The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic has drastically changed how we live and work. Amid the prolonged pandemic, burnout of the frontline healthcare professionals has become a significant concern. We conducted a cross-sectional survey study to provide data about the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and the prevalence of burnout in healthcare professionals in Japan. Healthcare workers in a single Japanese national university hospital participated in the survey, including basic demographics, whether a participant engaged in care of COVID-19 patients in the past 2 weeks and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Of those, 25.4% fully answered the survey; 33.3% were doctors and 63.6% were nurses, and 36.3% engaged in care of COVID-19 patients in the past 2 weeks. Compared to those belonging to General Medicine, those in Emergency Intensive Care Unit were at higher risk of burnout (odds ratio (OR), 6.7; 95% CI, 1.1–42.1; p = 0.031). Of those who engaged in care of COVID-19 patients, 50% reported burnout while 6.1% did not (OR 8.5, 95% CI; 1.3–54.1; p = 0.014). The burnout of healthcare workers is a significant concern amid the pandemic, which needs to be addressed for sustainable healthcare delivery.

Objective We tested whether Cushing’s sign could predict severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) requiring immediate neurosurgical intervention (BI-NSI) in children after blunt trauma. Design Retrospective cohort study using Japan Trauma Data Bank. Setting Emergency and critical care centres in secondary and tertiary hospitals in Japan. Participants Children between the ages of 2 and 15 years with Glasgow Coma Scale motor scores of 5 or less at presentation after blunt trauma from 2004 to 2015 were included. A total of 1480 paediatric patients were analysed. Primary outcome measures Patients requiring neurosurgical intervention within 24 hours of hospital arrival and patients who died due to isolated severe TBI were defined as BI-NSI. The combination of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) on arrival, which were respectively divided into tertiles, and its correlation with BI-NSI were investigated using a multiple logistic regression model. Results In the study cohort, 297 (20.1%) exhibited BI-NSI. After adjusting for sex, age category and with or without haemorrhage shock, groups with higher SBP and lower HR (SBP ≥135 mm Hg; HR ≤92 bpm) were significantly associated with BI-NSI (OR 2.84, 95% CI 1.68 to 4.80, P<0.001) compared with the patients with normal vital signs. In age-specific analysis, hypertension and bradycardia were significantly associated with BI-NSI in a group of 7–10 and 11–15 years of age; however, no significant association was observed in a group of 2–6 years of age. Conclusions Cushing’s sign after blunt trauma was significantly associated with BI-NSI in school-age children and young adolescents.

The ginkgo tree is a well-known, highly adaptable urban plant. Ginkgo nuts are the product of the ginkgo tree. Interior ginkgo nuts are cooked and served in Asian countries; however, the potential toxicity of the gingko nuts is not commonly known. Herein, we report a 48-year-old male patient experiencing acute convulsions presumably due to overconsumption of gingko nuts. The patient was transferred to our department after several episodes of acute generalized tonicclonic seizures lasting approximately 30 seconds each and starting one hour before the visit. The patient also complained of vomiting, vertigo, diarrhea, and tremors in both upper limbs following the seizures. Elevated 4-O-methylpyridoxine (312ng/mL), low blood pyridoxal phosphate (2.4μg/L), and low vitamin B1 (20ng/mL) levels were found in the blood analysis. No other remarkable abnormalities were detected. We diagnosed the patient with ginkgo nut intoxication, and he was orally administered 400mg of pyridoxal phosphate. His symptoms resolved after treatment, and no seizures recurred thereafter. Our report may help raise awareness of the clinical presentation and management of this intoxication among emergency physicians.

Acute carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication during pregnancy causes fetal death and teratogenic effects. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy has the potential to improve them. HBO2 therapy should be considered to treat CO intoxication during pregnancy.

Seat belts with shoulder restraints have decreased the frequency of life-threatening severe chest trauma caused by car accidents. However, the introduction of seat belt legislation has led to an increase in a specific pattern of blunt trauma known as seat belt syndrome, which includes rib, clavicle, spine, and sternum fractures, as well as rupture of hollow pelvic and abdominal viscera, mesenteric tears, and major vessel injuries. The shoulder restraint part of the three-point seat belt commonly rests near or over the female and male breast. A 54-year-old female presented to our emergency department complaining of swelling and pain in her left breast immediately after a traffic accident. The patient had used a seat belt with a shoulder restraint. Bruising was noted along her chest where there had been seat belt contact. Her breast hematoma was most likely caused by breast tissue compression between her rib and the seat belt. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography demonstrated a sizable breast hematoma with active arterial contrast material extravasation, as well as multiple left rib fractures. The patient was conservatively treated with analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs. Complete resolution was achieved, and her breast returned to its normal appearance. Although endovascular treatment and surgical hemostasis have been proposed for the treatment of breast injuries with active bleeding, conservative treatment such as compression hemostasis may be feasible.