Simultaneous Material and Chemical Recycling of Waste PET/PE Multi-Layer Films under Hydrothermal Conditions.

Multi-layer plastic films are widely used in various fields especially for packaging, but due to complex composition, it is very difficult to recover single-material polymers or high-purity monomers from them after usage. In this study, we proposed a hydrothermal process for recycling PET/PE (PET: Polyethylene terephthalate; PE: Polyethylene) films. PET can be hydrolyzed to monomers of terephthalic acid (TPA) and ethylene glycol (EG).

Hitomi X-ray studies of Giant Radio Pulses from the Crab pulsar.

To search for giant X-ray pulses correlated with the giant radio pulses (GRPs) from the Crab pulsar, we performed a simultaneous observation of the Crab pulsar with the X-ray satellite Hitomi in the 2 - 300 keV band and the Kashima NICT radio observatory in the 1.4 - 1.7 GHz band with a net exposure of about 2 ks on 25 March 2016, just before the loss of the Hitomi mission.

[Successful Placement of Self-Expandable Metallic Stent for Malignant Gastrojejunostomy Obstruction Following Pancreatoduodenectomy - A Case Report].

A man in his 50 s, who had undergone subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy with modified Child's reconstruction for pancreatic cancer 8 months back, was hospitalized because of vomiting and difficulty in feeding.Radiological and endoscopic studies revealed a malignant obstruction of the gastrojejunostomy site due to peritoneal recurrence of the cancer.Although a self-expandable metallic stent(SEMS)was placed in the anastomotic site, it slipped back into the stomach 3 days later.

[Gemcitabine in Combination with Cisplatin in Patients with Unresectable Advanced or Recurrent Biliary Tract Cancer--A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study in Fukuoka].

The standard chemotherapy for the treatment of unresectable advanced and recurrent biliary tract cancers is considered gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) on the basis of favorable results reported in the ABC-02 study from the UK and the BT22 study from Japan. However, the GC cohort of the BT22 study consisted of only 42 patients, and we considered it necessary to confirm the effectiveness and safety of GC chemotherapy in a multicenter prospective observational study in Fukuoka. Thirty-seven patients were enrolled in this study, including two patients with recurrent disease.

Add-on effect of hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg in Japanese subjects with essential hypertension uncontrolled with losartan 50 mg and amlodipine 5 mg.

This study assessed the antihypertensive efficacy of a triple combination, fixed-dose therapy of losartan 50 mg (L50)/hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg (H12.5)/amlodipine 5 mg (A5) versus co-administration of L50 plus A5 (L50+A5) in Japanese subjects with uncontrolled essential hypertension.

Efficacy and safety of fixed-dose losartan/hydrochlorothiazide/amlodipine combination versus losartan/hydrochlorothiazide combination in Japanese patients with essential hypertension.

Japanese patients with uncontrolled essential hypertension received single-blind losartan 50 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg (L50/H12.5) for 8 weeks.

Efficacy and safety of losartan 100 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg in Japanese subjects with essential hypertension: two randomized, controlled trials.

Two randomized studies were designed to assess the safety, tolerability and efficacy of losartan 100 mg (L100) plus hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg (H12.5) in a single fixed-dose combination.

[Survival benefits of chemotherapy for unresectable biliary tract cancer--a multicenter retrospective analysis].

There is no agreement on the standard chemotherapeutic regimen for biliary tract cancer(BTC), although multi-drug regimens such as gemcitabine and/or S-1 have been tested in clinical trials. This study retrospectively reviewed data from patients with BTC who were seen at hospitals in the Kitakyushu and Fukuoka areas between 2005 and 2006, and examined the effect of systemic chemotherapy regimen on survival benefits in patients with unresectable BTC. Chemotherapy may benefit patients with BTC any age group, regardless of the primary site.

Safety and exploratory efficacy of the novel thrombin receptor (PAR-1) antagonist SCH530348 for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Aim: A previous phase 2 study of patients undergoing non-urgent PCI treated with SCH530348 plus aspirin and clopidogrel tended to reduce MACE without increased bleeding. This study evaluated the safety of SCH530348 in Japanese patients with NSTE ACS.

Methods: Subjects (117), in whom PCI was planned, received standard-of-care (aspirin, ticlopidine, and heparin) and were randomized 4:1 to receive either SCH530348 (20 or 40 mg loading dose followed by 1 mg/d or 2.

Basic and translational research on proteinase-activated receptors: antagonism of the proteinase-activated receptor 1 for thrombin, a novel approach to antiplatelet therapy for atherothrombotic disease.

Atherothrombotic disease is a leading public health problem. Although current antiplatelet agents, such as aspirin and adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-receptor antagonists, reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with atherothrombotic disease, the residual risk for ischemic events remains substantial. The high residual risk despite dual antiplatelet therapy can be attributed to the fact that platelets possess multiple pathways of activation that are not all inhibited by aspirin and ADP-receptor antagonists.

