Agromyces silvae sp. nov., Rathayibacter soli sp. nov., and Nocardioides terrisoli sp. nov., Isolated from Soil.

Three Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped, and non-motile bacteria, labelled as W11T , SW19T , and YR1T , were isolated from soil, and performed their polyphasic taxonomic investigation. The phylogenetic and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strains W11T, SW19T, and YR1T belonged to the genera Agromyces, Rathayibacter, and Nocardioides, respectively. Strain W11T was closely affiliated with Agromyces cavernae SYSU K20354T (98.1%), strain SW19T showed the closest affiliation with Rathayibacter rubneri ZW T2_19T (97.0%), and strain YR1T was most closely related to Nocardioides marmorisolisilvae KIS18-7T (98.0%). The genome sizes of strains W11T , SW19T , and YR1T were 4,181,720 bp, 4,740,677 bp, and 4,228,226 bp, respectively, with DNA G+C contents of 70.5%, 64.2%, and 69.7%, respectively. Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of W11T , SW19T , and YR1T with their respective reference species were <79.6% and <23.6%, respectively. The predominant cellular fatty acids detected in strain W11T were anteiso-C15:0, isoC16:0, and anteiso-C17:0. In strain SW19T , they were summed feature 9 (C16:0 10-methyl and/or isoC17:1ω 9c), anteiso-C17:0, and anteiso-C15:0. Strain YR1T exhibited C18:1ω 9c, C18:0 10-methyl, TBSA, and anteiso-C15:0 as its major cellular fatty acids. Overall, the polyphasic taxonomic comparisons indicated that strains W11T , SW19T , and YR1T represent novel species within the genera Agromyces, Rathayibacter, and Nocardioides, respectively. Accordingly, we propose the names Agromyces silvae sp. nov., with the type strain W11T (=KCTC 49818T =NBRC 115999T ), Rathayibacter soli sp. nov., with the type strain SW19T (=KCTC 49860T =NBRC 116108T ), and Nocardioides terrisoli sp. nov., with the type strain YR1T (=KCTC 49863T =NBRC 116165T ).

Cardiovascular disease risk and associated physical activity factors in gastrointestinal cancer survivors.

INTRODUCTION: Although the risk of CVD is increased in cancer survivors, few studies have investigated the CVD risk in survivors of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. Therefore, we evaluated the CVD risk using the 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score for GI cancer survivors and associated physical activity factors. METHODS: Using the 2014-2019 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, data were collected for 262 GI cancer survivors and 1,310 cancer-free controls matched at a 1:5 ratio based on age and sex. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short-Form was used to assess physical activity, and the Euro QoL Questionnaire 5-Dimensional Classification (EQ-5D) was used to assess the health-related quality of life. RESULTS: A multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated a lower risk of ASCVD in GI cancer survivors than in controls (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.55-0.97). Moreover, the risk of having a high ASCVD score was significantly lower in individuals who performed sufficient aerobic physical activity (aOR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.47-0.75) and those with an EQ-5D score 1 or 2 (aOR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.20-0.65 and aOR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.16-0.58, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study demonstrated that engaging in sufficient physical activity can reduce the ASCVD risk among GI cancer survivors.

New Method of Papillectomy May Decrease Recurrence: Anchoring Method versus Conventional Method.

