Objective To investigate the accuracy of electrocardiogram(ECG)-gated CT angiography in the detection of bleb in unruptured aneurysm. Methods In 2004,15 unruptured aneurysm patients received ECGgated CT angiography examination. Results Ten of the patients had bleb and the bleb was detected as the pulsation site in ECG-gated CT angiogram.Surgically excised specimen were stained and histological investigation revealed that there were partial or complete absence of tunica media smooth muscle and the internal elastic lamina layer in the aneurysm wall in 15 cases.A sudden reduction of collagen layer was noted in 10 cases with bleb.(Conclusion)ECG-gated CT angiography can be used in the bleb detection of unruptured aneurysms,and its accuracy can be verified by histological examination.

Biological age based on the assessment of various physiological factors measured in a resting state has been proposed as an appropriate index of aging. We have recently developed an equation for estimation of physical fitness age (PFA), which is composed of eight age-related physical fitness variables. These include oxygen uptake corresponding to lactate threshold (Vo₂@LT), maximal oxygen uptake (Vo₂max), side step, grip strength, vertical jump, foot balance with eyes closed, trunk extension, and trunk flexion. In this study, the validity of PFA as a critical index of physical health and/or aging status was investigated from a longitudinal standpoint on the assumption that exercise habituation does contribute to health promotion. The subjects were 14 Japanese middle-aged and elderly men, aged 50 to 70 years, all of whom were patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) . The subjects participated in a supervised exercise conditioning program for 90 to 120 min each session, 2 times weekly for 4 months. Analyses of the data indicated that the mean PFA of the subjects (66.0±9.0 yr) after conditioning was significantly (P<0.05) lower than the mean PFA (72.8±8.6 yr) obtained before conditioning. After the exercise program, significant increases were documented in Vo₂@LT (17%), Vo₂max (12%), side step (26%), trunk flexion (109%), trunk extension (7%), vertical jump (12%), and foot balance with eyes closed (31%) . Therefore, we conclude that our exercise conditioning program may alter the overall physical fitness of patients with CHD, and that PFA could be a valid physical health and/or aging index.

The purpose of this study was to explore the burden of introducing LCP-J in two wards（medical oncology and respiratory medicine）in Tohoku University Hospital. We administered audit evaluations about dying cancer patients and interviewed 2 doctors and 8 nurses regarding LCP-J intervention. LCP-J was used for 22 patients（38％）, and no significant difference in infusion, potent opioid analgesic and sedative medication within last 48 hours were seen between users and nonusers. Responses were categorized into［confirm directions about dying care among health care professionals］, and［training in dying care in a structured way］as usefulness facets of the LCP-J, and［difficulty in assessment of dying］,［burden of health care professionals］, and［difficulty using LCP-J without knowledge and training in dying care］as burdens of the LCP-J. We explored the burden of LCP-J in general wards, and found that use of the LCP-J could need education in dying care and backup of the palliative care team.