Exploring the relationship between plasma substance P and glottal incompetence in the elderly.

We speculated that increased blood-plasma levels of Substance P may serve as an indicator of glottal incompetence, which is usually indicated by reduced maximum phonation time. We performed an initial study to test the plausibility of this hypothesis. Patients with dysphonia caused by glottal incompetence were asked to perform vocal exercises for six months to reduce glottal incompetence and we compared the plasma concentration of Substance P before and after the vocal exercise to detect correlation between maximum phonation time and plasma concentration of Substance P.

Importance of History Taking and Physical Examination Before Rapid Laboratory Test for Seasonal Influenza Virus: A Single-Center Multiple Logistic Analysis.

Background Despite several rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs), they are predicting whether a patient has influenza before rapid testing is important. Here, we assessed factors predictive of a positive flu test via RIDTs by combining interviews and physical examination. Methods We analyzed the relationship between interviews and physical findings and results of RIDTs using multivariable logistic regression.

Risk Evaluation of Proton Pump Inhibitors for Panitumumab-Related Hypomagnesemia in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

Hypomagnesemia commonly occurs as a side effect of panitumumab treatment. In severe cases, temporary discontinuation or dose reduction of panitumumab may be necessary. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are reportedly potential risk factors for hypomagnesemia.

Medium-term Outcomes of Excision Using Surgical Microscope of Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumors of the Hand.

Background/aim: The recurrence rate following the excision of tenosynovial giant cell tumors (TSGCT) of the hand is very high. Intraoperative application of a surgical microscope has been reported. However, to date, there are no reports of medium-term outcomes related to this technique.

Disordered Balance of T-Cell Subsets in Arterial Tertiary Lymphoid Organs in Immunoglobulin G4-Related Vascular Disease.

Background: Arterial/aortic tertiary lymphoid organs (ATLOs), characterized by germinal centers, control local arterial immune responses. T follicular helper cells (Tfh), resident in germinal centers, regulate immunoglobulin production and germinal center development. They consist of Tfh1, Tfh2, and Tfh17 subsets.

Oligomeganephronia with PAX2 gene deletion diagnosed at the third renal biopsy: a case report.

Oligomeganephronia is a congenital anomaly of the kidney and urinary tract. It is often categorized as one of the hypoplastic kidney conditions. The pathological diagnosis of oligomeganephronia is challenged by the absence of clear diagnostic criteria, which often leads to subjective interpretations by pathologists.

Solitary recurrence of IgG4-related giant coronary aneurysm: Case report and review of the literature focusing on treatment strategies and complications.

Coronary periarteritis is a dangerous manifestation of IgG4-related disease, because it forms coronary artery aneurysms, which may cause sudden cardiac death. We report the case of a 78-year-old woman with IgG4-related coronary periarteritis and a coronary aneurysm, which showed progressive enlargement despite maintenance therapy for Type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis. This case was unique, in that coronary periarteritis was the only active lesion that recurred.

The use of ultrasonography as an effective screening tool for chronic posterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Purpose: We aimed to explore the applicability and validity of ultrasonography for diagnosing chronic posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries.

Methods: PCL thickness was measured at 2 cm proximal to the tibia insertion site. Using the same ultrasonography image, the angle tangent to the PCL from the tibia insertion site was also measured.

Guselkumab in Patients With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis: QUASAR Phase 2b Induction Study.

Background & Aims: The QUASAR Phase 2b Induction Study evaluated the efficacy and safety of guselkumab, an interleukin-23p19 subunit antagonist, in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) with prior inadequate response and/or intolerance to corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and/or advanced therapy.

Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging, induction study, patients were randomized (1:1:1) to receive intravenous guselkumab 200 or 400 mg or placebo at weeks 0/4/8. The primary endpoint was clinical response (compared with baseline, modified Mayo score decrease ≥30% and ≥2 points, rectal bleeding subscore ≥1-point decrease or subscore of 0/1) at week 12.

Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 is regulated by nucleos(t)ide analogues for chronic hepatitis B.

The number of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients persists even under nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) treatment. Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) expression has been reported in advanced chronic liver diseases as well as cancer tissues. We observed an association between related to HCC incidence and serum AKR1B10 by analyzing patients under treatment with NAs.

Continuous drainage for the treatment of gastric cancer with pericardial metastasis and cardiac tamponade: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: Signet-ring cell gastric carcinomas presenting as pericardial effusion early in diagnosis are rare and associated with high mortality and a poor prognosis. There are two interesting aspects of this case: primary gastric carcinoma presenting as cardiac tamponade and the metastatic behavior of gastric signet-ring cell carcinoma.

Abstract: This report describes an 83-year-old man diagnosed to have cardiac tamponade due to massive pericardial effusion.

One Year Outcomes of Zilver PTX Versus Eluvia for Femoropopliteal Disease in Real-World Practice: REALDES Study.

