Acute peritonitis caused by the acute pancreatitis of an ectopic pancreas in a jejunal duplication, in an adult with intestinal malrotation: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal duplication and ectopic pancreas are two rare independent congenital anomalies. Few reports describe cases of patients with ectopic pancreas in an intestinal duplication causing acute peritonitis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 31-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for epigastric pain. The patient was diagnosed with acute peritonitis caused by the acute pancreatitis of an ectopic pancreas in a jejunal duplication, with intestinal malrotation. The patient underwent the partial resection of the jejunum and Ladd's procedure. The histopathological findings indicated ectopic pancreatitis in the jejunal duplication. CONCLUSIONS: We presented the case of acute peritonitis caused by the acute pancreatitis of an ectopic pancreas in a jejunal duplication in an adult with intestinal malrotation. Surgery is the primary treatment and is necessary for a definitive diagnosis.

Prognostic value of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status and systemic therapy in breast cancer with brain metastases treated with radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic value of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status and how to use HER2-targeted therapy in breast cancer (BC) with brain metastases (BM) treated with radiotherapy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 103 BC patients with parenchymal BM treated with radiotherapy. We collected data on the hormone receptor (HR), HER-2 amplification status, and systemic therapy after treatment for BM. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), which was calculated from the diagnosis of BM to death. RESULTS: The median follow-up time from the diagnosis of the first BM was 9.1 months (range, .7-88 months). The 2-year OS of the HR-positive and HER2-positive (HR+HER2+) BC (31.3 mo) was significantly better than those of the HR-HER2+ (9,5 mo, p=.002), HR+HER2- (9.9mo, p=.003), and triple-negative BC (3.9 mo, p<.001) ( . Of the 36 HER2-positive patients, 31 patients treated with HER2-targeted therapy after radiotherapy for BM had a significantly better 2-year OS than those who did not receive HER2-targeted therapy (43% vs. 0%; p < .001). Among the 31 patients treated with HER2-targeted therapy, the 2-year OS for those treated with multiple anti-HER2 agents during the entire course of treatment was significantly higher than that for patients treated with a single agent (60% vs. 24%; p = .006). CONCLUSIONS: HR+HER2+ BC patients with BM treated with radiotherapy show a better prognosis than other subtypes. For HER2-positive patients with good prognosis, it may be important to continue HER2-targeted therapy appropriately after radiotherapy for BM.

Detection of Schistosoma mekongi DNA in Human Stool and Intermediate Host Snail Neotricula aperta via Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay in Lao PDR.

Schistosomiasis mekongi infection represents a public health concern in Laos and Cambodia. While both countries have made significant progress in disease control over the past few decades, eradication has not yet been achieved. Recently, several studies reported the application of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for detecting Schistosoma DNA in low-transmission settings. The objective of this study was to develop a LAMP assay for Schistosoma mekongi using a simple DNA extraction method. In particular, we evaluated the utility of the LAMP assay for detecting S. mekongi DNA in human stool and snail samples in endemic areas in Laos. We then used the LAMP assay results to develop a risk map for monitoring schistosomiasis mekongi and preventing epidemics. A total of 272 stool samples were collected from villagers on Khon Island in the southern part of Laos in 2016. DNA for LAMP assays was extracted via the hot-alkaline method. Following the Kato-Katz method, we determined that 0.4% (1/272) of the stool samples were positive for S. mekongi eggs, as opposed to 2.9% (8/272) for S. mekongi DNA based on the LAMP assays. Snail samples (n = 11,762) were annually collected along the riverside of Khon Island from 2016 to 2018. DNA was extracted from pooled snails as per the hot-alkaline method. The LAMP assay indicated that the prevalence of S. mekongi in snails was 0.26% in 2016, 0.08% in 2017, and less than 0.03% in 2018. Based on the LAMP assay results, a risk map for schistosomiasis with kernel density estimation was created, and the distribution of positive individuals and snails was consistent. In a subsequent survey of residents, schistosomiasis prevalence among villagers with latrines at home was lower than that among villagers without latrines. This is the first study to develop and evaluate a LAMP assay for S. mekongi detection in stools and snails. Our findings indicate that the LAMP assay is an effective method for monitoring pathogen prevalence and creating risk maps for schistosomiasis.