[Phase I/II study of combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine and UFT for advanced pancreatic cancer in a multi-center trial].

The aim of this phase I/II study was to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine (GEM) and UFT for advanced pancreatic cancer. In phase I study UFT was given orally every day for 14 days and GEM was infused on day 1 and 8 at three dose levels (800, 900, 1,000 mg/m(2)/week) every 21 days. GEM 1,000 mg/m(2) and UFT 400 mg/m(2) did not reach the maximum tolerated dose.

An effective management regimen for laryngeal granuloma caused by gastro-esophageal reflux: combination therapy with suggestions for lifestyle modifications.

According to our previous study, lifestyle modification in combination with drug therapy is much more effective than drug therapy alone in cases of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Most patients with LPR will have chronic gastro-esophageal reflux diseases (GERD) and require long-term medical therapy for control, resulting in high total expenditure on pharmacologic agents. We combined pharmacologic management with lifestyle modifications for the management of GERD with successful outcomes in patients with GERD-related laryngeal granulomas.

Three-dimensional laryngeal model for planning of laryngeal framework surgery.

Conclusion: The three-dimensional prototype model was useful for planning of laryngeal framework surgery.

Objective: To discuss the usefulness of a three-dimensional laryngeal model for laryngeal framework surgery.

Materials And Methods: A three-dimensional laryngeal model was created based on the postoperative helical computed tomography (CT) data of the larynx (case 1) which underwent lateral cricoarytenoid muscle (LCA) pull surgery.

Direct pull of lateral cricoarytenoid muscle for unilateral vocal cord paralysis.

Conclusion: Lateral cricoarytenoid muscle-pull surgery (LCA pull) is a safe and effective method for the treatment of unilateral vocal cord paralysis.

Objective: To evaluate the results of an improved method of LCA pull for unilateral vocal cord paralysis.

Material And Methods: Thirteen patients with unilateral vocal cord paralysis underwent LCA pull between April 2003 and January 2004.

The relationship between esophagoscopic findings and total acid reflux time below pH 4 and pH 5 in the upper esophagus in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD).

Objective: : To investigate the relationship between esophagoscopic findings and total acid reflux time in the upper esophagus in the patients of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD), and to evaluate whether pH<5 holding time is appropriate for diagnosing LPRD.

Method: : Esophagoscopy and 24-h pH monitoring in the upper esophagus were performed in 29 patients suspected of LPRD and 19 healthy volunteers participated as controls. The total acid reflux times below pH 4 and 5 in the upper esophagus were compared between the LPRD group and the controls.

[Rapid prototyping of the larynx for laryngeal frame work surgery].

A detailed understanding of the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the larynx is important for determining appropriate methods and approaches for laryngeal frame work surgery. In this study, a 3D laryngeal model was constructed based on postoperative helical CT data obtained after lateral cricoarytenoid muscle (LCA) pull surgery (Iwamura) for the treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis. The anatomical configurations of the arytenoid cartilages and the optimal approaches for laryngeal frame work surgery were then examined.

Rapid prototyping of temporal bone for surgical training and medical education.

Objective: The skills of ear surgery are best developed by dissecting a temporal bone. However, only a limited number of trainees can be afforded this opportunity because of the scarcity of available bones. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of a prototype temporal bone model for surgical training and education.

Rapidly prototyped temporal bone model for otological education.

The anatomy of the temporal bone is extremely complicated. If a three-dimensional model could be simulated, it would greatly contribute to the stereoscopic understanding of anatomy and surgery. A simulated three-dimensional model of a human temporal bone was prototyped using the selective laser sintering method.

[Multi-center trial of gemcitabine for 49 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer].

Forty-nine patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer (stage IV disease) received gemcitabine in a multi-center trial in the Fukuoka pancreatic cancer chemotherapy group, Japan. No complete remissions, 5 partial remissions (10%) and 25 no changes (51%) were obtained. Gemcitabine could maintain QOL.

A comparison of voice quality ratings made by Japanese and American listeners using the GRBAS scale.

The GRBAS scale is a widely used method for perceptual evaluation of voice quality. Two linguistically diverse groups of listeners (Japanese and American) rated 35 voice samples using the GRBAS scale. The ratings obtained from the two groups were compared to determine if the different linguistic background affected the use of the GRBAS scale.

Globus sensation caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Objectives: This study was designed to examine whether or not gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is implicated in globus sensation.

Methods: The subjects were 25 patients (16 men/9 women; mean age: 51, range 25-69 years) complaining of globus sensation with one or more of four laryngeal findings suspected of having GERD, such as pooling of saliva, erythema of posterior one-third of larynx, inter-arytenoids edema, and granuloma. All 25 patients were administrated a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for a period of 8 weeks.