Combination gemcitabine plus S-1 versus gemcitabine plus cisplatin for advanced/recurrent biliary tract cancer: the FUGA-BT (JCOG1113) randomized phase III clinical trial.

Background: Gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) is the standard treatment of advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC); however, it causes nausea, vomiting, and anorexia, and requires hydration. Gemcitabine plus S-1 (GS) reportedly has equal to, or better, efficacy and an acceptable toxicity profile. We aimed to confirm the non-inferiority of GS to GC for patients with advanced/recurrent BTC in terms of overall survival (OS).

Can image-enhanced endoscopy improve the diagnosis of Kyoto classification of gastritis in the clinical setting?

Endoscopic diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, the most common cause of gastric cancer, is very important to clarify high-risk patients of gastric cancer for reducing morbidity and mortality of gastric cancer. Recently, the Kyoto classification of gastritis was developed based on the endoscopic characteristics of H.

Methyl-Selective α-Oxygenation of Tertiary Amines to Formamides by Employing Copper/Moderately Hindered Nitroxyl Radical (DMN-AZADO or 1-Me-AZADO).

Methyl-selective α-oxygenation of tertiary amines is a highly attractive approach for synthesizing formamides while preserving the amine substrate skeletons. Therefore, the development of efficient catalysts that can advance regioselective α-oxygenation at the N-methyl positions using molecular oxygen (O ) as the terminal oxidant is an important subject. In this study, we successfully developed a highly regioselective and efficient aerobic methyl-selective α-oxygenation of tertiary amines by employing a Cu/nitroxyl radical catalyst system.

Utility of Forward-View Echoendoscopy for Transcolonic Fine-Needle Aspiration of Extracolonic Lesions: An Institutional Experience.

Background/aims: Non-invasive tissue sampling from the lower intra-abdominal and pelvic cavity is challenging. The role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in this situation is not well-established because of the limitations of the curved linear-array echoendoscopy-EUS for colonic insertion. The aim of this study was to report our institutional experience of transcolonic EUS-FNA using forward-viewing therapeutic linear echoendoscopy-EUS (FV-EUS) in combination with fluoroscopic guidance.

IgG4-related disease in the Japanese population: a genome-wide association study.

Background: IgG4-related disease is a newly recognised immunopathological entity that includes autoimmune pancreatitis, IgG4-related sialadenitis, and IgG4-related kidney disease. To understand the genetic landscape of IgG4-related disease, we did a genome-wide association study.

Methods: We did a genome-wide association study of Japanese individuals, initially screening 857 patients with IgG4-related disease at 50 Japanese research institutions and DNA samples from 2082 healthy control participants from the Nagahama Prospective Genome Cohort for the Comprehensive Human Bioscience.

Clumps of Mesenchymal Stem Cell/Extracellular Matrix Complexes Generated with Xeno-Free Conditions Facilitate Bone Regeneration via Direct and Indirect Osteogenesis.

Three-dimensional clumps of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)/extracellular matrix (ECM) complexes (C-MSCs) consist of cells and self-produced ECM. We demonstrated previously that C-MSCs can be transplanted into bone defect regions with no artificial scaffold to induce bone regeneration. To apply C-MSCs in a clinical setting as a reliable bone regenerative therapy, the present study aimed to generate C-MSCs in xeno-free/serum-free conditions that can exert successful bone regenerative properties and to monitor interactions between grafted cells and host cells during bone healing processes.

Efficient derivation of knock-out and knock-in rats using embryos obtained by in vitro fertilization.

Rats are effective model animals and have contributed to the development of human medicine and basic research. However, the application of reproductive engineering techniques to rats is not as advanced compared with mice, and genome editing in rats has not been achieved using embryos obtained by in vitro fertilization (IVF). In this study, we conducted superovulation, IVF, and knock out and knock in using IVF rat embryos.

A temperature-controlled cold-gas humidifier and its application to protein crystals with the humid-air and glue-coating method.

The room-temperature experiment has been revisited for macromolecular crystallography. Despite being limited by radiation damage, such experiments reveal structural differences depending on temperature, and it is expected that they will be able to probe structures that are physiologically alive. For such experiments, the humid-air and glue-coating (HAG) method for humidity-controlled experiments is proposed.

Features of chronic pancreatitis by endoscopic ultrasound influence the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of small pancreatic lesions.

Background And Aim: In chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients, diagnosis of small pancreatic lesions by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is challenging. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether CP influences the diagnostic ability of EUS-FNA for pancreatic lesions ≤10 mm.

Methods: One hundred and seventeen patients who underwent EUS-FNA for pancreatic lesions ≤10 mm in size were enrolled.

CRISPR/Cas9 + AAV-mediated Intra-embryonic Gene Knocking in Mice.

Intra-embryo genome editing by CRISPR/Cas9 has enabled rapid generation of gene knockout animals. However, large fragment knock-in directly into embryos' genome is still difficult, especially without microinjection of donor DNA. Viral vectors are good transporters of knock-in donor DNA for cell lines, but seemed unsuitable for pre-implantation embryos with zona pellucida, glycoprotein membrane surrounding early embryos.

Phase I/II Study: Experience with the Late Onset of Acute Pancreatitis after the Start of Chemotherapy with Gemcitabine Plus nab-Paclitaxel for Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer.

Gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel is the current standard chemotherapy for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. We conducted a phase I/II study in Japan, in which high response rates and manageable toxicity were observed. In this study, two patients were reported as experiencing pancreatitis due to chemotherapy.

Selective Synthesis of Primary Anilines from NH and Cyclohexanones by Utilizing Preferential Adsorption of Styrene on the Pd Nanoparticle Surface.

