Multiple nodular lesions following Pneumocystis pneumonia in a non-HIV immunocompromised patient.

Cytomegalovirus superinfection is associated with a poor prognosis in non-HIV Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) and can cause deterioration of PCP not only simultaneously but also after initiating PCP treatment. Cytomegalovirus pneumonia should be considered in cases with deterioration after initiating PCP treatment; multiple nodular lesions are useful findings for the diagnosis.

Outcomes of single- or dual-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillator systems in Japanese patients.

Background: There are no criteria for selecting single- or dual-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in patients without a pacing indication. Recent reports showed no benefit of the dual-chamber system despite its preference in the United States. As data on ICD selection and respective outcomes in Japanese patients are scarce, we investigated trends regarding single- and dual-chamber ICD usage in Japan.

Harvesting epithelial keratinocyte sheets from temperature-responsive dishes preserves basement membrane proteins and improves cell survival in a skin defect model.

Cultured epithelial autograft (CEA) therapy has been used in clinical applications since the 1980s. However, there are some issues related to this treatment that still remain unsolved. Enzymatic treatment is typically used in the collection of epithelial keratinocyte sheets, but it tends to break the adhesion and basement membrane proteins.

Interdigitation Zone Band Restoration After Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema.

Purpose: To investigate whether the integrity of the interdigitation zone band, the ellipsoid zone band, and the external limiting membrane are reliable markers of treatment outcome in diabetic macular edema (DME).

Methods: In this retrospective study, we examined 41 treatment-naïve eyes (38 patients) with DME that were treated with laser therapy, pharmacotherapy, and/or vitrectomy. Best-corrected visual acuity and the integrity of the interdigitation zone band, the ellipsoid zone band, and the external limiting membrane were assessed before treatment and at 3, 6, and 12 months after DME treatment.

Activation of EGFR Bypass Signaling by TGFα Overexpression Induces Acquired Resistance to Alectinib in ALK-Translocated Lung Cancer Cells.

Alectinib is a highly selective ALK inhibitor and shows promising efficacy in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) harboring the EML4-ALK gene rearrangement. The precise mechanism of acquired resistance to alectinib is not well defined. The purpose of this study was to clarify the mechanism of acquired resistance to alectinib in ALK-translocated lung cancer cells.

A Leadless Intracardiac Transcatheter Pacing System.

Background: A leadless intracardiac transcatheter pacing system has been designed to avoid the need for a pacemaker pocket and transvenous lead.

Methods: In a prospective multicenter study without controls, a transcatheter pacemaker was implanted in patients who had guideline-based indications for ventricular pacing. The analysis of the primary end points began when 300 patients reached 6 months of follow-up.

Temporal analysis of reassortment and molecular evolution of Cucumber mosaic virus: Extra clues from its segmented genome.

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is a damaging pathogen of over 200 mono- and dicotyledonous crop species worldwide. It has the broadest known host range of any virus, but the timescale of its evolution is unknown. To investigate the evolutionary history of this virus, we obtained the genomic sequences of 40 CMV isolates from brassicas sampled in Iran, Turkey and Japan, and combined them with published sequences.

In vitro modeling to determine mutation specificity of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors against clinically relevant EGFR mutants in non-small-cell lung cancer.

EGFR mutated lung cancer accounts for a significant subgroup of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Over the last decade, multiple EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) have been developed to target mutated EGFR. However, there is little information regarding mutation specific potency of EGFR-TKIs against various types of EGFR mutations.

Dry pleurisy complicating solitary pulmonary nodules caused by Mycobacterium avium: a case report.

Introduction: Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease presenting as a solitary pulmonary nodule (MAC-SPN) is often asymptomatic, is more common in middle to old age, and mimics lung cancer or tuberculoma. We report herein a case of MAC-SPN in an immunocompetent young adult patient, presenting with persistent chest pain and a subacutely progressive nodule with high intense (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake. Histological examination of resected specimens revealed pleurisy, which is a rare finding of MAC-SPN.

Linker regions and flexibility around the metalloprotease domain account for conformational activation of ADAMTS-13.

Background: Recently, conformational activation of ADAMTS-13 was identified. This mechanism showed the evolution from a condensed conformation, in which the proximal MDTCS and distal T2-CUB2 domains are in close contact with each other, to an activated, open structure due to binding with von Willebrand factor (VWF).

Objectives: Identification of cryptic epitope/exosite exposure after conformational activation and of sites of flexibility in ADAMTS-13.

The Effect of Mature Adipocyte-Derived Dedifferentiated Fat (DFAT) Cells on a Dorsal Skin Flap Model.

Background: Dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells, isolated from mature adipose cell, have high proliferative potential and pluripotency. We report on the expansion of flap survival areas on the back of rats administrating DFAT cells.

Materials And Methods: Intraperitoneal adipose tissue was collected from a male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat.

Dramatic improvement of refractory anemia caused by mechanical hemolysis in a patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy using dual-chamber pacing.

A 59-year-old woman with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy was admitted to our institution with worsening heart failure. She developed mechanical intracardiac hemolysis due to left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction. Despite surgical myectomy, the LVOT pressure gradient (PG) remained high and hemolytic anemia recurred.

Development of an S-1 dosage formula based on renal function by a prospective pharmacokinetic study.

