Relapse-Independent disease activity in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: A systematic review.

Introduction: Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD) is a neuroinflammatory condition characterized by optic neuritis and transverse myelitis. While the current approach to NMOSD focuses on relapse-associated worsening (RAW), recent evidence indicates Relapse-Independent Disease Activity (RIDA) in patients.

Method: Databases including Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences were systematically searched up to December 2023.

Association Between Gastrointestinal and Sleep Problems in the General Population of Japan: A Cross-Sectional Community-Based Observational Study.

Background and aim Poor sleep is known to be associated with functional gastrointestinal (GI) problems in the general population, but the exact mechanisms underlying the relationship remain unclear. Deeper insights into the exact mechanisms underlying the connection may benefit individuals suffering from these conditions without efficient treatments. Therefore, this study investigated the association between functional GI symptom levels and sleep-related characteristics in the general population of Japan.

Oral alkalinizing supplementation suppressed intrarenal reactive oxidative stress in mild-stage chronic kidney disease: a randomized cohort study.

Background: The beneficial effects of oral supplements with alkalinizing agents in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been limited to the severe stages. We investigated whether two types of supplements, sodium bicarbonate (SB) and potassium citrate/sodium citrate (PCSC), could maintain renal function in patients with mild-stage CKD.

Methods: This was a single-center, open-labeled, randomized cohort trial.

Difficulty Falling Asleep, Nocturnal Awakening, Sleep Dissatisfaction, and Irritability in the General Population.

Sleep disturbance is characterized by problems with sleep quantity and quality. However, the exact mechanisms and factors underlying sleep dissatisfaction in the general population remains unclear. This cross-sectional study collected sleep data and irritability level from individuals who visited hospitals for medical checkups or with unexplained physical symptoms using self-report questionnaires.

Continuous diffuse brain atrophy independent of relapse as a hallmark of multiple sclerosis beginning from relapsing-remitting stage.

Background: Neurodegenerative changes are observed in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and are prominent in secondary progressive MS (SPMS). However, whether neurodegenerative changes accelerate and are altered after the transition into SPMS or in the presence of relapses remains uncertain.

Methods: In this study, 73 patients with MS (seven with relapsing RRMS, 56 with relapse-free RRMS, and 10 with relapse-free SPMS) were evaluated for brain segmental volume changes over a 2-year follow-up period.

Post-Toilet Wiping Style Is Associated With the Risk of Urinary Tract Infection in Women.

Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) has a lifetime incidence of ≥50% in women. A wide variety of clinical, physiological, and lifestyle risk factors for UTI have been identified, but the exact relationship between post-toilet anal and perineal hygiene practices, especially the wiping direction with toilet paper, and UTI risks has not been investigated yet. Therefore, this study cross-sectionally investigated the post-toilet wiping habit and lifetime UTI events in the general population.

Risk Assessment of Critical Obstetric Bleeding With Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin.

Background: Use of unfractionated heparin (UFH) during the peripartum period is considered to be a higher risk of critical obstetric bleeding compared to low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). However, the evidence for the safety of using LMWH during the peripartum period is currently lacking.

Methods: This study retrospectively investigated a nationwide medical database to clarify the safety of using LMWH during childbirth.

Low Hemoglobin Level and Elevated Inflammatory Hematological Ratios Associated With Depression and Sleep Disturbance.

Background: The relationship between blood cell profiles, including hemoglobin (Hb) levels and inflammatory hematological ratios, and mental health problems currently remains unclear.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between blood cell profiles and mental health issues, including depressive state and sleep disturbance, while adjusting for potential demographic confounders.

Methodology: This retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study used a population-based medical database from the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project with more than 60,000 volunteers.

Improved Activities of Daily Living With Adjunctive Intravenous Steroids in Bacterial Meningitis: A Nationwide, Population-Based Medical Database Study.

The benefit of using adjunctive intravenous steroids (IVS) to reduce the neurological sequelae in bacterial meningitis remains inconclusive. This study evaluated the effect of IVS on improving the subsequent Activities of Daily Living (ADL) in bacterial meningitis by analyzing data from a large nationwide administrative medical database in Japan. Data from 1,132 hospitals, covered by the administrative Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) payment system from 2016 to 2022, were evaluated.

Stochastic models for the onset and disease course of multiple sclerosis.

Objective: Exact causes and mechanisms regulating the onset and progression in many chronic diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), remain uncertain. Until now, the potential role of random process based on stochastic models in the temporal course of chronic diseases remains largely unevaluated. Therefore, the present study investigated the applicability of stochastic models for the onset and disease course of MS.

