Celiac and superior mesenteric ganglia removal improves glucose tolerance and reduces pancreas islet size.

The sympathetic nervous system is crucial for the regulation of visceral organ function. For instance, the activation of the sympathetic nervous system promotes glycogenolysis in the liver and modulates glucagon and insulin release from the pancreas, thereby raising blood glucose levels. A decrease in sympathetic nerve activity has the opposite effect. Although such acute effects of sympathetic activity changes have been studied, their long-term outcomes have not been previously examined. In this study, we removed the celiac/superior mesenteric ganglia, where sympathetic postganglionic neurons innervating pancreas and liver locate, and examined its effects on glucose homeostasis and islet size several weeks after surgery. Consistent with the reduction in gluconeogenesis, glucose tolerance improved in gangliectomized mice. However, contrary to our expectation that the inhibition of pancreatic function by sympathetic nerves would be relieved with gangliectomy, insulin or C-peptide release did not increase. Examining the size distribution of pancreatic islets, we identified that the gangliectomy led to a size reduction in large islets and a decrease in the proportion of α and ß cells within each islet, as analyzed by immunostaining for insulin and glucagon, respectively. These results indicate that the absence of sympathetic nerve activity reduces the size of the pancreatic islets within a few weeks to reinstate the homeostatic mechanism of blood glucose levels.

Analysis of drug-induced interstitial lung disease caused by herbal medicine using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database.

BACKGROUND: Drug-induced interstitial lung disease (DIILD) is a severe adverse event leading to morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the adverse event indicators of DIILD and time-to-onset profiles following the daily intake of herbal drugs (Scutellariae radix ["ogon" in Japanese], Bupleuri radix ["saiko" in Japanese], and Pinelliae tuber ["hange" in Japanese]) using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database. DIILD was defined in accordance with the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities. METHODS: The Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database contained 830,079 reports published between April 2004 and April 2023. The association between herbal medicines and DILLD was evaluated using the pharmacovigilance index as the reporting odds ratio (ROR), logistic regression models, propensity score-matching techniques, and Weibull shape parameters. RESULTS: The adjusted RORs using multivariate logistic regression models for Scutellariae radix (daily intake), Pinelliae tuber (daily intake), sex (male), age (≥ 60 years), Scutellariae radix (daily intake)*age (≥ 60 years), and Scutellariae radix (daily intake)* Pinelliae tuber (daily intake) were 1.47 (1.36 - 1.59), 1.05 (1.01 - 1.10), 1.45 (1.34 - 1.57), 1.92 (1.74 - 2.11), 3.35 (3.12 - 3.60), and 1.49 (1.46 - 1.53), respectively. DIILD onset profiles were evaluated using the Weibull shape parameter. A logistic plot of daily intake and onset of DIILD was drawn. ROR signals were detected in 32 of 54 herbal medicines, including Scutellariae radix, Bupleuri radix, and Pinelliae tuber. The median duration (days) (interquartile range) to DIILD onset was 36.0 (27.0-63.0) for Saikokaryukotsuboreito, 35.0 (21.0-55.0) for Saireito, and 31.0 (13.5-67.5) for Shosaikoto. The Weibull shape parameter beta (95% confidence interval) values for Saikokaryukotsuboreito, Saireito, and Shosaikoto were 1.36 (1.08-1.67), 1.36 (1.20-1.52), and 1.31 (0.98-1.68), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: DIILD demonstrated a dose-dependent to crude drugs. Clinicians should strive for the early detection of DIILD and avoid the inadvertent administration of herbal medicines.

Study of Factors to Increase the Usage Rate of Generic Drugs in Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors.

To reduce pharmacy-related medical expenses, it is necessary to reduce drug costs. One way to achieve this is by increasing the usage rate of generic drugs. The purpose of this study was to identify platelet aggregation inhibitors (PAIs) that contribute to high drug costs and are sold as brand-name drugs in order to increase the usage rate of generic drugs, and to analyze the factors that affect the usage rate of generic drug. We conducted a cross-sectional study based on the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan Open Data Japan (NODJ) of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and datasets containing related medical information from official statistical surveys such as the Basic Survey on Wage Structure. Monthly personal income in each prefecture were negatively correlated with outpatient out-of-hospital and outpatient in-hospital prescriptions of the PAIs clopidogrel (75 mg), cilostazol (50 mg), cilostazol (100 mg), and ticlopidine (100 mg), but not between monthly personal income and outpatient out-of-hospital prescription of ticlopidine (100 mg). For outpatient out-of-hospital prescriptions and outpatient in-hospital prescriptions, negative correlation was generally observed between the usage rate of generic drug and monthly personal income, except for ticlopidine (100 mg), which has the lowest price among the brand-name drugs. The usage rate of generic PAIs is negatively correlated with monthly personal income. Promoting the use of generic drugs among high-income earners might be necessary to further increase the usage rate of generic drug.

