A questionnaire was conducted on the living and working conditions of inhabitants in the suburbs of a city in Hiroshima Prefecture. Respondents received medical and nutritional examinations. A summary of our findings is as follows:
Those persons who are apparently overworking themselves eke out their energy deficiency by taking diets rich in carbohydrate complex. Their major health problems are hypertension, ischemic changes in ECG, anemia and lower cholinesterase activity.
There were indications that agricultural chemicals have harmful effects on the health of the examinees.
In contrast, many of those who work less consume large-even excessive-amounts of animal proteins and fats. Among them prevail liver failxure and metabolic disorders.
In either group of the people examined, there was amundant evidence to show that they are at risk of developing arteriosclerosis.
These findings should be taken into consideration when a health control program is implemnted.

Objective: To develop and confirm the validity of a Biological Prognostic Score using only blood test results for prediction of prognosis in patients with advanced cancer. Methods: We conducted parametric survival time analysis using blood test results, age, sex, and primary diagnosis as independent variables, and event of death as a dependent variable, among patients in a palliative care unit (a development cohort). We then developed the Biological Prognostic Score (BPS). Thereafter, we confirmed the accuracy of the BPS and the Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI) prospectively among patients, who withdrew or withheld further curative or life-prolonging therapies, in other facilities (a validation cohort). Results: We developed the BPS, which consists of cholinesterase, blood urea nitrogen, and total iron-binding capacity, from 122 patients in a development cohort. We then examined 195 patients in a validation cohort and found that the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for 1-9 week survival prediction was BPS=0.76-0.86 and PPI=0.69-0.73. Discussion: Our results suggest that the BPS was valid. It will be necessary to perform further examinations in multiple facilities and to explore more generalized parameters that could replace total iron-binding capacity in our BPS.

BACKGROUND: There have been several reports on neonates with milk allergy in a neonatal ward. This type of allergy is mostly categorized as a non-IgE-mediated food allergy. Although most cases of milk allergy occur in the first few months of life, the differences in clinical characteristics between premature and full-term neonates are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to clarify the differences in clinical characteristics of milk allergy between premature and full-term neonates. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 2,116 neonates admitted to the Department of Neonatology, Chiba Kaihin Municipal Hospital, between 2001 and 2007. RESULTS: We identified 24 neonates strongly suspected of having milk allergy because of symptoms, such as bloody stools, repeated vomiting, diminished sucking and abdominal distension, as well as objective laboratory findings of eosinophilia in stool cytology and/or positive results for a rectal milk challenge test. Twelve of these 24 neonates were premature (median gestational age, 31 ± 3 weeks; median birth weight, 1,656 ± 592 g) and the other 12 were full-term (median gestational age, 38 ± 1 weeks; median birth weight, 2,760 ± 560 g). There were no differences in symptoms and time to start of feeding between premature and full-term neonates, but there was a significant difference in the median postnatal age at onset (premature neonates: 23 days; vs. full-term neonates: 3.5 days; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: All premature neonates developed a milk allergy after 32 weeks of corrected gestational age, suggesting that the development of milk allergy requires a certain degree of immunological maturation.
Age of Onset ; Birth Weight ; Eosinophilia ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Gestational Age ; Hospitals, Municipal ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Milk Hypersensitivity ; Milk ; Neonatology ; Retrospective Studies ; Vomiting

Purpose: To clarify the family-perceived usefulness of a pamphlet for families of imminently dying patients. Methods: Physicians and/or nurses provided medical and practical information about the dying process using a pamphlet for families of imminently dying patients. We surveyed family members 6 months after the death of the patient about the perceived usefulness. Results: We sent out a questionnaire to 325 bereaved, and obtained an answer from 260 (response rate: 85%). Overall, 81% reported the pamphlet to be “very useful” or “useful”. The experience reported by the bereaved included: “Helped me to understand the dying process” (84%); “Helped me to understand how symptoms and changes occur” (76%), “Useful in preparation for patient's death“ (75%), “Helped me to understand the physical conditions of the patient” (75%), “Helped me to know what I can do for the patient” (74%). Conclusion: “A pamphlet for families of imminently dying patients” may be useful for members of an imminently dying patient's family.

