Effects of SO2 on respiratory system of adult Miyakejima resident 2 years after returning to the island.

Background: Mt. Oyama in Miyakejima Island erupted in June, 2000. All Miyake villagers were forced to evacuate from the island in September, 2000, due to continuous eruptions and emissions of unsafe amounts of volcanic gas, mainly SO2.

Performance evaluation of 4 measuring methods of ground-glass opacities for predicting the 5-year relapse-free survival of patients with peripheral nonsmall cell lung cancer: a multicenter study.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of 4 methods of measuring the extent of ground-glass opacities as a means of predicting the 5-year relapse-free survival of patients with peripheral nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSLC).

Methods: Ground-glass opacities on thin-section computed tomographic images of 120 peripheral NSLCs were measured at 7 medical institutions by the length, area, modified length, and vanishing ratio (VR) methods. The performance (Az) of each method in predicting the 5-year relapse-free survival was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic analysis.

Mutation of cGMP phosphodiesterase 6alpha'-subunit gene causes progressive degeneration of cone photoreceptors in zebrafish.

In mammals, the blockade of the phototransduction cascade causes loss of vision and, in some cases, degeneration of photoreceptors. However, the molecular mechanisms that link phototransduction with photoreceptor degeneration remain to be elucidated. Here, we report that a mutation in the gene encoding a central effector of the phototransduction cascade, cGMP phosphodiesterase 6alpha'-subunit (PDE6alpha'), affects not only the vision but also the survival of cone photoreceptors in zebrafish.

Immunohistochemical expression of BCRP and ERCC1 in biopsy specimen predicts survival in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of expression of ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter proteins and DNA repair gene proteins by immunohistochemically staining tumor biopsy specimens from patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) being treated with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Experimental Design: Expression of ABC transporter proteins, including BCRP (breast cancer resistance protein) and MRP2 (multidrug resistance proteins 2), and the DNA-repair-related proteins, ERCC1 (excision repair cross-complementation group 1) and BRCA1 (breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein) was assessed immunohistochemically in 156 tumor samples from untreated stage IV NSCLC patients. All of the patients had received platinum-based chemotherapy.

Volcanic sulfur dioxide and acute respiratory symptoms on Miyakejima island.

Objectives: Following a volcanic eruption in 2000, high concentrations of ambient sulfur dioxide (SO2) are still observed on Miyakejima, Japan despite the reversal 2 years ago of the ban on residents living on the island. This study examines the association between current levels of volcanic SO2 and the incidence of acute subjective symptoms in volunteers on Miyakejima.

Methods: The authors conducted a follow-up study on 611 healthy volunteers, on a person-hour basis (28 413 person-hours), who visited the island to provide support to residents from February to July 2005.

Performance status and sensitivity to first-line chemotherapy are significant prognostic factors in patients with recurrent small cell lung cancer receiving second-line chemotherapy.

Background: To the authors' knowledge, the prognostic factors in recurrent small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients treated with second-line chemotherapy have not yet been clearly identified to date.

Methods: Between July 1992 and December 2003, 232 of 515 patients who were diagnosed to have SCLC at the National Cancer Center Hospital East were administered second-line chemotherapy for recurrent disease. The authors retrospectively analyzed the relation between clinical factors evaluated at the time of recurrence and the response to second-line chemotherapy or survival in these patients.

Phase III study, V-15-32, of gefitinib versus docetaxel in previously treated Japanese patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

Purpose: This phase III study (V-15-32) compared gefitinib (250 mg/d) with docetaxel (60 mg/m(2)) in patients (N = 489) with advanced/metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had failed one or two chemotherapy regimens.

Methods: The primary objective was to compare overall survival to demonstrate noninferiority for gefitinib relative to docetaxel. An unadjusted Cox regression model was used for the primary analysis.

[A survey on urinary incontinence among middle aged and older people].

Objective: Studies in Western countries have revealed that urinary incontinence, non-intentional loss of urine, is a common condition in aged populations, and even younger individuals may suffer from urinary incontinence. However, in Japan, the evidence for community residents on this topic is limited. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of urinary incontinence among middle aged using a structured questionnaire and older people and to provide useful information including frequency, voided volume, relation to parity as a risk factor and persons to consult for this condition.

