Increased Oxygen Consumption Ability With Pulmonary Rehabilitation Improves Submaximal Exercise Capacity in Advanced COPD.

Improving the anaerobic threshold (AT) provides benefits by avoiding overload, especially for patients with advanced COPD. However, the variables related to improving AT are poorly known. The aim of this study was to investigate which variables are related to improved AT after pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET).

Lipid structure-dependent CD1d functional stabilization and immunomodulation of endogenous glucosylceramides.

Newly developed synthetic methods for monoglycosylceramides enabled representative brain glycolipid synthesis. Immunomodulatory activities of the glycolipids were examined CD1d and Mincle. CD1d strongly bound endogenous GlcCer with longer unsaturated fatty acids (, C24:1), partly inhibiting other antigens and stabilizing CD1d's immunological role in presenting lipid antigens to NKT cells.

Anxiety, Depression and Cancer-Related Post-Traumatic Stress in Patients Undergoing Total Laryngectomy.

Purpose: This study aims to elucidate the incidence of cancer-related post-traumatic stress (PTS) and the fluctuations in anxiety and depression levels before and one year after laryngectomy.

Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted on 97 consecutive patients scheduled to undergo laryngectomy (total laryngectomy or pharyngolaryngectomy) at a single university hospital between 2007 and 2022. To assess cancer-related PTS, anxiety, and depression, participants completed two brief self-reported questionnaires: the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

EverywhereAR: A Visual Authoring System for Creating Adaptive AR Game Scenes.

As a pivotal application of Augmented Reality (AR) technology, AR games empower players to bridge reality with virtuality, offering a distinct and immersive experience set apart from traditional games. However, when creating AR games, one of the most formidable challenges faced by designers pertains to the unpredictability of intricate real-world environments, which hinders crafting naturally integrated scenes where virtual objects harmoniously blend with the players' surroundings. In this paper, we introduce EverywhereAR, a system that is capable of flexibly realizing the designer's idea in various real-world scenes.

Outcomes of Avelumab Treatment in Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma According to Age, Performance Status, and Timing.

Background/aim: The efficacy and safety of avelumab according to age, performance status (PS), and infusion timing in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC) are unclear.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from patients with advanced UC who received avelumab, without progression to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Efficacy and safety were evaluated according to age (<70, ≥70 to <80, and ≥80 years), PS (0 and ≥1), and infusion time of the first dose (early and late).

In vitro susceptibility of differentiated SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells to herpes simplex virus type 1 and Japanese encephalitis virus infection.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of cell differentiation status and neurotropic viral infectivity on the susceptibility of undifferentiated and differentiated SH-SY5Y cells to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infections. Notably, undifferentiated SH-SY5Y cells were susceptible to both HSV-1 and JEV infections. However, differentiated cells exhibiting a phenotypically mature neuron-like morphology and markedly increased neuronal marker levels showed low susceptibility to JEV infection.

Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant in Livestock in Japan: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) is an important health issue that is estimated to have caused 130,000 deaths worldwide in 2021. As more instances of cross-species transmission of MRSA have been reported, concerns have been raised regarding the spread of livestock-associated MRSA to humans. The prevalence of MRSA in livestock varies globally.

Association of pre-admission exercise habit with post-discharge outcomes for older patients with heart failure.

Aims: The benefits of exercise in patients with heart failure are well documented. However, to date, the association between exercise habits and prognosis is yet to be evaluated. In this study, we investigated the association between pre-hospital exercise habits and post-discharge prognosis in older adult patients with heart failure.

Improved outcomes of endoscopic treatment for delayed perforation following endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric epithelial neoplasms.

Background And Study Aims: Emergency surgery is usually required for patients with delayed perforation after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD); however, cases of successful endoscopic treatment recently have been reported. Here, we elucidated the usefulness of endoscopic intervention for patients with delayed perforation.

Patients And Methods: Patients who underwent gastric ESD from 2005 to 2022 were assessed for eligibility.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Accidental Hypothermia: A Multicenter Study in Japan.

Despite growing evidence supporting the efficacy of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) for accidental hypothermia (AH), few studies have assessed its real-world application. We aimed to describe the use and outcomes of VA-ECMO in AH patients using data from a multicenter registry. This retrospective study included adult AH patients from the Japanese accidental hypothermia network registry (J-Point registry) between April 2011 and March 2016.

Prognostic values of proteinuria in patients with acute heart failure.

Background: Renal dysfunction is significantly associated with poor prognosis in patients with heart failure. However, the prognostic significance of proteinuria as a potential marker of an impaired glomerular filtration barrier in acute heart failure (AHF) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of urinary protein/creatinine ratio (PCR) in patients with AHF.

Rare Case of Gut-associated Lymphoid Tissue Carcinoma in the Sigmoid Colon of a Very Elderly Patient: A Case Report.

