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Objectives: Due to its rarity, there is insufficient evidence for managing ASCC patients with distant metastasis. Thus far, the therapeutic strategy for distant metastasis of ASCC is less standardized and requires a more individualized approach. Therefore, it is crucial to obtain information regarding treatment outcomes and prognostic factors following the development of distant metastasis to identify optimal care strategies for better patient outcomes and predict their prognosis. Methods: In the multi-institute cohort study conducted in Japan, we retrospectively assessed 58 ASCC patients with synchronous distant metastasis and 28 ASCC patients with metachronous distant metastasis. Results: When comparing the OS between ASCC patients with synchronous distant metastasis and metachronous distant metastasis, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The OS rate at five years was 37.4% for patients with synchronous distant metastasis and 27.6%; for metachronous distant metastasis. In ASCC patients with synchronous distant metastasis, patients with distant metastasis at multiple sites exhibited extremely worse OS than those at single sites (HR: 4.56, 95% CI: 1.16-18.00, P< 0.0001). In addition, in ASCC patients with metachronous distant metastasis, early recurrence was an independent factor for predicting poor OS in the multivariate analysis (HR: 4.13, 95% CI: 1.22-13.94, P = 0.022). Conclusions: ASCC patients with distant metastasis at multiple sites were a worse prognosis. In addition, early recurrence was identified as an independent prognostic factor for OS among ASCC patients.

PURPOSELimited information is available regarding the characteristics and outcomes of stage IV small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) in Japan. This study examined the clinical and pathological characteristics and outcomes according to the treatment strategies in patients with stage IV SBA.METHODSThis retrospective observational study used the data of patients with jejunal or ileal adenocarcinoma collected by the Small Bowel Malignant Tumor Project of the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum. Descriptive statistics were expressed as the mean (standard deviation) or median (range). Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and pairwise log-rank tests.RESULTSData from 128 patients were analyzed. The treatment strategies were chemotherapy alone (26 of 128, 20.3%), surgery alone (including palliative surgery; 21 of 128, 16.4%), surgery + chemotherapy (74 of 128, 57.8%), and best supportive care (7 of 128, 5.5%). The median (range) overall survival was 16 (0-125) months overall, and 11 (1-38) months, 8 (0-80) months, 18 (0-125) months, and 0 (0-1) months for the chemotherapy, surgery, surgery + chemotherapy, and best supportive care groups, respectively. Three main categories of chemotherapeutic regimen were used: a combination of fluoropyrimidine and oxaliplatin (F + Ox), fluoropyrimidine and irinotecan (F + Iri), and single-agent fluoropyrimidine. Among patients treated with chemotherapy, the median (range) OS was 16 (1-106) months overall, and 17 (1-87) months, 29 (7-39) months, and 16 (1-106) months in patients treated with fluoropyrimidine, F + Iri, and F + Ox, respectively.CONCLUSIONPatients treated with surgery, chemotherapy, or both had a better prognosis than those who received best supportive care. Among patients who received chemotherapy, survival did not differ according to the chemotherapeutic regimen.

A new genus and species of cimicoid true bug, Ecpaglocoris ditomeus Yamada & Yamamoto, gen. et sp. nov., is described and illustrated from mid-Cretaceous (Cenomanian–Albian) amber in the Kachin State of northern Myanmar (Burma). This new fossil genus and species is reminiscent of members of Anthocoridae by the strongly flattened and elongated body, four-segmented labium, distinct costal fracture and presence of fossula spongiosa on fore tibiae, but should not be ascribed to this family. The new taxon cannot be placed in any extant cimicoid families, based upon hemelytral, male genital and other morphological structures. Based on the hemelytral membrane venation and presence of dorsal laterotergites on abdominal segments I to VIII, it can be assumed that this new genus belongs to the extinct family Vetanthocoridae. Ecpaglocoris ditomeus gen. et sp. nov. has aberrant male genitalia characterised by sickle-shaped left and right parameres and grooves running throughout the paramere. This characteristic indicates that traumatic insemination occurred in this genus. The peculiar combination of male genital characteristics seen in Ecpaglocoris gen. nov. prevents its placement in any of the extant cimicoid families.

