Prevalence and Risk Factors of Constipation Symptoms among Patients Undergoing Colonoscopy: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal symptoms. It may compromise quality of life and social functioning and result in increased healthcare use and costs. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of constipation symptoms, as well as those of refractory constipation symptoms among patients who underwent colonoscopy. METHODS: Over 4.5 years, patients who underwent colonoscopy and completed questionnaires were analyzed. Patients' symptoms were evaluated using the Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale. RESULTS: Among 8,621 eligible patients, the prevalence of constipation symptoms was 33.3%. Multivariate analysis revealed female sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.7, P < 0.001), older age (OR 1.3, P < 0.001), cerebral stroke with paralysis (OR 1.7, P = 0.009), chronic renal failure (OR 2.6, P < 0.001), ischemic heart disease (OR 1.3, P = 0.008), diabetes (OR 1.4, P < 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 1.5, P = 0.002), benzodiazepine use (OR 1.7, P < 0.001), antiparkinsonian medications use (OR 1.9, P = 0.030), and opioid use (OR 2.1, P = 0.002) as independent risk factors for constipation symptoms. The number of patients taking any medication for constipation was 1,134 (13.2%); however, refractory symptoms of constipation were still present in 61.4% of these patients. Diabetes (OR 1.5, P = 0.028) and irritable bowel syndrome (OR 3.1, P < 0.001) were identified as predictors for refractory constipation symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Constipation occurred in one-third of patients, and more than half of patients still exhibited refractory symptoms of constipation despite taking laxatives. Multiple medications and concurrent diseases seem to be associated with constipation symptoms.

Miliary tuberculosis diagnosed by diffuse hepatic uptake on PET/CT and transjugular liver biopsy.

The patient was an 81-year-old man. In his 20s, he had been treated with pharmacotherapy for pulmonary tuberculosis for 1 year. He presented to the Department of Respiratory Medicine with a chief complaint of dyspnea. The possibility of respiratory disease appeared to be low, but hepatic impairment was detected. The patient was thus referred to our department. Though the cause of hepatic impairment was unknown, the soluble interleukin-2 receptor level was elevated, suggesting malignant lymphoma. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) revealed diffuse, homogenous, intense FDG uptake in the entire liver, and transjugular liver biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Histopathological examination revealed an epithelioid granuloma, and auramine staining was positive for bacilli suggestive of tuberculosis. CT revealed diffuse micronodular shadows in the lung, yielding a diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis. Therefore, the patient was prescribed antituberculosis medication by the Department of Respiratory Medicine. His subsequent clinical course was good. The miliary (hepatic) tuberculosis was typical based on the diffuse, homogenous, intense FDG uptake throughout the liver observed on PET-CT.

Exercise May Increase Oxidative Stress in the Sciatic Nerve in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Background and Objectives: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) affects approximately half of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), contributing to falls and fractures. Oxidative stress, which is linked to DM-induced hyperglycemia, has been implicated in the onset of DPN. Although exercise is recommended for patients with DM, its effect on DPN remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of exercise on DPN and the mechanisms involved. Material and Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into control, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic (DM), and STZ-induced diabetic/exercise (DM + Ex) groups. Diabetes was induced using STZ injection. Rats in the DM + Ex groups underwent six weeks of treadmill exercise. Sciatic nerve parameters, which included motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase [GPx], and superoxide dismutase [SOD]), oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde [MDA] and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal [4HNE]), and neurotrophic factors (brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF] and nerve growth factor [NGF]), were examined. Results: Exercise alleviated DM-induced decreases in MNCV in rats. Although exercise did not significantly affect antioxidant enzyme activity, 4HNE levels increased significantly, indicating increased oxidative stress. Additionally, exercise did not significantly affect DM-induced increases in NGF and BDNF levels in rats. Conclusions: Exercise may prevent DPN in rats with DM, possibly through nonantioxidant mechanisms.

Evaluating the efficacy and safety of acotiamide in patients with esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction: study protocol for an investigator-initiated, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial.

