Kumamoto City Research Articles

An Investigation of Air Polution in KUMAMOTO City

An Investigation of Air Polution in KUMAMOTO City

Record of singing Asian Drongo-Cuckoo at Tatsuta-Yama in Kumamoto City, Kyusyu Japan

Record of singing Asian Drongo-Cuckoo at Tatsuta-Yama in Kumamoto City, Kyusyu Japan

Disasters and Risk Management of Stone Walls in Farm Land in Kawachi Town in Kumamoto City

Disasters and Risk Management of Stone Walls in Farm Land in Kawachi Town in Kumamoto City

【２５周年記念シンポジウム】 九州新幹線全線開業と熊本都心のまちづくり

【２５周年記念シンポジウム】 九州新幹線全線開業と熊本都心のまちづくり

Current status of treatment of local recurrence and distant metastasis of triple negative breast cancer in Japanese population

e11548 Background: Triple-negative breast cancers have an aggressive clinical history such as high incidence of visceral metastases, high rate of cerebral metastases, high rate of local recurrence, and early age of onset. However, there are limited long-term clinical data evaluating outcomes of locoregional and systemic therapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of current therapy with TNBC retrospectively. Methods: From the medical records of our hospital, we retrospectively reviewed breast cancer patients whose three markers were available and describe the relationship between current therapy and clinical outcome. Results: Between 1998 and 2007, 1967 breast cancer patients were treated in Kumamoto City Hospital. Of 1967 patients, 264 (13.4%) were classified as TNBC by immunohistochemical technique. As of December 2008, with a median follow-up time of 31months, 53 patients (20.0%) with TNBC had locoregional recurrences or distant metastases (17 local recurrences, 15 nodal recurrences, 44 distant metastases). Forty out of 53 patients with recurrent TNBCs had adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy around surgery. Of 53 patients with recurrences, 31 had initial locoregional recurrence and 19 had initial distant metastases. Forty two patients had already been dead and common causes of death were lung metastases (19 patients), liver metastases (11 patients), and brain metastases (8 patients). Patients with TNBCs had a poorer 5 year-survival compared with those with non-TNBCs. Furthermore, patients with initial distant metastases had significantly poorer survival than those with initial locoregional recurrence (p=0.015). Focusing on chemotherapy, no specific cytotoxic agent had high effectiveness for recurrent TNBCs. However, patients who had responded to first regimens had a tendency to respond to the next regimens. Conclusions: TNBC had an aggressive behavior and poorer prognosis. However, TNBC with locoregional recurrence and benefits from the first regimen had favorable prognosis. Therefore, to distinguish the subgroup that respond to chemotherapy might contribute to the prolongation of survival of in TNBC. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Candida albicans keratitis modified by steroid application

The paper reports on Candida albicans ocular infection modified by steroid eye drops. A 74-year-old male complained of conjunctival injection and pain in his right eye three months after pterygium and cataract surgery. After treatment with antibiotics and steroid eye drops for three days, he was referred to our hospital. Clear localized corneal endothelial plaque with injection of ciliary body was observed. No erosion of the corneal epithelium, or infiltration of stromal edema was observed, suggesting that the pathological organism derived from the intracameral region. Because ocular infection was suspected, steroid eye drops were stopped, which led immediately to typical infectious keratitis in the pathological region, with epithelial erosion, fluffy abscess, stromal infiltration, and edema. For diagnostic purposes, the plaque was surgically removed with forceps and the anterior chamber was irrigated with antibiotics. The smear and culture examination from the plaque revealed C. albicans surrounded by neutrophils. However, aqueous fluid and fibrous tissue after gonio procedure contained no mycotic organisms. Topical fluconazole, micafungin, and pimaricin with oral itraconazole (150 mg/day) were effective. Special attention is needed when prescribing steroid eye drops to treat corneal disease especially postoperatively. Diagnosing infectious keratitis is sometimes difficult because of modification by some factors, such as postoperative conditions, scarring, and drug-induced masking. Here, we report on mycotic keratitis modified by postoperative steroid administration.

熊本市飲用地下水水質の特徴とおいしい水としての評価に関する考察

Kumamoto City is a worldwide exceptional urban area where 100% of its water supply comes from groundwater; however, reductions in groundwater amount and nitrate pollution level are current concerns. In this study, the water quality characteristics of well water samples collected in Kumamoto City were investigated. Most of these samples showed water quality characteristics of the “alkali metal-bicarbonate type”, which are typical of Japanese groundwater. They also contained equivalent amounts of Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+. The well water samples were divided into 11 large groups on the basis of their water quality characteristics related to groundwater flow. No significant change in the water quality of wells in Kumamoto City has been observed over the past 20 years except for a few wells. From the results of a water tasting test, the taste of Kumamoto City tap water was considered to be the same or better than that of commercial bottled waters, and a truly tasty water index (TTWI) was established on the basis of the relationship between the water characteristics and the results of the water tasting test.

