Background And Aim: Identifying the factors contributing to the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a lifestyle-related disease, is crucial for preventing future liver-related deaths. This study aimed to epidemiologically investigate factors, including single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels >30 U/L and potential risk factors for liver fibrosis, in a general population cohort of patients with MASLD.
Methods: Among 1059 participants in the health checkup project, 228 who were diagnosed with MASLD were analyzed.
Background: The feasibility and outcomes of salvage endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and ESD for metachronous esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) inside the irradiated field are not clear.
Aims: To explore the viability of ESD for ESCC in areas previously exposed to radiation, identify elements hindering successful ESD, assess prognosis, and elucidate considerations for follow-up.
Methods: Patients with ESCC who underwent salvage ESD or ESD for metachronous ESCC within the previously irradiated field at Kanagawa Cancer Center between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2023, were retrospectively investigated to evaluate patient and lesion characteristics and short- and long-term outcomes.
Background: Deep tissue injury (DTI), a pressure-related injury to the subcutaneous tissue under intact skin, has been featured in several recent studies. DTI is hard to detect, and by the time the injury becomes visible, extensive injury to the underlying tissue has often already occurred, resulting in a potentially serious and difficult-to-heal full-thickness pressure injury. Thus, early detection of subcutaneous injuries is essential, and previous reports describe the use of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for this purpose.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMany factors are associated with the development and progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD); however, genetics and gut microbiota are representative factors. Recent studies have highlighted the link between host genes and the gut microbiota. Although there have been many studies on the separate effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and gut bacteria on MASLD, few epidemiological studies have examined how SNPs and gut bacteria interact in the development and progression of MASLD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHereditary transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTRv-CA) after liver transplantation remains challenging to treat due to residual amyloid deposits in extrahepatic organs, including the heart. Tafamidis, a transthyretin tetramer stabilizer, has shown promise in the treatment of ATTRv-CA; however, its efficacy and safety after liver transplantation are uncertain. In this preliminary retrospective review, we assessed the efficacy and safety of tafamidis (80 mg) in three ATTRv-CA cases after liver transplantation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The post-insertion clinical course of esophageal self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) in initially frail patients with esophageal carcinoma (EC) with dysphagia remains unclear. This study aimed to assess dysphagia improvement and evaluate prognosis in initially frail patients with advanced EC following SEMS insertion.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed EC patients with EC who underwent esophageal SEMS insertion at our institution between January 2014 and March 2023.
No standard treatment has been established for gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma (G-NEC). We present the case of a patient with recurrent G-NEC who achieved a complete response (CR) with nivolumab. A woman in her 70 s, with no significant medical or family history of illness, underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, which revealed a Borrmann type 2 tumor in the gastric antrum.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: Atrial tachyarrhythmias occurring after transcatheter atrial septal defect closure are not uncommon; however, those related to device stimulation are rare. Herein, a case involving a 24-year-old female, who developed drug-refractory atrial tachycardia during the early postoperative period, is reported. The results of electroanatomical mapping could eventually be obtained from both atria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Recent studies have reported the therapeutic use of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) using an ultrathin endoscope for targeting pharyngeal and distal side lesions in the stenosis or as a less invasive treatment via the nasal route. However, the effectiveness and safety of these treatments remain undetermined. Therefore, this study aimed to review treatment outcomes and discuss the advantages and precautions of the treatments based on our experience.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective Patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are generally older and frailty is therefore an important clinical issue. The baseline degree of frailty is associated with the prognosis in patients undergoing TAVI; however, the incidence of in-hospital frailty progression and its influencing factors have not yet been elucidated. Methods This observational, single-center study retrospectively evaluated 281 patients who underwent TAVI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause severe lifelong functional disability and profoundly affect an individual's daily life. We investigated the prediction of patients' post-SCI functional outcomes by evaluating sensory scores rather than motor scores, as the latter's association with functional outcomes is well established. We examined patients' responses to a light touch (LT) and pin prick (PP) at admission and the response data's usefulness as predictors of functional outcomes (i.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTo quantify chiral shape, a tensor describing the particle shape has been proposed. This tensor, named the shape tensor (S-tensor), is an analog of the hydrodynamic tensor that relates the rotational and translational motions of particles in a liquid. The determinant of the S-tensor, named chirality measure density (CMD), was calculated for chiral tetrahedrons and octahedrons.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExercise increases the serum level of interleukin-6 (IL-6), which in turn stimulates the production of various inflammatory cytokine antagonists, such as interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). Individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) are at high risk of inflammatory conditions. This study compared the effects of wheelchair half marathon on the immune system of male athletes with CSCI and those with thoracic/lumber spinal cord injury (SCI).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWhether drug therapy slows the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in the Japanese population remains unknown. In a multicenter prospective open-label study, patients with AAA at the presurgical stage (mean [±SD] AAA diameter 3.27±0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown)
December 2023
Background: This study aimed to investigate the association between proteinuria and long-term prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease.
