Publications by authors named "Kushima R"

Chronic Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is the largest etiological factor for gastric cancer, but in recent years the reports of Hp-naïve gastric neoplasms (HpNGNs) have increased as the Hp-infected population in Japan has been declining. The histopathologic spectrum of HpNGNs differs significantly from that of conventional Hp-infected gastric neoplasms. Molecularly, the former harbor considerably fewer genetic and epigenetic abnormalities, reflecting the absence of chronic inflammatory conditions in the gastric mucosa.

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The relationship between autoimmune gastritis (AIG) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) gastritis remains unclear, particularly whether there is any interaction. Herein, we report a case of early-stage AIG diagnosed in an elderly patient with highly active H.

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Introduction: There is evidence for the anticancer effects of l-arginine (arginine); however, the direct effects on cancer cells and mechanism of action are unclear.

Methods: Various upper gastrointestinal cancer cells (OE19, OE33, MKN1, MKN45, MKN74, and AGS) were divided into arginine-treated and -untreated groups and cultured using two-dimensional and three-dimensional culture systems. Proliferation was evaluated using the MTT assay to identify arginine-sensitive (OE33) and arginine-insensitive (OE19) strains.

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Background: Since HER2 and PD-L1 testing are key to selecting drugs for first-line treatments in advanced gastric cancer, evaluating differences in these tests among institutions is necessary to standardize treatment.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted targeting institutions certified by the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association.

Results: Responses were obtained from 155 institutions.

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This case involved the detection of a systemic-to-pulmonary collateral artery (SPCA) in a preterm infant at 18 days using echocardiography, with SPCA closure identified at 11 months. Regular echocardiographic monitoring is essential to prompt therapeutic intervention in cases of elevated pulmonary flow, emphasizing the importance of timely management.

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In classical cell culture techniques, cancer cells typically proliferate in a single layer by adhering to the undersurface of laboratory vessels. Consequently, concerns have been raised regarding the fidelity of the morphological and functional characteristics of these cultured cancer cells compared to those of their counterparts. Our previous studies have investigated various epithelial malignant tumors utilizing the Tissueoid cell culture system, a three-dimensional (3D) cultivation method employing Cellbed-a nonwoven sheet composed of high-purity silica fibers as a scaffold.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study examines how bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and home respiratory care (HRC) impact the growth of extremely preterm infants from birth to age 5.
  • Researchers analyzed data from 788 infants to assess their weight and length over time, finding that those with BPD who received HRC grew less than those in other groups.
  • The findings suggest that while BPD with HRC leads to significant growth delays, the influence of BPD on length growth lessens as the children age.
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Background/aims: Autoimmune gastritis (AIG) is a corpus-dominant atrophic gastritis in which patients are positive for antiparietal cell antibody (APCA) and/or anti-intrinsic factor antibody. The risk of developing gastric cancer in patients with AIG remains unclear, and reliable frequency data of AIG in patients with gastric cancer are lacking.

Methods: We included 624 Korean patients with gastric tumors (612 gastric cancers and 12 neuroendocrine tumors) who had APCA results and were available for AIG evaluation.

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  • The study investigates the link between duodenal epithelial tumors (DETs) and colorectal tumors, addressing a controversial topic in familial colorectal adenomatous polyposis.
  • Conducted over four years, the research compared 163 patients with DETs to 177 individuals undergoing routine colonoscopy, finding a significantly higher adenoma detection rate (ADR) in the DET group (63.2% vs 23.6%).
  • The results indicated that DETs are associated with a five-fold increase in adenoma detection and a six-fold increase in advanced neoplasia detection, suggesting the need for screening colonoscopy in DET patients.
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  • Extremely well-differentiated gastric-type adenocarcinoma (EWDGA) is a rare gastric cancer that often mimics normal stomach tissue, which can lead to misdiagnosis.
  • In a study involving 11 pathologists evaluating six preoperative biopsies, the diagnosis of malignancy was only confirmed in 15.2% of cases, highlighting significant diagnostic challenges.
  • Despite minimal atypia in biopsy samples and no overexpression of the p53 protein, genomic profiling revealed mutations associated with more aggressive cancer, emphasizing the need for better recognition and diagnostic practices for EWDGA.
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  • Lymphocyte-rich inflammation of the esophagus is an emerging condition characterized by symptoms like difficulty swallowing and food blockages, often appearing similar to eosinophilic esophagitis during endoscopy.
  • Three main subtypes of this inflammation have been identified: lymphocytic, lichenoid, and lymphocyte-predominant esophagitis, which must be differentiated from other causes such as gastro-esophageal reflux and Candida infections.
  • The review highlights the need for systematic diagnostic criteria and recommends more research to understand the disease's progression and improve treatment strategies for affected patients.
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  • A 73-year-old woman presented with a 40x30 mm tumor in the pancreatic tail, which was found through a CT scan and showed characteristics similar to pancreatic cancer.
  • A biopsy confirmed the tumor was metastatic, matching the previous kidney tumor, and the patient underwent surgery to remove it, highlighting the difficulties in monitoring long-term metastasis.
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Background & Aims: Acid secretion inhibitors are associated with hypergastrinemia, which can lead to gastric mucosal changes. Potassium-competitive acid blockers, such as vonoprazan, are more potent than proton pump inhibitors, but long-term safety data are lacking.

