Preoperative High FIB-4 Index and NFS Scores Predict a Reduced Incidence of Metachronous Liver Metastasis Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Background/aim: Liver metastasis (LM), pre-dominant in pancreatic cancer, is associated with a dismal 5-year survival rate. Reports on the presence of fatty liver and liver fibrosis in LM are conflicting. Although liver biopsy is the standard diagnostic method for fibrosis, alternative, less invasive scoring models have been explored.

Impact of long-term trends on outcomes in the management of colonic diverticular bleeding: mediation analyses in a large multicenter study.

Background: Despite accumulating evidence and recommendations for management of colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB), the changes in its clinical management and outcomes remain unknown.

Methods: We performed a retrospective tendency analysis on a biennial basis, a propensity score-matched cohort study between the first and latter half groups, and mediation analyses to compare the diagnostic and treatment methods between January 2010 and December 2019 (CODE BLUE-J Study).

Results: A total of 6575 patients with CDB were included.

Impact of Controlling Serum Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Triglycerides on Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Diabetic Patients Who Have Undergone Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: We investigated whether patients with diabetes who had good control of both low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) would be associated with better long-term clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods And Results: Using our PCI registry (Fu-Registry), the 1,006 cases with diabetes were divided into 4 groups: Group 1, LDL-C ≥100 mg/dL and TG ≥175 mg/dL; Group 2, LDL-C <100 mg/dL and TG ≥175 mg/dL; Group 3, LDL-C ≥100 mg/dL and TG <175 mg/dL; and Group 4, LDL-C <100 mg/dL and TG <175 mg/dL. The primary endpoint during the follow-up period (median follow up of 1,984 days) was defined as major adverse cardiac events (MACEs).

Therapeutic potential of trained immunity for malignant disease.

Trained immunity (TI) is functional memory displayed by innate immune cells (IICs). TI facilitates rapid, non-specific responses to pathogens upon secondary challenge. It is driven by immunological signaling and metabolic rewriting epigenetic alteration, triggered by recognition of certain stimuli.

Adult severe community-acquired pneumonia with bloodstream infection caused by ψUSA 300: A case report.

We report the first case of fatal community-acquired pneumonia with concomitant bloodstream infection caused by the ψUSA300 strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The isolate was positive for Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene, with a unique 12-base pair deletion in the ccrB2 gene, differentiating it from the canonical USA300 strain. Despite aggressive therapeutic interventions, the patient developed multiple complications, including septic shock, which ultimately proved fatal.

Effects of Prospective Audit and Feedback in Patients with Extended-Spectrum -Lactamase-Producing Bacteremia.

Antimicrobial stewardship (AS) Guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America recommend employing prospective audit and feedback (PAF) as an effective intervention in AS programs. Since July 2022, our hospital has implemented PAF for all patients with positive blood cultures, including those with extended-spectrum -lactamase (ESBL)-producing (EC) bacteremia. Our study examined the effect of PAF on clinical outcomes in patients with ESBL-EC bacteremia.

Involvement of Mediterranean fever gene mutations in colchicine-responsive enterocolitis: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The involvement of Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene mutations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease unclassified (IBDU) remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics and responsiveness to colchicine in Japanese patients with IBDU carrying MEFV mutations.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we examined MEFV mutations using gene analysis, clinical information, and colchicine responsiveness.

Validation of British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding from 8,956 cases in Japan.

Background And Aims: We sought to validate the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) guidelines for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (ALGIB).

Methods: We analyzed 8,956 patients with ALGIB in CODE BLUE-J study and categorized them into four groups based on BSG guidelines. Outcomes included 30-day rebleeding, 30-day mortality, blood transfusion, therapeutic intervention, and severe bleeding.

Addition of Sacubitril/Valsartan to Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist Therapy in Primary Aldosteronism: Effects on Plasma Aldosterone Concentration and Plasma Renin Activity.

In the pharmacologic treatment of primary aldosteronism (PA), titration of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) dosing is necessary to reverse the renin suppression caused by high aldosterone levels. However, we often encounter cases in which the plasma renin activity (PRA) does not achieve the target level, even with the maximum dose of MRA. In this setting, sacubitril/valsartan, a combination of a neprilysin inhibitor and an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker that is approved for use as adjunctive therapy with an MRA, has been reported to inhibit aldosterone secretion both and .

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.

Factors Associated With Infusion Reactions in Patients With Breast Cancer Receiving Trastuzumab.

Background/aim: Trastuzumab (TRA) is a key drug in human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer treatment. Infusion reactions (IR) with TRA are frequently observed in practice. Although the efficacy of premedication has been previously reported, it remains uncommon.

Clinical significance of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms incidentally detected in patients with extrapancreatic gastrointestinal malignancies with a focus on pancreatic cancer development.

Background: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm is occasionally detected in the preoperative images of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. Despite numerous studies examining the incidence of extrapancreatic malignancies in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, limited data exist on the prevalence of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm in those with gastrointestinal malignancies. Given that intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm is a known risk factor for pancreatic cancer, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm in patients who underwent radical surgery for extrapancreatic gastrointestinal malignancies and its impact on pancreatic cancer development.

Factors influencing the discontinuation of biologic therapies in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Background: The therapeutic landscape for ulcerative colitis (UC) has recently broadened to include anti-TNFα, anti-integrin, and anti-IL-12/23p40 antibody agents. These biological agents are tailored to individual patient profiles. However, some patients cease biological treatment.

Comparison of Microperimetry and Static Perimetry for Evaluating Macular Function and Progression in Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Purpose: To compare the usefulness of microperimetry and static automated perimetry in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), using macular anatomical metrics as a reference.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Participants: Forty-eight eyes of 48 patients with RP in Kyushu University Hospital who underwent microperimetry-3 (MP-3) and Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) 10-2 testing ≥3 times during ≥2 years were included.

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 Median Arcuate Ligament Release During Gastric Tube Reconstruction in Subtotal Esophagectomy for a Patient With Esophageal Cancer Complicated by Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome: A Case Report.

A 74-year-old man was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower thoracic esophagus following an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy during a health check-up, which revealed a type 0-IIc tumor. Biopsy confirmed squamous cell carcinoma, with suspicion of submucosal invasion. The patient was referred to our department.

Risk of Axillary Nerve Injury With Medial Support Screws in Intramedullary Nails: An Anatomical Study.

Background: In recent years, intramedullary nails with medial support screws for proximal humeral fractures have become available. Although these devices have a potential risk of iatrogenic axillary nerve injury, no studies have investigated the anatomical relationship between the medial support screws in the modern intramedullary nail and the axillary nerve. This study aimed to clarify the anatomical relationship between the medial support screws in the intramedullary nail and the axillary nerve.

Three-month outcomes of treatment with faricimab or aflibercept for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a propensity score matching study in a Japanese population.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) who initially received faricimab or aflibercept treatment using propensity score matching (PSM) to align patient backgrounds.

Methods: Patients with treatment-naïve nAMD who received either faricimab or aflibercept for three consecutive monthly injections as the loading phase were enrolled in this study. In the 1:1 PSM, sex, age, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), central choroidal thickness (CCT), and AMD subtypes in the pre-treatment state were selected as covariates.