Development of a New Method for Evaluating Heat and Moisture Exchanger Performance.

Background: A model system described in International Organization for Standardization 9360 is the standard method for estimating the humidifying performance of heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs). However, there are no reliable bedside methods for evaluating the ongoing humidification performance of HMEs. Therefore, this study aimed to develop 2 clinically applicable methods for estimating the ongoing humidifying performance of HMEs and to evaluate their reliability in a model system.

Effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with obstructive colon cancer: A multicenter propensity score-matched analysis (YCOG2101).

Aim: Obstructive colon cancer is locally advanced colon cancer with poor prognosis. However, the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) on obstructive colon cancer remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of NAC in patients with obstructive colon cancer.

Incidental Gallbladder Cancer on Cholecystectomy: Strategy for Re-resection of Presumed Benign Diseases from a Retrospective Multicenter Study by the Yokohama Clinical Oncology Group.

Background/aim: Current expert consensus recommends re-resection for incidental gallbladder cancer (IGBC) of pT1b-3. This study examined whether this consensus was reasonably applicable to patients with IGBC in one Japanese region.

Patients And Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective analysis of cholecystectomies for presumed benign diseases between January 2000 and December 2009.

Trauma severity associated with stress index in emergency settings: an observational prediction-and-validation study.

Aim: Early judgments for treating severe trauma patients are essential for life-saving. Stress index (SI), obtained from a division of blood glucose level by serum potassium at arrival, might be useful for early prediction. However, the efficacy of SI was unknown.

A prophylaxis study of acute exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia after lung cancer surgery.

Introduction: Acute exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia (AE-IP) is a lethal complication after lung surgery. We conducted a prospective, multi-institutional phase II trial to assess the efficacy and safety of prophylactic measures.

Method: Patients with lung cancer with dorsal subpleural fibrotic changes occupying three or more segments of both lower lobes and planned anatomical lung resection were enrolled.

A Phase II Study of Tri-weekly Low-dose Nab-paclitaxel Chemotherapy for Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer.

Background/aim: Nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab)-paclitaxel has demonstrated antitumor activity against advanced gastric cancer. However, gastric cancer patients can be difficult to treat with the recommended dose because of the high incidence of adverse toxicities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of low-dose nab-paclitaxel in a multicenter, single-arm, phase II study.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Calyceal Diverticulum Detected by Percutaneous Nephroscopic Biopsy.

A 73-year-old woman was referred to our department with a complaint of asymptomatic gross hematuria. Dynamic computed tomography revealed a complicated (Bosniak type IIF) cyst in the upper pole of her right kidney, which was diagnosed as a calyceal diverticulum. The diagnosis was confirmed by ureteroscopy.

Hospital pharmacist intervention improves the quality indicator of warfarin control: A retrospective cohort study.

Background/Aims Our previous study showed that time in therapeutic range (TTR) control of warfarin therapy was negatively affected in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients with heart failure. This study assesses the effect of intervention by hospital pharmacists on TTR control in Japanese NVAF patients with heart failure. Method This retrospective cohort study included NVAF patients with heart failure admitted and discharged from the cardiovascular internal medicine ward between March 2011 and July 2013.

HotBalloon Ablation of the Pulmonary Veins for Paroxysmal AF: A Multicenter Randomized Trial in Japan.

Background: Point-by-point catheter ablation is an established treatment for drug-refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). However, it is time consuming, requires excellent technique to achieve complete pulmonary vein (PV) isolation, and is associated with severe complications.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a HotBalloon ablation (HBA) compared with antiarrhythmic drug therapy (ADT) for the treatment of PAF.

Early rehospitalization after initial chronic kidney disease educational hospitalization relates with a multidisciplinary medical team.

Background: It is well-documented that chronic kidney disease (CKD) often results in end-stage renal failure and puts patients at extremely high risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Educational hospitalization at medical institutions in Japan is important for patients with CKD because it facilitates treatment in earlier stages of CKD when subjective symptoms are not apparent. However, some patients who have achieved their educational targets tend to have poor compliance at home after discharge from the hospital, resulting in rehospitalization shortly.

Apixaban versus Warfarin for the Prevention of Periprocedural Cerebral Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Multicenter Prospective Randomized Study.

Introduction: Stroke can be a life-threatening complication of atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation. Uninterrupted warfarin treatment contributes to minimizing the risk of stroke complications.

Methods And Results: This was a prospective, open-label, randomized, multicenter study assessing the safety and efficacy of apixaban for the prevention of cerebral thromboembolism complicating AF catheter ablation.

