A randomized trial to evaluate the preventive effect of lafutidine on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients treated with carboplatin and paclitaxel for lung cancer.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) has a significant impact on the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy and patients' quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the preventive effect of lafutidine on CIPN.

Methods: Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy with lafutidine 10 mg twice daily (lafutidine group) or without lafutidine (control group).

High level of C-reactive protein as a predictive factor for immune-related adverse events of immune checkpoint inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective study.

Background: Several risk factors for the immune-related adverse events (irAEs) during treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been reported, of which include high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). In this study, we aim to evaluate CRP levels before ICIs treatments as potential predictive biomarkers of irAEs incidence rate and overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: Between December 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019, we retrospectively collected all adult patients with NSCLC who received at least one dose of an ICI targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis at the Iwate Medical University Hospital in Japan.

Case report: Self-restraint in a patient with alien hand syndrome following cerebral infarction involving the anterior cerebral artery territory.

Frontal alien hand syndrome (AHS) presents as impulsive grasping and groping and compulsive manipulation of environmental objects that can affect the dominant or nondominant hand. A few reports have shown improvements in neuropsychological scores over time when self-restraint of the right hand AHS was enforced. A 72-year-old woman presented with right-handed involuntary instinctive grasping reactions and compulsive manipulation of tools after an infarction of the frontal lobe and corpus callosum (CC).

Efficacy and Effectiveness of Showerheads Attached with Point-of-use (POU) Filter Capsules in Preventing Waterborne Diseases in a Japanese Hospital.

Tap water contamination is a growing concern in healthcare facilities, and despite chlorination, tap water in these facilities contains several pathogenic microorganisms causing healthcare-associated waterborne infections or nosocomial outbreaks. Shower units are particularly prone to contamination as they are conducive for bacterial growth and can even produce bioaerosols containing pathogenic bacteria. Shower units coupled with point-of-use (POU) water filters are a simple and safe option; however, their efficacy has been under-reported.

Comparison of physical image qualities and artifact indices for head computed tomography in the axial and helical scan modes.

This study aimed to validate the clinically demonstrated equivalency of the axial and helical scan modes (AS and HS, respectively) for head computed tomography (CT) using physical image quality measures and artifact indices (AIs). Two 64-row multi-detector row CT systems (CT-A and CT-B) were used for comparing AS and HSs with detector rows of 64 and 32. The modulation transfer function (MTF), noise power spectrum (NPS), and slice sensitivity profile were measured using a CT dose index corresponding to clinical use.

Changes in pulmonary function of residents in Sanriku Seacoast following the tsunami disaster from the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Background: Residents in the district struck by the Great East Japan Earthquake Tsunami (GEJET) suffered from adverse living conditions and various pulmonary diseases.

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of GEJET, we performed serial assessment of pulmonary function of approximately 10,000 residents in the district struck by GEJET.

Methods: Using a spirometer, we assessed the pulmonary function of approximately 10,000 residents older than 18 years in the Sanriku seacoast, which was struck by the tsunami.

Radiological classification of retroperitoneal hematoma resulting from lumbar vertebral fracture.

Purpose: Lumbar vertebral fracture (LVF) infrequently produces massive retroperitoneal hematoma (RPH). This study aimed to systematically review the clinical and radiographic characteristics of RPH resulting from LVF.

Methods: For 193 consecutive patients having LVF who underwent computed tomography (CT), demographic data, physiological conditions, and outcomes were reviewed from their medical records.

Comparative evaluation of image quality among different detector configurations using area detector computed tomography.

The 320-detector row computed tomography (CT) system, i.e., the area detector CT (ADCT), can perform helical scanning with detector configurations of 4-, 16-, 32-, 64-, 80-, 100-, and 160-detector rows for routine CT examinations.

Staff attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities in Japan and the United States.

Background: Staff attitudes may affect choices available to persons with intellectual disabilities (ID). This study examined attitudes towards people with ID among staff working with people with ID in Japan and the United States.

Method: Attitudes of staff working with people with ID in Japan and the United States were compared using the Community Living Attitudes Scale, Intellectual Disabilities Form.

Scedosporium aurantiacum brain abscess after near-drowning in a survivor of a tsunami in Japan.

Many victims of the tsunami that occurred following the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011 developed systemic disorders owing to aspiration pneumonia. Herein, we report a case of tsunami lung wherein Scedosporium aurantiacum was detected in the respiratory tract. A magnetic resonance image of the patient's head confirmed multiple brain abscesses and lateral right ventricle enlargement.