Background/Objectives: Endoscopic papillectomy (EP) is the preferred treatment for ampullary tumors because it has fewer side effects than surgical removal. This study retrospectively compared a new anchoring EP method (A-EP) with the conventional (C-EP) approach. Methods: Ninety-nine patients who underwent EP at a single medical institution between 2009 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. In all patients, the indications for EP were pathological adenoma with <10 mm of biliary invasion and a tumor diameter <30 mm on endoscopic ultrasonography. The exclusion criteria were antiplatelet/anticoagulant use, previous upper GI surgery, or prior biliary/pancreatic endoscopic therapy. One expert endoscopist performed the two types of EPs, A-EP and C-EP. Results: Sixty-two patients underwent A-EP, and 37 underwent C-EP. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics, such as sex, age, tumor size, and ductal invasion on endoscopic ultrasound. The A-EP group had higher en bloc resection rates (95.2% vs. 78.4%, p = 0.010). Although the difference was not statistically significant, it tended towards fewer incidences of pancreatitis (p = 0.081) and duct stricture (p = 0.081). The recurrence rate was lower in the A-EP group (8.1% vs. 37.8%, p = 0.000). There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding the follow-up period (A-EP vs. C-EP, 725 vs. 1045 days, p = 0.109) or the days of recurrence (A-EP vs. C-EP, 341 vs. 562 days, p = 0.551). Conclusions: A-EP showed better outcomes than C-EP in terms of en bloc resection and recurrence rates, providing evidence for the efficacy of this novel EP method.

In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory and Antidepressant-like Effects of Cannabis sativa L. Extracts.

Cannabis sativa L. has been widely used by humans for centuries for various purposes, such as industrial, ceremonial, medicinal, and food. The bioactive components of Cannabis sativa L. can be classified into two main groups: cannabinoids and terpenes. These bioactive components of Cannabis sativa L. leaf and inflorescence extracts were analyzed. Mice were systemically administered 30 mg/kg of Cannabis sativa L. leaf extract 1 h before lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration, and behavioral tests were performed. We conducted an investigation into the oxygen saturation, oxygen tension, and degranulation of mast cells (MCs) in the deep cervical lymph nodes (DCLNs). To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of Cannabis sativa L. extracts in BV2 microglial cells, we assessed nitrite production and the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. The main bioactive components of the Cannabis sativa L. extracts were THCA (a cannabinoid) and ß-caryophyllene (a terpene). Cannabis sativa L. leaf extract reduced the immobility time in the forced swimming test and increased sucrose preference in the LPS model, without affecting the total distance and time in the center in the open field test. Additionally, Cannabis sativa L. leaf extract improved oxygen levels and inhibited the degranulation of MCs in DCLNs. The Cannabis sativa L. extracts inhibited IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, nitrite, iNOS, and COX-2 expression in BV2 microglia cells. The efficacy of Cannabis sativa L. extracts was suggested to be due to the entourage effect of various bioactive phytochemicals. Our findings indicate that these extracts have the potential to be used as effective treatments for a variety of diseases associated with acute inflammatory responses.

Enterovirga aerilata sp. nov. and Knoellia koreensis sp. nov., isolated from an automobile air conditioning system.

Two strictly aerobic and rod-shaped bacteria, labelled as DB1703T and DB2414ST, were obtained from an automobile air conditioning system. Strain DB1703T was Gram-stain-negative, while strain DB2414ST was Gram-stain-positive. Both strains were catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Strains DB1703T and DB2414ST were able to grow at 18-42 °C. Strain DB1703T grew within a NaCl range of 0-3 % and a pH range of 6.0-8.0; while strain DB2414ST grew at 0-1 % and pH 6.5-8.5. The phylogenetic and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strains DB1703T and DB2414ST belonged to the genera Enterovirga and Knoellia, respectively. Strain DB1703T showed the closest phylogenetic similarity to Enterovirga rhinocerotis YIM 100770T (94.8 %), whereas strain DB2414ST was most closely related to Knoellia remsis ATCC BAA-1496T (97.7 %). The genome sizes of strains DB1703T and DB2414ST were 4 652 148 and 4 282 418 bp, respectively, with DNA G+C contents of 68.8 and 70.5 mol%, respectively. Chemotaxonomic data showed Q-10 as the sole ubiquinone in DB1703T and ML-8 (H4) in DB2414ST. The predominant cellular fatty acid in DB1703T was summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c), whereas iso-C16 : 0, C17 : 1 ω8c, and iso-C15 : 0 were dominant in DB2414ST. Overall, the polyphasic taxonomic comparisons showed that strains DB1703T and DB2414ST were distinct from their closest taxa and represent novel species within the genera Enterovirga and Knoellia, respectively. Accordingly, we propose the names Enterovirga aerilata sp. nov., with the type strain DB1703T (=KCTC 72724T=NBRC 114759T), and Knoellia koreensis sp. nov., with the type strain DB2414ST (=KCTC 49355T=NBRC 114620T).

