Association between salt intake and blood pressure among community-dwelling older adults based on their physical frailty status.

The effects of salt reduction and adequate nutrition intake among older adults with physical frailty remain controversial. Therefore, the present study investigated whether the association between daily salt intake and blood pressure among community-dwelling older adults, including the very old people, based on their physical frailty status. This cross-sectional study used data from the SONIC study, a cohort study on older adults, collected between 2010 and 2012.

Impact of depth of body cavity at the upper-right portion of the abdomen on open and laparoscopic liver resection of segment 7.

Purpose: The impact of body-cavity depth on open (OLR) and laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) of segment 7 remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the influence of body-cavity depth at the upper-right portion of the abdomen on LLR and OLR of segment 7.

Methods: In total, 101 patients who underwent segment-7 liver resection over 2010-2023 were included.

Efficacy and safety of indocyanine green-fluorescence imaging guided liver resection: a single-arm prospective cohort study.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of indocyanine green (ICG)-fluorescence imaging for the identification of hepatic boundaries during liver resection and its advantages in surgical outcomes over conventional methods.

Methods: This prospective, exploratory, single-arm clinical trial included 47 patients with liver tumors who underwent liver resection using ICG-fluorescence imaging (ICG-LR) between 2019 and 2020. The primary outcome measure was the successful identification of hepatic boundaries during liver resection, from the perspective of both the hepatic surface and intrahepatic boundary, using ICG-fluorescence imaging.

Treatment Outcomes of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Durvalumab Plus Tremelimumab After Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background/aim: Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (AteBev) is widely used as a first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, evidence regarding the optimal drug sequence following AteBev treatment is limited. This study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes between tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and durvalumab plus tremelimumab (DurTre) following AteBev treatment.

Robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy for portal annular pancreas: how to do it.

Portal annular pancreas (PAP) is an uncommon anomaly in which the pancreatic parenchyma surrounds the portal or superior mesenteric vein. An adequate operative approach is necessary to prevent clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy for PAP. We herein report a case of robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy for PAP.

Factors affecting marriage and pregnancy/childbirth among women physicians in Japan.

Background: Previous studies have not elucidated the factors affecting marriage and pregnancy/childbirth. This study identifies whether work characteristics and conditions affect marriage and pregnancy/childbirth among women physicians.

Methods: This nationwide survey was conducted on women members of three major Japanese medical societies: internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and surgery.

Inter-prefectural regional disparities in gastric cancer surgery: A Japanese nationwide population-based cohort study from 2014 to 2019.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the regional disparities in gastric cancer surgery in Japan.

Methods: The annual incidence of gastric cancer and number of gastrectomies, board-certified surgeons in gastroenterology by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery, and board-certified surgeons by the Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery were evaluated by prefecture in Japan during 2014-2019. Medium-sized regional disparities were assessed using the Gini coefficient.

Seasonal variations and a demographic analysis of digital evacuation incidence for constipation management: A Japanese population-based cohort study.

Objective Digital evacuation (DE) is an intervention used to address severe constipation. Literature exists on easily administered laxatives; however, reports on mildly invasive DE usage are limited. This study aimed to elucidate the fundamental data regarding constipation management using a comprehensive national database of DE incidence.

Understanding the Relationship Between Adverse Medication Use and Falls Among Older Patients Receiving Home Medical Care: OHCARE study.

Previous studies suggest older patients with multiple health conditions and medications may experience adverse interactions, leading to negative outcomes. However, there's limited research on this in older adults receiving home medical care. This study assesses whether polypharmacy is linked to falls or other clinical outcomes.

Comparison of Prognostic Outcomes Between Repeat Liver Resection and Particle Therapy for Patients with Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Particle therapy (PT) as an initial hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment has been reported to be effective; however, its efficacy for the treatment of recurrent HCC remains unclear.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of PT compared with repeat liver resection for treating recurrent HCC after initial LR, with a focus on prognostic outcomes.

Methods: Between 2005 and 2019, 89 and 49 patients underwent repeat LR and PT for recurrent HCC after initial LR, respectively.

Validation of patient-specific flatfoot models on finite element analysis.

Adult-acquired flatfoot causes various deformities. If a patient-specific foot model can be created using the finite element method, it can be used to study the appropriate surgical technique for each patient. Nine patient-specific flatfoot models were created, and loading simulations were performed.

The long-term post-surgical outcome of intermediate anorectal malformation in our department.

Background: Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty and laparoscopic-assisted anorectal pull-through are preferred for anorectal malformation (ARM) today, while careful pull-through procedures with sacroperineal approach yield excellent outcomes. This study focuses on a pull-through procedure emphasizing continence mechanism preservation and compares outcomes with historical studies with various procedures.

Methods: Bowel function of patients with intermediate ARM followed up for over 10 years post-surgically was assessed.

Sex differences in reduction of trunk muscle mass related to falls and cognitive function during the COVID-19 pandemic in older adults.

Aim: This study aimed to examine the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical components and activity, and its relationship to physical performance in older adults.

Methods: Sixty-seven participants aged 75 and older (81 ± 2 years, female: 66%), who underwent medical checkups continuously from 2018 to 2022 in one clinic, were enrolled. Muscle mass was assessed by the biometrical impedance analysis method, which was adjusted by height squared.

Preoperative level of serum transthyretin as a novel biomarker predicting survival in resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with neoadjuvant therapy.

Background: Systemic inflammation and altered metabolism are essential hallmarks of cancer. We hypothesized that the rapid turnover protein transthyretin (TTR) (half-life: 2-3 days), compared with the conventional marker albumin (21 days), better reflects the inflammatory/metabolic dynamics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) and is a useful prognostic marker.

Methods: Serum TTR and albumin levels were measured in 104 consecutive post-NAT PDAC patients before curative resection.

Comparison of laparoscopic liver resection for the ventral versus the dorsal areas of segment 8.

Purpose: The technical difficulties of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) are greatly associated with the location of liver tumors. Since segment 8 (S8) contains a wide area, the difficulty of LLR for S8 tumors may vary depending on the location within the segment, such as the ventral (S8v) and dorsal (S8d) area, but the difference is unclear.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated 30 patients who underwent primary laparoscopic partial liver resection for liver tumors in S8 at Kobe University Hospital between January 2018 and June 2023.

Association between serum vitamin D levels and skeletal muscle indices in an older Japanese population: The SONIC study.

Aim: Vitamin D (VD) affects skeletal muscles. The high prevalence of VD deficiency in Japan may lead to decreased skeletal muscle mass and strength, increasing the prevalence of sarcopenia. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between serum VD levels and skeletal muscle indices in a Japanese community-dwelling older population.