Rikkunshito increases peripheral incretin-hormone levels in humans and rats

BACKGROUND It was reported that rikkunshito(TJ-43)improved the cisplatin-induced decreases in the active form of ghrelin in plasma;however,other effects on gastrointestinal hormones have not been investigated.AIM To investigate the effects of TJ-43 on peripheral levels of incretin hormones,including gastric inhibitory polypeptide(GIP)and glucagon-like polypeptide-1(GLP-1),in humans and rats.METHODS Patients were divided into two groups,namely patients who received TJ-43 immediately following surgery[TJ-43(+)group]and those who received TJ-43 on postoperative day 21[TJ-43(-)group],and the plasma levels of active GIP and active GLP-1 were assessed.In animal experiments,rats were treated with TJ-43[rat(r)TJ-43(+)group]or without[rTJ-43(−)group]by gavage for 4 wk,and the plasma active GIP and active GLP-1 levels were measured.The expression of incretin hormones in the gastrointestinal tract and insulin in the pancreas were investigated by immunohistochemistry.Furthermore,the cyclic adenosine monophosphate activities were assessed in pancreatic tissues from rats treated with or without TJ-43 in vivo,and the blood glucose levels and plasma insulin levels were measured in rats treated with or without TJ-43 in oral glucose tolerance tests.RESULTS In humans,the active incretin hormone levels increased,and values were significantly greater in the TJ-43(+)group compared those in the TJ-43(-)group.In rats,the plasma active incretin levels significantly increased in the rTJ-43(+)group compared with those in the rTJ-43(-)group.GIP and GLP-1 expressions were enhanced by TJ-43 treatment.Moreover,plasma insulin levels increased and blood glucose levels were blunted in the rTJ-43(+)group.CONCLUSION The results show that TJ-43 may be beneficial for patients who undergo pancreatic surgery.

Biliary drainage strategy of unresectable malignant hilar strictures by computed tomography volumetry

AIM:To identify criteria for predicting successful drainage of unresectable malignant hilar biliary strictures(UMHBS) because no ideal strategy currently exists.METHODS:We examined 78 patients with UMHBS who underwent biliary drainage.Drainage was considered effective when the serum bilirubin level decreased by ≥ 50% from the value before stent placement within 2 wk after drainage, without additional intervention.Complications that occurred within 7 d after stent placement were considered as early complications.Before drainage, the liver volume of each section(lateral and medial sections of the left liver and anterior and posterior sections of the right liver) was measured using computed tomography(CT) volumetry.Drained liver volume was calculated based on the volume of each liver section and the type of bile duct stricture(according to the Bismuth classification).Tumor volume, which was calculated by using CT volumetry, was excluded from the volume of each section.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) analysis was performed to identify the optimal cutoff values for drained liver volume.In addition, factors associated with the effectiveness of drainage and early complications were evaluated.RESULTS:Multivariate analysis showed that drained liver volume [odds ratio(OR) = 2.92, 95%CI:1.648-5.197; P < 0.001] and impaired liver function(with decompensated liver cirrhosis)(OR = 0.06, 95%CI:0.009-0.426; P = 0.005) were independent factors contributing to the effectiveness of drainage.ROC analysis for effective drainage showed cutoff values of 33% of liver volume for patients with preserved liver function(with normal liver or compensated livercirrhosis)and 50%for patients with impaired liver function(with decompensated liver cirrhosis).The sensitivity and specificity of these cutoff values were82%and 80%for preserved liver function,and 100%and 67%for impaired liver function,respectively.Among patients who met these criteria,the rate of effective drainage among those with preserved liver function and impaired liver function was 90%and 80%,respectively.The rates of effective drainage in both groups were significantly higher than in those who did not fulfill these criteria(P<0.001 and P=0.02,respectively).Drainage-associated cholangitis occurred in 9 patients(12%).A smaller drained liver volume was associated with drainage-associated cholangitis(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Liver volume drainage≥33%in patients with preserved liver function and≥50%in patients with impaired liver function correlates with effective biliary drainage in UMHBS.

