Newly developed simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) scans are now being introduced as a clinical application in neuroimaging. We examined the feasibility of SMS scans for joint imaging. The purpose of the present study was to prospectively compare the resolution and specific absorption rate (SAR) obtained using SMS to those of conventional methods in hip joint magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and establish whether imaging times may be reduced using SMS in 3 T MRI and if image quality is affected. Twenty-one patients (4 men and 17 women, average age, 51.5 years, range: 22 to 76 years) with hip pain underwent MR examinations of the unilateral hip joint. Three board-certified radiologists independently and blindly evaluated the images obtained with and without SMS using window and level settings and magnification according to personal preferences. Individual SAR values were measured for each protocol. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test and a t-statistic test were used for statistical analyses. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was also compared using a phantom. SMS imaging maintained equivalent image quality to conventional imaging for evaluating the morphology of the hip joint, and also reduced imaging times by approximately 40%. SMS images had significantly higher SAR values than conventional images. The rate of difference (SMS/conventional) in SNR ranged between 80 and 111%. Based on its significantly lower acquisition times and the maintenance of similar image quality to conventional imaging, SMS may be applied to morphological evaluations of hip joint disorders without significantly increasing SAR.

Evaluation of chronic constipation is important, although it is often difficult to satisfactorily treat due to the complex interplay of factors. This study aimed to determine whether the volume of intraluminal contents and lateral diameter of the colon measured from computed tomography (CT) images were correlated with the symptoms of chronic constipation and stool consistency. Consecutive patients who underwent the Constipation Scoring System (CSS), Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) questionnaires and simple abdominal CT were selected retrospectively. The intestinal tract diameter at each site was measured, and the amounts of stool and gas in the intestinal tract were evaluated at five levels. Of the 149 study participants, 54 were males and 95 were females and their mean age was 72.1 years. In the right hemi-colon, CSS5 (Time) correlated significantly with gas volume (p < 0.01). In the left hemi-colon, stool volume correlated significantly with CSS2 (Difficulty), CSS3 (Completeness), CSS5 (Time) and CSS total (p < 0.05). The BSFS negatively correlated with gas volume and diameter in the right hemi-colon and with gas volume in the rectum (p < 0.05). CT findings including stool volume, gas volume and diameter correlated with some constipation symptoms and stool consistency. These findings may be useful in evaluating and treating constipation.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been recognized as a promising treatment for dysbiosis-related diseases. Since 2014, FMT has been utilized to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) in our clinical studies and has shown efficacy and safety. As donor screening (DS) is the primary step to ensure the safety of FMT, we report our experience with DS and present the screening results to improve the prospective DS criteria and provide references for future studies. The donor candidates were screened according to the DS criteria. The first DS criteria were proposed in June 2014 and revised substantially in May 2018. We further sorted the screening results and costs of laboratory tests. From June 2014 to April 2018, the DS eligibility rate was 50%. The total laboratory testing cost for each candidate was JPY 17,580/USD 160.21. From May 2018 to September 2021, the DS eligibility rate was 25.6%. The total laboratory testing cost for each candidate was JPY 40,740/USD 371.36. The reduction in donor eligibility rates due to more stringent criteria should be considered for cost and safety. Studies must consider the latest updates and make timely modifications in the DS criteria to ensure patient safety.

Vedolizumab (VDZ) is an α4β7 integrin-antibody used to manage refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). This retrospective multicenter study aimed to identify predictors of efficacy or the time points when evaluation of VDZ therapy for UC would be most useful. We compiled data on 87 patients with moderate to severe active UC that was treated with VDZ. Overall clinical remission (CR) rates at 6 weeks and 52 weeks after VDZ administration were 44.4% (bio-naïve 44.2%, bio-failure 44.8%) and 52.8% (bio-naïve 53.5%, bio-failure 51.7%) respectively. Also, 83.3% (bio-naïve 81.3%, bio-failure 85.7%) of patients achieved mucosal healing at week 52. Among patients with a CR at week 52, 73.3% had a CR at week 6. In contrast, of patients who discontinued VDZ, 82.4% had not reached a CR at week 6. Our study demonstrated that VDZ was effective in a large percentage of UC patients, with a high mucosal healing rate even after prior biological exposures. This suggests that VDZ can be a treatment option even in bio-failure cases. Additionally, it was considered that early CR can predict long-term remission and that week 6 can be a helpful evaluation point for treatment decisions when using VDZ for UC.

Ustekinumab (UST) is an anti–IL-12/23p40 monoclonal antibody used to treat inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of this retrospective, multicenter study was to investigate the effectiveness of UST administration in achieving remission in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and to determine patient characteristics that influence its effectiveness. Of 88 UC patients who received UST from March 2020 to August 2023, 47 with traceable data and for whom 56 weeks had elapsed since the start of treatment received UST to induce remission. The remission rates at 8 weeks were 66% overall, 73.7% for Bio Naïve (never used biologics/JAK inhibitors), and 60.7% for Bio Failure (used biologics/JAK inhibitors) groups. Remission rates at 56 weeks were 70.2% overall, 73.7% for Bio Naïve, and 67.9% for Bio Failure groups. Ustekinumab showed good mid-to-long-term results in the induction of remission of UC in both Bio Naïve and Bio Failure groups. The group showing remission at 8 weeks had a significantly higher non-relapse or continuation rate (proportion of patients with no worsened symptoms necessitating surgery/drug change) at 56 weeks. Predictive factors for achieving remission after UST in UC were female gender, low body mass index, and low lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio. Thus, UST is effective for moderate-to-severe UC.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the large intestine. Data on the comparative effectiveness of biological therapies such as vedolizumab (VDZ) and ustekinumab (UST) remain limited. This retrospective study compared the effectiveness and safety of VDZ and UST in UC patients. Between November 2018 and November 2023, 106 patients were included: 64 received VDZ and 42 received UST. Bio-failure was significantly higher (p = 0.005) in the UST group versus the VDZ group. The remission rates at 6, 22, and 54 weeks in VDZ group were 51.6%, 61.3%, and 66.7%. The remission rates at 8, 24, and 56 weeks in the UST group were 66.7%, 65.0%, and 66.7%, respectively. Both treatments were comparable in inducing and maintaining clinical remission over 54–56 weeks, with no significant differences observed in the Lichtiger clinical activity index. Subgroup analyses highlighted the potential short-term effectiveness of UST among cases of bio-failure and a white blood cell level ≥ 9000/µL. Safety profiles were generally favorable, with no significant adverse events. Usutekinumab demonstrated effectiveness as a salvage therapy in patients who failed VDZ. Despite the increased disease severity in the UST group compared to the VDZ group, both groups demonstrated similar remission rates, suggesting UST shows significant efficacy even in moderate to severe UC.