Background/Aims: Many Japanese institutions use electromagnetic extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) systems for treating pancreatic duct stones. However, there are no reports on direct comparisons between recent electromagnetic lithotripters. This study aimed to verify whether the new electromagnetic lithotripter can improve the efficiency of pancreatic stone fragmentation, and to clarify the role of combined endoscopic treatment on the clearance of pancreatic duct stones. Methods: We retrospectively identified 208 patients with pancreatolithiasis who underwent endoscopic adjunctive treatment after pancreatic ESWL at a single Japanese center over a 17-year period. We evaluated the outcome data of this procedure performed with SLX-F2 (last 2 years; group A) and Lithostar/Lithoskop (first 15 years; group B), as well as additional endoscopic treatments for pancreatolithiasis. We also performed logistic regression analysis to detect various factors associated with the procedure. Results: For pancreatic head stones, ESWL disintegration was achieved in 93.7% of group A patients and 69.0% of group B patients (p=0.004), and adjunctive endoscopic treatment removed stones in 96.8% of group A patients and 73.0% of group B patients (p=0.003). Multivariate analysis revealed that lithotripter type (odds ratio, 6.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.56 to 31.33; p<0.01) and main pancreatic duct stricture (odds ratio, 2.87; 95% confidence interval, 1.27 to 6.45; p<0.01) were significant factors for ESWL fragmentation. Conclusions The SLX F2 showed high performance in fragmenting the pancreatic duct stones.In addition, endoscopic adjunctive treatment improved the overall success rate of the procedure. The improved ESWL lithotripter has many advantages for patients undergoing pancreatic lithotripsy treatment.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic evaluation of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) is useful in determining whether the lesions are benign or malignant. This study aimed to examine the usefulness of peroral pancreatoscopy (POPS) in determining the prognosis of IPMNs. Methods: POPS with videoscopy was performed using the mother–baby scope technique. After surgery, computed tomography/magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography or ultrasonography and blood tests were performed every 6 months during the follow-up. Results: A total of 39 patients with main pancreatic duct (MPD)–type IPMNs underwent POPS using a videoscope, and the protrusions in the MPD were observed in 36 patients. The sensitivity and specificity of cytology/biopsy performed at the time of POPS were 85% and 87.5%, respectively. Of 19 patients who underwent surgery, 18 (95%) patients had negative surgical margins and 1 (5%) patient had a positive margin. Conclusions In IPMNs with dilatation of the MPD, POPS is considered effective if the lesions can be directly observed. The diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions is possible depending on the degree of lesion elevation. However, in some cases, slightly elevated lesions may increase in size during the follow-up or multiple lesions may be simultaneously present; therefore, careful follow-up is necessary.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between deep squatting or ROM of lower limbs, and physical function in typically developing children. 337 elementary school students were recruited for this study. The subjects were performed to squat with their heels down and then were divided into 2 groups: possible squatting and impossible squatting. ROM of lower limbs (hip flexion, knee flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion), circumference of leg, standing long jump, the five-repetition sit-to stand test (FTSST) and a standing test were analyzed. Unpaired t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for the two-group comparison. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine variables associated with squatting, and multiple regression analysis was used to determine variables associated with physical function. The rate of impossible squatting was 11.9%. The ROM of the lower limbs was significantly decreased in the impossible group. Multiple regression analysis showed that the ankle dorsiflexion ROM and BMI were correlated with squatting. In physical function, the FTSST and standing test were correlated with squatting. However, in the multiple regression analysis squatting did not significantly affect physical function. In this study, ROM of the ankle dorsiflexion and BMI affected the squatting. It was suggested that the squatting might be useful as a screening for ankle dorsiflexion ROM.

Objective：Patients with vertebral compression fracture first visit the acute care hospital for a diagnosis, but cannot be admitted and return home with a corset and analgesics. Because of severe lower back pain, they stay in bed for a significant period of time, and their skeletal muscles suffer from disuse atrophy. We aimed to actively admit these patients for recovery phase rehabilitation by setting up a hotline.Methods：The backgrounds of each case including the major laboratory findings were investigated for 1 year. Health professionals were able to use the hotline to request admission for the patients.Results：One hundred twenty-seven patients (38 males and 89 females, aged 84±7.5 years) were admitted. The percentages of phone calls from acute-care hospitals, clinics, and regional care managers were 46%, 31%, and 20%, respectively. With regard to degree of disability 36％ of the patients were at C1, 31% were at B2, and 20% were at C2 indicating that they needed almost complete assistance. Fifty one percent of the patients lived alone, and 20% were couples without assistance from others. Because they were elderly patients with many complications, more than six agents had been prescribed on average. However, osteoporosis medication had been prescribed to only 23%. The prognosis was favorable with ratio of returned home being 91%, even though the outcome of rehabilitation is limited by ageing and deteriorated cardiac and renal functions in these patients.Conclusion：Services to support these patients during the recovery phase of rehabilitation is crucial, in order to improve community-based health care.

