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Purpose We evaluated the electromyography (EMG)-based neuromuscular monitoring detectability of our novel stimulating electrode attachment method compared to the original Nihon–Kohden (Tokyo, Japan) attachment method. Methods This single-center randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot study enrolled 32 patients aged ≥ 18 years, undergoing scheduled laparoscopic surgery. The EMG electrode NM-345Y™ was attached to one forearm using the Nihon–Kohden method (Pattern N–K) and the other forearm using our novel method (Pattern Cross). The allocation to each attachment method was determined post-randomization. In Pattern Cross, the NM-345Y™ was attached such that the line connecting the anode and cathode crosses the ulnar nerve. Patients received 0.9 mg/kg rocuronium after calibration with the forearm in 90-degree supination. Following tracheal intubation, the forearm was positioned in 0-degree pronation. Intraoperatively, 0.2 mg/kg rocuronium was administered if the train-of-four (TOF) count one persisted for 1 min on either side. Post-surgery, the forearm position was returned to 90-degree supination, and rocuronium was antagonized with sugammadex. TOF and post-tetanic count (PTC) were simultaneously measured bilaterally every 15 s and 5 min, respectively, from post-calibration to tracheal extubation. Results The time to first PTC appearance was significantly shorter by 33 min in the Pattern Cross group than in the Pattern N–K group (95% Confidence interval: 1–66, p  = 0.043). Following sugammadex administration, TOF ratios ≥ 0.9 were achieved in 72% of patients in the Pattern N–K group and 97% of those in the Pattern Cross group ( p  = 0.025). Conclusions Crossing the line connecting the anode and cathode with the ulnar nerve stabilizes EMG-based neuromuscular monitoring detectability.

Neuromuscular monitoring is crucial during the administration of neuromuscular blocking agents owing to individual variations in their effects. In electromyography (EMG)-based neuromuscular monitoring using the EMG electrodes (NM-345Y™, Nihon-Kohden Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) following the manufacturer-recommended attachment method, the accuracy of neuromuscular monitoring may be reduced when forearm limb position is changed. We previously devised a novel attachment method for NM-345Y™ stimulating electrodes in adult volunteers to maintain stable monitoring accuracy despite changes in forearm position. Its effectiveness in clinical practice was evaluated by conducting a descriptive study on a 52-year-old woman undergoing laparoscopic uterine surgery. NM-345Y™ electrodes were attached to each forearm following the manufacturer's recommendations (Pattern N) and our novel method (Pattern C). In Pattern C, NM-345Y™ was attached without ultrasound guidance so that the ulnar nerve crossed the line connecting the centers of the anode and cathode of the stimulating electrode. Pattern C exhibited consistent EMG-based monitoring accuracy even with changes in forearm position despite a smaller stimulus current value at calibration. Additionally, Pattern C displayed reliable recovery of the train-of-four (TOF) response after sugammadex administration in the original forearm position, with no observed adverse events. In contrast, Pattern N showed unstable monitoring accuracy after forearm position changes, highlighting the danger of imprecise EMG-based neuromuscular monitoring during the administration of neuromuscular blocking agents. The study's strength lies in identifying Pattern C, where the ulnar nerve crosses the line connecting the anode and cathode, significantly enhancing monitoring accuracy. This novel attachment method holds promise to improve EMG-based neuromuscular monitoring precision in surgery involving forearm limb position changes, although further research is required to assess its utility comprehensively.

Here, we report a 56-year-old patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had been treated with methotrexate and sulfuasalazine, but the disease activity remained high. Therefore, we planned TNF-blocker treatment for this patient. A tuberculin skin test was positive, we started anti-tuberculosis (TB) chemoprophylaxis with isoniazid (INH). However, liver dysfunction was appeared after 2 weeks from the start of INH. Therefore, we discontinued INH transiently and tried the desensitization of INH. However, interstitial pneumonia was developed 2 weeks after the re-start of INH, we decided to stop the INH prophylaxis. Interstitial pneumonia was improved by corticosteroid treatments. This case report shows that INH-induced IP can be occurred during the course of anti-TB chemoprophylaxis in patients with RA.

The aim of this study was to survey the present status and patterns of reirradiation (Re-RT) practice using external beam radiotherapy in Japan. We distributed an e-mail questionnaire to the Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology partner institutions, which consisted of part 1 (number of Re-RT cases in 2008–2012 and 2013–2018) and part 2 (indications and treatment planning for Re-RT and eight case scenarios). Of the 85 institutions that replied to part 1, 75 (88%) performed Re-RTs. However, 59 of these 75 institutions (79%) reported difficulty in obtaining Re-RT case information from their databases. The responses from 37 institutions included the number of Re-RT cases, which totaled 508 in the period from 2009 to 2013 (institution median 3; 0–235), and an increase to 762 cases in the period from 2014 to 2018 (12.5; 0–295). A total of 47 physicians responded to part 2 of the survey. Important indications for Re-RT that were considered were age, performance status, life expectancy, absence of distant metastases and time interval since previous radiotherapy. In addition to clinical decision-making factors, previous total radiation dose, volume of irradiated tissue and the biologically equivalent dose were considered during Re-RT planning. From the eight site-specific scenarios presented to the respondents, >60% of radiation oncologists agreed to perform Re-RT. Re-RT cases have increased in number, and interest in Re-RT among radiation oncologists has increased recently due to advances in technology. However, several problems exist that emphasize the need for consensus building and the establishment of guidelines for practice and prospective evaluation.

