Visibility of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma under iodine staining on texture and color enhancement imaging.

Objective: Iodine staining on white light imaging (WLI) is the gold standard for detecting and demarcating esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We examined the effects of texture and color enhancement imaging (TXI) on improving the endoscopic visibility of ESCC under iodine staining. Methods: Twenty ESCC lesions that underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection were retrospectively included. The color difference between ESCC and the surrounding mucosa (ΔEe) on WLI, TXI, and narrow-band imaging was assessed, and ΔEe under 1% iodine staining on WLI and TXI. Furthermore, the visibility grade determined by endoscopists was evaluated on each imaging. Result: The median ΔEe was greater on TXI than on WLI (14.53 vs. 10.71, respectively; p < 0.005). Moreover, the median ΔEe on TXI under iodine staining was greater than the median ΔEe on TXI and narrow-band imaging (39.20 vs. 14.53 vs. 16.42, respectively; p < 0.005 for both). A positive correlation in ΔEe under iodine staining was found between TXI and WLI (correlation coefficient = 0.61, p < 0.01). Moreover, ΔEe under iodine staining on TXI in each lesion was greater than the corresponding ΔEe on WLI. The visibility grade assessed by endoscopists on TXI was also significantly greater than that on WLI under iodine staining (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The visibility of ESCC after iodine staining was greater on TXI than on WLI.

Simple prediction tools for disease progression in unvaccinated patients with mild/moderate COVID-19 aged under 65 years: Simplified DOATS and DOAT scores.

DOATS score and DOAT score, COVID-19 progression prediction tools we have developed, utilize clinical information such as presence of diabetes/obesity (DO), age (A), body temperature (T), and oxygen saturation (S). They showed good predictive power, but their scoring calculation was slightly complex, leading us to develop simplified versions. This report discusses the ability of the simplified versions to assess deterioration risk in unvaccinated, mild/moderate COVID-19 patients aged <65 years. Logistic regression analysis identified independent risk factors for deterioration, to which points were assigned in order to derive overall prediction scores. The simplified versions showed high discriminating power, with the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for DOATS and DOAT being 0.79 and 0.77, respectively, indicating their clinical utility. Although the original versions have a slightly higher predictive power, the new versions are easier to use in emergency situations; thus, importantly, selecting the appropriate version depends on the situation.

Use of Unidirectional Porous ß-Tricalcium Phosphate in the Tibial Tunnel for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Case Series.

Bone defects in the tibial tunnel for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction can cause adverse events. The unidirectional porous tricalcium ß-phosphate (UDPTCP) has the potential to be used as a filling substitute for bone defects. In this case series, we present the first nine cases in which UDPTCP was used as a bone substitute in the tibial tunnel during ACL reconstruction. The patients comprised six males and three females, with an average age of 32 years (range: 16-50 years). A cylindrical UDPTCP measuring 10 x 20 mm was molded to fit the tibial tunnel and then implanted. At the one-year postoperative follow-up, none of the patients demonstrated any complications, and bone remodeling was observed on radiographs. Therefore, UDPTCP may provide a safe and reliable filling substitute for the tibial tunnel in ACL reconstruction.

Association of seasonal changes in circulating cortisol concentrations with the expression of cortisol biosynthetic enzymes and a glucocorticoid receptor in the blubber of common bottlenose dolphin.

