Implications of EGFR expression on EGFR signaling dependency and adaptive immunity against EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: In EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma (EGFRm LUAD), EGFR mutations do not necessarily result in increased EGFR expression (EGFR-exp), which differs among patients. However, the factors influencing EGFR-exp and the impact of EGFR-exp on tumor characteristics in patients with EGFRm LUAD remain unclear.

Patients And Methods: Whole-exome and RNA sequencing were performed for patients with early- and advanced-stage EGFRm LUAD.

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2024.

The 2024 revised edition of the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock (J-SSCG 2024) is published by the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. This is the fourth revision since the first edition was published in 2012. The purpose of the guidelines is to assist healthcare providers in making appropriate decisions in the treatment of sepsis and septic shock, leading to improved patient outcomes.

Search for the K_{L}→π^{0}νν[over ¯] Decay at the J-PARC KOTO Experiment.

We performed a search for the K_{L}→π^{0}νν[over ¯] decay using the data taken in 2021 at the J-PARC KOTO experiment. With newly installed counters and new analysis method, the expected background was suppressed to 0.252±0.

Factors Influencing Smoking Behavior Among Japanese Employees: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Globally, smoking causes several health risks, burdening public health and economic productivity. Evaluating employees' smoking cessation tendencies is crucial for companies and the nation. Therefore, this study examines the relationship between sociodemographic factors and three key determinants of smoking cessation: health literacy, decision balance, and self-efficacy among company employees.

Liver function estimation using multiphase hepatic CT: diagnostic performance of iodine-uptake and volumetric parameters.

Objectives: To investigate whether multiphase hepatic CT can predict liver function measured with indocyanine-green-retention test (ICG-R15) and identify patients with severe liver dysfunction contraindicating major hepatectomy, defined as ICG-R15 ≥ 20%, compared to technetium--galactosyl serum albumin (Tc-GSA) scintigraphy.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 118 patients (84 men, mean age, 69.4 ± 11.

[A Case of Successful Hepatic Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab for Recurrent Liver and Lung Metastases].

Drug therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma has made remarkable progress in recent years, and surgical resection of tumors that respond well to drug therapy has been performed in some cases. We report a case of hepatocellular carcinoma with hepatopulmonary metastases that was successfully treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and surgically resected. The patient was a 56-year-old man who underwent a posterior segmentectomy and was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Approach to Detecting Beneficial and Detrimental Drug-Drug Interactions in Complex Pharmacotherapy.

Background The increasing prevalence of polypharmacy has raised concerns about drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and their impact on patient safety. Database-based DDI detection often suffers from insufficient patient background information and missing data, limiting the accuracy and applicability of DDI assessments. A novel model is needed to overcome these limitations and provide a more comprehensive evaluation of DDIs to enhance patient safety in the context of multiple medication use.

Extracellular vesicles in renal cell carcinoma: A review of the current landscape and future directions.

Liquid biopsy, a minimally invasive biopsy method that uses patient body fluids (e.g., blood, urine, or saliva), is considered a useful biomarker for early diagnosis, monitoring of tumor progression, and evaluating treatment efficacy.

Exosome-derived miR-148a-3p protect against tumor proliferation and metastasis of esophageal squamous carcinoma.

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most malignant cancers in the world, which seriously affects the survival and quality of life of patients. Aberrant expression of microRNAs plays an important role in the occurrence and progression of cancer, while exosomes usually act as the transmission of intercellular substances (including miRNAs). The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the expression of exosomal miR-148a and ESCC.

Changes in the blood cyclosporine level after switching from voriconazole to isavuconazole in a patient with aplastic anemia: insights from physiologically based pharmacokinetic model simulation and the Adverse Event Reporting System database study.

Introduction: Isavuconazole, a broad-spectrum triazole approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2015, moderately inhibits cytochrome P450 3A4. Although antifungal agents are often used concomitantly with cyclosporine, the effect of switching from voriconazole to isavuconazole on the blood cyclosporine level remains unclear.

Case: A 63-year-old Japanese male was administered oral cyclosporine (10:00 and 21:00) for severe aplastic anemia.

Circulating exosome-derived miR-191-5p is a novel therapeutic biomarker for radiotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Background: Circulating exosomal microRNAs are an easily obtained and minimally invasive biomarker for cancer treatment. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most aggressive carcinomas. It would thus be extremely crucial to predict therapeutic sensitivity and the patient prognosis in advance.

High adherence to a food guide may be associated with lower 24-hour urinary sodium excretion and sodium-to-potassium ratio, and higher potassium excretion.

Background & Aims: Salt reduction remains an important issue in population-level studies of diet. One unresolved issue is whether adherence to a food guide which does not assess dietary salt can lead to a reduction in salt intake.

Methods: This study aimed to investigate the association between adherence to a food guide calculated by weighed food records (WFRs) or a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and urinary sodium and potassium excretion and sodium-to-potassium ratio.

Prediction of hyperkalemia occurrence in patients using co-trimoxazole: Clinical adjustment of a Markov model.

Objective: Predicting the occurrence of hyperkalemia in patients undergoing co-trimoxazole treatment for Pneumocystis pneumonia is critical. However, other factors besides drug exposure affect serum potassium levels, and various interventions are often used to treat hyperkalemia in clinical practice. Therefore, we aimed to develop a Markov model to predict the risk of hyperkalemia under various intervention conditions.

Gut Microbiota in Advanced Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Receiving Chemo-immunotherapy: An Ancillary Biomarker Study from the Phase III trial JCOG2007 (NIPPON).

