Between- and Within-Couple Concordance for Health Behaviors Among Japanese Older Married Couples: Examining the Moderating Role of Working Time.

BACKGROUND: Although previous studies report spousal concordance for health behaviors at between-couple levels, concordance at within-couple levels remains unconfirmed. To clarify the behavioral mechanisms of spousal concordance for health behaviors among older couples at both levels, it is necessary to examine the moderators (effect modifiers) of spousal concordance. This study examined (1) whether spousal concordance for dietary variety, exercise behavior, and TV viewing behavior was observed at both the between-couple and the within-couple levels and (2) whether this spousal concordance was moderated by working time among older Japanese couples. METHOD: This study analyzed data obtained from a questionnaire-based, three-wave longitudinal survey (baseline, 1-year follow-up, 3-year follow-up) among 210 Japanese older couples. Each spouse's dietary variety, exercise time, TV viewing time, the couple's working time, and demographic factors were investigated by multi-level analyses. RESULTS: One spouse's dietary variety and TV viewing time, but not exercise time, were significantly associated with the other spouse's corresponding behaviors at both levels. The regressions of the wife's TV viewing time on the husband's TV viewing time were moderated by working time at the within-couple level; the regressive effects of wife's TV viewing time on husband's TV viewing time were more relevant as working time was lower. CONCLUSION: This study found that spousal concordance for dietary variety and TV viewing was observed at within-couple and between-couple levels among older Japanese couples. In addition, shorter working time partly moderates the wife's influence on the husband's TV viewing among older couples at the within-couple level.

Physical Activity Components that Determine Daily Life Satisfaction Among Older Adults: An Intensive Longitudinal Diary Study.

BACKGROUND: Although previous studies have shown that engaging in physical activity can elevate daily life satisfaction, few studies have identified the specific aspects that can result in this. This study examined whether enjoying moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercises with others for a longer time, but not any aspects of non-exercise physical activity, was associated with higher daily life satisfaction among older adults. METHOD: We conducted an intensive longitudinal diary survey of 182 individuals for 1 week and obtained valid data for 853 person-days. The time spent engaging in light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity at 8:00-11:59, 12:00-15:59, and 16:00-19:59 h was measured using an accelerometer. Duration, intensity, timing, social context, and enjoyment of the exercises were assessed based on diary entries. Stratified by non-exercise and exercise days, we conducted multilevel models. RESULTS: On non-exercise days, longer duration of light physical activity from 12:00 to 15:59 at the within-person level was associated with higher daily life satisfaction. On exercise days, longer duration of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity from 12:00 to 15:59 at the within-person level, longer exercise duration at the within-person level, exercising with moderate-to-vigorous intensity, and enjoyment of exercise at both the within- and between-person levels were associated with higher daily life satisfaction. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that enjoying moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise for a longer duration than usual and engaging in non-exercise physical activity in the afternoon are important for elevating older adults' daily life satisfaction.

Characteristics of Human Leukocyte Antigen Class II Genes in Japanese Patients with Type 1 Diabetes and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease.

Genetic factors, particularly human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes, are known to significantly influence the onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Additionally, patients with T1D often develop autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD). Despite this association, comprehensive research on individuals with both AITD and T1D in Japan, especially regarding the influence of specific HLA alleles, remains insufficient. In this retrospective study, we analyzed 44 inpatients diagnosed with T1D. These patients were predominantly female, with an average onset age of 35 years, poor blood sugar control, and approximately 43.2% had concurrent AITD. We observed significant associations of HLA-DRB1*04:05, HLA-DRB1*09:01 and HLA-DRB1*15:02 alleles with T1D regardless of AITD presence, which had been previously established for T1D in Japanese. In this context, comparing Japanese patients with AITD alone, we noted AITD comorbidity with T1D results in alterations in the frequencies of HLA-DRB1*09:01, HLA-DRB1*04:03, and HLA-DRB1*15:02. Furthermore, HLA-DRB1*04:05, HLA-DRB1*09:01, HLA-DRB1*13:02, and HLA-DRB1*15:01 alleles may be alleles whose susceptibility varies for both conditions. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the relationship between T1D, AITD, and HLA genetics, which may inform personalized treatment strategies and facilitate the development of targeted therapies. Future research endeavors should aim to elucidate underlying mechanisms and validate these findings in larger cohorts.

[Surgical Treatment for Ruptured Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm Following Descending Aortic Replacement with Double Barrel Anastomosis].

