Association between diabetic nephropathy and left ventricular longitudinal myocardial function in type 1 diabetes mellitus patients with preserved ejection fraction.

Left ventricular (LV) longitudinal myocardial dysfunction can be observed even in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) (T2DM) patients with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and is considered the earliest marker of DM-related cardiac dysfunction. Furthermore, diabetic nephropathy (DN), a common complication in DM, is strongly associated with LV longitudinal myocardial function in T2DM patients, but its association with type 1 DM (T1DM) has not been fully investigated. We studied 125 asymptomatic T1DM patients with preserved LVEF, and 75 age-, gender-, LVEF-matched non-diabetic healthy controls.

Perforation-free removal of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors: Endoscopic inversion and strangulation of muscle layer and resection (EISMR).

Endoscopic resection for GIST has become more widespread in recent years because it is less invasive than surgery. However, when endoscopic resection is performed, a full-layer resection of the gastric wall is often necessary, and extensive suturing is required if perforation occurs, which is a technically challenging procedure. Recently, we reported a new method called endoscopic inversion and strangulation of the muscle layer and resection (EISMR), which consists of endoscopically inverting the muscle layer into the gastric lumen and strangulating the muscle layer with a detachable snare, followed by resection.

Association of acute improvement in left ventricular longitudinal function after transcatheter aortic valve implantation with outcomes for severe aortic stenosis and preserved ejection fraction.

Background: Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is reportedly a sensitive marker for early subtle abnormalities in left ventricular (LV) performance of asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF). For symptomatic patients with severe AS and preserved LVEF, however, the association of immediate improvement in GLS after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with long-term outcomes remains uncertain.

Methods: This study concerned 151 symptomatic patients with severe AS and preserved LVEF who had undergone TAVI.

Long-term Outcomes after Steroid Pulse Therapy in Patients with Type 1 Autoimmune Pancreatitis.

Objective Steroid pulse therapy is a regimen involving the intravenous administration of supra-pharmacological doses of corticosteroids in the short term. It is used to treat various inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. However, the strengths and limitations of steroid pulse therapy for induction of remission in type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) are unknown.

Viral Infection in Esophageal, Gastric, and Colorectal Cancer.

The human gastrointestinal tract, which constitutes the digestive system, contains a large number of virus particles that maintain organizational homeostasis and health. Conversely, viral pathogens have also attracted attention for their involvement in the pathogenesis of certain cancers, including gastrointestinal cancers. To aid prevention and treatment of these cancers, the relevance of gastrointestinal viral factors as potential risk factors needs to be carefully investigated.

Gel Immersion Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) for Superficial Nonampullary Duodenal Epithelial Tumors May Reduce Procedure Time Compared with Underwater EMR (with Video).

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in two municipal hospitals. We identified 24 patients with SNADETs of 3-18 mm in diameter who underwent UEMR or GIEMR. One lesion was excluded from the analysis because it was found to be in the stomach after surgery.

Characteristics of non-valvular atrial fibrillation with left atrial appendage thrombus who are undergoing appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy.

We investigated the characteristics of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and left atrial (LA) appendage (LAA) thrombus who had been given appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy. We studied 737 NVAF patients who were scheduled for catheter ablation or electrical cardioversion. All patients received appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy for at least 3 weeks prior to echocardiography in accordance with the guidelines.

Efficacy of single-balloon overtube for endoscopic submucosal dissection in the proximal colon: A propensity score-matched analysis.

Objectives: A single-balloon overtube (SBO) can improve poor scope operability during colonic endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). We aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of SBO for ESD in the proximal colon and the predictive factors for cases in which SBO is useful.

Methods: A total of 88 tumors located in the proximal colon resected by balloon-assisted ESD (BA-ESD) using SBO and 461 tumors resected by conventional ESD (C-ESD) between June 2015 and November 2020 were considered.

Association of left ventricular longitudinal myocardial function with subclinical right ventricular dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) involvement in diabetic cardiomyopathy has been reported; however, only limited data exist on right ventricular (RV) involvement. Therefore, our purpose was to investigate RV systolic dysfunction and its association with LV longitudinal myocardial dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods: We studied 177 T2DM patients with preserved LVEF and 79 age-, sex-, and LVEF-matched healthy volunteers.

Rescue balloon pulmonary angioplasty for life-threatening acute pulmonary embolism on chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients.

We report the cases of two patients with life-threatening acute pulmonary embolism (PE) on chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who were treated with rescue balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA). These cases highlight the effect of rescue BPA on acute PE on CTEPH, which requires veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Primary Small Intestinal Sarcomatoid Carcinoma: Report of a Rare Case and Literature Review.

Sarcomatoid carcinoma (SC) is a rare malignant tumor with properties of both epithelial and mesenchymal carcinomas. SC has been reported in various organs, but the number of reports for each type is small. Small intestinal tumors make up about 3-6% of gastrointestinal malignancies.

A giant Brunner gland hamartoma successfully treated by endoscopic excision followed by transanal retrieval: A case report.

Rationale: Brunner gland hamartoma (BGH) is a rare tumor of the duodenum. Although BGH is a benign tumor, larger lesion with gastrointestinal symptoms requires tumor removal. We report a giant BGH, successfully treated by endoscopic excision followed by transanal retrieval.

Optimal Cut-Off of Tricuspid Regurgitation Velocity According to the New Definition of Pulmonary Hypertension - Its Use in Predicting Pulmonary Hypertension.

The 6th World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension proposed that precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) be defined as mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) >20 mmHg instead of mPAP ≥25 mmHg. Peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV) >3.4 m/s is widely used to predict PH, but it is unclear whether this value remains reliable for the new definition of PH.

Assessment of oxygenation after balloon pulmonary angioplasty for patients with inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Background: The efficacy of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) in patients with inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension would be promising. However, some patients showed residual dyspnea or symptoms, despite normalized hemodynamics. We aimed to clarify the clinical impact of oxygenation parameters on BPA outcome.

Effect of educational lecture on the diagnostic accuracy of Japan NBI Expert Team classification for colorectal lesions.

Background: An educational and training program is required for generalization of Japan NBI Expert Team (JNET) classification. However, there is no detailed report on the learning curve of the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopists using JNET classification. We examined the effect of an educational lecture on beginners and less experienced endoscopists for improving their diagnostic accuracy of colorectal lesions by JNET classification.