The white ring sign is useful for differentiating between fundic gland polyps and gastric adenocarcinoma of the fundic gland type.

Background and study aims Gastric adenocarcinoma of the fundic gland type (GA-FG) is characterized by an elevated lesion with vessel dilation exhibiting branching architecture (DVBA). However, this feature is also found in fundic gland polyps (FGPs), posing a challenge in their differentiation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinicopathological features of gastric elevated lesions with DVBA and assess the efficacy of the white ring sign (WRS) as a novel marker for distinguishing between FGPs and GA-FGs. Methods We analyzed 159 gastric elevated lesions without DVBA and 51 gastric elevated lesions with DVBA, further dividing the latter into 39 in the WRS-positive group and 12 in the WRS-negative group. The clinicopathological features, diagnostic accuracy, and inter-rater reliability were analyzed. Results Univariate and multivariate analyses for gastric elevated lesions with DVBA identified the histological type consistent with FGPs and GA-FGs, along with the presence of round pits in the background gastric mucosa, as independent predictors. FGPs were present in 92.3% (36/39) of the WRS-positive group and GA-FGs were observed in 50.0% (6/12) of the WRS-negative group. WRS positivity and negativity exhibited high diagnostic accuracy, with 100% sensitivity, 80.0% specificity, and 94.1% accuracy for FGPs, and 100% sensitivity, 86.7% specificity, and 88.2% accuracy for GA-FGs. Kappa values for WRS between experts and nonexperts were 0.891 and 0.841, respectively, indicating excellent agreement. Conclusions WRS positivity and negativity demonstrate high diagnostic accuracy and inter-rater reliability for FGPs and GA-FGs, respectively, suggesting that WRS is a useful novel marker for distinguishing between FGPs and GA-FGs.

Comparison of diagnostic accuracy between linked color imaging and autofluorescence imaging in patients with ulcerative colitis: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Image enhancement endoscopy techniques, such as linked color imaging (LCI) and autofluorescence imaging (AFI), have shown promise in diagnosing mucosal inflammation in ulcerative colitis (UC). However, no studies have directly compared the diagnostic efficacy of LCI and AFI. This prospective observational study aimed to compare their diagnostic accuracy for histological healing in UC. METHODS: This study included 81 UC patients, resulting in a total of 204 endoscopic images captured using LCI and AFI, respectively. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients assessed the correlation between LCI and AFI coloration and Geboes histopathology score (GHS). Six endoscopists, who were blinded to clinicopathological features, evaluated these images, and subsequently, the diagnostic accuracy was evaluated. RESULTS: Spearman's rank correlation coefficients between LCI index, AFI index (reverse gamma value), and GHS were 0.324 and -0.428, respectively (P < 0.001), indicating a significant correlation between LCI and AFI coloration and histological healing. In LCI and AFI classifications, mean values for diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 76.3 ± 2.2 versus 77.8 ± 2.7, 91.8 ± 4.0 versus 83.2 ± 7.6, 53.4 ± 10.0 versus 70.0 ± 5.3, 74.0 ± 3.5 versus 80.0 ± 1.6, and 82.9 ± 5.2 versus 75.5 ± 7.5, respectively. No significant difference in diagnostic accuracy existed between LCI and AFI classifications. However, LCI displayed higher sensitivity than AFI while AFI showed higher specificity compared with LCI (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LCI and AFI offer comparable diagnostic accuracy for histological healing. Clinically, it is necessary to recognize diagnostic features characterized by higher sensitivity in LCI and greater specificity in AFI.

Clinical features of pasteurellosis without an animal bite or scratch in comparison with bite/scratch pasteurellosis.

