Consideration of Sufficient and Insufficient Benefits in Hearing Aid Fitting.

Background: During hearing aid (HA) fitting, individuals may experience better speech discrimination at normal speech levels and worse discrimination at loud speech levels than without an HA. Therefore, we investigated factors that worsen speech discrimination when the speech sound level increases.

Methods: Speech discrimination was measured in patients aged >20 years who had average hearing thresholds <90 dB on pure-tone audiometry.

Search for the Majorana Nature of Neutrinos in the Inverted Mass Ordering Region with KamLAND-Zen.

The KamLAND-Zen experiment has provided stringent constraints on the neutrinoless double-beta (0νββ) decay half-life in ^{136}Xe using a xenon-loaded liquid scintillator. We report an improved search using an upgraded detector with almost double the amount of xenon and an ultralow radioactivity container, corresponding to an exposure of 970 kg yr of ^{136}Xe. These new data provide valuable insight into backgrounds, especially from cosmic muon spallation of xenon, and have required the use of novel background rejection techniques.

Investigation of hearing aid fitting according to the national acoustic laboratories' prescription for non-linear hearing aids and the desired sensation level methods in Japanese speakers: a crossover-controlled trial.

Objective: Some studies have directly compared the National Acoustic Laboratories' prescription for non-linear hearing aids (HAs) version 2 (NAL-NL2) and Desired Sensation Level for non-linear HAs version 5 (DSLv5), although none were performed in Japan. As the Japanese language is a tonal language that has different linguistic characteristics than those of the studied languages, we compared the outcomes of the NAL-NL2 and DSLv5 in hearing-impaired Japanese participants.

Methods: A crossover-controlled trial was conducted on 18 first-time HA users with bilateral moderate sensorineural hearing loss.

Comparison of real-ear insertion gains in Japanese-speaking individuals wearing hearing aids with DSLv5 and NAL-NL2.

Objective: We used real-ear insertion gain (REIG), with the international speech test signal (ISTS), to evaluate the amplifying characteristics of hearing aids, set for patients who have been wearing such aids for a long time in a stable manner. We further compared this to the target values of the DSLv5 and NAL-NL2 methods.

Methods: The subjects were adults with moderate sensorineural hearing loss.

Mechanisms Underlying Spontaneous Action Potential Generation Induced by Catecholamine in Pulmonary Vein Cardiomyocytes: A Simulation Study.

Cardiomyocytes and myocardial sleeves dissociated from pulmonary veins (PVs) potentially generate ectopic automaticity in response to noradrenaline (NA), and thereby trigger atrial fibrillation. We developed a mathematical model of rat PV cardiomyocytes (PVC) based on experimental data that incorporates the microscopic framework of the local control theory of Ca release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), which can generate rhythmic Ca release (limit cycle revealed by the bifurcation analysis) when total Ca within the cell increased. Ca overload in SR increased resting Ca efflux through the type II inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP) receptors (InsPR) as well as ryanodine receptors (RyRs), which finally triggered massive Ca release through activation of RyRs via local Ca accumulation in the vicinity of RyRs.

Precision Analysis of the ^{136}Xe Two-Neutrino ββ Spectrum in KamLAND-Zen and Its Impact on the Quenching of Nuclear Matrix Elements.

We present a precision analysis of the ^{136}Xe two-neutrino ββ electron spectrum above 0.8 MeV, based on high-statistics data obtained with the KamLAND-Zen experiment. An improved formalism for the two-neutrino ββ rate allows us to measure the ratio of the leading and subleading 2νββ nuclear matrix elements (NMEs), ξ_{31}^{2ν}=-0.

Potential of biocompatible polymeric ultra-thin films, nanosheets, as topical and transdermal drug delivery devices.

The aim of the present study was to assess the potential of biocompatible polymeric nanosheets as topical and transdermal drug-delivery devices. Nanosheets are two-dimensional nanostructures with a thickness in the nanometer order, and their extremely large aspect ratios result in unique properties, including high transparency, flexibility, and adhesiveness. Nanosheet formulations containing betamethasone valerate (BV) as a model drug and consisting of poly (L-lactic acid) or poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid were fabricated through a spin-coating-assisted layer-by-layer method using a water-soluble sacrificial membrane.

