Does the PillCam SB3 capsule endoscopy system improve image reading efficiency irrespective of experience? A pilot study.

Background And Study Aims:  The aim of this study was tp compare the diagnostic efficiency of the PillCam SB3 capsule endoscopy (CE) system with the older system, PillCam SB2, taking into consideration the experience of the image reader.

Patients And Methods:  Small intestinal CE was conducted on 64 patients around May 2014 when the SB3 was introduced in our hospital. Data obtained from 20 patients (SB2: 10 and SB3: 10) based on transit time were assessed by junior (experience: 20 images), intermediate (> 50), and expert readers (> 600).

Development of a sensitive immunochromatographic kit using fluorescent silica nanoparticles for rapid serodiagnosis of amebiasis.

We have previously shown that the C-terminal region of the intermediate subunit of Entamoeba histolytica galactose- and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-inhibitable lectin (C-Igl) is a useful antigen for serodiagnosis of amebiasis. An immunochromatographic kit was developed using fluorescent silica nanoparticles coated with C-Igl prepared in Escherichia coli. Samples for examination were added to the freeze-dried particles and then applied to the immunochromatographic device, in which a test line on the membrane was also coated with C-Igl.

Comparison of aortic annulus dimensions after aortic valve neocuspidization with those of normal aortic valve using transthoracic echocardiography.

Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the physiological feasibility of aortic valve neocuspidization (AVNeo) by comparing the aortic annulus dimensions between patients after AVNeo and patients with normal aortic valves.

Methods: From December 2010 to October 2017, we performed AVNeo for various aortic valve pathologies in 147 patients. Of these patients, the aortic annulus dimensions were measured in 25 patients who underwent AVNeo for aortic valve disease as follow-up examination and compared with those measured in 15 patients who had normal aortic valves.

Diffusely Infiltrating Cerebellar Anaplastic Astrocytoma Effectively Controlled with Bevacizumab: Case Report and Literature Review.

Background: Gliomas that show extensive diffuse infiltration from the cerebellum to the brainstem without masslike expansion are extremely rare. The efficacy of bevacizumab treatment for diffusely infiltrating gliomas remains uncertain.

Case Description: A 75-year-old man presented with a cerebellar anaplastic astrocytoma showing diffuse infiltration to the brainstem without a definite mass.

Change in genotype of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) affects the antibiogram of hospital-acquired MRSA.

Recently, the dissemination of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) into hospitals has frequently been reported worldwide. Hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) strains exhibit high-level resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents, whereas CA-MRSA strains are usually susceptible to non-β-lactams. Thus, it is predicted that the antibiogram of the HA-MRSA population would change along with the change in genotype of MRSA.

Intraoperative feasibility of bulbocavernosus reflex monitoring during untethering surgery in infants and children.

Bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR) monitoring is used to assess the integrity of urinary and bowel function. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of BCR monitoring during untethering surgery in infants and children to predict postoperative urinary and bowel dysfunction. The records of 22 patients ranging from 4 days to 10 years old (mean 2.

Welcoming the new WHO classification of pituitary tumors 2017: revolution in TTF-1-positive posterior pituitary tumors.

The fourth edition of the World Health Organization classification of endocrine tumors (EN-WHO2017) was released in 2017. In this new edition, changes in the classification of non-neuroendocrine tumors are proposed particularly in tumors arising in the posterior pituitary. These tumors are a distinct group of low-grade neoplasms of the sellar region that express thyroid transcription factor-1, and include pituicytoma, granular cell tumor of the sellar region, spindle cell oncocytoma, and sellar ependymoma.

Multiple Myeloma with Advanced Bone Disease and Low Tumor Burden - Different Clinical Presentation but Similar Outcome after Bortezomib-Based Therapy and Radiotherapy.

There is a small but well recognized group of patients with multiple myeloma (MM), characterized by multiple bone lesions and low tumor burden, the so-called macrofocal form of MM (MF-MM). The aim of the study was to analyze the incidence, clinical manifestation, therapeutic outcome and prognosis of patients with MF-MM treated with bortezomib-based therapy and radiotherapy, in comparison to classic MM. There were 148 MM patients treated with bortezomibbased regimens, with 15 (10.

Postoperative cytological findings from the use of the Integran microfibrillar collagen hemostatic matrix in conization.

The Integran microfibrillar collagen hemostatic matrix is one form of microfibrillar collagen hemostat. This form has a sheet-type structure and has explicitly been used in Japan. In gynecology, this sheet-type matrix has helped effect uterine surface hemostasis, especially in myomectomy and cervical conization.

Classical (adiponectin, leptin, resistin) and new (chemerin, vaspin, omentin) adipocytokines in patients with prediabetes.

Background In the last decade, there has been an increased interest toward fat tissue as an endocrine organ that secretes many cytokines and bioactive mediators that play a role in insulin sensitivity, inflammation, coagulation and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate classical (adiponectin, leptin, resistin) and new (chemerin, vaspin, omentin) adipocytokine levels in subjects with prediabetes [impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)] and obese subjects with normoglycemia. Methods In this study, 80 patients with a mean age of 50.

Impact of Lesion Morphology on Durability After Angioplasty of Failed Arteriovenous Fistulas in Hemodialysis Patients.

Purpose: To investigate if morphological patterns of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) venous lesions affect primary patency after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA).

