Comparison of Patient Comfort and Acceleration Exposure During Lifting and Loading Operations Using Manual and Powered Stretchers.

Objectives: To compare the effects of powered and manual stretchers on participants' perceived comfort and measured acceleration during lifting and loading operations.

Methods: This non-randomized, laboratory-based crossover study involved forty-one participants (thirty-one firefighters and ten third-year paramedic students) who served as simulated patients experiencing lifting, lowering, loading, and unloading maneuvers using manual and powered stretchers. Four stretcher types were evaluated: one powered stretcher (Power-PRO™ XT) and three manual stretchers (Matsunaga GT, Exchange 4070, Scad Mate), with each group using the manual stretcher they routinely operated.

Optimal duration and timing of basic-life-support-only intervention for patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

To elucidate the relationship between the interval from cardiopulmonary resuscitation initiation to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and neurologically favourable 1-month survival in order to determine the appropriate duration of basic life support (BLS) without advanced interventions. This population-based cohort study included patients aged ≥ 18 years with 9132 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac origin who were bystander-witnessed and had achieved ROSC between 2018 and 2020. Patients were classified into two groups based on the resuscitation methods as the "BLS-only" and the "BLS with administered epinephrine (BLS-AE)" groups.

Neurological outcomes in traffic accidents: A propensity score matching analysis of medical and non-medical origin cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Aim: This study aimed to comprehensively compare the characteristics of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with medical and non-medical origins attributed to traffic accidents and explore the potential association between the cases with a medical origin and neurologically favorable outcomes.

Methods: In this retrospective nationwide population-based study, baseline data were collected between January 2018 and December 2020. We analyzed 5091 OHCA associated with traffic accidents on the road scene.

Recruitments of trained citizen volunteering for conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation are necessary to improve the outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in remote time-distance area: A nationwide population-based study.

Aims: To compare the factors associated with survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) among three time-distance areas (defined as interquartile range of time for emergency medical services response to patient's side).

Methods: From a nationwide, prospectively collected data on 716,608 OHCAs between 2007 and 2012, this study analyzed 193,914 bystander-witnessed OHCAs without pre-hospital physician involvement.

Results: Overall neurologically favourable 1-month survival rates were 7.

Advantage of CPR-first over call-first actions for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in nonelderly patients and of noncardiac aetiology.

Aim: To assess the benefit of immediate call or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs).

Methods: Of 952,288 OHCAs in 2005-2012, 41,734 were bystander-witnessed cases without prehospital involvement of physicians but with bystander CPR (BCPR) on bystander's own initiative. From those OHCAs, we finally extracted the following three call/BCPR groups: immediate Call+CPR (N=10,195, emergency call/BCPR initiated at 0 or 1 min after witness, absolute call-BCPR time interval=0 or 1 min), immediate Call-First (N=1820, emergency call placed at 0 or 1 min after witness, call-to-BCPR interval=2-4 min), immediate CPR-First (N=5446, BCPR initiated at 0 or 1 min after witness, BCPR-to-call interval=2-4 min).

Impact of bystander-performed ventilation on functional outcomes after cardiac arrest and factors associated with ventilation-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A large observational study.

Aim: To determine the effectiveness of ventilations in bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BCPR) and to identify the factors associated with ventilation-only BCPR.

Methods: From out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) data prospectively collected from 2005 to 2011 in Japan, we extracted data for 210,134 bystander-witnessed OHCAs with complete datasets but no prehospital involvement of physician [no BCPR, 115,733; ventilation-only, 2093; compression-only, 61,075; and conventional (compressions+ventilations) BCPR, 31,233] and determined the factors associated with 1-month neurologically favourable survival using simple and multivariable logistic regression analyses. In 91,885 patients with known BCPR durations, we determined the factors associated with ventilation-only BCPR.

Basic life support training for single rescuers efficiently augments their willingness to make early emergency calls with no available help: a cross-over questionnaire survey.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate effects of basic life support (BLS) training on willingness of single rescuers to make emergency calls during out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) with no available help from others.

