The steatosis-associated fibrosis estimator score is a useful indicator of recurrence and survival after initial curative hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aims: Liver fibrosis predisposes patients to liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. Various markers, which can be calculated easily from serum parameters, have been reported to predict liver fibrosis accurately. This study investigated the prognostic factors, including blood-based markers for liver fibrosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma following initial curative hepatectomy.

A case of bone resorption in the mentum caused by hyaluronic acid filler in a patient with skeletal Class II jaw deformity.

Key Clinical Message: Chin augmentation by hyaluronic acid filler injection rarely causes abnormal bone resorption in the mentum. Thus, when taking the history of a patient with jaw deformity, it is imperative to check the history of treatment of the mentum.

Abstract: Hyaluronic acid (HA) filler injection is a common procedure in nonsurgical cosmetic chin augmentation.

Urinary tract fungal ball in a single kidney after total nephroureterocystectomy.

Introduction: Fungal balls in the urinary tract are rare but dangerous complications of candiduria. Here, we report a case of a urinary tract fungal ball in a single kidney after total nephroureterocystectomy.

Case Presentation: The patient was an 80-year-old male.

A novel implant placement technique using a three-dimensionally printed duplicate denture for implant-supported overdenture in patients with severe residual ridge resorption: A case report.

The treatment method of placing a small number of implants in the mandible as a removable implant-supported overdenture (IOD) enables implant placement and denture stability, even in cases with severe residual ridge resorption. In this case report, a new implant placement technique was performed using a three-dimensionally (3D)-printed duplicate denture fabricated by a 3D printer, resulting in the restoration of masticatory function through IOD.

Clinical usefulness and acceptability of small-bowel capsule endoscopy with panoramic imaging compared with axial imaging in Japanese patients.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the usefulness and acceptability of CapsoCam Plus (CapsoCam) in Japanese patients.

Methods: This retrospective single-center study enrolled 930 patients with suspected small-bowel bleeding (SSBB) who underwent capsule endoscopy. Thirty-three patients using CapsoCam and PillCam SB3 (SB3) were matched using propensity score matching.

Periodontal Treatment During the Blanking Period Improves the Outcome of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation.

Background: Periodontitis has not been recognized as a modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). This prospective nonrandomized study investigated whether periodontal treatment improves the AF ablation outcome.

Methods And Results: We prospectively enrolled 288 AF patients scheduled to undergo initial radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Anesthetic management of a patient with Sturge-Weber syndrome in sagittal split ramus osteotomy surgery.

Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by angiomas. This report presents airway management using submental intubation in sagittal split ramus osteotomy under general anesthesia and aimed to explore better anesthetic management for avoiding the rupture of angiomas in a patient with SWS.

Response to letter to editor, re-predictors of morbidity and in-hospital mortality following procedure-related cardiac tamponade.

We had included only the patients with cardiac tamponade, excluded those coded for pericardial effusion. The feasibility of comparison of the databases of two regions needs to be evaluated. There are some inherent limitations for the studies carried out from the National In-patient Samples (NIS) database.

Colonic invasive adenocarcinoma with squamoid morules: A case report.

Colorectal adenomas with squamoid morules are rare; however, colorectal adenocarcinomas are even rarer. Herein, we present a case of colorectal adenocarcinoma with squamoid morules arising from the transverse colon. A 60-year-old Japanese man underwent a colonoscopy, and a Type 0-Is polyp was detected in the transverse colon.

Predictors of morbidity and in-hospital mortality following procedure-related cardiac tamponade.

Background: Cardiac tamponade (CT) can be a complication following invasive cardiac procedures. We assessed CT following common cardiac electrophysiology (EP) procedures to facilitate risk prediction of associated morbidity and in-hospital mortality.

Methods: Patients who underwent various EP procedures in the cardiac catheterization lab (ablations and device implantations) were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM, respectively) from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults with COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation: A retrospective cohort study.

Aim: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) is a hyperinflammatory multisystem condition associated with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Critically ill COVID-19 patients may develop multiorgan damage and elevated inflammatory responses, thus making it difficult to differentiate between progression to organ damage due to COVID-19 itself or MIS-A. This study aimed to explore the characteristics and complications of MIS-A in critical COVID-19 patients.

Rare root canal morphology of maxillary second molars: A report of three cases.

Key Clinical Message: Endodontists should be aware that some maxillary second molars can have more than three roots. If any unusual anatomical features are detected during dental radiography or endodontic procedures, it is necessary to conduct cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning to prevent procedural mishaps.

Abstract: CBCT can provide three-dimensional reconstructed images of the root canal system.

Impact of the failure of initial insertion of a peripheral intravascular catheter on the development of adverse events in patients admitted to the intensive care unit from the emergency room: A post hoc analysis of the AMOR-VENUS study.

Aim: To investigate an association between failure of initial peripheral intravascular catheter (PIVC) insertion and adverse events in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from the emergency room (ER).

Methods: This study was a post hoc analysis of the AMOR-VENUS study, a multicenter cohort study that included 22 institutions and 23 ICUs in Japan between January and March of 2018. Study participants included consecutive adult patients admitted to the ICU with PIVCs inserted in ICU during the study period exclusively from the ER.

Temperature management using an intervascular cooling device for a COVID-19 patient with refractory hyperthermia.

COVID-19 is a life-threatening disease complicated by hyperinflammation followed by multi-organ failure. Although refractory hyperthermia in COVID-19 contributes to an unfavorable prognosis, little is known about effective interventions. We present a case of successful temperature management using an intravascular cooling device in a patient with COVID-19 who developed refractory hyperthermia.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blocker Prevents Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Progression in Osteoprotegerin-Deficient Mice via Upregulation of Angiotensin (1-7).

Background Angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) have been shown to limit the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), but their efficacy is controversial. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the protective effect of ARBs against AAA progression. Methods and Results Olmesartan, an ARB, was administered to wild-type and -knockout (-KO) mice starting 2 weeks before direct application of CaCl to aortas to induce AAA.

Successful regenerative response of a severe bone defect in a right lower central incisor affected by a cemental tear.

Cone-beam computed tomography and clinical examinations including pulp vital testing and pocket probing depth showed a cemental tear with a severe labial alveolar bony defect, but no endodontic lesions, in #25, which had a sinus tract at the labial site, in a 75-year-old woman.

Japanese rapid/living recommendations on drug management for COVID-19: updated guidelines (July 2022).

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide since early 2020, and there are still no signs of resolution. The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock (J-SSCG) 2020 Special Committee created the Japanese Rapid/Living recommendations on drug management for COVID-19 using the experience of creating the J-SSCG.

Methods: The Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to determine the certainty of the evidence and strength of recommendations.

Characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C virus who received direct-acting antiviral therapy and achieved sustained virological response: The impact of a hepatologist on surveillance.

Background And Aim: The relationship between the characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosed after sustained virological response (SVR) with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy and surveillance status has not been sufficiently investigated. This study investigated the clinical risk factors for HCC development and HCC characteristics according to which type of physician performed follow-up after SVR.

Methods: A total of 1070 patients in whom hepatitis C virus (HCV) was eradicated with DAA therapy were evaluated.