Change of Gastric Emptying With Chewing Gum: Evaluation Using a Continuous Real-Time 13C Breath Test (BreathID System)

( Yasunari Sakamoto ),( Shingo Kato ),( Yusuke Sekino ),( Eiji Sakai ),( Takashi Uchiyama ),( Hiroshi Iida ),( Kunihiro Hosono ),( Hiroki Endo ),( Koji Fujita ),( Tomoko Koide ),( Hirokazu Takahashi ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회 2011 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.17 No.2

Background/Aims There are few reports on the correlation between chewing gum and the gastrointestinal functions. But previous report showed use of chewing gum to be an effective method for controlling gastrointestinal symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between chewing gum and gastric emptying using the continuous real time 13C breath test (BreathID system). Methods Ten healthy male volunteers participated in this randomized, 2-way crossover study. The subjects fasted overnight and were randomly assigned to chewing gum (Xylish, 2-3/1 tablet) for an hour following intake of a test meal (200 kcal/200 mL) or intake of the test meal alone. Gastric emptying was monitored for 4 hours after administration of the test meal by the 13C-acetic acid breath test performed continually using the BreathID system. Results No significant differences in the calculated parameters, namely, T1/2 (median, 111.82 vs 109.26 minutes; P = 0.575), Tlag (median, 53.28 vs 56.53 minutes; P = 0.333), gastric emptying coefficient (median, 3.58 vs 3.65; P = 0.285), regression-estimated constant β (median, 1.85 vs 1.80; P = 0.575) and regression-estimated constant κ (median, 0.61 vs 0.62; P = 0.959) were observed between the test meal alone group and the test meal and chewing gum group. Conclusions This study showed that chewing gum had no effect on the rate of gastric emptying. Therefore, since chewing gum did not enhance the speed of gastric emptying, it may ameliorate gastrointestinal symptoms through other mechanisms, such as saliva and autonomic nervous system. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2011;17:174-179)

Quality indicators for cervical cancer care in Japan

Tomone Watanabe,Mikio Mikami,Hidetaka Katabuchi,Shingo Kato,Masanori Kaneuchi,Masahiro Takahashi,Hidekatsu Nakai,Satoru Nagase,Hitoshi Niikura,Masaki Mandai,Yasuyuki Hirashima,Hiroyuki Yanai,Wataru Ya 대한부인종양학회 2018 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.29 No.6

Objective: Choice of hysterectomy and adjuvant treatment for International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 stage II endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) is still controversial. Aims of this study were to evaluate survival benefits and adverse effects of different hysterectomies with or without adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), and to identify prognostic factors. Methods: The patients at 14 member hospitals of the Taiwanese Gynecologic Oncology Group from 1992 to 2013 were retrospectively investigated. Patients were divided into simple hysterectomy (SH) alone, SH with RT, radical hysterectomy (RH) alone, and RH with RT groups. Endpoints were recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), adverse effects and prognostic factors for survival. Results: Total of 246 patients were enrolled. The 5-year RFS, OS, DSS and recurrence rates for the entire cohort were 89.5%, 94.3%, 96.2% and 10.2%, respectively. Patients receiving RH had more adverse effects including blood loss (p<0.001), recurrent urinary tract infections (p=0.013), and leg lymphedema (p=0.038). Age over 50-year (HR=9.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2–70.9) and grade 3 histology (HR=7.28; 95% CI, 1.45–36.6) were independent predictors of OS. Grade 3 histology was an independent predictor of RFS (HR=5.13; 95% CI, 1.38–19.1) and DSS (HR=5.97; 95% CI, 1.06–58.7). Patients receiving adjuvant RT had lower locoregional recurrence (p=0.046), but no impact on survival. Conclusion: Different treatment modalities yield similar survival outcomes. Patients receiving SH with RT had lower locoregional recurrent with acceptable morbidity. Age and tumor grading remained significant predictors for survival among patients with FIGO 2009 stage II EEC. Objective: We aimed to propose a set of quality indicators (QIs) based on the clinical guidelines for cervical cancer treatment published by The Japan Society of Gynecologic Oncology, and to assess adherence to standard-of-care as an index of the quality of care for cervical cancer in Japan. Methods: A panel of clinical experts devised the QIs using a modified Delphi method. Adherence to each QI was evaluated using data from a hospital-based cancer registry of patients diagnosed in 2013, and linked with insurance claims data, between October 1, 2012, and December 31, 2014. All patients who received first-line treatment at the participating facility were included. The QI scores were communicated to participating hospitals, and additional data about the reasons for non-adherence were collected. Results: In total, 297 hospitals participated, and the care provided to 15,163 cervical cancer patients was examined using 10 measurable QIs. The adherence rate ranged from 50.0% for ‘cystoscope or proctoscope for stage IVA’ to 98.8% for ‘chemotherapy using platinum for stage IVB’. Despite the variation in care, hospitals reported clinically valid reasons for more than half of the non-adherent cases. Clinically valid reasons accounted for 75%, 90.9%, 73.4%, 44.5%, and 88.1% of presented non-adherent cases respectively. Conclusion: Our study revealed variations in pattern of care as well as an adherence to standards-of-care across Japan. Further assessment of the causes of variation and non-adherence can help identify areas where improvements are needed in patient care.

