Long-term remnant liver volume dynamics after major hepatectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma following portal vein embolization

BACKGROUND

Portal vein embolization (PVE) followed by major hepatectomy is a common treatment strategy for patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC); however, the long-term dynamics of the liver remnant volume (LRV) remain unclear. Here, we report the dynamics of the LRV in patients who underwent hepatectomy following PVE.

METHODS

A total of 39 patients with PHCC who underwent right hemihepatectomy or left trisectionectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection between 2004 and 2021 were enrolled in this study [PVE (n = 27) and non-PVE (n = 12]). Long-term remnant liver dynamics were analyzed in propensity score-matched pairs (n = 10/group).

RESULTS

The LRV/future liver remnant volume (FLRV) at 1 week to 1 month after hepatectomy were smaller in the PVE group than in the non-PVE group (1.53 vs. 1.69, p = .044 and 1.52 vs 1.99, p = .003, respectively). In the non-PVE group, the LRV/FLRV ratio plateaued 1-3 months postoperatively, whereas progressive hypertrophy occurred in the PVE group, and the LRV/FLRV ratio became equal in both groups at 1 year after hepatectomy (1.96 vs. 1.97; p = .799). Multivariate analysis revealed that FLRV/total liver volume (TLV) ≤ 0.43 was the only independent predictor of LRV/FLRV ≥1.9 at 1 year after hepatectomy (odds ratio:5.345, 95% confidence interval:1.210-23.615; p = .027).

CONCLUSION

Although the long-term LRV was nearly equal in both groups, short-term LRV hypertrophy was lower in the PVE group than in the non-PVE group.

Practices and Awareness Regarding an Infant's Sleep Environment among Japanese Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Preventing sudden, unexpected infant death related to sleep, especially suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome, remains challenging globally. To evaluate factors associated with an unsafe sleep environment (SE) for infants in Japan, this cross-sectional study investigated the current status of practices and awareness among caregivers about a safe SE. Two hundred and fifty-four caregivers of infants in Yamaguchi Prefecture participated. Among the caregivers, 96.0% could not thoroughly practice a safe SE, although 65.0% had knowledge about a safe SE. More unsafe SE practices were significantly associated with 8- to 11-month-old infants than with 0- to 3-month-old infants, using the same practice as for an older child than with accessing information or a familiar person than with mass media as the most useful source of information. The differences in having knowledge were not associated with their practice. Many caregivers obtained information about an infant's SE from mass media and a familiar person. They preferred education via a face-to-face method by medical experts to raise awareness about a safe SE. Thus, efforts need to be developed in Japan in which experts who directly attend to caregivers can truly educate them to ensure that caregivers are continuously aware of the importance of an SE.

An Immunohistochemical Analysis of Osteopontin and S100 Calcium-binding Protein P is Useful for Subclassifying Large- and Small-duct Type Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinomas

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) has been newly subclassified into two different subtypes: large-duct (LD) type and small-duct (SD) type. However, many cases are difficult to subclassify, and there is no consensus regarding subclassification criteria. LD type expresses the highly sensitive diagnostic marker S100 calcium-binding protein P (S100P), while SD type lacks sensitive markers. We identified osteopontin (OPN) as a highly sensitive marker for SD type. This study aimed to develop new subclassification criteria for LD-type and SD-type iCCA. We retrospectively investigated 74 patients with iCCA and subclassified them based on whole-section immunostaining of S100P and OPN. Of the 74 cases, 41 were subclassified as LD type, 32 as SD type, and one was indeterminate. Notably, all S100P-negative cases had OPN positivity. Seventy-three of the 74 cases (98.6%) were clearly and easily subclassified as LD or SD type using only these 2 markers. We also determined the value of immunohistochemistry in cases that were difficult to diagnose based on hematoxylin-eosin and Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff staining. Furthermore, we analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics and prognoses of these 2 subtypes. LD type was a poor prognostic factor on univariate analysis; it had significantly worse overall survival (P= 0.007) and recurrence-free survival (P < 0.001) than the SD type. In conclusion, we propose new subclassification criteria for iCCA based on immunostaining of S100P and OPN. These criteria may help pathologists to diagnose subtypes of iCCA, supporting future clinical trials and the development of medications for these 2 subtypes as distinct cancers.

