Phase II study of IRInotecan treatment after COmbined chemo-immunotherapy for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer: Protocol of IRICO study.

Introduction: Combined treatment using anti-programmed death-ligand 1 antibody (anti-PD-L1) and platinum-etoposide is the current standard first-line treatment for patients with extensive-stage (ES) small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, the best treatment for relapsed ES-SCLC after the first-line treatment remains unclear. There are some approved chemotherapeutic agents that can be used against ES-SCLC, and treatment with irinotecan is well established as both a monotherapy and a combined therapy, in combination with platinum.

pT1 Subclassification Predicts Progression-Free Survival in En Bloc Resection of Bladder Tumor Specimens.

Context: The pathologic diagnosis of pT1 substage in conventional transurethral resection of bladder tumor specimens is inaccurate and has low interobserver reproducibility owing to fragmentation and cauterization of the specimens. En bloc resection of bladder tumor is a novel surgical procedure that improves diagnostic feasibility and accuracy in the pathologic diagnosis of bladder cancer, including depth and extent of invasion.

Objective: To examine the prognostic value of multiple pT1 subclassification methods, using only en bloc resection specimens.

Second-line immunosuppressant administration for steroid-refractory immune-related adverse events in patients with lung cancer.

Background: Evidence for use of second-line immunosuppressants for immune-related adverse events (irAEs) is inadequate. Therefore, a multicenter analysis should assess the efficacy of second-line immunosuppressants for severe irAEs associated with different malignant diseases.

Methods: This descriptive study aims to investigate the effects of second-line immunosuppressants on corticosteroid-refractory irAEs in patients with lung cancer.

Usefulness of the endoscopic surgical skill qualification system for laparoscopic colectomy for transverse colon cancer: a Japanese multicenter analysis.

Purpose: Laparoscopic colectomy for transverse colon cancer (TCC) can be technically demanding due to the anatomical complexity of the region. In Japan, the Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System (ESSQS) was established to improve the skill of laparoscopic surgeons and further develop surgical teams. We examined the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic colectomy for TCC and evaluated the effects of the Japanese ESSQS in facilitating this approach.

Endoscopic Pedicle Saphenous Vein Graft Harvesting.

The excellent long-term patency of no-touch (NT) saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) makes the grafts very attractive for coronary artery bypass grafting; however, NT-SVG harvesting has a greater incidence of wound complications than conventional methods. Since 2009, we have performed endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) in our department with very few major wound complications. Because NT-SVG harvesting is expected to provide long-term patency, if performed with EVH, the incidence of wound complications will be reduced.

Incidence of and risk factors for postoperative ileus between right and left laparoscopic colectomy using propensity-score-matched analysis: A retrospective multicenter study.

Instruction: In colon cancer, the incidence of postoperative ileus is reportedly higher for the right-side than for the left-side colon, but those studies included small numbers of subjects and contained several biases. Furthermore, risk factors for postoperative ileus remain unclear.

Methods: This multicenter study reviewed 1986 patients who underwent laparoscopic colectomy between 2016 and 2021 for right-side (n = 907) and left-side (n = 1079) colon cancer.

Machine learning-based model for prediction and feature analysis of recurrence in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors G1/G2.

Background: Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors. Although the prognosis of resected PanNENs is generally considered to be good, a relatively high recurrence rate has been reported. Given the scarcity of large-scale reports about PanNEN recurrence due to their rarity, we aimed to identify the predictors for recurrence in patients with resected PanNENs to improve prognosis.

Impact of an artificial intelligence-aided endoscopic diagnosis system on improving endoscopy quality for trainees in colonoscopy: Prospective, randomized, multicenter study.

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate whether the use of CAD EYE (Fujifilm, Tokyo, Japan) for colonoscopy improves colonoscopy quality in gastroenterology trainees.

Methods: The patients in this multicenter randomized controlled trial were divided into Group A (observation using CAD EYE) and Group B (standard observation). Six trainees performed colonoscopies using a back-to-back method in pairs with gastroenterology experts.

Efficacy of left colic artery preservation with D3 lymph node dissection in laparoscopic surgery for advanced sigmoid and rectal cancer.

Purpose: For advanced left colon cancer, lymph node dissection at the root of the inferior mesenteric artery is recommended. Whether the left colic artery (LCA) should be preserved or resected remains contentious.

Methods: The 367 patients who underwent laparoscopic sigmoidectomy or anterior resection and who were pathologically node-positive were reviewed.

Effect of adjuvant chemotherapy after curative resection of colorectal cancer peritoneal metastasis.

Purpose: Several guidelines have recommended surgical resection for localized peritoneal metastases, but the prognosis remains poor. In addition, the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) after curative resection is under debate. The present study compared long-term outcomes between curative and non-curative resection and evaluated the effects of AC after curative resection.

Impacts of trans-anal tube placement in patients with sigmoid colon cancer: Risk verification analysis using inverse probability weighting analysis.

Purpose: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is a serious postoperative complication that affects short- and long-term outcomes. The use of a trans-anal drainage tube (TDT) is reported to prevent AL in rectal cancer patients, but its value in sigmoid colon cancer patients is unknown.

