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Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been shown to be effective and safe in preventing pulmonary embolism recurrence. In this single-center retrospective observational study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of reduced-dose DOACs in 86 consecutive patients with acute pulmonary embolism. Patients were divided into standard-dose and reduced-dose DOACs groups. Initial clot volume did not significantly differ between the two groups (standard-dose DOACs vs. reduced-dose DOACs, 18.8 [Q1–Q3 7.3–30.8] mL vs. 10.0 [Q1–Q3 3.2–27.9] mL, p = 0.1). Follow-up computed tomography (CT) within 30 days showed a higher rate of clot volume reduction or disappearance in the standard-dose group compared to the reduced-dose group (standard-dose DOACs vs. reduced-dose DOACs, 81.6% vs. 53.9%, p = 0.02). However, at the final follow-up CT, there was no significant difference in clot volume change between the two groups (standard-dose DOACs vs. reduced-dose DOACs, 91.5% vs. 82.0%, p = 0.19). Major bleeding occurred in two patients in the standard-dose group (4.3%) and three patients in the reduced-dose DOACs group (7.7%) (p = 0.5). In conclusion, while standard-dose DOACs demonstrated superior efficacy in early clot reduction, reduced doses of apixaban and edoxaban showed comparable efficacy and safety profiles in long-term treatment of acute pulmonary embolism in certain patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NEXT [NOBORI biolimus-eluting stent (BES) versus XIENCE/PROMUS everolimus-eluting stent (EES) trial] was a multicenter, randomized, prospective trial that included 3235 patients with 8–12 months of follow-up imaging at 18 centers. IB-IVUS images were analyzed at an interval of 0.5 mm using a motorized pull-back system in each plaque that required stent implantation. We analyzed seven cross-sections at the site of minimal lumen area and ten cross-sections in proximal and distal peripheral sites prior to the procedure, after stent implantation and after 8 months. We averaged the relative blue volume, relative green volume, relative yellow volume, and relative red volume across seven cross-sections using the manufacturer’s default setting. Fifty-four lesions in 50 patients were analyzed. There were 28 lesions in 25 patients in the EES group and 26 lesions in 25 patients in the BES group. The patient characteristics did not differ significantly between the two groups except high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. There were no significant differences before and after stent implantation after 8 months in relative red volume, relative yellow volume, relative green volume or relative blue volume. Although the present study was likely underpowered for statistical analyses and larger populations are needed to confirm the conclusions, the vascular response regarding tissue characterization was similar between EES and BES, even though the thickness and releasing materials differed between the stents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided biliary drainage (BD) is a well-recognized alternative BD method after unsuccessful endoscopic transpapillary drainage. EUSguided hepaticogastrostomy (HGS) with antegrade stenting (AGS) was recently applied to the treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice. Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of HGS combined with AGS for treatment of malignant biliary stricture-induced obstructive jaundice. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Single academic tertiary care center. Patients: From January 2006 to December 2014, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was attempted in patients with obstructive jaundice; it was successful in 641 patients and impossible in 154 patients (postsurgically altered anatomy or duodenal stenosis, n = 101; difficult cannulation, n = 53). In total, 145 patients underwent EUS-guided BD; HGS and HGS with AGS were attempted in 42 patients (Group A, January 2006-August 2011) and 37 patients (Group B, September 2011-December 2014), respectively. Interventions: Under EUS and fluoroscopy guidance, HGS and HGS with AGS were performed via needle puncture, guidewire insertion, puncture-hole dilation, and stent placement. Main Outcome Measurements: Groups A and B were compared in terms of technical success, functional success, adverse event rates, re-intervention rates, patient survival time, and time to stent dysfunction or patient death. The two groups were also compared in a subgroup analysis of only 28 patients who underwent chemotherapy. Results: The technical success rate was significantly higher in Group A than B (97.6 vs. 83.8%, p = 0.03). The functional success rate was comparable between the two groups (90.2 vs. 90.3%), although the rate of adverse events was significantly higher in Group A than B (26.1 vs. 10.8%, p = 0.03). The re-intervention rate tended to be higher in Group A than B (16.7 vs. 8.1%, p = 0.25). Groups A and B did not differ significantly in terms of median overall patient survival (75 vs. 61 days, p = 0.70) or median time to stent dysfunction or patient death (68 vs. 63 days, p = 0.08). Among patients who underwent chemotherapy, there was no difference in overall patient survival time between the two groups (121 vs. 157 days, p = 0.08), although time to stent dysfunction or patient death was significantly shorter in Group A than B (71 vs. 95 days, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Although the technical success rate of HGS with AGS was lower than that of HGS, HGS with AGS was superior to HGS in terms of adverse event rate and stent patency in patients receiving chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The histopathological characteristics of the overlapping disease states of Brugada syndrome (BrS) and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) have not been fully elucidated. Methods: A 71‐year‐old man showed coved‐type ST‐segment elevation with the right precordial leads, and the echocardiography demonstrated right ventricular (RV) dilatation. After 11 months, he died of a polymorphic VT storm. Results: The pathological tissue demonstrated fibrofatty degeneration in the free wall of the RV outflow tract based on the heart autopsy. Conclusion: The overlapping disease states of BrS and ARVC showed histopathological characteristics consistent with ARVC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A stochastic Liouville–von Neumann approach to solving a spin-boson model is applied to electronic energy transfer in Fenna–Matthews–Olson (FMO) complexes as a case study of the dynamics in biological systems. We modify a noise generation method to treat an experimentally obtained highly structured spectral density. By considering the population dynamics in a two-site system with a model structured spectral density, we numerically observe two kinds of coherent motions associated with inter-site coupling and system–bath coupling, the latter of which is mainly attributed to the peak structure of the spectral density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: Prostacyclin (PGI2) is a potent ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) that regulates cell growth and differentiation. The aim of this study was to elucidate how endogenous PGI2 overexpression affects the expressions of PPARδ and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the development of neointimal formation in experimental angioplasty with adenovirus-mediated PGI2 