One hundred cases of Rezum water vapor thermal therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia: Real-world data at a single institution in Japan.

Objective: The objective of our study was to assess the efficacy of Rezum, a minimally invasive surgical treatment, for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in real-world clinical practice at a single institution in Japan.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a prospective study involving 100 patients who underwent the Rezum procedure between October 2022 and February 2024. We analyzed patient backgrounds that are compliant with Japanese regulations and assessed descriptive outcomes such as symptom scores, peak flow in uroflowmetry, post-void residual (PVR) volume, and prostate volume (PVol).

Alterations in the hub structure of whole-brain functional networks in patients with drug-naïve schizophrenia: Insights from electroencephalography-based research.

Aim: This study aimed to identify atypical hubs in the whole-brain networks of patients with schizophrenia (SZ) and examine the effects of antipsychotic medications, using electroencephalography (EEG) data.

Methods: We estimated the functional connectivity across all electrodes by applying the phase lag index to the EEG signals of 21 drug-naïve patients with SZ and 31 age-matched healthy controls. Betweenness centrality (BC), a measure of hub status, was calculated for each electrode and frequency band.

Hub structure in functional network of EEG signals supporting high cognitive functions in older individuals.

Introduction: Maintaining high cognitive functions is desirable for "wellbeing" in old age and is particularly relevant to a super-aging society. According to their individual cognitive functions, optimal intervention for older individuals facilitates the maintenance of cognitive functions. Cognitive function is a result of whole-brain interactions.

Implementation of a rapid response system at an isolated radiotherapy facility through simulation training.

A rapid response system is required in a radiotherapy department for patients experiencing a critical event when access to an emergency department is poor due to geographic location and the patient is immobilised with a fixation device. We, therefore, rebuilt the response system and tested it through onsite simulations. A multidisciplinary core group was created and onsite simulations were conducted using a Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle.

Developing and validating regression models for predicting household consumption to introduce an equitable and sustainable health insurance system in Cambodia.

Background: Financial protection is a challenge for low- and middle-income countries, where the fiscal space is limited, and majority of the population is engaged in the informal economy. This study developed and validated household consumption predictive models for Cambodia to collect contributions according to one's ability to pay.

Methods: This study used nationally representative survey data collected annually between 2010 and 2017, involving 38,472 households.

Education program for prevention of outdoor accidents in middle-high aged trekkers: Monitoring of change in blood pressure and heart rate during exercise.

This is an observational study to evaluate cardiovascular parameters during an educational trekking program. The number of alpine accidents involving elderly trekkers has been increasing in developed countries in recent years. Many middle-high aged trekkers have potential cardiovascular risks of which they are unaware.

Postoperative hemodynamic changes for predicting anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy in patients with esophageal cancer using the FloTrac system.

Background : Anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy is significantly associated with more severe complications, such as sepsis and mortality. Early prediction for anastomotic leakage is usually difficult and needs to be treated rapidly. In the current study, we investigated the correlation between hemodynamic and several complications after esophagectomy in patients with esophageal cancer, using the FloTrac system.

COVID-19 with repeated positive test results for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR and then negative test results twice during intensive care: a case report.

Background: Determining the infectiousness of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 is crucial for patient management. Medical staff usually refer to the results of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests in conjunction with clinical symptoms and computed tomographic images.

Case Presentation: We report a case of a 62-year-old Japanese man who twice had positive and negative test results by polymerase chain reaction for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 over 48 days of hospitalization, including in intensive care.

Analogy between classical Yoga/Zen breathing and modern clinical respiratory therapy.

Anesthesiologists and intensivists are modern-day professionals who provide appropriate respiratory care, vital for patient survival. Recently, anesthesiologists have increasingly focused their attention on the type of spontaneous breathing made by non-intubated patients with pulmonary disease cared for in an intensive care unit, and also patients with chronic pain receiving cognitive behavioral therapy. Prior to our modern understanding of respiratory physiology, Zen meditators recognized that breathing has a significant impact on a person's mental state and general physical well-being.

Indocyanine green angiographic findings in seven eyes with vasoproliferative retinal tumor.

Purpose: Vasoproliferative tumors (VPTs) are rare benign tumors, and detailed indocyanine green angiographic (ICGA) findings in eyes with VPTs have not been reported. We present the characteristic ICGA findings in seven eyes with a VPT.

Observations: We present the fluorescein angiographic (FA) and ICGA findings of seven consecutive patients who were diagnosed with primary VPT from April 2013 to March 2015 in the Oncology Service of the Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University.

Comparison of four documents describing adrenaline purification, and the work of three important scientists, Keizo Uenaka, Nagai Nagayoshi and Jokichi Takamine.

The name of Keizo Uenaka has not been documented in textbooks. However, Uenaka was the scientist who worked on ephedrine and played a practical role in the purification and crystallization of adrenaline. His handwritten memorandum, "On Adrenaline, Memorandum, July to December, 1900" is now stored in a Buddhist temple, Kyougyou-ji in Nashio, Japan.

Managing healthcare delivery system to fight the COVID-19 epidemic: experience in Japan.

Amid the global pandemic of a novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), healthcare delivery system is being stretched. In Japan, rapid spread of the epidemic brings hospitals to the brink of exhaustion. This commentary aims to briefly review related policies of Japan in managing healthcare delivery system.

