Transcriptome and methylome analysis of CNS germ cell tumor finds its cell-of-origin in embryogenesis and reveals shared similarities with testicular counterparts.

Background: CNS germ cell tumors (GCTs) predominantly develop in pediatric and young adult patients with variable responses to surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. This study aimed to examine the complex and largely unknown pathogenesis of CNS GCTs.

Methods: We used a combined transcriptomic and methylomic approach in 84 cases and conducted an integrative analysis of the normal cells undergoing embryogenesis and testicular GCTs.

Hippocampal Subfield Volumes and Cognitive Function in Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders.

Introduction: The hippocampus is relevant to cognitive function in schizophrenia (SCZ) and mood disorder patients. Although not anatomically uniform, it is clearly divided into subfields. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between hippocampal subfield volume and cognitive function in patients with SCZ, bipolar disorder (BP), and major depressive disorder (MDD).

Predictive Factors for Future Onset of Reflux Esophagitis: A Longitudinal Case-control Study Using Health Checkup Records.

Background/aims: Although risk factors of reflux esophagitis (RE) have been investigated in numerous cross-sectional studies, little is known about predictive factors associated with future onset of RE. We investigated time courses of clinical parameters before RE onset by a longitudinal case-control study using health checkup records.

Methods: We used health checkup records between April 2004 and March 2014 at 9 institutions in Japan.

Rasch Validation and Comparison of the Mini-BESTest and S-BESTest in Individuals With Stroke.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the psychometric properties of the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) and S-BESTest and to evaluate which is more suitable for use in clinical settings for individuals with stroke.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective cross-sectional study investigated 115 individuals with stroke (mean age, 70.8 y [SD = 11.

Radiotherapy Patterns of Care for Locally-advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer in the Pre- and Post-durvalumab Era: A Region-wide Survey in a Japanese Prefecture.

The promising results of the PACIFIC study led to the approval of consolidation durvalumab for coverage by the National Health Insurance (NHI) in 2018 for patients with locally-advanced unresectable non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). However, the effect of NHI coverage on the patterns of care for this population remains unclear. Here, we conducted a questionnaire-based survey to determine the patterns of care for patients with stage II-III NSCLC treated with definitive radiotherapy in 2017 (pre-durvalumab era) or in 2019 (post-durvalumab era).

Real-World Patient Characteristics and Treatment Patterns of Naldemedine for the Treatment of Opioid-Induced Constipation in Patients with Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Chart Review Study.

: Naldemedine is a peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonist that improves opioid-induced constipation. Although clinical trials have excluded patients with poor performance status (PS) and those started on naldemedine early after opioid initiation, clinical practice has used naldemedine for the same patients. Therefore, we investigated the treatment patterns of naldemedine in a real-world setting.

12p gain is predominantly observed in non-germinomatous germ cell tumors and identifies an unfavorable subgroup of central nervous system germ cell tumors.

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) germ cell tumors (GCTs) are neoplasms predominantly arising in pediatric and young adult populations. While germinomas generally respond to chemotherapy and radiation, non-germinomatous GCTs (NGGCTs) require more intensive treatment. This study aimed to determine whether 12p gain could predict the prognosis of CNS GCTs.

Efficacy and safety of nivolumab in Japanese patients with first recurrence of glioblastoma: an open-label, non-comparative study.

Background: An open-label, non-comparative study assessed the efficacy and safety of nivolumab in Japanese patients with first recurrence glioblastoma.

Methods: Patients with first recurrence of histologically confirmed World Health Organization Grade IV glioma, after treatment with temozolomide and radiotherapy, received nivolumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks until confirmed disease progression (Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology criteria) or toxicity. Primary endpoint was 1-year overall survival rate assessed by Bayesian approach.

Low tumor cell content predicts favorable prognosis in germinoma patients.

Background: Germinoma preferentially occurs in pediatric and young adult age groups. Although they are responsive to treatment with chemotherapy and radiation, the treatment may cause long-term sequelae in their later lives. Here, we searched for clinical and histopathological features to predict the prognosis of germinoma and affect treatment response.

Determining the extent of tumor resection at surgical planning with F-fluciclovine PET/CT in patients with suspected glioma: multicenter phase III trials.

Objective: Glioma is the most common type of central nervous system tumor reported worldwide. Current imaging technologies have limitations in the diagnosis and assessment of glioma. The present study aimed to confirm the diagnostic efficacy and safety of anti-1-amino-3-[F]fluorocyclobutane carboxylic acid (F-fluciclovine; anti-[F]FACBC) as a radiotracer for patients undergoing combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) for suspected glioma.

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy with Simultaneous Integrated Boost for Clinically Node-Positive Prostate Cancer: A Single-Institutional Retrospective Study.

This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes and the toxicity of intensity-modulated radiation therapy with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB-IMRT) combined with androgen-deprivation therapy for clinically node-positive (cN1) prostate cancer. We retrospectively analyzed 97 patients with cN1 prostate cancer who received SIB-IMRT between June 2008 and October 2017 at our hospital. The prescribed dosages delivered to the prostate and seminal vesicle, elective node area, and residual lymph nodes were 69, 54, and 60 Gy in 30 fractions, respectively.

