Validation of data quality in a nationwide gastroenterological surgical database: The National Clinical Database site-visit and remote audits, 2016-2018.

Background And Aim: In 2015, the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery (JSGS) initiated data verification in the gastroenterological section of the National Clinical Database (NCD) and reported high accuracy of data entry. Remote audits were introduced for data validation on a trial basis in 2016 and formally accepted into use in 2017-2018. The aim of this study was to audit the data quality of the NCD gastroenterological section for 2016-2018 and to confirm the high accuracy of data in remote audits.

Pulmonary Artery Pressure as a Treatment Target to Improve the Prognosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - Insight From a Cohort From Two Japanese Pulmonary Hypertension Centers.

The prognosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has been improving since the introduction of epoprostenol (EPO). The 3-year survival of naïve idiopathic PAH (IPAH) and hereditary PAH (HPAH) was 96% in a recent prospective Japanese registry. This increase in survival in Japan may have been due to the reduction of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) by a rapid and sufficient dosage of EPO.

Assisted reproductive technology in Japan: A summary report for 2018 by the Ethics Committee of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Purpose: Since 2007, the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) has collected cycle-based data for assisted reproductive technology (ART) in an online registry. Here, we present the characteristics and treatment outcomes of ART cycles registered during 2018.

Methods: The Japanese ART registry consists of cycle-specific information for all ART treatment cycles implemented at 621 participating facilities.

Impact of adherence to board-certified surgeon systems and clinical practice guidelines on colon cancer surgical outcomes in Japan: A questionnaire survey of the National Clinical Database.

Aim: To investigate the effectiveness of the institutional medical structure and of the implemented clinical practice guidelines for improving colon cancer surgical outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a web-based questionnaire survey among departments registered at the National Clinical Database in Japan from October 2014 to January 2015 to assess the association between quality indicators (QIs), including structure and process indicators (clinical practice guideline adherence), and the risk-adjusted odds ratio for operative mortality (AOR) after right hemicolectomy for colorectal cancer during the study period.

Results: Among the 2064 departments registering at least one colorectal surgery during the study period, we obtained responses from 814 departments (39.

Surgical outcomes in gastroenterological surgery in Japan: Report of the National Clinical Database 2011-2018.

The National Clinical Database (NCD) of Japan grew rapidly, harvesting over 11 million cases of data between 2011 and 2018 from more than 5000 facilities. This is the Report of the NCD based upon gastrointestinal surgery information in 4 420 175 cases from 2011 to 2018. More than 70% of all gastrointestinal surgeries were performed at certified institutions, and the percentage of surgeries performed at certified institutions was particularly high for the esophagus (93.

Clinical characteristics of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock in relation to bacterial virulence of beta-hemolytic and .

Aim: Combined detailed analysis of patient characteristics and treatment as well as bacterial virulence factors, which all play a central role in the cause of infections leading to severe illness, has not been reported. We aimed to describe the patient characteristics (Charlson comorbidity index [CCI]), treatment (3-h bundle), and outcomes in relation to bacterial virulence of and beta-hemolytic (BHS).

Methods: This sepsis primary study is part of the larger Focused Outcomes Research in Emergency Care in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Sepsis and Trauma (FORECAST) study, a multicenter, prospective cohort study.

Assisted reproductive technology in Japan: A summary report for 2017 by the Ethics Committee of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Purpose: The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) has collected cycle-based assisted reproductive technology (ART) data in an online registry since 2007. Herein, we present the characteristics and treatment outcomes of ART cycles registered during 2017.

Methods: We collected cycle-specific information for all ART cycles implemented at participating facilities and performed descriptive analysis.

Ultra-high density mapping of intra-atrial reentrant tachycardia in a patient after a lateral tunnel total cavopulmonary connection.

We report a case of an 18-year-old male with a postsurgical lateral tunnel (LT) total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Patients after an LT TCPC have complicated suture lines and a considerable area of damaged myocardium in the LT, which could become a complex arrhythmogenic substrate of tachycardias. Detailed three-dimensional (3D) mapping of the LT and atrium is important for a successful ablation.

Background characteristics and postoperative outcomes of insufficient weight loss after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in Japanese patients.

Aim: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is becoming popular in Japan, but insufficient weight loss is often observed in patients after LSG. We investigated the effect of LSG on obesity-related comorbidities and identified the background characteristics of Japanese patients with insufficient weight loss after LSG.

Methods: In this multi-institutional retrospective study at 10 certified bariatric institutions, 322 Japanese patients who underwent LSG with a follow-up period of more than 2 years were analyzed.

Surgical outcomes of gastroenterological surgery in Japan: Report of the National Clinical Database 2011-2017.

Background: The Japanese National Clinical Database (NCD) is a large-scale, nationwide, web-based data entry system that is linked to the surgical board certification system and covers almost all surgical cases carried out in Japan.

Aim: To evaluate outcomes according to the gastroenterological section of the NCD.

Methods: The 115 surgical procedures stipulated by the "Training Curriculum for Board-Certified Surgeons in Gastroenterology" were registered from 2011 to 2017.

