicating with a hypoplastic ventral duct, which was indicative of PD. Contrast medium leaking from the dorsal duct near the minor ampulla revealed the presence of a pseudocyst. Stenting via the minor papilla was impossible because the minor papilla was obstructed. Instead, a stent was inserted into the ventral pancreatic duct. Endoscopic transgastric drainage of the cyst was effective, and the patient was discharged, 7 months after admission. The patient is healthy, but the gastric stent needs to be replaced regularly. CONCLUSION: In children, PD can manifest with pancreatic pseudocyst that causes pancreatic ascites, even in the absence of pancreatitis. This may be a previously unrecognized manifestation of PD in children, and clinicians need to be aware of it.

Analysis of hand environment factors contributing to the hand surface infection barrier imparted by lactic acid.

BACKGROUND: Organic acids on the surface of human hands contribute to the barrier against transient pathogens. This is the first study to explore the synergistic contribution of lactic acid and other hand environment-related features on the antibacterial properties of the hand surface. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We estimated the contribution of fingerprint depth, skin pH, stratum corneum water content, skin temperature, and sweat rate of the hands to the infection barrier using an observational survey of 105 subjects. The relationship between each factor and the antibacterial activity of the hands was analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. We performed molecular dynamics simulations to study the interaction between lactic acid and bacterial membranes. RESULTS: The amount of lactic acid on the hands and skin temperature contributed positively to the antimicrobial activity (r = 0.437 and P = 3.18 × 10-6 , r = 0.500 and P = 5.66 × 10-8 , respectively), while the skin pH contributed negatively (r = -0.471, P = 3.99 × 10-7 ). The predicted value of the combined antimicrobial effect of these parameters was [antimicrobial activity] = 0.21 × [lactic acid] - 0.25 × [skin pH] + 0.26 × [skin temperature] + 0.98. The coefficient of determination (R2 ) was 0.50. CONCLUSION: The increase in the amount of non-ionic lactic acid due to lower pH and improvement in the fluidity of the cell membrane due to higher temperatures enable the efficient transport of lactic acid into cells and subsequent antimicrobial activity. The proposed mechanism could help to develop an effective hand infection barrier technology.

Lactic acid as a major contributor to hand surface infection barrier and its association with morbidity to infectious disease.

Although the surface of the human hands contains high antimicrobial activity, studies investigating the precise components involved and the relationship between natural antimicrobial activity and morbidity in infectious diseases are limited. In this study, we developed a method to quantitatively measure the antimicrobial activity of hand surface components. Using a clinical survey, we validated the feasibility of our method and identified antimicrobial factors on the surface of the human hand. In a retrospective observational study, we compared the medical histories of the participants to assess infectious diseases. We found that the antimicrobial activity on the surface of the hands was significantly lower in the high morbidity group (N = 55) than in the low morbidity group (N = 54), indicating a positive association with the history of infection in individuals. A comprehensive analysis of the hand surface components indicated that organic acids, especially lactic acid and antimicrobial peptides, are highly correlated with antimicrobial activity. Moreover, the application of lactic acid using the amount present on the surface of the hand significantly improved the antimicrobial activity. These findings suggest that hand hygiene must be improved to enhance natural antimicrobial activity on the surface of the hands.

An archaeal RNA binding protein, FAU-1, is a novel ribonuclease related to rRNA stability in Pyrococcus and Thermococcus.

Ribosome biogenesis and turnover are processes necessary for cell viability and proliferation, and many kinds of proteins are known to regulate these processes. However, many questions still remain, especially in the Archaea. Generally, several ribonucleases are required to process precursor rRNAs to their mature forms, and to degrade rRNAs for quality control. Here, we found that FAU-1, which is known to be an RNA binding protein, possesses an RNase activity against precursor 5S rRNA derived from P. furiosus and T. kodakarensis in the order Thermococcales in vitro. An in vitro analysis revealed that UA sequences in the upstream of 5S rRNA were preferentially degraded by addition of FAU-1. Moreover, a fau-1 gene deletion mutant of T. kodakarensis showed a delay of exponential phase, reduction of maximum cell number and significant changes in the nucleotide sequence lengths of its 5S, 16S, and 23S rRNAs in early exponential phase. Our results suggest that FAU-1 is a potential RNase involved in rRNA stability through maturation and/or degradation processes.

