Early C-reactive protein as a predictive biomarker for postoperative complications following robot-assisted surgery for rectal cancer.

This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the predictive value of early postoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) levels for complications following robot-assisted rectal surgery (RARS) for rectal cancer. We analyzed data from 117 consecutive patients who underwent elective RARS at Okayama University Hospital between September 2020 and January 2025. Serum CRP levels were routinely measured preoperatively and on postoperative days (POD) 1 and 4.

Oestrogen replacement combined with resistance exercise in older women with knee osteoarthritis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: Interventions targeting physical function decline in older women with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) are vital for healthy ageing. The additive benefits of combining oestrogen replacement therapy (ERT) with resistance exercise remain unclear.

Objective: To evaluate the additive effect of low-dose ERT on physical performance when combined with a muscle resistance exercise programme (MREP) in older women with KOA.

Association Between Initial Symptoms and Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19.

Background: The clinical presentation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ranges from localized respiratory symptoms such as cough and sore throat to systemic symptoms such as fever and fatigue. To our knowledge, no study has assessed severe disease risk by dividing onset symptoms into localized respiratory and other symptoms. We aimed to determine whether the risk of severe COVID-19 differs depending on whether the symptoms at onset are limited to local respiratory symptoms.

Disc bulging predicts poor outcomes of decompression surgery for lumbar spinal canal stenosis.

Purpose: Lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS) is a prevalent degenerative musculoskeletal disorder in aging populations. While decompression surgery is a standard treatment, some patients require revision surgery. Disc bulging, a distinct component of the degenerative process separate from disc herniation, contributes to spinal stenosis.

Association between swimming lessons and rhinitis in school children: A nationwide birth cohort study.

Objective: Swimming is one of the most popular extracurricular activities for school-aged children in Japan, but its potential impact on the development of rhinitis has been debated. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between swimming lessons and rhinitis onset in school-aged children.

Methods: We used the data from the "Longitudinal Survey of Babies in the 21st Century," a nationwide prospective birth cohort of 43,767 children born in Japan between May 10 and 24, 2010.

Percutaneous cryoablation versus robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for small renal cell carcinoma: a retrospective cost analysis at Japanese single-institution.

Background: No direct cost comparison has been conducted between percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for clinical T1a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in Japan. This study aimed to compare their costs.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 212 PCAs (including 155 with transcatheter arterial embolization) and 119 RAPN cases performed between December 2017 and May 2022.

Evaluation of the need for preoperative short hookwire placement for small pulmonary lesions.

Purpose: Although preoperative marking is often required to accurately locate the targets for video-assisted thoracic surgery, target lesions can be identified intraoperatively without marking in some cases; however, the frequency and characteristics of these lesions remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to retrospectively evaluate the need for a short hookwire for preoperative localization of small pulmonary lesions.

Materials And Methods: Computed tomography (CT)-guided short hookwire placement was performed for 176 lesions (mean diameter, 7.

Novel method of leukocytapheresis using a highly concentrated sodium citrate solution alternative to acid citrate dextrose solution A.

Background: Large-volume leukocytapheresis is time consuming. The upper limit of the inlet flow rate is determined by the inlet: anticoagulant (AC) ratio and can be changed by combining the AC with heparin. Here, we devised a protocol to increase the AC ratio using a highly concentrated sodium citrate solution without heparin.

Efficient diagnosis for endoscopic remission in Crohn's diseases by the combination of three non-invasive markers.

Background: Serum C-reactive protein (CRP), leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein (LRG), and fecal calprotectin (Fcal) are non-invasive markers used to assess Crohn's disease (CD) severity. However, the accuracy of these markers alone is often limited, and most previous reports have evaluated the efficacy of each marker individually. We aimed to improve the diagnostic performance of endoscopic remission (ER) of CD by combining these 3 markers.

Potential for Radiation Dose Reduction in Temporal Bone CT Imaging Using Photon-Counting Detector CT.

Temporal bone computed tomography (CT) is frequently performed for pediatric patients with ear diseases. Advances in CT technology have improved diagnostic imaging quality, but reduction of radiation exposure remains a goal. We evaluated the potential for radiation dose reduction in temporal bone CT examinations using porcine ear ossicles and a photon-counting detector CT system.

Comparison of Midazolam and Diazepam for Sedation in Patients Undergoing Double-Balloon Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

The sedation method used in double-balloon endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (DB-ERCP) varies across countries and between healthcare facilities. No previous studies have compared the effects of different benzodiazepines on sedation during endoscopic procedures. This study aimed to compare the effects of midazolam and diazepam sedation on DB-ERCP outcomes.

Antibody levels and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the Omicron surge.

We examined the association between antibody titer levels and risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in the general Japanese population, including a total of 1,972 participants between June and September 2022. Specifically, we ascertained participantsIgG antibody titers targeting the spike protein and infection status, and subsequently examined the association between antibody titer categories (< 2,500, 2,500-5,000, 5,000-10,000 and > 10,000 AU/mL) and COVID-19 infection to estimate risk ratios (RR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Compared to the lowest category, the adjusted RR for participants with antibody titers ≥ 10,000 AU/mL was 0.

Comparable Clinical Outcomes Between Segmentectomy and Lobectomy for NSCLC With Unsuspected N1/N2: A Multicenter Real-World Data Study.