Pasteurellosis is a common zoonotic infection that occurs after an animal bite or scratch (B/S). We compared the clinical features of six patients with non-B/S pasteurellosis with those of 14 patients with B/S infections. Pasteurella multocida was identified with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry in all six non-B/S infections, whereas 13 of the 14 B/S infections were identified with diagnostic kits. The non-B/S infections were pneumonia (n = 3), skin and soft tissue infections (n = 2), and bacteremia (n = 1). Pneumonia occurred in two patients with underlying pulmonary disease, whereas ventilator-associated pneumonia developed in one patient with cerebral infarction. Pasteurella multocida was isolated from a blood specimen and nasal swab from a patient with liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh class C) and diabetes. Cellulitis developed in one patient with diabetes and normal-pressure hydrocephalus, who had an open wound following a fall, and in one patient with diabetes and a foot ulcer. Three patients with non-B/S infections had no pet and no episode of recent animal contact. The rate of moderate-to-severe comorbidities was significantly higher in patients with non-B/S infections than in those with B/S infections (100% and 14.3%, respectively, p < 0.001). In conclusion, non-B/S infections can develop in patients with chronic pulmonary disease, invasive mechanical ventilation, or open wounds, or who are immunocompromised, irrespective of obvious animal exposure. In contrast to B/S infections, non-B/S pasteurellosis should be considered opportunistic.

The clinical efficacy and safety of granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis in patients with Crohn's disease: A multicenter retrospective pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: A remission induction therapy of granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis (GMA) was given to patients with Crohn's disease (CD). However, establishing an appropriate treatment strategy for GMA in patients with CD remains unclear. METHODS: This study evaluated the clinical efficacy and subsequent clinical progression after GMA in patients with CD who underwent GMA in seven independent institutions in Japan from 2010 to 2023. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were enrolled. The overall remission and response rates were 25.0% and 68.8%, respectively. All patients responding to GMA received biologics that were continuously used and 36.4% of patients remained on the same biologics 52 weeks after GMA. Notably, all patients who continued the same biologics had previously experienced a loss of response to biologics. CONCLUSION: GMA may exhibit effectiveness even in cases with refractory CD. Moreover, it represents a potential novel therapeutic option for refractory CD with loss of response to biologics.

Cardiac sarcoidosis in a patient with ulcerative colitis: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Both ulcerative colitis (UC) and sarcoidosis are chronic inflammatory diseases with unknown etiologies and are rare. However, the odds ratio in UC patients has been reported to range from 1.7 to 2.1, suggesting a potential etiology between sarcoidosis and UC. Furthermore, the underlying etiologies of UC and sarcoidosis remain unidentified. Sharing the experience of a UC patient with cardiac sarcoidosis could provide valuable insights to prevent sudden death in UC patients. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 71-year-old Japanese woman was diagnosed with UC at 58-year-old and maintained remission on mesalazine treatment. She complained of just palpitation; therefore, she consulted a cardiologist. DIAGNOSES: The patient received a diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis with complicating ulcerative colitis based on the results of N-terminal prohormone of the brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), imaging examinations, and histology. INTERVENTION: The patient was treated with prednisolone and methotrexate. The prednisolone was then tapered, and the methotrexate dose was adjusted based on her symptoms, imaging results, and laboratory findings. OUTCOME: She no longer had any symptoms, and the abnormal FDG uptake had disappeared after 2 years. LESSON: In UC patients, periodic or additional (in case of symptomatic) electrocardiography and NT-proBNP are recommended for the early detection of cardiac sarcoidosis, a life-threatening complication.

The safety of vedolizumab in a patient with Crohn's disease who developed anti-TNF-alpha agent associated latent tuberculosis infection reactivation: A case report.

