An 80-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to anorexia and loss of body weight. Blood examination showed a severe inflammatory reaction and Streptococcus oralis was detected in his blood culture. Echocardiogram demonstrated severe aortic valve regurgitation and vegetation located on the valve. Although we diagnosed infective endocarditis (IE) and started to treat with antibiotics, the patient refused treatment and was discharged. Ten days later, he was readmitted to our hospital because of chest pain. Electrocardiogram demonstrated an anteroseptal acute myocardial infarction and an emergency coronary angiogram revealed complete obstruction of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). He was successfully treated with thrombus aspiration using a catheter device. Pathological examination of the thrombus revealed that the coronary embolism was caused by infective endocarditis (IE). To prevent re-embolization, we performed aortic valve replacement 8 days after the intervention and CABG was also carried out for residual stenosis on the LAD. Coronary embolism caused by IE is a rare problem. We reported a case of AMI associated with IE that was initially treated with thrombus aspiration which was followed by aortic valve replacement.

Introduction
 During the course of primary health care activities in Khammouane province of Lao PDR by non- profit organization, international support and partnership for health, an exceedingly high infant mortality rate was recognized in some villages. As thiamine deficiency was strongly suspected for the main cause of the high mortality, the household survey with an emphasis on nutritional aspect and the measurement of thiamine level in the blood of mothers as well as their breast-milk were carried out for the confirmation.
Methods
 The survey was conducted at Sibounhouane sub-district (Group 1) with the highest infant mortality and Hatkhamhieng sub-district (Group 2) with the lowest mortality. Fifty families of the two groups, each consisting of randomly selected 25 families with less than one year old infant(s) were interviewed by using prepared questionnaire. The body weight of both mother and infant was measured and blood and milk were taken from the mother.
Results
 The ethnic minorities of the group 1 consisted of Lao Lum (44%) and Lao Theung (56%), whereas only Lao Lum in the group 2. The economical indicators and the mother's educational level in the group 1 were inferior to those in the group 2. There was no significant difference in the methods of preparing staple glutinous rice, likely to flux thiamine and intake of thiaminases between the two groups. High infant mortality rate was documented in the group 1 whose clinical symptoms were mostly consistent with those of infantile beriberi. The concentration of thiamine in the blood and milk of mothers in both groups were considerably lower and significant reduction of thiamine level was observed in the group 1 than the group 2. Nevertheless, both groups of those infants tended to be inadequately fed with the foods except for breast-milk during their early infantile phase.
Conclusions
 The low concentration of thiamine in the blood and milk of mothers was strongly suggestive that infantile beriberi due to thiamine deficiency was the principal cause of the infant mortality in the study region. We hereby surmise that thiamine deficiency could be extensively prevalent in Lao PDR than the currently studied areas because of their traditional preparing methods of staple dietary rice, postpartum food taboos and intake of thiaminases. For the prevention of infant death due to severe thiamine deficiency, necessary measures including the exchange of information among the institutions concerned, adequate thiamine supplementation and nutritional counseling have to be urgently adopted.

We evaluated the influence of a twice-weekly group exercise program on visceral fat area (VFA) and plasma adiponectin (APN) in the elderly. Thirty-three community-dwelling elderly (age : 72.4±6.9 yrs) participated in a 12-week supervised, geriatric exercise training program (GET) followed by a 12-week unsupervised GET (u-GET), which included stretching, strengthening, and balance-training exercises. Participants were evaluated for physical fitness, blood glucose, HbA1c, triglyceride, cholesterol, insulin, and APN. VFA was measured by computed tomography. All measurements were taken before the GET (TR1), after 12-weeks of GET (TR2), and at the end of the u-GET (TR3). Twelve weeks of GET produced significant increases in physical function measures. Both walking speed and functional mobility values at TR3 were significantly higher than TR1 values. A significant reduction in VFA was seen at TR3 in men. APN progressively elevated from TR1 to TR3 in women. In the frail elderly, 12 weeks of GET effectively increased functional ability and APN. The beneficial effects on VFA and APN were sustained following the participation in the unsupervised setting, suggesting that the frail elderly should be encouraged to participate and maintain a resistance training routine to achieve preferable effects on both functional ability and cardiovascular risk factors.