Background: S-1 is an oral anticancer drug, containing tegafur (a prodrug of 5-fluorouracil, 5-FU), 5-chloro-2,4-dihydroxypyridine, and potassium oxonate. As renal dysfunction is known to increase exposure of 5-FU following S-1 administration, the incidence of severe adverse reactions is increased in patients with impaired renal function. However, no reliable information on its dose modification for patients with renal dysfunction has been provided.

Fatal Fulminant Pneumonia Caused by Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus Negative for Major High-Virulence Factors Following Influenza B Virus Infection.

Background: Increasing evidence has indicated that Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia complicated with influenza virus infection is often fatal. In these cases, disease severity is typically determined by susceptibility to antimicrobial agents and the presence of high-virulence factors that are produced by Staphylococcus aureus, such as Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL).

Case Report: We describe a rare case of fatal community-acquired pneumonia caused by methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), which did not secrete major high-virulence factors and coexisted with influenza type B infection.

Prognostic implication of PTPRH hypomethylation in non-small cell lung cancer.

PTPRH is a receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase thought to be a potential regulator of tumorigenesis. The aim of the present study was to clarify the significance of PTPRH expression and its regulation by DNA methylation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially in lung adenocarcinoma (LADC). PTPRH mRNA expression was examined in 89 NSCLC and corresponding non-cancerous tissues.

The reasons for triple therapy in stable COPD patients in Japanese clinical practice.

Background: Triple combination therapy involving long-acting muscarinic antagonists long-acting β2 agonists, and inhaled corticosteroids has recently become an option for maintenance treatment of COPD. Some add-on clinical trials have reported the benefits of these combinations. However, the process to step up to triple therapy varies for individual cases.

Successful desensitization in a boy with severe cow's milk allergy by a combination therapy using omalizumab and rush oral immunotherapy.

Background: Rush oral immunotherapy (OIT) combined with omalizumab (OMB) has been reported to be an effective and safe treatment for severe milk allergies. However, no report has described long-term follow-up observations after OMB discontinuation. The purpose of this case report was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of rush OIT in combination with OMB during a long period of treatment.

Early performance of a miniaturized leadless cardiac pacemaker: the Micra Transcatheter Pacing Study.

Aims: Permanent cardiac pacing is the only effective treatment for symptomatic bradycardia, but complications associated with conventional transvenous pacing systems are commonly related to the pacing lead and pocket. We describe the early performance of a novel self-contained miniaturized pacemaker.

Methods And Results: Patients having Class I or II indication for VVI pacing underwent implantation of a Micra transcatheter pacing system, from the femoral vein and fixated in the right ventricle using four protractible nitinol tines.

Mimicking the niche of lung epithelial stem cells and characterization of several effectors of their in vitro behavior.

The niche surrounding stem cells regulate their fate during homeostasis and after injury or infection. The 3D organoid assay has been widely used to study stem cells behavior based on its capacity to evaluate self-renewal, differentiation and the effect of various medium supplements, drugs and co-culture with supportive cells. We established an assay to study both lung and trachea stem cells in vitro.

The rationale and design of the Micra Transcatheter Pacing Study: safety and efficacy of a novel miniaturized pacemaker.

Aims: Recent advances in miniaturization technologies and battery chemistries have made it possible to develop a pacemaker small enough to implant within the heart while still aiming to provide similar battery longevity to conventional pacemakers. The Micra Transcatheter Pacing System is a miniaturized single-chamber pacemaker system that is delivered via catheter through the femoral vein. The pacemaker is implanted directly inside the right ventricle of the heart, eliminating the need for a device pocket and insertion of a pacing lead, thereby potentially avoiding some of the complications associated with traditional pacing systems.

Effects of combination therapy using basic fibroblast growth factor and mature adipocyte-derived dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells on skin graft revascularisation.

Background: Although the benefits of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for wound healing and angiogenesis are well known, its effects on the process of skin graft revascularisation have not been clarified. It was hypothesised that bFGF would be beneficial to promote taking of skin grafts, but that the effect might be limited in the case of bFGF monotherapy. Therefore, this study investigated the efficacy of combination therapy using bFGF and dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells.

Epicardial catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia in no entry left ventricle: mechanical aortic and mitral valves.

Background: In patients with mechanical aortic and mitral valves and left ventricular tachycardia, catheter ablation may be prevented by limited access to the left ventricle.

Methods And Results: In our series of 6 patients, 2 patients underwent direct surgical ablation and 4 underwent epicardial catheter ablation via a pericardial window. All patients had abnormal low voltage areas with fractionated or delayed isolated potentials on the apical epicardium.

A Phase II study of S-1 and irinotecan combination therapy in previously treated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective: This Phase II study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of S-1 and irinotecan combination therapy as a second-line treatment in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Methods: Irinotecan was administered at 60 mg/m(2) on Days 1 and 8. Oral S-1 was administered on Days 1-14 every 3 weeks at 80 mg/day for patients with a body surface area of <1.

A phase II study of biweekly paclitaxel and carboplatin in elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: The number of elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is increasing. Although several studies have suggested the benefit of chemotherapy with a platinum doublet for elderly patients with advanced NSCLC, this treatment is still controversial in this age group. To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of combination chemotherapy with biweekly paclitaxel and carboplatin for elderly patients with advanced NSCLC, we conducted a multicenter, non-randomized, open label, phase II trial.