Effect of sarcopenia on short-term outcomes of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia has been reported to be associated with short-term outcomes after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The "strength, assistance with walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, and falls" (SARC-F) questionnaire has been widely used as a screening tool for sarcopenia; however, SARC-F combined with body mass index and age (SARC-F+EBM) has recently been reported to be more useful than SARC-F alone. This study aimed to investigate the association between sarcopenia, measured using SARC-F+EBM, and short-term outcomes after gastric ESD. METHODS: Patients who underwent gastric ESD at our institution between May 2020 and June 2023 were included, and their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. A SARC-F+EBM score ≥ 12 indicated sarcopenia. We evaluated the incidence of adverse events and the length of hospital stay in the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups. RESULTS: Overall, 263 patients (64 and 199 in the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups, respectively) were investigated. The incidence of adverse events with a Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events grade ≥ 3 was not significantly different between the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups (6.2% vs. 8.5%, p = 0.791). The proportion of patients with an extended hospital stay (≥ 10 days) was significantly higher in the sarcopenia group than that in the non-sarcopenia group (12.5% [8/64] vs. 3.5% [7/199], p = 0.012). Multivariate analysis showed that sarcopenia and lesions that present technical difficulty in ESD were independent risk factors for extended hospital stays (≥ 10 days). Of the eight cases having extended hospital stays in the sarcopenia group, four were due to the management after gastric ESD, three were due to family circumstances, and one was due to decreased activities of daily living. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia is not a predictor of adverse events associated with gastric ESD. However, patients with sarcopenia may be hospitalized for longer owing to non-ESD-related factors.

Widespread use of proton pump inhibitors or potassium-competitive acid blocker has changed the status of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with ischemic heart disease: real-world data from high volume centers.

BACKGROUND: Although proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB) are useful in peptic ulcer prevention, their efficacy in preventing other gastrointestinal bleeding remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the status of gastrointestinal bleeding in the modern era when PPIs are widely used. METHODS: This study included patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 2018 and 2019 at two high-volume centers. Patients were categorized based on whether they experienced gastrointestinal bleeding within 2 years of PCI into groups A (patients who experienced gastrointestinal bleeding within 2 years after PCI) and B (patients who did not experience gastrointestinal bleeding). RESULTS: Groups A and B included 21 (4.1%) and 494 (95.9%) patients, respectively (a total of 515 patients). Age at the initial PCI (77.8±2.4 and 72.0±0.5 years in groups A and B, respectively; p = 0.02), weight (53.8±3.2 and 61.8±0.7 kg in groups A and B, respectively; p = 0.01), and concomitant warfarin use (14.3% and 2.0% in groups A and B, respectively; p = 0.0005) were significantly different between the groups. The high bleeding risk rate (90.5% and 47.6% in groups A and B, respectively; p = 0.0001) was significantly different between the groups. A total of 95.9% of patients were taking PPIs or PCAB without significant differences between the groups. However, only one patient, who was taking steroids, had a gastric ulcer during PCAB treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Acid-related upper gastrointestinal bleeding is largely controlled by PPIs in post-PCI patients. Furthermore, the risk factors for non-acid-related bleeding include older age, lower weight, and concomitant warfarin use.

A Case of Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Successfully Treated with Endoscopic Anti-gastroesophageal Reflux Mucosal Resection by the ESD-G Method (with video).

A 70-year-old man who had undergone treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by a family doctor presented to our hospital with severe heartburn and dysphagia despite taking vonoprazan (20 mg) for 3 months. A diagnosis of vonoprazan-refractory nonerosive reflux disease was made based on esophagogastroduodenoscopy and esophageal function examinations. The patient elected to undergo endoscopic treatment for GERD. Therefore, we performed endoscopic treatment using the endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD-G) technique developed at our institution. After endoscopic treatment, his GERD symptoms disappeared and he no longer required GERD-related medications. An examination of his esophageal function revealed the improvement of items related to GERD.

