Quantification of DNA methylation for carcinogenic risk estimation in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Background: In recent years, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has become the main cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As a means of improving the treatment of NASH-related HCCs based on early detection, this study investigated the feasibility of carcinogenic risk estimation in patients with NASH.

Results: Normal liver tissue (NLT), non-cancerous liver tissue showing histological findings compatible with non-alcoholic fatty liver from patients without HCC (NAFL-O), non-cancerous liver tissue showing NASH from patients without HCC (NASH-O), non-cancerous liver tissue showing non-alcoholic fatty liver from patients with HCC (NAFL-W), non-cancerous liver tissue showing NASH from patients with HCC (NASH-W) and NASH-related HCC were analyzed.

Lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor-targeted antibody-drug conjugate demonstrates potent antitumor activity against epithelial ovarian cancer.

Background: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a lethal malignant tumor, for which new treatment options are urgently required. Lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) is widely expressed in EOC, and it is associated with poor prognosis. In this study, we developed an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting LSR as a new therapeutic approach to EOC.

Lung CCR6CXCR3 type 2 helper T cells as an indicator of progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases.

Progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (PF-ILDs) have a poor prognosis and may be resistant to corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressants, but antifibrotic therapies such as nintedanib and pirfenidone have been shown to slow the deterioration of lung function. The aim of this study was to identify the characteristic cellular profile of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid at diagnostic bronchoscopy for predicting PF-ILDs, defined as fibrotic diseases on chest high-resolution computed tomography with more than a 5% relative decline in the percent predicted value of forced vital capacity (FVC) over 6 months. The proportions of inflammatory cells, CCR6CXCR3 T helper type 2 (Th2) cells among conventional CD4 T cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and peripheral blood, were measured by flowcytometry.

DNA methylation status of the SPHK1 and LTB genes underlies the clinicopathological diversity of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-related hepatocellular carcinomas.

Purpose: This study was performed to identify the DNA methylation profiles underlying the clinicopathological diversity of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).  METHODS: Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of 88 liver tissue samples was performed using the Infinium assay.

Results: Principal component analysis revealed that distinct DNA methylation profiles differing from such profiles in normal control liver tissue had already been established in non-cancerous liver tissue showing NASH, which is considered to be a precancerous condition.

Retroperitoneal malignant extra-gastrointestinal neuroectodermal tumor with EWSR1::CREM fusion and IL-6-related systemic inflammatory symptoms: a case report.

Malignant gastrointestinal neuroectodermal tumors (GNETs) are mesenchymal tumors that typically arise in the digestive tract and harbor EWSR1::ATF1 or EWSR1::CREB1 fusions. We report a case of primary retroperitoneal GNET in a 38-year-old woman who presented with a month-long fever with increased serum IL-6 level. A right retroperitoneal mass of 7 cm consisting of diffuse sheets of small cells with a high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio and scattered osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells was confirmed apart from the digestive tract.

Ovarian Mucinous Carcinoma with a Yolk sac Tumor-Like Component: A Report of Three Cases with a Literature Review for Prognostic Analysis.

The most common subtype of ovarian carcinoma associated with somatically derived yolk sac tumor (YST) is endometrioid carcinoma. Only two cases of ovarian mucinous carcinomas associated with YST have been reported; herein, we present three additional patients, along with a review of previous literature and our pathology archives to analyze the tumor prognosis. The patients' ages ranged from 38 to 53 years.

An alternative method to evaluate lumbar interbody fusion status focusing on position change of screw-rod constructs.

Objectives: The evaluation of lumbar interbody fusion status is generally subjective and may differ among raters. The authors examined whether the assessment of position change of screw-rod constructs could be an alternative method for the evaluation of fusion status.

Methods: Sixty-three patients undergoing lumbar interbody single-level fusion were retrospectively reviewed.

Mutation Analysis of Thin Basement Membrane Nephropathy.