Clinical Outcomes of Secondary Duodenal Self-Expandable Metallic Stenting for Duodenal Stent Dysfunction in Patients with Malignant Duodenal Obstruction: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Background/Aims: Malignant duodenal obstruction has become more common with the development of palliative therapies.The outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastrojejunostomy (EUS-GJ) are comparable to those of surgical gastrojejunostomy or duodenal stenting. However, EUS-GJ is technically challenging. Duodenal self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement is popular; however, obstructions are common. Duodenal SEMS obstruction can be managed with the insertion of a second SEMS in a stent-in-stent manner. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the clinical outcomes of secondary duodenal SEMS placement in patients with malignant duodenal obstruction. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who underwent secondary duodenal stent insertion for duodenal stent dysfunction between January 2016 and December 2021. The primary outcome was stent patency. The secondary outcomes were clinical success, factors associated with dysfunction, patient survival, and adverse events. Results: A total of 109 patients were included. The mean age was 64.4±11.2 years, and 63 patients (57.8%) were male. Ninety-two patients (84.4%) had pancreaticobiliary cancer. Clinical success was achieved in 94 cases (86.2%). Twenty-three patients experienced stent dysfunction with 231 days of median stent patency (95% confidence interval [CI], 169 to not available). After a multivariable Cox hazard analysis of stent patency, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (hazard ratio [HR], 2.13; 95% CI, 1.20 to 3.81; p=0.010) and the first stent patency ≥6 months (HR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.11 to 0.95; p=0.050) remained significant associated factors. Adverse events occurred in five patients (4.6%). Conclusions: Secondary duodenal stent insertion is a viable option for first duodenal stent obstruction. Further comparative studies involving surgery or EUS-GJ for obstructed duodenal stents are warranted.

The predictive value of PD-L1 expression in response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy for biliary tract cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Recently, anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) immunotherapy offers promising results for advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC). However, patients show highly heterogeneous responses to treatment, and predictive biomarkers are lacking. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the potential of PD-L1 expression as a biomarker for treatment response and survival in patients with BTC undergoing anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive systematic literature search through June 2023, utilizing the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. The outcomes of interest included objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) according to PD-L1 expression. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were performed to identify possible sources of heterogeneity. Results: A total of 30 studies was included in the final analysis. Pooled analysis showed no significant differences in ORR (odds ratio [OR], 1.56; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 0.94-2.56) and DCR (OR, 1.84; 95% CIs, 0.88-3.82) between PD-L1 (+) and PD-L1 (-) patients. In contrast, survival analysis showed improved PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.54, 95% CIs, 0.41-0.71) and OS (HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.47-0.72) among PD-L1 (+) patients compared to PD-L1 (-) patients. Sensitivity analysis excluding retrospective studies showed no significant differences with the primary results. Furthermore, meta-regression demonstrated that drug target (PD-1 vs. PD-L1), presence of additional intervention (monotherapy vs. combination therapy), and PD-L1 cut-off level (1% vs. ≥5%) significantly affected the predictive value of PD-L1 expression. Conclusion: PD-L1 expression might be a helpful biomarker for predicting PFS and OS in patients with BTC undergoing anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. The predictive value of PD-L1 expression can be significantly influenced by diagnostic or treatment variables. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier CRD42023434114.

Sphingomonas flavescens sp. nov., isolated from soil.