BACKGROUND: We have determined that the impaired accommodation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) underlies the pathogenesis of esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO). We have also found that acotiamide may treat EGJOO by improving impaired LES accommodation. The effects of acotiamide in patients with EGJOO need to be further confirmed in a prospective study. METHODS: This trial is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to compare the efficacy and safety of acotiamide (300 mg/day or 600 mg/day) with those of a placebo in the treatment of patients with EGJOO. The primary endpoint will be the proportion of patients who report an improvement in symptom of food sticking in the chest after 4 weeks of treatment period 1. The secondary endpoints will be the proportion of patients with normalized integrated relaxation pressure (IRP), the value of change from baseline in the distal contractile integral, basal LES pressure, EGJOO-quality of life score, Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, and the correlation between IRP and each symptom score. During the 2-year trial period, 42 patients from five institutions will be enrolled. DISCUSSION: This trial will provide evidence to clarify the efficacy and safety of acotiamide as a treatment for patients with EGJOO. Acotiamide might help improve the quality of life of patients with EGJOO and is expected to prevent the progression of EGJOO to achalasia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Kyushu University Hospital as well as the local IRBs of the participating sites for clinical trials and registered in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT: 2071210072). The registration date is on October 11, 2021.

Randomised clinical trial: 3-year interim analysis results of the VISION trial to evaluate the long-term safety of vonoprazan as maintenance treatment in patients with erosive oesophagitis.

BACKGROUND: VISION is a randomised, phase 4, open-label, parallel-group, multicentre study conducted in 33 centres in Japan. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term safety of vonoprazan for maintenance treatment of healed erosive oesophagitis versus lansoprazole. METHODS: Patients with endoscopically diagnosed erosive oesophagitis were randomised 2:1 to once-daily vonoprazan 20 mg or lansoprazole 30 mg, for a 4- to 8-week healing phase. Patients with endoscopically confirmed healing entered a 260-week maintenance phase with a once-daily starting dose of vonoprazan 10 mg or lansoprazole 15 mg. Primary endpoint was change in gastric mucosal histopathology. RESULTS: Of 208 patients (vonoprazan, n = 139; lansoprazole, n = 69) entering the healing phase, 202 entered the maintenance phase (vonoprazan, n = 135; lansoprazole, n = 67). At 3 years, 109 vonoprazan-treated and 58 lansoprazole-treated patients remained on treatment. Histopathological evaluation of gastric mucosa showed that hyperplasia of parietal, foveolar and G cells was more common with vonoprazan than lansoprazole at week 156 of the maintenance phase. There was no marked increase in the occurrence of parietal, foveolar and G cell hyperplasia among patients in the vonoprazan group from week 48 to week 156. Histopathological evaluation of the gastric mucosa also showed no neoplastic changes in either group. No new safety issues were identified. CONCLUSIONS: In this interim analysis of VISION, no new safety concerns were identified in Japanese patients with healed erosive oesophagitis receiving vonoprazan or lansoprazole as maintenance treatment for 3 years. (CT.gov identifier: NCT02679508; JapicCTI-163153; Japan Registry of Clinical Trials: jRCTs031180040).

Main causes of death in advanced biliary tract cancer.

BACKGROUND: There are no previous reports on the main causes of death in biliary tract cancer (BTC) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the main causes of death and survival rates in patients with BTC. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 143 patients who were diagnosed with unresectable BTC between August 2010 and March 2020. We classified the main causes of death based on laboratory data, imaging studies, and medical records. The main causes of death evaluated included liver failure, cholangitis, cachexia, other causes associated with tumor progression, and complications. We also analyzed survival rates for each main cause of death. RESULTS: After excluding patients who were lost to follow-up, living patients, and patients who had no records of laboratory data within 30 days before the date of death, 108 patients were analyzed. The main cause of death was cholangitis in 33 (30.6%), cachexia in 22 (20.4%), liver failure in 10 (9.3%), other causes associated with tumor progression in 18 (16.7%), and complications in 25 (23.2%) patients. Median overall survival (OS) was 334.0 days in the chemotherapy group and 75.0 days in the best supportive care (BSC) group. Survival analyzed according to the main cause of death was significantly different between the chemotherapy and BSC groups; OS for cachexia, cholangitis, liver failure, other causes associated with tumor progression, and complications, respectively, were 453.0, 499.0, 567.0, 205.0, and 327.5 days (p = 0.003) in the chemotherapy group and 219.0, 69.0, 34.0, 93.0, and 56.0 days (p = 0.001) in the BSC group. CONCLUSION: The main causes of death in patients with advanced BTC are cholangitis, cachexia, liver failure, other causes associated with tumor progression, and complications. Other causes associated with tumor progression in the chemotherapy group, and liver failure in the BSC group as the main causes of death shortened the survival of BTC patients.

