Primary Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma with Metastatic Ovarian Tumor in a Pregnant Woman.

Introduction: Primary small bowel carcinoma in pregnant women is extremely rare. Small bowel cancer is difficult to diagnose because of its rarity, lack of specific clinical symptoms, and particular anatomical features. We experienced a case of primary small bowel adenocarcinoma with ovarian metastasis during pregnancy. This is the first reported case of a patient with small bowel adenocarcinoma whose pregnancy continued to term and ended in delivery. Case Presentation: A 32-year-old pregnant woman developed abdominal pain, and imaging examination revealed an ovarian tumor at 29 weeks of gestation. We performed laparotomy and resected the ovarian tumor, which was initially suspected to be primary ovarian cancer. The patient continued the pregnancy to term. A detailed examination of the abdominal cavity during cesarean delivery at 37 weeks revealed that the primary lesion was located in the small bowel. Conclusion: It is important to recognize that the small bowel may be the primary site of metastatic ovarian cancer. Detailed and careful examination is necessary to diagnose small bowel cancer during pregnancy.

Monitoring the Efficacy of Tafamidis in ATTR Cardiac Amyloidosis by MRI-ECV: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The usefulness of monitoring treatment effect of tafamidis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) extracellular volume fraction (ECV) has been reported. OBJECTIVE: we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the usefulness of this method. METHODS: Data from 246 ATTR-CMs from six studies were extracted and included in the analysis. An inverse variance meta-analysis using a random effects model was performed to evaluate the change in MRI-ECV before and after tafamidis treatment. The analysis was also performed by classifying the patients into ATTR-CM types (wild-type or hereditary). RESULTS: ECV change before and after tafamidis treatment was 0.33% (95% CI: -1.83-2.49, I2 = 0%, p = 0.76 for heterogeneity) in the treatment group and 4.23% (95% CI: 0.44-8.02, I2 = 0%, p = 0.18 for heterogeneity) in the non-treatment group. The change in ECV before and after treatment was not significant in the treated group (p = 0.76), but there was a significant increase in the non-treated group (p = 0.03). There was no difference in the change in ECV between wild-type (95% CI: -2.65-3.40) and hereditary-type (95% CI: -9.28-4.28) (p = 0.45). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that MRI-ECV measurement is a useful imaging method for noninvasively evaluating the efficacy of tafamidis treatment for ATTR-CM.

N-linked protein glycosylation in Nanobdellati (formerly DPANN) archaea and their hosts.

Members of the kingdom Nanobdellati, previously known as DPANN archaea, are characterized by ultrasmall cell sizes and reduced genomes. They primarily thrive through ectosymbiotic interactions with specific hosts in diverse environments. Recent successful cultivations have emphasized the importance of adhesion to host cells for understanding the ecophysiology of Nanobdellati. Cell adhesion is often mediated by cell surface carbohydrates, and in archaea, this may be facilitated by the glycosylated S-layer protein that typically coats their cell surface. In this study, we conducted glycoproteomic analyses on two co-cultures of Nanobdellati with their host archaea, as well as on pure cultures of both host and non-host archaea. Nanobdellati exhibited various glycoproteins, including archaellins and hypothetical proteins, with glycans that were structurally distinct from those of their hosts. This indicated that Nanobdellati autonomously synthesize their glycans for protein modifications probably using host-derived substrates, despite the high energy cost. Glycan modifications on Nanobdellati proteins consistently occurred on asparagine residues within the N-X-S/T sequon, consistent with patterns observed across archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes. In both host and non-host archaea, S-layer proteins were commonly modified with hexose, N-acetylhexosamine, and sulfonated deoxyhexose. However, the N-glycan structures of host archaea, characterized by distinct sugars such as deoxyhexose, nonulosonate sugar, and pentose at the nonreducing ends, were implicated in enabling Nanobdellati to differentiate between host and non-host cells. Interestingly, the specific sugar, xylose, was eliminated from the N-glycan in a host archaeon when co-cultured with Nanobdella. These findings enhance our understanding of the role of protein glycosylation in archaeal interactions.IMPORTANCENanobdellati archaea, formerly known as DPANN, are phylogenetically diverse, widely distributed, and obligately ectosymbiotic. The molecular mechanisms by which Nanobdellati recognize and adhere to their specific hosts remain largely unexplored. Protein glycosylation, a fundamental biological mechanism observed across all domains of life, is often crucial for various cell-cell interactions. This study provides the first insights into the glycoproteome of Nanobdellati and their host and non-host archaea. We discovered that Nanobdellati autonomously synthesize glycans for protein modifications, probably utilizing substrates derived from their hosts. Additionally, we identified distinctive glycosylation patterns that suggest mechanisms through which Nanobdellati differentiate between host and non-host cells. This research significantly advances our understanding of the molecular basis of microbial interactions in extreme environments.

