Anti-integrin αvβ6 Antibodies Predict Pouchitis in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis After Restorative Proctocolectomy With Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis.

Background: Pouchitis is the most common complication of restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). We previously reported the presence of anti-integrin αvβ6 antibodies in the serum of patients with UC. This study investigated the association between anti-integrin αvβ6 antibodies and the development of pouchitis in patients with UC.

ELF3 suppresses gallbladder cancer development through downregulation of the EREG/EGFR/mTOR complex 1 signalling pathway.

The prognosis of gallbladder cancer (GBC) remains poor, and a better understanding of GBC molecular mechanisms is important. Genome sequencing of human GBC has demonstrated that loss-of-function mutations of E74-like ETS transcription factor 3 (ELF3) are frequently observed, with ELF3 considered to be a tumour suppressor in GBC. To clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms by which ELF3 suppresses GBC development, we performed in vivo analysis using a combination of autochthonous and allograft mouse models.

Anti-integrin αvβ6 autoantibodies in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Background: Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) possess autoantibodies against biliary epithelial cells. However, the target molecules remain unknown.

Methods: The sera of patients with PSC and controls were subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to detect autoantibodies using recombinant integrin proteins.

Exceptional Response of Pancreatic Acinar Cell Carcinoma and Bile Duct Cancer to Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in a Family With a Germline BRCA2 Variant.

Pancreatic cancer and its rare subtype, acinar cell carcinoma (PACC), frequently harbor germline and/or somatic variants in homologous recombinant genes, including BRCA2. Individuals possessing germline pathogenic BRCA2 variants are known to have a higher risk of developing various cancers, including breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and bile duct cancers (BDCs). It has been reported that tumors positive for BRCA1/2 variants are sensitive to platinum-based agents.

Context-Dependent Roles of Hes1 in the Adult Pancreas and Pancreatic Tumor Formation.

Background & Aims: The Notch signaling pathway is an important pathway in the adult pancreas and in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), with hairy and enhancer of split-1 (HES1) as the core molecule in this pathway. However, the roles of HES1 in the adult pancreas and PDAC formation remain controversial.

Methods: We used genetically engineered dual-recombinase mouse models for inducing Hes1 deletion under various conditions.

Toward the development of a vibrant, super-aged society: The future of medicine and society in Japan.

Background: As Japan's population continues to age, it is estimated that the number of people aged ≥75 years will exceed 20 million by 2025. Furthermore, over the past 10 years, we have not reduced the difference between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy. Therefore, the extension of healthy life expectancy and the development of a healthy society are the most urgent issues.

Reducing the risk of developing walled-off necrosis in patients with acute necrotic collection using recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin.

Background/purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possibility of reducing clinical impacts of acute necrotic collection (ANC) on patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) using recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rTM).

Methods: In this retrospective multicenter study, 233 consecutive AP patients with ANC and acute peripancreatic fluid collection (APFC) from 2012 to 2016 were enrolled. To assess clinical impacts of ANC, severity on admission (JPN score, JPN CT grade, and Modified CT severity index), development of walled-off necrosis (WON), imaging costs for follow-up, and mortality were recorded.

Review of Diagnostic Biomarkers in Autoimmune Pancreatitis: Where Are We Now?

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a pancreatic manifestation of an IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). AIP lacks disease-specific biomarkers, and therefore, it is difficult to distinguish AIP from malignancies, especially pancreatic cancer. In this review, we have summarized the latest findings on potential diagnostic biomarkers for AIP.

Characterization of genetically modified mice for phosphoglycerate mutase, a vitally-essential enzyme in glycolysis.

Glycolytic metabolism is closely involved in physiological homeostasis and pathophysiological states. Among glycolytic enzymes, phosphoglycerate mutase (PGAM) has been reported to exert certain physiological role in vitro, whereas its impact on glucose metabolism in vivo remains unclear. Here, we report the characterization of Pgam1 knockout mice.

Pathological Features and Imaging Findings in Pancreatic Carcinoma In Situ.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the pathological features and imaging findings of pancreatic carcinoma in situ (PCIS).

Methods: Twenty patients with PCIS were categorized as flat (F) (n = 6) and low papillary (LP) (n = 14) types.

Results: None of F type and 8 (57%) of 14 with LP type lesions showed intraductal infiltrations of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) greater than 10 mm.

Senescence research from historical theory to future clinical application.

Historically, the findings from cellular lifespan studies have greatly affected aging research. The discovery of replicative senescence by Hayflick developed into research on telomeres and telomerase, while stress-induced senescence became known as a telomere-independent event. Senescence-inducing signals comprise several tumor suppressors or cell cycle inhibitors, e.

Calcium-Binding Protein S100A4 Is Upregulated in Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques and Contributes to Expansive Remodeling.

Background Carotid plaques with expansive arterial remodeling are closely related to cerebral ischemic events. Although S100A4 (S100 calcium-binding protein A4) is expressed in atherosclerotic lesions, its role in atherosclerotic plaque progression remains unknown. In this study, we examined the association between carotid arterial expansive remodeling and S100A4 expression.

EP4 signalling is essential for controlling islet inflammation by causing a shift in macrophage polarization in obesity/type 2 diabetes.

Activation of the prostaglandin E receptor EP4 alters polarization of adipose tissue macrophages towards the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype to suppress chronic inflammation. However, the role of EP4 signalling in pancreatic macrophages that affect insulin secretion is unclear. We examined the role of EP4 signalling in islet inflammation in vitro and in vivo.