1.Detection of HER-2 Protein and DNA Amplification in Breast, Stomach and Colon Cancers
Satoshi IKEDA ; Chigusa NAGATA ; Keiko SUZUKI
Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 2014;63(2):99-104
We investigated the detection situation of the HER-2 examination that was performed to investigate the adaptation of the molecular targeted medicine trastuzumab for mammary and gastric cancers. The HER-2 positive rate was higher in biopsy specimens than in surgical specimen. In gastric cancer, the positive rate was significantly high when it was of the papillary type, histologically. In comparison with mammary cancer, the percentage of FISH positive was high in 2+ cases. In addition, as the results of trial investigation showed, HER-2 positive cases ware few in colon cancer.
2.The Experience of Introduction Team-Based Learning(TBL)
Hitoshi Naruse ; Keiko Takahashi ; Kei-Ichiro Suzuki
Medical Education 2013;44(6):397-405
Introduction: Our school adopted team-based learning (TBL) in symptomatology classes for fourth-year students in 2010.
Method: This study examined the effects and problems of using a questionnaire survey involving students.
Results: The final scores of the students were distributed widely between approximately 65 to 90 points, indicating that TBL increased the spread of scores. The results of the survey showed that many students considered TBL to be a more effective approach than class-based learning, but most students showed an unfavorable attitude toward peer assessment. However, the results of multiple linear regression analysis showed no correlation between the survey results and final scores. The students who did not work together had better scores than students who did (p=0.048).
Discussion: The findings suggest that students’ scores after TBL are correlated with those after class-based teaching and that TBL helps improve students’ scores, especially those for case-study questions.
3.Problem in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Gene Mutation Detection Using Trans-Bronchial Lung Biopsy Samples
Satoshi IKEDA ; Chigusa NAGATA ; Keiko SUZUKI
Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 2016;64(6):1028-1034
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation examination is now performed in most medical institutions in order to select the molecular targeted medicine for lung cancer. It became clear that the positive rate of the biopsy material was lower than that of the surgical sample in this hospital. The cause was attributed to false negatives due to low tumor cell content in biopsy specimens. We investigated the presence of the mutation using surgical samples and preoperative biopsy specimens from the same patients in 13 cases. Furthermore, we investigated the tumor cell content of the biopsy specimens by cell counting. Results showed that 3 of 6 biopsy specimens that were associated with positive surgical samples were judged to be negative. The tumor cell content was less than 5% in all negative cases. Regarding EGFR gene mutation examination, we should carefully determine tumor cell content when using biopsy specimens.
4.Usefulness of Rapid Immunostaining in Intra-Operative Diagnosis of Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis of Breast Cancer
Satoshi IKEDA ; Chigusa NAGATA ; Keiko SUZUKI
Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 2014;63(4):618-623
In breast cancer cases, intra-operative diagnosis of sentinel lymph node metastasis has been performed widely. It is diagnosed at present by HE staining, but more objective methods are needed. In this study using 166 examples, we compared the methods using rapid immunostaining with the genetic examination. In rapid immunostaining, we recognized metastasis using cytokeratin which was an epithelial cell marker used in the serial sections for frozen histological diagnosis. In conclusion, because metastasis could be diagnosed accurately and pathologist&rsqup;s stress would be reduced, rapid immunostaining is useful for intraoperative diagnosis.
5.Detection of High Risk Type HPV by Means of Clinichiptm in Patients with Cervical Dysplasia
Satoshi IKEDA ; Chigusa NAGATA ; Koji SHIMABUKURO ; Keiko SUZUKI
Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 2014;63(1):29-34
It is known that uterine cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with high-risk type of HPV (human papilloma virus). We have run HPV genotyping tests on patients since November, 2011. In 111 cases so far examined, HPV types 16, 52 and 58 were detected with high frequency, but type 18 was with low frequency. This trend was comparable to nationwide tendency. Type 52, 56 and 58 were detected from the patients of advanced age frequently. There weredifferences in HPV infection rate between cytology-negative cases and positive cases, but there was not the difference in HPV typing by cytology-negative and positive patients. Furthermore, it was made clear that the superinfection of HPV who significantly related to the development of tumor. In the cytology negative patients who were followed up because of dysplasia, there are many who are negative for high risk HPV. Therefore, HPV genotyping examination may help physicians determine the relative priority for treatment.
