Transabdominal levatorplasty technique in laparoscopic mesh rectopexy for rectal prolapse.

Rectal prolapse is characterized by a full-thickness intussusception of the rectal wall and is associated with a spectrum of coexisting anatomic abnormalities. We developed the transabdominal levatorplasty technique for laparoscopic rectopexy, inspired by Altemeier's procedure. In this method, following posterior mesorectum dissection, we expose the levator ani muscle just behind the anorectal junction.

Laparoscopic redo surgery for sigmoid volvulus following laparoscopic sigmoidectomy.

Background: Sigmoid volvulus (SV) is an acute abdominal condition characterized by torsion of the sigmoid colon around the mesentery, and often results in intestinal obstruction that may progress to bowel ischemia, necrosis, or perforation. Although SV commonly occurs due to predisposing factors like anatomic variations, age-related motility disorders, chronic constipation, and neurologic diseases, its incidence following sigmoid colon cancer surgery has rarely been reported. Herein, we report a rare case of recurrent SV following laparoscopic sigmoidectomy, which was successfully treated by laparoscopic redo surgery.

Choroidal Osteoma With Choroidal Excavation Due to Decalcification Five Years After Photodynamic Therapy: A Case Report.

A choroidal osteoma (CO) is a relatively rare, benign tumor with ossification that develops in the choroid and undergoes enlargement and decalcification in its natural course. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is used to induce decalcification, but there are few reports on individual cases treated with PDT. A 47-year-old Japanese man who had reduced decimal visual acuity (VA) of the right eye to 0.

Downregulation of osteoprotegerin in colorectal cancer cells promotes liver metastasis via activating tumor-associated macrophage.

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a secreted cytokine that functions as a decoy receptor for receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (RANK) ligand (RANKL). Anti-RANKL treatment for bone metastasis has been widely accepted for solid tumors. However, the mechanism of OPG-RANKL-RANK signaling in systemic colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis remains unclear.

VAMP7 knockdown in secretory granules impairs CCL2 secretion in mast cells.

Mast cells (MCs) possess numerous potent inflammatory mediators and undergo differential regulation in response to antigen (Ag) stimulation. Among the regulatory systems governing secretory responses, soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) play a pivotal role in facilitating granule-plasma membrane fusion and subsequent secretion. Our previous investigation documented the involvement of vesicle-associated membrane protein 3 (VAMP3) in regulating cytokine secretions in RBL-2H3 cells, a model for MC IgE-mediated responses.

Identification of complications requiring interventions after gastrointestinal cancer surgery from real-world data: An external validation study.

Background: Recently, real-world data have been recognized to have a significant role for research and quality improvement worldwide. The decision on the existence or nonexistence of postoperative complications is complex in clinical practice. This multicenter validation study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of identification of patients who underwent gastrointestinal (GI) cancer surgery and extraction of postoperative complications from Japanese administrative claims data.

Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on gastric and colorectal cancer surgeries: a multicenter epidemiologic study from the Kinki region of Japan.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic affected cancer surgeries and advanced cancer diagnoses; however, the trends in patient characteristics in medical institutions during this time, and the surgical approaches used are unclear. We investigated the impact of the pandemic on gastric and colorectal cancer surgeries in the Kinki region of Japan. We grouped 1688 gastric and 3493 colorectal cancer surgeries into three periods: "pre-pandemic" (April 2019-March 2020), "pandemic 1" (April 2020-March 2021), and "pandemic 2" (April 2021-September 2021), to investigate changes in the number of surgeries, patient characteristics, surgical approaches, and cancer progression after surgery.

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Promote Metastases of Colorectal Cancers through Activation of ERK Signaling by Releasing Neutrophil Elastase.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play important roles in host immunity, as there is increasing evidence of their contribution to the progression of several types of cancers even though their role in colorectal cancers (CRCs) remains unclear. To investigate the clinical relevance of NETs in CRCs, we examined the expression of citrullinated histone H3 using immunohistochemistry and preoperative serum myeloperoxidase-DNA complexes in CRC patients using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. High expression of intratumoral or systemic NETs was found to correlate with poor relapse-free survival (RFS), for which it is an independent prognostic factor.

Background factors involved in the epidemiology of functional constipation in the Japanese population: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Functional constipation (FC), a functional bowel disorder with symptoms of constipation, has considerable impact on quality of life. As data regarding its prevalence and epidemiology are lacking, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, population composition, lifestyle, quality of life, and clinical characteristics of these individuals by comparing people with and without FC. These parameters were also compared among individuals with strong and weak awareness of constipation.

Effect of herbal medicine daikenchuto on gastrointestinal symptoms following laparoscopic colectomy in patients with colon cancer: A prospective randomized study.

