Comparison of tocilizumab and corticosteroid treatment with baricitinib and corticosteroid treatment in severely and critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

Background: Several guidelines recommend that systemic therapies involving tocilizumab, baricitinib, and corticosteroids are crucial in treating severely and critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the efficacy of the tocilizumab and corticosteroid combination compared with the baricitinib and corticosteroid combination in severely and critically ill hospitalized patients with COVID-19 remains unclear.

Methods: We analyzed severely and critically ill hospitalized patients with COVID-19 aged ≥18 years between 1 January 2020 and 31 March 2023 using a Japanese inpatient database.

Hyperandrogenism-induced Athletic Excellence in a Young Patient with Adrenocortical Carcinoma: 10 Years of Remission.

A 17-year-old female softball player presented with progressive virilization and markedly enhanced athletic performance. Laboratory evaluation revealed elevated serum testosterone with autonomous adrenal secretion. Imaging analysis demonstrated an 8-cm right adrenal mass.

When ganglioside pathways go awry: congenital disorders and experimental insights.

Glycosphingolipids comprise a hydrophobic ceramide backbone, consisting of a long-chain base (sphingosine) and a fatty acid, conjugated with a hydrophilic oligosaccharide moiety. These amphipathic molecules are integral constituents of cellular membranes, playing pivotal roles in modulating membrane protein functionality and receptor-mediated signaling. Among glycosphingolipids, gangliosides, defined by their inclusion of sialic acid residues, are abundantly enriched in the central nervous system.

MR Imaging of Umbilical Cord Variations, Abnormalities, and Associated Placental Findings.

The umbilical cord and placenta, classified as fetal appendages, play a crucial role in fetal growth and survival. While ultrasonography remains the primary modality for evaluation, MRI provides a more objective and comprehensive assessment, particularly for the placenta and fetus. Although MRI assessment of the umbilical cord is still emerging and not yet widely adopted by radiologists, MRI has the potential to support and complement ultrasound findings, thereby contributing to safer perinatal management.

Podoplanin hetero-insufficiency mice with inflammation in the jejunum demonstrates a good animal model of congenital protein-losing enteropathy.

We have identified the Podoplanin expression in rat jejunal villi. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the Podoplanin expression in jejunal villi and the pathogenesis of congenital protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), using the Podoplanin heterozygous knock-out (Pdpn-het KO) mice and aspirin-induced inflammation of the jejunum. In the Pdpn-het KO mice the reticular and complexes distribution of Podoplanin was observed in the jejunal villi, resulting in be swollen of lamina propria.

Long-term mental health change patterns in ICU survivors: a four-year comparative follow-up from the SMAP-HoPe study.

Background: Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) encompasses persistent physical, cognitive, and psychological impairments in individuals following intensive care unit (ICU) discharge. The short-term mental health impacts of PICS have been previously examined; however, long-term change pattern remain inadequately understood. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of mental health disorders in individuals at 4 years post-ICU discharge, compare prevalence rates between 1 and 4 years, and identify change patterns and associated factors.

Identification of the causative organisms in 17 cases of infected abdominal aortic aneurysms using ribosomal RNA gene sequencing analysis and genetic study on 10 cases of Helicobacter cinaedi.

Infected abdominal aortic aneurysm (IAAA) is a life-threatening condition, often complicated by a high rate of culture-negative cases, which hampers appropriate antimicrobial selection. This study investigated the causative organisms in 17 patients who underwent surgery for IAAA at two institutions in Japan. Pathogens were identified through blood and tissue cultures, ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, and histopathological examination.

Resection of C2 chordoma after failed ion-beam radiotherapy: illustrative case.

Background: Chordomas of the upper cervical spine are rare. Recently, a relatively good long-term prognosis was reported for ion-beam radiotherapy. However, in a few cases, the tumor showed regrowth after radiotherapy.

FAXC depletion contributes to tumor progression via the c-MET pathway in renal cell carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common types of kidney cancer, still requires novel therapeutic targets to improve patients' outcome. In this study, we focus on Failed Axon Connections Homolog (FAXC) gene, a newly identified and potentially important cancer target, and investigated its detailed role in RCC. In RCC cells, FAXC knockdown resulted in increased cell proliferation, and elevated c-MET expression and phosphorylation.

Radiation Therapy for Tumor-Induced Ptosis Due to Levator Palpebrae Superioris Dysfunction: A Case Report.

This report presents a unique case of tumor-induced ptosis caused by follicular lymphoma, successfully treated with radiation therapy (RT). A male in his 70s presented with progressive ptosis, swelling of the right upper eyelid, and difficulty opening the right eye. Imaging revealed a well-defined tumor in the right orbit, causing medial displacement of the globe.

