Objective In patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in samples collected after an overnight fast are diagnostic indicators and well-established predictors of adverse outcomes. However, the relationship between the HDL-C levels in samples collected just after arrival (early HDL-C) and in-hospital mortality remains unknown. The purposes of the present ACS study were to (1) evaluate the association between the early HDL-C levels of patients and in-hospital mortality and (2) compare the early HDL-C level with other well-known determinants associated with in-hospital mortality.

Methods This retrospective study surveyed 638 consecutive ACS patients and then assessed the possible determinants of in-hospital mortality. All initial blood samples, including that for early HDL-C, were drawn within one hour of arrival.

Results In the present study, the overall in-hospital mortality was 5.9%. A multivariable analysis showed that a low early HDL-C (odds ratio [OR] 2.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-5.62), elevated troponin T (OR 4.40, 95% CI 1.26-15.29) and high Killip class (OR 15.41, 95% CI 7.29-32.59) were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that there the in-hospital outcome for the low early HDL-C group was significantly worse than that for the high early HDL-C group (age- and gender-adjusted hazard ratio 2.40, 95% CI 1.15-5.00, p=0.02).

Conclusion ACS patients with low early HDL-C levels had higher in-hospital mortalities than those who did not have low early HDL-C levels. In addition to the already well-known determinants, low early HDL-C should also be considered as an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in ACS patients who present to a cardiac care unit.

Objective This multicenter, cross-sectional, non-interventional trial aimed to investigate adherence barriers to inhaled medicines when compared with oral medicines in Japanese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.

Methods The self-reporting "Adherence Starts with Knowledge 20" (ASK-20) questionnaire was administered for adherence barriers of inhaled and oral medicines to outpatients with regular clinic attendance.

Results Patients with COPD and asthma reported different adherence barriers to inhaled medicines. Independent adherence barriers (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]) to inhaled medicines relative to those for oral medicines among patients with COPD and asthma were those related to item Q8 ( "I know if I am reaching my health goals"; 2.49 [1.39-4.47]; p=0.0022) and item Q2 ( "I run out of my medicine because I do not get refills on time"; 2.69 [1.26-5.75]; p=0.0127), respectively. Among patients with poor adherence to only inhaled medicines, those with COPD and asthma recognized item Q3 ( "consuming alcohol and taking medicines"; 6.63 [1.27-34.7]; p<0.05) and item Q1 ( "forget to take medicines only sometimes"; 4.29 [1.83-10.0]; p<0.05), respectively, were recognized as independent adherence barriers to inhaled medicines. The total ASK-20 scores and total barrier counts in patients with poor adherence to inhaled medicines were significantly higher than in those without poor adherence among patients with asthma (p=0.0057) but not those with COPD (p>0.05).

Conclusion These results will aid in personalizing education on adherence to inhaled medicines among patients with COPD and asthma.

An aortic mural thrombus (AMT) on a non-atherosclerotic wall is a rare but important cause of arterial thromboembolism. We herein report two cases of AMT in the thoracic aorta. Both showed multiple hypercoagulable factors (case 1: protein S deficiency and positive finding of anti-cardiolipin antibody; case 2: protein C deficiency, gastric cancer, and cisplatin-based chemotherapy) and were successfully treated with anticoagulation. Hypercoagulable states, including malignancy, can influence the formation of AMT; therefore, the accurate assessment of a hypercoagulable condition is necessary when we encounter patients with AMT.

Objective To determine whether or not displaying the cost of tests can help reduce charges on test ordering in Japan.

Methods This study was conducted under the setting of a simulated first visit of an outpatient for general internal medicine in a secondary medical institution in Japan. We randomly assigned 27 residents and clinical fellows to Team A or B. The first half, without charges displayed on the ordering system, was designated the "non-display group," and the participants of Team A selected tests for each paper-based simulated case (Q1-Q14), while the participants of Team B selected tests for Q15-Q28. The second half, which had charges displayed, was designated the "display group," and the participants of Team A selected tests for Q15-Q28, while the participants of Team B selected tests for Q1-Q14. The main outcome measure was the difference in the cost of tests per paper-based simulated case between the non-display and display groups.

