A spectrum of neurological diseases with elevated cerebrospinal fluid adenosine deaminase levels.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels in various neurological disorders and examine the relationships between CSF ADA levels and immunological parameters.

Methods: Overall, 276 patients whose CSF ADA levels were measured for suspected tuberculous meningitis (TBM) were evaluated. Data on baseline characteristics, final diagnoses, CSF ADA levels, and other laboratory parameters were collected.

Cerebrovascular stenosis related to tyrosine kinase inhibitor for chronic myeloid leukemia: two illustrative cases.

Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) improve prognosis in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Nilotinib and ponatinib, second- and third-generation TKIs, respectively, have been reported to cause adverse vascular occlusive events such as myocardial infarction and peripheral arterial disease. However, little is known about the risk of cerebral infarction associated with severe cerebrovascular stenosis, which is a late complication of TKIs.

Management of psoriasis in women 18 to 45 years of age in Australia and Japan: insights from patient and dermatologist surveys.

Background: A psoriasis (PSO) diagnosis may pose specific treatment challenges for women of childbearing age (WoCBA) who are considering pregnancy, are pregnant, or have just given birth.

Objective: To report perspectives of WoCBA with PSO regarding pregnancy and dermatologists about the disease management of these women in Australia and Japan.

Methods: Online surveys were completed by women aged 18 to 45 years who were pregnant within the past 5 years with moderate to severe PSO and dermatologists.

Adjunctive effects of eltrombopag on immunosuppressive therapy for childhood aplastic anemia.

Eltrombopag is used with first-line immunosuppressive therapy for adult aplastic anemia, although its practical utility in childhood remains unclear. We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of pediatric patients who received eltrombopag in Japan. Of the 27 eligible patients, 23 (85%) were previously treated, and 15 (56%) had severe or very-severe disease.

Rapid and Deep Prostate-Specific Antigen Decline is a Prognostic Marker in Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer: A Real-World Multi-Intuitional Analysis.

Background: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetics has been investigated as a prognostic marker in post hoc analyses of clinical trials. This study validated the prognostic value of rapid and deep PSA decline in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) using real-world data.

Methods: In total, 1296 patients with mHSPC were retrospectively reviewed.

Esophageal Dysfunction in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-related Myositis: A Case Report.

A 69-year-old woman with left-sided breast cancer developed elevated creatine kinase levels and muscle weakness in her extremities after treatment with pembrolizumab. The patient was diagnosed with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-related myositis. Although the patient had no symptoms of dysphagia, we evaluated her swallowing function because esophageal dysfunction is a known complication of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy.

Oxygen-glucose-deprived peripheral blood mononuclear cells act on hypoxic lesions after ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background: Despite advances in reperfusion therapies, ischemic stroke remains a major cause of long-term disability due to residual hypoxic lesions persisting after macrovascular reperfusion. These residual hypoxic lesions, caused by microvascular dysfunction, represent an important therapeutic target. We previously demonstrated that oxygen-glucose-deprived peripheral blood mononuclear cells (OGD-PBMCs) migrate to ischemic brain regions and promote functional recovery after stroke.

Randomized controlled phase III study comparing chemotherapy alone versus conversion surgery after a remarkable response to chemotherapy in patients with initially unresectable cStage IVB or pStage IV gastric cancer (JCOG2301, Conversion study).

The standard approach for stage IV gastric cancer is palliative chemotherapy. However, despite the advancements in various chemotherapy regimens, the prognosis remains poor, highlighting the urgent need to develop more effective treatment strategies. The controversy persists regarding the integration of a local therapy including surgery in the management of unresectable stage IV gastric cancer.

CT scoring system for differentiating of sinonasal inverted papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma arising from inverted papilloma.

Objective: To distinguish squamous cell carcinoma in inverted papilloma (IP-SCC) from IP, the utility of CT scoring system was investigated.