Feasibility and acceptability of cognitive rehabilitation during the acute phase of schizophrenia.

Aim: Although numerous studies have demonstrated promising results for the cognitive rehabilitation in subjects with schizophrenia, the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation for everyday and social functioning is not yet sufficient. Although consideration of the contents and methods are vital, the timing for implementing cognitive rehabilitation also seems to be crucial. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of cognitive rehabilitation during the acute phase of schizophrenia.

Reduction of Arterial Oxygen Saturation Among Rescuers During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in a Hypobaric Hypoxic Environment.

We experienced a case involving prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during cardiac arrest on Mt. Fuji (3776 m), demanding lengthy exertion by the rescuers performing CPR. Considering the effects of exertion on the rescuers, we examined their percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation during simulated CPR and compared the effects of compression-only and conventional CPR at 3700 m above sea level.

Hemodynamically adjusted infrahepatic inferior venous cava clamping can reduce postoperative deterioration in renal function: a retrospective observational study.

Purpose: Infrahepatic inferior vena cava (IIVC) clamping is beneficial for reducing the amount of bleeding during hepatic surgery, although the associated systemic circulatory deterioration is noticeable. The relationship between changes in the degree of IIVC clamping and postoperative renal function was retrospectively evaluated.

Methods: A total of 59 patients who underwent elective hepatic surgery with surgical IIVC clamping in the two years were analyzed.

Reforms for financial protection schemes towards universal health coverage, Senegal.

Advancing the public health insurance system is one of the key strategies of the Senegalese government for achieving universal health coverage. In 2013, the government launched a universal health financial protection programme, . One of the programme's aims was to establish a community-based health insurance scheme for the people in the informal sector, who were largely uninsured before 2013.

Implementing a sustainable health insurance system in Cambodia: a study protocol for developing and validating an efficient household income-level assessment model for equitable premium collection.

Background: As elsewhere in low- and middle-income countries, due to limited fiscal resources, universal health coverage (UHC) remains a challenge in Cambodia. Since 2016, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has implemented a social health insurance scheme with a contributory approach for formal sector workers. However, informal sector workers and dependents of formal sector workers are still not covered by this insurance because it is difficult to set an optimal amount of contribution for such individuals as their income levels are inestimable.

A novel prediction equation of resting energy expenditure for Japanese septic patients.

Estimating nutrient consumption and administering appropriate nutritional therapy is essential for improving clinical outcomes in critically ill patients. Various equations, such as the Harris-Benedict equation, have been developed to estimate the required calories. Previous equations, however, targeted Westerners, whose physical characteristics are likely different from those of Asians.

[A Case of General Fatigue Caused by Enzalutamide that was Evaluated Using the Cancer Fatigue Scale and Overcome by Switching to Nighttime Treatment].

An 81-year-old man with castration-resistant prostate cancer experienced general fatigue while receiving enzalutamide treatment. In some patients we encountered the enzalutamide treatment had to be interrupted or the dose decreased because of this adverse effect. We evaluated the patient's general fatigue using the Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS) score and clarified the quantitative information about his general fatigue.

Evaluation of Surgical Procedures that Affect the Hemodynamics Using the FloTrac System in Esophageal Cancer Patients.

Background/aim: Esophagectomy is more invasive compared to other gastrointestinal surgery types. Perioperative circulatory management is important to avoid postoperative heart complications. The FloTrac sensor along with the Vigileo monitor is a minimally invasive haemodynamic monitoring device.

Long-term follow-up of penile glans necrosis due to paraphimosis.

Introduction: Paraphimosis is a urologic emergency in which the foreskin of the penis becomes trapped behind the coronal sulcus and forms a tight band of constricting tissue. Surgical or conservative release of this constriction is required for the treatment. Delayed treatment will cause devastating outcomes, such as penile glans necrosis.

Revisiting the Facility-Based Delivery Rate Formula in the Philippines for Better Local Health Governance and Services.

When calculating local facility-based delivery rates, the standard measure based on place of birth excludes residents' facility births outside the municipality. In contrast, counting the facility births of all residents—regardless of whether they take place within or outside their home municipality—provides a more accurate population- or residence-based measure of use of services for that catchment area. This residence-based measure offers local governments a better understanding of coverage gaps by taking into account place of residence rather than place of birth.

Physiological and Pharmaceutical Knowledge in "Ninja" Society: Suggestions for Modern Anesthesiologists and Intensivists.

Anesthesiologists and intensivists are modern professionals who provide conscious sedation and respiratory care and prescribe medicines with potential toxicity. Similarly, ninjas, covert agent soldiers who carried out special operations in medieval Japan, also had ample knowledge of toxicology, psychology, human consciousness and respiration. Although the extent of their knowledge remains largely unknown, that which has been described in the literature appears to be practical and scientifically explainable from the standpoint of modern medical science.

Influence of Nutritional Management and Rehabilitation on Physical Outcome in Japanese Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Multicenter Observational Study.

Background: There is lack of evidence regarding nutritional management among intensive care unit (ICU) patients in a population with relatively low body mass index. Therefore, we conducted an observational study to assess the nutritional management in Japanese ICUs. Also, we investigated the impact of nutritional management and rehabilitation on physical outcome.