Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Hum Genet 2019 Apr 19. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

Institute of Medical Genetics, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan.

Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) is an X-linked recessive disorder caused by abnormalities in the gene PLP1. Most females harboring heterozygous PLP1 abnormalities are basically asymptomatic. However, as a result of abnormal patterns of X-chromosome inactivation, it is possible for some female carriers to be symptomatic. Read More

J Immunol 2019 Apr 19. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia;

The adult heart contains macrophages derived from both embryonic and adult bone marrow (BM)-derived precursors. This population diversity prompted us to explore how distinct macrophage subsets localize within the heart, and their relative contributions in cardiac disease. In this study, using the reciprocal expression of Lyve-1 and Ccr2 to distinguish macrophages with distinct origins, we show that, in the steady state, both embryonic (Lyve) and BM-derived (Ccr2) macrophages populate the major vessels of the heart in mice and humans. Read More

Med Sci (Basel) 2019 Apr 18;7(4). Epub 2019 Apr 18.

Department of Pediatric Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 99191-91778, Iran.

The present study was performed to evaluate the clinical symptoms and cardiovascular complications in patients with typical and atypical Kawasaki disease (KD). This retrospective study was conducted on the medical records of 176 patients with KD for three years. The study population was divided into two groups of typical and atypical based on the KD clinical criteria. Read More

Ann Hematol 2019 Apr 19. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

Department of Hematology and Oncology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie, 514-8507, Japan.

Extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma (NKTCL), nasal type (ENKL) that shows no apparent nasal involvement, is termed extranasal NKTCL or non-nasal NKTCL. In this study, we aimed to explore therapeutic approaches and outcomes in patients with extranasal NKTCL in current clinical practice. A data set of patients with newly diagnosed NKTCL who were diagnosed at 31 institutes in Japan between 2000 and 2013 was used for analysis. Read More

Korean J Pediatr 2019 Apr 15;62(4):119-123. Epub 2019 Mar 15.

Department of Pediatrics, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis that mainly affects younger children. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistant cases are at increasing risk for coronary artery complications. The strategy on prediction of potential nonresponders and treatment of IVIG-resistant patients is now controversial. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2019 Apr 17;20(8). Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Rheumatology Unit, University of Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy.

Autoinflammatory diseases (AIDs) are heterogeneous disorders characterized by dysregulation in the inflammasome, a large intracellular multiprotein platform, leading to overproduction of interleukin-1(IL-1)β that plays a predominant pathogenic role in such diseases. Appropriate treatment is crucial, also considering that AIDs may persist into adulthood with negative consequences on patients' quality of life. IL-1β blockade results in a sustained reduction of disease severity in most AIDs. Read More

Intern Med 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Japan.

Hypomagnesemia, a side effect of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), can be asymptomatic. The presence of hypocalcemia or hypokalemia is indicative of hypomagnesemia; however, the concomitant use of PPIs and thiazide may mask hypocalcemia. A 79-year-old woman with a history of chronic heart failure and chronic kidney disease developed symptomatic hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia. Read More

Circ J 2019 Apr 18. Epub 2019 Apr 18.

Wakayama Medical University.

Background: Coronary computed tomography angiography (cCTA)-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a promising diagnostic method for the evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, clinical data regarding FFRin Japan are scarce, so we assessed the clinical impact of using FFRin a Japanese population.Methods and Results:The ADVANCE registry is an international prospective FFRregistry of patients suspected of CAD. Read More

JCI Insight 2019 Apr 18;4(8). Epub 2019 Apr 18.

Department of Endocrinology and Nephrology, The University of Tokyo School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Biased agonism is a paradigm that may explain the selective activation of a signaling pathway via a GPCR that activates multiple signals. The autoantibody-induced inactivation of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) causes acquired hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (AHH). Here, we describe an instructive case of AHH in which severe hypercalcemia was accompanied by an increased CaSR antibody titer. Read More

J Virol 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Infectious Disease, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is horizontally transmitted among cats and causes a variety of hematopoietic disorders. Five subgroups of FeLV, A-D and T, each with distinct receptor usage, have been described. Recently, we identified a new FeLV Env (TG35-2) gene from a pseudotyped virus that does not belong to any known subgroup. Read More

J Immunol 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia;

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a leading cause of pediatric heart disease, characterized by the emergence of life-threatening coronary vasculitis. Identifying which cytokines drive KD has been a major research goal, and both TNF and IL-1 have been identified as potential candidates. Using a murine model of KD induced by the injection of the water-soluble component of , we therefore undertook a mechanistic study to determine how and when these two cytokines mediate cardiac inflammation. Read More

Dig Endosc 2019 Apr;31 Suppl 1:26-30

Department of Pathology, The Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan.

Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2019 Apr 11. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan. Electronic address:

Introduction: Gait and balance disorders are common clinical features of Parkinson's disease (PD). Although falls significantly affect the activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL) of patients with PD, the underlying neural mechanisms associated with frequent falls in PD patients are still unclear.

Methods: Hypothesizing that the cerebral cortex would contribute to frequent falls in PD, we obtained 3D T1-weighted images from 91 non-dementia patients with PD and performed voxel-based morphometric analysis (VBM). Read More

Exp Ther Med 2019 May 13;17(5):3580-3588. Epub 2019 Mar 13.

Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in pediatric patients in developed countries. Coronary artery aneurysms and myocardial infarction may occur if the disease remains untreated. An estimated 10-20% of KD patients do not respond to intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG), and thus, alternative treatments are currently being investigated. Read More

Open Access Rheumatol 2019 26;11:61-65. Epub 2019 Mar 26.

Division of Rheumatology and Allergology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa, Japan,

Purpose: IL-10 is a cytokine known to inhibit inflammatory cytokines. To determine its role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the presence of anti-IL-10 antibody is required to be examined. Although antibodies against cytokines are known to be present in SLE, no studies have determined the role of IL-10, particularly in Japanese patients. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Apr;98(15):e15009

Department Second of Infectious Diseases.

Rationale: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a vasculitic illness of childhood associated with coronary artery dilatation, coronary artery aneurysm, arrhythmia, sudden death, and other serious cardiovascular diseases. Up to date, the etiology of KD remains unclear; however, epidemiological characteristics indicate that it may be related to as-yet-undefined pathogen infection.

Patient Concerns: A 19-month-old boy had a fever of unknown origin at 38°C for 9 days without rash, runny nose and cough. Read More

Front Pediatr 2019 29;7:121. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is diagnosed in children suffering from fever for more than five days and five clinical characteristic symptoms. The aim of this article was to research the clinical characteristics among KD children in Taiwan in recent years through a population-based cohort study. We carried out a nationwide retrospective cohort study by analyzing the data of KD patients (ICD-9-CM code 4461) from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) during the period of 1996-2011. Read More

FEBS Open Bio 2019 Apr 18;9(4):755-768. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

Human Life Innovation Institute Ochanomizu University Tokyo Japan.

Liver cirrhosis (LC) is a disease characterized by pathological accumulation and alteration of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins; the interaction between two such proteins, collagen and vitronectin (VN), is considered to be the key to controlling ECM remodeling in liver cirrhosis. If it is possible to control the modification of oligosaccharides on VN, it may be possible to retard progression of liver cirrhosis. In this study, we examined the relationship between changes in VN glycosylation and activity related to the remodeling of hepatic tissue in human LC and a rat model of LC generated using carbon tetrachloride (CCl). Read More

Clin Dermatol 2019 Mar - Apr;37(2):119-128. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Dermatology Department, University of CT Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA. Electronic address:

Several medical conditions can cause children to present with fever and a maculopapular rash Although some presentations are benign, others may be medical emergencies, which warrant a prompt diagnosis. We review some of the more common causes of fever and maculopapular dermatitirs, rash including infectious processes (roseola; rubeola; rubella; parvovirus B19; hand, foot, and mouth disease; scarlet fever; meningococcemia; Epstein-Barr virus infection), hypersensitivity reactions (exanthematous drug reactions), and vasculitis syndromes (Kawasaki disease). We have included a diagnostic algorithm to facilitate rapid identification of the etiology of the rash and fever. Read More

Pediatr Int 2019 Apr 12. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

Division of Public Health, Center for Community Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.

Background: Evidence suggests that seasonal variation in the onset of Kawasaki Disease (KD) exists worldwide. However, whether a seasonal component to successful intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy exists in KD-positive children is unknown. We addressed this question by focusing on patients with primary onset KD who were non-responsive to IVIG treatment by analyzing the large nationwide Japanese KD survey datasets from 2009-2016. Read More

PLoS Med 2019 Apr 12;16(4):e1002780. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America.