Pathological Characterization of Spontaneous AA Amyloidosis in Microminipigs.

The minipig has been used as a non-rodent species in nonclinical toxicology studies, but little is known about amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis in this species. Among domestic pigs, reports of AA amyloidosis have been limited to animals with mutations in the N-terminal residue of serum AA (SAA), which is thought to be a primary etiological factor. In this study, we histologically examined 26 microminipigs aged 0.6 to 10 years and observed amyloid deposition in one 0.6-year-old and six 5-year-old or older microminipigs. The amyloid deposits were identified as AA based on mass spectrometry (MS) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The 0.6-year-old microminipig showed severe deposition in the renal cortex and spleen, whereas 5-year-old or older animals had severe deposition in the renal medulla. MS and IHC detected serum amyloid P-component (SAP) in amyloid deposits in older animals but not in a 0.6-year-old animals. Based on the proteomic analysis and gene sequencing, amino acid mutations of SAA, previously found in domestic pigs, were not involved in the pathogenesis of AA amyloidosis in microminipigs. This study demonstrates that microminipigs with wild-type SAA develop AA amyloidosis and presents the possibility that differences in the environment surrounding amyloid, such as SAP, may influence differences in the pathological phenotype.

Profiles and Outcomes of Skin Injuries Caused by Injectable Drug Extravasation: An Analysis of the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report Database.

Extravasation occurs when injectable drugs leak out of the blood vessels, damaging the surrounding tissues and causing a variety of skin injuries. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze extravasation risk, skin injury profiles, and outcomes for suspect drugs from the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database. Adverse events were defined according to the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities/Japanese version; the term extravasation (Standardized MedDRA Query Code: 20000136) was used in this analysis. The names of adverse events were entered as unified preferred terms and redefined to evaluate skin injury profiles. In addition, skin injury outcomes were divided into 2 broad categories: "improvement" and "no improvement." Reporting odds ratios were used to detect signals for adverse events. A total of 656 cases of extravasation-related adverse events were reported between April 2004 and January 2022. Signals for extravasation-related adverse events were detected from 11 drugs. Then, their respective skin injury profiles and outcomes were determined. These results suggest a relationship between adverse events associated with extravasation and 11 drugs and identify the characteristics of each skin injury and their outcomes. These findings will contribute to improving the quality of infusion management in clinical practice.

Promoting generic drug usage in Japan: correlation between generic drug usage and monthly personal income.

BACKGROUND: To reduce pharmacy-related medical expenses, it is necessary to cut drug costs, potentially by increasing generic drug usage. This study analyzes the correlation between generic drug usage and monthly personal income by examining prescriptions for individual drugs. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study based on the data set from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan Open Data Japan and the Basic Survey on Wage Structure. We calculated the correlation coefficient between the usage rate of generic drugs in each prefecture of Japan and monthly personal incomes. We then analyzed the correlation coefficients based on the therapeutic categories of medicinal drugs; the contingency table was visualized as a mosaic plot. To compare the proportions between multiple categories, the chi-squared test was applied as a statistical significance test that was used in the analysis of n × m contingency tables. We worked with the null hypothesis that there were no differences between classes in the population. RESULTS: Regarding the correlation coefficient between the usage rate of generic drugs and monthly personal incomes, the proportion of negative correlation coefficients for outpatient out-of-hospital and outpatient in-hospital prescriptions was over 70%, while that for inpatient prescriptions was 46.9%. The proportion of medicinal drugs exhibiting a negative correlation between the rates of generic drug usage and monthly personal incomes for outpatient out-of-hospital prescriptions and outpatient in-hospital prescriptions was higher than that of inpatient prescriptions. The proportion of statistically correlated medicinal drugs among inpatient prescriptions was lower than that among outpatient out-of-hospital and outpatient in-hospital prescriptions. The proportions of significant negative correlations for outpatient out-of-hospital, outpatient in-hospital, and inpatient prescriptions were 30.6%, 22.7%, and 3.5%, respectively. It was also observed that the rate of generic prescription usage for outpatient out-of-hospital and in-hospital prescriptions increased as monthly personal incomes decreased. In outpatients, the therapeutic categories with strong negative correlations were vasodilators and hyperlipidemia drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results may help to increase the usage rate of generic drugs in different prefectures by providing useful information for promoting them throughout Japan.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Caused by Denosumab in Treatment-Naïve and Pre-Treatment with Zoledronic Acid Groups: A Time-to-Onset Study Using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) Database.

