Evaluation of Semicircular Canal Function Using Video Head Impulse Test in Patients With Peripheral Vestibular Disorders Without Nystagmus.

Objectives This study aims to evaluate semicircular canal function using video head impulse test (vHIT) in patients with peripheral vestibular disorders without nystagmus. Methods Patients who underwent vHIT were enrolled in this study, and the proportion of abnormal findings on vHIT in patients without nystagmus was investigated. In addition, the results of vestibular testing were investigated in cases in which both vHIT and caloric testing were performed in patients without nystagmus. Results Forty-six patients (23.4%) of 197 patients who had no abnormal findings on the nystagmus tests, including the gaze nystagmus test, positional nystagmus test, and positioning nystagmus test, showed dysfunction in at least one semicircular canal on vHIT. The most frequent diagnosis was vestibular schwannoma (14/46, 30.4%), and cases with bilateral vestibular dysfunction were also included (12/46, 26.1%). A disorganized pattern of catch-up saccade was observed more frequently in patients with subjective symptoms of dizziness/vertigo compared to those without subjective symptoms. Although the sensitivity of vHIT was low compared to caloric testing, vHIT could detect isolated vertical canal dysfunction not detected by caloric testing. Conclusions vHIT is considered to be a useful test for patients without nystagmus, as vHIT could detect abnormalities in approximately one-quarter of patients without nystagmus. vHIT is considered to be one of the first tests to be performed following nystagmus testing, including the gaze nystagmus test, the positional nystagmus test, and the positioning nystagmus test. On the other hand, there are some cases in which vHIT shows no abnormality while caloric testing shows canal paresis. It is necessary to perform vHIT, bearing in mind that there are abnormalities that cannot be detected by vHIT alone.

Incidence of Fatigue Following Dexamethasone Administration for Supportive Therapy and Efficacy of Tapering in Perioperative Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Observational Study.

In perioperative chemotherapy for breast cancer, dexamethasone (DEX) is administered at high dose to prevent adverse effects. Abrupt cessation of high-dose DEX treatment induces fatigue, but the incidence of the fatigue is uncertain. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the incidence of fatigue following DEX administration for supportive therapy and the improvement of fatigue with DEX tapering, a gradual reduction of the daily dose, in breast cancer patients. The subjects were 124 patients with breast cancer receiving epirubicin- or docetaxel-based regimens as perioperative chemotherapy. Of all patients, 16.1% of patients experienced fatigue after cessation of DEX administration. The severity of fatigue was grade 1 in 6.5% of patients, grade 2 in 8.1% of patients, and grade 3 in 1.6% of patients. There were no significant differences in dose and duration of DEX administration between the group with fatigue and the group without fatigue. In almost all patients with fatigue, DEX tapering was performed from the next cycle. The efficacy of DEX tapering was evaluated by comparing the grade and subjective symptoms. Following DEX tapering, the severity of fatigue was significantly reduced (p < 0.05), and the subjective symptom was improved in 94.7% of patients. Therefore, fatigue is occasionally induced after the cessation of DEX administration for supportive therapy in breast cancer patients. The tapering of DEX may be effective for fatigue.

Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acute sensorineural hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE: Acute sensorineural hearing loss represents a spectrum of conditions characterized by sudden onset hearing loss. The "Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Sensorineural Hearing Loss" were issued as the first clinical practice guidelines in Japan outlining the standard diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this article is to strengthen the guidelines by adding the scientific evidence including a systematic review of the latest publications, and to widely introduce the current treatment options based on the scientific evidence. METHODS: The clinical practice guidelines were completed by 1) retrospective data analysis (using nationwide survey data), 2) systematic literature review, and 3) selected clinical questions (CQs). Additional systematic review of each disease was performed to strengthen the scientific evidence of the diagnosis and treatment in the guidelines. RESULTS: Based on the nationwide survey results and the systematic literature review summary, the standard diagnosis flowchart and treatment options, including the CQs and recommendations, were determined. CONCLUSION: The guidelines present a summary of the standard approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of acute sensorineural hearing loss. We hope that these guidelines will be used in medical practice and that they will initiate further research.