synthase (Ad-PGIS) gene transfer. Methods and results: In human aortic smooth muscle cells, protein blotting analysis showed that PGI2 overproduction decreased the levels of phosphorylated p38 MAPK (P-p38 MAPK) (2.0-fold versus 0.83-fold relative to control). Immunohistochemical analysis in balloon-injured arteries revealed diffuse expression of PPARδ in the neointima of control vessels, with no expression in uninjured vessels. The level of PPARδ expression was lower in Ad-PGIS-treated arteries than in control vessels, with the PPARδ localized in the neointima adjacent to endothelium. Staining of P-p38 MAPK showed a similar pattern to PPARδ among the three groups. Morphometric analysis at day 14 revealed that Ad-PGIS reduced the intima-to-media ratio by up to 59%. Conclusions: Ad-PGIS gene transfer reduced PPARδ expression and inhibited neointimal formation after balloon injury in accordance with the reduction in the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The oxygen isotopic distribution in an amoeboid olivine aggregate (AOA), TTA1-02, from the Allende CV3 chondrite has been determined by secondary ion mass spectrometry. The irregular shaped TTA1- 02 (5×3mm) consists mostly of olivine grains of ca. 5μm in diameter. Olivine grains of Mg-rich (Fo95) and Fe-rich (Fo60) composition are in direct contact with each other, with a sharp compositional boundary. Oxygen isotopic compositions of Fe-rich olivine grains are 16O-poor (Δ17O ≅ −5‰), whereas Mg-rich olivine is 16O-rich (Δ17O ≅ −25‰). Several Al-rich inclusions (

Classical transplantation experiments with various amphibian tissues have shown that tooth development requires not only oral ectoderm and neural crest but also foregut endoderm. In addition, histological observation of oral membrane showed that the tooth germs are initiated in some ectodermal cells and neural crest cells adjacent to foregut endoderm. These studies suggest that tooth initiation requires the presence and cooperation of these three components. In mammals, however, there is no direct evidence that tooth formation is involved in the region of oral ectoderm adjacent to foregut endoderm. In order to elucidate the contribution of foregut endoderm to tooth formation, we established a new type of endodermal cell tracing system with a recombinant adenovirus called Adex-lacZ, and performed endodermal cell tracing in a long-term culture system. Cells labelled with Adex-lacZ were seen next to non-labelled thickening epithelium, presumptive incisor epithelium. These findings show the first direct evidence in mammals that tooth formation takes place in the specified part of oral ectoderm adjacent to foregut endoderm, suggesting that foregut endoderm plays a role in tooth initiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early recurrence of atrial arrhythmia (ERAA) after ablation frequently occurs, but there is limited evidence about ERAA-timing. This study aimed to investigate the association between ERAA-timing and late recurrence. We retrospectively investigated 332 patients who underwent PVI for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation at Nagoya University Hospital and Komaki City Hospital. Seventy-six patients (23%) had ERAA. The cutoff value of the first ERAA for late recurrence was set as 3 days, with a specificity of 77% and sensitivity of 43%. On multivariate analysis, first ERAA beyond 3 days (hazard ratio, 2.477; 95% confidence interval, 1.168–5.25; p = 0.018) and large left atrial diameter (LAD) (hazard ratio, 1.101; 95% confidence interval, 1.024–1.184; p = 0.009) were independent predictors for late recurrence. Patients who had first ERAA within 3 days and no ERAA beyond 3 days showed a significantly higher recurrence–free rate than those who had first ERAA beyond 3 days and those who had ERAA both within 3 days and beyond 3 days (89% versus 39%, 44%; p < 0.001). Moreover, the patients with ERAA within 3 days and LAD ≤ 37.7 mm showed a significantly higher recurrence–free rate than those with ERAA beyond 3 days and LAD > 37.7 mm, and as compared with the other patients (100% versus 26% and 60%, respectively; p < 0.001). ERAA beyond 3 days after ablation was a predictor for late recurrence. Among patients with ERAA, those with ERAA within 3 days and smaller LAD showed favorable prognosis after ablation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red dichromatic imaging (RDI) was recently developed to address this difficulty [3]; it improves recognition of the bleeding points and enables safe hemostasis while reducing the psychological stress on the endoscopist. All procedures including submucosal injection, circumferential mucosal incision, submucosal dissection, and postresection hemostasis were performed in RDI mode. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disorder characterized by multiple fibrotic strictures of the bile duct. More than 40% of deaths in PSC patients are related to malignant tumors, including cholangiocarcinoma. Primary hepatic adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) is a rare subtype of cholangiocarcinoma containing adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) components, with a poorer prognosis than other cholangiocarcinomas. We report the first case of a hepatic ASC in a patient with PSC. Case Report: A 28-year-old man was referred for diagnosis and treatment of a liver abscess suspected by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). He had a history of ulcerative colitis and PSC. Abdominal CE-CT revealed a 60-mm-diameter ring-shaped mass with central necrosis in the left lobe. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a poorly circumscribed low-signal-intensity mass in T1-weighted imaging and a high-signalintensity mass with a scattered low-signal-intensity area in T2-weighted imaging. Abdominal ultrasonography showed a hypoechoic component with a diffuse hyperechoic area in the tumor. Ultrasound-guided biopsy and histological examination showed tumor cells with both squamous and glandular differentiation. Left lobectomy was performed. Microscopic examination revealed 2 components, including moderately differentiated AC and well-differentiated SCC. The final diagnosis was hepatic ASC. Conclusion: This is the first reported case of hepatic ASC in a patient with PSC. Patients with PSC should be recognized as being at a risk of not only general cholangiocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and metastatic liver tumor, but also ASC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study evaluated the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN) in combination with EUS-guided celiac ganglia neurolysis (EUS-CGN) for pancreatic cancer-associated pain. Methods: This multicenter prospective trial was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN000031228). Fifty-one consecutive patients with pancreatic cancer-associated pain who presented at one of five Japanese referral centers between February 2018 and March 2021 were enrolled. EUS-CGN was added in cases of visible celiac ganglia. The primary endpoint was effectiveness, defined as a decrease in the numerical rating scale (NRS) by ≥ 3 points. NRS data were prospectively acquired at 1 week after the procedure to evaluate its effectiveness and the extent of pain relief. Results: The technical success rates of EUS-CPN and EUS-CGN were 100% and 80.4%, respectively. The overall efficacy rate was 82.4% [90% confidence interval (CI) 71.2–90.5, P < 0.0001]. The complete pain relief rate was 27.4%. The adverse events rate was 15.7%. The average pain relief period was 72 days. The efficacy rate was higher in the EUS-CPN plus EUS-CGN group than in the EUS-CPN alone group. EUS-CPN plus EUS-CGN was superior to EUS-CPN alone for achieving complete pain relief (P = 0.045). EUS-CGN did not improve the average length of the pain relief period. Conclusions: EUS-CPN combined with EUS-CGN is safe, feasible, and effective for pain relief in patients with pancreatic cancer. The patients who received additional EUS-CGN had a better short-term response. Clinical trial number: UMIN000031228. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrial ectopy (AE) with a short coupling interval (S-AE) causes atrial fibrillation (AF). A higher burden of AE is associated with recurrence after AF ablation. However, a few reports have evaluated the prognostic impact of both AE burden and S-AE after the acute phase of ablation. This study aimed to assess the characteristics of AE beyond the blanking period in predicting the recurrence. We retrospectively analyzed 173 patients who underwent first catheter ablation for AF and 24-h Holter recording following a 3-month blanking period. AE was defined as a narrow QRS complex occurring < 75% earlier than the prior reference R–R interval. We investigated the relationship between the AE's characteristics in Holter recordings and atrial arrhythmia recurrence. Forty-two patients (24%) had a recurrence during a median 488-day follow-up. Patients with S-AE (minimum coupling interval ratio of AE ≤ 45%) had a higher recurrence rate than those without S-AE (44.9% vs. 16.1%, p < 0.001). Moreover, patients with AE ≥ 241/day exhibited a significantly higher recurrence rate than those with AE < 241/day (44.3% vs. 10.7%, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, S-AE with a higher AE burden was an independent predictor of recurrence (hazard ratio 5.82, 95% confidence interval: 2.64–12.82, p < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that patients with S-AE and a higher AE burden had the worst prognosis for recurrence (p < 0.001). The combination of a higher AE burden with S-AE could be an efficient predictor of recurrence. These results can help to develop follow-up strategies after AF ablation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In humans, holoprosencephaly (HPE) is a common birth defect characterized by the absence of midline cells from brain, facial, and oral structures. To understand the pathoetiology of HPE, we investigated the involvement of mammalian prechordal plate (PrCP) cells in HPE pathogenesis and the requirement of the secreted protein sonic hedgehog (Shh) in PrCP development. We show using rat PrCP lesion experiments and DiI labeling that PrCP cells are essential for midline development of the forebrain, foregut endoderm, and ventral cranial mesoderm in mammals. We demonstrate that PrCP cells do not develop into ventral cranial mesoderm in Shh−/− embryos. Using Shh−/− and chimeric embryos we show that Shh signal is required for the maintenance of PrCP cells in a non-cell autonomous manner. In addition, the hedgehog (HH)-responding cells that normally appear during PrCP development to contribute to midline tissues, do not develop in the absence of Shh signaling. This suggests that Shh protein secreted from PrCP cells induces the differentiation of HH-responding cells into midline cells. In the present study, we show that the maintenance of a viable population of PrCP cells by Shh signal is an essential process in development of the midline of the brain and craniofacial structures. These findings provide new insight into the mechanism underlying HPE pathoetiology during dynamic brain and craniofacial morphogenesis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Serum albumin is a mixture of mercaptalbumin (reduced form) and non-mercaptalbumin (oxidized form), i.e. a protein redox couple in serum. To investigate dynamic changes in the redox state of rat serum albumin (RSA), we developed a simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) system using an ion-exchange column with a linear gradient of ethanol concentration. Furthermore, we applied this HPLC system to examine dynamic changes in the redox state of RSA caused by severe oxidative stress such as exhaustive physical exercise. Using this system, we successfully separated RSA to rat mercaptalbumin (MAr) and rat non-mercaptalbumin (NAr), and also found the best conditions for the clear separation of RSA. In the experiments with exhaustive exercise, mean values for the MAr fraction in control and exercise groups were 76.2±1.8 and 69.0±3.5%, respectively. The MAr in the exercise group was significantly oxidized compared with that of the control group (P<0.01). These results suggested that RSA might act as one of the major scavengers in extracellular fluids under severe oxidative stress. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Reduced exercise capacity is known to be an important predictor of poor prognosis and disability in patients with cardiovascular diseases and chronic heart failure, and even members of the general population. However, data about exercise capacity assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is scarce. Among 594 consecutive AMI patients who underwent primary PCI, we examined 136 patients (85.3% men, 64.9 ± 11.9 years) who underwent CPX during hospitalization for AMI. CPX was usually performed 5 days after the onset of AMI. Reduced exercise capacity was defined as peak VO2 ≤ 12. Clinical outcomes including all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and hospitalization due to heart failure were followed. Among 136 patients, reduced exercise capacity (peak VO2 ≤ 12) was seen in 38 patients (28%). Patients with reduced exercise capacity were older, more likely to have hypertension, and had lower renal function. In echocardiography, patients with reduced exercise capacity had higher E/e' and larger left atrial dimension. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that E/e' (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.09–1.31, p < 0.001) was an independent predictor of reduced exercise capacity (peak VO2 ≤ 12). Median follow-up term was 12 months (IQR 9–22). The occurrence of composite endpoints of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and hospitalization due to heart failure was significantly higher in patients with peak VO2 ≤ 12 than those with peak VO2 > 12 (p < 0.001). Reduced exercise capacity following primary PCI in AMI patients is associated with diastolic dysfunction and may lead to poorer clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endoscopic treatment for malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) in patients bearing surgically altered anatomy (SAA) is not well-established. Although endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) has emerged as a new treatment option for MBO, limited data are available regarding the efficacy and safety of EUS-BD in patients with SAA. We conducted a multicenter prospective registration study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EUS-BD in this population. Methods: This study involved 10 referral centers in Japan. Patients with SAA who were scheduled to receive EUS-BD for unresectable MBO between May 2016 and September 2018 were prospectively registered. The primary endpoint was technical success and the secondary outcomes were clinical success, procedure time, procedure-related adverse events (AEs), stent patency, and overall survival. Results: In total, 40 patients were prospectively enrolled. The surgical reconstruction methods were gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction (47.5%), gastrectomy with Billroth-II reconstruction (15%), pancreaticoduodenectomy (27.5%), and hepaticojejunostomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction (10%). EUS-BD was performed for primary biliary drainage in 31 patients and for rescue biliary drainage in nine patients. Transmural stenting alone (60%), antegrade stenting alone (5%), and a combination of the two techniques (35%) were selected for patients treated with EUS-BD. Technical and clinical success rates were 100% (95% confidence interval, 91.2-100.0%) and 95% (95% confidence interval, 83.1-99.4%), respectively. Mean procedure time was 36.5 min. Early AEs were noted in six patients (15%): three self-limited bile leak, one bile peritonitis, and two pneumoperitonea. Late AEs occurred in six patients (15%): one jejunal ulcer and five stent occlusions. Stent patency rate after 3 months of survival was 95.7% (22/23). Median overall survival was 96 days. Conclusion: EUS-BD for MBO in patients with SAA appears to be effective and safe not only as a rescue drainage technique after failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiography but also as a primary drainage technique. Clinical Trial Registration: UMIN000022101 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endoscopic treatment for malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) in patients bearing surgically altered anatomy (SAA) is not well-established. Although endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) has emerged as a new treatment option for MBO, limited data are available regarding the efficacy and safety of EUS-BD in patients with SAA. We conducted a multicenter prospective registration study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EUS-BD in this population. Methods: This study involved 10 referral centers in Japan. Patients with SAA who were scheduled to receive EUS-BD for unresectable MBO between May 2016 and September 2018 were prospectively registered. The primary endpoint was technical success and the secondary outcomes were clinical success, procedure time, procedure-related adverse events (AEs), stent patency, and overall survival. Results: In total, 40 patients were prospectively enrolled. The surgical reconstruction methods were gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction (47.5%), gastrectomy with Billroth-II reconstruction (15%), pancreaticoduodenectomy (27.5%), and hepaticojejunostomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction (10%). EUS-BD was performed for primary biliary drainage in 31 patients and for rescue biliary drainage in nine patients. Transmural stenting alone (60%), antegrade stenting alone (5%), and a combination of the two techniques (35%) were selected for patients treated with EUS-BD. Technical and clinical success rates were 100% (95% confidence interval, 91.2–100.0%) and 95% (95% confidence interval, 83.1–99.4%), respectively. Mean procedure time was 36.5 min. Early AEs were noted in six patients (15%): three self-limited bile leak, one bile peritonitis, and two pneumoperitonea. Late AEs occurred in six patients (15%): one jejunal ulcer and five stent occlusions. Stent patency rate after 3 months of survival was 95.7% (22/23). Median overall survival was 96 days. Conclusion: EUS-BD for MBO in patients with SAA appears to be effective and safe not only as a rescue drainage technique after failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiography but also as a primary drainage technique. Clinical Trial Registration: UMIN000022101 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided biliary drainage (EUS‐BD) can be carried out by two different approaches: choledochoduodenostomy (CDS) and hepaticogastrostomy (HGS). We compared the efficacy and safety of these approaches in malignant distal biliary obstruction (MDBO) patients using a prospective, randomized clinical trial. Methods: Patients with malignant distal biliary obstruction after failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were randomly selected for either CDS or HGS. The procedures were carried out at nine tertiary centers from September 2013 to March 2016. Primary endpoint was technical success rate, and the noninferiority of HGS to CDS was examined with a one‐sided significance level of 5%, where the noninferiority margin was set at 15%. Secondary endpoints were clinical success, adverse events (AE), stent patency, survival time, and overall technical success including alternative EUS‐BD procedures. Results: Forty‐seven patients (HGS, 24; CDS, 23) were enrolled. Technical success rates were 87.5% and 82.6% in the HGS and CDS groups, respectively, where the lower limit of the 90% confidence interval of the risk difference was −12.2% (P = 0.0278). Clinical success rates were 100% and 94.7% in the HGS and CDS groups, respectively (P = 0.475). Overall AE rate, stent patency, and survival time did not differ between the groups. Overall technical success rates were 100% and 95.7% in the HGS and CDS groups, respectively (P = 0.983). Conclusions: This study suggests that HGS is not inferior to CDS in terms of technical success. When one procedure is particularly challenging, readily switching to the other could increase technical success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: This study evaluated the utility of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) combined with contrast‐enhanced harmonic EUS (CH‐EUS) for surveillance of the remnant pancreas after surgery for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). Methods: This was a single‐center, retrospective, descriptive study. A total of 134 consecutive patients who underwent surgical resection for IPMN between April 2009 and March 2015 were evaluated. Rates of recurrence and development of IPMN‐concomitant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) during follow up were assessed. Clinical findings of patients with recurrence or development of PDAC were also evaluated. Results: Of 134 resected IPMN 56 (41.8%) and 78 (58.2%) were classified as benign and malignant, respectively. Patients were followed up for a median of 29 months, 33 (24.6%) by both contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CE‐CT) and EUS, and 101 (75.4%) by computed tomography (CT) alone. Thirteen patients (9.7%) showed tumor recurrence, five with intra‐pancreatic recurrence and eight with extra‐pancreatic metastases. An enhancing mural nodule within the dilated main pancreatic duct was successfully detected by EUS in one patient, but not by CE‐CT. Two patients developed IPMN‐concomitant PDAC during follow up. EUS combined with CH‐EUS successfully detected small IPMN‐concomitant PDAC in two patients, whereas these lesions were not detected by CT. CH‐EUS was useful for better visualization of the margins of IPMN‐concomitant PDAC in one of these two patients. Conclusion: Endoscopic ultrasonography combined with CH‐EUS may improve follow up of patients with resected IPMN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided rendezvous technique (EUS-RV) has emerged as an effective salvage method for unsuccessful biliary cannulation. However, its application for benign and resectable malignant biliary disorders has not been fully evaluated.Aims: To assess the efficacy and safety of EUS-RV for benign and resectable malignant biliary disorders.Methods: This was a multicenter prospective