BACKGROUND: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw is a serious adverse event associated with bone-modifying agents, such as injectable bisphosphonate (zoledronic acid) and the anti-receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand antibody (denosumab). OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate and compare the time-to-onset profile for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw associated with denosumab between treatment-naïve (naïve group) and pre-treatment with zoledronic acid (post-zoledronic acid group) patients using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database. METHODS: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw was defined according to the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities. The medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw onset profiles were evaluated using the Weibull shape parameter and the log-rank test. RESULTS: The Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database contains 632,409 reports published between April 2004 and March 2020. In the time-to-onset analysis, after extracting the combinations with complete information for the treatment start date and the medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw onset date, 272 reports of the naïve group and 86 reports of the post-zoledronic acid group were analyzed. The median onset in the naïve and post-zoledronic acid groups was 487.0 (25-75%: 274.0-690.8) and 305.5 (25-75%: 158.3-508.5) days, respectively. Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw occurred earlier in the post-zoledronic acid group than in the naïve group, and the log-rank test demonstrated a significant difference in their time transitions (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated a risk of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in naïve and post-zoledronic acid groups and a shorter onset time in the latter than in the former. Thus, healthcare professionals should take the early risk of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw into account when switching patients from zoledronic acid to denosumab treatment.

Analysis of drug-induced hand-foot syndrome using a spontaneous reporting system database.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to assess the clinical features of hand-foot syndrome (HFS) associated with certain systemic chemotherapeutic drugs in a real-world setting using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database. Methods: HFS was defined using the preferred terms from the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities. We used several indices, such as the reporting odds ratios (RORs) at 95% confidence interval (CI), the time-to-onset profile of HFS, and cluster analysis. Results: Of 646,779 reports (submission period: April 2004 to September 2020), 1814 reported HFS events. The RORs (95% CI) for axitinib, capecitabine, lapatinib, regorafenib, sorafenib, and sunitinib were 14.9 (11.1-20.1), 54.6 (49.2-60.6), 130.4 (110.7-153.6), 63.3 (55.2-72.6), 29.0 (25.8-32.7), and 13.9 (11.7-16.5), respectively. The analysis of time-to-onset profiles revealed that the median values (interquartile range: 25.0-75.0%) of drug-induced HFS caused by capecitabine, cisplatin, docetaxel, everolimus, regorafenib, sorafenib, and trastuzumab were 21.0 (13.0-42.0), 15.0 (10.0-82.0), 6.0 (3.0-25.0), 86.5 (67.0-90.5), 9.0 (6.0-14.0), 9.0 (6.0-14.0), and 70.0 (15.0-189.0) days, respectively. The number of clusters was set to 4. Among these, one cluster, which included capecitabine, regorafenib, and lapatinib, exhibited a higher reporting ratio and ROR of drug-induced HFS than other drugs. Conclusions: The RORs and results of time-to-onset analysis obtained in this study indicated the potential risk of HFS associated with chemotherapeutic drugs. Our results suggest that health care professionals must be aware of the potential onset of drug-induced HFS with docetaxel, regorafenib, and sorafenib for at least 4 weeks; therefore, careful observation is recommended. Plain Language Summary: Elucidation of the relationship between cancer drugs and risk of hand-foot syndrome: Purpose: Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) is an adverse effect of some cancer drugs, which is characterized by symptoms such as redness, swelling, blistering, and pain in the area of palms and soles. HFS reduces the quality of life of patients and can sometimes interfere with anticancer treatment plans. It is important to understand the clinical manifestations of HFS and gain knowledge that will allow for early intervention by clinicians.Methods: In this study, we used a large-scale side effect database of real-world cases for a comprehensive investigation of anticancer-drug-induced HFS. The database contained 646,779 adverse event reports from April 2004 to September 2020; among which, we identified 1814 HFS events. Using these data, we could obtain information on the relationship between 19 types of anticancer drugs and HFS, and the onset time of HFS and HFS prognosis related to each anticancer drug. Results: Our results suggest that clinicians should monitor the risk of HFS with docetaxel, regorafenib, and sorafenib for at least the first 4 weeks after drug administration. Conclusion: These findings are crucial for improving the management of the adverse effects caused by anticancer drugs.