Appropriate definition of non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) and optimal timing of androgen receptor signaling inhibitor (ARSI).

BACKGROUND: Defined by rising PSA levels under androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) despite no visible metastases on conventional imaging, non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) represents a complex clinical challenge. A significant subset of these patients rapidly develops metastatic disease, negatively impacting survival. We examined the difference in prognosis of nmCRPC patients according to the timing of therapeutic interventions with androgen receptor signaling inhibitor (ARSI). METHODS: We examined 102 nmCRPC patients treated with ARSI. We divided patients according to their PSA levels when ARSI was administered: Cohort A (PSA 0.5-2.0 ng/mL), Cohort B (PSA 2.0-4.0 ng/mL), and Cohort C (PSA > 4.0 ng/mL). Utilizing the Kaplan-Meier method for survival analysis, our analytical starting point was the moment when PSA levels exceeded 0.5 ng/mL post-ADT nadir, ensuring a fair comparison and minimizing lead-time bias. RESULTS: After excluding 5 patients whose PSA nadir after ADT > 0.5 ng/mL, patient distribution across Cohort A, Cohort B, and Cohort C was 32, 24, and 41 patients, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis highlighted a 2-year metastasis-free survival rate of 97% for Cohort A, 87% for Cohort B, and 73% for Cohort C. A marked statistical difference emerged when comparing Cohort A with Cohorts B and C, with a p-value of 0.043. CONCLUSION: The timely initiation of ARSI is paramount in nmCRPC management. Our findings strongly advocate for consideration of ARSI administration in nmCRPC patients before their PSA levels exceed 2.0 ng/mL. Our results indicated a PSA threshold of 1.0 ng/mL for nmCRPC definition which is more reasonable to administer ARSI without delay.

Solitary and Synergistic Effects of Different Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Phospholipid Moieties on Rat Behaviors.

Glycerophospholipids have hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties. Previous studies suggest that phospholipids with different moieties have different effects on rodent behavior; however, the relationship between chemical structures and behavioral effects remains unclear. To clarify the functions of phospholipid moieties, we injected male rats with phospholipids with different moieties and conducted behavioral tests. Exploratory activity was reduced by phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)(18:0/22:6) but not PE(18:0/18:0) or PE(18:0/20:4). Conversely, exploratory activity was increased by plasmanyl PE(16:0/22:6), which harbors an alkyl-ether linkage, but not by phosphatidylcholine (PC)(16:0/22:6) or plasmanyl PC(16:0/22:6). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)(22:6) and an alkyl-ether linkage in PE were thus postulated to be involved in exploratory activity. Anxiety-like behavior was reduced by plasmenyl PC(18:0/20:4), which harbors a vinyl-ether linkage, but not by PC(18:0/20:4) or plasmanyl PC(18:0/20:4), suggesting the anxiolytic effects of vinyl-ether linkage. The activation of social interaction was suppressed by PE(18:0/18:0), PE(18:0/22:6), PC(16:0/22:6), plasmanyl PE(16:0/22:6), and plasmanyl PC(16:0/22:6) but not by PE(18:0/20:4), plasmenyl PE(18:0/20:4), or plasmanyl PC(18:0/22:6). DHA may suppress social interaction, whereas arachidonic acid(20:4) or a combination of alkyl-ether linkage and stearic acid(18:0) may restore social deficits. Our findings indicate the characteristic effects of different phospholipid moieties on rat behavior, and may help to elucidate patterns between chemical structures and their effects.

Validity of endoscopic ossiculoplasty immediately after its introduction for ossicular chain disruption.

