Real-world treatment patterns and survival in extensive stage small-cell lung cancer in Japan.

Objective: To describe standard of care and inform the evolving unmet need among extensive stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) patients in Japan since approval of first-line anti-PD-L1 therapies, we describe treatment patterns and overall survival by line of therapy.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive analysis of adult ES-SCLC patients in Japan using de-identified patient data within the MDV database (hospital-based claims) to describe treatment patterns and DeSC database (payer-based claims linked to mortality of municipality records) to describe both treatment patterns and real-world overall survival (rwOS).

Results: The study population of MDV and DeSC cohorts included 6302 and 903 patients, respectively.

Prevalence and incidence of cyclic vomiting syndrome in Japan: A study using Japanese claims data.

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a gastrointestinal disorder that is characterized by recurrent episodes of vomiting. Previous studies have provided reliable data on the prevalence of CVS among children in Japan; however, neither prevalence data nor incidence of CVS is available for adults. Hence, we obtained detailed prevalence and incidence data for CVS and estimated the total number of CVS cases in Japan.

Incidence and causes of mildly to moderately elevated aminotransferase in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objectives: To identify the association of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and liver disease with elevated ALT and factors associated with increased ALT in patients with and without T2DM.

Design And Setting: We performed a retrospective study in adults with ≥ 2 claims for blood tests recorded in the Medical Data Vision claims database between 2010 and 2016.

Participants: Patients were entered into T2DM and non-DM groups based on diagnosis and medication claim codes.

The incidence of medically-attended norovirus gastro-enteritis in Japan: Modelling using a medical care insurance claims database.

Background: The burden of medically-attended acute gastro-enteritis (MA-AGE) that can be attributed to norovirus is not well established in Japan. Using a nationwide database of medical care insurance claims, we estimated the incidence of medically-attended norovirus-attributable gastroenteritis (MA-NGE) in Japan.

Methods: The incidences of MA-NGE outpatient consultations or hospitalization in Japan were modelled on seasonal patterns of MA-AGE for unspecified causes derived from the Japan Medical Data Center (JMDC) database for the period July 2007 to June 2015.

Epidemiology of lactic acidosis in type 2 diabetes patients with metformin in Japan.

Purpose: To estimate the incidence of lactic acidosis (LA) and role of metformin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with anti-diabetes drugs.

Methods: This retrospective propensity score matched cohort study was conducted using the Japanese Medical Data Vision claims database. T2DM patients aged 18 or above who received diabetes drugs during January 2010 through August 2014 were identified.

Association between therapy with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and risk of ileus: a cohort study.

Background: Three cases of ileus have been published among dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor users in Japan. The purpose of this study was to estimate and compare incidence rates of ileus among alogliptin users and users of other DPP-4 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, and voglibose.

Methods: We used the Medical Data Vision database in Japan to conduct a retrospective cohort study among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients who were new users of alogliptin, other DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, or voglibose between 1 April 2010 and 30 April 2014.

A compact 3D-printed interface for coupling open digital microchips with Venturi easy ambient sonic-spray ionization mass spectrometry.

Digital microfluidics (DMF) based on the electrowetting-on-dielectric phenomenon is a convenient way of handling microlitre-volume aliquots of solutions prior to analysis. Although it was shown to be compatible with on-line mass spectrometric detection, due to numerous technical obstacles, the implementation of DMF in conjunction with MS is still beyond the reach of many analytical laboratories. Here we present a facile method for coupling open DMF microchips to mass spectrometers using Venturi easy ambient sonic-spray ionization operated at atmospheric pressure.

Cost-effectiveness of dabigatran etexilate for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in atrial fibrillation in Taiwan.

Background: Economic evaluation of dabigatran, a new anti-antithrombotic agent, is done mostly in Western countries. It remains to be seen whether dabigatran will be cost effective in a practice environment where warfarin is significantly underused and the costs of both warfarin and international normalized ration INR monitoring are cheap.

