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Background: Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug used for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. It is particularly effective in preventing delayed nausea and vomiting induced by highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC). However, it has side effects, such as hyperglycemia and somnolence, the efficacy and safety of adding olanzapine to triplet antiemetic therapy (5-HT3 receptor antagonist, NK1 receptor antagonist, and dexamethasone) must be verified. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness of olanzapine combined with triplet antiemetic therapy and triplet antiemetic therapy in preventing nausea and vomiting for HEC. We set five items (hyperglycemia, prevention of vomiting, prevention of nausea, adverse events, and cost (drug costs)) as outcomes and conducted a systematic review. Results: Five randomized controlled trials was extracted and they showed that the addition of olanzapine was effective in control of nausea and vomiting, especially in the delayed phase. Complete response of acute and delayed phase were significantly higher in the olanzapine group. Risk difference was − 0.14 [95% CI − 0.26, − 0.03; p = 0.02] and − 0.14 [95% CI − 0.19, −0.09; p < 0.00001], respectively. Additionally, we evaluated hyperglycemia and somnolence, which are typical side effects of olanzapine. However, the incidence of grade ≥ 2 was low in both events, and there was no significant difference between olanzapine and control groups. Conclusions: Adding olanzapine to triplet antiemetic therapy is useful in preventing nausea and vomiting induced by HEC and there would be minimal adverse effects from the combination use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we propose a fast topology optimization (TO) method based on a deep neural network (DNN) that predicts the current-dependent motor torque characteristics using its cross-sectional image. The trained DNN is shown to provide the current condition that provides the maximum torque under the assumed motor control method. The proposed method helps perform TO with a reduced number of field computations while maintaining a high search capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: 'Monitoring of immune responses following mogamulizumab‐containing treatment in patients with adult T‐cell leukaemia–lymphoma (ATL)' (MIMOGA) is a multicentre prospective clinical study (UMIN000008696). In the MIMOGA study, we found that a lower percentage of CD2−CD19+ B cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was a significant unfavourable prognostic factor for overall survival (OS). Accordingly, we then analysed the immunoglobulin G (IgG) heavy‐chain repertoire in PBMC by high‐throughput sequencing. Of the 101 patients enrolled in the MIMOGA study, for 81 a sufficient amount of PBMC RNA was available for repertoire sequencing analysis. Peripheral IgG B cells in patients with ATL had a restricted repertoire relative to those in healthy individuals. There was a significant positive correlation between the Shannon–Weaver diversity index (SWDI) for the IgG repertoire and proportions of B cells in the PBMC of the patients. Multivariate analysis identified two variables significantly affecting OS: a higher serum soluble interleukin‐2 receptor level, and a lower SWDI for the IgG repertoire [hazard ratio, 2·124; 95% confidence interval, 1·114–4·049; n = 44]. The present study documents the importance of humoral immune responses in patients receiving mogamulizumab‐containing treatment. Further investigation of strategies to enhance humoral immune responses in patients with ATL is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel two-step optimization method that incorporates explainable neural networks into topology optimization. The deep neural network (DNN) is trained to infer the torque performance from the input image of the motor cross section. The sensitive region that has a significant influence on the average torque is extracted using gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM) constructed from the DNN. Then, the optimization with respect to the torque ripple is performed only in the incentive region with little influence on the average torque. The proposed method is shown to increase the average torque of an interior permanent magnet (IPM) motor by 14% and reduce the torque ripple by 79% compared with the original model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to clarify the attitude of oncologists toward influenza vaccination and the current situation and issues regarding influenza vaccination for patients on chemotherapy in Japan. A web‐based survey of medical oncologists certified by the Japanese Society of Medical Oncology was conducted between November 1 and December 31, 2019. Of the 1369 medical oncologists who were invited to participate, 415 (30.3%) responded to our survey. The questionnaire comprised 4 sections: "oncologist characteristics," "oncologist attitude toward influenza vaccines and the current status of influenza vaccination for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy," "incidence of influenza infection and associated treatment complications," and "treatment policy for influenza infection." In total, 153 (36.9%) physicians replied that they did not actively encourage influenza vaccination for patients undergoing chemotherapy. The primary reasons given were lack of evidence (48/153, 31.4%) and uncertainty of appropriate timing (46/153, 30.1%). There was diverse variation in the timing of vaccination and in the levels of encouragement based on the cancer location and medication type. Two hundred eighty‐three (68.2%) oncologists reported that their cancer patients had experienced influenza infection while undergoing chemotherapy, and 169 (40.7%) responded that their patients had experienced an administration delay or discontinuation of medication because of influenza infection. Our surveillance revealed some oncologists considered evidence regarding the administration of influenza vaccine to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (particularly the optimal timing and level of recommendation by cancer location and medication) to be lacking. It also exposed the adverse impact of influenza infection in cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The computational cost of topology optimization based on the stochastic algorithm is shown to be greatly reduced by deep learning. In the learning phase, the cross-sectional image of an interior permanent magnet motor, represented in RGB, is used to train a convolutional neural network (CNN) to infer the torque properties. In the optimization phase, all the individuals are approximately evaluated by the trained CNN, while finite element analysis for accurate evaluation is performed only for a limited number of individuals. It is numerically shown that the computational cost for the topology optimization can be reduced without the loss of optimization quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the fast topology optimization methods for rotating machines based on deep learning. The cross-sectional image of electric motors and their performances obtained during