Circulating Tumor Cells and TWIST Expression in Patients with Metastatic Gastric Cancer: A Preliminary Study.

Background And Aims: The clinical significance of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and TWIST expression in CTCs remains unelucidated in patients with gastric cancer (GC). Here, we evaluated CTCs and TWIST expression in CTCs and explored their correlation with prognosis in patients with metastatic GC.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples were prospectively obtained from 31 patients with metastatic GC between September 2017 and December 2018, prior to treatment.

Negative pathology after endoscopic resection of gastric epithelial neoplasms: importance of pit dysplasia.

Background/aims: Endoscopic resection (ER) is a well-established treatment modality for gastric epithelial neoplasm. However, there is a discrepancy between forceps biopsy and ER specimen pathology, including a negative pathologic diagnosis (NPD) after ER. It has been suggested that pit dysplasia (PD) is a subtype of gastric dysplasia, and the aim of this study was to assess the significance of PD in cases with NPD after ER for early gastric neoplasms.

Is endoscopic submucosal dissection safe for papillary adenocarcinoma of the stomach?

Aim: To identify the clinicopathological predictors of lymph node (LN) metastasis and evaluate the outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in papillary adenocarcinoma-type early gastric cancers (EGCs).

Methods: From January 2005 to May 2013, 49 patients who underwent surgical operation and 24 patients who underwent ESD for papillary adenocarcinoma-type EGC were enrolled to identify clinicopathological characteristics and predictive factors of LN metastasis and to evaluate the outcomes of ESD for papillary adenocarcinoma-type EGC.

Results: Most papillary adenocarcinoma-type EGCs were located in the lower third of the stomach and had an elevated macroscopic shape.

Long-term outcome after endoscopic submucosal dissection in patients with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a single-center study.

Background/aims: Superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC) is being increasingly detected during screening endoscopy. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) allows for en bloc and histologically complete resection of lesions. This study assessed the technical feasibility and long-term outcomes of ESD for SESCCs.

[A single institution's experience of infundibulotomy in patients taking antiplatelet agents: outcomes, safety and complications].

Background/aims: The diagnostic and therapeutic utility of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been well demonstrated for biliary and pancreatic diseases. Biliary access can be allowed by infundibulotomy if failed by using the standard cannulation methods. However, no data are available regarding ERCP-related complications in patients taking antiplatelet agents who are undergoing infundibulotomy.

Relationship between Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis Beyond Metabolic Disorders in Non-Diabetic Patients.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and carotid artery atherosclerosis beyond metabolic disorders.

Methods: We studied 320 non-diabetic patients with ultrasonographically diagnosed NAFLD and 313 non-diabetic patients without NAFLD who have less than 40 g alcohol/week drinking history. Carotid atherosclerotic burden was assessed by carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque.

Perforated Mitral Valve Aneurysm in the Posterior Leaflet without Infective Endocarditis.

Aneurysm of the mitral valve, although uncommon, occurs most commonly in association with infective endocarditis of the aortic valve and true mitral valve aneurysm is a rare cause of mitral regurgitation. We report a case with perforated mitral valve aneurysm in the posterior leaflet without concurrent infective endocarditis initially mistaken diagnosis of cystic mass, which was confirmed at operation with successful mitral valve annuloplasty.

Alteration of left ventricular function with dobutamine challenge in patients with myocardial bridge.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to identify changes in left ventricular (LV) performance in patients with a myocardial bridge (MB) in the left anterior descending coronary artery during resting and in an inotropic state.

Methods: Myocardial strain measurement by speckle-tracking echocardiography and conventional LV wall-motion scoring was performed in 18 patients with MB (mean age, 48.1 ± 1.