Methods: This was a single-center observational study. A total of 1351 patients were identified who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention, and whose urine data were available.
Inactivation of the ubiquitin ligase Ube3a causes the developmental disorder Angelman syndrome, whereas increased Ube3a dosage is associated with autism spectrum disorders. Despite the enriched localization of Ube3a in the axon terminals including presynapses, little is known about the presynaptic function of Ube3a and mechanisms underlying its presynaptic localization. We show that developmental synapse elimination requires presynaptic Ube3a activity in neurons.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA 37-year-old man with systemic lupus erythematosus underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy as a screening examination for anemia and bloody stool. A semi-pedunculated edematous lobular polyp of 25 mm in size was detected in the greater curvature of the upper gastric body. At that time, a definitive diagnosis of cancer could not be made based on a biopsy specimen from the lesion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTo enhance nutrient removal from low-strength municipal wastewater in a continuous-flow activated sludge (CFAS) process using aerobic granular sludge (AGS) augmentation strategy, a pilot-scale demonstration was configured with a mainstream reactor (anaerobic/aerobic process) and a sidestream sequencing batch reactor for AGS production. The aeration of the mainstream reactor was controlled based on dissolved oxygen (DO) and ammonium concentrations during Phases I and II-III, respectively. During Phase III, an anoxic zone was created in the mainstream aerobic tank.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTrifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) is an oral anticancer agent used as a third- or later-line treatment for patients with metastatic gastric cancer/gastroesophageal junction cancer (mGC/GEJC). The C-reactive protein-to-serum albumin ratio (CAR) is an inflammation-based prognostic marker in gastric cancer. This retrospective study evaluated CAR's clinical significance as a prognostic factor in 64 patients with mGC/GEJC administered FTD/TPI as a third- or later-line therapy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground/aim: Irinotecan and trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) are fourth-line treatment options after third-line nivolumab for advanced gastric cancer (AGC). However, the efficacy and safety of irinotecan and FTD/TPI in the fourth-line setting after third-line nivolumab remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of irinotecan and FTD/TPI in the fourth-line setting after third-line nivolumab.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Central neuropathic pain (CNeP) is difficult to treat and has diverse etiology, including spinal cord injury (CNePSCI), Parkinson's disease (CNePPD), and central post-stroke pain (CPSP). The safety and efficacy of mirogabalin have been demonstrated in short-term trials, including patients with CNePSCI. The objective of our study was to confirm the safety/efficacy of mirogabalin in patients with CNePPD and CPSP, and obtain long-term data for CNePSCI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is related to the pathophysiology, mortality, and morbidity of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). A novel single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) camera with cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detectors allows for the quantification of absolute myocardial blood flow and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) in patients with coronary artery disease. However, the potential of CZT-SPECT assessing for CMD has never been evaluated in patients with HFpEF.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground/aim: Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) is an anticancer-agent that is administered as third-line or later chemotherapy for metastatic gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer (mGC/GEJC). Although inflammatory and nutritional statuses have attracted attention as prognostic factors for patients with mGC/GEJC in this therapy, their usefulness has not been fully clarified. Thus, this study investigated the clinical significance of prognostic nutritional index (PNI), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and NLR/serum albumin (Alb) ratio in patients administered FTD/TPI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Arterial stiffness indices are used to assess the material properties of the arterial wall and are associated with cardiovascular events. Aortic stenosis (AS) is commonly caused by degenerative calcification and can be associated with increased arterial stiffness. However, the clinical implications of arterial stiffness indices in AS patients before and after treatment are unknown.
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