Association between skin toxicity and efficacy of necitumumab in squamous non-small-cell lung cancer: a pooled analysis of two randomized clinical trials-SQUIRE and JFCM

BACKGROUND

Efficacy of necitumumab [recombinant human monoclonal antibody that blocks the ligand binding epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)] in patients with squamous (SQ) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been confirmed in two randomized clinical trials (SQUIRE and JFCM). This study evaluated the association between efficacy and initial skin toxicity with necitumumab treatment by analyzing pooled data from two clinical trials (SQUIRE and JFCM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data of 635 patients with SQ-NSCLC (intent-to-treat population) treated with necitumumab plus gemcitabine and cisplatin (N + GC) were pooled from two clinical trials (SQUIRE and JFCM). The relationship between skin toxicities developed by the end of the second cycle and efficacy was evaluated. Efficacy endpoints included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and objective response rate (ORR). Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out for these endpoints.

RESULTS

OS and ORR were associated with skin toxicity, whereas PFS was not. Patients with grade ≥2 or grade 1 skin toxicity had significantly longer OS compared to patients without skin toxicity (grade 0) in the N + GC group [median = 15.0 (grade ≥2); 12.7 (grade 1); 9.4 (grade 0) months; hazard ratio (HR) = 0.51 (grade ≥2 to grade 0); 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.40-0.64, P < 0.001 and HR = 0.64 (grade 1 to grade 0); 95% CI 0.52-0.80, P < 0.001]. In multivariate analysis, OS was significantly associated with skin toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant association was found between necitumumab-induced skin toxicity and efficacy. These results are consistent with the previously reported association between other EGFR inhibitors-induced skin toxicity and efficacy.

The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio is a complementary prognostic factor to tumor markers in predicting early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy

BACKGROUND

The usefulness of inflammation-based prognostic scores for early recurrence (ER) after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma has rarely been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of inflammation-based prognostic scores as predictors of ER and their relationship with tumor markers.

METHODS

We enrolled 338 patients who underwent hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma between January 2007 and December 2021. Clinicopathological factors were compared between patients who developed ER (ER group) and those who did not develop ER (non-ER group). The association between inflammation-based prognostic scores and ER status was evaluated. These scores were compared with those of well-established tumor markers.

RESULTS

The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) correlated with ER of hepatocellular carcinoma, with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.70, sensitivity of 68.1%, and specificity of 67.7%. In patients with low tumor marker levels, the PLR showed a strong correlation with ER of hepatocellular carcinoma, with an AUC value of 0.851, sensitivity of 100%, and specificity of 76.2%. Multivariate analysis revealed that the PLR was an independent prognostic factor for ER.

CONCLUSIONS

The PLR is useful and complementary to tumor markers for predicting ER after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Cancer cell immunity-related protein co-expression networks are associated with early-stage solid-predominant lung adenocarcinoma

Background

Solid-predominant lung adenocarcinoma (SPA), which is one of the high-risk subtypes with poor prognosis and unsatisfactory response to chemotherapy and targeted therapy in lung adenocarcinoma, remains molecular profile unclarified. Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) was used for data mining, especially for studying biological networks based on pairwise correlations between variables. This study aimed to identify disease-related protein co-expression networks associated with early-stage SPA.

Methods

We assessed cancerous cells laser-microdissected from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues of a SPA group (n = 5), referencing a low-risk subtype, a lepidic predominant subtype group (LPA) (n = 4), and another high-risk subtype, micropapillary predominant subtype (MPA) group (n = 3) and performed mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis. Disease-related co-expression networks associated with the SPA subtype were identified by WGCNA and their upstream regulators and causal networks were predicted by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis.

