Evolution of "invasion syndrome" in invasive goldenrod is not constrained by genetic trade-offs.

A suite of plant traits is thought to make weed populations highly invasive, including vigorous growth and reproduction, superior competitive ability, and high dispersal ability. Using a breeding design and a common garden experiment, we tested whether such an "invasion syndrome" has evolved in an invasive range of , and whether the evolution is likely to be genetically constrained. We found an overall shift in invasive phenotypes between native North American and invasive Japanese populations.

Efficacy and safety of endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage without dilation by using a 0.035-inch stiff guidewire.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage for patients with cholecystitis and high surgical risk is commonly performed by dilating the fistula before inserting the delivery sheath; however, this carries an increased risk of peritonitis. To overcome this problem, we developed a new technique that did not require dilation, using a 0.035-inch stiff guidewire, and retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of this technique.

Tissue acquisition for comprehensive genomic profiling of gallbladder cancer using a forward-viewing echoendoscope in a patient who underwent Roux-en-Y reconstruction.

A 50-year-old man with a history of total gastrectomy, distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy, and Roux-en-Y reconstruction was admitted to our hospital with a gallbladder tumor that had infiltrated the liver and abdominal wall. Because malignant cells were not collected during the percutaneous biopsy, we planned to perform an endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy with a 22-G Franseen needle using a forward-viewing echoendoscope. Using intermittent manual compression, the forward-viewing echoendoscope reached the duodenum under fluoroscopic guidance.