The Glasgow Prognostic Score as a Predictor of Survival After Chemoradiotherapy for Limited-Disease Small Cell Lung Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Established biomarkers for predicting chemoradiotherapy efficacy for limited-disease small cell lung cancer (LD-SCLC) are lacking. The inflammation-based Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), comprising serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin levels, can predict survival in advanced cancer. This study investigated whether metabolic and inflammatory markers, including the GPS, can predict the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy in patients with LD-SCLC. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 124 patients who underwent chemoradiotherapy for LD-SCLC at two institutions between April 2007 and June 2021, and assessed the prognostic significance of various metabolic and inflammatory markers. The GPS was calculated using the CRP and albumin concentrations, and categorized as follows: 0, CRP<1.0 mg/dL and albumin≥3.5 mg/dL; 1, elevated CRP or decreased albumin; and 2, CRP≥1.0 mg/dL and albumin<3.5 mg/dL. Differences in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were examined using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional-hazard models. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 95.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 89.6-97.9%). The median PFS and OS from chemoradiotherapy initiation were 12.6 (95% CI: 9.9-15.4) and 29.0 (95% CI: 24.8-45.5) months, respectively. The GPS demonstrated independent predictive ability for the effectiveness of chemoradiotherapy, wherein favorable scores (GPS 0-1) were significantly correlated with superior PFS and OS compared to unfavorable scores (GPS 2: PFS: 14.8 vs. 6.7 months, p=0.0001; OS: 35.4 vs. 11.0 months, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: This preliminary examination revealed that the GPS was significantly associated with PFS and OS in patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy for LD-SCLC, indicating its potential utility in assessing the therapeutic outcomes in LD-SCLC.

Evaluation of Progressive Architectural Distortion in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Using Deformable Registration of Sequential CT Images.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) using CT primarily focuses on assessing the extent of fibrotic lesions, without considering the distortion of lung architecture. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate three-dimensional average displacement (3D-AD) quantification of lung structures using deformable registration of serial CT images as a parameter of local lung architectural distortion and predictor of IPF prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with IPF evaluated between January 2016 and March 2017 who had undergone CT at least twice were retrospectively included (n = 114). The 3D-AD was obtained by deformable registration of baseline and follow-up CT images. A computer-aided quantification software measured the fibrotic lesion volume. Cox regression analysis evaluated these variables to predict mortality. RESULTS: The 3D-AD and the fibrotic lesion volume change were significantly larger in the subpleural lung region (5.2 mm (interquartile range (IQR): 3.6-7.1 mm) and 0.70% (IQR: 0.22-1.60%), respectively) than those in the inner region (4.7 mm (IQR: 3.0-6.4 mm) and 0.21% (IQR: 0.004-1.12%), respectively). Multivariable logistic analysis revealed that subpleural region 3D-AD and fibrotic lesion volume change were independent predictors of mortality (hazard ratio: 1.12 and 1.23; 95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.22 and 1.10-1.38; p = 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The 3D-AD quantification derived from deformable registration of serial CT images serves as a marker of lung architectural distortion and a prognostic predictor in patients with IPF.

Prognostic role of late gadolinium-enhanced MRI in confirmed and suspected cardiac sarcoidosis: meta-analysis.

