Nerve growth factor (NGF) has an anti-tumor effects through perivascular innervation of neovessels in HT1080 fibrosarcoma and HepG2 hepatitis tumor in nude mice

This study investigated whether NGF prevents tumor growth by promoting neuronal regulation of tumor blood flow. HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells or HepG2 hepatitis cells were subcutaneously implanted into nude mice. On Day 21 after the implantation of tumor cells, human NGF (40 or 80 ng/h for 14 days) was administered using a micro-osmotic pump. Growth rates of both tumors were significantly inhibited by the treatment of NGF, and the survival rate was also extended. Significant suppression of HT1080 tumor growth lasted after withdrawing NGF. NGF markedly increased the density of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-immunoreactive (ir) cells without changing neovessel density in HT1080 tumor tissues. Double immunostaining demonstrated protein gene product (PGP) 9.5-ir nerves around α-SMA-ir cells were found in HT1080 tumor tissue treated with NGF. The blood flow in HepG2 tumors treated with saline was significantly higher than in the non-tumor control area, but the tumor blood flow was markedly reduced by NGF treatment. In in vitro studies, NGF significantly accelerated migration of aortic smooth muscle cells but not endothelial cells, whereas NGF had no cytotoxic action on both cells. NGF inhibits tumor growth via indirect action, probably through innervation and maturation of tumor neovasculature, which regulates blood flow into tumor tissues

Examination of Selective Low-pressure Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology Under Ultrasound Guidance

Cytology by fine-needle cytology is indispensable for diagnosing head and neck tumor, especially for thyroid nodule. There are two methods of fine needle cytology; one of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC and another of fine-needle non-aspiration cytology (FNNAC). These previous procedures has each disadvantage such as the mixing of blood or low yield of cells. We proposed a new technique: selective low-pressure fine needle aspiration cytology (SLOP-FNAC) to overcome the backwards of previous procedures. We used the scoring system by Mair et al. to evaluate smear quality of specimens obtained with FNNAC and SLOP-FNAC. SLOP-FNAC smears exhibited higher scores in amount of cellular material, degree of cellular degeneration and cell yield, and retention of appropriate architecture compared to FNNAC smears. The SLOP-FNAC smears scored significantly higher for amount of cellular material and retention of appropriate architecture evaluated (P = 0.0261 and P = 0.0024, Student’s t-test). SLOP-FNAC may be a useful cell sampling technique that reduces blood contamination while securing a high cell yield with maintaining tissue structure

Synthesis and Antioxidant Activity of a Procyanidin B3 Analogue

Proanthocyanidin, an oligomer of catechin, is a natural antioxidant and a potent inhibitor of lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1, which is involved in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis. We synthesized proanthocyanidin analogue 1, in which the geometry of one catechin molecule in procyanidin B3, a dimer of (+)-catechin, is constrained to be planar. The antioxidant activities of the compounds were evaluated in terms of their capacities to scavenge galvinoxyl radicals, and results demonstrate that while procyanidin was 3.8 times more potent than (+)-catechin, the radical scavenging activity of proanthocyanidin analogue 1 was further increased to 1.9 times that of procyanidin B3. This newly designed proanthocyanidin analogue 1 may be a promising lead compound for the treatment of arteriosclerosis and related cerebrovascular diseases

The state of current use of Home Visiting Nurse Station for home medical care for child and support for child care education

本研究では,小児のための訪問看護ステーションの活用及び,訪問看護ステーションと他施設間の連携・協働に関する現状と課題を明らかにすることを目的とした.調査対象は訪問看護ステーションを利用している子どもの親7名であった.調査方法は半構成型の面接調査とし,結果は記述的に分析した.子どもの主病名は低出生体重児,先天性表皮水泡症,低酵素性虚血脳症,喉頭軟化症,全前脳泡症であり,年齢は3ヶ月以上8歳8ヶ月以下,訪問看護ステーション利用期間は1ヶ月以上2年8ヶ月以下であった.調査結果から次の課題が明らかとなった : 1)退院直後から適切な訪問看護を提供するため,退院前の病院での子どもの状態観察や家族との話し合い,家族への訪問,病棟スタッフとの情報交換を行う必要がある.; 2)訪問看護師は医療面だけではなく,育児支援･指導や両親･家族の援助など幅広い看護ケアを提供していくことが重要である.; 3)各施設間での連携･協働が十分に確立していない状況下で,家族は各職種に対する役割を判断･選択していた.今後各施設間における連携･協働体制を確立していくことが不可欠である.Purposes of this qualitative study were to clarify the state of current use of Home Visiting Nurse Station (HVNSt) for children and cooperation and collaboration between HVNSt and related institutions.Subject population was 7 who used HVNSt for children. Diagnosis of children were very low birth weight, congenital epidermolysis bullosa, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy or laryngomalacia. Age of them was from 3 months to 8 years 8 months. Period of use HVNSt were from 1 month to 2 years 8 months.Result were as follows: 1) Visiting Nurse should communicate with family and medical staff in hospital to get much information and provide good home medical care after discharge; 2)It is important for parent, brother and sister; 3)When communication and collaboration were not established with related institutions, family decided the role of each profession; thus connection with Visiting Nurse Station and related institutions must be established

