Journal of Nippon Medical School = Nippon Ika Daigaku zasshi
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The fundamental principles of survival analysis are reviewed. In particular, the Kaplan-Meier method and a proportional hazard model are discussed. This work is the last part of a series in which medical statistics are surveyed.
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Sepsis is a devastating and complex syndrome and continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality among critically ill patients at the surgical intensive care unit setting in the United States. The occurrence of sepsis and septic shock has increased significantly over the past two decades. Despite of highly dedicated basic research and numerous clinical trials, remarkable progress has not been made in the development of novel and effective therapeutics. ⋯ In this regard, the role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of sepsis, although still incompletely understood, is clearly critical. Recent findings resulting from vigorous investigations have contributed to delineate various novel directions of sepsis therapeutics. Among these, this review article is focused on new promising mechanisms and concepts that could have a key role in anti-inflammatory strategies against sepsis, including 1) "inflammasome": a multiprotein complex that activates caspase-1; 2) "the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway": the efferent arm of the vagus nerve-mediated, brain-to-immune reflex; 3) "stem cells": unspecialized and undifferentiated precursor cells with the capacity for self-renewal and potential to change into cells of multiple lineages; 4) "milk fat globule-EGF factor VIII (MFG-E8)": a bridging molecule between apoptotic cells and phagocytes, which promotes phagocytosis of apoptotic cells.
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Review Historical Article
Controversy of corticosteroids in septic shock.
The mortality rate of septic shock remains high. The guidelines of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign were published in 2004 and were revised in 2008. Steroid therapy is prominent in the guidelines but remains controversial. In this review, steroid therapy for septic shock is discussed with various landmark papers.
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The concept of damage control and improved understanding of the pathophysiology of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) have been proven to be great advances in the management of both traumatic and nontraumatic surgical conditions. The practice of damage control surgery includes 3 components: 1) abbreviated resuscitative surgery for rapid control of hemorrhage and abdominal contamination by gastrointestinal contents, followed by temporary abdominal wall closure for planned reoperation and prevention of ACS; 2) restoration of physiologic function, including rewarming and correction of coagulopathy and hemodynamic stabilization in the intensive care unit; and 3) re-exploration for the definitive management of injuries and abdominal wall closure. Although this new approach can decrease the mortality rate of patients with severe physiological derangement, the establishment of clearly defined indications is necessary. ⋯ These patients will ultimately require complex abdominal wall reconstruction at a later stage. We have performed early fascial closure using an anterior rectus abdominis sheath turnover flap method. This technique may reduce the need for skin grafting and subsequent reconstruction and can be considered as an alternative method for the early management of patients with open abdomen.
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I outline the current situation and future tasks for psychiatric services in Japanese prisons. I describe the provision of facilities specializing in psychiatric services, preparation of legal aspects related to involuntary treatment, provision of therapeutic educational programs regarding addictive crimes, and the measures required for continuation of treatment after release from prison. I also discuss how, in the current system, under the "Act on Mental Care and Treatment for Persons who have Caused Serious Cases under the Condition of Insanity," unfairness arises in the treatment of mentally disordered offenders, requiring a division between medical care and justice (correctional institutions).