Analysis of Prednisolone-Induced Osteoporosis Using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report Database.

PURPOSE: Osteoporosis is an adverse event of prednisolone. This study aimed to assess prednisolone-induced osteoporosis (PIO) profiles and patient backgrounds by analyzing data from the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database. METHODS: The current study focused only on orally administered prednisolone. PIO was defined using preferred terms from the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities. Reporting odds ratio (ROR) at 95% confidence interval (CI) and the time-to-onset profile of PIO were used to evaluate adverse events. RESULTS: The RORs (95% CI) of the female and male subgroups were 4.73 (4.17-5.38) and 2.49 (2.06-3.00), respectively. The analysis of time-to-onset profiles demonstrated that the median values (interquartile range: 25.0-75.0%) of PIO were 136 (74.0-294.0). The prednisolone treatment duration was significantly longer in the PIO patient group than in the non-PIO patient group. The findings suggest that patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and nephrotic syndrome receiving prednisolone have different age-related PIO profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that longer prednisolone treatment duration and larger cumulative dose might be risk factors of PIO. The potential risk for PIO should not be overlooked, and careful observation is recommended.

Efferent and afferent connections of supratrigeminal neurons conveying orofacial muscle proprioception in rats.

The supratrigeminal nucleus (Su5) is a key structure for controlling jaw movements; it receives proprioceptive sensation from jaw-closing muscle spindles (JCMSs) and sends projections to the trigeminal motor nucleus (Mo5). However, the central projections and regulation of JCMS proprioceptive sensation are not yet fully understood. Therefore, we aimed to reveal the efferent and afferent connections of the Su5 using neuronal tract tracings. Anterograde tracer injections into the Su5 revealed that the Su5 sends contralateral projections (or bilateral projections with a contralateral predominance) to the Su5, basilar pontine nuclei, pontine reticular nucleus, deep mesencephalic nucleus, superior colliculus, caudo-ventromedial edge of the ventral posteromedial thalamic nucleus, parafascicular thalamic nucleus, zona incerta, and lateral hypothalamus, and ipsilateral projections (or bilateral projections with an ipsilateral predominance) to the intertrigeminal region, trigeminal oral subnucleus, dorsal medullary reticular formation, and hypoglossal nucleus as well as the Mo5. Retrograde tracer injections into the Su5 demonstrated that the Su5 receives bilateral projections with a contralateral predominance (or contralateral projections) from the primary and secondary somatosensory cortices, granular insular cortex, and Su5, and ipsilateral projections (or bilateral projections with an ipsilateral predominance) from the dorsal peduncular cortex, bed nuclei of stria terminalis, central amygdaloid nucleus, lateral hypothalamus, parasubthalamic nucleus, trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus, parabrachial nucleus, juxtatrigeminal region, trigeminal oral and caudal subnuclei, and dorsal medullary reticular formation. These findings suggest that the Su5, which receives JCMS proprioception, has efferent and afferent connections with multiple brain regions that are involved in emotional and autonomic functions as well as orofacial motor functions.

Pharmacovigilance study of anti-infective-related acute kidney injury using the Japanese adverse drug event report database.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with significant increases in short- and long-term morbidity and mortality. Drug-induced AKI is a major concern in the present healthcare system. Our spontaneous reporting system (SRS) analysis assessed links between AKI, along with patients' age, as healthcare-associated risks and administered anti-infectives. We also generated anti-infective-related AKI-onset profiles. METHOD: We calculated reporting odds ratios (RORs) for reports of anti-infective-related AKI (per Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities) in the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database and evaluated the effect of anti-infective combination therapy. The background factors of cases with anti-infective monotherapy and combination therapy (≥ 2 anti-infectives) were matched using propensity score. We evaluated time-to-onset data and hazard types using the Weibull parameter. RESULTS: Among 534,688 reports (submission period: April 2004-June 2018), there were 21,727 AKI events. The reported number of AKI associated with glycopeptide antibacterials, fluoroquinolones, third-generation cephalosporins, triazole derivatives, and carbapenems were 596, 494, 341, 315, and 313, respectively. Crude RORs of anti-infective-related AKI increased among older patients and were higher in anti-infective combination therapies [anti-infectives, ≥ 2; ROR, 1.94 (1.80-2.09)] than in monotherapies [ROR, 1.29 (1.22-1.36)]. After propensity score matching, the adjusted RORs of anti-infective monotherapy and combination therapy (≥ 2 anti-infectives) were 0.67 (0.58-0.77) and 1.49 (1.29-1.71), respectively. Moreover, 48.1% of AKI occurred within 5 days (median, 5.0 days) of anti-infective therapy initiation. CONCLUSION: RORs derived from our new SRS analysis indicate potential AKI risks and number of administered anti-infectives.

