Treatment satisfaction, willingness to pay and quality of life in Japanese patients with psoriasis.

There is a range of psoriasis treatments available, from topical applications to biologic therapy, with corresponding cost variations. The efficacy of each treatment is usually evaluated by objective measures such as the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) or subjective measures such as the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). However, the social and economic impacts of psoriasis, including cost-effectiveness, have not been assessed in Japan.

Immunohistochemical demonstration of EphA2 processing by MT1-MMP in invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor-2 (EphA2) overexpression is prevalent in many types of human cancers, and it has been reported that high EphA2 expression is correlated with malignancy. Recent studies revealed that processing of EphA2 by cleaving off the N-terminal portion by membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) promotes invasion via stimulation of Ras in cancer cells in vitro. The objectives of this study were to investigate the presence and role of EphA2 processing in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) tissues.

Interelement relationships and age-related variation of trace element concentrations in liver of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from Japanese coastal waters.

Concentrations of 19 trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Tl, Hg, and Pb) were determined in the liver of the striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) collected around Japan during 1977-1982 to examine the sex difference, age dependence, and interrelationships among trace elements. Tissue distribution of trace elements was also investigated in one adult and one fetus specimens. Generally, concentrations of Se, Sr, Ag, Cd, Cs, Ba, Hg, and Pb were higher in the tissues of adult than those of fetus, whereas the opposite trend was observed for Cr and Tl.

[Treatment results of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with CDDP or CDGP plus 5-FU for carcinoma of the oropharynx and hypopharynx].

Twenty-eight patients with oropharyngeal or hypopharyngeal carcinoma received concurrent chemoradiotherapy with CDDP or CDGP plus 5-FU between January 2001 and April 2006. The numbers of patients according to clinical stage were stage II:2; stage III:5; stage IVa:19 ; and stage IVb:2. Total radiation dose was 60-73.

Mercury and cadmium in common cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo).

Mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd) in common cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) collected in Lake Biwa, Japan and Tokyo, Japan, were investigated to elucidate the biological behaviors of these elements, and to assess exposure to these pollutants of wild, fish-eating birds. Hg and Cd concentrations were highest in the liver and kidneys, respectively. The lowest levels of both elements were observed in chicks.

Accumulation of heavy metals in Caspian seals (Phoca caspica).

Concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd, Co, and Hg) were determined in the muscle, liver, and kidney of 42 Caspian seals and fishes collected from the Caspian Sea in 1993. Higher Mn and lower Fe and Cu concentrations were found in the liver in comparison with other marine pinnipeds. Lower Cu concentrations in the liver appear to be a common feature in small seals belonging to subgenus Pusa, which include ringed, Baikal, and Caspian seals.

Accumulation of silver in the liver of three species of pinnipeds.

Silver in the three species of pinnipeds [northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus), Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), and harbor seal (Phoca vitulina)] caught in the North Pacific Ocean were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, in order to understand accumulation and distribution of silver in pinnipeds. In northern fur seals, relatively high concentrations of silver were observed in the liver and body hair. Some 70% of the silver burden was concentrated in the liver.

Growth-related changes in heavy metal accumulation in green turtle (Chelonia mydas) from Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan.

Concentrations of nine heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd, Co, and Hg) were determined in liver, kidney, and muscle of 50 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) collected from Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan, to elucidate growth-related changes in heavy metal accumulation during different growth stage. Considerably high Cu concentrations were found in the liver of smaller turtles. Mean hepatic concentration of Cu was 50.

Contamination levels and specific accumulation of persistent organochlorines in Caspian seal (Phoca caspica) from the Caspian sea, Russia.

Persistent organochlorines, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) including coplanar congeners, DDTs, HCHs, chlordanes (CHLs), and HCB, were determined in the blubber of Caspian seals (Phoca caspica) and their fish diet (Rutilus sp.) collected in 1993 from the northern Caspian Sea, Russia. Notable concentrations of DDTs and HCHs were found at mean values of 19 and 1.

Vanadium accumulation in pinnipeds.

Vanadium in four species of pinnipeds (northern fur seals [Callorhinus ursinus], Steller sea lions [Eumetopias jubatus], harbor seals [Phoca vitulina], and ribbon seals [Phoca fasciata]) caught in the Northern Pacific was analyzed using ICP-MS to understand its accumulation and distribution. In northern fur seals, relatively high concentrations of vanadium were observed in the liver, hair, and bone. Ninety percent of the vanadium burden in the body was concentrated in these three tissues, which comprise <20% of total body weight.

Distribution of 14 elements in tissues and organs of oceanic seabirds.

The concentrations of 14 trace elements (Li, V, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Ag, Cd, Cs, Pb, and Hg) were determined in tissues and organs of three species and in the liver of 11 species of seabirds. Comparatively high concentrations of Li, Co, Sr, and V were found in the femur. Cd, Se, Cu, and Mn concentrations were relatively higher in the kidney than in other tissues and organs.

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in wild terrestrial mammals and birds from Chubu region, Japan: interspecies comparison of the residue levels and compositions.

