Genetic characterization of a novel recombinant echovirus 30 strain causing a regional epidemic of aseptic meningitis in Hokkaido, Japan, 2017.

A regional epidemic of aseptic meningitis caused by echovirus 30 (E30) occurred in Hokkaido, Japan, during the period of August-December 2017. To investigate their phylogenetic relationship to other human enteroviruses, we determined the complete genomic nucleotide sequences of isolates from this outbreak. Phylogenetic analysis of the viral capsid protein 1 gene showed that the strains were most closely related to E30 strains detected in Germany, France, and Russia in 2013.

Deep sequencing of hepatitis B surface antigen gene in the preserved umbilical cords in immunoprophylaxis failure against mother-to-child HBV transmission.

Background: Vaccine escape mutants (VEMs) are one of the causes of breakthrough infections in the mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV). We hypothesized that VEMs existing as minor populations in the maternal blood are associated with breakthrough infections in children. We sought to determine whether VEMs exist as minor populations in the preserved umbilical cords of children with breakthrough infections.

Outbreak of aseptic meningitis caused by echovirus 30 in Kushiro, Japan in 2017.

Background: Echovirus 30 (E30) is one of the most common causative agents for aseptic meningitis.

Objectives: In the autumn of 2017, there was an outbreak caused by E30 in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan. The aim of this study was to characterize this outbreak.

Long-term outcome of renal function in children after stem cell transplantation measured by estimated glomerular filtration rate.

Background: Stem cell transplantation (SCT) outcomes have improved over the last three decades, with many patients being rescued with this treatment. However, improved outcomes have led to issues with long-term sequelae. One of these sequelae in children is renal dysfunction, an index of which is estimated using glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Periodically repeated rituximab administrations in children with refractory nephrotic syndrome: 2-year multicenter observational study.

Background: Rituximab (RTX) is effective in maintaining remission in patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS), but a standard protocol of RTX administration has not been established.

Methods: This study was a 2-year multicenter observational study, in which consistent treatments and evaluations were performed. We enrolled pediatric patients with refractory NS between January 2015 and December 2015.

Should sulfonylurea be discontinued or maintained at the lowest dose when starting ipragliflozin? A multicenter observational study in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Aims/introduction: We investigated the difference in efficacy and safety between discontinuation and maintaining of sulfonylurea when adding a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor.

Materials And Methods: In the present multicenter, prospective observational study, 200 patients with type 2 diabetes treated with sulfonylurea and with a need to add ipragliflozin were enrolled and divided into two groups: discontinued sulfonylurea (Discontinuation group) or maintained sulfonylurea, but at the lowest dose (Low-dose group) when adding ipragliflozin. We compared the two groups after 24 weeks using propensity score matching to adjust for differences between the groups.

Improvement in treatment satisfaction after switching from liraglutide to dulaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.

Aims/introduction: We compared treatment satisfaction in type 2 diabetes patients taking daily and weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists.

Materials And Methods: The study was a 12-week, multicenter, open-label, prospective, randomized, parallel-group comparison trial. The participants were Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes being administered with the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, liraglutide, daily for >3 months.

Gastrointestinal manifestation of immunoglobulin G4-related disease: clarification through a multicenter survey.

Background: Several reports on immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) with gastrointestinal involvement (IgG4-related gastrointestinal disease; IgG4-GID) have been published, although this entity has not been fully established clinicopathologically. Thus, we carried out a multicenter survey.

Methods: Patients with possible IgG4-GID who underwent resection were collected.

Economic Burden of Herpes Zoster and Post-Herpetic Neuralgia in Adults 60 Years of Age or Older: Results from a Prospective, Physician Practice-Based Cohort Study in Kushiro, Japan.

Background And Objective: Herpes zoster has a high incidence rate among people aged ≥ 60 years and can lead to serious complications such as post-herpetic neuralgia. There are currently no data on the economic burden of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia in Japan, and the objective of this study was to address this gap.

Methods: A total of 412 patients aged ≥ 60 years diagnosed with herpes zoster were recruited.

Satisfaction of switching to combination therapy with lixisenatide and basal insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving multiple daily insulin injection therapy: A randomized controlled trial.

Aims/introduction: We compared the satisfaction levels of patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing combination therapy with lixisenatide (LIX) and basal insulin with that of patients undergoing multiple daily insulin injection (MDI) therapy.

Materials And Methods: The study was a 12-week open-label, randomized, multicenter, controlled trial. Participants were Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes receiving MDI for >3 months.