Clinical presentation and therapeutic outcome of patients with jackhammer esophagus-a multicenter cohort study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Jackhammer esophagus (JE) is a hypercontractile esophageal motility disorder diagnosed using high-resolution manometry (HRM). We sought to determine the clinical presentation and therapeutic data of patients with JE in Japan. METHODS: The study included patients with JE, diagnosed through HRM performed for suspicious esophageal motility disorders. Demographics, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, radiology, and therapy data were collected from patient charts. RESULTS: Among the 4,412 HRM tests performed, 89 patients (61.6 ± 13.4 years; 64 males, 25 females) were diagnosed with JE (2.0%). Dysphagia was the most frequent symptom (80%), followed by chest pain (40%) and heartburn (25%). Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed abnormal findings in 32% of patients: corkscrew/rosary beads appearance in 26%, narrowing in 11%. Eosinophilic infiltration (> 15 eosinophils/high power field) was diagnosed in 21%. Esophagography showed abnormal findings in 9% of the patients. For the initial therapy, 47 patients received medical treatment followed by peroral endoscopic myotomy (21 patients) and laparoscopic myotomy (two patients). Thirteen patients did not receive any treatment and 10 of those (77%) reported spontaneous resolution of symptoms. Patients who required invasive treatment experienced severe disability in their quality of life and greater maximal distal contractile integral than those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: HRM showed that the prevalence of JE was very low (2%). Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed some characteristic features of JE in patients. Some patients showed improvement of symptoms without invasive treatments. Follow-up with/without medical treatment should be considered before performing invasive treatment in patients whose distal contractile integral is relatively low and the quality of life is not impaired.

Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for gastroesophageal reflux disease 2021.

In Japan, with the increasing prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and growing public interest, the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology issued Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines for GERD (1st edition) in 2009 and a revised 2nd edition in 2015. A number of studies on GERD were subsequently conducted in Japan and abroad, and vonoprazan, a potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB), became available for the first time in Japan in February 2015. The revised 3rd edition (Japanese edition), which incorporates new findings and information, was published in April 2021. These guidelines are summarized herein, particularly sections related to the treatment of GERD. The important clinical issues addressed in the present revision are (i) the introduction of treatment algorithms that classify GERD into reflux esophagitis and non-erosive reflux disease, (ii) the clarification of treatment algorithms based on to the severity of reflux esophagitis, and (iii) the positioning of vonoprazan in the treatment for GERD. The present guidelines propose vonoprazan as the initial/maintenance treatment for severe reflux esophagitis. They also recommend vonoprazan or PPI as an initial treatment for mild reflux esophagitis and recommended PPI and proposed vonoprazan as maintenance treatment. These updated guidelines offer the best clinical strategies for GERD patients in Japan and hope that they will be of global use for the diagnosis and treatment for GERD.

Gastrointestinal endoscopy trends in a designated hospital for specified infectious diseases in Japan during the dawn of the "living with COVID-19" era.

January 2020 marked the very early period of SARS-CoV-2's arrival in Japan. At the time, we immediately and strictly adopted the use of enhanced PPE, including a N95, gown, gloves, eye protection, and an apron, during every endoscopic procedure for every patient, with or without COVID-19. One reason why we use enhanced PPE for every patient is because all endoscopic procedures should be considered aerosol-generating procedures, and another reason is that asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 cannot be identified during a pandemic. The volume of endoscopic screening/surveillance endoscopies decreased markedly, but therapeutic endoscopies did not decrease. In contrast, urgent endoscopic hemostasis has increased more than ever. The most common reason for the increase might be that the lack of protective equipment and the need for medical staff to deal with an unknown virus, creating a pandemic panic in emergency medicine.

Utility of a new automated diagnostic program in high-resolution esophageal manometry.

