The apelin‑apelin receptor signaling pathway in fibroblasts is involved in tumor growth via p53 expression of cancer cells.

Cancer‑associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are pivotal in tumor progression. TP53‑deficiency in cancer cells is associated with robust stromal activation. The apelin‑apelin receptor (APJ) system has been implicated in suppressing fibroblast‑to‑myofibroblast transition in non‑neoplastic organ fibrosis.

A novel role for Helicobacter pylori cytotoxin-associated gene A in negative regulation of autophagy in human gastric cells.

Background: Autophagy plays an important role in carcinogenesis and tumor progression in many cancers, including gastric cancer. Cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) is a well-known virulent factor in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection that plays a critical role in gastric inflammation and gastric cancer development.

Clinical and Histopathological Features of the Differentiated Type of Early Gastric Cancer with an Unclear Lateral Demarcation.

Introduction: Magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging (M-NBI) is useful for determining lateral demarcation of early gastric cancers; however, this is sometimes difficult. Features related to an unclear lateral demarcation remain unknown. We evaluated the clinical and histopathological features of early gastric cancers with unclear lateral demarcation on M-NBI.

Use of a convolutional neural network for classifying microvessels of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.

Background And Aim: The morphological diagnosis of microvessels on the surface of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinomas using magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging is widely used in clinical practice. Nevertheless, inconsistency, even among experts, remains a problem. We constructed a convolutional neural network-based computer-aided diagnosis system to classify the microvessels of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinomas and evaluated its diagnostic performance.

Additional effect of magnifying narrow-band imaging on estimating the invasion depth of superficial esophageal cancer.

Background And Aim: To investigate whether assessment by magnifying narrow-band imaging (M-NBI) based on the classification of the Japan Esophageal Society provides additional value to the estimation of the invasion depth of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) compared with assessment by white light endoscopy (WLE) alone.

Methods: Endoscopic images of 211 consecutive superficial esophageal SCCs resected by endoscopic submucosal dissection were separated into WLE and M-NBI images. Depth estimation was performed independently by five evaluators using the numerical depth estimation scale (0 = epithelium (EP)/lamina propria (LPM), 1 = EP/LPM > muscularis mucosa (MM)/shallow submucosa (SM1), 2 = MM/SM1 > EP/LPM, 3 = MM/SM1, 4 = MM/SM1 > deep submucosa (SM2), 5 = SM2 > MM/SM1, 6 = SM2), using primarily WLE images (step 1), and subsequently both WLE and M-NBI images (step 2).

Usefulness of a dedicated mouthpiece for the Valsalva maneuver to visualize the hypopharynx during transoral endoscopy.

Patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are at high risk of developing second primary SCCs in the hypopharynx. However, such second primary tumors are difficult to observe because of lumen closure. The Valsalva maneuver using a dedicated mouthpiece is a promising technique to visualize the hypopharynx during transoral endoscopy.

The heart's exposure to radiation increases the risk of cardiac toxicity after chemoradiotherapy for superficial esophageal cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Chemoradiotherapy effectively treats superficial esophageal cancer and is optimal to preserve organs. However, late toxicity, particularly in cardiac diseases, obstructs clinical outcomes. We revealed the risk factors for cardiac event development post-chemoradiotherapy.

Adenoma of colorectal laterally spreading tumor nongranular type with biological phenotypic features similar to cancer.

Background And Aim: Colorectal laterally spreading tumors (LSTs) are morphologically subdivided into granular (LST-G) and nongranular (LST-NG) categories. We aimed to elucidate the differences in oncogenic characteristics between the two types.

Methods: Laterally spreading tumors resected by endoscopic submucosal dissection and surgery from March 2009 to May 2017 were examined for p53 positivity, Ki-67 labeling index (LI), microvessel density, degree of fibrosis, intensities of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitrotyrosine (NT), and expression of acid mucins.

Cardiac metastasis from colon cancer effectively treated with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (modified FOLFOX6) plus panitumumab: a case report.

Background: Cardiac metastasis from colorectal cancer is rare. There is little evidence supporting the effectiveness of chemotherapy, and standard therapy for metastatic cardiac tumors has not been established.

Case Presentation: A 76-year-old woman presented with a right ventricle tumor that was detected incidentally on screening cardiac ultrasonography.

[A case of gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma with difficulty in diagnosis before endoscopic submucosal dissection].

A woman in her 60s was referred to our hospital with a superficial depressed lesion measuring 8mm in diameter on the lesser curvature of the lower gastric body. Initial biopsy of the lesion indicated a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Endoscopic submucosal dissection was performed, and pathological examination revealed a tumor comprised of adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma with submucosal infiltration, with the final pathological diagnosis being gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC).

Pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm associated with coeliac artery occlusion from an aortic intramural hematoma.

Pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms are a rare type of visceral artery aneurysm, whose rupture is associated with high mortality. These aneurysms are of particular interest because local haemodynamic change caused by coeliac artery obstruction plays an important role in their development. However, the pathophysiological mechanism of coeliac artery obstruction is not completely understood.

Protracted anaphylaxis developed after peginterferon α-2a administration for chronic hepatitis C.

Peginterferon is a key drug used to treat chronic viral hepatitis that is known for causing various side effects. Side effects occurring immediately after administration include headache, nausea, and influenza-like symptoms, such as fever and joint pain. However, reports of anaphylactic shock are extremely rare.