Cortisol is secreted from the adrenal cortex in response to stress, and its circulating levels are used as robust physiological indicators of stress intensity in various animals. Cortisol is also produced locally in adipose tissue by the conversion of steroid hormones such as cortisone, which is related to fat accumulation. Circulating cortisol levels, probably induced by cold stress, increase in cetaceans under cold conditions. However, whether cortisol production in subcutaneous adipose tissue is enhanced when fat accumulation is renewed during the cold season remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we examine the effect of environmental temperature on the expression of cortisol synthesis-related enzymes and a glucocorticoid receptor in the subcutaneous fat (blubber) and explore the association between these expressions and fluctuations in circulating cortisol levels in common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Skin biopsies were obtained seasonally from eight female dolphins, and seasonal differences in the expression of target genes in the blubber were analyzed. Blood samples were collected throughout the year, and cortisol levels were measured. We found that the expressions of cytochrome P450 family 21 subfamily A member 2 (CYP21A2) and nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 1 (NR3C1), a glucocorticoid receptor, were increased in the cold season, and 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD11B1) showed a similar trend. Blood cortisol levels increased when the water temperature decreased. These results suggest that the conversion of 17-hydroxyprogesterone to cortisol via 11-deoxycortisol and/or of cortisone to cortisol is enhanced under cold conditions, and the physiological effects of cortisol in subcutaneous adipose tissue may contribute to on-site lipid accumulation and increase the circulating cortisol concentrations. The results obtained in this study highlight the role of cortisol in the regulation of the blubber that has developed to adapt to aquatic life.

Immune checkpoints in autoimmune vasculitis.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a prototypic autoimmune disease with a highly selective tissue tropism for medium and large arteries. Extravascular GCA manifests with intense systemic inflammation and polymyalgia rheumatica; vascular GCA results in vessel wall damage and stenosis, causing tissue ischemia. Typical granulomatous infiltrates in affected arteries are composed of CD4+ T cells and hyperactivated macrophages, signifying the involvement of the innate and adaptive immune system. Lesional CD4+ T cells undergo antigen-dependent clonal expansion, but antigen-nonspecific pathways ultimately control the intensity and duration of pathogenic immunity. Patient-derived CD4+ T cells receive strong co-stimulatory signals through the NOTCH1 receptor and the CD28/CD80-CD86 pathway. In parallel, co-inhibitory signals, designed to dampen overshooting T cell immunity, are defective, leaving CD4+ T cells unopposed and capable of supporting long-lasting and inappropriate immune responses. Based on recent data, two inhibitory checkpoints are defective in GCA: the Programmed death-1 (PD-1)/Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) checkpoint and the CD96/CD155 checkpoint, giving rise to the "lost inhibition concept". Subcellular and molecular analysis has demonstrated trapping of the checkpoint ligands in the endoplasmic reticulum, creating PD-L1low CD155low antigen-presenting cells. Uninhibited CD4+ T cells expand, release copious amounts of the cytokine Interleukin (IL)-9, and differentiate into long-lived effector memory cells. These data place GCA and cancer on opposite ends of the co-inhibition spectrum, with cancer patients developing immune paralysis due to excessive inhibitory checkpoints and GCA patients developing autoimmunity due to nonfunctional inhibitory checkpoints.

Synthesis of the A/D/E-ring Core Compounds of Maoecrystal V.

Synthesis of the A/D/E-ring core compounds of maoecrystal V was achieved. The key Diels-Alder reactions between tricyclic α-methylene lactones and Kitahara-Danishefsky dienes afforded the spirocyclic core compounds in a regioselective and stereoselective manner.

FOXO1 promotes cancer cell growth through MDM2-mediated p53 degradation.

FOXO1 is a transcription factor and potential tumor suppressor that is negatively regulated downstream of PI3K-PKB/AKT signaling. Paradoxically, FOXO also promotes tumor growth, but the detailed mechanisms behind this role of FOXO are not fully understood. In this study, we revealed a molecular cascade by which the Thr24 residue of FOXO1 is phosphorylated by AKT and is dephosphorylated by calcineurin, which is a Ca2+-dependent protein phosphatase. Curiously, single nucleotide somatic mutations of FOXO1 in cancer occur frequently at and near Thr24. Using a calcineurin inhibitor and shRNA directed against calcineurin, we revealed that calcineurin-mediated dephosphorylation of Thr24 regulates FOXO1 protein stability. We also found that FOXO1 binds to the promoter region of MDM2 and activates transcription, which in turn promotes MDM2-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of p53. FOXO3a and FOXO4 are shown to control p53 activity; however, the significance of FOXO1 in p53 regulation remains largely unknown. Supporting this notion, FOXO1 depletion increased p53 and p21 protein levels in association with the inhibition of cell proliferation. Taken together, these results indicate that FOXO1 is stabilized by calcineurin-mediated dephosphorylation and that FOXO1 supports cancer cell proliferation by promoting MDM2 transcription and subsequent p53 degradation.