Purpose: Type 4 gastric cancer (GC) has a very poor prognosis even after curative resection, and the survival benefit of splenectomy for splenic hilar lymph node (LN; #10) dissection in type 4 GC remains equivocal. This study aimed to clarify the clinical significance of splenectomy for #10 dissection in patients with type 4 GC. Materials and Methods: The data of a total of 56 patients with type 4 GC who underwent total gastrectomy with splenectomy were retrospectively analyzed. Postoperative morbidity, state of LN metastasis, survival outcomes, and therapeutic value index (TVI) of each LN station were evaluated. TVI was calculated by multiplying the incidence of LN metastasis at each nodal station and the 5-year overall survival (OS) of patients who had metastasis to each node. Results: Overall, the postoperative morbidity rate was 28.6%, and the incidence of #10 metastasis in the patients was 28.6%. The 5-year OS rate for all patients was 29.9%, and most patients developed peritoneal recurrence. Moreover, the 5-year OS rates with and without #10 metastasis were 6.7% and 39.1% (median survival time, 20.4 vs. 46.0 months; P=0.006). The TVI of #10 was as low as 1.92. Conclusions The clinical significance of splenectomy in the dissection of #10 for type 4 GC is limited and splenectomy for splenic hilar dissection alone should be omitted.

High salt intake increases blood pressure, and dietary salt intake has been clearly demonstrated to be associated with hypertension incidence. Japanese people consume higher amounts of salt than Westerners. It has been reported that miso soup was one of the major sources of daily salt intake in Japanese people. Adding salt is indispensable to make miso, and therefore, in some cases, refraining from miso soup is recommended to reduce dietary salt intake. However, recent studies using salt-sensitive hypertensive models have revealed that miso lessens the effects of salt on blood pressure. In other word, the intake of miso dose not increase the blood pressure compared to the equivalent intake of salt. In addition, many clinical observational studies have demonstrated the absence of a relationship between the frequency of miso soup intake and blood pressure levels or hypertension incidence. The mechanism of this phenomenon seen in the subjects with miso soup intake has not been fully elucidated yet. However, in basic studies, it was found that the ingredients of miso attenuate sympathetic nerve activity, resulting in lowered blood pressure and heart rate. Therefore, this review focused on the differences between the effects of miso intake and those of the equivalent salt intake on sympathetic nerve activity, blood pressure, and heart rate.
Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; physiology ; Heart Rate ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Soy Foods ; adverse effects ; Sympathetic Nervous System ; drug effects ; physiology

Objective：Patients with vertebral compression fracture first visit the acute care hospital for a diagnosis, but cannot be admitted and return home with a corset and analgesics. Because of severe lower back pain, they stay in bed for a significant period of time, and their skeletal muscles suffer from disuse atrophy. We aimed to actively admit these patients for recovery phase rehabilitation by setting up a hotline.Methods：The backgrounds of each case including the major laboratory findings were investigated for 1 year. Health professionals were able to use the hotline to request admission for the patients.Results：One hundred twenty-seven patients (38 males and 89 females, aged 84±7.5 years) were admitted. The percentages of phone calls from acute-care hospitals, clinics, and regional care managers were 46%, 31%, and 20%, respectively. With regard to degree of disability 36％ of the patients were at C1, 31% were at B2, and 20% were at C2 indicating that they needed almost complete assistance. Fifty one percent of the patients lived alone, and 20% were couples without assistance from others. Because they were elderly patients with many complications, more than six agents had been prescribed on average. However, osteoporosis medication had been prescribed to only 23%. The prognosis was favorable with ratio of returned home being 91%, even though the outcome of rehabilitation is limited by ageing and deteriorated cardiac and renal functions in these patients,Conclusion：Services to support these patients during the recovery phase of rehabilitation is crucial, in order to improve community-based health care.

  To evaluate the current state of the Onsen-Ryoho-Specialist (Broad Certified Fellow in Balneology, Climatology and Physical Medicine) training system, we surveyed the training facilities designated by the Japanese Society of Balneology, Climatology and Physical medicine (BCPM). Of the 24 facilities targeted by the survey, 21 responded (88%). Currently, the training curriculum for Onsen-Ryoho-Specialists consists of 8 units on diseases and 8 units on therapy methods. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it is difficult for a single facility on effectively cover all of these units. The most pressing need is to establish and implement a standardized curriculum across all facilities. Until now, each related academic society has selected training facilities based on its own criteria. Moving forwards, the review/accreditation body of the Japanese Medical Specialist Broad will make site visits to establish and review Onsen-Ryoho-Specialist training facilities. These efforts should lead to the development of fully qualified Onsen-Ryoho-Specialist training facilities.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Stent migration occurs frequently, but the prevention of complications resulting from covered self-expandable metal stents (C-SEMSs) remains unresolved. We prospectively assessed a newly developed C-SEMS, a modified covered Zeo stent (m-CZS), in terms of its antimigration effect. METHODS: Between February 2010 and January 2011, an m-CZS was inserted into 42 patients (31 initial drainage cases and 11 reintervention cases) at a tertiary referral center and three affiliated hospitals. The laser-cut stent was flared for 1.5 cm at both ends, with a 1 cm raised bank located 1 cm in from each flared end. The main outcome of this study was the rate of stent migration, and secondary outcomes were the rate of recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO), the time to RBO, the frequencies of complications, and overall survival. RESULTS: Of the 31 patients with initial drainage, stent migration occurred in four (12.9%, 95% confidence interval, 5.1% to 29.0%), with a mean time of 131 days. RBO occurred in 18 (58%), with a median time to RBO of 107 days. Following previous C-SEMS migration, seven of 10 patients (70%) did not experience m-CZS migration until death. CONCLUSIONS: m-CZSs with antimigration properties effectively, although not completely, prevented stent migration after stent insertion.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alloys ; Carcinoma/*complications ; Cholestasis/etiology/*therapy ; Digestive System Neoplasms/*complications ; Drainage ; Equipment Design ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Prosthesis Failure ; Recurrence ; Reoperation ; *Stents/adverse effects ; Time Factors