Finger systolic blood pressure (FSBP) measurement during finger cooling is a feasible method for the diagnosis of vibration-induced white finger (VWF). The standardization of the FSBP test is required. The final draft of an international standard for the measurement and evaluation of FSBP (ISO/DIS 14835-2) has been proposed in 2004. The aim of this review is to overview factors influencing the FSBP test and discuss some issues in the final draft. The FSBP test is a method of diagnosing VWF with reasonable sensitivity and specificity, although the sensitivity was relatively low in studies of mild VWF. The test results depend on cold provocation procedures including finger cooling, body cooling, room temperature and other factors such clothing and smoking. There are some versions of procedures for cold provocation and the tested fingers in the final draft. These may cause a low sensitivity of the FSBP test. To determine how the methodological difference influence the results of the FSBP test, further studies are needed. Although there are issues in the draft, the international standard of the FSBP test is extremely useful for the diagnosis, treatment and compensation of VWF.

A finger systolic blood pressure (FSBP) cooling test was introduced in 1977 and standardized during the following years for the optimal provocation and best characterization of an attack of vasospastic Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). The purpose of the present review is to compare and analyse some different techniques used in FSBP cooling tests from different countries and described in the final draft of the international standard, ISO/DIS 14835-2 (2004). The selected FSBP test results indicate to some extent that the tests are reliable and have acceptable diagnostic values despite the use of different techniques to obtain them. However, only a few studies used a zero-pressure FSBP%(0) to verify an ongoing attack of vasospastic RP. Most studies used an abnormal cold reaction FSBP%(A) located below the lower limit of controls, to make the anamnestic diagnosis of RP probable. According to the ISO draft, different types of finger cooling and body thermostating can be used together in the seated or supine position, and FSBP%(A) is indicated to be used for diagnostic purposes. Further studies are recommended to solve future standardization problems not included in the upcoming ISO standard. An international agreement on the presentation and comparison of test results is needed as a supplement to ISO/DIS 14835-2.

The diagnosis of vibration-induced white finger (VWF) is difficult, often relying on medical interview and history. The condition is characterized by an exaggerated vasoconstriction of digital arteries in response to cold. The complete closure of digital arteries is episodic and results in a characteristic blanching that is rarely observed by a clinician. Objective measurements of the response of the digital circulation to cold can assist in evaluating a patient for VWF. Finger systolic blood pressure (FSBP) following local cooling is a measure of cold-induced vasoconstriction in digital arteries and is an assessment of vasomotor tone. Low FSBPs following cooling are indicative of dysfunction. Finger skin temperature (FST) following hand cooling is a measure of cutaneous blood flow. The mechanism underlying the recovery of cutaneous blood flow following cooling is as yet not fully understood, but a delayed recovery is believed to arise from persistent vascular disturbances of the fingers or from a resulting in conflicting opinions concerning the utility of the measurements, a scarcity of comparable data from epidemiological investigations, and limited normative data to aid clinicians in decision-making. This review of evidence on which the tests are based is aimed at providing clinicians and researchers with an understanding of the factors that must be considered when conducting the tests, interpreting the results, and comparing results between different studies.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of tributyltin (TBT) compound onN-methyl-D: -aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the brains of preweanling mice.

METHODSPregnant ICR mice were exposed to TBT chloride at concentrations of 0, 15, and 50 ppm in water. Male offspring were sacrificed at 1, 2 and 3 weeks after birth. Mouse brain membranes were prepared from cerebral cortices, and the specific binding of [(3)H]MK-801 to an NMDA receptor was determined by radioligand binding assay.

RESULTSThe mean body weight of preweanling mice of the 50 ppm dose group decreased by 17-25% (p<0.01) at 1, 2 and 3 weeks of age, compared with that of preweanling mice of the corresponding control group. The [(3)H]MK-801 binding level significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the 15 ppm F1 group at 1 week and in the 15 ppm and 50 ppm F1 groups at 3 weeks of age, compared with that in the corresponding control F1 group.

CONCLUSIONSThe exposure to TBT via placenta and dam's milk seriously affected not only the growth of preweanling mice, but also the F1 cerebral NMDA receptors involved in memory and learning.

OBJECTIVESGlutathione S-transferase (GST) A1 catalyses the activated heterocyclic aromatic a mine carcinogenN-acetoxy-2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (N-OAc-PhIP). This case-control study was carried out to examine whether the genetic polymorphism of GSTA1 is associated with the risk oforal squamous cell carcinoma among Japanese people in relation to their smoking status.

METHODSIn this study, 97 Japanese oral squamous cell carcinoma patients and 457 healthy controls were compared for the frequencies of theGSTA1 genotypes ((*) A:-567T,-69C,-52G,(*) B:-567G,-69T,-52A).