a multi-objective topology optimization based on the finite-element method and genetic algorithm (GA) is used for training of the convolutional neural network (CNN). Two different approaches are proposed: 1) CNN trained by preliminary optimization with a small population for GA is used for the main optimization with a large population and 2) CNN is used for screening of torque performances in the optimization with respect to the motor efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new topology optimization of interior permanent magnet (IPM) motors using the genetic algorithm with aid of the deep leaning. The data composed of the rotor shape of an IPM motor and its performance, obtained by a prior topology optimization process, is input to a convolutional neural network (CNN). After the learning process, CNN is shown to provide fairly accurate estimate of the motor performance. During the posterior topology optimization, the finite element analysis (FEA) is carried out only for the limited number of individuals; probability that FEA is performed increases with the motor performance evaluated by CNN. It is shown that the computing time is reduced to about 1/10 without deterioration of the optimization performance with aid of the deep learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combined oral cyclophosphamide and capecitabine (XC) chemotherapy is used for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. We report herein two MBC patients who developed severe hemorrhagic cystitis after XC therapy. Case 1: A 67-year-old woman with MBC had received XC therapy for 2.5 years. After a sudden onset of lower abdominal pain and gross hematuria, cystoscopy revealed a urinary bladder mucosa showing diffuse dilation of the capillaries and a large blood clot. A total dose of 60.8 g cyclophosphamide had been given and the XC regimen was discontinued immediately. The patient experienced frequent episodes of bladder tamponade over 18 months and underwent continuous bladder irrigation and cystoscopic fulguration. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) provided only temporary relief and the patient subsequently developed hemorrhagic shock. A bilateral ureterostomy was eventually performed. Case 2: A 65-year-old woman with MBC was given XC for 3 years, but this was discontinued after she developed new lung lesions. The patient was given a total dose of 78.4 g of cyclophosphamide. A month later, the patient complained of intermittent gross hematuria, which progressed to persistent macroscopic hematuria for 1 week. She underwent continuous bladder irrigation with saline, without an improvement in her bladder tamponade. Subsequently, the bleeding ceased completely after HBOT. Some MBC cases can be controlled for a long time with XC therapy. For those cases, we need to realize that severe hemorrhagic cystitis may occur. Even at a low dose, requires testing periodically for occult blood in the urine to detect the early stages of cystitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new topology optimization method based on basis functions for design of rotating machines. In this method, the core shape of a given rotating machine is represented by the linear combination of the basis functions. The shape is then freely deformed by changing the weighting coefficients to the basis functions to find the optimal shape. The proposed method is compared with the conventional shape optimization based on polygon morphing. The former is shown to outperform the latter in both interior permanent magnet and synchronous motor models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are a few reports suggesting that rituximab (RTX) might be a risk for interstitial pneumonitis (IP). We also experienced such patients in the era of RTX. Here, we reviewed all the patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma who were treated with RTX-CHOP-like regimen (R-CHOP) to determine the risk of developing IP. One of 59 (1.7%) patients who received CHOP alone and 8 of 129 (6.2%) patients who were treated with R-CHOP experienced IP (p=0.28). Furthermore, three of eight patients who have had IP during R-CHOP were confirmed having Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP). PCP occurred during the fourth, sixth, and seventh cycle of chemotherapy, respectively. Among the patients treated by R-CHOP, 3 of 32 (9%) patients whose lymphocyte counts were <1000/µL before chemotherapy developed PCP, while 70 patients whose lymphocyte counts were >1000/µL did not (p=0.03). In four of eight patients, IP occurred during the administration of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor. RTX seems to have a certain risk to induce IP including PCP. Patients with lymphoma who were treated by R-CHOP regimen, might be considered as PCP prophylactic, especially if the number of lymphocytes is low at the beginning of chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the oncogenesis of many malignancies, it is crucial to prevent the shortening of the telomeres by the action of telomerase. In this study, clinical data and disease outcomes were analyzed in conjunction with the telomerase activity (TA) and telomere length (TL) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The study was carried out in 22 patients with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) (7 chronic and 15 acute types) and in 13 asymptomatic human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) carriers. The mean values of TA in acute and chronic type patients were 13.8 and 1.6 total product generated (TPG) units, respectively, as determined by telomeric repeat amplification assays. The mean TA values in HTLV-1 carriers and healthy volunteers were 1.8 and 0.7 TPG, respectively. The mean TA value in acute type patients was significantly higher than in the three other subject groups. The mean TL values in patients with acute and chronic types were 5.39 and 4.38 Kb, respectively, while the mean TL values in HTLV-1 carriers and healthy volunteers were 7.69 and 7.06 Kb, respectively. The mean TL values in all ATL patients and in non-ATL subjects were 5.2 and 7.3 Kb, respectively. The former value is significantly shorter than the latter ( p  < 0.01). Neither TA nor TL of ATL cells showed any significant association with the number of ATL cells, serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor, or serum lactate dehydrogenase in the peripheral blood of acute type patients. This suggests that the levels of TA and TL did not reflect the ATL tumor load. The median survival period of acute ATL patients with high TA and shortened TL was 0.47 years, however, which was significantly shorter than that of acute ATL patients with low TA and normal TL (4.21 years) ( p  < 0.002). These data suggest that high TA and shortened TL were associated with poorer prognosis, and that TA and TL may be novel markers for the prognosis of ATL patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assesses the chromosomal and comparative genomics of human herpes virus 8-negative primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) in HIV-negative patients in Japan. Classification of PEL; Detection of Epstein-barr virus; Abnormality in structures of chromosome 8.

