Risk stratification of AUC upward deviation in patients with low serum creatinine levels treated with vancomycin: a multicenter retrospective study.

Introduction: In patients with diminished muscle mass, serum creatinine (SCr) levels may be misleadingly low, potentially leading to overestimations of kidney function and unexpectedly high blood levels of vancomycin. This study aimed to identify factors contributing to this discrepancy and develop a flowchart for stratifying the risk of excessive vancomycin exposure, measured as an upward deviation in the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) in patients with low SCr levels.

Methods: We analyzed data from patients who received vancomycin and had an SCr value <0.

Shortening the interval between the first and the second dose of vancomycin facilitates rapid achievement of the target AUC without increasing the risk of acute kidney injury, provided the AUC on the second day is appropriately controlled: a multicenter retrospective study.

Background: The impact of shortening or extending a vancomycin dosing interval on early attainment of target blood levels and acute kidney injury (AKI) remains unclear. We investigated the relationship between the interval of the first and second doses of vancomycin and early area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and AKI.

Methods: Patients (≥ 18 years) who started vancomycin and had trough/peak blood samples were included.

Analysis of baseline interstitial lung abnormality on the risk of checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis and survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with first-line PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.

Background: Chest computed tomography (CT) can be used to identify interstitial lung abnormality (ILA), which is known to lead to an increased risk of post-operative complications, and is related to a worse prognosis in early-stage lung cancer. However, research on the role of ILA in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving immunotherapy is limited. This study sought to investigate the effect of pre-existing ILA and pulmonary function test (PFT) results on the occurrence of checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis (CIP) and survival in advanced NSCLC patients after programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) or programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor therapy.

External validation of a flowchart related to achieving the target area under the concentration-time curve for vancomycin: A retrospective multicenter study.

During therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for vancomycin (VCM), the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) is important for balancing efficacy versus toxicity. In a previous study, we developed a decision tree (DT) model to achieve the target AUC during TDM over the follow-up period (AUC). This study aimed to validate the DT model for achieving the target AUC.

Changes in Clinical Features and Severity of COVID-19 with the Emergence of Omicron Variants: A Shift Towards a Common Disease.

Background: The emergence of the Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 has significantly altered the clinical features and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Objective: This study aims to evaluate whether the clinical factors that previously predicted COVID-19 remain valid following the emergence of the Omicron variant.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital from April 2022 to March 2023.

Identification of Patients Who Require Two-Point Blood Sampling for the Peak and Trough Values Rather Than One-Point Blood Sampling for the Trough Value for the Evaluation of AUC of Vancomycin Using Bayesian Estimation.

Objectives: It is recommended to adjust the dose of vancomycin (VCM) with a target area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of 400-600 μg·h/mL. Factors that affect the deviation between AUCs are estimated from the trough value alone and the trough and peak values using practical AUC-guided therapeutic drug monitoring (PAT) for vancomycin. In this study, factors that affect AUC were evaluated.

EGFR-TKI-induced Factor V deficiency in a patient with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: The first case report.

Osimertinib, a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), is routinely prescribed as first-line therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer, regardless of the presence of the T790M resistance mutation. This study reports a rare case of Factor V inhibitor detection during osimertinib therapy in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma. These findings underscore the importance of vigilant monitoring for coagulation abnormalities during EGFR-TKI therapy.

Flowchart for predicting achieving the target area under the concentration-time curve of vancomycin in critically ill Japanese patients: A multicenter retrospective study.

Introduction: In therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of vancomycin (VCM), the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) is related to the clinical efficacy and toxicity. Therefore, herein, we examined the factors associated with achieving the target AUC at follow-up and developed a decision flowchart for achieving the target AUC in critically ill patients.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective observational study was conducted at eight hospitals.

Surgical Resection to Treat a Japanese Patient with Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis.

Coccidioidomycosis is an endemic disease that is particularly prevalent in the United States. However, its geographic distribution is becoming widespread. Here, we present a Japanese male who resided in the United States for 1 year, where he was diagnosed with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis that was accompanied by cavity formation.

Pneumothorax with Eosinophilia is an Important Diagnostic Clue for Distinguishing Paragonimiasis from Chronic Eosinophilic Pneumonia: A Case Report.

The infection is a parasitic foodborne infection that induces systemic symptoms with eosinophilia in humans. Here, we described pneumothorax in addition to pulmonary opacities with eosinophilia in a man with a positive serology. He was misdiagnosed with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) during the initial phase.

Antimicrobial Stewardship Program for Patients in the Hematological Department Receiving Carbapenem Therapy: A Single-Center and Interrupted Time Series Analysis.