An aerobic bacterium, designated as PT-12T, was isolated from soil collected from agriculture field, and its taxonomic position was validated through a comprehensive polyphasic methodology. The strain was identified as Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped, and catalase- and oxidase-positive. The yellow-colored colonies showed growth ability at temperature range of 18-37 °C, NaCl content of 0-1.0% (w/v), and at a pH of 6.0-8.0. The 16S rRNA gene and phylogenetic analysis showed that strain PT-12T affiliated with the genus Sphingomonas in the family Sphingomonadaceae, and displayed the highest 16S rRNA nucleotide sequence similarity with Sphingomonas limnosediminicola 03SUJ6T (98.4%). The genome size of strain PT-12T was 2,656,862 bp and the DNA G + C content estimated from genome was 63.5%. The highest values of average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) were observed between strain PT-12T and Sphingomonas segetis YJ09T, accounting to 76.2% and 20.2%, respectively. In addition, both ANI and dDDH values between strain PT-12T and other phylogenetically related neighbors ranged between 69.6% and 76.2% and 18.4% and 20.2%, respectively. Chemotaxonomic features exhibited Q-10 as the only ubiquinone; homospermidine as the major polyamine; summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c), C16:0, and 10-methyl C18:0 as the notable fatty acids; and phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, and sphingoglycolipid as dominating polar lipids. Overall, the comprehensive polyphasic data supported that strain PT-12T represents a novel bacterial species within the genus Sphingomonas. Accordingly, we propose the name Sphingomonas flavescens sp. nov. The type strain is PT-12T (= KCTC 92114T = NBRC 115717T).

Removal of intrahepatic bile duct stone could reduce the risk of cholangiocarcinoma: A single-center retrospective study in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: Intrahepatic duct (IHD) stones are among the most important risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma (CCC). Approximately 10% of patients with IHD stones develop CCC; however, there are limited studies regarding the effect of IHD stone removal on CCC development. AIM: To investigate the association between IHD stone removal and CCC development. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 397 patients with IHD stones at a tertiary referral center between January 2011 and December 2020. RESULTS: CCC occurred in 36 of the 397 enrolled patients. In univariate analysis, chronic hepatitis B infection (11.1% vs 3.0%, P = 0.03), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9, 176.00 vs 11.96 II/mL, P = 0.010), stone located in left or both lobes (86.1% vs 70.1%, P = 0.042), focal atrophy (52.8% vs 26.9%, P = 0.001), duct stricture (47.2% vs 24.9%, P = 0.004), and removal status of IHD stone (33.3% vs 63.2%, P < 0.001) were significantly different between IHD stone patients with and without CCC. In the multivariate analysis, CA19-9 > upper normal limit, carcinoembryonic antigen > upper normal limit, stones located in the left or both lobes, focal atrophy, and complete removal of IHD stones without recurrence were independent factors influencing CCC development. However, the type of removal method was not associated with CCC risk. CONCLUSION: Complete removal of IHD stones without recurrence could reduce CCC risk.

Survival benefit of concurrent chemoradiotherapy for advanced ampulla of Vater cancer.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there is no standard adjuvant therapy for patients with resected ampulla of Vater (AoV) cancer. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with advanced AoV cancer who underwent curative resection. METHODS: This single-centered, retrospective study included 29 patients with advanced AoV cancer who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2006 and 2018. The impact of CCRT on advanced AoV cancer was analyzed. RESULTS: The 1-, 3-, and 5-yr recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates for patients with advanced AoV cancer were 82.8%, 48.3%, and 40.8%, respectively, and the overall survival (OS) rates were 89.7%, 62.1%, and 51.7%, respectively. Lymphovascular invasion was found to be a significant risk factor for RFS and OS in patients with advanced AoV cancer in the univariate analysis, whereas T stage and lymph node metastasis were significantly associated with OS in the multivariate analysis. Compared to the patients who did not receive adjuvant CCRT, those who received adjuvant CCRT did not show statistically significant improvements in the RFS and OS, although they had a significantly lower average age and significantly higher platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant CCRT did not improve survival outcomes in patients with advanced AoV cancer. These findings contribute to existing knowledge on the effectiveness of CCRT in this patient population and provide important insights for clinical decision-making.

