Haemodynamic Assessment and Outcomes of Aortic Valvuloplasty for Aortic Regurgitation in Patients with Bicuspid Aortic Valve.

Aortic valvuloplasty for bicuspid aortic valve carries a risk of postoperative stenosis. We evaluated the haemodynamic differences between aortic valvuloplasty for bicuspid aortic valve, tricuspid aortic valve, and aortic valve replacement by echocardiography. We also assessed whether a higher postoperative pressure gradient affects the outcomes of aortic valvuloplasty for bicuspid aortic valve.

Arrhythmia Induced by Positional Change Under General Anesthesia Related to Caudal Movement of the Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheter: A Case Report.

The novel case report of a temporary arrhythmia that developed after a positional change in a patient under general anesthesia emphasizes the possibility of potentially lethal cardiac arrhythmias that may develop owing to caudal movement of the peripherally inserted central venous catheter ([CVC] PICC) tip when changing patient positions. We present a case of temporary arrhythmia that developed after a positional change in a 44-year-old female patient scheduled for laparoscopic adrenalectomy under general anesthesia. She had undergone preoperative insertion of a PICC using an electrocardiogram (ECG)-guided tip confirmation system (TCS).

Research team diversity impacts scientific output in allergy and immunology programs.

Background: This study examined the relationship between the disciplinary diversity of research teams and research output (RO) in allergy and immunology programs funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States, Medical Research Council (MRC) in the United Kingdom, and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).

Methods: Using a dataset containing 1243, 3645, and 1468 articles funded by the NIH, MRC, and JSPS, respectively, we analyzed the correlation between disciplinary diversity and RO in allergy and immunology programs that received grants from 2017 to 2021. Diversity was measured using All Science Journal Classification codes counts, Shannon-Wiener index, and newly developed Omnidisciplinary index (o-index).

Utility of 3D double-echo steady-state with water excitation (3D-DESS-WE) in diagnosing intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma: A case report.

Differentiating intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma from other parotid tumors, particularly pleomorphic adenoma, is clinically crucial due to significant differences in treatment approaches. We report a case of a male patient in his 70s presenting with a left parotid mass. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed a mass within the left parotid gland exhibiting the characteristic ``target sign''.

The Milan Score Predicts Objective Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Patients With Type 2 Esophagogastric Junction.

Introduction: High-resolution manometry (HRM) allows assessment of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) disruption. While type 3 EGJ predicts definitive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), type 2 EGJ is less clearly implicated in GERD pathogenesis. This study aimed to characterize physiologic findings in type 2 EGJ to determine if the HRM-based Milan Score can define GERD within type 2 EGJ.

Blood DNA virome associates with autoimmune diseases and COVID-19.

Aberrant immune responses to viral pathogens contribute to pathogenesis, but our understanding of pathological immune responses caused by viruses within the human virome, especially at a population scale, remains limited. We analyzed whole-genome sequencing datasets of 6,321 Japanese individuals, including patients with autoimmune diseases (psoriasis vulgaris, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) or multiple sclerosis) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), or healthy controls. We systematically quantified two constituents of the blood DNA virome, endogenous HHV-6 (eHHV-6) and anellovirus.

ARID4B Promotes the Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through the PI3K/AKT Pathway.

Background: AT-rich interaction domain 4B (ARID4B) is a transcriptional activator that regulates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway in prostate cancer. However, the role of ARID4B in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has remained unclear.

Methods: This study included 162 patients who had undergone primary hepatic resection for HCC between 2008 and 2019.

Comprehensive epidemiology of melanoma at all sites: insights from Japan's National Cancer Registry, 2016-2017.

Background: Melanoma is a highly malignant cancer responsible for 55 000 deaths worldwide annually. Despite its severity, its epidemiology in Japan remains understudied owing to its rarity among Asians. This study aimed to determine the incidence of melanoma in Japan using data from the National Cancer Registry.

Impact of frailty and prevalent fractures on the long-term prognosis of patients with cirrhosis: a retrospective study.

Frailty and fractures are closely associated with adverse clinical outcomes. This retrospective study investigated the prognostic impact of frailty, prevalent fractures, and the coexistence of both in patients with cirrhosis. Frailty was defined according to the Fried frailty phenotype criteria: weight loss, weakness, exhaustion, slowness, and low physical activity.

Fam102a translocates Runx2 and Rbpjl to facilitate Osterix expression and bone formation.

Bone remodeling maintains the robustness of the bone tissue by balancing bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. Although these cells together play a crucial role in bone remodeling, only a few reports are available on the common factors involved in the differentiation of the two types of cells. Here, we show family with sequence similarity 102 member A (Fam102a) as a bone-remodeling factor that positively regulates both osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation.

Tight Anastomosis of the Pancreatojejunostomy During Pancreatoduodenectomy May Cause Late Acute Pancreatitis.

Background/aim: To investigate risk factors of late acute remnant pancreatitis after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD), we propose the use of a suturing pitch calculated based on the diameter of the main pancreatic duct and the number of sutures used in the pancreatic duct-to-mucosa anastomosis. This study aimed to determine whether the suturing pitch can predict late acute pancreatitis following PD.

