GDF15 propeptide promotes bone metastasis of castration-resistant prostate cancer by augmenting the bone microenvironment.

Background: Bone metastasis (BM) is a common and fatal condition in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, there are no useful blood biomarkers for CRPC with BM, and the mechanism underlying BM is unclear. In this study, we investigated precise blood biomarkers for evaluating BM that can improve the prognosis of patients with CRPC.

A Novel Gene Expression Scoring System Predicts Recurrence in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Patients.

Background: Despite the high recurrence rate of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), there are limitations in accurately predicting recurrence after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) based on clinicopathological factors alone. However, prediction of recurrence using biomolecular characteristics of bladder tumors has not been applied to clinical practice. The objective of this study was to establish a new gene expression scoring system for identifying patients at high risk of recurrence.

Predicting postpartum hemorrhage in women undergoing planned cesarean section: A multicenter retrospective cohort study in Japan.

Given Japan's unique social background, it is critical to understand the current risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) to effectively manage the condition, especially among specific groups. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the current risk factors for PPH during planned cesarean section (CS) in Japan. This multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted in two tertiary maternal-fetal medicine units in Fukushima, Japan and included 1,069 women who underwent planned CS between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2022.

Simple prediction tools for disease progression in unvaccinated patients with mild/moderate COVID-19 aged under 65 years: Simplified DOATS and DOAT scores.

DOATS score and DOAT score, COVID-19 progression prediction tools we have developed, utilize clinical information such as presence of diabetes/obesity (DO), age (A), body temperature (T), and oxygen saturation (S). They showed good predictive power, but their scoring calculation was slightly complex, leading us to develop simplified versions. This report discusses the ability of the simplified versions to assess deterioration risk in unvaccinated, mild/moderate COVID-19 patients aged <65 years.

Sustained activation of the FGF1-MEK-ERK pathway inhibits proliferation, invasion and migration and enhances radiosensitivity in mouse angiosarcoma cells.

Angiosarcoma is a rare refractory soft-tissue tumor with a poor prognosis and is treated by radiotherapy. The fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) mutant, with enhanced thermostability due to several substituted amino acids, inhibits angiosarcoma cell metastasis, yet the mechanism of action is unclear. This study aims to clarify the FGF1 mutant mechanism of action using ISOS-1 mouse angiosarcoma cells.

Current Status of Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen-targeted Alpha Radioligand Therapy in Prostate Cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most prevalent malignancy and leading cause of mortality in men. Despite the development of various drugs, such as novel androgen receptor signaling inhibitors and poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase inhibitors targeting homologous recombination repair-related genetic mutations, prognosis of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer remains unfavorable. However, recent advances in nuclear medicine have allowed for both imaging diagnostics and therapeutic interventions by targeting molecules specifically expressed in cancer cells with radioisotopes (RI).

Evaluation and treatment of constipation in pregnancy:Examination using the Japanese version of the constipation evaluation scale.

Objectives: No study has examined the effects of new constipation treatment drugs released in recent years in pregnant women. This prospective cohort study aimed to examine and compare the perinatal prognosis, efficacy rate, and safety of drugs frequently used to treat constipation.

Methods: The study included 211 perinatally managed individuals who answered a self-administered questionnaire during the second trimester and after delivery.

Effect of averaging time and respiratory pause time on the measurement of acoustic respiration rate monitoring.

Background: Acoustic respiration rate (RRa) monitoring is a method of continuously measuring respiratory rate using a signal from an acoustic transducer placed over the airway. The purpose of the present study is to examine how the averaging time and respiratory pause time settings of an RRa monitor affect the detection time of sudden respiratory rate changes.

Methods: A total of 40 healthy adult volunteers were included in the study.

Incidence of Bowel Wall Swelling Induced by Iodine-Contrast Media and Its Association With Gastrointestinal Manifestation.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of bowel wall swelling after iodine-contrast media injection and its relationship with gastrointestinal symptoms.

