Prevalence and factors associated with web‑like mucus in the stomach after vonoprazan use.

The appearance of 'web-like mucus' in the stomach is a novel phenomenon associated with vonoprazan (VPZ) usage, characterized by a descriptive mucus pattern resembling a spider web or net. The present study aimed to determine its prevalence and related factors. In this retrospective observational study, the medical records and endoscopic reports of 547 patients who underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy were reviewed.

Gel immersion endoscopic mucosal resection for small gastric neoplastic lesions: A pilot study.

Gastric endoscopic mucosal resection is challenging due to the slippery mucosa, abundant blood vessels, and the presence of mucus. We developed gel immersion endoscopy to secure the visual field, even in a blood-filled gastrointestinal lumen in 2016. Clear gel with appropriate viscosity, instead of water, can prevent rapid mixture with blood and facilitate identification of the culprit vessel.

Endoscopic findings and outcomes of gastric mucosal changes relating to potassium-competitive acid blocker and proton pump inhibitor therapy.

Gastric mucosal changes associated with long-term potassium-competitive acid blocker and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy may raise concern. In contrast to that for PPIs, the evidence concerning the safety of long-term potassium-competitive acid blocker use is scant. Vonoprazan (VPZ) is a representative potassium-competitive acid blocker released in Japan in 2015.

Safety and Effectiveness of Molnupiravir in Japanese Patients with COVID-19: Final Report of Post-marketing Surveillance in Japan.

Introduction: Molnupiravir is an orally available prodrug of N-hydroxycytidine that received special approval for emergency treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Japan in December 2021 and full approval in April 2023. To assess the real-world safety and effectiveness of molnupiravir in Japanese patients with COVID-19, we conducted nationwide post-marketing surveillance to collect data at registered institutions in Japan.

Methods: The surveillance data were collected from December 27, 2021, to May 2, 2023.

Type B2 vessels and infiltrative growth patterns b and c are associated with lymphatic invasion in pT1a-lamina propria mucosa esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Tumor growth pattern correlates with outcomes in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), however, the clinical significance of the tumor growth pattern in pT1a-lamina propria mucosa (LPM) type of ESCC was unclear. This study was conducted to clarify clinicopathological features of tumor growth patterns in pT1a-LPM type ESCC and the relationship between tumor growth patterns and magnifying endoscopic findings.

Methods: Eighty-seven lesions diagnosed as pT1a-LPM ESCC were included.

The Ki67 index evaluation of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors using 3D immunohistochemistry in small tissue specimens.

Background: /Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of three-dimensional (3D) immunohistochemistry for the Ki67 index of small tissue specimens of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PanNET).

Methods: Clinicopathological materials from 17 patients with PanNET who underwent surgical resection at Jichi Medical University Hospital were analyzed. We compared the Ki67 index of endoscopic ultrasonography-fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNAB) specimens, surgical specimens, and small tissue specimens hollowed from paraffin blocks of surgical specimens that were substituted for EUS-FNAB specimens ("sub-FNAB").

Impact of increased plasma levels of calreticulin on prognosis of patients with advanced lung cancer undergoing combination treatment of chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Background: Damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP)-related immunogenic cell death triggers secondary adaptive immune responses. The relationship between DAMP levels and prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who undergo a combination therapy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and chemotherapy remains unclear.

Methods: Serial plasma samples were prospectively collected from 45 patients treated with ICI combination therapy for advanced NSCLC.

Pemafibrate therapy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is more effective in lean patients than obese patients.

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in the world, with an increasing incidence. Pemafibrate is a novel selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-a (PPAR-a) modulator which is expected to improve NAFLD. The aim of this study is to identify predictors of improvement of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis after pemafibrate therapy in patients with NAFLD.

Feasibility of progressive polyp contraction with underwater endoscopic mucosal resection in ≥ 20 mm superficial colorectal lesions.

Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) does not always result in en bloc resection of large colorectal lesions. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of en bloc resection with progressive polyp contraction with underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (PP-CUE) of large, superficial colorectal lesions. The advantage of PP-CUE is to enable resection of a superficial non-polypoid lesion that is larger than the snare diameter.

Functional unit of supergene in female-limited Batesian mimicry of Papilio polytes.

Supergenes are sets of genes and genetic elements that are inherited like a single gene and control complex adaptive traits, but their functional roles and units are poorly understood. In Papilio polytes, female-limited Batesian mimicry is thought to be regulated by a ∼130 kb inversion region (highly diversified region: HDR) containing 3 genes, UXT, U3X, and doublesex (dsx) which switches non-mimetic and mimetic types. To determine the functional unit, we here performed electroporation-mediated RNAi analyses (and further Crispr/Cas9 for UXT) of genes within and flanking the HDR in pupal hindwings.

High throughput method of 16S rRNA gene sequencing library preparation for plant root microbial community profiling.

Microbiota are a major component of agroecosystems. Root microbiota, which inhabit the inside and surface of plant roots, play a significant role in plant growth and health. As next-generation sequencing technology allows the capture of microbial profiles without culturing the microbes, profiling of plant microbiota has become a staple tool in plant science and agriculture.

Long-term changes in serum gastrin levels during standard dose vonoprazan therapy.

Background: Long-term acid suppression during vonoprazan therapy causes hypergastrinemia which may induce gastric mucosal changes such as fundic gland and hyperplastic polyps. The aim of this study is to clarify the long-term changes in serum gastrin levels and risk factors for hypergastrinemia.

Methods: From July 2016 to April 2020, 48 patients receiving vonoprazan 10 mg once daily for more than one year were reviewed.

Normalization of Flow in the Common Hepatic Artery after Decompression of Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome with Diminution of a Pancreatoduodenal Arcade Aneurysm.

Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is caused by constriction of the celiac artery (CA) by the median arcuate ligament of the diaphragm. Ligament release improves perfusion of the CA, resulting in resolution of abdominal symptoms. A 51-year-old female had postprandial abdominal pain for 10 years and underwent computed tomography (CT) scan showing severe stenosis of the CA with pancreatoduodenal arcade aneurysm formation.

The effect of proton pump inhibitors and vonoprazan on the development of 'gastric mucosal redness'.

The safety of long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and vonoprazan (VPZ) use is a relatively recent concern. Gastric mucosal redness was reported as a VPZ-associated lesion in a previous study. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for gastric mucosal redness.

Effectiveness and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection using the pocket creation method in the Japanese population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a standard method for minimally invasive resection of superficial gastrointestinal tumors. The pocket creation method (PCM) facilitates ESD regardless of location in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ESD for superficial neoplasms in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract comparing the PCM to the non-PCM.

Underwater Endoscopic Mucosal Resection of Small Rectal Neuroendocrine Tumors.

Background And Study Aims: The resection strategy for rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NET) < 10 mm is not uniform. We compared the utility of underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) to endoscopic submucosal resection with a ligation device (ESMR-L) to resect rectal NETs.

Patients And Methods: Patients with rectal NET < 10 mm treated with UEMR or ESMR-L were included.