Peptidoglycan induces CXCL10 production and inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma proliferation.

Poor oral health is an independent risk factor for upper-aerodigestive tract cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC); thus, good oral health may reduce the risk of ESCC. We previously reported that high expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 6, which recognizes peptidoglycan (PGN) from Gram-positive bacteria correlates with a good prognosis after esophagectomy for ESCC. Most beneficial bacteria in the mouth are Gram-positive.

Direct reinfusion of pericardial blood complications: A case of acute respiratory distress syndrome and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Background: Direct reinfusion of pericardial blood during cardiac surgery triggers a systemic inflammatory response. Although various inflammatory mediators have been identified as triggers, the role of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) remains poorly understood. Despite guidelines recommending against this practice owing to its harmful effects, it is sometimes used in emergencies.

Cubital vein access provides a practical alternative to internal jugular vein access for coronary sinus catheter placement.

Background: Insertion of electrode catheters into the coronary sinus (CS) through the right internal jugular vein (RIJV) carries risks of pneumothorax and severe hematoma formation. This study was performed to compare the safety and feasibility of catheterization through the left cubital superficial vein versus the RIJV.

Methods: This prospective nonrandomized study involved consecutive patients who underwent catheter ablation from September 2021 to February 2023.

An optimized approach for increasing lesion size in temperature-controled setting using a catheter with a surface thermocouple and efficient irrigation.

Background: We explore an optimized approach for increasing lesion size using a novel ablation catheter with a surface thermocouple and efficient irrigation in a temperature-control setting.

Methods: We conducted radiofrequency applications at various power levels (35 W, 40 W, and 45 W), contact forces (CFs, 10 g/20 g), and durations (60 s/120 s/180 s) in perpendicular/parallel catheter orientations, with normal saline irrigation (NS-irrigation) and Half NS-irrigation (HNS-irrigation) in an ex-vivo model (Step 1). In addition, we performed applications (35 W/40 W/45 W for 60 s/120 s/180 s in NS-irrigation and 35 W/40 W for 60 s/120 s/180 s in HNS-irrigation) in four swine (Step 2), evaluating lesion characteristics and the occurrence of steam pops.

Clinical practice for unspecified anxiety disorder in primary care.

Aim: Clinicians face difficulties in making treatment decisions for unspecified anxiety disorder due to the absence of any treatment guidelines. The objective of this study was to investigate how familiar and how often primary care physicians use pharmacological and nonpharmacological approaches to manage the disorder.

Methods: A survey was conducted among 117 primary care physicians in Japan who were asked to assess the familiarity of using each treatment option for unspecified anxiety disorder on a binary response scale (0 = "unfamiliar," 1 = "familiar") and the frequency on a nine-point Likert scale (1 = "never used," 9 = "frequently used").

Disproportionate cancer worries in ultra-short-segment Barrett's esophagus in Japan.

Objectives: Although Barrett's esophagus (BE), especially ultra-short-segment BE (USSBE), is very frequently diagnosed in Japan, how subjects feel about receiving a diagnosis of BE is unclear. We therefore prospectively investigated cancer worry in subjects who received a BE diagnosis.

Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were sent to subjects who were diagnosed with BE at three health checkup institutes in Akita Prefecture, Japan.

An approach for live imaging of first cleavage in mouse embryos using fluorescent chemical probes for DNA, microtubules, and microfilaments.

Purpose: Dynamic morphological changes in the chromosome and cytoskeleton occur in mammals and humans during early embryonic development, and abnormalities such as embryonic chromosomal aneuploidy occur when development does not proceed normally. Visualization of the intracellular organelles and cytoskeleton allows elucidation of the development of early mammalian embryos. The behavior of the DNA and cytoskeleton in early mammalian embryos has conventionally been observed by injecting target molecule mRNAs, incorporating a fluorescent substance-expressing gene, into embryos.

Successful treatment of lead-related superior vena cava syndrome in combination with transvenous lead extraction and venous stenting.

We experienced a case of lead-related SVC syndrome, which was successfully treated using unique transvenous lead extraction technique and endovascular stenting. This case also suggests that intravascular ultrasound facilitates decision-making on whether the interventionist should perform TLE alone or add stenting in case of a lead-related venous obstruction.

Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by Otsujito.

Background: Kampo prescriptions can cause drug-induced lung injury (DLI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, severe respiratory failure induced by Otsujito (OJT) is extremely rare. High-dose steroid pulse therapy is generally given to patients with severe DLI.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of endoscopy in the Tohoku region of Japan.

Objectives: The whole picture of the disturbance in endoscopy performance caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Japan remains to be clarified. Therefore, the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society-Tohoku conducted this questionnaire survey in Tohoku region of Japan.

Methods: A questionnaire on the number of diagnostic endoscopy procedures and resulting diagnosed cancers in 2019 and 2020 was sent to all guidance/guidance cooperation hospitals in the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society who worked in the Tohoku region.

Complete remission of brain metastases in renal cell carcinoma treated with axitinib after failure with nivolumab and ipilimumab treatment.

Introduction: Complete remission of cerebral metastasis is a rare consequence of tyrosine kinase inhibitor monotherapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Case Presentation: A 68-year-old woman, who presented with dyspnea, was diagnosed with left renal cell carcinoma with multiple brain and pleural metastases. Although nivolumab and ipilimumab combination treatment was initiated, it was discontinued because of an immune-related adverse event.

Prognostic impact of proton pump inhibitors for immunotherapy in advanced urothelial carcinoma.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of the concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and/or antibiotics (Abs) on oncological outcomes in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 155 patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma who were treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) between August 2015 and April 2021. The concomitant use of PPI or Abs was defined as any PPI or Abs administered within 30 days before ICI initiation and during ICI therapy.

Altering phosphoinositides in high-fat diet-associated prostate tumor xenograft growth.

The metabolic reprogramming of phospholipids may affect intracellular signal transduction pathways. A high-fat diet (HFD) is attributed to prostate cancer (PCa) progression, but the expression pattern and role of phospholipids in HFD-mediated PCa progression remains unclear. In this study, HFD enhanced LNCaP xenograft tumor growth by upregulating the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway.

Lead dislodgement after a very long-term period of cardiac implantable electronic device implantation.

A 74-year-old man was admitted for a second replacement of a transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) generator at 15 years after implantation. Postoperatively, electrocardiographic monitoring showed atrial lead malfunction. Chest X-ray revealed that the tip of the active fixation atrial lead was dislocated.

Cumulative live birth rate according to the number of receiving governmental subsidies for assisted reproductive technology in Saitama Prefecture, Japan: A retrospective study using individual data for governmental subsidies.

Purpose: We investigated the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) in women receiving governmental subsidies for assisted reproductive technology (ART) in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.

Methods: Women who applied for subsidies from Saitama Prefectural Government for the first time in 2016 were enrolled and followed up until the end of 2017. Treatment information, including live birth, was obtained from the Japanese ART registry by linking it with unique identification numbers for treatment.

Consistency between chromosomal status analysis of biopsied human blastocyst trophectoderm cells and whole blastocyst cells.

Purpose: This study investigated the consistency between results of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy performed on trophectoderm (TE) cells and remaining blastocyst cells.

Methods: TE biopsy was performed on 29 surplus cryopreserved human blastocysts. Biopsy samples and remaining blastocysts were processed using the VeriSeq PGS kit, and chromosomal statuses were compared by next-generation sequencing.