A Reduction in the Number of Hospitalized Cases of Acute Meningitis during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan.

Objective The changes in the prevalence of acute meningitis during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of acute meningitis before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the Japanese nationwide administrative medical payment system database, Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC), from 2016 to 2022.

Basal Ganglia Atrophy and Impaired Cognitive Processing Speed in Multiple Sclerosis.

Impaired cognitive processing speed is among the important higher brain dysfunctions in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the exact structural mechanisms of the dysfunction remain uncertain. This study aimed to identify the brain regions associated with the impaired cognitive processing speed in MS by comparing the cognitive processing speed, measured using the Cognitive Processing Speed Test (CogEval) z-score, and brain regional volumetric data.

Subjective Physical Symptoms Related to Bad Weather Among Persons Undergoing Medical Check-Up: A Single-Center Observational Study.

Background and aim The prevalence and characteristics of physical complaints related to bad weather among the general population remain poorly understood. This study aimed to elucidate the characteristics of subjective physical symptoms related to bad weather. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted by using self-reported health-related questionnaires obtained from individuals undergoing annual medical check-ups at a municipal hospital in Japan.

Enlarged choroid plexus in multiple sclerosis is associated with increased lesion load and atrophy in white matter but not gray matter atrophy.

Background: Enlargement of the choroid plexus (CP) is reported to associate with inflammatory activity and contribute to brain atrophy in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). However, a recent study in healthy volunteers (HVTs) has suggested that CP enlargement can be attributed to ventriculomegaly.

Objectives: To clarify the pathological significance of the enlargement of CP in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Demographic profiles and risk factors for mortality in acute meningitis: A nationwide population-based observational study.

Aim: Acute meningitis encompasses bacterial, viral (aseptic), fungal, tuberculous, and carcinomatous meningitis. The rate and risks of mortality in each type remain uncertain. This study aimed to elucidate these aspects in each type of meningitis.

Progression independent of relapses in aquaporin4-IgG-seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease, and multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: To determine whether progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) is present in Aquaporin4-IgG-seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4+NMOSD), Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) and relapsing remitting Multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Methods: We retrospectively studied the change in EDSS, confirmed disability worsening (CDW) (i.e.

Evaluation of Statistical Approaches in Developing a Predictive Model of Severe COVID-19 during Early Phase of Pandemic with Limited Data Resources.

As evidence of risk factors for severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was uncertain in early phases of the pandemic, the development of an efficient predictive model for severe cases to triage high-risk individuals represented an urgent yet challenging issue. It is crucial to select appropriate statistical models when available data and evidence are limited. This study was conducted to assess the accuracy of different statistical models in predicting severe cases using demographic data from patients with COVID-19 prior to the emergence of consequential variants.

Associations between neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, Sjögren's syndrome, and conditions with electrolyte disturbances.

Objective: Electrolyte disorders are among the important conditions negatively affecting the disease course of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Possible mechanisms may include renal tubular acidosis (RTA) accompanying Sjögren's syndrome (SS), syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), and central diabetes insipidus (DI). Currently, the overlap profiles between these conditions remain uncertain.

Recently Added Frameshift Mutation in Human Monkeypox Virus (hMPXV) OPG191 Gene.

Human monkeypox virus (hMPXV) has caused sporadic outbreaks intermittently across countries in recent years, with the largest outbreak in 2022. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study searched for recently developed structural variants of the viral genome.

Blood Culture Result Profile in Patients With Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI): A Single-Center Experience.

Background Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is among the most common bloodstream infections in the university hospital and intensive care unit settings. This study evaluated the routine blood test findings and microbe profiles of bloodstream infection (BSI) by the presence and types of central vein (CV) access devices (CVADs). Methods A total of 878 inpatients at a university hospital who were clinically suspected for BSI and underwent blood culture (BC) testing between April 2020 and September 2020 were enrolled.

Predictors for the Development of Hypoxia or Prolonged Acute Symptoms among Non-Hospitalized Mild-to-Moderate Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic remains a global public health concern. The clinical course and risk of developing severe illness among patients with COVID-19 who are at low-risk of severe COVID-19 remain uncertain. This retrospective cohort study from an isolation facility for low-risk COVID-19 patients in Japan evaluated the potential risks for severe disease with hypoxia (SpO ≤ 93%) or experiencing prolonged isolation period longer than 14 days with persistent acute symptoms.