[Inter-rater Reliability and Cost in Pricing for Creating Dataset Focused on Mediolateral Oblique View in Mammography].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess inter-rater reliability and workload for creating accurate training data in the clinical evaluation of mammographic positioning for deep learning.

Methods: A total of 107 mammographic images without lesions were labeled by two certified radiologic technologists in seven items: six clinical image evaluation criteria in positioning and breast tissue density. The kappa coefficient was calculated as an indicator of interrater reliability.

Monitoring of radioactive cesium in wild boars captured inside the difficult-to-return zone in Fukushima Prefecture over a 5-year period.

Following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in 2011, tissue samples from wild boar (Sus scrofa) outside the evacuation zone (difficult-to-return zone, DRZ) tended to show high activity concentrations of cesium-137 (Cs). Understanding the Cs dynamics of wild boar populations inside the DRZ is necessary because they affect Cs dynamics and wild boar management in areas outside the DRZ. Since few detailed, long-term studies have been conducted inside the DRZ, we measured Cs activity concentrations in 221 wild boar muscle samples obtained from wild boar caught inside the DRZ and surrounding areas over a 5-year period.

Bidirectional information sharing between Nagoya Memorial Hospital and health insurance pharmacies using a communication sheet for pharmaceutical cooperation.

Background: We collaborated with the regional pharmaceutical associations near Nagoya Memorial Hospital and created a communication sheet for pharmaceutical cooperation between the hospital and health insurance pharmacies.

Methods: The communication sheet for pharmaceutical cooperation was issued in October 2014. We conducted a questionnaire survey of both cancer patients and community pharmacists 1 year after the implementation of the use of this sheet.

Proteomic analysis of a urinary stone with two layers composed of calcium oxalate monohydrate and uric acid.

We examined the mechanism of urinary stone formation by analyzing the matrix proteins in a urinary stone with two layers composed of different crystals. Micro-area X-ray spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy revealed calcium oxalate monohydrate in the outside and uric acid in the inside. We also examined the interface.

Monitoring Cs concentrations in bird species occupying different ecological niches; game birds and raptors in Fukushima Prefecture.

This study was conducted to assess radiocesium accumulation in birds after the accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in 2011, with a particular focus on Cs, which has a long physical half-life. Results of Cs monitoring in four game bird species including two pheasant species and two duck species (copper pheasant, green pheasant, spot-billed duck and mallard) were assessed in Fukushima Prefecture. We also obtained samples from rescued raptors that died during treatment or rehabilitation at the Wildlife Symbiosis Centre in Fukushima Prefecture because of severe injury.

[A retrospective analysis of chemotherapy for gastric cancer in later-stage elderly patients].

Aim: Despite the significant advances in chemotherapy, the prognosis of unresectable or recurrent gastric cancer is still very poor. Given that older adults are likely to have a number of concomitant diseases and an impaired major organ function, cancer chemotherapy in elderly patients requires particular caution. We examined what factors are associated with the overall survival of gastric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Boson peak dynamics of natural polymer starch investigated by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and low-frequency Raman scattering.

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and low-frequency Raman scattering were performed on the natural polymer starch to investigate the boson peak (BP) dynamics. In the infrared spectrum, the BP was observed at 0.99THz at the lowest temperature.

Stress-buffering Effect of Coping Strategies on Interrole Conflict among Family Caregivers of People with Dementia.

Objectives: To examine the stress-buffering effect of coping strategies on the adverse effects of interrole conflict on the mental health of employed family caregivers, and clarify the moderating role of attentional control on this stress-buffering effect.

Methods: Data were drawn from a two-wave longitudinal online survey of employed Japanese family caregivers of people with dementia (263 males, 116 females; age 51.54 ± 9.

Can self-efficacy ameliorate interrole conflict among employed family caregivers? A moderated mediation approach.

Objectives: This study examined the moderation effect of different dimensions of self-efficacy on the way in which various types of interrole conflict mediate between caregiving demands and the mental health of employed family caregivers.

Method: Using a moderated mediation approach, we examined the moderation effect of self-efficacy on interrole conflict's mediation between caregiving demands and mental health (psychological strain and quality of life) in a sample of Japanese employed family caregivers who regularly provide care at home (263 males aged 53.14 ± 8.

[Cooperation between a Hospital without Dentists and Local Dental Associations in Oral Management of Cancer Patients].

Severe oral mucositis induced by cancer chemotherapy can cause intolerable pain and increase the risk of systemic infections, necessitating dose reduction and discontinuation of antineoplastic agents. Moreover, this adverse effect may have an impact on patient nutrition and quality of life. An effective and prophylactic intervention should be useful for alleviating this complication.

Evaluation of cathepsin B activity for degrading collagen IV using a surface plasmon resonance method and circular dichroism spectroscopy.

Evaluation of cathepsin B activities for degrading collagen IV and heat-denatured collagen IV (gelatin) were performed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and circular dichroism (CD) measurements. The optimal pH of cathepsin B activity for degrading each substrate was around 4.0.

[Management of Fournier's gangrene in HIV-positive patients: report of 29 cases].

Objective: To review the clinical characteristics and treatment strategies of Fournier's gangrene in HIV-positive patients.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and therapeutic methods of 29 HIV-positive cases of Fournier's gangrene.

Results: The patients were aged 21-81 (mean 34.

Surgical closure of the larynx for the treatment of intractable aspiration: surgical technique and clinical results.

