Long-term prognostic outcomes in high-risk T1 colorectal cancer: A multicentre retrospective comparison of surgery versus observation postendoscopic treatment.

Aim: The risk of lymph node metastasis after endoscopic resection of high-risk T1 colorectal cancer prompts additional resection. However, age and comorbidities are considered in decision-making and some surgeons opt for observation. We compared the long-term outcomes of these approaches with the aim of clarifying the need for additional resection.

Usefulness of Magnifying Endoscopy With Narrow-Band Imaging for Diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis-Associated Neoplasia.

Background And Aim: Qualitative diagnosis of ulcerative colitis-associated neoplasia (UCAN) is crucial for surveillance colonoscopy in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Although the utility of magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging (ME-NBI) in sporadic neoplasia diagnosis has been reported, its efficacy in UCAN remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of ME-NBI for qualitative diagnosis of UCAN.

Rare incidence of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma presenting as buccal fat pad tumor: A case report.

Background: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, originates in the mucosal lining of body organs and internal cavities, including the nose, mouth, lungs, and digestive tract. The lymphoma develops when the body produces abnormal B lymphocytes. These lymphomas develop at the edge of the lymphoid tissue, called the marginal zone, and, hence, are classified as a type of marginal zone lymphomas.

Prognostic implications and alterations in left atrial deformation following transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Aims: To evaluate the prognostic implications of the left atrial reservoir strain-defined diastolic dysfunction (LARS-DD) grade in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for severe aortic stenosis (AS) and to determine whether post-TAVI LARS was more closely associated with new-onset atrial fibrillation than pre-TAVI LARS.

Methods And Results: Pre-TAVI LARS-DD was evaluated by speckle-tracking echocardiography and was assigned as Grade 0 to 1 (LARS ≥24%), Grade 2 (LARS 19-24%), and Grade 3 (LARS <19%). Patients were followed up for the primary endpoint of all-cause mortality from the date of TAVI.

Subthreshold micropulse laser combined with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for diabetic macular edema: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of subthreshold micropulse laser (SML) in addition to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for diabetic macular edema (DME).

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were systematically searched for studies that compared anti-VEGF with SML and anti-VEGF monotherapy for DME. Outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and the number of anti-VEGF injections.

Novel gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection training model enhances the endoscopic submucosal dissection skills of trainees: a multicenter comparative study.

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) requires high endoscopic technical skills, and trainees should develop effective training methods. In collaboration with KOTOBUKI Medical, we developed the G-Master, which is a non-animal training model that can simulate various parts of gastric ESD. We aimed to clarify the usefulness of the G-Master for inexperienced ESD trainees.

Clinical course of small gastric subepithelial lesion less than 20 mm diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration.

Background And Aim: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are treated as malignant gastric subepithelial lesions (SELs), and resection is recommended. However, small gastric SELs < 20 mm with no malignant features are monitored without histopathological examination, and the frequency of malignancy is unknown. This study aimed to clarify the clinicopathological findings and clinical course of gastric SELs < 20 mm measured by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).

Integrating mitochondrial and nuclear genomic data to decipher the evolutionary history of Eubranchipus species in Japan.

Understanding the genetic diversity and evolutionary history of species is crucial for their conservation and management. In this study, we investigated the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships among Eubranchipus species occurring in Japan. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that nuclear and mitochondrial data yield incompatible results.

Changes in Optic Nerve Head Blood Flow During Horizontal Ocular Duction.

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to compare blood flow changes in the optic nerve head (ONH) during horizontal ocular duction among normal, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) eyes.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included 90 eyes from 90 participants (30 control eyes, 30 POAG eyes, and 30 NTG eyes). ONH blood flow was measured with laser speckle flowgraphy using an external fixation light to induce central gaze, abduction, and adduction at 30 degrees for each eye.

Stress echocardiography in valvular heart disease.

Valvular heart disease (VHD) has been a significant health problem, particularly in developed countries, in relation to the aging population. Recent developments in the management of VHD require a more accurate assessment of disease severity to determine the need for transcatheter interventions or open heart surgery. Stress echocardiography is a crucial imaging modality for identifying the underlying pathology of VHD.

Endoscopic full-thickness resection vs. endoscopic submucosal dissection of residual/recurrent colonic lesions on scars: a retrospective Italian and Japanese comparative study.

Background And Aims: Endoscopic treatment of recurrent/residual colonic lesions on scars is a challenging procedure. In this setting, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is considered the first choice, despite a significant rate of complications. Endoscopic full-thickness resection (eFTR) has been shown to be well-tolerated and effective for these lesions.

Cardioprotective effects of Moku-boi-to and its impact on AngII-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.

Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, induced by elevated levels of angiotensin II (AngII), plays a crucial role in cardiovascular diseases. Current therapeutic approaches aim to regress cardiac hypertrophy but have limited efficacy. Widely used Japanese Kampo medicines are highly safe and potential therapeutic agents.

Inflammatory cell death induced by 5-aminolevulinic acid-photodynamic therapy initiates anticancer immunity.

Background: Inflammatory cell death is a form of programmed cell death (PCD) that induces inflammatory mediators during the process. The production of inflammatory mediators during cell death is beneficial in standard cancer therapies as it can break the immune silence in cancers and induce anticancer immunity. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cancer therapy with photosensitizer molecules and light sources to destroy cancer cells, which is currently used for treating different types of cancers in clinical settings.

Impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on right ventricular function and remodeling after aortic valve replacement.

Background: Both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction are common factors that have been associated with poor prognosis after aortic valve replacement (AVR). Since there is still uncertainty about the impact of COPD on RV function and dilatation in patients undergoing AVR, we sought to explore RV function and remodeling in the presence and absence of COPD as well as their prognostic implications.

Methods: Patients who received surgical or transcatheter AVR due to severe AS were screened for COPD.

Hemodynamic implications of mitral annular calcification in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation for severe aortic stenosis.

Purposes: Predicting hemodynamic changes of stenotic mitral valve (MV) lesions with mitral annular calcification (MAC) following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) may inform clinical decision-making. This study aimed to investigate the association between the MAC severity quantified by computed tomography (CT) and changes in mean transmitral gradient (mTMG), mitral valve area (MVA) and stroke volume index (SVi) following TAVI.

Methods And Results: A total of 708 patients (median age 81, 52% male) with severe aortic stenosis (AS) underwent pre-procedural CT and pre- and post-TAVI transthoracic echocardiography.