Comparison of novel intrinsic versus conventional antitachycardia pacing for ventricular tachycardia among implantable cardioverter-defibrillator recipients.

INTRODUCTION: Intrinsic antitachycardia pacing (iATP) is a novel automated antitachycardia pacing (ATP) that provides individual treatment to terminate ventricular tachycardia (VT). However, the clinical efficacy of iATP in comparison with conventional ATP is unknown. We aim to compare the termination rate of VT between iATP and conventional ATP in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators using a unique setting of different sequential orders of both ATP algorisms. METHODS: Patients with the iATP algorithm were assigned to iATP-first and conventional ATP-first groups sequentially. In the iATP-first group, a maximum of seven iATP sequences were delivered, followed by conventional burst and ramp pacing. In contrast, in the conventional ATP-first group, two bursts and ramp pacing were initially programmed, followed by iATP sequences. We compared the success rates of VT termination in the first and secondary programmed ATP zones between the two groups. RESULTS: Fifty-eight and 56 patients were enrolled in the iATP-first and conventional ATP-first groups, and 67 and 44 VTs were analyzed in each group, respectively. At the first single ATP therapy, success rates were 64% and 70% in the iATP and conventional groups, respectively. At the end of the first iATP treatment zone, the success rate increased from 64% to 85%. Moreover, secondary iATP therapy following the failure of conventional ATPs increased the success rate from 80% to 93%. There was a significant benefit of alternative iATP for VT termination compared to secondary conventional ATP (100% vs. 33%, p = .028). CONCLUSIONS: iATP may be beneficial as a secondary therapy after failure of conventional ATP to terminate VT.

Platelets Affect the Activity of Amino Acid Transporter SNAT4 in HuH-7 Human Hepatoma Cells.

Platelets have been reported to exert diverse actions besides hemostasis and thrombus formation in the body. However, whether platelets affect transporter activity remains to be determined. In this study, we examined the effects of platelets on the activity of amino acid transporter system A, which is known to be changed by various factors, and we clarified the mechanism by which platelets affect system A activity. Among system A subtypes, we found that sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter (SNAT) 4 played a central role in the transport activity of system A in HuH-7 human hepatoma cells. Interestingly, platelets showed a biphasic effect on system A activity: activated platelet supernatants (APS) including the granule contents released from platelets downregulated system A activity at lower concentrations and the downregulation was suppressed at higher concentrations. The downregulation was due to a decrease in the affinity of SNAT4 for its substrate and not a decrease in the SNAT4 abundance on the plasma membrane. In addition, APS did not decrease the expression level of SNAT4 mRNA. On the other hand, platelets did not affect system A activity when the platelet suspension was added to HuH-7 cells. These results indicate that platelets indirectly affect the transport activity of system A by releasing bioactive substances but do not directly affect it by binding to HuH-7 cells.

Imaging of Perirenal and Intrarenal Lymphatic Vessels: Anatomy-based Approach.