RATIONALE: Latent tuberculosis (TB) infection screening before inducing anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) alpha agents is important to prevent TB reactivation. However, latent TB infection reactivation may still occur, and the ideal therapeutic strategy for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who develop active TB infection has not been established. Vedolizumab (VDZ) has a good safety profile, with low incidence rates of serious infections. However, its safety in patients with latent TB infection reactivation associated with anti-TNF-alpha agents remains unknown. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 21-year-old Vietnamese male patient presented to our hospital with hemorrhagic stool. He had no personal or family history of IBD or TB. DIAGNOSES: Colonoscopy revealed multiple longitudinal ulcers and a cobblestone appearance in the terminal ileum, as well as multiple small erosions and aphtha throughout the colon. Computed tomography revealed a right lung nodular lesion. Serological interferon-gamma release assay and several culture tests were all negative. Thus, he was diagnosed with ileocolonic Crohn's disease (CD) without TB. INTERVENTIONS: The intravenous anti-TNF-alpha agent administration with an immunomodulator was initiated. OUTCOMES: Computed tomography revealed nodular lesion expansion at the right lung, and serological interferon-gamma release assay was positive. He was diagnosed with latent TB infection reactivation. Anti-TNF-alpha agent with an immunomodulator was immediately discontinued, and anti-TB therapy was initiated. His endoscopic findings were still active, and VDZ was selected for maintenance therapy because VDZ has a favorable safety profile with low incidence rates of serious infections. Consequently, mucosal healing was achieved without active TB relapse. LESSONS: This case report presented a patient in whom VDZ was continued as maintenance therapy without inducing TB relapse in a patient with CD who developed latent TB infection reactivation associated with anti-TNF-alpha agents and summarized the safety profile of VDZ for patients with IBD with active or latent TB infection. VDZ may be a safe option for induction and maintenance therapy in patients with CD, even in cases with latent TB infection reactivation.

Local recurrence after successful endoscopic submucosal dissection for rectal mucinous mucosal adenocarcinoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the colorectum is a rare histological subtype characterized by an abundant mucinous component. Mucinous tumors are frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage, which indicates an aggressive subtype. However, few case reports have been published, and little information is available concerning genetic alterations in mucinous adenocarcinoma. CASE SUMMARY: A 76-year-old man underwent en bloc endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for the management of a type 0-Is+IIa lesion. Histological examination revealed an intramucosal mucinous adenocarcinoma with signet-ring cell carcinoma and well-to-moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma. Three years after the ESD, local recurrence was detected by an endoscopic examination, revealing a new 0-Is+IIa lesion with a phenotype similar to the previously resected lesion. Re-ESD was chosen for the management of the recurrent tumor, and the histological examination showed positive tumor infiltration at the vertical margin. Additional surgical resection was performed for the curative treatment. Genetic analysis showed pathogenic alterations in RNF43 and TP53 in the adenoma and an additional SMAD4 alteration in the carcinoma. CONCLUSION: This mucinous mucosal adenocarcinoma case was suggested to have an aggressive phenotype and a careful and close follow-up are required.

Concomitant pharmacologic medications influence the clinical outcomes of granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis in patients with ulcerative colitis: A multicenter retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis (GMA) with Adacolumn has been used as a remission induction therapy for patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC). Herein, we investigated the influence of concomitant medications in the remission induction of GMA in patients with active UC. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included patients with UC underwent GMA in five independent institutions in Japan from January 2011 to July 2021. Factors including concomitant medications associated with clinical remission (CR) were analyzed statistically. RESULT: A total of 133 patients were included. Seventy-four patients achieved a CR after GMA. The multivariable analysis revealed that concomitant medication with 5-aminosalicylic acid, Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES), and concomitant medication with immunosuppressors (IMs) remained as predictors of CR after GMA. In the subgroup analysis in patients with MES of 2, concomitant medication with IMs was demonstrated as a significant negative factor of CR after GMA (P = .042, OR 0.354). Seventy-four patients who achieved CR after GMA were followed up for 52 weeks. In the multivariable analysis, the maintenance therapy with IMs was demonstrated as a significant positive factor of sustained CR up to 52 weeks (P = .038, OR 2.214). Furthermore, the rate of sustained CR in patients with biologics and IMs was significantly higher than that in patients with biologics only (P = .002). CONCLUSION: GMA was more effective for patients with active UC that relapsed under treatment without IMs. Furthermore, the addition of IMs should be considered in patients on maintenance therapy with biologics after GMA.