Congenital sternal cleft.

We describe a rare case of congenital sternal cleft. Multidetector computed tomography showed the counterclockwise rotation of the heart. Primary surgical correction was successfully performed using the Sabiston technique when the patient was 20 days old. Although the circulatory and respiratory status was unstable in the immediate postoperative period, this abated, and the patient was discharged without complications on the 13th postoperative day. Postoperative multidetector computed tomography showed that the heart approached the normal position.

Improvement of intradialytic hypotension in diabetic hemodialysis patients using vitamin E-bonded polysulfone membrane dialyzers.

Currently, there are no detailed reports on the effects of vitamin E-bonded polysulfone (PS) membrane dialyzers on intradialytic hypotension (IDH) in diabetic hemodialysis (HD) patients. This study was designed to evaluate changes in intradialytic systolic blood pressure (SBP) using "VPS-HA" vitamin E-bonded super high-flux PS membrane dialyzers. The subjects were 62 diabetic HD patients whose intradialytic SBP fell by more than 20%. Group A comprised patients who required vasopressors to be able to continue treatment or who had to discontinue therapy due to their lowest intradialytic SBP being observed at 210 min (28 patients). Group B comprised patients who showed no symptoms and required no vasopressors but showed a gradual reduction in blood pressure, with the lowest intradialytic SBP seen at the end of dialysis (34 patients). The primary outcome was defined as the lowest intradialytic SBP after 3 months using VPS-HA. Secondary outcomes included changes in the following: lowest intradialytic diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, pulse rate, plasma nitric oxide and peroxynitrite, serum albumin, and hemoglobin A1c. Group A's lowest intradialytic SBP had significantly improved at 3 months (128.0 ± 25.1 mm Hg vs. 117.1 ± 29.2 mm Hg; P = 0.017). Group B's lowest intradialytic SBP had significantly improved at 1 month (134.4 ± 13.2 mm Hg vs. 121.5 ± 25.8 mm Hg; P = 0.047) and 3 months (139.1 ± 20.9 mm Hg vs. 121.5 ± 25.8 mm Hg; P = 0.011). We conclude that VPS-HA may improve IDH in diabetic HD patients.

Intravesical recurrence after surgical management of urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract.

OBJECTIVES: To elucidate clinicopathological risk factors for intravesical recurrence (IVR) in patients undergoing nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUT-UC). METHODS: We identified a study population of 151 consecutive patients without previous or concurrent bladder cancer who underwent nephroureterectomy for UUT-UC. IVR was assessed in relation to tumor location, size, and multifocality, operation modality and time, stage, grade, lymphovascular invasion, regional lymph node metastasis, preoperative urinary cytology, and perioperative chemotherapy. The median follow-up time was 24 months. RESULTS: Of 151 patients, 51 (34%) developed IVR after nephroureterectomy, and 50 (98%) of the patients presented with IVR within 2 years. Tumor multifocality and site (located in ureter) were determined as risk factors for IVR by univariate analysis. In a multivariate analysis, only tumor multifocality (relative risk: 4.024, p = 0.001) was an independent predictor of IVR. Ten-year cancer-specific survival rates for the patients with and without IVR were 68 and 52%, respectively (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor multifocality is a significant risk factor in developing IVR after surgery for UUT-UC. These results indicate that despite most IVR occurring within 2 years of treatment, it is necessary to follow such patients more closely using cystoscopy. However, IVR is unlikely to indicate a poorer prognosis.

