A multi-institutional study using our protocol of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and intensive occupational therapy (OT) showed significant improvement of motor function of the affected upper limb in poststroke patients. The response to the treatment was not influenced by age or time after stroke onset. Our protocol is a safe, feasible, and potentially useful neurorehabilitative intervention for upper limb hemiparesis after stroke. The extent of the improvement seems to be influenced by the baseline severity of upper limb hemiparesis. The results suggest that patients with Brunnstrom stage 4 or 5 upper limb hemiparesis are best suited for this protocol. Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) has been reported to be an effective treatment for limb spasticity after stroke. However, the spasticity reduction after BoNT-A injection alone does not ensure an improvement in the active motor function of the affected limb. Our proposed protocol of a BoNT-A injection, followed by home-based functional training seems to have the potential to improve the active motor function of the affected upper limb after stroke.

Objectives: At present, the dose conversion ratio for a continuous intravenous infusion of fentanyl (CIV) and fentanyl transdermal patches (TP), which are widely used in Japan, is not based on the results of clinical studies in Japanese patients. Studies comparing serum fentanyl concentrations in patients with cancer pain treated by TP showed large differences between Japanese patients and those in other countries. We therefore studied the dose conversion ratio in Japanese patients. Methods: From October 2003 through October 2008, we extracted information on all patients with gastrointestinal cancer who underwent rotation from CIV to TP in the gastrointestinal ward of Kitasato University East Hospital. We selected patients in whom the daily dose of CIV or TP (i.e., the basic dose) was unchanged for 10 days after rotation and the difference in the number of rescue doses (per day) as compared with immediately before rotation was 1 or less on at least 3 consecutive days. All TP preparations used in this study were reservoir-type. Regression lines were plotted on the basis of the relation of “the basic released dose of TP” to “the basic prescribed dose of CIV,” and the dose conversion ratio was calculated. Results: 47 patients underwent opioid rotation, and 11 of them satisfied the eligibility criteria. Eleven patients were studied. The following regression equation was obtained: Y=1.0227X+1.0103, r²=0.9188, indicating a strong correlation. The dose conversion ratio of CIV to TP (released dose) derived by regression analysis was 1:1. Conclusions: Our results obtained in Japanese patients will allow dose conversion at the time of opioid rotation from CIV to TP to be more appropriately performed.

Purpose: This retrospective study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of morphine for the management of dyspnea in terminal cancer patients. Methods: 64 terminal cancer patients, who had morphine administered for dyspnea management, were investigated. Dyspnea was assessed daily on the numerical rating scale (NRS; 0-5) before and 48 hours after the administration, and at the point of dose modifications. Result: The medication period was 34.7 days and the daily dose of morphine was 93.0 mg. The mean NRS decreased from 3.5 to 1.6 (p<0.001). 46 patients (72%) were started with an oral administration of normal-release morphine when-required. The major side effects of morphine, such as hypoxemia or decrease in respiratory rate, were not observed. Conclusion: Morphine is effective and safe for the management of dyspnea even in terminal cancer patients with careful titration.

Purpose: The prefered location for recuperation of cancer patients is constantly changing. In order to meet the request of the patients and their family that they want to stay at home, our answer is to provide a “back-up bed” on the role for our palliative care unit. We developed a 24-hr hot line (Bethel Hospice Hotline; HL), and carried out HL from April 2010. For the purpose of future enhancement of cooperation, we examined the case of HL history over 3 years. Methods: Palliative care physicians interviewed patients and their families, explained the mechanism of cooperation to their family doctors. With their consent patients were registered to the HL. Results: 75 cases of HL registration from April 2010 to April 2013, 63 cases were supported by home care supporting clinics, 7 by other clinics, 3 by other hospitals and 2 others. The demands of family doctors upon HL: 69 cases were back bed and 14 cases required consultation for symptom relief. Our results show 42 (21 were emergency) patients admitted to our hospital, 18 received care at home supported family doctors, 4 were admitted to other hospitals, and 11 are ongoing. Conclusion: Since half of the admissions (21/42 cases, 6 were off hours) to our hospital were emergency, it is necessary to promote efficient cooperation to reduce the burden of the family doctors and the palliative care unit. Thus, it is expected to relieve the symptoms from early stages of the illness and to facilitate timely hospitalization.

Purpose:This study aims to clarify the current situation where palliative care is concurrently performed with cancer therapy, and its effectiveness. Methods:Medical charts of patients cared for at home between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013 were retrospectively investigated. Results:14 out of 192 home-care cancer patients were given chemotherapy. The palliative medication period was 192 days and chemotherapy lasted 89.8 days on average. From the beginning of home palliative care until death, patients received chemotherapy for almost half of this period. Consideration:By establishing trust between patients and caregivers, palliative care serves the patients needs well, even after cancer treatment is completed. Home palliative care is a significant part of the entire process.

From March 1981 to March 1990, 61 patients with Stanford type B acute aortic dissection were initially treated by conservative therapy. Among these 61 patients, the dissected lumen became occluded due to thrombosis early after diagnosis in 25 patients (Group T) and remained patent in 36 patients (Group P). Twentythree patients in Group T (92%) and 22 patients in Group P (61%) were discharged without major complications related to acute aortic dissection. However, 2 patients in Group T (8%) and 14 patients in Group P (39%) required additional surgical therapy or died during hospitalization. The mean aortic diameter at the time of admission in Group T was smaller than that of Group P (38±3mm vs 43±7mm, p<0.05). During the observation period, there was a tendency for the diameter of the dissected aorta in Group T to decrease, but to increase in Group P. Long-term survival appeared to be better in Group T than in Group P, but there was no significant difference in the overall survival curve. Large aortic diameter at the time of admission and the presence of a true thoracic aortic aneurysm were major contributing factors influencing the prognosis. A long-term follow-up study showed that the dissected lumen reduced or disappeared in 14 of 23 patients in Group T (61%) but only 2 of 16 patients in Group P (12.5%). We concluded that the patients with small dissected aortas and thrombosed dissected lumens (Group T) can recuperate only with conservative therapy. However, patients with large dissected aortas and patent dissected lumen (Group P) may require surgical therapy even in Stanford type B aortic dissection.

