Multiple Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantations in Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Prognostic Significance of Remission and Severe Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome.

Background: Relapsed or refractory cases of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have poor outcomes despite advancements in chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). While a second HSCT is often a salvage option, its outcomes vary widely, and prognostic factors remain unclear.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate outcomes and identify prognostic factors in pediatric patients with AML who underwent multiple HSCTs.

Epidemiology and risk factors of hallux valgus in Japanese population: HAPPI study.

Introduction: Hallux valgus (HV) is a common foot deformity characterized by lateral deviation of the great toe. Despite known associations with gender, age, and footwear, the prevalence of HV and its associated risk factors in Japan remain unclear. We conducted the first-ever prospective population-based cohort study (HAPPI study) in Japan to elucidate the prevalence of HV and identify its associated risk factors.

Impact of preoperative beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, arginine, and glutamine supplementation on inflammation in patients with cardiac surgery: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Preoperative physical frailty is a significant predictor of adverse postoperative outcomes in older patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Inflammation plays a crucial role in the development of frailty and contributes to postoperative complications. This study investigated the effects of preoperative beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), arginine, and glutamine supplementation on inflammatory markers, nutritional status, and renal function in older patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Efficacy and Safety of Durvalumab Plus Tremelimumab in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients With Portal Vein Thrombosis and High Tumor Burden: A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of durvalumab and tremelimumab (Dur/Tre) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had a tumor thrombus in the main portal vein trunk (Vp4) or high tumor burden (HTB).

Methods: A total of 309 patients with BCLC stage B or C HCC who received Dur/Tre between March 2023 and October 2024 were included. HTB was defined as the presence of at least one of the following radiological findings: ≥ 50% liver involvement by HCC, bile duct invasion, or the presence of Vp4.

Salvage Masquelet Technique for Insufficient Bone Regeneration Following Chipping and Lengthening in Tibial Nonunion: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND The treatment of nonunion with deformity and shortening remains a significant challenge in orthopedic surgery. The chipping and lengthening technique is used for bone reconstruction and new bone formation, without the need for bone grafting. However, inadequate bone regeneration can require additional treatment.

Left Ventricular Dysfunction Caused by Combined Pembrolizumab and Lenvatinib Following Doxorubicin: Which Agent Is the Culprit?

Background: Combination chemotherapy has improved cancer outcomes; however, identifying suspected cardiotoxic chemotherapies can be challenging when multiple chemotherapies are initiated simultaneously.

Case Summary: A 58-year-old woman with endometrial cancer developed heart failure, with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction of 26%, 10 months after combined pembrolizumab and lenvatinib after doxorubicin. Cardiac magnetic resonance revealed acute myocarditis.

Clinical utility of measuring temporal muscle volume by head computed tomography for Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition phenotypic criteria in critically ill patients.

Background: The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) lacks endorsed criteria for a muscle mass assessment. Since a muscle mass assessment using trunk computed tomography (CT) cannot be performed on all patients, a temporal muscle evaluation may serve as an useful alternative. In the present study, we hypothesized that complementing a total skeletal muscle mass assessment with a temporal muscle evaluation may provide a viable strategy for the GLIM assessment in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Targeting Both Monomer and Oligomer with Fibrinogen Efficiently Suppresses Amyloid Fibril Formation and Cell Toxicity of Amyloid β 1-42.

The development of drugs for Alzheimer's disease, which accounts for over half of all dementia cases, remains challenging. Amyloid β 1-42 (Aβ42) is widely recognized for its deposition in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, Aβ42-induced cell toxicity likely plays a role in disease onset.

Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy for Multiple Synchronous Renal Tumors in Unilateral Kidney Using Hinotori Surgical System: A Case Report.

Introduction: Multiple synchronous renal tumors (MSRT) in unilateral kidney are clinically rare. Simultaneous resection for multiple tumors with RAPN is complicated and challenging. Herein, we report the successful resection of three synchronous renal tumors located in unilateral kidney with RAPN using the hinotori surgical robot system.

Mitotane Treatment for Malignant Leydig Cell Tumor: A Case Report.

Introduction: Leydig cell tumors (LCTs), constituting 1%-3% of testicular tumors, are mostly benign, but malignant cases present treatment challenges. We report a malignant LCT case with a notable response to mitotane.

Case Presentation: A 43-year-old male presented with a right testicular induration and was diagnosed with a Leydig cell tumor following orchiectomy.

Rapid and long-lasting antidepressant-like effects of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptor antagonist PA-915 in chronic stress mouse models.

Stress-related disorders, such as depression and anxiety, have been one of the most important medical issues. Accumulating evidence suggests that the activation of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and its receptor PAC1 are involved in the stress axis and the development of stress-related disorders. We recently developed PA-915, a small-molecule, non-peptide, high-affinity PAC1 antagonist, and demonstrated that it significantly suppresses anxiety-like behavior in acute stress-induced mice.

Outcomes of FOLFIRINOX versus gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel in patients with early recurrent pancreatic cancer after adjuvant S-1 treatment: A propensity score-matched analysis.

