Publications by authors named "Nagata Ken"
Article Synopsis
- Phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are essential for clinical research but are costly and time-consuming to conduct fully.
- The Colorectal Cancer Study Group (CCSG) of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) has created a comprehensive database that integrates data from four RCTs to explore factors affecting pStage II/III colorectal cancer.
- This database will continue to grow by including additional trial data, facilitating ongoing and future analyses to improve treatment strategies for localized colorectal cancer.
Background: This subcohort study of All Nippon AF In the Elderly (ANAFIE) Registry based on 33 275 elderly patients (aged ≥75 years) with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) investigated the relationship between cognitive function and 2-year clinical outcomes.
Methods: A total of 2963 (mean age, 81.4 years) patients participated in this subcohort study and were classified as having normal cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥24/30) or cognitive impairment (score ≤23/30) at baseline.
Corrigendum to 'Prospective observational study in elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: Rationale and design of the All Nippon AF In the Elderly (ANAFIE) Registry' [Journal of Cardiology 72 (2018) 300-306].
Hiroshi Inoue Takeshi Yamashita Masaharu Akao Hirotsugu Atarashi Takanori Ikeda Ken Okumura Takenori Yamaguchi Ken Nagata
J Cardiol
October 2022
Article Synopsis
- Tumor budding in colorectal cancer may predict patient outcomes and treatment responses, but it can't be assessed before surgery, limiting its use in treatment planning.
- A study identified high expression of four specific genes (MSLN, SLC4A11, SCEL, and MGAT3) that correlate with tumor budding grades, paving the way for better predictive models.
- A new budding predictive score was developed based on RNA levels from biopsy samples, showing strong potential for preoperative assessments.
Article Synopsis
- The tumor microenvironment, particularly the desmoplastic reaction (DR), significantly influences cancer aggressiveness, with different DR types impacting patient prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC).
- In a study of 1,497 patients, those with Immature-type DR had the worst relapse-free survival, and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) from this DR type enhanced tumor growth and spread in experiments.
- High levels of the secreted isoform ADAM9 from CAFs were linked to increased tumor cell proliferation and migration, suggesting a detrimental role in the survival rates of CRC patients with Immature-type DR when ADAM9s was knocked down.
The expression of mesothelin correlates with a poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer. Since mesothelin plays a role in cancer metastasis in association with CA125, we herein examined the expression of mesothelin and CA125, and the clinicopathological meaning and prognosis of the co-expression of mesothelin and CA125 in breast cancer. Our results showed that among 478 patients, mesothelin and CA125 were co-expressed in 48 (10 %), mesothelin only in 75 (16 %), CA125 only in 217 (45 %), and neither in 234 (49 %).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Mesothelin (MSLN) is a cell-surface glycoprotein present on mesothelial cells; its expression in several epithelial cancers generally portends an unfavorable prognosis. We investigated MSLN as a surrogate chemopredictive biomarker and examined the impact of MSLN expression in stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC).
Methods: We recruited 254 patients with CRC who received systemic chemotherapy following primary tumor resection between 2000 and 2019.
Article Synopsis
- Mesothelin (MSLN) is a protein found in mesothelial cells, and its high expression in malignant tumors, like stage III colorectal cancer (CRC), indicates a worse prognosis for patients.
- In a study involving 512 stage III CRC patients, 11.9% showed MSLN-positive tumor cells, which correlated with shorter disease-specific survival (DSS) rates, confirming MSLN as a poor prognostic factor.
- MSLN expression remained a significant predictor of poor outcomes even with chemotherapy treatment, suggesting that assessing MSLN in preoperative biopsies could help tailor more intensive chemotherapy for patients with high levels of this marker.
Article Synopsis
- The study analyzed 5-year outcomes in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke, comparing Japanese patients to non-Japanese patients to identify variations based on ethnicity.
- Japanese patients experienced higher rates of recurrent stroke and intracranial hemorrhage compared to their non-Japanese counterparts, while vascular death was less prevalent.
- Key predictors for recurrent stroke in Japanese patients included age, diabetes, history of stroke or TIA, and congestive heart failure, indicating the need for tailored strategies to manage long-term stroke risks in this population.
Article Synopsis
- A retrospective study was conducted to analyze how postoperative pneumonia affects skeletal muscle loss in patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.
- The study included 123 patients, comparing those with pneumonia (30) to those without (93), and assessed muscle volume loss and survival rates over a 6-month period.
- Results showed that patients with pneumonia experienced a significant decrease in muscle volume and worse overall survival compared to those without pneumonia, along with a higher occurrence of asymptomatic pneumonia.
Article Synopsis
- - The study explored using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescent spectrometry (EDX) to detect aluminum, tin, and zinc in skin samples from experimental electrical injuries.
- - Electrical injuries were simulated by exposing subjects to 100V alternating current for 10 seconds, which resulted in noticeable blister formation in the skin samples.
- - EDX effectively identified the metal peaks (Al, Sn, Zn) in the skin samples, demonstrating its potential value in diagnosing electrocution cases.
Article Synopsis
- Tumor budding is a significant indicator of prognosis in colon cancer (CC), and the study aimed to create a molecular budding signature (MBS) to assess its significance.
- Using frozen tissue samples from 85 colon cancer patients, researchers identified seven genes that contributed to the MBS and measured their expression levels to calculate the MBS score.
- The results showed that a higher MBS score was linked to lower relapse-free survival rates, indicating that the MBS could serve as an independent prognostic marker for determining recurrence risk in colon cancer patients.
Article Synopsis
- * Autopsy showed lung congestion, and toxicology tests revealed high levels of olanzapine, which was above toxic levels, while levomepromazine was within the normal therapeutic range.
