Background : Field walk tests such as the 6-min walk test (6MWT) and the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) are simple tests for assessing the degree of disability in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the present study, the correlation between exercise performance and lung function or healthrelated quality of life (HRQoL) in both the 6MWT and the ISWT was examined in COPD patients.
Methods : A retrospective examination of 105 patients with COPD using the 6MWT or the ISWT and both lung function tests and assessment of HRQoL with the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) was performed, and the correlation between walking distance and lung function parameters or SGRQ scores were assessed in each test.
Results : Walking distance was not correlated with lung function parameters, but was significantly correlated with the activity and impact domains, as well as the total score of the SGRQ in the 6MWT. In the ISWT, walking distance correlated significantly with inspiratory capacity, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume in one second, but not with the total score of the SGRQ.
Conclusion : The 6MWT is reflective of health-related quality of life and the ISWT is reflective of lung function.

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Objective : We evaluated the influence of bias flow magnitude and leak flow on the provided CPAP level in the presence or absence of a reservoir bag.
Methods : The 500mL soft plastic reservoir bag was connected to the bubble CPAP system. The leak pathway and a valve were prepared to simulate the function of the mouth. The pressure and flow in the regions corresponding to the lower airway (Pdistal) and the leak flow were recorded simultaneously using a flow analyzer.
Results : At a bias flow of 3L/min, use of a reservoir bag resulted in a significant decline of the pressure swing magnitude at 60 and 90 breaths/min. A reservoir bag attenuated the rapid aspiration-induced decreases of the mean airway pressure. When bubbling disappeared due to complete opening of the leak valve, the mean airway pressure was maintained at approximately 2cmH₂O. Additionally, the mean airway pressure increased with increasing bias flow even under 100% leak condition.
Conclusions : Even when a large leak occurs, a low but significant airway pressure is loaded under moderate bias flow. Inclusion of a reservoir bag in the bubble CPAP may offer an effective and inexpensive option for providing respiratory support to preterm infants.

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Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is one of the main therapies for advanced breast cancer patients. When the patients receive NAC and have to endure adverse drug reactions soon after learning that they have advanced breast cancer, not only the mental but also the physical burden may reduce their quality of life (QOL).
Taxane is one of the potent agents for breast cancer with promising single-agent activity and acceptable adverse drug reactions. We administered weekly paclitaxel (WP) to a stageIV advanced breast cancer patient as NAC. No severe adverse drug reactions were noted, so during NAC the patient was able to maintain a satisfactory QOL. Furthermore, WP showed remarkable drug efficacy, leading to clinical complete response. After WP, total mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection were performed. Pathological findings suggested that a tiny breast cancer remained, but no lymph node metastasis was found (pT1aN0M0 stage I).
To achieve pathological complete response in advanced breast cancer patients, we will continue to pursue a more effective NAC regimen.

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