Angiopoietin-Like Protein 2 Expression in Tumor Cells Supports Tumor-Associated Macrophage-Induced Tumor Progression in Esophageal Cancer.

Background: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), a major component of the tumor microenvironment, play key roles in tumor formation and progression; however, mechanisms underlying TAM-induced tumor progression are complex and not well known. We previously reported that tumor cell-derived angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2) functions as a tumor promoter in some cancer contexts.

Methods: We examined ANGPTL2 expression in paraffin-embedded tumor samples from resected specimens of 221 patients with esophageal cancer.

Tumor stroma-derived ANGPTL2 potentiates immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy.

Use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) as cancer immunotherapy has advanced rapidly in the clinic. We recently reported that tumor stroma-derived angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2) has tumor suppressive activity by enhancing dendritic cell-mediated CD8 T cell anti-tumor immune responses. However, a direct impact of ANGPTL2 on ICI anti-tumor effect remains unclear.

Prognostic value of preoperative geriatric nutritional risk index in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma after hepatectomy: a single‑center retrospective cohort study.

Aim: Patients with malignant tumors are prone to develop nutritional disorders. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is a new prognostic indicator for assessing the nutritional status. This study was performed to evaluate whether the preoperative GNRI can serve as a prognostic factor in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) undergoing curative surgery.

Association of COVID-19 information media, providers, and content with vaccine uptake among Tokyo residents.

To elucidate appropriate ways to induce behavior that prevents the spread of infection, we examined the association between COVID-19 vaccination and COVID-19-related information after more than 85% of the population had been vaccinated. Nonprobability quota sampling was used to recruit 2000 Tokyo residents as participants. The association between previous vaccine uptake and how much people thought they were affected by each of nine media, seven providers, and four content types of information was assessed using an online survey form.

Patient vulnerability is associated with poor prognosis following upfront hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastasis.

Background: With the rapid aging of populations worldwide, the number of vulnerable patients with liver metastasis from colorectal cancer has increased. This study aimed to examine the association between vulnerability and clinical outcomes in patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM).

Methods: Consecutive 101 patients undergoing upfront hepatectomy for CRLM between 2004 and 2020 were included.

Perioperative disabilities in activities of daily living are associated with worse prognosis after hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastasis.

Background: The number of vulnerable patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) has increased. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between perioperative activities of daily living (ADL) and clinical outcomes after hepatectomy for CRLM.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing resection of CRLM from 2004 to 2020 were included.

ANGPTL2 promotes immune checkpoint inhibitor-related murine autoimmune myocarditis.

Use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) as cancer immunotherapy advances rapidly in the clinic. Despite their therapeutic benefits, ICIs can cause clinically significant immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including myocarditis. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating irAE remain unclear.

Operando ESR observation in thermally activated delayed fluorescent organic light-emitting diodes.

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) using thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials have advantages over OLEDs using conventional fluorescent materials or high-cost phosphorescent materials, including higher efficiency and lower cost. To attain further high device performance, clarifying internal charge states in OLEDs at a microscopic viewpoint is crucial; however, only a few such studies have been performed. Here, we report a microscopic investigation into internal charge states in OLEDs with a TADF material by electron spin resonance (ESR) at a molecular level.

Disability in perioperative activities of daily living is associated with worse survival outcomes following hepatic resection in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Aim: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a rare disease; however, its incidence and mortality are increasing worldwide. The rapid aging of populations around the world is leading to an increased number of patients with cancer who develop disability in activities of daily living (ADL). This study was conducted to investigate the associations of perioperative ADL with patient survival after hepatic resection for ICC.

Multimodal therapy with aggressive hepatectomy, everolimus, and octreotide for metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm enables 10-year survival.

The presence of neuroendocrine liver metastases is one of the poorest prognostic factors in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms, and surgical resection of neuroendocrine liver metastases is the only curable treatment. A 38-year-old man had a pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm with synchronous multiple liver metastases, and two surgeries and continuous everolimus and octreotide achieved R0 resection. However, multiple neuroendocrine liver metastases developed twice after more than 5 years of recurrence-free survival.

Tumor cell-derived ANGPTL2 promotes β-catenin-driven intestinal tumorigenesis.

Uncontrolled proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells caused by mutations in genes of the WNT/β-catenin pathway is associated with development of intestinal cancers. We previously reported that intestinal stromal cell-derived angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2) controls epithelial regeneration and intestinal immune responses. However, the role of tumor cell-derived ANGPTL2 in intestinal tumorigenesis remained unclear.

Clinical Features of Patients With Heart Failure After the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes.

Objective: Acute and chronic stress after severe earthquakes can contribute to cardiovascular events, including heart failure (HF). On April 14, 2016, magnitude 7 earthquakes occurred in the Aso region in the western part of Japan. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of HF in this area after these earthquakes.

Intra-abdominal bleeding caused by amyloid transthyretin amyloidosis in the gastrointestinal tract: a case report.

Diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) amyloidosis is often very difficult because of its nonspecific symptoms. However, a few reports have indicated that serious symptoms such as fatal GI bleeding and obstruction or perforation sometimes lead to a diagnosis of GI amyloidosis. A 79-year-old man was transported to our emergency department with a 1-week history of worsening abdominal pain.

Far-advanced Colorectal Liver Metastases Successfully Managed With Modified ALPPS and Radiofrequency Ablation in Combination With Chemotherapy.

Background: Large numbers of synchronous colorectal liver metastases are associated with poor prognosis.

Case Report: A 47-year-old male patient with rectal cancer and unresectable colorectal liver metastases (over 15 cm in diameter and over 30 metastases) was treated with a multidisciplinary treatment including systemic chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6/panitumumab and surgical therapies (colostomy, modified associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy together with radiofrequency ablation). For solitary recurrent colorectal liver metastases, percutaneous radiofrequency ablation with chemoembolization and open radiofrequency ablation in combination with the same systemic chemotherapy was performed.

Investigation of risk factors for postoperative seroma/hematoma after TAPP.

Background: Seroma/hematoma formation is the most common postoperative complication after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. The occurrence of seroma/hematoma remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for seroma/hematoma formation after transabdominal preperitoneal patch plasty (TAPP).

Cost-effectiveness of self-expandable metallic stents as bridge to surgery for obstructive colorectal cancer.

Aim: Self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement is an emergent decompression approach for patients with obstructive colorectal cancer, alongside drainage tube (DT) and emergency surgery (ES). Few reports have compared the health care cost of each treatment. We aimed to compare the efficacy of SEMS as a bridge to surgery (BTS), including health care costs during decompression and colorectal resection, with those of DT and ES.

Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Nerve Blocks Performed by Orthopedic Surgeons: A Retrospective, Multicenter Study in Akita Prefecture, Japan.

The shortage of doctors is a societal problem, especially in rural areas such as Akita Prefecture, Japan. Therefore, it is not unusual in Akita for orthopedic surgeons to perform upper and lower limb surgeries under ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks managed by the operators themselves. Multicenter studies of ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks performed by orthopedic surgeons have not been reported.

Patient Age and Long-term Survival in Colorectal Cancer Patients Who Undergo Emergency Surgery.

Background/aim: Emergency surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) is a high-risk procedure with high morbidity and mortality rates, especially for older patients. The relationship between patient age status and long-term outcomes is unclear. We hypothesize that patient age might be associated with long-term outcomes in patients with CRC who undergo emergency surgery.