Palliative Care for Patients with Gynecologic Cancer in Japan: A Japan Society of Gynecologic Palliative Medicine (JSGPM) Survey

Futagami, Masayuki,Yokoyama, Yoshihito,Sato, Tetsumi,Hirota, Kazuyoshi,Shimada, Muneaki,Miyagi, Etsuko,Suzuki, Nao,Fujimura, Masaki Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.10

Purpose: To evaluate palliative care for patients with gynecologic cancer in Japan. Materials and Method: A questionnaire asking facility characteristics, systems to coordinate palliative care, current status of end-of-life care, provision of symptom relief, palliative radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and cases of death from gynecological cancer, was mailed to facilities treating gynecologic cancer. Results: A total of 115 facilities (29.3% of the total) responded to the questionnaire. Of these, 33.0 (29.0%) had a palliative care ward. End-of-life care was managed by obstetricians and gynecologists in 72.0% of the facilities. The site where end-of-life care was provided was most often a ward in the department where the respondent worked. The waiting period for transfer to a hospice was 2 weeks or more in 52% of facilities. Before the start of primary treatment, pain control was managed by obstetrians and gynecologists in 98.0% of facilities. Palliative radiation therapy or chemotherapy was administered at 93.9% and 92.0% of facilities, respectively. Of the 115 facilities, 34.0 (29.6%) reported cases of death from gynecological cancer. There were 1,134 cases of death. The median time between the last cycle of chemotherapy and death was 85 days for all gynecological cancers. The proportion of patients receiving chemotherapy in the last 30 and 14 days of life were 17.4% and 7.1%, respectively. Conclusions: This large-scale survey showed characteristics of palliative care given to patients with gynecologic cancer in Japan. Assessment of death cases showed that the median time between the last cycle of chemotherapy and death was relatively short.

RF-enhanced DC-magnetron Sputtering of Indium Tin Oxide

Futagami, Toshiro,Kamei, Masayuki,Yasui, Itaru,Shigesato, Yuzo The Korean Ceramic Society 2001 The Korean journal of ceramics Vol.7 No.1

Indium tin oxide (ITO) films were deposited on glass substrates at $300^{\circ}C$ in oxygen/argon mixtures by RF-enhanced DC-magnetron sputtering and were compared to those by conventional DC magnetron sputtering. The RF enhancement was performed using a coil above an ITO target. X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that RF-enhanced plasma affected the preferred orientation and the crystallinity of the films. The resistivity of the films prepared by RF-enhanced DC-magnetron sputtering was almost constant at oxygen content lower than 0.3% and then increased sharply with increasing oxygen content. However the resistivity of the films by conventional sputtering has little dependence on the oxygen content. Those results can be explained on the basis of the incorporation of oxygen into the ITO films due to the RF enhancement.

Production of high-performance slaked lime for waste incineration flue gas treatment

( Yuto Futagami ),( In-hee Hwang ),( Takayuki Matsuo ),( Yasumasa Tojo ),( Toshihiko Matsuto ) 한국폐기물자원순환학회(구 한국폐기물학회) 2017 한국폐기물자원순환학회 심포지움 Vol.2017 No.1

