Higher Absolute Lymphocyte Counts and Lower Des-γ-Carboxyprothrombin Levels After Treatment Initiation Are Associated With the Clinical Efficacy of Tremelimumab Plus Durvalumab Combination Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background And Aims: Tremelimumab plus durvalumab (Dur/Tre) combination therapy is now a first-line systemic therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Because systemic therapy is not effective in some patients, it is clinically important to identify factors that could predict the response to treatment at an early stage. We investigated the factors associated with the response to Dur/Tre for advanced HCC in a clinical setting.

Determination of iodide in concentrated chloride springs by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection.

We developed a convenient and simple reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method for analysis of iodide in concentrated chloride springs. Using a C18 column, the iodide and chloride peaks were well separated. Setting the wavelength at 240 nm allows direct ultraviolet (UV) detection of iodide without any UV or Schlieren effect due to the high chloride concentration.

Association between coronary sinus flow estimated using dynamic coronary CT angiography and N-ammonia PET-derived myocardial flow reserve.

Rationale And Objectives: PET-derived myocardial flow reserve (MFR) is a powerful prognostic indicator in coronary artery disease. We devised a new method for CS flow quantification using 320-row dynamic coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and investigated the relationship between CS flow determined via CCTA and MFR obtained via N-ammonia PET (NH-PET).

Materials And Methods: Forty patients with significant coronary stenosis on dynamic CCTA who subsequently underwent adenosine-stress NH-PET were enrolled.

[A Case of Signet Ring Cell Pancreatic Carcinoma Showing Long-Term Survival with Chemotherapy].

A man in his 60s was referred to us because of weight loss and epigastric distress. Computed tomography revealed a 100 mm tumor in the pancreatic body and tail, which directly invaded the celiac, common hepatic, splenic, and left gastric arteries. Metastatic lymph nodes and peritoneal dissemination were also observed.

Comparison of perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy among the da Vinci, hinotori, and Hugo robot-assisted surgery systems.

In recent times, innovative surgical robotics have emerged and gained widespread adoption. This study aimed to compare the perioperative outcomes associated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) using three different robotic surgical systems: da Vinci surgical system (DVSS), hinotori surgical robot system (HSRS), and Hugo robot-assisted surgery system (HRASS). Our study involved a retrospective analysis of clinical data from 149 individuals who received RARP from 2022 to 2024, utilizing the DVSS (n = 81), HSRS (n = 52), and HRASS (n = 16).

Utilizing convolutional neural network (CNN) for orchard irrigation decision-making.

Efficient agricultural management often relies on farmers' experiential knowledge and demands considerable labor, particularly in regions with challenging terrains. To reduce these burdens, the adoption of smart technologies has garnered increasing attention. This study proposes a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based model as a decision-support tool for smart irrigation in orchard systems, focusing on persimmon cultivation in mountainous regions.

[A case of paroxysmal dysarthria and ataxia appeared late after treatment of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-related isolated rhombencephalitis].

A 49-year-old female was admitted to our hospital due to acute-onset dysarthria and unstable gait. Brain MR diffusion weighted imaging revealed high signal intensities in the midbrain. Brain tumors, abscess and demyelinating lesions was suspected firstly as etiology of the lesion and antibiotics and antiviral drug were started under consulting with the neurosurgeon about brain biopsy.

Fragmentation Considerations Using Amidoamine Oxide Homologs.

This study investigates the mass spectrometric analysis of 10 novel amidoamine oxide compounds, which are innovative hydrogelators for polar solvents. This research aims to identify characteristic fragment patterns for these amide compounds using high-resolution mass spectrometry. Methanol solutions of the compounds were analyzed in positive and negative ion modes, and MS1 and MS2 spectra at 6 collision energy levels were obtained via electrospray ionization and hybrid tandem mass spectrometry.