In order to understand the residue levels of organochlorine compounds (OCs) and their accumulation patterns in wildlife inhabiting Chubu region, Japan, the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), DDT compounds (DDTs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were measured in 8 species of terrestrial mammals and 10 species of birds. In view of feeding habits, the contamination levels of OCs were found to be higher in omnivorous mammals than in herbivorous ones, and in fish-eating ones and raptores than in omnivorous birds. In fox and dog, PCB-180 (2, 2', 3, 4, 4', 5, 5'-heptachlorobiphenyl) was the most dominant PCB congener, while in the other species PCB-153 (2, 2', 4, 4', 5, 5'-hexachlorobiphenyl) was the most persistent.

Age-dependent accumulation of heavy metals in baikal seal (Phoca sibirica) from the Lake Baikal.

Concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Hg were determined in the liver, kidney, and muscle of 60 Baikal seals collected from Lake Baikal in 1992 to investigate age-dependent accumulation. Among essential elements, Fe concentrations in the muscle, liver, and kidney increased with age, suggesting development of diving ability. The concentrations of Mn, Zn, and Cu decreased with age, especially at immature stages.

Bioaccumulation profiles of polychlorinated biphenyls including coplanar congeners and possible toxicological implications in Baikal seal (Phoca sibirica).

Isomer specific concentrations of individual polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) including toxic non-ortho (IUPAC 77, 126, 169), mono-ortho (105, 118, 156) and di-ortho (137, 138, 153, 180) coplanar congeners were determined in the blubber of 40 Baikal seals (Phoca sibirica) and as their fish diet collected from Lake Baikal, Siberia. Residue levels of total PCBs in Baikal seals were noticeably high and comparable to those reported for seals from the North Sea, suggesting the recent usage of this compound in the watershed of Lake Baikal. Non-, mono-, and di-ortho coplanar congeners were also detected in Baikal seals and fish.

Persistent organochlorines in minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and their prey species from the Antarctic and the North Pacific.

Persistent organochlorines such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDTs, chlordane compounds (CHLs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were determined in the blubber of minke whale and its diet collected from the Antarctic and the North Pacific Oceans. Residue levels of these compounds (except HCB) in minke whale from the Antarctic were apparently lower than those from the North Pacific. This is due to the lower levels of these pollutants in the southern hemisphere than in the northern hemisphere and the specific feeding habit of the minke whale from the Antarctic which feeds on lower trophic organisms, primarily euphausiids.

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in foodstuffs from Asian and oceanic countries.

Public concern about the adverse environmental and human health impacts of organochlorine contaminants led to strict regulations on their use in developed nations two decades ago. Nevertheless, DDT and several other organochlorine insecticides are still being used for agriculture and public health programs in developing countries in Asia and the South Pacific. As a consequence, humans in this region are exposed to greater dietary levels of organochlorines.

Accumulation pattern of butyltin compounds in dolphin, tuna, and shark collected from Italian coastal waters.

Tributyltin (TBT) and its breakdown products, mono-(MBT) and dibutyltin (DBT) were determined in bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus thynnus) and blue shark (Prionace glauca) collected from the Italian coast of the Mediterranean Sea in 1992-1993. Concentrations of total butyltin (BTs) in the liver of dolphin (1,200-2,200 ng/g wet wt) were an order of magnitude higher than in the blubber (48-320 ng/g wet wt). TBT was the predominant butyltin species in the blubber while DBT accounted for an higher proportion in the liver of dolphins.

Mercury concentrations in hair from populations in Wau-Bulolo area, Papua New Guinea.

Total mercury (Hg) concentrations were determined in scalp hair from the populations in the Wau-Bulolo area, eastern Papua New Guinea (PNG), where humans are exposed to large quantities of Hg through gold-mining activities by Hg amalgamation processes. Humans living upstream and not engaged in gold mining had a mean hair Hg concentration of 0.55 micro g g-1 (range: 0.

Trace element accumulation in Baikal seal (Phoca sibirica) from the Lake Baikal.

Trace element concentrations (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd, Co and Hg) were determined in 60 Baikal seals and in fishes collected from Lake Baikal in 1992. Low levels of Hg and Cd were found in Baikal seals in comparison with those of marine mammals and it was due to their low concentrations in dietary fish. These results suggest that pollution by Hg and Cd was low in Lake Baikal and these toxic elements were unlikely to be the causative factors for mass mortality of Baikal seal in 1987-1988.

Specific accumulation of mercury and selenium in seabirds.

Total mercury (T-Hg), methyl mercury (MeHg) and selenium (Se) concentrations were determined to elucidate the relationship between Hg and Se levels in the liver of 10 seabird species. Highest concentrations of T-Hg (mean 267 microg/g dry wt), MeHg (mean 25.5 microg/g dry wt) and Se (mean 113 microg/g dry wt) were in the liver of black-footed albatross (Diomedea nigripes).

Metal accumulation in tissues of seabirds from Chaun, northeast Siberia, Russia.

Concentrations of four essential elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) and two toxic metals (Cd and Hg) were determined in selected tissues of 11 seabird species collected in Chaun, northeast Siberia. In oldsquaw, arctic tern and herring gull, zinc concentrations were correlated with Cd concentrations. Cadmium concentrations in all the species were highest in kidney and Hg in liver.