Therapeutic efficacy of azithromycin, clarithromycin, minocycline and tosufloxacin against macrolide-resistant and macrolide-sensitive Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in pediatric patients.

Objective: To clarify therapeutic effects of azithromycin, clarithromycin, minocycline and tosufloxacin against macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MRMP) pneumonia and against macrolide-sensitive Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MSMP) pneumonia in pediatric patients.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter observational study was conducted from July 2013 to August 2015. The therapeutic effects of azithromycin, clarithromycin, minocycline and tosufloxacin were evaluated in 59 patients with pneumonia caused by MRMP and in 50 patients with pneumonia caused by MSMP.

Molecular-targeted Therapy and Surgery May Prolong Survival of Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients with Bone Metastasis: A Multi-institutional Retrospective Study in Japan.

Aim: To determine prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients with bone metastasis in the targeted-therapy era.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective multi-institutional review of the medical records of 149 RCC patients with bone metastasis. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test.

Integrally calcified solitary fibrous tumor in the retroperitoneum: a case report and review of the literature.

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare stromal neoplasm and usually occurs in the thoracic cavity. We here report a case of retroperitoneal SFT with prominent calcification. A 64-year-old man presented with an incidentally detected retroperitoneal mass in the right upper abdomen.

Spontaneous hemorrhage from splenic tissue 13 years after total splenectomy: report of a case.

A 33-year-old man suffered sudden abdominal distension without traumatic episodes. He had undergone total splenectomy for hereditary spherocytosis 13 years ago. He was in shock, and his hemoglobin level was 10.

Spontaneous rupture of non-parasitic or non-neoplastic multiple and giant liver cysts: report of a case.

Simple liver cysts occasionally cause pressure symptoms of the abdomen. We herein report an extremely rare case of spontaneous rupture of simple liver cysts. A 65-year-old woman suffered abdominal fullness and dyspnea.

Lung Transplant for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension After Arterial Switch Operation.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension after arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries is an infrequent but life-threatening complication. We report successful lung transplantation in a case of pulmonary hypertension after arterial switch operation. Cardiopulmonary bypass outflow was established through the right subclavian and femoral arteries because of the previous arterial switch operation.

Efficacy and safety of docetaxel and prednisolone for castration-resistant prostate cancer: a multi-institutional retrospective study in Japan.

Objective: Although some new drugs for castration-resistant prostate cancer are available, docetaxel still plays an important role in castration-resistant prostate cancer treatment. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of docetaxel and prednisolone in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of castration-resistant prostate cancer patients who received docetaxel and prednisolone at 14 hospitals in the Sapporo Medical University Urologic Oncology Consortium from August 2004 to December 2011.

Uterine superficial serous carcinomas and extensive serous endometrial intraepithelial carcinomas: clinicopathological analysis of 6 patients.

Uterine superficial serous carcinoma (SSC) and serous endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma (SEIC) are unique malignancies found primarily in postmenopausal women. SSC and SEIC lesions measuring 1 cm or less are categorized as minimal uterine serous carcinoma (MUSC). Less well understood, however, the clinical behavior of SSC and SEIC lesions measuring more than 1 cm.

Uterine tumors resembling ovarian sex cord tumors (UTROSCT) with metastasis: clinicopathological study of two cases.

Uterine tumors with sex cord-like elements are divided in two groups; uterine tumors resembling ovarian sex cord tumors (UTROSCT), and endometrial stromal tumors with sex cord-like elements (ESTSCLE). UTROSCT is currently defined as the neoplasm predominantly or exclusively composed of sex cord-like elements, and generally behaves in a benign fashion. We studied two unusual cases of UTROSCT with metastasis.

Gastrointestinal Obstruction due to Solitary Lymph Node Recurrence of Alpha-Fetoprotein-Producing Gastric Carcinoma with Enteroblastic Differentiation.

We report an unusual case of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing gastric carcinoma with enteroblastic differentiation. A 75-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with occasional upper abdominal discomfort. We performed gastroscopy and observed a type 2 tumor, primarily in the pyloric region.

[A comparison of the single-use i-gel with the reusable laryngeal mask airway Proseal in anesthetized adult patients in Japanese population].

Background: The i-gel is a newly developed, cuffless and single-use supraglottic airway device with gastric drain conduit. This study was designed to compare the performance of the i-gel with the reusable LMA Proseal when used during anesthesia in spontaneously breathing adult patients.

Methods: One hundred adult patients were studied in a prospective randomized controlled study.