Combination of transbronchoscopic oxygen insufflation and a digital chest drainage system in endobronchial occlusion: a hybrid technique for localization of fistula in intractable pneumothorax.

BACKGROUND: The management of intractable secondary pneumothorax poses a considerable challenge as it is often not indicated for surgery owing to the presence of underlying disease and poor general condition. While endobronchial occlusion has been employed as a non-surgical treatment for intractable secondary pneumothorax, its effectiveness is limited by the difficulty of locating the bronchus leading to the fistula using conventional techniques. This report details a case treated with endobronchial occlusion where the combined use of transbronchoscopic oxygen insufflation and a digital chest drainage system enabled location of the bronchus responsible for a prolonged air leak, leading to the successful treatment of intractable secondary pneumothorax. CASE PRESENTATION: An 83-year-old male, previously diagnosed with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis and treated with long-term oxygen therapy and oral corticosteroid, was admitted due to a pneumothorax emergency. Owing to a prolonged air leak after thoracic drainage, the patient was deemed at risk of developing an intractable secondary pneumothorax. Due to his poor respiratory condition, endobronchial occlusion with silicone spigots was performed instead of surgery. The location of the bronchus leading to the fistula was unclear on CT imaging. When the bronchoscope was wedged into each subsegmental bronchus and low-flow oxygen was insufflated, a digital chest drainage system detected a significant increase of the air leak only in B5a and B5b, thus identifying the specific location of the bronchus leading to the fistula. With the occlusion of those bronchi using silicone spigots, the air leakage decreased from 200 mL/min to 20 mL/min, and the addition of an autologous blood patch enabled successful removal of the drainage tube. CONCLUSION: The combination of transbronchoscopic oxygen insufflation with a digital chest drainage system can enhance the therapeutic efficacy of endobronchial occlusion by addressing the problems encountered in conventional techniques, where the ability to identify the leaking bronchus is dependent on factors such as the amount of escaping air and the location of the fistula.

Improving cellular therapy operations through pre-harvest measurement of peripheral CD34-positive cell counts in allogeneic stem cell harvest.

INTRODUCTION: Previously, our institution measured peripheral blood CD34 cell counts both pre- and post-peripheral blood stem cell harvest (PBSCH), with both samples analyzed simultaneously post-PBSCH. Since 2021, we have measured pre-CD34 cell counts during PBSCH, adjusting the processed blood volume based on these results. We retrospectively evaluated how this change impacted cellular therapy. METHODS: Related healthy donors were included and divided into 1-day and 2-day harvest cohorts. Donors with CD34 cell counts measured post- and during PBSCH were categorized into the previous and current sub-cohorts, respectively. RESULTS: Regarding the 1-day cohort (n = 212), the current sub-cohort had a significantly shorter average harvest duration (151 [standard deviation, SD = 45.1] vs. 180 [SD = 27.8] minutes, respectively) and higher average infusion rates (87.6% [SD = 21.1] vs. 78.1% [SD = 25.7], respectively) than the previous sub-cohort. CONCLUSION: Adjusting the processed blood volume based on pre-PBSCH CD34 cell counts measured during the harvest may reduce donor burden and enhance workflow efficiency.

Association of combustible cigarettes and heated tobacco products use with SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 in Japan: a JASTIS 2022 cross-sectional study.