BACKGROUND: Transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) reportedly requires a long learning curve and may be associated with more complications and longer operative times than microscopic ear surgery (MES). In this study, we aimed to examine the usefulness and validity of TEES for ossicular chain disruption in the early stages of its introduction in our institution. METHODS: TEES was performed on 11 ears (10 with congenital ossicular chain discontinuity and 1 with traumatic ossicular chain dislocation), and MES was performed with a retroauricular incision on 18 ears (6 with congenital ossicular chain discontinuity and 12 with traumatic ossicular chain dislocation) in a tertiary referral center. Postoperative hearing results, operative times, and postoperative hospital length of stay were retrospectively reviewed. The Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test was performed to compare variables between the TEES and MES groups. Pre- and postoperative air- and bone-conduction thresholds and the air-bone gap of each group were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank was performed to compare the pre- and postoperative air-bone gaps between the diagnoses. RESULTS: No significant differences in the postoperative air-conduction thresholds, bone-conduction thresholds, air-bone gaps, or incidence of air-bone gap ≤ 20 dB were observed between the TEES and MES groups. The air-conduction thresholds and air-bone gaps of the TEES group significantly improved postoperatively. The air-conduction thresholds and air-bone gaps of the MES group also significantly improved postoperatively. No significant difference was observed in the operative times between the groups (TEES group: median, 80 min; MES group: median, 85.5 min). The TEES group had a significantly shorter postoperative hospital stay (median, 2 days) than the MES group (median, 7.5 days). CONCLUSIONS: TEES was considered appropriate for the treatment of ossicular chain disruption, even immediately after its introduction at our institution. For expert microscopic ear surgeons, ossicular chain disruption may be considered a suitable indication for the introduction of TEES.

Phospholipid biomarkers of coronary heart disease.

Coronary heart disease, also known as ischemic heart disease, is induced by atherosclerosis, which is initiated by subendothelial retention of lipoproteins. Plasma lipoproteins, including high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein, and chylomicron, are composed of a surface monolayer containing phospholipids and cholesterol and a hydrophobic core containing triglycerides and cholesteryl esters. Phospholipids play a crucial role in the binding of apolipoproteins and enzymes to lipoprotein surfaces, thereby regulating lipoprotein metabolism. High LDL-cholesterol is a well-known risk factor for coronary heart disease, and statins reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by lowering LDL-cholesterol levels. In contrast, the relationships of phospholipids in plasma lipoproteins with coronary heart disease have not yet been established. To further clarify the physiological and pathological roles of phospholipids, we have developed the simple high-throughput assays for quantifying all major phospholipid classes, namely phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol + cardiolipin, and sphingomyelin, using combinations of specific enzymes and a fluorogenic probe. These enzymatic fluorometric assays will be helpful in elucidating the associations between phospholipid classes in plasma lipoproteins and coronary heart disease and in identifying phospholipid biomarkers. This review describes recent progress in the identification of phospholipid biomarkers of coronary heart disease.

Detection of the Highest-Grade Lesion in Multifocal Discordant Prostate Cancer by Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

PURPOSE: Prostate cancer generally occurs multifocally. The lesions of the largest size and highest-grade are often concordant, and defined as an index tumor. However, these factors sometimes do not coincide within one lesion. In such discordant cases, not the largest size lesion but the highest-grade lesion is known to determine the prognosis. We focused on the multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) detectability of the highest-grade tumors in discordant cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the detectability of the highest-grade tumor using preoperative mpMRI in 50 discordant patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. The radiologist was informed of the tumor location on the pathological tumor map, and mpMRI interpretation for each tumor was performed. RESULTS: Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scores of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 on preoperative mpMRI were assigned to 13, 1, 9, 16, and 11 of the largest tumors, respectively. On the other hand, scores of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were assigned to 23, 0, 7, 19, and 1 of the highest-grade tumors, respectively. The difference between them was statistically significant (p=0.007). We also found that the largest anterior tumor frequently hid the ipsilateral posterior highest-grade tumor; the detection rate of the highest-grade tumor in this pattern was 42.1% (8 of 19 cases) CONCLUSION: We found that mpMRI detectability of the highest-grade tumor in discordant cases was inferior to that of the largest tumor with low malignant potential. Our results suggest that the risk of high-grade tumors which determine patient prognosis being overlooked.

Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation and Deoxyribonuclease I Activity in Patients with Otitis Media with Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis.