Results

Among the forty WGCNA network modules identified, two network modules were found to be associated significantly with the SPA subtype. Canonical enriched pathways were highly associated with cellular growth, proliferation, and immune response. Upregulated HLA class I molecules HLA-G and HLA-B implicated high mutation burden and T cell activation in the SPA subtype. Upstream analysis implicated the involvement of highly activated oncogenic regulators, MYC, MLXIPL, MYCN, the redox master regulator NFE2L2, and the highly inhibited LARP1, leading to oncogenic IRES-dependent translation, and also regulators of the adaptive immune response, including highly activated IFNG, TCRD, CD3-TCR, CD8A, CD8B, CD3, CD80/CD86, and highly inhibited LILRB2. Interestingly, the immune checkpoint molecule HLA-G, which is the counterpart of LILRB2, was highly expressed characteristically in the SPA subtype and might be associated with antitumor immunity.

Conclusion

Our findings provide a disease molecular profile based on protein co-expression networks identified for the high-risk solid predominant adenocarcinoma, which will help develop future therapeutic strategies.

Utilization of muscle area in an accurate prediction formula for renal function for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Accurate assessment of renal function prior to surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma is important for patient outcome, but current methods such as the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) are inadequate. We developed a new prediction formula that incorporates preoperative computed tomography (CT) imaging data to determine renal function.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 400 patients who underwent hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma between January 2010 and December 2021. Predictors associated with renal function were identified by multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Age, sex, body height, body weight, body surface area, body mass index, serum creatinine, and muscle areas including third lumbar vertebra total muscle area (L3 TMA) determined by preoperative CT were identified as independent predictors likely to be associated with renal function. These were used to construct a new prediction formula using multiple regression analysis performed with a stepwise method: 232.2 + (-1.17 × age) + (-89.0 × serum creatinine) + (0.28 × L3 TMA). The median difference between conventional eGFR and CCr was 47.6 ml/min (range, 1.7-137.9 ml/min), while that between the new eGFR and CCr was 14.3 ml/min (range, 0.02-64.7 ml/min). Spearman rank correlation analysis revealed that the new eGFR was more positively correlated with CCr than conventional eGFR (ρ = 0.623, P < 0.05; ρ = 0.700, P < 0.05, respectively), and hence more accurately reflected renal function.

CONCLUSION

A new prediction formula based on L3 TMA determined by CT is more accurate than conventional eGFR for evaluating renal function.

Quasi-2D Fermi surface in the anomalous superconductor UTe2

The heavy fermion paramagnet UTe2 exhibits numerous characteristics of spin-triplet superconductivity. Efforts to understand the microscopic details of this exotic superconductivity have been impeded by uncertainty regarding the underlying electronic structure. Here we directly probe the Fermi surface of UTe2 by measuring magnetic quantum oscillations in pristine quality crystals. We find an angular profile of quantum oscillatory frequency and amplitude that is characteristic of a quasi-2D Fermi surface, which we find is well described by two cylindrical Fermi sheets of electron- and hole-type respectively. Additionally, we find that both cylindrical Fermi sheets possess considerable undulation but negligible small-scale corrugation, which may allow for their near-nesting and therefore promote magnetic fluctuations that enhance the triplet pairing mechanism. Importantly, we find no evidence for the presence of any 3D Fermi surface sections. Our results place strong constraints on the possible symmetry of the superconducting order parameter in UTe2.

A case of ECPELLA-supported treatment for post-infarction cardiac rupture

The efficacy and risk of a combination of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and Impella (Abiomed, Inc., Danvers, MA, USA), an approach known as ECPELLA, for post-infarction cardiac rupture is unclear. We describe the case of a 72-year-old man who presented with acute myocardial infarction. The patient was managed with ECPELLA because of hemodynamic compromise. One week later, there was a sudden increase in venous oxygen saturation. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed ventricular septal rupture, and free wall rupture. Intraventricular thrombus was also observed despite standard anticoagulation therapy. Even with double cardiac rupture, ECPELLA could facilitate left ventricular unloading and sustain hemodynamics. However, because of the risk of device failure due to thrombus aspiration into the Impella, the patient underwent repair surgery. Postoperatively, the patient was temporarily weaned off ECPELLA, and his hemodynamics deteriorated again, and he finally died.