Abstract Anal canal cancer (ACC) has been reported to be an uncommon cancer in Japan, as in the USA, Europe, and Australia. This retrospective multi‐institutional study was conducted to clarify the characteristics of ACC in Japan. First, the histological ACC type cases treated between 1991 and 2015 were collected. A detailed analysis of the characteristics of anal canal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cases was then conducted. The results of the histological types revealed that of the 1781 ACC cases, 435 cases (24.4%) including seven cases of adenosquamous cell carcinomas were SCC and 1260 cases (70.7%) were adenocarcinoma. However, the most common histological type reported in the USA, Europe, and Australia is SCC. Most ACC cases are adenocarcinomas and there is a low incidence of SCC in Japan which is different from the above‐mentioned countries. Moreover, we reclassified T4 into the following two groups based on tumor size: T4a (tumor diameter of 5 cm or less) and T4b (tumor diameter of more than 5 cm). The results of the TNM classification of SCC revealed that the hazard ratio (HR) to T1 of T2, T3, T4a, and T4b was 2.45, 2.28, 2.89, and 4.97, respectively. As T4b cases had a worse prognosis than T4a cases, we propose that T4 for anal canal SCC in Japan be subclassified into T4a and T4b.

Abstract Background Computed tomographic myelography can be a useful tool for evaluating vertebral canal stenosis. However, an index of spinal cord compression is yet to be established. Objectives This observational descriptive study aimed to establish an index for spinal cord compression using computed tomography (CT). Methods Twenty‐three Thoroughbred horses (age, 155–717 days; weight, 205–523 kg) with suspected cervical vertebral malformation were subjected to computed tomographic myelography in dorsal recumbency using large‐bore gantry CT to define the entire cervical vertebrae from C1 to C7. Subsequently, the height of the spinal cord was measured in the sagittal plane reformatted using curved multi‐planar reformation (MPR), thereby comparing it with stenotic ratio (i.e. dividing the area of spinal cord by that of the subarachnoid space) measured in the transverse plane. The measurement was performed at the level of each of six intervertebral spaces, for a total of 138 sites. Accordingly, the appropriate cut‐off value for spinal cord height was determined using the receiver‐operating characteristic curve, from which the area under the curve with 95% confidence interval was estimated. Results The spinal cord compression cut‐off value was 7.06 mm, with an area under curve of 0.84. A weak relationship was observed between spinal cord height and stenotic ratio (R2 = 0.08, p

In the 1950s, the cause of anal fistulas was identified as an infection of the anal gland (cryptoglandular infection theory). Thereafter, treatment for this disorder began in the 1960s with the lay-open procedure, which involved incising the sphincter and the fistula tract. However, it was found that too much invasion into the sphincter could result in postoperative fecal incontinence. Thus, to reduce such risk, sphincter-preserving surgery was applied for superficial anal fistula in 1961 and for deep anal fistula (ischiorectal fistula) in 1965. Over the years, more effective sphincter-preserving procedures for ischiorectal fistula have been developed to improve the quality of life of the patient. In this review article, we aim to first introduce the basic surgical techniques for ischiorectal fistula. We will discuss the anatomy of the anus and the pathogenesis of ischiorectal fistula and will provide some diagnostic methods. Representative sphincter-preserving procedures that have been performed for ischiorectal fistula since 1965 will also be categorized and outlined chronologically. The discussion will look at the following techniques for ischiorectal fistula and outline the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure so that they can be used as a reference for ischiorectal fistula surgery in the future: the lay-open procedure (fistulotomy and fistulectomy), the Hanley procedure (first partial sphincter-preserving procedure), the muscle-filling procedure, the Moriya method and Ui method (modified partial sphincter-preserving procedure), the Takano method and the sphincter-preserving lateral procedure (complete sphincter-preserving procedure), the seton method (a cross between the lay-open procedure and sphincter-preserving procedure), and the overseas sphincter-preserving procedure.