BACKGROUND: A new automated diagnostic program for high-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM) has been developed. This diagnostic program could detect locations of landmarks and could make final diagnoses automatically. However, the accuracy of the program is not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the automated diagnostic program for HREM. METHODS: A total of 445 studies were enrolled. An HREM system (Starlet®) was used, and esophageal motility was diagnosed using the Chicago classification v3.0. First, the locations of the upper esophageal sphincter, transition zone, lower esophageal sphincter, esophago-gastric junction, crural diaphragm and stomach were determined, and each swallow was checked manually. Then, the parameters of the Chicago classification were calculated using an analytic program of the Starlet, and diagnoses were made by three experts. Second, all study raw data were analyzed again by the automated diagnostic program. Diagnoses made by the program were compared to those made by experts to evaluate the accuracy of the diagnoses. RESULTS: The new diagnostic program could identify the landmarks of each swallow, calculate the parameters and make a final diagnosis within 10 s. The diagnoses made by the automated diagnostic program were not matched to those made by experts in only 10 studies, and the overall accuracy of the new automated diagnostic program thus reached 97.8% (435/445). CONCLUSIONS: The new automated diagnostic program for HREM is clinically useful in terms of high diagnostic accuracy and time-saving.

Ability of artificial intelligence to detect T1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma from endoscopic videos and the effects of real-time assistance.

Diagnosis using artificial intelligence (AI) with deep learning could be useful in endoscopic examinations. We investigated the ability of AI to detect superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) from esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) videos. We retrospectively collected 8428 EGD images of esophageal cancer to develop a convolutional neural network through deep learning. We evaluated the detection accuracy of the AI diagnosing system compared with that of 18 endoscopists. We used 144 EGD videos for the two validation sets. First, we used 64 EGD observation videos of ESCCs using both white light imaging (WLI) and narrow-band imaging (NBI). We then evaluated the system using 80 EGD videos from 40 patients (20 with superficial ESCC and 20 with non-ESCC). In the first set, the AI system correctly diagnosed 100% ESCCs. In the second set, it correctly detected 85% (17/20) ESCCs. Of these, 75% (15/20) and 55% (11/22) were detected by WLI and NBI, respectively, and the positive predictive value was 36.7%. The endoscopists correctly detected 45% (25-70%) ESCCs. With AI real-time assistance, the sensitivities of the endoscopists were significantly improved without AI assistance (p < 0.05). AI can detect superficial ESCCs from EGD videos with high sensitivity and the sensitivity of the endoscopist was improved with AI real-time support.

Endoscopic resection for gastrointestinal tumors (esophageal, gastric, colorectal tumors): Japanese standard and future prospects.

Endoscopic resection (ER) techniques such as polypectomy, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are widely accepted as a less invasive treatment for gastrointestinal (GI) tumors. Since there is a limit to the size that can be resected by EMR and it is often divided, it is not possible to accurately evaluate the degree of cancer progression, and the cancer remains or causes recurrence. ESD is a technology that overcomes these weaknesses. ER techniques are considered for tumors that have a very low possibility of lymph node metastasis and are suitable for en-bloc resection. As ESD became more widespread, the difficulty of treating ESD was gradually resolved by the development of technology and equipment, the curative resection rate increased, and the complication rate decreased. ER techniques have become the standard treatment for early cancer and precancerous lesions in Japan, and the therapeutic indications are expanding day by day. The indications for whether endoscopic treatment can be performed are defined by the guidelines for each organ such as the esophagus, stomach, and colorectum. In the coming aging society, it is also necessary to evaluate the indications for endoscopic treatment and invasive treatment. In addition, recent advances in endoscopic technology are making it possible to remove submucosal tumors that previously required surgery. In this review, we summarize the recent Japanese standard indications of ER for each GI location and future prospects of ER.

Effect of antiplatelet agent number, types, and pre-endoscopic management on post-polypectomy bleeding: validation of endoscopy guidelines.

