Long-term Responders to Nanoparticle Albumin-bound Paclitaxel Following Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background/aim: The efficacy of cytotoxic chemo-therapy has been reported to improve after immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) administration. We previously conducted a multicenter prospective clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-PTX) after ICI treatment. In that study, some patients showed a long-term response to nab-PTX, which is not usually observed with single-agent chemotherapy.

Impact of co-presence of malnutrition-inflammation-atherosclerosis factors on prognosis in lower extremity artery disease patients after endovascular therapy.

Malnutrition and inflammation are common problems of adverse outcomes in various diseases as atherosclerosis. Recently, the concept of malnutrition-inflammation-atherosclerosis (MIA) syndrome is known to a crucial prognostic factor in patients with end-stage renal disease. We investigated the prognostic impact of the co-presence of MIA factors in patients with lower-extremity artery disease (LEAD) after endovascular therapy (EVT).

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis with lacrimal gland enlargement and pancreatic swelling: A case report and a literature review.

A 62-year-old man had bilateral eyelid swelling for 4 months. Two months before admission, he developed fatigue and lost 5 kg of body weight. Further examination revealed elevated serum C-reactive protein, normal angiotensin-converting enzyme, elevated proteinase-3 antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR3-ANCA), and normal immunoglobulin (Ig)G4 concentration.

Difference between sentinel and non-sentinel lymph nodes in the distribution of dendritic cells and macrophages: An immunohistochemical and morphometric study using gastric regional nodes obtained in sentinel node navigation surgery for early gastric cancer.

The sentinel lymph node (SN) concept has a significant impact on cancer surgery. We aimed to examine which morphology of dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages corresponds to "preconditioning" of the SN against cancer. Although macrophages are generally able to tolerate cancer metastasis, the CD169-positive subtype is believed to be a limited exception.

Laparoscopic Hartmann's procedure for complicated diverticulitis is associated with lower superficial surgical site infections compared to open surgery with similar other outcomes: a NSQIP-based, propensity score matched analysis.

Background: Open Hartmann's procedure has traditionally been the procedure of choice to treat complicated diverticulitis. We analyzed the ACS-NSQIP database to compare outcomes in patients who underwent emergent laparoscopic Hartmann's procedure (LHP) to those who had an open Hartmann's procedure (OHP).

Study Design: Data analyzed from 2015 to 2019 using ICD-10 codes.

Acute Respiratory Failure Caused by Lateral Medullary Infarction - An Unknown Condition with Varied Etiology and Requiring Special Vigilance: A Case Series.

Acute respiratory failure (ARF) due to lateral medullary infarction (LMI) can be a fatal condition, although its details remain unclarified. To clarify clinical aspects of ARF due to LMI, we reviewed eight applicable cases treated in a tertiary hospital. Of them, we focused on the detailed clinical course of one case.

Outcome after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Background: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) may reduce the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events but remains challenging. The study aim was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing primary PCI for STEMI with CS.

Methods: We conducted an observational cohort study of patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI between April 2004 and December 2017 at Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital.

Efficacy of Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel (nab-PTX) Monotherapy Can Be Improved after Treatment with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Long-Term Follow-Up and Updated Analysis of Two Previous Prospective Clinical Studies.

Introduction: Recent studies have suggested enhanced therapeutic effects of subsequent chemotherapy after immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment, highlighting the importance of subsequent treatment selection. Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-PTX) is commonly used in subsequent chemotherapies; however, its efficacy as a subsequent treatment after ICI treatment has not been reported.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of nab-PTX using two prospective studies that we previously reported.

Melanopsin activates divergent phototransduction pathways in intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell subtypes.

Melanopsin signaling within intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell (ipRGC) subtypes impacts a broad range of behaviors from circadian photoentrainment to conscious visual perception. Yet, how melanopsin phototransduction within M1-M6 ipRGC subtypes impacts cellular signaling to drive diverse behaviors is still largely unresolved. The identity of the phototransduction channels in each subtype is key to understanding this central question but has remained controversial.

Living alone predicts poor prognosis among patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Living alone as a proxy for social isolation has been considered to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. We thus investigated the impact of living alone on mortality in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients.

Methods: Subjects comprised 277 AMI patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Second-line immunosuppressant administration for steroid-refractory immune-related adverse events in patients with lung cancer.

Background: Evidence for use of second-line immunosuppressants for immune-related adverse events (irAEs) is inadequate. Therefore, a multicenter analysis should assess the efficacy of second-line immunosuppressants for severe irAEs associated with different malignant diseases.

Methods: This descriptive study aims to investigate the effects of second-line immunosuppressants on corticosteroid-refractory irAEs in patients with lung cancer.

Beta 1,3-1,6 Glucans Produced by Two Novel Strains of Aureobasidium Pullulans Exert Immune and Metabolic Beneficial Effects in Healthy Middle-aged Japanese Men: Results of an Exploratory Randomized Control Study.

Objectives: In this pilot study, we have evaluated the specific metabolic and immune-related benefits of the AFO-202 strain and N-163 strain of black yeast Aureobasidium pullulans-produced beta 1,3-1,6 glucan in healthy human subjects.

Methods: Sixteen healthy Japanese male volunteers (aged 40 to 60 years) took part in this clinical trial. They were divided into four groups (n = 4 each): Group I consumed AFO-202 beta-glucan (2 sachets of 1 g each per day), IA for 35 days and IB for 21 days; Group II consumed a combination of AFO-202 beta-glucan (2 sachets of 1 g each) and N-163 beta-glucan (1 sachet of 15 g gel each per day), IIA for 35 days and IIB for 21 days.