- * The medications olanzapine and levomepromazine potentially inhibited sweating and heat loss, leading to the conclusion that heatstroke was the cause of death exacerbated by these drugs.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) confers a survival benefit in esophageal carcinoma, but it is difficult to perform in patients who cannot receive enteral feeding due to an esophageal obstruction. In the current study, the nutritional benefit of laparoscopic jejunostomy (Lap-J) was evaluated in patients with NAC for obstructing esophageal cancer. A total of 91 patients with esophageal cancer who received NAC between 2009 and 2017 were included in the present study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- TIAregistry.org is a global study focusing on patients who experienced a transient ischemic attack or minor stroke, with a specific analysis on Japanese patients' data at 1-year follow-up.
- The study found significant differences between Japanese and non-Japanese patients in terms of risk factors for stroke: Japanese patients had higher rates of current smoking and stroke risk, while non-Japanese patients were more likely to have conditions like hypertension and dyslipidemia.
- Key predictors of recurrent stroke in Japanese patients were identified as having prior congestive heart failure and regular alcohol consumption, suggesting the need for tailored risk management strategies for this group.
Article Synopsis
- This study presents a case of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) that initially appeared to be cholangiocellular carcinoma (CoCC) during imaging and biopsy assessments in a 51-year-old female patient.
- Imaging techniques like CT and MRI showed distinct features of the tumor and affected lymph nodes, including non-homogeneous enhancement and low signal intensity during the hepatobiliary phase.
- Ultimately, despite the initial diagnosis suggesting CoCC from the biopsy, surgical examination revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, leading to a confirmed diagnosis of ICC based on histopathological and immunohistochemical results.
The aim of the study was to clarify the impact of reduced skeletal muscle volume on the morbidity of patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.Malnutrition and reduced skeletal muscle volume, that is, presarcopenia, are reportedly associated with a high frequency of postoperative complications after esophagectomy. However, it remains unclear whether the reduction of skeletal muscle volume following esophagectomy may affect clinical outcomes including pneumonia occurred beyond the preoperative period.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProspective observational study in elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: Rationale and design of the All Nippon AF In the Elderly (ANAFIE) Registry.
Hiroshi Inoue Takeshi Yamashita Masaharu Akao Hirotsugu Atarashi Takanori Ikeda Ken Okumura Takenori Yamaguchi Ken Nagata
J Cardiol
October 2018
Article Synopsis
- The ANAFIE Registry aims to gather real-world data on elderly patients (≥75) with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), focusing on their clinical status, anticoagulation therapy use, and associated health outcomes.
- This prospective study will include 30,000 participants over two years, examining key endpoints such as stroke and systemic embolism, while also conducting sub-studies on various health factors.
- Ultimately, the registry seeks to create a comprehensive database to improve understanding and management of NVAF in the elderly, highlighting risks tied to anticoagulation treatments.
Article Synopsis
- Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is a rare condition that can occur following chemotherapy, as illustrated by a 70-year-old man who developed it after receiving cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil for esophageal cancer.
- After experiencing acute abdominal pain, CT scans showed extensive PI in the colon but no signs of ischemia, leading to a decision for conservative treatment.
- By Day 7, follow-up CT scans showed that the PI had resolved, allowing the patient to successfully undergo surgery without complications, highlighting the importance of recognizing and managing PI conservatively in patients undergoing CF therapy.
Article Synopsis
- - Cerebral circulation is protected by various regulatory functions that help prevent cognitive decline from issues like brain ischemia and energy failure, ensuring adequate blood flow to the brain.
- - Key mechanisms of this regulation include cerebrovascular autoregulation, chemical, metabolic, and neurogenic control, all of which can be affected by conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and aging.
- - Direct contributors to cognitive decline include strokes (both large and small), intracranial hemorrhages, and conditions like atherosclerosis and amyloid angiopathy, impacting not only vascular dementia but also Alzheimer's disease.
Article Synopsis
- Bochdalek hernia is a rare type of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in adults, with an incidence of 0.17%-6% among diaphragmatic hernias.
- A 78-year-old man developed abdominal pain after using a blow gun, leading to a diagnosis of an incarcerated Bochdalek hernia, which was successfully treated with laparoscopic surgery.
- Surgical repair is essential to prevent severe complications, and laparoscopic techniques are increasingly preferred due to their minimally invasive nature and shorter recovery times.
Article Synopsis
- The study examined how the fusiform cortex processes music by using PET scans on subjects listening to familiar melodies with different types of accompaniments.
- Participants heard three types of music: a basic chord accompaniment, a simple traditional accompaniment, and a complex, richly arranged accompaniment.
- Results indicated increased blood flow in the fusiform gyrus and related areas when comparing simpler accompaniments to more complex ones, suggesting these brain regions help integrate sensory information and recognize sound richness.
Article Synopsis
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) were previously seen as separate conditions based on their causes and symptoms.
- Recent research suggests that this clear distinction might lead to overdiagnosis of vascular dementia, prompting a reevaluation of the relationship between the two.
- Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is now recognized as a contributing factor to the development of Alzheimer's, leading to the classification of patients with both AD and evidence of CVD.
Article Synopsis
- Accurately predicting protein side-chain conformations is crucial for understanding protein structures, but existing methods struggle with post-translational modifications (PTMs) and unnatural amino acids.
- A new tool called SIDEpro has been developed to effectively predict side chains for proteins that include these non-standard amino acids, achieving comparable accuracy to traditional methods for common PTMs.
- SIDEpro is available online through the SCRATCH suite, offering a flexible approach for high-throughput modeling of proteins beyond typical amino acids.