Usefulness of Magnifying Endoscopy With Narrow-Band Imaging for Diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis-Associated Neoplasia.

Background And Aim: Qualitative diagnosis of ulcerative colitis-associated neoplasia (UCAN) is crucial for surveillance colonoscopy in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Although the utility of magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging (ME-NBI) in sporadic neoplasia diagnosis has been reported, its efficacy in UCAN remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of ME-NBI for qualitative diagnosis of UCAN.

Comparison of hypothermic and normothermic targeted temperature management in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with acute coronary syndrome: a nationwide retrospective study.

Background: Targeted temperature management (TTM) is considered a beneficial treatment for improving outcomes in patients with OHCA due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The comparative benefits of hypothermic TTM (32-34°C) versus normothermic TTM (35-36°C) are unclear. This study compares these TTM strategies in improving neurological outcomes and survival rates in OHCA patients with ACS.

Simultaneous gastroepiploic artery to right coronary artery bypass and trans-catheter aortic valve implantation: case series.

Patients with coronary artery disease undergoing trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) often receive TAVI alone. However, in cases of severe coronary lesions or anticipated difficulty in coronary access post-TAVI, percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting may be necessary. We performed simultaneous gastroepiploic artery to posterior descending artery bypass and TAVI in two patients with severe calcification of the right coronary artery ostium which is unsuitable for percutaneous intervention.

The additive effect of the stress hyperglycemia ratio on type 2 diabetes: a population-based cohort study.

Background: The stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) has recently gained attention as a marker for acute hyperglycemia, which has been linked to adverse clinical outcomes. However, its independent role in the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains understudied. This cohort study aimed to assess the association between SHR and the incidence of T2D.

Global, regional, and national burden of esophageal cancer: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Background And Objective: Esophageal cancer (EC) is the seventh most prevalent cancer globally and the sixth leading cause of cancer-related mortality. This study aimed to provide an updated stratified assessment of rates in EC incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) from 1990 to 2021 by sex, age, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) at global, regional, and national levels, as well as to project the future trends of EC both globally and regionally.

Methods: Data about age-standardized rates (ASRs) of incidence (ASIR), mortality (ASDR), probability of death (ASPoD) and DALYs (ASDALYRs) of EC were obtained from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study.

Quantity and quality of napping to mitigate fatigue and sleepiness among nurses working long night shifts: a prospective observational study.

Background: Napping during night shifts is a countermeasure against fatigue and sleepiness, which both impact patient safety. However, there is insufficient evidence on how nurses nap, especially concerning their napping quality. This study explored night-shift napping and its associated factors among nurses, considering napping quantity and quality, to mitigate fatigue and sleepiness.

Prognostic value of systemic immune-inflammation index in patients with small-cell lung cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Introduction: The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) has emerged as a promising prognostic marker in various malignancies. However, its prognostic significance in patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic impact of the SII in patients with SCLC after ICI use.

Reliable Performance of mALBI Grade-Based Risk Models for Predicting the Prognosis of Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Receiving Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab as First-Line Treatment: Comparative Analysis of 13 Risk Models.

Aim: This study aimed to compare the prognostic performance of the risk models for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving atezolizumab and bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) as first-line treatment.

Methods: Among 449 patients included in this retrospective multicenter study, we compared the prognostic performance of 13 risk models for the 12-month and 18-month survival status using area under the curve (AUC), net reclassification improvement (NRI), and relative integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) analysis. We also constructed a calibration plot to assess the fitness of each model.

Efficacy and Limitations of Continuous Local Antibiotic Perfusion in Treating Surgical Site Infections Following Instrumented Spinal Surgery: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Introduction: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most serious postoperative complications following instrumented spinal surgery. We previously reported the potential of continuous local antibiotic perfusion (CLAP) to retain implants for patients with SSI following instrumented spinal surgery. We conducted a retrospective multicenter study to elucidate the efficacy and limitations of CLAP for patients with SSI following instrumented spinal surgery.

A rare case of a malignant hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) with aggressive progression following the relapse of renal pecoma despite everolimus therapy.

A 55-year-old man with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) was diagnosed with left renal angiomyolipoma (AML), a group of perivascular epithelioid cell tumors called PEComas. He had received the mTOR inhibitor everolimus, which resulted in a complete response. However, a left renal mass relapsed in two years, followed by the occurrence of a hepatic mass five months later.

Emergency cerclage outcomes for bulging fetal membranes: a single-center retrospective study.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of emergency cerclage for pregnant women with bulging fetal membranes, as indicated by our original noninvasive clinical scoring system.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of pregnant women who underwent emergency cerclage for bulging fetal membranes within 28 weeks. The primary outcome was the continuation of pregnancy at 34 gestational weeks in singleton pregnancies and 32 gestational weeks in twin pregnancies.

Surgical and Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction for Severe Emphysema: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

Background: Along with lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS), bronchoscopic lung volume reduction is a treatment option for end-stage emphysema. However, comparisons among interventions remain insufficient.

Methods: We searched on PubMed, CENTRAL, Embase, and Web of Science.

Regulation of innate immune response by miRNAs up-regulated in Stevens-Johnson syndrome with severe ocular complications.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are severe mucocutaneous disorders characterized by extensive tissue necrosis; they are often accompanied by severe ocular complications (SOC). The regulatory role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in modulating immune responses in SJS/TEN is not fully understood, particularly in relation to chronic SOC. We explored the expression profiles of specific miRNAs and their potential impact on the regulation of key innate immune genes in patients with SJS/TEN with SOC.

