Age Factors ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Ganglioneuroblastoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Ganglioneuroma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Gene Amplification ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Infant ; N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neuroblastoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms ; classification ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; metabolism ; Receptor, trkA ; metabolism ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism

In order to establish signs in healthy subjects of pulses, tongue, and abdominal palpation determined by diagnostic techniques used in Kampo Medicine, we performed such diagnostic techniques in 71 subjects who had undergone a full physical examination and shown no abnormal signs from the viewpoint of western medicine. Pulses in men were often of medium depth, of medium speed, slightly large and substantive. There seemed to be at least two types of pulse in women, one was similar to the pulse signs found in men while the other was pulses of medium depth, of medium speed, small, and slightly deficient.
The tongue was pale pink, slightly damp, and slightly enlarged. The coating of the tongues was white or slightly white. Abdominal palpation often detected fullness, tenderness or discomfort of the hypochondrium (males and females), right paraumbilical tenderness (females), palpitation above the umbilicus (females), and softness below the umbilicus (males). A statistically significant difference between male and female subjects was noted in softness below the umbilicus which was more common in males, and in paraumbilical tenderness and palpitation above the umbilicus, which was more common in females. There was a significant correlation among signs of abdominal palpation.

Peripheral neuroblastic tumors (pNTs including Neuroblastoma, Ganglioneuroblastoma and Ganglioneuroma) are biologically and clinically heterogeneous. In order to develop efficient clinical treatment protocols of this disease, patients are stratified into different risk groups based on the combination of so-called prognostic factors. In this review, the prognostic factors are classified as clinically defined (Clinical staging and Age at diagnosis), histopathologically defined [International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification (INPC) distinguishing Favorable Histology (FH) Group and Unfavorable Histology (UH) Group] and genetically/molecularly defined [MYCN oncogene amplification, DNA index, Segmental chromosomal aberrations, ALK (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase) mutation/amplification and Abnormal maintenance/elongation of telomeres], are outlined. According to the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) Neuroblastoma studies, the survival rate of patients in low- or intermediate-risk group is more than 90%. In contrast, the survival rate of patients in the high-risk group remains less than 50% despite currently available high-intensity and multimodal therapy. As described in the genetically/molecularly defined prognostic factors, tumors in the high-risk group, majority of which are classified into the UH group according to the INPC, are molecularly heterogeneous. Based on the recent progress of precision medicine along with our correlative analyses between molecular alterations and their morphological manifestations, four subgroups; i.e., MYC subgroup, TERT subgroup, ALT subgroup and Null subgroup, are identified immunohistochemically in the UH group for future management of the patients with this unique d isease.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of keishibukuryogan (KB) against the cognitive symptoms associated with silent brain infarction in a prospective cohort study. The subjects were 93 patients with silent brain infarcts who visited the Department of Japanese Oriental Medicine, University of Toyama, and its allied hospitals. They consisted of 24 males and 69 females, mean age (± S.E.) 70.0±0.8.Group SK (n=51) consisted of patients who used KB extract for more than6months per year. Group SC (n=42) consisted of patients who did not use Kampo formulas. The NS group (n=44) consisted of elderly subjects who had no silent brain infarction, 21 males and 23 females, with a mean age (± S.E.) of 70.7±0.7 years. Among the three groups, the revised version of Hasegawa's dementia scale, apathy scale and self-rating depression scale were compared between the study start and after three years. In the SK and SC groups, these scores, and the subjective symptom levels (head heaviness, headache, dizziness or vertigo, stiff shoulder) were also studied. The results showed that the self-rating depression scales at study start for the SK and SC groups were significantly higher compared to the NS group. In spite of the scores for the NS group increasing after three years, the SK group scores were significantly decreased compared to the SC and NS groups. KB was effective against head heaviness, which often complicates silent brain infarction. In the above mentioned, KB was effective in treating cognitive disorders and subjective symptoms related to silent brain infarction.
Infarction ; Brain ; seconds ; Ions ; symptoms <1>