Mucus Plugs and Small Airway Dysfunction in Asthma, COPD, and Asthma-COPD Overlap

Tamura Kanami,Shirai Toshihiro,Hirai Keita,Nakayasu Hiromasa,Takahashi Shingo,Kishimoto Yutaro,Akamatsu Taisuke,Asada Kazuhiro,Kato Satoshi 대한천식알레르기학회 2022 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.14 No.2

Purpose: There are reports concerning mucus plugs detected on high-resolution computed tomography images and airflow obstruction in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, little is known about the associations between mucus plugs and small airway dysfunction (SAD). We evaluated the relationship between mucus plugs and pulmonary function in patients with asthma, COPD, and asthma-COPD overlap (ACO), and investigated the relevance to SAD and type 2 inflammation in a retrospective study. Methods: Subjects included 49 asthmatic, 40 ACO, and 41 COPD patients. ACO was diagnosed based on the Japanese Respiratory Society ACO guidelines. Clinical and laboratory parameters, including blood eosinophil count, serum total IgE levels, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), spirometry, and forced oscillation technique (FOT), were compared between patients with and without mucus plugs. Results: Mucus plugs were found in 29 (59%) asthmatic, 25 (65%) ACO, 17 (41%) COPD patients. Patients with mucus plugs had reduced spirometry and larger FOT parameters, especially in COPD patients. Mucus scores correlated positively with IgE in ACO and FeNO in asthmatic patients, but not in COPD patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that SAD parameters, including forced vital capacity and resonant frequency, a respiratory reactance parameter, were significantly associated with the presence of mucus plugs in the whole studied population. Conclusions: SAD, rather than large airway dysfunction, was associated with mucus plugs in asthma, ACO, and COPD patients.

Foxf2 represses bone formation via Wnt2b/β-catenin signaling

Tanaka Tomoyuki,Takahashi Akira,Kobayashi Yutaka,Saito Masanori,Xiaolong Sun,Jingquan Chen,Ito Yoshiaki,Kato Tsuyoshi,Ochi Hiroki,Sato Shingo,Yoshii Toshitaka,Okawa Atsushi,Carlsson Peter,Inose Hiroyu 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

Differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into osteoblasts is a critical process for proper skeletal development and acquisition/maintenance of bone mass. However, since this regulatory mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated, the treatment of severe osteoporosis and fractures is a challenge. Here, through a comprehensive analysis of gene expression during the differentiation of MSCs into osteoblasts, we show that the forkhead transcription factor Foxf2 is a crucial regulator of this process. Foxf2 expression transiently increased during MSC osteoblastic differentiation. Overexpression of Foxf2 in MSCs inhibited osteoblastic differentiation, and conversely, knockdown of Foxf2 expression promoted this process. Osteoprogenitor-specific Foxf2 knockout mice developed a high bone mass phenotype due to increased bone formation. RNA-seq analysis and molecular experiments revealed that Foxf2 regulation of bone formation is mediated by Wnt2b. Knockdown of Foxf2 in mouse femurs enhanced bone regeneration in vivo. FOXF2 expression was correlated with hip bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with low bone mass. Finally, inhibition of FOXF2 promoted osteoblastic differentiation of human MSCs. This study uncovers a critical role of Foxf2 in the differentiation of MSCs into osteoblasts and provides insight into the pathogenesis associated with bone-related diseases such as osteoporosis and nonunion after fracture

Asian society of gynecologic oncology workshop 2010

서동훈,김재원,Mohamad Farid Aziz,Uma K. Devi,Hextan Y. S. Ngan,남주현,김승철,Tomoyasu Kato,유희석,Shingo Fujii,이윤순,김종혁,김태중,김영태,Kung-Liahng Wang,이택상,Kimio Ushijima,신상구,Yin Nin Chia,Sarikapan Wilailak,박상윤,Hidetaka Kat 대한부인종양학회 2010 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.21 No.3

This workshop was held on July 31-August 1, 2010 and was organized to promote the academic environment and to enhance the communication among Asian countries prior to the 2nd biennial meeting of Australian Society of Gynaecologic Oncologists (ASGO), which will be held on November 3-5, 2011. We summarized the whole contents presented at the workshop. Regarding cervical cancer screening in Asia, particularly in low resource settings, and an update on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination was described for prevention and radical surgery overview,fertility sparing and less radical surgery, nerve sparing radical surgery and primary chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer, were discussed for management. As to surgical techniques, nerve sparing radical hysterectomy, optimal staging in early ovarian cancer, laparoscopic radical hysterectomy, one-port surgery and robotic surgery were introduced. After three topics of endometrial cancer, laparoscopic surgery versus open surgery, role of lymphadenectomy and fertility sparing treatment, there was a special additional time for clinical trials in Asia. Finally,chemotherapy including neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, optimal surgical management, and the basis of targeted therapy in ovarian cancer were presented.

Phase I/II prospective clinical trial for the hybrid of intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy for locally advanced uterine cervical cancer

Naoya Murakami,Miho Watanabe,Takashi Uno,Shuhei Sekii,Kayoko Tsujino,Takahiro Kasamatsu,Yumiko Machitori,Tomomi Aoshika,Shingo Kato,Hisako Hirowatari,Yuko Kaneyasu,Tomio Nakagawa,Hitoshi Ikushima,Ken 대한부인종양학회 2023 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.34 No.3

Objective: The purposes of this trial were to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the hybrid of intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy (HBT) for locally advanced cervical cancer patients in the phase I/II prospective clinical trial. Methods: Patients with FIGO stage IB2-IVA uterine cervical cancer pretreatment width of which was ≥5 cm measured by magnetic resonance imaging were eligible for this clinical trial. The protocol therapy included 30–30.6 Gy in 15–17 fractions of whole pelvic radiotherapy concurrent with weekly CDDP, followed by 24 Gy in 4 fractions of HBT and pelvic radiotherapy with a central shield up to 50–50.4 Gy in 25–28 fractions. The primary endpoint of phase II part was 2-year pelvic progression-free survival (PPFS) rate higher than historical control of 64%. Results: Between October 2015 and October 2019, 73 patients were enrolled in the initial registration and 52 patients proceeded to the secondary registration. With the median follow-up period of 37.3 months (range, 13.9–52.9 months), the 2- PPFS was 80.7% (90% confidence interval [CI]=69.7%–88%). Because the lower range of 90% CI of 2-year PPFS was 69.7%, which was higher than the historical control ICBT data of 64%, therefore, the primary endpoint of this study was met. Conclusion: The effectiveness of HBT were demonstrated by a prospective clinical study. Because the dose goal determined in the protocol was lower than 85 Gy, there is room in improvement for local control. A higher dose might have been needed for tumors with poor responses.