Local control after palliative external beam radiotherapy for bone metastases in patients with favorable prognosis.

Advancement in systemic therapy has increased the importance of local control (LC) of bone metastatic sites treated with radiotherapy in intermediate-term survivors (surviving ≥1 year). To establish individualized radiotherapy for bone metastases, factors affecting LC of bone metastases treated with traditional fractionated moderate dose palliative radiotherapy (FMRT) in intermediate-term survivors were evaluated. Between January 2010 and December 2019, 317 lesions in 240 patients treated with FMRT for bone metastases surviving for at least 1 year and followed-up with CT for at least 6 months were reviewed retrospectively. The median survival and radiographic follow-up times were 24 months (range, 12-123 months) and 20 months (range, 1-119 months), respectively. The median FMRT dose [biologically effective dose (BED)10] was 39.0 Gy (range, 28.0-71.7 Gy). Multivariate analysis revealed that age (≥70 years), non-vertebral bone metastasis, bone metastasis from moderate and unfavorable primary tumor sites (esophageal, colorectal, hepatobiliary/pancreatic, kidney/ureter and sarcoma/melanoma cancers), and no administration of post-FMRT bone-modifying agents (BMAs) were unfavorable factors for LC of bone metastasis. The 2-year LC rates for FMRT doses (BED10) ≤39.0 Gy and >39.0 Gy were 90 and 87%, respectively. The 2-year LC rates of patients administered and not administered post-FMRT antineoplastic agents (ATs) were 91 and 78%, respectively. The sites of bone metastasis and primary tumors, and post-FMRT BMAs were factors associated with LC of bone metastasis in long-term survivors. However, a FMRT dose (BED10) ≥39.0 Gy and post-FMRT ATs were not significant factors.

The Prognostic Significance of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index in Colorectal Cancer Patients.

This study retrospectively investigated the prognostic impact of the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study reviewed the medical records of 329 CRC patients who underwent curative surgery. The GNRI was calculated from the serum albumin level and the body weight. The cutoff value for the GNRI was set at 98. One hundred ninety (57.8%) patients had a GNRI of ≥98, and 139 (42.9%) had a GNRI of <98. The patients with a lower GNRI had a significantly lower overall survival (OS) rate than those with a higher GNRI (p < 0.001). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that the GNRI was an independent predictor of the OS (p = 0.042). Non-cancer death was more frequent in the patients with a lower GNRI than in those with a higher GNRI (p = 0.003). The mean age was significantly higher in the patients with a lower GNRI (p < 0.001). The GNRI was significantly associated with tumor location (p = 0.048), tumor depth (p < 0.001) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (p = 0.032). The GNRI is a simple and useful prognostic factor in CRC. The present study suggests that a low GNRI be associated with a higher risk of non-cancer death.

Local control of bone metastases treated with external beam radiotherapy in recent years: a multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decades, remarkable advancements in systemic drug therapy have improved the prognosis of patients with bone metastases. Individualization is required in external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for bone metastases according to the patient's prognosis. To establish individualized EBRT for bone metastases, we investigated factors that affect the local control (LC) of bone metastases. METHODS: Between January 2010 and December 2019, 536 patients received EBRT for 751 predominantly osteolytic bone metastases. LC at EBRT sites was evaluated with a follow-up computed tomography. The median EBRT dose was biologically effective dose (BED10) (39.0) (range of BED10: 14.4-71.7 Gy). RESULTS: The median follow-up time and median time of computed tomography follow-up were 11 (range 1-123) months and 6 (range 1-119) months, respectively. The 0.5- and 1-year overall survival rates were 73% and 54%, respectively. The 0.5- and 1-year LC rates were 83% and 79%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, higher age (≥ 70 years), non-vertebral bone metastases, unfavorable primary tumor sites (esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, hepatobiliary/pancreatic cancer, renal/ureter cancer, sarcoma, melanoma, and mesothelioma), lower EBRT dose (BED10 < 39.0 Gy), and non-administration of bone-modifying agents (BMAs)/antineoplastic agents after EBRT were significantly unfavorable factors for LC of bone metastases. There was no statistically significant difference in the LC between BED10 = 39.0 and BED10 > 39.0 Gy. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding tumor-related factors, primary tumor sites and the sites of bone metastases were significant for the LC. As for treatment-related factors, lower EBRT doses (BED10 < 39.0 Gy) and non-administration of BMAs/antineoplastic agents after EBRT were associated with poor LC. Dose escalation from BED10 = 39.0 Gy did not necessarily improve LC.