study from 12 Japanese referral centers. Patients who underwent EUS-RV after failed biliary cannulation for biliary disorder were candidates for this study. Inclusion criteria were unsuccessful biliary cannulation for therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with benign and potentially resectable malignant biliary obstruction. Exclusion criteria included unresectable malignant biliary obstruction, inaccessible papillae due to surgically altered upper gastrointestinal anatomy or duodenal stricture, and previous sphincterotomy and/or biliary stent placement. The primary outcome was the technical success rate of biliary cannulation; procedure time, adverse events, and clinical outcomes were secondary outcomes.Results: Twenty patients were prospectively enrolled. The overall technical success rate and median procedure time were 85% and 33 min, respectively. Guidewire manipulation using a 4-Fr tapered tip catheter contributed to the success in advancing the guidewire into the duodenum. Adverse events were identified in 15% patients, including 2 with biliary peritonitis and 1 mild pancreatitis. EUS-RV did not affect surgical maneuvers or complications associated with surgery, or postoperative course.Conclusions: EUS-RV may be a safe and feasible salvage method for unsuccessful biliary cannulation for benign or resectable malignant biliary disorders. Use of a 4-Fr tapered tip catheter may improve the overall EUS-RV success rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We succeeded in G8 factory for mass production of Indium–Gallium–Zink–Oxide thin‐film transistor (IGZO‐TFT) for the first time in the world. The initial TFT process was an etching stop‐type TFT, but now, we are mass producing channel etching‐type TFTs. And, its application range is smartphones, tablets, PCs, monitors, TV, and so on. In particular, because of recent demands for high‐resolution and narrow frame, our IGZO display has been advanced in technology development with gate driver in panel. In this paper, we report development combining low resistance technology and the latest IGZO‐TFT (IGZO5) for large‐screen 8K display. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most common symptom in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer is abdominal pain. This has traditionally been treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioid analgesics. However, these treatments result in inadequate pain control or drug-related adverse effects in some patients. An alternative pain-relief modality is celiac plexus neurolysis, in which the celiac plexus is chemically ablated. This procedure was performed percutaneously or intraoperatively until 1996, when endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided celiac plexus neurolysis was first described. In this transgastric anterior approach, a neurolytic agent is injected around the celiac trunk under EUS guidance. The procedure gained popularity as a minimally invasive approach and is currently widely used to treat pancreatic cancer-associated pain. We focus on two relatively new techniques of EUS-guided neurolysis: EUS-guided celiac ganglia neurolysis and EUS-guided broad plexus neurolysis, which have been developed to improve efficacy. Although the techniques are safe and effective in general, some serious adverse events including ischemic and infectious complications have been reported as the procedure has gained widespread popularity. We summarize reported clinical outcomes of EUS-guided neurolysis in pancreatic cancer (from the PubMed and Embase databases) with a goal of providing information useful in developing strategies for pancreatic cancer-associated pain alleviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim Differential diagnosis of localized gallbladder lesions is challenging. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the utility of contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography ( CH- EUS) for diagnosis of localized gallbladder lesions. Methods One hundred and twenty-five patients with localized gallbladder lesions were evaluated by CH- EUS between March 2007 and February 2014. This was a single-center retrospective study. Utilities of fundamental B-mode EUS ( FB- EUS) and CH- EUS in the differentiation of gallbladder lesions and sludge plug were initially compared. Thereafter, these two examinations were compared with respect to their accuracy in the diagnosis of malignant lesions. Five reviewers blinded to the clinicopathological results evaluated microcirculation patterns in the vascular and perfusion images. Results In the differentiation between gallbladder lesions and sludge plug, FB- EUS had a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 82%, 100%, and 95%, respectively, whereas CH- EUS had a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 100%, 99%, and 99%, respectively. FB- EUS-based diagnosis of carcinomas based on tumor size and/or shape had a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 61-87%, 71-88%, and 74-86%, respectively. Additional information regarding irregular vessel patterns in the vascular image and/or heterogeneous enhancement in the perfusion image on CH- EUS increased the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the diagnosis of carcinomas to 90%, 98%, and 96%, respectively. There was a significant difference between FB- EUS and CH- EUS in terms of carcinoma diagnosis. Conclusion CH- EUS was useful for the evaluation of localized gallbladder lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repeated pancreatic juice cytology via endoscopic nasopancreatic drainage (ENPD) has a high diagnostic yield and might be useful for the diagnosis of early-stage pancreatic cancer. A 67-year-old man presented with a pancreatic cyst occasionally detectable in the body of the pancreas by ultrasonography (US). No obvious pancreatic tumor was detected by US, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) (although the latter did reveal a weak, low echoic area). Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography showed irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) at the pancreatic body. Pancreatic juice cytology was also performed, but did not give evidence of a malignancy. Therefore, the patient was followed up. CT and EUS performed after 3 months showed the same findings as did endoscopic retrograde pancreatography; however, the results of repeated pancreatic juice cytology performed via ENPD tube revealed a suspected malignancy on 2 of 6 occasions. Therefore, we performed a central pancreatectomy. Histopathological examination of a resected specimen revealed carcinoma in situ in the narrow MPD at the body of the pancreas. In the current case, repeated pancreatic juice cytology via ENPD was effective. A weak low echoic area around the MPD stricture on EUS might be related to the inflammatory change accompanying carcinoma in situ of the pancreas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Risk factors for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) include diabetes mellitus, chronic pancreatitis, obesity, a family history of pancreatic cancer, and a history of smoking or alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between risk factors for PDAC and malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). Methods: The study included 134 consecutive patients with IPMN who underwent surgical resection at Kindai University Hospital between April 2009 and March 2015. Data on the presence or absence of mural nodules (MNs) and risk factors for PDAC were evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed with malignant IPMN as the outcome variable and MNs and risk factors for PDAC as explanatory variables. Results: The odds ratio of malignant IPMN to MNs was 3.