Regional ventilation dynamics of electrical impedance tomography validated with four-dimensional computed tomography: single-center, prospective, observational study.

Background: The dynamic regional accuracy of electrical impedance tomography has not yet been validated. We aimed to compare the regional accuracy of electrical impedance tomography with that of four-dimensional computed tomography during dynamic ventilation.

Methods: This single-center, prospective, observational study conducted in a general intensive care unit included adult patients receiving mechanical ventilation from July 2021 to February 2024.

Subsidy Programs for Seasonal Influenza Vaccination of Children and Pregnant Women in Japanese Municipalities.

In Japan, influenza vaccination is offered to children and pregnant women at clinics or hospitals as an elective, self-funded treatment, as the vaccination is not included in the national vaccination subsidy program. However, some Japanese municipalities offer a discretionary subsidy for seasonal influenza vaccination of children and pregnant women as a local policy. We identified these local subsidy programs during 2019/2020 seasonal influenza season by conducting a cross-sectional survey across Japan.

Comparing the Efficacy of Fosnetupitant, an NK Receptor Antagonist in CDDP-Based Regimens, with That of Fosaprepitant and Aprepitant: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Existing antiemetic therapy against emetic-risk agents across malignancies 24 h post-dose in the acute period in cisplatin (CDDP)-based regimens yields a satisfactory complete response (CR) rate of ≥90%. However, the control rate after 24 h in the delayed period is unsatisfactory. This study compared the efficacy of fosnetupitant (F-NTP), a neurokinin 1 receptor antagonist, with that of fosaprepitant (F-APR) and aprepitant (APR) in the treatment of patients with cancer at high emetic risk due to chemotherapy.

Association between diabetic nephropathy and left ventricular longitudinal myocardial function in type 1 diabetes mellitus patients with preserved ejection fraction.

Left ventricular (LV) longitudinal myocardial dysfunction can be observed even in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) (T2DM) patients with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and is considered the earliest marker of DM-related cardiac dysfunction. Furthermore, diabetic nephropathy (DN), a common complication in DM, is strongly associated with LV longitudinal myocardial function in T2DM patients, but its association with type 1 DM (T1DM) has not been fully investigated. We studied 125 asymptomatic T1DM patients with preserved LVEF, and 75 age-, gender-, LVEF-matched non-diabetic healthy controls.

Correlation between Physical Properties of 12-Hydroxystearic Acid Organogels and Hansen Solubility Parameters.

The Hansen solubility parameter (HSP) is a useful index for reasoning the gelation behavior of low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs). However, the conventional HSP-based methods only "classify" solvents that can and cannot form gels and require many trials to achieve this. For engineering purposes, quantitative estimation of gel properties using the HSP is highly desired.

Association of acute improvement in left ventricular longitudinal function after transcatheter aortic valve implantation with outcomes for severe aortic stenosis and preserved ejection fraction.

Background: Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is reportedly a sensitive marker for early subtle abnormalities in left ventricular (LV) performance of asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF). For symptomatic patients with severe AS and preserved LVEF, however, the association of immediate improvement in GLS after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with long-term outcomes remains uncertain.

Methods: This study concerned 151 symptomatic patients with severe AS and preserved LVEF who had undergone TAVI.

Cost-effectiveness analyses of 15- and 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines for Japanese elderly.

Background: Despite the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) vaccination programme implementation, pneumococcal disease (PD) remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality among the elderly in Japan, particularly since childhood pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) vaccination programme continues to alter the serotype PD distribution among the elderly. Recently, in the United States, PCV15/PCV20 were recommended for adults aged ≥ 65 years and those aged 19-64 years with certain underlying conditions. In Japan, PCV15 is under the approval application process and PCV20 undergoing clinical trials, which has warranted the need in evaluating their value for money.

Cost-effectiveness analyses of monovalent mumps vaccination programs for Japanese children.