Background: Segmentectomy for lung cancer has been increasingly performed. However, evidence regarding the necessity of additional surgical resection after the diagnosis of unsuspected N1 or N2 lymph node metastasis is limited.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, real-world data study of patients with any clinical T and N0 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who underwent lobectomy or segmentectomy between 2012 and 2021 and who subsequently received a diagnosis of pathologic N1 or N2 lymph node metastasis.

Effects of Amikacin Liposome Inhalation Suspension and Amikacin Resistance Development in Patients With Refractory Complex Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Amikacin liposome inhalation suspension (ALIS) is key for treating refractory complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD). However, microbiological efficacy by subtype remains unknown. The frequency and mechanism of amikacin (AMK) resistance during ALIS administration are also unclear.

Acetic Acid-Indigo Carmine Chromocolonoscopy for Proximal Serrated Lesions: A Randomized, 3-Arm Colonoscopy Study.

Introduction: Aggressive colorectal cancer (CRC) frequently originates from serrated lesions (SLs), particularly in the proximal colon, which are challenging to detect using standard screening colonoscopy. Although duplicate examinations or chromocolonoscopies are recommended for detecting proximal SLs, evidence from randomized trials is limited. We evaluated the effectiveness of tandem colonoscopy with an acetic acid-indigo carmine mixture (AIM) for detecting SLs in the proximal colon compared with white-light imaging (WLI) and indigo carmine (IC).

The Asia-Pacific Body Mass Index Classification and New-Onset Chronic Kidney Disease in Non-Diabetic Japanese Adults: A Community-Based Longitudinal Study from 1998 to 2023.

: Obesity is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Asians. The Asia-Pacific body mass index (BMI) classification sets lower obesity cutoffs than the conventional BMI classification for all races, generally reflecting the lower BMIs in Asians. This longitudinal study evaluated the association between BMI, as classified by the Asia-Pacific BMI system, and CKD development in non-diabetic Asian adults.

A randomized controlled trial of conventional GVHD prophylaxis with or without teprenone for the prevention of severe acute GVHD.

Therapies that effectively suppress graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) without compromising graft-versus-leukemia/lymphoma (GVL) effects is important in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for hematopoietic malignancies. Geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) is a main component of teprenone, a gastric mucosal protectant commonly used in clinical practice. In preclinical models, GGA suppresses proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), which are associated with GVHD as well as induces thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1), which suppresses GVHD while maintaining GVL effects.

Association Between Dinner-to-Bed Time and Gastroesophageal Reflux-Related Diseases in Children.

Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is characterized by esophageal mucosal injury due to the reflux of gastroduodenal contents. Typical symptoms include heartburn and acid regurgitation. In addition, gastroesophageal reflux (GER) can influence conditions such as otitis media, rhinitis, and asthma.

Risks of neonatal anomalies and obstetric complications in 7378 singleton births after frozen-thawed and fresh embryo transfers in Japan: An analysis using doubly robust estimation.

Purpose: To compare risks of neonatal anomalies and obstetric complications among frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET), fresh embryo transfer (FreshET), and non-assisted reproductive technology (non-ART) treatments in infertile women.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 7378 singleton births (2643 non-ART, 4219 FET, 516 FreshET) from 2013 to 2022. Outcomes were compared using inverse probability weighting regression adjustment, with adjustment for maternal factors.

Impact of C-Reactive Protein-to-Albumin Ratio on Lung Cancer With Interstitial Pneumonia.

Background: Lung cancer with interstitial pneumonia is known to be a refractory disease. We explored whether systemic inflammatory response markers are associated with outcomes in these patients.

Methods: The participants of this multicenter retrospective study, consisting of 17 medical institutions, were treatment-naïve patients with lung cancer combined with interstitial pneumonia who underwent surgical resection between 2012 and 2017.

Aspartate/alanine aminotransferase ratio and development of chronic kidney disease in non-diabetic men and women: a population-based longitudinal study in Kagawa, Japan.

Background: The relationship between serum aspartate/alanine aminotransferase ratio (AST/ALT) and subsequent development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in non-diabetic Asian adults has not yet been fully investigated in longitudinal studies.

Methods: The study included all middle-aged and older non-diabetic Japanese citizens who received health check-ups in Zentsuji, Kagawa, Japan (1998-2023). AST/ALT was classified into three categories: < 1.

The required experience of open pancreaticoduodenectomy before becoming a specialist in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeons: a multicenter, cohort study of 334 open pancreaticoduodenectomies.

Background: Open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) is an essential surgical procedure for expert hepato-biliary-pancreatic (HBP) surgeons. However, there is no standard for how many surgeries must be performed by a surgeon in training before they are considered to have enough experience to ensure surgical safety.

Methods: Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) analysis was performed using the surgical data of OPDs performed during the training period of board-certified expert surgeons of the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.

In vitro fertilization and long-term child health and development: nationwide birth cohort study in Japan.

The aim of this study is to compare long-term health outcomes between IVF-conceived children and non-IVF-conceived children in Japan, in the context of strong recommendation for single embryo transfer. Using data from a nationwide birth cohort linked with perinatal database, this study analyzed 2140 children born in Japan in May 2010. It compared child health and development outcomes up to 9 years of age between IVF-conceived and non-IVF-conceived children (binary exposure).