We surveyed the facilities that were members of the Japan Association of Zoos and Aquariums to clarify the incidence of aspergillosis, which is a major cause of death in captive penguins, and to discern effective preventive measures. Responses were obtained for 2910 penguins in 64 facilities; 73 penguins (2.5%) in 35 facilities had died from aspergillosis during the past 5 years from April 2016 to March 2021. Answers to questions about the rearing environment indicated that aspergillosis occurred significantly more often in facilities where penguins were reared outdoors, were in contact with soil, or were moved outside of the rearing enclosure. Answers to questions about their dead penguins indicated that 76% may have been at individual risk (e.g., young age, old age, molting period, and breeding season) and 54% were thought to be reared in uncomfortable environments (e.g., high temperature, high humidity). Aspergillosis may occur when individual risk factors and uncomfortable environmental factors are added to the risk factors of exposure to Aspergillus, such as the presence of soil. These conditions must be recognized as risk factors for aspergillosis, and appropriate preventive measures, such as avoiding penguin contact with the soil where Aspergillus is expected to be present, can minimize aspergillosis-related deaths.

Abstract Aim Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are one of the subtypes of neuroendocrine neoplasms and are defined as epithelial neoplasms with predominant neuroendocrine differentiation. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinicopathological characteristics of colorectal NETs through a nationwide retrospective study in Japan. Methods This multicenter retrospective cohort study of NETs in Japan was conducted by the study group of the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum. In this study, we aimed to clarify the characteristics of Japanese patients with colorectal NETs. This cohort study included patients with colorectal NETs who were treated from January 2011 to December 2015. Results Most NETs developed in the lower rectum. Predictive factors of lymph node metastasis included size (>10 mm), depth of invasion (muscular propria or greater), NET grade (NET G2), depressed lesion of the tumor, and lymphovascular infiltration. In particular, depressed lesion of the tumor and lymphovascular infiltration were independent predictive factors of lymph node metastasis. The presence of an increased number of these predictive factors increased the lymph node metastasis rate. Conclusion Surgical resection with lymph node dissection is considered in the colorectal NETs patients with predictive factors of lymph node metastasis, the number of which is correlated with incidence of lymph node metastasis.

Abstract Background Umbilical vein bacterial infections may cause liver abscesses during bacterial ascent. A single liver abscess can be surgically treated by marsupialization, but a risk of recurrence or non-healing remains. Moreover, there is no effective treatment for multiple abscesses. Case presentation A 17-day-old Holstein female calf exhibited reduced general condition, swelling and drainage of the umbilicus, and pressure sores in the area of the carpus, resulting in reluctance to stand up. The umbilicus showed pain at palpation; deep abdominal palpation indicated a swollen umbilical vein coursing from the umbilicus toward the liver. Ultrasonography confirmed a swollen umbilical vein with pus accumulation and multiple abscesses in the liver. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) examination confirmed that the swollen umbilical vein with fluid continued to the liver, and multiple unenhanced lesions, most likely abscesses, were confirmed in the liver. Partial hepatectomy was performed to remove as many abscesses as possible. For the resection, a vessel sealing device (LigaSureTM) was used to excise a part of the left liver lobe. As we could not remove all the abscesses in the liver during the operation, cefazolin sodium (5 mg/kg) was administered for 14 days after surgery. Post-operatively, blood accumulation was observed in the abdominal cavity, but no signs of peritonitis were found. The calf returned to the farm on day 38 after surgery. Follow-up information was obtained after 1 year, and complications were not reported. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report of partial hepatectomy using a vessel sealing device for a calf with multiple liver abscesses. This case report suggests that the combination of partial hepatectomy and long-term administration of antibacterial drugs may restore the health of calves with multiple liver abscesses.

The molecular phylogeny of the Cimicoidea was reconstructed from an expanded sampling based on mitochondrial (16S, COI) and nuclear (18S, 28SD3) genes. The data were analyzed using maximum likelihood (ML), maximum parsimony (MP), and Bayesian inference (BI) phylogenetic frameworks. The phylogenetic relationships inferred by the model-based analyses (ML and BI) were largely congruent with those inferred by the MP analysis in terms of the monophyly of most of the higher taxonomic groups and the species-level relationships. The following clades were recovered in all analyses: Cimiciformes; Nabidae: Prostemmatinae; Nabidae: Nabinae; Plokiophilidae; Microphysidae; Lasiochilidae; Cimicidae: Cacodminae; Cimicidae; Lyctocoridae; Anthocoridae s. str.; Cardiastethini excluding Amphiareus; Almeidini; Scolopini; Anthocorini; Oriini; Curaliidae + Lasiochilidae; Almeidini + Xylocorini; Oriini + Cardiastethini; and Anthocorini + Amphiareus. Reconstructions of ancestral copulation states based on Bayesian and parsimony inference indicated that at least one shift from standard insemination (SI) to traumatic insemination (TI) occurred within Cimicoidea, and an investigation of the evolutionary correlation between TI and paragenitalia (PG) revealed that the acquisition of PG in cimicoid females was correlated with the TI habit. Additionally, our morphological examination of various types of PG suggested that even the same PG type may not constitute a homologous feature at various taxonomic levels, indicating the convergent evolution of female morphology to adapt to TI.