INTRODUCTION: No previous studies have evaluated the levels of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) remnants or the importance of deoxyribonuclease (DNase) I activity based on the disease activity of otitis media with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (OMAAV). The aim of this study was to explore the formation of NETs in the middle ear of patients with OMAAV during the onset and remission phases of the disease, with a particular focus on the relationships between the quantifiable levels of NET remnants and DNase I activity. METHODS: OMAAV patients were eligible for inclusion. Patients with otitis media with effusion (OME) were examined as controls. The levels of cell-free deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), citrullinated-histone H3 (cit-H3)-DNA complex, and myeloperoxidase (MPO)-DNA complex were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. DNase I activity was measured using a fluorometric method. RESULTS: The quantifiable levels of cell-free DNA, cit-H3-DNA complex, and MPO-DNA complex in the middle ear lavage of patients with OMAAV at onset were significantly higher than those in patients with OMAAV at remission and in patients with OME. DNase I activity in the patients with OMAAV at onset was significantly lower than those in patients with OMAAV at remission and OME and was negatively correlated with the level of MPO-DNA complex. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that NET remnants and DNase I activity may be potentially useful biomarkers for the diagnosis and disease activity of OMAAV.

Risk factors for postoperative fever after laparoscopic adrenalectomy focusing on hormones produced: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is widely performed for a number of hormone-producing tumors and postoperative management depends on the hormones produced. In the present study, we conducted a retrospective analysis to clarify the risk factors for postoperative complications, particularly postoperative fever after laparoscopic adrenalectomy. METHODS: We analyzed 406 patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy at our hospital between 2003 and 2019. Postoperative fever was defined as a fever of 38 °C or higher within 72 h after surgery. We investigated the risk factors for postoperative fever after laparoscopic adrenalectomy. RESULTS: There were 188 males (46%) and 218 females (54%) with a median age of 52 years. Among these patients, tumor pathologies included 188 primary aldosteronism (46%), 75 Cushing syndrome (18%), and 80 pheochromocytoma (20%). Postoperative fever developed in 124 of all patients (31%), 30% of those with primary aldosteronism, 53% of those with pheochromocytoma, and 8% of those with Cushing syndrome. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified pheochromocytoma and non-Cushing syndrome as independent predictors of postoperative fever. Postoperative fever was observed in 42 out of 80 cases of pheochromocytoma (53%), which was significantly higher than in cases of non-pheochromocytoma (82/326, 25%, p < 0.01). In contrast, postoperative fever developed in 6 out of 75 cases of Cushing syndrome (8%), which was significantly lower than in cases of non-Cushing syndrome (118/331, 35.6%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Since postoperative fever after laparoscopic adrenalectomy is markedly affected by the hormone produced by pheochromocytoma and Cushing syndrome, it is important to carefully consider the need for treatment.

Prediction of pathological up-staging after radical nephroureterectomy in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography urography for upper tract urothelial carcinoma is high; however, difficulties are associated with precisely assessing the T stage. Preoperative tumor staging has an impact on treatment options for upper tract urothelial carcinoma. We herein attempted to identify preoperative factors that predict pathological tumor up-staging, which will facilitate the selection of treatment strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified 148 patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma who underwent computed tomography urography preoperatively followed by radical nephroureterectomy without preoperative chemotherapy at our institution between 2000 and 2021. Preoperative factors associated with cT2 or lower to pT3 up-staging were examined using a multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Ninety out of 148 patients were diagnosed with cT2 or lower, and 22 (24%) were up-staged to pT3. A multivariate analysis identified a positive voided urine cytology (HR 4.69, p = 0.023) and tumor length ≥ 3 cm (HR 6.33, p = 0.003) as independent predictors of pathological tumor up-staging. CONCLUSIONS: Patients diagnosed with cT2 or lower, but with preoperative positive voided urine cytology and/or tumor diameter ≥ 3 cm need to be considered for treatment as cT3.

