Thromboembolic risks after knee arthroplasty in patients with severe obesity: A large-scale analysis using Japanese medical claims data.

Background: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of complications after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), particularly in Western populations. However, the effect of severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 35 kg/m) on postoperative complications in Japanese patients remains unclear.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using Japan's Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database, including patients who underwent TKA or UKA between April 2016 and March 2023.

Clinicopathologic features and contralateral breast cancer risk in BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant carriers: a multicenter registry study of Japanese women.

Purpose: This large-scale study presents the clinicopathological characteristics and cumulative incidence of contralateral breast cancer (CBC) in Japanese BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant carriers, including cases diagnosed after the implementation of national insurance coverage.

Methods: We analyzed 2949 breast cancer cases from the registry database of the Japanese Organization of Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer.

Results: BRCA1 carriers predominantly developed triple-negative breast cancer, whereas BRCA2 carriers more frequently developed luminal-type tumors, with a younger age of onset observed in BRCA1 carriers.

Combination chemotherapy for older patients with unresectable biliary tract cancer: a prospective observational study using propensity-score matched analysis (JON2104-B).

Background: Systemic chemotherapy with gemcitabine plus S-1 (GEM + S-1), GEM + CDDP plus S-1 (GEM + CDDP + S-1), or gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GEM + CDDP) is standard treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer (aBTC). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination chemotherapy in older patients with aBTC.

Methods: This multicenter prospective observational study (JON2104-B, UMIN000045156) included patients aged ≥ 70 years with aBTC.

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.

Use of cartilage-conduction hearing aids in a child with Crouzon syndrome and meatal atresia.

A cartilage-conduction hearing aid (CCHA) transmits sound vibrations to the inner ear via the ear cartilage rather than through air or bone. They can be used in patients with meatal atresia and persistent otorrhea. Unlike bone-conduction hearing aid (BCHA), there is no need for pressure between the transducer and the temporal bone.

Breast cancer classification based on the integration of diagnostic algorithms for calcifications and masses using a mixture of experts.

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of an integrated deep-learning (DL) algorithm, the Mixture of Radiological Findings Specific Experts (MoRFSE), in breast cancer classification by imitating the diagnostic decision-making process of radiologists.

Methods: A total of 2,764 mammographic images (1,462 breast cancer, 248 benign lesions, and 1,054 normal breast tissue) from the TOMPEI-CMMD were used. The MoRFSE comprises three DL models: a gate network for categorization (gNet) and two classification expert networks (cExp and mExp) specialized in capturing the distinct characteristics of calcifications and masses, respectively.

Grief and Depression Among Bereaved Parents Who Have Lost an Adult Child to Cancer: A National Death Follow-Up Study.

Parents who have lost their children to death often experience high levels of grief and depression. However, studies on the grief and depression experienced by parents who have lost an adult child to cancer are scarce. To clarify the risk and characteristics of grief and depression in parents who have lost an adult child to cancer.

Effect of Preoperative Nutritional Status on Postoperative Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Metastatic Spinal Tumors: Japan Association of Spine Surgeons with Ambition Multicenter Study.

Study Design: A multicenter prospective study.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of preoperative nutritional status, assessed using the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), on clinical outcomes, including survival prognosis, postoperative complications, hospitalization duration, and functional prognosis, in patients with metastatic spinal tumors undergoing surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Malnutrition is common in patients with cancer and is associated with poor clinical outcomes.

Developing a predictive model for rapid stroke diagnosis via blood using mid-infrared spectroscopy.

Background: The diagnosis of stroke requires rapid and objective methods for timely therapeutic intervention. However, the high incidence of stroke and limited healthcare resources, including imaging modalities, underscores the need for rapid diagnostic tools. Mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy is a comprehensive blood analysis method characterized by simplicity, speed, and cost-effectiveness.

Current status and regional differences in disaster planning and preparedness for home oxygen therapy: Insights of the Japanese White Paper on Home Respiratory Care 2024.

Background: Disaster planning and preparedness for home oxygen therapy (HOT), including regional variations, have not been fully clarified in Japan. Herein, we analyzed data from the Japanese White Paper on Home Respiratory Care 2024 to investigate the current status regarding this.

Methods: Data from medical institutions administering HOT (physician survey), patients receiving HOT (patient survey), and employees of HOT service providers (provider survey) who answered questions regarding disaster were analyzed.

Hip internal rotation restriction and heel raise mechanics as risk factors for Jones fractures in youth football players.

Background: Jones fractures, stress fractures at the proximal metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction of the fifth metatarsal, are common in sports that involve repetitive jumping and turning, particularly football (i.e., soccer).

Impact of pump position on postoperative outcomes in less invasive left ventricular assist device implantation.

Introduction: less invasive approach (LIS) has recently become increasingly used for left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. However, the impact of surgical access on pump position and clinical outcomes comparing LIS-LVAD implantation to full sternotomy (ST) has not been well discussed.

Methods: Between April 2010 and February 2021, a total of 237 consecutive patients received a LVAD, 76 (32.

