Study of the Responsiveness and Minimal Clinically Important Difference of the Trunk Impairment Scale in Patients With Acute Stroke.

Background: Trunk function is a prerequisite for functional activity; thus, it is crucial to carry out proper assessments and interventions. However, there is no clear indicator for trunk function evaluation in patients with stroke. To understand the effects of interventions over time, it is important to adopt responsive clinical indicators.

[Inter-laboratory Study on the Modified Methods for Analyzing Bisphenol A Content for Migration Tests from Polycarbonate Food Apparatuses, Containers, and Packaging].

An inter-laboratory study involving 24 laboratories was conducted to validate the modified analytical method for the migration solution of heptane for the determination of bisphenol A migrating from polycarbonate food processing materials. In this study, two concentrations of samples were blindly coded. Each laboratory determined the analyte (bisphenol A, phenol and p-tert-butylphenol) concentration in each sample according to the established protocol.

Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Pseudoaneurysm in an 85-Year-Old Male Hemodialysis Patient: A Surgical Case Report.

BACKGROUND Coronary artery pseudoaneurysm is an extremely rare condition. In this report, we describe an 85-year-old hemodialysis male patient who developed a coronary artery pseudoaneurysm due to physical damage associated with coronary artery calcification. CASE REPORT An 85-year-old man on hemodialysis had undergone emergency percutaneous coronary intervention of the left anterior descending artery for acute coronary syndrome 9 years ago.

Prediction of gait independence using the Trunk Impairment Scale in patients with acute stroke.

Background: Gait recovery is one of the primary goals of stroke rehabilitation. Gait independence is a key functional component of independent activities in daily living and social participation. Therefore, early prediction of gait independence is essential for stroke rehabilitation.

[Inter-laboratory Study on the Modified Method Assessment for the Determining Methanol Content in Kitchen Detergents].

We modified a method for determining methanol content in detergents used in kitchens. Furthermore, an inter-laboratory study was conducted in 10 laboratories to validate the modified method. In this study, two concentrations of samples were blindly coded.

Development of a Novel Evaluation Method for Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Biopsy in Pancreatic Diseases Using Artificial Intelligence.

We aimed to develop a new artificial intelligence (AI)-based method for evaluating endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) specimens in pancreatic diseases using deep learning and contrastive learning. We analysed a total of 173 specimens from 96 patients who underwent EUS-FNB with a 22 G Franseen needle for pancreatic diseases. In the initial study, the deep learning method based on stereomicroscopic images of 98 EUS-FNB specimens from 63 patients showed an accuracy of 71.

Successful Endovascular Repair of a Kommerell's Diverticulum and a Right-Sided Aortic Arch.

Background: A 57-year-old woman was diagnosed with Kommerell's diverticulum in the setting of a right aortic arch on computed tomography.

Case Report: Although asymptomatic, the maximum diameter of the aneurysm was 55 mm; thus, she underwent surgery to prevent rupture of the aneurysm. A bypass was constructed from the left common carotid artery to the left subclavian artery.

Retrograde Type A Aortic Dissection after Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Type B Dissection.

Background: A 64-year-old woman presented with dilatation of the distal aortic arch secondary to chronic type B aortic dissection.

Case Report: The patient underwent fenestrated thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for closure of the entry site, and reconstruction of the left subclavian artery with a covered stent. On the 40th postoperative day, a retrograde type A aortic dissection (RTAD) was observed on computed tomography and she underwent emergency surgery.

[Interlaboratory Study on Evaporation Residue Test for Food Contact Products (Report 2)].

An interlaboratory study was performed to evaluate the equivalence between an official method and a modified method of evaporation residue test using heptane as a food-simulating solvent for oily or fatty foods, based on the Japanese Food Sanitation Law for food contact products. Twenty-three laboratories participated, and tested the evaporation residues of nine test solutions as blind duplicates. In the official method, heating for evaporation was done with a water bath.

[Interlaboratory Study on Evaporation Residue Test for Food Contact Products (Report 1)].

An interlaboratory study was performed to evaluate the equivalence between an official method and a modified method of evaporation residue test using three food-simulating solvents (water, 4% acetic acid and 20% ethanol), based on the Japanese Food Sanitation Law for food contact products. Twenty-three laboratories participated, and tested the evaporation residues of nine test solutions as blind duplicates. For evaporation, a water bath was used in the official method, and a hot plate in the modified method.

Duodenal diverticulitis accompanied by abscess formation treated successfully using an endoscopic nasobiliary drainage catheter: a case report.

Diverticulitis and diverticular abscesses are rare and potentially serious complications of duodenal diverticulum. These conditions often lead to perforation of the diverticulum, necessitating surgical treatment. There have been few reported cases of duodenal diverticulitis with or without perforation treated by endoscopic drainage.