Present Status and Feature of Groundwater Contamination by Nitrate-nitrogen in Kumamoto City

Nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) contamination in groundwater has been worldwide concern, and especially it is a critical issue for the region depending on groundwater for water supply. Kumamoto city depends on only groundwater for all of water supply, however, lowering groundwater level and increasing NO3-N concentration have been revealed recently. In this study, the current situation of NO3-N contamination in the groundwater of Kumamoto city was investigated. Nitrate-nitrogen was detected in the range from 0.2 to 5.8 mg/l in the groundwater of deep wells at 22 points out of total 30 sampling points including drinking water resource. The NO3-N concentration was closely related to the location of wells and groundwater flow. The upward tendency in NO3-N concentration was recognized at a number of wells for recent 20 years, and it was considered due to the agricultural activity in the corresponding and their upstream areas.

リスクコミュニケーションを通じた実践的水害避難訓練に基づく避難行動シミュレータの構築

In this study, risk communication using the continual workshops on flood risk management was implemented at Kosen town-community in Kumamoto City. Consequently, a practical evacuation drill for virtual flood scenario was produced there. The data of observing evacuation behavior were obtained. An evacuation simulator using multi-agent model was also developed. Then, tests of the simulator were proposed through making a comparison between the spatial and temporal accuracy of the simulator and the data of the drill. The spatial accuracy was found to be dependent on the inhabitants’ recognition rate from their own house to the evacuation route.

A survey of nurseries within workplacein Kumamoto City

A survey of nurseries within workplacein Kumamoto City

音響および底質特性に基づく熊本市沖有明海の海域環境の解析

We investigated the geography by the echo sounder and the sediment surface with the side scanning sonar, and collected the sediment cores at three points off Kumamoto City, to environmental reconstruction of the history of oceanic conditions since the 1950's, and to evaluation of the influence of sediments on marine organism.The sandy bank off Yokoshima has been lost the function as the habitat of marine organism, because new sediments are not deposit on the slop and bottom in the dredged holes, and the mats ofModiolus comptusare not distributes on the surface of the bank. Muddy sediments in the Kumamoto area deposited after the latter half of 1970's are thick (ca. 80cm) off Midorikawa River, and became thin toward the north (less than 1cm off Kikuchigawa River). The limit of diffusion in mud exists off Yokoshima. The rapid increase of the haul ofRuditapes philippinarumwas closely related with the expansion of the sediments mixed coarse grains such as the shell fragments, sand, and gravel. In addition, the individuals of the clams increased in the sediments with less than 60% of mud in core sample.

Spatial Characteristics of Tourist Behavior in Kumamoto City : An Analysis of Visitors to Major Tourist Facilities in the Inner City

Spatial Characteristics of Tourist Behavior in Kumamoto City : An Analysis of Visitors to Major Tourist Facilities in the Inner City

Results of Continuous MM Implementation and Social Experiment by the Partnershipwith Shopping District

This Paper reports the process and result of the social experiment by the partnership with public transport and shopping district in Kumamoto. This social experiment is aimed for a practice of the simulated experience of LRT plan by Kumamoto Denki Tetsudou Corporation, and inspecting an effect on the activation of the central area of Kumamoto city. More, the authors perform a Mobility Management for inhabitants in the vicinity of Kumamoto Denki Tetsudou Corporation. We consider an effect of the social experiment and the mobility management. As a result, these actions led the LRT plan to be discussed by Kumamoto prefecture and so on.

Clinical significance of proliferative activity evaluated by MIB-1 in the treatment and postoperative follow-up of early breast cancer

