Factors responsible for the decline in physical fitness during neoadjuvant chemotherapy in older patients with esophageal cancer: an exploratory prospective cohort study.

Purpose: The decline in physical fitness during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) impacts postoperative pneumonia and survival in older patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer (LAEC). However, information is lacking on the clinical mechanisms underlying the decline in physical fitness during NAC in older patients. This study investigated the factors responsible for the decline in physical fitness during NAC in older patients with LAEC.

Rate of Decrease in Serum Autotaxin Can Predict Relapse of Type 1 Autoimmune Pancreatitis After Initial Steroid Therapy.

Objectives: There are numerous studies on predicting relapse of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). Serum autotaxin (ATX) was recently found to associate with AIP relapse. This study examined the changes in serum IgG4 and ATX levels for predicting relapse in AIP patients.

Current status of prehabilitation before esophagectomy for patients with esophageal cancer among board-certified hospitals by the Japan Esophageal Society.

Background: Prehabilitation has been shown to prevent postoperative pneumonia and physical function decline after esophagectomy in recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses. However, the implementation status of prehabilitation for esophagectomy remains unknown. This nationwide survey was performed to investigate the current status of and barriers to prehabilitation before esophagectomy among Japanese hospitals.

Association of Preoperative Physical Fitness With Post-Esophagectomy Pneumonia in Older With Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer: An Exploratory Prospective Study.

Backgrounds: Currently, there is a lack of evidence of prehabilitation during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) to prevent pneumonia of older patients. This study aimed to investigate the association of preoperative physical fitness after NAC with post-esophagectomy pneumonia in older patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer (LAEC).

Methods: This single-center exploratory prospective cohort study included 80 patients aged ≥ 65 years with LAEC scheduled for curative esophagectomy after NAC between 2021 and 2023.

Clinical mechanism of muscle mass loss during neoadjuvant chemotherapy in older patients with esophageal cancer: a prospective cohort study.

In older patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer (LAEC), loss of skeletal muscle mass during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is associated with poor clinical outcomes. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with loss of skeletal muscle mass during NAC in older patients with LAEC. This was a single-center exploratory prospective cohort study.

Endoscopic assessment of minor papilla morphology: Predictors of successful cannulation and procedural pancreatitis risk in minor papilla endotherapy.

Background: We evaluated for predictors of successful cannulation and post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) in minor papilla endotherapy (MPE), emphasizing endoscopic minor papilla morphology.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 232 MPEs in 65 patients, assessing minor papilla morphology based on three features: bulge as "prominent" or "subtle," mucosal appearance as "papilla-like" resembling the main papilla or "SMT-like" akin to a gastrointestinal submucosal tumor, and orifice visibility as "clear" or "unclear." Cannulation success was evaluated in 65 enrolled patients, with PEP risk assessed in all 232 MPEs.

Priority of the basic and instrumental activities of daily living in older patients with cancer prescribed rehabilitation: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: There is no information on whether vulnerable older patients with cancer consider basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) important outcomes. Our survey aimed to investigate the priority of BADL and IADL in outcomes among vulnerable older patients with cancer.

Methods: This was a single-center survey in a Japanese cancer center.

Skeletal muscle mass recovery after oesophagectomy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy in oesophageal cancer: retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) is an important biomarker for prognosis and health in older patients with cancer. Limited information is available on the recovery course of SMM after oesophagectomy following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in older patients. This study was performed to investigate the recovery course of SMM after oesophagectomy following NAC and the preoperative predictors of delayed recovery in older patients with locally advanced oesophageal cancer (LAEC).

Congestive hepatopathy and acute pancreatitis as severe complications of mixed connective tissue disease.

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) causes multiple organ dysfunctions, such as joint swelling, pulmonary fibrosis and hypertension, and serositis, but hepatopancreatic complications are rare. Here, we report a case of young man who exhibited acute severe liver dysfunction. He also had impaired cardiac function: both ventriculi were hypokinetic, but pulmonary hypertension and pericarditis were not observed.

Efficacy and safety of eradication therapy for elderly patients with helicobacter pylori infection.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most prevalent chronic bacterial infection and is associated with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric adenocarcinoma. Although eradication therapy is widely performed for H.