The impact of chronic kidney disease on the antithrombotic strategies and outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes and atrial fibrillation: Insights from STAR-ACS study.

Background: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and atrial fibrillation (AF) (ACS + AF) face elevated risks of thrombotic and bleeding events, especially with comorbid chronic kidney disease (CKD). Limited research has assessed the combined influence of CKD in this high-risk population.

Methods: This first subanalysis of STAR-ACS study included 445 Japanese ACS + AF patients, stratified by CKD status (eGFR < vs.

Randomized Multicenter Trial of -8cmH2O versus -15cm H2O Intrathoracic Pressure Digital Thoracic Drainage for Air Leaks after Anatomical Pulmonary Resection.

Background: Digital pleural drainage systems are commonly used for chest tube management after lung resection, but the optimal intrathoracic pressure setting for digital pleural drainage systems in patients with air leaks remains unclear.

Methods: The study was a multicenter, prospective, RCT including patients with moderate air leaks (100-1000 mL/min) following segmentectomy or lobectomy. Patients were randomized to group A (physiological pressure mode, -8 cmHO) and group B (-15 cmHO).

Risk of endometrial cancer among breast cancer survivors in Japan: a matched cohort study.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) survivors may have an increased risk of endometrial cancer due to shared risk factors and tamoxifen use. However, the risk among women in Japan and that for each endocrine therapy regimen remains unknown when comparing BC survivors to women without BC.

Methods: We conducted a matched-cohort study using the JMDC claims database, covering company employees and their family members in Japan.

Radial artery calcification is a predictor of aortic stenosis development and progression after initiation of hemodialysis.

Aortic stenosis (AS) is an important prognostic cardiovascular disease. However, there are few reports investigating the factors contributing to AS progression in patients with hemodialysis (HD). Because human arterial tissue can be easily harvested during arteriovenous fistula (AVF) surgery, we focused on the association between arterial calcification and AS progression.

Acinar cell scoring on histology of the pancreatic stump reinforces subjective texture assessment during pancreatoduodenectomy to predict post-operative pancreatic Fistula.

Background/objectives: The surgical pancreatic texture (SPT), which is determined by palpation during surgery, can predict postoperative pancreatic fistulae (POPF) but is subjective. This observational study examined the accuracy and feasibility of our objective "Acinar Score (AS)" in predicting POPF based on acinar cell counts histologically confirmed during surgery.

Methods: Patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) at a single institution were enrolled.

Evaluation of Gastric Peristalsis Using Cine MRI in Healthy Subjects and Patients With Functional Dyspepsia.

Introduction: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is subdivided into postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) and epigastric pain syndrome (EPS), each with a different pathophysiological mechanisms driving the symptoms of these syndromes. Cine MRI aids observation in any continuous cross-section and measures gastrointestinal peristalsis without radiation exposure. In this study, we aimed to evaluate gastric peristalsis in FD using cine MRI.

PPARγ-induced upregulation of fatty acid metabolism confers resistance to venetoclax and decitabine therapy in AML.

The combination of the B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) inhibitor venetoclax (VEN) and the hypomethylating agent decitabine (DEC; VEN/DEC) constitutes a primary therapeutic strategy for treating older adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, a notable subset of patients exhibits resistance to VEN/DEC, demonstrating either no disease response or relapse after initial remission. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying this resistance through analyses of gene expression and DNA methylation profiles.

Local radiotherapy for cancer patients is associated with mosaic loss of chromosome Y, a hallmark of male aging.

Mosaic loss of chromosome Y (mLOY) is the most common somatic mutation in hematopoietic cells of aging men and is linked to cancer risk and mortality. However, its relationship with treatment modalities remains unclear. In 348 prostate cancer patients at Juntendo University Hospital, local radiotherapy was associated with a higher prevalence of mLOY (OR = 2.

Osteoporosis and risk of aortic stenosis in Japanese elderly: A population-based nested case-control study.

Background: Aortic stenosis (AS), a common condition among older adults, is caused by aging and calcium metabolism, and its association with osteoporosis has garnered attention. However, the relationship between AS and osteoporosis has not been consistent across studies in Japan and globally. This study aimed to investigate the association between osteoporosis and AS in the older adult population in Japan.

Impact of rehabilitation on quality of life in patients with degenerative cerebellar ataxias using structural equation modeling.

Degenerative cerebellar ataxias (DCAs) are progressive diseases that reduce quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to assess the impact of rehabilitation on QoL in patients with DCAs using structural equation modeling (SEM). This cross-sectional survey included members of a national Japanese DCAs patient association.

Predictive model and prognostic insights into duodenal stump fistula following radical gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction for gastric cancer.

Background: Duodenal stump fistula (DSF) is a rare yet serious complication following gastric cancer surgery. The risk factors associated with DSF, as well as the predictive models, remain insufficiently elucidated.

Aim: To identify DSF risk factors following radical gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis, develop a predictive model, and evaluate impact on prognosis.

Systemic lupus erythematosus-disease activity score remission and low disease activity were similarly associated with patient-reported outcomes compared with definition of remission in systemic lupus erythematosus remission and lupus low disease activity state.

Objectives: The treat-to-target (T2T) approach for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has recently been proposed. However, the most suitable criterion for determining remission or low disease activity (LDA) using patient-reported outcomes (PROs) remains unknown. This study aimed to compare the relationship between PROs and various remission criteria, including the definition of remission in SLE (DORIS), SLE disease activity score (SLE-DAS) remission, lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS), and SLE-DAS LDA.

Clinicoradiologic Predictors of Anastomotic Complications After Bronchoplasty for Lung Cancer.