A case of lipiduria after arterial embolization for renal angiomyolipomas.

We report the case of a 31-year-old woman who suffered lipiduria after selective transcatheter arterial embolization for renal angiomyolipoma (AML). Computed tomography confirmed cystic liquefactive necrosis with fat-fluid level in AML. Although the process by which AML fat tissue excretion occurs is not clear, we speculated that the infarcted AML was connected to the urinary collection duct system and subsequently its adipose component was excreted into the urine.

Significant relationship of matrix metalloproteinase 9 with nuclear grade and prognostic impact of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 for incidental clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the immunoreactivity of tumors for matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2, MMP-9), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 and 2 (TIMP-1, TIMP-2), and membrane type MMP 1 (MT-MMP-1), to evaluate the optimum assessment of incidental renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: Tumor samples from 120 incidental clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ICRCC) patients without distant metastasis or invasion beyond Gerota's fascia were obtained by surgery. They were immunohistochemically stained for MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and MT-MMP-1. Immunoreactivity for these factors was analyzed by semiquantitative multivariate analysis for cancer-specific survival. RESULTS: The cancer-specific 5 and 10-year survival rates were 91.4% and 91.4%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that nuclear grade (P = 0.0064) and TIMP-2 (P = 0.034) were significant prognostic factors. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 has a significant relationship with high nuclear grade RCC (P = 0.017) and was found to be an independent prognosticator by Cox multiple regression analysis (P = 0.0028). CONCLUSIONS: Nuclear grade and TIMP-2 were significant prognostic factors of ICRCC. Multivariate analysis showed that a nuclear grade greater than 3 was associated with a 566% significant increase in the odds of cancer death. Strong expression of MMP-9 was associated with a 774% increase in the odds of high nuclear grade, with statistical significance. Although ICRCC is well known for having a favorable prognosis, patients with tumors having a high nuclear grade and strongly expressed MMP-9 and TIMP-2 should undergo strict postoperative follow-up.

Piezoelectric extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for bile duct stone formation after choledochal cyst excision.

We report a case of bile duct stones in which piezoelectric extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) was highly effective for the clearance of stones. A 16-year-old girl, who had undergone excision of a choledochal cyst when she was 3 years old, presented a spiking fever and colic abdominal pain. Radiological investigations showed two large stones incarcerating to the proximal end of hepatico-jejunostomy anastomosis. Massive debris was also present in intrahepatic bile duct proximal to the anastomosis. She underwent piezoelectric ESWL with an EDAP LT02 lithotripter. An average of 40 min ESWL session was repeated at intervals of 2 or 3 days. Neither anesthetic nor sedative treatment was required. By the end of the sixth session, the stones incarcerated were fragmented and the debris in the intrahepatic bile duct was completely eliminated. We conclude that piezoelectric ESWL is a less invasive, effective and repeatable method, therefore, it could be a treatment of choice for bile duct stone formation after choledochal cyst excision.

Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features of neuroendocrine differentiated carcinomas of the prostate: an immunoelectron microscopic study.

The purpose of this study was to further define the immunohistochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of neuroendocrine (NE) differentiated prostatic carcinomas. Seventy-seven specimens were obtained from prostatic carcinoma tumors during prostatectomy, transurethral resection of prostate or biopsy in 77 prostate cancer patients, and analyzed by immunohistochemical staining for chromogranin A (CgA). Nine of these tumors were also studied by elctron microscopy and 4 were examined by pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopy. CgA-stained cells were detected in 36 tumors (47%). Clinically advanced tumors or tumors with higher histological grades were associated with increased NE differentiation. Three of the tumors studied by electron microscopy contained cells showing unequivocal NE differentiation revealed by the presence of neurosecretory granules, while the poorly NE-differentiated malignant cells contained pleomorphic granules, which were lysosomal-like rather than NE-type granules. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated the presence of CgA immunoreactivity on the pleomorphic granules in the poorly differentiated malignant glands. This study suggests that NE-differentiated malignant cells in prostate cancer tissues may induce aggressive behavior in adjacent proliferating neoplastic cells via a paracrine mechanism.

