MitoCOMON: whole mitochondrial DNA sequencing by primer design and long overlapping amplicon assembly.

Background: Mitochondrial DNA sequences are used for inter- and intra-specific comparison analysis in ecological studies. Instead of using short regions as marker sequences, analyzing longer regions, such as whole mitochondrial DNA sequences, can improve the accuracy of such studies by increasing the likelihood of detecting species or specific sequences. However, current methods for sequencing whole mitochondrial DNA require primer design for each target species or long fragments of genomic DNA as a PCR template.

Clinical utility of repeated IgH gene rearrangement testing for the diagnosis and surveillance of gastric MALT lymphoma.

Gastric MALT lymphoma diagnosis relies on histopathological findings and immunoglobulin H gene (IgHr) rearrangement testing, which reflects monoclonal immunoglobulin proliferation. This study aimed to clarify the role of IgHr in the diagnosis, treatment prediction, and surveillance of gastric MALT lymphoma. Of the 152 suspected cases, 131 were definitively diagnosed using a combination of IgHr and pathology, with pathological findings considered the gold standard.

Characteristic miRNA profiles represent clinicopathological diversity of small cell lung cancer.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is classified into distinct molecular subtypes based on the expression patterns of four transcription regulators: achaete-scute homolog 1 (ASCL1), neuronal differentiation 1 (NEUROD1), POU class 2 homeobox 3 (POU2F3), and yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in cancer cellular processes but their subtype-specific implications in SCLC remain underexplored. Out of 46 surgically resected SCLC samples, miRNA visualization through in situ hybridization identified high expression of miR-375 in the ASCL1, NEUROD1, and ASCL1/NEUROD1 subtypes, and miR-9-5p in the POU2F3 subtype.

Synthesis of Sialylgalactose Analogs via Fully α-Selective Sialylation.

A streamlined synthesis of sialylgalactose (NeuGal) analogs is described. Neuα(2,6)Gal and Neuα(2,3)Gal units were synthesized via fully α-selective sialylation of suitable Gal acceptors using a bicyclic sialyl donor. NeuGals were diversified through C5 amino group modification and sulfation, yielding NeuGal analogs with an amino linker for biological studies.

Efficacy of Hybrid Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection to Ensure Adequate Submucosal Layer for T1b Colorectal Carcinomas of 20-30 mm in Diameter.

Objectives: Although hybrid endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has gained popularity over the years, its usefulness in ensuring an adequate submucosal [SM] layer for T1b (SM invasion depth ≥1,000 μm) colorectal carcinoma (CRC) remains unknown. We retrospectively compared conventional ESD (C-ESD) with planned hybrid ESD (PH-ESD) for cT1b CRCs measuring 20-30 mm.

Methods: We analyzed 71 consecutive cases of cT1b CRC (20-30 mm).

Investigating tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes as predictors of lymph node metastasis in deep submucosal invasive esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Background: Various subtypes of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are associated with prognosis in various cancer types. In esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), TILs have been associated with prognosis in advanced stages of the disease. However, their significance in superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC) remains unknown.

Chemical Synthesis and Structural Determination of the Inositol Glycan Head of Plant Sphingolipid GIPC in Brassicaceae.

Glycosylinositol phosphoceramides (GIPCs), a major class of plant sphingolipids, are key components of the plasma membrane and play important roles in plants. These molecules consist of a ceramide 1-phosphate tail attached to an inositol glycan (IG) head, which typically contains an d-glucuronic acid (GlcA)-α(1→2)-myo-inositol structure. The second monosaccharide linked to the O-4 position of the GlcA residue differs depending on plant species and cell tissues.

Clinical Outcomes of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Early Gastric Cancer Patients With Concurrent Advanced Malignancies With Expected Poor Prognosis.

