Neurosurgical strategy based on the type of occult spinal dysraphism in omphalocele-exstrophy-imperforate anus-spinal defects complex: A review of 10 cases.

Background: Omphalocele-exstrophy-imperforate anus-spinal defects (OEIS) complex is a rare, life-threatening congenital malformation primarily treated with abdominogenital repair. The optimal indication and timing of neurosurgical interventions for the associated spinal cord lesions remains insufficiently studied. We reviewed spinal dysraphism in OEIS to evaluate the best timing for neurosurgical intervention.

Prognostic Significance of Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio in Patients With Unresectable Biliary Tract Cancer Undergoing Systemic Chemotherapy.

Background/aim: The incidence of biliary tract cancers (BTC), including cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer, has been increasing worldwide. Approximately 70% of BTC patients have advanced disease at diagnosis, leading to a poor survival rate. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated that the addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as durvalumab or pembrolizumab, to gemcitabine plus cisplatin chemotherapy significantly improves survival rates, making triple therapy the current standard for first-line treatment of BTC.

Update of prognosis and characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a real-world setting: a 5-year follow-up analysis of a multi-institutional registry.

Background: We conducted a prospective observational study to elucidate the long-term prognosis and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in clinical practice in Japan in the mid-2010s.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 29 facilities. Data from 427 patients clinically diagnosed with COPD, enrolled between September 2013 and April 2016, were analyzed.

Novel method for diagnosing takotsubo syndrome with left ventriculography using a microaxial flow pump in temporary surgical mode in a patient with cardiogenic shock: a case report.

Background: It is reasonable to introduce a microaxial flow pump (Impella) before coronary angiography and left ventriculography (LVG) to prioritize treating tissue hypoperfusion in patients with takotsubo syndrome (TTS) and refractory cardiogenic shock. However, left ventricular (LV) unloading by an Impella device might prevent contrast media from filling the left ventricle, making it difficult to evaluate LV wall motion abnormalities during LVG.

Case Summary: A 76-year-old female with ST elevations in I, II, aVL, and V1-6 on electrocardiography and severe LV dysfunction on echocardiography immediately received circulatory support with Impella CP to treat refractory cardiogenic shock.

Evaluation of Leg Length Difference on Perioperative Radiographs of Total Hip Arthroplasty Considering Lower Limb Malposition.

Background: During total hip arthroplasty (THA) in lateral decubitus, perioperative radiography allows the surgeon a simple evaluation of the leg length difference (LLD) by measuring the proximal femoral length. However, the effect of femoral malpositioning on proximal femoral length measurements during the evaluation of perioperative radiographs is not adequately understood. We aimed to (1) investigate the effects of malposition on proximal femoral length using three-dimensional computer simulations and (2) verify whether a simple correction formula can improve the accuracy of LLD evaluation on perioperative radiographs.

Effect of studying abroad on catch-up vaccination in young adults: A study using the Japan Pretravel Consultation Registry.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of studying abroad on catch-up vaccination coverage for measles, rubella, mumps, varicella, and tetanus during the pretravel consultation among young adult travelers.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from the Japan Pretravel Consultation Registry (J-PRECOR) on individuals aged 18-21 years with childhood vaccination records. Propensity score weighting was used to estimate the average treatment effect on the proportion of participants receiving catch-up vaccination.

WNT/β-catenin Signaling and CD8+ Tumor-infiltrating Lymphocytes in Tremelimumab Plus Durvalumab for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background/aim: Tremelimumab plus durvalumab is an approved first-line therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previous studies identified WNT/β-catenin mutations or CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) as biomarkers that can predict responsiveness to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in HCC. However, biomarkers for effectiveness of tremelimumab plus durvalumab in HCC have not been reported.

Clinical Impact of Skeletal Muscle Mass and Nutritional Status in Patients with Recurrent or Advanced Gastric Cancer Treated with Nivolumab.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of skeletal muscle mass and nutritional status in gastric cancer patients treated with nivolumab monotherapy as late-line treatment.

Methods: We conducted a multi-institutional retrospective study of 90 gastric cancer patients who previously received anti-PD-1 therapy (nivolumab). On computed tomography images captured before nivolumab induction, the skeletal muscle index (SMI, cm2/m2) was defined as the erector muscle area (cm2) divided by the height (m) squared.

Peritonitis caused by after laparoscopic total hysterectomy: A case report.

Infections after obstetric and gynecologic surgery are commonly caused by enterobacteria, commensal vaginal bacteria, or indigenous skin bacteria (primarily and ). () rarely causes postoperative infection in the field of obstetrics and gynecology and its treatment is generally delayed. This report describes a case report of peritonitis caused by after laparoscopic total hysterectomy.