Clinical impact of ampulla of Vater cancer subtype classification based on immunohistochemical staining.

BACKGROUND: The histological subtype is an important prognostic factor for ampulla of Vater (AoV) cancer. This study proposes a classification system for the histological subtyping of AoV cancer based on immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and its prognostic significance. METHODS: Seventy-five AoV cancers were analyzed for cytokeratin 7 (CK7), CK20, and causal-type homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2) expression by IHC staining. We differentiated the subtypes (INT, intestinal; PB, pancreatobiliary; MIX, mixed; NOS, not otherwise specified) into classification I: CK7/CK20, classification II: CK7/CK20 or CDX2, classification III: CK7/CDX2 and examined their associations with clinicopathological factors. RESULTS: Classifications I, II, and III subtypes were INT (7, 10, and 10 cases), PB (43, 37, and 38 cases), MIX (13, 19, and 18 cases), and NOS (12, 9, and 9 cases). Significant differences in disease-free survival among the subtypes were observed in classifications II and III using CDX2; the PB and NOS subtype exhibited shorter survival time compared with INT subtype. In classification III, an association was revealed between advanced T/N stage, poor differentiation, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), the PB and NOS subtypes, and recurrence risk. In classification III, the subtypes differed significantly in T/N stage and LVI. Patients with the PB subtype had advanced T and N stages and a higher incidence of LVI. CONCLUSIONS: Classification using CDX2 revealed subtypes with distinct prognostic significance. Combining CK7 and CDX2 or adding CDX2 to CK7/CK20 is useful for distinguishing subtypes, predicting disease outcomes, and impacting the clinical management of patients with AoV cancer.

Anti-Neuroinflammatory Effects of Arecae pericarpium on LPS-Stimulated BV2 Cells.

Arecae pericarpium (AP), the fruit peel of the betel palm, is a traditional Oriental herbal medicine. AP is used to treat various diseases and conditions, such as ascites, edema, and urinary retention, in traditional Korean medicine. Recent studies have demonstrated its anti-obesity and antibacterial effects; however, its anti-neuroinflammatory effects have not yet been reported. Therefore, we investigated the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of AP on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse microglia in this study. To determine the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of AP on BV2 microglial cells, we examined the production of nitric oxide (NO) using Griess assay and assessed the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory mediators, such as inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, using a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, we determined the levels of mitogen-activated protein kinases and IκBα via Western blotting to understand the regulating mechanisms of AP. AP treatment decreased NO production in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. Additionally, AP suppressed the expression of iNOS and COX-2 and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. AP also inhibited the activation of p38 and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. Therefore, AP exerts anti-neuroinflammatory effects via inactivation of the p38 and NF-κB pathways.

Side-by-side placement of fully covered metal stents versus conventional 7F plastic stents in malignant hilar biliary obstruction: Prospective randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of metal stents compared with plastic stents when bilateral side-by-side stents were deployed for malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO). METHODS: Fifty patients with unresectable advanced MHBO were randomly assigned to the metal stent (MS, n = 25) or plastic stent group (PS, n = 25). Fully covered self-expandable metal stents with 6 mm diameter and plastic stents with either 7F straight or double pigtail were used for MS and PS groups, respectively. Time to recurrent biliary obstruction (TRBO) was evaluated as the primary outcome. RESULTS: Both groups had 100% technical success rates; 88% and 76% of clinical success rates were obtained in MS and PS, respectively. Although stent migrations were more frequent in MS than PS (48% vs. 16%, P = 0.02), the mean TRBO was significantly longer in MS (190 days; 95% confidence interval [CI] 121-260 days vs. 96 days; 95% CI 50-141 days, P = 0.02). The placement of plastic stents (hazard ratio 2.42; 95% CI 1.24-4.73; P = 0.01) was the only significant risk factor associated with TRBO in multivariable analysis. The rates of adverse events were similar between the two groups (difference 0%; 95% CI -25% to 25%; P > 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: During bilateral side-by-side deployment in MHBO, the use of metal stents appears to be preferable to plastic stents in terms of TRBO, despite a higher frequency of stent migration.