Learning objectives

ECPELLA can effectively stabilize the hemodynamics in cases of post-infarction cardiac rupture. However, there are still challenges to address, such as determining optimal ventricular reloading and ECPELLA management for intraventricular thrombus prevention. When using ECPELLA to delay surgery for post-infarction cardiac rupture, it is crucial to strike a balance between hemodynamic stabilization and avoiding potential serious complications.

Uterine haemangiosarcoma in a Netherland Dwarf rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus Netherland dwarf)

A 7-year-old intact Netherlands Dwarf rabbit with bloody discharge from the vulva underwent ovariohysterectomy. Grossly, both sides of the uterus were enlarged. Histologically, the tumour had formed protruded from the myometrial wall toward the serosa and was composed of irregular small capillaries with irregularly shaped structures and bundled proliferation of spindle-shaped cells. No tumour cells infiltrated the endometrium. The tumour cells were positive for CD31, and histological and immunohistochemical staining confirmed the diagnosis of haemangiosarcoma. Vascular tumours in the uterus of animals are uncommon, and only one case has been reported in the uterus of rabbits.

Highly malignant endometrial stromal sarcoma in a cat

An 11-year-old female Persian cat underwent ovariohysterectomy due to dilation of the uterine cavity with irregular thickening of the wall. Macroscopically, the middle and distal regions of the left uterine horn were swollen and the uterine wall was irregularly thickened due to the development of multiple coalescent, variably sized nodules. Microscopically, the nodules had originated in the endometrium and were composed of round to polygonal neoplastic cells arranged in dense sheets or ill-defined fascicles. The neoplastic cells had locally invaded the myometrium and reached the subserosa, with lymphovascular invasion. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cell population was partially positive for CD10, an established marker of endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) in humans, with focal and diffuse nuclear immunopositivity for oestrogen and progesterone receptors and immunonegativity for desmin and α-smooth muscle actin. Based on these findings, the uterine tumour was diagnosed as ESS and was considered to correspond morphologically to high-grade ESS in humans.

Longitudinal Spin Fluctuations Driving Field-Reinforced Superconductivity in UTe_{2}

Our measurements of ^{125}Te NMR relaxations reveal an enhancement of electronic spin fluctuations above μ_{0}H^{*}∼15  T, leading to their divergence in the vicinity of the metamagnetic transition at μ_{0}H_{m}≈35  T, below which field-reinforced superconductivity appears when a magnetic field (H) is applied along the crystallographic b axis. The NMR data evidence that these fluctuations are dominantly longitudinal, providing a key to understanding the peculiar superconducting phase diagram in H∥b, where such fluctuations enhance the pairing interactions.

A Novel Technique of No-Touch Endoscopic Saphenous Vein Harvesting

No-touch saphenous vein harvesting is considered an ideal procedure for harvesting good-quality veins, whereas endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) is considered ideal for decreasing wound complications. The no-touch EVH (NT-EVH) technique, which was developed in 2018, is one of the best vein-harvesting procedures. We have improved this method in several aspects since our initial experience. Herein, we present the details of this technique.

Accuracy and limitations of preoperative assessment of longitudinal spread of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Although surgical resection offers the only chance of cure of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma and R1 resection has a poor prognosis, there is no consensus on optimal preoperative assessment of its longitudinal spread. We aimed to establish the optimal means of achieving this goal.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, single-center study of 61 patients who had undergone multi-detector row computed tomography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, intraductal ultrasonography, and mapping biopsy prior to resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinomas in our institute from January 2010 and December 2021.

RESULTS

The most accurate single methods for assessing longitudinal spread were intraductal ultrasonography and mapping biopsy (both 72.1%). A combination of all four assessment methods was accurate in 51 (83.6%) of our patients. Independent risk factors for inaccuracy were Bismuth-Corlette Type IV and high histologic-grade tumors. The R0 resection rate was higher with accurate than inaccurate assessments (90.2% vs. 30.0%, P < 0.001). R0 resection was associated with significantly better relapse-free survival than R1 resection (P = 0.006). However, overall survival did not differ between these groups.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative assessment of longitudinal spread of perihilar cholangiocarcinomas by four different modalities is optimal, achieving 83.6% accuracy and a 90.2% R0 resection rate.