Methods: In this phase IV, randomized trial, patients with erosive esophagitis (EE) received induction therapy (once daily vonoprazan 20 mg or lansoprazole 30 mg; ≤8 weeks).

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Progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus (PERM) is a rare disease associated with the presence of anti-glycine receptor (GlyR) antibodies. We herein report an autopsy case of an 80-year-old man diagnosed with anti-GlyR antibody-positive PERM who presented with symptoms of oculomotor dysfunction and autonomic failure. Despite intensive immunotherapy, the neurological symptoms showed almost no improvement, and the patient succumbed to aspiration pneumonia and bacterial translocation.

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Reports of Helicobacter pylori (Hp)-naïve gastric neoplasm (HpNGN) cases have been rapidly increasing due to the recent increase in the Hp-naïve population in Japan. Most HpNGNs exhibit the gastric immunophenotype and a low malignant potential regardless of histological type. Especially, foveolar-type gastric adenoma (FGA) and intestinal-type gastric dysplasia (IGD) rarely progress to invasive carcinoma.

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  • * A patient with a history of small bowel surgery faced recurrent symptoms 10 years later and was hospitalized, where multiple intestinal strictures were discovered.
  • * Following surgery and a diagnosis of SM, treatment with corticosteroids significantly improved the patient's symptoms, leading to a prolonged remission period.
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Until recently, autoimmune gastritis (AIG) was usually diagnosed at late stages based on typical endoscopic findings, including corpus-dominant advanced atrophy. Early-stage AIG prior to complete gastric atrophy had rarely been diagnosed due to a lack of knowledge about its endoscopic characteristics. The present study sought to identify the endoscopic characteristics of early-stage AIG, enabling its early diagnosis.

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  • In Japan, the standard treatment for resectable esophageal cancer is neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by surgery (esophagectomy), while patients unable to undergo surgery typically receive definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
  • Effective local disease control is crucial, and endoscopic evaluation post-treatment is essential for assessing treatment effectiveness and guiding further interventions.
  • The "Japanese Classification of Esophageal Cancer, 12th edition" introduces new criteria for evaluating treatment response and emphasizes the importance of detecting local recurrence to identify candidates for salvage treatments early.
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A 70-year-old man was diagnosed with early gastric cancer with ulcerative findings. Endoscopic submucosal dissection as an absolute indication was performed, and en bloc resection was achieved. Pathological examination revealed a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, 3 × 2 mm in size, intramucosal, with an ulcerative scar, no lymphovascular invasion, and a tumor-free margin.

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We describe an ultra-early stage of autoimmune gastritis (AIG) that occurs prior to the well-known early-stage AIG. The key pathology is the shortening of the second layer with degenerated parietal cells. In the management of patients with autoimmune diseases, AIG should be considered even if the endoscopy findings are normal.

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  • The VISION study was a phase 4 clinical trial conducted in Japan to evaluate the long-term safety of vonoprazan compared to lansoprazole for patients with healed erosive oesophagitis.
  • Patients were initially treated for healing and then entered a 260-week maintenance phase, with the primary focus on changes in gastric mucosal histopathology.
  • Results showed that while hyperplasia of certain gastric cells was more common with vonoprazan, no significant safety issues arose, and no neoplastic changes were observed in either treatment group over three years.
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A man in his 80s was referred to our hospital with the chief complaint of perianal erosion. Colonoscopy revealed a peripheral flat lesion in the anal canal. Since immunohistological examination showed positive for CK20 and negative for GCDFP15, we made a preoperative diagnosis of anal canal cancer with Pagetoid spread.

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  • The Japanese diagnostic criteria for autoimmune gastritis (AIG) were created by a workshop affiliated with JGES and CARP to standardize diagnosis based on endoscopic and histological findings, along with the presence of gastric autoantibodies.
  • In diagnosing early-stage AIG, only histological confirmation and positivity for gastric autoantibodies are required, as endoscopic data is still being collected.
  • The new criteria aim to improve diagnosis rates, allow better patient stratification for risks like gastric tumors, and establish a surveillance system, but challenges remain in validating endoscopic findings and securing insurance for antibody testing.*
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