Short- and Long-term Surgical Results of Extended Surgery for Widespread Gallbladder Carcinoma.

Background/aim: Hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection (Hx+EBDR), pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), and occasionally hepatopancreaticoduodenectomy (HPD) are required for the treatment of advanced gallbladder cancer (GBC). This study aimed to clarify the clinical value of these extended surgeries for GBC.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent curative resection (Surg-G, n=59), and their survival rates were compared with those of patients with unresectable GBC who underwent chemotherapy (CTx-G, n=63).

Roles of basic amino acid residues in substrate binding and transport of the light-driven anion pump Synechocystis halorhodopsin (SyHR).

Microbial rhodopsins are photoreceptive seven-transmembrane α-helical proteins, many of which function as ion transporters, primarily for small monovalent ions such as Na, K, Cl, Br, and I. Synechocystis halorhodopsin (SyHR), identified from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 7509, uniquely transports the polyatomic divalent SO inward, in addition to monovalent anions (Cl and Br).

Survivin as a Therapeutic Target for Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.

Introduction: Although neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) have a good prognosis, distant metastasis remains a crucial prognostic factor. Survivin, a tumor-associated antigen, is overexpressed in several solid tumors, indicating poor prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the clinical significance and role of survivin as a therapeutic target for NEN.

How the Electron-Transfer Cascade is Maintained in Chlorophyll- Containing Photosystem I.

Photosystem I (PSI) from utilizes chlorophyll (Chl) with a formyl group as its primary pigment, which is more red-shifted than chlorophyll (Chl) in PSI from . Using the cryo-electron microscopy structure and solving the linear Poisson-Boltzmann equation, here we report the redox potential () values in PSI. The (Chl) values at the paired chlorophyll site, [PP], are nearly identical to the corresponding (Chl) values in PSI, despite Chl having a 200 mV lower reduction power.

Substrate specificity controlled by the exit site of human P4-ATPases, revealed by de novo point mutations in neurological disorders.

The maintenance of lipid asymmetry on the plasma membrane is regulated by flippases, such as ATP8A2, ATP11A, and ATP11C, which translocate phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine from the outer leaflet to the inner leaflet. We previously identified a patient-derived point mutation (Q84E) in ATP11A at the phospholipid entry site, which acquired the ability to flip phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho). This mutation led to elevated levels of sphingomyelin (SM) in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane.

Absence of a link between stabilized charge-separated state and structural changes proposed from crystal structures of a photosynthetic reaction center.

Structural differences between illuminated and unilluminated crystal structures led to the proposal that the charge-separated state was stabilized by structural changes in its membrane extrinsic protein subunit H in a bacterial photosynthetic reaction center [Katona, G. et al. Nat.

Direct evidence for a deprotonated lysine serving as a H-bond "acceptor" in a photoreceptor protein.

Deprotonation or suppression of the pa of the amino group of a lysine sidechain is a widely recognized phenomenon whereby the sidechain amino group transiently can act as a nucleophile at the active site of enzymatic reactions. However, a deprotonated lysine and its molecular interactions have not been directly experimentally detected. Here, we demonstrate a deprotonated lysine stably serving as an "acceptor" in a H-bond between the photosensor protein RcaE and its chromophore.

Molecular origins of absorption wavelength variation among phycocyanobilin-binding proteins.

Phycocyanobilin (PCB)-binding proteins, including cyanobacteriochromes and phytochromes, function as photoreceptors and exhibit a wide range of absorption maximum wavelengths. To elucidate the color-tuning mechanisms among these proteins, we investigated seven crystal structures of six PCB-binding proteins: Anacy_2551g3, AnPixJg2, phosphorylation-responsive photosensitive histidine kinase, RcaE, Sb.phyB(PG)-PCB, and Slr1393g3.

Distinct clinicopathological features of neuroendocrine liver metastases originating from the pancreas and rectum.

Introduction: Survival comparisons among patients with liver metastases from pancreatic and rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) were limited, and the efficacy of observation rules in patients undergoing hepatectomy for neuroendocrine liver metastases (NELMs) was unknown. This study aims to distinguish these characteristics and clarify the effects of the observation rules on NELMs.

Methods: Clinical data were separately collected from patients with pancreatic and rectal NELMs at medical centers in both Japan and China.

Preoperative risk factors for skeletal muscle mass loss in patients with biliary tract cancer.

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC)-related procedures, usually performed before biliary tract cancer (BTC) surgery, are associated with increased risk for various complications, which can cause sarcopenia. No study has previously elucidated the relationship between preoperative ERC-related procedures and sarcopenia/skeletal muscle mass loss.

Methods: Patients with BTC who underwent radical surgical resection following ERC-related procedures were included.

Energetics of the H-Bond Network in Rhodopsin.

rhodopsin (ESR) functions as a light-driven proton pump utilizing Lys96 for proton uptake and maintaining its activity over a wide pH range. Using a combination of methodologies including the linear Poisson-Boltzmann equation and a quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical approach with a polarizable continuum model, we explore the microscopic mechanisms underlying its pumping activity. Lys96, the primary proton uptake site, remains deprotonated owing to the loss of solvation in the ESR protein environment.

Impact of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Identified by Citrullinated Histone H3 Immunohistochemistry for Postoperative Prognosis in Patients with Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinomas.

Background: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are extracellular chromatin structures composed of cytoplasmic, granular, and nuclear components of neutrophils. Recently, NETs have received much attention for their role in tumor biology; however, their impact on the postoperative prognosis of patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (EHCCs) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify the impact of NETs identified by immunohistochemical citrullinated histone H3 (Cit-H3) staining on postoperative overall survival (OS) in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC) and distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC).