A 75-year-old woman was diagnosed with type B acute aortic dissection 14 years ago and 3-channeled aortic dissection 7 years ago. She received total arch replacement 6 years ago and descending aortic replacement with double barrel anastomosis technique for distal anastomosis 5 years ago. Computed tomography( CT) revealed giant thyroid tumor and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm( 58 mm in diameter). She suffered from back pain during her follow-up period. CT revealed ruptured thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. First, the false lumen of descending aorta was closed by thoracic endovascular aortic repair, and then thoracoabdominal aortic replacement was performed uneventfully.

[Right Atrial Myxoma After Catheter Ablation:Report of a Case].

An 81-year-old man underwent total arch replacement for thoracic aortic aneurysm 8 years ago and catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation 1 year ago. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a mass in the right atrium, and the patient was admitted for close examination and treatment. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a 23×17 mm large well-defined mass above the cavotricuspid isthmus. Two venous drainage cannulas were inserted directly to the superior vena cava and to the inferior vena cava via the right femoral vein, in order to avoid the direct contact with the right atrium prior to institution of cardiopulmonary bypass. The right atrial tumor was found attached to the cavotricuspid isthmus, and was resected together with the right atrial wall. Pathological examination showed myxomatous tissue. Postoperative course was uneventful. He was discharged 23 days after the operation.

Resolvin E3 ameliorates high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance via the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway in adipocytes.

Obesity-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with the development of insulin resistance. Among several metabolites, resolvins that are metabolites of eicosapentaenoic acid have been shown to exert insulin-sensitizing effects; however, the role of resolvin E3 (RvE3) in glucose metabolism has not been studied. In this study, the effect of RvE3 on glucose metabolism in mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity and 3T3L1 adipocytes was studied. C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet were administered RvE3, for which insulin tolerance, oral glucose tolerance tests, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, were performed. RvE3 treatment significantly improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance and regulated protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation in the adipose tissue. Moreover, RvE3 treatment enhanced the insulin-stimulated glucose transporter 4 (Glut4) translocation, glucose uptake, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) activity, and Akt phosphorylation in 3T3L1 adipocytes, whereas a PI3K inhibitor inhibited the enhanced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake induced by RvE3. These findings indicate that RvE3 likely improves insulin sensitivity, resulting in the upregulation of glucose uptake in adipocytes by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Collectively, the findings of this study show that RvE3 may play a role in glucose homeostasis and could be used as a potential therapeutic target for developing treatments for obesity-associated diabetes.

Assessment of factors associated with improved glycemic control after switching from intermittently scanned to real-time continuous glucose monitoring in Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes.

The advantages of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) over intermittently scanned CGM (isCGM) reportedly include lower glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels as well as reduced glycemic variability. However, there have been few studies of the effect of switching from isCGM to rtCGM on glycemic control, as well as the specific factors underlying any observed improvements. To that end, all patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus who used the DEXCOM rtCGM device (Terumo Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) at our institution were reviewed, and 16 individuals with type 1 diabetes who switched from isCGM to rtCGM were investigated. The patients' HbA1c decreased in 75% of the cases (p = 0.02). On the other hand, GMI increased in 75% of the cases (p = 0.01). Intriguingly, the percentage of time below range and coefficient of variation were significantly improved with rtCGM compared to isCGM (2.9% vs. 7.6%, p = 0.016 and 35% vs. 40%, p = 0.0019, respectively). We also found that the discrepancy between HbA1c and GMI among users of isCGM was a key indicator that improved when switching to rtCGM. If discrepancies are observed between HbA1c and GMI when using isCGM, switching to rtCGM should be considered for improving glycemic control.

Social network and health behaviors among Japanese older adults: a three-wave longitudinal study.

Identifying modifiable determinants of behavior is essential for developing effective strategies to promote health behaviors among older adults. Although social networks are potentially modifiable determinants of health behaviors, their longitudinal associations have not been established in previous studies. The present study examined whether a larger social network is associated with higher dietary variety, longer time spent exercising and shorter time spent viewing TV among older adults. This is a longitudinal study. The data of 908 Japanese older adults were obtained through a three-wave questionnaire survey (Wave 1, December 2017 to January 2018; Wave 2, after 1 year; Wave 3, after 3 years) and analyzed. In each wave of the survey, dietary variety (dietary variety score), exercise time (hours per day), TV viewing time (hours per day) and social network (family and friend subscales of the Japanese version of the abbreviated Lubben Social Network Scale) were measured. The present study used latent growth, cross-lagged and simultaneous effect models to investigate the longitudinal associations of family and friend social networks with dietary variety, exercise time and TV viewing time. However, these models did not show clear and robust associations. Whether social networks are determinants of health behaviors among older adults remains inconclusive.