Efficacy of GV1001 with gemcitabine/capecitabine in previously untreated patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma having high serum eotaxin levels (KG4/2015): an open-label, randomised, Phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: The TeloVac study indicated GV1001 did not improve the survival of advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the cytokine examinations suggested that high serum eotaxin levels may predict responses to GV1001. This Phase III trial assessed the efficacy of GV1001 with gemcitabine/capecitabine for eotaxin-high patients with untreated advanced PDAC. METHODS: Patients recruited from 16 hospitals received gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2, D 1, 8, and 15)/capecitabine (830 mg/m2 BID for 21 days) per month either with (GV1001 group) or without (control group) GV1001 (0.56 mg; D 1, 3, and 5, once on week 2-4, 6, then monthly thereafter) at random in a 1:1 ratio. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) and secondary end points included time to progression (TTP), objective response rate, and safety. RESULTS: Total 148 patients were randomly assigned to the GV1001 (n = 75) and control groups (n = 73). The GV1001 group showed improved median OS (11.3 vs. 7.5 months, P = 0.021) and TTP (7.3 vs. 4.5 months, P = 0.021) compared to the control group. Grade >3 adverse events were reported in 77.3% and 73.1% in the GV1001 and control groups (P = 0.562), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: GV1001 plus gemcitabine/capecitabine improved OS and TTP compared to gemcitabine/capecitabine alone in eotaxin-high patients with advanced PDAC. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02854072.

Paenibacillus silvisoli sp. nov. and Paenibacillus humicola sp. nov., isolated from forest soil.

During the study of microbial ecology of forest soil, two circular, white-colored bacterial colonies were isolated and labeled as strains TW38T and TW40T. Both strains were catalase positive and oxidase negative. Strains TW38T and TW40T demonstrated growth within a temperature range of 10-37 °C and 18-37 °C, respectively, and thrived within a pH range of 5.5-9.0 and 6.0-8.0, respectively. Both strains grew at 0-2.0% (w/v) NaCl concentrations. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that strains TW38T and TW40T affiliated to the genus Paenibacillus, with the closest neighbors being Paenibacillus montanisoli RA17T (98.6%) and Paenibacillus arachidis E3T (95.4%), respectively. In both strains, the sole respiratory quinone was MK-7, the signature fatty acid was antiso-C15:0, and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylcholine. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and the average nucleotide identity values between TW38T, TW40T, and closest reference strains were < 29.0% and < 85.0%, respectively. The DNA G+C content of TW38T and TW40T was 54.5% and 57.1%, respectively. In general, the phylogenetic, genomics, chemotaxonomic, and phenotypic data support the differentiation of TW38T and TW40T from other closest members of the genus Paenibacillus. Thus, we conclude both strains TW38T and TW40T represent novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus silvisoli sp. nov. and Paenibacillus humicola sp. nov. are proposed, respectively. The type strain of Paenibacillus silvisoli is TW38T (= KCTC 43468T = NBRC 116015T) and type strain of Paenibacillus humicola is TW40T (= KCTC 43469T = NBRC 116016T).

