Models for pure tone audiometry enabling computational evaluation: Introduction to Japanese extensive experiences.

Pure tone audiometry including "masking" is the most basic test in audiological medicine. Masking is based on theoretical models of sound perception and propagation and has been widely discussed since the 1950s. In Japan, such discussion has been conducted extensively, starting from early periods up to recent times, with success to enable mathematical simulation, but the achievements have little been disclosed to the English-speaking world.

Immunotherapy-extended survival in patients with recurrent pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma following surgery.

Objective: Pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma is a relatively rare and aggressive subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with a poor prognosis and early recurrence, and is resistant to conventional therapies. This study investigated the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in improving the survival outcomes of patients with pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma with postoperative recurrence.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 71 patients with pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma who underwent pulmonary resection at Tokyo Medical University Hospital between 2008 and 2022.

The effect of using walking poles on the spatiotemporal gait parameters in patients who underwent surgery for hip fractures.

: This study aimed to investigate the differences in spatiotemporal gait parameters in patients who underwent surgery for hip fractures when using walking poles and T-canes. : This cross-sectional study enrolled eight patients who underwent surgery for a unilateral hip fracture (mean age of 79.0 ± 7.

The efficacy and safety of Fluticasone Furoate/Umeclidinium/Vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI) on cough symptoms in adult patients with asthma, A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study: Chronic Cough in Asthma (COCOA) study.

Persistent cough bothers many patients with asthma because it worsens their quality of life; therefore, it must be remedied immediately. The efficacy of triple therapy as a first-line treatment for cough remains unclear. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the triple therapy againts persistent cough, the clinical effect of regular treatment with fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI) or placebo in adult patients with asthma was investigated.

Gender Differences in Cardiovascular Events among Patients with Sleep Apnoea Syndrome: A Real-World Data Analysis of a Nationwide Epidemiological Dataset.

Aim: Sleep apnoea syndrome (SAS) is a common sleep disorder associated with heightened cardiovascular risks, yet sex-specific differences in these risks remain unclear.

Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study utilized the JMDC Claims Database, covering >5 million individuals in Japan. We analyzed data from 4,173,702 individuals (2,406,930 men, 1,766,772 women) after excluding those with central SAS, cardiovascular disease, and incomplete lifestyle questionnaire data.

Association of methotrexate polyglutamates concentration with methotrexate efficacy and safety in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with predefined dose: results from the MIRACLE trial.

Objectives: The usefulness of methotrexate-polyglutamates (MTX-PGs) concentration for management of rheumatoid arthritis has been debated. We aimed to clarify the association of MTX-PGs concentration with efficacy and safety in MTX-naïve patients initiating MTX in a prospective interventional clinical trial.

Methods: The MIRACLE trial enrolled 300 MTX-naïve patients.

Development of optical microneedle-lens array for photodynamic therapy.

Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) which involves a photosensitizer (PS), a special drug activated by light, and light irradiation has been widely used in treating various skin diseases such as port-wine stain as well as cancers such as melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. PDT comprises two general steps: the introduction of PS into the body or a specific spot to be treated, and the irradiation process using a light source with a specific wavelength to excite the PS. Although PDT is gaining great attention owing to its potential as a targeted approach in the treatment of skin cancers, several limitations still exist for practical use.

Highly specific amyloid and tau PET ligands for ATN classification in suspected Alzheimer's disease patients.

Objective: This study aims to accurately classify ATN profiles using highly specific amyloid and tau PET ligands and MRI in patients with cognitive impairment and suspected Alzheimer's disease (AD). It also aims to explore the relationship between quantified amyloid and tau deposition and cognitive function.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients (15 women and 12 men; age range: 64-81 years) were included in this study.

Long-term safety and efficacy of fostamatinib in Japanese patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia.

Fostamatinib had superior efficacy to a placebo and acceptable safety profiles for at least 1 year in a phase 3 study of Japanese patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia. Here, we report the 3-year safety and efficacy of fostamatinib in that study. Data from 33 patients who received at least one dose of fostamatinib were analyzed.

Expert consensus statement for quantitative measurement and morphologic assessment of optical coherence tomography: update 2025.

In this updated expert consensus document, the methods for the quantitative measurement and morphologic assessment of optical coherence tomography (OCT) / optical frequency domain imaging images (OFDI) are briefly summarized. The focus is on the clinical application and the clinical evidence of OCT / OFDI to guide percutaneous coronary interventions.

Simultaneous site-directed mutagenesis for soybean ß-amyrin synthase genes via DNA-free CRISPR/Cas9 system using a single gRNA.

We generated soybean mutants related to two ß-amyrin synthase genes using DNA-free site-directed mutagenesis system. Our results suggested that one of the genes is predominant in the soyasaponin biosynthesis. Soyasaponins, which are triterpenoid saponins contained in soybean [Glycine max (L.

Identifying care gaps and referral patterns in acute dermatology at urgent care centers.