BACKGROUND: It remains unclear whether type of antiplatelet (AP) therapy, AP combination therapy, and AP continuing or switching strategy affect the risk of post-polypectomy bleeding (PPB). In this study, we sought to elucidate this risk. METHODS: We analyzed 1050 patients who underwent colonoscopic polypectomy: 525 AP users and 525 controls matched for age, sex, comorbidities, concomitant non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use, and polyp characteristics who did not receive antithrombotics. PPB risk was evaluated by AP number, type, and continuing or switching strategies during the peri-endoscopic period. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, bleeding risk increased significantly as the number of AP agents used increased (monotherapy, adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.7; dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), 4.6; triple antiplatelet therapy (TAPT), 11.1) compared with controls. With monotherapy, significantly increased PPB risk was found for aspirin (aOR 4.3), thienopyridine (aOR 6.3), and cilostazol (aOR 5.9), but not for eicosapentaenoic acid or other APs (beraprost, limaprost, sarpogrelate, dilazep, or dipyridamole). With DAPT, significantly increased PPB risk was found for combination aspirin plus cilostazol, but not aspirin plus other APs. Bleeding rates for continuing monotherapy were 4.3% for aspirin and 0% for thienopyridine, cilostazol, and other APs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of this large polypectomy dataset showed that the use of low-dose aspirin, thienopyridine, or cilostazol and a combination of these is associated with increased PPB risk. Although PPB risk was high with DAPT or TAPT, PPB rate in any antiplatelet monotherapy even with a continuing strategy was low at < 5%.

Esophageal motility disorders on high-resolution manometry: Chicago classification version 4.0©.

Chicago Classification v4.0 (CCv4.0) is the updated classification scheme for esophageal motility disorders using metrics from high-resolution manometry (HRM). Fifty-two diverse international experts separated into seven working subgroups utilized formal validated methodologies over two-years to develop CCv4.0. Key updates in CCv.4.0 consist of a more rigorous and expansive HRM protocol that incorporates supine and upright test positions as well as provocative testing, a refined definition of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) outflow obstruction (EGJOO), more stringent diagnostic criteria for ineffective esophageal motility and description of baseline EGJ metrics. Further, the CCv4.0 sought to define motility disorder diagnoses as conclusive and inconclusive based on associated symptoms, and findings on provocative testing as well as supportive testing with barium esophagram with tablet and/or functional lumen imaging probe. These changes attempt to minimize ambiguity in prior iterations of Chicago Classification and provide more standardized and rigorous criteria for patterns of disorders of peristalsis and obstruction at the EGJ.

Esophageal cancer surgery: review of complications and their management.

Esophagectomy, even with the progress in surgical technique and perioperative management, is a highly specialized surgery, associated with a high rate of complications. Early recognition and adequate treatment should be a standard of care for the most common postoperative complications: anastomotic leakage, pneumonia, atrial fibrillation, chylothorax, and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. Recent progress in endoscopy with vacuum and stent placement, or in radiology with embolization, has changed the management of these complications. The success of nonoperative treatments should be frequently reassessed and reoperation must be proposed in case of failure. We have summarized the clinical signs, diagnostic process, and management of the frequent complications after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

Vonoprazan-based triple therapy is effective for Helicobacter pylori eradication irrespective of clarithromycin susceptibility.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori causes peptic ulcers and accounts for over 90% of gastric cancers; however, eradication rates have been declining due to antimicrobial resistance. Vonoprazan (VPZ), a potassium-competitive acid blocker, produces rapid and profound gastric acid suppression and has shown promising effects in the improvement of H. pylori eradication rates. The efficacy and safety of VPZ-based triple therapy as a first-line regimen for H. pylori eradication and its relationship with clarithromycin (CAM) susceptibility were evaluated. METHODS: From May 2015 to September 2017, H. pylori-infected patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with CAM susceptibility testing were prospectively enrolled. Patients received a 7-day triple therapy regimen (VAC) of VPZ (20 mg), amoxicillin (750 mg), and CAM (200 mg) twice daily. Eradication rates, demographics, CAM susceptibility, and safety profiles were assessed. RESULTS: VAC was administered to 146 patients (median age: 63, range: 22-85 years) (60% of whom were females) who underwent CAM susceptibility testing, and 131 patients underwent 13C-urea breath testing to evaluate eradication success. The prevalence of CAM resistance was 34.2%. The overall eradication rates of VAC in per protocol (PP) and "intention to treat" (ITT) analyses were 90.8% (n = 131) and 81.5% (n = 146), respectively. In PP analysis for CAM susceptibility, the eradication rates of VAC were comparable between CAM-sensitive (91.6%, n = 83) and CAM-resistant (89.4%, n = 47) strains. The corresponding rates from the ITT analysis were 80.0% (n = 95) and 84.0% (n = 50), respectively. No adverse events requiring discontinuation of VAC were observed. CONCLUSIONS: CAM-resistant H. pylori was prevalent in one-third of patients in the Tokyo metropolitan area. VPZ-based triple therapy was highly effective and well-tolerated irrespective of CAM susceptibility. Therefore, it could be a valuable first-line treatment regimen for H. pylori infection.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Interleukin-6 Production by C2C12 Myotubes.