Inpatient knee pain after hip fracture surgery affects gait speed in older adults: A retrospective chart-referenced study.

Aim: Post-hip fracture knee pain (PHFKP) develops in 28-37.4% of patients with hip fracture and contributes to prolonged hospitalization. Although reduced balance and gait speed contribute to falls, the effects of PHFKP remain unclear.

Histopathology and prognosis of germ cell tumors metastatic to brain: cohort study.

Introduction: Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are uncommon neoplasms predominantly arising in midline tissues. The prognostic significance of histopathology in predicting metastatic GCT behavior is poorly understood.

Methods: Multicenter international cohort study including 29 patients with GCTs metastatic to brain were retrospectively investigated (18 patients from Mayo Clinic and 11 patients from the intracranial germ cell tumor genome analysis consortium in Japan).

TBC1D8B, a GTPase-activating protein, is a novel apoptosis inducer.

Overexpressed TBC1D8B, a GTPase-activating protein, significantly reduced cultured HCT116 human colon cancer cell number. We tested N-terminal TBC1D8B, which is identical to wild type TBC1D8B from amino acid positions 1 to 427 and possesses a modified sequence from position 428 to 435 (ECGGLFLL) because of the introduction of a premature stop codon at position 436 to narrow down the minimum requirement element. The N-terminal TBC1D8B contains two GRAM domains but not the TBC domain essential for Rab-GTPase activity.

Free triiodothyronine /free thyroxine ratio as an index of deiodinase type 1 and 2 activities negatively correlates with casual serum insulin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Free triiodothyronine/free thyroxine (FT3/FT4) ratio is considered as an index of the activities of iodothyronine deiodinase types 1 and 2 (DIO1 and DIO2, respectively) and is reportedly associated with insulin resistance in euthyroid adults. Euthyroid women with polycystic ovary syndrome accompanied with insulin resistance have lesser deiodinase activities. Correspondingly, the serum insulin level in a fasted condition positively correlates with the FT3/FT4 ratio, and insulin depletion decreases the DIO2 activity in mice.

Asymptomatic patent processus vaginalis is a risk for developing external inguinal hernia in adults: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Inguinal hernia repair is common for children and adults across the world, but the mechanism behind hernia onset still requires elucidation. This prospective study aims to determine whether patent processus vaginalis (PPV) is a factor in the development of external inguinal hernias.

Method: We enrolled 1008 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery and in whom the inguinal region was observed.

Femoral morphology is associated with development of knee pain after hip fracture injury among older adults: A nine-year retrospective study.

Introduction: We aimed to clarify differences in femoral morphology associated with post-hip fracture knee pain (PHFKP).

Methods: Medical records and radiographic examinations were retrospectively reviewed to determine the relationship between PHFKP development and femoral morphology. Leg length discrepancy (LLD) and neck-shaft angle discrepancy (NSAD) were measured from hip radiographs.

Improvement in quality of life and cardiac function after catheter ablation for asymptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: Catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is widely performed. However, the indication for CA in patients with asymptomatic persistent AF is still controversial.

Methods: Among 259 consecutive patients who were hospitalized for initial CA of AF, a total of 45 patients who had asymptomatic persistent AF were retrospectively analyzed.

Intraoperative maneuvers may affect the development of early postoperative small bowel obstruction after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery: Multicenter prospective cohort study.

Background: Early postoperative small bowel obstruction (EPSBO) is one of the most common complications after colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery, and clarification of its causes is desired. Several reports have demonstrated the risks of EPSBO, but few have focused on laparoscopic surgery for CRC and intraoperative maneuvers. We therefore prospectively examined the risk factors for EPSBO after laparoscopic CRC resection.

Re-expansion pulmonary edema after thoracentesis for iatrogenic pneumothorax and severe subcutaneous emphysema.

Subclavian central venous catheterization can cause severe complications, including tension pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema, and pneumomediastinum. Re-expansion pulmonary edema after thoracentesis is a life-threatening complication.

Biomechanical analysis of the pitching characteristics of adult amateur baseball pitchers throwing standard and lightweight balls.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between pitching weight and pitching mechanics, including ball reaction force (BRF) and temporal parameters, for the prevention of throwing injury in adult amateur pitchers. [Participants and Methods] Twenty adult male amateur pitchers (mean age, height, and body mass: 26 ± 3.4 years, 1.

Association between high normal-range thyrotropin concentration and carotid intima-media thickness in euthyroid premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Objective: There are currently no established cutoff levels for thyrotropin (TSH) within the reference intervals associated with carotid atherosclerosis to prevent the onset of cardiovascular diseases. The present study aimed to determine the TSH cutoff level associated with carotid maximum intima-media thickness (max IMT) in euthyroid premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Study Design: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 468 euthyroid women who had not been treated for or diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases and/or metabolic disorders among 1221 Japanese women who participated in a comprehensive medical examination at the Hidaka Hospital, Japan.