MPO-ANCA-positive eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis complicated by alveolar hemorrhage treated with mepolizumab as an induction therapy: Case report.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a systemic vasculitis preceded by bronchial asthma or allergic sinusitis and accompanied by peripheral blood eosinophilia. Immunosuppressive drugs, such as cyclophosphamide in addition to high-dose glucocorticoids, are recommended for induction of remission in patients with severe EGPA. Although mepolizumab is widely recognized as remission induction therapy in non-fatal/non-organ disabling or relapsed/refractory EGPA, its efficacy and safety in induction of remission for severe cases have been ambiguous.

Phase I study of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with S-1 for clinically resectable type 4 or large type 3 gastric cancer in elderly patients aged 75 years and older (OGSG1303).

Purpose The prognosis for type 4 and large type 3 gastric cancer (GC) is extremely poor, especially in elderly patients (≥ 75 years). To improve the prognosis of these types of GC, we performed a phase I study to determine the recommended dose (RD) of S-1 combined with neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Methods Patients with clinically resectable type 4 and large type 3 GC were enrolled to successive cohorts in a conventional 3 + 3 design.

[Development of a Risk Prediction Model and a Simple Assessment Sheet for Screening Undernutrition Using Factors Related to Food Environment Accessibility among Older Adults Living Alone in Semi-mountainous Areas].

Objectives: In addition to an aging population, the number of single-person households is increasing in semi-mountainous areas. The nutritional status of older adults living alone has also been studied as they are prone to undernutrition. In this study, we aimed to develop a risk prediction model and a simple assessment sheet for screening undernutrition using factors related to food environment accessibility among older adults living alone in semi-mountainous areas.

Feasibility/clinical utility of half-Fourier single-shot turbo spin echo imaging combined with deep learning reconstruction in gynecologic magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: When antispasmodics are unavailable, the periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER; called BLADE by Siemens Healthineers) or half Fourier single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE) is clinically used in gynecologic MRI. However, their imaging qualities are limited compared to Turbo Spin Echo (TSE) with antispasmodics. Even with antispasmodics, TSE can be artifact-affected, necessitating a rapid backup sequence.

Investigator-initiated, multi-center, single-arm, open-label study of the effectiveness of canakinumab in Japanese patients with Schnitzler syndrome.

Background: Schnitzler syndrome is an adult-onset autoinflammatory disease characterized by an urticaria-like rash and monoclonal gammopathy with fever and fatigue. Although some treatments have shown efficacy in clinical trials, no approved treatment exists. We aimed to assess canakinumab, an anti-IL-1β monoclonal antibody, in Japanese patients.

Management of ERCP-related perforation: a large multicenter study.

Background And Aims: Perforation is a rare but serious adverse event associated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). There is no consensus to guide clinicians in the management of ERCP-related duodenal perforations, making it difficult to determine whether surgical or endoscopic treatment is optimal. The present study retrospectively evaluated the characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients who experienced ERCP-related duodenal perforations according to the mechanism of injury.

Oxidation of thiol groups in membrane proteins inhibits the fertilization ability and motility of sperm by suppressing calcium influx.

The redox state of thiol groups derived from cysteine residues in proteins regulates cellular functions. Changes in the redox state of thiol groups in the epididymis are involved in sperm maturation. Furthermore, the redox state of thiol groups in proteins changes during the process of sperm capacitation.

Kir6.1, a component of an ATP-sensitive potassium channel, regulates natural killer cell development.

Introduction: Involved in immunity and reproduction, natural killer (NK) cells offer opportunities to develop new immunotherapies to treat infections and cancer or to alleviate pregnancy complications. Most current strategies use cytokines or antibodies to enhance NK-cell function, but none use ion channel modulators, which are widely used in clinical practice to treat hypertension, diabetes, epilepsy, and other conditions. Little is known about ion channels in NK cells.

Abdominal Pseudohernia Caused by Zoster Sine Herpete.

Abdominal pseudohernia is a rare clinical condition characterized by an abnormal bulging of the abdominal wall. We present a 56-year-old male patient diagnosed with abdominal pseudohernia caused by zoster sine herpete (ZSH). The patient initially presented with a right abdominal wall bulging at the Th10 dermatome area.

Long-term outcome of chemoimmunotherapy for extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer according to key clinical trial eligibility: 3-year outcomes from a prospective cohort study.

Background: Chemoimmunotherapy is the standard first-line treatment for extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC); however, its real-world long-term outcomes associated with patient backgrounds are still unclear. We explored this association using an updated large real-world prospective cohort with a minimum follow-up of 3 years.

Methods: This prospective cohort study, conducted across 32 hospitals, enrolled patients with ES-SCLC receiving carboplatin, etoposide, and atezolizumab between September 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020.

Invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma harbored exon 14 skipping mutation: case report.

