Quality indicators for integrating oncology and home palliative care in Japan: modified Delphi study.

Context: Home palliative care service increases the chance of dying at home, particularly for patients with advanced cancer, but late referrals to home palliative care services still exist. Indicators for evaluating programs that can facilitate the integration of oncology and home palliative care have not been defined.

Objectives: This study developed quality indicators for the integration of oncology and home palliative care in Japan.

Randomized controlled trial data for successful new drug application for rare diseases in the United States.

Background: Randomized controlled trial (RCT) data have important implications in drug development. However, the feasibility and cost of conducting RCTs lower the motivation for drug development, especially for rare diseases. We investigated the potential factors associated with the need for RCTs in the clinical data package for new drug applications for rare diseases in the United States (US).

[Current Status and Improvement Strategies for Integrating Home Palliative Care in Oncology-A Qualitative Study].

This study aimed to investigate healthcare providers' experiences and examine potential strategies for integrating oncologic home palliative care(HPC). This qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews via a web-conferencing system. The data underwent thematic analysis.

Specialized Palliative Care and Intensity of End-of-Life Care Among Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: A Medical Chart Review.

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer often undergo aggressive end-of-life (EOL) care. We evaluated whether specialized palliative care (SPC) involvement is associated with the receipt of intensive EOL care among AYAs. This retrospective study included patients with cancer treated between the ages of 15 and 39 years at a university hospital, who died during 2009-2022.

Randomized Controlled Trial Data for New Drug Application for Rare Diseases in Japan.

Background: High-quality evidence is often not obtained in the clinical trials of rare diseases because these trials tend to be smaller in size and non-controlled. We investigated the potential factors associated with the need for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the clinical data package for new drug applications for rare diseases in Japan.

Methods: This study focused on 130 drugs with orphan drug designation approved in Japan between April 2004 and March 2020.

Integrating home palliative care in oncology: a qualitative study to identify barriers and facilitators.

Purpose: Access to and close links with home palliative care services are essential to ensure seamless transitions between care settings in anticancer treatment. However, the timing of referrals to home palliative care services is often delayed. We explored barriers to and facilitators of improving the integration of home palliative care and medical oncology experienced by healthcare professionals in Japan.

Rapid progression of gastric cancer with liver metastasis after discontinuation of lenalidomide in a patient with concurrent multiple myeloma: A case report.

Introduction: The synchronous incidence of multiple myeloma (MM) and other primary malignant solid tumor is rare. No detailed studies have been published regarding the perioperative management of patients with concurrent MM and malignant solid tumor. We report a patient with concurrent MM and gastric cancer who experienced rapid progression of liver metastasis after lenalidomide was discontinued.

Anesthesia for Cesarean Section and Postpartum Cardiovascular Events in Congenital Heart Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To clarify the association between anesthetic technique and maternal and neonatal outcomes in parturients with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Design: Retrospective, observational cohort study.

Setting: An academic hospital.

CD7-Positive Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Presenting as an Intranasal Tumor.

We report a case of a 74-year-old man with a cluster of differentiation (CD) 7-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the right nasal cavity. Flow cytometry analyses showed CD7 and CD20 positivity in tumor cells. The patient received 6 cycles of R-CHOP plus local radiation therapy because positron emission tomography-computed tomography after R-CHOP revealed an intranasal lesion.

Clinically diagnosed primary transitional cell carcinoma of the colon: A case report.

Introduction: Most transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs) occur in the urinary tract. There are no reports of TCC originating in the colon. This report presents a very rare case of TCC that primarily occurred in the colon.

Brief multifamily Psychoeducation for family members of patients with chronic major depression: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common and often chronic problem. Patients with chronic MDD often have negative impacts on the health of their families. Family psychoeducation is recognized as part of the optimal treatment for patients with psychotic disorder, and has been shown to reduce the rate of relapse in individuals with schizophrenia and to reduce the burden on their caregivers.

Effectiveness of a brief psycho-oncology training program for general nurses: a preliminary study.

Many nurses are not confident in management of psychological distress in cancer patients. We developed a brief psycho-oncology training program for general nurses, and explored the usefulness of the program preliminary. Seventy-two nurses in 17 designated cancer hospitals received a 4-h program comprising an e-learning lecture on assessment and management of normal psychological responses to cancer and an onsite workshop, including a role-play exercise and group work.

Cognitive dysfunction among newly diagnosed older patients with hematological malignancy: frequency, clinical indicators and predictors.

Background: Medical staff often overlook or underestimate the presence or severity of cognitive dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to clarify the frequency, clinical indicators and predictors of cognitive dysfunction among newly diagnosed older patients with hematologic malignancy receiving first-line chemotherapy.

