SOX17 enables immune evasion of early colorectal adenomas and cancers.

A hallmark of cancer is the avoidance of immune destruction. This process has been primarily investigated in locally advanced or metastatic cancer; however, much less is known about how pre-malignant or early invasive tumours evade immune detection. Here, to understand this process in early colorectal cancers (CRCs), we investigated how naive colon cancer organoids that were engineered in vitro to harbour Apc-null, Kras and Trp53-null (AKP) mutations adapted to the in vivo native colonic environment.

Long-term results of a phase 2 study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with molecularly targeted agents for locally advanced rectal cancer.

Background: We previously reported the feasibility and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy without radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer. Here, we report the results of a long-term follow-up study.

Methods: This was a multi-institutional, prospective phase 2 study of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Lymphatics and fibroblasts support intestinal stem cells in homeostasis and injury.

Lgr5 intestinal stem cells (ISCs) depend on niche factors for their proper function. However, the source of these ISC niche factors and how they support ISCs in vivo remain controversial. Here, we report that ISCs depend on lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and RSPO3GREM1 fibroblasts (RGFs).

Vulnerability of Evacuees Having No One to Consult after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster: The Fukushima Health Management Survey.

After the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in 2011, caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, some evacuees had no one to consult despite many local care providers offering assistance. This study identified the characteristics of individuals who did not receive consultations and the relevant determinants, and proposed the available measures to address this issue. Altogether, 32,699 participants aged 16 years or older and residing in the disaster area at Fukushima were surveyed.

Associations of the COVID-19 pandemic with the economic status and mental health of people affected by the Fukushima disaster using the difference-in-differences method: The Fukushima Health Management Survey.

Although the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and relevant preventive measures can affect the economic status and mental health of the public, their effect remains unraveled owing to a limited number of surveys conducted before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated the association of COVID-19 and relevant measures with multivariate outcomes among people affected by the Fukushima disaster in 2011 using the difference-in-differences (DID) method. We then analyzed the associations between sociodemographic factors and outcomes.

Trajectories of peer relationship problems and emotional symptoms in children 5 years after a nuclear disaster: Fukushima Health Management Survey.

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (NPS) accident, which occurred in March 2011, is having long-term effects on children. About 3 years after the accident, we identified three patterns of peer relationship problems and four patterns of emotional symptoms using group-based trajectory modeling. As a result, we reported that different factors might be related to very severe trajectories of peer relationship problems and emotional symptoms.

Combined robotic and cystoscopic surgery for rectal cancer invading urinary bladder.

Although the application of laparoscopic rectal surgery has been widely accepted by accumulated evidence, it remains technically difficult in some cases of obesity, narrow male pelvis, bulky tumors, or involvement of adjacent organs. After robotic rectal surgery has been covered by the health insurance system in Japan since April 2018, we have employed robotic rectal surgery for an increasing number of cases by taking advantages of its 3D vision and wrist function. When a colorectal cancer involves the urinary bladder, the surgical treatment of choice is an anterior resection with en bloc (partial or total) bladder resection, depending on the site and extent of bladder involvement.

Subcuticular sutures for skin closure in non-obstetric surgery.

Background: Following surgery, surgical wounds can be closed using a variety of devices including sutures (subcuticular or transdermal), staples and tissue adhesives. Subcuticular sutures are intradermal stitches (placed immediately below the epidermal layer). The increased availability of synthetic absorbable filaments (stitches which are absorbed by the body and do not have to be removed) has led to an increased use of subcuticular sutures.

Killian-Jamieson diverticulum safely resected using a manual intraoperative neural monitoring system: a case report.

Background: Killian-Jamieson diverticulum is a rare pharyngoesophageal diverticulum. The risk of intraoperative injury of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is high during surgical resection of Killian-Jamieson diverticulum because the RLN usually runs next to the base of the diverticulum. We present a case of Killian-Jamieson diverticulum that was safely resected with effective use of an intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) system with a handheld stimulating probe to prevent RLN injury.

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.

Laparoscopic rectal tumor surgery after administration of a new sclerosing therapy (aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid injection) for internal hemorrhoids: A report of three cases.

Aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid (ALTA) injection is a new sclerosing therapy for internal hemorrhoids that has been gaining widespread use. However, there have been few reports about rectal cancer after ALTA injection. We performed laparoscopic surgery for three patients who had underwent ALTA therapy 6 months or 1 year earlier: (i) a 51-year-old man with neuroendocrine tumor; (ii) a 44-year-old woman with rectal cancer; and (iii) 77-year-old man with rectal cancer.

Local control of sphincter-preserving procedures and abdominoperineal resection for locally advanced low rectal cancer: Propensity score matched analysis.

Sphincter-preserving procedures (SPPs) for surgical treatment of low-lying rectal tumors have advanced considerably. However, their oncological safety for locally advanced low rectal cancer compared with abdominoperineal resection (APR) is contentious. We retrospectively analyzed cohort data of 1500 consecutive patients who underwent elective resection for stage II-III rectal cancer between 2010 and 2011.

Multicenter analysis of transanal tube placement for prevention of anastomotic leak after low anterior resection.

Background: Anastomotic leak (AL) is a serious complication of low anterior resection (LAR). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of transanal tube placement for prevention of AL.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study enrolled 328 consecutive patients who underwent LAR for rectal cancer at participating hospitals from 2009 to 2014.

Impact of venous invasion on the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in elderly patients with stage III colorectal cancer.

One of the reasons for the underuse of adjuvant chemotherapy in elderly patients with stage III colorectal cancer is a small survival benefit. This retrospective study sought to identify the predictive factors for elderly patients who could obtain a sufficient survival benefit. We reviewed the data of 1354 elderly patients (aged ≥70 years) with stage III colorectal cancer who underwent complete resection between January 1997 and December 2006.

Multicenter analysis of impact of anastomotic leakage on long-term oncologic outcomes after curative resection of colon cancer.

Background: In rectal cancer, anastomotic leakage was reported to have a negative impact on both short- and long-term outcomes. However, there is limited data on the impact of anastomotic leakage on oncologic outcomes in patients with colon cancer. We aimed to evaluate the impact of anastomotic leakage on disease recurrence and long-term survival after curative resection of colon cancer.

Differences in surgical site infection between laparoscopic colon and rectal surgeries: sub-analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial (Japan-Multinational Trial Organization PREV 07-01).

Background: The incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) is reportedly lower in laparoscopic colorectal surgery than in open surgery, but data on the difference in SSI incidence between colon and rectal laparoscopic surgeries are limited.

Methods: The incidence and risk factors for SSI, and the effect of oral antibiotics in colon and rectal laparoscopic surgeries, were investigated as a sub-analysis of the JMTO-PREV-07-01 (a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of oral/parenteral vs. parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis in elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery).

Antibiotics and antiseptics for pressure ulcers.

Background: Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, decubitus ulcers and pressure injuries, are localised areas of injury to the skin or the underlying tissue, or both. A range of treatments with antimicrobial properties, including impregnated dressings, are widely used in the treatment of pressure ulcers. A clear and current overview is required to facilitate decision making regarding use of antiseptic or antibiotic therapies in the treatment of pressure ulcers.

Effect of Polydextrose Intake on Constipation in Japanese Dialysis Patients: A Triple-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate bowel habits induced by ingestion of 10 g polydextrose (PDX) fed to Japanese hemodialysis (HD) patients. This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blind, parallel-group controlled, 8-wk study. A total of 50 HD outpatients capable of self-management (51-79 y of age) were recruited at H Clinic, Japan.

Quadrupole effects in tetragonal crystals PrCu₂Si₂ and DyCu₂Si₂.

We have investigated quadrupole effects in tetragonal crystals of PrCu2Si2 and DyCu2Si2 by means of low-temperature ultrasonic measurements. The elastic constant C44 of PrCu2Si2 exhibits pronounced softening below 70 K down to a Néel temperature TN = 20 K, which is described in terms of a quadrupole susceptibility for a Γ5 doublet ground state and a Γ3 singlet first excited state located at 15.6 K in the crystalline electric field scheme.

The role of G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 in pathogenesis of sporadic Parkinson's disease.

Sporadic Parkinson's disease (sPD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Although the pathogenesis of the disease remains undetermined, phosphorylation of alpha-synuclein and its oligomer formation seem to play a key role. However, the protein kinase(s) involved in the phosphorylation in the pathogenesis of sPD has not been identified.