Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Congenital Syphilis in Japan, 2023: Executive Summary.

Congenital syphilis (CS) is a mother-to-child infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum , transmitted through the placenta. In Japan, the number of syphilis cases has recently increased, accompanied by an increase in CS cases. Thus, automated methods for serum antibodies with serial values, without a 2× dilution sequence, have been widely used.

Risks and prevention of severe respiratory syncytial virus infection among infants and children with pulmonary hypoplasia, airway stenosis, congenital esophageal atresia, inborn errors of metabolism, or neuromuscular diseases in Japan.

Background: In March 2024, children with pulmonary hypoplasia, airway stenosis, congenital esophageal atresia, inborn errors of metabolism, and neuromuscular diseases became eligible for palivizumab in Japan. Despite limited epidemiological data, expert consensus guided the recommendation for palivizumab use in these children to ensure its proper application.

Objectives: This article outlines the proper use of palivizumab for RSV infection in infants and children with the specified conditions, aiming to enhance understanding of the medical basis for its clinical guidance.

Nationwide Epidemiology and Outpatient Healthcare Resource Use of Children with Respiratory Syncytial Virus from 2005 to 2021.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) poses a global health challenge, particularly among younger children. While the disease burden in Japan has been preliminarily quantified in short-term or inpatient settings, a comprehensive understanding of outpatient settings at a national level is still lacking.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we followed 697 802 children until they reached 60 months of age, amounting to 25 680 468 million person-months, using two nationally representative databases from the fiscal years 2005-2021.

Kidney injury associated with fosravuconazole L-lysine ethanolate.

Background: Fosravuconazole L-lysine ethanolate (F-RVCZ) is a prodrug of ravuconazole and a triazole antifungal drug used for the treatment of onychomycosis. It has been reported in previous studies that the kidney injury caused by F-RVCZ is 1% or less.

Methods: Serum creatinine levels were compared, and glomerular filtration rate and urine protein were estimated before and after starting the administration of F-RVCZ, as well as after the end of the administration period.

Nationwide epidemiology and health resource use among children with COVID-19 in Japan.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic posed substantial challenges to healthcare systems. Understanding the responses of pediatric health services is crucial for future pandemic planning and preparedness, yet such data remains limited.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from administrative databases developed by Japan Medical Data Center and DeSC Healthcare Inc.

Design of artificial molecular motor inheriting directionality and scalability.

Realizing artificial molecular motors with autonomous functionality and high performance is a major challenge in biophysics. Such motors not only provide new perspectives in biotechnology but also offer a novel approach for the bottom-up elucidation of biological molecular motors. Directionality and scalability are critical factors for practical applications.

Clinical Practice Patterns and Risk Factors for Severe Conditions in Pediatric Hospitalizations With Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Japan: A Nationwide Analyses (2018-2022).

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) represents a global health challenge, especially among younger children. While the disease burden in Japan has been preliminarily quantified, there remains a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding treatment patterns and the influence of known risk factors at a national scale.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study consisting of 50,482 children under 5 years hospitalized with RSV infections during 2018-2022 using the Medical Data Vision database.

Surgical treatment of infective endocarditis with massive vegetations in a patient with a ventricular septal defect and atopic dermatitis: a case report.

Background: It is well known that congenital heart disease, especially a ventricular septal defect, is associated with a high risk of infective endocarditis. There are few reports of infective endocarditis with vegetations extending from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery, resulting in pulmonary artery embolism. It is also well known that atopic dermatitis can be associated with systemic infections such as infective carditis.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy for refractory angina pectoris.

Background: Despite the advances in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, effective treatment remains to be established to improve the quality of life and prognosis of patients with chronic coronary syndromes. This study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) therapy, which we have developed as a novel non-invasive angiogenic therapy through upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS).

Methods And Findings: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled (RCT) pilot trial of the LIPUS therapy for patients with refractory angina pectoris.

A case of Robinsoniella peoriensis bacteremia during using piperacillin-tazobactam.

Infections caused by Robinsoniella peoriensis, particularly bacteremia, are rare, of which only six cases were reported R. peoriensis bloodstream infections. This case report describes an instance of R.

A case of bloodstream co-infection of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida glabrata while using micafungin.

Background: Saccharomyces cerevisiae is ubiquitous in the gastrointestinal tract and known as brewer's or baker's yeast. We experienced a case of S. cerevisiae and Candida glabrata co-infectious bloodstream infection.

The Incidence of Serious/Invasive Bacterial Diseases in Infants 90 Days Old or Younger at an Emergency Hospital in Japan.

Background The incidence of severe bacterial infections (SBIs) in infants aged ≤90 days is thought to have decreased because of widespread vaccination programs. However, relevant epidemiological data in Japan are scarce. Materials and methods This observational, single-center study investigated the epidemiology of fever in infants aged ≤90 days.

Beneficial Effects of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Therapy on Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Animal Models.

Right ventricular failure (RVF) is a leading cause of death in patients with pulmonary hypertension; however, effective treatment remains to be developed. We have developed low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy for cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we demonstrated that the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in RVF patients was downregulated and that eNOS expression and its downstream pathway were ameliorated through eNOS activation in 2 animal models of RVF.

The first case of deep neck abscess due to Filifactor alocis co-infected with Eggerthia catenaformis, Parvimonas micra, and Streptococcusconstellatus.

Filifactor alocis, an anaerobic Gram-positive rod, has garnered interest from its association with periodontal disease. Extraoral infections by F. alocis are rare; only seven cases have been reported.

Risk Factors for Septic Shock After Irinotecan-Containing Chemotherapy: An Exploratory Case-Control Study.

Background And Objectives: Irinotecan sometimes causes lethal septic shock but the risk factors remain unclear. This retrospective case-control study explored the potential risk factors for septic shock following irinotecan treatment.

Methods: All women who received irinotecan-containing chemotherapy for gynecologic malignancies at Shizuoka General Hospital from October 2014 to September 2020 were investigated.