Difference in the Charge-Separation Energetics between Distinct Conformers in the PixD Photoreceptor.

Blue light using flavin (BLUF) domain proteins are photoreceptors in various organisms. The PixD BLUF domain can adopt two conformations, W91 and W91, with Trp91 either proximal or distal to flavin (FMN). Using a quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical/polarizable continuum model approach, the energetics of charge-separated and biradical states in the two conformations were investigated.

Ferromagnetic Fluctuations in the Heavily Overdoped Regime of Single-Layer High- Cuprate Superconductors.

To investigate proposed ferromagnetic fluctuations in the so-called single-layer Bi-2201 and La-214 high- cuprates, we performed magnetization and electrical resistivity measurements using single-layer Tl-2201 cuprates TlBaCuO and La-214 LaSrCuO in the heavily overdoped regime. Magnetization of TlBaCuO and LaSrCuO exhibited the tendency to be saturated in high magnetic fields at low temperatures, suggesting the precursor behavior toward the formation of a ferromagnetic order. It was found that the power of temperature obtained from the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity is ~4/3 and ~5/3 for Bi-2201 and LaSrCuO, respectively, and is ~4/3 at high temperatures and ~5/3 at low temperatures in TlBaCuO.

Validation study for prognostic scoring system for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma surgery using preoperative factors.

Purpose: Recently, systemic inflammatory responses (SIR) have been shown to play a pivotal role in the development and progression of cancer. We previously reported that four factors, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (> 7 ng/dL), serum albumin (< 3.5 g/dL), C-reactive protein (> 0.

The Short- and Long-Term Surgical Results of Consecutive Hepatopancreaticoduodenectomy for Wide-Spread Biliary Malignancy.

Background: Cancer-free resection (R0) is one of the most important factors for the long-term survival of biliary carcinoma. For some patients with widespread invasive cancer located between the hilar and intrapancreatic bile duct, hepatopancreaticoduodenectomy (HPD) is considered a radical surgery for R0 resection. However, HPD is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates.

Novel Benchmark Values for Open Major Anatomic Liver Resection in Non-cirrhotic Patients: A Multicentric Study of 44 International Expert Centers.

Objective: This study aims at establishing benchmark values for best achievable outcomes following open major anatomic hepatectomy for liver tumors of all dignities.

Background: Outcomes after open major hepatectomies vary widely lacking reference values for comparisons among centers, indications, types of resections, and minimally invasive procedures.

Methods: A standard benchmark methodology was used covering consecutive patients, who underwent open major anatomic hepatectomy from 44 high-volume liver centers from 5 continents over a 5-year period (2016-2020).

Surgical skills assessment of pancreaticojejunostomy using a simulator may predict patient outcomes: A multicenter prospective observational study.

Background: Pancreatoduodenectomy, an advanced surgical procedure with a high complication rate, requires surgical skill in performing pancreaticojejunostomy, which correlates with operative outcomes. We aimed to analyze the correlation between pancreaticojejunostomy assessment conducted in a simulator environment and the operating room and patient clinical outcomes.

Methods: We recruited 30 surgeons (with different experience levels in pancreatoduodenectomy) from 11 institutes.

CCR7 Mediates Cell Invasion and Migration in Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma by Inducing Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition.

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to the metastatic cascade in various tumors. C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) interacts with its ligand, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 19 (CCL19), to promote EMT. However, the association between EMT and CCR7 in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC) remains unknown.

Identification of antibody against wingless‑type MMTV integration site family member 7B as a biliary cancer tumor marker.

Biliary cancer has a poor prognosis due to a lack of specific biomarkers and difficulty in diagnosis. The present study aimed to identify serum tumor markers for the diagnosis of biliary cancer via serological identification of antigens by recombinant cDNA expression cloning. Wingless‑type MMTV integration site family, member 7 (WNT7B) was identified as a target antigen, suggesting the presence of serum antibodies against this antigen.

Mechanism of Absorption Wavelength Shift of Bacteriorhodopsin During Photocycle.

Bacteriorhodopsin, a light-driven proton pump, alters the absorption wavelengths in the range of 410-617 nm during the photocycle. Here, we report the absorption wavelengths, calculated using 12 bacteriorhodopsin crystal structures (including the BR, BR, J, K, K, K, L, M, N, and O state structures) and a combined quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical/polarizable continuum model (QM/MM/PCM) approach. The QM/MM/PCM calculations reproduced the experimentally measured absorption wavelengths with a standard deviation of 4 nm.

Energy transfer dynamics and the mechanism of biohybrid photosynthetic antenna complexes chemically linked with artificial chromophores.

A light-harvesting strategy is crucial for the utilisation of solar energy. In this study, we addressed the expanding light-harvesting (LH) wavelength of photosynthetic LH complex 2 (LH2, from strain 10050) through covalent conjugation with extrinsic chromophores. To further understand the conjugation architecture and mechanism of excitation energy transfer (EET), we examined the effects of the linker length and spectral overlap integral between the emission and absorption spectra of the energy donor and acceptor pigments.

Clinical Features of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Microadenoma: A Single-Center Experience and Literature Review.

Objectives: Pancreatic neuroendocrine microadenoma (NEMA) is a nonfunctioning neuroendocrine tumor of less than 5 mm. Most studies of NEMA were based on autopsies, and few reports have revealed the clinical frequency of NEMA. We investigated the clinicopathological features of NEMA.