Pore shape-reflecting morphosynthesis of lithium niobium oxide mixed chloride flux growth in the presence of mesoporous silica.

A new synthesis method, "chloride flux growth in the rigid nanospace of mesoporous silica", was developed to obtain lithium niobium oxide anisotropic nanoparticles. The morphologies reflect the pore size and shape of the used mesoporous silicas. This method has great potential for synthesizing size-tuned anisotropic nanoparticles of other complex metal oxides.

[A Case of Intraductal Pancreatic Mallignant Tumor with Difficulty in Differentiating between IPMN and ITPN].

The patient was a male in his early 60s. Diabetes had aggravated 6 months earlier, and the patient was referred to our hospital for close examination. On contrast CT, enhanced mass shadows filling the lumen of the main pancreatic duct, which was dilated throughout the pancreas, were observed, and the mass was diagnosed as an adenocarcinoma on EUS-FNA.

[Metastatic Pancreatic Carcinoma from Renal Cell Carcinoma Indistinguishable from Primary Pancreatic Endocrine Tumor - A Case Report].

A hypervascularized tumor was detected in a 65-year-old man who had underwent a nephrectomy for a right renal cell carcinoma at the age of 55 years. We diagnosed the tumor as a non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor or a metastatic tumor from the renal cell carcinoma. We performed distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy and lymph node dissection.

Japan's initiative on rare and undiagnosed diseases (IRUD): towards an end to the diagnostic odyssey.

Japan has been facing challenges relating to specifically defined rare diseases, called Nan-Byo in Japanese (literally 'difficult'+'illness'), and has already taken measures for them since 1972. This governmental support has surely benefited Nan-Byo patients; however, those suffering from medically unidentified conditions do not fall into this scheme and thus still confront difficulty in obtaining an examination, a diagnosis, and a treatment. To identify such rare and often undiagnosed diseases, we must integrate systematic diagnosis by medical experts with phenotypic and genetic data matching.

Preoperative evaluation of accessory hepatic ducts by drip infusion cholangiography with CT.

Background: This retrospective study aimed to investigate the incidence of each type of accessory hepatic duct by drip infusion cholangiography with CT (DIC-CT).

Methods: Five hundred sixty nine patients who underwent preoperative DIC-CT and laparoscopic cholecystectomy were reviewed. Accessory hepatic ducts were classified as follows: type I (accessory hepatic ducts that merged with the common hepatic duct between the confluence of the right and left hepatic ducts and the cystic duct confluence), type II (those that merged with the common hepatic duct at the same site as the cystic duct), type III (those that merged with the common bile duct distal to the cystic duct confluence), type IV (the cystic duct merged with the accessory hepatic duct), and type V (accessory hepatic ducts that merged with the common hepatic or bile duct on the left side).

Separation of calcium-48 isotope by crown ether chromatography using ethanol/hydrochloric acid mixed solvent.

Benzo-18-crown-6 ether resin embedded in porous silica beads was synthesized and used as the packing material for chromatographic separation of (48)Ca isotope. The aim of the present work is to develop efficient isotope enrichment process for double β decay nuclide (48)Ca. To this end, ethanol/HCl mixed solvent was selected as the medium for the chromatographic separation.

[Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal showing complete response after concurrent chemoradiotherapy and S-1 plus mitomycin C - a case report].

The patient was a 65-year-old man who underwent colonoscopy for melena. Following a biopsy, the patient was diagnosed with anal canal squamous cell carcinoma. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed metastasis to the regional lymph nodes.

[Metastatic breast cancer with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia successfully treated by using eribulin].

A 48-year-old woman was diagnosed with metastatic breast carcinoma and multiple bone metastases as well as a brain metastasis in 2004. Multiple bone metastases and brain metastases were also diagnosed in 2005, 2006, and 2010, but she remained stable with the use of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy for about 8 years. In 2013, severe anemia occurred, and the patient was diagnosed with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MHA).

Diet analysis by next-generation sequencing indicates the frequent consumption of introduced plants by the critically endangered red-headed wood pigeon (Columba janthina nitens) in oceanic island habitats.