The importance of promoting health behaviors among older adults is obvious. Identifying the modifiable determinants of health behaviors is essential for developing effective strategies to promote health behaviors. Although social networks are potentially modifiable determinants of health behaviors, their longitudinal associations have not been established in previous studies. This study examined the longitudinal associations between social networks and health behaviors among older adults. To address this issue, we conducted a three-wave questionnaire. However, we failed to find clear and robust associations between social networks and health behaviors. Whether social networks are determinants of health behaviors among older adults remains inconclusive.

[Amyloidosis Diagnosed Following Aortic Valve Replacement:Report of a Case].

A 76-year-old man had been under observation for nephrotic syndrome. He suffered from hypotension and transient loss of consciousness. He was diagnosed with thoracic aortic aneurysm and severe aortic valve stenosis. Ascending aorta replacement concomitant with aortic valve replacement was performed uneventfully. He was diagnosed with light chain amyloidosis by pathological examination of the resected ascending aorta. He was received referral treatment for amyloidosis.

[Stanford Type A Acute Aortic Dissection Complicated by Right Lung Hemorrhage:Report of a Case].

A 59-year-old woman was transferred to our hospital because of a sudden onset of chest and back pain. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated Stanford type A acute aortic dissection with cardiac tamponade and right airway bleeding. Hemorrhage from ruptured false lumen extended along the pulmonary artery (PA), compression of the right PA were recognized due to hematoma surrounding the PA. An emergency operation was performed. The primary tear was located at the distal aortic arch, and total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk was performed. During the operation, she had airway bleeding. The bleeding was thought to be due to the hematoma extending along the pulmonary artery. She was extubated 7th postopratively. She was discharged 44 days after the operation.

[Surgical Treatment of the Perforation of the Right Ventricle and Diaphragm by a Permanent Pacing Lead:Report of a Case].

An 97-year-old woman was diagnosed with complete atrioventricular block and underwent pacemaker implantation( PMI). Three days after the PMI, computed tomography revealed cardiac perforation and migration of the lead to the abdominal cavity. Surgical procedure through median sternotomy was performed, and the penetrated lead was removed. The holes of the right ventricle and diaphragm were repaired. Abdominal organ was not injured. She was discharged 14 days after the surgical procedure.

[Delayed Type â ¢b Endoleak After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm: Report of a Case].

An 85-year-old woman underwent aortic arch replacement and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) 5 years ago. She suffered from chest and back pain. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated enlargement of the aortic aneurysm by a type Ⅲb endoleak. TEVAR was performed to close a type Ⅲb endoleak with a relining technique uneventfully. Intraoperative completion aortography and postoperative CT confirmed the disappearance of a type Ⅲb endoleak. She was discharged 27 days after the treatment.

[Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Complicated by Cerebral Malperfusion and Leg Ischemia:Report of a Case].

An 82-year-old woman suddenly developed chest pain and apoplexy. Computed tomography (CT) showed acute type A aortic dissection, the true lumen in the brachicephalic artery was severely compressed by the faulse lumen. Pulsation in the either leg was not detected during induction of anesthesia. We evaluated the cerebral blood flow and lower extremity blood flow using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during the operation, tissue oxygenation index (TOI) was continuously monitored during the operation. Cardiopulmonary bypass( CPB) was established by puncturing the true lumen in the ascending aorta and bicaval venous drainage. TOI was returned to normal range by CPB. Although the central repair (ascending aorta replacement) was performed, leg ischemia persisted. We performed ascending aorta-bifemoral bypass. After the operation, leg ischemia disappeared and CT revealed patency of the bypass graft. Postoperative course was uneventful without deterioration of neurological function. She was discharged 49 days after the operation.

[Very Late Stent Thrombosis during Perioperative Period of Aortic Valve Replacement:Report of a Case].

A 73-year-old man underwent drug eluting stent (DES) implantation in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) 11 years ago and in the right coronary artery (RCA) 8 years ago. He suffered from chest tightness and was diagnosed with severe aortic valve stenosis. Perioperative coronary angiography revealed no significant stenosis and thrombotic occlusion of the DES. Five days before operation, antiplatelet therapy was discontinued. Aortic valve replacement was performed uneventfully. But he developed chest pain and transient loss of consciousness, electrocardiographic changes were observed on the 8th postoperative day. Emergency coronary angiography revealed thrombotic occlusion of the drug eluting stent in the RCA, despite the postoperative oral adoministration of warfarin and aspirin. Percutaneous catheter intervention (PCI) restored the stent patency. Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) was initiated immediately after the PCI, and anticoagulation therapy with warfarin was continued. Clinical symptons of stent thrombosis disappeared immediately after the PCI. He was discharged 7 days after the PCI.

[Gallbladder Necrosis after Surgery for Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection in an Elderly Patient:Report of a Case].