Pre- and post-operative semicircular canal function evaluated by video head impulse test in patients with vestibular schwannoma.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate pre- and post-operative semicircular canal function in patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS) by the video Head Impulse Test (vHIT). METHODS: Nineteen patients with VS who underwent surgery were enrolled in this study. The gain in vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) and the degree of scatter in catch-up saccades were examined pre- and post-operatively for the semicircular canals in VS patients. RESULTS: Ten of 19 cases (52.6 %) with VS were defined as demonstrating both superior vestibular nerve (SVN) and inferior vestibular nerve (IVN) impairment from the results of pre-operative vHIT. Hearing level and subjective vestibular symptoms showed significant correlations with pre-operative semicircular canal function. Compared to pre-operative vHIT results, VOR gains within 1 month after surgery were significantly reduced in all three canals; however, significant differences had disappeared in the anterior and posterior semicircular canals at 6 months after surgery. Cases of unknown origin had a significantly greater reduction in posterior semicircular canal function after surgery compared with those with disease of IVN origin. CONCLUSIONS: As vHIT could evaluate pre-operative vestibular nerve impairment, post-operative VOR gain reduction and the degree of vestibular compensation, semicircular canal function evaluated by vHIT provides a good deal of useful information regarding VS patients undergoing surgery compared to caloric testing, and vHIT should be performed pre- and post-operatively for patients with VS.

Evaluation of quality of life for patients with resolved facial nerve palsy.

OBJECTIVES: The quality of life (QOL) for patients with resolved facial nerve palsy has not been evaluated adequately. The objective of this study is to investigate QOL for patients with resolved facial nerve palsy. METHODS: Forty-seven patients with resolved facial nerve palsy were included and the patients' QOL was evaluated using the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale (FaCE Scale). RESULTS: Twenty-two of the 47 patients (46.8%) with resolved facial nerve palsy showed impaired QOL, especially in terms of facial comfort and eye comfort. In 10 cases followed-up after the condition was judged to be resolved, the median scores for the FaCE scale at the time the condition was judged to be resolved and at the last visit were 65.5 and 72, respectively. The mean durations from the onset of the palsy to diagnosis of cure and to the last visit were 2.4 ± 1.6 and 4.3 ± 2.2 months, respectively. There was a significant improvement in QOL after the condition was judged to be resolved. CONCLUSION: There were discrepancies between QOL and facial movement as evaluated by physicians in patients in whom facial nerve palsy was resolved as in patients with non-cured facial nerve palsy. Patients' QOL continued to improve even after physicians judged the condition to be resolved and this result indicated that there were cases where improvement in QOL was delayed in comparison to improvement in facial movement.

Impact of prostatic shape on the difficulty of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the impact of prostatic shape observed on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on the difficulty of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the operative records of 211 patients who underwent RALP. We excluded patients who received neoadjuvant therapy. All surgeries in this study were performed by two surgeons. Each patient clinicopathological and surgical data were reviewed. Prostate sphericity was evaluated by measuring the roundness of the prostate at the largest axial slice by MRI. The console time was adopted as an objective indicator for assessing surgical difficulty. RESULTS: The mean prostate volume was 34 cc (range 14-88) and the mean prostate roundness was 0.55 (range 0.24-0.90). The mean console time was 194 min (range 95-296). To assess the relationship between prostate volume and console time, scatter plot analysis was performed. The prostate volume had a weak positive correlation with the console time (r = .165, p = .016). Similarly, scatter plot analysis between the prostate roundness and console time demonstrated a weak positive correlation (r = .167, p = .015). Next, we performed subgroup analysis of 56 patients with a large prostate volume (≥40 cc), and the positive correlation between the prostate volume and the console time disappeared (r = .142, p = .296). On the other hand, the prostate roundness was more strongly correlated with the console time (r = .439, p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: The spherical shape of the prostate is associated with the surgical difficulty of RALP, especially in patients with a large prostate volume.