Impacts of Climatic Factors on Runoff Coefficients in Source Regions of the Huanghe River

Runoff coefficients of the source regions of the Huanghe River in 1956–2000 were analyzed in this paper. In the 1990s runoff of Tangnaihai Hydrologic Station of the Huanghe River experienced a serious decrease, which had at- tracted considerable attention. Climate changes have important impact on the water resources availability. From the view of water cycling, runoff coefficients are important indexes of water resources in a particular catchment. Kalinin baseflow separation technique was improved based on the characteristics of precipitation and streamflow. After the separation of runoff coefficient (R/P), baseflow coefficient (Br/P) and direct runoff coefficient (Dr/P) were estimated. Statistic analyses were applied to assessing the impact of precipitation and temperature on runoff coefficients (including Dr/P, Br/P and R/P). The results show that in the source regions of the Huanghe River, mean annual baseflow coefficient was higher than mean annual direct runoff coefficient. Annual runoff coefficients were in direct proportion to annual pre- cipitation and in inverse proportion to annual mean temperature. The decrease of runoff coefficients in the 1990s was closely related to the decrease in precipitation and increase in temperature in the same period. Over different sub-basins of the source regions of the Huanghe River, runoff coefficients responded differently to precipitation and temperature. In the area above Jimai Hydrologic Station where annual mean temperature is –3.9oC, temperature is the main factor in- fluencing the runoff coefficients. Runoff coefficients were in inverse relation to temperature, and precipitation had nearly no impact on runoff coefficients. In subbasin between Jimai and Maqu Hydrologic Station Dr/P was mainly affected by precipitation while R/P and Br/P were both significantly influenced by precipitation and temperature. In the area be-tween Maqu and Tangnaihai hydrologic stations all the three runoff coefficients increased with the rising of annual precipitation, while direct runoff coefficient was inversely proportional to temperature. In the source regions of the Huanghe River with the increase of average annual temperature, the impacts of temperature on runoff coefficients be-come insignificant.

Improved version of BTOPMC model and its application in event-based hydrologic simulations

在这份报纸，基于格子的分布式的水文学模型 BTOPMC (TOPMODEL 的块明智的使用) 被介绍，它从原来的 TOPMODEL 被开发。以便拓宽模型鈥檚 应用程序到干旱区域，改进方法论也被实现。华盖拦截和土壤渗入过程被合并到原来的 BTOPMC 在大干旱区域为基于事件的流量模拟建模。有时间压缩近似方法的申请的一个设计渗入模型为与 Lushi 河盆的案例研究为事件水文学模拟改进模型鈥檚 性能被强调并且验证。

Using Artificial Neural Network to Estimate Sediment Load in Ungauged Catchments of the Tonle Sap River Basin, Cambodia

Concern on alteration of sediment natural flow caused by developments of water resources system, has been addressed in many river basins around the world especially in developing and remote regions where sediment data are poorly gauged or ungauged. Since suspended sediment load (SSL) is predominant, the objectives of this research are to: 1) simulate monthly average SSL (SSLm) of four catchments using artificial neural network (ANN);2) assess the application of the calibrated ANN (Cal-ANN) models in three ungauged catchment representatives (UCR) before using them to predict SSLm of three actual ungauged catchments (AUC) in the Tonle Sap River Basin;and 3) estimate annual SSL (SSLA) of each AUC for the case of with and without dam-reservoirs. The model performance for total load (SSLT) prediction was also investigated because it is important for dam-reservoir management. For model simulation, ANN yielded very satisfactory results with determination coefficient (R2) ranging from 0.81 to 0.94 in calibration stage and 0.63 to 0.87 in validation stage. The Cal-ANN models also performed well in UCRs with R2 ranging from 0.59 to 0.64. From the result of this study, one can estimate SSLm and SSLT of ungauged catchments with an accuracy of 0.61 in term of R2 and 34.06% in term of absolute percentage bias, respectively. SSLA of the AUCs was found between 159,281 and 723,580 t/year. In combination with Brune’s method, the impact of dam-reservoirs could reduce SSLA between 47% and 68%. This result is key information for sustainable development of such infrastructures.

