Serrated polyps in patients with ulcerative colitis: Unique clinicopathological and biological characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Serrated polyps have recently been reported in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC); however, their prevalence and detailed characteristics remain unclear. METHODS: The prevalence and clinicopathological and biological characteristics of serrated polyps in patients with UC were retrospectively examined in a single tertiary inflammatory bowel disease center in Japan from 2000 to 2020. RESULTS: Among 2035 patients with UC who underwent total colonoscopy, 252 neoplasms, including 36 serrated polyps (26 in colitis-affected segments, 10 in colitis-unaffected segments), were identified in 187 patients with UC. The proportion of serrated polyps was 1.8% (36/2035). Serrated polyps in colitis-affected segments were common with extensive colitis (88%), history of persistent active colitis (58%), and long UC duration (12.1 years). Serrated polyps in colitis-affected segments were more common in men (88%). Of the 26 serrated polyps in colitis-affected segments, 15, 6, and 5 were categorized as sessile serrated lesion-like dysplasia, traditional serrated adenoma-like dysplasia, and serrated dysplasia not otherwise specified, respectively. Sessile serrated lesion-like dysplasia was common in the proximal colon (67%) and with BRAF mutation (62%), whereas traditional serrated adenoma-like dysplasia and serrated dysplasia not otherwise specified were common in the distal colon (100% and 80%, respectively) and with KRAS mutations (100% and 75%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Serrated polyps comprised 14% of the neoplasias in patients with UC. Serrated polyps in colitis-affected segments were common in men with extensive and longstanding colitis, suggesting chronic inflammation in the development of serrated polyps in patients with UC.

[Solitary lymph node metastasis from early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation: a case report and review of the Japanese literature].

A 77-year-old man with chronic hepatitis C underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in segment 8 of the liver. Necrosis was confirmed radiologically. After 19 months, recurrent HCC in segment 6 was treated with TACE and RFA. There was no recurrence. Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy 24 months after the initial procedure led to a sustained virologic response. AFP-L3 markedly increased 11 months after DAA therapy, and MRI 6 months after that showed a solitary lymph node near the common bile duct. Because no intrahepatic recurrence or other lymph nodes were seen, the solitary node was excised. Histopathology showed metastatic HCC. There has been no subsequent recurrence over 13 months of follow-up.

The first genetically confirmed case of Dioctophyme renale (Nematoda: Dioctophymatida) in a patient with a subcutaneous nodule.

We describe a nematode larva in a subcutaneous nodule excised from a 44-year-old Chinese male who had been living in Japan for 15 years. Morphological features suggested that the worm was a dioctophimatid nematode. PCR amplification and sequencing of small subunit ribosomal DNA and mitochondrial cytochrome subunit c oxidase genes allowed us to identify the larva as the giant kidney worm, Dioctophyme renale (Goeze, 1972). This is the first molecularly confirmed human case of a dermal D. renale infection.

Important property of polymer spheres for the preparation of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) metal oxides by the ethylene glycol method: the glass-transition temperature.

We demonstrate that the glass-transition temperature (T(g)) of a polymer sphere template is a crucial factor in the production of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) materials. Metal nitrate dissolved in ethylene glycol-methanol was infiltrated into the void of a face-centered, close-packed colloidal crystal of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based spheres. The metal nitrate reacts with EG to form a metal oxalate (or metal glycoxylate) solid (nitrate oxidation) in the void of the template when the metal nitrate-EG-PMMA composite is heated. Further heating converts metal oxalate to metal oxide and removes PMMA to form 3DOM materials. We investigated the effect of T(g) of PMMA templates and obtained clear evidence that the solidification temperature of the metal precursor solution (i.e., nitration oxidation temperature) should be lower than the T(g) of the polymer spheres to obtain a well-ordered 3DOM structure.

Catalytic oxidative dehydration of glycerol over a catalyst with iron oxide domains embedded in an iron orthovanadate phase.

An embedded catalyst for the oxidative dehydration of glycerol, featuring iron oxide (FeO(x)) domains on the surface of an iron orthovanadate (FeVO4) phase, is developed. Catalytic reactions are conducted in a fixed-bed reactor at 300 °C with a feed composition N2/O2/H2O/glycerol=66.6:1.7:30.3:1.5. Catalytic results show that the catalyst exhibits a better performance than an FeO(x) catalyst prepared by impregnation and than a mixture of FeVO4 and Fe2O3The best yield for acrylic acid was 14 %. The presence of FeO(x) domains on the surface of FeVO4 catalyzes the oxidation of acrolein to acrylic acid. The catalysts are characterized by a range of techniques. The interaction between the nanometer-sized FeO(x) domains and the FeVO4 phase is strong enough to stabilize the FeO(x) and retain its high activity. The proximity of the two phases provides an environment for the dehydration of glycerol and the oxidation of acrolein to acrylic acid.

A unique case of collagenous colitis presenting as protein-losing enteropathy successfully treated with prednisolone.

A 76-year-old woman with a 5-mo history of recurrent diarrhea and generalized edema was admitted to our hospital. Colonoscopy revealed edematous mucosa, and histopathological examination was compatible with collagenous colitis. Protein leakage from the colon, particularly in the ascending portion, was identified on 99mTc-human serum albumin scintigraphy. Collagenous colitis associated with protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) without small bowel disease was diagnosed. Prednisolone treatment ameliorated diarrhea and hypoproteinemia. Collagenous colitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of chronic diarrhea with hypoproteinemia for appropriate management.

A case of mesenteric lymphadenitis with long-acting symptom, showing marked response to corticosteroid.

A 17-year-old girl who had right lower abdominal pain with multiple swelling of lymph nodes in the ileocecal region and she was admitted to a neighboring hospital. Since there was no improvement of condition with antibiotic resistance, we were consulted. Lymph node biopsy under laparoscopy demonstrated nonspecific findings. She then developed erythema nodosum, suggesting the presence of autoimmune etiology. Treatment with systemic corticosteroid resulted in symptomatic improvement. Mesenteric lymphadenitis like this case is rare.