An 86-year-old woman who suffered from cardiac tamponade due to acute Stanford type A aortic dissection was admitted to our hospital. An emergency operation was performed uneventfully. She suffered from abdominal pain 13 days after the operation. Computed tomography( CT) scan revealed pericholecystic fluid and unclear gallbladder wall, revealing acalculous necrotizing cholecystitis. We performed open cholecystectomy and abdominal cavity drainage. No gallstones were observed. She underwent intensive treatment. She was discharged without complications 44 days after the cholecystectomy.

[Compartment Syndrome After Stanford Type A Acute Aortic Dissection Surgery:Report of a Case].

A 53-year-old man presented to the emergency department with chest and back pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography( CT) revealed a Stanford type A acute aortic dissection with a pseudo-lumen occlusion. On the same day, the patient underwent emergent aortic arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk. When introducing cardiopulmonary bypass, arterial cannula was inserted into the right femoral artery. The day after surgery, swelling of the right lower leg appeared with CK and intramuscular compartment pressure elevation. Thus, the patient was diagnosed with compartment syndrome and decompressive fasciotomy was performed. Although there was no preoperative blood flow disturbance in the lower extremities on preoperative CT, lower limbs ischemia happened. Necrotic muscles in his right leg required debridement, but amputation was not needed. The patient was discharged unaided utilising orthotics on the day 120. In muscular, young male patients, care should be taken in the method of blood delivery.

[Aortic Valve Replacement for Libman-Sacks Endocarditis:Report of a Case].

A 36-year-old woman with severe aortic valve stenosis was admitted to our hospital. She had been diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome complicated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and had been taking prednisolone( 10 mg/day) for 22 years. As SLE patients with prolonged steroid use are known to be at risk of an aortic dissection and aneurysm, femoral artery was chosen for arterial perfusion to reduce a risk of aortic dissection. Aortic valve replacement was performed uneventfully, because the aorta was treated carefully during the operation. Negative microbial culture and pathological examination of the resected aortic valve demonstrated an atypical vegetation, the findings of which were typically characteristic of Libman-Sacks endocarditis in SLE. She was discharged without complications 23 days after the operation.

[Localized Stenosis in a Non-anastomotic Site of the Ascending Aorta to Bifemoral Bypass Graft:Report of a Case].

An 85-year-old man received simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and the ascending aorta to bifemoral bypass with a Dacron graft 11 years ago. He suffered from intermittent claudication. Angiography demonstrated a localized stenosis in a non-anastomotic site, straight portion of the graft. He received percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. The right ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) improved from 0.58 to 0.74 and left ABI improved from 0.52 to 0.71. One year later, intermittent claudication appeared again, right ABI decreased to 0.53 and left ABI decreased to 0.52. Computed tomography( CT) demonstrated restenosis at the same portion of the graft. A re-do operation was performed, stenotic portion was removed and replaced by a new ePTFE graft. No restenosis was seen three years after the second operation. We thought that repeated temporary compression of the graft might have led to a clot formation in the non-anastomotic site.

[Hybrid Treatment of the Intrathoracic Right Subclavian Artery Aneurysm:Report of a Case].

A 78-years-old woman was referred to our institution for the treatment of right subclavian artery (SCA) aneurysm. She previously underwent total arch replacement via median sternotomy approach. Preoperative computed tomography revealed a 55 mm sized SCA aneurysm. Stent graft was inserted from brachiocephalic artery to right common carotid artery via the graft anastomosed. The orifice of the right SCA was covered with stent graft inserted into the right common carotid artery-brachiocephalic artery and the right SCA was occluded with coils distal to the aneurysm, carotid-SCA bypass was performed with 8 mm ePTFE graft. Postoperative examination confirmed complete exclusion of the aneurysm and patency of the bypass graft. We thought that hybrid treatment for this patient was a less invasive alternative to conventional surgical procedure.

[Aortic Valve Replacement Combined with Ablation for Outflow Tract Premature Ventricular Contraction:Report of a Case].

A 73-year-old woman suffered from premature ventricular contraction( PVC) which could not be controlled by medications. Holter 24-hour continuous recording electrocardiogram (Holter ECG) revealed 22,706 PVC beats/day. Upon further examination, she was found to have severe aortic stenosis and mild insufficiency. Preoperative electro-physiological study and standard 12-lead electrocardiogram revealed that the PVC originated from myocardium under the left coronary cusp. Aortic valve replacement and intraoperative cryoablation were performed. Her postoperative course was uneventful, Holter ECG revealed 638 PVC beats/day. Clinical symptons of PVC disappeared immediately after surgery. She was discharged 19 days after the operation.