Inflammation-Based Prognostic Score Predicts Postoperative Survival of Patients with Interstitial Pneumonia After Undergoing Lung Cancer Resection.

Objectives: Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) are associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), which uses serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin levels to indicate systemic inflammatory response and nutrition level, has been reported to be a predictor of overall survival in patients with various types of cancer. We evaluated the usefulness of GPS for prediction of survival of patients with both lung cancer and IIPs following a lung resection procedure.

Association of Perioperative Redox Balance on Long-Term Outcome in Patients Undergoing Lung Resection.

Purpose: We examined whether redox balance during the perioperative period is associated with long-term survival of patients after undergoing lung resection.

Methods: Patients who underwent surgery for lung cancer from January to June 2013 at our institution were investigated. Serum was collected during the operation, and on postoperative day (POD) 3 and 7, and the levels of derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biologic antioxidant potential (BAP) were measured.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Gene Mutation in Pleural Lavage Cytology Findings of Primary Lung Adenocarcinoma Cases.

Purpose: In the present study, we examined the relationship between intraoperative pleural lavage cytology findings and presence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations.

Methods: We investigated 160 patients who underwent surgical treatment for primary lung adenocarcinoma at our hospital from January 2011 to December 2013 to determine the presence of EGFR gene mutations and pleural lavage cytology.

Results: In all, 52 subjects (31.

Postoperative pyothorax a risk factor for acute exacerbation of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia following lung cancer resection.

Objective: Acute exacerbation (AE) of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IP) is a potentially fatal postoperative complication following lung cancer resection. Postoperative pyothorax (PP) following development of a bronchopleural fistula (BPF) after lung surgery induces continuous inflammation and may affect the occurrence of AE. We investigated the relationship between AE and PP in patients who underwent pulmonary resection for lung cancer.

Tumor-related gene expression levels in pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma.

Background: Pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma (PPC) is a rare type of non-small-cell lung cancer that belongs to the family of sarcomatoid carcinomas and is associated with poor prognosis. We investigated the expressions of tumor-related genes in resected PPC specimens.

Methods: Specimens resected from patients with PPC from July 2006 through April 2012 were investigated.

[Disease mongering and bipolar disorder in Japan].

Frequently used in a pejorative sense, "disease mongering" connotes a widening of the diagnostic boundaries of illness. Pharmaceutical companies conduct disease awareness campaigns on the pretext of educating the public about the prevention of illness or the promotion of health. Encouraged by disease awareness advertisements, people gradually become filled with concern that they are ill and need medical treatment.

[Bogus contract between psychiatrists and patients with depression].

Why are patients with depression so disappointed with their psychiatric treatment? One of the causes of their disappointment is a 'bogus contract' (Smith, 2001) between patients and psychiatrists. Patients tend to idealize modern psychiatry as if it could solve many of their problems, including social ones. Psychiatrists, however, know that modern psychiatry has limited powers and that they cannot solve all problems, especially social ones.

Increased prevalence of human parvovirus B19 DNA in systemic sclerosis skin.

Background: Human parvovirus B19 is a small, single-stranded DNA virus encoding two structural capsid proteins and a nonstructural protein. It is the aetiological agent of erythema infectiosum and transient aplastic crisis in patients with haemolytic anaemia, and has been associated with fetal death, arthritis and chronic anaemia. In recent years, the possible involvement of parvovirus B19 in systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been reported.

A possible role of immunoglobulin E in patients with hyperthyroid Graves' disease.

To investigate the possible participation of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the autoimmune process of Graves' disease, incidence of elevation of serum IgE level, TSH receptor antibody (TRAb), and thyroid status were studied in 66 patients with hyperthyroid Graves' disease, 54 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 19 patients with bronchial asthma, and 15 patients with pollen allergy. In hyperthyroid Graves' patients, elevation of serum IgE levels (> or = 170 U/mL) was found in 19 of 66 patients (29%), 11 of whom had hereditary and/or allergic conditions. Elevations of serum IgE levels were found in 63% of patients with bronchial asthma and in 40% of patients with pollen allergy.

[An elevation of serum immunoglobulin E provides a new aspect of hyperthyroid Graves' disease].

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by circulating TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb), the majority of which lies in the immunoglobulin G (IgG) class. However, there may be a role of other immunoglobulins in the induction and maintenance of hyperthyroid Graves' disease. We focus on the role of IgE on these issues.

Parathyroid carcinoma with metastatic calcification identified by technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate scintigraphy.

We describe herein a case of parathyroid carcinoma accompanied with metastatic calcification identified by technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate (Tc-99m MDP) scintigraphy in the lungs, kidneys and stomach. Parathyroid carcinoma remains a rare disorder despite the increased prevalence of primary hyperparathyroidism. Metastatic calcification is noted infrequently even in primary hyperparathyroidism and it may cause respiratory failure.

Effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on serum thyroid hormones: a study in the patients with untreated and treated Graves' disease and subacute thyroiditis.

In order to investigate the extrapituitary action of TRH on the thyroid, serum T3, T4, and TSH levels after im administration of TRH were analyzed in 63 patients with untreated hyperthyroid Graves' disease, in 60 euthyroid patients with treated Graves' disease, in 8 patients with subacute thyroiditis, and in 140 healthy subjects. TRH administration in the healthy subjects resulted in a significant increase in serum T3 and T4 levels after 2 h. However, in the patients with untreated hyperthyroid Graves' disease, a significant decrease in serum T3 and T4 levels with undetectable TSH was found 2 h after TRH administration.

Streptococcal antibody: as an indicator of tonsillectomy.

The significance of antibody for streptolysin-O concerning tonsillectomy was studied. The results obtained were as follows. 1.