Immune complexome analysis reveals an autoimmune signature predictive of COVID-19 severity.

Background: The factors contributing to the development of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) following infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remain unclear. Although the presence of immune complexes (ICs), formed between antibodies and their antigens, has been linked to COVID-19 severity, their role requires further investigation, and the antigens within these ICs are yet to be characterized.

Method: Here, a C1q enzyme-liked immunosorbent assay and immune complexome analysis were used to determine IC concentrations and characterize IC antigens, respectively, in the sera of 64 unvaccinated COVID-19 patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, enrolled at seven participating centers in 2020.

Atrial Lesion and Diastolic Dysfunction May Be Associated With Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Cardiac Amyloidosis.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia associated with cardiac amyloidosis (CA). Diastolic dysfunction and atrial lesions have been reported in patients with AF fibrillation. We aimed to evaluate the diastolic function and atrial lesions in patients with CA and AF.

Internal Temperature of Neonatal Endotracheal Tube Predicted by Infrared Thermography: A Neonatal Bench Study.

Introduction: Neonatal ventilators are managed by monitoring the inspiratory gas temperature with a probe placed outside the incubator, although the temperature decreases as the gases passe through the ventilator circuit extension tube and endotracheal tube (ETT). There are no established methods for measuring the internal temperature of the ETT. This bench study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using infrared thermography (IRT) to predict the internal temperature of the ETT.

A Case of Fatal Fat Embolism Syndrome During Osteosynthesis Saved by Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) occurs when fat droplets from bone marrow or adipose tissue enter the circulation due to bone fractures or surgical interventions. It typically develops 12 to 72 hours after injury. However, fulminant FES, characterized by its rapid onset, is rare and can rapidly progress to a life-threatening condition.

Long-term survival after conversion surgery for an esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma: a case report.

Background: Esophageal neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are extremely rare. Published information on their clinical features, pathological findings, and prognosis is lacking. The optimal treatment for esophageal NECs has not yet been determined because they appear extremely malignant histologically and have a poor prognosis.

Five-item Modified Frailty Index in Elderly Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery Predicts Postoperative Complications.

Background/aim: Owing to underlying diseases and decreased physiological functions, frailty in elderly patients may be associated with adverse postoperative complications and mortality. To date, there are various frailty assessment methods, with the five-item modified frailty index (mFI-5) being an objective and concise evaluation tool. This study aimed to clarify whether mFI-5 scoring, a measure of frailty, can predict postoperative outcomes in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Elevated intestinal fatty acid-binding protein levels as a marker of portal hypertension and gastroesophageal varices in cirrhosis.

We measured intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) levels, a useful marker of small intestinal mucosal injury, in patients with cirrhosis to determine their relationship with liver function and complications. This cross-sectional study included 71 patients with cirrhosis admitted for treatment of cirrhotic complications or hepatocellular carcinoma (cohort A) and 104 patients with cirrhosis who received direct-acting antiviral therapy for HCV (cohort B). I-FABP levels, measured by ELISA, were evaluated relative to hepatic reserve and compared with non-invasive scoring systems for diagnostic performance in cirrhotic complications.

Impact of Implementation of a Region-Wide Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Management Clinical Pathway for the Secondary Prevention of Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Aggressive lipid-lowering therapy is important for secondary prevention of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The recommended target for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of <70 mg/dL is often not achieved. To address this gap, we implemented a clinical pathway in all hospitals that perform percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) with primary care physicians in Nagasaki and aimed to validate the effectiveness of this pathway in an acute setting.

Factors associated with readmission for community-onset pneumonia among older people: A retrospective study.

Background: Although older individuals are prone to pneumonia relapse, little real-world evidence is available on the main factors contributing to pneumonia recurrence. This study assessed the impact of patients' lifestyles on hospital readmission due to pneumonia recurrence.

Methods: We retrospectively included consecutive patients (aged ≥65 years) who were admitted for community-onset pneumonia.

Tubulointerstitial nephritis with storiform fibrosis in a patient with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

We present a case of an angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) and tubulointerstitial nephritis with storiform fibrosis in a 76-year-old man. The patient exhibited lymphadenopathy, polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, and renal dysfunction and was diagnosed with AITL on the basis of lymph node biopsy findings. The serum IgG4 level was highly elevated.

Clinical characteristics and analysis of prognostic factors in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis: A retrospective multicenter study in Japan.

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) caused by MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is associated with a high mortality rate. This study aimed to elucidate the characteristics of patients with MRSA-IE in Japan and identify the factors associated with prognosis.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with a confirmed diagnosis of IE caused by MRSA, between January 2015 and April 2019.

Development of a score model to predict long-term prognosis after community-onset pneumonia in older patients.

Background And Objective: The identification of factors associated with long-term prognosis after community-onset pneumonia in elderly patients should be considered when initiating advance care planning (ACP). We aimed to identify these factors and develop a prediction score model.

Methods: Patients aged 65 years and older, who were hospitalized for pneumonia at nine collaborating institutions, were included.

Ectopic Liver Tissue on the Gallbladder Wall Encountered During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Ectopic liver tissue is a rare developmental anomaly that is not directly connected to the liver. We encountered ectopic liver tissue on the surface of the gallbladder wall during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. It has vasculature arising from the liver parenchyma and is classified according to its branching pattern.

Pulmonary function and chest CT abnormalities 3 months after discharge from COVID-19, 2020-2021: A nation-wide multicenter prospective cohort study from the Japanese respiratory society.

Background: No comprehensive analysis of the pulmonary sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Japan based on respiratory function tests and chest computed tomography (CT) has been reported. We evaluated post-COVID-19 conditions, especially focusing on pulmonary sequelae assessed by pulmonary function tests and chest CT.

Methods: For this prospective cohort study, we enrolled 1069 patients who presented pneumonia at the time of admission in 55 hospitals from February 2020 to September 2021.