Simpler and safer anastomosis by pancreaticogastrostomy using a linear stapler after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains a major and serious problem after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). In its presence, pancreatic juice may leak from the main duct or branches of the pancreatic stump. To prevent this, we have applied a newly modified anastomosis of pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) using a linear stapler (stapled PG).

Mechanistic Study of the Electrochemical Reduction of CO in Aprotic Ionic Liquid in Air.

The capture and electrochemical conversion of dilute CO in air is a promising approach to mitigate global warming. Aiming to increase the efficiency of the electrochemical reduction of CO, we fabricated electrodes and developed a custom-designed sealed electrochemical reaction system to study the mechanism of this conversion. The performance of three metal electrodes, Ag, Cu, and SUS 316 L, was compared in an aprotic ionic liquid as the electrolyte to monitor the CO concentration and chemical reactions using a CO sensor and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy in CO/N (400 ppm CO and 99.

Prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with Fontan-associated liver disease using gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid magnetic resonance imaging.

Aim: The unique feature of Fontan circulation is elevated central venous pressure, which causes Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD). FALD is associated with a high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Performing biopsies in patients with FALD is difficult as a result of warfarinization; gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a noninvasive examination, is useful for characterizing liver disease and detecting HCC.

Preoperative Nutrition Impacts Retear Rate After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.

Background: A rotator cuff retear following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) is a concern in older patients. However, only a few of its risk factors are amenable to preoperative intervention. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between preoperative nutritional status and rotator cuff retears after ARCR.

Right Ventricular Strain With 4-Dimensional Computed Tomography Identifies Pulmonary Hypertension in Adults With Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot.

Background: This study evaluated right ventricular (RV) volume, strain, and morphology using cardiac 4-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) to detect pulmonary hypertension (PH) in adults with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) scheduled for transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation (TPVI).

Methods And Results: Using cardiac 4D-CT data, we calculated RV strain in 3 different geometries and RV outflow tract (RVOT) mass in 42 patients with repaired TOF. We compared RV strain and RVOT mass between patients with and without PH.

Glucose metabolic rate from four-dimensional [F]FDG PET/CT to differentiate sarcoid lesions from malignant lesions.

Objectives: On F-Fludeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT, active sarcoid lesions are often difficult to differentiate from malignant lesions. We investigated the potential of the glucose metabolic rate (MR, mg/min/100 mL), a new quantification of glucose metabolic kinetics derived from direct reconstruction based on linear Patlak analysis, to distinguish between sarcoidosis and malignant lesions.

Materials And Methods: A total of 100 patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) and 67 patients with cancer who underwent four-dimensional FDG PET/CT were enrolled.

A Handheld Ultrasound Device Can Predict Constipation with Rectal Fecal Retention in a Palliative Care Setting.

Although handheld ultrasound devices (HUDs) are commonplace, their ability to diagnose fecal retention (FR) remains unclear. This prospective observational study examined HUDs' usefulness in diagnosing FR in patients with constipation in a palliative care setting. Between 10 December 2020 and 30 June 2022, we compared rectal ultrasonographic findings obtained using HUDs with clinical manifestations in 64 males and 70 females (48%, 52%, 68 ± 11 years old) with constipation who had undergone computed tomography (CT).

Gated SPECT-Derived Myocardial Strain Estimated From Deep-Learning Image Translation Validated From N-13 Ammonia PET.

Rationale And Objectives: This study investigated the use of deep learning-generated virtual positron emission tomography (PET)-like gated single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) for assessing myocardial strain, overcoming limitations of conventional SPECT.

Materials And Methods: SPECT-to-PET translation models for short-axis, horizontal, and vertical long-axis planes were trained using image pairs from the same patients in stress (720 image pairs from 18 patients) and resting states (920 image pairs from 23 patients). Patients without ejection-fraction changes during SPECT and PET were selected for training.

Improving the Long-Term Stability of PbTe-Based Thermoelectric Modules: From Nanostructures to Packaged Module Architecture.