A gain-of-function PIK3CD variant, R512W, impairs T cell function through polyamine-dependent metabolic dysregulation.

We previously reported a patient harboring a novel heterozygous phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit delta (PIK3CD) missense variant (p.R512W) who presented with autoimmune features including Kawasaki disease, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and systemic lupus erythematosus, without the classical signs of immunodeficiency typically associated with activated PI3Kδ syndrome (APDS). To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenotype, we conducted functional and structural analyses of the R512W variant.

Structure-activity relationship studies of tanzawaic acid A, an antifungal agent against Rhizopus oryzae.

Through structure-activity relationship studies of tanzawaic acid A (TZAA), this research aims to contribute the development of potent antifungal drugs for treating mucormycosis infections. To this end, new TZAA analogs bearing chemical modifications in the side chain and/or C8-methyl group moieties were synthesized. These analogs are not accessible from natural TZAA and therefore required total synthesis.

Activation of Hippocampal ACE2 Prevents the Dysbiosis-induced Depression-like Behavior in Mice by Enhanced Neurogenesis and Neuroprotection via Mas Receptor.

The association between gut microbiota imbalance and depression is well known; however, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Angiotensin (Ang)-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) transforms Ang II into Ang (1-7), which exerts antidepressant effects via the Mas receptor (MasR). However, the role of ACE2 in dysbiosis-related depression in the brain remains unclear.

Acute Kidney Injury Secondary to Aortic Dissection Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Perspectives from Nephrologists.

Aortic dissection (AD) is a rare but serious complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI). We herein report an older man who developed AKI secondary to Stanford type B AD after transfemoral TAVI. Non-contrast computed tomography (CT) revealed inward displacement of the calcified intima, which is a key early finding.

Post Hoc Analysis of Anxiety and Behavioral Changes in Japanese Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Relationship Between Municipal Population at the Place of Residence and Anxiety.

Aims: The Japan COVID-19 Survey and the Questionnaire for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (J-DESIRE) identified multiple factors associated with anxiety regarding the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, no regional differences in anxiety were observed. In this post hoc analysis of J-DESIRE, we investigated the relationship between the municipal population size at the place of residence (MPSPR) and anxiety among patients with IBD in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kinetic and quantitative analysis of [F]SMBT-1 PET imaging for monoamine oxidase B.

Background And Objective: In neuroinflammation, activated astrocytes, called reactive astrocytes, highly express monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). [F]SMBT-1 is a novel PET tracer developed for imaging neuroinflammation, with highly selective binding to MAO-B. The quantification method for [F]SMBT-1 PET imaging has not been established, although some human studies using [F]SMBT-1 PET imaging have already been conducted.

Defining Tumor-Induced Iliacus Syndrome: A Case Report on Radiotherapy and Gait Recovery.

Tumor invasion of the iliacus muscle is rare, and its clinical implications remain unclear. While malignant psoas syndrome (MPS) is characterized by severe pain and hip flexion contracture due to psoas muscle involvement, isolated iliacus muscle infiltration presents differently. In this report, we propose tumor-induced iliacus syndrome as a distinct clinical entity characterized by gait initiation impairment and slowed walking speed rather than fixed contracture or complete hip flexion failure.

Retiform endothelial hyperplasia with growing hematoma within a vestibular schwannoma 30 years after Gamma Knife radiosurgery: histopathological evaluation of the lesion and the tumor. Illustrative case.

Background: Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is an established therapeutic modality for vestibular schwannomas. However, various late-onset complications, including mass lesions resembling cavernous malformations, have been reported. Retiform endothelial hyperplasia (RFEH), a distinct vascular pathology, has recently been identified as a potential late-onset complication of GKRS for arteriovenous malformations.

Trends in the use and efficacy of adjuvant immunotherapy in muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma.

We investigated trends in the use of perioperative therapy and the efficacy of adjuvant immunotherapy on the prognosis of patients with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC). The usage and trends in neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy were examined, and the efficacy of adjuvant immunotherapy was assessed using propensity score-adjusted Cox multivariate analysis. We investigated 1383 patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer and 1124 patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma; 1095 (43.

International Association of Pancreatology Revised Guidelines on Acute Pancreatitis 2025: Supported and Endorsed by the American Pancreatic Association, European Pancreatic Club, Indian Pancreas Club, and Japan Pancreas Society.

Introduction: The International Association of Pancreatology, alongside the American Pancreatic Association, the European Pancreatic Club, the Indian Pancreas Club, and the Japan Pancreas Society, decided to update its earlier guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis (AP) given the remarkable advances in our understanding of AP and its management over the last decade.

Methods: These organizations put together a group of international experts to address important issues related to the management of AP. Guideline Development Groups comprising international domain experts framed clinically relevant questions and conducted thorough literature searches and systematic reviews to address the questions.