Diverse Roles and Characteristics of Academic Research Organizations in Japan: Results of A Questionnaire-Based Study.

Background: Clinical trials in Japan are governed by three regulations: Japanese Good Clinical Practice (J-GCP), the Clinical Trials Act, and the Ethical Guidelines for Medical and Biological Research Involving Human Subjects. Academic research organizations (AROs) are non-profit entities established to support clinician-scientists in conducting rigorous and high-quality clinical trials. However, Japan's unique decentralized clinical trial system has resulted in relatively small AROs with diverse roles.

Novel machine-learning model for predicting lymph node metastasis in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Aim: Lymph node metastasis is an adverse prognostic factor in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. However, it remains a challenge to predict lymph node metastasis using preoperative imaging alone. We used machine learning (combining preoperative imaging findings, tumor markers, and clinical information) to create a novel prediction model for lymph node metastasis in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

SLC7A11 and the glutathione pathway as novel prognostic markers in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: A metabolomics study of clinical specimens.

Background/objectives: Despite the poor prognosis associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), there remains a lack of clarity regarding the metabolic pathways and their significant impact on its phenotype. Therefore, we aimed to utilize metabolomics to capture changes in clinical PDAC tissues and elucidate the significant metabolic pathways close to its phenotypes.

Methods: This basic research was retrospectively validated using database research, immunohistochemistry, and protein analysis based on the findings obtained from metabolomics using clinical tissues collected from prospectively registered patients with PDAC.

Complete genome sequence of JCM 18676.

We report a complete genome sequence of JCM 18676, generated by nanopore sequencing. The genome consists of a single circular chromosome of 4,851,806 bp, with a G + C content of 42.9%, and was predicted to contain 15 rRNA and 61 tRNA genes and encode for 3,946 proteins.

Complete genome sequence of JCM 17040.

We generated a complete genome sequence of the type strain of (JCM 17040 = DSM 14534) by Nanopore sequencing. The genome consists of a circular chromosome of 3,741,599 bp with a G + C content of 42.9% and was predicted to contain 3,431 protein-coding sequences.

Elucidating colorectal cancer-associated bacteria through profiling of minimally perturbed tissue-associated microbiota.

Sequencing-based interrogation of gut microbiota is a valuable approach for detecting microbes associated with colorectal cancer (CRC); however, such studies are often confounded by the effect of bowel preparation. In this study, we evaluated the viability of identifying CRC-associated mucosal bacteria through centimeter-scale profiling of the microbiota in tumors and adjacent noncancerous tissue from eleven patients who underwent colonic resection without preoperative bowel preparation. High-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that differences between on- and off-tumor microbiota varied considerably among patients.

Inflammatory bowel disease-specific findings are common morphological changes in the ileal pouch with ulcerative colitis.

Why inflammation is common in ileal pouches with ulcerative colitis (UC) is unclear. We therefore clarified the morphological changes in pouches and afferent limbs (AL) of patients with UC and explored the relationship between these findings. We evaluated the morphological findings (histological and endoscopic inflammation as the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index [PDAI] histology subscore [hPDAI] and endoscopy subscore [ePDAI], inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]-specific findings using the IBD score [S], colonic metaplasia using the colonic metaplasia score [CMS], and goblet cell [GC] ratio) in the pouch and AL of patients with UC.

[Monitoring Blood Markers to Predict Nivolumab Effectiveness in Esophageal Carcinoma].

We investigated whether monitoring the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)and serum interleukin 2 receptor-%lymphocyte ratio(sIL-2R/%Ly)could predict nivolumab(NIVO)effectiveness in treating 9 patients with esophageal cancer. The progression-free survival(PFS)was 292±44 days and overall survival(OS)was 456±136 days. One patient who had chemotherapy intolerance and switched to NIVO achieved CR, and the others had PD.

Laparoscopic extraperitoneal colostomy has a lower risk of parastomal hernia and bowel obstruction than transperitoneal colostomy.

Purpose: Several studies indicate that an extraperitoneal colostomy can prevent the development of a parastomal hernia (PSH) as compared to a transperitoneal colostomy. However, the clinical value of laparoscopic extraperitoneal colostomy, and its influence on bowel obstruction and PSH remain unclear. The present study aimed to clarify the impact of laparoscopic extraperitoneal colostomy on the development of a PSH and bowel obstruction.

Lymph Node Mapping in Transverse Colon Cancer Treated Using Laparoscopic Colectomy With D3 Lymph Node Dissection.

Background: Laparoscopic surgery for transverse colon cancer has been excluded from 7 randomized trials for various reasons. The optimal procedure for transverse colon cancer remains controversial.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the patterns of lymph node metastasis in transverse colon cancer and to report short- and long-term outcomes of the treatment procedures.

Sulphur metabolism in colon cancer tissues: a case report and literature review.