Predicting outcomes to optimize disease management in inflammatory bowel disease in Japan: their differences and similarities to Western countries

( Taku Kobayashi ),( Tadakazu Hisamatsu ),( Yasuo Suzuki ),( Haruhiko Ogata ),( Akira Andoh ),( Toshimitsu Araki ),( Ryota Hokari ),( Hideki Iijima ),( Hiroki Ikeuchi ),( Yoh Ishiguro ),( Shingo Kato 대한장연구학회 2018 Intestinal Research Vol.16 No.2

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract, with increasing prevalence worldwide. IBD Ahead is an international educational program that aims to explore questions commonly raised by clinicians about various areas of IBD care and to consolidate available published evidence and expert opinion into a consensus for the optimization of IBD management. Given differences in the epidemiology, clinical and genetic characteristics, management, and prognosis of IBD between patients in Japan and the rest of the world, this statement was formulated as the result of literature reviews and discussions among Japanese experts as part of the IBD Ahead program to consolidate statements of factors for disease prognosis in IBD. Evidence levels were assigned to summary statements in the following categories: disease progression in CD and UC; surgery, hospitalization, intestinal failure, and permanent stoma in CD; acute severe UC; colectomy in UC; and colorectal carcinoma and dysplasia in IBD. The goal is that this statement can aid in the optimization of the treatment strategy for Japanese patients with IBD and help identify high-risk patients that require early intervention, to provide a better long-term prognosis in these patients. (Intest Res 2018;16:168-177)

Natural History of Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction and Need for Palliative Care

Kosuke Tanaka,Hidenori Ohkubo,Atsushi Yamamoto,Kota Takahashi,Yuki Kasai,Anna Ozaki,Michihiro Iwaki,Takashi Kobayashi,Tsutomu Yoshihara,Noboru Misawa,Akiko Fuyuki,Shingo Kato,Takuma Higurashi,Kunihiro 대한소화기 기능성질환∙운동학회 2023 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.29 No.3

Background/AimsNatural history of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO), a rare disease characterized by episodes of non-mechanical obstruction, is unclear in adults. This study evaluates the clinical course of CIPO and palliative care needs of patients. MethodsFrom October 2010 to September 2021, 74 patients who underwent cine MRI and had a definitive diagnosis of CIPO were prospectively included. We investigated disease etiology and outcomes, age at onset, nutritional status at consultation (body mass index and serum albumin), hydrogen breath test results, and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) during the disease course. ResultsForty-seven patients (64%) were women, with a mean age of 44 years at onset and 49 years at diagnosis. Primary CIPO was observed in 48 patients (65%). Secondary CIPO was observed in 26 cases (35%), of whom 18 (69%) had scleroderma. The mean body mass index, serum albumin level, and hydrogen breath test positivity rate were 17 kg/m2, 3.8 mg/dL, and 60%, respectively. TPN and invasive decompression therapy were required by 23 (31%) and 18 (24%) patients, respectively. Intestinal sterilization was performed in 51 (69%) patients and was effective in 33 (65%); of these, 28 (85%) were taking metronidazole. Seven (9%) patients used opioids. There were 9 deaths (12%), including 5 (56%) from infection and 2 (22%) from suicide. Of the deaths, 6 (67%) and 4 (44%) underwent TPN management and decompression therapy, respectively. Fifty-one patients (69%) wanted palliative care. ConclusionCIPO is a rare, severe, and under-recognized disease. Standardization of treatment strategies, including palliative care and psychiatric interventions, is desired.