Colorectal cancer with gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) carcinoma histopathology is particularly rare in very elderly patients. GALT is characterized by submucosal localization and prominent lymphoid infiltration with germinal center formation within tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. This study aims to report a case of colorectal cancer with GALT carcinoma histopathology in a very elderly patient and to provide a comprehensive literature review.

Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage Due to Macrolide-Refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae Diagnosed by FilmArray Analysis of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid.

typically causes mild respiratory infections but can rarely lead to severe complications. We report a case of a 43-year-old immunocompetent male who presented with progressive dyspnea and respiratory failure with bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, refractory to outpatient treatment with azithromycin, ceftriaxone, and levofloxacin. Bronchoscopy revealed multiple white plaques in the trachea and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage.

Development and Examination of an Educational Program Combining E-Learning and Face-to-Face Training That Nurtures Inflammatory Bowel Disease Nurse Specialists.

Introduction: The number of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Japan has continued to increase, leading to diverse and complex patient backgrounds. Despite these challenges, the education of IBD nurse specialists has not kept pace with the evolving circumstances. Therefore, our research aimed to develop and validate an educational program for the training of IBD nurse specialists.

Perilymphatic fistula caused by Eustachian tube air inflation.

We present a case of a perilymphatic fistula (PLF) caused by Eustachian tube air inflation (ETAI) that was diagnosed using cochlin-tomoprotein (CTP) testing and successfully treated using transcanal endoscopic ear surgery to seal the inner ear window. A 77-year-old woman developed hearing loss and dizziness after undergoing ETAI at a local ear, nose, and throat clinic. Despite initial bed rest and steroid pulse therapy, the hearing did not improve, and transcanal endoscopic ear surgery was performed to repair the PLF.

A case of trichoblastic carcinoma admixed with histological features of trichoblastoma, trichoepithelioma, and basal cell carcinoma.

Trichoblastic carcinoma, trichoblastoma, trichoepithelioma, and basal cell carcinoma are histologically characterised by basaloid cell proliferation. In this report, we describe the case of a 76-year-old man who presented with trichoblastic carcinoma admixed with histological features of trichoblastoma, trichoepithelioma, and basal cell carcinoma. These tumours may not be situated separately but must be related to each other in terms of tumorigenesis.

Impact of intravascular ultrasound on limb events in endovascular therapy for patients with peripheral arterial disease: insights from the TOMA-CODE registry.

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has become a standard procedure for performing coronary intervention, but its impact on peripheral endovascular therapy (EVT) remains unclear. To assess the usefulness of IVUS during EVT, this study analyzed over 2000 consecutive patients from the TOkyo-taMA peripheral vascular intervention research COmraDE (TOMA-CODE) registry with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in Japan. The primary outcome was chronic limb events (a composite of clinically driven target lesion revascularization (cTLR) and major amputation) during a two-year follow-up period.

Genetic Characterization of Captive South American Fur Seals in Japan Based on Mitochondrial and Microsatellite DNA Analyses.

Molecular genetic analyses are effective in revealing the origin, kinship, and genetic diversity of zoo animals. In this study, we carried out the genetic characterization of captive founder individuals of the South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) in Japanese zoos and aquariums based on analyses of mitochondrial sequences and nuclear microsatellite loci. In mitochondrial DNA analysis, the haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity of the overall population were 0.

Successful Treatment of an Esophago-Tracheobronchial Fistula Using Double Stenting to Correct Initial Stent Migration: A Case Report and Literature Review.

: Esophago-tracheobronchial fistula is a severe and often fatal complication in patients with advanced esophageal cancer, requiring prompt attention. The standard treatment involves the placement of a covered stent, which is relatively simple to perform and effectively seals the fistula. However, stent migration remains a common issue, highlighting the need for improved methods to prevent it.

The efficacy of JAK inhibitors in adult eosinophilic colitis with atopic dermatitis; four cases report.

We herein present four cases of Eosinophilic colitis (EoC) in adult patients who were successfully treated with a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. Case 1 is a 23-year-old female who was treated with baricitinib (BAR, 4 mg, once a day) for atopic dermatitis (AD). Colonoscopy (CS) initially did not reveal any significant abnormalities.

Impact of preceding treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma on synchronous superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) frequently develop synchronous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). With advances in endoscopic technology and widespread screening of synchronous cancers, the detection of synchronous HNSCC and superficial ESCC (SESCC) is increasing. We aimed to evaluate the impact of preceding HNSCC treatment on synchronous SESCC.

Pneumoparotid with imaging findings: A case report and review of literature.

Background: Pneumoparotid is a rare disease associated with retrograde airflow into the ductal system. There is no established treatment for this disease, which has no known complications. Mouth puffing and playing wind instruments are known to be the causes of this disease.