We reviewed 7 patients with unsuccessful endoscopic hemostasis using covered self-expandable metal stent (CSEMS) placement for post-endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) bleeding. ES with a medium incision was performed in 6 and with a large incision in 1 patient. All but 1 of them (86%) showed delayed bleeding, warranting second endoscopic therapies followed by CSEMS placement 1–5 days after the initial ES. Subsequent CSEMS placement did not achieve complete hemostasis in any of the patients. Lateral-side incision lines (3 or 9 o’clock) had more frequent bleeding points (71%) than oral-side incision lines (11–12 o’clock; 29%). Additional endoscopic hemostatic procedures with hemostatic forceps, hypertonic saline epinephrine, or hemoclip achieved excellent hemostasis, resulting in complete hemostasis in all patients. These experiences provide an alert: CSEMS placement is not an ultimate treatment for post-ES bleeding, despite its effectiveness. The lateral-side of the incision line, as well as the oral-most side, should be carefully examined for bleeding points, even after the CSEMS placement.

Background/Aims: Several studies have assessed the effect of cool temperature on colonic peristalsis. Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) is a temperature-sensitive ion channel activated by mild cooling expressed in the colon. We examined the antispasmodic effect of cool temperature on colonic peristalsis in a prospective, randomized, single-blind trial and based on the video imaging and intraluminal pressure of the proximal colon in rats and TRPM8-deficient mice. Methods: In the clinical trial, we randomly assigned a total of 94 patients scheduled to undergo colonoscopy to 2 groups: the mildly cool water (n = 47) and control (n = 47) groups. We used 20 mL of 15°C water for the mildly cool water. The primary outcome was the proportion of subjects with improved peristalsis after treatment. In the rodent proximal colon, we evaluated the intraluminal pressure and performed video imaging of the rodent proximal colon with cool water administration into the colonic lumen. Clinical trial registry website (Trial No. UMIN-CTR; UMIN000030725). Results: In the randomized controlled trial, after treatment, the proportion of subjects with no peristalsis with cool water was significantly higher than that in the placebo group (44.7% vs 23.4%; P < 0.05). In the rodent colon model, cool temperature water was associated with a significant decrease in colonic peristalsis through its suppression of the ratio of peak frequency (P < 0.05). Cool temperaturetreated TRPM8-deficient mice did not show a reduction in colonic peristalsis compared with wild-type mice. Conclusion For the first time, this study demonstrates that cool temperature-dependent suppression of colonic peristalsis may be associated with TRPM8 activation.

It remains unclear how much rehabilitation training is suitable for stroke patients aged ≥ 75 years. To investigate this, especially in convalescent rehabilitation wards, we studied 65 patients (28, ≦ 74 years；37 ≧ 75 years) with cerebral infarction hospitalized in the acute care ward and then in a convalescent rehabilitation ward. From their medical records, we collected data regarding the length of their hospital stay, total amount of rehabilitation training, and activities of daily living evaluated using the total scores of the functional independent measure (FIM) measured on admission to the acute care and convalescent rehabilitation wards, respectively. From these data, we calculated the absolute functional gain, relative functional gain, and average amount of rehabilitation training per day. The correlation of each item and age was analyzed. Items that significantly correlated with age were compared between ≦ 74 and ≧ 75 years age groups. As a result, the absolute functional gain and average amount of rehabilitation training per day were not significantly different between groups. The relative functional gain was significantly lower in the ≧ 75 years group than in the ≦ 74 years group. The total FIM scores at discharge showed a positive correlation with the amount of rehabilitation training in patients aged ≧ 75 years. We believe that a large amount of rehabilitation training is beneficial for patients aged ≧ 75 years with cerebral infarction.

It remains unclear how much rehabilitation training is suitable for stroke patients aged ≥ 75 years. To investigate this, especially in convalescent rehabilitation wards, we studied 65 patients (28, ≦ 74 years；37 ≧ 75 years) with cerebral infarction hospitalized in the acute care ward and then in a convalescent rehabilitation ward. From their medical records, we collected data regarding the length of their hospital stay, total amount of rehabilitation training, and activities of daily living evaluated using the total scores of the functional independent measure (FIM) measured on admission to the acute care and convalescent rehabilitation wards, respectively. From these data, we calculated the absolute functional gain, relative functional gain, and average amount of rehabilitation training per day. The correlation of each item and age was analyzed. Items that significantly correlated with age were compared between ≦ 74 and ≧ 75 years age groups. As a result, the absolute functional gain and average amount of rehabilitation training per day were not significantly different between groups. The relative functional gain was significantly lower in the ≧ 75 years group than in the ≦ 74 years group. The total FIM scores at discharge showed a positive correlation with the amount of rehabilitation training in patients aged ≧ 75 years. We believe that a large amount of rehabilitation training is beneficial for patients aged ≧ 75 years with cerebral infarction.