Diagnosis of sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation and coagulopathy.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a frequent complication in sepsis. Once patients develop DIC, the mortality rate increases significantly. Moreover, recent studies have suggested that coagulation disorder plays a significant role in the development of organ dysfunction in sepsis.

Serum Autotaxin Concentrations Reflect Changes in Liver Stiffness and Fibrosis After Antiviral Therapy in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether serum autotaxin concentrations reflect liver stiffness in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) treated with direct-acting antiviral agents. Adult patients with chronic HCV were enrolled from January 2016 to August 2017. Autotaxin concentrations in these patients were compared with those of a control group consisting of healthy individuals.

Surgical outcomes of laparoscopic distal gastrectomy compared to open distal gastrectomy: A retrospective cohort study based on a nationwide registry database in Japan.

To clarify the safety profile of laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) for gastric cancer patients, the short-term outcome of LDG was compared to that of open distal gastrectomy (ODG) by propensity score matching using data from the Japanese National Clinical Database (NCD). We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing distal gastrectomy between January 2012 and December 2013. Using the data for 70 346 patients registered in the NCD, incidences of mortality and morbidities were compared between LDG patients and ODG patients in the propensity score matched stage I patients (ODG: n = 14 386, LDG: n = 14 386) and stage II-IV patients (ODG: n = 3738, LDG: n = 3738), respectively.

Assisted reproductive technology in Japan: a summary report for 2015 by The Ethics Committee of The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Purpose: The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) implemented an assisted reproductive technology (ART) registry system in 1986. Here are reported the characteristics and treatment outcomes of ART cycles that were registered in 2015.

Methods: JSOG has requested all participating ART facilities to register cycle-specific information for all ART cycles since 2007.

Assisted reproductive technology in Japan: a summary report of 1992-2014 by the Ethics Committee, Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Aim: The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology implemented a registry report system for the clinical practice of assisted reproductive technology in 1986. The aggregated results from 1992 to 2014 are reported herein.

Methods And Results: The total number of registered treatments was 393 745 cycles, of which 66 550 were pregnancy cycles and 46 008 were cycles with a live birth.

Effectiveness and safety of an extended-release tablet of sodium valproate for the prophylactic treatment of migraine: Postmarketing surveillance in Japan.

Background: Sodium valproate is a standard drug for first-line prophylactic treatment of migraine. However, little information is available of its use in Japanese patients.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of an extended-release tablet of sodium valproate in the prophylactic treatment for Japanese patients with migraine by postmarketing surveillance.

Combination of 5-aminolevulinic acid and ferrous ion reduces plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels in Zucker diabetic fatty rats.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a natural amino acid produced only in the mitochondria, is a precursor of heme. Cytochromes that contain heme play an important role in aerobic energy metabolism.

Double traction method-an easy and safe reduction method for anterior shoulder dislocations, even for non-orthopedic surgeons.

Cases: Forty-three male and 27 female patients with anterior shoulder dislocation, with an average age of 45 years, were treated with the "double traction method". The reduction is carried out by two operators, with the patient in a supine position. The first operator holds the patient's wrist and pulls gently longitudinally.

Emergency medicine as a specialty in Asia.

Aim: We aim to examine the similarities and differences in areas of EM development, workload, workforce, and capabilities and support in the Asia region. Emerging challenges faced by our EM community are also discussed.

Methods: The National Societies for Emergency Medicine of Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey participated in the joint Japanese Association of Acute Medicine (JAAM) and Asian Conference of Emergency Medicine (ACEM) Special Symposium held in October 2013 at Tokyo, Japan.

Crowned dens syndrome: reports of six cases and review of the literature.

Case: We have reported six cases of Crowned dens syndrome (CDS) diagnosed by computed tomography (CT). Presenting cases were three male and three female, aged from 45 to 89 (averaged in 72).

Outcome: All cases showed calcification around the dens of axis in CTs.

Recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (follitropin alfa) versus purified urinary follicle-stimulating hormone in a low-dose step-up regimen to induce ovulation in Japanese women with anti-estrogen-ineffective oligo- or anovulatory infertility: results of a single-blind Phase III study.

Purpose: We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (follitropin alfa) and purified urinary human follicle-stimulating hormone (urofollitropin) for ovulation induction in Japanese women with anovulatory infertility;also to verify the noninferiority (in terms of ovulation rate) of follitropin alfa versus urofollitropin.

Methods: In a Phase III, multicenter, single-blind, parallel-group study, we enrolled 265 Japanese women aged 20-39 years. The patients were menstruating without apparent ovulation or were amenorrheic (with a positive progestin challenge test), and had failed to conceive with anti-estrogen ovulation-induction therapy.

Recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (follitropin alfa) for ovulation induction in Japanese patients with anti-estrogen-ineffective oligo- or anovulatory infertility: results of a phase II dose-response study.

Purpose: To determine the optimal regimen of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (r-hFSH) for ovulation induction (OI) in Japanese women with amenorrhea I or anovulatory infertility.

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, dose-finding study, women aged 20-39 years were enrolled. Patients underwent a chronic low-dose step-up regimen with starting doses of r-hFSH of 37.