Sequential Combination of Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty for Distal Lesions in the Left Pulmonary Artery Followed by Pulmonary Endarterectomy for Central Lesions in the Right Pulmonary Artery: A Case Report.

Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is the gold standard treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). While balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is an emerging treatment for distal CTEPH, a standard therapeutic strategy for CTEPH with unilateral central lesions has yet to be established. Herein, we describe the successful treatment of a patient with CTEPH who underwent BPA for left distal lesions, followed by PEA for unilateral right central lesions, without serious complications.

Assessment of Residual or Resected Disappearing Liver Metastases After Chemotherapy: The AROD Study.

Objective: To prospectively assess the incidence of residual disease in disappearing liver metastases (DLM) and evaluate associated oncologic outcomes.

Summary Background Data: DLM are colorectal liver metastases that become undetectable on imaging after chemotherapy. Although DLM are increasingly observed with modern systemic therapy and imaging, their clinical significance and appropriate management remain unclear.

Anatomical evaluation of the perinephric vein as a surgical landmark in minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer.

Background: The standard technique in minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) has not yet been established. While the left renal vein (LRV) is a critical anatomical landmark for defining the posterior surgical margin, safe and reliable approaches to access the LRV have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to evaluate whether the perinephric vein could serve as a landmark to guide access to the LRV and assist in determining the posterior surgical margin.

Prognostic role of peritoneal lavage cytology: Proposal for staging laparoscopy criteria in biliary tract cancer.

Background: The role of radical resection for CY-positive BTC remains controversial and needs reassessment in the era of effective multi-agent chemotherapy. To evaluate the clinical significance of peritoneal lavage cytology (CY) in the perioperative management of biliary tract cancer (BTC) and propose novel staging laparoscopy (SL) criteria.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 782 patients with BTC, excluding those with cancer of the papilla of Vater.

Surgical Resection of a Solitary Metachronous Retrocaval Lymph Node Metastasis above the Renal Vein from Rectal Cancer.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) can metastasize to various sites, including the liver, lungs, ovaries, adrenal glands, and lymph nodes. Approximately 1%-2% of patients with CRC develop para-aortic lymph node metastases. Herein, we report a case of surgical resection of an isolated, metachronous, retrocaval lymph node recurrence of rectal cancer above the renal vein.

Effect of Double Layer Polyglycolic Acid Felt for Reducing Pancreatic Fistula After Pancreatoduodenectomy: Results of a Multicenter Randomized Control Trial (PLANET-PJ trial).

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of a double coating of polyglycolic acid (PGA) felt for pancreaticojejunostomy in reducing the incidence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) in patients with a normal pancreas.

Summary Background Data: Despite pancreaticojejunostomy being an advanced procedure in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (PD), few studies have reported a satisfactory reduction in the incidence of POPF.

Methods: This study was an international multicenter randomized controlled trial conducted between October 2018 and December 2021.

Impact of Preoperative Diabetes on Insulin Management and Nutritional Status After Total or Completion Pancreatectomy.

Background: Insulin requirements after total or completion pancreatectomy (TP/CP) remain uncertain, complicating postoperative diabetes and nutritional care. This study uncovers key factors influencing these requirements.

Methods: This retrospective study included 53 patients who underwent TP/CP between July 2005 and October 2023.

Relatively lower-intensity physical activity during leisure time and presenteeism among Japanese workers.

Objectives: This study examines the cross-sectional association between relatively lower-intensity physical activity (LIPA) during leisure time and presenteeism, accounting for relatively higher-intensity physical activity (HIPA) during leisure time.

Methods: Data were derived from 11 438 workers from 6 worksites of large companies in Japan, which participated in a questionnaire survey conducted between fiscal years 2018 and 2020. Frequency and duration per occasion were assessed for leisure-time physical activities at 3 intensities as determined by shortness of breath.

Clinical role of intraperitoneal chemotherapy in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma concomitant with occult peritoneal dissemination: A multicenter retrospective study.

Background: The effectiveness of intraperitoneal chemotherapy using paclitaxel (i.p.-PTX) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients with peritoneal dissemination remains elusive.

Endovascular Aneurysm Repair for a Sac Enlargement Caused by Type IIIb Endoleak Diagnosed Using Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography.

Purpose: We describe a case in which 4-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) was used to detect a type IIIb endoleak after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Case Report: The patient was a 75-year-old man who underwent EVAR for abdominal aortic aneurysm at our institute 13 years before presentation. The patient had been aortic event-free for 10 years postoperation.

Serum Testosterone and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Levels and Hearing Loss in Older Males: The Hitachi Health Study II.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the association of serum testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels with hearing loss in older males.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: A health care center.

Resection of hilar renal artery aneurysm after coil embolization in 10-year-old girl.

Coil embolization is a common treatment for visceral artery aneurysms. However, it is unknown whether it is effective or not for hilar renal artery aneurysms, and the coil itself can cause imaging artifacts, complicating the diagnosis of sac re-expansion. This report describes a 10-year-old girl who underwent open surgical repair for a left hilar renal artery aneurysm that reexpanded up to 50 mm 5 years after embolization.

