Methods: Hospitalized patients with acute VFs underwent assessment of vertebral morphology and paraspinal muscles. Two weeks post-admission, patients were evaluated for pain intensity (using the Verbal Rating Scale [VRS]), pain sensitivity (Pressure Pain Threshold [PPT] and Conditioned Pain Modulation), psychological factors, physical function, and activity levels. At 12 weeks, patients were categorized into CP and non-CP (NCP) groups based on VRS scores. Between-group comparisons and logistic regression analysis were performed to identify predictors of CP development. Results: The CP group exhibited significantly lower remote PPT and reduced low-intensity physical activity time, but higher Pain Catastrophizing Scale rumination scores and prolonged 5-Times Sit-to-Stand Test (5SST) compared to the NCP group. Logistic regression identified prolonged 5SST and reduced low-intensity physical activity as independent predictors of CP development. Conclusions Prolonged 5SST and reduced low-intensity physical activity may predict CP development after VFs. Early assessment of these factors may facilitate CP risk screening in hospitalized patients with VFs.

Phyllodes tumors (PT) are fibroepithelial neoplasms that are treated by complete surgical excision. The effectiveness of adjuvant therapies, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, for PT remains unclear, and the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is yet to be established. We report a case of a 15-year-old girl with acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL) who was incidentally diagnosed with a 50-mm borderline PT in the left breast using computed tomography, ultrasonography, and histological examination following needle biopsy. Lumpectomy was performed after administration of anthracycline-based chemotherapy for ALL, resulting in tumor size reduction. Histopathological examination of the excised specimen demonstrated decreased mitotic activity and stromal cellularity post-chemotherapy. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report the histopathological differences in pre- and post-chemotherapy borderline PT samples. Our findings suggest that NAC may induce changes in borderline PT, potentially affecting diagnosis and treatment decisions. Hence, further investigation is warranted in this regard.

Phyllodes tumors (PT) are fibroepithelial neoplasms that are treated by complete surgical excision. The effectiveness of adjuvant therapies, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, for PT remains unclear, and the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is yet to be established. We report a case of a 15-year-old girl with acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL) who was incidentally diagnosed with a 50-mm borderline PT in the left breast using computed tomography, ultrasonography, and histological examination following needle biopsy. Lumpectomy was performed after administration of anthracycline-based chemotherapy for ALL, resulting in tumor size reduction. Histopathological examination of the excised specimen demonstrated decreased mitotic activity and stromal cellularity post-chemotherapy. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report the histopathological differences in pre- and post-chemotherapy borderline PT samples. Our findings suggest that NAC may induce changes in borderline PT, potentially affecting diagnosis and treatment decisions. Hence, further investigation is warranted in this regard.

Phyllodes tumors (PT) are fibroepithelial neoplasms that are treated by complete surgical excision. The effectiveness of adjuvant therapies, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, for PT remains unclear, and the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is yet to be established. We report a case of a 15-year-old girl with acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL) who was incidentally diagnosed with a 50-mm borderline PT in the left breast using computed tomography, ultrasonography, and histological examination following needle biopsy. Lumpectomy was performed after administration of anthracycline-based chemotherapy for ALL, resulting in tumor size reduction. Histopathological examination of the excised specimen demonstrated decreased mitotic activity and stromal cellularity post-chemotherapy. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report the histopathological differences in pre- and post-chemotherapy borderline PT samples. Our findings suggest that NAC may induce changes in borderline PT, potentially affecting diagnosis and treatment decisions. Hence, further investigation is warranted in this regard.

Objective: To investigate the effect on early mobilization in patients undergoing extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and acute blood purification therapy in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: We conducted this multicenter retrospective cohort study by collecting data from six ICUs in Japan. Consecutive patients who were admitted to the ICU, aged ≥18 years, and received mechanical ventilation for >48 hours were eligible. The analyzed were divided into two groups: ECMO/blood purification or control group. Clinical outcomes; time to first mobilization, number of total ICU rehabilitations, mean and highest ICU mobility scale (IMS); and daily barrier changes were also investigated. Results: A total of 204 patients were included in the analysis, 43 in the ECMO/blood purification group and 161 in the control group. In comparison of clinical outcome, the ECMO/blood purification group had a significantly longer time to first mobilization: ECMO/blood purification group 6 vs. control group 4 (p=0.003), higher number of total ICU rehabilitations: 6 vs. 5 (p=0.042), lower mean: 0 vs. 1 (p=0.043) and highest IMS: 2 vs. 3 (p=0.039) during ICU stay. Circulatory factor were most frequently described as barriers to early mobilization on days 1 (51%), 2 (47%), and 3 (26%). On days 4 to 7, the most frequently described barrier was consciousness factors (21%, 16%, 19%, and 21%, respectively) Conclusion The results of this study comparing the ECMO/blood purification group and the untreated group in the ICU showed that the ECMO/blood purification group had significantly longer days to mobilization and significantly lower mean and highest IMS.

