Diagnosis of Listeria monocytogenes Meningitis Using the FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel in a Patient With Prior Antibiotic Exposure: A Case Report.

Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency with high mortality rates and a significant risk of complications. Conventional diagnostic methods, such as Gram staining, sometimes fail to identify the causative pathogen, and cultures take time to yield results. The FilmArray meningitis/encephalitis (ME) Panel, a molecular diagnostic tool, identifies 14 pathogens in approximately one hour.

Rheumatoid arthritis development and survival in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia patients with anti-citrullinated protein antibodies.

Background: Some patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) with anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during the early phase of ACPA positivity, whereas others develop RA either in the late phase or not at all; however, the clinical factors that predict RA development and survival outcome in these patients remain unknown.

Methods: Retrospective clinical data from IIP patients without an RA diagnosis at the time of ACPA positivity were analysed. The chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) score was calculated based on the extent of the lesions.

Clinical Variables That Predict Liver-related Events in Steatotic Liver Disease Diagnosed by a Liver Biopsy.

Objective Identifying patients at high risk of steatotic liver disease (SLD) is crucial. The liver fibrosis stage is the most reliable marker of liver-related mortality. However, non-invasive risk stratification methods remain controversial.

Factors Associated With Rebleeding and Early Mortality Following Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Spontaneous Muscle Hematoma: A Single-Center Experience Including the Period of the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic.

Objectives We aim to investigate factors associated with rebleeding and mortality within one month of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for spontaneous muscle hematoma (SMH) and the impact of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods This retrospective analysis included 33 patients who underwent TAE for SMH at a single center between 2012 and 2022. After 2020, eight of these patients had the COVID-19 infection.

Local Control of Conjunctival Malignant Melanoma by Proton Beam Therapy in a Patient With No Metastasis in Six Years From to Nodular Lesions.

Conjunctival malignant melanoma is extremely rare, with no standard of care established at moment. Here we report a 65-year-old woman, as a hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier, who presented concurrently a liver mass and lower bulbar conjunctival pigmented lesions in the right eye. Needle liver biopsy and excisional conjunctival biopsy showed hepatocellular carcinoma and conjunctival malignant melanoma , respectively.

Dysregulation of PI4P in the trans Golgi regions activates the mammalian Golgi stress response.

The Golgi stress response is an important cytoprotective system that enhances Golgi function in response to cellular demand, while cells damaged by prolonged Golgi stress undergo cell death. OSW-1, a natural compound with anticancer activity, potently inhibits OSBP that transports cholesterol and phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P) at contact sites between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus. Previously, we reported that OSW-1 induces the Golgi stress response, resulting in Golgi stress-induced transcription and cell death.

Anti-PD-1 Autoantibody Predicts Survival of Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Receiving Atezolizumab/Bevacizumab.

Background And Aims: Methods for predicting therapeutic response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer therapy are in high demand. In patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), atezolizumab (anti-programmed cell death-ligand 1 [PD-L1]) and bevacizumab (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor) combination therapy (Atezo/Bev therapy) is a first-line treatment. However, no reliable biomarkers are currently available to predict its efficacy.

Disparity in the effect of partial gravity simulated using a new apparatus on different rat hindlimb muscles.

The days of returning to the Moon and landing on Mars are approaching. These long-duration missions present significant challenges, such as changes in gravity, which pose serious threats to human health. Maintaining muscle function and health is essential for successful spaceflight and exploration of the Moon and Mars.

The presence of a ghost infarct core is associated with fast core growth in acute ischemic stroke.

Introduction: The overestimation of ischemic core volume by CT perfusion (CTP) is a critical concern in the selection of candidates for reperfusion therapy. This phenomenon is termed a ghost infarct core (GIC). Core growth rate (CGR) is an indicator of ischemic severity.

Reevaluating diagnosis in interstitial lung disease with a second multidisciplinary discussion.

Background: The importance of multidisciplinary discussion (MDD) for diagnosing interstitial lung disease (ILD) is emphasized by several international guidelines. While initial diagnoses are often provisional and require periodic re-evaluation, there is a lack of literature regarding the role of follow-up MDD in clinical practice.