Frontiers in Endoscopic Treatment for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

BACKGROUND: The 3rd edition of the evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) 2021 from the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology states that the treatment strategy for potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB)-refractory GERD remains unclear. Furthermore, even if GERD improves with the administration of an acid secretion inhibitor, it is feared that GERD may flare up after discontinuation of the drug, resulting in some cases in which patients are forced to take vonoprazan semipermanently (the so-called PCAB-dependent cases). From a global perspective, PCAB is not yet used in all countries and regions, and measures that can be taken now for cases in which a conventional proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is inadequately effective need to be devised. SUMMARY: Endoscopic treatment for GERD may be effective in cases where conventional proton pump inhibitors are ineffective; however, there are insufficient long-term studies to corroborate this, and its cost effectiveness is unknown. Other treatment options for PCAB or PPI-refractory GERD include surgical procedures (Nissen and Toupet operations), which have a longer history than endoscopic treatment for GERD. However, their long-term results are not as good as those of acid secretion inhibitors, and they are not cost effective. Endoscopic treatment for GERD may fill gaps in inadequate surgical treatment. In April 2022, endoscopic anti-reflux mucosal resections (ARMS [anti-reflux mucosectomy] and ESD-G [endoscopic submucosal dissection for GERD]) were approved for reimbursement, making endoscopic treatment of GERD possible throughout Japan. KEY MESSAGES: It is important to identify the background factors in cases in which endoscopic treatments are effective.

Red Dichromatic Imaging Improves the Recognition of Bleeding Points During Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated that red dichromatic imaging (RDI) improved the visibility of gastrointestinal bleeding. AIMS: To investigate the recognition of bleeding points during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) under RDI compared with that under white light imaging (WLI). METHODS: Consecutive patients scheduled to undergo esophageal or gastric ESD at a single center were enrolled. Paired videos of active bleeding during ESD under WLI and RDI were created. Six endoscopists identified the virtual hemostasis point on still images after random video viewing. The distance between virtual hemostasis and actual bleeding points was scored in four levels (0-3 points), and the association with the color value was analyzed in both WLI and RDI. RESULTS: We evaluated 116 videos for 58 bleeding points. The median visibility score and recognition rate were significantly higher for RDI than for WLI (2.17 vs. 1.42, p < 0.001 and 62.1% vs 27.6%, p < 0.001). Additionally, the recognition rate of trainees in RDI was higher than that of experts in WLI (60.3% vs. 43.1%, p = 0.067). The median color difference of RDI was significantly higher than that of WLI (8.97 vs. 3.69, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the correlation coefficient between the visibility score and color difference was 0.712 (strong correlation). CONCLUSION: RDI can provide better recognition of bleeding points than WLI during ESD. Therefore, further studies are warranted to investigate whether RDI improves ESD outcomes.

Clinical features of acquired erythrocytosis: Low levels of serum erythropoietin in a subset of non-neoplastic erythrocytosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Acquired erythrocytosis can be classified into polycythemia vera (PV) and non-neoplastic erythrocytosis (NNE). The vast majority of PV patients harbor JAK2 mutations, but differentiating JAK2 mutation-negative PV from NNE is challenging due to a lack of definitive molecular markers. METHODS: We studied the clinical features of 121 patients with erythrocytosis of which 47 (38.8%) were JAK2 mutation-positive and also fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for PV, and 67 (55.4%) JAK2 mutation-negative erythrocytosis patients who were diagnosed as NNE. Diagnosis was strictly based on driver mutation analysis and central pathology review. RESULTS: No JAK2 mutation-negative PV patients were found in our cohort. The NNE group showed significantly younger (p < 0.01) age with higher frequency of smoking (p < 0.001), alcohol consumption (p < 0.001), and diabetes mellitus (p < 0.05), whereas the PV group (n = 47) showed significantly higher white blood cell count, platelet count, and lactate dehydrogenase (p < 0.001). Although serum erythropoietin (EPO) levels were significantly higher in NNE compared to PV (p < 0.001), approximately 40% of the NNE patients had EPO levels below the lower range of normal, fulfilling a minor diagnostic criterion of PV and raising the possibility of PV misdiagnosis. CONCLUSION: Low EPO levels in JAK2 mutation-negative erythrocytosis may not be a reliable diagnostic criterion for distinguishing PV from NNE.