Aims: Despite improved outcomes for malignant tumors, evidence regarding the management of patients with multiple malignancies remains limited. We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and prognosis of patients undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer (EGC) complicated by advanced malignancies in other organs with a poor prognosis.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively reviewed 3703 gastric cancer patients who underwent ESD at our hospital (2005-2022), focusing on those with advanced extra-gastric malignancies with a 5-year survival rate of < 50%.

Effectiveness of endoscopic submucosal dissection in the management of internal hemorrhoids: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Improvement in internal hemorrhoids is frequently observed after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for rectal intraepithelial neoplasia. This study investigated the effectiveness of rectal ESD in the management of internal hemorrhoids.

Objectives: Twenty-three patients who underwent ESD for tumors adjacent to the dentate line and associated with internal hemorrhoids.

Integrative epigenome and transcriptome analyses reveal transcriptional programs differentially regulated by ASCL1 and NEUROD1 in small cell lung cancer.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC), an aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma, has an extremely poor prognosis. ASCL1 and NEUROD1 are key regulators of neuroendocrine features, and previous studies have suggested that SCLC plasticity occurs during the transition from ASCL1-positive (SCLC-A) to NEUROD1-positive (SCLC-N) subtypes. In this study, we attempted to understand the transcriptional programs governed by ASCL1 and NEUROD1 to identify markers of SCLC plasticity.

Rectal Neuroendocrine Tumor With Non-Atypical Mucous Cell Glands: A Case Report.

Introduction: Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) of rectal origin containing non-neuroendocrine components are extremely rare. Additionally, there have been no previous reports of NENs accompanied by nonmalignant components. Herein, we report a case of an NEN accompanied by mucous cell glands that could not be regarded as a carcinoma.

Fluorescence-Guided Surgery for Assessing Margins in Head and Neck Cancer: A Review.

Importance: Head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) is associated with a higher positive margin rate compared with most other cancers in surgical oncology. This rate has remained stagnant over the past 3 decades. Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) is a promising tool to address high positive margin rates in multiple solid tumor types, including HNSCC.

Lymph node metastasis and treatment outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial spreading esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ≥ 50 mm in size.

Background: The precise indications for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in superficial spreading esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC) remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the lymph node metastasis rates and outcomes of ESD for SESCC lesions ≥ 50 mm, focusing on diagnostic accuracy, short-term outcomes, and long-term prognoses.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 79 patients who underwent ESD for SESCC between January 2011 and December 2018.

Wave height fluctuations in the waveforms of an endoscopic pressure study integrated system have the potential to predict acid reflux in gastroesophageal reflux disease (with video).

Objectives: The endoscopic pressure study integrated system (EPSIS) is a useful diagnostic tool for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Although wave height fluctuations have been observed in EPSIS waveforms, their clinical significance remains unclear. We hypothesized that the magnitude of these fluctuations may reflect lower esophageal sphincter functionality.

Molecular imaging predicts trastuzumab-deruxtecan (T-DXd) response in head and neck cancer xenograft models.

Erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2; also known as HER2) expression is observed in 25-40% of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), yet there are no anti-HER2 therapies under evaluation for HNSCC, as conventional cytostatic anti-HER2 antibodies have had limited effectiveness and levels of HER2 overexpression are lower in HNSCC tumors compared to breast cancer. Trastuzumab-deruxtecan (T-DXd; Enhertu) is a HER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) comprising an anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody, a cleavable linker, and a potent topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, and has shown promising results in very low HER2-expressing tumors. We compare the efficacy of T-DXd, trastuzumab-emtansine (ADC comprising an anti-HER2 antibody and microtubule inhibitor, T-DM1; Kadcyla) and trastuzumab (Herceptin) therapy in HNSCC with low and absent HER2 expression in vitro and in vivo.

A multivariate model incorporating subharmonic measurements for evaluating vocal roughness.

The assessment of voice quality plays a critical role in the clinical evaluation of hoarseness. However, no study has established a highly accurate method for the auditory-perceptual judgment of vocal roughness, which is one of the major components of hoarseness. In this study, we developed a multivariate acoustic model for quantifying vocal roughness using a tailored fundamental frequency (f) estimation algorithm.

