The Criteria of Thickened Liquid for Dysphagia Management in Japan.

In Japan, the viscosity of thickened liquids is different among hospitals and nursing homes. In order to standardize viscosity of thickened liquids, the dysphagia diet committee of the Japanese Society of Dysphagia Rehabilitation developed the Japanese Dysphagia Diet 2013 (JDD2013). To decide on a definition of thickened liquids, the committee reviewed categories from other countries.

[Lung Cancer with Multiple Cavitation and Ground Glass Opacity;Report of a Case].

A 81-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of cough and fever. Chest computed tomography(CT) showed multiple cavitation and ground glass opacity in the right lower lobe. Antibiotic treatment was effective in the improvement of the infiltrative shadow and the inflammatory reaction.

Phenotypical analysis of ectoenzymes CD39/CD73 and adenosine receptor 2A in CD4 CD25 Foxp3 regulatory T-cells in psoriasis.

Background: CD39 and CD73 are two novel cell surface markers of CD25 Foxp3 regulatory T-cells (Tregs). Concordant expression of these two ectoenzymes not only discriminate Tregs from other cell populations, but also generates pericellular adenosine, which has been reported to suppress proliferation of activated T effector (Teff) cells. Because it is currently unclear whether human ectoenzymes (CD39/CD73) are involved in the impaired suppressive activity of Tregs in psoriasis, we examined the frequencies and phenotypes of CD39/CD73-expressing Tregs and related receptor adenosine receptor 2A (A R) in peripheral blood of patients with different types of psoriasis.

Outcomes of Brugada Syndrome Patients with Coronary Artery Vasospasm.

Objective To evaluate the outcomes of patients with concomitant Brugada syndrome and coronary artery vasospasm. Methods Patients diagnosed with Brugada syndrome with an implantable cardiac defibrillator were retrospectively investigated, and the coexistence of vasospasm was evaluated. The clinical features and outcomes were evaluated, especially in patients with coexistent vasospasm.

Use of a trephine bur and curette for minimally invasive harvesting of particulate cancellous bone and marrow from the iliac crest: a case of alveolar ridge reconstruction.

Iliac particulate cancellous bone and marrow (PCBM) is still the most predictable autogenous graft material for vertical ridge reconstruction because of its high cell content as well as osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties. However, postoperative meralgia paresthetica, gait disturbance, pain, and bleeding have been reported following conventional harvesting from the anterior iliac crest. We present a case of minimally invasive harvesting of iliac PCBM.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide enhances saliva secretion via direct binding to PACAP receptors of major salivary glands in mice.

Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a common syndrome that is generally treated with artificial saliva; however, no other effective methods have yet been established. Saliva secretion is mainly under the control of the autonomic nervous system. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is recognized as a multifunctional neuropeptide in various organs.

[Neuroendocrine tumor of the terminal ileum observed by magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging: a case report].

We report the case of an 88-year-old woman with localized intestinal obstruction caused by a midgut neuroendocrine tumor (NET) without endocrine symptoms. She was referred to our hospital for lower abdominal pain. Abdominal enhanced computed tomography revealed a thickened wall in the terminal ileum with dilated small bowel and multiple hepatic metastases upstream.

[Anal canal basaloid carcinoma with vaginal invasion which was recurrence-free for 5 years postoperatively].

We performed abdomino-perineal resection of the rectum and partial resection of a vagina in a 78-year-old woman on a diagnosis of anal canal basaloid carcinoma with vaginal invasion. We did not perform specific adjuvant therapy pre- or postoperatively, but no recurrence appeared for 5 years. Anal canal basaloid carcinoma is a comparatively rare disorder, and the prognosis is relatively good.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus accompanied by isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency and gastric cancer.

A 69-year-old man with type 2 diabetes mellitus was admitted to our hospital because of appetite loss, nausea and vomiting. Gastroscopy revealed gastric cancer. Levels of plasma cortisol were decreased.

Transferring images via the wireless messaging network using camera phones shortens the time required to diagnose acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Clear images can be sent via e-mail using camera phones. We examined whether camera phones are useful to transmit electrocardiogram (ECG) images.

Methods And Results: ECG images were taken of 20 patients suspected to have acute coronary syndrome.

Utility of multislice computed tomography as a strategic tool for complex percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objectives: Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) has been currently utilized as a non-invasive diagnostic modality to detect coronary artery disease. We sought to investigate whether preprocedural lesion assessment by MSCT could offer strategic guidance in the setting of elective complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods And Results: Twenty-six complex coronary artery lesions in 23 patients were evaluated using 16-row MSCT scanner and an off-line image analysis workstation prior to the PCI.

Basaloid squamous-cell carcinoma of the lung in a young woman.

We report a rare case of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the lung in a young Japanese woman. An 18-year-old woman presented with productive cough. Chest radiogram and computed tomography (CT) revealed a tumor in the left hilum accompanied by partial atelectasis of the left upper lobe and pleural effusion.

[Case of rheumatoid arthritis presenting with pulmonary tuberculosis].

A 72-year-old man who had been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis for 25 years developed pulmonary tuberculosis after treatment with infliximab. He had been receiving this treatment since December 2003. Forty-six days later, a fever developed and the patient was hospitalized on February 3, 2004.

[Arthritis following intravesical instillation of BCG for urothelial cancers].

Background: Intravesical instillation of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is efficient for prophylaxis of superficial bladder cancer and treatment for carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the upper urethelial cancer. However, the incidence of adverse effects is relatively high, and those include reactive arthritis. We retrospectively evaluated the incidence and the outcome of reactive arthritis following intravesical BCG therapy for urothelial cancers.

A case of large dermoid cyst in the floor of the mouth.

Dermoid cysts in the floor of the mouth are rarely observed. When they develop, they do not appear until they grow large enough or appear through infection. Some operative approaches and management have been performed to large dermoid cysts in the floor of the mouth with some variations.

[A case of untreatable progressive bladder carcinoma effectively treated by single administration of tegafur and uracil].

Bloody urine was grossly observed and multinodular shadow confirmed in both lungs of an 81-year-old male, who had been referred to our department. The diagnosis was bladder cancer (TCC, G3, T4N3M1) from detailed examination. With his advanced age and lowered ADL, the family did not wish for aggressive treatment, so no combination multidrug chemotherapy was attempted.

[A case report of pulmonary embolectomy for acute pulmonary embolism].

In recent years, case reports of the pulmonary thromboembolism which had been comparatively less in our country, have been gradually increasing. However, this disease is more often reported in the chronic stage, and case reports of severe cases in the acute stage are still less. The case reported here was admitted to our hospital by emergency ambulation with severe chest pain.