Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Lung with an EGFR Mutation.

An 80-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to the presence of a mass that was identified on a chest X-ray. A further investigation demonstrated advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lungs. Anti-cancer chemotherapy with docetaxel was carried out and the lesion remained as stable disease.

Heterogeneous clinical features in patients with pulmonary fibrosis showing histology of pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis.

Background: The histological pattern of pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is well defined, but its clinical features remain unclear.

Methods: We retrospectively examined the predominantly involved lung-fields (based on abnormal opacities on computed tomography [CT] images), and the initial value and annual decline of respiratory function in patients with pulmonary fibrosis presenting with histologically confirmed PPFE.

Results: Thirteen female and nine male subjects were included.

[Bone and Nutrition. Nutritional management of osteoporosis].

Calcium intake was negatively associated with bone resorption marker such as DPD, NTX, and P1NP in Japanese postmenopausal osteoporotic patients. Not only to suppress bone resorption but also to keep higher hip bone mineral density were observed in the patients with higher intake of calcium than 800mg/day and higher vitamin D condition (more than 50nmol/L of serum 25 (OH) D). Higher calcium intake than 800mg/day from dairy and Tofu products, higher intake of vitamin D than 10μg/day from fish, and higher intake of vitamin K from vegetables should be recommended in Japanese postmenopausal osteoporotic patients.

Histological evolution of pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis.

Aims: To investigate the histological evolution in the development of pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE).

Methods And Results: We examined four patients who had undergone surgical lung biopsy twice, or who had undergone surgical lung biopsy and had been autopsied, and in whom the histological diagnosis of the first biopsy was not PPFE, but the diagnosis of the second biopsy or of the autopsy was PPFE. The histological patterns of the first biopsy were cellular and fibrotic interstitial pneumonia, cellular interstitial pneumonia (CIP) with organizing pneumonia, CIP with granulomas and acute lung injury in cases 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.

Elevation of serum C-reactive protein predicts failure of the initial antimicrobial treatment for febrile neutropenia with lung cancer.

Febrile neutropenia frequently develops after chemotherapy, and the prompt administration of antimicrobial agents is required for treatment. In the present study, we searched for predictive factors for the failure of the initial antimicrobial agents used for febrile neutropenia (FN) in patients with lung cancer. Sixty FN patients treated in our ward from June 2005 to May 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.

Rapid decrease in forced vital capacity in patients with idiopathic pulmonary upper lobe fibrosis.

Background: We are occasionally presented with patients with unclassifiable interstitial pneumonia of unknown etiology. Idiopathic pulmonary upper lobe fibrosis (IPUF) does not fit any of the currently defined subsets of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs). This study was performed to examine clinical, functional, and pathological characteristics of IPUF.

[Nutrition in bone growth and development].

The greatest increase in bone density was observed around ages 10-14 years in girls and thereafter peak bone mass was attained. Maximizing peak bone mass during adolescence is one of the most important strategies to decrease osteoporotic fractures later in life. Initial bone mass adjusted by height and weight in 10-year-old girl was associated positively with intakes of dairy products and small fish.

A new active vitamin D3 analog, eldecalcitol, prevents the risk of osteoporotic fractures--a randomized, active comparator, double-blind study.

Background: Eldecalcitol is an analog of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) that improves bone mineral density; however, the effect of eldecalcitol on the risk of fractures is unclear. The objective of this study is to examine whether eldecalcitol is superior to alfacalcidol in preventing osteoporotic fractures. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.

[Diet for lifestyle-related diseases to maintain bone health].

Dieting methods for preventing age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes, as well as osteoporosis are proposed here. Losing weight to prevent and ameliorate metabolic syndrome can lead to loss of bone and muscle mass. However, when subjects had milk before dinner while dieting, their fat mass was efficiently decreased and their muscle mass increased without any change of bone mass.

Vitamin D insufficiency defined by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone before and after oral vitamin D₃ load in Japanese subjects.

Vitamin D insufficiency is a risk for both skeletal and nonskeletal health. However, some ambiguity remains about threshold serum 25(OH)D for vitamin D insufficiency. To determine the threshold serum 25(OH)D to maintain normal calcium availability without elevation in serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) among Japanese subjects with various calcium intakes, we conducted a multicenter prospective open-labeled study.

[Present knowledge in nutritional aspects of fracture].