Results The median (interquartile range) cost of tests per paper-based simulated case was 12,255 yen (5,040-23,695 yen) in the non-display group versus 9,425 yen (2,320-21,700 yen) in the display group, showing a decrease of 2,830 yen with charges being displayed (p=0.002).

Conclusion Displaying the charges when ordering tests in paper-based simulated cases resulted in cost reduction. The adoption of this intervention may reduce health insurance costs under the health insurance system in Japan, which has features such as universal health coverage and universal access to care.

A 62-year-old man with diabetes mellitus and a two-day history of fever and dyspnea presented at our hospital. He was diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), septic shock, and respiratory failure. Sputum Gram staining revealed Gram-negative coccobacilli. Based on the Gram staining findings and history, Acinetobacter baumannii was considered as one of the causative organisms of his CAP. Consequently, he was successfully treated with the initial administration of meropenem. We suggest that A. baumannii should be considered as one of the possible causative organisms of CAP based on a fulminant clinical course, and the presence of Gram-negative coccobacilli.

We herein present the case of a 27-year-old woman with clinical and biochemical features of virilism. Imaging studies revealed the presence of a bilateral adrenal tumor. Although the secretion of androgens was remarkable, the autonomous production of cortisol was also evident because of a loss of circadian rhythm and the absence of cortisol suppression by dexamethasone. The surgical excision of both adrenal tumors was performed, and the histological examination showed no malignancy. We also report the successful pregnancy and delivery of the patient who showed evolving adrenocortical insufficiency along with virilization and Cushing' s syndrome and who continued to receive glucocorticoid replacement therapy during pregnancy.

An otherwise healthy 44-year-old woman exhibited isolated unilateral oculomotor nerve palsy accompanied by an influenza A infection. An intra-orbital MRI scan revealed that her right third intracranial nerve was enlarged and enhanced. She recovered completely during the first month after treatment with oseltamivir phosphate. Although intracranial nerve disorders that result from influenza infections are most frequently reported in children, it is noteworthy that influenza can also cause focal intracranial nerve inflammation with ophthalmoparesis in adults. These disorders can be diagnosed using intra-orbital MRI scans with appropriate sequences and through immunological assays to detect the presence of antiganglioside antibodies.

A 40-year-old Japanese man presented with child-onset hypertriglyceridemia recently complicated by diabetes mellitus. The patient's diabetes mellitus was maintained, but he had persistent insulin resistance. The patient also had persistent severe hypertriglyceridemia (1,224-4,104 mg/dL), despite the administration of bezafibrate and ezetimibe. Type V dyslipidemia was revealed by agarose gel electrophoresis and the refrigerator test, and a significantly reduced post-heparin lipoprotein lipase mass of 26 ng/mL was confirmed. Genetic testing confirmed two heterozygous LPL variants, p.Tyr88X and p.Gly215Glu in trans; thus, the patient was diagnosed with lipoprotein lipase deficiency. Lipoprotein lipase deficiency typically arises in type I dyslipidemia, but is latent in type V dyslipidemia.

We herein report a 63-year-old woman with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) who developed dermatomyositis (DM) after initial chemoradiotherapy despite tumor reduction. Serum anti-TIF1γ antibody was detected before the development of DM, and its levels increased over time. She died five months after the diagnosis of SCLC. Anti-TIF1γ antibody is known to be a marker for cancer-associated DM (CAM); however, the present case indicates that the antibody can be found in cancer patients without DM. This case is also unusual, as DM developed later despite successful chemoradiotherapy. (86 words <100)

A 28-year-old man with type 1 diabetes mellitus was admitted for shock and coma due to diabetic ketoacidosis. Despite aggressive treatment and management of the patient's underlying clinical issues, the patient remained in a comatose state. Further investigations revealed an excess consumption of psychotropic agents; however, there was no evidence of an insulin overdose. Physicians should be aware that, in patients who are highly dependent upon insulin, an overdose of psychotropic agents can lead to hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

Klinefelter syndrome is a chromosomal disorder with a typical karyotype of 47, XXY, accompanied by various neurological symptoms. We herein report the first case of Klinefelter syndrome with a rare mosaic form of 47, XXY and 48, XXXY, combined with both spastic paraplegia and peripheral motor neuropathy. This case showed spasticity and hyperreflexia with pathological reflexes and ankle clonus as well as muscle weakness in all extremities. A motor nerve conduction study and the magnetic motor evoked potential suggested motor axonal neuropathy and corticospinal tract disorders. The present case suggests that Klinefelter syndrome can present with both upper and lower motor neuron degeneration.