A Case of Surgery for a Giant Popliteal Venous Aneurysm Positive for Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Antibodies with Repeated Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

A 56-year-old woman with recurrent acute pulmonary embolism was diagnosed with a left popliteal venous aneurysm (PVA) by venous echocardiography. During anticoagulation therapy with heparin for acute pulmonary embolism, she was found to be positive for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) antibodies. Surgery was performed with argatroban for anticoagulation, removal of the thrombus in the PVA, and suturing of the vein.

Efficacy of preoperative endoscopic nasobiliary drainage tube placement for liver cancer adjacent to the hepatic hilum.

Purpose: Surgical resection of liver cancer adjacent to the hepatic hilum is challenging, especially in balancing remnant liver volume preservation with bile duct safety. This study evaluated the efficacy of preoperative endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) tube placement as an intraoperative guide for bile duct preservation during liver resection.

Methods: Sixteen patients with liver cancer adjacent to the hepatic hilum who underwent preoperative ENBD tube placement and curative liver resection from 2016 to 2023 were retrospectively reviewed.

Cross-sectional Association Between Work Intervals and Metabolic Syndrome among Japanese Daytime Workers: Japan Epidemiology Collaboration on Occupational Health Study.

Objective: To investigate the association between work intervals and metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Japanese daytime workers.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 5,094 daytime workers from the Japan Epidemiology Collaboration on Occupational Health Study. Work intervals, with and without commuting, were calculated using a self-administered questionnaire.

Birth cohort-specific smoking patterns in Japan (1906-2004): a population-based study from the NC-CCAPH consortium.

Background: This study aimed to estimate Japan's age-specific history of smoking prevalence, initiation, cessation, and intensity by birth cohort, using data from multiple cohort studies.

Methods: We pooled data from eight eligible cohorts surveyed between 1989 and 2020 as part of the National Center Cohort Collaborative for Advancing Population Health (NC-CCAPH). An Age-Period-Cohort model was employed to estimate birth cohort- and sex-specific smoking patterns for individuals born between 1920 and 1999.

Bone loss, osteoporosis, and fractures in patients with resected pancreatic head cancer.

Background: Major pancreatic resections are considered to have a high risk of developing osteoporosis. This study aimed to examine factors associated with bone mineral density (BMD) loss, osteoporosis, and fractures among pancreatic head cancer patients who underwent resection.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated consecutive pancreatic head cancer patients who underwent resection and had evaluable computed tomography (CT) before surgery and at one-year follow-up.

Impact of hepatospleno volume ratio on postoperative chronic liver failure after major hepatectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Aims: The incidence of postoperative chronic liver failure (PCLF) after major hepatectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma is relatively low, but it warrants careful attention. This study aimed to analyze the risk factors for PCLF, with a specific focus on the correlation with postoperative changes in liver and spleen volumes.

Methods: A total of 172 patients who underwent major hepatectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma between 2006 and 2021 were included in the study.

Incidence rates of medically certified long-term sickness absence among Japanese employees: A focus on sex differences.

Background: Long-term sickness absence (LTSA) is an important public health challenge, yet limited data exist on its incidence in Japan. We aimed to describe the incidence of all-cause and cause-specific LTSA by sex and age, using 10-year data from a large Japanese working population, focusing on sex differences.

Methods: The study participants were employees from 16 worksites in the Japan Epidemiology Collaboration on Occupational Health Study between April 2012 and March 2022.

Resectable Pancreatic Cancer with CA19-9 > 500 U/mL: A Biological Indicator for Survival Benefit with Intensive Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

Background: While anatomical resectability guides pancreatic cancer treatment, carbohydrate antigen (19-9 (CA19-9) serves as a biological indicator of disease burden. Current guidelines suggest considering neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for cases with markedly elevated CA19-9, but specific threshold values and treatment strategies remain undefined. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intensive NAC using gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel or fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX) for anatomically resectable pancreatic cancer with elevated CA19-9 (> 500 U/mL).

Survival after neoadjuvant and induction FOLFIRINOX versus gemcitabine-nab-paclitaxel in patients with resected localised pancreatic adenocarcinoma: an international multicentre study.

Background: It remains unclear whether there is a difference in overall survival (OS) benefit between (m)FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine-nab-paclitaxel as preoperative regimens for localised pancreatic adenocarcinoma. This study aimed to investigate the outcome of patients with resected localised pancreatic adenocarcinoma following (m)FOLFIRINOX versus gemcitabine-nab-paclitaxel.

Methods: International multicentre retrospective study (16 centres, 8 countries, 3 continents), including consecutive patients after pancreatic resection for localised pancreatic adenocarcinoma following 2-6 months preoperative (m)FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine-nab-paclitaxel (2010-2018).

Blood Group Antigen Expression in Blood and Tumor in Relation to Survival Outcomes in Resected Pancreatic Cancer, Overall and by Adjuvant Chemotherapy Regimens.

Background: Few comprehensive studies have examined the associations of the ABO blood group with survival outcomes for patients with resected pancreatic cancer, overall and by adjuvant chemotherapy regimens.

Methods: This multicenter study enrolled 1153 patients with resected pancreatic cancer. The hazard ratios (HRs) for disease-free and pancreatic cancer-specific survival were calculated with adjustment for potential confounders, including KRAS mutation and CDKN2A (p16), TP53, and SMAD4 expression, using the Cox proportional hazards regression model.