Bone fractures are affected by bone mineral density, bone turnover, and risk of falls. Nutritional status could influence all these factors. The preventive effect of higher intake of calcium (1200 - 1500 mg/day) and vitamin D (10 - 20 microg/day) on osteoporotic fractures is well established and these are strongly recommended for the prevention of fractures in European and North American countries.

[Nutrition-related bone disease].

Bone disorders clearly related to nutrition are osteomalacia and osteoporosis. Osteomalacia is caused by a deficiency of vitamin D or a disturbance of its metabolism. Dietary deficiency of phosphate or excess of aluminum or cadmium will also cause osteomalacia.

[Nutritional condition affect the potency of pharmacological therapy].

Recent development of pharmacological treatments with proven efficacy will increase demand for the more effective management of patients with osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a chronic disease concerned many risk factors such as diet and nutrition, and pharmacological efficacy could much depend on such nutritional conditions in patients as calcium, vitamin D, and protein, etc. Especially Japanese elderly usually took extremely low calcium and protein intake as well as low vitamin D, however, physicians usually give just pharmacological prescription.

[Dietary guidelines for osteoporosis-comparison among different countries].

Physician's guidelines for osteoporosis based on evidence from randomized, controlled clinical trials were available in many countries. Most of these guidelines include not only pharmacological therapies but also non-pharmacological treatments. Non-pharmacological treatments include nutrition as high intake of calcium and vitamin D.

[A case of Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome: therapeutic embolization of the pulmonary artery and bronchial artery].

We encountered a case in which the symptoms of hypoxia and hemoptysis improved after performing repeated pulmonary artery embolizations and bronchial artery embolization. A 22-year-old man was hospitalized in our institution with high fever, headache and unconsciousness in May of 2001. Subendocranial abscess was diagnosed, so we performed antibiotic therapy and drainage, but at that time he showed symptoms of hypoxia.

A new active vitamin D, ED-71, increases bone mass in osteoporotic patients under vitamin D supplementation: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Context: ED-71 has been shown to increase lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) in osteoporotic subjects. However, vitamin D insufficiency might have influenced the effect of ED-71 on BMD.

Objective: Our objective was to examine whether ED-71 can increase BMD in osteoporotic patients under vitamin D supplementation.

[Osteoporosis and intake of vitamins].

Subclinical vitamins deficiency is common in the elderly, especially in osteoporotic patients. However, most physicians in this area are just focused on drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis. It is already established that several vitamins influence bone turnover, bone mineral density, or even the risk of hip fractures.

[Exercise and other lifestyle factors for prevention of osteoporosis during growth and young adulthood].

Increased mechanical loading of the skeleton results in bone gain, whereas unloading the skeleton leads to bone loss. Regular exercise, especially resistance and high-impact activities, contributes to development of high peak bone mass and the greatest effects on bone mass appear to occur in early adolescence. Therefore, it seems reasonable to turn our attention to intervening in the younger population to establish lifelong exercise habit that maximize peak bone mass.

[Nutrients and osteoporosis in children and adolescents].

It is widely accepted that development of a higher peak bone mass during adolescent years protects against postmenopausal osteoporosis. It is wise to instill in children good eating habits before adolescence. However, low intake of calcium, frequent intake of fast food, convenience food and oily snack as well as cyclical dieting often observed in recent Japanese children.

[Different way of thinking in an adequate vitamin D intake for bone health between Japan and the West].

Japanese recommended dietary allowance of vitamin D is quite low and about half to one third of the West, however, 1alpha-OH-D as a drug is popular usage for osteoporosis patients in Japan. The different way of thinking of vitamin D may come from quite low calcium intake in Japanese and more biosynthesized vitamin D owing to a location lower in latitude of Japan. Still, recommended dietary allowance of vitamin D in the West will be raised much higher level in near future owing to many evidences demonstrating the shortages of vitamin D for optimal bone health in Western elderly.

Improvement of nutrition stimulates bone mineral gain in Japanese school children and adolescents.

Calcium supplementation could accelerate bone mineral accrual, but the effect of other dietary factors in children is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine associations of changes in diet with bone accrual in Japanese children. All female (n=262) and male (n=286) school children aged 10-15 years living in a small town were recruited.

[Strategies for the prevention of osteoporosis in young and middle aged adults].

Strategies for the prevention of osteoporosis in young and middle aged adults include: a balanced diet which provides a calcium intake of at least 800 mg/day; encouragement of a physically active lifestyle; avoidance of smoking and of high alcohol and caffeine intakes; minimization of glucocorticoid use; promotion of intake of vitamin D, protein, vitamin K, vitamin C and potassium.