Feasibility of Endoscopic Screening for Upper Gastrointestinal Malignancy in a Comprehensive Health Checkup.

Objective In an effort to reduce mortality from gastric cancer, endoscopic screening was introduced in 2016 as a nationwide screening program in Japan. Recent developments in high-definition endoscopic imaging and diagnostic strategies have enabled the simultaneous detection of other upper gastrointestinal (U-GI) malignancies. Therefore, we conducted a study to evaluate the feasibility of endoscopic screening for U-GI malignancy in a comprehensive health checkup.

Feasibility of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection without using proton pump inhibitor injection: a propensity score analysis.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection is a promising method for the resection of superficial gastric neoplasms. To date, several institutions have used proton pump inhibitor injections over the perioperative period. However, there is very little evidence regarding their efficacy.

Effect of Continued Administration of Low-dose Aspirin for Intraoperative Bleeding Control in Gastric Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection.

Background: The use of antithrombotic agents for the prevention of cerebro-cardioembolic events has increased, and recent guidelines have recommended the continued administration of low-dose aspirin (LDA) during endoscopic procedures with a high risk of bleeding. However, the influence of LDA on intraoperative bleeding control status during Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) remains unclear.

Methods: We examined 293 consecutive patients who underwent ESD for gastric cancers between January 2014 and February 2018.

Short-term efficacy of potassium-competitive acid blocker following gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection: a propensity score analysis.

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a promising method for the resection of superficial gastric neoplasms. Vonoprazan is a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) that is currently considered as a potential alternative to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for the treatment of acid-related diseases. However, the utility of vonoprazan in ESD-related ulcers is unclear.

Feasibility of Knife-Coagulated Cut in Gastric Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Case-Control Study.

Background/aims: Intraoperative bleeding remains a challenge during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Forceps-coagulated cut (FCC) was found to be effective to reduce this bleeding. However, this involved frequent device replacement, and therefore, knife-coagulated cut (KCC) might ensure an easier and smoother procedure.

Proper muscle layer damage affects ulcer healing after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Background And Aim: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is the established therapy for superficial gastrointestinal neoplasms. However, management of the artificial ulcers associated with ESD has become important and the relationship between ulcer healing factors and treatment is still unclear. We aimed to evaluate ESD-related artificial ulcer reduction ratio at 4 weeks to assess factors associating with ulcer healing after ESD that may lead to optimal treatment.

Farnesoid X receptor, hepatocyte nuclear factors 1alpha and 3beta are essential for transcriptional activation of the liver-specific organic anion transporter-2 gene.

Background: We isolated the human liver-specific organic anion transporter gene, LST-2 (OATP8/SLCO1B3), which is exclusively expressed in the basolateral membrane of the hepatocytes. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptional regulation of the LST-2 gene in hepatocyte-derived cells and the effect of bile acid.

Methods: Transcriptional activity of the LST-2 gene was measured using a human LST-2 promoter-luciferase reporter plasmid under various concentrations of bile acids.

Mutations in the serine protease inhibitor Kazal Type 1 (SPINK1) gene in Japanese patients with pancreatitis.

Background/aims: Recent studies have shown an association between the N34S mutation in the serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) gene and chronic pancreatitis (CP). We here examined the prevalence of SPINK1 mutations in Japanese patients with pancreatitis.

Methods: Genomic DNA was prepared from 80 Japanese patients with CP, 36 patients with acute pancreatitis (AP), and 165 healthy controls.

Hereditary pancreatitis as the premalignant disease: a Japanese case of pancreatic cancer involving the SPINK1 gene mutation N34S.

Mutations in the cationic trypsinogen gene are acknowledged as a risk factor for pancreatic cancer in patients with hereditary pancreatitis. However, whether patients with mutations in other genes, such as the serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) gene, are also at a higher risk of pancreatic cancer remains unknown. We report a case of pancreatic cancer associated with chronic calcifying pancreatitis in a patient with a homozygous N34S mutation in the SPINK1 gene.

Isolation and characterization of a digoxin transporter and its rat homologue expressed in the kidney.

Digoxin, which is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for the treatment of heart failure, is mainly eliminated from the circulation by the kidney. P-glycoprotein is well characterized as a digoxin pump at the apical membrane of the nephron. However, little is known about the transport mechanism at the basolateral membrane.

Molecular characterization of human and rat organic anion transporter OATP-D.

We have isolated and characterized a novel human and rat organic anion transporter subtype, OATP-D. The isolated cDNA from human brain encodes a polypeptide of 710 amino acids (Mr 76,534) with 12 predicted transmembrane domains. The rat clone encodes 710 amino acids (Mr 76,821) with 97.

Distribution of rat organic anion transporting polypeptide-E (oatp-E) in the rat eye.

Purpose: To examine the protein and mRNA expression levels of the recently cloned rat multifunctional Na+-independent organic anion transporting polypeptide (rat oatp-E), which is involved in the transport of thyroid hormone in the rat, the distribution and function of this transporter were investigated in the retina.

Methods: Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed with gene-specific primers for oatp-E in rat ocular tissues. Western blot analysis was performed by raising a specific antibody against oatp-E in rat ocular tissues.

Identification and characterization of novel rat and human gonad-specific organic anion transporters.

We have isolated three novel organic anion transporter cDNAs designated rat GST-1 (gonad-specific transporter), rat GST-2, and human GST, expressed at high levels in the testis. Rat GST-1, GST-2, and human GST consist of 748, 702, and 719 amino acids, respectively, and all molecules possess the 12 predicted transmembrane domains, which is a common structure of organic anion transporters. Northern blot analyses and in situ hybridization revealed that both of the rat molecules are highly expressed in the testis, especially in Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and Leydig cells.