Treatment patterns and clinical profile in progressive pulmonary fibrosis: a Japanese cross-sectional survey.

Background: There is a paucity of real-world data on patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) that are progressive, other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), including treatment patterns and attitudes toward treatment. This study aimed to investigate the diagnosis, clinical characteristics, treatment paradigm and current decision-making practices of IPF and progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) in a Japanese real-world setting.

Methods: Data were drawn from the Adelphi Real World PPF-ILD Disease Specific Programme™, a cross-sectional survey with retrospective data collection of pulmonologists and rheumatologists in Japan from April to October 2022.

Chemical etching of silicon assisted by graphene oxide under negative electric bias.

Chemical etching of silicon assisted by graphene oxide (GO) has been attracting attention as a new method to fabricate micro- or nano-structures. GO promotes the reduction of an oxidant, and holes are injected into silicon, resulting in the preferential dissolution of the silicon under GO. In the conventional etching method with GO, the selectivity of the etching was low due to the stain etching caused by nitric acid.

Reopenable clip over-the-line method in endoscopic full-thickness resection of gastric submucosal tumors: A historical control study.

Objectives: Endoscopic full-thickness resection for gastric submucosal tumors is gradually gaining popularity, and secure and amenable closure is key to its success. This study aimed to compare the reopenable clip over-the-line method with the purse-string method for defect closure after endoscopic full-thickness resection for gastric submucosal tumors.

Methods: This historical control trial included 37 consecutive patients with 37 gastric submucosal tumors, who underwent endoscopic full-thickness resection between January 2021 and July 2024.

Efficacy of e-learning using video content in improving trainees' biliary cannulation skills and understanding (with video).

Objectives: E-learning with video content was created to improve trainees' biliary cannulation techniques; this study aimed to evaluate its educational effect prospectively.

Methods: E-learning program was conducted using videos demonstrating biliary cannulation for 24 papillae, targeting trainees with 2-6 years of experience in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Ten consecutive cases of biliary cannulation for native papillae performed by trainees were prospectively assessed before and after the e-learning, respectively.

The Global Burden of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Women of Reproductive Age: Findings from the GBD 2019 Study.

Purpose: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder and the primary cause of anovulatory infertility among women aged 15-49 years. Despite its significance, it has been largely overlooked in global health discussions, with persistently high prevalence and incidence rates. This public health challenge necessitates attention both domestically and internationally.

Development of an accurate and sensitive assay for 2-methoxyestradiol using derivatization and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME) is involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and antitumor activity. In addition to its low concentration in healthy human serum, presence of isomers makes quantification of 2ME for clinical research and laboratory medicine difficult. The objective of this study was to develop a highly sensitive and accurate method for quantifying 2ME using LC-MS/MS combined with derivatization with 1-(2,4-dinitro-5-fluorophenyl)-4,4-dimethylpiperazinium iodide (MPDNP-F).

Impacts on Postoperative Bleeding of Surgery for Head and Neck Malignancies While Continuing Antithrombotic Agents.

 Perioperative management of antithrombotic agents may affect bleeding and lead to thromboembolic complications, but there is no consensus on optimal protocol in head and neck surgery.  To explore the effect of antithrombotic agents on postoperative bleeding.  We compared clinical characteristics, type of surgery, antithrombotic agents, continued use of medication or not, and frequency of postoperative bleeding among patients who were receiving antithrombotic therapy at the time of their decision to undergo surgery for head and neck malignancies, from 2008 to 2022.

Effects of static stretching and walking during inter-set intervals of resistance training on muscle fatigue of the quadriceps.

Introduction: Inter-set rest intervals are essential to reduce muscle fatigue and increase the total amount of volume of resistance training. Static stretching and walking may increase muscle blood flow and promote recovery during inter-set rest intervals. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 20 seconds of static stretching and walking during inter-set rest intervals of leg extension exercises on the number of repetitions to exhaustion, total amount of volume, and flexibility of the quadriceps (joint range of motion and muscle hardness) in untrained healthy males.

