Age over 90 years is an unfavorable prognostic factor for resectable cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

The rapid aging of the population has led to an increase in the number of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) cases among the older population. However, the characteristics of these cases remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify the problem by analyzing the clinical characteristics of patients with cSCC aged 90 years and over.

Heterotopic salivary duct inclusions in Warthin tumor - A cryptic histological finding involved in its pathogenesis.

Warthin tumor (WT) is the second most common benign parotid gland tumor after pleomorphic adenoma. WT is characterized by cystic and papillary proliferation of a two-layered oncocytic epithelium supported by lymphoid tissue. Heterotopic salivary duct inclusions (SDIs) are frequently observed in lymph nodes (LNs) of WT (SDI/LNs), and are thought to be the origin of WT.

Effects of meropenem supply restriction: A multicenter retrospective study.

Background: In Japan, the supply of one generic meropenem product was restricted from August 2022 to March 2023.

Objective: To determine the effects of meropenem (MEPM) restriction.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study comparing antimicrobial use, bacteremia mortality, and drug-resistant bacteria detected before the restriction of MEPM (control period), from September 2021 to February 2022, and after the restriction of MEPM (MEPM supply restriction period), from September 2022 to February 2023, in five institutions.

Inhibitory Effects of Eicosapentaenoic Acid on Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Induced Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1, Interleukin-6, and Interleukin-8 in Human Vascular Endothelial Cells.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and plays an important role in vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. We investigated the mechanisms of VEGF-induced MCP-1 expression and the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) demonstrated that VEGF enhanced MCP-1 gene expression and protein secretion in HUVECs.

Autocrine Regulation of Interleukin-6 via the Activation of STAT3 and Akt in Cardiac Myxoma Cells.

Plasma concentrations of a pleiotropic cytokine, interleukin (IL)-6, are increased in patients with cardiac myxoma. We investigated the regulation of IL-6 in cardiac myxoma. Immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed that IL-6 and its receptors, IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and gp130, co-existed in the myxoma cells.

Microbleeds and clinical outcome in acute mild stroke patients treated with antiplatelet therapy: ADS post-hoc analysis.

Background And Purpose: In this post-hoc analysis using acute dual study dataset, the impacts of cerebral microbleeds (MBs) after mild stroke on clinical outcome were investigated.

Methods: The number of MBs on admission was categorized as 1) no MBs, 2) MBs 1-4, 3) MBs 5-9, and 4) MBs ≥ 10. The efficacy outcome was defined as neurological deterioration and stroke recurrence within 14 days.

Cilostazol Addition to Aspirin could not Reduce the Neurological Deterioration in TOAST Subtypes: ADS Post-Hoc Analysis.

Background: Our previous trial acute dual study (ADS) reported that dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) using cilostazol and aspirin did not reduce the rate of short-term neurological worsening in non-cardioembolic stroke patients. Present post-hoc analysis investigated whether the impact of combined cilostazol and aspirin differed among stroke subtypes and factors associated with neurological deterioration and/or stroke recurrence.

Methods: Using the ADS registry, the rate of neurological deterioration, defined as clinical worsening and/or recurrent stroke, including transient ischemic attack was calculated.

Cilostazol uncovers covert atrial fibrillation in non-cardioembolic stroke.

Background: We hypothesized that administration of cilostazol may clarify the occult atrial fibrillation (AF) during hospitalization in mild stroke patients, who has no history of AF.

Methods: From our prospective non-cardioembolic stroke study, randomized to dual antiplatelet therapy using cilostazol and aspirin or aspirin alone trial (ADS), data on the presence or absence of AF were retrospectively analyzed. In the ADS, during hospitalization, as a routine examination, presence of AF was investigated using electrocardiogram (ECG), ECG monitoring and Holter ECG.

Acute Aspirin Plus Cilostazol Dual Therapy for Noncardioembolic Stroke Patients Within 48 Hours of Symptom Onset.

Background The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of antiplatelet (aspirin plus cilostazol) dual therapy for patients with noncardioembolic stroke within 48 hours of symptom onset. Methods and Results The ADS (Acute Aspirin Plus Cilostazol Dual Therapy for Non-Cardiogenic Stroke Patients Within 48 Hours of Symptom Onset ) study is an investigator-initiated, prospective, multicenter (34 hospitals in Japan), randomized, open-label, and aspirin-controlled trial. Acute stroke patients with noncardioembolic stroke within 48 hours of onset were studied.

Prior Anticoagulation and Short- or Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation.

Background We aimed to clarify associations between prior anticoagulation and short- or long-term clinical outcomes in ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Methods and Results A total of 1189 ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who were hospitalized within 7 days after onset were analyzed. Of these, 813 patients (68.

Two-Year Outcomes of Anticoagulation for Acute Ischemic Stroke With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation - SAMURAI-NVAF Study.

Background: We determined the 2-year long-term risk-benefit profile in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) receiving warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) using a prospective, multicenter, observational registry in Japan.

Methods and results: NVAF patients within 7 days after onset of ischemic stroke/TIA were enrolled in 18 stroke centers. Outcome measures included ischemic and bleeding events and death in the 2-year follow-up period.

Associations between Pre-Admission Risk Scores and Two-Year Clinical Outcomes in Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: We aimed to clarify associations between pre-admission risk scores (CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and HAS-BLED) and 2-year clinical outcomes in ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) using a prospective, multicenter, observational registry.

Methods: From 18 Japanese stroke centers, ischemic stroke or TIA patients with NVAF hospitalized within 7 days after onset were enrolled. Outcome measures were defined as death/disability (modified Rankin Scale score ≥3) at 2 years, 2-year mortality, and ischemic or hemorrhagic events within 2 years.

Higher Risk of Ischemic Events in Secondary Prevention for Patients With Persistent Than Those With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

Background And Purpose: The discrimination between paroxysmal and sustained (persistent or permanent) atrial fibrillation (AF) has not been considered in the approach to secondary stroke prevention. We aimed to assess the differences in clinical outcomes between mostly anticoagulated patients with sustained and paroxysmal AF who had previous ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack.

Methods: Using data from 1192 nonvalvular AF patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack who were registered in the SAMURAI-NVAF study (Stroke Management With Urgent Risk-Factor Assessment and Improvement-Nonvalvular AF; a prospective, multicenter, observational study), we divided patients into those with paroxysmal AF and those with sustained AF.

Three-month risk-benefit profile of anticoagulation after stroke with atrial fibrillation: The SAMURAI-Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation (NVAF) study.

Aims: This study was performed to determine the short-term risk-benefit profiles of patients treated with oral anticoagulation for acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack using a multicenter, prospective registry.

Methods: A total of 1137 patients (645 men, 77 ± 10 years old) with acute ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack taking warfarin (662 patients) or non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (dabigatran in 205, rivaroxaban in 245, apixaban in 25 patients) for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who completed a three-month follow-up survey were studied. Choice of anticoagulants was not randomized.

Trends in oral anticoagulant choice for acute stroke patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in Japan: the SAMURAI-NVAF study.

Background: Large clinical trials are lack of data on non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants for acute stroke patients.

Aim: To evaluate the choice of oral anticoagulants at acute hospital discharge in stroke patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and clarify the underlying characteristics potentially affecting that choice using the multicenter Stroke Acute Management with Urgent Risk-factor Assessment and Improvement-NVAF registry (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01581502).