Methods: Admitted to the study were 379 patients who underwent surgery for sigmoid colon cancer between 2016 and 2020.

Evaluation of a renal risk score for Japanese patients with ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis in a multi-center cohort study.

Background: In patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis, prediction of renal survival should guide the choice of therapy, but a prediction of the histological classification has inconsistencies.

Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of renal risk score (RRS) for Japanese patients with ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis (AAGN) and compare the prediction for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) between RRS and the histological classification.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 96 patients with AAGN who underwent a renal biopsy.

En Bloc Resection Versus Conventional TURBT for T1HG Bladder Cancer: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

Background: We aimed to assess the clinical, oncological, and pathological impact of en bloc resection of bladder tumors (ERBT) compared with conventional transurethral resection of bladder tumors (cTURBT) for pT1 high-grade (HG) bladder cancer.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the record of 326 patients (cTURBT: n = 216, ERBT: n = 110) diagnosed with pT1 HG bladder cancer at multiple institutions. The cohorts were matched by one-to-one propensity scores based on patient and tumor demographics.

Risk factors indicating immune-related adverse events with combination chemotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors and platinum agents in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a multicenter retrospective study.

Purpose: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) ushered in a new era for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, they carry the risk of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Recently, various studies have been conducted on the predictive factors for irAEs, but there are no reports focusing only on ICI plus platinum agents.

Mid-term outcomes of laparoscopic vs open colectomy for pathological T4 and/or N2 colon cancer patients: Multicenter study using propensity score matched analysis.

Objectives: We aimed to assess mid-term outcomes after laparoscopic surgery (LAP) vs open surgery (OP) for pathological T4 (pT4) and/or N2 (pN2) colon cancer.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 255 primary tumor resections for pT4 and/or pN2 colon cancer performed from 2015 to 2020 at six hospitals, divided into LAP (n = 204) and OP groups (n = 51). After propensity score matching to minimize selection bias, 47 matched patients per group were assessed.

Comparison of risks of cancer, infection, and MACEs associated with JAK inhibitor and TNF inhibitor treatment: a multicentre cohort study.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the incidence rates (IRs) of infectious diseases, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), and malignancies in RA patients treated with tofacitinib, baricitinib or a TNF inhibitor.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed the cases of 499 RA patients treated with tofacitinib (n = 192), baricitinib (n = 104), or a TNF inhibitor (n = 203). We determined the IRs of infectious diseases and the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of malignancies and investigated factors related to infectious diseases.

Immune checkpoint therapy and response biomarkers in non-small-cell lung cancer: Serum NY-ESO-1 and XAGE1 antibody as predictive and monitoring markers.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are key drugs in systemic therapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and have recently been incorporated into neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings for surgical resection. Currently, ICI combinations with cytotoxic agents are frequently used in clinical practice, although several ICI clinical trials have failed to produce long-term clinical benefits. Unfortunately, clinical benefit is moderate and limited considering physical and financial burden.

Traumatic retropharyngeal hematoma without spinal cord injury or spinal fracture: a retrospective multicenter analysis.

Background: Retropharyngeal hematoma can be a life-threatening injury due to progressive upper airway obstruction. It is common following spinal cord injury or spinal fracture, and the clinical course and outcome of such patients are determined by their primary injuries. However, the natural clinical course of retropharyngeal hematoma itself remains unclear.

Developmental disorders in school children are related to allergic diseases.

Background: In children, relationships between developmental disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder and allergic diseases remain controversial, because these diseases show age- and sex-related differences. A proper understanding of the relationships between developmental disorders and allergic diseases should improve medical care for both diseases. We confirmed the prevalence of allergic diseases in elementary school-age children with developmental disorders by grade and sex.

Two differential cavities in syringomyelia of pediatric Chiari I malformation presenting with unilateral foot drop.

Introduction: Patients with Chiari I malformation (CM1) may have chronic symptoms of syringomyelia, including numbness and weakness of the upper limbs, typically during young adulthood. Acute or subacute presentation of unilateral foot drop has been rarely reported as a first symptom of CM1-associated syringomyelia exclusively in childhood or adolescence. Why these patients do not show any symptoms of the upper limbs although holocord syringomyelia is always observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is unclear.

Efficacy and safety of vonoprazan-based regimen for Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy in Japanese adolescents: a prospective multicenter study.

Background: Vonoprazan (VPZ)-based regimen for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is safe and more efficacious than the proton pump inhibitor-based regimen mainly in adults. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a VPZ-based regimen for H.

Late-Onset Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency Complicated with Extremely High Serum Ammonia Level: Prompt Induction of Hemodialysis as the Key to Successful Treatment.

BACKGROUND Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD) is an X-linked semi-dominant disorder, causing possible fatal hyperammonemia. Late-onset OTCD can develop at any time from 2 months after birth to adulthood, accounting for 70% of all OTCDs. CASE REPORT A 35-year-old man with chronic headaches stated that since childhood he felt sick after eating meat.