Gentamicin-induced hearing loss: A retrospective study using the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System and a toxicological study using drug-gene network analysis.

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the relationship between gentamicin (GEN) and hearing loss using the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting system (FAERS) database and elucidate the potential toxicological mechanism of GEN-induced hearing loss through a drug-gene network analysis. Using the preferred terms and standardized queries from the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities, we calculated the reporting odds ratios (RORs). We extracted GEN-associated genes (seed genes) and analyzed drug-gene interactions using the ClueGO plug-in in the Cytoscape software and the DIseAse MOdule Detection (DIAMOnD) algorithm. The lower limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the ROR for aminoglycosides (AG) antibacterials was over 1, and the ROR was 5.5 (5.1-6.0). We retrieved 17 seed genes related to GEN from the PharmGKB and Drug Gene Interaction databases. In total, 1018 human genes interacting with GEN were investigated using ClueGO. Through Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) analysis, we identified 17 local gene clusters. The nodes and edges of the highest-ranked local gene cluster named "Cluster 1" were 30 and 433, respectively. According to the ClueGO analysis using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Cluster 1 genes were highly enriched in "oxidative phosphorylation." According to the ClueGO analysis using ClinVar, Cluster 1 genes were highly enriched in "mitochondrial diseases," "mitochondrial complex I deficiency," "hereditary hearing loss and deafness," and "Leigh syndrome." We identified 60 GEN-associated genes using the DIAMOnD algorithm. Several GEN-associated genes in the DIAMOnD algorithm were highly enriched in "PI3K-Akt signaling pathway," "Ras signaling pathway," "focal adhesion," "MAPK signaling pathway," "regulation of actin cytoskeleton," "oxidative phosphorylation," and "ECM-receptor interaction." Our analysis demonstrated an association between several AGs and hearing loss using the FAERS database. Drug-gene network analysis demonstrated that GEN may be associated with oxidative phosphorylation-associated genes and integrin genes, which may be associated with hearing loss.

Analysis of Drug-Induced Gastrointestinal Obstruction and Perforation Using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report Database.

Drug-induced gastrointestinal obstruction (DIGO) and gastrointestinal perforation (DIGP) may be the result of gastrointestinal hypomotility and severe constipation, which may lead to potentially fatal complications of bowel ischemia, sepsis and perforation. We evaluated the onset profile of DIGs (DIGO and DIGP) associated with prescription drugs by analyzing data in the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database. We selected 161 DIG-related drugs and categorized them into 19 classes based on the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification System. Finally, we focused on 58 drugs and conducted subsequent analyses for the time-to-onset and outcomes. We extracted 79 preferred terms (PTs) with the strings "ileus," "stenosis," "obstruction," "obstructive," "impaction," "perforation," "perforated," "hypomotility," and "intussusception" from the Standardized Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) Queries (SMQs) of SMQ20000104: gastrointestinal perforation, ulcer, hemorrhage, obstruction non-specific findings/procedures; SMQ20000105: gastrointestinal obstruction; and SMQ20000107: gastrointestinal perforation. Among the 667, 729 reports in the JADER database submitted between April 2004 and November 2020, we identified 11,351 occurrences of DIGs. The reporting odds ratios (RORs) (95% confidence interval) of "barium sulfate containing X-ray media," "drugs for treatment of hyperkalemia and hyperphosphatemia," and "oral bowel cleanser" were 142.0 (127.1-158.6), 25.8 (23.1-28.8), and 29.7 (24.8-35.6), respectively. The median number of days (interquartile range) until the onset of an adverse event caused by each drug category was as follows: barium sulfate containing X-ray contrast media [2.0 (1.0-3.0)], diazepines, oxazepines, thiazepines, and oxepines [8.0 (8.0-18.5)], drugs for treatment of hyperkalemia and hyperphosphatemia [29.0 (8.0-55.0)], non-selective monoamine reuptake inhibitors [19.0 (7.0-47.5)], and oral bowel cleanser [0.0 (0.0-0.0)]. Depending on the drug, the time to onset of side effects ranged from days to several months. Our results highlighted the need to perform detailed monitoring of each drug for possible association with DIGs, which might otherwise have fatal consequences.