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.53-9.84; p = 0.004), whereas that of malignant IPMN to smoking history was 1.66 (95% CI 0.74-3.71; p = 0.22). When the presence of MNs was considered as a predictive factor for malignancy, the sensitivity and specificity were 88.5 and 32.1%, respectively, whereas when the presence of both smoking history and MNs was considered, the specificity improved to 73.2%, with a decrease in sensitivity to 42.3%. Conclusions: The presence of both a smoking history and MNs was a valuable predictive factor for malignant IPMN with high specificity. A smoking history should be considered before surgical resection in addition to the presence of MNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study evaluated whether quantitative perfusion analysis with contrast-enhanced harmonic (CH) endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) characterizes pancreatic tumors, and compared the hemodynamic parameters used to diagnose pancreatic carcinoma. Methods: CH-EUS data from pancreatic tumors of 76 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Time-intensity curves (TIC) were generated to depict changes in signal intensity over time, and 6 parameters were assessed: baseline intensity, peak intensity, time to peak, intensity gain, intensity at 60 s (I60 ), and reduction rate. These parameters were compared between pancreatic carcinomas (n = 41), inflammatory pseudotumors (n = 14), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (n = 14), and other tumors (n = 7). All 6 TIC parameters and subjective analysis for diagnosing pancreatic carcinoma were compared. Results: Values of peak intensity and I60 were significantly lower and time to peak was significantly longer in the groups with pancreatic carcinomas than in the other 3 tumor groups (p < 0.05). Reduction rate was significantly higher in pancreatic carcinomas than in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (p < 0.05). Areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves for the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma using subjective analysis, baseline intensity, peak intensity, intensity gain, I60, time to peak, and reduction rate, were 0.817, 0.664, 0.810, 0.751, 0.845, 0.777, and 0.725, respectively. I60 was the most accurate parameter for differentiating pancreatic carcinomas from the other groups, giving values of sensitivity/specificity of 92.7/68.6% when optimal cutoffs were chosen. Conclusions: In pancreatic carcinomas, TIC patterns were markedly different from the other tumor types, with I60 being the most accurate diagnostic parameter. Quantitative perfusion analysis is useful for differentiating pancreatic carcinomas from other pancreatic tumors [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) is a microscopic papillary noninvasive lesion arising from the pancreatic ductal epithelium. However, the natural history and time to progression of high-grade PanIN remain unclear. Herein, we report 2 cases of high-grade PanIN without morphological changes of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) over relatively long periods. In the first case, a 63-year-old man was identified with MPD dilation. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed localized stenosis in the pancreatic body with distal MPD dilation. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) was attempted because of possible highgrade PanIN but was unsuccessful. At 15-month follow-up, there was no change in the form of the MPD in various images. However, ERP was re-performed because of possible high-grade PanIN, and cytology showed adenocarcinoma. Postoperative pathology indicated diffuse lesions corresponding to high-grade PanINs in the MPD stenosis and surrounding branches. Final diagnosis was high-grade PanIN. In the second case, a 77-year-old man was identified with MPD dilation. Magnetic resonance cholangiography showed localized stenosis in the MPD of the pancreatic head with distal MPD dilation. He was diagnosed with MPD stenosis caused by chronic pancreatitis, and further examination was not recommended. At 25 months, the patient was referred to our hospital because of a mild change in MPD dilation. ERP showed localized irregular stenosis in the MPD, and cytology showed suspected adenocarcinoma. Postoperative pathology indicated a localized lesion with high-grade PanIN in the branch duct around the MPD stenosis. Final diagnosis was high-grade PanIN. In conclusion, we report 2 cases of highgrade PanIN without morphological changes of the MPD over relatively long periods. Even if a definite diagnosis is not obtained at initial examination, a strict follow-up observational study should be performed. Re-examination, including ERP, should also be considered in cases with risk factors of pancreatic cancer, even if there is no change in MPD form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Treatment of unresectable malignant hilar biliary stricture (UMHBS) is challenging, especially after failure of repeated transpapillary endoscopic stenting. Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided intrahepatic biliary drainage (EUS-IBD) is a recent technique for intrahepatic biliary decompression, but indications for its use for complex hilar strictures have not been well studied. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of EUS-IBD for UMHBS after failed transpapillary re-intervention.Methods: Retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients with UMHBS of Bismuth II grade or higher who, between December 2008 and May 2016, underwent EUS-IBD after failed repeated transpapillary interventions. The technical success, clinical success, and complication rates were evaluated. Factors associated with clinical ineffectiveness of EUS-IBD were explored.Results: A total of 30 patients (19 women, median age 66 years [range 52-87]) underwent EUS-IBD for UMHBS during the study period. Hilar biliary stricture morphology was classified as Bismuth II, III, or IV in 5, 13, and 12 patients, respectively. The median number of preceding endoscopic interventions was 4 (range 2-14). EUS-IBD was required because the following procedures failed: duodenal scope insertion (n = 4), accessing the papilla after duodenal stent insertion (n = 5), or achieving desired intrahepatic biliary drainage (n = 21). Technical success with EUS-IBD was achieved in 29 of 30 patients (96.7%) and clinical success was attained in 22 of these 29 (75.9%). Mild peritonitis occurred in three of 30 (10%) and was managed conservatively. Stent dysfunction occurred in 23.3% (7/30). There was no procedure-related mortality. On multivariable analysis, Bismuth IV stricture predicted clinical ineffectiveness (odds ratio = 12.7, 95% CI 1.18-135.4, P = 0.035).Conclusions: EUS-IBD may be a feasible and effective rescue alternative with few major complications after failed transpapillary endoscopic re-intervention in patients with UMHBS, particularly for Bismuth II or III strictures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim The study aims to evaluate contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography (CH-EUS) for the differential diagnosis of submucosal tumors (SMT) of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Methods Between June 2008 and May 2015, 