Insufficient evidence has been accumulated regarding associations of heated tobacco products (HTPs) use with coronavirus infection and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an ongoing pandemic. We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from an internet questionnaire administered in February 2022 to 30,130 individuals from the general Japanese population (age range, 16-81 years). Single users of HTPs and dual users of combustible cigarettes and HTPs comprised 5.2% and 7.3% of respondents, and 6.7% and 38.0% of those infected (n = 1117). Approximately 70% of infected dual users experienced severe disease. Single users of HTPs and dual users were more likely to be infected with coronavirus than never-users (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.65/4.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-2.15/3.89-5.58). Regarding severity, former and current tobacco users (former/combustible cigarettes/HTPs: aOR = 1.88/3.17/1.90; 95%CI 1.11-3.19/1.77-5.67/1.01-3.59) were more likely to be administered oxygen than never-users, and dual users required oxygen administration the most (aOR = 4.15, 95%CI 2.70-6.36). Use of HTPs may increase risks of coronavirus infection and severe COVID-19. Our results provide an opportunity to consider the safety of tobacco products use, including HTPs, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Distinct contributions of muscle mass and strength stratified by nutritional status to physical activity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is one of the most important prognostic factors for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Physical activity correlates significantly with skeletal muscle mass and strength. Pulmonary rehabilitation has been conducted to improve physical activity, but its effectiveness has been inconsistent. Nutritional status is also related to physical activity in patients with COPD. The relationships between skeletal muscle mass, strength, and nutritional status evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) were investigated. How nutritional status alters the relationships between physical activity, exercise capacity, skeletal muscle mass, and strength was also investigated. METHODS: This retrospective, cross-sectional study enrolled 81 outpatients with COPD. In all patients, physical activity, exercise capacity, body composition assessment, and MNA-SF were assessed. The relationships between physical activity, exercise capacity, skeletal muscle mass, and strength were examined according to the MNA-SF. RESULTS: The MNA-SF high group had significantly higher skeletal muscle mass than the MNA-SF low group when skeletal muscle strength was the covariate. In the MNA-SF low group, physical activity positively correlated with skeletal muscle mass. In the MNA-SF high group, physical activity positively correlated with skeletal muscle strength. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the nutritional status of patients with COPD alters the relationship between physical activity and skeletal muscle mass or strength. Optimizing rehabilitation with nutrition interventions according to nutritional status might improve physical activity in patients with COPD.

The Fermented Soy Product ImmuBalanceTM Suppresses Airway Inflammation in a Murine Model of Asthma.

The fermented soy product ImmuBalance contains many active ingredients and its beneficial effects on some allergic diseases have been reported. We hypothesized that ImmuBalance could have potential effects on airway inflammation in a murine model of asthma. Mice sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin developed airway inflammation. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was assessed for inflammatory cell counts and levels of cytokines. Lung tissues were examined for cell infiltration and mucus hypersecretion. Oral administration of ImmuBalance significantly inhibited ovalbumin-induced eosinophilic inflammation and decreased Th2 cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (p < 0.05). In addition, lung histological analysis showed that ImmuBalance inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration and airway mucus production. Our findings suggest that supplementation with ImmuBalance may provide a novel strategy for the prevention or treatment of allergic airway inflammation.

Effect of single-dose dexmedetomidine on emergence agitation and recovery profiles after sevoflurane anesthesia in pediatric ambulatory surgery.

PURPOSE: To study the effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX), a selective α(2)-adrenoreceptor agonist, on emergence agitation (EA), recovery profiles, and parents' satisfaction after sevoflurane anesthesia in pediatric ambulatory surgery. METHODS: In a double-blind trial, 81 children (ASA PS 1 or 2, 1-9 years) undergoing same-day or overnight-stay surgery were randomly assigned to receive intravenous DEX 0.3 µg kg⁻¹ (n = 39) or saline (n = 42) over 10 min after induction of anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with sevoflurane using a facemask or laryngeal mask airway with spontaneous respiration. Agitation was assessed with a 1-4 point scale and pain with a 0-10 point scale. The patients' parents were interviewed 24 h after surgery, and adverse events and the parents' level of satisfaction with perioperative care were recorded. RESULTS: The incidence of EA (agitation scale score 3 or 4) was significantly lower in the DEX group (28%) than in the saline group (64%) (P = 0.0011). The mean pain scales in the DEX group were significantly lower than in the saline group during the stay in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) (P < 0.01). The incidence of adverse events, times to the first drinking and voiding in the PACU, time spent in the PACU, and parents' satisfaction level were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Intravenous DEX at a dose of 0.3 µg kg⁻¹ after induction of anesthesia reduced sevoflurane-associated EA and postoperative pain in pediatric ambulatory surgery, with no increase in the incidence of adverse events and with no change in parents' satisfaction level.

