Utility of Machine Learning Models to Predict Lymph Node Metastasis of Japanese Localized Prostate Cancer.

Background/objectives: Extended pelvic lymph node dissection is a crucial surgical technique for managing intermediate to high-risk prostate cancer. Accurately predicting lymph node metastasis before surgery can minimize unnecessary lymph node dissections and their associated complications. This study assessed the efficacy of various machine learning models for predicting lymph node metastasis in a cohort of Japanese patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Impact of presurgical systemic therapy on perioperative outcomes of renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus.

Background: Surgery for inferior vena cava tumor thrombus (IVC-TT) in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is highly invasive and is associated with perioperative mortality. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of presurgical systemic therapy (PT) on perioperative outcomes in RCC patients with IVC-TT.

Methods: A total of 68 patients with right-sided RCC and level ≥ II IVC-TT were included in this study.

Impact of CT-angiography derived plaque characteristics on cardiac events in patients with a negative invasive fractional flow reserve.

Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) improves outcomes compared with angiography-guided PCI, however cardiac events still occur during long-term follow-up of FFR-negative patients. In the PREVENT study preventive PCI reduced cardiac-events in lesions which were FFR-negative (FFR > 0.80) and had intracoronary imaging defined vulnerable plaque.

Functional Morphology of Myoepithelial Cells in the Rat Salivary Glands: a Review.

Background: The acini, the secretory endpieces of the salivary glands, are composed of serous and/or mucous acinar cells and surrounded by myoepithelial cells. Myoepithelial cells are multipolar, stellate cells with long processes encircling the acini and intercalated ducts. These cells contract to facilitate salivary secretion and transport.

Expression and Localization of Adiponectin in Myoepithelial Cells in Sublingual Glands of Normal and Diabetic Rats.

Objectives: Adiponectin is a hormone produced by adipocytes with anti-atherosclerotic and anti-diabetic properties. We previously discovered that adiponectin is specifically localized in the myoepithelial cells of rat sublingual glands. This study aims to investigate the localization of adiponectin and its receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, in adult rats, postnatally developing rats, and diabetic model rats.

Dose Per Body Weight Predicts Incidence and Severity of Apalutamide-Related Skin Rash in Metastatic Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer.

Background: A survival advantage with apalutamide (APA) combined with androgen deprivation therapy for metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) has been demonstrated in the clinical trial, irrespective of race. However, the incidence of APA-induced skin rash in the Japanese subpopulation is higher than that in the global population. In the present study, we investigated the predictive value of APA dose per body weight for the incidence of skin rash.

Hospitalized Patients, Treatments, and Quality of Care for Cardiovascular Diseases in Japan - Outline of the Nationwide JROAD Investigation.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have imposed a substantial burden on population health and society. In Japan, the National Plan for the Promotion of Measures Against Cerebrovascular and Cardiovascular Disease, grounded in national legislation, seeks to improve the quality of care and standardize treatment for cerebrovascular disease and CVD. The plan emphasizes the need to develop standardized systems for collecting and disseminating medical information, as well as promoting data-driven research.

Primary resistance to nivolumab plus ipilimumab therapy affects second-line treatment outcomes in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Nivolumab plus ipilimumab (NIVO+IPI) has a long-term response rate of 30% for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). However, 20% of patients develop primary resistant disease (PRD) to NIVO+IPI and show poor survival outcomes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of PRD as a second-line treatment in patients with mRCC.

Longitudinal associations between dietary diversity and serum lipid markers in Japanese workers.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the longitudinal associations between dietary diversity score and serum lipid markers in a five-year follow-up period in Japanese workers.

Methods: This study included 745 participants aged 20-60 years in 2012-2013 without dyslipidemia at baseline who participated at least once from 2013 to 2017. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire, and dietary diversity score was determined using the Quantitative Index for Dietary Diversity.

Appearance of New Lesions Associate With Poor Prognosis in Pembrolizumab-Treated Urothelial Carcinoma.

Objectives: This study investigated the variations in response patterns, including target lesion enlargement and the emergence of new lesions, in patients with urothelial carcinoma receiving pembrolizumab therapy and assessed the impact of new lesions on patient outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included patients with urothelial carcinoma treated with pembrolizumab following platinum failure. Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria were used to assess the target lesion size and appearance of new lesions.

Impact of Neuron-Derived HGF on c-Met and KAI-1 in CNS Glial Cells: Implications for Multiple Sclerosis Pathology.

Demyelination and axonal degeneration are fundamental pathological characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS), an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Although the molecular mechanisms driving these processes are not fully understood, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has emerged as a potential regulator of neuroinflammation and tissue protection in MS. Elevated HGF levels have been reported in MS patients receiving immunomodulatory therapy, indicating its relevance in disease modulation.

Effects of modifying hinotori™ surgical robot system on perioperative outcome of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Objectives: One of the main advantages of the hinotori™ surgical robot system (HSRS) is that it can be easily adjusted. This study aimed to clarify the effects of modifying the HSRS on the perioperative outcomes of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Methods: Overall, 158 cases of RARP using the HSRS were classified into three groups based on the modification to the system: group A (no modification, 70 cases), group B (addition of the ability to switch between two types of scopes and to adjust the arm base tilt back and forth, left and right, 42 cases), and group C (reduction of arm floating sensation, mitigation of emergency stop during arm collision, and addition of clutch function via hand switch in addition to foot pedal, 46 cases).

Temporal declines in bone mineral density and trabecular bone score during androgen deprivation therapy.

Introduction: The trabecular bone score (TBS) has emerged as a convenient measure for assessing the microstructure of trabecular bone in the second through fourth lumbar vertebrae (L2-4) and can be conducted concurrently with bone mineral density (BMD) assessment. This study was performed to evaluate changes in BMD and the TBS during ADT for prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: Consecutive patients who had prostate cancer without bone metastases at Kobe University Hospital were studied from March 2020 to December 2021.

Clinical Outcomes and Risk Stratification in Patients With Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer Treated With New-Generation Androgen Receptor Signaling Inhibitors.

Background: Optimal drug selection for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) remains unclear. We therefore assessed the clinical outcomes of mHSPC treated with new-generation androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARSIs) and identified risk factors associated with the prognosis of mHSPC.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 324 patients with mHSPC who were treated with ARSIs, including abiraterone acetate, enzalutamide, and apalutamide, between January 2018 and December 2022.

Adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma: Surgical outcomes and preoperative risk factors for hemodynamic instability.

Background: Surgical resection for pheochromocytoma (PCC) is still challenging. This study assessed the perioperative outcomes of adrenalectomy for PCC and investigated the risk factors for intraoperative hemodynamic instability (HI).

Methods: This retrospective study included 571 patients with adrenal tumors who underwent adrenalectomy at Kobe University Hospital and other related hospitals between April 2008 and October 2023.

Expression levels of K channel subunits and morphological changes in the mouse liver after exposure to radiation.

Background: ATP sensitive K (K) channels are ubiquitously distributed in various of cells and tissues, including the liver. They play a role in the pathogenesis of myocardial and liver ischemia.

Aim: To evaluate the radiation-induced changes in the expression of K channel subunits in the mouse liver to understand the potential role of K channels in radiation injury.