We present a case of multifocal micronodular pneumocyte hyperplasia (MMPH), lymphangiomyomatosis (LAM) and angiomyolipoma (AML) in a 33-year-old woman with tuberous sclerosis complex referred to us during her first pregnancy. Computed tomography of the chest showed diffuse micronodules and cysts in both lungs. Compared to those before pregnancy, the number of micronodules increased evidently. We hypothesized the micronodules in both lungs were either LAM, MMPH, or a combination of the two. Bilateral renal AML also intensified. About one month after childbirth, LAM and renal AML decreased without treatment. Therefore, we observed that LAM and AML were affected by the pregnancy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report regarding the reversible alteration of LAM without treatment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the detectability of lung cancer by chest radiography with a single-exposure dual-energy subtraction (ES) method. Five radiologists read two sets of chest radiographs from 77 patients (66.5 +/- 9.6 years old) with histologically proven lung cancer measuring or=50 but <100%; (3) solid: TDR was <50%. Overall, detectability with the ES method was significantly better than that without ES (mean Az value increased from 0.7673 to 0.8265, P < 0.05). In the subgroup analysis of the nonsolid group and the solid group detectability did not change using the ES method, whereas in the partly solid group detectability with the ES method was significantly better than that without ES (mean Az value increased from 0.7162 to 0.8209, P < 0.005). The ES method improves the detectability of lung cancer by chest radiography, especially of the partly solid group.

Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHD) is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by skin fibrofolliculomas, pulmonary cysts, spontaneous pneumothoraces, and renal cancers. Oncocytomas are benign epithelial tumors that are also rare. Recently, there have been a few case reports of BHD with a parotid oncocytoma that appears to have a BHD phenotype. Here we document the eighth known case and describe the magnetic resonance imaging features of the parotid oncocytoma, which mimicked Warthin’s tumor. Radiologists should be aware of the association between these rare disorders.

3,9-Dinitrofluoranthene (DNF) and 1,3-, 1,6-, and 1,8-dinitropyrene (DNP) isomers are classified as “possible human carcinogens (Group 2B)” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). In the present study, we developed an analytical method for DNF and DNP isomers, which is composed of efficient purification of nitroarenes from impurities and separation of nitroarenes from each other using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and two-dimensional HPLC analysis. These nitroarenes are reduced to corresponding aminoarenes online and sensitively quantified by their fluorescence. We adopted this analytical method for surface soil and airborne particle samples. In the chromatograms of HPLC analysis, DNF and DNP isomers were sufficiently separated from each other and no interfering peaks were observed around DNF and DNP isomers. DNF and 1,3-, 1,6-, and 1,8-DNP isomers were detected in the ranges of 47–579, 27–165, 30–238, and 34–228 pg g−1 of soil, respectively, from all analyzed samples (n = 6). The contribution ratios of DNF to the mutagenicity toward Salmonella typhimurium TA98 without a metabolic system (S9) were high in the range of 11.6–36.6 %. When classified airborne particles, namely, <1.1, 1.1–2.0, 2.0–3.3, 3.3–7.0, and >7.0 µm in size, were analyzed, amounts of DNF were 64, 14, 13, 6, and 5 fg m−3, respectively, and DNF tended to be detected in smaller airborne particles. This is the first report on an analytical method for DNF in the environment and the particle-size distribution of DNF in airborne particles.

Introduction Insulin degludec is a new, ultra-long-acting basal insulin. The aim of this study was to analyze the changes of basal insulin dose and blood glucose profile in basal–bolus therapy of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) at the switching of basal insulin from insulin glargine or detemir to insulin degludec. Methods Sixteen patients with T1DM were enrolled. The patients underwent continuous glucose monitoring before and after the switching of insulin glargine or detemir to degludec. Ten patients treated with insulin glargine or detemir twice daily, were switched to insulin degludec with 80–90% of the prior insulin dose. The remaining six patients treated with insulin glargine once daily, were switched to insulin degludec without down titration. The changes of daily insulin dose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were also examined for 12 weeks after switching to insulin degludec. Results In the patients switched from twice-daily basal insulin, no significant difference was found between before and after switching in the blood glucose profile. In the once-daily group, blood glucose levels showed a tendency to decrease after switching to the degludec treatment. During the study period, total daily insulin dose (TDD) and total daily basal insulin dose (TBD) decreased significantly in the twice-daily group, and TDD and TBD showed a tendency to decrease after switching to degludec in the once-daily group. In both groups, the changes of HbA1c were not significantly different. Conclusion It is possible to achieve similar glycemic control with once-daily injection and lower doses of insulin degludec in patients with T1DM who have been treated with insulin glargine or detemir.