Efficacy of corneal squamous cell carcinoma antigen-1 in early infancy in predicting atopic dermatitis and food allergy: A prospective study.

Background: Identification of predictive biomarkers is crucial for formulating preventive interventions and halting the progression of atopic march. Although controversial, the use of accessible markers to predict or detect early onset of atopic diseases is highly desirable. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether corneal squamous cell carcinoma antigen-1 (SCCA1) collected from infants can predict the development of atopic dermatitis and food allergy.

Skin health survey on atopic dermatitis among Japanese children: The Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study.

Background: Precise skin phenotypic data are indispensable in accurately diagnosing atopic dermatitis (AD). Therefore, this study examined the interobserver concordance for AD and non-AD diagnoses between two dermatologists. AD prevalence determined by the self-reported physician diagnoses and the diagnoses determined from the United Kingdom (UK) diagnostic criteria were compared with the diagnoses made by the two dermatologists, using data from a skin health survey.

Validation of a diagnostic flowchart for tuberculous pleurisy in pleural fluid with high levels of adenosine deaminase.

Introduction: Adenosine deaminase (ADA) in pleural fluid is a useful marker for diagnosing tuberculous pleurisy. However, recent studies have reported a lower specificity of pleural fluid ADA levels. We previously developed a diagnostic flowchart for patients with pleural fluid ADA ≥40 U/L, incorporating variables such as pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase <825 U/L, predominant pleural fluid neutrophils or cell degeneration, and a pleural fluid ADA/total protein ratio <14.

A Japanese Case of Food Protein-induced Enterocolitis Syndrome Caused by Multiple Seafoods.

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) caused by fish and others is prevalent in the Mediterranean regions but is less frequently reported in Japan. This case report describes a 3-year-old Japanese girl who developed FPIES triggered by multiple seafoods, including swordfish, cod, and squid. The diagnosis was confirmed through oral food challenge tests (OFC), which led to repeated vomiting and an increase in thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) levels.

Risk stratification of synchronous gastric cancers including alcohol-related genetic polymorphisms.

Background And Aim: We previously identified that ever-smoking and severe gastric atrophy in pepsinogen are risk factors for synchronous gastric cancers (SGCs). This study aimed to determine the association of alcohol drinking status or alcohol-related genetic polymorphism with SGCs and also stratify their risk.

Methods: This multi-center prospective cohort study included patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection for the initial early gastric cancers at 22 institutions in Japan.

Prognostic significance of Ishii's sarcopenia screening score for patients undergoing curative surgery for obstructive colorectal cancer after intraluminal decompression.

Purpose: Sarcopenia influences the short- and long-term outcomes of various medical conditions including malignancy. Ishii's screening test estimates the probability of sarcopenia based on a score calculated by three simple variables: age, grip strength, and calf circumference. We investigated the clinical significance of Ishii's score for patients with non-metastatic obstructive colorectal cancer (OCRC) who underwent curative surgery after intraluminal decompression.

Novel method for calculating the effective dose using size-specific dose estimates conversion factors in abdomen-pelvis computed tomography.

We propose a novel method for calculating the effective dose that closely reflects the individual attenuation, utilizing two conversion coefficients. A total of 180 adult patients who underwent abdomen-pelvis computed tomography were categorized into six groups based on sex and body type. The effective dose was calculated by multiplying the dose-length product with the effective dose conversion coefficient and the size-specific dose estimate conversion factor.

Long-term results of Chiari pelvic osteotomy on the preservation of hip function with mean follow-up of more than 30 years and its prognostic factors.

Background: Clinical outcomes of Chiari pelvic osteotomy for acetabular dysplasia, including conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA), have not been adequately explored. The purpose of this study was to examine the long-term results and clinical outcomes of Chiari pelvic osteotomy as the primary outcome and to analyze its prognostic factors as the second outcome.

Methods: This study was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study.

Low Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) Predicts Poorer Survival in Patients with Obstructive Colorectal Cancer Who Had a Self-Expandable Metallic Stent (SEMS) Inserted as a Bridge to Curative Surgery.

Objectives: The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a nutrition-related risk index calculated easily from serum albumin and the ratio of body weight to ideal body weight. We investigated the prognostic values of the GNRI in elderly patients with obstructive colorectal cancer (OCRC) who had a self-expandable metallic stent inserted as a bridge to curative surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 61 patients aged ≥65 years with pathological stage I to III OCRC.