Sulphur-containing compounds have been linked to colorectal cancer by factors such as the presence of methyl mercaptan in intestinal gas and long-term dietary intake associated with sulphur-metabolizing microbiota. Therefore, this current case report hypothesized that active sulphur metabolism in colorectal cancer results in the formation of sulphur compounds in the intestine and, thus, examined sulphur metabolites possibly associated with sulphur respiration in colon cancer tissues. The patient was a 73-year-old female that underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for ascending colon cancer.

Preoperative risk factors of incisional surgical site infection in severe or intractable ulcerative colitis.

Purpose: The present study explored preoperative risk factors (predictors) of incisional surgical site infection (I-SSI) in severe or intractable ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 230 consecutive patients who underwent primary surgery for UC. Patients whose surgical indications were UC with cancer or dysplasia were excluded.

Effects of needlescopic surgery on postoperative pain in intersphincteric or abdominoperineal resection.

Purpose: Laparoscopic surgery allows minimally invasive treatment of rectal cancer, and needlescopic surgery (NS) offers even more minimally invasive operations beyond the scope of conventional laparoscopic surgery (CS). The aim of this study was to compare short-term outcomes of NS for intersphincteric resection (ISR) or abdominoperineal resection (APR) to treat anal or rectal cancer without an abdominal incision for specimen extraction and to measure abdominal wound pain compared to CS.

Methods: Between September 2014 and December 2016, a total of 134 patients underwent laparoscopic ISR or APR.

The risk factors for incisional hernia after laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a multicenter retrospective study at Yokohama Clinical Oncology Group.

Background: Incisional hernia (IH) is a common complication after colorectal surgery. However, the risk factors for incisional hernia after laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCRS) have not been fully elucidated. This retrospective study analyzed the incidence rate of IH and evaluated the risk factors for IH after LCRS.

Needlescopic surgery for very low rectal cancer with no abdominal skin incision.

Introduction: Needlescopic surgery (NS) is a minimally invasive operation beyond traditional laparoscopic surgery. This study aimed to describe NS for intersphincteric resection (ISR) and abdominoperineal resection (APR) for low rectal cancer without a small abdominal skin incision for extracting the specimen and to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the operation.

Methods: From January 2011 to April 2016, 36 patients underwent NS for either ISR or APR.

Skeletal muscle loss is an independent negative prognostic factor in patients with advanced lower rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Background: The impact of body composition on the short- or long-term outcomes of patients with surgically treated advanced rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy remains unclear. This study examined the correlation between low skeletal muscle mass and morbidity and survival in patients with advanced lower rectal cancer.

Methods: We enrolled 144 clinical stage II/III patients with advanced lower rectal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by curative resection between 2004 and 2011.

Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for a colon cancer patient with an ileal conduit.

Here, we describe our experience of laparoscopic surgery in a colon cancer patient with an ileal conduit. To our knowledge, this is the second case presented in the English-language literature. A 71-year-old woman with a history of both open anterior exenteration with ileal conduit reconstruction for bladder cancer and open cholecystectomy for cholecystitis was diagnosed with ascending colon cancer (cT3N1M0).

[A Case of Lymph Node Metastasis of Rectal Laterally Spreading Tumor with Mucosal Cancer after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection].

A screening fecal occult blood test was positive in a 76-year-old female. Colonoscopy showed laterally spreading tumor (LST)over 15 cm at lower rectum. endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)was performed.

[A Case with Metastatic Huge Ovarian Tumor from Transverse Colon Cancer, Who Underwent Systemic Chemotherapy after Bilateral Oophorectomy and Right Hemi Colectomy].

Metastatic ovarian tumors from colon cancer would be resistant to chemotherapy, and compromising quality of life(QOL) of these patients was caused by acute enlargement of the tumors. A 37-year-old woman with abdominal distension was diagnosed with transverse colon cancer, bilateral ovarian metastases, liver metastases, and peritoneal dissemination at prior hospital. Two courses of chemotherapy(FOLFOX)were administered, but metastaticovarian tumors enlarged.

[Safety of Laparoscopic Surgery after Preoperative Short Course Radiotherapy for Lower Rectal Cancer].

Backgrounds: In the setting of routine use of preoperative chemoradiotherapy(CRT)for cStage II / III rectal cancer, shortcourse radiotherapy(short-RT)is selectively used for reducing local recurrence.The purpose of this study is to clarify the safety of laparoscopic surgery after preoperative short-RT for lower rectal cancer.

Methods: Twenty-eight patients who un- derwent short-RT followed by laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for cStage II / III lower rectal cancer were retrospectively analyzed.

Laparoscopic repair of bowel herniation into the space between the obturator nerve and the umbilical artery after pelvic lymphadenectomy for cervical cancer.

Bowel herniation through the space between the exposed structures after pelvic lymphadenectomy is a very rare cause of postoperative bowel obstruction. Here, a case of laparoscopic release of bowel migration into the space after pelvic lymphadenectomy is described. This is the seventh such reported case in the world.