Predominant infiltration of macrophages and CD8(+) T Cells in cancer nests is a significant predictor of survival in stage IV nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether tumor-infiltrating immune cells in biopsy specimens can be used to predict the clinical outcome of stage IV nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Method: The authors performed an immunohistochemical study to identify and count the number of CD68(+) macrophages, c-kit(+) mast cells, and CD8(+) T cells in both cancer nests and cancer stroma in pretreatment biopsy specimens obtained from 199 patients with stage IV NSCLC treated by chemotherapy, and then analyzed for correlations between the number of immune cells and clinical outcome, including chemotherapy response and prognosis.

Results: There was no correlation between the number of immune cells in either cancer nests or stroma and chemotherapy response.

Low podoplanin expression of tumor cells predicts poor prognosis in pathological stage IB squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, tissue microarray analysis of 136 patients using 24 antibodies.

The aim of this study was to identify clinicopathological and biological prognostic markers for patients who had undergone complete resection of pathological stage IB squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) of the lung. A total of 136 consecutive stage IB SqCC patients fulfilled eligibility criteria, and their clinicopathological factors were evaluated. Tissue microarrays were also constracted, and immunohistochemical staining with 24 antibodies was performed.

Gender difference in the relationships between vision and hearing impairments and negative well-being.

Objectives: To evaluate the association of hearing impairment, vision impairment and their combination (dual sensory impairment) with negative well-being such as depression, subjective poor health and the reduced functional ability in community-dwelling older adults, and to determine whether any association varies by gender.

Methods: Between 2005 and 2006, we objectively examined vision and hearing impairment (using best-corrected visual acuity and pure-tone audiometric test) in 843 people aged 65 years and older (351 males, 492 females) in a rural Japanese town. Through a home visit interview survey using a structured questionnaire, we also collected information on depression (the five-item Geriatric Depression Scale), subjective poor health, and reduced functional activity (the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology's Index of Competence).

Clinical outcome of chemoradiation therapy in patients with limited-disease small cell lung cancer with ipsilateral pleural effusion.

Background: The indications for definitive thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) in limited-disease small cell lung cancer (LD-SCLC) and ipsilateral pleural effusion have not been thoroughly investigated. We retrospectively investigated the clinical outcome of LD-SCLC patients with ipsilateral pleural effusion.

Methods: The medical records of SCLC patients who received treatment at the National Cancer Center Hospital East between July 1992 and December 2006 were reviewed.

Efficacy and safety of two doses of pemetrexed supplemented with folic acid and vitamin B12 in previously treated patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two doses of pemetrexed supplemented with folic acid and vitamin B(12) in pretreated Japanese patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Experimental Design: Patients with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 to 2, stage III or IV, and who received previously one or two chemotherapy regimens were randomized to receive 500 mg/m(2) pemetrexed (P500) or 1,000 mg/m(2) pemetrexed (P1000) on day 1 every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was response rate.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin and vinorelbine for stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

Introduction: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with full doses of cisplatin-based chemotherapy is standard treatment for inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although many platinum-based two drug combinations with third-generation agents are difficult to combine fully with thoracic radiotherapy (TRT), a phase I study reported a full dose of cisplatin (CDDP) plus 80% dose of vinorelbine (VNR) was successfully combined with concurrent TRT.

Methods: Between October 2000 and October 2004, 73 patients with inoperable stage III NSCLC treated with CDDP, VNR, and concurrent TRT were retrospectively analyzed.

Psychosocial factors and survival after diagnosis of inoperable non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective: Although several previous studies have investigated the association between psychosocial factors and the survival of lung cancer patients, most previous studies were flawed by severe methodological limitations. The purpose of the present study was to use a rigorous study design to investigate the association between relevant psychosocial factors and survival after a diagnosis of inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: The subjects were 122 consecutive newly diagnosed patients with inoperable NSCLC.

Mutational status of EGFR and KIT in thymoma and thymic carcinoma.