The lymphatic system (or lymphatics) consists of lymphoid organs and lymphatic vessels. Despite the numerous previously published studies describing conditions related to perirenal and intrarenal lymphoid organs in the radiology literature, the radiologic findings of conditions related to intrarenal and perirenal lymphatic vessels have been scarcely reported. In the renal cortex, interlobular lymphatic capillaries do not have valves; therefore, lymph can travel along the primary route toward the hilum, as well as toward the capsular lymphatic plexus. These two lymphatic pathways can be opacified by contrast medium via pyelolymphatic backflow at CT urography, which reflects urinary contrast agent leakage into perirenal lymphatic vessels via forniceal rupture. Pyelolymphatic backflow toward the renal hilum should be distinguished from urinary leakage due to urinary injury. Delayed subcapsular contrast material retention via pyelolymphatic backflow, appearing as hyperattenuating subcapsular foci on CT images, mimics other subcapsular cystic diseases. In contrast to renal parapelvic cysts originating from the renal parenchyma, renal peripelvic cysts are known to be of lymphatic origin. Congenital renal lymphangiectasia is mainly seen in children and assessed and followed up at imaging. Several lymphatic conditions, including lymphatic leakage as an early complication and acquired renal lymphangiectasia as a late complication, are sometimes identified at imaging follow-up of kidney transplant. Lymphangiographic contrast material accumulation in the renal hilar lymphatic vessels is characteristic of chylo-urinary fistula. Chyluria appears as a fat-layering fluid-fluid level in the urinary bladder or upper urinary tract. Recognition of the anatomic pathway of tumor spread via lymphatic vessels at imaging is of clinical importance for accurate management at oncologic imaging. ©RSNA, 2024 Test Your Knowledge questions for this article are available in the supplemental material.

Two cases of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis evaluated by dynamic digital radiography for diaphragmatic motion and disease progression.

Forced vital capacity has been utilized as a parameter of disease progression in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); however, its measurement is difficult when patients do not understand or cooperate. Dynamic digital radiography (DDR) enables sequential chest X-ray imaging during breathing, with lower radiation doses compared to conventional fluoroscopy or computed tomography. There is accumulating evidence showing that parameters obtained from DDR, particularly those related to diaphragmatic dynamics, are correlated with pulmonary function parameters, and are useful for pathophysiological evaluation. We herein present two cases that suggest parameters obtained from DDR during supine normal tidal breathing may predict disease progression of IPF.

Micronucleus is not a potent inducer of the cGAS/STING pathway.

Micronuclei (MN) have been associated with the innate immune response. The abrupt rupture of MN membranes results in the accumulation of cGAS, potentially activating STING and downstream interferon-responsive genes. However, direct evidence connecting MN and cGAS activation has been lacking. We have developed the FuVis2 reporter system, which enables the visualization of the cell nucleus carrying a single sister chromatid fusion and, consequently, MN. Using this FuVis2 reporter equipped with cGAS and STING reporters, we rigorously assessed the potency of cGAS activation by MN in individual living cells. Our findings reveal that cGAS localization to membrane-ruptured MN during interphase is infrequent, with cGAS primarily capturing MN during mitosis and remaining bound to cytosolic chromatin. We found that cGAS accumulation during mitosis neither activates STING in the subsequent interphase nor triggers the interferon response. Gamma-ray irradiation activates STING independently of MN formation and cGAS localization to MN. These results suggest that cGAS accumulation in cytosolic MN is not a robust indicator of its activation and that MN are not the primary trigger of the cGAS/STING pathway.

Long-Term Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor for Squamous Cell Carcinoma Lesion Transformed From EGFR-Mutated Adenocarcinoma After Osimertinib Treatment: A Case Report.

Histologic transformation is one of the mechanisms of resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor in patients with NSCLC with EGFR mutation. The transformation from adenocarcinoma to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been recently recognized as a mechanism of resistance to osimertinib. The prognosis after transformation to SCC is considered to be poor, and the therapeutic strategy for these patients is unclear. Herein, we report a case of long-term response to pembrolizumab monotherapy for an SCC-transformed lesion in a patient with EGFR-mutated adenocarcinoma after osimertinib treatment. A 68-year-old man underwent right upper lobectomy and was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, pathologic stage IIA, with EGFR L858R. Five years after the surgery, he was diagnosed with recurrence and administered osimertinib. Ten months after, biopsy for an enlarged subpleural lesion revealed SCC with EGFR L858R, leading to a diagnosis of histologic transformation. Notably, the programmed death-ligand 1 expression level of the transformed lesion was higher than that of the adenocarcinoma (90% versus <1%). The size of the SCC lesion had reduced with pembrolizumab monotherapy, and the reduction was maintained for over 47 months since transformation. Nevertheless, the original adenocarcinoma lesion progressed after pembrolizumab therapy and was controlled by other cytotoxic drugs and readministration of osimertinib. Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is generally ineffective against EGFR-mutated adenocarcinoma. Nevertheless, it may be promising for achieving a good prognosis when EGFR-mutated adenocarcinoma transforms to SCC after developing EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance-particularly if the transformed lesion has high programmed death-ligand 1 expression.