Nasal breathing is superior to oral breathing when performing and undergoing transnasal endoscopy: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND : Transnasal endoscopy presents a technical difficulty when inserting the flexible endoscope. It is unclear whether a particular breathing method is useful for transnasal endoscopy. Therefore, we conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial to compare endoscopic operability and patient tolerance between patients assigned to nasal breathing or oral breathing groups. METHODS : 198 eligible patients were randomly assigned to undergo transnasal endoscopy with nasal breathing or with oral breathing. Endoscopists and patients answered questionnaires on the endoscopic operability and patient tolerance using a 100-mm visual analog scale ranging from 0 (non-existent) to 100 (most difficult/unbearable). The visibility of the upper-middle pharynx was recorded. RESULTS : Patient characteristics did not differ significantly between the groups. Nasal breathing showed a higher rate of good visibility of the upper-middle pharynx than oral breathing (91.9 % vs. 27.6 %; P < 0.001). Nasal breathing showed lower mean [SD] scores than oral breathing in terms of overall technical difficulty (21.0 [11.4] vs. 35.4 [15.0]; P < 0.001). Regarding patient tolerance, nasal breathing showed lower scores than oral breathing for overall discomfort (22.1 [18.8] vs. 30.5 [20.9]; P = 0.004) and other symptoms, including nasal and throat pain, choking, suffocating, gagging, belching, and bloating (all P < 0.05). The pharyngeal bleeding rate was lower in the nasal breathing group than in the oral breathing group (0 % vs. 9.2 %; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS : Nasal breathing is superior to oral breathing for those performing and undergoing transnasal endoscopy. Nasal breathing led to good visibility of the upper-middle pharynx, improved endoscopic operability, and better patient tolerance, and was safer owing to decreased pharyngeal bleeding.

Gastro-colic Fistula-associated Hypersplenism Causes Pancytopenia in a Patient with Crohn's Disease.

A 24-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital due to abdominal pain and a high fever. She was diagnosed with ileocolonic Crohn's disease (CD), complicated with a gastro-colic fistula and splenomegaly. After initial treatment with an infliximab-biosimilar, all blood cell line counts markedly decreased. Three-dimensional reconstructed computed tomography revealed splenic vein narrowing. Thus, her pancytopenia was deemed to have likely been caused by hypersplenism. Surgery was performed, and clinical remission was maintained without pancytopenia. This is the first report of a CD patient with pancytopenia caused by hypersplenism that was triggered by gastro-colic fistula-associated splenic vein obstruction.

Severe immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated gastritis: A case series and literature review.

Background and study aims Recent advances in cancer treatment have involved the clinical application of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for various type of cancers. The adverse events associated with ICIs are generally referred to as immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Gastrointestinal irAEs are a major disorder, but gastritis is not frequently observed. The aims of this study were to elucidate the clinical, endoscopic, and histological characteristics of irAE gastritis. Patients and methods Information on patients treated with ICIs were collected from a single institute over 3 years. IrAE gastritis was identified based on the clinical course and endoscopic and histopathological findings. Of the 359 patients treated with ICIs, four cases of irAE gastritis were identified in clinical records from the endoscopy unit. The endoscopic and histopathological findings were analyzed, and further immunohistochemical studies with immune subtype markers and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) antibody were conducted. Results Among four patients with irAE gastritis, the remarkable endoscopic characteristics were network-pattern erosion, erythematous and edematous mucosa with thick purulent discharge, and fragile mucosa. Corresponding histological features were fibrinopurulent exudate, severe inflammatory cell infiltration, and epithalaxia, respectively. The PD-L1 expression rate was ≥ 1 % in the gastric tissue of all patients with gastritis. These patients were treated with prednisolone (PSL) and their symptoms improved within a few days to 2 weeks. Conclusions IrAE gastritis were characterized by specific endoscopic findings. The appropriate endoscopic diagnosis may lead to effective treatment with PSL.

Correlation Among Body Composition Parameters and Long-Term Outcomes in Crohn's Disease After Anti-TNF Therapy.

