Effect of a blood culture collection bundle on decreasing the contamination rate.

In this study, we examined the effect of a bundled approach to blood collection for blood culture on decreasing contamination. Commensal organisms were considered contaminants on the basis of the clinical course if they were recovered from only a single blood draw (set) and if a positive result for two sets was not obtained within 72 hours. The main elements of the bundle were blood collection by venipuncture, skin preparation with a chlorhexidine alcohol swab, disinfection of culture bottles, and use of a sterile blood transfer device instead of the two-needle technique for inoculation.

Proteomic serum profiles before and after lipoprotein apheresis in patients with peripheral artery disease with ulceration.

Introduction: The efficacy of lipoprotein apheresis (LA) in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has been primarily attributed to its anti-atherosclerotic effects through the adsorption of lipoproteins. However, the other potential effects of LA remain unknown. We evaluated changes in serum profiles before and after LA using a comprehensive analysis to explore the underlying mechanism.

Effective combination of corticosteroid and cyclosporine A for immunoglobulin A nephropathy with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis features: a case report.

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide with heterogeneous histopathological phenotypes. Although IgAN with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN)-like features has been reported in children and adults, treatment strategies for this rare IgAN subtype have not been established. Here, we present the case of a 56-year-old man with no history of kidney disease who initially presented with nephrotic syndrome.

Transcriptomic and genetic profiling in a spontaneous non-human primate model of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) afflicts humans, cats, pigs, and rhesus macaques. Disease sequelae include congestive heart failure, thromboembolism, and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Sarcomeric mutations explain some human and cat cases, however, the molecular basis in rhesus macaques remains unknown.

Improved visibility of palisade vessels within Barrett's esophagus using red dichromatic imaging: a retrospective cross-sectional study in Japan.

Background/aims: Visualization of palisade vessels (PVs) in Barrett's esophagus is crucial for proper assessment. This study aimed to determine whether red dichromatic imaging (RDI) improves PV visibility compared with white-light imaging (WLI) and narrow-band imaging (NBI).

Methods: Five expert and trainee endoscopists evaluated the PV visibility in Barrett's esophagus using WLI, NBI, and RDI on 66 images from 22 patients.

Japanese clinical practice guidelines for oral cancer, 2023.

The Japanese Society of Oral Oncology and Japanese Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons have jointly developed clinical practice guidelines for oral cancer (oral squamous cell carcinoma) to improve and standardize the quality of oral cancer treatment in Japan. The first, second, and third editions were published in 2009, 2013, and 2019, respectively, and the 2023 edition was recently developed. In the development of the 2023 edition, 60 clinical questions (CQs) were listed.

Flattened red nucleus in progressive supranuclear palsy detected by quantitative susceptibility mapping.

Introduction: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) involves midbrain structures, including the red nucleus (RN), an iron-rich region that appears as a high-contrast area on quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). RN may serve as a promising biomarker for differentiating parkinsonism. However, RN deformation in PSP remains elusive.

Case report: Duplication of the gene is a novel cause of nesidioblastosis: evidence from a case with Silver-Russell syndrome-like phenotype related to chromosome 7.

Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is a syndrome characterized by prenatal and postnatal growth retardation, facial features, and body asymmetry. SRS is often complicated with hypoglycemia, whose etiology is unclear. We describe the clinical course of 25-year-old man with hypoglycemia.

Design and Characterization of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Kappa-Carrageenan Pickering Emulsion Biocomposite Films for Potential Wound Care Applications.

This study aimed to develop polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and kappa-carrageenan (κCA) biocomposite films using a Pickering emulsion technique for wound care applications. Juniper essential oil and modified sepiolite were incorporated to enhance functionality, with films prepared via solvent casting and characterized for structural, thermal, and mechanical properties. The PCOS-2 film exhibited the highest mechanical performance, with Young's modulus of 6.

Predictors of rituximab efficacy in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease: machine-learning analysis of the DESIRES trial.

Objectives: Rituximab is emerging as a promising therapeutic option for systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). However, little is known about factors that predict the efficacy of rituximab in SSc-ILD.

Methods: A post-hoc analysis was performed on prospective data from 48 patients with SSc-ILD in the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled DESIRES trial.

A Case of Early-Stage Lower Uterine Segment Carcinoma With Hysteroscopic Observation of Visual Changes Induced by a Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Antagonist.

Endometrial carcinomas in the isthmus are called lower uterine segment (LUS) cancers. It is a rare location among uterine cancers and is known to be associated with Lynch syndrome, which tends to occur at a young age. Preoperative diagnosis may be difficult due to its anatomical location, and the prognosis is poorer than that of uterine cancer in general.

Saving a hopeless tooth with a four-wall bone defect: A case report.

Background: Recombinant human fibroblast growth factor-2 (rhFGF-2) has been shown to effectively promote the formation of new periodontal tissues, and its efficacy has been demonstrated in clinical settings. Moreover, the clinical and radiographic outcomes in the treatment of periodontal infrabony defects can be improved by using rhFGF-2 in combination with a bone substitute. Here, we present a case of four-wall bone defect in a tooth treated by combination regenerative therapy using rhFGF-2 and beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP).