To clarify the educational effect of the acupuncture and moxibustion practical training for a short time, we conducted a questionnaire survey of 112 fifth-year medical students gathering clinical experience for one hour of acupuncture and moxibustion practical training, including the therapeutic experience before and after the practical training. In 8 items out of 10, the percentage of “positively yes” responses after the practical training were significantly higher than before the practical training. The items that showed a large difference (range of change) in the percentage of “positively yes” responses before and after the practical training were “Do you think it is scientific? (+ 47.4% after the practical training),” “What is your general image? (+ 39.3%),” and “Do you want to use acupuncture and moxibustion in the future? (+ 39.3%).” Securing more opportunities to learn traditional medicine is desirable; however, the problem of limited time and personnel requires improvement. This survey showed a beneficial educational effect in a short time signifying the importance of implementing acupuncture and moxibustion practical training. Additionally, the possibility of expecting similar effects in other medical students and overall students in the medical field can also be expected.

Objective: Our previous study reported many technical alarms in the dispensing inspection support system due to setting or operation errors, but not due to dispensing errors, and that countermeasures reduce technical alarms. In this study, we investigated the long-term effects of the countermeasures.Methods: The log data of the inspection results were extracted from the dispensing inspection support system and divided into image inspection and weight inspection data. The details and frequency of technical alarms before (April-June 2019), after (April-June 2020), and one year after (April-June 2021) the countermeasures were compared by chi-square test.Results: The frequency of technical alarms in image inspection was 13.7, 11.3, and 9.1% in 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively (p< 0.01). However, the frequency of technical alarms in weight inspection was 3.0, 3.0, and 1.6% in 2019, 2020, and 2021,respectively (p< 0.01). The ratio of technical alarms to all alarms was 98.2% for image inspections and 91.2% for weight inspections in 2021.Conclusion: The frequency of technical alarms was reduced by the countermeasures. However, the ratio of technical alarms to all alarms is still high, and further improvements are needed to prevent the loss of reliability due to technical alarms.

Background/Aims: Application of polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheets using fibrin glue in post-endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) ulcers to prevent bleeding has been reported to be difficult with the conventional delivery method because of gravity. This study assessed the usefulness of the envelope-based delivery system with and against gravity in living pigs. Methods: PGA sheets were applied on post-ESD ulcers with and against gravity six times each using the conventional and envelope methods, respectively. The PGA sheet delivery time and the endoscopic and histological findings of the treated ulcer floors were compared. Results: With gravity, the median PGA sheet application time was 1.00 (0.68–1.30) min/cm2 and 0.32 (0.18–0.52) min/cm2 with the conventional and envelope techniques (p=0.002), respectively, and against gravity, it was 1.20 (1.13–1.63) min/cm2 and 0.50 (0.39–0.58) min/cm2 (p=0.002), respectively. Against gravity, the endoscopic and histological findings revealed that the conventional group had insufficient fixation of the PGA sheets, but the envelope groups had sufficient fixation. The results with gravity were similar between the groups. Conclusions The envelope method makes it possible to deliver PGA sheets to the stomach quickly and cover ulcers appropriately both with and against gravity in living pigs.

A 61 year old woman who had been receiving treatment for ulcerative colitis for 14 years complained of respiratory discomfort on exertion and was diagnosed with severe mitral regurgitation due to mitral valve prolapse. Minimally invasive mitral valvuloplasty with right mini-thoracotomy was performed in our facility. Laboratory findings showed elevated levels of serum creatine kinase (CK) and CK-MB immediately after surgery. In addition to elevated levels of myocardial enzymes, ST depression was seen in an electrocardiogram on postoperative day 2 ; therefore, we suspected myocardial ischemia during the surgery. Despite the persistently elevated levels of myocardial enzymes, coronary angiography showed no significant abnormalities. Because of the possibility of false CK elevation, we performed CK electrophoresis, which revealed the presence of macro-CK type 1. CK-MB activity is often falsely elevated when determined by immune-inhibition in macro-CK patients, and that leads to the suspicion of myocardial ischemia. We considered that it may be highly difficult to identify macro-CK in a patient after cardiovascular surgery owing to elevated levels of myocardial enzymes in most such patients.

Context: Delirium in cancer is often difficult to control and refractory when haloperidol is invalid which is considered standard therapy. We need second and subsequent-line therapy to reduce hyperactivity and not to over-sedation for refractory delirium. Objectives: To investigate the efficacy and safety of continuous subcutaneous infusion chlorpromazine on delirium refractory to first-line antipsychiatric medications in advanced cancer palliative care setting. Method: The study population consisted of patients who received continuous subcutaneous infusion chlorpromazine for delirium at two certified PCU. Primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who showed improvements in delirium severity by Delirium Rating Scale Revised 98 score of less than 13 or decrease from baseline and maintained the ability to communicate coherently by Communication Capacity Scale Item-4 score of 2 or less. Secondary outcome were the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale subscale score, and injection site reactions evaluated according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. These outcome measures were assessed at baseline, 48 hours and 7 days after the start of the study. Result: Among eighty-four patients, sixty were positive responders (71.4%, 95% CI [61–80]). The mean CCS Item-4 scores significantly decreased from the baseline value of 1.48 (range 0–3) to 1.03 (range 0–3) at post-treatment (p<0.001). Grade 2 or higher injection site reactions were observed in 1 patient (1.2%, 95% CI [0–7]). Conclusion: Our study suggested that continuous subcutaneous infusion chlorpromazine could improve refractory delirium symptoms and patients’ communication capabilities. Although most of the skin disorders observed in association with chlorpromazine were mild, their incidence rates were relatively high, suggesting the need for careful monitoring.