The purpose of the present experiment is to identify, in detail, results of the preceding experiment of authors that the amplitude of N₁ potential was dominant over motor cortex area contralateral to moving limb, with bipolar lead and is to investigate negative potential appearing the scalp preceding voluntary movement depends on a precaution stimulus or on readiness of movement execution only.
In addition to, discussing' the difference of CNV (Contingent Negative Variation) and N₁ potential is, also, the purpose of the present experiment.
The present experiment gave the following results.
1. The results obtained with monopolar lead were that the amplitude of N₁ potential was maximal at lead placement Cz in all movement.
2. The results obtained with bipolar lead were that the amplitude of N₁ potential showed, relatively, lower tendency in the combination within central area and showed, relatively, higher tendency in the combination of other lead placement to central area.
3. Judging from all the scalp, the amplitude of N₁ potential showed high tendency at central area.
4. In particular, clear difference was identified between the latency of CNV and that of N₁ potential.
5. As showing much the same amplitude except for lead placement Cz, CNV extended from central area over the scalp.

In order to investigate the association of alpha-blocking with motor set under the condition of simple reaction movement, the scalp distribution of alpha wave envelope recorded by averaging method was compared with that of slow potential changes. The results were as follows.
1) The slow potential changes (readiness potential, early and late component of CNV) were large over the central and frontal area. The readiness potential was larger over the contralateral than the ipsilateral central motor area, while the early component of CNV showed bilateral spread. The late component of CNV showed the similar scalp distribution to that of readiness potential, but the latter was much more lateralized.
2) The alpha-blocking was bilaterally symmetrical over the central and occipital area under the condition of photic stimulus without movement. But the alpha-blocking accompanying preparatory signal increased over the frontal and central area compared with control alpha-blocking, and was larger over the contralateral than ipsilateral central motor area.
3) The maximal alpha-blocking rate showed to correlate negatively with its latency under each condition. The difference in alpha-blocking rate at the onset of the imperative stimulus between reaction movement and control showed to correlate negatively with reaction time.
From these findings, it seems that alpha-blocking accompanying preparatory signal reflects not only input system but also readiness potential component, and that in temporal respect alpha-blocking increases at the onset of movement.

Acute symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is usually managed by intravenous heparin and oral warfarin. Recently, direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) have been introduced for the treatment of acute DVT. DOAC may be useful for very elderly patients who live in rural areas, where medical resources are limited. An 83-year-old woman presented to our clinic with left leg edema. Contrast enhanced computed tomography showed massive deep vein thrombosis in her left internal iliac vein. We diagnosed her with acute deep vein thrombosis. Since she refused to be hospitalized, we treated her with rivaroxaban as an outpatient. She had a good clinical course without hospitalization or an adverse event. DOAC may be useful for very elderly patients in rural areas.

PA-LA communication is a rare congenital heart disease consisting of direct communication between a branch of the PA and LA through an aneurysmal structure. This disease reveals the central cyanosis with clubbed fingers and surgical repair is needed when symptoms are apparent. Computed tomography is highly recommended for definitive diagnosis. Angiographic catheterization is also recommended to support the diagnosis and decide on the treatment. PA-LA communication is categorized into 4 types. Two types do not need cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) when treated surgically, but the others need CPB. A 16-year-old girl with clubbed fingers was found to have PA-LA communication by 3DCT. She underwent surgery and was discharged in good condition. The surgical procedure was done through median sternotomy without CPB. The anomalous aneurysmal fistula was doubly ligated. No communication was found after ligation by TEE.

A 74-year-old woman was referred to our unit with a chief complaint of dysphagia. Enhanced CT showed a Kommerell diverticulum with a maximum diameter of 46 mm, associated with a right-sided aortic arch and aberrant left subclavian artery. We performed two-staged operations : left subclavian-common carotid artery bypass followed by total arch, and descending aortic replacement by an antero-lateral thoracotomy with partial sternotomy (ALPS). The postoperative course was uneventful. Total arch and descending aortic replacement for a Kommerell diverticulum by an ALPS approach is rare. ALPS approach for Kommerell diverticulum achieves safe surgery with good exposure.