Background: Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) is a major antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). In this report, we evaluated the ability of a novel immunoassay to measure concentrations of LAM in sputum as a biomarker of bacterial load prior to and during treatment in pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients.

Methods And Findings: Phage display technology was used to isolate monoclonal antibodies binding to epitopes unique in LAM from MTB and slow-growing nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Read More

Eur J Rheumatol 2019 Mar 10. Epub 2019 Mar 10.

Allergy Immunology Unit, Advanced Pediatrics Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Training and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev 2019 Apr 12. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

Shionogi & Co, Ltd, Osaka, Japan.

Naldemedine is a peripherally acting μ-opioid-receptor antagonist for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation. Two phase 1 single-dose studies investigated the pharmacokinetics and safety of a 0.2-mg oral dose of naldemedine in subjects with renal impairment (mild, n = 9; moderate, n = 9; severe, n = 6; and end-stage renal disease, n = 8) or hepatic impairment (mild or moderate, n = 8 each) and demographically matched healthy subjects with normal renal and hepatic function (n = 8, both studies). Read More

Lancet Oncol 2019 Apr 8. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, Morioka, Japan. Electronic address:

Background: Resistance to first-generation or second-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) monotherapy develops in almost half of patients with EGFR-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after 1 year of treatment. The JO25567 phase 2 trial comparing erlotinib plus bevacizumab combination therapy with erlotinib monotherapy established the activity and manageable toxicity of erlotinib plus bevacizumab in patients with NSCLC. We did a phase 3 trial to validate the results of the JO25567 study and report here the results from the preplanned interim analysis. Read More

Pharmacogenomics J 2019 Apr 11. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Asan Institute for Life Sciences, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis affecting infants and children; it manifests as fever and signs of mucocutaneous inflammation. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment effectively attenuates the fever and systemic inflammation. However, 10-20% patients are unresponsive to IVIG. Read More

J Diabetes Investig 2019 Apr 10. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Department of Diabetes and Molecular Genetics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, To-on, Ehime, Japan.

Aim/introduction: Insulin administration was found to trigger　type 1 diabetes (T1D) in six cases of Japanese type 2 diabetes patients (T2D) with T1D high-risk HLA class II (IDDM1) and the class I allele of the insulin gene VNTR genotype (IDDM2).　The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of non-HLA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to the risk of developing insulin-triggered T1D.

Materials And Methods: We genotyped thirteen T1D susceptible SNPs in the six cases and compared them with those in Japanese controls (Hap Map3-JPT). Read More

J Hypertens 2019 Apr 5. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (IUMSP), Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne.

Background: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing worldwide in part due to population ageing. Identifying risk factors for age-related kidney function decline could help in understanding mechanisms for kidney ageing. Sodium and potassium intakes are associated with CKD progression in the renal population, but little is known on their role in renal function decline [mean estimated glomerular filtration rate variation (ΔeGFR)] in the general adult population. Read More

Emergencias 2019 Abr;31(2):111-114

Sección de Neonatología, Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, España.

Objectives: The main objective was to assess the diagnostic usefulness of age-adjusted level of N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) as a diagnostic marker in children suspected of having incomplete Kawasaki disease (IKD). The secondary aim was to compare the diagnostic yield of NT-proBNP level with the yield of other markers currently recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA).

Material And Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study of a case series of patients under the age of 14 years admitted with clinical suspicion of IKD between 2013 and 2017. Read More

J Antimicrob Chemother 2019 Apr 8. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Kawasaki City Institute for Public Health, 3-25-13 Tonomachi Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan.

J Am Heart Assoc 2019 Apr;8(8):e012250

10 University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison WI.

Background Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is defined as unexplained left ventricular ( LV ) hypertrophy (wall thickness ≥15 mm) and is prevalent in 0.2% of adults (1:500) in population-based studies using echocardiography. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) allows for more accurate wall thickness measurement across the entire ventricle than echocardiography. Read More

Case Rep Pediatr 2019 5;2019:3904932. Epub 2019 Mar 5.

Pediatric A Department, Mother-Child Pole, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Marrakesh, Morocco.

Introduction: While the diagnosis of typical form of Kawasaki disease (KD) is obvious, this multifaceted disease continues to surprise us. We report the case of a recurrent Kawasaki disease in an infant.

Case: At the age of 13 months, the infant was diagnosed with complete Kawasaki disease; he presented with prolonged fever, bilateral conjunctivitis, enanthem, exanthema, edema of the lower limb, peeling, and biological inflammatory syndrome. Read More

J Ren Nutr 2019 Apr 4. Epub 2019 Apr 4.

