Objective Sarcopenia is a common secondary muscle-related complication observed in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), along with muscle cramping. The present study aimed to assess the daily activity levels to explore the relationship between the number of steps taken and muscle cramping in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) in Japan.

Methods Fifty patients were enrolled (male 25, Child-Pugh A, B=42:8). Daily steps were recorded over six months using a pedometer, and seasonal sub-analyses were performed. Sarcopenia was diagnosed in accordance with the guidelines of the Japan Society of Hepatology.

Results The median number of steps per day was 3,881, with no significant seasonal differences. Muscle cramping, reduced handgrip strength and sarcopenia were noted in 66.0%, 34.0% and 23.9% of the patients, respectively. However, no significant relationships were found between muscle cramping, handgrip strength, and the average number of steps per day. Although no significant differences in daily steps were noted in the comparisons of patients with varying degrees of hepatic function or the sarcopenia status, those with muscle cramping had a worse modified ALBI grade (≥2b) than those without (42.4% vs. 5.9%, p=0.009). The median average number of steps per day was not significantly different between the patients with and without muscle cramping (3,673 vs. 4,775, p=0.292).

Conclusion The present study revealed that the average number of steps per day in LC patients is low. Although no significant relationship between daily activity and muscle cramping was observed, the establishment of appropriate intervention strategies to maintain daily activity and prevent sarcopenia progression is urgently required.

Objective Although chronic kidney disease (CKD) is independently associated with hypertension or hyperglycemia, there is no consensus on the thresholds of obesity, dyslipidemia, or visceral fat accumulation to predict CKD onset and progression.

Methods We performed a multivariable logistic regression analysis for the association of the subsequent rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline with body mass index (BMI), blood high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) levels on 308,174 subjects who underwent health examinations conducted by the Public Health Research Center Foundation from 2015 to 2022. In addition, a Poisson regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between the appearance of urinary protein in participants without baseline urinary protein levels and eGFR decline.

Results The median age of the subjects was 46 years old, and the median observation period was approximately 3 years. An eGFR decline rate of ≥5%/year was significantly associated with low HDL-cholesterol levels (<40 mg/dL), independent of the BMI and TG levels. A high baseline BMI (≥25 kg/m²) or waist circumference (≥85 cm for men and ≥90 cm for women), high TG levels (≥150 mg/dL), and low HDL-cholesterol levels were significantly associated with new-onset proteinuria. Furthermore, the higher the baseline BMI, the higher the incidence rate ratio of new-onset proteinuria.

Conclusion Independent of hyperglycemia and hypertension, dyslipidemia according to the Japanese metabolic syndrome criteria and an elevated BMI were associated with a high risk of new-onset proteinuria, and a low HDL-cholesterol level was significantly associated with a rapid eGFR decline.

Objective Bacteria in the airways are reportedly involved in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. In addition, oral bacteria are thought to contribute to respiratory diseases by migrating to the airway. Therefore, we investigated whether or not the number of oral bacteria influences COPD, asthma, and asthma and COPD overlap (ACO).

Methods We analyzed the correlations between the number of oral bacteria and clinical variables, such as pulmonary function tests, in patients with COPD, asthma, and ACO whose condition was stable and who visited our center from August 2019 to December 2020. The number of oral bacteria was assessed using the dielectrophoretic impedance measurement method.

Results In patients with COPD (n=50), the number of oral bacteria was significantly negatively correlated with the percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (%FEV₁), percentage peak expiratory flow, and percentage forced vital capacity but was not correlated with the COPD Assessment Test. In patients with asthma (n=32), it was significantly negatively correlated with the FEV₁ percentage and with the increase in FEV₁ in the reversibility test but not with fractional exhaled nitric oxide. In patients with ACO (n=39), we found no significant correlation between the number of oral bacteria and any clinical variable.

Conclusion The results suggest that the number of oral bacteria is associated with both lung capacity and airflow obstruction in patients with COPD and with airflow obstruction in patients with asthma.

A man in his 70s with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) presented with a hepatic mass. Initial imaging suggested hepatic infarction, as the liver tumor markers were normal, and coagulation tests indicated a hypercoagulable state. Three years later, follow-up imaging revealed tumor enlargement, leading to a biopsy-confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis. Transarterial embolization was performed followed by lenvatinib therapy. The patient achieved complete response with no recurrence for over eight months. This case highlights the potential of APS to contribute to liver carcinogenesis in non-cirrhotic patients and illustrates the need for individualized treatment strategies.

Biologics against interleukin-5 were administered to five patients with eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) and bronchial asthma (BA). BA and abdominal symptoms as well as changes in steroid dose and the blood eosinophil count were examined. The man-to-woman ratio was 1:4. The average age of onset was 63 years old. The duration of the disease was three to nine years. Four patients showed improved BA symptoms with mepolizumab or benralizumab, and three successfully discontinued steroids. Regarding abdominal symptoms, mepolizumab was effective in one of three cases, while benralizumab improved symptoms in three of four cases. Biologics targeting interleukin-5 are effective in some patients with EGE accompanied by BA.

Small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) causes gastrointestinal symptoms. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly used for acid peptic diseases; however, their long-term use can alter the gut microbiota, resulting in adverse effects. We herein report the case of a 26-year-old Japanese woman with SIBO caused by prolonged PPI use. After switching to a H2 receptor antagonist, her symptoms and blood test results improved. This case highlights the need to understand the pathogenesis of SIBO and also the risks associated with prolonged PPI use.

