Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and gallbladder polyp development: an observational study.

The influence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) on gallbladder polyp development in both sexes remains elusive. Therefore, to clarify the role of MASLD in gallbladder polyp development, we investigated the longitudinal association between MASLD and gallbladder polyps. In this observational study, we included 5,527 gallbladder polyp-free patients who underwent > 2 health check-ups over > 2 years.

The association between alcohol consumption and cardiometabolic factors and liver fibrosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-associated liver disease.

Background: The relationships between alcohol consumption, cardiometabolic factors, and liver fibrosis in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and those with metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-associated liver disease remain unclear.

Aims: To investigate the longitudinal associations among alcohol consumption, cardiometabolic factors, and liver fibrosis in patients with these two liver diseases.

Methods: This observational cohort study included 1866 patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and 521 patients with metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-associated liver disease who underwent > two health checkups over >2 years.

Reliable Stenosis Detection Based on Thrill Waveform Analysis Using Non-Contact Arteriovenous Fistula Imaging.

Hemodialysis therapy is an extracorporeal circulation treatment that serves as a substitute for renal function. In Japan, patients receive this efficient four-hour treatment, three times per week, allowing them to maintain a social life nearly equivalent to that of healthy individuals. Before the treatment, two punctures are performed to establish extracorporeal circulation, and a high blood flow rate is essential to ensure efficient therapy.

Phenotypic and genetic spectra of galactose mutarotase deficiency: A nationwide survey conducted in Japan.

Purpose: Galactose mutarotase (GALM) deficiency was first reported in 2019 as the fourth type of galactosemia. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and genotypic spectra of GALM deficiency.

Methods: This was a questionnaire-based retrospective survey conducted in Japan between February 2022 and March 2023.

Association of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease with gallstone development: A longitudinal study.

Background And Aim: The influence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease on gallstone development remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the longitudinal association between metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and gallstone development in both men and women.

Methods: This observational cohort study included 5398 patients without gallstones who underwent > 2 health check-ups between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2020.

A case of atopic cough with aphonia showed a prominent response to a histamine H receptor antagonist.

A 33-year-old woman admitted to our hospital for further examination of severe non-productive cough lasting for about two months. Her symptom did not ameliorate by treatments including long acting β agonists. She had a medical history of drug allergy to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Influence of alcohol on newly developed metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in both sexes: A longitudinal study.

Background & Aims: The influence of changes in alcohol consumption on newly developed metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is unclear. We investigated the influence of alcohol consumption on newly developed MAFLD in both sexes.

Methods: This observational cohort study included 4071 patients who underwent more than two health check-ups between 2015 and 2020 over an interval of more than a year.

Clinical significance of fractional exhaled nitric oxide and periostin as potential markers to assess therapeutic efficacy in patients with cough variant asthma.

Background: In Japan, cough variant asthma (CVA) is the most common etiology of chronic cough. Contrary to substantial progress in understanding the roles of various factors in classic asthma, little is known regarding the pathogenesis and development of CVA. Furthermore, few studies have explored valuable biomarkers for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of patients with CVA.

Influence of Alcohol Consumption on the Development of Erosive Esophagitis in Both Sexes: A Longitudinal Study.

The influence of changes in alcohol consumption on erosive esophagitis (EE) development in both sexes is unclear. This observational study investigated sex differences in the influence of alcohol consumption on EE development, and included 2582 patients without EE at baseline from 13,448 patients who underwent >2 health check-ups over >1 year. The rates of non-drinkers who started drinking, and drinkers who abstained from drinking, who increased, and who decreased their weekly alcohol consumption were 7.

Pathological Evaluation of Resected Colorectal Liver Metastases: mFOLFOX6 Plus Bevacizumab versus mFOLFOX6 Plus Cetuximab in the Phase II ATOM Trial.

We compared the preplanned histopathological responses of resected liver metastases from patients who received modified FOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab or modified FOLFOX6 plus cetuximab for liver-limited colorectal metastases in the ATOM trial. Fibrosis and viable tumor cells in tumor regression grade (TRG), infarct-like necrosis in modified TRG (mTRG), and dangerous halo (DH) were assessed. Fifty-five patients (28 and 27 patients in the bevacizumab and cetuximab arms, respectively) were divided into the low (viable tumor cells ≤ 50%) and high (>50%) TRG or mTRG groups.

