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Coastal flooding occurring in Oceania is often attributed directly to Climate Change-induced sea level rise. This overlooks how post-World War II urbanization, intranational migrations to urban centers, expanded development next to coastlines increasing risk to coastal flooding. This research seeks to determine how urbanization contributes to coastal flooding in the Pacific and show different ways those nations can adapt to future sea level rise.Tracking urbanization in Pacific Islands is difficult because few maps of pre-urbanized conditions are available. Using the Republic of Palau as a case study, maps created by the Japanese government before World War II and by the US after World War II were digitized through GIS and compiled with recent data collected by Palau to track urbanization. This was compared with tide gauge data to quantify the risk of coastal flooding due to urbanization and separately, sea level rise. Additionally, the actual impact on households living next to the coast was investigated through questionnaire surveys collected in the urban center. Spatial data illustrated clear expansion towards the coastline while tide gauge data revealed a 3mm increase in average high tides per year. The difference between buildings at risk from present and previous sea levels was less than 1%. Questionnaire surveys showed that of households bordering the coastline, Palauans from the urban center experienced 6% less flooding than Palauans who migrated after the war. These findings suggest that population growth in the urban center likely increased the exposure to chronic coastal flooding. Action is even more necessary as future sea level rise magnifies the risk of coastal flooding. This relationship highlights the diversity of potential pathways for Pacific nations to minimize their exposure to hazards exasperated by Climate Change. Keywords: urbanization, climate change, coastal flooding, Pacific Islands [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The 2020 Olympic Games marathon will be run through the streets of Tokyo on the mornings of August 2nd and 9th, a time of year that is typically hot, sunny, and humid. Few studies have assessed the potential impact of extreme heat along the marathon course to understand the multiple factors (e.g., radiation, wind flow) affecting human thermal comfort (TC) as influenced by urban design and vegetation. The current research establishes a baseline of microclimate conditions and scenarios to estimate the projected TC along the marathon route for spectators. Mobile microclimate data (air and surface temperatures, solar radiation, humidity, wind speed) were collected along the marathon course over 15 periods in the summer of 2016 and aligned with sky view factors (SVF). Human energy budget modeling was applied to provide spatially-explicit heat budget and TC information along the route. Conditions are expected to create the most discomfort along open, sun-exposed locations, with ~50% of the area along the second half of the course resulting in 'Hot' (budget > 200 W m−2) or 'Very hot' (budget > 295 W m−2) conditions. The heat strain index frequently rises above 80% in these locations, with high humidity and low wind flow exacerbating discomfort. Buildings and trees producing a low SVF over roads and sidewalks protect spectators from the morning radiant heat, but such locations should be balanced with wind flow to optimize comfort. The modeling and spatial information can aid in preparing for and mitigating heat stress during the Olympics. Potential solutions can be implemented in collaboration with local organizers and government. This 'research through design' strategy can aid in preparing for and mitigating heat illness during the Olympics. Knowledge gained can be extended to other areas of Tokyo to reduce urban heat, and further provide targeted guidance for effective environmental cooling techniques for human health. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • The 2020 Tokyo Olympics is expected to present heat and humidity challenges. • Spatially-explicit meteorological data provide a baseline of expected conditions. • Spectator thermal comfort varies significantly along the course. • Shade provided by trees and buildings is closely related to thermal comfort. • Enhanced preparedness efforts are needed to limit discomfort and heat illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taste disorders are a common complaint among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy on an ambulatory basis. We conducted a survey on the incidence of such disorders among 74 patients, and 45.95% (34 of 74 patients) developed taste disorders. When stratified by medication into a regimen including 5-FU and one including taxanes, taste disorders were found in 59.0% (23 of 39 patients) of the former and 60.0% (9 of 15) of the latter. The survey also included the effects of taste disorders on patients appetites. Both regimens led to reduced appetite in a number of these patients (39.1% and 44.4%, respectively). Among patients on the 5-FU-containing regimen, the FOLFOX/FOLFIRI therapy was found to be responsible for loss of appetite. Regarding change in tastes, many patients stated that the medication dulled their taste sensation except for bitterness; their capacity to sense intensity of taste remained unchanged. It was found that acute taste disorders develop frequently among patients on a high dosage of 5-FU or a taxane-containing regimen.

Taste disorders are frequent occurrences among those patients under the FOLFOX-FOLFIRI regimen for colorectal cancer. We conducted a study on the development of taste disorders among colorectal cancer patients under this regimen and the effect of such disorders on their QOL. Taste disorders occurred in 58.1%(18/31 cases)of these patients and the disorders affected appetites in 50%(9 cases). The changes in taste sensations were subtle in most but some described certain tastes as exaggerated. Others reported changes in all taste sensations, including sweet, salty, bitter and sour, as well as deliciousness. When tested via the QOL Survey Sheet(Quality of Life Questionnaire for Cancer Patients Treated with Anticancer Drugs: QOL-ACD), the QOL was found to have deteriorated significantly in those who stated that taste disorders affected their appetite, in comparison with those who were unaffected. In patients with colorectal cancers and treated with the FOLFOX-FOLFIRI regimen, taste disorders are frequent occurrences. The poor nutritional state due to a loss of appetite may constitute a factor responsible for a lowering QOL.

We have used glutathione for prevention of oxaliplatin-related neurotoxicity with reference to the article of Cascinu et al. We investigated oxaliplatin-related neurotoxicity in Kariya Toyota General Hospital(KTGH)and compared with the data described in the article of Gamelin about the severity of its neurotoxicity. Grade 3 neurotoxicity was observed in only 5 of 44 patients(11.4%). The median number of cycles and cumulative dose of oxaliplatin were 12 cycles(5-27 / cycles)and 802.2(273.2-1,952.4)mg/m(2), respectively, at Grade 3 neuropathy. We evaluated retrospectively neuro-toxicity grade at cumulative oxaliplatin doses of approximately 500-520 mg/m(2). The severity of neurotoxicity observed in KTGH was significantly lower than in the group without Ca/Mg. We found no difference between the group with glutathione and / with Ca/Mg. Glutathione infusions seemed to prevent oxaliplatin-related neurotoxicity.