Increased ATP production and P-glycoprotein activity underlie the marked changes in blood-brain barrier transport of drugs in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Background And Purpose: Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are prescribed many medications for symptomatic relief. However, how potential alterations to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) affect the brain exposure of drugs in ALS remains under-investigated.

Experimental Approach: We used high-dimensional proteomic analysis, cellular metabolism, and mitochondrial functional assays to characterise isolated brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) from wildtype and SOD1 transgenic mice, a mouse model of familial ALS, at a late-symptomatic age (P115-120), together with a transcardiac brain perfusion technique to assess BBB function in situ.

Favorable Response Defined by CA19-9 Reduction After Neoadjuvant Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer.

Background: Neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) for pancreatic cancer has been shown to reduce mortality risk, with carbohydrate antigen (CA)19-9 response indicating survival outcomes. The purpose of this study is to clarify the degree of the CA19-9 response after neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) on prognosis.

Patients And Methods: In this retrospective, multicenter, observational study involving 1811 patients with pancreatic cancer scheduled for surgery, patients were stratified on the basis of pretreatment CA19-9 levels into elevated CA19-9 level and CA19-9 within the normal range groups.

Efficacy and safety of fruquintinib in patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer: a FRESCO-2 subgroup analysis of patients enrolled in Japan.

Background: In the phase 3 FRESCO-2 study, fruquintinib plus best supportive care (BSC) significantly improved overall survival (OS) versus placebo plus BSC in patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We present the results of a FRESCO-2 post hoc subgroup analysis evaluating outcomes of patients enrolled in Japan.

Methods: In FRESCO-2, patients had previously received all standard chemotherapies, anti-VEGF and anti-EGFR therapies if indicated, and had progressed on, or were intolerant to trifluridine-tipiracil and/or regorafenib.

Clinical and Communication Factors Associated With Family Conflict in Palliative Care Units: A Survey of Bereaved Families in Japan.

Background: Family conflict is a common problem in palliative care and has been identified as a potential barrier to providing appropriate care. Several demographic factors associated with family conflict have been reported; however, associated clinical factors, including symptoms, treatments, and communication, remain to be elucidated.

Aims: The aim of this study was to identify symptoms, treatments, and communication factors associated with family conflict in palliative care units (PCUs).

Lubiprostone in chronic kidney disease: Insights into mitochondrial function and polyamines from a randomized phase 2 clinical trial.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a life-threatening condition, and constipation is a progressive risk factor. We evaluated changes in uremic toxins, renal function, and the safety of lubiprostone, a selective chloride channel activator, in patients with CKD. In this phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial across nine centers in Japan, 150 patients with stage IIIb-IV CKD received lubiprostone (8 or 16 micrograms) or placebo for 24 weeks.

Glutaminase inhibition confers antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo on tyrosine kinase inhibitors-resistant renal cell carcinoma cells by affecting vascular endothelial growth factor signaling.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are key drugs in advanced renal cell carcinoma. Their prolonged efficacy is expected to translate directly into improved prognosis for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. In our previous studies, we identified important metabolic pathways related to sunitinib resistance.

Effect of very low-intensity resistance exercise on aortic-brachial blood pressure disparity in young men.

Background: Resistance exercise is accompanied by pronounced elevations in pulse pressure during and following exercise. Whether an increase in aortic pulse pressure during resistance exercise is mitigated by a reduction in exercise intensity remains uncertain. We examined the effects of resistance exercise at 10% and 40% one-repetition maximum on aortic pulse pressure.

Multi-omic profiling of intraductal papillary neoplasms of the pancreas reveals distinct patterns and potential markers of progression.

To enable early detection of pancreatic cancer from precancerous lesions, we analyze proteins and glycoproteins from 64 intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), 55 cyst fluid samples, 104 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs), and various types of normal samples using mass spectrometry. High-grade IPMNs show enrichment of glycosylation level and tumor progression pathways compared to low-grade lesions. High-grade IPMN associated proteins, such as PLOD3, IRS2, LGALS9, and Trop-2, are identified and validated using immunolabeling and laser microdissection.

Comparison of Cup Position and Perioperative Characteristics in Total Hip Arthroplasty Following Three Types of Pelvic Osteotomy.

: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) following pelvic osteotomy for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is technically challenging due to altered acetabular morphology. This study aimed to compare radiographic cup position and perioperative characteristics of THA after three common pelvic osteotomies-periacetabular osteotomy (PAO), shelf procedure, and Chiari osteotomy-with primary THA in Crowe type I DDH. A retrospective review identified 25 hips that underwent conversion THA after pelvic osteotomy (PAO = 12, shelf = 8, Chiari = 5) and 25 primary THAs without prior osteotomy.

Adverse childhood experiences and mental health of sexual and gender minorities in Canada, USA, and Japan.

Background: Sexual and gender minorities have an increased risk for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and worsening mental health. However, cross-country research on varying levels of social acceptance remains limited. We compared the impact of sexual and gender minority status on ACEs and poor mental health between Canada, USA, and Japan.