Outcome and cost analysis of laparoscopic or open surgery versus conservative management for multicystic dysplastic kidney.

PURPOSE: To determine whether laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN), open nephrectomy (ON), or observation (OB) is most efficient for managing multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK). METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the management of our 12-year clinical experience of 32 MCDK patients to analyze the estimated total cost (ETC) of various treatment options and compare them with respect to survival, development of hypertension, and postoperative cosmetic appearance, to determine the most efficient treatment option. RESULTS: There were 12 cases in the LN group, 6 in the ON group, and 14 in the OB group. ETC was lower for ON than for LN. But the length of preoperative observation and length of follow-up after spontaneous regression greatly affected ETC. If MCDK cases were observed > 5 years with standard investigations performed regularly, ETC was higher for the OB group than for the LN group. In 6/14 (42.9%) of OB cases, MCDK resolved within 5 years, and this subgroup had the lowest ETC up to the time of this review. Six cases initially in the OB group were managed surgically (4 by LN and 2 by ON) in accordance with parental requests, and ETC in these cases was highest. All cases are well after a mean follow-up of 5.7 years, without any impairment of renal function, or hypertension. CONCLUSION: The decision to operate after lengthy observation increases costs. Overall, the most efficient surgical technique for managing MCDK was LN because of greater patient satisfaction with postoperative cosmesis. We recommend MCDK be treated by LN after a short period of observation.

Long-term outcome of bladder augmentation using living-related partial bladder transplantation in rats.

Long-term histopathologic changes after bladder augmentation (BA) in rats using living-related partial bladder transplantation (LPBTx) or conventional ileocystoplasty (ICP) were compared. In this study, BA (n = 37), LPBTx (n = 18), and ICP (n = 19) were performed in 16-wk-old Lewis rats. Five donors and seven nontransplanted normal Lewis rats (controls) were also studied. Rats that survived >10 mo after BA were killed after blood biochemistry and neobladder imaging. Harvested bladders were examined with hematoxylin and eosin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). When the rats were killed, there were 16 rats in the LPBTx group and 12 rats in the ICP group; ICP rats were significantly smaller than LPBTx rats (p < 0.05). Mean duration of follow-up for the LPBTX group was 17.3 mo, for the ICP group was 13.7 mo, for the donor group was 16.1 mo, and for the control group was 19.7 mo. Mean serum pH in the LPBTx group was 7.41 +/- 0.78 and in the ICP group was 7.25 +/- 0.38. Mean base excess in the ICP group was significantly lower than in the LPBTx group (p < 0.05). Incidence of bladder calculi in the LPBTx group (6.3%) was significantly lower than in the ICP group (33.3%; p < 0.05). There was no dysplasia/malignancy/increase in PCNA in the LPBTx group. PCNA increased in the ICP group, compared with controls (p < 0.05); two (16.7%) of 12 of ICP rats had dysplasia with mitosis. Bladder capacity increased in LPBTx and ICP compared with controls (both p < 0.05). We hope to show that BA using LPBTx may result in a neobladder with fewer complications than BA using ICP; LPBTx may also decrease the risk for malignancy.

[Carcinomatous meningitis from urothelial carcinoma of bladder and ureter: case report].

Carcinomatous meningitis from urothelial carcinoma of the bladder and ureter is rare. A 77-year-old man with invasive bladder cancer and right ureter cancer had been treated with 3 courses M-VAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, epirubicin, cisplatin) chemotherapy. After chemotherapy we performed radical cystectomy and right nephroureterectomy (ileal-neobladder) (TCC, G3, pT3, N0, M0). Sixteen months after operation, patient complained of anorexia, muscular weakness, stiff neck. CT of chest and abdomen, and bone scintigraphy showed no metastasis. Brain CT and MRI showed hydrocephalus but no evidence of parenchymal metastasis. Because we suspected carcinomatous meningitis, we performed lumbar puncture. Cerebrospinal fluid cytology revealed class V (urothelial carcinoma). Patient died 6 days after diagnosis of carcinomatous meningitis.

