Publications by authors named "Kozue Ando"

A 50-year-old man was diagnosed with type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) following endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and a histopathological examination. After six months of untreated follow-up, the serum IgG4 level decreased, and the diffuse pancreatic enlargement improved; however, a pancreatic head mass became apparent. EUS-FNA of this mass revealed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with IgG4-positive plasma cells.

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Trace elements and stable isotope ratios in otoliths have been used as proxies for the migration history of teleosts; however, their application in oceanic fishes remains limited. This study reports the first use of radiocarbons in otoliths to evaluate the horizontal migration histories of an oceanic fish species, the walleye pollock . We conducted radiocarbon analyses of three stocks sourced from Hokkaido, Japan.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study looked into how different factors affect the successful removal of bile duct stones in patients with altered anatomy undergoing a specific endoscopic procedure called DBERC.
  • Of the 257 patients analyzed, over half achieved initial stone removal, but around 21% experienced stone recurrence, with key factors impacting these outcomes identified.
  • Factors like the size and number of stones were crucial for successful removal, while complications such as cholangitis and congenital biliary dilatation were linked to higher chances of stone recurrence.
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Article Synopsis
  • Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a key diagnostic tool for identifying diseases in organs close to the gastrointestinal tract.
  • EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) enhances the accuracy of histopathological diagnosis.
  • The evolution of EUS-FNA over 40 years, including advancements in scopes, observation systems, and puncture tools, paves the way for future innovations.
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Article Synopsis
  • * Imaging suggested intrapancreatic bile duct stenosis, resembling autoimmune pancreatitis, even though key pancreatic enzyme levels remained normal.
  • * A biopsy revealed inflammation and fibrosis, and the patient responded well to treatment with oral prednisolone, with no signs of recurrent pancreatitis after dosage reduction.
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Background: /Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of three-dimensional (3D) immunohistochemistry for the Ki67 index of small tissue specimens of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PanNET).

Methods: Clinicopathological materials from 17 patients with PanNET who underwent surgical resection at Jichi Medical University Hospital were analyzed. We compared the Ki67 index of endoscopic ultrasonography-fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNAB) specimens, surgical specimens, and small tissue specimens hollowed from paraffin blocks of surgical specimens that were substituted for EUS-FNAB specimens ("sub-FNAB").

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A 66-year-old man diagnosed with immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC) with diffuse intrahepatic bile duct stenosis and elevated serum IgG4 levels was referred for a further examination because of elevated serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels despite treatment with corticosteroids. An umbilical nodule was found on a physical examination and a biopsy showed adenocarcinoma. Although several imaging studies revealed no changes from prior studies, bile cytology collected by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed adenocarcinoma.

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Endoscopic ultrasound can be useful for obtaining detailed diagnostic images for pancreatic disease. Contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound has allowed to demonstrate not only microvasculature but also real perfusion imaging using second-generation contrast agents. Furthermore, endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration cytology and histology have become more ubiquitous; however, the risk of dissemination caused by paracentesis has yet to be resolved, and the application of less invasive contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound for the differential diagnosis of pancreatic tumors has been anticipated.

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Balloon enteroscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (BEA-ERC) is useful and feasible in adults with pancreatobiliary diseases, but its efficacy and safety have not been established in pediatric patients. We compared the success rate and safety of BEA-ERC between adults and pediatric patients. This single-center retrospective study reviewed 348 patients (pediatric: 57, adult: 291) with surgically altered gastrointestinal anatomies who underwent BEA-ERC for biliary disorders from January 2007 to December 2019.

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Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), which is characterized by pancreatic enlargement and irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct, is difficult to differentiate from malignancy. The irregular narrowing of the pancreatic duct, which can be detected via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, is a characteristic feature of AIP; however, distinguishing between localized AIP and pancreatic cancer based on pancreatic duct imaging is difficult. This study overviews the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided pancreatic sampling for the histopathological diagnosis of AIP.

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The number of new cases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is increasing with a cumulative total of 495,773 cases worldwide, making it the fourteenth most common malignancy. However, it accounts for 466,003 deaths per year and is the seventh leading cause of cancer deaths. Regional differences in the number of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma appear to reflect differences in medical care, as well as racial differences.

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Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is characterized by enlargement of the pancreas and irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct. It is often associated with IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC), in which the bile duct narrows. Although characteristic irregular narrowing of the pancreatic duct caused by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is noted in AIP, it is difficult to differentiate between localized AIP and pancreatic carcinoma based on imaging of the pancreatic duct.

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APE1/Ref-1 is thought to be a multifunctional protein involved in reduction-oxidation (redox) regulation and base excision DNA repair, and is required for early embryonic development in mice. APE1/Ref-1 has redox activity and AP endonuclease activity, and is able to enhance DNA-binding activity of several transcription factors, including NF-kappaB, AP-1 and p53, through reduction of their critical cysteine residues. However, it remains elusive exactly how APE1/Ref-1 carries out its essential functions in vivo.

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The 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs) are enzymes that catalyze the reduction of 17-ketosteroids or the oxidation of 17beta-hydroxysteroids. 17beta-HSD type 12, the most recently cloned member of this gene family, was classified into the 17beta-HSD family based on sequence homology, rather than steroid catalyzing activity. Meanwhile, it has been reported that 17beta-HSD type 12 may be involved in fatty acid synthesis.

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Reduction/oxidation (redox) regulation mediates numerous cellular responses and contributes to several physiological diseases. The transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) is known to be a redox-sensitive factor. NF-kappaB plays a central role in immune responses and inflammation, through regulation of the gene expression of a large number of cytokines and other immune response genes.

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