Background: The impact of the body composition on the pathophysiology and clinical course of Crohn's disease (CD) has not been fully elucidated. Aims: To reveal the correlations among body composition and long-term outcomes in CD after anti-TNF therapy. Methods: Ninety-one patients who received anti-TNF therapy as their first biologic treatment were enrolled. The skeletal muscle index (SMI), visceral and subcutaneous fat area (VFA, SFA), and the ratio of the VFA to SFA (mesenteric fat index; MFI) at the 3rd lumbar level were measured using computed tomography (CT) imaging before the induction. The correlation among the body composition and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The 5-year cumulative secondary failure- and resection-free rates in patients with a low SMI (39.1% and 64.8%) were significantly lower than those with a high SMI (67.5% and 92.7%; p = 0.0071 and 0.0022, respectively). The 5-year cumulative secondary failure-free rate in the patients with low VF (45.0%) was significantly lower than that in those with high VF (77.6%; p = 0.016), and the 5-year cumulative resection-free rate in patients with a high MFI (68.9%) was significantly lower than that in those with a low MFI (83.0%; p = 0.031). Additionally, patients with low age and BMI had significantly lower cumulative secondary failure- and resection-free rates than those with high age and BMI (low age: 37.4% and 71.2%; high age: 70.7% and 88.9%; p = 0.0083 and 0.027, respectively) (low BMI: 27.2% and 64.8%; high BMI: 68.3% and 87.9%; p = 0.014 and 0.030, respectively), respectively. In the multivariate analyses, a low SMI was the only independent risk factor for secondary failure (hazard ratio [HR] 2.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-4.44), while low age (HR 4.06, 95% CI 1.07-15.4), a low SMI (HR 4.19, 95% CI 1.01-17.3) and high MFI were risk factors for bowel resection (HR 4.31, 95% CI 1.36-13.7). Conclusion: The skeletal muscle mass and ratio of visceral to subcutaneous fat were suggested to reflect the long-term clinical outcome and may be helpful as prognostic markers after anti-TNF therapy in CD.

Carbazochrome sodium sulfonate is not effective for prevention of post-gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection bleeding: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Carbazochrome sodium sulfonate (CSS) is conventionally administered to prevent post-endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) bleeding in many institutions, but research on its preventive efficacy is lacking. Therefore, we investigated the risk of post-ESD bleeding and the preventive efficacy of CSS administration. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 304 lesions in 259 patients with gastric neoplasms who underwent ESD at Asahikawa Medical University Hospital from 2014 to 2021. In the CSS group, CSS 100 mg/day was intravenously infused with maintenance fluid replacement on postoperative days 0-2. The risk factors of post-ESD bleeding, including CSS administration, were investigated. RESULTS: The overall rate of post-ESD bleeding was 4.6% (14/304). The univariate analysis showed that atrial fibrillation (Af), warfarin intake, heparin replacement, and tumor location in the lower third were significant risk factors for increasing the likelihood of postoperative bleeding. In the multivariate analysis, Af (odds ratio [OR] 3.83, 95% CI 1.02-14.30; p < 0.05), heparin replacement (OR 4.60, 95% CI 1.02-20.70; p < 0.05), and tumor location in the lower third of the stomach (OR 6.67, 95% CI 1.43-31.00; p < 0.05) were independent factors for post-ESD bleeding. Post-ESD bleeding was observed in 5.2% (9/174) of the CSS group and 3.8% (5/130) of the non-CSS group, with no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.783). Additionally, CSS was not shown to have preventive effects in groups with higher-risk factors, such as Af diagnosis, warfarin use, heparin replacement, and tumor location in the lower third of the stomach. CONCLUSION: CSS administration was not effective for the prevention of the post-ESD bleeding in the overall patient population as well as in higher-risk patients. This suggests that the administration of CSS for post-ESD bleeding prevention may need to be reconsidered.

