Prognostic value of a composite physiologic index developed by adding bronchial and hyperlucent volumes quantified via artificial intelligence technology.

Background: The composite physiologic index (CPI) was developed to estimate the extent of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients based on pulmonary function tests (PFTs). The CALIPER-revised version of the CPI (CALIPER-CPI) was also developed to estimate the volume fraction of ILD measured by CALIPER, an automated quantitative CT postprocessing software. Recently, artificial intelligence-based quantitative CT image analysis software (AIQCT), which can be used to quantify the bronchial volume separately from the ILD volume, was developed and validated in IPF.

Development and Validation of Quality Indicators for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Management in Japan: A Modified Delphi Consensus Study.

Background: Quality indicators (QIs) are used to standardize care and improve outcomes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). It is important that QIs are validated within specific healthcare contexts. Therefore, this study aimed to validate QIs for PAH management in Japan using a modified Delphi consensus method.

Refractory phenotype of -sensitized asthma with bronchiectasis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Background: Sensitization to mucus plugs, and bacterial colonization may coexist and relate to a refractory phenotype during follow-up in asthma with bronchiectasis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA).

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the features of -sensitized refractory asthma with bronchiectasis and determine the refractory phenotype in this population and ABPA.

Methods: This study included cases of the oldest available -specific IgE data and chest computed tomography images from a nationwide survey of refractory asthma with bronchiectasis.

The utility and safety of one-minute sit-to-stand test in pulmonary hypertension: A prospective study.

Background: Functional exercise capacity in pulmonary hypertension (PH) is routinely assessed using the 6-min walking test (6MWT). However, alternative tests are useful because of resource requirements. This study aimed to evaluate whether the 1-min sit-to-stand test (1STST) is useful and safe in PH and whether it can replace the 6MWT.

[Survey Report on Assistant Work of Radiological Technologist During Angiography and Intervention Radiology Procedure].

Purpose: Investigating the status and challenges associated with radiological technologists acting as assistants during angiography and interventional radiology (IVR) through task shift/share.

Methods: The survey period was from August 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023. A 10-item questionnaire survey was conducted nationwide, targeting 676 hospitals equipped with angiography facilities.

Computed tomography morphological assessments of central airways in interstitial lung abnormalities and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Little is known about whether central airway morphological changes beyond traction bronchiectasis develop and affect clinical outcomes in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This study aimed to compare central airway structure comprehensively between patients with IPF, subjects with interstitial lung abnormality (ILA), and those without ILA (control) using computed tomography (CT). We further examined the prognostic impact of IPF-specific CT airway parameters in patients with IPF.

Cancer as an independent mortality risk in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Background: The management of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) has advanced significantly in recent years, thereby improving patient prognosis. However, the impact of cancer on the outcomes of patients with CTEPH under current treatment remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cancer in patients with CTEPH and determine how comorbid cancer affects their prognosis and clinical course.

Chemotactic activity of products of Elizabethkingia anophelis derived from Aedes albopictus against RAW264 murine macrophage cell line.

Dengue viruses enter dermal macrophages which are derived from other tissues after mosquito bites. We examined chemotactic factors derived from the dengue vector mosquito, Aedes albopictus, toward a RAW264 murine macrophage cell line. We found that Elizabethkingia anophelis that was isolated from mosquitoes exhibited migration-inducing activity toward RAW264 cells.

Combination Assay of Methylated with Tumor Markers Shows High Sensitivity for Detection of Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Introduction: Patients with hepatitis virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (viral HCC) are decreasing as hepatitis control improves, but those with non-viral-related HCC (non-viral HCC) are increasing in Japan. No established surveillance system exists for patients with non-viral HCC, so they are often diagnosed at an advanced stage. To address this, we performed this study.

Solitary Fibrous Tumor Requiring Abdominal Aortic Vessel Replacement.

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are mesenchymal tumors, and retroperitoneal occurrence is rare. It has been identified in a variety of soft tissues and organs, such as the pleura, peritoneum, and meninges. In this case, the tumor was in contact with the abdominal aorta, and the invasion was difficult to judge preoperatively.

Enhanced bone formation of rat mandibular bone defects with collagen membranes loaded on bone morphogenetic protein-9.

Background/purpose: Bone morphogenetic protein-9 (BMP-9) has demonstrated multiple advantages in promoting osteogenesis. Our previous findings have indicated that the use of an absorbable collagen membrane (ACM) as a carrier for growth factors is effective in stimulating bone regeneration. The objective of this study was to assess the synergistic impact of BMP-9 incorporated into ACM (ACM/BMP-9) on bone formation within rat mandibular bone defects.

Lung imaging in COPD and asthma.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are common lung diseases with heterogeneous clinical presentations. Lung imaging allows evaluations of underlying pathophysiological changes and provides additional personalized approaches for disease management. This narrative review provides an overview of recent advances in chest imaging analysis using various modalities, such as computed tomography (CT), dynamic chest radiography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Lower skeletal muscle density and airway structure on computed tomography in asthma.

Background: Lower skeletal muscle density may reflect muscle adiposity and metabolic dysregulation that potentially impair disease control and lung function independent of high body mass index (BMI) in patients with asthma.

Objective: To investigate whether the lower density of pectoralis muscles (PMs) and erector spinae muscles (ESMs) on chest computed tomography was associated with airway structural changes in patients with asthma.

Methods: Consecutive patients with asthma and healthy controls undergoing chest computed tomography were retrospectively analyzed.

Phase angle measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Associations with physical inactivity and frailty.

Background: Factors associated with early-stage frailty (pre-frailty) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remain unestablished. In addition to skeletal muscle quantity, skeletal muscle dysfunction can be estimated using an angular metric from bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA), termed the phase angle, that reflects cell membrane reactance representing the structural stability. This study examined whether the phase angle was more closely associated with pre-frailty compared with skeletal muscle quantity in patients with COPD.

Outcomes of Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension After Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty and Pulmonary Endarterectomy.

Background: The contemporary outcome of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) and pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are unclear.

Objectives: This study aimed to clarify the characteristics and outcomes of CTEPH patients treated with BPA and PEA in Japan.

Methods: Among 1,270 participants enrolled between 2018 and 2023 in the CTEPH AC (Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension Anticoagulant) registry, a Japanese nationwide CTEPH registry, 369 treatment-naive patients (BPA strategy: n = 313; PEA strategy: n = 56) and 690 on-treatment patients (BPA strategy: n = 561; PEA strategy: n = 129) were classified according to the presence of prior reperfusion therapy.

Increasing survivors of anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy with breast cancer in trastuzumab era: thirty-one-year trends in a Japanese Community.

Background: Trastuzumab has improved breast cancer (BC) prognosis and reduced anthracycline use. However, the characteristic changes of anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy (ARCM) in patients with BC remain unclear. We aimed to update our understanding of ARCM in the trastuzumab era.

Multi-gene panel analysis in BRCA1/2-negative patients suspected of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome: Real-world data from a single institution.

Aim: Although BRCA1/2 is most frequently associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC), many other related genes have been implicated. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of non-BRCA1/2 genes associated with hereditary cancer predisposition in BRCA1/2-negative patients from the Department of Genetic Medicine and Services with breast and ovarian cancer using a multi-gene panel (MGP) analysis.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective MGP analysis (National Cancer Center Onco-Panel for Familial Cancer; NOP_FC) in BRCA1/2-negative patients with breast, ovarian, and overlapping breast/ovarian cancers who visited our genetic counseling between April 2004 and October 2022.