A historic perspective on the current progress in elucidation of the biologic significance of non-neuronal acetylcholine.

The "5 International Symposium on Non-neuronal Acetylcholine: from bench to bedside" was held on September 27-29, 2019 in Hyatt Regency, Long Beach, CA, USA. Approximately 50 scientists from 11 countries over 6 continents participated in this meeting. The major topics included an overall biologic significance of non-neuronal acetylcholine (ACh) and the roles of the non-neuronal cholinergic systems in mucocutaneous, respiratory, digestive, immunologic, endocrine, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and kidney diseases, and cancer.

Determination of factors affecting medication adherence in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients using a nationwide claim-based database in Japan.

Background: The extent of medication adherence in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) several years after starting treatment with hypoglycemic agents remains unknown. Most previous work on medication adherence targeting this group of patients has been undertaken across a single year or is questionnaire based. This study aimed to determine medication adherence status and factors affecting adherence 3 years after initiation of hypoglycemic agents, using a nationwide medical claim-based database in Japan.

Novel breast cancer screening: combined expression of miR-21 and MMP-1 in urinary exosomes detects 95% of breast cancer without metastasis.

Serum and tissue miR-21 expression in patients with breast cancer (BC) is a useful biomarker for cancer diagnosis, progression, and treatment. Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) is also important in breast cancer carcinogenesis. However, miR-21 and MMP-1/CD63 in urine exosomes in these patients have not been examined.

Polypharmacy and oral antidiabetic treatment for type 2 diabetes characterised by drug class and patient characteristics: A Japanese database analysis.

Polypharmacy (PP) occurs in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) owing to multimorbidity. We evaluated concomitant PP and medication adherence in T2DM 3 years after initiation of administration of a hypoglycaemic agent using a nationwide claim-based database in Japan. Factors associated with medication PP and imperfect adherence were identified using multivariable logistic regression.

Consensus guidance of nebulizer therapy for acute rhinosinusitis.

The guidance deals with the recommended applications, procedures, and safety management of nebulizer therapy for acute rhinosinusitis. In Japan, nebulizer therapy for sinusitis has been covered by public health insurance since 1958 and has been commonly carried out nationwide. The Japan Society for Infection and Aerosol in Otorhinolaryngology and the Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Society of Japan set up a working group to draw up a consensus guidance on nebulizer therapy for acute rhinosinusitis.

Gene Alterations in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patients in a Phase I/II Study of Eribulin and Olaparib Combination Therapy.

Background: We conducted a phase I/II clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of eribulin and olaparib in a tablet form (EO study) for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. We hypothesized that somatic BRCA mutations and homologous recombination repair (HRR)-related gene alterations might affect efficacy.

Methods: Our analyses identified mutations in HRR-related genes and BRCA1/2, and we subsequently evaluated their association to response by the EO study participants.

Investigating the risk of bone fractures in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a retrospective study.

Background: Elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) experience fractures more frequently than elderly individuals without diabetes. Fractures requiring hospitalization greatly affect quality of life, and although elderly patients with T2DM have several risk factors associated with fractures, only a few studies have evaluated these in detail in the Asian population. We conducted a retrospective study of elderly patients with T2DM for evaluating factors associated with fracture risk.

Comparing treatment intensification and clinical outcomes of metformin and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors in treatment-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes in Japan.

Japan's guidelines emphasize tailored therapy, but do not guide physicians on the use of a specific regimen in drug-naive patients. The role of long-term initial therapy could be important in key elements of diabetes treatment, such as continuation of the initially prescribed drug. We investigated the frequency of occurrence to treatment intensification after the initiation of metformin or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor treatment.

Analysis of inline-filter blockage with trastuzumab formulation using scanning-electron microscopy.

The instability of pharmaceutical monoclonal antibodies are affected by physical stimuli including, temperature, denaturant, surfactant, stirring, solid phase adsorption, oxidation, and ultraviolet rays. Clinically, we frequently experience precipitation during preparation of several pharmaceutical monoclonal antibodies for cancer. Although it is possible to remove precipitates in the injection solution during the preparation procedure, potential filter blockade during administration remains a problem with adverse effects on the quality of life of patients.

Effect of Taxane Plus Platinum Regimens vs Doxorubicin Plus Cisplatin as Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Endometrial Cancer at a High Risk of Progression: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The efficacy of taxane plus platinum regimens has been demonstrated for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer; however, it has not been assessed in postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for endometrial cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical benefit of taxane plus platinum compared with standard doxorubicin plus cisplatin as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in endometrial cancer.