Stratifying the risk of lymph node metastasis in undifferentiated-type early gastric cancer

AIM:To study how lymph node metastasis(LNM) risk is stratified in undifferentiated-type early gastric cancer(undiff-EGC) dependent on combinations of risk factors.METHODS:Five hundred and sixty-seven cases with undiff-EGC undergoing gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy were examined retrospectively.Using clinicopathological factors of patient age,location,size,an endoscopic macroscopic tumor form,ulceration,depth,histology,lymphatic involvement(LI) and venous involvement(VI),LNM risk was examined and stratified by conventional statistical analysis and datamining analysis.RESULTS:LNM was positive in 44 of 567 cases(7.8%).Univariate analysis revealed > 2 cm,protrusion,submucosal(sm),mixed type,LI and VI as significant prognostic factors and > 2 cm and LI-positive were independent factors by multivariate analysis.In preoperatively evaluable factors excluding LVI,sm and > 2 cm were independent factors.According to the depth and size,cases were categorized into the low-risk group [m and ≤ 2 cm,0%(LNM incidence)],the moderaterisk group(m and > 2 cm,5.6%; and sm and ≤ 2 cm,6.0%),and the high-risk group(sm and > 2 cm,19.3%).On the other hand,LNM occurred in 1.4% in all LI-negative cases,greatly lower than 28.2% in all LI-positive cases,and LNM incidence was low in LInegative cases even in the moderate- and high-risk groups.CONCLUSION:LNM-related factors in undiff-EGC were depth and size preoperatively while those were LI and size postoperatively.Among these factors,LI was the most significantly correlated factor.

Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of Chemosymbiotic Solemyidae and Thyasiridae

In order to invade and adapt to deep-sea environments, shallow-water organisms have to acquire tolerance to high hydrostatic pressure, low water temperature, toxic methane and hydrogen sulfide, and feeding strategies not relying on photosynthetic products. Our previous study showed that the “evolutionary stepping stone hypothe-sis”, which assumes that organic falls can act as stepping-stones to connect shallow sea with deep sea, was supported in Mytilidae. However, it is not known whether other bivalves constituting chemosynthetic communities experienced the same evolutionary process or different processes from mytilid mussels. Therefore, here, we performed phylogenetic analyses by sequencing the nuclear 18S rRNA and mitochondrial COI genes of solemyid and thyasirid bivalves. In Solemyidae, the two genera Solemya and Acharax formed each clade, the latter of which was divided into three subgroups. The Solemya clade and one of the Acharax subgroups diverged in the order of shallow-sea residents, whale-bone residents, and deep-sea vent/seep residents, which supported the “evolutionary stepping stone hypothesis”. Furthermore, in Thyasiridae, the two genera Thyasira and Maorithyas formed a paraphyletic group and the other genera, Adontorhina, Axinopsis, Axinulus, Leptaxinus, and Mendicula, formed a clade. The “evolu-tionary stepping stone hypothesis” was not seemingly supported in the other lineages of Solemyidae and Thyasiridae.

Expression of Human ApoAII in Transgenic Rabbits Leads to Dyslipidemia:a New Model for Combined Hyperlipidemia

High levels of plasma high-density lipoproteins (HDL) are associated with a low incidence of cardiovascular disease[1]. HDL contains two major apolipoproteins (apo):apoAI and apoAII. It is generally accepted that apoAI plays a central role in reverse cholesterol transport and protects against atherosclerosis[2,3]; however,apoAII functions have not been clearly characterized[4-6].

Intraspecific Relationships and Variation of Two <i>Lefua</i>Species (Balitoridae, Cypriniformes) in the Tokai Region, Honshu, Japan

Two species Lefua echigonia and Lefua sp. 2 of the eight-barbel loach inhabit the Tokai region of Honshu, Japan. We determined sequences of the mitochondrial D-loop region to elucidate intraspecific phylogenetic relationships and variation in these two species. Lefua sp. 2 represented high intraspecific genetic similarity and complicated haplotype network, but three assemblages were recognized, including specimens mainly from Yahagi, Toyo, and Tenryu River systems, respectively, and named Groups 1 to 3. Divergence of Group 1 from the others was marginally supported, but Group 2 was paraphyletic to Group 3, suggesting the existence of two populations, i.e. Yahagi River population and Toyo-Tenryu River population. Lefua echigonia also represented high intraspecific genetic similarity, and two assemblages with slight genetic differentiation were discernible, including specimens from Shizuoka and southeastern Aichi prefectures and those from northwestern Aichi, Gifu, and Mie prefectures, respectively, and named Groups A and B. Star-like relationships of haplotypes suggested the dispersal origin located in eastern Aichi prefecture. The two species are threatened to extinction and thus we proposed evolutionary significant units for conservation.