Duodenal diverticular bleeding is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. We herein report a case of life-threatening duodenal diverticular bleeding with hypovolemic shock. Identifying the source of the hemorrhaging was difficult, and repeated endoscopic examinations - one colonoscopy and three esophagogastroduodenoscopy sessions - were required before the source was finally detected inside the diverticulum located in the third part of the duodenum. Hemostasis was successfully achieved using the hemoclips. Our case highlights the need to consider duodenal diverticulum bleeding in cases of suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding without a clear source of bleeding.

The perivascular fat attenuation index (FAI) has been recognized as a cardiac computed tomography-based (CCT)-based biomarker of coronary inflammation. We report the case of a 47-year-old woman with acute spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) involving the proximal left coronary artery (LCA), who underwent FAI three times. The initial CCT scan revealed higher perivascular FAI values in the dissected LCA. The second CCT scan, performed 8 days later, showed persistence of a higher perivascular FAI value only in the left circumflex coronary artery, in which progression of stenotic severity and myocardial infarction formation were found. The persistence of a higher perivascular FAI may indicate disease deterioration in patients with SCAD.

A 69-year-old woman presented with heart failure and progressive muscle weakness and was diagnosed as anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) myositis with cardiac involvement. Immunosuppressive therapy with prednisolone and intravenous cyclophosphamide significantly improved the symptoms, hemodynamics, and cardiac function. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) T1 and T2 mapping showed elevated native T1, T2, and extracellular volume fractions during heart failure exacerbation (day 37) compared to pre-hospitalization values (10 months before admission) and follow-up conducted 6 and 12 months after admission. This case underscores the importance of comprehensive evaluation, such as serial CMR imaging and immunosuppressive therapy, in managing myocardial involvement in AMA-positive myositis.

We encountered a 40-year-old man diagnosed with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) based on clinical findings. The initial low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol level was 393 mg/dL. He underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery for three-vessel disease. Genetic testing revealed a pathogenic variant in the LDL receptor (LDLR) and a missense variant in apolipoprotein E (APOE), known as APOE4, leading to the diagnosis of oligogenic FH. His LDL-cholesterol level was well controlled by the introduction of a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor and lomitapide (approximately 30 mg/dL). Combination therapy is effective in reducing LDL levels.

Coronary artery spasm (CAS) is an underrecognized cause of heart failure, even in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. We report three cases of heart failure in which CAS was identified as the critical etiology. All patients exhibited symptoms of heart failure with nonobstructive coronary arteries, and CAS provocation testing confirmed epicardial spasm. In two cases, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed ischemic patterns consistent with CAS-related injuries. Calcium channel blockers effectively stabilize the signs and symptoms related to heart failure. This series highlights CAS as a contributor to heart failure progression and emphasizes the importance of provocation testing and early tailored therapy for improving outcomes.

A 77-year-old man presented for computed tomography (CT) with iodinated contrast for follow-up of gastric cancer. After contrast injection, the patient experienced cardiac arrest. A post-return spontaneous circulation electrocardiogram showed ST segment elevation in the inferior leads and V1-3. Since type I Kounis syndrome (KS) was suspected, corticosteroids and antihistamines were administered intravenously. Subsequently, coronary angiography (CAG) revealed coronary spasms, and selective intracoronary injection of nitrates successfully resolved each spasm. Strategic substitution of contrast media did not induce any additional allergic reactions. The optimal timing and preferred strategies for performing CAG in patients with KS were also discussed.

Acquired coagulopathy, particularly bleeding due to factor X deficiency, is a rare but not unusual phenomenon in patients with plasma cell dyscrasias such as amyloidosis. We herein report a rare case of a Han Chinese man with recurrent scattered skin ecchymosis on the forearms due to factor XI (FXI) deficiency and lupus anticoagulant who was diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and confirmed to have a heterozygous mutation p.L190P (c.T569C) in the FXI gene. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of MGUS concurrent with a FXI missense mutation and lupus anticoagulant.

Some copy number variations (CNVs) in DNA are associated with the development of pathological phenotypes. Regarding the diagnosis of recurrent radial nerve palsies, a 73-year-old female patient with intractable epilepsy and intellectual disability was diagnosed with duplicated 15q11.1-11.2, in addition to a deletion of 17p12, causing hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies. CNVs in 15q11.1-11.2 have been reported in patients with schizophrenia and autism. Although CNVs are also sometimes seen in healthy individuals, duplicated 15q11.1-11.2 could be associated with CNS symptoms in this patient.

Lateral medullary infarction is rarely associated with Opalski syndrome and autonomic dysfunction. Herein, we present the first case involving a 66-year-old patient with cancer who developed mild dysarthria, left-sided Horner's syndrome and lower limb-dominant ataxic hemiparesis, reduction in right-sided painful thermal sensation, and severe truncal ataxia, followed by orthostatic headache. The Schellong test revealed severe orthostatic hypotension. The patient was diagnosed with Opalski syndrome associated with headache attributed to orthostatic hypotension caused by the cerebral infarction in the caudal part of the lateral medulla oblongata. The patient's headache had poor response to analgesics. However, it resolved with orthostatic hypotension improvement.

We report the case of a 61-year-old man with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, who underwent unrelated peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Fusariosis was suspected prior to identification of the fungal species, and voriconazole and liposomal amphotericin B combination therapy were administered. The patient developed fusarium-related endophthalmitis, accompanied by eye pain. Despite vitrectomy, the endophthalmitis was poorly controlled, and the left eye was enucleated. No recurrence of fusariosis was observed until death following multiple-organ failure due to steroid-resistant graft-versus-host disease.