Re-evaluation of Phenotypic Expression in Differentiated-type Early Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach.

A total of 313 cases of differentiated-type early gastric adenocarcinomas, including 113 cases of small-sized carcinoma (5< × ≤10 mm) and 121 cases of microcarcinoma (0< × ≤5 mm), were examined immunohistochemically to clarify the phenotypic expressions. They were classified into four categories (gastric phenotype (G-type), intestinal phenotype, gastrointestinal phenotype, and null phenotype) by a two-step process: the phenotype based on an immunoprofile of mucin core proteins (MUCs) with CDX2 (w/.CDX2-assessment); and the phenotype of MUCs only (w/o.

[Interlaboratory Study on Caprolactam Test for Food-Contact Nylon Products].

The Japanese Food Sanitation Law sets a limit on the migration level of caprolactam for food-contacting nylon products. Here, we carried out an interlaboratory study in twenty laboratories to evaluate the performance of the official GC-FID test method and a GC-MS method as an alternative test method to the official method. Each laboratory quantified caprolactam in three test solutions in 20% ethanol as blind duplicates using GC-FID or GC-MS.

[Interlaboratory Study on Volatiles Test for Food-Contacting Polystyrene Products].

Using polystyrene, acrylonitrile-styrene resin and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin pellets as samples, an interlaboratory study was performed to evaluate the volatiles test method, based on the specifications described in the Japanese Food Sanitation Law for food-contacting polystyrene products. The study was conducted with the participation of twenty-one laboratories. Each laboratory quantified the contents of styrene, toluene, ethylbenzene, isopropylbenzene and propylbenzene in three test pellets using GC-FID, GC-MS or headspace-GC-FID.

Combined total arch replacement and bypass from the ascending aorta to the bilateral profunda femoris arteries.

A 72-year-old woman who had aortic arch aneurysm was admitted. The patient was unable to walk without assistance because of aortoiliac occlusive disease. Total arch replacement and the ascending aorta to the bilateral profunda femoris artery bypass were performed during the same operation.

Quadricuspid aortic valve: a report on a 10-year case series and literature review.

Quadricuspid aortic valve is rare, with an estimated incidence of 0.008% to 1.46%.

Target vessel detection by epicardial ultrasound in off-pump coronary bypass surgery.

Objective: The detection of embedded coronary arteries is difficult especially in off-pump coronary bypass surgery. From June 2010, we introduced high-frequency epicardial ultrasound (ECUS) to assess and evaluate embedded arteries during off-pump coronary bypass surgery.

Methods: Between June 2010 and June 2011, a total of 89 consecutive patients underwent isolated coronary bypass surgery at our institution.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using skeletonized in situ arterial grafts.

Skeletonization is an advanced technique of graft harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and while it requires meticulous attention, it has many advantages. For example, skeletonization of internal thoracic artery (ITA) can minimize sternal ischemia and lower the risk of mediastinitis, and is longer and larger than pedicled ITA. In this article we describe the surgical techniques demonstrated in our video, which details our techniques of skeletonization of arterial grafts and off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) exclusively using these in situ grafts.

Early and long-term patency of in situ skeletonized gastroepiploic artery after off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background: There is at present no accurate figure for the long-term patency rate of the skeletonized gastroepiploic artery (GEA).

Methods: From January 2002 to July 2012, 956 consecutive patients underwent isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCABG) surgery at our institution. Of these, the 424 who underwent GEA grafting and postoperative GEA graft evaluation were the subjects of the present study.

Surgical repair of Kommerell's diverticulum and an aberrant subclavian artery.

Purpose: The coexistence of Kommerell's diverticulum and an aberrant subclavian artery (ASCA) is a rare congenital variation of the vascular structure. We report our experience of treating aneurysms associated with these anomalies.

Methods: Between June 2007 and November 2011, five consecutive patients underwent repair of an aneurysm associated with Kommerell's diverticulum and an ASCA at Shiga University Hospital.

Mid-term results for the use of the extended sandwich patch technique through right ventriculotomy for postinfarction ventricular septal defects.

Objectives: Postinfarction ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a rare, but feared, complication after acute myocardial infarction. Although numerous techniques and materials have been used, the best technique has not yet been settled upon. We present a novel technique of VSD closure through the VSD via right ventricular (RV) incision and assess short- and mid-term outcomes.

Selective cerebral perfusion with mild hypothermic lower body circulatory arrest is safe for aortic arch surgery.

Objectives: The antegrade selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) technique, which extends the safe time limit for arch surgery, has now gained acceptance. However, neither the optimal hypothermic temperature nor the optimal SCP flow rate has been clearly determined.

Methods: From January 2008 to February 2012, a total of 105 patients underwent total arch replacement under a single surgeon (A.