Selective Heating of Transition Metal Usings Hydrogen Plasma and Its Application to Formation of Nickel Silicide Electrodes for Silicon Ultralarge-Scale Integration Devices

We developed an apparatus for producing high-density hydrogen plasma. The atomic hydrogen density was 3.1 × 1021 m?3 at a pressure of 30 Pa, a microwave power of 1000 W, and a hydrogen gas flow rate of 10 sccm. We confirmed that the temperatures of transition-metal films increased to above 800。C within 5 s when they were exposed to hydrogen plasma formed using the apparatus. We applied this phenomenon to the selective heat treatment of nickel films deposited on silicon wafers and formed nickel silicide electrodes. We found that this heat phenomenon automatically stopped after the nickel slicidation reaction finished. To utilize this method, we can perform the nickel silicidation process without heating the other areas such as channel regions and improve the reliability of silicon ultralarge-scale integration devices.

Dispersal Ability and Environmental Adaptability of Deep-Sea Mussels <i>Bathymodiolus</i>(Mytilidae: Bathymodiolinae)

Dispersal ability and environmental adaptability are profoundly associated with colonization and habitat segregation of deep-sea animals in chemosynthesis-based communities, because deep-sea seeps and vents are patchily distributed and ephemeral. Since these environments are seemingly highly different, it is likely that vent and seep populations must be genetically differentiated by adapting to their respective environments. In order to elucidate dispersal ability and environmental adaptability of deep-sea mussels, we determined mitochondrial ND4 sequences of Bathymodiolus platifrons and B. japonicus obtained from seeps in the SagamiBayand vents in the Okinawa Trough. Among more than 20 species of deep-sea mussels, only three species in the Japanese waters including the above species can inhabit both vents and seeps. We examined phylogenetic relationships, genetic divergences (Fst), gene flow (Nm), and genetic population structures to compare the seep and vent populations. Our results showed no genetic differentiation and extensive gene flow between the seep and vent populations, indicating high dispersal ability of the two species, which favors colonization in patchy and ephemeral habitats. Our results also indicate that the environmental type (vent or seep) is not the primary factor responsible for habitat segregation in the two species.

Enhancement of Oxygen Evolution Activity of Ruddlesden-Popper-Type Strontium Ferrite by Stabilizing Fe4⁺

Development of active iron based water oxidation for designing an ideal artificial photosynthesis devices operating under benign neutral pH is highly demanded. We investigated the electrocatalytic activity of Ruddlesden-Pop-per-type strontium ferrite (Sr3Fe2O7) toward the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Owing to the temperature-dependent efficiency of the charge disproportionation of Fe4+, the OER activity of Sr3Fe2O7 varied with the temperature, and the onset potential for the OER at a neutral pH underwent a negative shift of approximately 200 mV by increasing the temperature for the stabilization of Fe4+. When metal substitution was made to Sr3Fe2O7 for stabilizing Fe4+ at room temperature, the temperature dependence of the OER activity disappeared and the OER was driven at a small overpotential without increasing the temperature, indicating that the stabilization of Fe4+ is substantially important for achieving high OER activity.

Start-Up Acceleration of Quartz Crystal Oscillator Using Active Inductance Double Resonance and Embedded Triggering Circuit

Low-frequency double-resonance quartz crystal oscillator was developed with active inductance circuit aiming the start-up of stable oscillation of tuning fork-type quartz crystal resonator at 32.768 kHz within 0.37 ms. The initial oscillation is triggered by a part of crystal oscillator forming a CR oscillator. The negative resistance ranges to 4 MΩ at gmf of 4.1 μA/V. In a limited frequency range, the circuit shows negative reactance Ccci = -3.4 pF equivalent to inductance Lcc = 9.8 H. The Allan standard deviation indicated 10-11 to 10-10, showing high stability comparable to general quartz crystal oscillator.

Simultaneous Multimode Oscillation of Stress-Compensated Cut Quartz Resonator with Narrow-Band Wide Variable-Range Quartz Crystal Oscillator

A multimode-quartz-crystal oscillator was developed to excite stable dual-mode resonance at different frequencies: The oscillation of the 3rd harmonic resonance of the principle C-mode and an additional resonance B-mode of SC-cut crystal. Harmonic combinations of the 3rd and fundamental mode of B-mode with the 3rd harmonics of C-mode are demonstrated. The measurement of the temperature dependence of the oscillation frequency is demonstrated along with the stability determined by root Allan variance. Dependence on the open conductance of the active circuit and the dependence on the coupling capacitors are discussed.