Hydrogen chloride and sulfur oxide in flue gas are often neutralized by dry scrubbing method and reaction products are removed at bag filters. Slaked lime is usually used as alkali agent for dry scrubbing. As the utilization amount of slake lime is the most among chemicals used in waste incineration facilities, its influence on the cost of flue gas treatment is significant. In Germany, there are attempts to inject slaked lime into the duct by on-site production of it from cheap quicklime using commercial hydrators at incineration facilities. However, it is necessary to simplify the production process as well as to reduce the scale to install the hydrator in relatively small scale of Japanese waste incineration facility. Moreover, it is important to cut down the consumption amount of slaked lime by improving the quality of slaked lime. In this research, the production of high-performance slaked lime was tried by hydrating quicklime with addition of organic solvents and surfactant. 7.8 g quick lime and predetermined amount of distilled water were stirred with a small handy mixer. Three types of quicklimes (Ueda, Yakusen, and Okutama) were prepared in this work. Variation of hydration rate depending on molar ratio of distilled water to quicklime (H₂O/CaO molar ratio, hereinafter MR) as well as mixing time was determined. To improve the performance of slaked lime, diethylene glycol (DEG), triethanolamine (TEA), and non-ionic surfactant (Newcole 714) were used as additives. Addition rates of organic solvent and surfactant were 1.25-5% and 0.5% of quicklime mass, respectively. For the performance evaluation of slaked lime, hydrogen chloride removal rate and specific surface area were measured. With MR > 2 and stirring time=5 min, slaked lime was obtained with the hydration rate more than 93%. As the slaked lime derived from Ueda showed the highest hydration rate, it was used for production of high-performance slaked lime. More the chemicals were added, higher removal rate of hydrogen chloride was. Besides, the addition of two organic solvents mixture showed better effect compared to that of single addition. When DEG and TEA were mixed with one to one ratio and were added by 1.25%, hydrogen chloride removal rate and BET specific area increased about 80% and 50 m2/g respectively. It is comparable to commercial high performance slaked lime. On one hand, 0.5% Newcole 714 was added, there was no significant difference on performance between addition or not. Considering cost and performance of slaked lime, the adding of DEG+TEA by 1.25% was optimal condition to produce high performance quick lime in this work.

Reduction of hydrogen chloride in the furnace of vertical type incinerator

( In-hee Hwang ),( Yuto Futagami ),( Takayuki Matsuo ),( Yasumasa Tojo ),( Toshihiko Matsuto ) 한국폐기물자원순환학회(구 한국폐기물학회) 2019 한국폐기물자원순환학회 심포지움 Vol.2019 No.1

Hydrogen chloride (HCl) in flue gas of municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) is generally removed by the in-duct injection of powdered slaked lime (Ca(OH)₂) before the bag filter (BF). According to the survey of operational characteristics of vertical type incinerator in 2016, the HCl concentration was considerably reduced before the application of dry scrubbing. Vertical type incinerator is a new type one which performs efficient incineration with forming pyrolysis, gasification, and carbon combustion zones vertically in thick waste layer. There is a possibility that HCl gas is reduced in the thick waste layer due to alkali and alkaline earth metals during long retention time. If this assumption is correct, chlorine (Cl) amount is relatively higher in bottom ash (BA) obtained from vertical type incinerator. In this study, the Cl distribution amount to BA, fly ash (FA), and cleaned flue gas as well as the form of Cl compound in ash were investigated to clarify the reduction phenomenon of HCl in the furnace of vertical type incinerator. Questionnaire survey and ash (BA and FA) sampling were conducted for twenty-four MSWI facilities to determine the Cl distribution amount depending on the types of furnaces. Annual amounts of waste incinerated, chemical for ash stabilization, BA and FA discharged were questioned. Flow rate and HCl concentration of flue gas at the outlet of BF were also investigated. BA and FA samples were provided to analyze total Cl content and the form of Cl and Ca compounds. Total Cl content was measured by the modified JIS method (JIS Z 7302-6). XRD analysis and leaching test were performed to know the form of Cl and Ca compounds. Leaching test was carried out under the conditions of LS=10, 200rpm, and 6 h. Cl concentration in eluent was measured by anion chromatography. Na, K, and Ca concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. In the vertical type of incinerator, HCl gas was expected to be captured by alkali and alkaline earth metals while it was passing the thick waste layer. However, there was no significant difference in the Cl distribution amount in BA depending on the types of incinerators as shown in Fig. 1. In order to confirm the possibility that HCl was captured by dust in flue gas at the furnace, dust sample was sampled from the duct before the spray of slaked lime. HCl gas concentration in combustion and post-combustion chamber of vertical type incinerator (V-1 facility) were also measured respectively. As a result, it was revealed that more than 30% of Cl contained in FA was derived from dust of furnace. In addition, it was found that HCl concentration was greatly reduced in the post-combustion chamber. From these results, HCl was considered to be captured by CaO which was contained more than 10wt% in dust at the post-combustion chamber of vertical type of incinerator. This HCl reduction on the furnace is an important phenomenon that leads to the reduction of the amount of alkali chemical required for exhaust gas treatment. It is necessary to verify whether the same phenomenon occurs in conventional stocker type incinerator. In our future study, the analysis of flue gas and dust will be performed by comparison with conventional stoker type incinerator to elucidate the mechanism of HCl reduction in the furnace.