Vertebral artery stump syndrome (VASS) is a rare condition that can cause posterior circulation ischemic stroke due to occlusion of the ipsilateral vertebral artery (VA) orifice, resulting in blood flow stagnation and embolus formation. Although there is no established treatment for this condition, we observed 3 cases of VASS out of 326 acute ischemic stroke cases at a single institution from April 2021 to October 2022. Despite the best possible antithrombotic treatment, all 3 patients had recurrent ischemic strokes. One patient underwent drug-eluting stenting of the VA orifice to relieve occlusive flow. The other 2 patients received coil embolization, which resulted in the disappearance of their culprit collateral flow. None of the patients had recurrent ischemic strokes after endovascular intervention. Based on our observations, stenting and coil embolization are effective methods for preventing future recurrences of VASS.

A 2-month-old female Holstein calf and a 5-month-old female Japanese black calf presented with gingival vascular hamartoma located in the interdental space between the second and third mandibular incisors in the right and left mandibles, respectively. On radiographic or computed tomographic images, osteolytic changes appeared within the mandibular bones adjacent to the masses. The masses were removed along with affected mandibular bone by using unilateral rostral mandibulectomy. After surgery, both cases exhibited a normal appetite and grew normally, with no cosmetic changes or recurrences. Unilateral rostral mandibulectomy can be applied for invasive gingival vascular hamartomas associated with osteolytic changes.
Animals ; Appetite ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cattle ; Female ; Hamartoma ; Humans ; Incisor ; Infant ; Mandible ; Mandibular Osteotomy ; Radiography ; Recurrence

Objective: This multicenter study aimed to evaluate the impact of paravertebral muscles (PVMs) degeneration, particularly fat infiltration, on preoperative sagittal imbalance, and postoperative complications and sagittal alignment change in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 454 patients who underwent ASD surgery across 5 institutions. Patients were classified into 2 groups based on paraspinal muscle fat infiltration on MRI: those with significant infiltration (FI-PVM(+)) and those with minimal or no infiltration (FI-PVM(-)). Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for demographic factors and preoperative radiographical parameters. Spinopelvic parameters were assessed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at a 2-year follow-up. Mechanical complications were compared between the groups. Results: The FI-PVM(+) group showed greater sagittal vertical axis (86.4 ± 57.5 vs. 51.8 ± 59.2, p < 0.001) preoperatively and required more extensive surgical correction with a significantly greater number of fused vertebral levels (7.3 ± 3.7 vs. 6.7 ± 3.7, p < 0.039). After propensity score matching, both groups showed significant improvement in spinopelvic alignment postoperatively, maintained throughout the 2-year follow-up. However, the FI-PVM(+) group demonstrated a trend toward a higher incidence of distal junctional kyphosis (6.3% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.070) and exhibited significantly greater decrease in pelvic tilt postoperatively (4.3° ± 7.6° vs. 1.3° ± 8.2°, p = 0.006). Conclusion Fat infiltration in PVM is associated with increased surgical complexity and a higher risk of mechanical complications. Preoperative assessment of muscle quality, along with targeted rehabilitation and closer postoperative monitoring, may be crucial for improving long-term outcomes in ASD surgery.

