A case of polyarteritis nodosa with severe lower limb ulcer that was treated with prednisolone and tocilizumab.

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a rare systemic necrotizing vasculitis that can lead to the formation of refractory lower limb ulcers requiring amputation. The standard treatment for severe PAN involves combination therapy with steroids and cyclophosphamide; however, some cases prove to be challenging. Recently, case reports have described the use of biological agents for PAN treatment.

Less frequent skin ulcers among patients with Werner syndrome treated with pioglitazone: findings from the Japanese Werner Syndrome Registry.

Background And Aim: Werner syndrome (WS) is an autosomal recessive, adult-onset, progeroid syndrome caused by mutations. As refractory skin ulcers significantly affect the quality of life of patients with WS, this study identified ulcer risk factors and assessed prevention methods.

Methods: We analyzed the data of 51 patients with WS enrolled in the Japanese Werner Syndrome Registry between 2016 and 2022.

Thymidine Phosphorylase Imaging Probe for Differential Diagnosis of Metabolic dysfunction-associated Steatohepatitis.

Purpose: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) comprises simple steatosis (SS), which has a low risk of mortality, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), which can progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Because differentiation between MASH and SS is the most important issue in the diagnosis of MASLD, the establishment of noninvasive diagnostic methods is urgently needed. In this study, we evaluated the potential of [I]IIMU, a thymidine phosphorylase (TYMP) targeted SPECT imaging probe, for differential diagnosis of MASLD in a preclinical animal model.

Hypoxic culture enhances the antimicrobial activity of amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells, thereby reducing bacterial load and promoting wound healing in diabetic mice.

Background: Conditioned medium from amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) enhances wound healing, a process that is further improved under hypoxic culture conditions. Diabetic foot ulcers are difficult to treat and are frequently complicated by a high rate of bacterial infections, mainly Staphylococcus aureus, which can lead to limb amputation and death. Here, we topically applied conditioned medium from AMSCs cultured under hypoxic conditions to S.

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.

Development of the Hiesho (sensitivity of hands or feet to cold) Care Practice Scale for pregnant women.

Aim: Evidence-based indicators are needed to increase the frequency of practicing care for hiesho, which can be a risk factor during childbirth. Such practice will lead to hiesho prevention. This study aimed to develop a Hiesho Care Practice Scale (HCPS) for pregnant women and examine its reliability and validity.

A Handheld Ultrasound Device Can Predict Constipation with Rectal Fecal Retention in a Palliative Care Setting.

Although handheld ultrasound devices (HUDs) are commonplace, their ability to diagnose fecal retention (FR) remains unclear. This prospective observational study examined HUDs' usefulness in diagnosing FR in patients with constipation in a palliative care setting. Between 10 December 2020 and 30 June 2022, we compared rectal ultrasonographic findings obtained using HUDs with clinical manifestations in 64 males and 70 females (48%, 52%, 68 ± 11 years old) with constipation who had undergone computed tomography (CT).

Determining the changes in morphology and loading status following medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy for flatfoot using patient-specific finite element models.

Medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy (MDCO) is the standard procedure for flatfoot. We investigated the effect of MDCO on the foot using a finite element analysis. Foot models were created from computed tomography data of 8 patients with flat feet.

Successful Multimodal Treatment of Intracranial Growing Teratoma Syndrome with Malignant Features.

Molecular analysis of the growing teratoma syndrome has not been extensively studied. Here, we report a 14-year-old boy with a growing mass during treatment for a mixed germ cell tumor of the pineal region. Tumor markers were negative; thus, growing teratoma syndrome was suspected.

Osteoporotic fracture risk in women with breast cancer treated with aromatase inhibitors: a health insurance claims database study in Japan.

Background: Hormone therapy with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) for estrogen receptor-dependent breast cancer may expose patients to an increased osteoporosis risk. This study was performed to estimate fracture risk in women with breast cancer to whom AIs were prescribed in Japan.

Methods: This retrospective study used data from the Japanese Medical Data Vision database.

Androgen deprivation therapy-related fracture risk in prostate cancer: an insurance claims database study in Japan.

Introduction: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is widely used for the treatment of prostate cancer. ADT is associated with reduced bone density leading to an increased risk of osteoporotic fracture. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to quantify fracture risk in men treated with ADT for prostate cancer in real-world practice in Japan.

Increased expression of ATP-binding cassette transporters in enfortumab vedotin-resistant urothelial cancer.

Introduction: In addition to reduced nectin-4 expression, the upregulation of ATP-binding cassette transporters has been suggested as a potential mechanism of resistance to enfortumab vedotin.

Case Presentation: A 76-year-old man previously treated with platinum-containing chemotherapy and pembrolizumab for metastatic bladder cancer was administered enfortumab vedotin because of disease progression. Subsequently, metastasectomy was performed for oligometastatic lesions (in the lung and adrenal gland) that exhibited growth during enfortumab vedotin therapy.

Latent ion tracks were finally observed in diamond.

Injecting high-energy heavy ions in the electronic stopping regime into solids can create cylindrical damage zones called latent ion tracks. Although these tracks form in many materials, none have ever been observed in diamond, even when irradiated with high-energy GeV uranium ions. Here we report the first observation of ion track formation in diamond irradiated with 2-9 MeV C fullerene ions.

Laparoscopic total pelvic exenteration combined with transanal total mesorectal excision for locally advanced prostate cancer with rectal infiltration.

Introduction: Intensive treatment is typically considered for very high-risk patients with locally advanced prostate cancer and an expected survival time of 5 years or longer. Herein, we report a case of locally advanced prostate cancer with rectal infiltration treated with laparoscopic total pelvic exenteration combined with transanal total mesorectal excision.

Case Presentation: A 73-year-old man presented with a ring-shaped mass around the rectum.

Association between Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment Outcomes and Body Composition Factors in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients.

Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC); however, validating body composition-related biomarkers for their efficacy remains incomplete. We evaluated the association between body composition-related markers and the prognosis of patients with mRCC who received ICI-based first-line therapies.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively investigated 60 patients with mRCC who underwent ICI-based therapy as their first-line treatment between 2019 and 2023.

Safety and effectiveness of denosumab in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A 2-year post-marketing surveillance study.

Objectives: To investigate the 2 year safety and effectiveness of denosumab 60 mg in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in clinical practice in Japan.

Methods: This 2 year, prospective, observational cohort study included patients who initiated treatment with denosumab 60 mg for the progression of bone erosion associated with RA. Key endpoints were adverse drug reactions (ADRs), progression of bone erosion, and 28-joint Disease Activity Score based on C-reactive protein or erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Twenty Years-Passed Case of Demineralized Dentin Matrix Autograft for Sinus Bone Augmentation - A First Case of Dentin Graft in Human.

This report presents a 20-year follow-up of a unique case involving a 46-year-old man who underwent sinus augmentation using autogenous demineralized dentin matrix (DDM) derived from non-functional teeth. Two extracted molars were crashed into granules, and then demineralized, freeze-dried, and stored at -80° for approximately one year. The stocked DDM granules were grafted into the sinus along with platelet-rich plasma, without the use of any membrane.

A case of adrenal undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma with tertiary lymphoid structures responded to pembrolizumab.

Introduction: Although undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas are aggressive, a subset of these tumors are immunogenic and may respond to immunotherapy.

Case Presentation: A 69-year-old man developed bilateral adrenal tumors and underwent bilateral adrenalectomy. Pathological examination revealed undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma harboring tertiary lymphoid structures and infiltration of CD8 T cells.