Nephrotic syndrome with rectus sheath hematoma: a case report.

Background: Rectus sheath hematoma is a rare presentation often associated with abdominal trauma and anticoagulant therapy. Here, we present a patient with severe rectus sheath hematoma accompanied by nephrotic syndrome who achieved significant clinical improvement without the need for invasive treatment.

Case Presentation: A 72-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our hospital for the treatment of nephrotic syndrome.

Inflammation and malnutrition as markers of poor outcomes in head and neck cancer patients treated with nivolumab.

Background: Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are approved for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC), the response to ICIs remains unclear.

Aims/objectives: To summarize the clinical outcomes of patients with HNSCC treated with nivolumab (Nivo) in our institution, and provide a basis for research on biomarkers that can predict the efficacy of ICIs.

Material And Methods: Forty-four patients with R/M HNSCC who received Nivo (2017-2022) were retrospectively analysed.

Leukemic phase as the initial presentation of ALK-positive anaplastic large-cell lymphoma complicated by lactic acidosis.

The leukemic phase of ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is reported to have a poor prognosis. We, herein, report a rare case of the common type of ALK-positive ALCL complicated by lactic acidosis.

Complete remission after concurrent single-agent S-1 chemoradiotherapy for stage IIIB esophageal cancer: an autopsy case report.

Chemoradiotherapy regimens for patients with esophageal cancer intolerant to standard therapies remain to be established. The standard therapy for patients with stage II-III esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, who are not surgical candidates, is definitive chemoradiotherapy with concomitant use of 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin; however, cisplatin can cause serious adverse events. An 83-year-old Japanese man developed a 2-month history of nausea and vomiting.

Gain-of-function mutation causes human combined immune deficiency.

Genetic mutations account for many devastating early onset immune deficiencies. In contrast, less severe and later onset immune diseases, including in patients with no prior family history, remain poorly understood. Whole exome sequencing in two cohorts of such patients identified a novel heterozygous de novo missense mutation (c.

Differences in anti-phosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex antibodies and cutaneous vasculitis between regular livedo reticularis and livedo racemosa.

Objectives: We examined the prevalence of LAC, aCL antibodies (Abs), anti-beta(2)-glycoprotein I (anti-beta(2)GPI) Abs and anti-phosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex (anti-PS/PT) Abs in patients with regular livedo reticularis or with livedo racemosa to determine whether those Abs correlate with the clinical or serological features. Assuming that a correlation exists, early recognition of the serological features of the cutaneous manifestations may aid in the treatment and prediction of complications.

Methods: We examined the prevalence of LAC, aCL Abs, anti-beta(2)GPI Abs and anti-PS/PT Abs in 143 Japanese patients who presented at our department with regular livedo reticularis or livedo racemosa between 2003 and 2008.

Antiphosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex antibodies in 3 patients with Behçet disease involving superficial vein thrombophlebitis.

Background: Superficial vein thrombophlebitis is the common vascular symptom in Behçet disease and is characterized as erythema nodosum-like eruptions. Some studies have reported the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (Abs) in patients with Behçet disease.

Observations: We measured lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin, anti-beta(2)-glycoprotein I, and antiphosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex antibody (Ab) levels in 3 patients with Behçet disease involving superficial vein thrombophlebitis.

Increased macrophage colony-stimulating factor levels in patients with Graves' disease.

Previous studies have found markedly elevated serum concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines in patients with Graves' disease (GD). We investigated the role of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in GD. We assayed concentrations of M-CSF in sera from 32 patients with GD (25 untreated; 7 receiving thiamazole therapy).

Changes in molecular markers of hemostatic and fibrinolytic activation under various sampling conditions using vacuum tube samples from healthy volunteers.

Molecular makers such as thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2), soluble fibrin (SF), and D-dimer, are useful markers in the diagnosis and assessment of various thrombotic conditions. These markers are measured in plasma after blood sampling. Difficult blood sampling is known to falsely elevate plasma TAT levels.

Expression of annexin II in human atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Background: Annexin II is a receptor for tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) that converts plasminogen to plasmin. Although the fibrinolytic system is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), the relationship between annexin II and AAA development is unknown. Therefore, we examined annexin II localization in the wall of human atherosclerotic AAAs.

High titer of serum antiphospholipid antibody levels in adult Henoch-Schönlein purpura and cutaneous leukocytoclastic angiitis.

Objective: To investigate a possible role of antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies in adult Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and cutaneous leukocytoclastic angiitis (CLA).

Methods: We reviewed the records of 30 HSP and 8 CLA adults with an initial cutaneous manifestation of palpable purpura on their lower extremities between 2003 and 2007. Eight microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) patients and 30 healthy persons were recruited as controls.

High titer of anti-phosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex antibodies in patients with cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa.

Objective: To investigate possible correlations between cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (CPN) and antiphospholipid syndrome-associated antibodies.

Methods: Sixteen patients were referred with CPN features. To investigate the possible role of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in CPN, we measured serum lupus anticoagulant (LAC), IgG and IgM anticardiolipin (aCL) and anti-phosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex (anti-PS/PT) antibodies, and anti-beta(2)-glycoprotein I-dependent cardiolipin (anti-beta(2)GPI/CL) antibodies in the 16 CPN patients, 8 microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) patients, 33 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and 23 healthy controls.

Antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with autoimmune blistering disease.

Objective: Our purpose was to determine the serum levels and frequency of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) and confirm the clinical importance of these antibodies in patients with autoimmune blistering disease (ABD).

Methods: IgG and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), IgG anticardiolipin-beta(2) glycoprotein I complex antibody (aCL/beta(2)GPI), and IgG antiphosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex antibody (aPS/PT) were examined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 71 patients with ABD, including pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus, and bullous pemphigoid.

Results: The prevalence of IgG aCL, IgM aCL, aCL/beta(2)GPI, and IgG aPS/PT was positive for 22.