Clinical Significance of Small-Bowel Mucosal Changes in Liver Cirrhosis Patients With Suspected Small-Bowel Bleeding: A Capsule Endoscopy Study.

Background And Aim: Although the type and prevalence of small-bowel lesions in patients with liver cirrhosis have been reported, the clinical significance of their endoscopic features is unclear. We aimed to clarify their association with small-bowel bleeding in liver cirrhosis patients with suspected small-bowel bleeding.

Methods: We retrospectively included 165 patients with liver cirrhosis (96 men; median age, 73 years) who underwent capsule endoscopy at our institution: 32 without portal hypertensive enteropathy (Grade 0), 101 with inflammatory-like abnormalities (Grade 1), and 32 with vascular lesions (Grade 2).

Endoscopic features differentiating non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter-induced gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma with a nodular gastritis-like appearance and H. pylori-induced conventional nodular gastritis.

Objectives: Conventional nodular gastritis has been known to be caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. Several cases of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma with non-H. pylori Helicobacters (NHPH) exhibit endoscopic findings resembling nodular gastritis.

Central compartment of nasal cavity-derived MMP-9 enhances mixed-type 2 inflammation in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammatory disease of the upper respiratory tract. Although previously classified based on the presence or absence of nasal polyps, it is now commonly classified by endotype. Eosinophilic CRS (ECRS) is based on type 2 inflammation and the formation of intractable nasal polyps with eosinophil infiltration.

Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade regulates skeletal remodeling in a sex- and age-dependent manner.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) block immunoregulatory receptor-ligand interactions and robustly increase survival of cancer patients but frequently result in immune-related adverse events (irAEs). While rheumatologic toxicities are commonly reported as irAEs, the effect of immune checkpoint blockade on the underlying mechanisms of ICI-induced fractures and bone loss is controversial, with reports of both positive and negative effects on bone mass in preclinical models. However, no previous reports have investigated the impact of ICIs on females or aged mice, or on fracture risk in either sex.

Study protocol for a randomized trial comparing cryobiopsy and conventional biopsy for peripheral pulmonary lesions.

Background: The introduction of radial endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS) and navigation has improved the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy for peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs). Cryobiopsy could further raise the yield, and the advent of single-use cryoprobes has shown promise in enhancing yields even when used alone. This multicenter randomized controlled trial aims to compare the diagnostic performance of cryobiopsy with that of conventional biopsy during bronchoscopy for PPLs.

Ganglioside analog synthesis via late-stage sialylation and fatty acid introduction.

Gangliosides are sialylated glycosphingolipids comprising various chemical forms of glycans and ceramides. They perform various biological functions in cell plasma membranes. Differences in the sialic acid forms (Neu5Ac and Neu5Gc) and ceramide species (lengths and degrees of unsaturation) result in variations in ganglioside's functions, even though their core glycan structures are common.

Engraftment outcome of patients with anti-HLA antibodies in HLA-mismatched peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

Anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies, particularly donor-specific HLA antibodies (DSA), negatively impact engraftment in hematopoietic cell transplantation. Past studies have proposed various interventions to reduce DSA, but these were primarily from single centers and not from large-scale registry data. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective analysis of nationwide registry data to examine the effects of anti-HLA antibodies on engraftment.

Background Tissue with Native Target Expression Can Determine Presence of Nodal Metastasis in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients Infused with Targeted Fluorescent Tracers.

Purpose: Survival and treatment intensity in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is determined by the presence of lymph node (LN) metastasis, and as a result surgical removal of potentially affected LN remains a mainstay practice. Fluorescence guided surgery (FGS) using targeted optical agents is an expanding field that shows great potential for aiding diagnosis of metastatic LN. Given variations in fluorescence background, a reference standard for regions of interest is necessary for cross patient comparison.