Elevated plasma and bile levels of corisin, a microbiota-derived proapoptotic peptide, in patients with severe acute cholangitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute cholangitis is a severe, life-threatening infection of the biliary system that requires early diagnosis and treatment. The Tokyo Guidelines recommend a combination of clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings for diagnosis and severity assessment, but there are still challenges in identifying severe cases that need immediate intervention. The microbiota and its derived products have been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute cholangitis. Corisin is a microbiome-derived peptide that induces cell apoptosis, acute tissue injury, and inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of plasma and bile corisin as a biomarker of acute cholangitis. METHODS: Forty patients with acute cholangitis associated with choledocholithiasis or malignant disease were enrolled. Nine patients without acute cholangitis were used as controls. Corisin was measured by enzyme immunoassays in plasma and bile samples. Patients were classified into severe and non-severe groups. The associations of plasma and bile corisin with the clinical grade of acute cholangitis and other parameters were analyzed by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Plasma and bile corisin levels were significantly higher in patients with acute cholangitis than in controls. Patients with severe acute cholangitis had significantly higher plasma and bile corisin levels than those with non-severe form of the disease. Bile corisin level was significantly correlated with markers of inflammation, coagulation, fibrinolysis, and renal function. Univariate analysis revealed a significant association of bile corisin but a weak association of plasma corisin with the clinical grade of acute cholangitis. In contrast, multivariate analysis showed a significant relationship between plasma corisin level and the disease clinical grade. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed low sensitivity but high specificity for plasma and bile corisin to detect the severity of acute cholangitis. The plasma and bile corisin sensitivity was increased when serum C-reactive protein level was included in the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these findings suggest that plasma and bile corisin levels may be useful biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring acute cholangitis and that corisin may play a role in the pathophysiology of the disease by modulating inflammatory, coagulation and renal pathways.

Microcystic serous cystadenoma mimicking pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm: report of a resected case with preoperative diagnostic difficulty and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Microcystic pancreatic serous cystadenoma (SCA) can be managed without surgery in selected patients. However, the preoperative diagnosis of microcystic SCA remains challenging, and it is potentially misdiagnosed as other pancreatic cystic neoplasms or solid tumors, especially small microcystic SCA. CASE PRESENTATION: This was a case of a 27-year-old male patient with microcystic SCA causing difficulty in the differential diagnosis from pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (pNEN). A pancreatic tail mass was incidentally discovered on abdominal ultrasound (US). A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a solid tumor measuring 13 mm with early enhancement in the arterial phase at the pancreatic tail. The tumor showed low intensity on T1-weighted magnetic resonance image, high intensity on T2-weighted image, and a slightly hyperechoic mass on endoscopic US (EUS). EUS-fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) did not lead to a definitive diagnosis. The tumor was clinically diagnosed as a pNEN, and a laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy using the Warshaw technique was performed. The final histopathological diagnosis was microcystic SCA. CONCLUSION: Small microcystic SCA is difficult to distinguish from a hypervascular pancreatic tumor such as pNEN on imaging studies, and it is necessary to focus on the tumor echogenicity of EUS to differentiate microcystic SCA from pNEN preoperatively.

Needle tract seeding after endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition of pancreatic tumors: A nationwide survey in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of pancreatic tumors. The present study aimed to investigate the current status of needle tract seeding (NTS) after EUS-TA of pancreatic tumors based on a nationwide survey in Japan. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgical resection of primary pancreatic tumors after EUS-TA performed between April 2010 and March 2018 were surveyed. The incidence rates of NTS were determined, and compared in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) and other tumors, and in patients who underwent transgastric and transduodenal EUS-TA of PDACs. The detailed features and prognosis of patients with NTS were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 12,109 patients underwent surgical resection of primary pancreatic tumors after EUS-TA. The overall incidence rate of NTS was 0.330%, and the NTS rate was significantly higher in patients with PDAC than in those with other tumors (0.409% vs. 0.071%, P=0.004). NTS was observed in 0.857% of patients who underwent transgastric EUS-TA, but in none of those who underwent transduodenal EUS-TA. Of the patients with NTS of PDACs, the median time from EUS-TA to occurrence of NTS and median patient survival were 19.3 and 44.7 months, respectively, with 97.4% of NTS located in the gastric wall and 65.8% of NTS resected. The patient survival was significantly longer in patients who underwent NTS resection than in those without NTS resection (P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: NTS appeared only after transgastric not after transduodenal EUS-TA. Careful follow-up provides an opportunity to remove localized NTS lesions by gastrectomy.