The safety and feasibility of oral fluoroquinolone monotherapy in patients with low-risk febrile neutropenia (FN) were demonstrated in recent studies. Levofloxacin (LVFX) is a commonly prescribed antibiotic; however, evidence for its efficacy against FN is limited. Therefore, in this study, we retrospectively investigated the efficacy of LVFX against low-risk FN in patients with malignant lymphoma at our institution. Treatment success was defined as recovery from fever and neutropenia without alteration of the initial regimen. We recruited 29 patients between January 2013 and December 2018. The median age of the cohort was 64 (range: 21-87) years; 13 (44.8%) were aged over 65 years. In total, 22 patients had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Therapy was successful in 24 (82.8%) patients, whereas 5 had treatment failure requiring a change from LVFX to intravenous broad-spectrum antibacterial agents. No deaths related to FN were observed. Two patients required FN-related chemotherapy dose reduction in subsequent cycles. Although this cohort comprised many elderly patients, our study confirmed the efficacy of LVFX in patients with low-risk FN. This may improve the treatment of low-risk FN and malignant lymphoma.

In recent years, the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), which is used in gerontology to assess functioning in elderly individuals, has been said to be useful in geriatric oncology. Therefore, we examined whether items in the CGA were associated with survival time in elderly patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). We conducted the CGA for 93 patients aged ≥ 65 years who had undergone treatment for NHL retrospectively. The CGA includes activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, mood, cognition, nutrition, and the Charlson comorbidity index. For each category, we divided subjects into a "good" group and a "poor" group. In regard to the Charlson comorbidity index, patients were divided into two groups using different cutoffs to divide the groups; the two groups were established according to the division with the largest significant difference in survival time. Multivariate analysis was then performed with the following prognostic factors affecting survival: all CGA items, NHL classification, stage, performance status, and doxorubicin use/non-use. We also performed similar analysis for 43 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients who had undergone anthracycline treatment. Results are factors affecting survival in NHL cases included comorbidity score ≥ 6 (P < 0.0001), doxorubicin non-use (P = 0.005), and cognitive impairment (P = 0.0488). In cases of DLBCL, survival was affected by comorbidity score ≥ 5 (P = 0.0016). High comorbidity score was strongly associated with survival in both NHL and DLBCL.

Cladribine is approved to be used in 24-hour continuous infusion for the treatment of low-grade lymphoma by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that the antitumor activity of cladribine by 2-hour infusion should be comparable to that given by continuous infusion. The safety and anti-tumor activity of short infusion of cladribine was shown in hairy cell leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in Europe. We therefore underwent a pilot study to confirm the safety and efficacy of cladribine given by 2-hour infusion for Japanese patients with relapsed or refractory indolent B-cell lymphoma. Cladribine at a dose of 0.09 mg/kg was administered in 2-hour intravenous infusion for 5 consecutive days. The treatment was repeated at a 28-day interval for at least 2 cycles, and its efficacy and toxicity were investigated. Fourteen patients were entered into this study. Eight patients (57%) responded to cladribine, including 2 (14%) complete response (CR) and 6 (43%) partial response (PR). The median duration of response was 20+ and 21+ months for CR, and 12 months ranging from 3 to 34 months for PR, respectively. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and lymphocytopenia occurred in 43% and 71% of patients, respectively, but there was no febrile neutropenia or opportunistic infection associated with cladribine treatment. No other adverse events greater than grade 3 were encountered. The tumor response and degree of toxicity were comparable with those observed in cladribine treatment given by continuous infusion at a same dose. Cladribine can be administered in 2-hour infusion in an outpatient clinic and is therefore quite convenient for patients.