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Background Current data for the use of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) in Japanese patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is limited. Objectives To assess the efficacy of DMF in Japanese patients with RRMS. Methods The phase 3, multinational APEX study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01838668) consisted of two parts: a 24-week double-blind part where subjects were randomized to receive DMF 240 mg or placebo twice daily in East Asian and Eastern European countries, and an open-label extension part where all subjects received DMF. The primary endpoint was the total number of new gadolinium-enhancing lesions in Weeks 12–24. In this interim analysis, we report efficacy data in the Japanese subgroup (DMF n = 56; placebo n = 58) over 72 weeks, including an extension phase. Results DMF reduced the total number of new gadolinium-enhancing lesions in Weeks 12–24 by 85% versus placebo (p

Microdosimetric spectra were measured in order to gain the microdosimetric parameters of some epithermal neutron fields. Changes in dose mean lineal energy y D as a function of depth of heavy water showed a trend of softening with heavy water of the beam. The neutron absorbed dose was obtained by using the frequency mean lineal energy. Results show good agreement with measurements with the activation method using gold foil. This study demonstrated how microdosimetric parameters change in radiation quality as a function of heavy water depth.

In this study, the optimal volume of contrast medium in the liver for three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the hepatic and portal veins by helical CT were determined by intravenous injection using the MIP technique. In the 48 cases examined, CT images of the liver were obtained following the administration of contrast medium (90, 120, or 150 ml and 1.0,or = 1.5 ml; 1.5,or = 2.0 ml; 2.0,or = 2.5 ml or 2.5,or = 3.0 ml/kg) for determination of the optimal volume. The mean body weight of the patients was 59 kg. Contrast medium (Iopamidol 300 mgl/ml) was injected at a rate of 3 ml/sec, and scanning was initiated 70 sec after the beginning of injection. Images were obtained throughout the entire liver using 5-mm collimation. MIP images were graded from poor to excellent based on their visualization of the hepatic vessels. Images produced with 120 ml of contrast medium presented excellent images of hepatic vessels, superior to those produced with 90 ml (hepatic vein: p.001, portal vein: p.001). Images produced with 2.0,or = 2.5 ml/kg of contrast medium presented excellent images of the portal vein, superior to those produced with 1.5,or = 2.0 ml/kg ml (p0.05). It is evident from the present data that a contrast medium volume of more than 120 ml or 2.0,or = 2.5 ml/kg is sufficient for three-dimensional imaging of hepatic vessels. These images may be a useful diagnostic tool in patients with hepatic disease.

Twenty patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with breast conservation surgery and definite radiation, underwent computed tomography (added HR-CT) of the lungs before, immediately after, and at one, six, and twelve months after radiotherapy. During the follow-up period, 17 (85%) of the patients developed parenchymal alterations in the irradiated lung volume. We classified the parenchymal alterations into seven patterns: pattern 1 = septal line, 2 = nodular opacity, 3 = ground-glass opacity, 4 = consolidation, 5 = curvilinear opacity, 6 = aircyst accumulation, and 7 = irregularity of pleural surface. From one to six months after radiotherapy, 14 patients developed nodular opacities and ground glass opacities in the irradiated lung field. At 12 months after radiotherapy, fourteen patients were found to have aircyst accumulation and irregularity of the pleural surface. In this study, none of the patients presented any abnormal findings immediately after irradiation. There was no relationship between central lung distance or boost irradiation and the parenchymal alterations in the lung. On the other hand, there was a close relationship between oral anti-cancer agents and lung lesions. In conclusion, HR-CT was useful to evaluate morphologic changes in the irradiated lung.

New neutron-deficient isotopes of 83,85 Nb were identified with the aid of results of the in-beam spectroscopic studies of 83,85 Zr. The activities were generated by the 58 Ni( 28 Si, p2n) 83 Nb, 60 Ni( 28 Si, p2n) 85 Nb and 58 Ni( 32 S, αp) 85 Nb, reactions, and the radiations were measured by means of βγ-coincidence. Then the half-lives of 83 Nb and 85 Nb were found to be 4.1 ± 0.3 and 20.9 ± 0.7 sec, and the Q EC values were determined to be 7.5 ± 0.3 and 6.0 ± 0.2 MeV for 83 Nb and 85 Nb, respectively, which are noticeably lower than predicted values from mass formulae.

High-spin states in 83Zr have been studied via the 58Ni(28Si, 2pn)83 reaction using in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy techniques. Measurements of multiple (charged-particle)γ-coincidence, nγγ-coincidence, gamma-ray excitation function and gamma-ray angular distribution were performed. These experimental results established a positive-parity band based on the g 9 2 neutron shell and two negative-partity bands built on the 1 − 2 and 5 − 2 states. The existence of the two low-lying isomeric states with the half-lives of 1.8 ±0.1 and 0.50 ±0.25 μs was also revealed. It was found that each band exhibits a rotational-like character and the structures are similar to those of neighboring N=43 isotones, whereas change of neutron number leads to abrupt change at N = 43 ∼45 with regard to the level structure of odd-Zr isotopes.

A 56-year-old man was admitted to Miyazaki Prefectural Hospital with a complaint of pain in the right upper quadrant. The liver was moderately enlarged on palpation with tenderness in the upper abdomen. Ultrasonography and abdominal CT showed gallbladder tumor with multiple space-occupying lesions in the liver. In addition, serum levels of CEA and CA19-9 were markedly elevated. These findings suggested gallbladder cancer with liver metastasis, and he was soon started on tegafur rectally (1,000 mg/day) and PSK orally (3.0 g/day). Two months later, the lesions in the liver almost disappeared, although little change in size of the gallbladder tumor was noted. This condition lasted for 6 months indicating partial response. Subsequently, he died of liver failure 14 months after the start of treatment. Since few antineoplastic agents have been reported to be effective against gallbladder cancer, tegafur and PSK might be a good combination for this disease.