Angiosarcoma is an uncommon malignancy, which spread out from the endothelial cells of vessels. Scalp angiosarcoma with cervical lymph node metastasis is particularly rare. This article describes a rare case of angiosarcoma of the scalp, presenting as neck inflammation. Imaging procedures such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance image (MRI) and ultrasonography (US) were not sufficient to diagnose this case. A needle biopsy provided an effective and accurate diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis. Additional observation and physical examination was required to diagnose the origin of the primary cancerous lesion. Once the angiosarcoma diagnosis was confirmed histologically, sequential weekly and monthly docetaxel (DTX) treatment was effective in preventing reoccurrence. Nonetheless, the optimization of angiosarcoma treatment remains a future goal. Although patients generally describe pain and swelling at the primary lesion site, this patient complained only of painful neck inflammation, without any indication of pain or swelling of the scalp. A revised diagnostic protocol should note that cervical lymph node metastasis of unknown primary origin may result from angiosarcoma of the scalp.
Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Cranial Irradiation ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; therapy ; Hemangiosarcoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Neck ; pathology ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Radiography ; Scalp ; pathology ; Skin Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; therapy ; Taxoids ; therapeutic use ; Ultrasonography

The objective of this study is to examine the effect of low-magnitude, high-frequency (LMHF) loading, and anti-osteoporosis medications such as parathyroid hormone (PTH) and bisphosphonates on peri-implant bone healing in an osteoporosis model, and to assess their combined effects on these processes. Thirteen-week-old ovariectomized rats (n = 44) were divided into three groups: PTH, alendronate, and saline. After 3 weeks of drug administration, titanium implants were inserted into the tibiae. Each group was subdivided into two groups: with or without LMHF loading via whole-body vibration (50 Hz at 0.5 g, 15 min per day, 5 days per week). Rats were killed 4 weeks following implantation. Removal torque test, micro-CT analyses (relative gray (RG) value, water = 0, and implant = 100), and histomorphometric analyses (bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and peri-implant bone formation (bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV))) were performed. Removal torque values and BIC were significantly differed by loading and drug administration (ANOVA). Post hoc analysis showed that PTH-treated groups were significantly higher than the other drug-treated groups. BV/TV was significantly enhanced by PTH administration. In cortical bone, RG values were significantly increased by loading. In trabecular bone, however, RG values were significantly increased by PTH administration. These findings suggest that LMHF loading and PTH can act locally and additively on the bone healing process, improving the condition of implant osseointegration.
Alendronate ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Dental Implantation, Endosseous ; methods ; Dental Implants ; Female ; Implants, Experimental ; Osseointegration ; drug effects ; Ovariectomy ; Parathyroid Hormone ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Tibia ; surgery ; Vibration ; Wound Healing ; drug effects

Palmoplantar pustulosis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease involving the palms and soles where mild accumulation of helper T cells and neutrophils in the dermis histologically are observed. Leukoencephalopathy is a brain disease affecting white matter but is rarely accompanied by skin lesion. Here we report a unique case of leukoencephalopathy accompanied by palmoplantar pustulosis with identical pathological feature of helper T cell accumulation in both the brain and skin, suggesting a possible link in the pathogenesis.

BACKGROUND: In health examinations for local inhabitants in cadmium-polluted areas, only healthy people are investigated, suggesting that patients with severe cadmium nephropathy or itai-itai disease may be overlooked. Therefore, we performed hospital-based screening to detect patients with cadmium nephropathy in two core medical institutes in cadmium-polluted areas in Akita prefecture, Japan. METHODS: Subjects for this screening were selected from patients aged 60 years or older with elevated serum creatinine levels and no definite renal diseases. We enrolled 35 subjects from a hospital in Odate city and 22 from a clinic in Kosaka town. Urinary ß-microglobulin and blood and urinary cadmium levels were measured. RESULTS: The criteria for renal tubular dysfunction and the over-accumulation of cadmium were set as a urinary ß-microglobulin level higher than 10,000 μg/g cr. and a blood cadmium level higher than 6 μg/L or urinary cadmium level higher than 10 μg/g cr., respectively. Subjects who fulfilled both criteria were diagnosed with cadmium nephropathy. Six out of 57 patients (10.5% of all subjects) had cadmium nephropathy. CONCLUSIONS: This hospital-based screening is a very effective strategy for detecting patients with cadmium nephropathy in cadmium-polluted areas, playing a complementary role in health examinations for local inhabitants. REGISTRATION NUMBER No. 6, date of registration: 6 June, 2010 (Akita Rosai Hospital), and No. 1117, date of registration: 26 December, 2013 (Akita University).
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cadmium ; adverse effects ; urine ; Cadmium Poisoning ; blood ; complications ; urine ; Creatinine ; urine ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; Environmental Monitoring ; Environmental Pollutants ; adverse effects ; urine ; Female ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Japan ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; urine ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sex Distribution