Prognostic significance of inflammatory response markers for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal and middle ear.

We investigated the prognostic significance and treatment outcomes of pretreatment inflammatory response markers for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the external auditory canal (EAC) and middle ear (ME). Between July 2003 and July 2019, 21 patients with SCC of the EAC (n = 18) or ME (n = 3) who received radiotherapy with or without surgery or systemic therapy (radiotherapy alone [n = 2], radiotherapy + systemic therapy [n = 6], radiotherapy + surgery [n = 7], radiotherapy + surgery + systemic therapy [n = 6]) were retrospectively examined. The median radiation dose was 66.0 (range, 50.4-70.0) Gy, with daily fractions of 1.8-2.0 Gy. The median follow-up period was 25 months (range, 6-137). The two-year overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and locoregional control (LC) rates were 61%, 48%, and 55%, respectively. OS, PFS, and LC did not differ significantly according to patient- (age, sex), tumor- (Pittsburgh stage, pretreatment neurological findings), and treatment-related (surgery or systemic therapy, radiation dose, prophylactic neck irradiation) factors. Conversely, there were significant differences in OS, PFS, and LC between patients with high and low pretreatment C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratios (p = 0.002, 0.003, and 0.004, respectively). OS also differed significantly between patients with high and low pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLR; p = 0.037). Other inflammatory response markers, including platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR), did not influence OS, PFS, or LC. Our findings suggest that pretreatment C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio and NLRs have a significant impact on treatment outcomes in patients with locally advanced SCC of the EAC and ME.

Usefulness of albumin-globulin ratio as a clinical prognostic factor in patients with thyroid cancer treated with radioiodine.

OBJECTIVE: Albumin-globulin ratio (AGR), which is calculated by dividing serum albumin by serum globulin, is considered as a cancer-related inflammation biomarker. Although the prognosis of many solid cancers has been shown to be associated with AGR, there are no studies to demonstrate the association between the prognosis of thyroid cancer and AGR. The purpose of this study is to reveal the relationship between AGR and overall survival (OS) in patients with thyroid cancer who received radioactive iodine therapy (RIT). METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with thyroid cancer who had received RIT for the first time in our institution were included. The values before RIT were adopted as initial measurements for serum albumin, globulin, and thyroglobulin (Tg) and used for analysis. Patients were divided into two groups based on the AGR value. We analyzed the relationship between clinical factors and treatment outcome. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 92.4 months (range: 30.1-173.9 months). The 5-year OS and progression-free survival (PFS) were 94% and 54%, respectively. Seventeen patients (< 65 years, 8; and ≥ 65 years, 9) died during the follow-up period. Low AGR was significantly associated with OS in both univariate and multivariate analyses (p = 0.0059 and p = 0.0120, respectively). As the 5-year OS was as high as 94%, there was no significant difference in survival rate between the two groups during the first 5 years. However, there seemed to be a remarkable difference in 10 years after the first RIT. On the other hand, Tg was significantly associated with PFS in both univariate and multivariate analyses (p = 0.0016 and p = 0.0441, respectively). In patients under the age of 65, the PFS rate was significantly lower in the low AGR group (p < 0.0001), while there was no difference in PFS rate between the two AGR groups in patients aged 65 years or older. CONCLUSIONS: AGR may be used as a prognostic factor in relatively younger patients with thyroid cancer treated with radioiodine, while it may be less useful in the older. Overall, it may be an independent prognostic factor for long-term survival in those with thyroid cancer.