Purpose: This multicenter, prospective, observational study aimed to compare Zilver PTX and Eluvia stents in real-world settings for treating femoropopliteal lesions as the differences in the 1-year outcomes of these stents have not been elucidated.

Materials And Methods: Overall, 200 limbs with native femoropopliteal artery disease were treated with Zilver PTX (96 limbs) or Eluvia (104 limbs) at 8 Japanese hospitals between February 2019 and September 2020. The primary outcome measure of this study was primary patency at 12 months, defined as a peak systolic velocity ratio of ≤2.

Immune-Related Gene Expression Profile at Peritumoral Tonsillar Tissue Is Modified by Oropharyngeal Cancer Nodal Status.

Secondary lymphoid organs, such as lymph nodes and tonsils, serve as an interface between the immune system and tumor cells as an initial antigen-presentation site, crucial in antitumor immune response and disease progression. In oropharyngeal cancers originating from palatine tonsils, it was hypothesized that characterizing the immunologic process occurring in the peritumoral tonsil tissue would elucidate immune mechanisms of the lymphatic spread of the disease. A total of 33 patients were enrolled and divided into two cohorts.

Identification of a Transmembrane Protein Involved in Shear Stress Signaling and Hepatocarcinogenesis After a Sustained Virological Response to Hepatitis C Virus.

Background & Aims: The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains after achieving a sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Epigenetic abnormalities might be key regulators in the development of HCC. This study aimed to identify the genes involved in hepatocarcinogenesis after an SVR.

Clinical benefit of platinum doublet combination therapy in older adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A prospective multicenter study by the National Hospital Organization in Japan.

Background: Previous trials suggest that older adults with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) derive benefit from platinum doublet combination therapy, but its superiority is controversial. Although geriatric assessment variables are used to assess the individual risk of severe toxicity and clinical outcomes in older patients, the standard first-line treatment is still debated. Therefore, we aimed to identify the risk factors for clinical outcomes in older patients with NSCLC.

Ramucirumab Plus Docetaxel for Patients with Non-small cell Lung Cancer with Brain Metastases: A Multicenter, Open-Label Single-Arm Phase II Trial.

Background: Ramucirumab plus docetaxel combination therapy (DOC/RAM) for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) achieves favorable outcomes; however, efficacy and safety for patients with brain metastases are still unclear.

Methods: Eligible patients included those with advanced NSCLC with measurable asymptomatic brain metastases that progressed after chemotherapy. Patients were intravenously administered ramucirumab (10 mg/kg) and docetaxel (60 mg/m2) every 21-day cycle.

Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Digoxin Toxicity in Heart Failure: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Digoxin toxicity (plasma digoxin concentration ≥0.9 ng/mL) is associated with worsening heart failure (HF). Decision tree (DT) analysis, a machine learning method, has a flowchart-like model where users can easily predict the risk of adverse drug reactions.

Prognostic impact of clinical outcome after endoscopic gastroduodenal stent placement for malignant gastric outlet obstruction: a multicenter retrospective cohort study using a time-dependent analysis.

Background: Endoscopic gastroduodenal stent (GDS) placement is widely used as a safe and effective method to rapidly improve gastrointestinal symptoms of malignant gastric outlet obstruction (MGOO). While previous studies reported the utility of chemotherapy after GDS placement for prognosis improvement, they did not fully address the issue of immortal time bias.

Objectives: To examine the association between prognosis and clinical course following endoscopic GDS placement, using a time-dependent analysis.

Targeted transvenous embolization of a dural arteriovenous fistula at the jugular tubercle venous complex.

Background: Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) occurring near the hypoglossal canal are rare. Detailed evaluation of vascular structures can identify shunt pouches at the jugular tubercle venous complex (JTVC) in the bone near the hypoglossal canal. Although the JTVC has several venous connections, including the hypoglossal canal, there have been no reports of transvenous embolization (TVE) of a dAVF at the JTVC using an approach route other than the hypoglossal canal.

Effect of polypharmacy on plasma bepridil concentration in patients with heart failure: a multicenter retrospective study.

Background: Polypharmacy, defined as the concurrent use of over six drugs, is common in the treatment of heart failure (HF); however, unpredictable drug interactions with bepridil may occur. In this study, we have elucidated the influence of polypharmacy on plasma bepridil concentrations in patients with HF.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study involving 359 adult patients with HF who received oral bepridil.

Registry for Evaluating Healthy Life Expectancy and Long-Term Outcomes after Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in the Very Elderly (REHEALTH AF) study: rationale and design of a prospective, multicentre, observational, comparative study.

Introduction: Data are lacking on the extent to which patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) who are aged ≥80 years benefit from ablation treatment. The question pertains especially to patients' postablation quality of life (QoL) and long-term clinical outcomes.

Methods And Analysis: We are initiating a prospective, registry-based, multicentre observational study that will include patients aged ≥80 years with non-valvular AF who choose to undergo treatment by catheter ablation and, for comparison, such patients who do not choose to undergo ablation (either according to their physician's advice or their own preference).