Relationship between cigarette smoking and one leg with eyes closed balance in Japanese men.

Objective: To investigate the link between cigarette smoking and one leg with eyes closed balance in Japanese men.

Subjects And Methods: We used data from 4224 Japanese men, aged 43.3 ± 13.

Relationship between cigarette smoking and muscle strength in Japanese men.

Objectives: To investigate the link between cigarette smoking and muscle strength in Japanese men.

Methods: We used data on 4249 Japanese men, aged 43.3±13.

Relation between cigarette smoking and ventilatory threshold in the Japanese.

The link between cigarette smoking and ventilatory threshold (VT) was investigated. We used data for 407 men and 418 women not taking medication. Habits of cigarette smoking were obtained through interviews by well-trained staff.

Whole blood interferon-gamma assay for baseline tuberculosis screening among Japanese healthcare students.

Background: The whole blood interferon-gamma assay (QuantiFERON-TB-2G; QFT) has not been fully evaluated as a baseline tuberculosis screening test in Japanese healthcare students commencing clinical contact. The aim of this study was to compare the results from the QFT with those from the tuberculin skin test (TST) in a population deemed to be at a low risk for infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Methodology/principal Findings: Healthcare students recruited at Okayama University received both the TST and the QFT to assess the level of agreement between these two tests.

Relationship between metabolic syndrome and cigarette smoking in the Japanese population.

Objective: We investigated the link between metabolic syndrome and cigarette smoking in the Japanese population.

Methods: A total of 3,177 Japanese subjects aged 20-79 years were recruited in a cross-sectional clinical investigation study. Habits of cigarette smoking were obtained at interviews by well-trained staff.

Recent improvement in lung cancer screening: a comparison of the results carried out in two different time periods.

To evaluate recent improvements in lung cancer screening, we compared the results of recently conducted lung cancer screening with those of a previous screening. This study compared the survival of lung cancer patients detected by lung cancer screening conducted between 1976 and 1984 (early period) with that conducted between 1989 and 1997 (late period). Two hundred seventy-six patients with lung cancer were detected in the early period and 541 patients with lung cancer were detected in the late period.

Systemic tumor embolism mimicking gefitinib ('IRESSA')-induced interstitial lung disease in a patient with lung cancer.

We describe a 55-year-old man with advanced adenocarcinoma of the lung who received gefitinib ('IRESSA'). After gefitinib administration for 7 months, computed tomography scan of the chest demonstrated diffuse ground glass opacity and he was suspected to have developed gefitinib-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD). However, transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) revealed tumor cells in the middle-size lung vessels.

Identification of epigenetic aberrant promoter methylation in serum DNA is useful for early detection of lung cancer.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of serum DNA methylation of five tumor suppressor genes for early detection of lung cancer.

Experimental Design: Methylation status in serum DNA from 200 patients undergoing bronchofiberscopic examination for abnormal findings on chest radiograph detected by lung cancer screening or surveillance was examined using methylation-specific PCR.

Results: Ninety-one patients were given a pathologic diagnosis of lung cancer, 9 other malignant diseases, and 100 nonmalignant pulmonary diseases.

[A case of a young woman with tuberculous peritonitis diagnosed owing to high value of ADA].

A 26-year-old woman visited the first hospital due to ascites in August 2003, She had continual abdominal pain diagnosed as Irritable bowel disease after a gastrointestinal and colon fiberscopy was performed. Chest-abdominal CT scan revealed normal chest, massive ascites and swollen ovary. To rule out malignancy, surgical biopsy was performed, which brought no significant findings.

Prognostic significance of mutant p53 protein, P-glycoprotein and glutathione S-transferase-pi in patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: The prognostic significance of mutant p53 protein, p-glycoprotein (P-gp) and glutathione S-transferase-pi (GST-pi) in patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been established.

Materials And Methods: We performed immunohistochemical staining of p53, P-gp and GST-pi using transbronchial biopsy specimens obtained from previously untreated NSCLC patients.

Results: Of 45 patients examined, p53 immunostaining was positive in 18 (40%) patients.

The efficacy of lung cancer screening conducted in 1990s: four case-control studies in Japan.

The efficacy of lung cancer screening is still controversial. In order to evaluate efficacy of mass screening for lung cancer in 1990s, the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare planned to conduct four independent case-control studies in four different regions; Miyagi, Gunma, Niigata, and Okayama Prefecture. The study design of all the four studies was a matched case-control study in which the decedents from lung cancer were defined as cases.

[Preventive therapy in middle-aged and elderly persons selected from the population-based screening by mass miniature radiography--methodological aspect and adverse reactions].

The notification rate of tuberculosis in Japan was 31.0 per 100,000 in 2000. The rate was especially high among the elderly population, reaching 85.

[Discussing the current situation of tuberculosis case-finding by mass miniature radiography in Japan].

The system of tuberculosis (TB) case-finding by mass miniature radiography (MMR) was established and expanded for almost all Japanese citizens in the 1950s. And, as stipulated by the TB Prevention Law, periodic mass screenings for schools, inhabitants, employees and institutions have been carried out. Among those aged over 25 years, the proportion of people screened by MMR was estimated to be 60.