Smoking cessation plays a crucial role in reducing preventable morbidity and mortality. However, some smokers find smoking cessation difficult, despite receiving treatment. This includes heavy smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, smokers with a psychiatric disorder, and female and underage smokers. This review article describes smoking cessation approaches for patients who find it difficult to quit smoking.

We herein report a rare case of a gastric adenoma overlying a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) that was removed by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). A 78-year-old woman was referred to our hospital. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed an elevated lesion of 15 mm in diameter overlying a submucosal mass in the gastric cardia. ESD was performed for the epithelial neoplasm, and biopsy specimens were obtained directly from the exposed surface of the submucosal tumor. The epithelial tumor was a tubular adenoma with focal severe atypia and a gastric phenotype. Biopsy specimens revealed a GIST, which was resected by laparoscopic intragastric surgery afterward.

A 56-year-old healthy woman was referred to our hospital for abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a 14-cm-diameter liver tumor with intratumoral hemorrhage. We performed emergent transcatheter arterial embolization. She was referred to hepatic surgeon (M.M.) for resection. Preoperative colonoscopy showed an elevated lesion measuring 2 cm in diameter that was pathologically diagnosed as a rectal neuroendocrine tumor (NET). We performed low anterior resection of the rectum, followed by extended right hepatectomy for all hepatic lesions. Intratumoral hematoma was observed in the largest hepatic lesion (size: 150 mm×100 mm). Microscopy also indicated NET G2. We pathologically diagnosed a liver tumor from a rectal NET that bled spontaneously.

Objectives Gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is currently a standard procedure, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are most commonly used to treat post-ESD ulcers. Vonoprazan, a potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB), reportedly inhibits gastric acid secretions more effectively than PPIs. Combination therapy of a PPI plus rebamipide is effective for treating larger ulcers. Our goal was to evaluate the effects of vonoprazan plus rebamipide compared to esomeprazole plus rebamipide for the treatment of post-ESD ulcers.

Methods First, vonoprazan plus rebamipide (V group) or esomeprazole plus rebamipide (E group) was orally administered to subjects for eight weeks. We then evaluated the ulcer healing process at four and eight weeks after the procedure using a gastric ulcer stage system and by measuring the ulcer size.

Patients A total of 84 patients who underwent ESD for gastric neoplasms between September 2015 and December 2017 in Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital were included in this randomized controlled trial.

Results The ulcer scar rates at week 4 in the V group (n=43) and E groups (n=39) were 20.9% and 15.4%, while those at week 8 were 90.7% and 92.3%, respectively. The ulcer reduction rates at week 4 in the V and E groups were 94.6% and 93.8%, and those at week 8 were 99.7% and 99.3%, respectively. The ulcer scar rates and reduction rates were not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusion Combination therapy consisting of vonoprazan plus rebamipide was not superior to that of esomeprazole plus rebamipide for post-ESD ulcer healing (UMIN000019516).

We herein report a 44-year-old man suffering from systemic edema due to protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) with superior mesenteric vein (SMV) obstruction and development of collateral veins, which subsequently proved to be a chronic result of thrombosis and a complication of Crohn's disease (CD). PLE was supposedly induced by both intestinal erosion and thrombosis-related lymphangiectasia, which was histologically proven in his surgically-resected ileal stenosis. Elemental diet and anti-TNFα agent improved his hypoalbuminemia after surgery. The rarity of the simultaneous coexistence of SMV obstruction and PLE and the precedence of these complications over typical abdominal symptoms of CD made the clinical course complex.

Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (CAEBV) T-cell type infection, systemic form, is characterized by persistent infectious mononucleosis-like symptoms, high EBV DNA levels in the peripheral blood, organ damage, and a poor prognosis. The association between CAEBV and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is unclear. We report a case of fatal CAEBV T-cell type infection in an RA patient undergoing treatment with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 immunoglobulin fusion protein (abatacept, ABT). CAEBV can rapidly worsen in RA patients receiving ABT. Thus, we should try to establish an early diagnosis in patients with CAEBV infection.

A 52-year-old man with recurrent epistaxis and palpebral conjunctival telangiectasia visited our hospital for a follow-up checkup for gastrointestinal polyposis. At 48 years of age, he underwent Y-graft replacement for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) was detected in his lungs, and a genetic test revealed an SMAD4 mutation. Eventually, he was diagnosed with juvenile polyposis-hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (JP-HHT) syndrome. In addition, fatty degeneration of the left ventricle (LV) and a coronary aneurysm were detected. This is the first report suggesting the possibility of an association between these manifestations and JP-HHT due to SMAD4 mutations. Examining cardiovascular disorders in JP-HHT patients is imperative.

Objective The association between functional dyspepsia (FD) and endoscopic findings has not been fully elucidated. Helicobacter pylori infection is considered a key factor in the pathophysiology of FD. The Kyoto Classification of Gastritis (KCG) was proposed in 2014 to evaluate endoscopic findings based on the H. pylori status. We investigated the endoscopic findings associated with FD according to the KCG.

Methods This cross-sectional study included subjects who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy during a medical health check-up. We compared the endoscopic findings between subjects with FD and healthy controls (HCs) according to the KCG.

Results A total of 456 subjects were analyzed. Among them, the detection rate of FD was 5.5% (25/456 persons). In a univariate analysis of the endoscopic findings, a significantly lower proportion of subjects with FD had gastric red streak in comparison to HCs (0% vs. 18.6%, respectively; p=0.0124). Subjects with FD were more likely to have gastric depressive erosion (20.0% vs. 7.9%; p=0.0522). A higher proportion of the erosion-positive subjects had FD in comparison to erosion-negative subjects (12.8% vs. 4.8%). There were no significant differences in the other endoscopic findings, including gastric atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, enlarged fold, nodularity, and diffuse redness. A multivariate analysis revealed that gastric depressive erosion was significantly and independently associated with FD (odds ratio, 2.92; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-8.26; p=0.0436). In contrast, gastric red streak was not associated with FD (p=0.989).

Conclusion Gastric depressive erosions may be associated with dyspepsia.

Objectives The present study was performed with the aim of analyzing the biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD)-free (Bio-free) condition of adalimumab (ADA)-treated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in a real-world setting.

Methods ADA was used in the treatment of 130 (male, n=21; female, n=109 females) RA patients. Among them, 26 patients (20.0%) discontinued ADA due to a good response. We analyzed 20 patients who were followed up for more than 6 months after the discontinuation of ADA. The Disease Activity Score 28 based on C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) and modified health assessment questionnaires (mHAQs) were evaluated.

Results The mean age of the patients was 53.4±11.1 years. The mean disease duration was 4.5±4.3 years. Sixteen patients were bDMARD-naïve, while 4 switched from bDMARDs to ADA. At 6 months after the discontinuation ADA, 19 patients had achieved a clinical remission, and 1 had achieved a low disease activity. The Bio-free period was 26.4±15.5 months. The dose of prednisolone was significantly reduced from baseline (3.45±3.17 mg/day) at 6 months after the discontinuation of ADA (2.63±2.78 mg/day). The dose of methotrexate was unchanged. The number of conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs) was significantly increased (0.8±0.6 to 1.4±1.06). The mHAQ values were significantly ameliorated by ADA and remained good in patients with a Bio-free condition. A multivariate analysis showed that the dose of MTX was an important factor for achieving a Bio-free condition.

Conclusions A sustainable Bio-free condition in a real clinical setting can be achieved and may be a suitable way of reducing medical costs. The dose of MTX and the additional administration of csDMARDs is therefore thought to be important for ensuring a good outcome in these patients.