Objectives/hypothesis: Surgical closure of the larynx (SCL) is a method to prevent aspiration that sacrifices vocal function. The aim of this report was to introduce our new surgical method and perform clinical analysis of these cases.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Inclusion body hepatitis caused by fowl adenovirus in broiler chickens in Japan, 2009-2010.

From January 2009 to June 2010, many broiler chicks suddenly died without clinical signs. The mortality rates were from 1.2% to 17.

Prevalence of human papillomavirus in mobile tongue cancer with particular reference to young patients.

The carcinogenetic role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in mobile tongue cancer remains unclear because of conflicting results reported in the literature. This disparity is likely to be due to variations in the samples and methods used. Furthermore, despite a tendency for increased prevalence of mobile tongue cancer in young adults, only a few reports specifically in young patients have been published.

Real-time monitoring of matrix metalloproteinase-9 collagenolytic activity with a surface plasmon resonance biosensor.

We describe a simple method for real-time monitoring of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) collagenolytic activity for native triple helical collagen IV with a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor. The proteolytic activity of MMP-9 is measured as a decrease in the SPR signal resulting from the cleavage of collagen IV immobilized on the sensor surface. The kinetic parameters of full-length MMP-9 and its catalytic domain-catalytic constant (k(cat)), association rate constant (k(a)), and dissociation rate constant (k(d))-were estimated by the SPR method.

[Pilot study on clinical effects of rebamipide gargle against oral mucositis induced by fluoropyrimidines].

Rebamipide, a cytoprotective agent, has been suspected to attenuate oral mucositis through anti-inflammatory potentials and induction of endogenous prostaglandin synthesis. This prospective study was designed to assess the clinical efficacy of rebamipide gargle against oral mucositis, which is induced by fluoropyrimidines in patients with stomach and colorectal cancer. We first conducted a pilot study on gargle flavors, because the solution in this agent has a strong and bitter after taste.

Effect of anxiety on antero-posterior postural stability in patients with dizziness.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of anxiety on the postural stability of a variety of dizzy patients during upright standing. To address this issue, 54 patients complaining of dizziness were enrolled in this study. The degree of anxiety in patients was evaluated on the basis of a routine vestibular examination together with their dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) scores as well as the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS).

Novel antagonists for proteinase-activated receptor 2: inhibition of cellular and vascular responses in vitro and in vivo.

Background And Purpose: Proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR(2)) is a G-protein coupled receptor associated with many pathophysiological functions. To date, the development of PAR(2) antagonists has been limited. Here, we identify a number of novel peptide-mimetic PAR(2) antagonists and demonstrate inhibitory effects on PAR(2)-mediated intracellular signalling pathways and vascular responses.

[A case of interstitial pneumonia induced by S-1/irinotecan combination therapy].

A 67-year-old man with multiple liver metastases of colonic cancer was treated with combination therapy of S-1 and irinotecan (CPT-11): S-1 (120 mg/day) administered orally for 14 consecutive days followed by 14 days rest. CPT-11 (100 mg/m(2)) was given as a 2-hour infusion on day 1 and 15. The patient complained of high fever and subsequent exertional dyspnea in the middle of the second course of S-1/CPT-11 therapy.

Binding of a highly potent protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) activating peptide, [3H]2-furoyl-LIGRL-NH2, to human PAR2.

1 To determine the binding characteristics of a highly potent agonist for protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2), 2-furoyl-Leu-Ile-Gly-Arg-Leu-amide (2-furoyl-LIGRL-NH(2)), whole-cell binding assays were performed utilising a radioactive ligand, [(3)H]2-furoyl-LIGRL-NH(2). 2 Specific binding of [(3)H]2-furoyl-LIGRL-NH(2) was observed in NCTC2544 cells, dependent upon PAR2 expression, and competitively displaced by the addition of unlabeled PAR2 agonists. Scatchard analysis of specific saturation binding suggested a single binding site, with K(d) of 122+/-26.

Physiology and pathophysiology of proteinase-activated receptors (PARs): PAR-2 as a potential therapeutic target.

PAR-2 is the second member of the family of proteinase-activated receptors activated by trypsin, tryptase, and several other serine proteinases. In order to evaluate the therapeutic potential for PAR-2, we have performed studies on PAR-2-mediated signal transduction and investigated the effects of PAR-2 gene deficiency in disease models. In addition to the G-protein-coupled receptor-mediated common signal transduction pathways, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production and mobilization of Ca(2+), PAR-2 can also activate multiple kinase pathways, ERK, p38MAPK, JNK, and IKK, in a cell-type specific manner.

Potent and metabolically stable agonists for protease-activated receptor-2: evaluation of activity in multiple assay systems in vitro and in vivo.

To develop potent and metabolically stable agonists for protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2), we prepared 2-furoylated (2f) derivatives of native PAR-2-activating peptides, 2f-LIGKV-OH, 2f-LIGRL-OH, 2f-LIGKV-NH(2), and 2f-LIGRL-NH(2), and systematically evaluated their activity in PAR-2-responsive cell lines and tissues. In both HCT-15 cells and NCTC2544 cells overexpressing PAR-2, all furoylated peptides increased cytosolic Ca(2+) levels with a greater potency than the corresponding native peptides, although a similar maximum response was recorded. The absolute potency of each peptide was greater in NCTC2544, possibly due to a higher level of receptor expression.