  In order to intervene in the management of pain of cancer from an early stage. Our palliative care team (PCT), including pharmacists, makes the ward rounds (screening rounds) of the patients receiving opioids at our hospital. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of screening rounds activity by the PCT and its current problems, and to explore how to resolve the problems. We retrospectively studied the records of 196 patients who had receivede interventions by the PCT, with regard to intervention status and prescription proposal (228 subjects) about drug therapy by us. Study groups were as follows: 103 patients to whom interventions were deliveed at the request of medical doctors (intervention request group) and 93 patients who had interventions by the PCT after PCT-screening rounds (screening group). PCT-screening rounds caused to increase the number of interventions by the PCT. After PCT-screening rounds, the cases of intervention started by the request of medical doctors, who had given no heed to PCT intervention, also increased in numher. In this study, some problems with palliative intervention were also brought to light. Even in the screening group where the PCT largely intervened, 33% of prescription proposal by the PCT was ignored. This problem may be, at least in part, due to inadequate communication between PCT and ward staff through an electronic medical recording card, leading to poor relationship between PCT and ward staff. In the future, the PCT needs to work cooperatively with ward staff through direct communication such as medical conference to perform better intervention.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical behavior and management outcome of recurrent endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS). METHODS: A retrospective review of charts of 10 patients with recurrent ESS was performed and relapse-free interval, relapse site, treatment, response to treatment, duration of follow-up and clinical outcome extracted. Survival outcome measures used were post-relapse survival which was defined as the time from first evidence of relapse to death from any cause. Living patients were censored at the date of last follow-up. RESULTS: The median age and median relapse-free interval at the time of initial relapse were 51.5 years and 66.5 months, respectively. The number of relapses ranged from one to five. Sixteen surgical procedures for recurrent disease included nine (56.0%) complete resections. There was no statistically significant difference between initial recurrent tumors and second/subsequent recurrent tumors in the rate of complete surgery (44.4% vs. 71.4%, respectively, p=0.36). Of the eleven evaluable occasions when hormonal therapy was used for recurrent disease, disease control was achieved in eight (72.7%). There was no difference between initial recurrent tumors and second/subsequent recurrent tumors in disease control rate by hormonal therapy (85.7% vs. 50.0%, respectively, p=0.49). The 10-year post-relapse survival rate was 90.0% and the overall median post-relapse survival 119 months (range, 7 to 216 months). CONCLUSION: Post-relapse survival of patients with ESS can be expected to be >10 years when treated by repeated surgical resection and hormonal therapy or both.
Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/therapeutic use ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant/mortality ; Disease-Free Survival ; Endometrial Neoplasms/drug therapy/*mortality/surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/*mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal/drug therapy/*mortality/surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the synovium, progressive erosion of the articular cartilage, and joint destruction. RA also causes secondary osteoporosis and muscle wasting. We investigated the effects of ibandronate (IBN), a bisphosphonate; eldecalcitol (ELD), an active vitamin D3 derivative; and combination treatment with both agents on secondary osteoporosis and muscle wasting using adjuvant-induced arthritis rats. METHODS: Arthritis was induced in 8-week-old male Lewis rats. Rats were randomized into 4 treatment groups and an untreated normal control group: IBN (subcutaneously, once every 2 weeks, 10 µg/kg), ELD (orally, once daily, 30 ng/kg/day), IBN + ELD, vehicle, and control. Paw thickness measurements were performed for evaluation of arthritis. The femur was scanned using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Cross-sectional areas of left tibialis and anterior muscle fibers and the expression of MuRF1, atrogin-1, MyoD, and myogenin in the gastrocnemius muscle were measured to evaluate muscle wasting. RESULTS: IBN and/or ELD increased bone mineral density (BMD) in the femur. In addition, there was an additive effect of combination treatment compared with single treatments for BMD. However, IBN and/or ELD did not inhibit muscle wasting in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats. CONCLUSIONS: Combination treatment with IBN and ELD may be effective for secondary osteoporosis associated with RA. Other treatments are necessary for muscle wasting associated with RA. Studies in humans are needed to confirm these findings.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Animals ; Arthritis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Bone Density ; Cartilage, Articular ; Cholecalciferol ; Femur ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Joints ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Myogenin ; Osteoporosis ; Rats ; Synovial Membrane ; Vitamin D

OBJECTIVESThe purpose of this study was to assess the validity of the candidate indicators secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) and sense of coherence (SOC) as predictors of threatened premature birth.

METHODSThis was a panel study conducted on women in their first and latter half of pregnancy during survey period. The survey period was from December 2005 to June 2006 and from December 2007 to June 2008. The women enrolled in the study were asked to complete the survey questionnaire and provide blood samples for the determinations of physiological indicators. The questionnaire consisted of questions related to the stress perception scale (SPS), SOC score as an indicator of modifiers of stress, demographic data, complications in a previous pregnancy, and the course of the current pregnancy. We used s-IgA and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein as a physiological stress indicator and a marker of infection, respectively. Seventy-two eligible subjects were included in the analysis.

RESULTSTwenty-eight (38.9%) subjects had undergone treatment for threatened premature birth, and 44 (61.1%) subjects had not. In the logistic analysis, we set the course of pregnancy as a dependent variable, and age, birth history, smoking habits, a history of miscarriage, premature birth or threatened premature birth, SPS, SOC, and s-IgA in the first half of pregnancy as independent variables. We found that low serum s-IgA levels and low SOC scores in the first half of pregnancy were associated with threatened premature birth.

CONCLUSIONSOur results suggest that low serum s-IgA level and SOC score at an early gestational stage are significant indicators for a threatened premature birth.

OBJECTIVEIn this study, we evaluated postpartum stress using a postpartum depression scale and by measuring the level of a stress-related substance, to clarify the relationship between the stresscoping capabilities of women in the final stage of pregnancy and their postpartum stress reactions.

METHODSBetween April 2004 and October 2004, 54 women participated in a question naire survey and the measurement of their secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) level as a stress-related substance two times in the final stage of their pregnancy (prepartum) and in their early puerperium (postpartum) was carried out. The questionnaire used in the prepartum stage included the following parameters: "basic features", "Sense of Coherence (SOC)" and "Japanese version of the self-assessment depression scale" of Zung. The questionnaire employed in the postpartum stage included the following parameters: "course of delivery", "Self-evaluation of delivery experience", and "Postpartum depression scale".

RESULTSThe depression score was higher and the s-IgA level was lower in the low-SOC score group than in the high-SOC score group, indicating that stress reactions were more intense in the low-SOC score group.

CONCLUSIONIt was revealed that stress reactions were more intense for women with a low SOC score. Moreover, the finding of a relationship between the low SOC score in the prepartum stage and depressive tendency suggests that women who are likely to develop depressive tendency can be predicted in the prepartum stage, and the significance of measuring SOC in the prepartum stage is thus suggested.