Limited urgent access to board-certified dermatologists drives patients to seek dermatologic care at urgent care centers (UCC). UCC are staffed by clinicians with comparatively limited dermatology training, often resulting in lower quality care for acute dermatology conditions. Using a retrospective cohort of 839 referrals, this study investigates health care referral outcomes for patients seeking dermatologic care at UCC.

Tricuspid regurgitation and outcomes in mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair.

Background And Aims: The association between periprocedural change in tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and outcomes in patients undergoing mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) is unclear. This study aimed to examine the prognostic value of TR before and after M-TEER.

Methods: Patients in the OCEAN-Mitral registry were divided into four groups according to baseline and post-procedure echocardiographic assessments: no TR/no TR (no TR), no TR/significant TR (new-onset TR), significant TR/no TR (normalized TR), and significant TR/significant TR (residual TR) (all represents before/after M-TEER).

Blood monocyte fraction and computed tomography attenuation value of bone marrow in fever of unknown origin: A retrospective analysis for differentiating adult-onset Still's disease and intravascular large B-cell lymphoma.

Objectives: To investigate the factors affecting laboratory data and computed tomography (CT) attenuation values of L1 trabecular and femoral bone marrow, potential markers for differentiating between adult-onset Still's disease and intravascular large B-cell lymphoma.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study on patients diagnosed with adult-onset Still's disease or intravascular large B-cell lymphoma. Clinical and laboratory data, and CT attenuation values of the bone marrow were compared.

Association between response time and time from emergency medical service contact with the patient to hospital arrival as well as survival and neurological outcomes in pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Objectives: In out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), prehospital time is crucial and can be divided into response time, from emergency call to emergency medical service (EMS) contact, and time from EMS contact to hospital arrival. To improve prehospital strategies for pediatric OHCA, it is essential to understand the association between these time intervals and patient outcomes; however, detailed investigations are lacking. The current study aimed to examine the association between response time and time from EMS contact to hospital arrival as well as survival and neurological outcomes in pediatric OHCA.

Genetic diversity and virulence of group isolates from bloodstream infections.

catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are an increasing concern in Japanese hospitals. Although their clinical characteristics have been explored, the genetic relationships and virulence profiles of isolates from CRBSIs remain understudied. Here, using advanced genomic techniques, we investigated the genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationships, and virulence profiles of isolates from patients with bloodstream infections.

Respiratory complex I-mediated NAD regeneration regulates cancer cell proliferation through the transcriptional and translational control of p21 expression by SIRT3 and SIRT7.

The role of the electron transport chain (ETC) in cell proliferation control beyond its crucial function in supporting ATP generation has recently emerged. In this study, we found that, among the four ETC complexes, the complex I (CI)-mediated NAD regeneration is important for cancer cell proliferation. In cancer cells, a decrease in CI activity by RNA interference (RNAi) against NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase core subunit V1 (NDUFV1) arrested the cell cycle at the G/S phase, accompanying upregulation of p21 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor expression.

Vacuolated Parabasal Cells in Papanicolaou Smears Are Cellular Changes Caused by Human Papillomavirus 16 Infection.

In cervical cancer screening, cytology is used as a triage test to refer high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV)-positive women for colposcopy, but its accuracy is inadequate. The present study aimed to demonstrate that the presence of atypical cells with large vacuoles in the cytoplasm of parabasal cells, referred to as vacuolated parabasal cells (VPCs), which are observed in the Pap smears of HPV-positive women, is associated with specific HPV genotypes. Among 2175 patients, 310 with a single HR-HPV infection and cytological diagnosis of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) or atypical squamous cells not excluding HSIL (ASC-H) were included, of which 86 were infected with HPV16.

Efficacy and Safety of Mechanical Thrombectomy in Distal Medium Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Ischemic Stroke Patients on Low-Dose Aspirin.

Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) from distal medium vessel occlusion (DMVO) presents unique treatment challenges. Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is emerging as a viable option for these patients, yet the role of pre-stroke aspirin treatment is unclear. This study evaluates the impact of pre-stroke low-dose aspirin on outcomes in DMVO patients undergoing MT.

Relationship between oral health literacy and changes in self-assessment of oral health during COVID-19.

Background/purpose: Health literacy is thought to play a major role in implementing health behaviors, such as preventing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between oral health literacy (OHL), dietary literacy (DL), and changes in oral health and eating habits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials And Methods: The self-assessment questionnaire, including questions on oral and dietary conditions for each period of the COVID-19 pandemic, sources of information, OHL, DL, and frequency of COVID-19 prevention measures, was administered using a web research company.

Titanium particle-induced inflammasome in human gingival epithelial cells.

Background/purpose: Peri-implantitis remains a substantial challenge. This study investigated the effect of titanium particles on human oral epithelial cells, focusing on the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat protein (NLRP) 3 inflammasome.

Materials And Methods: The Ca9-22 human gingival epithelial cell line was subjected to incubation with titanium particles.