Methods: A cross-over questionnaire survey was conducted with two questionnaires. Questionnaires were administered before and after two BLS courses in fire departments.

Do early emergency calls before patient collapse improve survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrests?

Aim: Some out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) are witnessed after emergency calls. This study aimed to confirm the benefit of early emergency calls before patient collapse on survival after OHCAs witnessed by bystanders and/or emergency medical technicians (EMTs).

Methods: We analysed 278,310 witnessed OHCAs [EMT-witnessed cases (n=54,172), bystander-witnessed cases (n=224,138)] without pre-hospital physician involvement from all Japanese OHCA data prospectively collected between 2006 and 2012.

Improper bystander-performed basic life support in cardiac arrests managed with public automated external defibrillators.

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the quality of basic life support (BLS) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) receiving bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and public automated external defibrillator (AED) application.

Methods: From January 2006 to December 2012, data were prospectively collected from OHCA) and impending cardiac arrests treated with and without public AED before emergency medical technician (EMT) arrival. Basic life support actions and outcomes were compared between cases with and without public AED application.

Effects of obligatory training and prior training experience on attitudes towards performing basic life support: a questionnaire survey.

Aim: To determine the effect of Japanese obligatory basic life support training for new driver's license applicants on their willingness to carry out basic life support.

Methods: We distributed a questionnaire to 9,807 participants of basic life support courses in authorized driving schools from May 2007 to April 2008 after the release of the 2006 Japanese guidelines. The questionnaire explored the participants' willingness to perform basic life support in four hypothetical scenarios: cardiopulmonary resuscitation on one's own initiative; compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation following telephone cardiopulmonary resuscitation; early emergency call; and use of an automated external defibrillator.

Factors associated with quality of bystander CPR: the presence of multiple rescuers and bystander-initiated CPR without instruction.

Aims: To identify the factors associated with good-quality bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BCPR).

Methods: Data were prospectively collected from 553 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) managed with BCPR in the absence of emergency medical technicians (EMT) during 2012. The quality of BCPR was evaluated by EMTs at the scene and was assessed according to the standard recommendations for chest compressions, including proper hand positions, rates and depths.

Misplaced links in the chain of survival due to an incorrect manual for the emergency call at public facilities.

Background: The incidence of delayed emergency calls and the outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) may differ among public facilities when emergency calls are placed by institutional staff. The purpose of this study was to identify the actions prescribed in the rules and/or manuals of public facilities and to clarify whether the incidence of delayed emergency call placement and the outcome of OHCA differ among these facilities.

Methods: We performed a questionnaire-based survey regarding emergency calls in public facilities in our community and analyzed our regional Utstein-based OHCA database.

Questionnaire-based analysis of atovaquone-proguanil compared with mefloquine in the chemoprophylaxis of malaria in non-immune Japanese travelers.

Malaria is one of the most common and serious infectious diseases in the tropics and subtropics. For high-risk travelers to endemic regions, malaria chemoprophylaxis is recommended. Internationally, atovaquone-proguanil (A/P), mefloquine (MEF), or doxycycline (DOX) are the prescribed malaria chemoprophylactic drugs.

Primary respiratory arrest recognised by emergency medical technicians and followed by cardiac arrest in Japan: identification of a subgroup of EMT-witnessed cardiac arrests with an extremely poor outcome.

Review: Some unconscious patients are found to be in primary respiratory arrest (PRA) by emergency medical technicians (EMTs). In contrast to citizens, EMTs manage PRA with artificial ventilation but not with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and outcomes of PRA prior to EMT arrival and compare these data with those of a PRA-related group: patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs).

Administration schedule of daunorubicin for elderly patients with acute myelogenous leukemia: a single-institute experience.

We evaluated the efficacy of daunorubicin  (40 mg/m(2)/day for 5 days, 200 mg/m(2)/cycle) combined with standard dose of cytarabine (100 mg/m(2)/day for 7 days) for acute myelogenous leukemia patients aged 65-74 years as induction therapy. Complete remission (81.3%) was achieved in 13 of 16 patients following the therapeutic program.