Department of Nephrology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Medical Center of Kidney, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Institute of Kidney and Dialysis, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Kidney and Blood Purification, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Hemodialysis Quality Control Center of Shanghai, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. Electronic address:

Objective: Spot urine sodium and associated estimating equations provide a suitable alternative assessment of 24-hour sodium excretion in many large-scale studies, but not in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with decreased renal function. Herein, we aimed to develop a novel predictive equation.

Design And Methods: We retrospectively enrolled all CKD patients at Stage 1-4 who received spot and 24-hour urinary analysis in our single center from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2017. Read More

Cancer Med 2019 Apr 5. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.

Background: Little is known about occupational class differences in pancreatic cancer survival.

Methods: Using a population-based cancer registry in Japan, 3 578 patients with incident pancreatic cancer (1970-2011) were followed up for 5 years (median follow-up time 0.42 years). Read More

Arch Gynecol Obstet 2019 Apr 5. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, USA.

Purpose: Cervical cancer is a recalcitrant disease. To help overcome this problem, we previously established a patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) model of cervical cancer. In the previous study, we found the tumor to be resistant to nab-paclitaxal (nab-PTX). Read More

Neurocase 2019 Apr 5:1-7. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

a Department of Rehabilitation Medicine , Kawasaki Medical School , Kurashiki , Japan.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is suggested to be a risk factor for the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, the data remain controversial. This is the first report on cognitive decline in patients with TBI over 30 years post-injury. The medical significance/key learning points of this report are that (1) Functional Independence Measure (FIM) is useful in clinical settings, such as for higher brain dysfunction and dementia; (2) amyloid PET findings represent an essential biomarker for follow-up after TBI; and (3) cognitive decline can occur in patients with TBI more than 30 years post-injury. Read More

Mov Disord Clin Pract 2019 Mar 25;6(3):213-221. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Department of Neurology Saiseikai Shonan Hiratsuka Hospital.

Background: Postural abnormalities in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and unimpaired elderly are not well differentiated. Factors related to postural abnormality associated with PD are controversial.

Objective: We assessed differences in postural change between PD patients and unimpaired elderly and elucidated factors related to abnormal posture in PD patients. Read More

Front Immunol 2019 21;10:185. Epub 2019 Mar 21.

Department of Blood Cell Research, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The human Fc-gamma receptors (FcγRs) link adaptive and innate immunity by binding immunoglobulin G (IgG). All human low-affinity FcγRs are encoded by the locus containing functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and gene copy number variants. This locus is notoriously difficult to genotype and high-throughput methods commonly used focus on only a few SNPs. Read More

Hypertens Res 2019 Apr 5. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, Rheumatology and Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Yufu City, Oita, 879-5593, Japan.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of secondary hypertension. The aim of this study was to review the clinical outcomes after mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist treatment versus adrenalectomy treatment in patients with PA. Relevant medical literature from PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the ICHUSHI database from 1985 to August 2017 was reviewed. Read More

Hypertens Res 2019 Apr 5;42(4):469-482. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan.

The efficacy and safety of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RAS-I) in hypertensive adults with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) differ depending on the presence or the absence of proteinuria. To estimate the effects of RAS-I in this population, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials where treatment with angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers were compared with placebo or active controls in adults with non-diabetic CKD. The treatment effects were separately reviewed in patients with and without proteinuria. Read More

Leuk Lymphoma 2019 Apr 5:1-8. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

a Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine , Jichi Medical University , Tochigi , Japan.

This study sought to investigate the impact of the soluble interleukin-2 receptor level in the relapsed or refractory phase (r/r sIL-2R) on the clinical outcome in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We determined the optimal cutoff value of r/r sIL-2R for disease progression within 6 months from salvage chemotherapy to be 861 U/mL. The high r/r sIL-2R group exhibited a significantly lower survival rate than the low r/r sIL-2R group (1-year event-free survival [EFS], 22. Read More

Case Rep Pediatr 2019 3;2019:3156736. Epub 2019 Mar 3.

Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Associate Member at the Department of Dermatology and Skin Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

Kawasaki disease is characterized by fever for ≥ five days, bilateral bulbar conjunctival injection without exudate, polymorphous rash changes in the extremities, oral mucosal changes, and cervical lymphadenopathy. We report a 20-month-old boy with Kawasaki disease who had onychomadesis affecting the fingernails and toenails bilaterally. To our knowledge, there were three reported cases of onychomadesis associated with Kawasaki disease, to which we add another one. Read More

Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2019 Apr 3;17(1):13. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, #123 Da-Pei Road, Niaosong District, Kaohsiung, 83301, Taiwan.

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is the most common acute coronary vasculitis disease to occur in children. Its incidence has been attributed to the combined effects of infection, genetics, and immunity. Although the etiopathogenesis of KD remains unknown, we have performed a survey of global genetic DNA methylation status and transcripts expression in KD patients in order to determine their contribution to the pathogenesis of KD. Read More

Mod Rheumatol 2019 Apr 3:1-17. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

a Department of Biophysics , Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences , Kobe 654-0142 , Japan.

Objective: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is the autoimmune disease representing the circadian variations of symptoms such as morning stiffness of joints or increased production of cytokines around midnight. Clock genes have been reported to affect on the pathogenesis of RA, however, the detailed relation between clock genes and disease activities of RA has remained unclear.

Methods: In this study, 15 RA patients treated with bDMARDs were enrolled (TNF inhibitor, 5; IL-6 inhibitor, 5; CTLA4-IgG, 5). Read More

Front Pediatr 2019 19;7:81. Epub 2019 Mar 19.

Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.

We evaluated the ability of peripheral blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) to predict the intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance in Kawasaki disease (KD) patients under 1-year of age. A total of 92 KD patients under the age of 1-year and who were hospitalized in Peking University First Hospital from June 2007 to August 2016 were recruited in this study. The clinical and laboratory data were analyzed to see if peripheral blood NLR was useful for predicting the IVIG-resistance in KD. Read More

Immunol Med 2018 Jun 17;41(2):82-84. Epub 2018 Aug 17.

a Department of Rheumatology , Kawasaki Medical School , Kurashiki , Japan.

Scrub typhus is a mite-borne infectious disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, which is found mainly in East and Southeast Asia and in Australia. The disease presents with a variety of non-specific symptoms, including fever, headache, cough, myalgia, and rash. Delay in starting appropriate antimicrobial therapy may lead to serious complications and even death. Read More

Immunol Med 2018 Mar 3;41(1):43-45. Epub 2018 Apr 3.

a Department of Pediatrics , Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine , Ube , Japan.

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF), caused by group A β-hemolytic streptococcus infection, is characterized by inflammation affecting several organs. There are few reports on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with ARF. An 8-year-old Japanese boy presented with a prolonged fever of unknown cause and swelling of his right hand. Read More

Circ J 2019 Mar 30. Epub 2019 Mar 30.

Division of Coronary Artery Disease, Hyogo College of Medicine.

Background: Beta-blockers are standard therapy for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, despite current advances in the management of AMI, it remains unclear whether all AMI patients benefit from β-blockers. We investigated whether admission heart rate (HR) is a determinant of the effectiveness of β-blockers for AMI patients. Read More

Circulation 2019 Apr 1. Epub 2019 Apr 1.

Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.

Background: Ventricular fibrillation (VF) storm after myocardial infarction (MI) is a life-threatening condition that necessitates multiple defibrillations. Catheter ablation is a potentially effective treatment strategy for VF storm refractory to optimal medical treatment. However, its impact on patient survival has not been verified in a large population. Read More

Mod Rheumatol 2019 Mar 29:1-23. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

a Department of Pathology , Toho University Ohashi Medical Center, Laboratory for Immunology of Microbial Products, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science , Tokyo , Japan.

Objectives: Using a murine model of systemic Kawasaki disease (KD)-like vasculitis induced by Candida albicans cell-wall-derived mannan•β-glucan•protein complexes, the objective was to elucidate the relationships of β-glucan receptor dectin-1 (D1) and α-mannan receptor dectin-2 (D2) to the onset of that vasculitis.

Methods: The incidence and histological severity of vasculitis were compared among mice lacking the genes for D1 or D2 (i.e. Read More

Int J Rheum Dis 2019 Mar 28. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

Division of Hematology and Rheumatology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the association between myocardial abnormalities and left ventricular (LV) geometry as assessed using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients without cardiac symptoms.

Methods: SSc patients without cardiac symptoms or cardiovascular risk factors underwent contrast CMRI. CMRI were assessed for structural and functional LV parameters and myocardial fibrosis based on myocardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). Read More