Development of Deep Learning-Based Virtual Lugol Chromoendoscopy for Superficial Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Lugol chromoendoscopy has been shown to increase the sensitivity of detection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We aimed to develop a deep learning-based virtual lugol chromoendoscopy (V-LCE) method.

Methods: We developed still V-LCE images for superficial ESCC using a cycle-consistent generative adversarial network (CycleGAN).

The Apparent Lack of the Risk of Intussusception Immediately After Rotavirus Vaccination Among Japanese Infants.

Rotavirus vaccines carry a small risk of intussusception mainly 1-7 days after vaccination in the United States of America, Europe, Australia, and Latin America where the background rate of intussusception is relatively low. Such risks are undetectable in Africa and India where the background rate is the lowest. Because few studies were carried out in high-background-rate countries such as Japan, we examined how intussusception occurred in infants living in Akita prefecture, Japan, while the vaccines were sold in the private market.

Effect of Acridine Orange and Zoledronic Acid on Bone Metastasis in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Background/aim: The increasing incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its associated bone metastasis pose challenges in surgical interventions, warranting the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of hematogenously administering acridine orange (AO) alone and in combination with zoledronic acid (ZA) on bone metastasis in RCC.

Materials And Methods: RENCA cells (1.

Overexposure to venetoclax is associated with prolonged-duration of neutropenia during venetoclax and azacitidine therapy in Japanese patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Purpose: An observational study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of venetoclax and its impact on the efficacy and safety for Japanese patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated with venetoclax and azacitidine therapy.

Methods: The association between the plasma concentration, after the first cycle of azacitidine and venetoclax therapy, and the efficacy and safety was evaluated in 33 patients with untreated or relapsed/refractory AML.

Results: Full dose of venetoclax was administered to all patients.

Efficacy of Cricoid Pressure Application during Esophagogastroduodenoscopy in Patients with Poor Gastric Wall Extension.

Introduction: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) requires adequate air infusion. However, cases of poor gastrointestinal wall extension due to frequent eructation have been reported. Sufficient gastrointestinal wall extension can be achieved by applying cricoid pressure during EGD.

Development of a New Focal Mouse Model of Bone Metastasis in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Background/aim: Developing animal models of bone metastasis in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is challenging as immunodeficient mice are required. The aim of this study was to develop a simple immune model of RCC bone metastasis.

Materials And Methods: RENCA tumor cells were injected into the right femurs of BALB/c mice.

Eradication Does Not Adversely Affect the Clinical Course of Gastric Cancer: A Multicenter Study on Screening Endoscopic Examination in Japan.

Background: Since gastric cancers (GCs) detected after () eradication present with different morphological characteristics from conventional -positive GCs, delayed detection of early-stage GCs may be observed. This study aimed to investigate the clinical impact of eradication on diagnosing GC during screening endoscopy.

Methods: Eleven health checkup institutions in Japan participated in the present study.

Diagnostic performance of deep-learning-based virtual chromoendoscopy in gastric neoplasms.

Backgrounds: Cycle-consistent generative adversarial network (CycleGAN) is a deep neural network model that performs image-to-image translations. We generated virtual indigo carmine (IC) chromoendoscopy images of gastric neoplasms using CycleGAN and compared their diagnostic performance with that of white light endoscopy (WLE).

Methods: WLE and IC images of 176 patients with gastric neoplasms who underwent endoscopic resection were obtained.

A Comparison of Hidden Blood Loss Between Multilevel Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion and Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Adult Spinal Deformity Patients.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare transfusion and blood loss volumes, particularly hidden blood loss volume, in adult spinal deformity patients undergoing lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). Corrective surgery for adults with spinal deformity patients can be performed via the traditional posterior approach (PLIF) or minimally invasive lateral approach (LLIF).

Distribution of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is closely associated with HPV status and uterine position.

Although cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) lesions are considered to be not randomly distributed across the cervix, but predominantly in the anterior wall, the clinicopathological etiology remains unknown. Herein, we aimed to elucidate the relationship between quantitatively measured area of CIN2/3 and cervical cancer associated factors by retrospective cohort study. We analyzed 235 consecutive therapeutic conization specimens dissected as a single intact section to determine CIN2/3 area and its correlation with both clinical risk factors including human papillomavirus (HPV) status (single or multiple infection) and uterine position defined by transvaginal ultrasound.

Feasibility of methotrexate discontinuation following tocilizumab and methotrexate combination therapy in patients with long-standing and advanced rheumatoid arthritis: a 3-year observational cohort study.

Objectives: Methotrexate (MTX) is associated with extensive side effects, including myelosuppression, interstitial pneumonia, and infection. It is, therefore, critical to establish whether its administration is required after achieving remission with tocilizumab (TCZ) and MTX combination therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, the aim of this multicenter, observational, cohort study was to evaluate the feasibility of MTX discontinuation for the safety of these patients.

Treatment with vonoprazan for 3 weeks is not inferior to 8 weeks for the management of gastric ESD: a multicenter noninferiority randomized study.

Background: Vonoprazan, a potassium-competitive acid blocker (VPZ), significantly reduces postoperative bleeding after gastric ESD; however, there is no consensus on the appropriate treatment duration. We conducted a randomized controlled study to demonstrate that the 3-week administration of VPZ is not inferior to the 8-week administration for ulcer healing.

Methods: This is a prospective, open-label multicenter randomized controlled trial.

A Follow-up Report on the Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Cancer during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Akita Prefecture, Japan in 2021.

We recently reported the decrease in the number of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer diagnoses in 2020 due to disturbance of the healthcare system by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, using a hospital-based cancer registration system in Akita prefecture, Japan. In this study, we extended the research by showing the latest data (2021) on the number of cancers and examinations. Information on the occurrence and stage of esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers was collected from the same database.

Comparison of complete resection rates in cold snare polypectomy using two different wire diameter snares: A randomized controlled study.

Background And Aim: Cold snare polypectomy (CSP) is a standard treatment for small colorectal polyps. This study examined the effect of different snare wire diameters on complete histological resection rate, resection depth, and CSP safety.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at two institutions between June 2019 and March 2021.

Characteristics, Antithrombotic Patterns, and Prognostic Outcomes in Claudication and Critical Limb-Threatening Ischemia Undergoing Endovascular Therapy.

Purpose: The underlying difference between intermittent claudication (IC) and critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) still remains unclear. This prospective multicenter observational study aimed to clarify differences in clinical features and prognostic outcomes between IC and CLTI, and prognostic factors in patients undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT).

Materials And Methods: A total of 692 patients with 808 limbs were enrolled from 20 institutions in Japan.

High baseline total lesion glycolysis predicts early progression of disease within 24 months in patients with high-tumor-burden follicular lymphoma.

Despite the introduction of rituximab-containing regimens, approximately 20% of patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) still experience progression of disease within 24 months (POD24) and have poor overall survival. Therefore, a more accurate risk assessment tool is required. We investigated the predictive value of two new volume-based parameters determined from baseline 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), baseline total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG), in 45 patients with high-tumor-burden FL who underwent baseline PET/CT.