Learning Curves and Surgical Outcomes of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Performed by an Attending Surgeon and Trainee Surgeons.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a commonly performed procedure for bariatric and metabolic surgery. However, few reports exist concerning the learning curves and surgical outcomes of LSG among trainee surgeons. This study aimed to investigate the learning curves and surgical outcomes of LSG for one attending surgeon and trainee surgeons.

A unique compound ameliorating endoplasmic reticulum stress and insulin resistance by binding to β tubulin.

Insulin is secreted by the pancreatic β-cells and regulates glucose uptake. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is known to induce insulin resistance. Identifying novel compounds, which can ameliorate ER stress and insulin resistance may be beneficial in the treatment of diabetes.

Effect of a Financial Incentive Scheme for Medication Review on Polypharmacy in Elderly Inpatients With Dementia: A Retrospective Before-and-After Study.

Objectives: Polypharmacy is an important healthcare issue, especially in elderly patients with dementia. As an incentive to reduce polypharmacy, a health insurance reimbursement scheme was introduced in 2016 for medication review and the reduction of medications for inpatients in Japan. However, the effects of these incentive schemes were not evaluated.

Drug-free remission of immune thrombocytopenic purpura following resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: a case report.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a rare autoimmune disorder. Although secondary ITP, caused by various underlying diseases, including some malignant tumors, has been reported, instances of ITP resolving after successful treatment of the underlying cause are uncommon and noteworthy. Herein, we present a case of a patient with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) and ITP who achieved drug-free remission of ITP following tumor resection.

Midnolin, a Genetic Risk Factor for Parkinson's Disease, Promotes Neurite Outgrowth Accompanied by Early Growth Response 1 Activation in PC12 Cells.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age-related progressive neurodegenerative disease. Previously, we identified midnolin () as a genetic risk factor for PD. Although copy number loss increases the risk of PD, the molecular function of MIDN remains unclear.

Implementation status of comprehensive geriatric assessment among older inpatients: A nationwide retrospective study.

Aim: The importance of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is increasing in aging societies worldwide. However, there are few comprehensive studies on CGA, resulting in a limited understanding of its implementation rate, temporal changes and factors associated with its implementation. We aimed to investigate the implementation status of CGA and its regional variance in Japan.

Laparoscopic versus open pancreaticoduodenectomy for ampullary cancer: A retrospective study.

Introduction: Studies comparing laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) with open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) for ampullary carcinoma (AC) are limited. This study aimed to compare short- and long-term outcomes between LPD and OPD for AC.

Methods: This study included patients with AC who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with curative intention at Ogaki Municipal Hospital from April 2008 to March 2023.

Early-onset dementia and risk of hip fracture and major osteoporotic fractures.

Introduction: There is limited knowledge about early-onset dementia (EOD) on fracture risk.

Methods: Individuals ages 50 to 64 were identified from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan (2012 to 2019). The association between EOD and fractures and the association between cholinesterase inhibitors for EOD and fractures were evaluated using logistic regression analyses.

The roles of sex hormones in the pathophysiology of age-related sarcopenia and frailty.

Background: Sarcopenia is an age-related condition characterized by a progressive and systemic decline in skeletal muscle mass, quality, and strength. The incidence of sarcopenia contains sex-specific aspects, indicating the contribution of sex hormones to its pathophysiology. This review focuses on changing trends in sarcopenia, discusses alterations in definitions and diagnostic criteria, and emphasizes the association between sarcopenia and sex hormones.

Polypharmacy and Potentially Inappropriate Medications in Patients With Advanced Cancer: Prevalence and Associated Factors at the End of Life.

Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) impose a burden on patients with advanced cancer near the end of their lives. However, only a few studies have addressed factors associated with PIMs in such patients. To examine polypharmacy and factors associated with PIMs in end-of-life patients with advanced cancer.

Exercise-induced vitamin D receptor and androgen receptor mediate inhibition of IL-6 and STAT3 in muscle.

Background: Skeletal muscle produces interleukin-6 (IL-6) during exercise as a myokine. Although IL-6 is required for skeletal muscle regeneration, its action increases the expression of myostatin and other proteins involved in muscle atrophy, resulting in skeletal muscle atrophy. In this study, we clarified the effects exercise-induced vitamin D receptor (VDR) and androgen receptor (AR) expression on IL-6 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and

Method: C2C12 myotubes were subjected to electric pulse stimulation (EPS) .

Prescription of vitamin D was associated with a lower incidence of hip fractures.

Patients with osteoporosis are prone to fragility fractures. Evidence of the effects of active forms of vitamin D on hip fracture prevention is insufficient. We examined the association between vitamin D prescription and incidence of new fractures using the data of osteoporotic patients from the nationwide health insurance claims database of Japan.

Recent progress on action and regulation of anorexigenic adipokine leptin.

Organismal energy balance is controlled by inter-tissue communication mediated by the nervous system and hormones, the disruption of which causes metabolic syndrome exemplified by diabetes and obesity. Fat-storing adipose tissue, especially those located in subcutaneous white adipose tissue, secretes leptin in a proportion of fat mass, inhibiting the accumulation of organismal fat by suppressing appetite and promoting energy expenditure. With a prevalence of obesity that exhibits hyperleptinemia, most of the investigation on leptin has been focused on how it works and how it does not, which is expected to be a clue for treating obesity.

Simultaneous total robotic right hemicolectomy and right partial nephrectomy.

The incidence of synchronous colorectal and renal cancers is reportedly as low as 0.33%. Simultaneous surgery for multi-organ cancers has been reported to have several advantages if tolerated by the patient.

Intrathoracic anastomosis using handsewn purse-string suturing by the double-ligation method in laparo-thoracoscopic esophagectomy.

Purpose: In minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE), it is important to reduce the rate of anastomotic leakage to ensure its safety. At our institute, the double-ligation method (DLM) has been introduced to insert and fix the anvil of the circular stapler for intracorporeal circular esophagojejunostomy in gastric surgery. We adopted this method for intrathoracic anastomosis (IA) in MIE.

Effect of denture adhesives on masticatory performance: Multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of denture adhesives on masticatory performance via a 10-center, parallel, randomized, controlled trial of complete denture wearers in Japan.

Methods: The trial was conducted between September 2013 and October 2016. The inclusion criteria were complete edentulism, willingness to undergo new complete denture treatment, and willingness to return for recall treatment.

Validation of the questionnaire for medical checkup of old-old (QMCOO) score cutoff to diagnose frailty.

Background: Frailty is a state of increased vulnerability to poor resolution of homeostasis following a stress. Early diagnosis and intervention of frailty are essential to prevent its adverse outcomes. However, simple diagnostic criteria have not been established.

Alkannin Attenuates Amyloid Aggregation and Alzheimer's Disease Pathology.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is accompanied by memory decline and cognitive dysfunction. Aggregated amyloid formation and accumulation may be one of the underlying mechanisms of the pathophysiology of AD. Therefore, compounds that can inhibit amyloid aggregation may be useful for treatment.

Neurobehavioral characteristics of mice with mutations as models of IDD23 and KBG syndromes.

Genomic analysis has revealed that the genes for various chromatin regulators are mutated in many individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), emphasizing the important role of chromatin regulation in nervous system development and function. Chromatin regulation is mediated by writers, readers, and erasers of histone and DNA modifications, with such proteins being defined by specific domains. One of these domains is the SET domain, which is present in enzymes that catalyze histone methylation.