Androgen deprivation therapy prevents bladder cancer recurrence.

Although accumulating preclinical evidence indicates the involvement of androgen receptor signals in bladder cancer (BC) development, its clinical relevance remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the predictive role of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in BC recurrence in prostate cancer (PC) patients. We retrospectively reviewed 20,328 patients with PC diagnosed during 1991-2013 and identified 239 (1.

Analysis of factors affecting rehospitalization of patients with chronic kidney disease after educational hospitalization.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease complications. Therefore, medical institutions conduct educational hospitalization for early treatment and education of CKD patients. However, patients who have been discharged after achieving educational targets can end up showing poor symptoms at home.

Incidences of esophageal injury during esophageal temperature monitoring: a comparative study of a multi-thermocouple temperature probe and a deflectable temperature probe in atrial fibrillation ablation.

Purpose: The study aim was to compare the incidence of esophageal injuries between different temperature probes in the monitoring of esophageal temperature during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Methods: One hundred patients with drug-resistant AF were prospectively and randomly assigned into two groups according to the esophageal temperature probe used: the multi-thermocouple probe group (n = 50) and the deflectable temperature probe group (n = 50). Extensive pulmonary vein (PV) isolation was performed with a 3.

Oesophageal cooling with ice water does not reduce the incidence of oesophageal lesions complicating catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: randomized controlled study.

Aim: Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation can result in oesophageal injuries that lead to atrio-oesophageal fistulae, a life-threatening complication. This study aimed to evaluate whether oesophageal cooling could prevent oesophageal lesions complicating AF ablation.

Methods And Results: We randomly assigned 100 patients with drug-resistant AF to an oesophageal cooling group or a control group.

Clinical characteristics and management of periesophageal vagal nerve injury complicating left atrial ablation of atrial fibrillation: lessons from eleven cases.

Introduction: This study aimed to elucidate the clinical characteristics and management of periesophageal vagal nerve injury complicating the ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods And Results: A total of 3,695 patients with drug-resistant AF underwent extensive pulmonary vein isolation at our institution. Either a nonirrigated or an irrigated ablation catheter was employed, with radiofrequency power of 25-40 W.

Prevention of periprocedural ischemic stroke and management of hemorrhagic complications in atrial fibrillation ablation under continuous warfarin administration.

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the effects of continuing warfarin administration during the periprocedural period of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) on the prevention of stroke complications and to evaluate the management of hemorrhagic complications occurring with this approach.

Methods And Results: A total of 3,280 patients undergoing AF catheter ablation at our institution were divided into 2 groups: the first 1,953 patients who discontinued warfarin 3-4 days before AF ablation and were bridged with heparin (warfarin-discontinued group), and the last 1,327 patients who continued warfarin throughout the periprocedural period (warfarin-continued group). Symptomatic stroke or transient ischemic attack occurred in 13/1,953 patients (0.

Atrium-Atrioventricular Node Conduction Block during Catheter Ablation of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

Previous studies have suggested that fibrillatory substrates are widely distributed in both atria in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. Extensive bi-atrial ablation has been increasingly performed to improve the clinical outcomes; however, this may adversely affect the intra-atrial conduction during sinus rhythm. The worst con- sequence of an intra-atrial conduction disturbance is conduction block between the atrium and atrioventricular node.

Effects of miglitol taken just before or after breakfast on plasma glucose, serum insulin, glucagon and incretin levels after lunch in men with normal glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance.

Unlabelled: Aims/Introduction:  One of the reasons for the poor adherence to α-glucosidase inhibitor (αGI) treatment is the need to take medication three times a day. We hypothesized that the administration of miglitol might be effective for the next meal if the miglitol-induced inhibition of α-glucosidase activity persists until the next meal. In the present study, we evaluated whether the administration of miglitol just before or after breakfast was effective for postprandial glucose excursion after lunch without taking miglitol at lunch.

Renal function after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Kidney function is a known predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) often have kidney dysfunction, less is known about the association between AF and kidney function. We sought to assess changes in kidney function after catheter ablation of AF.

Clinical characteristics of massive air embolism complicating left atrial ablation of atrial fibrillation: lessons from five cases.

Aims: This study aimed to elucidate the clinical characteristics of massive air embolism occurring during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Methods And Results: Of 2976 patients undergoing AF ablation, 5 patients complicated by serious air embolism were examined. Atrial fibrillation ablation was performed with the use of three long sheaths for circular mapping and ablation catheters under conscious sedation.