Pseudoprogression of lung large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma resembling pancreatic cancer during durvalumab therapy.

A 74-year-old Asian man was referred for numb and painful sensation in the right upper limb. He was diagnosed with lung large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and started receiving durvalumab therapy as second-line treatment. Sixteen days after the first dose, laboratory examination revealed increased liver enzyme levels and a marked inflammatory response. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed an unenhanced tumor measuring approximately 25 mm in the head of pancreas and dilation of the intra- and extra-hepatic bile ducts. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography confirmed stricture in the lower common bile duct and main pancreatic duct. We suspected acute cholangitis caused by a pancreatic cancer and performed an endoscopic biliary drainage. Two weeks after the procedure, computed tomography revealed significant shrinkage of the tumor. The tumor gradually reduced and pseudoprogression in lung large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma was ultimately diagnosed. Acute cholangitis caused by pseudoprogression resembling pancreatic cancer during immune therapy has not yet been reported. We are mindful that pseudoprogression should be considered as a differential diagnosis if a rapidly developing pancreatic tumor is observed during immunotherapy.

Primary hepatic lymphoma diagnosed using endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Because of the rarity of primary hepatic lymphomas, diagnosis of this disease entity may often be difficult, and performing a liver biopsy is the only way to establish a definitive diagnosis. Recently, endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy has emerged as a safe technique for obtaining liver tissue. However, there is no report on the use of endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy for diagnosing primary hepatic lymphomas. CASE PRESENTATION: An 85-year-old Asian man was admitted to our hospital because of multiple liver lesions without any identifiable primary tumor or extrahepatic lymphadenopathy. Serum tumor markers, including alpha-fetoprotein, were in the normal range. We provisionally diagnosed the patient with a cancer of unknown primary origin with liver metastases. An endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle liver biopsy of the tumor in the left lobe of the liver was performed using a transgastric approach, and histology revealed a primary hepatic lymphoma of a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma type. CONCLUSIONS: Primary hepatic lymphomas are quite rare, and diagnosis is often difficult without performing a biopsy. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy is a useful diagnostic modality even in such cases.

Needle tract seeding following endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for pancreatic cancer: a report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a useful tool in pancreatic cancer diagnosis. However, the procedure itself may cause peritoneal dissemination and needle tract seeding at the puncture site. We herein report two cases of gastric wall metastasis due to needle tract seeding after EUS-FNA. CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1: A 68-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for persistent cough. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed inflammatory changes in the left lung field, and incidentally, a 15-mm hypovascular mass was detected in the pancreatic body. She underwent EUS-FNA and was diagnosed as pancreatic adenocarcinoma. She underwent distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy; however, a small hard mass was observed in the posterior gastric wall during surgery. We performed partial gastrectomy, and the resected specimen was diagnosed as a needle tract seeding following EUS-FNA. She then underwent adjuvant chemotherapy with TS-1, but the pancreatic cancer showed recurrence 6 months after surgery. She died due to peritoneal dissemination 18 months after surgery. Case 2: A 70-year-old man was incidentally detected with a pancreatic body mass on a CT scan as part of his follow-up for recurrence of basal cell carcinoma. He underwent EUS-FNA and was diagnosed as pancreatic adenocarcinoma. He had nodules in both lungs, and it was difficult to differentiate them from lung metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Therefore, he underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, and thereafter, the lung nodules showed no changes; hence, he underwent distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy. During surgery, we observed a hard mass in the posterior gastric wall. We performed partial gastrectomy, and the resected specimen was diagnosed as needle tract seeding due to EUS-FNA. He underwent chemotherapy with TS-1, and he is still alive 18 months after surgery at the time of writing. CONCLUSION: For resectable pancreatic body or tail tumors, EUS-FNA should be carefully performed to prevent needle tract seeding and intraoperative as well as postoperative assessment for gastric wall metastasis is mandatory.

Second and third-look endoscopy for the prevention of post-ESD bleeding.