Methods: The incidence of bowel wall swelling was examined in 75 patients who showed adverse reactions to iodine-contrast media (AR[+] group) and 75 controls without adverse reactions (AR[-] group). Bowel wall swelling was identified if there was increased wall thickness on postcontrast computed tomography when compared with precontrast computed tomography.

The current status of prostate cancer treatment and PSMA theranostics.

In the treatment of cancer, understanding the disease status, or accurate staging, is extremely important, and various imaging techniques are used. Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, and scintigrams are commonly used for solid tumors, and advances in these technologies have improved the accuracy of diagnosis. In the clinical practice of prostate cancer, CT and bone scans have been considered especially important for detecting metastases.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of endoscopy in the Tohoku region of Japan.

Objectives: The whole picture of the disturbance in endoscopy performance caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Japan remains to be clarified. Therefore, the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society-Tohoku conducted this questionnaire survey in Tohoku region of Japan.

Methods: A questionnaire on the number of diagnostic endoscopy procedures and resulting diagnosed cancers in 2019 and 2020 was sent to all guidance/guidance cooperation hospitals in the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society who worked in the Tohoku region.

Diagnosing and Prognosing Bone Metastasis in Prostate Cancer: Clinical Utility of Blood Biomarkers.

Bone metastasis (BM) may occur in any type of cancer. The diagnosis of patients with BM has increased due to improved imaging technologies and advances in cancer drug therapy that have prolonged the survival time of cancer patients. BM may be asymptomatic in the early stages; however, as the disease progresses, it causes pain, fracture, neurological symptoms associated with spinal cord compression, hypercalcemia, and other specific symptoms that significantly impair the patient's quality of life (QOL).

Gestational weight gain as a risk factor for dystocia during first delivery: a multicenter retrospective cohort study in Japan.

Background: Dystocia is a common obstetric complication among nulliparous women, which requires medical intervention and carries the risk of negative maternal and neonatal outcomes. Our aim was to examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and the occurrence of dystocia. We also identified cutoffs of gestational weight gain, based on pre-pregnancy BMI, associated with the risk of dystocia.

Risk factors for discontinuation of exclusive breast feeding within 1month: a retrospective cohort study in Japan.

Background: While breastfeeding provides benefits for infants and the mother, many women either do not breastfeed or terminate breastfeeding earlier than recommended. The aim of this analysis was to identify factors associated with early discontinuation of breastfeeding in Japanese women.

Methods: This study used data from medical records of women delivering a singleton live birth between March 2017 and August 2019 in Iwase General Hospital, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan to assess cessation of breastfeeding by the 1-month postpartum appointment.

Pregnancy complicated by central diabetes insipidus and oligohydramnios.

This is the fourth reported case of central diabetes insipidus with oligohydramnios. Central diabetes insipidus does not adversely affect pregnancy; it can present with oligohydramnios, which can be improved by treating central diabetes insipidus.

Perinatal diagnosis of a fetus with an unbalanced translocation 46,XY,der(10)t(6;10)(p22;q26.1) with multiple malformations:a case report and literature review.

The phenotype of an unbalanced translocation is characterized by the dosage effects of the affected genes in the translocated chromosome. We present the case of a fetus with a paternally derived unbalanced 46,XY,der(10)t(6;10)(p22;q26.1) translocation, detected following growth retardation and cardiac malformation.

Incidence and Relapse Triggers of Childhood Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome between 2006 and 2016: A Population-Based Study in Fukushima, Japan.

Childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) is defined by proteinuria and hypoproteinemia. The incidence of childhood idiopathic NS varies with age, race, residential areas, and social conditions. In Japan, its incidence was estimated to be 6.

Ingestion of Porphyromonas gingivalis exacerbates colitis via intestinal epithelial barrier disruption in mice.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ingested periodontal pathogens on experimental colitis in mice and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is defined as a chronic intestinal inflammation that results in damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Epidemiological studies have shown an association between IBD and periodontitis.