[Commando Procedure for Redo Aortic Valve Replacement in a Young Woman after Double Valve Replacement].

A 29-year-old woman after double valve replacement. She underwent a Commando procedure for aortic valve replacement with annular enlargement due to structural valve deterioration of the bioprosthetic aortic valve and a narrow valve annulus. In the Commando procedure with annular enlargement, the balance between mitral and aortic valve size is important.

Exploratory study of the association between Healing Scale and symptoms among terminally ill cancer patients.

The Healing Scale was developed to measure subjects' sense of healing. This study aimed to investigate the association between the Healing Scale scores and symptom improvement in terminally ill cancer patients. A sub-analysis of a previous sound-based intervention study was performed.

Innovative Artificial Intelligence System in the Children's Hospital in Japan.

The evolution of innovative artificial intelligence (AI) systems in pediatric hospitals in Japan promises benefits for patients and healthcare providers. We actively contribute to advancements in groundbreaking medical treatments by leveraging deep learning technology and using vast medical datasets. Our team of data scientists closely collaborates with departments within the hospital.

Effects of High-Resolution Natural Sound with Inaudible High-Frequency Components on Healing, Symptoms, and Sleep Satisfaction in Terminally Ill Cancer Patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effects of high-resolution natural sound with inaudible high-frequency components (HNIH) on healing, symptoms, sleep satisfaction, and autonomic nerve function among terminally ill cancer patients.

Methods: We conducted a single-arm, open-label study of 4-hour HNIH for 20 terminally ill cancer patients. We evaluated the healing state, symptoms (Japanese version of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-Revised, ESAS-r-J), global impression, and heart rate variability at 30 minutes (T2) and 4 hours (T3) after starting HNIH and sleep satisfaction the next morning (T4).

First-in-human clinical study of an embryonic stem cell product for urea cycle disorders.

Background: This study assesses the safety and efficacy of hepatocyte-like cell (HLC) infusion therapy derived from human embryonic stem cells as bridging therapy for neonatal-onset urea cycle disorders (UCD). The research includes both preclinical and clinical evaluations to determine the feasibility of HLC infusion as a therapeutic option for safer pediatric liver transplantation.

Methods: Preclinical studies were conducted to validate the safety, biodistribution, and ammonia metabolism capabilities of HLCs using SCID mice models of UCD and extensive animal studies.

Midterm Results of Fenestrated Frozen Elephant Trunk Technique for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

Background: There is limited experience and knowledge of the use of the fenestrated frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique in acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). This study's aims were to assess the clinical outcomes of the fenestrated FET technique for ATAAD and to identify its best practices and pitfalls.

Methods: This study included 101 patients who underwent emergency surgical aortic repair for ATAAD at our hospital between October 2018 and April 2023.

Neonatal acute liver failure cases with echovirus 11 infections, Japan, August to November 2024.

In 2022-23, several European countries reported paediatric acute liver failure (ALF) with enterovirus infection. In August-November 2024, three neonatal cases of ALF with echovirus 11 (E11) were reported in Tokyo, Japan. All neonates developed irreversible multiple-organ failure and died.

Hybrid Endovascular and Direct Surgical Approach for Treatment of Penetrating Common Carotid Artery Injury: A Case Report.

Although rare, penetrating cervical vascular injury poses significant challenges with a poor patient prognosis, often attributed to severe hemorrhage and accompanying injuries. We encountered a case of hemorrhagic shock resulting from a penetrating injury to the common carotid artery (CCA), which was successfully managed using a combination of endovascular therapy and direct surgical intervention. A 23-year-old man presented with a self-inflicted stab wound on the left side of his neck from a kitchen knife.

[Standardized Valve Sparing Aortic Root Repair with Remodeling of Sinus of Valsalva].

The remodeling of sinus of Valsalva( Yacoub operation) is being standardized by adding annular fixation and technique for cusp prolapse as a refined method of valve sparing aortic root repair. It is important to design whole configurations of Valsalva sinus( diameters of aortic annulus and sino-tubular junction) according to the patient's geometric height (geometric height-oriented strategy). In this paper, we summarized our tips of remodeling of sinus of Valsalva operation.

Psychological Barriers to the Use of Opioid Analgesics for Treating Pain in Patients With Advanced Recurrent Cancer: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background: We aimed to gain insight into psychological barriers toward initiation of strong opioid analgesic use in patients with advanced recurrent cancer.

Methods: This study included 46 patients who were prescribed with opioid analgesics for advanced recurrent cancer. The primary outcome was psychological barriers assessed using the Japanese version of the Barriers Questionnaire-II (JBQ-II).

Multi-anode enhanced the bioelectricity generation in air-cathode microbial fuel cells towards energy self-sustaining wastewater treatment.