A 21-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of proteinuria and hematuria. She had occasional flank pain. A renal biopsy was performed and revealed a thin basement membrane. Therefore, she was diagnosed with thin basement membrane disease. However, the frequency of her flank pain increased. Since her left kidney was slightly larger than the right, nutcracker syndrome (NCS) was suspected. Renal vein ultrasonography and venography were performed, and NCS was confirmed. Her hematuria was multifactorial, and NCS can go unnoticed if there is a comorbidity that also causes hematuria.

Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is a rare clinical syndrome characterized by a triad of yellow thick nail, lymphedema and respiratory diseases. We experienced 2 cases of YNS with diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB)-like pulmonary manifestation. Since YNS might be hidden to those who have been diagnosed with DPB, physicians should be alert to recognize nail signs of YNS in case of DPB refractory to macrolide therapy. We hereby review previous case reports of YNS and discuss its pulmonary manifestations.

Foix-Chavany-Marie syndrome (FCMS) is a rare cortical type of pseudobulbar palsy characterized by the loss of voluntary control of the facial, pharyngeal, lingual, and masticatory muscles with preserved reflexive and autonomic functions. FCMS is generally associated with cerebrovascular diseases affecting the bilateral opercular regions. We herein report the clinical features of an 84-year-old right-handed Japanese man with FCMS due to a unilateral brain abscess. The patient' s symptoms were resolved after treating the brain abscess. The present clinical results suggest that a unilateral brain abscess in the temporal operculum with a persistent old lesion in the contralateral insular cortex can induce FCMS.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare, devastating disease, characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure due to pulmonary microvascular obstruction, which can result in heart failure and death. PAH can be associated with exposure to certain drugs or toxins. We herein report a case in which PAH developed in a patient with refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) during treatment with "Qing-Dai," a Chinese herbal medicine. The patient's PAH improved after the discontinuation of Qing-Dai.

A 34-year-old Japanese woman exhibited a 35×25-mm solitary multiloculated mass shadow in the left lower lobe mimicking lung adenocarcinoma. On computed tomography, the mass resembled a lotus torus. A transbronchial lung biopsy and mediastinal lymph node biopsy led to the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. This lotus torus-like mass regressed spontaneously. This is the second reported case of pulmonary cavitary sarcoidosis with a 'lotus torus-like' appearance. We propose several findings regarding the lotus torus-like appearance by comparing the findings to those of lung adenocarcinoma. Knowledge of this unique sign may be helpful for the differential diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis from lung adenocarcinoma.

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between hypercholesterolemia (HC) and clinical events through a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) registry.

Background HC is a well-known independent risk factor for long-term cardiovascular events after PCI. However, it has been reported to be associated with a lower risk of adverse events in patients with cancer or acute coronary syndrome.

Methods We analyzed the relationship between HC and adverse events in patients treated with everolimus-eluting stents (EESs) through the Tokyo-MD PCI study (an all-comer, multicenter, observational registry). The propensity score method was applied to select two groups with similar baseline characteristics.

Results The unadjusted population included 1,536 HC patients and 330 non-HC patients. Propensity score matching yielded 314 matched pairs. After baseline adjustment, the outcomes of HC patients were significantly better than those of the non-HC patients with respect to the primary endpoint, which was a combination of mortality from all causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal neurological events, and major bleeding (hazard ratio [HR] 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.39-0.81; p=0.002), and the secondary endpoints, which included a combination of mortality from all causes, nonfatal MI, and nonfatal neurological events (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.39-0.88; p=0.01), and major bleeding (HR 0.42, 95% CI 0.20-0.88; p=0.02). A subgroup analysis showed age as an interaction factor for the primary endpoint (interaction p=0.035).

Conclusion HC was associated with better outcomes in patients who underwent EES implantation, even after baseline adjustment.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation occasionally occurs long after immunosuppressive therapy. The characteristics of late HBV reactivation remain unclear. We herein present a case of HBV reactivation in a patient with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) more than 3 years after rituximab-containing chemotherapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Increased transaminase levels, which were induced by NASH, were observed after chemotherapy and were alleviated with statin treatment. HBV reactivation was identified incidentally. The patient developed hepatitis that improved with entecavir therapy. Our case might indicate that the presence of NASH is associated with HBV reactivation long after treatment and that statins, as immune-modulatory agents, affect HBV reactivation.