The prognostic implications of late gadolinium-enhanced (LGE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the context of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) have attracted considerable attention. Nevertheless, a subset of studies has undistinguished confirmed and suspected CS cases, thereby engendering interpretative ambiguities. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the differences in cardiac MRI findings and their prognostic utility between confirmed and suspected CS. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane libraries to compare the findings of cardiac MRI and its prognostic value in CS and suspected CS. A meta-analysis was performed to compare the prevalence of LGE MRI, odds ratios, and hazard ratios for predicting cardiac events in both groups. A total of 21 studies encompassing 24 different populations were included in the meta-analysis (CS: 393 cases, suspected CS: 2151 cases). CS had a higher frequency of LGE of the left ventricle (87.2% vs. 36.4%, p < 0.0001) and right ventricle (62.1% vs. 23.8%, p = 0.04) than suspected CS. In patients with suspected CS, the presence of left ventricular LGE was associated with higher all-cause mortality [odds ratio: 5.70 (95%CI: 2.51-12.93), p < 0.0001, I2 = 8%, p for heterogeneity = 0.37] and ventricular arrhythmia [odds ratio: 15.51 (95%CI: 5.65-42.55), p < 0.0001, I2 = 0, p for heterogeneity = 0.94]. In contrast, in CS, not the presence but extent of left ventricular LGE was a significant predictor of outcome (hazard ratio = 1.83 per 10% increase of %LGE (95%CI: 1.43-2.34, p < 0.001, I2 = 15, p for heterogeneity = 0.31). The presence of left ventricular LGE was a strong prognostic factor in suspected sarcoidosis. However, the extremely high prevalence of left ventricular LGE in confirmed CS suggests that the quantitative assessment of LGE is useful for prognostic estimation.

Characterization of protein glycosylation in an Asgard archaeon.

Archaeal cells are typically enveloped by glycosylated S-layer proteins. Archaeal protein glycosylation provides valuable insights not only into their adaptation to their niches but also into their evolutionary trajectory. Notably, thermophilic Thermoproteota modify proteins with N-glycans that include two GlcNAc units at the reducing end, resembling the "core structure" preserved across eukaryotes. Recently, Asgard archaea, now classified as members of the phylum Promethearchaeota, have offered unprecedented opportunities for understanding the role of archaea in eukaryogenesis. Despite the presence of genes indicative of protein N-glycosylation in this archaeal group, these have not been experimentally investigated. Here we performed a glycoproteome analysis of the firstly isolated Asgard archaeon Promethearchaeum syntrophicum. Over 700 different proteins were identified through high-resolution LC-MS/MS analysis, however, there was no evidence of either the presence or glycosylation of putative S-layer proteins. Instead, N-glycosylation in this archaeon was primarily observed in an extracellular solute-binding protein, possibly related to chemoreception or transmembrane transport of oligopeptides. The glycan modification occurred on an asparagine residue located within the conserved N-X-S/T sequon, consistent with the pattern found in other archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes. Unexpectedly, three structurally different N-glycans lacking the conventional core structure were identified in this archaeon, presenting unique compositions that included atypical sugars. Notably, one of these sugars was likely HexNAc modified with a threonine residue, similar to modifications previously observed in mesophilic methanogens within the Methanobacteriati. Our findings advance our understanding of Asgard archaea physiology and evolutionary dynamics.

Prevalence of cardiac amyloidosis in atrial fibrillation: a CMR study prior to catheter ablation.