Nanostructured lead telluride PbTe is among the best-performing thermoelectric materials, for both p- and n-types, for intermediate temperature applications. However, the fabrication of power-generating modules based on nanostructured PbTe still faces challenges related to the stability of the materials, especially nanoprecipitates, and the bonding of electric contacts. In this study, in situ high-temperature transmission electron microscopy observation confirmed the stability of nanoprecipitates in p-type PbNaGeTe up to at least ∼786 K.

Heat-treated and/or lysozyme-treated (FK-23) improves the progression of renal disease in a unilateral ischemia-reperfusion injury rat model.

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing owing to the elderly population. Here, we investigated the effects of heat-treated (FK-23) and lysozyme-treated FK-23 (LFK) on the progression of CKD in rats. A CKD model was established using male Wistar rats by subjecting them to right nephrectomy (1K), followed by ischemia and reperfusion (IR).

Effects of perirenal fat thickness on postoperative renal dysfunction in patients who underwent robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for renal tumours.

Background: Despite partial nephrectomy (PN) renal function preservation benefits, postoperative renal dysfunction may occur. Perirenal fat thickness (PFT) is associated with renal dysfunction such as diabetes; however, its role in renal tumour surgery is unclear. This study investigates the role of PFT in renal function after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN).

Prediction of cardiac allograft vasculopathy using splenic switch-off on myocardial PET.

Background: Heart transplantation (HTx) is a definitive therapy for refractory heart failure. Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), characterized by diffuse arteriopathy involving the epicardial coronary arteries and microvasculature, is the major cause of death for patients with HTx. N-ammonia positron emission tomography (NH-PET) can offer diagnostic and prognostic utility for CAV.

Pathogenicity of genotype 2.1 classical swine fever virus isolated from Japan in 2019 in pigs.

Classical swine fever (CSF) re-emerged in Japan in 2018 for the first time in 26 years. The disease has been known to be caused by a moderately pathogenic virus, rather than the highly pathogenic virus that had occurred in the past. However, the underlying pathophysiology remains unknown.

Current Status of Conversion Hepatectomy After Sorafenib and Lenvatinib Treatment for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background/aim: Sorafenib and lenvatinib have long been used as a first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Along with the development of systemic chemotherapy for HCC, the concept of conversion hepatectomy has recently become widespread. The present study aimed to assess the clinical outcomes of sorafenib and lenvatinib for HCC regarding the possibility of conversion hepatectomy in clinical practice.

Pretarsal Augmentation of the Lower Eyelids Using Fat Grafts in Asian Patients.

Background: Surgical procedures are required to achieve long-term pretarsal roll fullness of the lower eyelids with a satisfactory appearance.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of a surgical method using fat grafts for pretarsal augmentation of the lower eyelids.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective clinical study that included 12 Japanese patients (24 lower eyelids) who underwent pretarsal augmentation of the lower eyelids using fat grafts and were followed up for more than 6 months.

Risk Stratification Using Right Ventricular Longitudinal Strain Ratio Derived from N-Ammonia PET in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease.

Purpose To investigate whether right ventricular (RV) myocardial strain ratio (RVMSR) assessed using nitrogen 13 ammonia (N-NH) PET can predict cardiovascular events in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 480 consecutive patients (mean age, 66 years ± 12 [SD]; 334 males and 146 females) with IHD who underwent N-NH PET. RVMSR was defined as the ratio of RV strain during stress to that at rest.

Risk Factors for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Liver Injury and the Significance of Liver Biopsy.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced liver injury (LI) is a common adverse event, but the clinical characteristics based on the classification of hepatocellular injury and cholestatic types are not fully evaluated. This study aims to analyze risk factors and histological findings in relation to the classification of ICI-induced LI. In total, 254 ICI-induced LI patients among 1086 treated with ICIs between September 2014 and March 2022 were classified according to the diagnostic criteria for drug-induced LI (DILI), and their risk factors and outcomes were evaluated.