Secondary rotational atherectomy is associated with reduced occurrence of prolonged ST-segment elevation following ablation.

Elevation of the ST segment after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using rotational atherectomy (RA) for severely calcified lesions often persists after disappearance of the slow-flow phenomenon on angiography. We investigated clinical factors relevant to prolonged ST-segment elevation following RA among 152 patients with stable angina undergoing elective PCI. PCI procedures were divided into two strategies, RA without (primary RA strategy) or with (secondary RA strategy) balloon dilatation before RA.

No association between pulmonary artery catheter use and postoperative complications in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: a single-center pilot study.

Background: A pulmonary artery catheter is often used in cardiac surgery despite its uncertain effectiveness. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the associations between the use of a pulmonary artery catheter and clinical outcomes in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods: Patients over 20 years of age who had undergone off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting between December 2018 and November 2021 were enrolled in this single-center retrospective pilot study.

Safety and utility of Endoscopic Ultrasound with Bronchoscope-guided Fine Needle Aspiration (EUS-B-FNA) in suspected lung cancer patients with poor respiratory or general conditions: a prospective three-center observational study.

Background: Although transbronchial diagnostic procedures are sometimes difficult to perform because of the patient's respiratory or general conditions, endoscopic ultrasound with bronchoscope-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA), a known transesophageal diagnostic procedure, might be useful for such cases. We conducted this prospective three-center observational study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of EUS-B-FNA in suspected lung cancer patients with poor respiratory or general conditions.

Methods: Patients with suspected lung cancer with respiratory failure, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 or higher, or severe respiratory symptoms, were enrolled.

Modified pull-through coloanal anastomosis to avoid permanent stomas and reduce postoperative complications for lower rectal tumors.

Background: We performed pull-through hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis immediately after sphincter-preserving ultralow anterior resection (ULAR) [pull-through ultra (PTU)] to avoid permanent stoma and reduce postoperative complications of lower rectal tumors. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of PTU versus non-PTU (stapled or hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis with diverting stoma) after sphincter-preserving ULAR for lower rectal tumors.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed prospectively maintained data from 100 consecutive patients who underwent PTU (n = 29) or non-PTU (n = 71) after sphincter-preserving ULAR for rectal tumors between January 2011 and March 2023.

Subsequent treatment for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer that progressed after definitive chemoradiotherapy and consolidation therapy with durvalumab: a multicenter retrospective analysis (TOPGAN 2021-02).

Purpose: For patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) that progressed after definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and durvalumab consolidation therapy, no subsequent standard treatment exists. The type of treatment selected for each timing of disease progression and its efficacy have not been investigated.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled patients with LA-NSCLC or inoperable NSCLC that progressed after definitive CRT and durvalumab consolidation therapy at 15 Japanese institutions.

Cardio-Cerebral Infarction in a Patient with Deep Coma: A Diagnostic Challenge.

The patient was a 69-year-old man who called an ambulance due to dyspnea. When emergency medical technicians found him, he had collapsed into deep coma in front of his house. On arrival, he remained in a deep coma with severe hypoxia.

Environmental risks of organic fertilizer with increased heavy metals (Cu and Zn) to aquatic ecosystems adjacent to farmland in the northern biosphere of Japan.

In Abashiri, Hokkaido, northern Japan, composted sewage sludge (CSS) containing a large amount of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) is used as fertilizer in agriculture. The local environmental risks of Cu and Zn from such organic fertilizers were studied. The study area, especially the brackish lakes located near the farmlands, is important for inland fisheries.

Efficacy and safety of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel monotherapy after immune checkpoint inhibitor administration for advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A multicenter Phase 2 clinical trial.

Background: Whether immunotherapy improves the efficacy or worsens adverse events of subsequent chemotherapy remains unclear. We performed a Phase 2 study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) as a treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after treatment with programmed cell death 1 or programmed death ligand 1 [PD-(L)1] inhibitor failure.

Methods: Nab-paclitaxel (100 mg/m ) was administered on Days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle to patients with advanced NSCLC within 12 weeks after the failure of PD-(L)1 inhibitor treatment.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as an early marker of outcomes in patients with recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma treated with nivolumab.

The immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), nivolumab, has revolutionised the treatment of recurrent and metastatic oral cancer. However, the response rate to ICIs remains low, and identifying predictors of nivolumab response is critical. Although the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been suggested as a predictive marker of nivolumab response in patients with various types of cancer, its utility in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not been elucidated.

The perfluoroadamantoxy aluminate as an ideal weakly coordinating anion? - synthesis and first applications.

Weakly coordinating anions (WCAs) facilitate the stabilization and isolation of highly reactive and almost "naked" cations. Alkoxyaluminate-based WCAs such as [Al(OC(CF))] ([]) are widely used due to their synthetic accessibility and their high stability. However, small cations are still able to coordinate the oxygen atoms of the [] anion or even to abstract an alkoxy ligand.

Impact of Multivessel Percutaneous Coronary Intervention vs. Culprit Vessel Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes and Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Recent clinical trials have shown that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for non-culprit lesions (NCLs) reduces the risk of adverse events in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but the effect on long-term outcomes remains unclear in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients and a real-world clinical setting.

Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study of ACS patients who underwent primary PCI between April 2004 and December 2017 at Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Japan, was performed. The primary endpoint was the composite of cardiovascular disease death (CVD death) and non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) during the mean follow-up period of 2.