Methods: From September 2020 to January 2022, patients underwent an initial MDD (MDD1) based on clinical, radiological, and pathological evaluations.

Different psychopathological courses between chronic interictal psychosis and schizophrenia.

Objective: The clinical course of interictal psychosis (IIP) has not yet been investigated. We aimed to compared the psychopathology and time-relevant indices between chronic IIP (CIIP) and schizophrenia (SC) METHODS: In this comprehensive psychopathological study, patients with chronic psychosis with and without epilepsy (127 with CIIP and 187 with SC) were compared. Psychopathology was measured using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS): total, negative symptoms (NSs), positive symptoms (PSs), and anxiety-depressive symptoms (ADSs).

Predictive factors for transition to conversion therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma using atezolizumab plus bevacizumab.

Background: To identify predictive factors associated with successful transition to conversion therapy following combination therapy with atezolizumab and bevacizumab in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: In total, 188 patients with HCC, who received atezolizumab plus bevacizumab combination therapy as the first-line chemotherapy, were studied. Patients who achieved complete response (CR) with systemic chemotherapy alone were excluded.

Assessment of clinical relevance of antigen improves diagnostic accuracy of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Background: Exposure assessment is integral to the diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Although the clinical relevance of exposed antigens is essential for the assessment, many of the previous guidelines or reports have only evaluated simple exposure histories or immunological tests. To overcome this problem, the Exposure Assessment Form (EAF) was developed as an assessment tool for classifying the exposure grade from G0 to G4.

Solitary Pure Ground-glass Opacity Suspected of Being the Initial Presentation of Nonfibrotic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis.

We herein report a rare case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) that was initially demonstrated as solitary pure ground-glass opacity (GGO) on chest computed tomography (CT). A 51-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer underwent follow-up CT, which revealed solitary pure GGO. The patient developed exertional dyspnea after two years, and CT revealed diffuse centrilobular nodules in addition to GGO, which had increased in size.

Iliacus Myositis and Bacteremia Caused by Non-typhoidal Salmonella in a Healthy Adult: A Case Report.

Typically, non-typhoidal (NTS) causes gastroenteritis; however, NTS can also lead to extraintestinal manifestations like bacteremia, meningitis, and abscess in vulnerable populations such as children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Extraintestinal manifestations in an immunocompetent patient are uncommon. Here, we report a case of iliacus myositis and bacteremia caused by NTS in a healthy adult.

Human mpox presenting with penile edema and ulcer: A case report.

Human mpox, which has spread worldwide since May 2022, is characterized by symptoms involving the genital area; however, its treatment methods and clinical course are not completely understood. Furthermore, penile swelling in human mpox can be difficult to differentiate from cellulitis and antibiotic use has been reported in such cases. Herein, we report a case of human mpox in Japan with prominent penile swelling and persistent penile ulcers that improved without specific treatment.

Infectious virus shedding duration reflects secretory IgA antibody response latency after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Infectious virus shedding from individuals infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is used to estimate human-to-human transmission risk. Control of SARS-CoV-2 transmission requires identifying the immune correlates that protect infectious virus shedding. Mucosal immunity prevents infection by SARS-CoV-2, which replicates in the respiratory epithelium and spreads rapidly to other hosts.

Phase I/IIa trial of 18F-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) 1007 PET/CT in healthy volunteers and prostate cancer patients.

Objective: 18F-PSMA 1007 is a promising PET tracer for prostate cancer. We aimed to examine the safety, biodistribution, radiation dosimetry, and clinical effectiveness in Japanese healthy volunteers and patients with prostate cancer.

Methods: Part A evaluated the pharmacokinetics and exposure doses in three healthy volunteers.

Noteworthy Performance of Muscle-Injured Para-Athletes: A Study of Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Detected Muscle Injuries at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympic Games.

Background: To the best of our knowledge, no studies have attempted to correlate athletic performance with muscle injuries sustained during Paralympic Games.

Aim: This study reports the incidence, anatomical location, anatomical site classification, and relationship between competition results and anatomical site classification in athletes who participated in the Paralympic Games.

Methods: All magnetic resonance images collected at the International Paralympic Committee polyclinic at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games were reviewed to identify the presence and anatomical site of muscle injuries.