Background: Oral fluoropyrimidine, S-1 is the standard adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with resected pancreatic cancer (PC) in Japan. Patients experiencing early recurrence are typically treated with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX) or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP), which are commonly used in patients with advanced PC. However, no clinical studies have compared these regimens in this particular population.

Target volume delineation of the neck for radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: CSTRO, CACA, CSCO, HNCIG, ESTRO, and ASTRO guidelines and contouring atlas.

The Chinese Society for Therapeutic Radiology Oncology, the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology, the Head and Neck Cancer International Group, the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology, and the American Society for Radiation Oncology collaboratively developed evidence-based guidelines and a comprehensive contouring atlas for neck target volume delineation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. These guidelines address five key challenges in modern radiotherapy practice: margin design of clinical target volume; nodal target volume delineation after induction chemotherapy; delineation of equivocal nodes evident on imaging; low-risk clinical target volume delineation based on regional stepwise extension patterns; and modifications for anatomical boundaries of lymphatic areas. Developed through a rigorous systematic review and expert appraisal process by a panel of 50 international, multidisciplinary members from 17 countries and regions, these guidelines incorporate the latest advances in nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosis and treatment.

Primary target volume delineation for radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: CSTRO, CACA, CSCO, HNCIG, ESTRO, and ASTRO guidelines and contouring atlas.

The Chinese Society for Therapeutic Radiology Oncology, the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology, Head and Neck Cancer International Group, the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology, and the American Society for Radiation Oncology jointly developed evidence-based guidelines and a contouring atlas for primary target volume delineation for radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The guidelines systematically address three crucial challenges: margin design of clinical target volumes; target volume delineation after induction chemotherapy; and low-risk clinical target volume delineation based on local stepwise extension patterns. Based on a comprehensive systematic review and critical appraisal by an international multidisciplinary panel of 50 nasopharyngeal carcinoma specialists from 17 countries and regions, these guidelines are in keeping with advances in nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosis and treatment, embodying contemporary treatment concepts, and elaborating on the differences in practice.

Spatial colocalization and molecular crosstalk of myofibroblastic CAFs and tumor cells shape lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is a critical prognostic factor for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Previous research has implicated the partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of tumor cells and myofibroblastic cancer-associated fibroblasts (myCAFs) in the LNM process. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood.

Similarities and differences in the intestinal actions of metformin and imeglimin.

Aims: Imeglimin is a novel antidiabetic drug that shares structural similarity with metformin. While the intestinal effects of metformin have attracted widespread attention, those of imeglimin remain underexplored.

Materials And Methods: C57BL/6J mice were treated with metformin or imeglimin for RNA sequencing of intestinal tissue.

Intensive care unit-acquired muscle atrophy and weakness in critical illness: a review of long-term recovery strategies.

Intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired muscle atrophy and weakness are key contributors to post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), which can lead to long-term functional impairments. Although the ICU survival rate has improved, many patients continue to experience persistent functional impairments that hinder their reintegration into society. This review summarizes a series of observational and interventional studies conducted as part of the Muscle Atrophy Zero Project, focusing on the etiology, assessment, and prevention of ICU-acquired muscle atrophy and weakness.

Nationwide Survey of Pharmacist Involvement in Managing Cancer Pain in Children.

Background: Cancer pain distresses pediatric patients, affects quality of life, and is a psychological burden for families. The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of pharmacists in assisting children with cancer pain and their families.

Methods: Between February and May 2024, a nationwide questionnaire survey was conducted among hospital pharmacists from the Japanese Society for Pharmaceutical Palliative Care and Sciences.

Response to biologics along a gradient of T2 involvement in patients with severe asthma: a data-driven biomarker clustering approach.

Background: Asthma with low levels of T2-biomarkers is poorly understood.

Objective: To characterize severe asthma phenotypes and compare pre- to post-biologic change in asthma outcomes along a gradient of T2-involvement.

Methods: This was a registry-based, cohort study including data from 24 countries.

Hepatitis B Boosters Using a Different Product vs. the Same Product for Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Retrospective Study With Bayesian Inference.

Objectives: Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for those receiving kidney transplants. When hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) levels remain low, the booster dose of the vaccine should be considered. Some consider that the use of a different product as a booster might be beneficial to the patients, but the effectiveness of such a strategy has not been evaluated.

GLIM Criteria as Prognostic Factor in Patients Undergoing Adjuvant S-1 Chemotherapy for Biliary Tract Cancer.

Background/aim: Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) have poor prognoses, with limited curative options beyond surgical resection. Adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy has shown survival benefits in Japanese patients undergoing resection for BTC. However, prognostic factors influencing survival in these patients remain uncertain.

Intestinal invagination caused by circumferential contraction with longitudinal relaxation of the wall.

Pediatric intussusception is frequently observed in the ileocecal region, where the terminal ileum invaginates into the colon. Previous studies have indicated an association between pediatric intussusception and inflammation as well as intestinal motility. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, particularly with regard to the mechanics.