157 consecutive patients with submucosal lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract were evaluated by CH-EUS. This was a single-center retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in a registry. The data from 73 patients who later underwent surgical resection were analyzed in this study. Surgical specimens served as the final diagnoses. The two CH-EUS variables of blood flow (hyper-enhancement vs hypo-enhancement) and homogeneity of enhancement pattern were evaluated. Results The final diagnoses were 58 gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and 15 benign SMTs (two lipomas, five leiomyomas, five schwannomas, two glomus tumors, and one ectopic pancreas). On CH-EUS, 49 of 58 (84.5%) GISTs presented with hyper-enhancement, whereas 4 of 15 (26.7%) benign SMTs showed hyper-enhancement; 21 of 58 (36.2%) GISTs showed inhomogeneous contrast enhancement, while only 2 of 15 (13.3%) benign SMTs demonstrated inhomogeneous contrast enhancement. If hyper-enhancement was considered to indicate GISTs, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 84.5%, 73.3%, and 82.2%, respectively. If inhomogeneous enhancement was considered to indicate GISTs, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 36.2%, 86.7%, and 46.6%, respectively. In lesions of less than 2 cm, hyper-enhancement was a more sensitive indicator of GISTs than inhomogeneous enhancement. Conclusions Hyper-enhancement and inhomogeneous enhancement were found to be a characteristic of GISTs. CH-EUS was useful for discrimination of benign SMTs from GISTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim Endoscopic ultrasonography ( EUS)-guided choledochoduodenostomy ( EUS- CDS) is increasingly used in the treatment of malignant distal biliary obstruction. Standardized use of this technique requires improvements in instruments, including more convenient and safer devices. The present study was designed to evaluate the resistance force to migration ( RFM) of a newly designed laser-cut metal stent and the feasibility of EUS- CDS using this stent. Methods This experimental study used a porcine model of biliary dilatation involving five male pigs. The new stent is a fully covered laser-cut stent with anti-migration anchoring hooks. The RFM of the new stents was compared with those of three commercially available covered metal stents using a phantom model. In the animal study, after ligation of Vater's ampulla with endoscopic clips, the dilated common bile duct was punctured under EUS guidance, followed by EUS- CDS using the new stent. One week after the procedure, the stents were removed endoscopically and the fistulas were assessed after the pigs were killed. Technical feasibility and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Results Among the four stents, the new stent had the highest RFM. Metal stent placement was successful in all five pigs, with no procedure-related complications occurring during and 1 week after endoscopic intervention. All stents remained in place without migration and were removed easily using a snare. At necropsy, fistulas were created between the bile duct and duodenum in all pigs. Conclusion EUS- CDS using a newly designed metal stent was feasible and effective in this porcine model of biliary dilatation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of second-generation ultrasound contrast agents and an endoscopic ultrasonography ( EUS) system with a broad-band transducer has allowed contrast-enhanced harmonic imaging in the field of EUS. In contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS ( CH-EUS), diffuse homogeneous enhancement is obtained in normal parenchyma of the pancreas. The bile duct and pancreatic duct are depicted as non-enhanced ductal structures with strong contrast in comparison to the surrounding parenchyma. CH-EUS identifies pancreatic adenocarcinomas as solid lesions exhibiting hypo-enhancement with a sensitivity and specificity of 88-96% and 88-94%, respectively. In particular, 80-100% of false-negative cases in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration ( EUS-FNA) are correctly classified by CH-EUS, suggesting CH-EUS complements EUS-FNA. Moreover, CH-EUS improves depiction of some subtle lesions in conventional EUS, thus facilitating EUS-FNA. For quantitative perfusion analysis, a time-intensity curve ( TIC) for the region of interest can be generated during CH-EUS. The maximum intensity gain and the echo intensity reduction rate from the peak at 1 min obtained by TIC can be used for differentiation of pancreatic adenocarcinoma from other tumors. CH-EUS is also useful for differentiation of invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms ( IPMN) from non-invasive IPMN, identification of malignant lesions in the gallbladder, and T- and N-staging of pancreatobiliary tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES:Contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography (CH-EUS), a novel technology, visualizes parenchymal perfusion in the pancreas. This study prospectively evaluated how accurately CH-EUS characterizes pancreatic lesions and compared its diagnostic ability with that of contrast-enhanced multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) and endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA).METHODS:A total of 277 consecutive patients with pancreatic solid lesions that were detected by conventional EUS underwent CH-EUS for evaluation of vascularity. After infusing an ultrasound contrast, CH-EUS was performed by using an echoendoscope and a specific mode for contrast harmonic imaging. On the basis of the intensity of enhancement, the lesions were categorized into four patterns: nonenhancement, hypoenhancement, isoenhancement, and hyperenhancement. For comparison, all patients underwent MDCT. The ability of CH-EUS to differentiate ductal carcinomas from the other solid tumors, particularly small lesions (≤2 cm in diameter) was assessed, and compared with the differentiating abilities of MDCT and EUS-FNA.RESULTS:In terms of reading the CH-EUS images, the κ-coefficient of the interobserver agreement test was 0.94 (P<0.001). CH-EUS-depicted hypoenhancement diagnosed ductal carcinomas with a sensitivity and specificity of 95.1% (95% confidence interval (CI) 92.7-96.7%) and 89.0% (95% CI 83.0-93.1%), respectively. For diagnosing small carcinomas by CH-EUS, the sensitivity and specificity were 91.2 % (95% CI 82.5-95.1%) and 94.4% (95% CI 86.2-98.1%), respectively. CH-EUS-depicted hypervascular enhancement diagnosed neuroendocrine tumors with a sensitivity and specificity of 78.9% (95% CI 61.4-89.7%) and 98.7% (95% CI 96.7-98.8%), respectively. Although CH-EUS and MDCT did not differ significantly in diagnostic ability with regard to all lesions, CH-EUS was superior to MDCT in diagnosing small (≤2 cm) carcinomas (P<0.05). In 12 neoplasms that MDCT failed to detect, 7 ductal carcinomas and 2 neuroendocrine tumors had hypoenhancement and hyperenhancement on CH-EUS, respectively. When CH-EUS was combined with EUS-FNA, the sensitivity of EUS-FNA increased from 92.2 to 100%.CONCLUSIONS:CH-EUS is useful for characterizing conventional EUS-detected solid pancreatic lesions. EUS equipped with contrast harmonic imaging may play an important role in the characterization of small tumors that other imaging methods fail to depict and may improve the diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the mechanical properties of coronary plaques and plaque behavior, and to elucidate the relationship among