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Kenji Kotaki,1 Hisao Ikeda,2 Takeshi Fukuda,1 Kawano Yuhei,3 Fumiko Yuki,4 Masayuki Kawasaki,5 Kentaro Wakamatsu,5 Kenzo Sugahara6 1Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Fukuoka Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Omuta, Japan; 2Department of Nursing, Fukuoka Faculty of Fukuoka Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Omuta, Japan; 3Department of Medical Technology, Fukuoka Faculty of Fukuoka Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Omuta, Japan; 4Faculty of Nursing, Kwassui Women’s University, Oura, Japan; 5National Hospital Organization, Omuta Hospital, Omuta, Japan; 6Sugahara Hospital, Omuta, Japan Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of exposure to air pollution and cigarette smoke on respiratory function, respiratory symptoms, and the prevalence of COPD in individuals aged ≥50 years.Patients and methods: We used spirometry and medical questionnaires to screen 433 individuals from Omuta City, Japan, an area with high levels of air pollution.Results: Non smokers had a high estimated COPD prevalence rate of 16%. Among smokers, the estimated prevalence of COPD was 29% in seniors (50- to 74-years group) and 37% in the elderly (>75 years group). We also found a correlation between levels of suspended particulate matter and COPD.Conclusion: Both smoking and chronic exposure to air pollution (>5 years) decreased respiratory function, exacerbated respiratory symptoms, and increased the prevalence of COPD. We strongly recommend periodic screening for the elderly patients to facilitate early detection of respiratory disease. Keywords: diagnosis, primary care, screening

The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical significance of bone metabolism in the mandibular condyles in determining condylar resorptive changes. Twelve condyles of patients with idiopathic condylar resorption and degenerative joint disease were analysed using 99mTc HMDP SPECT/CT at baseline and subsequent computed tomography during the follow-up period. Twenty-two healthy condyles were enrolled as controls. After generating three-dimensional SPECT/CT images, two independent observers scored the degree of condylar uptake and measured the morphological changes in the condylar height and condylar volume. In the group with positive condylar uptake, the follow-up computed tomography showed significant decreases in condylar height (−1.69 ± 0.93 mm) and condylar volume (−12.51 ± 10.30%) when compared to healthy controls (condylar height, 0.09 ± 0.54 mm; condylar volume, −0.29 ± 4.22%) (P < 0.001). Moreover, the degree of uptake correlated with the changes in condylar height (observer 1, P = 0.012; observer 2, P = 0.039) and condylar volume (observer 1, P = 0.005; observer 2, P = 0.037). These results suggest that condylar bone metabolism is closely related to the resorptive activity. Thus, SPECT/CT would be useful in the prognostic evaluation or determination of treatment strategies for idiopathic condylar resorption and degenerative joint disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sulfhydryl (SH) compounds are essential in maintaining mucosal integrity in the gastrointestinal tract. A decrease in colonic mucosal SH compounds affects the redox status of the mucosa, resulting in [...]