Postoperative Serum C-Reactive Protein Level Predicts Long-Term Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of postoperative systemic inflammation in patients with colorectal cancer(CRC). METHODS: This study reviewed the medical records of 382 patients with CRC who underwent curative surgery. We evaluated the postoperative serum C-reactive protein(CRP)level on postoperative day 1 (CRP1)and its peak value(CRPmax)as prognostic factors. RESULTS: CRP1(p=0.001)and CRPmax(p=0.023)were significantly associated with the overall survival(OS)rate. In the multivariate analysis, a high-CRP1, age of≥75 years, and high serum carcinoembryonic antigen level were identified as independent predictors for the poor OS. Death from relapse of CRC was more frequent in the high-CRP1 group than in the low-CRP1 group(18.0% vs 5.6%, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The serum CRP level during the early postoperative period predicts the long-term outcomes in CRC.

Risk Assessment of Dengue Autochthonous Infections in Tokyo during Summer, Especially in the Period of the 2020 Olympic Games.

An outbreak of autochthonous dengue fever occurred in the summer of 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. Numerous participants and spectators from abroad are expected to visit Tokyo in the summer of 2020. This study aims to analyze the risk of autochthonous dengue infections in Tokyo in summer and also assess the additional risk in the Olympiad using a mathematical model. A stochastic transmission model was developed with the cooperation of seasonal factors that greatly influence the transmission cycle of dengue virus, and stochastic simulations were conducted for each scenario provided adequately. This study found that (i) the incidence of dengue autochthonous infections is predicted to occur in a small number of cases; (ii) the local climate greatly influences the scale of dengue autochthonous infections; (iii) the incidence reaches its peak in August and early September; and (iv) the possibility of progressing to dengue outbreak is rare. In the Olympiad to be held in the summer of 2020, an additional risk of dengue autochthonous infections will amount to double compared with that in other years.

Tumor growth patterns on magnetic resonance imaging and treatment outcomes in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer treated with definitive radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the prognostic value of tumor growth patterns on magnetic resonance (MR) images in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) treated with definitive radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (RT/CCRT). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 102 patients with LACC who received definitive RT/CCRT and who underwent MR imaging before RT/CCRT. Growth patterns on pretreatment T2-weighted MR images were classified into expansive or infiltrative type according to tumor morphologic patterns in the myometrium and/or parametrial space. RESULTS: The median age was 60 years (range 26-90 years). The median follow-up time was 47.7 months (range 5.7-123 months). The numbers of patients with stages IB, II, III, and IVA were 17, 39, 43, and 3, respectively. The 3-year overall survival (OS) rates for stages IB, II, III, and IV were 87%, 76%, 74%, and 67%, respectively. Regarding growth patterns on MR images, 31 were of expansive type and 71 were of infiltrative type. The infiltrative type was significantly associated with lower OS and locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS) than the expansive type (3-year OS, 70% vs. 93%, p = 0.003; 3-year LRRFS, 64% vs. 94%, p = 0.001). On multivariate analysis, infiltrative tumor growth patterns were a significant independent factor for low OS (hazard ratio [HR], 3.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-16.7; p = 0.015) and low LRRFS (HR, 4.27; 95% CI 1.43-18.5; p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Tumor growth patterns on MR images could be an indicator of survival and locoregional control in patients with LACC treated with definitive RT/CCRT.

How Did the Dengue Fever Outbreak Progress in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, in 2014?-Evaluation Based on a Mathematical Model.