The frequency of cardiac amyloidosis potentially present in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of cardiac amyloidosis latent in AF by performing cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients scheduled for AF ablation. We retrospectively analyzed 193 consecutive patients who underwent CA and cardiac MRI for atrial fibrillation. The primary endpoint of the study was the frequency of histologically confirmed cardiac amyloidosis or suspected cardiac amyloidosis [positive imaging findings on cardiac MRI strongly suspecting cardiac amyloidosis (diffuse subendocardial late gadolinium enhancement or MRI-derived extracellular volume of > 0.40)]. Among the 193 patients, 8 were confirmed or suspected cases of cardiac amyloidosis, representing a frequency of 4% (8/193 patients). Multivariate analysis identified interventricular septal thickness at end-diastole (LVSd) as an independent and significant predictor of cardiac amyloidosis (OR: 1.72, 95% CI 1.12-2.87, p = 0.020).The optimal cut-off value for IVSd was determined to be > 12.9 mm based on the Youden index. At this cut-off, the sensitivity was 75.0% (95% CI 34.9-96.8%) and the specificity was 92.3% (95% CI 87.4-95.7%), allowing for the identification of patients with definite or suspected cardiac amyloidosis. The frequency of confirmed and suspected cases of cardiac amyloidosis among patients with an IVSd > 12.9 mm was 30% (6/20 patients). In addition, prevalence of biopsy-proven cardiac amyloidosis was 10% (2/20). The prevalence of cardiac amyloidosis in atrial fibrillation patients scheduled for ablation with cardiac hypertrophy is not negligible.

Promethearchaeum syntrophicum gen. nov., sp. nov., an anaerobic, obligately syntrophic archaeon, the first isolate of the lineage 'Asgard' archaea, and proposal of the new archaeal phylum Promethearchaeota phyl. nov. and kingdom Promethearchaeati regn. nov.

An anaerobic, mesophilic, syntrophic, archaeon strain MK-D1T, was isolated as a pure co-culture with Methanogenium sp. strain MK-MG from deep-sea methane seep sediment. This organism is, to our knowledge, the first cultured representative of 'Asgard' archaea, an archaeal group closely related to eukaryotes. Here, we describe the detailed physiology and phylogeny of MK-D1T and propose Promethearchaeum syntrophicum gen. nov., sp. nov. to accommodate this strain. Cells were non-motile, small cocci, approximately 300-750 nm in diameter and produced membrane vesicles, chains of blebs and membrane-based protrusions. MK-D1T grew at 4-30 °C with optimum growth at 20 °C. The strain grew chemoorganotrophically with amino acids, peptides and yeast extract with obligate dependence on syntrophy with H2-/formate-utilizing organisms. MK-D1T showed the fastest growth and highest maximum cell yield when grown with yeast extract as the substrate: approximately 3 months to full growth, reaching up to 6.7×106 16S rRNA gene copies ml-1. MK-D1T had a circular 4.32 Mb chromosome with a DNA G+C content of 31.1 mol%. The results of phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene and conserved marker proteins indicated that the strain is affiliated with 'Asgard' archaea and more specifically DHVC1/DSAG/MBG-B and 'Lokiarchaeota'/'Lokiarchaeia'. On the basis of the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the most closely related isolated relatives were Infirmifilum lucidum 3507LTT (76.09 %) and Methanothermobacter tenebrarum RMAST (77.45 %) and the closest relative in enrichment culture was Candidatus 'Lokiarchaeum ossiferum' (95.39 %). The type strain of the type species is MK-D1T (JCM 39240T and JAMSTEC no. 115508). We propose the associated family, order, class, phylum, and kingdom as Promethearchaeaceae fam. nov., Promethearchaeales ord. nov., Promethearchaeia class. nov., Promethearchaeota phyl. nov., and Promethearchaeati regn. nov., respectively. These are in accordance with ICNP Rules 8 and 22 for nomenclature, Rule 30(3)(b) for validation and maintenance of the type strain, and Rule 31a for description as a member of an unambiguous syntrophic association.

Rhodoferax lithotrophicus sp. nov., a neutrophilic iron-oxidizing and -reducing bacterium isolated from iron-rich freshwater sediments.

