Efficacy of a new vacuum erection device (Vigor 2020) for erectile dysfunction: A retrospective study in Japan.

Objectives: The vacuum erection device (VED) is a second-line treatment tool recommended in erectile dysfunction (ED) guidelines but has long been unavailable in Japan. A new VED, Vigor 2020 (A & HB Company Limited, Tokyo, Japan), has now been manufactured and received medical approval from the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency in Japan. We conducted a retrospective observational study of ED patients who used Vigor 2020 in clinical practice.

Effectiveness of Changing the Class of Molecularly Targeted Agent after Disease Progression during Initial Molecularly Targeted Therapy for Luminal Advanced/Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Background: The emergence of molecularly targeted agents (MTAs) has altered the treatment landscape for hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor 2-negative (HER2-) advanced breast cancer (ABC) /metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Multiple guidelines recommend molecularly targeted therapy as first-line treatment for HR+/HER2- ABC/MBC. However, optimal treatment for disease progression during MTA therapy remains undetermined.

Neutrophil extracellular traps-mediated Beclin-1 suppression aggravates atherosclerosis by inhibiting macrophage autophagy.

A growing body of evidence suggests that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) critically contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. However, the detailed mechanism of how NETs promote atherogenesis remains unknown. In this study, we explored the role of NETs for promoting atherosclerosis by modulating the activity of autophagy in macrophages.

Molecular Targeted Therapy for Hormone Receptor-Positive, Human Epidermal Growth Factor 2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer in Clinical Practice.

Background: The emergence of molecular targeted therapies (MTTs) has altered the treatment landscape for hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor 2-negative (HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The objective of this study was to describe treatment patterns, clinical outcomes, and safety profiles for patients with HR+/HER2- MBC treated with palbociclib, abemaciclib, or everolimus in clinical practice.

Methods: Forty-five patients with HR+/HER2- MBC were enrolled; 40 received MTT as the third line or later and 5 received MTT as the first/second line.

The effect of workload on nurses' non-observance errors in medication administration processes: A cross-sectional study.

Aim: This study, based on actual medical error cases involving nurses, sought to identify non-observance errors-defying the standard operating procedures-in medication administration processes, and clarify the relationship between nursing workload and such behaviours.

Methods: Based on a cross-sectional survey, non-observance error cases were collected from three Japanese hospitals between January and December 2014, using self-reported data from participating nurses. Standard operating procedures and actual error content were compared to identify non-observance errors and workload.

Applying Intelligent Algorithms to Automate the Identification of Error Factors.

Objectives: Medical errors are the manifestation of the defects occurring in medical processes. Extracting and identifying defects as medical error factors from these processes are an effective approach to prevent medical errors. However, it is a difficult and time-consuming task and requires an analyst with a professional medical background.

Pharmacokinetics and preventive effects of platinum nanoparticles as reactive oxygen species scavengers on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the pathophysiology of ischemia/reperfusion injury. To protect mouse hepatocytes from ischemia/reperfusion injury, we prepared two different sizes of citric acid-protected platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NPs), which exhibited ROS-scavenging activities and selective delivery to a specific type of liver cell. Small Pt-NPs (30 nm) reduced the superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical levels in solution to a greater extent than did large Pt-NPs (106 nm).