Background: Immunotherapy has transformed treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, reliable biomarkers for treatment selection remain scarce. Gut microbiota has emerged as a potential biomarker, but its role in chemo-immunotherapy for NSCLC is unclear.

Evaluation of the details and importance of lymphatic, microvascular, and perineural invasion in patients with non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms based on tumor size and the 2022 World Health Organization classification: a 23-year retrospective analysis.

Background: Although, recently observation methods has been proposed as one of the treatment options for non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NF-PanNENs), determining treatment strategies may be difficult for small and low-malignant NF-PanNENs; thus, clarifying the significance of lymphatic, microvascular, and perineural invasion in these patients is of great clinical importance. This study aimed to assess the incidence and role of lymphatic, microvascular, and perineural invasion in patients with NF-PanNENs based on tumor size and the 2022 World Health Organization classification.

Methods: From 2000 to 2023, we retrospectively investigated the incidence of lymphatic, microvascular, and perineural invasion and their impact on recurrence in 80 patients who underwent curative resection and were diagnosed with NF-PanNENs.

The efficacy and safety of FOLFOX therapy for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is the standard advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treatment. However, the 5-fluorouracil plus L-leucovorin and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) regimen is available in Japan as an alternative to cisplatin-based chemotherapy, but its efficacy and safety remain unclear. Hence, we aimed to evaluate patients with advanced ESCC who received FOLFOX therapy retrospectively.

Benefits of Chronic Atrial Pacing in Fontan Physiology with Sinus Node Dysfunction and Preserved Ejection Fraction: Novel Therapeutic Approach for Failing Fontan.

Increased heart rate (HR) can reduce central venous pressure (CVP) in patients with preserved ventricular systolic function. We aimed to investigate whether this theory works in failing Fontan physiology. Pacemaker implantation (PMI) was performed in six Fontan patients (age: 6-40 years) with sinus node dysfunction (SND) without junctional rhythm (JR).

Gut microbiome diversity is associated with muscle mass, strength and quality in post-stroke patients.

Background: The gut microbiome has emerged as a potential influencer of muscle health; however, its role in hospitalized patients remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between gut microbiome diversity and skeletal muscle mass, strength, and quality in hospitalized post-stroke patients.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of post-stroke patients admitted to a rehabilitation facility.

Finite Element Analysis of a Bare Metal Stent Therapeutic for Aortic Dissection.

Since the endovascular repair for aortic dissection by stent graft still has limitations of the application scope and complications, our group has been developing and evaluating a new stenting function by replacing it with a large self-expandable bare metal stent. In this study, we use finite element analysis to evaluate the remodeling outcomes of the dissected aorta by this new stent. An ideal aortic dissection model was also designed using numerical simulations based on previous animal and in vitro experiments, and then a 32mm bare metal stent was deployed at the location of the lesion.

A Novel Direct Puncture Cannulation Blood Pump Support System: in Vivo Experimental Proof of Concept for a Therapeutic Approach with Cardiac Arrest.

The rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is increasing according to the changes in the proportion of ages in super-aged society. We developed a novel transcutaneous cannulation-type mechanical circulatory system for an alternative therapeutic approach to cardiac arrest using a small centrifugal blood pump. We proposed a transcutaneous mechanical circulatory support capable of rapid installation and quick start of circulatory support for recovery after cardiac arrest by left ventricular direct puncture using the Seldinger technique.

Development and Preliminary Evaluation of a Short-Term Direct Left Ventricular Puncture Type Compact Percutaneous Blood Pump.

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices play a quintessential role in providing hemodynamic support to heart failure patients. The development of short-term compact percutaneous MCS devices which are ideal for emergency acute heart failure applications is one of the promising advances in MCS technologies. This study presents the design and preliminary performance evaluation of a compact percutaneous centrifugal blood pump which is potentially ideal for the quick provision of left ventricular support during emergency cardiac arrest.

Contemporary clinical characteristics and management patterns in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: insights from baseline enrolment data in a nationwide prospective Japanese registry.

Background: The Japanese Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Registry Study was designed to provide comprehensive, real-world insights into the clinical characteristics and management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Japan.

Methods: This multicentre, prospective study enrolled consecutive patients with HCM from 24 referral hospitals across Japan starting in 2016. The baseline characteristics of 1485 patients enrolled by December 2019 are presented in this analysis.

Effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy for acute unilateral vertebral artery occlusion with patent basilar artery: Case series and literature review.

Objective: Acute unilateral vertebral artery occlusion (VAO) with a patent basilar artery (BA) often results in neurological deterioration due to brainstem infarction from occluded VA perforators, despite comprehensive medical treatment. While recent studies show mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is effective for BA occlusion as well as anterior circulation occlusions, its role in acute unilateral VAO with patent BA remains unclear. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of MT for acute unilateral VAO with patent BA in patients presenting mild symptoms.

High-accuracy Detection of PD-L1 3'-UTR Disruption by Immunohistochemistry and Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization on Formalin-fixed Paraffin-embedded Sections.

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1/CD274) structural variation (SV) disrupting the 3'-untranslated region has been highlighted as being associated with PD-L1 overexpression. In the present study, we evaluated lymphoma tissue samples to investigate the applicability of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for detecting the PD-L1 SV involving the 3'-untranslated region. In total, 1052 lymphoma samples were screened using IHC, and 99 IHC screening-positive samples were evaluated with FISH (non-Hodgkin lymphoma [NHL, n=58] and Hodgkin lymphoma [HL, n=41]).