Age-Dependent Risk of Bronchial Asthma Exacerbation in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Co-infection.

Introduction: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) are common viral etiologies of respiratory infections. Although co-infection with other respiratory pathogens is frequently observed, its clinical significance remains unclear.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 57,746 patients who underwent FILMARRAY®, a comprehensive multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing, between November 2020 and March 2023.

Association between Serum Levels of Interleukin-6 and Stroke, Cardiovascular Events, and Alzheimer's Disease Dementia.

Aims: The blood inflammatory marker interleukin 6 (IL-6) has been shown to predict future stroke, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), and dementia. However, no study has yet examined this relationship in the same population. The present study compared the predictive utility of IL-6 levels in stroke, MACEs, and Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia.

Changes in Practitioners' Attitudes toward the Recommendations for Clinical Questions of the Japanese Guideline for Management of Hyperuricemia and Gout, Third Edition between 2018 and 2020 in the Questionnaire's Surveys: Involving Their Attitude toward the New Questionnaires in 2020.

Introduction: The Japanese Society of Gout, Uric, and Nucleic Acid developed the Japanese Guideline for Management of Hyperuricemia and Gout (JGMHG) third edition, which contains seven clinical questions (CQs) and corresponding recommendations. Questionnaire surveys were conducted to clarify how recommendations regarding CQs influence decision-making in clinical practice.

Methods: The surveillances were conducted twice in 2018, just after the publication of JGMHG, and in 2020, 2 years later.

Prognostic Factors and Talaporfin Sodium Concentration in Photodynamic Therapy for Recurrent Grade 4 Glioma.

Although extensive resection improves the prognosis of gliomas, it risks impairing critical brain functions. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizing talaporfin sodium (TS) targets tumor cells upon light activation. Despite its approval in Japan, TS application remains restricted, and factors influencing its efficacy are unclear.

CD276 as a critical independent biomarker and immune checkpoint inhibitor target in epithelioid mesothelioma-TCGA study.

Background: CD276 is an immune checkpoint, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting CD276 have been tested against various cancers. However, the precise role of CD276 in mesothelioma subtypes is unknown. This study aimed to reveal the prognostic significance of CD276 in various cancers and explore CD276 as a target for ICIs in different mesothelioma subtypes.

Epidemiological study of the relationship between meteorological factors and onset of acute aortic dissection in Japan.

Several factors influence the onset of acute aortic dissection (AAD). However, few studies have examined AAD onset, weather conditions, and meteorological factors in Japan. This study aimed to identify meteorological factors associated with the onset of AAD in Japan.

Motor Function Is Associated with Cerebral Small Vessel Disease and Can Predict Mortality and Poor Functional Outcome.

Introduction: The primary objective of this study was to elucidate the predictive role of subtle motor impairment evaluated using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part III on mortality and functional outcome. The secondary objective was to evaluate the association of motor impairment with small vessel disease (SVD) severity.

Methods: We derived data from a Japanese cohort of patients with evidence of SVD who were enrolled from 2015 to 2019, and followed until 2023.

Serum VEGF-A levels on admission in COVID-19 patients correlate with SP-D and neutrophils, reflecting disease severity: A prospective study.

Background And Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in significant global morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of serum vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in COVID-19 patients and its association with disease severity and pulmonary injury.

Methods: We prospectively collected data from 71 hospitalized COVID-19 patients between June 2020 and January 2021.

Hemolysis Precedes Urine Color Change in Patients Undergoing Open-Heart Surgery on Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Purpose: Red-colored urine often occurs in patients in the perioperative period who undergo cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). This urine color change has been utilized for approximating hemolysis during CPB without a proven relationship for ongoing hemolysis. This case series study aimed to examine the relationship between plasma free hemoglobin (Hb) levels and quantified measures of urine color.

LAG3 is an independent prognostic biomarker and potential target for immune checkpoint inhibitors in malignant pleural mesothelioma: a retrospective study.

Background: Lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG3) is an immune checkpoint receptor; novel LAG3 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) exhibit therapeutic activity in melanoma. The role of LAG3and ICIs of LAG3 are unknown in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). This study aimed to uncover the prognostic landscape of LAG3 in multiple cancers and investigate the potential of using LAG3 as an ICIs target in patients with MPM.

Association Between the Use of Induction Heating Cookers and Delivery Outcomes in Pregnant Women: An Internet-Based Cohort Study.

The number of devices that generate intermediate-frequency electromagnetic fields (IF-EMFs) in the living environment has been increasing. As the public has vague concerns about new devices, it is necessary to clarify the safety of IF-EMFs. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the possible health effects of IF-EMFs by clarifying the relationship between the use of induction heating (IH) cookers and delivery outcomes.

Longitudinal analysis of long-term outcomes of colorectal cancer after laparotomy and laparoscopic surgery: The Shizuoka study.

Background: Long-term cancer prognosis after initial surgical procedures is an unlikely endpoint for clinical trials. Medical claim databases may aid in addressing this issue regardless of limited information on disease and patient background. However, the long-term prognosis (especially regarding long-term care needs) following surgical procedures remains unclear.