As antibiotic resistance has become a global problem, the intervention of an antimicrobial stewardship team (AST) is warranted. In hematological disorders, infectious complications are crucial owing to abnormal neutrophil function and decreased cell-mediated immunity. Despite the widespread implementation of AST intervention, the effectiveness of stewardship practices for immunocompromised patients remains uncertain.

Effect of tocilizumab treatment in mildly-obese patients with coronavirus disease 2019: a case series.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an increasingly widespread international medical problem. Several randomized trials and observational studies in patients with COVID-19 have been performed. However, the standard treatment strategy has not yet been established.

Combination of anti-glycopeptidolipid-core IgA antibody and clinical features for diagnosing potential nontuberculous mycobacterium pulmonary disease in routine practice.

Background: The anti- complex (MAC) antibody test measures levels of IgA antibody against the glycopeptidolipid (GPL) core in the bacterial cell walls and is a useful clinical indicator of nontuberculous mycobacterium pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). However, it is not currently possible to diagnose the disease using anti-MAC antibodies alone.

Objectives: The study aim was to assess the efficacy of the combination of anti-MAC antibodies and clinical findings for diagnosing potential NTM-PD.

Association between gene mutant protein expression and T790M mutation after first-generation EGFR-TKI treatment resistance: a retrospective, single-arm clinical study.

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) is an important treatment for lung adenocarcinoma patients with gene mutations. The purpose of this study was to review the efficacy of first-generation EGFR-TKIs and the incidence of T790M after first-generation TKI resistance in stage IV lung adenocarcinoma patients with positive gene mutation expression associated with EGFR mutant protein.

Methods: Tumor tissues were collected from stage IV lung adenocarcinoma patients with gene mutation who received first-generation EGFR-TKI targeted therapy.

The efficacy of anlotinib as third-line treatment for non-small cell lung cancer by EGFR mutation status: a subgroup analysis of the ALTER0303 randomized phase 3 study.

Background: Anlotinib demonstrated improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) compared with placebo as a third-line or subsequent therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the ALTER0303 trial. The status of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, different previous treatment may affect the efficacy of subsequent therapy, and we did this subgroup analysis to characterize the efficacy of anlotinib in patients with and without EGFR mutation.

Methods: The ALTER0303 trial was a randomized, double-blind, phase 3 study of anlotinib in patients with NSCLC who failed at least 2 lines of treatment.

In-hospital blood collection increases the rate of indeterminate results in interferon-gamma release assays.

Background: The interferon (IFN)-γ release assay (IGRA) has recently been established as a method to evaluate the infection status of tuberculosis instead of the tuberculin skin test. However, indeterminate results can create challenges to interpretation. The IGRA has been available in Japan since 2005, including the recently launched QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-plus) assay.

Characteristics of and reasons for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to continue smoking, quit smoking, and switch to heated tobacco products.

Introduction: Smoking is the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and smoking cessation is the most effective treatment for patients with COPD. However, few studies have investigated the continuation/cessation of smoking and heated tobacco products (HTP) in patients with COPD. The objective of this study was to examine the characteristics of patients with COPD, those who are current smokers and those who switched from cigarettes to HTP, and to examine the reason for the continuation or cessation of smoking.

Correlation Between Thymoma and Soluble Interleukin-2 Receptor Expression in a Patient with Good Syndrome.

Good syndrome is a rare condition characterized by the presence of thymoma in combination with adult-onset hypogammaglobulinemia. Immunological features of Good syndrome include various immunodeficiencies accompanied with hypogammaglobulinemia. In patients with thymoma, paraneoplastic syndromes including hypogammaglobulinemia worsen the prognosis.

Clinical features and mechanism of liver injury in patients with mild or moderate coronavirus disease 2019.

Background And Aim: We aimed to identify clinical features that suggest that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) should be a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with a chief complaint of fever and abnormal liver function.

Methods: We retrospectively studied the presence or absence of abnormal liver function in 216 patients diagnosed with mild-moderate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection between February and September 2020.

Results: Abnormal liver function was observed in 51 patients with mild-moderate COVID-19.

Investigating Patient and Family Satisfaction with the Respiratory Status in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

The current chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management aims to improve the patients' quality of life and healthy life expectancy; however, few studies have evaluated the level of satisfaction with the patients' current respiratory status in COPD patients and their families. This study aimed to examine the level of patient and family satisfaction with the patients' current respiratory status and to identify the clinical factors closely linked to dissatisfaction.This multicenter, cross-sectional study included 454 outpatients with COPD and 296 family members.