Abstract Background Gastrointestinal lymphomas like diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are rare complications of ulcerative colitis (UC), and only a few studies have reported intestinal ulcers caused by DLBCL, which got perforated during the treatment of UC. Case presentation A 43-year-old man with severe lower abdominal pain and an 8-year history of UC was admitted in our hospital. He was diagnosed UC since 8 years and received a maintenance oral dose of 5-aminosalicylic acid, and no other immunosuppressive drugs. A deep rectal ulcer was endoscopically diagnosed 10 months before admission, no malignancy or cytomegalovirus infection was detected on biopsy. After 7 months a further endoscopy with biopsies confirmed the finding and the absence of malignancy. Three months later the patient developed sudden abdominal pain and was admitted in our hospital. Rectal perforation was suspected on X-ray and computed tomography imaging, and an emergency surgery was performed. Surgical exploration revealed a perforation on the anterior wall of the rectum. A subtotal colectomy with temporary ileostomy was performed. Pathology examinations showed lymphocyte infiltration of all of the layers of the perforated site and an immunohistochemical evaluation revealed DLBCL. Clinical staging was stage IV, and the patient received a 6-months regimen of R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone) chemotherapy. Positron emission tomography restaging revealed disappearance of distant uptake and a slight uptake in the residual rectum, and completion proctectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis was performed. No residual tumor in the specimen was found, and the patient was disease-free at 2 years follow-up. Conclusions DLBCL may increase the frequency of perforation and is a poor prognostic risk factor for patients with UC. This case study emphasizes the importance of careful medical surveillance and repeated endoscopic biopsies during the treatment of UC.

Purpose Propiverine hydrochloride (PH) is widely used for the treatment of urinary incontinence (UI) due to bladder overactivity. Moreover, the comorbidity of UI with fecal incontinence (FI) is known to be due to the relationship of both to nervous system disorders and dysfunction or weakening of the pelvic floor muscles. The aim of this single-arm prospective study was to evaluate the therapeutic value of PH for FI. Methods Patients (n = 24) who were diagnosed as having both FI and UI from April 2015 to November 2016 were included in the study and administered a dosage of 10–20 mg PH every day for 1 month. The primary endpoint was to create a reduction in the frequency of FI per week. An evaluation criterion of ≥50% reduction in frequency was determined as effective. The percentage of the patients who achieved the ≥50% endpoint (responders) was also calculated. Results The frequency of FI per week was 6.0 ± 8.2 (0.25–30) at baseline and reduced to 1.6 ± 2.1 (0–7) at the posttherapeutic state (P = 0.005). A reduction of ≥50% was seen in 14 of the patients (58.3%). Conclusion PH reduced the frequency of FI in patients with both FI and UI. This study introduces a possible therapeutic option for the pharmacological treatment of FI.

Abstract Background Uterine inversion may cause massive hemorrhage, resulting in maternal deterioration and death. Replacement of the inverted uterus must be performed as soon as possible. As time passes, the inverted uterus becomes atonic and necrotic, and a surgical approach may be required. Case presentation A 27-year-old Japanese woman was admitted to our hospital 4 hours postpartum with increased hemorrhage after the replacement of an inverted uterus. Recurrent inversion was diagnosed, and though the atonic uterus was replaced again by the Johnson maneuver, hemorrhage persisted. Balloon tamponade was not successful in stopping the hemorrhage, and uterine artery embolization was performed. Bleeding resumed the next day on removal of the balloon, and hysterectomy was performed. Massive hemorrhage, coagulopathy, and uterine necrosis caused uterine atony, and the reperfused blood flow on replacement of the ischemic uterus increased hemorrhage. Conclusions Cases of uterine inversion with coagulopathy lasting for more than 4 hours may require a surgical intervention, and uterine replacement may have to be delayed until the maternal hemodynamic condition is stabilized. Uterine replacement under laparotomy may be also be considered due to the risk of increased hemorrhage.