A case of recurrent massive thickening of the gastric wall caused by pancreatitis of the gastric ectopic pancreas: Detailed pathogenesis based on imaging.

A 40-year-old Japanese male presented with epigastric pain and loss of appetite at a general hospital three years ago. Computed tomography revealed massive thickening of the gastric wall, and gastroscopy revealed diffuse erythema and edematous thickening of the gastric mucosa. Thereafter, epigastric pain and gastric wall thickening recurred frequently, causing an inability to intake food. Conservative treatment was marginally effective; therefore, a distal gastrectomy was performed. Postoperatively, the patient resumed food intake without complications. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimen revealed Heinrich type 1 gastric ectopic pancreas (EP) with pancreatitis. In this case, the gastric wall's massive thickening was caused by gastric EP's pancreatitis. Although there are some reports of pancreatitis of gastric EP, there are no detailed reports of endoscopic findings, including endoscopic ultrasonography and the disease progression. Recurrent pancreatitis of EP leads to forming a septum within the gastric wall, resulting in a hematoma. Eventually, irreversible narrowing of the gastric lumen may occur, as observed in the present case. We consider this an important case report presenting detailed pathogenesis supported by endoscopic and pathohistological findings of surgical specimens. Our study will help in the early diagnosis and better management of the condition.

WO3 Photocatalyst Containing Copper Inactivates SARS-CoV-2 Pango Lineage A and Omicron BA.2 Variant in Visible Light and in Darkness.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019, which has been a global pandemic. Since SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted through contaminated surfaces and aerosols, environmental disinfection is important to block the spread of the virus. Photocatalysts are attractive tools for virus inactivation and are widely used as air purifiers and coating materials. However, photocatalysts are inactive in the dark, and some of them need to be excited with light of a specific wavelength. Therefore, photocatalysts that can effectively inactivate SARS-CoV-2 in indoor environments are needed. Here, we show that a WO3 photocatalyst containing copper inactivated the SARS-CoV-2 WK-521 strain (Pango lineage A) upon irradiation with white light in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, this photocatalyst also inactivated SARS-CoV-2 in dark conditions due to the antiviral effect of copper. Furthermore, this photocatalyst inactivated not only the WK-521 strain but also the Omicron variant BA.2. These results indicate that the WO3 photocatalyst containing copper can inactivate indoor SARS-CoV-2 regardless of the variant, in visible light or darkness, making it an effective tool for controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

Clinical and biological relevance of CREB3L1 in Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Cyclic AMP-response element-binding protein 3-like 1 (CREB3L1) is a gene involved in the unfolded protein response (UPR). Recently, we demonstrated that CREB3L1 is specifically overexpressed in the platelets of patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). In this study, we aimed to show the clinical and biological relevance of CREB3L1 in these hematological diseases. Overexpression of CREB3L1 was specific to platelets in MPNs and associated with a higher risk of thrombosis and fibrotic transformation in essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV) cases, respectively. Furthermore, we found that UPR genes were downregulated in platelets of patients with ET and PV, which were more pronounced in patients harboring the JAK2 V617F mutation. However, CREB3L1 overexpression does not alter UPR gene expression or cell proliferation in UT-7/TPO/CALRm cells exogenously expressing mutated calreticulin and HEL cells harboring endogenous JAK2 V617F. Furthermore, CREB3L1 overexpression did not modulate sensitivity to endoplasmic reticulum stress in these cell lines. Taken together, our data show 1) a potential role of CREB3L1 expression in platelets as a new marker of high-risk MPNs and 2) an association between CREB3L1 overexpression and UPR gene downregulation in these patients' platelets, with CREB3L1 not altering UPR in our in vitro models and possibly further in vivo mechanisms being involved.

