Analysis of the appropriate dose of hydroxychloroquine in systemic lupus erythematosus in Japan.

Objective: Recent SLE guidelines recommend using HCQ at < 5.0 mg/kg/day to reduce retinopathy risk but note that doses below this may increase flare risk, suggesting 5.0 mg/kg/day as ideal.

Bone mineral density and hydroxyapatite alignment in leg cortical bone influence on ultrasound velocity.

Bone diagnosis using x-ray techniques, such as computed tomography and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, can evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) and microstructure but does not provide elastic properties. This study investigated the ultrasonic properties of racehorse leg cortical bone, focusing on the relationship between wave velocity, BMD, and hydroxyapatite (HAp) crystallite alignment. The results showed a strong correlation between wave velocity and BMD, suggesting that quantitative ultrasound-obtained wave velocity is primarily influenced by BMD, followed by the HAp alignment direction.

Three-year safety and effectiveness of tofacitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Japan: final analysis of an all-case post-marketing surveillance study.

Objective: Evaluate tofacitinib real-world safety/effectiveness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Japan in a 3-year all-case post-marketing surveillance study.

Methods: All patients with rheumatoid arthritis who initiated tofacitinib (07/30/2013-12/03/2017) were registered in Japan. Serious infections/malignancy/mortality incidence were compared in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis after >8 mg methotrexate/week for ≥3 months who received tofacitinib or other drugs (control: methotrexate/other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs/immunosuppressants).

miR-6516-3p-mediated downregulation of the endogenous MMP-9 inhibitor RECK in mesangial cells might exacerbate lupus nephritis.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate biological processes by inhibiting translation and causing mRNA degradation. In this study, we identified the miRNAs involved in the development and progression of lupus nephritis (LNs) and verified their roles.

Methods: Total RNA, extracted from PBMCs collected from patients with LNs before and after treatment, was used for miRNA array analysis to identify miRNAs whose expression was significantly altered.

Association between prenatal exposure to maternal metal and trace elements and Streptococcus infection: A prospective birth cohort in the Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Background: Streptococcus infection is a common and potentially severe bacterial infection which remains a global public health challenge, underscoring the necessity of investigating potential risk factors.

Aims: The present study aims to assess the association between metal and trace element exposure and Streptococcus infection using a prospective nationwide birth cohort, the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS).

Methods: The JECS obtained data from over 100,000 pregnancies through 15 Regional Centres across Japan.

A Case of Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Grade V Traumatic Pancreatic Injury in an Elderly Patient.

Traumatic pancreatic injury is a rare condition, but cases involving main pancreatic duct injury often require surgical intervention and are associated with high mortality rates. Recently, two-stage surgical approaches, with initial damage control surgery followed by delayed pancreatic resection and reconstruction, have been increasingly reported. However, we argue that not all cases need a two-stage approach; instead, surgical strategies should be tailored based on the patient's vital signs.

Ortner's syndrome resulting from aortic pseudoaneurysm owing to intimal sarcoma of the aorta.

A 38-year-old man visited the otolaryngology department because of sudden onset of hoarseness a few days ago. A fiberoptic laryngoscopy revealed paralytic left vocal cord, indicating the left recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. Computed tomography angiography revealed a 44-mm aortic pseudoaneurysm with thrombus originating at the left subclavian artery.

Local halide heterogeneity drives surface wrinkling in mixed-halide wide-bandgap perovskites.

Compositional heterogeneity in wide-bandgap (1.8 - 2.1 eV) mixed-halide perovskites is a key bottleneck in the processing of high-quality solution-processed thin films and prevents their application in efficient multijunction solar cells.

Strain Engineering: Reduction of Microstrain at the Perovskite Surface via Alkali Metal Chloride Treatment Enhances Stability.

Degradation of halide perovskites under a humid atmosphere is the major challenge preventing widespread commercial deployment of this material class. Here it is shown that strain engineering via alkali metal chloride treatment at the FAPbI/SnO interface effectively improves moisture-related stability. CsCl and KCl treatments reduce microstrain at the perovskite surface and slow the α- to δ-phase transformation.

Performance of the modified 2022 ACR/EULAR giant cell arteritis classification criteria without age restriction for discriminating from Takayasu arteritis.

Objective: To evaluate the ability to discriminate giant cell arteritis (GCA) from Takayasu arteritis (TAK) according to the modified 2022 American College of Rheumatology/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (ACR/EULAR) GCA classification criteria.

Methods: Patients enrolled in the Japanese nationwide retrospective registry were evaluated using the criteria with partial modification; wall thickening of descending thoracic-abdominal aorta were mainly diagnosed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging instead of evaluating with positron emission tomography (PET)-CT. The discriminability of the criteria was evaluated using C-statistic (> 0.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of rocuronium in sevoflurane-anesthetized Thoroughbred horses.

Objective: To investigate the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of rocuronium administered by bolus injection to sevoflurane-anesthetized horses.

Study Design: Prospective, experimental, crossover study.

Animals: Five healthy adult Thoroughbred horses (body mass 368-470 kg, three females and two males).

Comparing the effectiveness of four antihistamines with olopatadine in healthy Thoroughbred horses.