A neutrophilic iron-oxidizing and -reducing bacterium, strain MIZ03T, was previously isolated from a wetland in Ibaraki, Japan. Here, we report the detailed characteristics of this strain. It was motile with a single polar flagellum, and Gram-stain-negative. It could grow not only chemolithoautotrophically but also chemoorganotrophically by aerobic respiration and fermentation. Major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c, and C16 : 0. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that strain MIZ03T belonged to the genus Rhodoferax. This strain was closely related to Rhodoferax ferrireducens with 98.5 % of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Based on its phenotypic and genomic based characteristics, we conclude that strain MIZ03T represents a new species in the genus Rhodoferax. We propose the name Rhodoferax lithotrophicus sp. nov. to accommodate this strain. The type strain is MIZ03T (=JCM 34246T=DSM 113266T). We also propose the name Rhodoferax koreensis sp. nov., of which the type strain is DCY110T (=KCTC 52288T=JCM 31441T), for the effectively, but not yet validly, published name 'Rhodoferax koreense'.

Value of Dynamic Computed Tomography Myocardial Perfusion in CAD: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

AIMS: Dynamic stress computed tomography (CT) perfusion is a non-invasive method for quantifying myocardial ischemia by assessing myocardial blood flow (MBF). In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of dynamic CT perfusion for the detection of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) across various CT scanners, obese patients, and its prognostic value. METHODS AND RESULTS: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane library for published studies evaluating the accuracy of CT myocardial perfusion in diagnosing functional significant ischemia by invasive fractional flow reserve. The diagnostic performance of dynamic CT perfusion in detecting ischemia was evaluated using a summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) curve. A total of 23 studies underwent meta- analysis. In myocardial region without ischemia, MBF was measured at 1.44 ml/min/g (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-1.75), while in region with ischemia, it was 0.94 ml/min/g (95% CI: 0.80-1.08) (p<0.001). On the patient-based analysis, the area under the sROC curve of CT-MBF was 0.93, with a sensitivity of 0.84 and specificity of 0.88. Differences in CT type (dual source vs. single source), and body mass index (BMI) did not significantly affect the diagnostic performance. The pooled hazard ratio of dynamic CT perfusion for predicting adverse events was 4.98 (95%CI: 2.08-11.93, p=<0.001, I2=61%, p for heterogeneity = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic CT perfusion has high diagnostic performance in the quantitative assessment of ischemia and detection of functional myocardial ischemia as defined by invasive FFR, and may be useful in risk stratification of CAD patients.

Draft genome sequence of an ubiquinone-10 producing Methylobacterium durans LRY1-08 isolated from lichen in Thailand.

A ubiquitous and pink-pigmented facultatively methylotrophic bacterium, designated LRY1-08 (=JCM 33120), was isolated from a lichen in Thailand. Strain LRY1-08 and Methylobacterium durans NBRC 112876T shared 99.92 % similarity based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence. The draft genome of LRY1-08 was 5.26 Mbp with 4,952 protein-coding sequences and an average G + C content of 70.0 mol%. Comparing strain LRY1-08 to M. durans NBRC 112876T, the ANIb, ANIm, AAI, and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values were 96.29 %, 97.10 %, 96.7 %, and 82.29 %, respectively. Based on the phenotypic characteristics and genome analysis, it was identified as M. durans. Its genomic sequence data revealed the PHB and CoQ10 biosynthesis genes. Therefore, the results offer suggestions for further investigation into possible applications of this bacterium in biotechnology. The draft genome was deposited at DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank (DNA Databank of Japan/European Molecular Biology Laboratory/Genbank) (JAYEEX000000000).

3-Fr steerable microcatheter system via the upper limb artery in RADPLAT for right maxillary cancer.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy of a catheter system using a 3-Fr sheath with a steerable microcatheter through right upper limb artery access for superselective intra-arterial cisplatin infusion and concomitant radiotherapy (RADPLAT) to treat right maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma (MS-SCC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 46 sessions in eight patients treated between November 2020 and February 2023 using the catheter system briefly described below. A 3-Fr sheath was inserted into the distal radial, conventional radial, or brachial arteries. A coaxial catheter system with a 2.9-Fr steerable microcatheter and a 1.9-Fr microcatheter was advanced into the brachiocephalic artery. The right common carotid artery was selected by bending the tip of the steerable microcatheter. Coil embolization and intra-arterial cisplatin infusion after selecting each external carotid artery branch were achieved using this catheter system. RESULTS: Cisplatin infusion and coil embolization were successful in all sessions. Arterial occlusion at the sheath insertion sites was found in 29.4% (5/17) of the distal radial arteries and 33.3% (3/9) of the conventional radial arteries. No other major complications were observed during the procedure. CONCLUSION: Using a 3-Fr catheter system with a steerable microcatheter through right upper limb artery access is a feasible method for RADPLAT in treating right MS-SCC.