Treating an Intractable Jejunocutaneous Fistula by Endoscopic Metallic Stent Placement: A Case Report of Successful Palliative Endoscopic Treatment in a Case Demonstrating Peritoneal Dissemination with Terminal Stage Gastric Cancer.

A 74-year-old woman with recurrent gastric cancer underwent laparotomy for peritoneal dissemination, and the damaged jejunum formed a jejunocutaneous fistula. Because conservative treatment alone could not cure the fistula, we performed an endoscopic placement of a partially covered self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) to cover the fistula. After the procedure, the contrast medium no longer leaked from the intestinal lumen. One month after stent placement, the cutaneous opening had closed. This case report demonstrates the potential for using partially covered SEMS to treat intractable jejunocutaneous fistula in patients with terminal-stage malignant tumors.

Severe Anemia Caused by Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia and Autoimmune Gastritis.

An 80-year-old man presented to our hospital with general fatigue on exertion that had gradually worsened over 6 months. His blood test revealed severe anemia, and gastroscopy revealed findings consistent with gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) and autoimmune gastritis. We diagnosed the patient with severe anemia caused by GAVE and autoimmune gastritis. The present case suggested that GAVE is triggered by autoimmune gastritis, and the mechanism is likely related to hypergastrinemia. The reporting of this rare case may help elucidate the cause of GAVE, which is currently unknown.

Tannin-phytobezoars with Gastric Outlet Obstruction Treated by Dissolution with Administration and Endoscopic Injection of Coca-Cola®, Endoscopic Crushing, and Removal (with Video).

A 77-year-old man complained of postmeal vomiting and sustained general fatigue. An abdominal computed tomography scan showed massive gastric expansion and fluid storage. Gastroscopy revealed four gastric bezoars that were considered to have caused pyloric ring obstruction. The patient was asked to drink 500 mL per day of Coca-Cola® for 4 days. On the fourth day, we performed endoscopic crushing and removal by injecting Coca-Cola®, cutting the softened bezoar with endoscopic snares, and collecting the pieces with endoscopic nets. We herein report (with a video presentation) a rare case of tannin-phytobezoars endoscopically removed with the administration and injection of Coca-Cola®.

Two autopsy cases of pulmonary leukemic infiltration mimicking severe pneumonia in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Although a previous autopsy series demonstrated that pulmonary leukemic infiltration (PLI) is a major pulmonary complication in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an antemortem diagnosis of PLI is rare. Diverse pulmonary complications cause acute respiratory failure (ARF) in patients with AML undergoing chemotherapy. This article reports two elderly patients with AML who presented with ARF due to PLI mimicking severe pneumonia during induction chemotherapy. Accurate antemortem diagnosis of PLI was almost impossible without pathological examination since the clinical course was not typical of PLI. We recommend considering PLI in patients with AML who have an unknown etiology of ARF.

Resolution of One-Year Persisting COVID-19 Pneumonia and Development of Immune Thrombocytopenia in a Follicular Lymphoma Patient With Preceding Rituximab Maintenance Therapy: A follow-up Report and Literature Review of Cases With Prolonged Infections.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported elsewhere of a follicular lymphoma patient suffering from persistent COVID-19 pneumonia that was still ongoing at 2 months after onset. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We provide a follow-up report of the case along with a literature review of immunocompromised lymphoma patients experiencing prolonged COVID-19 infections. RESULTS: Although requiring a full 1 year, the presented case eventually achieved spontaneous resolution of COVID-19 pneumonia. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies could not be detected throughout the disease course, but COVID-19-directed T-cell response was found to be intact. The patient also developed secondary immune thrombocytopenia subsequent to COVID-19 pneumonia. We found 19 case reports of immunocompromised lymphoma patients with prolonged COVID-19 infections in the literature. All 5 patients who died did not receive convalescent plasma therapy, whereas resolution of COVID-19 infection was achieved in 8 out of 9 patients who received convalescent plasma therapy. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate through the presented case that while time-consuming, resolution of COVID-19 infections may be achieved without aid from humoral immunity if cellular immunity is intact. Immunocompromised lymphoma patients are at risk of a prolonged disease course of COVID-19, and convalescent plasma therapy may be a promising approach in such patients.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis associated with Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, NOS of bone marrow-liver-spleen type: an autopsy case report.

Lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) has a significantly poor prognosis among secondary HLH. We describe the rare case of a 74-year-old female with secondary HLH presenting with a rapidly fatal course. Post-mortem examination revealed Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) -positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We were unable to make a definite antemortem diagnosis because the patient did not exhibit lymphadenopathy and bone marrow biopsy demonstrated hemophagocytosis without evidence of lymphoma. She died of multiple organ failure on the twelfth day of hospitalization despite a temporary response to steroids. Autopsy revealed diffuse lymphoma cell infiltration of the bone marrow, liver and spleen, suggesting "bone marrow-liver-spleen" (BLS)-type large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). BLS-type LBCL is a rare and clinically aggressive lymphoma, usually associated with fever, cytopenia and HLH. The disease has a high mortality rate due to the delay in diagnosis and a highly aggressive clinical course. Further studies are required to improve our understanding of this rare extranodal DLBCL.

[Rapidly fatal streptococcal toxic shock syndrome due to Streptococcus agalactiae in a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia and cirrhosis].

A 72-year-old woman with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and cirrhosis complicated with blood blisters on her right upper arm and ascites was admitted. She presented with shock vital on admission. Initial gram staining of blood cultures showed gram-positive cocci in chains, suggesting streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). Amputation of the right upper arm was performed owing to necrotizing fasciitis. Despite continued antibiotic therapy and systemic management, the blood blisters rapidly spread to the skin of the whole body, and she died 41 h after admission. Blood and fluid cultures from the blisters showed group B streptococci. Reports of patients with leukemia complicated with STSS are rare, and all cases have followed fatal courses. Particularly in this case, various risk factors, such as neutropenia due to tyrosine kinase inhibitor, neutrophil dysfunction due to cirrhosis, and elderly CML, overlapped. In the future, we believe that the lives of patients with leukemia complicated with STSS may be saved by establishing treatment methods and determining the detailed pathogenesis of STSS.

Roles of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist in improving gas exchange in a severe acute respiratory distress syndrome patient after weaning from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Patient-ventilator asynchrony is a major cause of difficult weaning from mechanical ventilation. Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) is reported useful to improve the synchrony in patients with sustained low lung compliance. However, the role of NAVA has not been fully investigated. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was a 63-year-old Japanese man with acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to respiratory infection. He was treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for 7 days and survived. Dynamic compliance at withdrawal of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation decreased to 20 ml/cmH2O or less, but gas exchange was maintained by full support with assist/control mode. However, weaning from mechanical ventilation using a flow trigger failed repeatedly because of patient-ventilator asynchrony with hypercapnic acidosis during partial ventilator support despite using different types of ventilators and different trigger levels. Weaning using NAVA restored the regular respiration and stable and normal acid-base balance. Electromyographic analysis of the diaphragm clearly showed improved triggering of both the start and the end of spontaneous inspiration. Regional ventilation monitoring using electrical impedance tomography showed an increase in tidal volume and a ventilation shift to the dorsal regions during NAVA, indicating that NAVA could deliver gas flow to the dorsal regions to adjust for the magnitude of diaphragmatic excursion. NAVA was applied for 31 days, followed by partial ventilatory support with a conventional flow trigger. The patient was discharged from the intensive care unit on day 110 and has recovered enough to be able to live without a ventilatory support for 5 h per day. CONCLUSION: Our experience showed that NAVA improved not only patient-ventilator synchrony but also regional ventilation distribution in an acute respiratory distress patient with sustained low lung compliance.