Background: We investigated the predictive factors for anastomotic complications in sleeve lobectomy for lung cancer.

Methods: Between February 2008 and April 2023, 196 patients underwent sleeve lobectomy for lung cancer; 140 were included after exclusion of those who underwent extended sleeve lobectomy and salvage surgery after definitive chemoradiotherapy. Clinicopathologic and computed tomography (CT) findings were retrospectively investigated, and predictors of anastomotic complications were analyzed.

Impact of antimicrobial exposure at delivery and siblings on early Bifidobacterium succession and allergy development up to 24 months of age.

Background: Allergic diseases such as asthma, eczema, and food allergies are rising globally. The infant gut microbiota, particularly the dominance of Bifidobacterium, shapes immune development and allergy risk. In Japan-where Bifidobacterium prevalence is notably high-longitudinal investigations focusing on the pre-weaning period, when external influences are relatively limited, remain scarce.

Visibility Evaluation of Fundic Gland Polyp Associated With Proton Pump Inhibitor in Texture and Color Enhancement Imaging.

Objectives: A 'gray color sign' (GCS) is a new endoscopic feature of fundic gland polyp associated with proton pump inhibitor (PPI-FGP). Here, we compare the ability of texture and color enhancement imaging (TXI) to white light imaging (WLI) with regard to the detection of GCS.

Methods: In this prospective study, 19 consecutive patients with PPI-FGP were enrolled at our hospital from April 2021 to October 2022.

Non-cancer risks among female breast cancer survivors: a matched cohort study in Japan.

Background: The number of breast cancer (BC) survivors has increased worldwide, but the landscape of their non-cancer disease risks remains unclear, especially among Asian women.

Methods: In the JMDC claims database, which covers company employees and their family members in Japan, women aged 18-74 years with and without an incident BC were matched in a 1:4 ratio for age and entry timing to the database between January 2005 and December 2019. The risks for six cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction, heart failure, atrial fibrillation/flutter, ischaemic stroke, intracranial haemorrhage, and pulmonary embolism) and six non-cardiovascular diseases (major osteoporotic fractures, other fractures, gastrointestinal bleeding, urinary tract infection, infectious pneumonia, and anxiety/depression) were compared between the groups.

Effectiveness and risks of dapagliflozin in treatment for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Pharmacotherapy for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is still under development and has not been fully established. For patients with MASLD and type 2 diabetes, treatment with antidiabetic drugs, including sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, is recommended, with vitamin E supplementation when treatment efficacy is insufficient. The benefits and risks of SGLT2 inhibitors for MASLD with type 2 diabetes have not been thoroughly investigated.

Visibility evaluation of gastric epithelial neoplasm of fundic gland mucosa lineage using texture and color enhancement imaging.

Objectives: Recently, the incidence of Helicobacter pylori-uninfected gastric cancers, such as gastric epithelial neoplasm of fundic-gland mucosa lineage (GEN-FGML), has increased with the widespread use of eradication therapy. Because the detection and endoscopic diagnosis of GEN-FGML are difficult, an effective observation method in screening endoscopy is required. We investigated whether texture and color enhancement imaging (TXI) improved the visibility of GEN-FGML compared with white light imaging (WLI).

Examining associations of digestive system cancer with hypertension and diabetes using network analysis in older patients.

Hypertension and diabetes are prevalent among older people and may be associated with cancer. Although several network analyses have been conducted to visualize the associations between diseases and relevant factors, to the best of our knowledge, none have focused on visualizing the associations between cancer and other diseases. We conducted a network analysis to explore the associations between cancer, hypertension, and diabetes.

Impact of low-dose aspirin therapy initiation timing on pregnancy outcomes after frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer.

Clinical effects of low-dose aspirin (LDA) on embryo implantation still remains controversial; therefore, we investigated the appropriate timing for starting LDA in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (ET) cycles. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 885 infertile women who underwent thrombophilia screening between 2020 and 2023. We recruited first frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles in 553 consecutive women aged < 40 years.

Real-world antithrombotic strategies in patients with atrial fibrillation and recently developed acute coronary syndrome.

Background: The antithrombotic strategy for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and coronary artery disease following percutaneous coronary intervention is shifting towards less intensive. Nevertheless, for patients with AF and acute coronary syndrome (ACS), an optimal antithrombotic strategy is yet to be established.

Methods And Results: We conducted a multi-center cohort study involving 146 Japanese centers that had prospectively registered 460 patients with AF and ACS followed for 2 years.

Adverse reactions to mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in people with allergies in Japan.

mRNA vaccines emerged as a new therapeutic modality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals with allergies often experience anxiety about potential adverse reactions to these vaccines. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between adverse reactions and various allergies, asthma, or atopic disorders.

Activation of peripheral leukocyte migration before spontaneous labor at term.

Background: Leukocytes are induced to migrate into the uterus at parturition, releasing cytokines and chemokines that activate it for delivery. A specific chemotactic signal is required for these actions, and published evidence suggests that it comes from the human fetal membranes and has a time-dependent component (ie, cells obtained at term in labor migrate more than cells obtained at term not yet in labor). The hypothesis that the fetal membrane chemoattractants activate the leukocytes to become responsive for migration was tested.

Impact of GAP score on surgical prognosis of non-small-cell lung cancer with usual interstitial pneumonia.

Objective: Post-surgical survival outcomes in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are expected to be worse than those in patients with other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs). However, these remain unclear regarding patients with NSCLC and IPF histologically diagnosed as usual interstitial pneumonia [IPF(UIP)]. We aimed to assess the surgical and survival outcomes and identify prognostic factors in patients with NSCLC and IPF(UIP).