This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of EGFR and KIT mutations in thymomas and thymic carcinomas as a means of exploring the potential for molecularly targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Genomic DNA was isolated from 41 paraffin-embedded tumor samples obtained from 24 thymomas and 17 thymic carcinomas. EGFR exons 18, 19, and 21, and KIT exons 9, 11, 13, and 17, were analyzed for mutations by PCR and direct sequencing.

Job strain and arteriosclerosis in three different types of arteries among male Japanese factory workers.

Objectives: This study evaluated the association between job strain and subclinical indicators of arteriosclerosis simultaneously in the cerebral artery, the aorta, and the carotid artery.

Methods: The participants in this cross-sectional study consisted of 352 male factory workers between the ages of 24.9 to 55.

Surgical results and related factors for ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament of the thoracic spine: a multi-institutional retrospective study.

Study Design: Retrospective multi-institutional study

Objective: To describe the surgical outcomes in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the thoracic spine (T-OPLL) and to clarify factors related to the surgical outcomes.

Summary Of Background Data: Detailed analyses of surgical outcomes of T-OPLL have been difficult because of the rarity of this disease.

Methods: The subjects were 154 patients with T-OPLL who were surgically treated at 34 institutions between 1998 and 2002.

Interstitial lung disease in Japanese patients with lung cancer: a cohort and nested case-control study.

Rationale: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) occurs in Japanese patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving gefitinib.

Objectives: To elucidate risk factors for ILD in Japanese patients with NSCLC during treatment with gefitinib or chemotherapy.

Methods: In a prospective epidemiologic cohort, 3,166 Japanese patients with advanced/recurrent NSCLC were followed for 12 weeks on 250 mg gefitinib (n = 1,872 treatment periods) or chemotherapy (n = 2,551).

Randomised phase II trial of irinotecan plus cisplatin vs irinotecan, cisplatin plus etoposide repeated every 3 weeks in patients with extensive-disease small-cell lung cancer.

Patients with previously untreated extensive-disease small-cell lung cancer were treated with irinotecan 60 mg m(-2) on days 1 and 8 and cisplatin 60 mg m(-2) on day 1 with (n=55) or without (n=54) etoposide 50 mg m(-2) on days 1-3 with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support repeated every 3 weeks for four cycles. The triplet regimen was too toxic to be considered for further studies.

Marital status and non-small cell lung cancer survival: the Lung Cancer Database Project in Japan.

Objective: Previous studies have suggested that marital status is associated with survival from lung cancer; however, its association is not conclusive. The association between marital status and survival in Japanese patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was prospectively investigated.

Methods: Between July 1999 and July 2004, a total of 1230 NSCLC patients were enrolled.

Problems in the current diagnostic standards of clinical N1 non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Although clinical N1 (cN1) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is considered to be locoregional, the postoperative outcome is disappointing, with a 5 year survival of less than 50%. One possible reason may be that cN1disease diagnosed by current standard imaging modalities often contains unexpected N2 disease. This study was conducted to evaluate the surgical and pathological results of patients with cN1 NSCLC.

Traction versus supine side-bending radiographs in determining flexibility: what factors influence these techniques?

Study Design: Prospective clinical, radiologic study of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Objective: We evaluated a Cobb angle in standing position, patient age, the level of the apex, and the number of involved vertebrae in patients with AIS to determine whether the corrective ability of traction or side-bending radiographs was superior.

Summary Of Background Data: Side-bending and traction radiographs are used to evaluate curve flexibility during corrective surgery for AIS despite notable differences in the flexibilities of identical curves.

Association of thoracic kyphosis with subjective poor health, functional activity and blood pressure in the community-dwelling elderly.

Objectives: The prevalence of thoracic kyphosis is considered to increase as the population is ageing in Japan. However, little is known about the clinical and preventive significance of kyphosis. The purpose of the study is to assess the association of kyphosis with subjective poor health and functional activity in the community-dwelling Japanese elderly.

Negative psychological aspects and survival in lung cancer patients.

We conducted a prospective cohort study in Japan to investigate associations between negative psychological aspects and cancer survival. Between July 1999 and July 2004, a total of 1178 lung cancer patients were enrolled. The questionnaire asked about socioeconomic variables, smoking status, clinical symptoms, and psychological aspects after diagnosis.