Early clinical outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation using the NAVITOR system.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using the NAVITOR system has been relatively underreported due to its recent introduction in Japan. This study aimed to assess the short-term outcomes of TAVI with the NAVITOR in real-world clinical practice. Patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVI using the NAVITOR system at our institution between December 2022 and December 2023 were prospectively enrolled.

Dynamics of the prognostic index during the course of treatment for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.

Purpose: Tumor/node/metastasis staging and prognostic index (PI) are used to predict prognosis and guide treatment for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC). With the advent of treatments, such as BRAF/MEK inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors, dynamic markers to assess disease status and treatment efficacy are needed. This study examined the utility of PI as a dynamic marker for ATC treatment.

Importance of EQA/PT for the detection of genetic variants in comprehensive cancer genome testing.

Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) is increasingly used as a clinical laboratory test and being applied to cancer treatment; however, standardization and external quality assessments (EQA) have not been fully developed. This study performed cost-effective EQA and proficiency tests (PT) for CGP testing among multiple institutions those belong to the EQA working group of Japan Association for Clinical Laboratory Science (JACLS). This study revealed that preanalytical processes, such as derived nucleic acids (NA) extraction from formalin fixed paraffine embedded (FFPE) samples, are critical.

Hysteroscopic Endometrial Defect Following Adenomyomectomy and Incidence of Placenta Accreta Spectrum and Uterine Rupture Complications for Subsequent Pregnancy.

Adenomyomectomy, a therapeutic option for women with adenomyosis who wish to preserve their fertility, has been reported to pose a risk of developing placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) and uterine rupture in future pregnancies. However, the specific clinical factors contributing to these occurrences remain elusive. This study aimed to explore the association between hysteroscopic findings after adenomyomectomy and the incidence of PAS in subsequent pregnancies.

Epidemiology of respiratory viruses according to age group, 2023-24 winter season, Kyoto, Japan.

The seasonality and epidemiology of viral acute respiratory infections (ARIs) have changed since the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. However, molecular-based ARI surveillance has not been conducted in Japan. We developed a regional surveillance program to define the local epidemiology of ARIs.

Mechanisms of KRAS inhibitor resistance in KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer harboring Her2 amplification and aberrant KRAS localization.

KRAS-specific inhibitors have shown promising antitumor effects, especially in non-small cell lung cancer, but limited efficacy in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Recent studies have shown that EGFR-mediated adaptive feedback mediates primary resistance to KRAS inhibitors, but the other resistance mechanisms have not been identified. In this study, we investigated intrinsic resistance mechanisms to KRAS inhibitors using patient-derived CRC cells (CRC-PDCs).

Knockout or inhibition of DHPS suppresses ovarian tumor growth and metastasis by attenuating the TGFβ pathway.

Deoxyhypusine synthase (DHPS) is an enzyme encoded by the DHPS gene, with high expression in various cancers, including ovarian cancer (OC). DHPS regulates the translation initiation factor EIF5A, and EIF5A2 knockout inhibits OC tumor growth and metastasis by blocking the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the TGFβ pathway. In this study, we show that DHPS is amplified in OC patients, and its elevated expression correlates with poor survival.

High systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) level as a prognostic factor for colorectal cancer patients after curative surgery: a single-center retrospective analysis.

The Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI), a marker used to assess systemic inflammation, is associated with lower patient survival rates in various cancer types. Factors contributing to the recurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC) have been examined previously using the preoperative SIRI. Herein, we investigated the association between the preoperative SIRI level and both the recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients diagnosed with CRC.

Rapid climate action is needed: comparing heat vs. COVID-19-related mortality.

The impacts of climate change on human health are often underestimated or perceived to be in a distant future. Here, we present the projected impacts of climate change in the context of COVID-19, a recent human health catastrophe. We compared projected heat mortality with COVID-19 deaths in 38 cities worldwide and found that in half of these cities, heat-related deaths could exceed annual COVID-19 deaths in less than ten years (at + 3.

Selectively expressed RNA molecules as a versatile tool for functionalized cell targeting.

Targeting of diseased cells is one of the most urgently needed prerequisites for a next generation of potent pharmaceuticals. Different approaches pursued fail mainly due to a lack of specific surface markers. Developing an RNA-based methodology, we can now ensure precise cell targeting combined with selective expression of effector proteins for therapy, diagnostics or cell steering.

Methylcobalamin-containing nanofiber sheets have better neuroprotective effects than small intestinal submucosa sheets.

Postoperative adhesion around nerves sometimes results in sensory and motor dysfunctions. To prevent these disorders, we have developed an electrospun nanofiber sheet incorporating methylcobalamin (MeCbl), an active form of vitamin B12 with anti-inflammatory and neuroregenerative effects. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of MeCbl sheets against postoperative adhesion and to compare the effects of MeCbl sheets with those of porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) sheets using a rat sciatic nerve adhesion model.

Alternative splicing in the DBD linker region of p63 modulates binding to DNA and iASPP in vitro.

The transcription factor p63 is expressed in many different isoforms as a result of differential promoter use and splicing. Some of these isoforms have very specific physiological functions in the development and maintenance of epithelial tissues and surveillance of genetic integrity in oocytes. The ASPP family of proteins is involved in modulating the transcriptional activity of the p53 protein family members, including p63.