6.Four cases in which octreotide treatment relieved symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding in end―stage cancer patients
Naoko Kudo ; Takashi Maeda ; Kozue Suzuki ; You Tei ; Keiko Tanaka
Palliative Care Research 2014;9(4):523-527
Background:Although octreotide is effective in the relief of symptoms of gastrointestinal obstruction, it is also effective for gastrointestinal bleeding. It has been reported that octreotide reduced the splanchnic blood flow, and reduced the bleeding from esophageal varices, peptic ulcer and the tumor of gastrointestinal tract. We experienced four cases of end―stage cancer patients admitted to a palliative care unit whose symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding were alleviated by octreotide(300μg/day). Case:Case 1;A 75―year―old woman with gastric cancer developed melena and received octreotide. After octreotide was discontinued, melena and hematemesis recurred. Octreotide was restarted subsequently, and hematemesis resolved. Case 2;An 87―year―old woman with gastric cancer received octreotide for increase of bloody drainage from a stomach tube. She had epigastric pain and emotional distress from the blood. These symptoms were alleviated following the administration of octreotide. Cases 3 and 4;A 76―year―old man with gastric cancer and a 62―year―old man with bile duct cancer received octreotide for massive vomiting of blood. After the administration of octreotide, there was no reoccurrence of hematemesis in both patients. Conclusion:Octreotide may alleviate symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding in end―stage cancer patients.
7.Differences in medical students’ emotional intelligence and empathy according to academic year and sex
Keiko Abe ; Kazuhiko Fujisaki ; Masayuki Niwa ; Yasuyuki Suzuki
Medical Education 2013;44(5):315-326
Objectives: To clarify differences in medical students’ emotional intelligence and empathy among 4 school years and sex.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of 370 medical students in years 1, 2, 4, and 6 was performed with Japanese versions of 2 self-reported questionnaires: the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire–Short Form (TEIQue-SF) and the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy–Student Version (JSPE-S).
Results: Total scores of the TEIQue–SF tended to decrease in higher school years. However, the total score of the JSPE-S was significantly increased in year 6 but was decreased in year 4. Male students had higher TEIQue–SF scores, and female students had higher JSPE-S scores. Of the 4 factors of the TEIQue–SF compared (well-being, self-control, emotionality, and sociability), only sociability was higher in males. No differences were found among school years. The scores of the TEIQue–SF and the JSPE-S showed a weak correlation. Of the factors of the TEIQue–SF, only self-control showed no correlation with the JSPE-S.
Discussion and Conclusion: These results suggest that the emotional intelligence of both male and female medical students tends to decline. The increase in JSPE-S scores in year 6 suggests that medical interview training is effective. Furthermore, training is important both to enhance emotional intelligence and to teach self-control skills.
8.A Case of Spindle Cell Type Medullary Carcinoma of the Thyroid Diagnosed by Immunocytochemistry
Satoshi IKEDA ; Atsushi Uchida ; Kazunari INOUE ; Keiko SUZUKI
Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 2016;65(4):868-871
We report a case of spindle cell type medullary carcinoma of the thyroid in a 77-year-old man. Fine needle aspiration cytology showed numerous spindle cells without inflammation and hemorrhage. The spindle cells were uniform and exhibited no malignant features. Immunocytochemistry was positive for carcinoembryonic antigen and calcitonin, and the tumor was diagnosed as spindle cell type medullary carcinoma. There are various histological subtypes of medullary carcinoma, and diagnosis by cytomorphology alone is difficult. Preservation with LBC fixative was helpful for diagnosis by immunocytochemistry in this case.
9.Demographic characteristics of standardized patients (SPs) and their satisfaction and burdensome in Japan: The first report of a nationwide survey
Keiko ABE ; Tomio SUZUKI ; Kazuhiko FUJISAKI ; Nobutaro BAN
Medical Education 2007;38(5):301-307
SPs have made a dramatic development in medical education over 10 years, due to the influence of medical education curriculum reform and the introduction of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination. However the quality of SPs' activities varies. In order to increase the quality it is necessary to analyze the psychological needs of SPs. The purpose of this survey is to explore SPs' personal characteristics and how they feel during their activities.
1) In a nationwide survey of Japanese SPs, 332 SPs (62%) out of 532 responded.
2) Sixty percent of SPs were between the ages of 50 and 69 years and the ratio of male to female SPs was 1: 4. The ratio of workers and non-workers was 1: 2.
3) A qualitative analysis found that SP motivations were derived mainly from making a contribution to society and self-improvement. Ninety six percent of SPs were satisfied with being an SP, especially when they saw improvements in the students.
4) However, 67% of SPs expressed difficulty with the three core skills of feedback, evaluation and performance.
10.Simulated patient programs at 5 Scottish medical schools: Report of site visits in Scotland
Keiko ABE ; Kazuhiko FUJISAKI ; Masayuki NIWA ; Yasuyuki SUZUKI ; Phillip EVANS
Medical Education 2008;39(3):199-203
1) We visited 5 Scottish universities (the Universities of Aberdeen, St Andrews, Dundee, Glasgow, and Edinburgh) to observe and learn about simulated-patient programs and communication-skills training.
2) Each medical school has developed its own approach for using simulated patients in training and for giving feedback to medical students.
3) In Scotland, where all medical schools adhere to“Tomorrow's Doctors”and“the Scottish Doctor Curriculum Outcomes, ”curriculum styles vary greatly, but the differences are celebrated.The simulated-patient programs are integrated into each program in a way unique to each school.