tissue characteristics of coronary plaques, mechanical properties and coronary risk factors using integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound (IB-IVUS). Methods: Non-targeted plaques with moderate stenosis (plaque burden at the minimal lumen site: 50-70%) located proximal to the site of the percutaneous coronary intervention target lesions were evaluated by IB-IVUS. Thirty-six plaques (less calcified group: an arc of calcification ≤10°) in 36 patients and 22 plaques (moderately calcified group: 10° < an arc of calcification ≤60°) in 22 patients were evaluated. External elastic membrane volume (EEMV) compliance, lumen volume (LV) compliance, plaque volume (PV) response (difference between PV in systole and diastole), EEM area stiffness index were measured at the minimal lumen site. Relative lipid volume (lipid volume/internal elastic membrane volume) was calculated by IB-IVUS. Results: In the less calcified group, there was a significant correlation between EEMV compliance and the relative lipid volume (r = 0.456, p = 0.005). There was a significant inverse correlation between EEM area stiffness index and the relative lipid volume (p = 0.032, r = -0.358). The LV compliance and EEM area stiffness index were significantly different in the diabetes mellitus (DM) group than in the non-DM group (1.32 ± 1.49 vs. 2.47 ± 1.79%/10 mmHg, p =0.014 and 28.3 ± 26.0 vs. 15.7 ± 17.2, p =0.020). The EEMV compliance and EEM area stiffness index were significantly different in the hypertension (HTN) group than in the non-HTN group (0.77 ± 0.68 vs. 1.57 ± 0.95%/10 mmHg, p =0.012 and 26.5 ± 24.3 vs. 13.0 ± 16.7, p =0.020). These relationships were not seen in the moderately calcified group. Conclusion: The present study provided new findings that there was a significant correlation between mechanical properties and tissue characteristics of coronary arteries. In addition, our results suggested that the EEMV compliance and the LV compliance were independent and the compliance was significantly impaired in the patients with DM and/ or HTN. Assessment of coronary mechanical properties during PCI may provide us with useful information regarding the risk stratification of patients with coronary heart disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES:Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN) is safe and effective but not beneficial for some patients with extended abdominal cancer. We compared the effectiveness of standard EUS-CPN and EUS-guided broad plexus neurolysis (EUS-BPN) that extends over the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) using a 25-gauge needle.METHODS:Consecutive patients referred to our quaternary EUS centers were eligible for inclusion. To evaluate the neurolytic spread, contrast was mixed with the neurolytic agent and post-procedure computed tomography scanning was performed. The regions containing the celiac, superior, and inferior mesenteric arteries were divided on the frontal plane into six areas: upper right and left, middle right and left, and lower right and left. The number of contrast-bearing areas after EUS-CPN and EUS-BPN were related to the degree of pain relief achieved.RESULTS:A total of 67 patients with advanced abdominal cancer were included (34 EUS-CPN and 33 EUS-BPN). The qualitative variables of the two groups did not differ significantly. The EUS-BPN group had more patients with six contrast-bearing areas (42%) than the EUS-CPN group (0%). These patients had significantly better short-term and long-lasting pain relief than patients with less than five contrast-bearing areas. EUS-BPN patients exhibited significantly greater reductions in days 7 and 30 visual analog pain scale scores than EUS-CPN patients.CONCLUSIONS:Our preliminary data suggested that EUS-BPN using a 25-gauge needle provides patients with advanced abdominal cancer with better pain relief than standard EUS-CPN, and without incurring serious complications. Moreover, it seems that broad neurolysis over the SMA may provide superior analgesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reduced or impaired synthesis of nitric oxide promotes the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, and thus may induce the neointimal formation leading to coronary in-stent restenosis. Recent reports have suggested that the Glu298Asp polymorphism in exon 7 of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene is associated with coronary spasm and acute myocardial infarction. In this study, we have examined the implication of this polymorphism with regard to coronary restenosis after Palmaz–Schatz stent deployment. Methods: Eighty-nine lesions in 85 consecutive patients were treated with Palmaz–Schatz stents, and were prospectively followed up for 6 months. The lesions were classified into a restenosis group (% diameter stenosis=50%) and a non-restenosis group. Assessment was made using an automated quantitative angiographic system. We performed polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis to detect the missense Glu298Asp variant in exon 7 of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene. Results: Coronary risk factors and angiographic findings of stenotic lesions did not differ between the groups. Univariate analyses showed that the missense Glu298Asp variant was the only statistically significant predictor of restenosis (odds ratio, 4.27; P=0.025). In addition, multiple logistic regression analysis revealed the missense Glu298Asp variant as the only independent predictor for in-stent restenosis (odds ratio, 3.90; P=0.036). Conclusions: The missense Glu298Asp variant may be an independent risk factor for in-stent restenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An 84-year-old woman, who was followed up as hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) in a local hospital, was transferred to our center because of anterior chest pain and diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (MI). Coronary angiography showed total occlusion of the mid-left anterior descending, and flow was restored after endovascular thrombectomy. An autopsy was performed after she died on hospital day 6. At autopsy, there was no significant stenosis in this vessel and the absence of plaque rupture was confirmed. Likewise, it was unclear asymmetric hypertrophy at autopsy, it could not deny that a sigmoid deformity of the basal septum occurs in elderly patients and can mimic the asymmetric septal hypertrophy of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. MI was thought to be caused by coronary spasm or squeezing in HOCM-like heart. Therefore, it may be necessary antithrombosis therapy in HOCM-like patients with no history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the reflectance, transmittance, and absorbance spectra of hydrobryum japonicum, an aquatic angiosperm. It utilizes a new technique of light scattering spectroscopy to investigate the function of pigments of hydrobryum japonicum found in Thailand. It shows that hydrobryum japonicum has the function of photosynthesis for botanical activity after it was found to have an absorbance peak range from 300-780 nanometer that almost absorbs 90 percent of heat.

The article presents a video endoscopy as the patient undergoes reintervention for stent occlusion after endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy with novel use of a precut needle-knife

The article presents a case study of an 80-year-old woman with duodenal cancer who was taken to the hospital for treatment of obstructive jaundice.