Study on Seismic Retrofit Planning Method for Seweage Treatment Plants on the Basis of Seismic Risk Management

Japanese sewerage has more than 100 years of history, and many facilities have passed their durable years. For the sake of economy, life lengthening of the equipment and facilities is required. Rational life extension of the equipment and facilities calls for aseismic reinforcement of structures with damage risks considered. Based on this, the author et al. suggested a method that will help planning rational aseismic reinforcement for sewage treatment plants. This method quantitatively evaluates the relationship between the earthquake risk and aseismic reinforcement cost by introducing the concept of risk management. In this study, availability of this method also has been verified with exemplification

Can computed tomography differentiate adenocarcinoma in situ from minimally invasive adenocarcinoma?

Background: Given the subtle pathological signs of adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA), effective differentiation between the two entities is crucial. However, it is difficult to predict these conditions using preoperative computed tomography (CT) imaging. In this study, we investigated whether histological diagnosis of AIS and MIA using quantitative three-dimensional CT imaging analysis could be predicted. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the images and histopathological findings of patients with lung cancer who were diagnosed with AIS or MIA between January 2017 and June 2018. We used Synapse Vincent (v. 4.3) (Fujifilm) software to analyze the CT attenuation values and performed a histogram analysis. Results: There were 22 patients with AIS and 22 with MIA. The ground-glass nodule (GGN) rate was significantly higher in patients with AIS (p < 0.001), whereas the solid volume (p < 0.001) and solid rate (p = 0.001) were significantly higher in those with MIA. The mean (p = 0.002) and maximum (p = 0.025) CT values were significantly higher in patients with MIA. The 25th, 50th, 75th, and 97.5th percentiles (all p < 0.05) for the CT values were significantly higher in patients with MIA. Conclusions: We demonstrated that quantitative analysis of 3D-CT imaging data using software can help distinguish AIS from MIA. These analyses are useful for guiding decision-making in the surgical management of early lung cancer, as well as subsequent follow-up

A New Candidate Supporting Drug, Rikkunshito, for the QOL in Advanced Esophageal Cancer Patients with Chemotherapy Using Docetaxel/5-FU/CDDP

Purpose. Docetaxel/5-FU/CDDP (DFP) therapy is a useful treatment for advanced esophageal cancer. However, adverse reactions such as chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) interfere often with continuation of the chemotherapy. We investigated the efficacy of rikkunshito (TJ-43) on CINV. Methods. Nineteen patients who were going to undergo DFP therapy were enrolled. They were assigned to the following two groups: a TJ-43-treated group and -nontreated group. The following parameters were compared between the 2 groups: (1) the frequency of symptoms occurred, (2) vomiting, nausea, and anorexia score, and (3) QOL score. Results. The incidence of symptoms was lower in the TJ-43-treated group than that in the control group. The nausea score of the TJ-43-treated group was significantly lower than that of the control group. In the QOL score, the mood score and the ADL score decreased significantly in the control group. Conclusion. We recommend TJ-43 administration in patients undergoing DFP chemotherapy

The effect of nutritional support on the immune function in the acute postoperative period after esophageal cancer surgery : total parenteral nutrition versus enteral nutrition

Background : Enteral nutrition (EN) is now used more frequently than total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for nutritional support after resection for esophageal cancer. But consensus regarding which type of nutrition should be used does not exist. We studied the effect of TPN and EN on patients’ nutritional status and immune function in the immediate postoperative period after esophageal cancer resection. Methods : We enrolled 30 patients (27 men and 3 women) who underwent subtotal esophagectomy. The patients were randomly assigned to TPN or EN group. Either TPN or EN was begun on postoperative day 1. On postoperative days 1, 3, and 7, three endpoints were measured : albumin, C-reactive protein, and Th1/Th2 balance. Results : All patients completed the study. Anastomotic leaks occurred in 6 patients in the TPN group and 7 patients in the EN group. Albumin, Th1/Th2 balance, and C-reactive protein did not differ between the groups. Th1/Th2 balance was not different regardless of the preoperative treatment or complications. Conclusions. No differences in immune function, nutritional state, or inflammatory response were seen between patients supported with TPN and those supported with EN. The results of our study suggest that perioperative nutritional support can be safely performed either with TPN or EN