Background and Objective. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) inhibits proinflammatory cytokines in microglial cells and monocytes. However, it is unclear whether 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibits proinflammatory cytokines in muscle cells. This study was conducted to investigate whether 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines, resulting in inhibition of the protein expression of E3 ubiquitin ligases and muscle protein loss. Materials and Methods. C2C12 myoblasts were proliferated in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) containing 10% fetal bovine serum, and myoblasts were differentiated into myotubes in DMEM containing 2% horse serum. Myotubes were treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 for 24 h, followed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation for 48 h. Results. Interleukin (IL)-6 protein concentrations were higher in the culture supernatant following LPS stimulation compared to that without LPS stimulation (p < 0.001). However, the IL-6 concentration was significantly lower in C2C12 myotubes following 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment than in C2C12 myotubes without 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment (p < 0.001). The myosin heavy chain (MHC), muscle atrophy F-box, and muscle ring-finger protein-1 protein levels did not significantly differ (P = 0.324, 0.552, and 0.352, respectively). We could not compare tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) protein levels because they were below the limit of detection of our assay in many supernatant samples, including in LPS-stimulated samples. Conclusions. 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibited increases in IL-6 protein concentrations in muscle cells stimulated by LPS, suggesting that 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibits inflammation in muscle cells. The findings suggest that 1,25(OH)2D3 can prevent or improve sarcopenia, which is associated with IL-6. The TNFα protein content could not be measured, and MHC was not decreased despite LPS stimulation of C2C12 myotubes. Further studies are needed to examine the effects of higher doses of LPS stimulation on muscle cells and use more sensitive methods for measuring TNFα protein to investigate the preventive effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on increased TNFα and muscle proteolysis.

Current surgical treatment standards for esophageal and esophagogastric junction cancer.

A number of different surgical techniques for the treatment of cancer of the esophagus and the esophagogastric junction have been proposed. Guidelines generally recommend a transthoracic approach for esophageal cancer, including Siewert type I tumors. In tumors of the proximal esophageal third, transthoracic esophagectomy may be extended to a three-field approach, including resection of cervical lymph nodes. However, the choice between transthoracic esophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis (Ivor Lewis esophagectomy) and the three-incision approach with cervical esophago-gastrostomy (McKeown esophagectomy) remains controversial, with guidelines varying among different countries. Furthermore, it is commonly accepted that Siewert type III tumors should be treated by extended total gastrectomy with transhiatal resection of the lower esophagus, whereas currently no consensus exists regarding the optimal surgical approach for the treatment of Siewert type II adenocarcinoma. Likewise, there is a major controversy regarding palliative and potentially curative treatment modalities in oligometastatic disease. This review deals with current surgical treatment standards for cancer of the esophagus and the eosphagogastric junction, including discussion of ongoing trials.

Potential proton pump inhibitor-related adverse effects.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the most common medications taken by patients worldwide. PPIs are used to treat acid-related disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer disease, Helicobacter pylori infection, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug/stress ulceration. For some of these diseases, long-term treatment is necessary. With such prolonged use, concern and investigation into potential adverse effects has increased. In addition, data are available regarding potential anticancer effects of PPIs, especially regarding solid tumors. The aim of this review is to assess the literature on PPIs with regard to common concerns, such as drug-drug interactions, the intestinal microbiome, dementia and central nervous system disease, and osteoporosis, as well as to highlight potential negative and positive impacts of the drug in cancer.