Ksa`s Transfer of japanese smes : managing human resources of metalworking industry in the areas of tsubame and sanjo

Akira Aihara,Kyoichi Futagami 한국경영정보학회 2000 한국경영정보학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2000 No.-

Leu72Met408 Polymorphism of the Ghrelin Gene Is Associated With Early Phase of Gastric Emptying in the Patients With Functional Dyspepsia in Japan

( Hiroshi Yamawaki ),( Seiji Futagami ),( Mayumi Shimpuku ),( Tomotaka Shindo ),( Yuuta Maruki ),( Hiroyuki Nagoya ),( Yasuhiro Kodaka ),( Hitomi Sato ),( Katya Gudis ),( Tetsuro Kawagoe ),( Choitsu S 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회 2015 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.21 No.1

Background/Aims There are no available data about the relationship between ghrelin gene genotypes and early phase of gastric emptying in functional dyspepsia (FD) as defined by Rome III classification. Methods We enrolled 74 patients presenting with typical symptoms of FD and 64 healthy volunteers. Gastric motility was evaluated using the 13C-acetate breath test. We used Rome III criteria to evaluate upper abdominal symptoms and self-rating questionnaires for depression (SRQ-D) scores to determine status of depression. The Arg51Gln (346G>A), preproghrelin (3056T>C), Leu72Met (408C>A), Gln90Leu (3412T>A) and G-protein 3 (825C>T) polymorphisms were analyzed in the DNA from blood samples of enrolled subjects. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction. Results There was a significant relationship between the Gln90Leu3412 genotype and SRQ-D score in FD patients (P = 0.009). Area under the curve at 15 minutes (AUC15) value was significantly associated with the Leu72Met408 genotype (P = 0.015) but not with entire gastric emptying. Conclusions The Leu72Met (408C>A) single nucleotide polymorphism was significantly associated with early phase of gastric emptying in FD patients. Further studies will be necessary to clarify the association between ghrelin gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and early phase of gastric emptying in FD patients.

Impact of Eating Attitude and Impairment of Physical Quality of Life Between Tertiary Clinic and Primary Clinic Functional Dyspepsia Outpatients in Japan

( Mayumi Shimpuku ),( Seiji Futagami ),( Natsuki Tajima ),( Hiroshi Yamawaki ),( Yuuta Maruki ),( Yasuhiro Kodaka ),( Hiroyuki Nagoya ),( Katya Gudis ),( Tetsuro Kawagoe ),( Choitsu Sakamoto ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회 2014 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.20 No.4

Background/Aims There is no available data on factors associated with healthcare-seeking behavior for functional dyspepsia (FD) symptoms at either tertiary or primary clinics in Japan. Therefore, we aimed to compare clinical symptoms and life styles such as sleep disorders and eating attitude in FD patients visiting general practitioners at primary clinics with those consulting gastroenterologists at tertiary clinics to clarify healthcare-seeking patterns in Japanese patients. Methods Fifty-one FD outpatients in a tertiary clinic (college hospital), 50 FD outpatients visiting primary clinics and 50 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Clinical symptoms, quality of life, sleep disorders, eating attitude and anxiety were estimated using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), Social Functioning-8 (SF-8) test, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) test and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) for FD outpatients and healthy volunteers. Results FD outpatients exhibited higher mean scores of GSRS than healthy volunteers. The SF-8 physical component summary scores in the tertiary clinic group were significantly lower than those in the primary clinic group. GSRS scores were significantly (P < 0.001, P = 0.002) associated with global PSQI scores in FD outpatients as well as with STAI-trait scores (P = 0.006, P = 0.001) compared to healthy volunteers. The frequency of eating between meals in the primary clinic group was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that in the tertiary clinic group.Conclusions It may be important for clarification of healthcare-seeking behavior to determine the difference in both impairment of physical quality of life and eating attitudes between tertiary clinic and primary clinic FD outpatients in Japan.