Cytokine release syndrome following COVID-19 infection during treatment with nivolumab for cancer of esophagogastric junction carcinoma: a case report and review.

Background: Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is an acute systemic inflammatory syndrome characterized by fever and multiple organ failure, which is triggered by immunotherapy or certain infections. Immune checkpoint inhibitors rarely cause immune-related adverse event- cytokine release syndrome (irAE-CRS). This article presents a case report of irAE-CRS triggered by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Prospective multicenter surveillance study of branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas; risk of dual carcinogenesis.

Background: The natural history of branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous cystic neoplasms (BD-IPMNs) in the pancreas remains unclear. This study aimed to answer this clinical question by focusing on the development of concomitant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (cPDAC).

Methods: The Japan Pancreas Society conducted a prospective multicenter surveillance study of BD-IPMN every six months for five years.

Laparoscopic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for recurrent ovarian endometriotic cysts in a woman taking adjuvant tamoxifen for breast cancer: A case report.

The case report describes the management of endometriotic cysts in a woman taking adjuvant tamoxifen. A diagnosis of endometriosis was made at the age of 38, and the condition was initially managed with a low-dose estrogen-progestogen combination; the patient then switched to dienogest at the age of 45. Following a diagnosis of breast cancer at the age of 46, dienogest was stopped and adjuvant tamoxifen treatment started.

Postoperative Proliferation Detection in Eyes Treated for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment by WideField OCT Angiography.

Purpose: Proliferative retinal changes may occur postsurgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), possibly preceding recurrent detachment. This study aims to establish the groundwork for an imaging system capable of discerning changes in retinal vessel tortuosity after RRD repair, analyzing widefield optical coherence tomography angiography (WF-OCTA) images.

Methods: Eighty-eight eyes of 86 patients with RRD who underwent surgical procedures and had repeated imaging with clear widefield optical coherence tomography (WF-OCT) and WF-OCTA on different postoperative days were enrolled in this retrospective study.

Diagnostic features of autoimmune hepatitis in SARS‑CoV‑2‑vaccinated vs. unvaccinated individuals.

The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has affected millions of lives, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. With >772 million cases and nearly seven million deaths reported worldwide to date, the development of vaccines has been a critical step in mitigating the impact of COVID-19. However, concerns have arisen regarding the potential for SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination to trigger autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-facilitated palliative radiotherapy for severe airway obstruction due to lung cancer: A case report.

Background: The use of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO), particularly during radiotherapy, for severe malignant central airway obstruction has rarely been reported.

Case Presentation: A 47-year-old female presented to our emergency department with severe respiratory distress. Given her medical history, she was initially diagnosed with asthma.

Similar Efficacy Between Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy For Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background/aim: The landscape of treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including immune checkpoint inhibitors, has expanded significantly. However, unresectable HCC patients with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) continue to face a poor prognosis. This investigation examined the survival outcomes and determinants influencing survival rates in advanced HCC patients with PVTT undergoing treatment with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (ATZ+BEV) or hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC).

Extended septal myectomy for midventricular obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Midventricular obstruction (MVO) is a rare form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). While surgical treatment for HCM is among the most technically challenging cardiac operations for acquired disease, surgery for MVO is rarely reported. A 38-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a cough and dyspnea.

Dynamics of the neutrophil‑to‑lymphocyte ratio during lenvatinib treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Lenvatinib is an approved therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors have been approved as frontline chemotherapies for HCC, and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) has been demonstrated to significantly affect HCC treatment. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is associated with the TIME, and the dynamics of the NLR are associated with prognosis or treatment efficacy in various cancer types.

Association between defibrillation-to-adrenaline interval and short-term outcomes in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and an initial shockable rhythm.

Aim: The optimal timing of adrenaline administration after defibrillation in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and an initial shockable rhythm is unknown. We investigated the association between the defibrillation-to-adrenaline interval and clinical outcomes.

Methods: Between 2011 and 2020, we enrolled 1,259,960 patients with OHCA into a nationwide prospective population-based registry in Japan.

Differences in discharge letter content: oncologists' vs. home care physicians' needs.

Purpose: To compare the details, oncologists include in discharge letters with what home care physicians need. Although discharge letters are important to share patients' information for home palliative care, few studies have compared the details, especially patients' emotions, regarding what oncologists include in discharge letters and home care physicians' needs.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted by sending anonymous, self-administered questionnaires to 500 certified oncologists (OCs) and 500 directors of home care supporting clinics (HCs) in Japan between March and May 2023.