ARICA: Demonstration of a Real-time Gamma-Ray Bursts Alert System using the Commercial Satellite Networks

We demonstrate the real-time alert system of the transient astronomical sources such as cosmic gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) using two commercial satellite network devices. One is the Iridium’s Short Burst Data (SBD) and the other is the Globalstar’s STX-3. Although these satellite communication devices have been used in the space environment, it still needs to verify whether the network can be used as a GRB alert system. We are currently developing a 1U CubeSat called AGU Remote Innovative CubeSat Alert system (ARICA) which contains both SBD and STX-3 to demonstrate the real-time GRB alert system. The ARICA has been selected as the JAXA Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-2 and scheduled to be launched in the Japanese fiscal year 2021

Significant response of sunitinib for RCC

Introduction: A case of multiple liver metastases of clear cell RCC with a significant response to sunitinib as the fifth line after nivolumab is reported. Case presentation: The patient was a 65-year-old man who underwent open nephrectomy for RCC. After the nephrectomy, he had recurrences several times, and metastasectomy had been performed for each recurrence. At 13 years after the nephrectomy, multiple liver, and lung metastases appeared. The treatment was switched to axitinib, followed by cabozantinib, then nivolumab. The best response was PR, SD, and PD for these three drugs, and treatment duration was 14, 3, and 3 months, respectively. As the fifth line, sunitinib was administered, with significant shrinkage of the multiple liver metastases, and PR has been maintained for 34 months. Conclusion: Sunitinib after an IO-drug showed a significant effect in spite of only slight efficacy with other VEGFR-TKIs, which may have occurred through the alteration of the immunological microenvironment

Ureteral stent replacement in women

Purpose : To evaluate the efficacy of the direct grasping technique using pean forceps under fluoroscopic guidance for ureteral stent replacement in women. Methods : Between April 2018 and September 2020, 28 female patients underwent ureteral stent replacements at our facility, and 184 stent replacement procedures were performed. A total of 127 stents were replaced using pean forceps under fluoroscopic guidance (pean forceps group), and 57 stents were replaced using the cystoscope (cystoscopy group). Clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes were compared between the groups. Results : All stents were successfully replaced. There was a statistically significant difference in the procedure time between the two groups (median [interquartile range], pean forceps group : 10.8 [8.2–13.9] minutes vs. cystoscopy group : 15.8 [11.1–20.9] minutes, P < 0.001). There were no intraoperative complications in either group and no difference in the incidence of postoperative complications (pean forceps group : 1.6% vs. cystoscopy group : 1.8%, P = 1.000). Fluoroscopy time was longer in the pean forceps group, although this difference was not statistically significant (pean forceps group : 38.9 [22.6–60.1] seconds vs. cystoscopy group : 33.0 [20.0–48.9] seconds, P = 0.0558). Conclusion : The direct grasping technique using pean forceps under fluoroscopy may be a beneficial alternative to cystoscopy for ureteral stent replacement in women

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis in SCCP

Introduction: Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis in small cell carcinoma of the prostate is rare. Case presentation: A 69-year-old man visited our hospital due to dysuria and edema. Bilateral hydronephrosis and lymph node metastases due to a pelvic tumor were observed. Although the prostate-specific antigen level was normal, the tumor was suspected to originate from the prostate. He underwent percutaneous nephrostomy and prostate biopsy. Histopathology revealed small cell carcinoma accompanied by increased pro-gastrin-releasing peptide and neuron-specific enolase levels. After receiving systemic chemotherapy with carboplatin and etoposide and radiation therapy for prostate, these lesions gradually decreased in size, and tumor markers normalized. Ten months after the initial diagnosis, he developed consciousness disorder and seizure. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed leptomeningeal carcinomatosis without any other recurrences and elevated tumor markers. He died 4 weeks after these symptoms appeared. Conclusion: Careful monitoring of the central nervous system should be considered in small cell carcinoma of the prostate patients