The efficacy of 2nd-look esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with endoscopic hemostatic therapy (EHT) for the prevention of postendoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) clinical bleeding remains controversial. The aim of this study was to estimate post-ESD bleeding rate using 2nd and 3rd-look strategy, and to determine risk factors for clinical bleeding, and for EHT at 2nd and 3rd-look EGDs.Three hundred forty-four consecutive patients with early gastric cancer or adenoma underwent ESD from January 2006 through March 2012. Second and 3rd-look EGDs were performed on day 1 (D1) and day 7 (D7), respectively, with EHT as needed.Post-ESD clinical bleeding rate was 2.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2%-4.9%). For clinical bleeding, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for age <65 years and antithrombotic drug uses were 4.40 (95% CI 1.07-19.93) and 7.34 (95% CI 1.80-32.48), respectively. For D1 EHT, adjusted ORs of tumor location in the lower part of the stomach and maximum tumor diameter ≥60 mm were 2.16 (95% CI 1.35-3.51) and 2.20 (95% CI 1.05-4.98), respectively. For D7 EHT, adjusted OR of D1 EHT was 4.65 (95% CI 1.56-20.0).Post-ESD clinical bleeding rate was relatively low using 2nd and 3rd-look strategy. Age <65 years and antithrombotic drug use are significant risk factors for clinical bleeding. Regarding EHT, tumor location in the lower part of the stomach and maximum diameter of resected specimen ≥60 mm are significant predictors for D1 EHT. D1 EHT in turn is a significant risk factor for D7 EHT. The efficacy of sequential strategy for preventing post-ESD bleeding is promising.

Interleukin-17 induces an atypical M2-like macrophage subpopulation that regulates intestinal inflammation.

Interleukin 17 (IL-17) is a pleiotropic cytokine that acts on both immune and non-immune cells and is generally implicated in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Although IL-17 as well as their source, mainly but not limited to Th17 cells, is also abundant in the inflamed intestine, the role of IL-17 in inflammatory bowel disease remains controversial. In the present study, by using IL-17 knockout (KO) mice, we investigated the role of IL-17 in colitis, with special focus on the macrophage subpopulations. Here we show that IL-17KO mice had increased susceptibility to DSS-induced colitis which was associated with decrease in expression of mRNAs implicated in M2 and/or wound healing macrophages, such as IL-10, IL-1 receptor antagonist, arginase 1, cyclooxygenase 2, and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase. Lamina propria leukocytes from inflamed colon of IL-17KO mice contained fewer CD11b+Ly6C+MHC Class II+ macrophages, which were derived, at least partly, from blood monocytes, as compared to those of WT mice. FACS-purified CD11b+ cells from WT mice, which were more abundant in Ly6C+MHC Class II+ cells, expressed increased levels of genes associated M2/wound healing macrophages and also M1/proinflammatory macrophages. Depletion of this population by topical administration of clodronate-liposome in the colon of WT mice resulted in the exacerbation of colitis. These results demonstrate that IL-17 confers protection against the development of severe colitis through the induction of an atypical M2-like macrophage subpopulation. Our findings reveal a previously unappreciated mechanism by which IL-17 exerts a protective function in colitis.

Splenectomy increases the number of circulating hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in patients with hepatitis C virus-associated liver cirrhosis.

AIM: The spleen is not believed to contribute to hematopoiesis in healthy adults. However, several reports have demonstrated that the spleen in adults contains a large number of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC). Although splenectomy increases platelet and leukocyte counts, the effects of splenectomy on circulating HSC have not been elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the association between the number of circulating HSC and splenectomy in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated liver cirrhosis (LC). METHODS: In 48 patients with various stages of HCV-associated chronic liver disease and seven patients with LC who underwent splenectomy, and 10 healthy volunteers, we determined the numbers of circulating CD34+ cells and colony-forming unit culture by flow cytometry and methylcellulose culture, respectively. Plasma stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The numbers of circulating CD34+ cells and colony-forming unit culture decreased but the plasma SDF-1α concentration increased with the progression of liver disease. There was an inverse correlation between the number of circulating HSC and the plasma SDF-1α concentration. The numbers of circulating HSC and platelets were determined before and after splenectomy in seven patients with LC. In these patients, the numbers of circulating HSC and platelets increased significantly after splenectomy and the enhancing effect persisted for a long time. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the spleen plays an important role in modulating HSC dynamics in patients with HCV-associated chronic liver disease. Our results also imply that splenectomy may improve liver function in patients with LC.

Magnifying endoscopy for diagnosis of residual/local recurrent gastric neoplasms after previous endoscopic treatment.