A 61-year-old woman exhibited right inguinal lymphadenopathy and right lower limb edema approximately 1 month prior to hospitalization. She was diagnosed with high grade B-cell lymphoma, and a lymph node biopsy and fluorescence in situ hybridization indicated MYC, BCL2, and BCL6 rearrangements (triple-hit lymphoma). She had progressive disease that was CD20-negative after two courses of R-CODOX-M/IVAC therapy. Subsequent EPOCH therapy was not effective. However, after two cycles of gemcitabine, dexamethasone, and cisplatin (GDP) therapy, she achieved a complete response and was able to undergo autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. GDP therapy may be effective as salvage therapy for chemotherapy-resistant triple-hit lymphoma.

Tolvaptan (TLV) is a diuretic agent administrated for heart failure (HF) only in Japan. Many clinical findings have been obtained from the accumulation of clinical experience, and the administration of TLV reportedly avoids causing a reduction in the renal function. In addition, TLV has been reported to exert effects other than diuresis. The early start of TLV after hospitalization shortens the length of the hospital stay, and continuous TLV after discharge extends the period until re-hospitalization of HF patients. TLV is thought to function via vasopressin V2 receptor antagonism. However, no significant differences in the long-term prognosis were noted between the group using TLV and not using TLV in the EVEREST trial, and effects other than diuresis are not useful for all HF patients. Therefore, it is necessary to identify patients who may experience effects other than diuresis with TLV administration. The accumulation of more patients and findings from further large-scale clinical trials will be necessary in order to clarify these points.

Werner syndrome (WS) confers a high risk of the development of neoplasias, including hematological malignancies, and curative treatment for these malignancies is difficult to achieve. A 44-year-old man with myelodysplastic syndrome was admitted to our hospital. He was diagnosed with mutation-proven WS. He underwent cord blood transplantation (CBT) following fludarabine, busulfan, and melphalan administration. A chimerism analysis of his marrow blood on day 62 showed a donor pattern >95%, which confirmed engraftment. The patient lived for 15 months while maintaining remission of MDS without treatment-related toxicity. Our case shows that CBT can be a treatment modality for WS patients with hematological malignancies.

A 43-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with peripheral blood hyper eosinophilia and abnormal chest X-ray findings. Her pleural effusion revealed hypereosinophilia and a low glucose level. She was diagnosed with pulmonary paragonimiasis based on an elevated antibody level of Paragonimiasis westermani. Although she had no medical history of allergic disorders, a pulmonary function test revealed bronchodilator reversibility. After praziquantel therapy, her symptoms, hypereosinophilia in peripheral blood, and pleural effusion were improved. A repeated pulmonary function test after praziquantel therapy showed a negative bronchodilator response. Pulmonary paragonimiasis may induce bronchodilator reversibility during the acute phase of infection.

A 79-year-old man was admitted because of complete heart block. Echocardiograms showed an abnormal mass adjacent to the sinus of Valsalva. Subsequent surgical resection was not successful. Despite chemotherapy, the patient died from multiple organ failure. It is important to recognize that approximately 80% of cases of cardiac lymphoma are diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, which is the only malignant neoplasm that may respond well to chemotherapy with rituximab. In order to save patients' lives, the early implementation of chemotherapy with rituximab is critical and should be considered as a therapeutic diagnostic option in select patients.

We report the case of a 36-year-old previously healthy woman who presented with fever and headache. Blood and cerebrospinal cultures and a bacterial analysis revealed the presence of β-lactamase non-producing ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae type f (Hif) with sequence type 124. Accordingly, the patient was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis with bacteremia caused by Hif. She had normal humoral immunity, and antibiotic therapy rapidly improved her condition. Our case indicates that serotype replacement can occur in Japan and suggests that a certain sequence type causes invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease, regardless of host immunity.

