An experimental study on the diagnostic advantage of dual-energy computed tomography over single-energy scan to evaluate the treatment effect following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

Objectives: We assessed the diagnostic advantage of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) over single-energy computed tomography (SECT) to evaluate lipiodol accumulation in target lesions following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Methods: TACE was performed in 10 rabbits in whom the VX2 tumor was implanted in their left liver lobes. The miriplatin-lipiodol mixture was injected into the common hepatic artery.

Interstitial lung disease associated with anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase syndrome: quantitative evaluation of CT after initial treatment and long-term follow-up.

Background: Visual evaluation of interstitial lung disease (ILD)-related changes can generate intra- and inter-observer errors. However, recent deep learning (DL) algorithm advances have facilitated accurate lung segmentation, lesion characterization, and quantification.

Purpose: To evaluate the treatment response and long-term course in ILD associated with anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase syndrome (anti-ARS ILD) using a DL algorithm.

Anatomical study of pterygoid implants: artery and nerve passage through bone dehiscence of the greater palatine canal.

Purpose: Pterygoid implants are an alternative approach to avoid sinus-lifting or other grafting procedures. During pterygoid implant placement, dental surgeons risk damaging the greater palatine canal (GPC). However, they do not have sufficient reasons to avoid GPC injury.

Safety and efficacy of filgotinib in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Week 156 interim results in FINCH 4.

Objectives: To describe safety and efficacy of filgotinib 200 or 100 mg (FIL200/FIL100) in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a long-term extension (LTE; NCT03025308).

Methods: Patients who completed any of three parent studies (NCT02889796: inadequate response [IR] to methotrexate [MTX]; NCT02873936: IR to biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; NCT02886728: MTX-naïve) without rescue therapy could enter the LTE; patients taking FIL continued their dosage, and those who received comparators were rerandomised to FIL200 or FIL100. This analysis includes week 156 interim results.

Association Between Direct Oral Anticoagulant Score and Bleeding Events in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background: The Direct Oral Anticoagulant (DOAC) Score can predict bleeding risk in patients with atrial fibrillation taking DOACs; however, it lacks external validation. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the association between the DOAC Score and bleeding events in patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Methods And Results: This retrospective multicenter cohort study included patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement, as registered in a Japanese multicenter registry.

CACHE Challenge #1: Targeting the WDR Domain of LRRK2, A Parkinson's Disease Associated Protein.

The CACHE challenges are a series of prospective benchmarking exercises to evaluate progress in the field of computational hit-finding. Here we report the results of the inaugural CACHE challenge in which 23 computational teams each selected up to 100 commercially available compounds that they predicted would bind to the WDR domain of the Parkinson's disease target LRRK2, a domain with no known ligand and only an apo structure in the PDB. The lack of known binding data and presumably low druggability of the target is a challenge to computational hit finding methods.

Patient-Initiated Nationwide Survey on Testing for Actionable Oncogenic Drivers in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Japan.

Background: Previous reports indicated still low implementation rates of multigene testing for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Japan.

Methods: This is a retrospective study launched at the initiative of lung cancer patients. Patients with stage IV NSCLC from January 2019 to December 2022 were investigated for testing of 8 actionable oncogenic drivers with targeted therapies available as of 2022.

Novel intranasal phage-CaEDTA-ceftazidime/avibactam triple combination therapy demonstrates remarkable efficacy in treating Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection.

Given the rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, alternative treatments are needed. Anti-pseudomonal phage therapy shows promise, but its clinical application is limited due to the development of resistance and a lack of biofilm penetration. Recently, adjuvants like CaEDTA have shown the ability to enhance the effectiveness of combined antimicrobial agents.

The Benefits of Early Rehabilitation for Patients With Acute Heart Failure Requiring IV Inotropic Drugs.

Objectives: The benefits of early rehabilitation for patients with acute heart failure (HF) requiring IV inotropic drugs have yet to be determined. We investigated the association between early rehabilitation and short-term clinical outcomes in patients with acute HF requiring IV inotropic drugs.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Comorbidities in Japanese testicular cancer survivors: A multi-institutional, cross-sectional study.

Objective: To evaluate comorbidities in Japanese testicular cancer (TC) survivors in a multi-institutional, cross-sectional study.

Methods: This study enrolled TC survivors who visited any of the eight high-volume institutions in Japan from 2018 to 2019. After obtaining informed consent, participants answered questionnaires about their comorbidities.

Initial Findings Concerning the Latest Self-Expandable Evolut FX Valve: A Report Using OCEAN-TAVI Registry Data.

Data concerning the clinical effect of the latest-generation self-expandable transcatheter heart valve (Evolut FX) remain limited. We aimed to assess the in-hospital outcomes of 3 bioprosthetic valves (Evolut EPO, PRO+, and FX). We analyzed data from a Japanese multicenter registry involving 634 consecutive patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement with Evolut FX up until October 2023.

Voltage-Guided and Non-Voltage-Guided Superior Vena Cava Isolation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: In addition to the pulmonary vein, the superior vena cava (SVC) is an important focus of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, SVC isolation may cause serious complications, and appropriate settings and techniques for SVC isolation are lacking.

Methods: This study enrolled 86 consecutive patients with AF who underwent SVC isolation.

Liver anatomy for totally laparoscopic segment 7 resection from a caudal magnified view-a 3-dimensional computed tomographic analysis.

Background: Laparoscopic resection of hepatic segment 7 is considered particularly difficult. We analyzed anatomic variation of this segment in caudally oriented 3-dimensional (3D) magnified computed tomographic (CT) images obtained prior to liver resection.

Methods: Analysis included 105 patients with preoperative 3D CT evaluation preceding liver resection for hepatobiliary malignancies between April 2021 and April 2024.

Risk stratification by renal function and NYHA class in patients with hypotension initiated on sacubitril/valsartan: a retrospective cohort study from 17 centres in Japan.

Background: Patients with heart failure exhibiting low systolic blood pressure (SBP) have a poor prognosis. Sacubitril/valsartan reduces cardiovascular events; however, its use in patients with low SBP has not been fully examined. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the association between baseline SBP and adverse events (AEs) in patients starting sacubitril/valsartan therapy using data from a real-world registry in Japan.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Aorto-Ostial Chronic Total Occlusion: Evaluating Lesion Complexity and Procedural Outcomes.

Background: PCI for aorto-ostial CTO remains challenging. The techniques for guidewire in aorto-ostial CTO may differ from those used in non-aorto-ostial CTOs, influenced by clinical and angiographic characteristics.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the technical aspects and outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with aorto-ostial chronic total occlusion (CTO).

Usefulness of noninvasive blood pressure measurement in captive Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens).

The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) can be found in zoos around the world, and various behavioral restraint procedures are used as part of their health care. Wild animals that are kept in zoos, including red pandas, are known to have a longer life span than those in the wild. Therefore, the health management of aging animals is considered especially important for zoos that maintain many precious wild animals.