The utility of serial procalcitonin measurements in addition to pneumonia severity scores in hospitalised community-acquired pneumonia: A multicentre, prospective study.

Objectives: The usefulness of serial procalcitonin (PCT) measurements for predicting the prognosis and treatment efficacy for hospitalised community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients was investigated.

Methods: This prospective, multicentre, cohort study enrolled consecutive CAP patients who were hospitalised at 10 hospitals in western Japan from September 2013 to September 2016. PCT and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured on admission (PCT D1 and CRP D1), within 48-72 h after admission (PCT D3 and CRP D3), and within 144-192 h after admission.

Efficacy of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Heart Failure Patients With Low Body Mass Index.

Background: Low body mass index (BMI) is a relevant prognostic factor for heart failure (HF), but HF patients with low BMI are reported to be at risk of not receiving optimal drug treatment. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients with low vs. normal BMI.

Long-term use of a neural prosthesis in progressive paralysis.

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) enable communication with others and allow machines or computers to be controlled in the absence of motor activity. Clinical studies evaluating neural prostheses in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients have been performed; however, to date, no study has reported that ALS patients who progressed from locked-in syndrome (LIS), which has very limited voluntary movement, to a completely locked-in state (CLIS), characterized by complete loss of voluntary movements, were able to continue controlling neural prostheses. To clarify this, we used a BCI system to evaluate three late-stage ALS patients over 27 months.

Accuracy of Quantification of Iodine and Hounsfield Unit Values on Virtual Monochromatic Imaging Using Dual-Energy Computed Tomography: Comparison of Dual-Layer Computed Tomography With Fast Kilovolt-Switching Computed Tomography.

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the accuracy of quantification of iodine and Hounsfield unit (HU) values on virtual monochromatic imaging (VMI) using dual-layer computed tomography (DLCT) and fast kilovolt-switching computed tomography (FKSCT).

Materials And Methods: This study was performed in 2 phantoms (large and small) using 16 rods representing different materials (iodine, calcium, blood, and adipose tissue) with different dimensions and concentrations. The absolute percentage errors (absolute ratio of measurement error to true iodine concentration) for iodine concentration and HU value on VMI at 50, 70, and 100 keV were compared between DLCT and FKSCT.

Clostridium paraputrificum Bacteremia in an Older Patient with No Predisposing Medical Condition.

We herein report a rare case of Clostridium paraputrificum bacteremia in an elderly (88-year-old) man without a predisposing medical condition. Although he had a history of anaerobic bacteremia approximately eight months prior to admission, no gastrointestinal disease was discovered. He was treated with intravenous ampicillin/sulbactam.

The spectrum of imaging appearances of müllerian duct anomalies: focus on MR imaging.

Müllerian duct anomalies (MDAs) are the result of incomplete development, vertical or lateral fusion, or absorption of the müllerian ducts. The range of anomalies includes uterovaginal agenesis or hypoplasia, unicornuate uterus, uterus didelphys, bicornuate uterus, septate uterus, and arcuate uterus. Correct diagnosis and classification of these anomalies are essential because pregnancy outcomes and treatment options vary between the types of anomaly.

A case of musical anhedonia due to right putaminal hemorrhage: a disconnection syndrome between the auditory cortex and insula.

A 63-year-old, right-handed professional chorus conductor developed right putaminal hemorrhage, and became unable to experience emotion while listening to music. Two years later, neurological examination revealed slight left hemiparesis. Neuromusicological assessments revealed impaired judgment of "musical sense," and the inability to discriminate the sound of chords in pure intervals from those in equal temperament.

A region-based two-step P300-based brain-computer interface for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Objective: The P300-based brain-computer interface (BCI) is designed to help patients with motor disabilities to control their environment, and it has been used successfully in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, some ALS patients were unable to use the visual P300-BCI with the conventional row/column presentation. In this study, we evaluated the effect of a newly developed region-based two-step P300 speller, which has a larger flashing area than the conventional visual array.

[Anesthetic machine leakage from vaporizer by external force derived from keyboard of electronic medical records].

We experienced the leakage from the vaporizer of the anesthetic machine despite the normalities on performing the initial leak test. The vaporizer of the anesthetic machine was compressed by computer keyboard of EMR which caused a leak from vaporizer. After computer keyboard and the vaporizer were set at normal position, the leak stopped.

[Network to support patients with ALS in the Hyogo prefecture].

The author reports network to support patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the Hyogo prefecture. Three types of network are working, which are the network in the multidisciplinary team in the hospital, the medico-welfare network in the area and the network intra-hospitals in the prefecture. We have to establish effective network with a passion, a mission and an action.

[A case of pyogenic osteomyelitis of the cervical spine following stellate ganglion block].

A 56-year-old woman had been treated with stellate ganglion block (SGB) for pigmentation degeneration retinopathy over 6 years. She had no history of diabetes mellitus or immunodeficiency. She complained of high back pain but was afebrile.

[Current status and need for neurological practices from regional medical institutions].

We studied the current status of, and need for, neurological practices from regional medical institutions, including in-home services. These institutions classify patients with neurological diseases into three categories: cerebrovascular disease, intractable diseases, and other diseases with neurological symptoms. As acute and chronic neurological diseases run their course, patients require appropriate care, including diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and in-home medical care.

Suspected acute encephalopathy with symmetrical abnormal signal areas in the basal ganglia, thalamus, midbrain and pons diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging.

A 4-year-old boy was admitted with disturbed consciousness following a convulsion. He developed bilateral pyramidal tract signs and showed a decerebrate posture. Laboratory findings revealed severe liver dysfunction and disseminated intravascular coagulation.