Evaluation of Deformable Image Registration and Dose Accumulation Using Histogram Matching Algorithm between kVCT and MVCT with Helical Tomotherapy

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of deformable image registration (DIR) between the planning kVCT (pCT) and the daily MVCT combined with the histogram matching (HM) algorithm, and evaluate the deformable dose accumulation using a suggested method for adaptive radiotherapy with Helical Tomotharapy (HT). Methods: For five prostate cancer patients (76 Gy/38 Fr) treated with HT in our institution, seven MVCT series (a total of 35 series) acquired weekly were investigated. First, to minimize the effect of different HU values between pCT and MVCT, this image-processing method adjusts HU values between pCT and MVCT images by using image cumulative histograms of HU values, generating an HM-MVCT. Then, the DIR of the pCT to the HM-MVCT was performed, generating a deformed pCT. Finally, deformable dose accumulation was performed toward the pCT image. Results: The accuracy of DIR was significantly improved by using the HM algorithm, compared with non-HM method for several structures (p &plusmn;0.05, 0.83 &plusmn;0.06, and 0.90 ± 0.04 for the CTV, rectum, and bladder, respectively, while that of the HM method was 0.81 &plusmn;0.06, 0.81 &plusmn;0.04, and 0.92 &plusmn;0.06, respectively. For the deformable dose accumulation, some difference was observed between the two methods, particularly for the small calculated regions, such as rectum V60 and V70. Conclusion: Adapting the HM method can improve the accuracy of DIR. Furthermore, dose calculation using the deformed pCT using HM methods can be an effective tool for adaptive radiotherapy.

Application of High Carbon:Nitrogen Material Enhanced the Formation of the Soil A Horizon and Nitrogen Fixation in a Tropical Agricultural Field

It is known that cropping causes soil carbon loss, which is a critical issue, especially in tropical agriculture. Nitrogen input generally increases net primary production but does not increase soil carbon content because nitrogen input enhances soil organic carbon mineralization by microorganisms. A farmer conducted a trial in which he applied material with a high carbon:nitrogen (C:N) ratio without additional nitrogen fertilizer, and achieved a higher productivity than that of conventional farms. Based on his results, we conducted a survey to evaluate the effects of high C:N ratio organic material on the productivity, soil profile, microbial activity, and carbon and nitrogen balance of soil. Results demonstrate that high C:N ratio organic material enhanced the formation of the soil A horizon and increased soil carbon and nitrogen content. Approximately, 15 - 20 t·ha-1·crop-1 of fresh waste mushroom bed was applied to 15 crops over 4.5 years, and the total input of carbon and nitrogen were 5014 and 129 g·m-2, respectively. The soil nitrate nitrogen concentration was the same as that of the neighboring forest soil, which was lower than the standard limit for conventional agriculture;however, the average productivity of crops was approximately four times that of the national average. The soil Ap horizon increased in thickness by 7 cm, and aggregates reached a thickness of 29 cm in 4.5 years. The output/input ratios of total soil nitrogen and carbon were approximately 2.68 - 6.00 and 1.30 - 2.35, respectively, indicating that this method will maintain the carbon and nitrogen balance of the system. The observed soil microbial activity was one order of magnitude higher than that of a fallow field. The results indicate that this agricultural method remediates soil degradation, and improves food production.

Degradation of Aqueous 2,6-Dibromophenol Solution by In-Liquid Dielectric Barrier Microplasma

Degradation of 2,6-dibromophenol (2,6-DBP) in the aqueous solution was studied using dielectric barrier discharge in micro-bubbles. Experimental comparison of working gas Ar, N2, O2, and air showed that oxygen and air plasma efficiently decomposed 2,6-DBP to bromide ion, and inorganic carbon. The molecular orbital model was applied in the analysis of the degradation in electrophilic, nucleophilic, and radical reactions.