Development and validation of scales for attitudes, self-reported practices, difficulties and knowledge among home care nurses providing palliative care.

PURPOSE: Although educational programs for nurses are required to ensure high-quality home care, there is currently no scale to appropriately evaluate such programs for home care nurses providing palliative care. We developed and validated four scales to evaluate home care nurses' attitude, self-reported practices, difficulties, and knowledge regarding home palliative cancer care, and identified factors associated with home care nurses' attitude, self-reported practices, and difficulties. METHOD: The scale items were generated based on literature review and a cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted. Experienced home care nurses from visiting nurse stations who enrolled in a home palliative care educational program were recruited for this survey. RESULTS: Of the 125 questionnaires delivered to home care nurses, 122 were returned (response rate, 98%). After factor analysis, the scale for attitude comprised four domains with 12 items, the scale for self-reported practices comprised six domains with 26 items, and the scale for difficulties comprised five domains with 18 items. Cronbach's alphas for these scales were 0.61-0.70. After using the Item Response Theory model, the scale for knowledge was found to comprise 26 items. The multiple logistic regression model showed that experience in caring for terminal patients at home or in hospitals were associated with having more positive attitude, higher self-reported practices and lower difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: We developed valid and reliable scales to evaluate home care nurses' attitude, self-reported practices, difficulties, and knowledge regarding home palliative cancer care. These scales potentially useful for evaluating a home palliative cancer care education program for nurses.

[Anesthesia for a pediatric patient with Coffin-Siris syndrome].

A 3-year-old boy with Coffin-Siris syndrome was scheduled to undergo diagnostic laparoscopy, inguinal herniorrhaphy and orchiopexy at an ambulatory setting and same-day admission. Following anesthesia induction with inhalational sevoflurane, upper airway obstruction and hypoxemia developed. Hypoxemia was resolved immediately by manual positive pressure ventilation, although the stomach became bulged. Operation was finished uneventfully. However, he had massive bronchial secretion during anesthesia. He was admitted as planned and discharged on postoperative day 2. Since patients with Coffin-Siris syndrome have potential airway and pulmonary dysfunctions, careful perianesthesia airway and respiratory managements are essential.

Delayed discharge and acceptability of ambulatory surgery in adult outpatients receiving general anesthesia.

PURPOSE: Delay in discharge after ambulatory surgery impairs its cost-effectiveness. However, it is not self-evident that prolonged postoperative stay is associated with low quality of care and patient acceptability of ambulatory surgery. The aims of this study were to document factors affecting delay in discharge, recovery profiles, and patient acceptability in adult outpatients. METHODS: Perioperative data were collected prospectively on consecutive 726 adult same-day surgical patients receiving general anesthesia. Factors that affected home-readiness, discharge, and unanticipated admission were noted. Patients were followed up 24 h after discharge using a standardized questionnaire to identify postdischarge symptoms, patient's self-rated resumption of normal activity (RNA) level, and preference of outpatient procedure. RESULTS: Eighty-two percent of patients were discharged home <270 min after operation, 16% were delayed (> or = 270 min), and 2% required unanticipated admission. Delayed patients reported postdischarge pain more frequently (53%) and a lower 24-h postoperative RNA level (7.2 +/- 1.8) and preference ratio (76%) than no-delay patients (34%, 8.0 +/- 1.9, 87%, respectively; P < 0.001). Delay in home-readiness (> or = 165 min) was mainly due to an adverse symptom, and delay in discharge after reaching home-readiness (> or = 150 min) was mainly due to a persistent symptom (58%) or a social/system problem (34%). Causes of admission were perioperative complications (80%) or social reasons (20%). CONCLUSION: Delays in discharge are mainly due to adverse symptoms or social/system problems. Delayed discharge is associated with increased postdischarge pain, lower RNA level, and patient acceptability. Appropriate care of postoperative symptoms and system management could prevent delay in discharge and improve patient RNA level and acceptability.