Increase of Residential Electricity Consumption in Urban and Rural China by Province

We have developed a projection model to investigate the inter-regional and intra-regional urban-rural characteristics of the current residential electricity demand in China. We have specifically focused on residential electricity demand pertaining to three major appliances; refrigerator, color-TVs and air-conditioners for cooling. The model integrates factors such as population and income growth, and urban-rural disparity of individual factors are also reflected. The relationship between income growth and appliance penetration is investigated and future residential electricity demand is projected for urban and rural areas of individual province. We postulated three scenarios i.e. 1) Base Line scenario 2) Rural Growth Scenario 3) Energy EfficiencySc enario by 2020 and conducted scenario analysis. The Base Line case projected that the total urban REC will approximately triple and the total rural REC will almost five times by 2020. The expected population growth and falling household membership will increase urban REC, whereas the penetration increase is the main driving force for rural REC growth. The Rural Growth Scenario resulted in the largest total REC among all Scenarios, suggesting rural growth plays a key role in determining the future REC in China.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Robot-assisted endoscopic surgery experience

In Japan,１２ new operative robot-assisted endoscopic surgery methods were officially approved by the ２０１８ revision of the medical payment system, and robot-assisted endoscopic surgery is using in each field. We have used the pneumatically driven endoscope manipulator robot（EMAROⓇ）in three video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery（VATS）lobectomy cases : right upper lobe lung cancer in a ５３-year-old male, right lower lobe lung cancer in a ７０-year-old male, and right lower lobe lung cancer in an ８１-year-old female. The average operative time was ２０９ min. The average bleeding volume was ４６．７ml. The grades ware nearly equal to those obtained in a standard VATS lobectomy. The head sensor that monitors the movement of the operator is connected to the endoscope holder. The operator can thus move the endoscope smoothly from the operator’s point of view, and endoscope-user skill is not needed. A VATS lobectomy can be performed by only two operators （no scope user is needed）, and this is a major advantage of the new manipulator robot. We expect to see further advances in the use of robot assistance in surgeries

Joint Symptoms, Aromatase Inhibitor-Related Adverse Reactions, Are Indirectly Associated with Decreased Serum Estradiol

Background. Joint symptoms (JSs) are problematic adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of aromatase inhibitors (AIs). Involvement of decreased serum estradiol (SE) has been suggested. Patients and Methods. 104 postmenopausal breast cancer patients administered an AI were prospectively investigated regarding various clinical parameters, JS and hot flashes as ADRs, and the SE level. Results. JS manifested in 31.7% of patients and hot flashes in 18.3%. Chi-square testing showed a significantly higher incidence of JS in several patient strata: <55 years old, decreased SE, and elevated total cholesterol (TC). In univariate analysis, JS correlated significantly with a pre-AI % YAM of ≥80%, decreased SE, and elevated TC. Eight (7.7%) patients maintained SE at ≥5 pg/mL for >6 consecutive months, with no JS. In chi-square testing, hot flashes showed a significantly higher incidence in patients <55 years old. Conclusion. AI-ADRs occurred more readily in younger patients. Decreased SE may be indirectly involved in JS

ホジキン リンパシュ ノ チリョウチュウ ニ ハッショウ シタ チョウヘイソク ニ フククウキョウ ホジョカ カイジョジュツ オ シコウ シタ 1レイ

A ４０-year-old woman with stage４B Hodgkin’ s lymphoma（HL）developed small bowel obstruction during chemotherapy. The tip of long tube reached the part of stenosis and radiology and abdominal CT scan revealed a beak-like stenosis. An incarcerated internal hernia associated with strangulation or a simple adhesive intestinal obstruction was suspected and laparoscopic surgery was performed. The laparoscopic findings showed adhesion and traction of the contralateral side of mesenterium and strangulation which also intricately banded the collapsed loops of the ileum. The resected tissues showed a fibrotic stenosis of the small bowel and the greater omentum with infiltration of HL. This severe stenosis could finally be recognized by extracorporeal examination through a minor laparotomy. Laparoscopic surgery was useful procedure to observe the site of obstruction and transect complex strangulations, however more ingenuity of surgical procedure and more careful observation are essential to reliably achieve laparoscopic surgery for the small bowel obstruction

A case of matrix-producing carcinoma of the breast

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Serum estradiol should be monitored not only during the peri-menopausal period but also the post-menopausal period at the time of aromatase inhibitor administration

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy is being extensively used as postoperative adjuvant therapy in patients with hormone receptor-positive postmenopausal breast cancer. On the other hand, it has been reported that ovarian function was restored when AI was administered to patients who had undergone chemical menopause with chemotherapy or tamoxifen. However, there have been no reports of comprehensive monitoring of estradiol (E2) in breast cancer patients with ordinary menopause who were being administered AI.</p> <p>Patients and Methods</p> <p>Beginning in March 2008, regular monitoring of the serum levels of E2, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was performed for 66 postmenopausal breast cancer patients who had been started on AI therapy. For this study, we chose anastrozole as the AI. The assays of those hormones were outsourced to a commercial clinical laboratory.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In 4 of the 66 patients the serum E2 level was decreased at 3 months but had then increased at 6 months, while in 2 other patients E2 was decreased at both 3 and 6 months but had increased at 9 months.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results indicate that, in some breast cancer patients with ordinary menopause, E2 rebounds following AI therapy. In the future, E2 monitoring should be performed for a larger number of patients being administered AI therapy.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Our trial registration number is 19-11-1211.</p

Endocrine therapy for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in non-surgery elderly patients aged 75 or above

The treatment of breast cancer in elderly patients is usually surgery, and in the Japanese Breast Cancer Society Clinical Practice Guidelines for Breast Cancer, the use of only drug therapy is limited to cases of co-morbidities or refusal of surgery. However, there are many cases in which surgery is not performed due to co-morbidities and in which the patient or patient's family declines surgery. We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 19 elderly patients aged 75 or above with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who selected endocrine therapy as early treatment at our hospital or Yamakawa Breast Clinic during the period from December 2009 to December 2019. We determined the treatment effects, changes in the patients' quality of life (QOL), co-morbidities, medication compliance, and more. Six patients died due to causes other than breast cancer, and one case of death due to breast cancer was confirmed. These results indicate that endocrine therapy can contribute to good progress and QOL maintenance. We suggest that selecting only endocrine therapy as early treatment can be an appropriate option for elderly patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer when their daily life can be monitored by their family members