A 6-month-old crossbred of a Holstein and Japanese Black heifer calf weighing 95 kg presented with a history of intermittent abdominal distension and failure to thrive. The physical examination identified a pinging sound over the dorsal left flank. The abdominal radiography showed a huge gas-filled mass. The intravenous urography revealed no communication between the mass and the urinary bladder. Although the visual examination and palpation of the umbilicus did not reveal visible abnormalities, an umbilical disease was suspected because the animal exhibited poor growth, depression, and a hunched back posture. When the eschar adhering to the centre of the umbilicus was removed, the presence of a fistulous tract was revealed. The umbilical ultrasound examination revealed an intra-abdominal abscess and the fistulography demonstrated that the abscess communicated with the umbilicus. The abscess, compressing into the rumen, was observed by computed tomography. From these images, it was diagnosed as an umbilical cord remnant abscess and a definitive diagnosis of a urachal abscess was obtained by open abdominal surgery and the subsequent removal of the mass. The calf was discharged from the university hospital on day 14 after the operation. This case shows that a urachal abscess should be considered when a pinging sound is present, even if the animal exhibits no swelling or pain of the umbilicus.

For the treatment of chylothorax, the most common procedure is a thoracic duct ligation; however, recurrence of the issue is often common, generally due to the incomplete ligation of all thoracic duct tributaries. Therefore, accurate localisation of the thoracic duct tributaries is required to determine the ligation sites in each patient. The concept of the perirectal injection of the imaging materials, which provides a simple and minimally invasive approach, is investigated for computed tomographic (CT) lymphography and near infrared fluorescent thoracoscopy in cats. Three clinically healthy cats were used for the CT lymphography, and two clinically healthy cats were used for the near infrared fluorescent thoracoscopy. Iodine contrast agent for the CT or indocyanine green for the thoracoscopy was injected subcutaneously into the peri-anal tissue. The injection site was massaged for 5 min post-injection. However, in the indirect injection of the imaging materials, in three iohexol-administered cats, the abdominal lymphatics, cisterna chyle, and thoracic duct could be depicted by the CT lymphography; and in both indocyanine green-administered cats, the thoracic duct was depicted running alongside the aorta by the near infrared fluorescent thoracoscopy. The ideal imaging procedure for the thoracic duct ligation involves the pre-operative CT lymphography of the entire pathway of the lymphatic vessels in advance, followed by the direct visualisation using a thoracoscopy. A combined CT lymphography and thoracoscopy could be a reliable method for successful surgeries. Crucially, the subcutaneous peri-anal injection of a contrast/dye provides a simple and minimally invasive method for the pre-operative and intra-operative depiction of the lymphatic pathways.

A Darwinian evolutionary shift occurs early in the neutral evolution of advanced colorectal carcinoma (CRC), and copy number aberrations (CNA) are essential in the transition from adenoma to carcinoma. In light of this primary evolution, we investigated the evolutionary principles of the genome that foster postoperative recurrence of CRC. CNA and neoantigens (NAG) were compared between early primary tumors with recurrence (CRCR) and early primary tumors without recurrence (precancerous and early; PCRC). We compared CNA, single nucleotide variance (SNV), RNA sequences, and T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire between 9 primary and 10 metastatic sites from 10 CRCR cases. We found that NAG in primary sites were fewer in CRCR than in PCRC, while the arm level CNA were significantly higher in primary sites in CRCR than in PCRC. Further, a comparison of genomic aberrations of primary and metastatic conditions revealed no significant differences in CNA. The driver mutations in recurrence were the trunk of the evolutionary phylogenic tree from primary sites to recurrence sites. Notably, PD-1 and TIM3, T cell exhaustion-related molecules of the tumor immune response, were abundantly expressed in metastatic sites compared to primary sites along with the increased number of CD8 expressing cells. The postoperative recurrence-free survival period was only significantly associated with the NAG levels and TCR repertoire diversity in metastatic sites. Therefore, CNA with diminished NAG and diverse TCR repertoire in pre-metastatic sites may determine postoperative recurrence of CRC.

