Keika Hoshi

Periodontal disease and atherosclerosis from the viewpoint of the relationship between community periodontal index of treatment needs and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity

BackgroundIt has been suggested that periodontal disease may be an independent risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. However, the relationship between periodontal disease and atherosclerosis has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to assess the effects of periodontal disease on atherosclerosis.MethodsThe study design was a cross-sectional study. Subjects were 291 healthy male workers in Japan. We used the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) score, average probing depth and gingival bleeding index (rate of bleeding gums) to assess the severity of periodontal disease. We also used the Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity (baPWV) as the index for the development of atherosclerosis.ResultsThe unadjusted odds ratio (OR) of atherosclerosis in relation to the CPITN score was 1.41 [95% CI: 1.16–1.73]. However, after adjustment for age, systolic blood pressure and smoking, the CPITN score had no relationship with atherosclerosis (adjusted OR: 0.91 [0.68–1.20]).ConclusionOur results show no relationship between mild periodontal disease and atherosclerosis after appropriate adjustments.

Scleral Buckling and Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: An Analysis of 542 Eyes

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the anatomical success rates of scleral buckling (SB) and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) performed for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in a large case series and to identify prognostic factors for the primary anatomical success rates of surgical techniques. Methods: We reviewed 542 consecutive eyes for primary RRD in this retrospective study. Follow-ups were performed for at least six months. In each of the two groups, 271 eyes were examined. The main outcome measure was the primary anatomical success rate. Multivariate analysis was also performed to determine whether independent risk factors of the preoperative parameters for redetachment exist. Results: The primary anatomical success rates were 93.7% and 96.3% in the SB and PPV groups; and the final anatomical success rates were 100% in both groups (each with 271 eyes). In the SB group, eyes with macula-off had significantly lower primary anatomical success rates than those with macula-on (p = 0.002). Preoperative break location or lens status had no significant effect on primary anatomical success rates in either group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis using four variables, namely, sex, posterior vitreous detachment, macular status and preoperative visual acuity, showed that the macular status was an independent risk factor for redetachment in the SB group (p = 0.039, odds ratio 3.7). The six-month follow-up visual acuity was significantly better than the preoperative visual acuity in both groups (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions: Both SB and PPV gave excellent primary and final anatomical success rates. The macula-off status was associated with a lower success rate in the SB group, although break location and lens status had no significant effect on success rates in either group.

Usefulness of pet ownership as a modulator of cardiac autonomic imbalance in patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and/or hyperlipidemia.

Among patients with coronary artery disease, pet owners exhibit a greater 1-year survival rate than nonowners. Lifestyle-related diseases are well-known risk factors for coronary artery disease and induce imbalances in autonomic nervous activity. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether pet ownership modulates cardiac autonomic nervous activity imbalance in patients with lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. A total of 191 patients (mean age 69 ± 8 years) were interviewed about their pet ownership status and were classified into pet owner and nonowner groups. After recording a 24-hour Holter electrocardiogram for heart rate variability analysis, frequency-domain and nonlinear-domain analyses were performed to determine the high-frequency (HF) and low-frequency (LF) components, LF/HF ratio, and entropy. The heart rate variability parameters were assessed for 24 hours, during the day (8.00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M.), and during the night (0:00 A.M. to 6.00 A.M.), and compared between the 2 groups. To evaluate the potential predictive factors for cardiac autonomic imbalance, univariate and multivariate analyses of HF and LF/HF were conducted for potential confounding variables. The pet owner group exhibited significantly greater HF(24h), HF(day), HF(night), entropy(24h), entropy(day), and entropy(night) and significantly lower LF/HF(24h) and LF/HF(night) compared to the nonowner group. On multivariate analysis, pet ownership was independently and positively associated with HF(24h,) HF(day), and HF(night) and inversely associated with LF/HF(24h) and LF/HF(night). In conclusion, these results suggest that pet ownership is an independent modulator of cardiac autonomic imbalance in patients with lifestyle-related diseases.

Reduced preoperative serum albumin and absence of peritoneal dissemination may be predictive factors for long-term survival with advanced gastric cancer with positive cytology test.