In 1999, an insecticide-treated net (ITN) distribution project was started in several malaria-endemic villages in Lao P.D.R., namely Vientiane, Bolikhamxay and Khammouanne Provinces. After the completion of the project, it was found that the ITNs were effective for malaria control based on the analysis of the slide positivity rate for malaria parasites between 1999 and 2000 [6]. We conducted malariometric, entomological and KAP surveys in 2005-06 to confirm the status of malaria and to determine the effectiveness of ITNs in three different socioepidemiological areas (near city, rural and remote), represented by the Xebangfay and Boualapha districts, Khammouanne Province.
A marked decrease in the annual malaria incidence and slide positivity rate was noted from 1999 to 2006 in the two districts. The malaria prevalence was significantly reduced in near city areas (5.6%-10.7% in 1999 to 0% in 2005-06) and rural areas (21.4%-50.9% in 1999 to 0%-1% in 2005-06). Twelve positive cases were recorded in remote areas (3.4 - 7.7% in 2006).
The illiteracy rate was significantly higher among the respondents in the remote (83.9%) than among those in the near city (32.7%) and rural (54%) areas. In all areas, more than 50% of the villagers indicated that they were not aware of malaria. Similarly, about 60% of the respondents were found to have incorrect knowledge concerning malaria transmission. In remote, 40.9% of the respondents were aware of the methods to prevent malaria infection and 49.5% used mosquito nets throughout the year, rates significantly lower than the corresponding rates in near city and rural. The density of persons per net in remote (3.1-5.9) was considerably higher than that in near city (1.8-2.1) and rural (1.2-2.7). Malaria vector mosquitoes, such as An. minimus and An. nivipes were collected by human-baited adult collection, and cow-baited and CDC light traps. The results of the analysis suggested that the lower the number of persons per net the more effective the reduction of malaria morbidity in these areas. It is imperative that ITN distribution and health education regarding malaria be strengthened, especially in remote, but also in other areas.

Local recurrence after endoscopic piecemeal mucosal resection (EPMR) for colorectal tumors is a crucial issue. However, such recurrence is usually detected within one year and cured with additional endoscopic treatment, which makes EPMR acceptable. Herein, we report a rare case of repeatedly recurrent colon cancer involving the appendiceal orifice after EPMR, which was not cured with additional endoscopic treatments. A 67-year-old man was referred to us for endoscopic treatment of a 25 mm cecal tumor spreading to the appendiceal orifice in May 2002. The tumor was resected with EPMR, showing well differentiated intramucosal adenocarcinoma with a positive lateral cut margin of tubular adenoma. Endoscopic surveillance was conducted and the first local recurrence was detected in August 2006. Although we resected it endoscopically, the second local recurrence was found in September 2007 and we removed it with endoscopic resection again. However, the third local recurrence was detected in March 2008. Although endoscopic resection was performed also for the third recurrence, curative resection was not achieved. In February 2009, laparoscopic assisted colectomy was performed and histopathological examination showed well differentiated adenocarcinoma with deep submucosal invasion. This case is important in considering indication for endoscopic resection in colorectal tumors involving the appendiceal orifice.
Adenocarcinoma/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Aged ; Appendiceal Neoplasms/complications ; Colectomy ; Colonic Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Colonoscopy ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa/pathology ; Male ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Recurrence

Endoscopic papillectomy (EP) for ampullary adenomas achieves cure rates ranging from 76% to 90%, and recurrence rates are as high as 33%. If remnant or recurrent lesions after prior EP are endoscopically visible and are not suspected of intraductal extension into the biliary or pancreatic duct, repeated snaring and cutting can be performed until all visible lesions are completely resected. However, endoscopic ablative therapies, particularly argon plasma coagulation, can be attempted for tiny or uncertain remnant and recurrent lesions. In addition, intraductal radiofrequency ablation has recently been attempted for residual intraductal lesions after EP at several institutions. Although still under investigation, it has shown some promise. It might be offered as an alternative to surgery, particularly in patients who are unfit for surgery or those who refuse to undergo surgery.