Analysis of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common adverse event associated with several antineoplastic drugs; however, the precise risks and time course of reactions of particular drugs are not clearly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between anticancer agents and CIPN development using data from the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database and to characterize the time-to-onset and outcomes of CIPN. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy was defined using the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities preferred terms. Disproportionality analysis was performed by calculating the reporting odds ratio (ROR) with 95% confidence interval for signal detection. Data of nine Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) drug categories correlated with CIPN development, in addition to the data of the time-to-onset and outcomes. Among 622,289 reports in the JADER database from April 2004 to March 2020, there were 1883 reports of adverse events corresponding to peripheral neuropathy. The ROR (95% confidence interval) for vinblastine, sorbent-based paclitaxel (sb-PTX), oxaliplatin, and bortezomib was 20.4 (12.5-33.4), 13.6 (11.9-15.7), 26.2 (23.6-29.1), and 30.8 (26.6-35.8), respectively. The median duration (interquartile range) to CIPN development after the administration of vinca alkaloids and analogues, taxanes, platinum compounds, and monoclonal antibodies was 11.0 (5.0-46.5), 22.5 (6.0-82.5), 22.0 (6.0-68.5), and 32.5 (11.3-73.8) days, respectively. The median duration (interquartile range) of sb-PTX and nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab)-PTX was 35.0 (7.0-94.0) and 5.5 (3.0-29.3) days, respectively. Our analysis of records in the JADER database revealed several drugs associated with a high risk for CIPN development. In particular, the development of CIPN after vinca alkaloid administration should be closely monitored for 2 weeks after administration. CIPN caused by nab-PTX showed significantly faster onset than that by sb-PTX. Patients who receive taxanes or monoclonal antibodies often do not show an improvement; accordingly, early treatment is required.

Trends Associated with Hemorrhoids in Japan: Data Mining of Medical Information Datasets and the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan (NDB) Open Data Japan.

Hemorrhoids are a common anorectal disease. Epidemiological studies on medication trends and risk factors using information from real-world databases are rare. Our objective was to analyze the relationship between hemorrhoid treatment prescription trends and several risk factors using the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan (NDB) Open Data Japan and related medical information datasets. We calculated the standardized prescription ratio (SPR) based on the 2nd NDB Open Data Japan from 2015. The correlation coefficients between the SPR of antihemorrhoidals and those of "antispasmodics," "antiarrhythmic agents," "antidiarrheals, intestinal regulators," "purgatives and clysters," "hypnotics and sedatives, antianxietics," "psychotropic agents," and "opium alkaloids preparations" were 0.7474, 0.7366, 0.7184, 0.6501, 0.6320, 0.4571, and 0.4542, respectively. The correlation coefficient between the SPR of antihemorrhoidals and those of "average annual temperature," "percentage of people who were smokers," and "percentage of people who drank regularly" were -0.7204, 0.6002, and 0.3537, respectively. The results of cluster analysis revealed that Hokkaido and Tohoku regions tended to have low average annual temperature values and high percentage of people who were smokers and had comparatively high SPRs of "antispasmodics," "antiarrhythmic agents," "antidiarrheals, intestinal regulators," "purgatives and clysters," "hypnotics and sedatives, antianxietics," "psychotropic agents," and "opium alkaloids preparations." Antihemorrhoidals are frequently used in Hokkaido and Tohoku, Japan; thus, it is important for these prefectural governments to focus on these factors when taking measures regarding health promotion.