Endoscopic recanalization for the complete closure of long-gap esophageal atresia after reconstruction surgery.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction surgery-associated stricture frequently occurs in patients with long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA). While several endoscopic dilatation methods have been applied and would be desirable, endoscopic recanalization is very difficult in cases with complete esophageal closure. Surgical treatment has been performed for a severe stricture, which causes extensive damage to the infant. No reports have described successful endoscopic recanalization for complete closure due to scarring after surgery for LGEA. We herein report the case of successful endoscopic recanalization by single endoscopist in an LGEA patient with complete closure after reconstruction surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: A seven-month-old boy with LGEA who received reconstruction surgery and gastrostomy immediately after birth presented to our unit due to vomiting and malnutrition. Contrast radiography and peroral endoscopy detected complete closure of the esophagus at the anastomotic site. After confirming the length of stricture as several millimeters, we punctured the center of the lumen with a 25-G puncture needle under fluoroscopy. An endoscope was then inserted via the gastrostomy and the puncture hole was detected at the center of the lumen. After passing the guidewire, endoscopic balloon dilation was performed three times, and the hole was sufficiently dilatated. Oral ingestion was feasible, and his nutritional condition was improved. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report to propose a less invasive endoscopic approach to recanalize a site of complete esophageal closure in a LGEA patient after reconstruction surgery by single endoscopist. Our endoscopic procedure using an ultrathin endoscope and puncture needle may be a therapeutic option for the treatment of patients with complete esophageal closure in a LGEA patient after reconstruction surgery.

Prognostic factors to predict the survival in patients with advanced gastric cancer who receive later-line nivolumab monotherapy-The Asahikawa Gastric Cancer Cohort Study (AGCC).

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer is recommended in the guidelines; however, later-line treatment remains controversial. Since immune checkpoint inhibitors have been used for the treatment of various malignancies, trials have been performed for gastric cancer. A phase 3 trial indicated the survival benefit of nivolumab monotherapy for gastric cancer patients treated with prior chemotherapy regimens. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A regional cohort study was undertaken to determine the real-world data of nivolumab treatment for patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer. The patients were enrolled for 2 years from October 2017 to October 2019 and were prospectively followed for 1 year to examine the overall survival (OS). The patient characteristics were analyzed in a multivariate analysis and a nomogram to predict the probability of survival was generated. RESULTS: In total, 70 patients who received nivolumab as ≥third-line chemotherapy were included in the Asahikawa Gastric Cancer Cohort. The median OS was 7.5 (95% CI, 4.8-10.2) months and the response rate was 18.6%. Diffuse type classification, bone metastasis, high neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, and high CRP were associated with poor OS/prognosis in the multivariate analysis. A nomogram was developed based on these clinical parameters and the concordance index was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.68-0.91). The responders were aged and were frequently diagnosed with intestinal type gastric cancer, including patients with a HER2-positive status (27.3%) or microsatellite instability-high (27.3%) status. CONCLUSIONS: The regional cohort study of nivolumab monotherapy for gastric cancer patients revealed prognostic factors and a nomogram was developed that could predict the probability of survival.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor-related gastritis in a patient with metastatic melanoma.

Endoscopic finding of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related gastritis is characterized as shallow network-like erosion, which is termed spiderwebs-like appearance.

Fecal calprotectin is a useful biomarker for predicting the clinical outcome of granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis in ulcerative colitis patients: a prospective observation study.

BACKGROUND: Granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis (GMA) is widely used as a remission induction therapy for active ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. However, there are no available biomarkers for predicting the clinical outcome of GMA. We investigated the utility of Fecal calprotectin (FC) as a biomarker for predicting the clinical outcome during GMA therapy in active UC patients. METHODS: In this multicenter prospective observation study, all patients received 10 sessions of GMA, twice a week, for 5 consecutive weeks. FC was measured at entry, one week, two weeks, and at the end of GMA. Colonoscopy was performed at entry and after GMA. The clinical activity was assessed based on the partial Mayo score when FC was measured. Clinical remission (CR) was defined as a partial Mayo score of ≤ 2 and endoscopic remission (ER) was defined as Mayo endoscopic subscore of either 0 or 1. We analyzed the relationships between the clinical outcome (CR and ER) and the change in FC concentration. RESULT: Twenty-six patients were included in this study. The overall CR and ER rates were 50.0% and 19.2%, respectively. After GMA, the median FC concentration in patients with ER was significantly lower than that in patients without ER (469 mg/kg vs. 3107 mg/kg, p = 0.03). When the cut-off value of FC concentration was set at 1150 mg/kg for assessing ER after GMA, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.8 and 0.81, respectively. The FC concentration had significantly decreased by one week. An ROC analysis demonstrated that the reduction rate of FC (ΔFC) at 1 week was the most accurate predictor of CR at the end of GMA (AUC = 0.852, P = 0.002). When the cut-off value of ΔFC was set at ≤ 40% at 1 week for predicting CR at the end of GMA, the sensitivity and specificity were 76.9% and 84.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: We evaluated the utility of FC as a biomarker for assessing ER after GMA and predicting CR in the early phase during GMA in patients with active UC. Our findings will benefit patients with active UC by allowing them to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures and will help establish new strategies for GMA.