Endovascular treatment for chronic aortic dissection in patients with Marfan syndrome is still controversial. A 60-year-old man developed an extended chronic type B dissection involving the aortic arch and thoraco-abdominal aorta with a large entry at the distal aortic arch and patent false lumen. He had undergone David procedure for type A aortic dissection at age 42, and aortic valve replacement for recurrent aortic valve insufficiency at 58, which was complicated with mediastinitis. He also suffered drug-induced interstitial pneumonitis. Considering his complicated surgical history and impaired pulmonary function, conventional graft replacement of thoraco-abdominal aorta was thought to be quite a high risk. Thus, we chose debranch TEVAR with a staged approach. First, debranching and Zone 0 TEVAR with the chimney technique were performed. Then, 4 months later, abdominal debranching and TEVAR was performed. The patient tolerated both procedures well and was discharged home. Two years after last procedure, he is in good condition and computed tomography shows that complete entry closure and false lumen had thrombosed. This strategy may be worthy to be considered even for a patient with Marfan syndrome, in case the patient's condition is unsuitable for conventional surgery.

A 79-year-old man, who had a history of intravesical instillations of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy for urinary bladder cancer, developed bloody sputum 4 years after BCG therapy. BCG was detected from the sputum by detailed examination. Medical therapy for tuberculosis (TB) was started, but bloody sputum continued. Computed tomography (CT) for the chest was performed to evaluate the state of TB, and surprisingly, found impending rupture of tuberculosis mycotic thoracic aneurysm. He was emergently transferred to our hospital. CT revealed that the aneurysm made a lump with surrounding lung and lymph nodes. It seemed to be quite difficult to dissect and to be quite high risk to perform graft replacement with pneumonectomy. On the other hand, TB infection was controlled with antibiotic therapy. Thus we chose debranch TEVAR for this complicated situation. His bloody sputum regressed soon after the procedure and disappeared during his hospitalization. He was discharged home on POD 13 without serious complication and continued to have antibiotic therapy under the instruction of his primary physician.

Purpose: This study aimed at identifying difficulties among post thoracic esophagectomy cancer patients during outpatient follow-up. Methods: Patients who had radical esophagectomy at a cancer center hospital in Japan were prospectively observed and were interviewed by a certified nurse assigned at esophageal surgical outpatient division. Their responses were documented in medical records and were analyzed by content analysis method. This study was approved by the study hospital's research ethics committee. Results: The data from 66 patients were obtained. Content analysis yielded 221 extracts, 25 categories, and 65 codes of difficulties, including: concerns or signs/symptoms associated with dietary intake, physical activity, and anxiety. Implications: The majority of post-thoracoabdominal esophagectomy patients experienced multiple dysfunctions and symptoms after discharge. The results underscore the significance of nurses' role in assessing and instructing patients to address these issues.

Background: Patients having thoracic esophagectomy, a standardized treatment for esophageal cancer patients in Japan, are known to have various postsurgical signs and symptoms for a period of time. The current status of nursing interventions at outpatients need to be clarified. Purpose: This study aimed at identifying the nurses' interventions for cancer patients at the outpatient setting who previously had thoracic radical esophagectomy. Methods: Patients who had esophagectomy at a cancer center hospital in Japan were prospectively observed and interviewed by outpatient nurses between January 2009 and December 2010. Their documented responses in medical record were prospectively investigated and were qualitatively analyzed via content analysis method. This study was approved by the study hospital's research ethics committee. Results and discussion: The data analysis of nursing interventions for 66 patients yielded 372 extracts, 12 categories, and 74 codes. Nurses were assessing patients' signs and symptoms affected by postsurgical changes, and were utilizing patients' active self-monitoring skills. The results also showed the significance of facilitating postsurgical recovery in relation to nutritional intake and physical activity in patients' daily life. Implications: Based upon the study results, the development of a systematic program is underway, which facilitates esophageal cancer patients' postsurgical recovery.