Early/prefibrotic primary myelofibrosis in patients who were initially diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia.

A new entity, namely early/prefibrotic primary myelofibrosis (PMF), was introduced as a subtype of PMF in the 2016 revised World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). It was diagnosed based on histopathological features of bone marrow (BM) biopsy specimens together with clinical parameters [leukocytosis, anemia, elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) values, and splenomegaly]. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of early/prefibrotic PMF in patients who were previously diagnosed with ET, and to compare clinical features at diagnosis and outcomes between early/prefibrotic PMF and essential thrombocythemia (ET) patients.

Impact of statin-ezetimibe combination on coronary atheroma plaque in patients with and without chronic kidney disease - Sub-analysis of PRECISE-IVUS trial.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) deteriorates the prognosis of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Because coronary artery disease (CAD) is the major cause of death in CKD patients, cardiovascular risk reduction has been clinically important in CKD. We hypothesized intensive lipid-lowering with statin/ezetimibe attenuated coronary atherosclerotic development even in patients with CKD.

Dose-dependent INhibitory effect of rosuVastatin In Japanese patienTs with Acute myocardial infarcTION on serum concentration of matrix metalloproteinases - INVITATION trial.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is mainly characterized by the rupture of lipid-rich vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been shown to play a critical role in inflammatory processes underlying plaque rupture. Some reports suggested statins inhibit the increased MMP levels after AMI.

[Experience of Nine Cases of Endoscopic Gastroduodenal Stenting for Malignant Gastroduodenal Obstruction].

Background: We reported our results of endoscopic gastroduodenal stenting for malignant gastroduodenal obstruction.

Methods: This retrospective study investigated cases of malignant gastric and duodenal obstruction treated with gastroduodenal stenting between April 2014 and December 2016.

Results: The mean operative time was 34 minutes.

Thrombohemorrhagic events, disease progression, and survival in polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia: a retrospective survey in Miyazaki prefecture, Japan.

Polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) are associated with life-threatening thrombohemorrhagic events, and disease progression and development of non-hematological malignancies also reduce long-term survival. We retrospectively surveyed thrombohemorrhagic events and overall survival (OS) in 62 PV and 117 ET patients. The cumulative incidences of thrombohemorrhagic events in PV and ET patients were 11.

Diabetes Mellitus Induces Hyperreactivity of 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-Induced Constriction in Human Internal Thoracic Artery and Is Associated with Increase in the Membrane Protein Level of 5-HT Receptor.

Studies indicate that 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) released from activated platelets in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) induces 5-HT receptor-mediated graft spasm. We previously reported that 5-HT-induced constriction of human endothelium-denuded saphenous vein (SV) was significantly augmented in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) than in patients without DM (non-DM), without changes in the levels of the membrane-bound 5-HT receptor of their smooth muscle cells. Although the internal thoracic artery (ITA) is the key graft conduit for CABG, the effect of DM on the ITA graft spasm is still unclear.

Prognostic Value of the CHADS Score for Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Coronary Artery Disease Patients Without Atrial Fibrillation-A Multi-Center Observational Cohort Study.

Background: The CHADS score has mainly been used to predict the likelihood of cerebrovascular accidents in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, increasing attention is being paid to this scoring system for risk stratification of patients with coronary artery disease. We investigated the value of the CHADS score in predicting cardiovascular/cerebrovascular events in coronary artery disease patients without atrial fibrillation.

Effects of mogamulizumab in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma in clinical practice.

Objective: The efficacy of mogamulizumab in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) was reported in a previous phase 2 study. Compared with patients in clinical trials, however, most patients in real-life settings have demonstrated worse outcomes.

Method: We retrospectively analyzed 96 patients with relapsed/refractory ATLL who received mogamulizumab treatment.

Lipid profile associated with coronary plaque regression in patients with acute coronary syndrome: Subanalysis of PRECISE-IVUS trial.

Background And Aims: Although dual low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)-lowering therapy (DLLT) with statin-ezetimibe combination showed clinical benefit in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) confirming "the lower, the better," the underlying mechanisms of DLLT are still unknown.

Methods: PRECISE-IVUS trial evaluated the effects of DLLT on IVUS-derived coronary atherosclerosis and lipid profile, compared with atorvastatin monotherapy, quantifying the coronary plaque response in 100 ACS patients. We explored the potential predictors of plaque regression.

Synergistic effect of ezetimibe addition on coronary atheroma regression in patients with prior statin therapy: Subanalysis of PRECISE-IVUS trial.

Background: The IMPROVE-IT trial showed that the clinical benefit of statin/ezetimibe combination appeared to be pronounced in patients with prior statin therapy. We hypothesized that the antiatherosclerotic effect of atorvastatin/ezetimibe combination was pronounced in patients with statin pretreatment.

Methods: In the prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter PRECISE-IVUS trial, 246 patients undergoing intravascular ultrasound-guided percutaneous coronary intervention were randomized to atorvastatin/ezetimibe combination or atorvastatin alone.

Fatal Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome: An Autopsy Case Report.

Unlabelled: As of June 2014, among six patients who had severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) at our hospital, an 83-year-old man died despite receiving appropriate critical care. An autopsy revealed extensive ischemic damage of the intra-abdominal organs, including the liver, spleen, stomach and gut, due to severe celiac atherosclerotic stenosis and superior mesenteric arterial thrombosis. Many SFTS virus nucleoprotein antigen-immunoreactive cells were detected in a paraaortic node, where necrotizing lymphadenitis was seen, and in the spleen.