Association of preconception premenstrual disorders with perinatal depression: an analysis of the perinatal clinical database of a single Japanese institution.

Background: Recent studies have identified premenstrual disorders (PMDs) as a risk factor for postpartum depression. However, routine screening for preconception PMDs is not yet common in Japan. This study investigated the association between preconception PMDs and perinatal depression in a single tertiary care setting.

A rare case of cervical myelopathy due to a bipartite atlas: degenerative complications and surgical outcome. Illustrative case.

Background: A bipartite atlas is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by incomplete fusion of the anterior and posterior arches of the first cervical vertebra (C1). While typically asymptomatic, this condition can result in cervical myelopathy when accompanied by degenerative changes. This report presents a rare case of cervical myelopathy caused by a bipartite atlas in an older patient that required surgical intervention.

[Interictal burden of migraine and its evaluations: a literature review].

We conducted a targeted literature review on patient burden during the interictal period of migraine. The results of the literature review revealed that: (1) migraine-associated burden persists into the interictal period and is not confined to the headache episodes themselves; (2) anxiety over the possible recurrence of headache episodes is a factor that reduces daily activities and quality of life (QOL); and (3) prophylactic treatment with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antibody drugs may reduce the burden during the interictal period. From these findings, it is considered important in migraine treatment to identify the unmet needs of patients, including the burden during the interictal period, and to select an appropriate treatment method based on the burden experienced by individual patients.

Prediction of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Hepatitis C Virus Sustained Virologic Response Using a Random Survival Forest Model.

Purpose: Postsustained virologic response (SVR) screening following clinical guidelines does not address individual risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our aim is to provide tailored screening for patients using machine learning to predict HCC incidence after SVR.

Methods: Using clinical data from 1,028 SVR patients, we developed an HCC prediction model using a random survival forest (RSF).

Validating knowledge-based volumetric modulated arc therapy plans with a multi-institution model (broad model) using a complete open-loop dataset for prostate cancer.

This study examined the characteristics of the broad model (KBP) through a complete open-loop evaluation of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans for prostate cancer in 30 patients at two institutions. KBP, trained using 561 prostate cancer VMAT plans from five institutions with different treatment protocols, was shared with two institutions. The institutions were not involved in the creation of KBP.

Relationship Between Severity of Ischemia and Coronary Artery Disease for Different Stress Test Modalities in the ISCHEMIA Trial.

Background: The relationship between the extent and severity of stress-induced ischemia and the extent and severity of anatomic coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with obstructive CAD is multifactorial and includes the intensity of stress achieved, type of testing used, presence and extent of prior infarction, collateral blood flow, plaque characteristics, microvascular disease, coronary vasomotor tone, and genetic factors. Among chronic coronary disease participants with site-determined moderate or severe ischemia, we investigated associations between ischemia severity on stress testing and the extent of CAD on coronary computed tomography angiography.

Methods: Clinically indicated stress testing included nuclear imaging, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, or nonimaging exercise tolerance test.

Relationship Between the Sagittal and Coronary Alignment of the Tibiofemoral Joint and the Medial Meniscus Extrusion in Knee Osteoarthritis.

: This study aims to clarify the reproducibility, validity, and accuracy of tibial external-rotation alignment evaluation using ultrasound imaging and to investigate the relationship between medial meniscus extrusion (MME) and tibiofemoral alignment in both the sagittal and coronal planes in knee osteoarthritis (OA). : Study 1 included 10 healthy participants. The tibial external-rotation angle was calculated using MRI.

The p.R66W Variant in Causes Severe Fetopathy Through Variant-Specific Mechanisms.

encodes a small GTPase of the Rho family that plays a critical role in actin cytoskeleton remodeling and intracellular signaling regulation. Pathogenic variants in , all of which reported thus far affect conserved residues within its functional domains, have been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by diverse phenotypic features, including structural brain anomalies and facial dysmorphism (NEDBAF). Recently, a novel de novo variant (NM_005052.

Immune-Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score Predicts Therapeutic Effect of Pembrolizumab in Recurrent and Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer.

Background: Previously, we proposed that the immune-modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (imGPS), which adds the lymphocyte count to the mGPS, is helpful as a prognostic marker for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In this study, we investigated the imGPS as a marker for the therapeutic effect of pembrolizumab in treating recurrent and metastatic head and neck cancer (RMHNC).

Methods: This study included RMHNC patients who were treated with pembrolizumab from December 2019 to April 2024.

Identification of specific microbiota members that induce beige fat biogenesis in response to dietary cues.

Activation of brown and beige fat biogenesis promotes metabolic health in rodents and humans, but typically requires cold exposure or pharmacological activation of β-adrenergic receptors, which may pose cardiovascular risks. Dietary intervention represents a clinically viable alternative strategy to induce beige cells and thus enhance metabolic health, though the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified specific microbiota members in both mice and humans that promote browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) and ameliorate metabolic disorders in the context of a low-protein diet (LPD).