Safety and Effectiveness of Endovascular Treatment of Complications Associated with Persistent Sciatic Artery: A Qualitative Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of endovascular therapy with stent grafts (SGs) to treat complications associated with persistent sciatic artery (PSA) by conducting a systematic review. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Ichushi Web databases were searched to identify articles focusing on endovascular treatment with SGs for complications associated with PSA published from inception to September 15, 2023. The review included 31 case reports, 2 case series, and 7 conference proceedings. Forty patients (median age, 67 years [range, 22-88 years]; 25 women) with 41 limbs underwent endovascular treatment with 65 SGs for ischemia (n = 26), aneurysm (n = 13), and trauma (n = 2). Prior treatments were systemic anticoagulation (n = 7), thrombolysis (n = 5), thrombectomy (n = 3), and amputation (n = 1), whereas concurrent treatments were thrombolysis (n = 6) and thrombectomy (n = 2). The median number of SGs implanted was 2 (range, 1-4). Early outcomes were technical success and adverse events (AEs). Late outcomes were primary patency, secondary patency, freedom from reintervention, and clinical success. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 100%. Intervention-specific AEs were reported in 4 cases; however, there were no severe AEs. The clinical success rates at 1 and 2 years were 100% and 95.7%, respectively. The primary patency rates at 1 and 2 years were 81.5% and 67.6%, respectively, and the secondary patency rates at 1 and 2 years were 94.5% and 81.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment with SGs for complications associated with PSA is safe and effective with acceptable midterm patency and durability, and is supportable as the first-choice treatment.

Efficacy and safety of rifaximin in patients with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II-a exploratory trial.

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is a rare intractable disease with limited treatment options. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) often co-occurs with several diseases, including CIPO. While rifaximin (RFX) is effective in treating SIBO, its efficacy for CIPO remains unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of RFX in adult patients with CIPO. Twelve patients were randomly assigned to receive RFX (400 mg three times daily, n=8) or a placebo (PBO, n=4) for 4 weeks. The global symptom score for abdominal bloating (GSS-bloating) and an original whole gastrointestinal symptoms score (O-WGSS) were collected, and a glucose hydrogen breath test (GHBT) and abdominal computed tomography (CT) were performed. No significant differences were observed in the primary endpoint. GSS-bloating improved by 75% and 25% in the PBO and RFX groups, respectively, and O-WGSS improved by 25% in both groups. No significant differences were observed in secondary and other endpoints, including the SIBO eradication rate in the GHBT and small intestinal volume on CT. In a post hoc analysis of SIBO-positive patients with CIPO (4/4 and 4/8 in the PBO and RFX groups), SIBO was eradicated in 25% and 75% of the patients (PBO and RFX groups, respectively) at the end of treatment, indicating a high eradication rate in the RFX group. Furthermore, the small intestinal gas volume decreased in the RFX group, and no severe adverse events occurred. Although no significant improvements were observed in subjective indicators, RFX may be beneficial in alleviating SIBO and reducing the small intestinal gas volume in SIBO-positive patients with CIPO.

Evaluation of four computed tomography reconstruction algorithms using a coronary artery phantom.