Machine learning analysis of pathological images to predict 1-year progression-free survival of immunotherapy in patients with small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: In small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) could be a promising biomarker for immunotherapy, but objectively evaluating TIME remains challenging. Hence, we aimed to develop a predictive biomarker of immunotherapy efficacy through a machine learning analysis of the TIME. METHODS: We conducted a biomarker analysis in a prospective study of patients with extensive-stage SCLC who received chemoimmunotherapy as the first-line treatment. We trained a model to predict 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) using pathological images (H&E, programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and double immunohistochemical assay (cluster of differentiation 8 (CD8) and forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)) and patient information. The primary outcome was the mean area under the curve (AUC) of machine learning models in predicting the 1-year PFS. RESULTS: We analyzed 100,544 patches of pathological images from 78 patients. The mean AUC values of patient information, pathological image, and combined models were 0.789 (range 0.571-0.982), 0.782 (range 0.750-0.911), and 0.868 (range 0.786-0.929), respectively. The PFS was longer in the high efficacy group than in the low efficacy group in all three models (patient information model, HR 0.468, 95% CI 0.287 to 0.762; pathological image model, HR 0.334, 95% CI 0.117 to 0.628; combined model, HR 0.353, 95% CI 0.195 to 0.637). The machine learning analysis of the TIME had better accuracy than the human count evaluations (AUC of human count, CD8-positive lymphocyte: 0.681, FoxP3-positive lymphocytes: 0.626, PD-L1 score: 0.567). CONCLUSIONS: The spatial analysis of the TIME using machine learning predicted the immunotherapy efficacy in patients with SCLC, thus supporting its role as an immunotherapy biomarker.

Ten-Gram-Scale Total Synthesis of the Anticancer Drug Candidate E7130 to Supply Clinical Trials.

E7130 is a novel drug candidate with an exceedingly complex chemical structure of the halichondrin class, discovered by a total synthesis approach through joint research between the Kishi group at Harvard University and Eisai. Only 18 months after completion of the initial milligram-scale synthesis, ten-gram-scale synthesis of E7130 was achieved, providing the first good manufacturing practice (GMP) batch to supply clinical trials. This paper highlights the challenges in developing ten-gram-scale synthesis from the milligram-scale synthesis.

L-Menthol for Color Difference Change Between Early Gastric Cancer and Surrounding Mucosa: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: L-Menthol sprayed on early gastric cancer (EGC) has been reported to improve the visibility of the lesion. However, its impact when used in combination with novel image-enhanced endoscopy has not been investigated. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the visual effect of spraying L-menthol on EGC under linked color imaging (LCI). METHODS: This open-label, single-arm, prospective study investigated the color difference between EGC and the surrounding mucosa (ΔEG) before and after spraying L-menthol. The primary endpoint was the percentage of lesions with ΔEG ≥ 5 on LCI. The percentage of lesions with ΔEG ≥ 5 on white light imaging (WLI) and blue laser imaging (BLI), ΔEG before and after spraying L-menthol, and percentage of lesions with increased ΔEG after spraying L-menthol constituted the secondary endpoints. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included in the final analysis. 100% lesions had ΔEG ≥ 5, both before and after spraying L-menthol on LCI, with similar results observed in WLI as well as BLI. The median ΔEG on LCI, WLI, and BLI increased after spraying L-menthol (LCI: 16.9 vs. 21.5, p < 0.01; WLI: 10.4 vs. 13.4, p < 0.01; BLI; 12.1 vs. 15.7, before and after, respectively, p < 0.01); and LCI demonstrated the highest percentage of lesions with increased ΔEG (LCI, WLI, and BLI: 98.3%, 81.7%, and 76.7%, respectively, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Although spraying L-menthol did not improve the visibility of EGC under LCI observation, a significant increase in ΔEG was observed in LCI (jRCTs 021200027).