Thin basement membrane nephropathy (TBMN) is characterized by the observation of microhematuria and a thin glomerular basement membrane on kidney biopsy specimens. Its main cause is heterozygous mutations of or , which also cause late-onset focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) or autosomal dominant Alport syndrome (ADAS). Thirteen TBMN cases were analyzed using Sanger sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), and exome sequencing.

En masse organoid phenotyping informs metabolic-associated genetic susceptibility to NASH.

Genotype-phenotype associations for common diseases are often compounded by pleiotropy and metabolic state. Here, we devised a pooled human organoid-panel of steatohepatitis to investigate the impact of metabolic status on genotype-phenotype association. En masse population-based phenotypic analysis under insulin insensitive conditions predicted key non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-genetic factors including the glucokinase regulatory protein (GCKR)-rs1260326:C>T.

Assessment of type I interferon signatures in undifferentiated inflammatory diseases: A Japanese multicenter experience.

Purpose: Upregulation of type I interferon (IFN) signaling has been increasingly detected in inflammatory diseases. Recently, upregulation of the IFN signature has been suggested as a potential biomarker of IFN-driven inflammatory diseases. Yet, it remains unclear to what extent type I IFN is involved in the pathogenesis of undifferentiated inflammatory diseases.

Scalable spin Seebeck thermoelectric generation using Fe-oxide nanoparticle assembled film on flexible substrate.

We fabricated FeO nanoparticle (NP)-assembled films on flexible polyimide sheets with Pt or Ta cap layer using a spin coating method and DC sputtering. The films were elaborated for spin Seebeck thermoelectric generator applications, and their spin Seebeck voltages were observed. We showed that the thermoelectric power of [Pt film/FeO NP] multilayered films increases with increasing number of stacking n.

Bilateral Orbital Inflammation as a Manifestation of Paraneoplastic Syndrome.

Paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes (PNS) constitute a rare group of disorders whose optimal treatment is yet to be established. We report a patient with bilateral orbital inflammation associated with PNS, who responded well to surgical resection of the primary tumor. An 83-year-old woman was referred to our department for treatment of a progressive reduction in visual acuity and palpebral swelling in both eyes for the past 2 months.

Suppressive mechanisms of regulatory B cells in mice and humans.

B cells include immune-suppressive fractions, called regulatory B cells (Bregs), which regulate inflammation primarily through an interleukin 10 (IL-10)-mediated inhibitory mechanism. Several B-cell fractions have been reported as IL-10-producing Bregs in murine disease models and human inflammatory responses including autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, cancer and organ-transplant rejection. Although the suppressive functions of Bregs have been explored through the hallmark molecule IL-10, inhibitory cytokines and membrane-binding molecules other than IL-10 have also been demonstrated to contribute to Breg activities.

Differential Impact of Renal Function on the Diagnostic Performance of Resting Full-Cycle Ratio in Patients With Renal Dysfunction.

Physiological assessments using fractional flow reserve (FFR) and resting full-cycle ratio (RFR) have been recommended for revascularization decision making. Previous studies have shown a 20% rate of discordance between FFR and RFR. In this context, the correlation between RFR and FFR in patients with renal dysfunction remains unclear.

Liver group 2 innate lymphoid cells regulate blood glucose levels through IL-13 signaling and suppression of gluconeogenesis.

The liver stores glycogen and releases glucose into the blood upon increased energy demand. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) in adipose and pancreatic tissues are known for their involvement in glucose homeostasis, but the metabolic contribution of liver ILC2s has not been studied in detail. Here we show that liver ILC2s are directly involved in the regulation of blood glucose levels.

Paraurachal paraganglioma.

Introduction: Paragangliomas (PGLs) are frequently reported around the abdominal aorta; however, are extremely rare near the urachus.

Case Presentation: A 78-year-old woman was referred to the urology department of our hospital for further examination and treatment of a 1.2-cm tumor in the lower abdominal wall, a tumor excision was then performed.