Maoto has been reported to be effective in controlling fever caused by influenza. But Maoto's effects on respiratory complications of influenza have been unknown so far. We performed a comparative study on the respiratory complication (bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma attack) rates of pediatric cases of influenza after the administration of Maoto (n = 80), Oseltamivir or Zanamivir (n = 166). Rate of using other respiratory medication at the same time is higher in Oseltamivir/Zanamivir group (64/166 = 39%) than Maoto one (12/80 = 15%) (P < 0.01). Respiratory complication rates were equal between Maoto group (34/166 = 21%) and Oseltamivir/Zanamivir one (9/80 = 11%) (P = 0.07). In the patients who had not history of bronchial asthma, respiratory complication rate is higher in Oseltamivir/Zanamivir group (19/107 = 18%) than Maoto one (4/67 = 6%) (P = 0.045). In the patients who had history of bronchial asthma and age under10, respiratory complication rate is higher in Maoto group (4/5 = 80%) than Oseltamivir/Zanamivir one (15/57 = 26%) (P = 0.047).

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of partially covered self-expandable metallic stents (PCSEMS) in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemo (radio) therapy (NAC) for pancreatic cancer (PC). Methods: This was a prospective multicenter study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PCSEMS in patients receiving NAC for resectable and borderline resectable PC. The primary endpoint was the rate of recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO). Results: Twenty-six patients with PC (three with resectable PC and 23 with borderline resectable PC) who underwent NAC at seven Japanese centers were included in the analysis. Both the technical and functional success rates of PCSEMS placement were 100%. Early stent-related complications were observed in three patients (11.5%): mild pancreatitis (n=2) and mild liver abscess (n=1). The median time to surgery or palliation was 4.0 months. Surgical resection was eventually performed in 73.1% of patients, and stent removal during surgery was successful in all patients. RBO was observed in nine patients (34.6%): seven with stent occlusion, one with kinking and one with migration. The RBO rates in resected cases and nonresected cases were 36.8% and 28.6%, respectively. Conclusions Biliary drainage by PCSEMS was safe and feasible in patients undergoing NAC for resectable and borderline resectable PC.

It is to be noted that in rural districts where they live and work in fresh and clean air the incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases is as high as in the districts of air-pollution. Besides, there are a variety of respiratory diseases particularly incidental to life-environment and farm work. To be more informed of their actual conditions, the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine organized a special study group and has carried out various studies for four consecutive years with grants from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The major results obtained are as follows
(1) There were a variety of farm operations which produced or increased respiratory symptoms, including thrashing and scattering of agricultural chemicals;
(2) It became clear that there existed in an advanced age group certain cases of “agricultural pneumoconiosis” which could be regarded as the terminal of the so-called “thrash-bronchitis”
(3) Among the cultivators of rush, raw material for Tatami, There existed cases of pneumoconiosis;
(4) There were a variety of agents to produce bronchial asthma, such as rice straw, chaff, tea-leaves and chrysanthemum-leaves;
(5) In Japan only two cases of farmer's lung were reported prior to this study. One more case was added to the list by this study group. Besides, cases positive to fungous agents were found among farmers in considerably high percentage.