Significant metal accumulation in fish in a metal-contaminated river without detectable effects on fish and macroinvertebrate communities.

Excess metal accumulation in organisms can result in adverse impacts at the levels of the individual, population, and community. A detectable increase of metal concentrations in organisms does not necessarily imply that there are such impacts, but to our knowledge no field study has directly tested this hypothesis. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the accumulation of six elements (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, As, and Se) in masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou, Salmonidae) at a total of nine study sites in a metal-contaminated river receiving mine discharge and in a nearby reference river.

Impact of shear wave elastography and attenuation imaging for predicting life-threatening event in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

We aimed to elucidate the value of ultrasound-based biomarkers for predicting the major life-threatening events in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We established a prospective cohort of 279 patients who underwent two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE), ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter (UGAP). An area under the curve analysis was performed to determine the cutoff values of liver stiffness measurements (LSM) by 2D-SWE and attenuation coefficient (AC) by UGAP for a moderate fibrosis and a moderate steatosis.

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Performance for the Measurement of Key Serum Minerals: A Comparative Study With Standard Quantification Methods.

Background: Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is widely used for the accurate measurement of minerals. However, its application to serum essential mineral measurement has not been fully evaluated. The present study aimed to assess the performance of ICP-MS for serum minerals by comparing its measurements to those obtained using standard quantification methods.

Assessing the feasibility of using toenails as biomarkers for estimating inorganic arsenic exposure in Japanese adults.

Background: Long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic (InAs) through arsenic (As)-contaminated drinking water poses serious health risks. However, epidemiological studies focusing on low-level dietary exposure to InAs are lacking. Furthermore, although toenail clippings are used as biomarkers for assessing As exposure in areas with contaminated drinking water, to date, no method has been developed for using toenails as a biomarker of long-term InAs exposure in individuals with lower exposure levels, e.

Association of Plasma Nestin With Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Combined With Chemotherapy in Extensive-stage Small-cell Lung Cancer: A Pilot Study.

Background/aim: Nestin, an intermediate filament protein expressed in stem/progenitor cells of the developing central nervous system, is involved in the progression and poor prognosis of various malignancies. Difficulties in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) tissue biopsy reduce the accuracy of immunohistochemistry analyses; therefore, evaluating nestin in blood samples is preferred in clinical practice. This study examined the clinical significance of plasma nestin levels in SCLC.

Novel subharmonic-aided pressure estimation for identifying high-risk esophagogastric varices.

Background: Subharmonic-aided pressure estimation (SHAPE) is a technique for determining changes in ambient pressure. We aimed to analyze a novel SHAPE integrated into ultrasound diagnostic equipment to predict patients with liver cirrhosis at high risk of esophagogastric varices (EV).

Methods: This prospective study included 111 patients with liver cirrhosis diagnosed between 2020 and 2023.

Productive cough associated with patient-reported outcomes and computed tomography analysis results in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a single centre cross-sectional study.

https://bit.ly/4bPOCzC.

[BRONCHOPULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS WITH COMORBID GRANULOMATOUS POLYANGIITIS IN A PATIENT WHO PRESENTED WITH EXOPHTHALMOS: A CASE REPORT].

There have been no reports of the coexistence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). The first case of ABPA with comorbid GPA that developed exophthalmos is reported. A 69-year-old man was referred to our hospital for exophthalmos, fever, anorexia and weight loss.

A rare case of a huge malignant pleural mesothelioma presenting in the posterior mediastinum.

We report a case of a 69-year-old woman with pleural mesothelioma presenting in the posterior mediastinum with a maximum diameter of 25 cm. She had a chronic cough and a pleural effusion was noted on chest X-ray. The examination of the effusion showed high hyaluronic acid levels, and mesothelioma was suspected.

Efficacy of dupilumab for severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and asthma: A prospective study.

Background: Dupilumab exerts clinical effects, including improved sinus opacification, olfactory function, and quality of life, in patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNPs). Meanwhile, only a few studies have reported its effects on nasal airway resistance and olfactory function, particularly in the Japanese population. Predictors of response remain unclear.

Successful treatment of simultaneous malignant pleural mesothelioma and pulmonary adenocarcinoma: A case report.

The present report described the case of a 74-year-old male patient with asbestos exposure whose chest computed tomography revealed a right lower lobe nodule and right pleural effusion. Pleural biopsy led to the diagnosis of epithelial malignant pleural mesothelioma (cT2N0M0, stage IB). Combination therapy with cisplatin + pemetrexed led to the complete remission of malignant pleural mesothelioma; however, the right lower lobe nodule grew in size over time.

Steroid reduction-resistant pulmonary involvement with Sweet's syndrome suspected of being vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic syndrome: A case report.

In cases of Sweet's syndrome with pulmonary involvement, fever of unknown origin, and macrocytic anaemia, VEXAS syndrome can be considered in the differential diagnosis. A 67-year-old man who was taking prednisolone for a fever of unknown origin and Sweet's syndrome was referred to us because of an abnormal chest shadow. Computed tomography revealed a nonfibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis-like opacity, and blood test results indicated macrocytic anaemia.

Evaluating the risk of phthalate and non-phthalate plasticizers in dust samples from 100 Japanese houses.

Phthalates are widely used as plasticizer and associated with various health issues. Recently, non-phthalate plasticizers are replacing phthalates; however, the exposure to these substances and the risk in Japan is unclear. In this study, we assessed the concentrations of phthalates, non-phthalate plasticizers, and phthalate degradation products in house dust and determined their respective exposure risks via oral and dermal routes.

Elements of End-of-Life Discussions Associated With Patients' Reported Outcomes and Actual End-of-Life Care in Patients With Pretreated Lung Cancer.

Background: End-of-life discussions for patients with advanced cancer are internationally recommended to ensure consistency of end-of-life care with patients' values. This study examined the elements of end-of-life discussions associated with end-of-life care.

Materials And Methods: We performed a prospective observational study among consecutive patients with pretreated non-small cell lung cancer after the failure of first-line chemotherapy.

Adjustment of creatinine clearance for carboplatin dosing in Calvert's formula and clinical efficacy for lung cancer.

Background: The Cockcroft-Gault formula is commonly used as a substitute for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in Calvert's formula for carboplatin dosing, where adjusting serum creatinine measured using the enzymatic method with 0.2 mg/dL has been suggested in Japan. However, the effects of these adjustments on efficacy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer remain unknown.

Bronchial thermoplasty improves cough hypersensitivity and cough in severe asthmatics.

Background: Cough is a troublesome symptom of asthma because it is associated with disease severity and poor asthma control. Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) may be effective in improving cough severity and cough-related quality of life in severe uncontrolled asthma.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of BT for cough in severe uncontrolled asthma.

Selumetinib in Japanese pediatric patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 and symptomatic, inoperable plexiform neurofibromas: An open-label, phase I study.

Background: Plexiform neurofibromas (PN) are a manifestation of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) that may cause morbidity and impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Selumetinib (ARRY-142886, AZD6244) is an orally available, selective, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 inhibitor approved for children with NF1 and symptomatic, inoperable PN in regions including the USA (aged ≥2 years), EU (≥3 years), and Japan (≥3 years). This open-label, single-arm, phase I study evaluated selumetinib in Japanese children with NF1 and symptomatic, inoperable PN.