Methods: We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis with a Markov model to evaluate the value of dabigatran to prevent stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in Taiwan.

Microfluidic Chip Coupled with Thermal Desorption Atmospheric Pressure Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

Microfluidic chips have been used as platforms for a diversity of research purposes such as for separation and micro-reaction. One of the suitable detectors for microfluidic chip is mass spectrometry. Because microfluidic chips are generally operated in an open air condition, mass spectrometry coupled with atmospheric pressure ion sources can suit the requirement with minimum compromise.

Colorimetric microchip assay using our own whole blood collected by a painless needle for home medical care.

We have developed a colorimetric measurement chip that measures triglycerides, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein in 6 μL of whole blood collected with a painless needle. The chip can be used by patients to self-monitor certain health conditions at home. This chip contains a sharp 150 μm diameter stainless steel (SUS) needle that collects blood painlessly.

Assessment of statin-associated muscle toxicity in Japan: a cohort study conducted using claims database and laboratory information.

Objective: To estimate the incidence of muscle toxicity in patients receiving statin therapy by examining study populations, drug exposure status and outcome definitions.

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Setting: 16 medical facilities in Japan providing information on laboratory tests performed in and claims received by their facilities between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2010.

Acute urinary retention increases the risk of complications after transurethral resection of the prostate: a population-based study.

Unlabelled: Study Type--Prognosis (cohort) Level of Evidence 2a. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Higher mortality and morbidity rates in men presenting with AUR have been reported in previous studies. This study has comprehensive comparisons of post-TURP complications between patients with and without AUR.

Risk of insomnia attributable to β-blockers in elderly patients with newly diagnosed hypertension.

Use of β-blockers may cause insomnia and central nervous system and/or psychological side effects, but data are limited on the relative risks of insomnia among β-blockers. This retrospective cohort study used Taiwan's National Health Insurance claims database from 2003 to 2007, where 4,063 patients aged above 65 years with newly diagnosed hypertension and treated with β-blockers were followed for 1 year. The primary endpoint was a new insomnia event within 30 days of treatment initiation.

Effectiveness of sulpiride in adult patients with schizophrenia.

The objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness among sulpiride, risperidone, olanzapine, and haloperidol by evaluating the persistence of drug use. A retrospective cohort study was conducted by analyzing the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. Patients with schizophrenia aged 18-65 years and newly prescribed with a single oral antipsychotic medication between years 2003 and 2008 were included.

Microscale MALDI imaging of outer-layer lipids in intact egg chambers from Drosophila melanogaster.

Fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) is a standard model organism used in genetics and molecular biology. Phospholipids are building blocks of cellular membranes, and components of a complex signaling network. Here, we present a facile method, based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS), for molecular imaging of phospholipid distributions in submillimeter-sized components of the fruit fly reproductive system.

Capillary action-supported contactless atmospheric pressure ionization for the combined sampling and mass spectrometric analysis of biomolecules.

It is proposed that a short tapered capillary can be utilized as a nanoliter-volume sampling tool and sample emitter for generation of gas-phase ions in front of the mass spectrometer, without the need for using an additional electric power supply, a gas supply, or a syringe pump. A wide range of molecules can be analyzed in pure solutions and complex matrixes (cell extract, urine, and plant tissue) with no or minimum sample preparation. Singly and multiply charged ions can be detected in either positive or negative-ion mode.

Anatomic reduction of old displaced lateral condylar fractures of the humerus in children via a posterior approach with olecranon osteotomy.

Background/purpose: We questioned the principle of treatment of late lateral condylar fracture of a pediatric elbow. We report the results of treating this condition using a different approach.

Methods: We treated six children with type 3 late lateral condylar fractures.

C.I. Pigment red 266.

C.I. Pigment Red 266, or 4-[[4-(aminocarbonyl)phenyl]hydrazono]-N-(2-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxo-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-2-carboxamide, C(25)H(20)N(4)O(4), adopts the keto-hydrazone tautomeric form with significant intramolecular hydrogen bonding.