Long COVID-19-related and non-COVID-19 postviral olfactory dysfunction a comparative MRI study focusing on the olfactory cleft and bulbs.

Objective: To compare the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of the olfactory cleft (OC) and olfactory bulbs (OBs) in patients with long COVID-19-related (LCOD) and non-COVID-19 postviral olfactory dysfunction (NCPVOD) to explore mechanisms underlying persistent olfactory dysfunction.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included patients diagnosed with LCOD or NCPVOD at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital between February 2023 and July 2024. All patients underwent olfactory psychophysical testing (Sniffin' Sticks), a visual analogue scale (VAS) for olfactory function, and high-resolution MRI scans of the olfactory pathway.

Concomitant Exacerbation of Graves Orbitopathy and Double-Seronegative Myasthenia Gravis after SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

SARS-CoV-2 infection could trigger autoimmune disease. We report a case of concomitant exacerbation of Graves orbitopathy (GO) and myasthenia gravis (MG) after SARS-CoV-2 infection. A 43-year-old woman had diplopia, proptosis, and swollen eyelids.

The effects of age and other individual factors on radiation induced ESR signals from fingernails.

Biodosimetry is crucial for assessing ionizing radiation exposure to guide medical responses. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy using fingernails can be effectively used for both occupational and public dose assessments in radiological accidents because of their accessibility and ability to retain stable radiation-induced free radicals. However, despite two decades of research, challenges remain in achieving accurate fingernail dosimetry, mainly owing to the variation in ESR signals among individuals.

Effects of aged garlic extract on macrophage functions: a short review of experimental evidence (Review).

Macrophages play crucial roles in both the innate and adaptive immune systems, contributing to the removal of pathogens and subsequent immune responses. Conversely, aberrant macrophage functions are associated with the onset and progression of various diseases, highlighting macrophages as potential therapeutic targets. Aged garlic extract (AGE) is derived from garlic that has undergone a maturation process of over 10 months in an ethanol solution and contains a variety of bioactive components which are produced in the aging process.

Role of sirtuin 1 in depression‑induced coronary heart disease: Molecular pathways and therapeutic potential (Review).

Depression and coronary heart disease (CHD) are two interconnected diseases that profoundly impact global health. Depression is both a complex psychiatric disorder and an established risk factor for CHD. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is an enzyme that requires the cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) to perform its deacetylation function, and its involvement is crucial in reducing cardiovascular risks that are associated with depression.

Age‑related changes in endoplasmic reticulum stress response‑associated protein expression in rat tibial nerves.

In age-related peripheral neurodegeneration, changes in the promotion or inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response related to the ubiquitin-proteasome degradation system (UPS), autophagy and apoptosis signaling factors during aging remain unclear. In the present study, the expression of ER stress response signaling-related protein factors was examined in tibial nerves during aging in rats. Tibial nerves were extracted from continuously housed rats at 20, 50, 70, 90 and 105 weeks of age.

Volume-regulated anion channels conduct ATP in undifferentiated mammary cells and promote tumorigenesis in xenograft nude mouse.

The high interstitial ATP concentration in the cancer microenvironment is a major source of adenosine, which acts as a strong immune suppressor. However, the source of ATP release has not been elucidated. We measured ATP release during hypotonic stress using a real-time ATP luminescence imaging system in breast cell lines and in primary cultured mammary cells.

The Impact of Hangeshashinto on Symptoms and Gut Microbiota in Diarrhea-type Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Retrospective Analysis.

Objectives: Effective treatments for diarrhea-type irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) are limited. Hangeshashinto (HST), an anti-inflammatory Kampo medicine, may offer benefits but its efficacy for IBS-D requires further investigation. This study evaluated IBS-D symptom improvement and gut microbiota changes following HST administration.