Increased mitochondria are responsible for the acquisition of gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer cell lines

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has a particularly poor prognosis as it is often detected at an advanced stage and acquires resistance to chemotherapy early during its course. Stress adaptations by mitochondria, such as metabolic plasticity and regulation of apoptosis, promote cancer cell survival; however, the relationship between mitochondrial dynamics and chemoresistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains unclear. We here established human pancreatic cancer cell lines resistant to gemcitabine from MIA PaCa-2 and Panc1 cells. We compared the cells before and after the acquisition of gemcitabine resistance to investigate the mitochondrial dynamics and protein expression that contribute to this resistance. The mitochondrial number increased in gemcitabine-resistant cells after resistance acquisition, accompanied by a decrease in mitochondrial fission 1 protein, which induces peripheral mitosis, leading to mitophagy. An increase in the number of mitochondria promoted oxidative phosphorylation and increased anti-apoptotic protein expression. Additionally, enhanced oxidative phosphorylation decreased the AMP/ATP ratio and suppressed AMPK activity, resulting in the activation of the HSF1-heat shock protein pathway, which is required for environmental stress tolerance. Synergistic effects observed with BCL2 family or HSF1 inhibition in combination with gemcitabine suggested that the upregulated expression of apoptosis-related proteins caused by the mitochondrial increase may contribute to gemcitabine resistance. The combination of gemcitabine with BCL2 or HSF1 inhibitors may represent a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of acquired gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Impact of sarcopenic obesity on post-hepatectomy bile leakage for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Post-hepatectomy bile leakage (PHBL) is a potentially fatal complication that can arise after hepatectomy. Previous studies have identified obesity as a risk factor for PHBL. In this study, we investigated the impact of sarcopenic obesity on PHBL in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

METHODS

In total, we enrolled 409 patients who underwent hepatectomy without bilioenteric anastomosis for HCC between January 2010 and August 2021. Patients were grouped according to the presence or absence of PHBL. Patient characteristics, including body mass index and sarcopenic obesity, were then analyzed for predictive factors for PHBL.

RESULTS

Among the 409 HCC patients included in the study, 39 developed PHBL. Male sex, hypertension, cardiac disease, white blood cell counts, the psoas muscle area, and visceral fat area, and intraoperative blood loss were significantly increased in the PHBL (+) group compared with the PHBL (-) group. Multivariate analysis showed that the independent risk factors for the occurrence of PHBL were intraoperative blood loss ≥370 mL and sarcopenic obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that it is important to understand whether a patient is at high risk for PHBL prior to surgery and to focus on reducing intraoperative blood loss during surgery for patients with risk factors for PHBL.

Targeting microRNA-145-mediated progressive phenotypes of early bladder cancer in a molecularly defined in vivo model

A progressive subclass of early-stage non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) frequently recurs and progress into invasive carcinoma, thus decreasing the overall survival rate of NMIBC. However, therapeutic development for progressive NMIBC has been challenging due to the lack of molecularly validated in vivo models and agents targeting its genetic vulnerability. We herein molecularly characterized an interventional model of progressive NMIBC and revealed the principal functions and therapeutic potential of microRNA-145 (miR-145) in early bladder tumorigenesis. N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine-induced premalignant lesions (BiPLs) in rats exhibited downregulated expression of miR-145 as well as highly similar mutation/expression profiles to those of the human progressive NMIBC subclass with the worst prognosis. The expression patterns of miR-145 inversely correlated with those of BC-related oncogenes in BiPLs. We also demonstrated that miR-145 dominantly regulated interferon pathways and c-Myc expression, which play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of progressive NMIBC. Furthermore, we demonstrated that miR-145 replacement with a novel miR-145-based intravesical agent (miR-145S1) significantly inhibited the progression of BiPLs in vivo. These results provide insights into the essential role of miR-145 as the earliest-acting oncogenic driver of bladder tumorigenesis as well as a validated interventional model and novel miR-145-based nucleic acid therapeutic agent for progressive NMIBC.

