Metabolic syndrome develops because of an accumulation of intra-abdominal fat. In Kampo medicine, an abdominal examination is commonly performed for the diagnosis of diseases. Thus, we examined the relationship between metabolic syndrome and abdominal tension. Our subjects were 999 people (619 males and 380 females) who underwent regular physical check-ups. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 14.5% (21.3% of males and 3.4% of females) and the prevalence rate of subjects with metabolic and pre-metabolic syndromes was 40.8% (55.9% of males and 16.3% of females). In addition, abdominal examinations detected 19.1% of hyperfunction, 64.6% of intermediate function, and 16.3% of hypofunction. Almost subjects with abdominal hyperfunction were classified as metabolic or pre-metabolic syndrome, and neither metabolic nor pre-metabolic syndrome was present in subjects with abdominal hypofunction. In conclusion, assessment of abdominal tension may become an additional valuable screening method for metabolic syndrome.
Syndrome ; Metabolic syndrome ; hypofunction ; hyperfunction ; Abdominal

A 38-year-old man underwent surgery for impending rupture of an inflammatory celiac artery aneurysm with a maximum diameter of about 50 mm. First, an extra-anatomical bypass was performed from the iliac arteries to the celiac artery, superior mesenteric artery and bilateral renal artery using ringed ePTFE grafts. Second, the celiac artery aneurysm at the distal site was directly closed and then a stent graft was placed in the abdominal aorta to cover the orifice of the celiac artery. An endovascular stent graft treatment combined with extra-anatomical bypass is useful for the treatment of inflammatory aneurysm to avoid the various surgical complications in Behçet syndrome.

A 46-year-old man was given a diagnosis of hypertension about 20 years previously. At age 41, aortitis syndrome was diagnosed, with descending thoracic aortic aneurysm and the coarctation of abdominal aorta by CT scan. He then underwent surgery to replace the descending thoracic aortic aneurysm and right axillo-bifemoral bypass. Recently, a thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm was pointed out at the distal site of the graft and, he was referred to our institute. We occluded the distal end of the aneurysm using an endoluminal occlusion stent graft. Today, in most cases of aortopathy associated with aortitis syndrome, surgical replacement of the aneurysms and extra-anatomical bypass is performed. An endovascular stent graft treatment combined with extra-anatomical bypass could be useful for various aortic disorders.

We report a rare case of acute type A aortic dissection with paraplegia which was reversed using cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CFD). The patient was a 80-year-old man who was admitted with acute back pain and paraplegia. Computed tomographic scans showed an acute type A aortic dissection. Four hours after onset of paraplegia, CFD was initiated by inserting an intrathecal catheter at L3-L4. Cerebrospinal fluid was drained freely by gravity whenever the pressure exceeded 10cmH₂O. After 32h, the neurological deficit was completely resolved. CFD can be considered a useful treatment in patients with paraplegia after acute aortic dissection.

Objective: In drug treatment for pregnant and lactating women, pharmacists need to contribute to adequate drug treatment by collecting much information from various sources.  However, it takes much time to collect information using plural sources.  In this study, we tried to develop a database system which enables expeditiously collecting the domestic and foreign drug use criteria information in order to streamline collecting information for pregnant and lactating women.  In addition, we assessed the utility of the database by comparing the time to collect information using the database to that using each information source and the usability by questionnaires.
Methods: We developed a database system that integrates drug information from the FDA Pregnancy Category, Australian categories for prescribing medicines in pregnancy, “Drugs in Pregnancy & Lactation,” and Japanese package inserts.  For assessment of the usability of the database, we assessed the time required to collect information and subjective evaluation using the five-method questionnaires.
Results: The database significantly reduced the time needed for collecting criteria information and made it possible to compile the information simultaneously from various sources.  The questionnaire survey showed that over 80% of pharmacists and students were satisfied with the database.
Conclusion: It is suggested that our database system is useful to efficiently collect drug use criteria information for pregnant and lactating women.