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) hold considerable promise for harnessing the substantial energy resources present in wastewater. However, their practical application in wastewater treatment is limited by inadequate removal of organic matter and inefficient power recovery. Previous studies have investigated aeration as a method to enhance the removal of organic matter, but this method is energy-intensive.

Ratio of the false lumen to the true lumen is associated with long-term prognosis after surgical repair of acute type A aortic dissection.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess potential predictors of aortic events after an emergency surgery for acute type A aortic dissection, especially paying attention to the findings of computed tomography (CT) performed immediately after the surgery.

Methods: Between January 2001 and December 2015, 72 patients, who were diagnosed as having Stanford type A acute aortic dissection with a patent false lumen in the descending thoracic aorta, survived the emergency operation, and had postoperative CT scan data, were included in this study (mean follow-up, 8.2 ± 3.

A normal pattern of mitral inflow predicts a better prognosis following cardiovascular events in early advanced-age patients.

Although a mitral inflow pattern usually changes from a normal pattern to an abnormal relaxation pattern as part of the aging process in healthy people, some early advanced-age individuals maintain a normal pattern. We investigated whether a normal pattern of mitral inflow predicts a better prognosis following cardiovascular (CV) events in early advanced-age patients. We enrolled 425 patients aged 60-65 years with 0.

Psychological barriers to the use of opioid analgesics for treating pain in patients with advanced recurrent cancer (BAROC): protocol for a multicentre cohort study.

Introduction: Opioid analgesics are essential for treating cancer pain. However, patients are sometimes reluctant to use them because of concerns about addiction and dependence. Rapid pain relief following opioid administration may help overcome the psychological barriers to opioid analgesic use.

Trajectories of Healthcare Utilization Among Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Japan.

Background: Early intervention and prevention of psychiatric comorbidities of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are urgent issues. However, the differences in the diagnoses of ASD and ADHD and psychiatric comorbidities associated with age, long-term healthcare utilization trajectories, and its associated diagnostic features have not been fully elucidated in Japan.

Method: We conducted a retrospective observational study using the medical records.

Effects of Radiation on the Bone Strength of Spinal Vertebrae in Rats.

Study Design: A controlled laboratory study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine bone damage caused by irradiation to spinal vertebrae in rats.

Summary Of Background Data: Radiotherapy is widely used in the treatment of malignant spine tumors.

Long-term results of modified bentall procedures: 18-year experience of the flanged technique.

Objectives: To evaluate the early and late outcomes of the modified Bentall procedure with the flanged technique.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 63 patients who had undergone root replacement by the modified Bentall procedure at our institute between January 2001 and December 2018. In most cases, we adopted a composite graft constructed with a mechanical valve or bioprosthesis and a Dacron graft by the flanged technique.

Tapentadol Safety and Patient Characteristics Associated with Treatment Discontinuation in Cancer Therapy: A Retrospective Multicentre Study in Japan.

Introduction: Tapentadol has analgesic effects comparable to those of conventional opioids and is associated with fewer side effects, including gastrointestinal symptoms, drowsiness, and dizziness, than other opioids. However, the safety of tapentadol in the Japanese population remains unclear; the present multicentre study aimed to examine the safety of tapentadol and the characteristics of patients likely to discontinue this treatment owing to adverse events.

Methods: The safety of tapentadol was assessed retrospectively in patients with any type of cancer treated between August 18, 2014 and October 31, 2019 across nine institutions in Japan.

Children with special health care needs and mothers' anxiety/depression: Findings from the Tokyo Teen Cohort study.

Aim: Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) are those who require more care for their physical, developmental, or emotional differences than their typically developing peers. Among a wide range of burdens that caregivers of CSHCN experience, the mental burden of caregivers is still not well investigated. This study aimed at examining the relationship between caring for CSHCN and mothers' anxiety/depression.

Children's daily lives and well-being: Findings from the CORONA-CODOMO survey 1st wave.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has changed people's lives dramatically. Few data on the acute effects of the pandemic on children's daily lives and well-being have been published to date. This study aimed to capture its effects on Japanese children during the first peak of the outbreak.

Haemodynamic benefit of bridging use of bosentan prior to pulmonary endarterectomy.

Objectives: Some patients present with excessive pulmonary hypertension (PH) prior to pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). This study was performed to evaluate the clinical role of pretreatment before PEA in CTEPH patients.

Methods: A total of 370 patients with CTEPH undergoing first PEA between 2003 and 2017 were divided into those receiving pretreatment with bosentan (group B: n = 119) and those without targeted pretreatment for PH (group C: n = 251).

Rhythm-control therapy for new-onset atrial fibrillation in critically ill patients: A post hoc analysis from the prospective multicenter observational AFTER-ICU study.

Background: Sustained new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in the intensive care unit has been reported to be associated with poor outcomes. However, in critical illness, whether rhythm-control therapy can achieve sinus rhythm (SR) restoration is unknown. This study aimed to assess the impact of rhythm-control therapy on SR restoration for new-onset AF in critically ill patients.