OBJECTIVES: In the summer of 2014, an outbreak of autochthonous dengue fever occurred in Yoyogi Park and its vicinity, Tokyo, Japan. In this study, we investigated how the dengue fever outbreak progressed in Yoyogi Park using a mathematical model. METHODS: This study was limited to the transmission of the dengue virus in Yoyogi Park and its vicinity. We estimated the distributions of the intrinsic incubation period and infection dates on the basis of epidemiological information on the dengue outbreak in 2014. We searched for an assumption that satisfactorily explains the outbreak in 2014 using rough estimates of secondary and tertiary infection cases. We constructed a mathematical model for the transmission of the dengue virus between humans and Aedes albopictus. RESULTS: We carried out 1,000-trial stochastic simulations for all combinations of three kinds of assumption about Ae. albopictus and asymptomatic infection with each of three levels. Simulation results showed that the scale of the outbreak was markedly affected by the daily survival rate of Ae. albopictus. The outbreak involved a small number of secondary infection cases, reached a peak at tertiary infection, and transformed to termination at the fourth infection. Under some assumptions, the daily progress of onset cases was within a range between the 1st-3rd quartiles of 1,000 trials for 87% of dates and within a range between the minimum and maximum for all dates. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to execute plans to detect asymptomatic cases and reduce the survival rate of Ae. albopictus to prevent the spread of tertiary infections unless an outbreak is suppressed at the secondary infection stage.

Parenchyma-Sparing Hepatectomy with Vascular Reconstruction Techniques for Resection of Colorectal Liver Metastases with Major Vascular Invasion.

BACKGROUND: Resectability of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) depends on major vascular involvement and is affected by chemotherapy-induced liver injury. Parenchyma-sparing with combined resection and reconstruction of involved vessels may expand the indications and safety of hepatectomy. METHODS: Of 92 patients who underwent hepatectomy for CRLM, 15 underwent major vascular resection and reconstruction. The reconstructed vessels were the portal vein (PV) in five cases, the major hepatic vein (HV) in nine cases, and the inferior vena cava in six cases. RESULTS: All PV reconstructions were direct anastomoses. The HV was reconstructed with an autologous inferior mesenteric venous patch or an external iliac vein interposition graft. Total hepatic vascular exclusion was performed for six patients. Of nine patients with HV reconstruction, three had tumors involving all three major HVs, in whom the left HV was reconstructed as an only vein after extended right hepatectomy. In another six patients, multiple bilobar tumors or tumors in the liver that had chemotherapy-induced injury involved one or two HVs. Parenchyma-sparing by reconstruction of the HV was performed to secure the residual liver function. The patients with vascular reconstruction had an operative time of 462 ± 111 min and a blood loss of 1278 ± 528 mL. No complication classified as Clavien-Dindo 3 or more developed. The median hospital stay was 17 days (range 8-26 days). The cumulative 5-year survival rate for all the patients was 54.6 %, with no significant difference according to vascular reconstruction. CONCLUSION: Parenchyma-sparing hepatectomy combined with vascular reconstruction is a useful option to avoid major hepatectomy among various procedures for resection of CRLM with major vascular invasion.

Retrocaval liver lifting maneuver and modifications of total hepatic vascular exclusion for liver tumor resection.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of technical modifications of total hepatic vascular exclusion (THVE) for hepatectomy involving inferior vena cava (IVC). METHODS: Of 301 patients who underwent hepatectomy during the immediate previous 5-year period, 8 (2.7%) required THVE or modified methods of IVC cross-clamping for resection of liver tumors with massive involvement of the IVC. Seven of the patients had diagnosis of colorectal liver metastases and 1 had diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. All tumors involved the IVC, and THVE was unavoidable for combined resection of the IVC in all 8 of the patients. Technical modifications of THVE were applied to minimize the extent and duration of vascular occlusion, thereby reducing the risk of damage. RESULTS: Broad dissection of the space behind the IVC coupled with lifting up of the liver from the retrocaval space was effective for controlling bleeding around the IVC before and during THVE. The procedures facilitate modification of the positioning of the cranial IVC cross-clamp. Switching the cranial IVC cross-clamp from supra- to retrohepatic IVC or to the confluence of hepatic vein decreased duration of the THVE while restoring hepatic blood flow or systemic circulation via the IVC. Oblique cranial IVC cross-clamping avoided ischemia of the remnant hemi-liver. With these technical modifications, the mean duration of THVE was 13.4 ± 8.4 min, which was extremely shorter than that previously reported in the literature. Recovery of liver function was smooth and uneventful for all 8 patients. There was no case of mortality, re-operation, or severe complication (i.e., Clavien-Dindo grade of III or more). CONCLUSION: The retrocaval liver lifting maneuver and modifications of cranial cross-clamping were useful for minimizing duration of THVE.