Rapid progression and unusual premortal diagnosis of mucormycosis in patients with hematologic malignancies: analysis of eight patients.

Mucormycosis is a rare but emerging group of life-threatening opportunistic mycoses. We described experience of eight patients who developed mucormycosis. These patients had developed hematologic malignancies, and none achieved complete remission.

Differential effects of ageing and BLS training experience on attitude towards basic life support.

Purpose Of Study: To determine the effects of ageing and training experience on attitude towards performing basic life support (BLS).

Methods: We gave a questionnaire to attendants of the courses for BLS or safe driving in authorised driving schools. The questionnaire included questions about participants' backgrounds.

Two cases of mediastinal gray zone lymphoma.

Mediastinal gray zone lymphoma (MGZL) represents a range of tumors possessing characteristics of both nodular sclerosis classical Hodgkin lymphoma (NSHL) and mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (MLBCL). Here we report two patients with MGZL. Patient 1 was a 30-year-old woman and patient 2 was a 22-year-old man.

[High-dose methotrexate followed by whole-brain irradiation for primary central nervous system lymphoma patients--a retrospective study in a single institute].

This study analyzed retrospectively the clinical efficacy of combined therapy consisting of high-dose methotrexate (MTX), administered at a dose of 4 g/m2 every 2 weeks (maximum of 4 courses), followed by whole-brain irradiation for newly diagnosed primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) patients. Fifteen patients (median age: 59 years old; range: 26-79) were diagnosed by histological examinations or imaging techniques in our hospital. Of 15 patients, 12 (6: complete response; 6: partial response) achieved objective response, and the response rate was 80% (95% CI, 51.

Analysis of reasons for emergency call delays in Japan in relation to location: high incidence of correctable causes and the impact of delays on patient outcomes.

Review: The interval between collapse and emergency call influences the prognosis of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). To reduce the interval, it is essential to identify the causes of delay.

Methods: Basal data were collected prospectively by fire departments from 3746 OHCAs witnessed or recognised by citizens and in which resuscitation was attempted by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) between 1 April 2003 and 31 March 2008.

Tracheal intubation by paramedics under limited indication criteria may improve the short-term outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests with noncardiac origin.

Purpose: It is not clear whether advanced airway management (AAM) with an endotracheal tube (ET) by paramedics may improve the outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) compared with the use of a bag-valve-mask device (BVMD) and other AAM devices.

Methods: We analyzed 2,586 adult cases of OHCA without administration of adrenaline, witnessed or recognized by citizens in subjects transported to hospital by paramedics between 1 July 2004 and 31 March 2008 in Ishikawa, Japan, to determine whether AAM with an ET used under limited indication criteria may improve the outcome of OHCA.

Results: The airway was managed with an ET in 263 cases, other AAM devices in 660 cases, and a BVMD in 1,539 cases.

The effects of the new CPR guideline on attitude toward basic life support in Japan.

Background: There is no study regarding the influence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guideline renewal on citizen's attitude towards all basic life support (BLS) actions.

Methods And Results: We conducted a questionnaire survey to new driver licence applicants who participated in the BLS course at driving schools either before (January 2007 to April 2007) or after (October 2007 to April 2008) the revision of the textbook. Upon completion of the course, participants were given a questionnaire concerning willingness to participate in CPR, early emergency call, telephone-assisted chest compression and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Fractionated administration of gemtuzumab ozogamicin for refractory acute myeloid leukemia.

It is difficult to decide an appropriate treatment strategy for elderly leukemia patients with other complications. We encountered 2 cases of refractory acute myeloid leukemia and safely treated the patients with fractionated administration of gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO). Standard induction therapies were not effective for these patients.

Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) in relapsed/refractory patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Objective: Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) is a humanized anti-CD33 antibody, linked to calicheamicin, which has been approved in Japan recently. We conducted to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of GO in our patients with relapsed or refractory AML retrospectively.

Patients And Methods: Data were collected between March 1, 2000, and March 1, 2006, on 10 patients with relapsed or refractory AML(excluding FAB: M3).