Clinical characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility of infection over a 5-year trend at a university hospital in Japan.

() is known to cause intra-abdominal and anaerobic bloodstream infections. However, clinical insights and information on antimicrobial susceptibility in infections are limited. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility of infections.

A 15-Year Observational Cohort of Acute Empyema at a Single-Center in Japan.

Despite the advancements in diagnostic methods and antibiotic treatment, empyema is a critical respiratory infection, showing a high mortality rate of 10-25%. To evaluate the bacterial etiology and prognostic factors of acute empyema, we conducted this long-term retrospective cohort study at our institute between 2008 and 2022. A total of 80 patients were enrolled in this cohort.

The outcome of late open conversion after endovascular abdominal aortic repair.

Background: Endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair (EVAR) offers a less invasive approach to treating abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) compared to open repair. However, EVAR is associated with higher rates of reintervention. This study investigates the early and mid-term outcomes of patients who underwent late open conversion including aneurysmorrhaphy after EVAR at our institution.

Bioavailability of Anthocyanin Cyanidin-3-Glucoside from Black Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Extract after Co-Administration with Allyl Isothiocyanate in Rats.

Black rice (BR) is beneficial for the health of animals and humans. Herein, we investigated the pharmacokinetics of cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), a major anthocyanin constituent of BR, in male rats. After its intravenous administration, C3G was rapidly distributed throughout the body and disappeared from the plasma.

A simplified scoring system for predicting treatment response in limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (EAST score).

Aims: This study aimed at developing a scoring system (EAST score) to predict recurrence after chemoradiotherapy in limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC).

Patients & Methods: Treatment-naïve LS-SCLC patients receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) ( = 234) or sequential chemoradiotherapy ( = 53) were retrospectively reviewed. Using data from CCRT population, clinical and radiological variables associated with disease progression were identified.

High-grade biliary intraepithelial neoplasia localized in the distal bile duct diagnosed via peroral cholangioscopy: A rare case report.

Rationale: Biliary intraepithelial neoplasm (BilIN) is characterized by a microscopically identifiable preinvasive neoplasm of the biliary tract. BilIN is rarely diagnosed intentionally and is often detected incidentally in surgical specimens obtained via surgical resection for other types of cancers. Herein, we report a rare case of high-grade BilIN localized in the distal bile duct.

Successful analgesic treatment with continuous sacral epidural ethanol injection therapy for anal pain caused by multiple metastases of malignant pheochromocytoma.

Background: Anal and perineum pain caused by malignant tumor invasion is often difficult to control with opioids. Continuous sacral epidural ethanol injection therapy is less likely to cause bladder and rectal disturbances, making it a suitable treatment option for patients with preserved voiding function.

Case Presentation: A 45-year-old woman with multiple metastases of malignant pheochromocytoma suffered severe anal pain that worsened, especially when sitting, and was unresponsive to opioid rescue therapy.

[Left Atrium Appendage Aneurysm Late After Suture Exclusion:Report of a Case].

Left atrial appendage closure is widely performed in cardiac surgery to prevent intracardiac thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation. Herein, we report the surgical case of an 80-year-old man whose left atrial appendage became aneurysmic long after undergoing suture exclusion. At the age of 67, he underwent mitral valve annuloplasty and left atrial appendage suture exclusion for mitral regurgitation and chronic atrial fibrillation at our institution.

Clinical efficacy and safety assessment of tedizolid using therapeutic drug monitoring.

Thrombocytopenia derived from tedizolid (TZD) has been reported but less frequently than that from linezolid. Only a few reports have investigated the relationship between the efficacy and safety of TZD administration. This study aimed to measure TZD concentration and investigate the relationship between efficacy and safety.

Development of the Japanese Anticholinergic Risk Scale: English translation of the Japanese article.

Background: Anticholinergic burden, reflecting the cumulative impact of medications with anticholinergic properties, significantly predicts adverse drug reactions and geriatric syndromes in older adults. Although anticholinergic risk scales (ARS) have been developed and validated in various countries, none have been tailored specifically for Japan. The Japanese Anticholinergic Risk Scale (JARS) was developed to adapt the existing ARS frameworks to the Japanese context, considering unique medication profiles and cultural factors.

Differential Effects of Landiolol in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Tachycardia.