Oceanic island ecosystems are vulnerable to the introduction of alien species, and they provide a habitat for many endangered species. Knowing the diet of an endangered animal is important for appropriate nature restoration efforts on oceanic islands because introduced species may be a major component of the diets of some endangered species. DNA barcoding techniques together with next-generation sequencing may provide more detailed information on animal diets than other traditional methods.

Overexpression of IL-6 by gene transfer stimulates IL-8-mediated invasiveness of KYSE170 esophageal carcinoma cells.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been associated with disease progression and poor prognosis in esophageal carcinoma. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible influence of IL-6 on the biological activities of esophageal carcinoma cells in terms of invasiveness. The human esophageal carcinoma cell line, KYSE170, was transfected with a plasmid vector expressing IL-6, and a stable transfectant overexpressing IL-6 was established.

COX-2 overexpression Induced by gene transfer reduces sensitivity of TE13 esophageal carcinoma cells to 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin.

Previous clinicopathological studies demonstrated that overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is associated with a poor treatment response of esophageal carcinoma. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of COX-2 overexpression in the chemosensitivity of esophageal carcinoma cells. TE13 human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells were transfected with a COX-2 constitutive expression vector, and stable transfectants overexpressing COX-2 were established.

[Analysis of community medicine cooperation by using the "ohisama-system"].

Background: In Japan, because of an increase in the elderly population, End-Of-Life care is of increasingconcern. In the future, the demand for home healthcare is expected to increase further. However, it is difficult to prepare numerous reports and to share accurate information rapidly because of the small-scale support for home medical care from clinics and visiting nursingstations, pharmacies, and various other establishments.

PSK induces apoptosis through the inhibition of activated STAT3 in human esophageal carcinoma cells.

PSK, a protein-bound polysaccharide, is widely used in Japan as an immunopotentiating biological response modifier for cancer patients. PSK exerts antitumor activities through stimulation of the host's immune response; however, few studies have addressed the direct actions of PSK on tumor cells. Recently, it has been found that STAT3 is aberrantly activated in various types of malignancies, and plays a crucial role in tumor cell proliferation and survival.

Optimized method for determining free L-cysteine in rat plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with the 4-aminosulfonyl-7-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole conversion reagent.

The analytical method was optimized for L-cysteine (Cys) in rat plasma with co-existing L-cystine (Cyss). We observed that more than 100% Cyss in rat plasma was converted to Cys under typical conditions for the conversion with 7-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole-4-sulfonate (SBD-F). Another conversion reagent, 4-aminosulfonyl-7-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (ABD-F), was then employed, with which the reaction could be carried out at a low temperature without the use of a reducing reagent.

Reduction of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury with simvastatin in rats.

Background: Surgery of the thoracic or thoracoabdominal aorta may cause spinal cord ischemia and subsequent paraplegia. However, conventional strategies for preventing paraplegia due to spinal cord ischemia provide insufficient protection and cause additional side effects. We hypothesized that simvastatin, a drug recently shown to be neuroprotective against brain ischemia/reperfusion, would be neuroprotective in a rat spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion model.

Overexpression of Interleukin-6 suppresses cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression at local tumor sites or in systemic circulation is associated with disease progression and poor prognosis of esophageal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible influence of IL-6 on biological activities of esophageal cancer cells in terms of chemosensitivity. Human esophageal cancer cell lines TE13 and KYSE170 were transfected with a plasmid vector expressing IL-6 and stable transfectants overexpressing IL-6 were thus established.

[Usefulness of esophageal stenting by using a covered self-expandable metallic stent for esophagorespiratory fistula associated with esophageal carcinoma].

We report three cases of esophagorespiratory fistula associated with esophageal carcinoma successfully treated with esophageal stenting by using a covered self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS). All three cases had advanced esophageal carcinoma at middle thoracic esophagus with esophagorespiratory fistula at the level of esophageal carcinoma. Case 1 is a 58-year-old man who had lung abscess due to esophagopulmonary fistula caused after induction chemoradiotherapy.

[Early prediction of treatment response by serum CRP levels in patients with advanced esophageal cancer who underwent definitive chemoradiotherapy].

Serum CRP has been shown to be associated with the progression of esophageal cancer. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between treatment response and serum CRP levels in time course during definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in terms of early prediction of CRT response by serum CRP. The subjects of this study were 36 patients with cT3/cT4 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent definitive CRT in our hospital.