Does neoadjuvant chemotherapy have therapeutic benefit for node-positive upper tract urothelial carcinoma? Results of a multi-center cohort study.

Objective: The indications of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for lymph node-positive upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) have not been investigated regarding improved survival outcomes. Our specific aim was to compare the clinical outcomes of clinically node-positive UTUC patients who were treated by NAC followed by radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) or upfront RNU followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (AC).

Materials And Methods: Among 966 UTUC patients, we identified 89 with clinical nodal involvement who received either NAC before RNU nor AC after upfront RNU.

Risk Factors for Perforation During Endoscopic Papillary Large Balloon Dilation and Bile Duct Stone Removal.

Background: Stone removal using endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) is extremely effective. However, limited research exists regarding the risk factors for perforation of the duodenal papilla and bile duct, which may be fatal.

Aims: We aimed to investigate the risk factors for perforation during EPLBD + stone removal.

Nafamostat Mesylate is Not Effective in Preventing Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis.

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is associated with complications such as post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). Protease inhibitors, including nafamostat mesylate (NM), have been evaluated for prophylaxis against PEP.

Aim: We describe the first multicenter randomized controlled trial assessing the prophylactic efficacy of NM against PEP.

The Long-term Impact of Whiplash Injuries on Patient Symptoms and the Associated Degenerative Changes Detected Using MRI: A Prospective 20-year Follow-up Study Comparing Patients with Whiplash-associated Disorders with Asymptomatic Subjects.

Study Design: A longitudinal, 20-year comparative study of patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD).

Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify the long-term impact of WAD on patient symptoms and on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the cervical spine, in comparison with asymptomatic volunteers.

Summary Of Background Data: The long-term impact of WAD has not been fully elucidated.

The clinicopathological characteristics of muscle-invasive bladder recurrence in upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

This study aimed to clarify the clinical characteristics and oncological outcomes of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) who developed muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). We identified 966 pTa-4N0-2M0 patients with UTUC who underwent RNU and clarified the risk factors for MIBC progression after initial intravesical recurrence (IVR). We also identified 318 patients with primary pT2-4N0-2M0 MIBC to compare the oncological outcomes with those of patients with UTUC who developed or progressed to MIBC.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic ileal ureter substitution for ureteral obstruction after right ureteral rupture: A case report.

Iatrogenic ureteral rupture is a serious complication. In the past, ileal ureter substitution was performed with open, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted procedure; however, there are problems with operation invasiveness and difficulty. We present a 72-year-old female whose ureter was completely injured at the ureteropelvic junction and torn longitudinally in full length at the time of transurethral lithotripsy.

A Prospective, Randomized, Open-Label Trial of Early versus Late Favipiravir Therapy in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19.

Favipiravir is an oral broad-spectrum inhibitor of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase that is approved for treatment of influenza in Japan. We conducted a prospective, randomized, open-label, multicenter trial of favipiravir for the treatment of COVID-19 at 25 hospitals across Japan. Eligible patients were adolescents and adults admitted with COVID-19 who were asymptomatic or mildly ill and had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1.

Possible abscopal effect after discontinuation of nivolumab in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Introduction: Renal cell carcinoma has been considered radioresistant. Recently, several studies have reported the efficacy of combination therapy using radiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Case Presentation: In 1999, a 56-year-old woman underwent left nephrectomy (clear cell carcinoma, pT1bN0M0).

Clinical features of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome related to hearing and communication.

Individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) exhibit various phenotypes.

A nationwide questionnaire survey targeting Japanese pediatric endocrinologists regarding transitional care in childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors.

Existing guidelines recommend long-term follow-up of childhood cancer survivors (CCS). However, in Japan, transitional care for CCS has not been established. To ascertain the current status in Japan, and to cultivate a better understanding, a questionnaire survey was conducted on transitional care in CCS, and adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors.

Levodopa-Responsive Primary Slow Orthostatic Tremor: A Premotor Sign of Parkinson's Disease?

We present a case of primary orthostatic tremor (OT) responsive to dopaminergic medication. The patient was a 62-year-old woman, who had leg tremor on standing for 2 years. No parkinsonian or other neurological signs were observed.

Nivolumab-induced fulminant type 1 diabetes with precipitous fall in C-peptide level.

We describe here a case of nivolumab-induced type 1 diabetes, which developed within 9 days of treatment. The case highlights the importance of frequent monitoring of glucose after initiation of nivolumab treatment.

Complications after spinal fixation surgery for osteoporotic vertebral collapse with neurological deficits: Japan Association of Spine Surgeons with ambition multicenter study.

Background: There have been few reports on the incidence and risk factors of the complications after spinal fixation surgery for osteoporotic vertebral collapse (OVC) with neurological deficits. This study aimed to identify the incidence and risk factors of the complications after OVC surgery.

Methods: In this retrospective multicenter study, a total of 403 patients (314 women and 89 men; mean age 73.

A Novel Risk-based Approach Simulating Oncological Surveillance After Radical Nephroureterectomy in Patients with Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

Background: The current guideline lacks evidence for creating individualized surveillance strategies for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).

Objective: To create a novel risk model and to simulate individualized surveillance duration that dynamically illustrates the changing risk relationship of UTUC-related death and non-UTUC death, considering the impact of cigarette smoking.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This multicenter cohort study comprised 714 pTa-T4N0M0 UTUC patients, with a median follow-up duration of 65mo.

Association of Susceptibility Genes for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis and Intervertebral Disc Degeneration With Adult Spinal Deformity.

Study Design: Genetic case-control study of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

Objective: To examine the association of previously reported susceptibility genes for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration with adult spinal deformity (ASD).

Summary Of Background Data: ASD is a spinal deformity that develops and progresses with age.

Ten-year Longitudinal Follow-up MRI Study of Age-related Changes in Thoracic Intervertebral Discs in Asymptomatic Subjects.

Study Design: Prospective longitudinal study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term degenerative changes in intervertebral discs in the thoracic spine in healthy asymptomatic subjects.

Summary Of Background Data: Longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of intervertebral disc degeneration have been reported for the cervical and lumbar but not the thoracic spine.

Long-Term Oncologic Outcomes of Laparoscopic Versus Open Radical Nephroureterectomy for Patients with T3N0M0 Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Multicenter Cohort Study with Adjustment by Propensity Score Matching.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the long-term oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (LRNU) and open radical nephroureterectomy (ORNU) for patients with clinical and pathologic T3N0M0 upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

Methods: Among 375 UTUC patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy, this study identified 144 pT3N0M0 patients as cohort 1 after propensity score (PS) matching. Among 399 UTUC patients, the study identified 110 cT3N0M0 patients as cohort 2 after PS matching.

A clinical trial to assess the feasibility and efficacy of nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine for elderly patients with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer.

Background: The efficacy and safety of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-PTX) plus gemcitabine (GEM) in elderly Japanese patients with pancreatic cancer remain unclear. Therefore, we prospectively investigated the tolerability and efficacy of nab-PTX + GEM in Japanese patients aged ≥ 75 years with non-curatively resectable pancreatic cancer.

Methods: We treated eligible patients (n = 27) with nab-PTX + GEM until disease progression, appearance of adverse events, or withdrawal of consent.