The Clinical Significance of Anaerobic Coverage in the Antibiotic Treatment of Aspiration Pneumonia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Aspiration pneumonia is increasingly recognised as a common condition. While antibiotics covering anaerobes are thought to be necessary based on old studies reporting anaerobes as causative organisms, recent studies suggest that it may not necessarily benefit prognosis, or even be harmful. Clinical practice should be based on current data reflecting the shift in causative bacteria.

A decreased preoperative platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune-inflammation index, and pan-immune-inflammation value are associated with the poorer survival of patients with a stent inserted as a bridge to curative surgery for obstructive colorectal cancer.

Purpose: Inflammation is one of the hallmarks of cancer, and inflammation-based markers that are calculated easily from laboratory results have shown predictive abilities. We investigated the prognostic values of the preoperative platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) in patients with non-metastatic obstructive colorectal cancer (OCRC) and a self-expandable metallic stent inserted as a bridge to curative surgery.

Methods: The subjects of this retrospective study were 86 patients with pathological stage I to III OCRC.

Clinical manifestations of hospitalized influenza patients without risk factors: A prospective multicenter cohort study in Japan via internet surveillance.

Introduction: Influenza remains a clinically heavy burden worldwide. It is well known that some populations are at high risk of complications from influenza, whereas, even previously healthy people might suffer from severe influenza. The objective of this study was to clarify clinical manifestations of hospitalized patients without risk factors infected with influenza.

Prognostic significance of the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and red cell distribution width (RDW) in obstructive colorectal cancer patients with a stent inserted as a bridge to curative surgery.

Purpose: The prognostic significance of the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and red cell distribution width (RDW) in patients with malignancy have not been intensely investigated and are largely overlooked. We, therefore, investigated the clinical significance of MCV and RDW in non-metastatic obstructive colorectal cancer (OCRC) patients with a self-expandable metallic stent inserted as a bridge to curative surgery.

Methods: Eighty-five pathological stage II and III OCRC patients were retrospectively evaluated.

Impact of Sarcopenia on Postoperative Complications in Obstructive Colorectal Cancer Patients Who Received Stenting as a Bridge to Curative Surgery.

Objectives: Understanding the relationship between sarcopenia and malignancy is increasingly important since they inevitably affect the aging population. We investigated the clinical significance of sarcopenia in nonmetastatic obstructive colorectal cancer (OCRC) patients who were inserted self-expandable metallic stent and underwent curative surgery.

Methods: Plain cross-sectional CT images obtained before stenting were retrospectively analyzed in 92 patients.

Prognostic Significance of Preoperative Globulin-to-albumin Ratio in Obstructive Colorectal Cancer Patients Who Underwent Curative Surgery after Stenting.

Objectives: It has been increasingly recognized that the progression of cancer is dependent not only on the tumor characteristics but also on the nutritious and inflammatory condition of the host. We investigated the relationship between the globulin-to-albumin ratio (GAR) and long-term outcomes in obstructive colorectal cancer (OCRC) patients who were inserted self-expandable metallic stent as a bridge to curative surgery.

Methods: A total of 75 pathological stage II and III OCRC patients between 2013 and 2020 were retrospectively evaluated.

A longer interval after stenting compromises the short- and long-term outcomes after curative surgery for obstructive colorectal cancer.

Purpose: Intestinal decompression using self-expandable metallic colonic stents (SEMSs) as a bridge to surgery is now considered an attractive alternative to emergency surgery. However, data regarding the optimal timing of surgery after stenting are limited.

Methods: We investigated the impact of the interval between stenting and surgery on short- and long-term outcomes in 92 obstructive colorectal cancer (OCRC) patients who had a SEMS inserted and subsequently received curative surgery.

Radiation doses to the eye lenses of radiologic technologists who assist patients undergoing computed tomography.

The present study aimed to determine the amount of radiation exposure to the eye lenses of radiologic technologists while assisting patients undergoing computed tomography imaging and the effects of wearing lead glasses on dose reduction. Monthly radiation doses were collected for 12 months. Dose quantities at a depth of 3 mm (H(3)) were measured at the neck using personal optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeters.

Clinical manifestations of adult patients requiring influenza-associated hospitalization: A prospective multicenter cohort study in Japan via internet surveillance.

Introduction: Influenza remains a clinically heavy burden worldwide. The objective of this study was to clarify clinical manifestations of severely ill patients infected with influenza.

Methods: The clinical data for patients who were severely ill with influenza, and required hospitalization were gathered and analyzed between November 2014 and August 2019 (5 influenza seasons) using an internet-surveillance system.