Morphology, location, timing of operation, and complications of multiple aortic aneurysms were investigated in 14 patients (10 men and 4 women with a mean age of 66 years). The locations of the aneurysms were as follows: aortic arch and thoracoabdominal aorta in 1, aortic arch and infrarenal abdominal aorta in 6, descending thoracic aorta and suprarenal abdominal aorta in 1, descending thoracic aorta and infrarenal abdominal aorta in 5, and thoracoabdominal aorta and infrarenal abdominal aorta in 1. Thoracic aortic aneurysms had a mean diameter of 63±13mm. The mean diameter of the abdominal aortic aneurysms was 54±13mm. In 1 patient, thoracoabdominal and infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms were operated on simultaneously. Eight patients, 5 with aneurysms of the aortic arch and infrarenal abdominal aorta, 2 with aneurysms of the descending aorta and infrarenal abdominal aorta, and 1 with aneurysms of the aortic arch and thoracoabdominal aorta, underwent two-staged operation. Aortic arch aneurysm was operated first in 3 patients, and abdominal aortic aneurysm in 5. Postoperative complications included spinal cord injury in 1 patient, bowel necrosis in 1, renal impairment in 2, respiratory impairment in 2, and hepatic impairment in 1. There was no perioperative death. Three late deaths occurred. Two staged operation is better for multiple aortic aneurysms. The first operation should be performed for the larger aneurysm.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of spinal correction on respiratory muscle strength in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Several studies have reported that scoliosis correction in patients with DMD does not improve pulmonary function. In these studies, pulmonary function was evaluated using the traditional spirometric values of percent vital capacity (%VC) and percent forced vital capacity (%FVC). However, traditional spirometry may not be suitable for patients with DMD because the results can be influenced by patient fatigue or level of understanding. Therefore, we evaluated respiratory function focusing on respiratory muscle strength using maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP), in addition to %VC and %FVC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 16 patients with DMD who underwent spinal correction surgery between 2006 and 2011 at Kitasato University Hospital. All patients were males, and the mean age was 13.5 years. Respiratory muscle strength was evaluated using MIP, MEP, and SNIP. Measurements were obtained preoperatively and at 1 and 6 months postoperatively, and %VC and %FVC were obtained preoperatively and within 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean preoperative and postoperative %VC values were 54.0% and 51.7%, whereas the mean %FVC values were 53.9% and 53.2%, respectively. The mean MIP, MEP, and SNIP values obtained preoperatively and at 1 and 6 months postoperatively were as follows: MIP, 40.5, 42.7 and 47.2 cm H₂O; MEP, 26.0, 28.0, and 29.0 cm H₂O; and SNIP, 33.4, 33.0, and 33.0 cm H₂O; respectively. The mean MIP and MEP values significantly improved postoperatively. There were no significant differences in SNIP, %VC, or %FVC preand postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: By focusing on respiratory muscle strength, our results suggest that scoliosis correction in patients with DMD might have a favorable effect on respiratory function.
Cohort Studies ; Fatigue ; Humans ; Male ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne* ; Respiratory Muscles* ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis* ; Spirometry ; Vital Capacity

A commemorative lecture meeting on the inclusion of a new chapter of traditional medicine in ICD­-11 was held in Tokyo in February 2020. The head of the Collaborating Centre for WHO­-FIC in Japan explained the process of the project, which started in 2006 to increase WHO's data collection from developing countries and expressed gratitude to the concerned persons who made efforts to obtain consensus with China and Korea. WHO promoted integrated coding between traditional medicine and Western medicine. In the field of acu­puncture, meridian and collateral patterns proposed by Japan were adopted and research activities have begun. In the field of Kampo medicine, the prescription content is often used in a fixed form as a representative for­mula pattern in Japan, so clinically high­-level research will be possible under this new classification. In the field of medical information, it has been pointed out that there are high hurdles for medical information man­agers to understand traditional medicine. It is expected that the progress of mutual understanding of both medi­cines. From now on, activities in research, translation, education and dissemination of this new classification should be promoted.