Glycolysis regulates the induction of lactate utilization for synaptic potentials after hypoxia in the granule cell of guinea pig hippocampus.

Lactate is considered an alternative substrate that is capable of replacing glucose in maintaining synaptic function in adult neurons. But, we found recently that lactate could be utilized for maintenance of synaptic potentials only after the activation of NMDA and voltage-dependent-calcium channel during glucose deprivation. To clarify more on the relationship between glycolysis and induction of lactate utilization, we tested lower concentration of glucose with hypoxia to induce a relative shortage of anaerobic energy production. Population spikes are not maintained with lactate following hypoxia in 10 mM glucose medium, but are maintained at their original levels with lactate after exposure to hypoxia in lower concentration (5 mM) of glucose. Hypothermia during low glucose-hypoxia, bath application of the NMDA channel blocker and the voltage-sensitive calcium channel blocker, as well as the omission of extracellular calcium prevented the induction of the lactate-supported population spikes. ATP levels in the tissue slices are relatively preserved in the conditions that block the induction of lactate-supported population spikes. From these observations, we propose that the energy source for maintenance of synaptic function in adult neuron changes from adult form (glucose alone) to immature one (glucose and/or lactate) after short of glucose supply.

Long-term survival following radical prostatectomy in Japanese men with clinically localized prostate cancer: a single institutional study.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the outcome of radical prostatectomy to provide information about long-term survival following this procedure. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-three otherwise healthy Japanese patients with clinically localized tumors underwent radical prostatectomy. Treatment outcomes were measured in terms of clinical progression-free survival, prostate cancer-specific survival and overall survival. Overall survival was compared with expected survival of age-matched Japanese men. RESULTS: For these 123 patients, clinical progression-free survival and prostate cancer-specific survival at 10 years were 72.5% and 86.4%, respectively. Results of Cox multivariate analysis showed that only pathological stage (P = 0.047) and tumor grade (P = 0.009) were independent predictors of clinical progression. Only tumor grade was a statistically significant independent predictor (P = 0.048) in terms of prostate cancer death. Both the 10 and 15-year overall survival rates for these 123 patients were 58.6%, whereas the expected survival of age-matched Japanese men was 65.0% at the 10-year follow up, and 43.8% at the 15-year follow up. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term overall survival in this surgically treated group is comparable to the expected survival rate of age-matched Japanese men. These results might be useful in counselling patients with clinically localized prostate cancer.

Gemcitabine plus carboplatin; and gemcitabine, docetaxel, and carboplatin combined chemotherapy regimens in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma previously treated with a platinum-based regimen: preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two combined chemotherapy regimens in the treatment of previously treated metastatic urothelial carcinoma: gemcitabine plus carboplatin (GC), and gemcitabine, docetaxel, and carboplatin (GDC). METHODS: Sixteen patients with metastatic urothelial cancer, previously treated with a platinum-based regimen, were studied. GC (gemcitabine 750 mg/m(2), on days 1, 8, and 15; carboplatin 200 mg/m(2), on day 2) was administered every 28 days to 15 patients. GDC (gemcitabine 750 mg/m(2), on days 1 and 8; docetaxel 50 mg/m(2), on day 1; carboplatin 200 mg/m(2) on day 1) was administered every 21 days to 9 patients. Eight of the 9 GDC-treated patients had earlier been treated with GC and had become refractory. RESULTS: With the GC therapy, 7 of the 15 treated patients (47%; 95% confidence interval, 21%-73%) showed an objective response, with 3 achieving a clinical complete response (CR) and 4 a partial response (PR). With the GDC therapy, 6 of the 9 treated patients (67%; 95% confidence interval, 29%-92%) showed an objective response, with 1 achieving CR and 5, PR. Five of the 8 (63%) GC-refractory patients responded to GDC therapy. The median duration of response was 4 months (range, 2-10+ months) on GC therapy, and 3 months (range, 3-5 months) on GDC therapy. Toxicities associated with GC were less than those with GDC. CONCLUSION: GC was effective for refractory metastatic urothelial cancer, and GDC was effective for GC-refractory cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two combined chemotherapy regimens in the treatment of previously treated metastatic urothelial carcinoma: gemcitabine plus carboplatin (GC), and gemcitabine, docetaxel, and carboplatin (GDC).