Background: Despite advancements in coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA), challenges in positive predictive value and specificity remain due to limited spatial resolution. The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate the effect of 2nd generation deep learning-based reconstruction (DLR) on the quantitative and qualitative image quality in coronary CTA. Methods: A vessel model with stepwise non-calcified plaque was scanned using 320-detector CT. Image reconstruction was performed using four techniques: hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR), model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR), DLR, and 2nd generation DLR. The luminal peak CT number, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and edge rise slope (ERS) were quantitatively evaluated via profile curve analysis. Two observers qualitatively graded the graininess, lumen sharpness, and overall lumen visibility on the basis of the degree of confidence for the stenosis severity using a five-point scale. Results: The image noise with HIR, MBIR, DLR, and 2nd generation DLR was 23.0, 21.0, 16.9, and 9.5 HU, respectively. The corresponding CNR (25% stenosis) was 15.5, 15.9, 22.1, and 38.3, respectively. The corresponding ERS (25% stenosis) was 203.2, 198.6, 228.9, and 262.4 HU/mm, respectively. Among the four reconstruction methods, the 2nd generation DLR achieved the significantly highest CNR and ERS values. The score of 2nd generation DLR in all evaluation points (graininess, sharpness, and overall lumen visibility) was higher than those of the other methods (overall vessel visibility score, 2.6±0.5, 3.8±0.6, 3.7±0.5, and 4.6±0.5 with HIR, MBIR, DLR, and 2nd generation DLR, respectively). Conclusions: 2nd generation DLR provided better CNR and ERS in coronary CTA than HIR, MBIR, and previous-generation DLR, leading to the highest subjective image quality in the assessment of vessel stenosis.

Myocardial Injury by COVID-19 Infection Assessed by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging　- A Prospective Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: This prospective multicenter study assessed the prevalence of myocardial injury in patients with COVID-19 using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively screened 505 patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 disease from 7 hospitals in Japan. Of these patients, 31 (mean [±SD] age 63.5±10.4 years, 23 [74%] male) suspected of myocardial injury, based on elevated serum troponin or B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations either upon admission or 3 months after discharge, underwent CMR 3 months after discharge. The primary endpoint was the presence of myocardial injury, defined by any of the following: (1) contrast enhancement in the left or right ventricle myocardium on late gadolinium enhancement CMR; (2) left or right ventricular dysfunction (defined as <50% and <45%, respectively); and (3) pericardial thickening on contrast enhancement. The mean (±SD) duration between diagnosis and CMR was 117±16 days. The primary endpoint was observed in 13 of 31 individuals (42%), with 8 (26%) satisfying the modified Lake Louise Criteria for the diagnosis of acute myocarditis. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a high incidence of myocardial injury identified by CMR in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 and abnormal findings for cardiac biomarkers.

Results of Definitive (Chemo)radiotherapy Using Computed Tomography-based Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Concurrent cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer. Especially, CCRT with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography-based image-guided brachytherapy (CT-based 3D-IGBT) for cervical cancer has resulted in good LC rates. However, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates for locally advanced cervical cancer are still low and could be improved. The aim of the study was to evaluate treatment efficacy and late toxicity of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and CT-based IGBT with or without concurrent chemotherapy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix and investigate patterns of failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of cervical squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with definitive radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy at Saitama Medical University International Medical Center. Local control (LC), PFS, patterns of failure, and late toxicity were the evaluated outcomes. RESULTS: Overall, 290 patients were enrolled in the study. Median follow-up was 51.5 months. During follow-up, 74 patients developed recurrence: 10 patients with intra-pelvic failure only, 45 with extra-pelvic failure only, and 19 with both. The 3-year LC was 100% for T1b-T2a, 96.8% for T2b, 89.5% for T3b, and 88.5% for T4 disease. The 3-year PFS was 100% for stage IB-IIA, 89.0% for stage IIB, 70.7% for stage IIIB, 72.6% for stage IIIC1r, and 40.1% for stage IVA. The incidence of grade 3-4 gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicities was 3.0% and 1.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Combination of EBRT and CT-based IGBT with or without concurrent chemotherapy produced favorable LC with acceptable rates of late toxicities. However, extra-pelvic failures frequently occurred and PFS was less satisfactory in patients with stage III-IVA disease, which indicated the need for additional treatment in these patients.