Assessment of Reye's syndrome profile with data from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System and the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report databases using the disproportionality analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Reye's syndrome is a rare and potentially fatal illness that is defined as encephalopathy accompanied by liver failure. The aim of this study was to assess Reye's syndrome profiles by analyzing data from the spontaneous reporting system database. METHODS: We analyzed reports of Reye's syndrome using the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System and the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report databases. The reporting odds ratio and proportional reporting rate were used to detect the pharmacovigilance signal. RESULTS: The US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System contains 12,201,620 reports from January 2004 to June 2020, of which 186 are on Reye's syndrome. The Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report contains 646,779 reports from April 2004 to September 2020, of which 30 are on Reye's syndrome. In the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System database, the reporting odds ratios (95% confidence interval, number of cases) of aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and valproate sodium were 404.6 (302.6-541.0, n = 80), 15.1 (6.7-34.1, n = 6), 26.2 (16.1-42.6, n = 18), 10.7 (5.5-20.9, n = 9), and 47.1 (26.2-84.6, n = 12), respectively. In the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database, the reporting odds ratios (95% confidence interval, number of cases) of aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, loxoprofen, acetaminophen, and valproate sodium were 14.1 (5.4-36.8, n = 5), 51.7 (22.2-120.5, n = 7), 135.0 (40.8-446.2, n = 3), 17.6 (6.7-46.0, n = 5), 24.0 (9.2-62.6, n = 5), and 13.8 (3.3-57.9, n = 2), respectively. The reported number of female patients aged 30-39 years was the highest in the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report. CONCLUSION: Although the frequency of the occurrence of Reye's syndrome is low, the possible risk of the disease occurring in adult females should be considered.

Analysis of immune-related adverse events caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to characterize the clinical features of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in a real-world setting using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database. METHODS: The irAEs were defined using the preferred terms of the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities. irAEs were categorized as follows: adrenal insufficiency, colitis, eye diseases, hematological disorder, hepatitis, hyperthyroidism, hypopituitarism, hypothyroidism, myasthenia gravis, myocarditis, nephritis/renal dysfunction, pneumonitis, rash, and type 1 diabetes mellitus. We used several indices such as reporting odds ratio (ROR) to assess disproportionality in pharmacovigilance data, time-to-onset analysis using Weibull shape parameters, and the association rule mining technique to evaluate possible risk factors between variables in the spontaneous reporting system database. RESULTS: The JADER database contained 534 688 reports from April 2004 to June 2018. The RORs of pneumonitis including interstitial lung disease for nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and ipilimumab were 7.02 (95% confidence interval: 6.55-7.52), 9.08 (8.28-9.97), and 1.74 (1.27-2.38), respectively. The median onsets (quartiles, 25-75%) of myocarditis caused by nivolumab and pembrolizumab were 28.0 (15.5-60.5) and 18.0 (13.0-44.5) days, respectively. Co-therapy with nivolumab and ipilimumab may be associated with irAEs in several categories as per the association rule mining analysis. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated a potential risk of irAEs associated with ICIs, based on RORs and time-to-onset analysis. Furthermore, our findings indicated that patients receiving nivolumab and ipilimumab as co-therapy should be carefully monitored.

Evaluation of chromID strepto B as a screening media for Streptococcus agalactiae.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS), a leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in infants, can be transmitted vertically from mother to infant during passage through the birth canal. Detection of GBS colonization in perinatal women is a major strategy for the prevention of postpartum neonatal disease. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all women undergo vaginal-rectal screening for GBS colonization at 35-37 weeks of gestation. ChromID Strepto B (STRB) is a chromogenic GBS screening media on which GBS colonies appear pink or red, while other bacteria are either inhibited or form colonies in other colors. In this study, we compared STRB with a conventional GBS detection method using 5% sheep blood agar (BA) followed by a selective enrichment broth. METHODS: Anovaginal swabs were collected from 1425 women during weeks 35 to 37 of their pregnancies. The swabs were used to inoculate both STRB and BA plates after enrichment with selective Todd Hewitt Broth (THB). A GBS latex agglutination test was used to confirm the identity of isolates from each plate. RESULTS: GBS was recovered from 319 (22.4%) samples with one or both media: 318 on STRB compared to 299 using BA. One false negative was observed on STRB, and 20 false negatives were observed on BA. In addition, non-hemolytic GBS was recovered from 19 (6.0%) samples using STRB. CONCLUSIONS: STRB offers effectiveness and convenience over BA for GBS screening in clinical laboratories. STRB produces fewer false negatives, has a higher detection rate and uses a simple color screen that is ideal for technician-level applications. We recommend STRB as the media of choice for GBS screening.