A negative relationship between first-pass pulmonary vein isolation and body mass index in ablation index-guided pulmonary vein isolation.

Background: We previously reported the relationship between first-pass pulmonary vein isolation (FPI) and pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) durability in ablation index-guided atrial fibrillation ablation. Obesity is a worsening factor for atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT) recurrence. However, the impact of obesity on FPI has been scarcely reported.

Legume content estimation from UAV image in grass-legume meadows: comparison methods based on the UAV coverage vs. field biomass.

Legume content (LC) in grass-legume mixtures is important for assessing forage quality and optimizing fertilizer application in meadow fields. This study focuses on differences in LC measurements obtained from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images and ground surveys based on dry matter assessments in seven meadow fields in Hokkaido, Japan. We propose a UAV-based LC (LC) estimation and mapping method using a land cover map from a simple linear iterative clustering (SLIC) algorithm and a random forest (RF) classifier.

Assessing the risk factors for surgical site infections after anal reconstruction surgery in patients with anorectal malformations: a retrospective analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify surgical site infection (SSI) risk factors after anal reconstruction surgery in patients with anorectal malformations (ARMs).

Methods: This retrospective analysis from January 2013 to December 2022, including all pediatric surgical facilities in Hokkaido, Japan, examined consecutive patients with ARMs, excluding cloacal cases, regarding perioperative and SSI factors during their initial anal reconstruction surgeries.

Results: This study involved 157 cases of major clinical groups and 7 cases of rare/regional variants, among whom 4% developed SSIs.

Machine Perfusion for Recovery of Brain Death Donor Hearts from Extended Distances.

The emerging ex vivo machine perfusion (MP) enables the extension of ex situ intervals, potentially expanding the heart transplant (OHT) donor pool. From October 18, 2018, to June 30, 2023, isolated OHT using donation after brain death (DBD) from extended distances (>500 miles) were identified in the United Network for Organ Sharing database, and categorized into cold storage (non-MP, N = 1,212) and MP group (N = 152). The MP utilization rate for DBD hearts from extended distances surged from 0% in 2018 to 27.

Hepatic artery stenting with Viabahn.

Background: The effect of vessel morphology on the technical success and patency of Viabahn stent-grafts in treating postoperative arterial injuries and bleeding (AIB) after hepatopancreatobiliary surgery is not well understood. Difficulties in stent insertion persist despite using stiff guidewires to straighten tortuous vessels. This study aimed to identify vessel morphologies linked to technical success and short-term patency and to explore effective management strategies.