Association Between -24C>T and Nab-Paclitaxel-induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Japanese Patients With Pancreatic Cancer.

Background/aim: Nab-paclitaxel is used to treat patients with pancreatic cancer. However, it frequently induces peripheral neuropathy. Notably, pharmacokinetic factors may be associated with neuropathic symptoms as the onset depends on the cumulative dose.

Development of a method for the simultaneous determination of ionic nutrients in hydroponic solutions using cation-/anion-exchange chromatography with a neutral eluent.

Nutrient availability in hydroponic solutions must be accurately monitored to maintain crop productivity; however, few cost-effective, accurate, real-time, and long-term monitoring technologies have been developed. In this study, we describe the development and application of cation-/anion-exchange chromatography with a neutral eluent (20-mmol/L sodium formate, pH 7.87) for the simultaneous separation (within 50 min) of ionic nutrients, including K+, NH4+, NO2-, NO3-, and phosphate ion, in a hydroponic fertilizer solution.

Hemostasis using a covered self-expandable metal stent for pseudoaneurysm bleeding from the perihilar bile duct.

Although there are many reports of hemostasis with covered self-expandable metal stent (CSEMS) for bleeding from the papilla of Vater and the intrapapillary and distal bile duct, there are rare reports of its use for hemostasis in the perihilar bile duct. We report the case of a patient undergoing supportive care for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma with acute cholecystitis after side-by-side placement of uncovered SEMS for perihilar bile duct obstruction. Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder aspiration was performed upon admission, and hematemesis occurred the next day.

Primary endoscopic bile duct stone removal for severe acute cholangitis: a retrospective study.

Introduction: While the Tokyo Guidelines 2018 suggest primary stone removal for mild to moderate cholangitis, a guideline for severe acute cholangitis is not mentioned. We, therefore, investigated the clinical outcomes of patients with severe acute cholangitis to confirm the usefulness and safety of primary stone removal.

Method: This study included 104 severe acute cholangitis patients without gallstone pancreatitis diagnosed at our institution between January 2014 and December 2020.

Slow deformation event between large intraslab earthquakes at the Tonga Trench.

Slow deformations associated with a subducting slab can affect quasi-static displacements and seismicity over a wide range of depths. Here, we analyse the seismotectonic activities in the Tonga subduction zone, which is the world's most active area with regard to deep earthquakes. In our study, we combine data from global navigation satellite systems with an earthquake catalogue.

Prediction of the progression of walled-off necrosis in patients with acute pancreatitis on whole pancreatic perfusion CT.

Background/purpose: This study investigated whether measuring pancreatic blood volume (PBV) on whole pancreatic perfusion computed tomography (P-CT) can predict the progression of walled-off necrosis (WON) in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP).

Methods: A single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted between December 2015 and December 2016. The participants were divided into two groups: 14 patients with WON and 15 patients without WON.

Endoscopic side-by-side uncovered self-expandable metal stent placement for malignant hilar biliary obstruction.

Aim: To investigate outcomes of endoscopic bilateral side-by-side placement across the papilla using 10-mm-diameter uncovered self-expandable metal stents for unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 23 patients who underwent endoscopic biliary uncovered self-expandable metal stent placement for unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction between January 2015 and September 2016 at our institution. We performed endoscopic side-by-side placement across the papilla using 10-mm-diameter longer-model uncovered self-expandable metal stents.

Safety of endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients undergoing antithrombotic treatment: a retrospective study.

Background: This study investigated the safety of endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients undergoing antithrombotic treatment.

Methods: From January 2014 to December 2016, a single-center retrospective study was conducted. Of the 80 patients with naïve papilla receiving antithrombotic treatment who underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy, 76 patients were retrospectively analyzed.

Severe Acute Pancreatitis with Candida Endophthalmitis.

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a risk factor for candidemia. We report a case of candida endophthalmitis in a 67-year-old man who was admitted to a hospital due to SAP with poorly controlled diabetes. After treatment for SAP, he was diagnosed with candidemia and candida endophthalmitis.

Side-by-side partially covered self-expandable metal stent placement for malignant hilar biliary obstruction.

Background And Study Aims:  This study investigated the feasibility of side-by-side (SBS) partially covered self-expandable metal stent (PCSEMS) placement for unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO).

Patients And Methods:  We retrospectively analyzed 33 patients from a single center who underwent endoscopic biliary drainage for unresectable MHBO from July 2013 to June 2015. In all patients with bilateral obstruction during complete bilateral intrahepatic cholangiograms, we performed endoscopic SBS placement of a 6-mm diameter PCSEMS using an 8-French delivery system.

Feasibility of initial endoscopic common bile duct stone removal in patients with acute cholangitis.

Aim: To investigate the feasibility of initial endoscopic common bile duct (CBD) stone removal in patients with acute cholangitis (AC).

Methods: A single-center, retrospective study was conducted between April 2013 and December 2014 and was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee at our institution. Written informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to the procedure.

Observation of Earth's free oscillation by dense GPS array: after the 2011 Tohoku megathrust earthquake.

Day-scale Earth's free oscillation after large earthquakes has been detected by underground instruments such as strainmeters, gravimeters and seismometers, to investigate Earth's internal structure, geodynamics, and source properties of earthquakes. Here we show that Global Positioning System (GPS) can also detect the signals of the Earth's free oscillation. A dense GPS array in Japan (GEONET) recorded the surface deformation following the 2011 Tohoku megathrust earthquake.