Landiolol, an ultra-short-acting β1-selective blocker, is more effective in controlling heart rate compared with digoxin in patients with atrial tachyarrhythmias and left ventricular dysfunction. However, the effect of atrial tachyarrhythmia type on the effectiveness of landiolol remains unknown. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of landiolol in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial tachycardia (AT), not limited to those with heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction.

Validation of the Japanese version of the scoliosis research society-30 questionnaire for adult patients with spinal deformity.

Background: The Scoliosis Research Society-30 (SRS-30) is a questionnaire that was originally developed from the SRS-22r questionnaire and is used to evaluate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). It comprises two sections, with Section 1 containing 22 items related to the SRS-22r questionnaire and 1 item regarding self-image and Section 2 containing 7 items specifically related to postoperative status. The SRS-30 has been also found useful in evaluating spinal disorders or deformity in adults.

Anti-Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Monoclonal Antibody Is Effective for Preventing Migraine Aura Without Headache.

Background: Anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies (CGRP mAbs) are clinically effective in preventing the migraine attacks, photophobia, and migraine auras associated with headaches. However, no study has yet investigated the effectiveness of CGRP mAbs in preventing migraine aura without headache.

Case Report: A female patient of 49 years old presented with a long history (since age 10) of photosensitivity and typical migraine auras without a headache.

Effects of Adding P2Y12 Inhibitor to Anti-staphylococcal Therapy on Bacterial Clearance in Patients With Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia.

Background:  () bloodstream infection (SAB) remains a major clinical challenge despite appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Recent studies have suggested the potential benefits of P2Y12 inhibitors in SAB treatment, but controversy persists regarding their optimal use. Moreover, the effects of P2Y12 inhibitors in Japanese patients remain unclear.

Specific origin selection and excess functional MCM2-7 loading in ORC-deficient cells.

The six subunit Origin Recognition Complex (ORC) loads excess MCM2-7 on chromosomes to promote initiation of DNA replication and is believed to be important for origin specification. Mapping of origins in cancer cell lines engineered to delete three of the subunits, , or shows that specific origins are still used and are mostly at the same sites in the genome as in wild type cells. The few hundred origins that were up-regulated in the absence of ORC suggest that GC/TA skewness and simple repeat sequences facilitate, but are not essential for, origin selection in the absence of the six-subunit ORC.

Proton FLASH Irradiation Using a Synchrotron Accelerator: Differences by Irradiation Positions.

Purpose: To establish an ultra-high dose-rate (UHDR) radiation system using a synchrotron proton beam accelerator and to compare the effects by irradiation positions on cultured cells and chick embryos.

Methods And Materials: Protons for UHDR were obtained by applying high-frequency power at much higher levels than usual to extract all protons within approximately 50 ms. Subsequently, monitoring with a Faraday cup was performed immediately after synchrotron extraction and the waveform was adjusted accordingly.

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.

Factors influencing operative time for mini-endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery for renal stones.

Mini-endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS) offers improved advantages in the treatment of renal stones. However, the factors influencing the operative time remain poorly understood. This study aimed to identify the factors that enhance treatment planning and minimize complications.

Bioprosthetic Valve Positions in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation - Insights From the BPV-AF Registry.

Background: Data on the impact of valve position on clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and bioprosthetic valves (BPVs) are limited.

Methods And Results: The BPV-AF Registry was a multicenter, prospective, observational study involving 894 patients with BPVs and AF. In this post-hoc substudy, patients were classified according to BPV position: aortic (n=588; 65.

Osteoprotegerin secretion and its inhibition by RANKL in osteoblastic cells visualized using bioluminescence imaging.

Bone remodeling is regulated by the interaction between receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and its receptor RANK on osteoblasts and osteoclasts, respectively. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is secreted from osteoblasts and inhibits osteoclast differentiation by acting as a decoy receptor for RANKL. Despite its importance, the mechanism underlying the secretion of OPG remains poorly understood.

Robotic cell processing facility for clinical research of retinal cell therapy.

The consistent production of high-quality cells in cell therapy highlights the potential of automated manufacturing. Humanoid robots are a useful option for transferring technology to automate human cell cultures. This study evaluated a robotic cell-processing facility (R-CPF) for clinical research on retinal cell therapy, incorporating the versatile humanoid robot Maholo LabDroid and an All-in-One CP unit.