[Impact of iterative reconstruction on shape reproducibility of three-dimensional computed tomography].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an iterative reconstruction method (IR) on shape reproducibility in three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography images. We used an IR (sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction: SAFIRE) implemented in a 64-channel multi slice computed tomography system (Siemens, SOMATOM Definition AS). We scanned a simulated vessel phantom with 180-HU vessel contrast at various radiation doses and reconstructed axial images of filtered back projection (FBP) and SAFIRE.

[Evaluation of low-contrast detectability in low-dose chest computed tomography].

We investigated whether low-contrast resolution evaluation can be applied to chest (lung field) computed tomography (CT) images that are commonly reconstructed using filter kernels with strong frequency emphasis and displayed at wide window widths. We assumed low dose chest CT examinations and set the current-time product to 5 and 10 mAs. The visual detection study was performed by five radiological technologists using water phantom images in which the simulated low contrast objects (disc objects) were implanted.

[Examination of motion artifacts for helical and non-helical scanning modes in head CT].

For head computed tomography (CT), non-helical scanning has been recommended even in the widely used multi-slice CT (MSCT). Also, an acute stroke imaging standardization group has recommended the non-helical mode in Japan. However, no detailed comparison has been reported for current MSCT with more than 16 slices.

Standard examination system for laparoscopy in penetrating abdominal trauma.

Background: The high missed occult small bowel injuries (SBI) associated with laparoscopy in trauma (LIT) is a major reason why some surgeons still preclude LIT today. No standardized laparoscopic examination for evaluation of the peritoneal cavity is described for trauma. The objective of this article is to verify if a systematic standardized laparoscopic approach could correctly identify SBI in the peritoneal cavity for penetrating abdominal trauma (PAT).

The main indications and techniques for vascular exclusion of the liver.

Background: The purpose of vascular clamping during the course of liver resection is to reduce bleeding and subsequent complications.

Aim: To show both step-by-step surgical techniques for vascular exclusion of the liver and their indications.

Methods: It is described the following techniques: clamping of the hepatic pedicle, "Pringle" maneuver; intermittent clamping of the hepatic pedicle; intermittent vascular exclusion of the liver, without vena cava clamping, and hepatic vascular exclusion with vena cava clamping.

Spontaneous disappearance and reappearance of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm: one case found in a group of 33 consecutive patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage who underwent repeat angiography.

The spontaneous disappearance and reappearance of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm is generally assumed to be a rare phenomenon although the actual incidence is unknown. Among 39 consecutive cases of acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), 33 were studied by three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (CTA) within 6 h after the onset of SAH, followed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) within 24 h after the ictus. Of those patients, one, a 58-year-old woman, had a saccular aneurysm at the distal anterior cerebral artery; the aneurysm was clearly demonstrated by CTA 2.

A morpho-quantitative study of the myenteric ganglia throughout the human digestive tract.

We have examined the sizes of nerve cells present in the myenteric plexus in the human esophagus, stomach, duodenum and sigmoid colon using a nonhistochemical method (Giemsa) in laminar preparations of the muscularis externa. The collagen and elastic system related fibers in the myenteric ganglia were also qualitatively evaluated. The major mean of perikaryal area was observed in the esophagus (489.

[Comparative analysis of PAC-I and PAC-II].

Comparison between the results of students' evaluation of the University of São Paulo Medical School with the results of the coordinators' evaluation of their own program is presented; 32 programs during 1996 were studied. In 50% of the cases, the students and professors evaluation were identical. In 28.

[Teacher's opinions regarding graduation programs at the University of São Paulo Medical School--PAC-II].

The authors show the results of the "Curricular Evaluation Program" of University of São Paulo Medical School pertaining to the year of 1996. This program (PAC-II) is based on teachers' opinions regarding the subjects taught (1st to 4th grades) and hospital intern courses. The opinions collected concerning such programs were definitely favorable.

Prognostic factors to predict outcome following the administration of hypertonic/hyperoncotic solution in hypovolemic patients.

Hypertonic solutions effectively improve hemodynamic parameters in patients admitted to the emergency room. However, no significant differences in outcome were observed compared with standard isotonic treatment in most previously published studies. This study evaluates pretreatment prognostic factors that predict a beneficial effect of hypertonic solution in patients admitted to the emergency room with hemorrhagic hypovolemia in a prospective double-blind fashion.

[Program evaluation Curriculum of the University of São Paulo Medical School. For the year 1994 and the period 1989-1994].

The authors present the results of the Program of Curriculum Evaluation of the University of São Paulo Medical School for the year of 1994, as well as the 1989-1994 period. The academic year of 1994 wasn't a good year to the medical graduation regarding disciplines from the first to the fourth year; only 14.3% of the disciplines achieved 90% or more of "excellent" + "good".

Grynfelt hernia.

Lumbar hernias are very uncommon conditions. Less than 300 cases have been reported in the literature. They result from defects in the posterolateral abdominal wall.