RESULTSThe frequencies ofGSTA1 (*)A/(*)B+(*)B/(*) B genotypes were 32.3% in male cancer patients and 11.4% in female cancer patients, compared with 20.1% in the male control group (Odds ratio (OR)=1.86; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.99-3.46) and 23.1% in the female control group (OR=0.58; 95% CI 0.18-1.81). TheGSTA1 (*)A/(*)B+(*)B/(*) B genotypes were associated with an 86% increased risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma among males, albeit without statistical significance. Also, among male smokers, the frequency ofGSTA1 (*)A/(*)B+(*)B/(*) B genotypes was significantly higher among the oral squamous cell carcinoma patients (33.3%) than among the controls (19.6%). The OR of the male smokers with theGSTA1 (*)A/(*)B+(*)B/(*) B genotypes for oral squamous cell carcinoma was 1.97 (95% CI 1.02-3.79).

CONCLUSIONSWe present the first evidence of an association betweenGSTA1 (*) B and oral squamous cell carcinoma among smokers. This study suggests that the GSTA1 polymorphism and tobacco smoke-derived PhIP are associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma susceptibility among male smokers.

OBJECTIVESTo analyze the path to dieting behavior in Japanese preadolescents.

METHODSA cross-sectional study of dieting behavior among 5,244 preadolescents (2,452 boys and 2,792 girls aged 12-13) born in Toyama prefecture.

RESULTSWhile increasing with body mass index (BMI), the percentage of those who had tried dieting was higher in those who perceived themselves fat than in those who perceived themselves thin or average. Of those who wanted to be thinner, 16.1% of boys and 26.8% of girls had tried dieting. Path analysis in nonobese subjects (2,116 boys and 2,334 girls) showed that (1) body image was primarily based on BMI, (2) body image led to body dissatisfaction, and (3) body dissatisfaction led to dieting behavior. Pubertal changes had a significant effect on body image (path coefficient <0)for boys and body satisfaction (path coefficient >0) for girls, in addition to that on BMI. Maternal BMI had a significant effect on BMI but not on body image, body satisfaction, or dieting behavior.

CONCLUSIONSBody image and body satisfaction play important roles in the path to dieting behavior in Japanese preadolescents. Pubertal changes may reinforce dieting behavior, but the mechanism may differ by sex.

Mitochondrial DNA 5178 cytosine/adenine (Mt5178 C/A) polymorphism is associated with longevity in the Japanese population, and the Mt5178A genotype may confer antiatherogenic advantages. Individuals with the Mt5178A genotype may be more resistant to adult-onset diseases, such as myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes, than those with the Mt5178C genotype. Moreover, Mt5178 C/A polymorphism has been reported to be associated with blood pressure, serum lipid levels, hematological parameters, intraocular pressure, serum protein fraction levels and serum electrolyte levels in healthy Japanese individuals. Differences in the influence of habitual drinking or habitual smoking on health status between the Mt5178C genotype and the Mt5178A genotype have been reported. The individual modification of drinking habits or smoking habits based on the genotyping of Mt5178 C/A may promote improved health and lead to the establishment of personalized prevention strategies for adult-onset diseases.

Since the advent of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the United Kingdom in 1986, new BSE cases have recently become rare. However, in Japan and the United States, positive cases have started to be seen recently. The rise in BSE cases paved the way for the human form of this disease, the variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). The observed trends in the UK may be attributed to effective implementation of public health policies coupled with increased vigilance through advancement in science and technology, or they may well be a reflection of the natural disease progression. We aim to discuss the BSE chronology of events, and compare examination methods, costs and cost-efficiency, management, and public policies of Japan, Europe, and the USA.

In recent years, food-related issues have become increasingly more publicised in developed countries. This holds true for Japan where food-related issues have been drawing attention as a socially significant topic, particularly since the appearance of BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy). In 2003 a new governmental office, the Food Safety Commission was established in the Cabinet Office of the Japanese Government based on a new law, "the Food Safety Basic Law". This change of administration was raised by the outbreak of BSE, which is considered to be a drastic reformation of food safety policy in Japan.In addition, BSE impact was significant not only on administration but also on the agriculture and food industries. It revealed to the public lots of holes in the food related system which have been concealed for years.In this paper, I would like to show the inadequacy of management before the outbreak of BSE and the subsequent governmental actions and reactions for food safety. Furthermore, problems that still remain after the reformation, such as ban on US beef and policy of blanket testing, will be discussed.

This paper explores the possibilities for global governance effectively dealing with the international transmission of disease. First, zoonotic regulation and control pose a special case for public health agencies, and this paper proposes a propositional model for an effective public health stance. Second, globalization dynamics are briefly reviewed in terms of an emerging consensus on the need for global governance in public health. Third, a brief examination of global governance modalities suggests that a strong global governance case has distinct limitations (despite its possible justification); an exploration of contemporary directions in global governance follows. Finally, the paper examines the phenomenon of contemporary zoonotic control within the conditions of an effective regulatory regime.