Virtual imaging-guided RAPN

Objectives : To evaluate whether virtual partial nephrectomy images could help surgeons identify vascular and collecting system around tumors during actual surgery. Materials & methods : We retrospectively analyzed 36 patients who underwent robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) between 2016 and 2017. Virtual partial nephrectomy images were created from preoperative CT images using computer software, and then analyzed. For analysis, blood vessels and collecting system portions within a 5-mm-thick safety margin around the tumor were examined. During analysis, we predicted whether targeted vasculature around the tumor would require clipping or suturing during surgery, and also whether the collecting system would require opening during resection. Surgical outcomes for virtual partial nephrectomy analyses and actual RAPNs were compared and analyzed for sensitivity and specificity. Results : In 36 cases, 119 arteries and 100 veins were targeted on virtual partial nephrectomy images. Arterial suturing or clipping for hemostasis showed a sensitivity and specificity of 83.3% and 84.5%, respectively. For veins, the sensitivity and specificity were 39.1% and 92.2%, respectively. Collecting system opening prediction sensitivity was 85.7%, and specificity was 65.2%. Conclusion : Virtual partial nephrectomy imaging is useful for RAPN planning, particularly regarding arteries and the collecting system. It is hoped that techniques for visualizing veins will improve

Early urinary catheter removal in stroke

Objective : The aim of the present study was to identify factors related to the success of trial without catheter (TWOC) in patients with stroke and to examine the effect of the timing of urinary catheter removal on the course of stroke. Methods : Patients who were admitted to the Stroke Care Unit of our institution between March 2018 and October 2021 were included. To identify factors related to success of TWOC, a multivariate analysis was performed on the patient’s condition at admission and catheter indwelling time. The patients were divided into two groups by the timing of catheter removal, and we assessed the relationship between the timing of catheter removal successful TWOC and recovery of physical function. Results : A total of 118 patients were included. The presence of comorbidities and scores of severity and function at admission were not predictors of successful voiding. The time to achieve voiding sussess was significantly shorter in the early catheter removal group than in the later group (p < 0.005). Interestingly, the early group also showed better improvements in physical function. Conclusion : Early removal of catheters may lead to early recovery of bladder function, improvement of physical function, and lower risk of complications in patients with stroke

Flight Model Development of the AGU Remote Innovative CubeSat Alert System - ARICA

We present the flight model development of the 1U CubeSat, AGU Remote Innovative CubeSat Alert system (ARICA), which is scheduled to be launched in the Japanese fiscal year 2021 as the JAXA Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-2 project. The main goal of ARICA is to demonstrate the real-time alert system of the transient astronomical sources using commercial satellite network devices. The development of the flight components has been finished in April 2021. The thermal vacuum test was conducted at the end of April 2021. The vibration and shock tests were performed in May 2021. We are currently in the final stage of the development of ARICA to be ready for launch

High-Grade Renal MTSCC

Mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSCC) is a rare subtype of renal cell carcinoma. Although usually indolent, high-grade MTSCC has been reported to exhibit an aggressive clinical course. Herein, we report a case of high-grade renal MTSCC. An 86-year-old man visited our hospital with fever and fatigue. Based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography findings, the patient was diagnosed with clinical stage T2aN0M0 right renal cell carcinoma and underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. Histological examination showed tubular to tubulopapillary structures accompanied by mucinous stroma, suggesting high-grade renal MTSCC. He remained recurrence- and metastasis-free 6 months after nephrectomy. Since high-grade renal MTSCC may have an aggressive clinical course, such patients should be observed carefully after radical nephrectomy

Impact of body composition on mRCC Prognosis

Purpose : This study aimed to analyze the impact of patients’ nutritional status and changes in body composition on the prognosis of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients who received systemic therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Methods : A total of 57 mRCC patients who received systemic therapy with TKIs as first-line therapy at our facility between November 2004 and October 2018 were included. The Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) was used to evaluate their nutritional status. The volumes of skeletal muscle mass and fat tissue were calculated using the SYNAPSE VINCENT system. The effects of nutritional status and body composition of mRCC patients on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using Cox regression methods. Results : Low PNI at the start of systemic therapy was a significant prognostic predictor for OS (HR 3.807 [95% CI 1.205-12.027], P = 0.046), and it was related to loss of muscle mass three months after systemic therapy. Although the loss of muscle mass at the start of systemic therapy was not associated with OS, loss of muscle mass during treatment predicted worse OS. Conclusions : Nutritional status of mRCC patients may predict changes in body composition and be associated with their prognosis