Comparison of Recommendations Made by Committee Members with and without Financial Conflict of Interest on Japanese Guideline of Treatment of Hyperuricemia and Gout, Third Edition.

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) consist of clinical questions (CQs) and corresponding recommendations. Considering the estimation of body of evidence, patients' opinions, and medical economics, recommendations can vary depending on the votes of the committee members of CPGs. Taking this into consideration, concerns have already been raised on how financial conflict of interest (COI) potentially influences recommendations.

Impact of Radiofrequency Exposure From Mobile Phones on the Risk of Developing Brain Tumors in Korean and Japanese Adolescents: A MOBI-Kids Case-control Study.

Background: This study aimed to examine the association between risk of brain tumors and radiofrequency (RF) exposure from mobile phones among young people in Korea and Japan.

Methods: This case-control study of brain tumors in young people was conducted in Korea and Japan under the framework of the international MOBI-Kids study. We included 118 patients diagnosed with brain tumors between 2011 and 2015 and 236 matched appendicitis controls aged 10-24 years.

Determinants of Awareness of Clinical Practice Guidelines among Healthcare Users in Japan.

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are used by both healthcare users and providers, so their recognition is important. The present study's purpose was to clarify the features of healthcare users who are aware of the CPGs. A cross-sectional survey was conducted targeting Internet survey panels ( = 6000).

Remote ischemic conditioning for acute ischemic stroke part 2: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) refers to the application of repeated short periods of ischemia intended to protect remote areas against tissue damage during and after prolonged ischemia.

Aim: We aim to evaluate the efficacy of RIC, determined by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days after stroke onset.

Design And Methods: This study is an investigator-initiated, multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-group clinical trial.

Surgical Outcomes in Children With Partial and Transitional Atrioventricular Septal Defect.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of partial and transitional atrioventricular septal defect repair, focusing on left atrioventricular valve reoperation.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 104 children who underwent partial or transitional atrioventricular septal defect repair between August 1983 and January 2021. The major outcomes included patient survival and left atrioventricular valve reoperation.

Psychological Effects on Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Single-center Study at a Tertiary Hospital in Tokyo, Japan.

Objective The present study analyzed the psychological status of healthcare workers in Japan and the influencing factors during the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic. Methods An online survey was conducted from July 22 to August 21, 2020. A total of 328 of the 1,029 medical staff members in our university hospital participated in the study.

Resectional surgery in gallbladder cancer with jaundice-how to improve the outcome?

Purpose: To evaluate the surgical outcomes of patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC) with jaundice due to as-yet unelucidated prognostic factors.

Methods: A total of 348 GBC patients underwent resection at our institute between 1985 and 2016. Of these, 67 had jaundice (serum total bilirubin ≥ 2 mg/dL).

Narrowing of the remnant portal vein diameter and decreased portal vein angle are risk factors for portal vein thrombosis after perihilar cholangiocarcinoma surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence, risk factors, management options, and outcomes of portal vein thrombosis following major hepatectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Methods: A total of 177 perihilar cholangiocarcinoma patients who (1) underwent major hepatectomy and (2) underwent investigating the portal vein morphology, which was measured by rotating the reconstructed three-dimensional images after facilitating bone removal using Aquarius iNtuition workstation between 2002 and 2018, were included. Risk factors were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard models.

Ecological study on the penetration of induction heating cookers and birth outcomes in Japan.

In recent years, equipment that generates intermediate-frequency electromagnetic fields (IF-EMFs) has become increasingly prevalent, and the influence of IF-EMFs on human health is thus attracting increasing attention. The present study was conducted with the aim of analyzing whether there is a relationship between the penetration of induction heating cookers and birth outcomes using an ecological study design at the prefectural level. We created data sets for all 47 prefectures in Japan using previously published statistics.

Simulation of the incidence of malignant brain tumors in birth cohorts that started using mobile phones when they first became popular in Japan.

Over 20 years have passed since the initial spread of mobile phones in Japan. Epidemiological studies of mobile phone use are currently being conducted around the world, but scientific evidence is inconclusive. The present study aimed to simulate the incidence of malignant brain tumors in cohorts that began using mobile phones when they first became popular in Japan.

Daikenchuto accelerates the recovery from prolonged postoperative ileus after open abdominal surgery: a subgroup analysis of three randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: Prolonged postoperative ileus (POI) is a common complication after open abdominal surgery (OAS). Daikenchuto (DKT), a traditional Japanese medicine that peripherally stimulates the neurogenic pathway, is used to treat prolonged POI in Japan. To analyze whether DKT accelerates the recovery from prolonged POI after OAS, we conducted a secondary analysis of three multicenter randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Ten-Year Trends of Public-Access Defibrillation in Japanese School-Aged Patients Having Neurologically Favorable Survival After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

The effectiveness of dissemination of public-access automated external defibrillators (AEDs) has been well established for adults, but not for children at the population level. We obtained out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) data between January 2005 and December 2014 from a nationwide OHCA registry of Japan. Our study subjects were OHCA cases aged 6 to 17, involving attempted resuscitation by emergency medical service personnel or by bystanders.