21054 Background: To evaluate a clinical significance of proliferative activity in breast cancer, we studied relationships between proliferative activity and recurrence rate, the time of recurrence or adjuvant therapy. Methods: We analyzed 2448 patients with primary breast cancer between 1987 and 2004 in the Kumamoto City Hospital, and 437 cases out of the patients developed recurrence. Furthermore, the rate of recurrence before and after 1999 when postoperative adjuvant therapy (such as CEF or Taxanes) was started as standard treatment was investigated. Proliferative activity was judged by immunostaining for MIB-1. The fraction of proliferating cells was classified into 3 degrees (=19%, 20–49%, 50%=). Median observation period was 70 months. Results: 1) Distribution of patients by proliferation was as follows; =19%:1215 cases(50%), 20–49%: 870 cases(35%), or 50%=: 363 cases(15%). There was a significant relationship between proliferative activity and tumor size, nodal status, ER, PgR, p53 or HER2 status. 2) Multivariate analysis for disease-free survival revealed that a proliferative activity was one of significant factors in node-negative and positive cases. Recurrence rate was 11.6% in cases with low proliferation and 31.0% in high proliferation. The mean period from operation to recurrence in cases with low proliferation was 50.2 months, whereas 19.9 months in high proliferation (p<0.0001). Moreover, 74% of recurrent cases with high proliferation recurred within 2 years after operation, and there were few recurrences from the fifth year. 3) Patients with low proliferation frequently developed bone metastasis. In local recurrence, diffuse skin recurrence was often seen in cases with high proliferation. 4) The prognosis of patients in the later period (standard therapy group) was significantly better than that of patients in the earlier period, especially in high proliferation group. Conclusions: Proliferative activity might reflect aggressive behavior of breast cancer and predict the time of recurrence. The standard adjuvant therapy was effective in inhibiting early recurrence with high proliferation. It is important to take proliferative activity into consideration in the treatment and follow-up of breast cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

地方都市における一般公衆浴場の変容に関する研究

This paper describes a study on Japanese public bathhouses (Sento) in Kumamoto City as an example of a regional city. This research was conducted using field surveys and hearings from owners of public bathhouses and local government.Kumamoto City had 141 public bathhouses in 1976, but only 19 in 2006. The layouts of these public bathhouses changed along with advances in facilities and the owners' desire to increase the number of visitors. However, the numbers of public bathhouse owners and visitors are decreasing, and the age of both is increasing. Changes in society influence the function of public bathhouses.

Investigation into Open-air Parking Lots and User's Excursion Behavior after Parking in the Kumamoto City Center

The actual condition of open-air coin parking lots and the way drivers use open-air parking lots are investigated by data of questionnaire survey to parking users as well as of observation in the central area of Kumamoto City. Moreover, questionnaires regarding future land use for open-air parking lots are conducted to the landowners of the parking lots. In order not only to arrange traffic flows but also to activate excursion behavior by visitors, activation policies that land owners intend to integrate individual parking lots and to change their land use to the multi-stories parking should be preceded.

熊本市における夏季・冬季の気候特性および定点観測と移動観測による実測結果の比較 : 中規模都市のヒートアイランド現象に関する研究 第2報

熊本市における夏季・冬季の気候特性および定点観測と移動観測による実測結果の比較 : 中規模都市のヒートアイランド現象に関する研究 第2報

熊本大学工学部まちなか工房における実践的都市計画教育・研究の取り組み

The Faculty of Engineering, Kumamoto University opened a satellite laboratory in the downtown area of the Kumamoto City in 2006, which is named as the Downtown Atelier. Its major tasks are, firstly, to support students and staffs effectively study policies and techniques of urban planning through case studies, secondly, to stimulate both private and public groups that have interests on the downtown planning so that they could conduct collaborative actions, and thirdly, to provide the university members a channel through which they could present their in-campus activities to the public. This paper reviewed the first two-year activities done at the atelier by students and staffs, and then discussed that the atelier could advance successful steps to achieve its goals.

Research on the Electric Power Load Characteristics in Fukuoka and Kumamoto City

Research on the Electric Power Load Characteristics in Fukuoka and Kumamoto City

Long-Term and Mobile Monitoring of Atmospheric Sulfur Dioxide and Hydrogen Sulfide at Mt. Aso and Kumamoto City

フロー分析の大気成分測定への応用について，長期にわたる連続分析を通しその実用性や信頼性に関する評価検討を行った．分析システムは，多孔性メンブランチューブから成る拡散スクラバーにガス捕集反応溶液を連続的に通じ，下流の検出器で大気中の二酸化硫黄及び硫化水素を同時測定するものである．本分析システムを阿蘇山と熊本市の2箇所に設置し，2年半にわたって分析を続けた．熊本市では，SO2とH2Sの日変化は逆転する傾向があった．これに対し，阿蘇でのガス濃度は火山活動の影響を強く受け，活動の活発な時期にSO2濃度が高くなるとともにSO2/H2S濃度比も大きく上昇した．更に本システムをポータブル分析計として活用し，阿蘇火口周囲での測定を5回にわたり行い，ガスの分布や存在比に関する知見を得た．また，火口壁近傍では，3～4けたのガス濃度変化が短い時間で起こっていることも観測された．