Background: Lung mucinous adenocarcinoma has various genetic alterations, but there are no reported cases with exon 14 skipping mutations. Multiplex genetic testing is commonly assessed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and treatment usually comprises molecular targeted drugs. However, the efficacy of molecular targeted drugs in lung mucinous adenocarcinoma is not reported.

Comparing ultrasonography with magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of deep tissue injury.

Background: Deep tissue injury (DTI), a pressure-related injury to the subcutaneous tissue under intact skin, has been featured in several recent studies. DTI is hard to detect, and by the time the injury becomes visible, extensive injury to the underlying tissue has often already occurred, resulting in a potentially serious and difficult-to-heal full-thickness pressure injury. Thus, early detection of subcutaneous injuries is essential, and previous reports describe the use of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for this purpose.

Romosozumab versus bisphosphonates for preventing subsequent vertebral fractures after balloon kyphoplasty: comparison using data from two prospective multicenter studies.

Preventing subsequent fractures after vertebral augmentation is a critical clinical concern. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of romosozumab and bisphosphonate administration on the occurrence of subsequent vertebral fractures after balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) and to identify factors associated with the occurrence of subsequent vertebral fractures. The study compared 24 patients who underwent BKP and received romosozumab with 58 control patients who underwent BKP and received bisphosphonates, all within 2 months of acute osteoporotic vertebral fracture and showing unfavorable magnetic resonance imaging prognostic factors.

Fontan-associated liver disease: the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork in its management.

The Fontan operation, which directly connects the superior and inferior vena cava to the pulmonary artery, is a palliative surgery for children with a functional or anatomic single ventricle. This procedure leads to hemodynamic changes (Fontan circulation) in patients, who tend to develop congestive hepatic fibrosis characterized by sinusoidal fibrosis and dilatation beginning approximately 10 years after the procedure. In addition, in the context of severe fibrosis and cirrhosis, hepato-gastrointestinal complications including hepatocellular carcinoma, focal nodular hyperplasia, and portal hypertension can arise.

The gut microbiota genus Blautia is associated with skeletal muscle mass reduction in community-dwelling older Japanese adults: the Wakayama Study.

Purpose: This cross-sectional study examined the gut microbiota species associated with skeletal muscle mass reduction in a community-based sample of older Japanese adults.

Methods: The study included 744 participants (320 men and 424 women) aged 65-89 years (mean age: 73 years) with no history of treatment for colorectal, chronic kidney, or liver diseases. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed to estimate the appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) of each participant.

Impact of tumor-treating fields on the survival of Japanese patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study.

Background: The EF-14 clinical trial demonstrated the safety and efficacy of tumor-treating fields (TTFields) for newly diagnosed glioblastoma. This study aimed to clarify the current status, safety, and efficacy of TTFields in Japanese patients who meet the EF-14 inclusion criteria.

Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Transcostal Microendoscopic Discectomy for Central Thoracic Disc Herniation Causing Myelopathy: A Technical Note.

Introduction: Minimally invasive surgical treatment of myelopathy caused by central thoracic disc herniation (TDH) is challenging to carry out because reaching the herniation site is difficult and the thoracic spinal cord is fragile. In this study, using the posterior-lateral approach for central TDH with myelopathy, we present a novel procedure of transcostal microendoscopic discectomy (TCMED).

Technical Note: The patient was operated in a prone position under general anesthesia.

Comparison of Prognosis and Health-Related Quality of Life Between Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Versus High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy Combined With External Beam Radiation Therapy and Hormone Therapy for High-Risk Prostate Cancer.

Background: We compare the oncological outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in men with high-risk prostate cancer after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) versus that after high-dose-rate brachytherapy + external beam radiotherapy + hormone therapy (hereafter: "HDR+").

Methods: We included 233 men who underwent RARP and 179 men who underwent HDR+ for high-risk prostate cancer at our hospital. We investigated the following oncologic outcomes: time to biochemical recurrence, time to development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), cancer-specific survival, and overall survival.

Elucidating the Factors Affecting the Patient-Centric Usability of Blister Packs for Spherical Capsules.

Pharmaceutical packaging is essential for enhancing the storage stability of medicine and can improve medication adherence and usability. Despite their widespread use, blister packs can be challenging to use, especially when pushing out the medication. This study investigates how specific cavity characteristics of blister packs can enhance usability for spherical capsules, which are harder to push out than tablets.

Age- and sex-related reference values for central blood pressure parameters in middle-aged and older Japanese adults: the Wakayama study.

Central blood pressure (BP) is more strongly associated with cardiovascular events than brachial BP. Few studies have described age-related changes in central BP in the general Japanese population. This study aimed to provide reference values for central BP parameters according to the age and sex, using data from 2964 participants aged 40-89 years (mean age: 60 years) who had no history of overt cardiovascular or chronic kidney disease and had not received antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, or hypoglycemic treatments.