Objective: This multicenter study aimed to evaluate the impact of paravertebral muscles (PVMs) degeneration, particularly fat infiltration, on preoperative sagittal imbalance, and postoperative complications and sagittal alignment change in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 454 patients who underwent ASD surgery across 5 institutions. Patients were classified into 2 groups based on paraspinal muscle fat infiltration on MRI: those with significant infiltration (FI-PVM(+)) and those with minimal or no infiltration (FI-PVM(-)). Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for demographic factors and preoperative radiographical parameters. Spinopelvic parameters were assessed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at a 2-year follow-up. Mechanical complications were compared between the groups. Results: The FI-PVM(+) group showed greater sagittal vertical axis (86.4 ± 57.5 vs. 51.8 ± 59.2, p < 0.001) preoperatively and required more extensive surgical correction with a significantly greater number of fused vertebral levels (7.3 ± 3.7 vs. 6.7 ± 3.7, p < 0.039). After propensity score matching, both groups showed significant improvement in spinopelvic alignment postoperatively, maintained throughout the 2-year follow-up. However, the FI-PVM(+) group demonstrated a trend toward a higher incidence of distal junctional kyphosis (6.3% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.070) and exhibited significantly greater decrease in pelvic tilt postoperatively (4.3° ± 7.6° vs. 1.3° ± 8.2°, p = 0.006). Conclusion Fat infiltration in PVM is associated with increased surgical complexity and a higher risk of mechanical complications. Preoperative assessment of muscle quality, along with targeted rehabilitation and closer postoperative monitoring, may be crucial for improving long-term outcomes in ASD surgery.

Objective: This multicenter study aimed to evaluate the impact of paravertebral muscles (PVMs) degeneration, particularly fat infiltration, on preoperative sagittal imbalance, and postoperative complications and sagittal alignment change in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 454 patients who underwent ASD surgery across 5 institutions. Patients were classified into 2 groups based on paraspinal muscle fat infiltration on MRI: those with significant infiltration (FI-PVM(+)) and those with minimal or no infiltration (FI-PVM(-)). Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for demographic factors and preoperative radiographical parameters. Spinopelvic parameters were assessed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at a 2-year follow-up. Mechanical complications were compared between the groups. Results: The FI-PVM(+) group showed greater sagittal vertical axis (86.4 ± 57.5 vs. 51.8 ± 59.2, p < 0.001) preoperatively and required more extensive surgical correction with a significantly greater number of fused vertebral levels (7.3 ± 3.7 vs. 6.7 ± 3.7, p < 0.039). After propensity score matching, both groups showed significant improvement in spinopelvic alignment postoperatively, maintained throughout the 2-year follow-up. However, the FI-PVM(+) group demonstrated a trend toward a higher incidence of distal junctional kyphosis (6.3% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.070) and exhibited significantly greater decrease in pelvic tilt postoperatively (4.3° ± 7.6° vs. 1.3° ± 8.2°, p = 0.006). Conclusion Fat infiltration in PVM is associated with increased surgical complexity and a higher risk of mechanical complications. Preoperative assessment of muscle quality, along with targeted rehabilitation and closer postoperative monitoring, may be crucial for improving long-term outcomes in ASD surgery.

Objective: This multicenter study aimed to evaluate the impact of paravertebral muscles (PVMs) degeneration, particularly fat infiltration, on preoperative sagittal imbalance, and postoperative complications and sagittal alignment change in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 454 patients who underwent ASD surgery across 5 institutions. Patients were classified into 2 groups based on paraspinal muscle fat infiltration on MRI: those with significant infiltration (FI-PVM(+)) and those with minimal or no infiltration (FI-PVM(-)). Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for demographic factors and preoperative radiographical parameters. Spinopelvic parameters were assessed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at a 2-year follow-up. Mechanical complications were compared between the groups. Results: The FI-PVM(+) group showed greater sagittal vertical axis (86.4 ± 57.5 vs. 51.8 ± 59.2, p < 0.001) preoperatively and required more extensive surgical correction with a significantly greater number of fused vertebral levels (7.3 ± 3.7 vs. 6.7 ± 3.7, p < 0.039). After propensity score matching, both groups showed significant improvement in spinopelvic alignment postoperatively, maintained throughout the 2-year follow-up. However, the FI-PVM(+) group demonstrated a trend toward a higher incidence of distal junctional kyphosis (6.3% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.070) and exhibited significantly greater decrease in pelvic tilt postoperatively (4.3° ± 7.6° vs. 1.3° ± 8.2°, p = 0.006). Conclusion Fat infiltration in PVM is associated with increased surgical complexity and a higher risk of mechanical complications. Preoperative assessment of muscle quality, along with targeted rehabilitation and closer postoperative monitoring, may be crucial for improving long-term outcomes in ASD surgery.