Prognostic Impact of Potentially Curative Resection for Synchronous Peritoneal Carcinomatosis with Lavage Cytology Positivity in Colorectal Cancer: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Objectives: Although curative resection for synchronous peritoneal carcinomatosis has been reported to improve prognosis, cases with positive intraoperative lavage cytology have not been reported. In this study, we investigated the prognostic value of potentially curative resection based on colorectal cancer and lavage cytology positivity in patients with synchronous peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 72 patients who underwent intraoperative lavage cytology and one-stage potentially curative resection of primary and metastatic lesions (lavage cytology-positive, n = 21; lavage cytology-negative, n = 51) between July 2004 and December 2019.

Efficiency of Real-time Computer-aided Polyp Detection during Surveillance Colonoscopy: A Pilot Study.

Objectives: Studies have suggested that computer-aided polyp detection using artificial intelligence improves adenoma identification during colonoscopy. However, its real-world effectiveness remains unclear. Therefore, this study evaluated the usefulness of computer-aided detection during regular surveillance colonoscopy.

Does Colorectal Stenting as a Bridge to Surgery for Obstructive Colorectal Cancer Increase Perineural Invasion?

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.23922/jarc.2023-057.

Efficacy of Endoscopic Evaluation and Hemostatic Intervention for Post-hemorrhoidectomy Bleeding.

Achieving hemostasis during post-hemorrhoidectomy bleeding (PHB) is often challenging owing to poor visibility within the anal canal. We investigated the feasibility of using endoscopy for observation and maintaining hemostasis during PHB. Endoscopic evaluation was performed in patients with normal vital signs and no severe pain or excessive bleeding was observed during proctoscopy.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome.

Defecation disorders following rectal resection have long been overlooked as an inevitable surgical complication due to the lack of established diagnostic criteria or definitions. However, these disorders have been recently termed low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), which is a defecation disorder that occurs following rectal resection and impairs the patient's quality of life (QOL). The LARS score developed by Emmertsen et al.

Frequency and Molecular Characteristics of Mismatch Repair-deficient Status among Multiple Synchronous Colorectal Cancers.

Objectives: Mismatch repair (MMR)-deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer (CRC) have been largely categorized into three subtypes: methylated, Lynch syndrome (LS)-associated, and Lynch-like syndrome (LLS)-associated. No studies have examined the prevalence and subtypes of synchronously diagnosed dMMR CRCs in detail. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the frequency and molecular characteristics of the dMMR status among multiple synchronous CRCs to clarify the clinical significance of identifying patients with such tumors.

Rare Case of Gut-associated Lymphoid Tissue Carcinoma in the Sigmoid Colon of a Very Elderly Patient: A Case Report.

Colorectal cancer with gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) carcinoma histopathology is particularly rare in very elderly patients. GALT is characterized by submucosal localization and prominent lymphoid infiltration with germinal center formation within tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. This study aims to report a case of colorectal cancer with GALT carcinoma histopathology in a very elderly patient and to provide a comprehensive literature review.

Metastatic Status and Dissection Effect of Regional/Extraregional Lymph Nodes in Japanese Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCCA) is a rare condition. Standard treatment includes chemoradiotherapy, with surgical treatment reserved for limited cases. In the future, the decrease in surgical frequency makes it more difficult to pathologically assess the depth of tumor invasion and lymph node status; therefore, those studies based on relatively recent surgical cases may offer valuable insights into diagnosing and treating SCCA.

Prognostic Impact of the Postoperative Carcinoembryonic Antigen Level after Curative Resection of Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate whether preoperative or postoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) with a new cut-off value is more optimal for predicting long-term outcomes in patients with Stage II/III rectal cancer, and to investigate the effectiveness of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (POAC) based on the CEA values.

Methods: Serum CEA levels were measured preoperatively (pre-CEA) and postoperatively (post-CEA). The area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) was used to determine a cut-off for CEA.