Methods: We extracted cases histopathologically diagnosed with IP and IP-SCC of the sinonasal cavity from June 2004 to May 2021. Preoperative unenhanced CT images were used to evaluate the presence or absence of bone destruction and erosion: Score 1 = positive for bone destruction and/or erosion; Score 0 = negative for bone destruction and erosion.

Efficacy of the Bridge Dry Swallowing Exercise for Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Background Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition characterized by reflux of gastric contents, leading to damage to the esophageal mucosa and/or unpleasant symptoms, with a global prevalence of 13%. Although acid-suppressive medications are currently the most effective treatments for GERD, they may be ineffective against its symptoms. We therefore investigated the efficacy of a physical exercise program for the treatment of intractable GERD symptoms.

Real-world experience of tixagevimab/cilgavimab prophylaxis in Japanese patients with immunodeficiency.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes severe illness and mortality in patients with immunodeficiency. Although vaccination has been recommended, the induction of protective antibodies by immunization, and thus the disease-preventive effect, has proven insufficient in immunodeficient patients, especially in those with predominantly antibody deficiency. A monoclonal antibody combination of tixagevimab and cilgavimab (TIX/CIL) was developed as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Serotonin reuptake inhibitor suppresses the activation of human platelets by a combination of thrombopoietin and collagen through inhibition of Rac and Rho/Rho-kinase.

Tramadol and duloxetine, reuptake inhibitors of serotonin and noradrenaline, are widely used analgesics. Cytoplasmic serotonin in human platelets reportedly regulates the activity of low-molecular-weight GTP-binding proteins via serotonylation, leading to the modulation of platelet functions. We recently showed that the combination of thrombopoietin and collagen in the low doses synergistically induces human platelet activation via Rac and Rho/Rho-kinase.

How I do it: Surgical interruption of high-flow dural arteriovenous fistulas at the foramen magnum region.

Background: Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) in the foramen magnum region (FMR) are rare entity of dAVFs. There is no established treatment for FMR-dAVFs owing to their rarity and anatomical complexity. Herein, we report cases of high-flow dAVFs located at the posteromedial part of the FMR that were successfully treated by surgical interruption.

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.

Robot-Assisted Surgery and Multigene Panel Testing for Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma Syndrome.

Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma are often associated with hereditary syndromes, particularly those involving genes such as , which is linked to multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A. Genetic testing plays a crucial role in diagnosing these conditions, guiding treatment strategies, and providing early intervention options for the affected families. A 57-year-old man presenting with back pain was found to have a left adrenal tumor and a retroperitoneal tumor near the left renal hilum.

Impact of video-assisted neonatal resuscitation on newborns and resuscitators: A feasibility study.

Aim: High-risk deliveries are still common due to the increased use of assisted reproductive technologies. In Japan, despite centralization of labor, about half of all deliveries are still carried out in obstetric clinics. Telemedicine support is important for neonatal resuscitation involving urgent, life-altering professional judgment in local deliveries.

Body mass index and breast cancer risk in premenopausal and postmenopausal East Asian women: a pooled analysis of 13 cohort studies.

Background: It has been suggested that the association between body mass index and breast cancer risk differs between Asian women and Western women. We aimed to assess the associations between body mass index and breast cancer incidence in East Asian women.

Methods: Pooled analyses were performed using individual participant data of 319,189 women from 13 cohort studies in Japan, Korea, and China.

Relative validity of three diet quality scores derived from the Brief-type Self-administered Diet History Questionnaire and Meal-based Diet History Questionnaire in Japanese adults.

No study has validated questionnaires for assessing easily calculable diet quality scores in Japan. The Brief-type self-administered Diet History Questionnaire (BDHQ) is widely used to assess dietary intake in Japan, while the Meal-based Diet History Questionnaire (MDHQ) assesses dietary intake for each meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks) and overall dietary intake. This study examined the relative validity of the BDHQ and MDHQ for assessing three diet quality scores in Japanese adults.