We conducted a prospective randomized study to investigate the effect of daikenchuto (DKT) on abdominal symptoms following laparoscopic colectomy in patients with left-sided colon cancer. Patients who suffered from abdominal pain or distention on postoperative day 1 were randomized to either the DKT group or non-DKT group. The primary endpoints were the evaluation of abdominal pain, abdominal distention, and quality of life.

Electrostatic potential imaging of phase-separated structures in organic materials via differential phase contrast scanning transmission electron microscopy.

Electron staining is generally performed prior to observing organic materials via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to enhance image contrast. However, electron staining can deteriorate organic materials. Here, we demonstrate electrostatic potential imaging of organic materials via differential phase contrast (DPC) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) without electron staining.

Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy for an atomic-scale quantitative analysis of Pd-Pt core-shell nanoparticles.

The properties of core-shell nanoparticles, which are used for many catalytic processes as an alternative to platinum, depend on the size of both the particle and the shell. It is thus necessary to develop a quantitative method to determine the shell thickness. Pd-Pt core-shell particles were analyzed using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX).

Robot-assisted low anterior resection after aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid sclerosing therapy for internal hemorrhoids.

Background: Internal hemorrhoids are the most common anal diseases. Aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid (ALTA) injection is a new sclerosing therapy for the treatment of internal hemorrhoids. Although ALTA injection has been widely used, there are no previous reports of rectal cancer patients who underwent robot-assisted low anterior resection (Rob-LAR) after ALTA injection to treat internal hemorrhoids.

Simultaneous robotic surgery with low anterior resection and prostatectomy/hysterectomy.

Cooperation with multiple departments is essential for the treatment of patients with rectal cancer and other pelvic cancers. In our department, we experienced two cases of rectal cancer that underwent robotic low anterior resection (LAR) and simultaneous resection of other pelvic organs (case 1 with prostatectomy and case 2 with hysterectomy) using the da Vinci Xi system. Here, we show the precise procedures of these two robotic surgeries.

Lineage tracing and targeting of IL17RB tuft cell-like human colorectal cancer stem cells.

Cancer stem cell (CSC)-specific markers may be potential therapeutic targets. We previously identified that Dclk1, a tuft cell marker, marks tumor stem cells (TSCs) in mouse intestinal adenomas. Based on the analysis of mouse Dclk1 tumor cells, we aimed to identify a CSC-specific cell surface marker in human colorectal cancers (hCRCs) and validate the therapeutic effect of targeting it.

Prognostic impact of the combination of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and Glasgow prognostic score in colorectal cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: Although neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte count, and Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) are well-known prognostic markers in cancer, their prognostic importance is still controversial. We evaluated the prognostic value of NLR, PLR, monocyte count, and GPS in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Method: We retrospectively evaluated 448 CRC patients undergoing curative resection.

Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer patient with intestinal malrotation: report of a case.

Background: Intestinal malrotation, which arises from incomplete rotation of the embryonic midgut, is one of the congenital anomalies usually diagnosed in infancy. On the other hand, intestinal malrotation detected in asymptomatic adults is very rare. It is frequently diagnosed incidentally during abdominal surgery.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote colorectal cancer progression via CCR5.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are recruited from BM to the stroma of developing tumors, where they serve as critical components of the tumor microenvironment by secreting growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines. The role of MSCs in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression was controversial. In this study, we found that C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) ligands (i.

Optimal treatment strategy for rectal cancer based on the risk factors for recurrence patterns.

Background: For rectal cancer, multimodality therapeutic approach is necessary to prevent local recurrence and distant metastasis. However, the efficacy of additional treatments, such as neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), and lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPLND), has not been scrutinized.

Methods: Recurrence patterns were categorized into local recurrence and distant metastasis.

Loss of SMAD4 Promotes Colorectal Cancer Progression by Recruiting Tumor-Associated Neutrophils via the CXCL1/8-CXCR2 Axis.

Purpose: SMAD4 is a key transcriptional factor of TGFβ signaling and acts as a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer. In the present study, we explored the immunologic effect of SMAD4 on the tumor microenvironment.

Experimental Design: Using 99 clinical specimens and human colorectal cancer cell lines, we investigate the relationship between SMAD4 expression and neutrophil accumulation.

Oral Litholysis in Patients with Chronic Calcific Pancreatitis Unresponsive to or Ineligible for Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy and Endoscopic Therapy.

Background/aims: Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral litholysis in patients with chronic calcific pancreatitis (CCP) unresponsive to or ineligible for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and endoscopic therapy.

Methods: Trimethadione, an antiepileptic agent, was administered orally at a dose of 0.6-0.