BACKGROUND: Incomplete resection of gastric neoplasms by endoscopic treatment could lead to residual/local recurrence, which may be difficult to identify. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of magnifying endoscopy for identifying and demarcating residual/local recurrent gastric neoplasms after endoscopic treatment. METHODS: Between December 2004 and November 2010, magnifying endoscopy was performed in 15 patients with residual/local recurrent gastric neoplasms. All patients underwent conventional magnifying endoscopy (CME) and enhanced-magnification endoscopy with acetic acid instillation (EME) after conventional endoscopy (CE). Eleven patients additionally underwent magnifying endoscopy using narrow-band imaging (NBI-ME) and a combination of narrow-band imaging and acetic acid instillation (NBI-EME). For each procedure, it was recorded whether the location and circumferential demarcation of the lesions were identified. All lesions were resected by endoscopic submucosal dissection. RESULTS: Eleven lesions were identified using CE. However, two and four additional lesions were identified using CME and EME, respectively. In 11 cases, NBI-ME and NBI-EME were performed and all lesions were identified. Three lesions, which were identified by CME, were not demarcated circumferentially. All 15 lesions were well demarcated by EME and 11 by NBI-ME and NBI-EME. Of the resected specimens, histopathology indicated that ten lesions were differentiated tubular adenocarcinomas and five lesions were adenomas. The histopathological diagnosis of the location and demarcation of all neoplasms corresponded to endoscopic findings. CONCLUSIONS: Magnifying endoscopy techniques (CME, EME, NBI-ME, and NBI-EME) may be useful for identifying and demarcating residual/local recurrent gastric neoplasms after previous endoscopic treatment.

Pressure-mediated hypertrophy and mechanical stretch induces IL-1 release and subsequent IGF-1 generation to maintain compensative hypertrophy by affecting Akt and JNK pathways.

RATIONALE: It has been reported that interleukin (IL)-1 is associated with pathological cardiac remodeling and LV dilatation, whereas IL-1beta has also been shown to induce cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Thus, the role of IL-1 in the heart remains to be determined. OBJECTIVE: We studied the role of hypertrophy signal-mediated IL-1beta/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 production in regulating the progression from compensative pressure-mediated hypertrophy to heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pressure overload was performed by aortic banding in IL-1beta-deficient mice. Primarily cultured cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and cardiac myocytes (CMs) were exposed to cyclic stretch. Heart weight, myocyte size, and left ventricular ejection fraction were significantly lower in IL-1beta-deficient mice (20%, 23% and 27%, respectively) than in the wild type 30 days after aortic banding, whereas interstitial fibrosis was markedly augmented. DNA microarray analysis revealed that IGF-1 mRNA level was markedly (approximately 50%) decreased in the IL-1beta-deficient hypertrophied heart. Stretch of CFs, rather than CMs, abundantly induced the generation of IL-1beta and IGF-1, whereas such IGF-1 induction was markedly decreased in IL-1beta-deficient CFs. IL-1beta released by stretch is at a low level unable to induce IL-6 but sufficient to stimulate IGF-1 production. Promoter analysis showed that stretch-mediated IL-1beta activates JAK/STAT to transcriptionally regulate the IGF-1 gene. IL-1beta deficiency markedly increased c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and caspase-3 activities and enhanced myocyte apoptosis and fibrosis, whereas replacement of IGF-1 or JNK inhibitor restored them. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate for the first time that pressure-mediated hypertrophy and mechanical stretch generates a subinflammatory low level of IL-1beta, which constitutively causes IGF-1 production to maintain adaptable compensation hypertrophy and inhibit interstitial fibrosis.

Response of early active rheumatoid arthritis to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors: evaluation by magnetic resonance imaging.

Inflammatory changes (synovitis and bone marrow edema) and destructive changes (bone erosion) were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and their relations with disease activity were assessed during treatment with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. Ten patients with early active RA underwent MRI at 0 and 16 weeks of TNF-inhibitor treatment. The carpal bones of the dominant hand were evaluated by the outcome measures in rheumatology clinical trials MRI score for RA. After 16 weeks, the mean disease activity score (DAS 28) decreased significantly from 5.54 to 2.70, while the number of tender joints, number of swollen joints, and inflammatory parameters were also significantly improved. The mean synovitis and marrow edema scores determined by MRI showed a significant decrease from 6.1 to 2.2 and 12.8 to 6.2, respectively, while the annual bone-erosion progression score decreased from 12.6 to 2.0. Although synovitis persisted in some patients, imaging remission was achieved in two patients. In conclusion, TNF-inhibitor therapy achieved an early decrease of disease activity and MRI revealed amelioration of joint destruction. The MRI score for RA is useful for assessing the early response to TNF inhibitors.