Kugel patch method prevents the development of a femoral hernia after inguinal herniorrhaphy.

PURPOSE: A femoral hernia is a relatively rare condition, and no standard surgical methods have so far been established. In this study, we investigated the development of a femoral hernia after inguinal herniorrhaphy. METHODS: A total of 1,969 patients who underwent surgery for an inguinal hernia from April 1992 to March 2012 were enrolled in this study. The patients were composed of 1,934 (98.2 %) inguinal hernia and 35 (1.8 %) femoral hernia patients. Of these, we retrospectively studied the femoral hernia cases with reference to the use of inguinal herniorrhaphy. RESULTS: Of all 35 femoral hernia cases, six cases (17.1 %) were femoral type recurrences after inguinal herniorrhaphy performed by the conventional or mesh plug methods. The surgical methods used for the 35 cases were mesh plug repair in 15 cases (42.9 %), the Kugel patch method in seven (20.0 %) and conventional repair in 13 patients (37.2 %). Inguinal type recurrences developed in three cases (8.6 %) that were re-repaired by mesh plug repair or sac resection. There were no femoral or inguinal type recurrences after Kugel patch repair for a femoral hernia. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggested the importance of repairing all hernia orifices when repairing a groin hernia. The Kugel patch repair method is available for all inguinal region hernias by the same approach, and it seems to be useful for preventing the development of recurrence after surgery.

Comparison between percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and surgical hepatectomy focusing on local disease control rate for colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Therapeutic efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) was compared with hepatic resection (HR), focusing on local disease control rate as well as risk factors of recurrence and patients survival. METHODOLOGY: From April 2002 to March 2012, 32 patients underwent RFA and 60 patients underwent HR for CRLM. The rate of local recurrence along the ablated or resected margin was evaluated in these patients. RESULTS: The local recurrence was seen in 8 patients (13.3%) after HR, and 15 (46.9%) after RFA. Multivariate analysis of all patients revealed that RFA as an initial therapy (P < 0.001), venous invasion liver metastases (P = 0.049) were independent risk factors for local recurrence. Subgroup analysis showed that local recurrence rate after RFA was significantly higher than that after HR in patients with tumors 20 mm or larger (P < 0.001), while there was no significant difference in local recurrence rate between RFA and HR in patients with tumors less than 20 mm (P = 0.676). CONCLUSIONS: RFA showed a high risk of local recurrence in comparison to HR especially in patients with tumors larger than 20 mm. Indication of RFA should be restricted drastically considering the limitation of efficacy.

Molecular genotyping of anisakis larvae in Middle Eastern Japan and endoscopic evidence for preferential penetration of normal over atrophic mucosa.

BACKGROUND: Anisakiasis is a parasitic disease caused primarily by Anisakis spp. larvae in Asia and in Western countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the genotype of Anisakis larvae endoscopically removed from Middle Eastern Japanese patients and to determine whether mucosal atrophy affects the risk of penetration in gastric anisakiasis. METHODS: In this study, 57 larvae collected from 44 patients with anisakiasis (42 gastric and 2 colonic anisakiasis) were analyzed retrospectively. Genotyping was confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of ITS regions and by sequencing the mitochondrial small subunit (SSU) region. In the cases of gastric anisakiasis, correlation analyses were conducted between the frequency of larval penetration in normal/atrophic area and the manifestation of clinical symptoms. RESULTS: Nearly all larvae were A. simplex seusu stricto (s.s.) (99%), and one larva displayed a hybrid genotype. The A. simplex larvae penetrated normal mucosa more frequently than atrophic area (p = 0.005). Finally, patients with normal mucosa infection were more likely to exhibit clinical symptoms than those with atrophic mucosa infection (odds ratio, 6.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.52-31.8). CONCLUSIONS: In Japan, A. simplex s.s. is the main etiological agent of human anisakiasis and tends to penetrate normal gastric mucosa. Careful endoscopic examination of normal gastric mucosa, particularly in the greater curvature of the stomach will improve the detection of Anisakis larvae.