Background: The most common preventative measure against mumps is vaccination with mumps vaccine. Over 122 countries have implemented mumps vaccine routine immunization programs, mostly via Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine. In Japan, the unexpectedly high incidence of aseptic meningitis caused by mumps vaccine led to the discontinuation of the MMR national vaccination program in 1993, inadvertently resulting in the re-emergence of mumps.

Characteristics of non-valvular atrial fibrillation with left atrial appendage thrombus who are undergoing appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy.

We investigated the characteristics of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and left atrial (LA) appendage (LAA) thrombus who had been given appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy. We studied 737 NVAF patients who were scheduled for catheter ablation or electrical cardioversion. All patients received appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy for at least 3 weeks prior to echocardiography in accordance with the guidelines.

Effects of Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation on Cardiac Reserve Using Preload Stress Echocardiography in Paroxysmal and Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

The effects of catheter ablation on exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have been reported. We assessed cardiac function in more detail using the leg positive pressure (LPP) technique and found that contractile reserve is particularly important in relation to exercise tolerance and prognosis. In this study, we used the LPP technique to examine changes in contractile reserve immediately after ablation and 6 months later.

Assessment of the potential impact of resolving drug-related problems by clinical pharmacists in Japan: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Clinical pharmacists play a role in limiting the disadvantages of pharmacotherapy for patients by detecting and resolving drug-related problems (DRPs) through medication reviews. Although their contributions to patient care have been analyzed and understood in various countries, the role of Japanese clinical pharmacists in this context remains to be clearly elucidated. Thus, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the detection of DRPs by clinical pharmacists and determine the potential impact of pharmacist interventions in Japan.

A novel definition and treatment of hyperinflammation in COVID-19 based on purinergic signalling.

Hyperinflammation plays an important role in severe and critical COVID-19. Using inconsistent criteria, many researchers define hyperinflammation as a form of very severe inflammation with cytokine storm. Therefore, COVID-19 patients are treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.

Association of left ventricular longitudinal myocardial function with subclinical right ventricular dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) involvement in diabetic cardiomyopathy has been reported; however, only limited data exist on right ventricular (RV) involvement. Therefore, our purpose was to investigate RV systolic dysfunction and its association with LV longitudinal myocardial dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods: We studied 177 T2DM patients with preserved LVEF and 79 age-, sex-, and LVEF-matched healthy volunteers.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Secondary Organizing Pneumonia after Severe SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Case Report.

(Background) COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection and may result in unfavorable outcomes. A recent large-scale study showed that treatment with dexamethasone leads to favorable outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19, and the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has also been shown to improve outcomes. Recently, secondary organizing pneumonia (SOP) has been reported after SARS-CoV-2 infection, but the diagnostic and treatment strategies are still unclear.

Roles of Early Mobilization Program in Preventing Muscle Weakness and Decreasing Psychiatric Disorders in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pneumonia: A Retrospective Observational Cohort Study.

Although many coronavirus 2019 patients have experienced persistent symptoms and a long-term decline in quality of life after discharge, the details of these persistent symptoms and the effect of early rehabilitation are still unclear. We conducted a single-center, retrospective observational study to investigate the prevalence of persistent symptoms three months after discharge from the intensive care unit by checking the medical records. All patients received an early mobilization program.

Parental acceptance and willingness to pay for a newly designed kitchen rack to reduce paediatric burns.

The majority of pediatric burns in Mongolia occur within the home, particularly in the spaces dedicated to cooking. This makes home environment modification a priority for injury prevention. Many of these injuries are caused by electric appliances used in traditional tent-like dwellings (called a ger).

Roles of Electrical Impedance Tomography in Determining a Lung Protective Strategy for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in the Era of Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is noninvasive and can be used at the bedside for real-time evaluation to identify ventilation distribution of infected lungs. This review briefly describes the basic principle of EIT and summarizes the latest findings on its potential contribution to lung protective strategies in coronavirus disease 2019 patients. Additionally, experimental approaches for detecting the distribution of pulmonary blood flow in coronavirus disease 2019 patients are presented.