Design, Setting, And Participants: In this multicenter, open-label, phase 3 randomized clinical trial, patients with endometrial cancer at high-risk stage I or II or stage III or IV that did not extend beyond the abdominal cavity and had 2 cm or greater residual tumor were included from 118 institutions in Japan from November 24, 2006, to January 7, 2011.

Activator of G-protein signaling 8 is involved in VEGF-induced choroidal neovascularization.

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a major cause of vision loss among elderly people. Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) is essential for the development and progression of AMD, and VEGF signaling molecules are effective targets for the treatment of AMD. We recently reported that activator of G-protein signaling 8 (AGS8), a receptor-independent Gβγ regulator, is involved in VEGF-induced angiogenesis in cultured endothelial cells (EC); however, the role of AGS8 in CNV is not yet understood.

Mechanisms of metformin's anti‑tumor activity against gemcitabine‑resistant pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Metformin (MET) is the first‑line treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Several epidemiological studies have suggested the potential anti‑cancer effects of MET, including its activity against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Gemcitabine (GEM) has become the standard chemotherapy for PDAC; however, acquired resistance to GEM is a major challenge.

Japan Heart Failure Model - Derivation and Accuracy of Survival Prediction in Japanese Heart Failure Patients.

Accurate prognosis for heart failure (HF) survival is important for quality of life, treatment decisions, and early evaluation of new therapies and devices. Here, we developed a multivariate risk model for predicting survival in Japanese patients with HF, using parameters that are readily observable in a clinical setting. We analyzed data for 1,214 adults with HF (EF <35%).

Comparison of New Drug Accessibility and Price Between Japan and Major European Countries.

Background: A common concern about universal health insurance coverage is how to control health expenditure. The escalation of health care costs raises public awareness of the optimization of drug price and increased demand for cost-effectiveness assessment. In this paper, we show the differences in patient access to new drugs and drug price among countries, in which the situation of introduction of cost-effectiveness assessment scheme is different.

A Double-Blind, Randomized, Crossover Comparative Study for Evaluating the Clinical Safety of Ephedrine Alkaloids-Free Ephedra Herb Extract (EFE).

Ephedra Herb is an important crude drug; it is used in various Traditional Japanese Medicine (Kampo) formulations. Its significant pharmacological effects have been believed to be attributed to ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which sometimes induce adverse effects. On the other hand, it has been reported that some of these pharmacological effects are not dependent on ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.

Phase III study of cisplatin with or without S-1 in patients with stage IVB, recurrent, or persistent cervical cancer.

Background: This open-label phase III trial evaluated efficacy and safety of S-1 plus cisplatin vs. cisplatin alone as first-line chemotherapy in patients with stage IVB, recurrent, or persistent cervical cancer.

Methods: Patients were randomised (1:1) to S-1 plus cisplatin (study group) or cisplatin alone (control group).

Correction: A phase II trial of 1st-line modified-FOLFOXIRI plus bevacizumab treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer harboring RAS mutation: JACCRO CC-11.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24702.

[Comparison of Chemical Behavior of Original and Generic Docetaxel Formulations as Non-alcoholic Preparations: Discussion about Diluent Solvents for Docetaxel].

　Although generic anti-tumor agents are in wide clinical use, they have not in all cases been shown to be equivalent to the original agents after preparation. In the present study, original and generic docetaxel formulations were compared with respect to stability when prepared as a non-alcoholic solution for use. When the original formulation was diluted with physiological saline solution to make a non-alcoholic preparation, the concentration decreased with time, whereas no such decrease occurred when a preparation of the generic formulation was made in a similar manner.

The Efficacy of Antimicrobial-Coated Sutures for Preventing Incisional Surgical Site Infections in Digestive Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Antimicrobial-coated sutures have recently become well known for preventing surgical site infections (SSIs). However, the evidence and recommendations from some organizations remain controversial. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze the efficacy of antimicrobial-coated sutures for preventing SSIs in digestive surgery.

[Paradigm Shift in the Quality of Regional Medical Care: Cooperative Treatment of Onychomycosis].

　In a superaging society, the medical paradigm should include both less coverage of medical-care work flow by human resources and high-quality care for patients. Strategies such as establishing medical-care teams and community medicine systems mainly for home medical care should be implemented. However, a well-organized system for home-based medical treatment of elderly patients is not yet in place, as evidenced by the lack of care, problems with long-term polypharmacy resulting from visits to multiple healthcare providers, and declines in their physical strength.