Clinical significance of hypoechoic submandibular gland lesions in type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis

AIM To assess the role of ultrasonography of submandibular glands(SGs) in the diagnosis of type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis(AIP). METHODS Thirty-seven patients who were definitively diagnosed with type 1 AIP according to the international consensus diagnostic criteria(ICDC) for AIP at our institution between December 1990 and April 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Findings by physical examination, ultrasonography, and scintigraphy of SGs were analyzed to reach a diagnosis based on the ICDC for AIP. The efficacy of corticosteroid treatment in the resolution of hypoechoic lesions in SGs was also evaluated by assessment with ultrasonography before and after treatment in 18 cases.RESULTS The sensitivity of multiple hypoechoic lesions in SGs by ultrasonography for the diagnosis of sialadenitis in type 1 AIP(84%) was higher than that of physical examination(46%), scintigraphy(28%), and SGs thickness(49%). Ultrasonographic evidence of hypoechoic lesions in SGs improved the definitive diagnosis of sialadenitis and type 1 AIP by the ICDCcriteria in 11(30%) and 2(5.4%) cases, respectively. Multiple hypoechoic lesions in SGs were resolved or disappear by corticosteroid administration in 14 of 16 cases with hypoechoic lesions in SGs, whereas the ultrasonographic findings in the remaining 2 cases with hypoechoic lesions in SGs and the 2 cases with homogenous SG parenchyma remained unchanged after corticosteroid administration.CONCLUSION SG ultrasonography to detect multiple hypoechoic lesions might be useful for type 1 AIP diagnosis by improving diagnostic accuracy together with the ICDC sialadenitis criteria.

Estimation of culm volume reduction factors in five bamboo species(Phyllostachys spp.)

The hollow cylindrical culm is one of the most remarkable morphological characters of most bamboo species.In relation to its hollow structure,there are two different attributes of the culm volume in bamboo:the apparent culm volume(va:the total culm volume including the hollow portion)and the woody culm volume(vw:the volume of the woody walls of the culm).The ratio of vw to va is defined as the reduction factor for culm volume(fv).The quantity fv is useful to quantify the biomass resources of bamboo culms as well as to evaluate the carbon stock of bamboo forests.However,the direct measurement of fv requires destructive sampling,which consumes time and labor.Hence,an alternative method for obtaining fv is desired.In this study,we examined fv in five species of the genus Phyllostachys and proposed alternative methods to estimate fv.Our data showed that fv varied by species,some of which exhibited a dependency of fv on culm sizes.These findings indicate that the intraspecific and interspecific variation in fv should be considered carefully when converting va into vw by fv.Based on our results,we propose here six approaches for predicting fv and we discuss their advantages and disadvantages.Our results are intended to facilitate evaluation of the carbon sequestration capacity of bamboo forests and the commercial utilization of bamboo culms.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE INCIDENCE RATES OF TESTICULAR AND PROSTATIC CANCERS AND FOOD CONSUMPTIONS

Objective: To determine the relationships between the incidence rates of testicular and prostatic cancers and food consumptions in order to study the etiologic cause and the mechanism of the development of male genital organ cancer. Methods: The incidence rates of testicular and prostatic cancers in 42 countries (region) were correlated with the dietary practices in these countries. These data came from the cancer rate database (1988-1992) and the food supply database (1961-1990) provided by the Department of Environmental Health, Medical University of Yamanashi, Japan. Results: The incidence rates of testicular and prostatic cancers varied greatly from country to country but in China the rates of the both malignancies were lower than that of USA and Japan. This may be due to the difference in lifestyle, especially in dietary practices. Among the food items we examined, cheese was most closely correlated with the incidence of testicular cancer at ages 20-39, followed by animal fats and milk. The correlation coefficient (r) was the highest (r= 0.804) when calculated for cheese consumed during the period of 1961-1965 (maternal or prepubertal consumption). Stepwise- multiple-regression analysis revealed that cheese (1961-1965) made a significant contribution to the incidence of testicular cancer. Multiple coefficient ( r) is 0.920. As far as prostatic cancer was concerned, milk was most closely correlated (r=0.711) with its incidence, followed by meat and coffee. Stepwise-multiple-regression analysis identified milk, meat, butter and coffee as significant factors contributing to the incidence of prostatic cancer (R=0.993). The results of our study suggest a role of milk and dairy practices in the development of testicular and prostatic cancers.