Background : We conducted a case-control study to examine the impact of coronal heart disease (CHD) risk factors on calcium oxalate (CaOX) stone formation. Methods : Variables included body mass index (BMI), current alcohol use, smoking habit, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, and hyperuricemia. Data sufficient for analysis were obtained for 181 CaOX stone formers and 187 controls.Results : Seven of 181 stone formers (3.9%) had a history of CHD compared with none of 187 control subjects ( P = 0.007). In univariate logistic regression analysis, smoking habit (OR 4.41, 95% CI 2.85-6.84, P < 0.0001), hypertension (OR 4.24, 95% CI 2.61-6.91, P < 0.0001), hypercholesterolemia (OR 3.03, 95% CI 1.77-5.20, P < 0.0001) and BMI (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.04-1.17, P = 0.007) reached statistical significance. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, smoking habit (OR 4.29, 95% CI 2.68-6.86, P < 0.0001), hypertension (OR 3.57, 95% CI 2.11-6.07, P < 0.0001), and hypercholesterolemia (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.51-5.00, P = 0.001) reached statistical significance, while BMI (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.99-1.12, P = 0.09) did not. Conclusions : CaOX stone formers are significantly associated with several CHD risk factors, including smoking habit, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity.

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A novel and time-saving method for assessing bactericidal activities of (3-lactam antibiotics on agar plates is described. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by the agar dilution method. A potent (8-lactamase solution was sprayed onto the plates to inactivate the antibiotic. After further incubation at 37°C overnight, the minimal concentration at which no visible growth occurred on the plates was defined as minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC). With undiluted culture as the inoculum, strains ofStaphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae showed a marked increase in MBC values compared with the values of MIC. There was a marked decrease in both the MICs and MBCs with diminution of inoculum size. The two concentrations were almost the same when the inoculum size was decreased to a 10-4 dilution. In contrast, MIC and MBC for enterococci showed no marked decrease with decrease in inoculum size. Although the present study was performed with /3-lactamase-unstable penicillins and cephalosporins, the method can be applicable with any f8-lactam antibiotic if optimal and potent enzymes are available.In some special clinical situations, minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) should be determined rather than minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the antibiotic to be used. At present, MBC can be determined by a loop transfer method following the broth dilution MIC determination; however, the whole procedure is time-consuming.In the present paper, a simple method is described to assess bactericidal activities of selected /3-lactam antibiotics on agar plates.

PSA doubling time was one of the predictive factors for the detection of prostate cancer and was valuable for avoiding unnecessary repeat biopsy in some cases.

Aim: Although the histopathological findings obtained from biopsy specimens are important for choosing the appropriate management of prostate cancer, there have been some discrepancies in Gleason grade and consequently, score between biopsy and surgical specimens. A comparison of findings between these two kinds of specimens was performed. Methods: Radical prostatectomy was performed at Asahi General Hospital on 223 cases of T1b-T3 without previous cancer treatment, and the Gleason grade and score of the biopsy and surgical specimens were compared. Results: A 37% coincidence in Gleason score was obtained between biopsy and surgical specimens; coincidence including one digit difference in score was approximately 70%. Upgrading was more than downgrading. Disagreement in secondary grade was greater than that in primary grade. Disagreement in Gleason score was roughly similar among different score items and was not influenced by level of prostate-specific antigen, however, the small volume of the cancer tissues more affected the discrepancy in score. Conclusion:The use of biopsy findings is required to be taken into account regarding the discrepancy.