Profiling Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 Expression Based on the Immune Microenvironment in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Although several studies have shown favorable outcomes in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) with fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) mutations and/or expression, the relationship between immune cell markers and FGFR3 expression remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the FGFR3-based immune microenvironment and investigate biomarkers to predict the treatment response to pembrolizumab (Pem) in patients with UTUC. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We conducted immunohistochemical staining in 214 patients with UTUC. The expression levels of FGFR3, CD4, CD8, CD68, CD163, CD204, and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) were examined. INTERVENTION: All UTUC patients underwent radical nephroureterectomy. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We assessed the relationship between these immune markers and patient prognosis. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 109 (50.9%) patients showed high FGFR3 expressions and a favorable prognosis compared with the remaining patients. Among the six immune markers, CD8 high expression was an independent favorable factor, whereas CD204 expression was an independent prognostic factor for cancer death. From the FGFR3-based immune clustering, three immune clusters were identified. Cluster A showed low FGFR3 with tumor-associated macrophage-rich components (CD204+) followed by a poor prognosis due to a poor response to Pem. Cluster B showed low FGFR3 with an immune hot component (CD8+), followed by the most favorable prognosis owing to a good response to Pem. Cluster C showed high FGFR3 expression but an immune cold component, followed by a favorable prognosis due to the high FGFR3 expression, but a poor response was confirmed with Pem. CONCLUSIONS: Although most patients exhibit a poor response to Pem, individuals with low FGFR3 expression and immune hot status may benefit clinically from Pem treatment. PATIENT SUMMARY: We conducted immunohistochemical staining to evaluate fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3)-related immune microenvironment by evaluating the expressions of CD4, CD8, CD68, CD163, CD204, and PD-L1 in 214 upper tract urothelial carcinoma patients. We identified three distinct immune clusters based on FGFR3 expressions and found that patients with a low FGFR3 expression but immune hot status received the maximum benefit from an immune checkpoint inhibitor.

Relationships of Proton Pump Inhibitor-Induced Renal Injury with CYP2C19 Polymorphism: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have recently been reported to be linked with nephrotoxicity. PPIs are metabolized mainly or partly by cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19). However, the relationship between CYP2C19 genetic polymorphism and PPI-induced nephrotoxicity is unclear. In this study, we aimed to analyze the association between the time of occurrence of renal injury by PPIs, including lansoprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole, and vonoprazan, and CYP2C19 metabolizer status classified by CYP2C19 genotypes. Patients prescribed PPIs were reviewed in this retrospective cohort study. The primary outcome was the time to a 30% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline. In patients treated with lansoprazole, the time to a 30% decrease in eGFR for the CYP2C19 poor metabolizer (PM) group was significantly shorter than that for the non-PM group (hazard ratio for PM vs. non-PM, 2.43, 95% confidence interval, 1.21 to 4.87, P = 0.012). In contrast, in patients that received esomeprazole, rabeprazole, or vonoprazan, no significant differences were found in the time to a 30% decrease in eGFR between non-PM and PM groups. The adjusted hazard ratios for the time to a 30% eGFR decrease in patients treated with lansoprazole were significantly higher for CYP2C19 PM, hypertension, and a history of myocardial infarction. In conclusion, this retrospective study showed that CYP2C19 metabolizer status was associated with the time to a 30% eGFR decrease in patients treated with lansoprazole, but not with esomeprazole, rabeprazole, or vonoprazan.

Anemia in patients ≥ 75 years with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma: an important poor prognostic factor in the international metastatic renal cell carcinoma database consortium model.

BACKGROUND: Due to an increase in life expectancy, the incidence of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in patients aged ≥75 years has been increasing. In this study we investigated the characteristics before treatment and the outcomes of systemic therapies for patients aged ≥75 years with mRCC and compared the results with those for patients aged < 75 years in order to determine whether differences in age influenced survival. METHODS: A total of 206 consecutive Japanese patients with mRCC, including 47 patients aged ≥75 years, who received systemic therapy were included. Clinical data from medical records were retrieved and analyzed retrospectively. Survival analyses were determined using a Kaplan-Meier method, and analyzed with a log-rank test. RESULTS: Elderly patients categorized as favorable risk group based on the International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) stratification system were significantly lower. Among IMDC risk factors, the rate of anemia was significantly higher in elderly patients. No statistically significant benefit in progression free survival for first and second line treatment was observed, whereas improvements in overall survival as well as cancer specific survival were seen in patients aged < 75 years. CONCLUSIONS: For mRCC patients aged ≥75 years, a higher proportion of base line anemia, which resulted in higher rates of IMDC intermediate/poor risk, would be responsible for shorter OS/CSS. Furthermore, mRCC patients aged ≥75 years tend to receive BSC instead of second line active treatment. Overcoming under-treatment in elderly patients might help to prolong survival in mRCC.