Impact of Sleep Disorders, Quality of Life and Gastric Emptying in Distinct Subtypes of Functional Dyspepsia in Japan

( Hiroshi Yamawaki ),( Seiji Futagami ),( Mayumi Shimpuku ),( Hitomi Sato ),( Taiga Wakabayashi ),( Yuuta Maruki ),( Yasuhiro Kodaka ),( Hiroyuki Nagoya ),( Tomotaka Shindo ),( Tetsuro Kawagoe ),( Cho 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회 2014 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.20 No.1

Background/Aims The association between clinical symptoms, gastric emptying, quality of life and sleep disorders in distinct functional dyspepsia (FD) patients has not been studied yet in detail. Methods We enrolled 79 FD patients (postprandial distress syndrome [PDS], n = 65; epigastric pain syndrome [EPS], n = 47; EPS-PDS overlap, n = 33) and 44 healthy volunteers. Gastric motility was evaluated. We used Rome III criteria to evaluate clinical symptoms and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores to determine anxiety status. Sleep disorder was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores. Results There were no significant differences in age, sex and Helicobacter pylori positivity between FD subtypes and healthy volunteers. The scores of Glasgow dyspepsia severity scores (GDSS), SF-8 and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in distinct subtypes of FD patients were significantly different from those in healthy volunteers. However, there were not significant differences in these scores, Tmax and T1/2 among 3 subtypes of FD patients. PSQI score was significantly (P = 0.027, P = 0.002 and P = 0.039, respectively) associated with GDSS among EPS, PDS and EPS-PDS overlap patients. In addition, 8-item short form health survey (SF-8; Physical Component Score and Mental Component Score) was significantly associated with global PSQI score in PDS and EPS-PDS overlap patients. In contrast, SF-8 (Mental Component Score) only was significantly linked to global PSQI score in EPS patients. Conclusions Prevalences for sleep disorders, gastric motility and quality of life in 3 subtypes of FD patients were similar levels. In PDS and EPS-PDS overlap patients, SF-8 was significantly associated with global PSQI score. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2014;20:104-112)

Decreased ARID1A expression is correlated with chemoresistance in epithelial ovarian cancer

Yoshihito Yokoyama,Yoko Matsushita,Tatsuhiko Shigeto,Masayuki Futagami,Hideki Mizunuma 대한부인종양학회 2014 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.25 No.1

Objective: Loss of ARID1A is related to oncogenic transformation of ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma. The present study was conducted in epithelial ovarian cancer of all tissue types to investigate whether an increased or decreased expression level of ARID1A can be a prognostic factor for ovarian cancer or can influence the sensitivity to anticancer drugs. Methods: The expression level of ARID1A was investigated in 111 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer who received initial treatment at the Hirosaki University Hospital between 2006 and 2011. The expression level of ARID1A was immunohistochemically graded using staining scores, which were calculated by multiplying the staining intensity of the nuclei by the stain-positive area. Results: The level of ARID1A was significantly lower in clear cell adenocarcinoma than in other histologic types. Among the patients with stage III, IV cancer (n=46), the level of ARID1A was significantly lower (p=0.026) in patients who did not achieve complete response (CR; n=12) than in patients who achieved CR (n=34). The level of ARID1A was relatively lower (p=0.07) in patients who relapsed after achieving CR (n=21) than in patients who did not relapse (n=13). When the staining score of 0 was defined as ARID1A-negative and other staining scores were defined as ARID1A-positive, there was significant difference in progression-free survival between ARID1A-negative (n=11) and ARID1A-positive (n=35) patients in stage III, IV disease. Conclusion: The result suggests that decreased ARID1A expression is correlated with chemoresistance and may be a predictive factor for the risk of relapse of advanced cancer after achieving CR.

Unreduced Gamete Formation in Two Cymbidium pumilum F₁ Hybrids

Juntaro Kato,Mikiko Tomiyasu,Katumi Nakashima,Yuuichi Futagami,Tatsuya Oguri,Hiroshi Ito,Syoichi Ichihashi 한국원예학회 2006 한국원예학회 기타간행물 Vol.- No.-