Dehydrogenative aromatization is one of the attractive alternative methods for directly synthesizing primary anilines from NH and cyclohexanones. However, the selective synthesis of primary anilines is quite difficult because the desired primary aniline products and the cyclohexanone substrates readily undergo condensation affording the corresponding imines (i.e.

[Diagnosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor led to diagnosis of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1:a report of two cases].

Two cases of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 are reported. In both cases, computed tomography (CT) showed hypervascular lesions of the pancreas. Endoscopic ultrasound showed multiple lesions in the pancreas, and each case was diagnosed as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor by EUS-FNA.

A SNP in a Steroidogenic Enzyme Is Associated with Phenotypic Sex in Seriola Fishes.

Vertebrate sex development consists largely of two processes: "sex determination," the initial bifurcation of sexual identity, and "sex differentiation," which subsequently facilitates maleness or femaleness according to the sex determination signal. Steroid hormones promote multiple types of sexual dimorphism in eutherian mammals and avians [1-3], in which they are indispensable for proper sex differentiation. By contrast, in many poikilothermic vertebrates, steroid hormones have been proposed to be key players in sex determination as well as sex differentiation [4-8].

Usefulness of Deep Learning Analysis for the Diagnosis of Malignancy in Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas.

Objectives: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are precursor lesions of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a mathematical concept whose implementation automates learning and recognizing data patterns. The aim of this study was to investigate whether AI via deep learning algorithms using endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) images of IPMNs could predict malignancy.

Evaluation of a new commercial automated planning software for tangential breast intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

Automated treatment planning may decrease the effort required in planning and promote increased routine clinical use of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for many breast cancer patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new commercial automated planning software for tangential breast IMRT by comparing it with clinical plans from whole-breast irradiation. We prospectively enrolled 150 patients with Stage 0-1 breast cancer who underwent breast-conserving surgery at our institution between September 2016 and August 2017.

[Clinical classification of fall risk using visually obtained information at a memory clinic].

Aim: There are few studies concerning the classification of fall risk by nurses without established fall risk assessment tools. In the present study, clinical classification of fall risk using visually obtained information was compared with the assessment of fall risk in order to evaluate the rationale and validity of the clinical classification of fall risk by nurses.

Methods: New patients who visited the center of comprehensive care and research for memory disorders at the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology were enrolled in the present study.

Long-term outcomes of metachronous neoplasms in the ileal pouch and rectum after surgical treatment in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.

Restorative proctocolectomy has become the most common surgical option for patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). However, adenomas and even carcinomas may develop in the ileal pouch over time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term incidence and nature of ileal pouch or distal ileal adenomas and carcinomas in patients with FAP.

Diagnostic ability of artificial intelligence using deep learning analysis of cyst fluid in differentiating malignant from benign pancreatic cystic lesions.

The diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions remains challenging. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic ability of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytology, and artificial intelligence (AI) by deep learning using cyst fluid in differentiating malignant from benign cystic lesions. We retrospectively reviewed 85 patients who underwent pancreatic cyst fluid analysis of surgical specimens or endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration specimens.

Self-Assembly of Anionic Polyoxometalate-Organic Architectures Based on Lacunary Phosphomolybdates and Pyridyl Ligands.

The development of novel systems for metal-organic architectures is an attractive research field because they are fascinating materials with unexplored functions. Lacunary polyoxometalates (POMs) offer structurally well-defined coordination sites with various coordination directions and numbers in addition to the designable properties; thus, lacunary POMs are ideal building blocks for inorganic-organic architectures. However, their utilization is currently limited by their low stability and difficulty in controlling the reactivity.

Ring-Shaped Polyoxometalates Possessing Multiple 3d Metal Cation Sites: [{M(OH)}{M(OH)}PWO(OCH)] (M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn).

A ring-shaped polyoxometalate (POM), [PWO] (P8W48), formed by condensation of four hexavacant lacunary α-Dawson-type [α-PWO] units, is an attractive superlacunary compound possessing a large cavity (approximately 10 Å). Although the introduction of metal species into the cavity was attempted in aqueous media using the K/Li salt of P8W48, we encountered several challenges: excess metal species are required, and K and/or Li remain in the cavity. Therefore, controlling the number and arrangement of the introduced metal species proved difficult.

Influence of initial dose intensity on efficacy of FOLFIRINOX in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

The combination of fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX) is the standard of care for advanced pancreatic cancer, but causes hematological and gastrointestinal toxicities, leading to treatment delay and dose reduction; optimal modification based on toxicities is needed. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of initial relative dose intensity (RDI) on FOLFIRINOX efficacy by conducting a Japanese nationwide survey. We evaluated overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients administered two or more cycles of FOLFIRINOX, and determined RDIs for each drug within the first two cycles.

Polymorphisms and microvariant sequences in the Japanese population for 25 Y-STR markers and their relationships to Y-chromosome haplogroups.

Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (Y-STR) markers have been used for forensic purposes such as kinship analysis of male-linage and detection of a male DNA component in a mixture of male and female DNA. Recently, rapidly mutating Y-STR (RM Y-STR) markers were reported that are expected to help distinguish close male relatives. This study provides data of Y-chromosomal haplotypes for 25 Y-STR markers, including six RM Y-STR markers (DYS576, DYS627, DYS518, DYS570, DYS449 and DYF387S1) typed with the Yfiler™ Plus kit in 1299 males of the Japanese population.

Gene flow signature in the S-allele region of cultivated buckwheat.

Background: Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) is an annual crop that originated in southern China. The nutritious seeds are used in cooking much like cereal grains.