The efficacy of mass screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using screening questionnaires in a medical health check-up population.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable disease, highlighting the need for efficient screening strategies to identify patients with COPD. However, there is little evidence regarding the efficacy of mass screening for COPD, and no epidemiological studies on COPD have been conducted in the Shikoku region of Japan.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we originally investigated the efficacy of mass screening for COPD among community residents in the aforementioned region using two COPD screening questionnaires.

Frequency and component analysis of contaminants generated in preparation of anticancer agents using closed system drug transfer devices (CSTDs).

Occupational exposure of anticancer agents during their preparation has been recognized as a serious hazard. Closed system drug transfer devices (CSTDs) enable "safe" preparation of agents for medical personnel and ensure a safe hospital environment. However, artificial particles of infusion materials have been reported during CSTD use.

A rare case of invasive thymoma presented a dramatic response to low-dose prednisolone as a single-drug therapy.

A 76-year-old woman with a history of angina pectoris, hypertension and dyslipidemia was pointed out an abnormal opacity in the right hilar region on routine chest X-ray. Chest computed tomography showed masses in the anterior mediastinum with the invasion of the adjacent ascending aorta, right brachiocephalic vein and right pleura. Histologic examination led to a diagnosis of Masaoka stage IVa thymoma.

A case of chest tightness variant asthma : the usefulness of fractional exhaled nitric oxide as a marker for the diagnosis and clinical improvement.

A 50-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for further examination of severe constricting pain at the right-side dominant anterior chest. She had medical history of outgrown childhood asthma and allergies to several animals. Chest auscultation revealed no wheezes, rhonchi and other crackles.

Differences in Several Factors in the Development of Erosive Esophagitis Among Patients at Various Stages of Metabolic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Erosive esophagitis (EE) is strongly associated with metabolic syndrome (MS), but is not always recognized in individuals with MS and the prevalence of EE in individuals with non-MS is not low.

Aim: To examine the differences in clinical factors associated with EE at various stages of MS, as well as the differences in metabolites between subjects with MS, with and without EE.

Methods: A total of 7,097 persons who underwent health checkups including esophagogastroduodenoscopy were analyzed.

The clinical usefulness of a new hand-held device for fractional exhaled nitric oxide measurement, NIOX VERO®, for diagnosing the etiology of cough.

Cough is one of the most common symptoms seen in clinical practice, however the differential diagnosis is often difficult. The utility of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurement in the differential diagnosis of the etiology of cough has been reported. NIOX VERO® (NOV) is a new hand-held device that will replace NIOX MINO®, but its diagnostic utility has not been fully elucidated in clinical practice.

Differences among patients with and without nonalcoholic fatty liver disease having elevated alanine aminotransferase levels at various stages of metabolic syndrome.

Background: The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the non-obese population has increased and NAFLD is not always recognized in individuals with metabolic syndrome (MS). The risk of cirrhosis is higher in patients having NAFLD with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels than in those having NAFLD with normal ALT levels.

Objective: To measure the differences in clinical factors associated with NAFLD having elevation of ALT among subjects with Non-MS, Pre-MS, and MS, and to measure differences in metabolites between MS subjects with and without NAFLD having elevation of ALT.

Phase 1 Dose-Escalation Study of Triweekly Nab-Paclitaxel Combined With S-1 for HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy, toxicity, maximum tolerated dose, and recommended dose of triweekly nab-paclitaxel (nab-PTX) and S-1 combination chemotherapy for patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Patients And Methods: This phase 1 study was conducted with a standard 3 + 3 dose escalation design. Every 3 weeks, the patients received nab-PTX at 180-260 mg/m on day 1 and S-1 at 65-80 mg/m daily on days 1 to 14.

Effects of audio and visual distraction on patients' vital signs and tolerance during esophagogastroduodenoscopy: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) provides an indispensable and unambiguous inspection allowing the discovery upper gastrointestinal lesions. However, many patients are anxious about undergoing EGD. Few studies have investigated the influence on patients' vital signs and tolerance during EGD using subjective and objective assessments.