Advanced colorectal cancers are characterised by intra-tumour heterogeneity dictated by neutral evolution. Here the authors analyse early colorectal tumours by whole-exome sequencing and find that Darwinian evolution determines the fate of early lesions in colorectal adenoma and carcinoma in situ.

Umbilical cord ulcer is related to fetal intestinal atresia or meconium; perforation of the ulcer causes fetal deterioration leading to fetal and neonatal death owing to fetal hemorrhage. However, to the best of our knowledge, a method to diagnose umbilical cord ulcer prenatally is not available. No reports exist about the prenatal findings before perforation of umbilical cord ulcer using ultrasonography. We encountered two cases of umbilical cord ulcer showing ultrasonographic finding of a linear echo around the umbilical cord. Umbilical cord ulcers with an exposed umbilical cord artery in the first case and with perforation of the artery in the second case were diagnosed postnatally. When we encounter such ultrasonographic finding, especially with polyhydramnios and high amniotic bile acid concentration in cases of fetal intestinal atresia, risk of perforation of the umbilical cord ulcer should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) is one of most common North Pacific porpoise species, for which information on sound-emitting processes is limited. To evaluate the mechanism of click emission in the head of this porpoise, the distribution of acoustic impedance in head tissues was calculated using density and Young's modulus'which is a measure of linear resistance to linear compression. Two Dall's porpoise heads were examined: one for macroscopic dissection, and one for investigating the distribution of acoustic impedance calculated from CT-measured density, and Young's modulus measured by creep meter. Acoustic impedance increased from the dorsal bursae to the melon's emitting surface, with impedance matching observed at the boundary between the emitting surface and seawater, and was more similar in distribution to Young's modulus than it was to density. The distribution of acoustic impedance differed from that of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), despite similarities in the sound-producing organs in the heads of Dall's and harbor porpoises. A comparison of the physical properties of Dall's and harbor porpoise head tissues suggests that hypertrophic vestibular sacs and an oval emitting surface are common characteristics in Phocoenidae.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005778.].

Understanding intratumor heterogeneity is clinically important because it could cause therapeutic failure by fostering evolutionary adaptation. To this end, we profiled the genome and epigenome in multiple regions within each of nine colorectal tumors. Extensive intertumor heterogeneity is observed, from which we inferred the evolutionary history of the tumors. First, clonally shared alterations appeared, in which C>T transitions at CpG site and CpG island hypermethylation were relatively enriched. Correlation between mutation counts and patients' ages suggests that the early-acquired alterations resulted from aging. In the late phase, a parental clone was branched into numerous subclones. Known driver alterations were observed frequently in the early-acquired alterations, but rarely in the late-acquired alterations. Consistently, our computational simulation of the branching evolution suggests that extensive intratumor heterogeneity could be generated by neutral evolution. Collectively, we propose a new model of colorectal cancer evolution, which is useful for understanding and confronting this heterogeneous disease.

Four species of the genus Amphiareus are recognized in southeastern Asia, including two new species, A. edentulus and A. rompinus, both from Johor, Malaysia. The two known species, A. constrictus (Stål) and A. ruficollaris Yamada & Hirowatari are also diagnosed and figured; the latter is recorded from this region for the first time. The genus is diagnosed and briefly discussed.