BACKGROUND Peritoneal lavage cytology cancer-positive (CY1) is a critical prognostic factor and is taken as representing stage IV in gastric cancer. There is no consensus treatment strategy for CY1-gastric cancer, and the detailed clinicopathological features remain obscure. PATIENTS AND METHODS Among 790 gastric cancer patients between 2005 and 2009, 52 cases of CY1 were identified (6.6%). A multivariate prognostic model was applied to the univariate prognostic factors to identify independent prognostic factors and factors associated with long-term survival in CY1-gastric cancer. RESULTS (1) Five-year overall survival (OS) was 17.6% in CY1-gastric cancer as compared with 93.9% in CYX and 77.7% in CY0 (77.7%), where tumors with pT2 or beyond were included in 11% of CYX, 73% of CY0, and 98% of CY1 cases. (2) On univariate analysis, factors associated with a negative prognosis were the presence of peritoneal dissemination (p = 0.029) and high preoperative serum albumin (p = 0.011) in CY1-gastric cancer. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression model using propensity score identified preoperative albumin as a critical independent prognostic indicator. (3) Long-term survivors were identified and, were often characterized by long-term postoperative adjuvant treatment. CONCLUSION Reduced preoperative serum albumin and absence of peritoneal dissemination may be predictive factors for long-term survival in patients with advanced gastric cancer with positive cytology test. Long-term postoperative adjuvant therapy might improve survival of patients with CY1.

Identification of EGFR expression status association with metastatic lymph node density (ND) by expression microarray analysis of advanced gastric cancer

Metastatic lymph node density (ND) has been reproducibly proven to be a prognostic factor in gastric cancer. The molecular mechanisms that underlie this aggressiveness are underexplored. Here, we aimed to identify molecules associated with this unique phenotype. Tumor specimens from patients with stage III gastric cancer with high or low ND (n = 4 for both) were compared at the mRNA level using Affymetrix microarray (harboring 54,675 genes). The expression data were prioritized, and genes that correlated with ND were selected. Ultimately, the EGFR was validated as such a candidate molecule in patients with primary advanced gastric cancer who underwent standard treatment (n = 167). Expression data of the microarray were prioritized based on gene expression ratio and frequency of gene expression. The first priority genes to be selected were genes that are known to be amplified in cancer, which included NKX2.1, CHST9, CTNND2, SLC25A27, FGFR2, EGFR, and PTGER1. Of these genes, the EGFR gene was of particular interest. EGFR expression in primary gastric cancer was examined using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The Students t‐test elucidated a significant difference in EGFR expression between IHC 2+/3+ and IHC 1+ according to ND (P = 0.0035). The Chi‐square test also indicated a significant difference between high and low levels of EGFR immunohistochemical staining (IHC2+/3+ and IHC1+, respectively) and ND status (P = 0.0023). According to the least squares method, as ND increased, the risk that EGFR staining levels changed from IHC 1+ to IHC 2+ also increased. In this study, we determined that high EGFR expression may underlie the aggressive mechanism of advanced gastric cancer with high ND.

Immediate Analgesic Effect of 8% Lidocaine Applied to the Oral Mucosa in Patients with Trigeminal Neuralgia

BACKGROUND Trigeminal nerve block is widely used for trigeminal neuralgia (TN), though with much painful procedure and potential serious complications. The pain of TN occurs most frequently in the second and the third divisions of the trigeminal nerve, which are distributed in intraoral mucous membrane as well as face skin. Here, we examined the response to intraoral application of 8% lidocaine (LDC) in patients with oral TN pain in a double-blind, placebo (PBO)-controlled crossover study. METHODS Twenty-four outpatients with oral TN pain were randomized to receive intraoral application of either 8% LDC or saline PBO to the painful area. Following 7-days period, patients were crossed over to receive the alternative treatment. The pain was assessed with a numerical rating scale (NRS) before and 15 minutes after treatment. Patients used a descriptive scale to grade pain outcome and were asked to note any recurrence and the latency for recurrence after therapy. RESULTS Intraoral LDC, but not PBO, significantly decreased the NRS from 5 (4, 8) (median [25, 75 percentiles]) to 1 (0, 4) (P = 0.001). Of the 24 patients, 19 described marked or moderate relief of pain after LDC but only three described the same after PBO application. The effect of LDC and PBO persisted for 2.8 (0.3, 3.0) and 0 (0, 0) hours, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Intraoral application of 8% LDC produced prompt analgesia without serious side effects in patients with TN who presented with severe intraoral pain.

Association of Knowledge of HIV and Other Factors with Individuals’ Attitudes toward HIV Infection: A National Cross-Sectional Survey among the Japanese Non-Medical Working Population

Background The stigma of and discrimination because of HIV has been described as the most important obstacle to prevention and treatment efforts. The purpose of this study was to investigate negative attitudes and prejudice toward HIV among the Japanese non-medical working population and to explore contributing factors. Methods An online anonymous nationwide survey involving approximately 3,000 individuals was conducted in Japan. Questions ranged from background information and HIV knowledge to individuals’ attitudes towards HIV infection in the workplace. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were applied for analysis. Results Thirty-three percent of participants feared transmission of HIV from infected colleagues, 34% tended to avoid contact with them and 40% had prejudiced opinions about HIV infection. Despite a relatively high level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS overall (11.9±3.3 from 15 points), only 50% of individuals were aware of some issues. Greater knowledge was associated with less negative attitudes towards HIV infection (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.31–0.48 for prejudiced opinion, high compared with low level of knowledge), whereas greater health consciousness was inversely related to attitude (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.50–2.58 for prejudiced opinion, high compared with low health consciousness). Conclusion Knowledge neutralizes peoples’ negative attitudes towards HIV infection, whereas greater health consciousness may worsen them. Educational programs should balance knowledge with health consciousness to improve the efficacy of HIV interventions.