Methods: From July 2014 to June 2015, 262 patients underwent PTA for failed AVFs. A total of 104 patients were excluded owing to (1) calcification or AVF occlusion precluding ultrasound examination, (2) central venous or arterial lesions, and (3) no follow-up, leaving 158 patients (mean age 71±12; 96 men) for analysis.

Interleukin-18 serum level is elevated in type 2 diabetes and latent autoimmune diabetes.

Background: Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is an inflammatory cytokine found to be elevated in obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes (T2D) as a part of the chronic low-grade inflammatory process in these states. The aim of the study was to evaluate the interleukin level in patients with latent autoimmune diabetes of the adults (LADA) in comparison to that in T2D subjects.

Materials And Methods: IL-18 was analyzed through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 76 participants with T2D and 24 with LADA and 14 control subjects.

Interleukin-18 and testosterone levels in men with metabolic syndrome.

Objective: Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is an adipokine associated with obesity. Data about the relationship of IL-18 to the metabolic syndrome (MS) are still scarce. Low testosterone (T) levels are common in men with MS, but we did not find data about the levels of IL-18 in men with low T.

Reduced soluble Toll-like receptors 2 in type 2 diabetes.

Background: Soluble forms of Toll-like receptors (sTLR) 2 and 4 exert negative regulatory control on membrane-bound receptor activation. The study estimates the sTLR2 and sTLR4's serum levels in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and evaluates their relationship with metabolic and inflammatory parameters.

Subjects And Methods: Sixty three patients with T2D and 25 controls were enrolled.

Epidural abscess caused by Schizophyllum commune: A rare case of rhinogenic cranial complication by a filamentous basidiomycete.

Central nervous system (CNS) infections due to filamentous basidiomycetes are extremely rare. We encountered a case of epidural abscess due to Schizophyllum commune that extended from sinusitis. A 53-year-old Japanese man presented at our hospital with a headache.

Effects of vitamin K antagonist on aortic valve degeneration in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients: Prospective 4-year observational study.

Background: The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is high in elder subjects. Our previous observational study suggested that vitamin K antagonist (VKA) promotes aortic valve degeneration, a principal cause of aortic stenosis in the elderly, and that angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) attenuates its progression. This study aimed to prospectively investigate these observations in non-valvular AF patients.

Relationship between frequency spectrum of heart rate variability and autonomic nervous activities during sleep in newborns.

Introduction: We analyzed the frequency spectrum of two neonatal sleep stages, namely active sleep and quiet sleep, and the relationship between these sleep stages and autonomic nervous activity in 74 newborns and 16 adults as a comparison.

Method: Active and quiet sleep were differentiated by electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns, eye movements, and respiratory wave patterns; autonomic activity was analyzed using the RR interval of simultaneously recorded electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. Power values (LFa, absolute low frequency; HFa, absolute high frequency), LFa/HFa ratio, and the values of LFn (normalized low frequency) and HFn (normalized high frequency) were obtained.

Gene analysis of inherited antithrombin deficiency and functional analysis of abnormal antithrombin protein (N87D).

Inherited antithrombin (AT) deficiency is one of the most clinically significant forms of congenital thrombophilia and follows an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. We analyzed SERPINC1 in a patient who developed deep-vein thrombosis and low AT activity during pregnancy, and identified a novel missense mutation c.259A>G (p.

Post-tetanic transcranial motor evoked potentials augment the amplitude of compound muscle action potentials recorded from innervated and non-innervated muscles.

Background Context: Transcranial electrical stimulation used to produce motor evoked potentials (TES-MEPs) and subsequent compound muscle action potential (CMAP) recording is widely used to monitor motor function during surgery when there is risk of damaging the spinal cord. Nonetheless, some muscles do not produce CMAP amplitudes sufficient for intraoperative monitoring.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the utility of tetanic stimulation at single and multiple peripheral nerve sites for augmenting CMAP amplitudes recorded from innervated and non-innervated muscles.

The prevalence of ANA antibodies, anticentromere antibodies, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome compared to patients with dryness symptoms without primary Sjögren's syndrome confirmation.

Objectives: Our study analyses the prevalence of ANA, anti-SS-A, anti-SS-B, and ACA and ACPA antibodies in patients with pSS and with dryness symptoms without pSS confirmation, and the association of ACPA and ACA antibodies with specific clinical symptoms.

Materials And Methods: 113 patients were divided into two groups: I - with diagnosed pSS ( = 75); and II - with dryness without pSS evidence ( = 38). Diagnostics: indirect immunofluorescence (IF; Hep-2 cell line) of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-SS-A anti-SS-B antibodies determined with semi-quantitative method, autoantibody profile (14 antigens, ANA Profil 3 EUROLINE); basic laboratory, ophthalmic examination tests, minor salivary gland biopsy with focus score (FS), joint and lung evaluation, and ESSDAI questionnaire (pSS activity).

[Follicular lymphoma with plasmacytic differentiation accompanied by monoclonal IgG gammopathy].

A 59-year-old woman presented with high serum total protein, detected on a screening examination. Laboratory tests revealed high plasma levels of M-protein (IgG-λ), and FDG-PET/CT revealed systemic lymph node swelling and a large tumorous mass in the abdominal cavity. Bone marrow aspirates contained 8.