[A case of AFP-producing gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis treated effectively with chemotherapy, mainly using S-1 and trastuzumab].

A 71-year-old man, diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer and severe pyloric stenosis, was introducted to our hospital. Para-aortic lymph nodes metastasis and pancreas invasion were seen with enhanced CT scan. Serum AFP showed a high price (1,465.3 ng/mL). Because significant peritoneal metastases were seen in the abdominal cavity, gastrojejunostomy was performed. Overexpression of the HER2 gene was seen by immunostaining for peritoneal dissemination of the omentum. After starting S-1 + CDDP + trastuzumab, the AFP was normalized immediately (7. 6 ng/mL). We then performed colostomy for a sigmoid colon stenosis. S-1 + DOC + trastuzumab was administered afterward, and we performed closure of the colostomy because the stenosis was improved. Macroscopic peritoneal dissemination in the abdomen disappeared. AFP-producing gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis has a poor prognosis, but chemotherapy, mainly with S-1 and trastuzumab, was effective for it.

[A case of crescentic glomerulonephritis developed under oral anastrozole treatment].

A 69-year-old postmenopausal woman who was prescribed anastrozole for 10 months after surgical removal of her breast cancer, was referred to our hospital for acute renal failure. Because it was possible that her renal failure was related to her treatment with anastrozole, the treatment was immediately discontinued. After renal biopsy was performed to examine her renal failure, she was diagnosed as crescentic glomerulonephritis, probably related with the treatment of anastrozole. Twenty mg of oral prednisolone was administered daily after methylprednisolone pulse therapy(500 mg/day intravenous administration for three days). Her renal dysfunction was gradually improved. Renal dysfunction was considered to be a rare complication of anastrozole. Patients who are prescribed anastrozole should be watched carefully for the development of renal dysfunction.

A mathematical model for the transmission of Schistosoma japonicum in consideration of seasonal water level fluctuations of Poyang Lake in Jiangxi, China.

BACKGROUND: Poyang Lake, the largest fresh water lake in China, is the major transmission site of Schistosoma japonicum in China. Epidemics of schistosomiasis japonica have threatened the health of residents and stunted social-economic development there. OBJECTIVE: This article aims at evaluating the effect of various control measures against schistosomiasis: selective mass treatment (ST), targeted mass treatment (TT), mass treatment for animal reservoirs (MT), and health education (HE), on reduction of the prevalence through simulations based on a mathematical model. METHODS: We proposed a mathematical model, which is a system of ordinary differential equations for the transmission of S. japonicum among humans, bovines, and snails. The model takes into account the seasonal variation of the water level of Poyang Lake that is caused by the backflow of the Yangtze River and inflow from five small rivers, which influences the transmission of S. japonicum. For the purpose of dealing with the age-specific prevalence and intensity of infection, the human population was classified into four age categories in the model. We carried out several simulations resulting from the execution of ST and TT for elementary school children (E Sch), and combinations of ST, MT, and HE. RESULTS: The simulations indicated that all of the control measures only for humans had a trend of revival after interruption, and a combination of ST and MT has a significant effect on reducing human infection. Although TT and HE had a significant effect on the prevalence in the E Sch group, it had little effect on the overall human population. CONCLUSION: The simulations indicate that measures targeted to bovines such as chemotherapy besides humans will be vital to eliminate the transmission of S. japonicum in the Poyang Lake region. Moreover, it is desirable to improve health education for fishermen and herdsmen.