We evaluated the association between respiratory symptoms and hydration volume during last 1 week of life in terminal cancer patients using retrospective study. The subjects were 138 terminally patients with malignancies. Patients were classified into two groups: the low hydration group (group L, n=85) who received 1,000 ml or less of artificial hydration per day in 1 week before death and high hydration group (group H, n=53) who received over 1,000 ml per day. We compared appearance of dyspnea and bronchial secretion on group L with group H. 64.1% of group H had dyspnea, and 52.8% had bronchial secretion. These fractions are significantly higher than group L (32.9%, 15.3%). In the results of multiple regression analysis, lung involvement (odds ratio: 3.55), hydration over 1,000 ml per day (3.54), and administration of opioid (0.40) were significantly related dyspnea. Lung involvement (7.29), hydration over 1,000 ml per day (4.43), and oral intake (0.31) were significantly related bronchial secretion. Our results provide preliminary evidence that excessive artificial hydration therapies influence the respiratory symptoms in terminal cancer patients. 1,000 ml of hydration may be used as a rough indication in terminal stage.

　　With the aim of revamping hospital service as a pillar of our hospital reform movement, the Service Training Committee came into being in 2012.　　A questionnaire survey was conducted on the entire personnel and tenant suppliers (the entire personnel, tenants and contractors’ employees?). About 80% (705 people) of those queried replied. More than 90% of the respondents were of the view that an improvement in the manner of reception should enhance not only the prestige of the hospital, the evaluation its medical treatment and patients&rsauo; degree of satisfaction, but also hospital employees’ degree of satisfaction and their quality of life.　　On the other hand, some respondents said that there was much to be desired in the way hospital employees exchange greetings with their colleagues and in the manners or the language they use when they speak to patients.　　Most of the hospital staff seemed to understand the importance and meaning of service and hospitality very well. It was clear that the hospital employees were willing to join in our drive to improve the quality of service. They also understood the problems they should address to in earnest.　　We thought it was our task to make use of their positive attitude toward the quality improvement of service. What we have in view is to create a hospital culture that makes it seem natural to provide a high-quality service to visitors and patients. To this end, we will develop various activities and hold workshops.

A 20-year-old man suddenly complained of back pain and bilateral lower limb weakness. Computed tomography showed acute type B aortic dissection. The patent false lumen extended from distal arch to the left common iliac artery. The true lumen was severely compressed by the false lumen and both legs were ischemic. He underwent emergency fenestration of the abdominal aorta and stenting of the left iliac artery. Although the lower limbs ischemia was improved, he developed myonephropathic metabolic syndrome and received plasma exchange, continuous hemodialysis and endotoxin absorption therapy. Thirteen days after the operation, intestinal ischemia occurred and he underwent emergency bowel resection with creation of a stoma. Development of dissection to the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the malperfusion of SMA by severe compression of the true lumen were thought to cause intestinal ischemia.

A 67-year-old man was given a diagnosis of lung cancer and thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). We first performed thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR), and then right lower lobectomy for lung cancer. TEVAR shortened the operation time and yielded less operative damage. Therefore, TEVAR can be an effective choice for simultaneous surgery of TAA and lung cancer.

An 84-year-old man, who had been given a diagnosis of advanced aortoventricular block 2 years previously, underwent implantation of a pacemaker (PM) through the left subclavian vein. However, 7 months later a skin ulcer developed at the implantation site, but without any evidence of bacterial infection. Therefore, a PTFE-covered PM battery was reimplanted at the same site. Three months later, the skin ulcer recurred and he received a third implantation in the right side. However, another skin ulcer with infection developed in the right side. He was then transferred to our hospital for another PM reimplantation. We covered the battery and the entire lead with PTFE, then placed the PM lead directly into the cardiac muscle, and implanted the PM battery below the rectal muscle under general anesthesia. A patch test 4 months later revealed a positive reaction to nickel and silicon. Finally, we diagnosed pacemaker dermatitis. The patient has remained free of skin ulcers for over 1 year.