Methods: Patients aged 65 years or over with a primary diagnosis of malignant lymphoma or multiple myeloma were consecutively recruited.

Supportive care needs and psychological distress and/or quality of life in ambulatory advanced colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Although currently many advanced colorectal cancer patients continuously receive chemotherapy, there are very few findings with regard to the supportive care needs of such patients.

Methods: The purposes of this study were to investigate the patients' perceived needs and the association with psychological distress and/or quality of life, and to clarify the characteristics of patients with a high degree of unmet needs. Ambulatory colorectal cancer patients who were receiving chemotherapy were asked to complete the Short-Form Supportive Care Needs Survey questionnaire, which covers five domains of need (health system and information, psychological, physical, care and support, and sexuality needs), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire.

Effect of posture and extracranial contamination on results of cerebral oximetry by near-infrared spectroscopy.

Background: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-based cerebral oximetry is a noninvasive technology used to estimate regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO). Extracranial blood flow is known to substantially affect rSO values measured by most clinically available devices. Several studies have also reported that the Trendelenburg position and upright position have a larger effect on rSO measurements than the supine position.

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy-Induced Cardiac Index Increase Measured by Three-Dimensional Echocardiography Can Predict Decreases in Brain Natriuretic Peptide.

Objectives: First, to examine the perioperative association between increased cardiac index (CI) measured using three-dimensional echocardiography (CI3D), two-dimensional echocardiography (CI2D), and FloTrac/Vigileo (CIFT) (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and decreased brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) 6 months after CRT. Second, to evaluate the accuracy and tracking ability of CI2D and CIFT.

Design: A prospective clinical study.

Effectiveness of a psycho-oncology training program for oncology nurses: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Oncology nurses are expected to play an important role in psychosocial care for cancer patients. The aim of this study was to examine whether a novel training program aimed at enhancing oncology nurses' ability to assess and manage common psychological problems in cancer patients would improve participants' self-reported confidence, knowledge, and attitudes regarding care of patients with common psychological problems (trial register: UMIN000008559).

Methods: Oncology nurses were assigned randomly to either the intervention group (N = 50) or the waiting list control group (N = 46).

Aquaphotomics: Near Infrared Spectroscopy and Water States in Biological Systems.

Aquaphotomics is a new discipline that provides a framework for understanding changes in water molecular system presented as a water spectral pattern, to mirror the rest of the solution and to give a holistic description related to system functionality. One of its main purposes is to identify water bands as main coordinates of future absorbance patterns to be used as a system biomarker. This chapter presents the Aquaphotomics methodology and illustrates a way to identify specific water bands using temperature change and addition of solutions of different ionic strength as perturbations.

Medical Decision-Making Incapacity among Newly Diagnosed Older Patients with Hematological Malignancy Receiving First Line Chemotherapy: A Cross-Sectional Study of Patients and Physicians.

Background: Decision-making capacity to provide informed consent regarding treatment is essential among cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to identify the frequency of decision-making incapacity among newly diagnosed older patients with hematological malignancy receiving first-line chemotherapy, to examine factors associated with incapacity and assess physicians' perceptions of patients' decision-making incapacity.

Methods: Consecutive patients aged 65 years or over with a primary diagnosis of malignant lymphoma or multiple myeloma were recruited.

Erratum to: Preoperative brain magnetic resonance imaging and postoperative delirium after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: a prospective cohort study.

Erratum to: Can J Anesth/J Can Anesth DOI 10.1007/s12630-015-0327-x. In the published version, the first name of the third author is incorrect and should read Naoaki Yamada as given in this erratum.

Preoperative brain magnetic resonance imaging and postoperative delirium after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Delirium after cardiac surgery is a serious complication, increasing morbidity and mortality. Despite its high expectations, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) has largely failed to reduce the incidence of postoperative neurological complications. To further investigate the reasons for this failure, we used perioperative brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the relation between MRI findings and postoperative delirium.

Good death for children with cancer: a qualitative study.

Objective: This study aims to explore the characteristics of a good death for children with cancer.

Methods: A total of 10 pediatric cancer survivors, 10 bereaved family members and 20 medical professionals participated in in-depth interviews. Qualitative content analysis was performed on the transcribed data obtained from semi-structured interviews.

Results of a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo- and active-controlled, multicenter study of mirabegron, a β3-adrenoceptor agonist, in patients with overactive bladder in Asia.

Aims: To assess the efficacy and safety of mirabegron 50 mg once daily compared with placebo and the active control, tolterodine extended-release (ER) 4 mg once daily, in patients with symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) in Taiwan, Korea, China, and India.

Methods: A 12-week multinational, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group placebo- and active-controlled trial. The primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline to final visit in mean number of micturitions/24 hr.