Metastatic pancreatic solitary fibrous tumor: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare mesenchymal tumor that is most commonly found in the pleura but can also originate from non-pleural sites. Among the non-pleural localizations, the pancreas is extremely rare. In particular, metastasis to the pancreas from the central nervous system (CNS) is extremely rare, with only two cases reported so far. We report a case of recurrence in the pancreas 14 years after the initial complete surgical removal of a tumor in the CNS. CASE SUMMARY: A 68-year-old man with a past medical history of recurrent meningeal hemangiopericytoma, currently referred to as SFT, presented to the hospital with jaundice. The patient was first diagnosed with an 8cm-sized meningeal hemangiopericytoma fourteen years ago and underwent osteoplastic craniotomy. After 16 mo, imaging showed recurrence and he underwent gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS). 2 years later, imaging showed recurrence again leading to a second GKRS. 5 years later, recurrence was again suspected leading to a second craniotomy. Since then 3 years had passed, and imaging showed a 3.5cm-sized mass lesion on the pancreatic head with obstruction of the pancreatic and bile ducts. Endosonography with fine-needle aspiration biopsy was done preoperatively and aided in the diagnosis of SFT. The patient underwent pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. Pathologic findings of the resected pancreatic specimen, consistent with the previously resected brain specimen, confirmed the diagnosis of SFT. CONCLUSION: The rarity and lack of knowledge about SFTs make suspecting and diagnosing this disease challenging. We believe that a report of metastatic pancreatic SFT from the CNS will contribute to a better understanding of this rare disease.

Mucosal distribution of somatostatin-secreting gastric Delta cells in children with gastrointestinal reflux diseases.

Introduction: Gastric delta cells (D-cells) secrete somatostatin, which is the primary paracrine suppressor of acid secretion. The number and distribution of D-cells were investigated in children exhibiting endoscopic findings of duodenogastric and gastroesophageal reflux. This study aimed to determine whether the number of D-cells in the gastric body differs from that in the gastric antrum in children using endoscopic findings. Methods: We retrospectively used immunohistochemical assessments to determine the number of D-cells in the gastric body and antrum in 102 children who presented with abdominal symptoms. The number and distribution of D-cells were investigated according to symptoms, endoscopic findings of gastroesophageal reflux and duodenogastric reflux, and Helicobacter pylori infection status. Results: The average age of the patients was 13.3 ± 3.3 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1:1.68. The mean number of D-cells per high-power field in the antrum and body did not significantly differ by symptoms. However, these values were significantly lower in the gastric body than in the antrum for all symptoms (p < 0.05). Children with reflux had a higher mean number of D-cells (9.6 ± 8.8) in the gastric body than did those without reflux (4.3 ± 3.4) (p = 0.007). Furthermore, the number of D-cells in the gastric body was marginally significantly lower in Helicobacter pylori-positive children (4.9 ± 6.5) than in Helicobacter pylori-negative children (8.5 ± 8.2) (p = 0.053). Conclusion: The number of D-cells in the gastric body decreased in Helicobacter pylori-positive children but significantly increased in children with duodenogastric reflux. Therefore, somatostatin peptide secretion by D-cells may be a major pathophysiological pathway in gastrointestinal reflux disease.

Toward Practical Multivalent Ion Batteries with Quinone-Based Organic Cathodes.

Multivalent ion batteries have emerged as promising solutions to meet the future demands of energy storage applications, offering not only high energy density but also diverse socio-economic advantages. Among the various options for cathodes, quinone-based organic compounds have gained attention as suitable active materials for multivalent ion batteries due to their well-aligned ion channels, flexible structures, and competitive electrochemical performance. However, the charge carriers associated with anions that are often exploited in multivalent ion battery systems operate by way of a "non-rocking-chair" mechanism, which requires the use of an excess amount of electrolyte and results in a significant decrease in the energy density. In this review, by categorizing the various charge carriers exploited in previous studies on multivalent ion batteries, we summarize recently reported quinone-based organic cathodes for multivalent ion batteries and emphasize the importance of accurately identifying the charge carriers for calculating the energy density. We also propose potential future directions toward the practical realization of multivalent ion batteries, in link with their efficient energy storage applications.