Neuroendocrine differentiation in hormone refractory prostate cancer following androgen deprivation therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) status and hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) following hormone therapy based on immunohistochemical study. METHODS: Seventy-two prostate cancer specimens obtained at radical prostatectomy and 21 prostate cancer autopsy specimens from patients who died from HRPC after androgen deprivation therapy were examined for NED status using an antibody against chromogranin A. These specimens were classified into 3 arms: 38 radical prostatectomy specimens from patients with no neoadjuvant hormone therapy (Group 1); 34 from patients with neoadjuvant hormone therapy for 3 to 6 months (Group 2); and 21 autopsy specimens from patients with HRPC following androgen deprivation therapy for more than 1 year (Group 3). Staining of prostatic carcinoma was scored as: 0 = no staining; 1 = staining cells <10%; 2 = staining cells 10-20%; and 3 = staining cells >20%. Differences in scores among the groups were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis rank test. Multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model was performed to examine whether NED status was associated with pathological stage (pT), grade and group. RESULTS: Forty-nine (53%) tumors had CgA stained cells. NED status increased with longer duration of hormone therapy (p<0.0001). The mean staining score (and standard deviation) was 0.4+/-0.7 in Group 1, 0.7+/-0.7 in Group 2, and 1.4+/-1.1 in Group 3, respectively. By multivariate analysis Group 3 had a relative risk of 5.46 (95%CI 1.28-23.29) for NED compared to the other groups. But other variables were not related to NED. HRPC following Long-term hormonal therapy was the only independent predictor of NED. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated that NED status was significantly increased in patients with HRPC following long-term androgen deprivation therapy, but it could not be discriminate whether the increase of NED is attributable to condition of hormone refractoriness or long-term hormonal therapy.

Reliability and validity of classification of senile postural deformity in mass examinations.

Nakada (1988) divided senile postural deformities into four types by visual observation: an extended type, an S-shaped type, a flexed type, and a hand-on-the-lap type. The purpose of this study was to investigate the inter-rater reliability and the discriminant validity of assessing the elderly spinal posture using a posture-measuring device developed by us and dividing postural deformities into the four types of Nakada's classification. Seventy-seven elderly persons (52 women and 25 men) who lived independently participated in the study. The average age of the subjects was 73 years (range, 65 to 84 years). The type of the senile postural deformity was determined by three judges using our posture-measuring device in combination with Nakada's classification. The rate of agreement of the classification was 92.2%. This method had a significantly high rate of inter-rater reliability. The thoracic kyphotic angle was larger in the S-shaped type than in the normal, extended type, and flexed type. The lumbar lordotic angle was also larger in the S-shaped type than in the extended type, flexed type, and hand-on-the-lap type. In the hand-on-the-lap type, the mean of the lumbar lordotic angle was much smaller. The lumbosacral angle was smaller in the extended type than in the normal, S-shaped type, and flexed type. With the analysis of x-ray photographs, this method appeared to have discriminant validity as a measure of senile postural deformity. The combination of our posture-measuring device and Nakada's classification would be useful to classify senile postural deformities in mass examinations.