Internal medicine
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Objective We investigated the relationship between the amount and frequency of fish intake, and the white blood cell (WBC) count and aerobic exercise habits. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study between April 2019 and March 2020 at the Health Planning Center of Nihon University Hospital on a cohort of 8,981 male subjects. Results The average amount and frequency of fish intake were 134±85 g/week and 2.14±1.28 days/week, respectively. ⋯ Therefore, the amount of fish intake could be substituted by the average number of days of fish intake per week. Conclusion A high fish intake was an independent determinant of a low WBC count and engagement in regular aerobic exercise, regardless of whether the fish intake was defined by the amount or frequency of fish intake. However, since fish intake frequency can be measured more easily, this may be used to measure the fish intake.
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Objective Helicobacter pylori antibody kits using the latex immunoassay (LIA) are widely used in Japan. However, the optimal cut-off of the LIA remains unclear. This study clarified the optimal cut-off of the LIA for assessing the current infection status of patients (currently infected, never infected, spontaneously eradicated) in clinical practice. ⋯ When applying the cut-off of 4 U/mL to the judgment of current infection in all subjects, the sensitivity and specificity were 92.1% and 92.6%, respectively. Conclusion Our findings suggest that 4 U/mL was the optimal cut-off for differentiating current infection from no prior infection, and the value may be stable because of the exclusion of subjects with spontaneous eradication. The cut-off may be useful in initial screening for current H. pylori infection.
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Objective In myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), the CTG repeat size in the dystrophia myotonica protein kinase gene has been shown to correlate with disease severity and is a potential predictive marker for respiratory decline. However, genetic testing can be challenging in some clinical situations. We developed a simple formula for estimating the CTG repeat size using a single spirometry test in patients with DM1. ⋯ The derived formula [repeat size=-16.8× (age+%VC/0.90) +2663] had a moderate predictive performance with a mean coefficient of determination
of 0.41. Conclusion The CTG repeat size in patients with DM1 can be potentially predicted using a simple formula based on a single spirometry test conducted at any time over the disease course. It can be useful as a supportive tool for advance care planning when genetic testing is not available.