Angiotensin II, as well as 5-hydroxytriptamine, is a potent vasospasm inducer of saphenous vein graft for coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important risk factor for adverse outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting. The bypass grafts harvested from patients with DM tend to go into spasm after their implantation into the coronary circulation. To clarify the contribution of 5-hydroxytriptamine (5-HT) and angiotensin II (AngII) in the bypass graft spasm, we examined the contractile reactivity to 5-HT or AngII of isolated human endothelium-denuded saphenous vein (SV) harvested from DM and non-DM patients.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome with myocardial dysfunction and encephalopathy: A case report.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease in China, Korea and Japan caused by a novel bunyavirus, SFTS virus (SFTSV). Although central nervous system manifestations are common in SFTS patients, the pathogenesis has not been elucidated; and there are few reports of myocardial dysfunction. Here we report an elderly Japanese patient with reversible myocardial dysfunction and encephalopathy.

Clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome between hospitals with and without onsite cardiac surgery backup.

Background: Based on the 2011 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) guideline, it is recommended that PCI should be performed at hospital with onsite cardiac surgery. But, data suggest that there is no significant difference in clinical outcomes following primary or elective PCI between the two groups. We examined the impact of with or without onsite cardiac surgery on clinical outcomes following PCI for acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

[A Case Report of Advanced Gastric Cancer Demonstrating CR after Treatment with S-1 and Paclitaxel].

Here, we report a case of advanced gastric cancer that demonstrated CR after treatment with S-1 and paclitaxel. The patient was an 80-year-old woman with gastric cancer in whom upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (GIF) revealed a type 3 tumor in the cardia of the stomach that was pathologically diagnosed as a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. Computed tomography showed no lymph node involvement or metastasis.

Unusual cystic hamartomatous lung lesion with clinical manifestation of subpleural bullae in a woman of reproductive age: A case report.

Pulmonary hamartoma is a common benign lung disorder, and most cases show solid nodules. Here, we documented the clinicopathological features of a growing, bulla-like, multilocular hamartomatous lung lesion in a woman of reproductive age. To the best of our knowledge, this disorder has not been reported in the literature to date.

Impact of Dual Lipid-Lowering Strategy With Ezetimibe and Atorvastatin on Coronary Plaque Regression in Patients With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: The Multicenter Randomized Controlled PRECISE-IVUS Trial.

Background: Despite standard statin therapy, a majority of patients retain a high "residual risk" of cardiovascular events.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ezetimibe plus atorvastatin versus atorvastatin monotherapy on the lipid profile and coronary atherosclerosis in Japanese patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: This trial was a prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter study.

Effect of pitavastatin on glucose, HbA1c and incident diabetes: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials in individuals without diabetes.

Aims: Whether adverse effect of statins on glycaemic indices is common to all statins remains controversial and as yet data for pitavastatin are limited. We sought to assess the effects of pitavastatin on glycaemia and new-onset diabetes (NOD) in non-diabetic individuals using data from RCT pooled together by means of a meta-analysis.

Materials And Methods: We searched Medline, Cochrane, Embase and clinical trials registries websites until November-2014 for ≥12-week follow-up placebo or statin-controlled RCT of pitavastatin that included participants without diabetes and reported on fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c or NOD.

Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation in elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: The number of elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has increased in Japan.

Patients And Methods: A total of 280 patients with HCC treated with endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) were enrolled in the present study. The patients were divided into two groups, an elderly group (≥ 70 years) and a non-elderly group (<70 years) and their clinical and survival data were compared.

Long-term results of endovascular repair for distal arch and descending thoracic aortic aneurysms treated by custom-made endografts: usefulness of fenestrated endografts.

Objective: We evaluated early and long-term results of atherosclerotic aneurysm repair with custom-made endografts.

Materials And Methods: Eighty-one consecutive patients underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair with custom-made endografts. Fenestrated grafts were used in 37 patients (45.

Plaque REgression with Cholesterol absorption Inhibitor or Synthesis inhibitor Evaluated by IntraVascular UltraSound (PRECISE-IVUS Trial): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Although the positive association between achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) has been confirmed by randomized studies with statins, many patients remain at high residual risk of events suggesting the necessity of novel pharmacologic strategies. The combination of ezetimibe/statin produces greater reductions in LDL-C compared to statin monotherapy.

Purpose: The Plaque REgression with Cholesterol absorption Inhibitor or Synthesis inhibitor Evaluated by IntraVascular UltraSound (PRECISE-IVUS) trial was aimed at evaluating the effects of ezetimibe addition to atorvastatin, compared with atorvastatin monotherapy, on coronary plaque regression and change in lipid profile in patients with CAD.

[Ten-year questionnaire survey on adult asthma patients in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan].

Objectives: To decrease the number of asthma deaths occurring in Miyazaki Prefecture in Japan by promoting guideline-based treatment through the bronchial asthma forum.

Methods: A self-completed questionnaire survey of adult asthma patients was conducted in Miyazaki Prefecture during the same season for 10 consecutive years from 1999 to 2008.

Results: A total of 7899 responses were collected from medical institutions throughout the prefecture.

[A case of gastric cancer treated with chemotherapy with weekly paclitaxel and expandable metallic stent placement that resulted in long-term quality of life].

We encountered a patient with gastric cancer who achieved long-term quality of life( QOL) by undergoing chemotherapy with weekly administration of paclitaxel and placement of an expandable metallic stent. An 82-year-old man visited our hospital with a complaint of discomfort during swallowing. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a type 3 tumor in the cardial part of the posterior wall of the stomach, which was pathologically diagnosed as a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma.

Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm: report of seven cases.

We reviewed 575 cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair performed in our institution from 1979 to 2010. In this group, 7 (1.2%) patients (mean age, 72.