Efficacy and safety of ibrutinib in Japanese patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma

In this multicenter, single-arm, phase II study, the efficacy and safety of ibrutinib were examined in Japanese patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Patients (age ≥20 years) with relapsed or refractory MCL who had progressed after receiving at least one prior treatment regimen, were enrolled. Patients were treated with oral ibrutinib (560 mg once daily; 28-day cycle) until disease progression (or relapse), unacceptable toxicity, or study end. The primary end-point was overall response rate. Secondary end-points included duration of response (DOR), time to response, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival, and safety. Of the 16 patients who received treatment, 5 patients discontinued the study (progressive disease, 4; sepsis, 1). Median duration of ibrutinib exposure was 6.5 months (range, 2.8–8.3 months). The overall response rate was 87.5% (90% confidence interval, 65.6–97.7; complete response = 2 [12.5%]; partial response = 12 [75.0%]). Median time to response for all responders (n = 14) was 1.8 months (range, 0.7–5.3 months). The median DOR and PFS were not estimable due to censoring (range: DOR, 1.1–6.4+ months; PFS, 2.8–8.0+ months). Overall survival data were immature due to the limited observation period. A total of 8/16 patients (50%) had at least one grade 3 adverse event (AE), and 5 (31.3%) patients reported serious AEs. The most commonly reported AEs were diarrhea and stomatitis (37.5% each), platelet count decrease (31.3%), and anemia (25%). Overall, orally administered single agent ibrutinib was efficacious with an acceptable safety profile in Japanese patients with relapsed or refractory MCL. Clinical trial registration NCT02169180 (ClinicalTrials.gov)

Home Visiting Nurse Stations in pediatric nursing -- 1st report: The state and subject of home visiting nurse station's activity from station's point of view --

本研究は,訪問看護ステーションにおける小児訪問看護活動の現状を明らかにし,今後の課題を明らかにすることを目的とした.全国の看護協会訪問看護ステーションを対象に,半構成型の質問紙調査を実施した.調査結果から小児訪問看護実施上の課題として次の3点が明らかとなった.1)小児訪問看護実施要件についての認識からは,単なる「連携と情報交換」「合同カンファレンス」のみならず,「家族や他職種の小児訪問看護への理解」「家族との信頼関係形成」「退院前の居宅訪問の実施」「退院後の生活を考えた指導」の必要性に対する認識に立脚した実務的な連携を築く必要がある.2)小児訪問看護の実施状況からは,「訪問看護制度に関する訪問看護ステーションからの情報発信と連携への働きかけ」「小児訪問看護の適応の拡大「レスパイトケアや受診同行などの役割充足」が必要である.3)課題解決に導くには,直接的なケア内容の充実化のみならず,訪問看護制度や保険制度の見直しが必要と考えられた.Purposes of this qualitative study were to clarify the state of Home Visiting Nurse Stations (HVNSt) for children. A questionnaire was distributed to 161 Nursing Association Visiting Nursing Stations, and 59 available replies (36.6%) were received. Results were as follows: 1) In understanding the necessary qualifications for home visiting for children, we should build cooperation based on exchanging information with each other. Home visiting nurse's role should be appreciated by families and related institutions. Making good relations between family and nurse for example, visiting home before discharge, discharge preparation and planning to individualize the client's needs after discharge. 2)In home visiting for children, we should extend the number of subjects who can accept services, extend services such as respite support, or nurse helping child and family when they see a doctor. 3)We should provide full direct nursing services. We should reconsider the system of insurance and the role of the Home Visiting Nurse

A rapid caliber change in the inferior vena cava during multiphasic contrast-enhanced computed tomography may signal an acute anaphylactic reaction to nonionic contrast medium

Severe anaphylactic reactions to an intravenous nonionic iodine contrast medium (NICM) are uncommon but can result in permanent morbidity or death if not managed appropriately. An anaphylactic reaction to an NICM typically manifests as clinical symptoms that include an itchy nose, sneezing, and skin redness. To our knowledge, a rapid change in the caliber of the inferior vena cava (IVC) during multiphasic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) has not been reported. Here, we report the computed tomographic findings in three cases of hypovolemic shock caused by an anaphylactic reaction to an NICM. We suspect that a decrease in caliber of the IVC during multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT may be a predictor of an allergic-like reaction to an NICM. Patients in whom physicians and radiographers detect a rapid caliber change in the IVC during multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT should be managed carefully. Keywords: Inferior vena cava, Caliber change, Anaphylaxis, Contrast-enhanced computed tomography, Nonionic contrast mediu