The durability of the Starr-Edwards (SE) mitral caged-disk valve, model 6520, is not clearly known. We reported that SE mitral caged-disk valves implanted ＞20 years previously should be carefully followed up, and that SE caged-disk valves implanted ＞30 years previously should be electively replaced with modern prosthetic valves in our experience. We found the removed valve 39 years after implantation, which seemed minimal structural deterioration. The patient was discharged on the 10th postoperative day without any complications.

Sweat contains electrolytes (minerals), therefore, it is necessary to consider its loss through sweat in the fluid replacement strategy in sports. The purpose of this study was to compare the concentration of components in sweat, such as electrolytes (minerals), when endurance exercise is performed in hot and neutral thermal environments. Eight men cycled for 60 min at 55% VO2peak under two envitonment conditions: a hot environment (WetBulb Globe Temperature (WBGT): 29.0±0.2℃; Heat) and a neutral thermal environment (WBGT: 20.5±0.2℃; Con). During exercise, sweat loss, core temperature, and heart rate (HR) were measured, and sweat from the chest, back, and thigh was collected. The core temperature, sweat loss, and HR increased significantly in Heat. The sweat electrolyte concentration was significantly higher in Heat than in Con only for Na. Regarding the amount of electrolyte loss from sweat, Na and K showed a significantly higher value than Con in Heat in comparison of each region, and the total loss amount of three regions in Cu also had a significantly higher value than Con in Heat. In addition, there was no difference in the concentration of Ca and Cu between the regions, but there was a significant difference in the amount of loss. It was concluded that even if there was no difference in the electrolyte concentration in sweat, the amount of electrolyte loss increased in K and Cu in a hot environment, and that there was a site difference in the amount of loss in Ca and Cu.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to develop a new system that can centrally manage and share drug information, and also evaluated its usefulness.Methods: Using PHP v5.3.3 as the programming language and MySQL v5.1.73 as the database, we built a web application that constantly runs on the server. Various drug information was registered in this system, and its usage status was analyzed based on the access log.Results: The system was accessed 31,678 times during the survey period (October 1 to December 31, 2019). The information sought included: basic drug information (ordering category of drugs, dosage forms and strengths, drug price, etc.) (13,962 times, 44.1%),question and answer records (7,221 times, 22.8%), pharmaceutical documents (package inserts, interview forms, documents regarding compatibility of injections, etc.) (7,172 times, 22.6%), notifications regarding new and discontinued drugs (727 times, 2.3%), websites (676 times, 2.1%), PreAVOID reports (663 times, 2.1%), pharmaceutical safety information (525 times, 1.7%), information regarding off-label drug use (409 times, 1.3%), and bibliographic information and guidelines (323 times, 1.0%). Among the users (62 pharmacists), 59.7% accessed the system only via a personal computer (PC), 38.7% via a PC and smart device (smartphone or tablet),and 1.6% via only a smart device. The median number of accesses to this system was significantly higher in pharmacists in charge of wards (190 [9-1,435]) or drug information (3,750 [2,957-5,548]) than dispensing pharmacists (68.5 [3-193]) (p＜0.001).Conclusion: This system allowed the central management and sharing of various drug information on the web, permitting access regardless of device type. Since this system was frequently used by pharmacists in charge of wards or drug information, this system was considered particularly useful in hospital pharmacist ward services and drug information services.