Impact of the relationship between renal pedicles and tumors on surgical outcomes for non-high-risk abdominal neuroblastoma.

Purpose: To assess the impact of the relationship between renal pedicles and tumors on surgical outcomes in patients with non-high-risk abdominal neuroblastoma.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed cases of neuroblastoma without metastasis treated at our hospital between March 2002 and December 2023. Cases in which surgical resection was performed were divided into three groups according to imaging findings at the time of diagnosis and before surgery: Group E (tumor encasing renal pedicles), Group C (tumor in contact with renal pedicles), and Group S (tumor separated from renal pedicles).

A cellulose synthase-like protein governs the biosynthesis of alkaloids.

Decades of research on the infamous antinutritional steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) in Solanaceae plants have provided deep insights into their metabolism and roles. However, engineering SGAs in heterologous hosts has remained a challenge. We discovered that a protein evolved from the machinery involved in building plant cell walls is the crucial link in the biosynthesis of SGAs.

Development of a Ru-porphyrin-based supramolecular framework catalyst for styrene epoxidation.

A new microporous supramolecular-framework Ru(II)-porphyrin catalyst containing non-covalent interactions between pyrenylphenyl moieties at the -position of the porphyrin ring is synthesised and structurally characterised. This recyclable catalyst expedites styrene epoxidation more efficiently than homogeneous Ru-porphyrin catalytic systems.

Nationwide questionnaire survey on pediatric pancreatic tumors in Japan.

Background: Pediatric pancreatic tumors are rare and account for < 0.1% of all childhood cancers. The primary treatment for pancreatic tumors is surgical resection.

Prognostic value of systemic inflammation score in patients with esophageal cancer.

Introduction: The systemic inflammatory score (SIS), a new inflammatory marker based on a combination of the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) and serum albumin concentration, has been reported to be a useful prognostic marker for several malignancies. The authors conducted this retrospective study on data from a cohort of esophageal cancer patients undergoing potentially curative resection to clarify the value of SIS as a prognostic marker for clinical outcome in this population.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 32 patients who underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for esophageal cancer between January 2016 and December 2019.

Incarceration of a part of the gastric wall into the abdominal cavity in a patient with hiatal hernia and complete dislocation of the stomach (upside-down stomach).

An upside-down stomach is a rare type of hiatal hernia. An 83-year-old woman presented to the emergency room with abdominal pain and vomiting. Computed tomography revealed an upside-down stomach and the incarceration of a part of the gastric body into the abdominal cavity.

A case of adrenal metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration.

An 82-year-old man had been treated for lung adenocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Contrast-enhanced computed tomography examination showed swelling of the left adrenal gland, suggesting metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma, HCC, or primary adrenal tumor. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) was performed for the pathological diagnosis, and adrenal metastasis of HCC was diagnosed.

Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Esophagus Treated with Surgical Resection at an Early Stage.

Introduction: Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is a very rare disease with a poor prognosis. We herein report a patient with primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus who underwent surgical resection.

Case Presentation: A 73-year-old female underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy during follow-up for colonic diverticulitis.

Temporal evolution of postsurgical bone repair in a rabbit model: A [99mTc]Tc-MDP scintigraphic study.

Bone regeneration is crucial for repairing bone tissue following various injuries. Research techniques that enable the study of metabolic changes in bone tissue under different conditions are important for understanding bone repair and remodeling. This study used bone scintigraphy to evaluate osteogenesis secondary to osteotomy in a preclinical model of New Zealand rabbits.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Caused by a Juxta-articular Myxoma: A Case Report.

Juxta-articular myxoma (JAM) is a rare soft tissue tumour predominantly composed of mucinous tissue and usually found around large joints. We report a 73-year-old woman with a 5-year history of a soft tissue mass in the thenar eminence of the right wrist who presented to our department. An initial diagnosis of a ganglion cyst was made using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the jellied content of the mass by aspiration.

Treatment of Symptomatic Os Supranaviculare in Athletes.

Background: Although the incidence of os supranaviculare (OSSN) is generally low, symptomatic OSSN affects athletes. The aim of this study was to assess the variations of OSSN and the results of osteosynthesis between the OSSN and the navicular bone.

Methods: Eleven feet of 10 elite athletes with symptomatic OSSN were treated.

High serum alpha-fetoprotein and positive immunohistochemistry of alpha-fetoprotein are related to poor prognosis of gastric cancer with liver metastasis.

Liver metastasis in gastric cancer is incurable. Alpha-fetoprotein-producing gastric cancer has a poor prognosis and is prone to liver metastasis. We investigated the association between preoperative serum alpha-fetoprotein levels, liver metastasis, and expression of primitive enterocyte phenotype markers.

Practical use of the central venous access port for contrast-enhanced CT: comparison with peripheral intravenous access regarding enhancement and safety.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of using the central venous (CV) port compared with peripheral intravenous access for contrast-material injection for contrast enhancement during the portal venous phase.

Materials And Methods: Patients were divided into three groups: CV delay, CV routine, and peripheral access (PA) groups. Patients in the CV delay group underwent injection in the arm-down position with an additional delay, while those in the CV routine and PA groups underwent injections with the routine injection protocol for portal venous phase imaging.

Performance of the Assays for Hepatitis B Virus DNA using the μTASWako g1 in Comparison with the COBAS TaqMan Test.

Background: The quantification of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA is used to monitor antiviral treatment for HBV infection. Recently, an HBV-DNA quantification reagent and assay protocol have been developed for the µTASWako g1 (Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Corporation, Osaka, Japan), a fully automated genetic analyzer that uses PCR-capillary electrophoresis. We evaluated the performance of the newly developed µTASWako HBV-DNA assay using standard and clinical samples.

Laparoscopic-assisted treatment for diospyrobezoar-induced intestinal obstruction after distal gastrectomy and cholecystectomy.

Diospyrobezoar is a relatively uncommon cause of small bowel obstruction. Here we report successful treatment in a patient with small bowel obstruction due to diospyrobezoar by laparoscopic-assisted surgery. A 93-year-old woman who had undergone distal gastrectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy presented with nausea and anorexia.

A Case of Successful Endoscopic Extraction of Common Bile Duct Stones After Closing a Duodenal Perforation Using Over-The-Scope Clip.

A 57-year-old man visited our hospital for acute cholangitis due to common bile duct (CBD) stones in March 2021. Biliary stenting was performed without any complications. The cholangitis improved rapidly.