Prognostic impact of tumor ureteral invasion on recurrence after radical cystectomy.

PURPOSE: Several preoperative factors have been suggested to be risk factors of disease recurrence after radical cystectomy. There is no study focusing on the impact on prognosis of bladder tumor ureteral invasion in preoperative imaging. METHODS: The study population consisted of 136 patients, all of whom underwent radical cystectomy during the period between 2007-2019. We excluded patients with concurrent or a history of upper tract urothelial carcinoma and who underwent radical cystectomy for other cancers or nononcologic reasons. The starting point of this study was the timing of neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radical cystectomy and the endpoint was the timing of disease recurrence. To identify the factors influencing recurrence, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the Cox proportional hazard model. Recurrence-free survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Ureteral invasion was observed in 20 (14.7%) patients. Disease recurrence was observed in 11 (55.0%) of 20 ureteral invasion positive patients and 35 (30.2%) of 116 ureteral invasion negative patients, respectively. In the ureteral invasion positive group, clinical T and N stage were higher and hydronephrosis were more common than in the ureteral invasion negative group. According to the multivariate analysis, ureteral invasion (hazard ratio: 2.307, p = 0.016) and clinical N stage ≥ 1 (hazard ratio: 2.140, p = 0.028) were independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence. In the ureteral invasion positive group, more local recurrences were observed. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that ureteral invasion in preoperative imaging is a significant risk factor for postoperative recurrence.

Single-shot optical imaging with spectrum circuit bridging timescales in high-speed photography.

Single-shot optical imaging based on ultrashort lasers has revealed nonrepetitive processes in subnanosecond timescales beyond the recording range of conventional high-speed cameras. However, nanosecond photography without sacrificing short exposure time and image quality is still missing because of the gap in recordable timescales between ultrafast optical imaging and high-speed electronic cameras. Here, we demonstrate nanosecond photography and ultrawide time-range high-speed photography using a spectrum circuit that produces interval-tunable pulse trains while keeping short pulse durations. We capture a shock wave propagating through a biological cell with a 1.5-ns frame interval and 44-ps exposure time while suppressing image blur. Furthermore, we observe femtosecond laser processing over multiple timescales (25-ps, 2.0-ns, and 1-ms frame intervals), showing that the plasma generated at the picosecond timescale affects subsequent shock wave formation at the nanosecond timescale. Our technique contributes to accumulating data of various fast processes for analysis and to analyzing multi-timescale phenomena as a series of physical processes.

Quantitative Evaluations of Vestibular Function in Patients With Petrous Apex Cholesterol Granulomas Treated With an Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Approach: A Report of Two Cases.

OBJECTIVE: We report two cases of petrous apex cholesterol granuloma (PACG) treated with an endoscopic transsphenoidal approach. Vestibular functions of the two patients were evaluated quantitatively by video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) and/or vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs). PATIENTS: Two patients with PACG who experienced episodes of dizziness are presented. INTERVENTION: An endoscopic transsphenoidal approach to PACG. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The preoperative and postoperative vestibular functions as evaluated by vHIT and VEMP. RESULTS: Two cases of PACG were treated by a transsphenoidal approach. The internal auditory canal was compressed by the PACG in both cases. The patients both experienced episodes of dizziness before surgery and preoperative vestibular testing including vHIT and VEMP indicated dysfunction of vestibular nerves. After surgery, their symptoms were completely resolved, and the vestibular testing results were improved. CONCLUSIONS: This article is noteworthy for being the first to publish quantitative vestibular function testing for patients with PACG with vestibular dysfunction. PACG may show various symptoms, with dizziness being one of the most common symptoms. In cases in which the internal auditory canal is compressed by the PACG, vestibular functions should be evaluated by vHIT and VEMP. In the present cases, dizziness was found to be resolved by surgery to release the compression on internal auditory canal. Based on the present cases, the transsphenoidal approach is considered to be both safe and effective.