We experienced two cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurring immediately after treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs). Case 1 was a 75-year-old woman in whom HCC was detected immediately after completion of DAA treatment. Case 2 was a 75-year-old woman who had a hypovascular nodule in liver. The hypovascular nodule became hypervascular without enlargement of the nodule size immediately after DAA treatment completion. Although the association between DAA treatment and hepatocarcinogenesis is unknown, sufficient surveillance after achieving a sustained viral response is required, as a large number of patients at a high risk of hepatocarcinogenesis are treated with DAAs.

A 78-year-old man with mild coronary arteriosclerosis on coronary CT angiography underwent MRI of the prostate with the administration of GBCA (gadopentetate dimeglumine). He developed acute coronary syndrome immediately after the intravenous injection of GBCA, and recovered after the administration of nitroglycerine, atropine sulfate, and hydrocortisone. He was discharged on the ninth day of hospitalization without recurrent chest symptoms. This is the second reported case of Kounis syndrome caused by GBCA. Kounis syndrome caused by MRI contrast media is rare, but we should recognize that all contrast agents have the potential to cause Kounis syndrome.

Objectives Bath-related sudden cardiac arrests frequently occur in Japan. This study aimed to describe the actual incidence and characteristics of bath-related accidents, including non-fatal events, and to establish the etiology of bath-related sudden cardiac arrest.

Methods This prospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Tokyo Metropolis and Saga and Yamagata Prefectures between October 2012 and March 2013. Emergency personnel enrolled events in this study when they recognized that activation of the emergency medical system was related to bathing. Surveillance cards were delivered and collected from the emergency personnel and attending physicians.

Results In total, 4,593 events were enrolled (1,528 cardiac arrests, 935 survivors in need of help, 1,553 patients with acute illnesses, and 577 patients with injuries) in this study. In the group of survivors in need of help and with acute illness, consciousness disturbance and lethargy without any organic disease were recognized as the main symptoms. Acute coronary syndrome and stroke were infrequently diagnosed. Of the survivors, 30% had a body temperature above 38°C. Their consciousness level significantly correlated with their body temperature. Emergency personnel reported that 79% of sudden cardiac arrests were from victims whose faces were submerged in the tub water, while 18% of survivors had their faces submerged in the tub water.

Conclusions This study revealed that accidents, including non-lethal events, frequently occur. The key symptoms were consciousness disturbance and lethargy characterized as a functional disorder and accompanied by an elevated body temperature. Those findings suggest that heat illness during hot water immersion causes drowning.

Abatacept, a cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 immunoglobulin recombinant fusion protein, is an immunosuppressive agent indicated for rheumatoid arthritis. Although no significant increase in malignancy has been reported in abatacept-treated patients, whether or not abatacept accelerates tumor progression in specific cancer types remains unclear. We herein report a 66-year-old woman who showed unusually rapid progression of hepatocellular carcinoma following abatacept therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Abatacept was speculated to have accelerated her hepatocellular carcinoma progression in the setting of her preexisting risk factors: autoimmune hepatitis and long-term methotrexate use. We propose close tumor surveillance be performed during abatacept therapy, especially for high-risk patients.

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is an aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma that typically develops in the upper aerodigestive tract. We encountered an ENKTL patient who presented with generalized muscle weakness with eyelid swelling, diplopia, and facial edema. A muscle biopsy revealed lymphocytic infiltration without significant atypia; some lymphocytes formed granuloma-like structures. Although the initial response to steroids was encouraging, an ulcerative eruption appeared in the thigh, and a skin biopsy revealed lymphocytes with atypia. A re-analysis of the muscle biopsy with additional immunohistochemistry revealed neoplastic NK/T lymphocytes in the granulomatous structures. Our case highlights the significance of re-evaluating muscle biopsy specimens in cases of atypical myositis.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)T790M mutations are the most frequent mechanism of resistance to first- and second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and osimertinib is an effective treatment for patients with both EGFR-activating mutations and T790M resistance mutations. We describe the case of a 68-year-old woman with lung adenocarcinoma with G719S, S768I, and T790M mutations in which osimertinib treatment was unsuccessful. The patient died of disease progression one month after discontinuing osimertinib treatment. This case suggests that osimertinib may be ineffective for treating patients with uncommon mutations such as G719S when the patient has also acquired a T790M resistance mutation.