Simple π-Conjugated Polymers Based on Bithiazole for Nonfullerene Organic Photovoltaics.

Thiazole, as a family of five-membered heteroaromatic rings, is an interesting building unit that can play a role in coplanarizing the backbone as well as deepening the HOMO energy level, which is beneficial for the design of π-conjugated polymers for the photoactive materials in organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Here, we designed and synthesized π-conjugated polymers with simple chemical structures, which consist of 2,2'-bithiazole or 5,5'-bithiazole and alkylthiophenes as the polymer backbone. In fact, the polymers can be easily synthesized in much fewer steps compared to the typical high-performance polymers based on fused heteroaromatic rings. Interestingly, PTN5 exhibited a markedly higher ordered structure than PTN2. This was likely ascribed to the more coplanar and rigid backbone of PTN5 than that of PTN2 originating in the effectively arranged S···N interaction. As a result, the nonfullerene photovoltaic cell based on PTN5 showed a PCE of 12.2%, which was much higher than the cell based on PTN2 (4.3%) and was high for the polymers consisting of only nonfused rings. These results demonstrate that thiazole-based polymers are promising photoactive materials for OPVs and emphasize the importance of careful molecular design utilizing noncovalent interactions.

Effectiveness and Safety of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Alone or in Combination With Chemotherapy in Pulmonary Sarcomatoid Carcinoma.

Introduction: Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a rare subtype of lung cancer associated with poor prognosis and resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), alone or in combination with chemotherapy, were found to have clinical benefits in PSC in recent studies. Nevertheless, because these studies included a small number of patients owing to disease rarity, larger studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ICI-based therapy for PSC. Methods: This multicenter retrospective study evaluated patients with ICI-naive advanced or metastatic PSC who were treated with ICI-based therapy at 25 hospitals in Japan. Results: A total of 124 patients were evaluated. The overall response rate, median progression-free survival (PFS), and median overall survival (OS) were 59.0%, 10.5 months, and 32.8 months, respectively. The PFS and OS rates at 24 months were 35.3% and 51.5%, respectively. Programmed death-ligand 1 expression, concomitant chemotherapy, and the treatment line were not significantly associated with PFS or OS. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were observed in 70 patients (56.5%), including 30 (24.2%) with grade 3 to 5 events. Patients with mild irAEs (grades 1-2) had longer PFS and OS than did those with severe (grades 3-5) or no irAEs. In a multivariate analysis, any-grade irAEs and the absence of liver metastases were independently associated with PFS, whereas any-grade irAEs and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status less than or equal to 1 were independently associated with OS. Conclusions: ICI-based therapy was found to have promising effectiveness in patients with advanced or metastatic PSC, regardless of programmed death-ligand 1 expression, concomitant chemotherapy, or treatment line.

Renal Immune-related Adverse Event of Pembrolizumab Masked by Pemetrexed.

A Japanese woman in her 60s developed a kidney injury 9 weeks after treatment with pemetrexed, carboplatin, and pembrolizumab for stage IV lung adenocarcinoma. A renal biopsy showed chronic tubulointerstitial damage with minimal focal interstitial inflammation, consistent with pemetrexed-induced nephropathy; thus, pemetrexed was withdrawn. However, the kidney injury continued to worsen. A repeated biopsy showed severe acute tubulointerstitial nephritis, suggestive of a pembrolizumab-induced immune-related adverse event (irAE). The worsening after pemetrexed discontinuation suggested that the irAE had already begun, as the first biopsy showed focal inflammation. This case suggests thatcombining immune checkpoints and chemotherapy requires considering concurrent drug-induced nephrotoxicity.