Fecal corticosterone metabolite (FCM) concentrations, which can be determined noninvasively, have recently been explored as a stress indicator in birds. In our study, we measured FCM concentrations in penguins under nonmolting or molting conditions, cool or hot season, diseased condition, and incubation period. These measurements were conducted in an aquarium that housed king penguins, gentoo penguins, and African penguins. This study aimed to investigate the validity of fecal matter as a stress indicator. Our findings revealed that FCM concentrations were significantly higher in molting individuals than in nonmolting individuals. Compared with the cool season, FCM concentrations were significantly higher in penguins housed outdoors during the hot season. However, no differences were observed in penguins housed indoors. Diseased individuals and an incubating individual showed notably higher FCM concentrations than healthy individuals. Interestingly, the FCM concentration in king penguin that underwent cataract surgery was extremely high before the surgery. However, 1 month postsurgery, it decreased to a level similar to that of healthy individuals. We observed increased FCM concentrations in penguins considered to be exposed to stressors. Notably, FCM concentration decreased after removing the stress factor. The FCM concentration was found to be consistent with the stress state of penguins, suggesting its usefulness as a stress indicator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study using computed tomography (CT), the volumes of the internal cranial cavities, such as the braincase, frontal sinus and tympanic cavity, and the ratio of the volume of each cavity to the skull volume in Japanese wolves were quantified, and CT images of the frontal sinus were observed. The results were then compared with those of other wolf subspecies, including Akita, a dog breed, to clarify the characteristics of the internal cranial cavities in Japanese wolves. The present study revealed that the Japanese wolf had a relatively larger braincase volume and a relatively smaller frontal sinus volume than the wolf ssp. (a group of wild wolf subspecies except the Japanese wolf) and Akita. Moreover, the relative and absolute tympanic cavity volumes of the Japanese wolf and Akita were significantly smaller than those of the wolf ssp. In the CT image or macroscopic observations, the frontal sinuses of the wolf ssp. and Akita were relatively well developed to the caudal and dorsal directions, respectively, compared with that of the Japanese wolf, and the tympanic cavity of the wolf ssp. was more largely swelled ventrally and medially than that of other groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate how omitting additional surgery after local excision (LE) affects patient outcomes in high-risk T1 colorectal cancer (CRC). Background: It is debatable whether additional surgery should be performed for all patients with high-risk T1 CRC regardless of the tolerability of invasive procedures. Methods: Patients who had received LE for T1 CRC at the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum institutions between 2009 and 2016 were analyzed. Those who had received additional surgical resection and those who did not were matched one-on-one by the propensity score-matching method. A total of 401 propensity score-matched pairs were extracted from 1975 patients at 27 Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum institutions and were compared. Results: Regional lymph node metastasis was observed in 31 (7.7%) patients in the LE + surgery group. Comparatively, the incidence of oncologic adverse events was low in the LE-alone group, such as the 5-year cumulative risk of local recurrence (4.1%) or overall recurrence (5.5%). In addition, the difference in the 5-year cancer-specific survival between the LE + surgery and LE-alone groups was only 1.8% (99.7% and 97.9%, respectively), whereas the 5-year overall survival was significantly lower in the LE-alone group than in the LE + surgery group [88.5% vs 94.5%, respectively ( P = 0.002)]. Conclusions: Those who had decided to omit additional surgery at the dedicated center for CRC treatment presented a small number of oncologic events and a satisfactory cancer-specific survival, which may suggest an important role of risk assessment regarding nononcologic adverse events to achieve a best practice for each individual with high-risk T1 tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 28-day-old Holstein calf with astasia (i.e., right hind limb flaccid paralysis) was referred to Large Animal Veterinary Educational Center. Thoracic radiographs showed an alveolar pattern and air bronchograms indicating pneumonia, whereas skeletal radiography showed muscle atrophy of the right hind limb but no abnormalities in the coxofemoral and stifle joints. Contrastenhanced computed tomography revealed the pulmonary abscess in the right cranial pulmonary lobe and a thrombus (5 × 5 × 20 mm) in the right external iliac artery distal to the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta. These findings were confirmed via pathological examination. Streptococcus bovis/equinus complex colonies were isolated from the thrombus and pulmonary abscess. Thus, the pulmonary abscess was considered the infectious source of the thromboembolism in the right external iliac artery. Arterial thromboembolism should be included in the differential diagnoses in calves with astasia but without radiographic skeletal abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 131-day-old male Japanese Black calf presented with a swollen right cheek from birth. Imaging examination revealed a cyst under the right buccal area and debris-containing fluid inside the cyst, and puncture aspiration revealed a mildly cloudy fluid containing hair and tissue fragments. Histological examination of the excised cyst revealed stratified squamous epithelium with skin appendages in the cyst wall, which was diagnosed as a dermoid cyst. In addition, some submandibular gland tissue was found within the cyst wall. After removal of the cyst, there was swelling in the same area, which resolved with steroid administration. Surgical treatment of buccal dermoid cysts should be performed with caution to avoid damage to adjacent salivary gland tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]