Is the HAS-BLED score useful in predicting post-extraction bleeding in patients taking warfarin? A retrospective cohort study.

Objective Unexpected post-extraction bleeding is often experienced in clinical practice. Therefore, determining the risk of post-extraction bleeding in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy prior to surgery is beneficial. This study aimed to verify whether the HAS-BLED score was useful in predicting post-extraction bleeding in patients taking warfarin. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tokyo Womens Medical University. Participants Participants included 258 sequential cases (462 teeth) who had undergone tooth extraction between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2012 while continuing warfarin therapy. Main outcome measure Post-extraction risk factors for bleeding. The following data were collected as the predicting variables for multivariate logistic analysis: the HAS-BLED score, extraction site, tooth type, stability of teeth, extraction procedure, prothrombin time-international normalised ratio value, platelet count and the use of concomitant antiplatelet agents. Results Post-extraction bleeding was noted in 21 (8.1%) of the 258 cases. Haemostasis was achieved with localised haemostatic procedures in all the cases of post-extraction bleeding. The HAS-BLED score was found to be insufficient in predicting post-extraction bleeding (area under the curve=0.548, p=0.867, multivariate analysis). The risk of post-extraction bleeding was approximately three times greater in patients taking concomitant oral antiplatelet agents (risk ratio=2.881, p=0.035, multivariate analysis). Conclusions The HAS-BLED score alone could not predict post-extraction bleeding. The concomitant use of oral antiplatelet agents was a risk factor for post-extraction bleeding. No episodes of post-extraction bleeding required more than local measures for haemostasis. However, because this was a retrospective study conducted at a single institution, large-scale prospective cohort studies, which include cases of outpatient tooth extraction, will be necessary in the future.

Factors associated with preferences for health system goals in Japan: a pilot study of the World Health Survey.

Preferences among people for health system goals are important determinants in developing health policy. The aim of this study was to determine preferences for health system goals and their associations with sociodemographic characteristics in Japan. Participants were randomly selected from the general population in 5 prefectures and were asked to rank 5 health system goals in order of preference: health, health inequality, responsiveness, responsiveness inequality, and fair financing. Associations between sociodemographic characteristics and preferences for health system goals were examined using multinomial logistic regression analysis. A total of 4936 persons responded to this study. Health system goals in order of preference were health inequality (37.6%), responsiveness inequality (20.9%), health (18.4%), responsiveness (16.0%), and fair financing (7.1%). Sociodemographic characteristics such as gender, age, family status, education completed, and usage of health care services were associated with the preferred health system goal. Health policy makers should take these associations into account when developing prospective policy.

Effects of Intravenous Prostaglandin E1 on Pain and Body Temperature in Patients with Post-Herpetic Neuralgia

OBJECTIVE Bathing, heating, or sympathetic blockade often alleviates pain due to post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), suggesting that blood flow may affect PHN pain. Here, we examined the effect of prostaglandin E1 (PGE), which improves blood circulation, on pain and body temperature in patients with PHN. DESIGN Twenty-four patients with PHN were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. After 30-minute rest in a temperature-controlled (20 degrees C) and intravenous cannulation, patients were randomized to receive either 60 microg of PGE dissolved in 100 mL of saline, or 100 mL of saline at an infusion rate of 0.03 microg/kg/min. Following a 7-day washout period, patients were crossed over to receive the other treatment. The visual analog scale (VAS) of ongoing pain and tactile allodynia, and skin and the tympanic temperatures were measured before and after infusion. RESULTS The two solutions significantly decreased the VAS for ongoing pain, and the reduction was greater with PGE than placebo (P < 0.05). Although the temperatures of the forehead, hand, foot, chest, abdomen, and the most painful region were significantly increased in the two solutions, the elevation in the foot and the most painful region was greater with PGE than placebo (P < 0.01). The tympanic temperature did not significantly change following infusion of PGE. CONCLUSIONS Intravenous infusion of PGE produces analgesia associated with elevation of skin temperature in patients with PHN.