We compared the antihistamine effect of four new antihistamines with olopatadine, which is used to treat equine allergic diseases. Six healthy Thoroughbred horses received oral doses of olopatadine (50 mg), levocetirizine (50 mg), bilastine (200 mg), rupatadine (100 mg), and desloratadine (50 mg) at >2-week intervals. The effects were investigated by measurement of the wheal area induced by histamine intradermal injection, and inhibition rate was compared with positive and negative controls.

Effects of the Maternal Work Environment on Psychological Distress During Pregnancy: A Cross-sectional Research-The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Objectives: As part of the "Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS)," a national prospective birth cohort study, we examined the association between the maternal work environment and psychological distress during pregnancy in Japan.

Methods: Employing a cross-sectional design, we analyzed data from 42,797 participants, originally collected between 2011 and 2014. Associations between the maternal work environment and psychological distress (Kessler 6) were examined using generalized estimation equation models adjusted for confounding factors.

Association Between the Occupation of Pregnant Women's Partners and Risks of Infant Low Birth Weight and Preterm Birth in a Prospective Birth Cohort: The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Objective: We examined the association between the occupations of pregnant women's partners and infant low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (PB).

Methods: Birth outcome data were collected from 46,540 participants enrolled in the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Participants were recruited from January 2011 to March 2014.

Differences in Phenotypes, Treatments, and Outcomes of ANCA-associated Vasculitis across Europe, Japan, and the United States in 2020.

Objectives: To clarify the differences in clinical phenotypes, therapeutic patterns, and outcomes of patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) across geographic regions using a multinational cohort.

Methods: Data were collected from patients with newly diagnosed or relapsing GPA or MPA in Europe, Japan, and the United States (US) from January to July 2020. The composite outcome of kidney failure and/or death within 52 weeks after treatment was evaluated, and the hazard ratios across the regions were estimated using the Cox proportional hazard model.

Outcome of anatomical versus non-anatomical lung resection for necrotizing pneumonia in children.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the characteristics, complications and outcomes of necrotizing pneumonia (NP) requiring surgical intervention.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of all children who underwent surgical therapy for NP from January 2010 to December 2023. Patients were analyzed based on two surgical approaches: anatomic resection (AR) or non-AR (NAR).

Additional benefits of belimumab in chronic phase of systemic lupus erythematosus and efficacy of tacrolimus combination therapy.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a typical autoimmune disease; although severe disease and refractoriness to existing therapies are still experienced, the number of cases resistant to remission induction has decreased with the establishment of various therapies. However, improving long-term prognosis remains a challenge due to the unavoidable prolonged use of non-selective glucocorticoids. To investigate the additional effect of belimumab in the chronic phase, we included 28 of 46 patients with SLE who were initiated on belimumab between January 2018 and October 2022 for glucocorticoid reduction.

Two Cases of Refractory Diarrhea Subsequent to Vascular Reconstruction for Infective Superior Mesenteric Artery Aneurysms.

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) aneurysm and their surgical interventions are rare, leading to infrequent reports of postoperative complications. This report describes 2 cases of refractory diarrhea following vascular reconstruction for infectious SMA aneurysms. Both patients underwent aneurysm resection and SMA reconstruction but experienced persistent diarrhea despite treatment with anti-diarrheal medications.

Association between prenatal tobacco exposure and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder related characteristics at 6 and 8 years: a birth cohort in Japan.

Objectives: To examine the association between maternal plasma cotinine concentrations during pregnancy and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) related characteristics in children.

Design: Prospective birth cohort study from the Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health.

Setting: Hokkaido, Japan.

[Extensive Spinal Cord Infarction Subsequent to Total Arch Replacement for Stanford Type A Acute Aortic Dissection:Report of a Case].

A 53-year-old male, diagnosed with Stanford A acute aortic dissection, underwent a total arch replacement with a conventional elephant trunk. During the extubation phase, paraplegia and sensory disturbance were identified, prompting suspicion of spinal cord injury (SCI) attributed to thrombosis of the false lumen and subsequent obstruction of the segmental arteries. Apixaban was administered in addition to spinal drainage, meticulous blood pressure management, and administration of mannitol, edaravone, naloxone, and prednisolone.

[Influence of Left Ventricular End-diastolic Diameter Index on Surgical Outcomes After Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients with Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ≤35].

We examined the influence of left ventricular diameter on surgical outcomes after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <35%. The subjects were patients who underwent isolated CABG with and without cardiopulmonary bypass from January 2015 to the end of August 2023. Twenty-four patients were categorized into the LVEF ≥55% group( group N) and 14 patients into the LVEF ≤35% group( group L).

Pregnancy with mixed connective tissue disease: Exploration of factors influencing live birth outcomes.

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) predominantly affects women in their reproductive age (30-40 years). This study is aimed to analyze a case series of MCTD-complicated pregnancies. The study design utilized a combined case-series and case-control approach.

Sulfur-species in Zinc-specific Condylar Zones of a Rat Temporomandibular Joint.

In this study, we performed synchrotron-based micro-X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) imaging of elements Zn and S, and X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) coupled with μ-XRF for identification of Zn and S species in the condylar zones of a rat temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Histologic localization of Zn and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) were mapped using an optical microscope. These data were visually correlated with μ-XRF and XANES data to provide insights into plausible biological S-species in Z-enriched condylar zones of a rat TMJ.