The ventricular tachycardia (VT) monitoring zone in implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) is usually programmed to detect slow VTs. However, it is not well known whether programming this zone can affect the ICD arrhythmia redetection or confirmation criteria. We report two cases of inappropriate ICD shocks due to the programming of a slow VT monitoring zone in the same device model.

The omnipresent need for optimisation requires constant improvements of companies' business processes (BPs). Minimising the risk of inappropriate BP being implemented is usually performed by simulating the newly developed BP under various initial conditions and "what-if" scenarios. An effectual business process simulations software (BPSS) is a prerequisite for accurate analysis of an BP. Charac...

Hyponatremia is considered to be a frequent complication of many clinical conditions [1]. Euvolemic dilutional hyponatremia caused by water retention in normal sodium stores has been termed as a syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) [2]. SIADH has been developed in patients with a variety of disorders, including central nervous system disorders, malignancy with autonomous ADH r...

An attempt was made to vary systematically the behavior of two elementary school teachers to determine the effects on classroom behavior of Rules, Ignoring Inappropriate Behaviors, and showing Approval for Appropriate Behavior. Behaviors of two children in one class and one child in the other class were recorded by observers, as were samples of the teachers' behavior. Following baseline recordi...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES In the present era, it is difficult to keep the concentration of college students at its maximum potential during the class time, as there are many distractions that negatively impact students' concentration and prevent optimal learning. Technologies such as laptops and cell phones have invaded the classroom, raising considerable concerns about their effects on college...

This study involvedextensive interviews with all 20members of the 1988 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team about their performances in the Seoul Olympics. Qualitative research methodology and analyses were employed to acquire and preserve rich representations of these experiences. Mental preparation strategies, precompetitive cognition, and affect were examined by having the wrestlers respond to a seri...

The number of reports of clinical trials grows by hundreds every week. However, this does not mean that people making decisions about healthcare are finding it easier to obtain reliable knowledge for these decisions. Some of the information is unreliable. Systematic reviews are helping to resolve this by bringing together the research on a topic, appraising and summarising it. But the quality o...

BACKGROUND Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) is defined as medication with uncertain therapeutic effects and/or potential adverse drug reactions outweighing the clinical benefits. The prescription rate of PIM for oldest-old patients is high despite the existence of lists of PIM (e.g. the PRISCUS list) and efforts to raise awareness. This study aims at identifying general practitioners'...

BACKGROUND The prevalence and risk factors of potentially inappropriate medication use among the elderly patients have been studied in various countries, but because of the difficulty of obtaining data on patient characteristics and medications they have not been studied in Japan. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study in 17 Japanese long-term care (LTC) facilities by coll...

OBJECTIVE The exact role of ghrelin in the control of growth hormone (GH) secretion has not been completely clarified as yet. The aim of the present study was 1) to investigate the effect of a substance promoting GH secretion (clonidine) on ghrelin levels in children with short stature with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and normal growth hormone (NGH), and 2) to assess possible correlations b...