The Optimal Dose of Tacrolimus in Combination Therapy with an Anti-TNFα Antibody in a Mouse Colitis Model.

An attempt to use combination therapy with anti-tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) antibodies and tacrolimus (TAC) has been tried to induce remission in ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the optimal dose of TAC in combination therapy with anti-TNFα antibodies (TAC + anti-TNFα therapy) remains unclear. We examined the efficacy of various doses of TAC + anti-TNFα therapy in a mouse colitis model. Dextran sulfate sodium induced colitis model mice were divided into an anti-TNFα antibody monotherapy group and the groups that received various doses of TAC + anti-TNFα therapy. The nuclear factor expression of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) in the nuclei and the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines were assessed by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively. The serum anti-TNFα antibody concentration was measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The colon length and histological severity were significantly improved in the groups that received any dose of TAC + anti-TNFα therapy. The nuclear expression of NFATc1 was inversely proportional to the administered doses of TAC. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines tended to decrease in proportion to the dose of TAC. The serum concentration of anti-TNFα antibodies in the high-dose TAC + anti-TNFα therapy was significantly higher than those in the other groups. Low-dose TAC exerted its immunosuppressive effect on T-cells, and additionally, high-dose TAC maintained the serum anti-TNFα antibody concentration. When administered in combination with anti-TNFα antibodies, the dose of TAC should be adjusted according to the disease severity.

Long-term Observation of Gastric Adenocarcinoma of Fundic Gland Mucosa Type before and after Helicobacter pylori Eradication: a Case Report.

Gastric adenocarcinoma of the fundic gland mucosa type (GA-FGM) was proposed as a new variant of gastric adenocarcinoma of the fundic gland type (GA-FG). However, at present, the influence of Helicobacter pylori and the speed of progression and degree of malignancy in GA-FGM remain unclear. Herein, we report the first case of intramucosal GA-FGM that was endoscopically observed before and after H. pylori eradication over 15 years. The lesion showed the same tumor size with no submucosal invasion and a low MIB-1 labeling index 15 years after its detection using endoscopy. The endoscopic morphology changed from 0-IIa before H. pylori eradication to 0-IIa+IIc and then 0-I after H. pylori eradication. These findings suggest that the unaltered tumor size reflects low-grade malignancy and slow growth, and that the endoscopic morphology is influenced by H. pylori eradication.

Cardiac Metastasis Caused Fatal Ventricular Arrhythmia in a Patient with a Rectal Neuroendocrine Tumor.

A 60-year-old man had received octreotide for a metastatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET) in the rectum. Computed tomography and ultrasonography revealed a cardiac tumor, diffuse thickness of the ventricular wall and pericardial effusion, which was diagnosed as cardiac metastasis. The metastatic lesions continued to grow despite the alteration of chemotherapy, and the patient complained of repeated syncope and was admitted to our hospital at 11 months after the diagnosis of cardiac metastasis. An electrocardiogram during syncope showed sustained ventricular tachycardia, which was considered to be caused by the cardiac metastasis. We herein report a case of NET with cardiac metastasis which caused lethal arrhythmia along with a review of the pertinent literature.