Patients And Methods: This study included 142 patients who underwent elective PD.

Lipoprotein(a) as a Predictor of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver After Pancreatectomy.

Background/aim: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is a complex protein involved in the transport of insoluble lipids in plasma. Its expression is predominantly genetically determined, with 70% to over 90% influenced by the number of Kringle IV type 2 domains. This study investigated the association between preoperative serum Lp(a) level and development of post-pancreatectomy nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients who underwent pancreatectomy.

Relationship between Neovascularization and Aortic Wall Enhancement in Type A Aortic Dissection.

Background:  Aortic wall enhancement (AWE), evaluated with computed tomography angiography in Type B aortic dissection, is associated with aortic remodeling. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between AWE and pathological findings of the aortic wall using an aortic wall sample from a Type A aortic dissection (TAD).

Methods:  We examined patients with TAD treated between January 2012 and February 2023.

Impact of radiotherapy-related late toxicities of skin and soft tissue in the neck on quality of life in head and neck cancer patients: a multi-institutional observational study in Japan.

Purpose: This multi-institutional observational study aimed to assess the incidence, severity, and impact of radiotherapy-related late toxicities of the cervical skin and soft tissue in head and neck cancer patients. We also explored patient interest in fat grafting as a potential treatment for skin and soft tissue sequelae.

Methods: This study was conducted across 19 institutions in Japan.

Microbial alpha diversity in the intestine negatively correlated with disease duration in patients with Meniere's disease.

Ménière's disease (MD) is characterized by loss of balance and hearing disorders. Although there is known to be endolymphatic hydrops involved in the pathological process, the pathogenesis of the disease is still largely unclear. Approximately half of patients with MD suffer from depressive symptoms and high levels of several stress hormones were observed in MD and depression, simultaneously.

Sensory regulation of meal sorting in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Meal sorting in mosquitoes is a phenomenon whereby ingested blood and sugar meals are directed to different destinations in the alimentary canal. We undertake a systematic analysis and show that entry of blood in the midgut is influenced by blood components, temperature, and feeding mode, while sugar solutions are directed to the crop in a dose-dependent manner. Sweet and nutritive sugars, like sucrose and maltose, enter the crop more efficiently compared to non-sweet or non-nutritive sugars.

Initial experience of a novel surgical assist robot "Saroa" featuring tactile feedback and a roll-clutch system in radical prostatectomy.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Saroa Surgical Robot System in robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP). We enrolled 60 patients who underwent RARP using either the Saroa (n = 9) or da Vinci Xi (n = 51) systems at Jikei University Kashiwa Hospital from January 2022 to March 2024. We compared preoperative characteristics, perioperative outcomes, complications, and postoperative urinary continence at three months between the two groups.

Effect of heart rate on B-type natriuretic peptide in sinus rhythm.

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels accurately reflect the degree of cardiac overload in heart failure. Considering cardiac morphology and intracardiac pressure, including the left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI) and left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), is essential for cardiac overload assessment. These indexes influence plasma BNP levels, and high heart rate is likely associated with cardiac morphology.

Peritoneal Dissemination and Malignant Ascites in Duodenal Cancer Successfully Treated With Adoptive Cell Therapy Using WT1- and MUC1-Pulsed Dendritic Cells and Activated T Cells With No Adverse Effects: A Case Report.

A satisfactory treatment for the dissemination of duodenal cancer has not yet been established. We describe a case of peritoneal dissemination and malignant ascites in duodenal cancer that was successfully treated with adoptive cell therapy with no adverse effects. A 72-year-old Japanese male patient with primary duodenal cancer with distal lymph node metastases received chemotherapy with S-1, an oral pyrimidine fluoridederived agent, and oxaliplatin after gastrojejunal bypass, which resulted in tumor shrinkage; however, peritoneal dissemination developed.

Dissociative Identity Disorder Cotreated With Zinc and L-carnosine: A Case Report.

Little is known about the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy in dissociative identity disorder (DID). Zinc is essential for proper brain function. Its deficiency can lead to mental health symptoms, possibly contributing to dissociation.

Non-adrenergic vasopressors for vasodilatory shock or perioperative vasoplegia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Excessive exposure to adrenergic vasopressors may be harmful. Non-adrenergic vasopressors may spare adrenergic agents and potentially improve outcomes. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy of non-adrenergic vasopressors in adult patients receiving vasopressor therapy for vasodilatory shock or perioperative vasoplegia.

Efficacy of the Triple-Dose Prophylactic Vitamin K Regimen in Healthy Neonates and Evaluation of the Utility of Vitamin K Deficiency Screening.

Background: In Japan, three doses of vitamin K are administered to neonates as prophylactic regimens against vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of this prophylactic vitamin K regimen using the hepaplastin test (HPT) performed one, two weeks, and one month after birth. The secondary aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of HPT screening in healthy neonates.