Risk factors for postoperative cholangitis after pancreaticoduodenectomy and evaluation of internal stenting on hepaticojejunostomy: A single-center propensity score-based analysis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

This retrospective study aimed to investigate the risk factors for postoperative cholangitis (POC) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and the efficacy of stenting on hepaticojejunostomy (HJ).

METHODS

We investigated 162 patients. Postoperative cholangitis occurring before and after discharge was defined as early-onset POC (E-POC) and late-onset POC (L-POC), respectively. Risk factors for E-POC and L-POC were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Propensity score matching (PSM) between the stenting group (group S) and the non-stenting group (group NS), and subgroup analysis in patients with risk factors were performed to evaluate the efficacy of stenting on HJ in preventing POC.

RESULTS

Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 and preoperative non-biliary drainage (BD) were risk factors for E-POC and L-POC, respectively. PSM analysis revealed that E-POC occurrence was significantly higher in group S than in group NS (P = .045). In the preoperative non-BD group (n = 69), E-POC occurrence was significantly higher in group S than in group NS (P = .025).

CONCLUSIONS

BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and preoperative non-BD status were risk factors for E-POC and L-POC, respectively. Stenting on HJ implants did not prevent POC after PD.

First Evidence of Familial Transmission of Hereditary Gastrointestinal Polyposis Associated with Germline APC Variant in Jack Russell Terriers

Jack Russell terriers (JRTs) with gastrointestinal (GI) neoplastic polyps have been recently reported to harbor an identical germline variant in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene, c.[462_463delinsTT], in the heterozygous state, which indicates that this disease is an autosomal dominant hereditary disorder. Many individual cases of this disease have been observed in clinical practice; however, familial transmission has not been demonstrated due to the difficulty in tracing the family members of household dogs, especially after the disease's onset in adulthood. Recently, we encountered two cases of GI polyposis in maternal half sisters. These two cases facilitated the identification of additional relatives spanning three generations, including parents, full and half siblings of the dam (aunt and uncle), littermate and non-littermate siblings, and a nephew. Genetic analysis revealed that 11 of the 14 examined JRTs in this family carried the heterozygous germline APC variant, and eight dogs with the variant already had a current and/or past medical history of GI neoplastic polyps. Some cases in the family showed significantly more severe disease phenotypes than those initially reported, suggesting that the severity of this disease can vary considerably among individuals. Moreover, familial aggregation of severe cases suggested that the genetic modifier involved in increasing severity may have been transmitted in this family in addition to the germline APC variant. Furthermore, in addition to this family, we reported two other families of JRTs affected by hereditary GI polyposis that consisted of five full and half siblings and a mother-daughter pair, respectively. These findings unequivocally establish the transgenerational transmission of hereditary GI polyposis associated with the germline APC variant in JRT lineages.

PARP deficiency causes hypersensitivity to Taxol through oxidative stress induced DNA damage

Taxol is an antitumor drug derived from the bark of the Pacific Yew tree that inhibits microtubule disassembly, resulting in cell cycle arrest in late G2 and M phases. Additionally, Taxol increases cellular oxidative stress by generating reactive oxygen species. We hypothesized that the inhibition of specific DNA repair machinery/mechanisms would increase cellular sensitivity to the oxidative stress capacity of Taxol. Initial screening using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines demonstrated that base excision repair deficiency, especially PARP deficiency, caused cellular Taxol hypersensitivity. Taxane diterpenes-containing Taxus yunnanensis extract also showed hypertoxicity in PARP deficient cells, which was consistent with other microtubule inhibitors like colcemid, vinblastine, and vincristine. Acute exposure of 50 nM Taxol treatment induced both significant cytotoxicity and M-phase arrest in PARP deficient cells, but caused neither significant cytotoxicity nor late G2-M cell cycle arrest in wild type cells. Acute exposure of 50 nM Taxol treatment induced oxidative stress and DNA damage. The antioxidant Ascorbic acid 2 glucoside partially reduced the cytotoxicity of Taxol in PARP deficient cell lines. Finally, the PARP inhibitor Olaparib increased cytotoxicity of Taxol in wild type CHO cells and two human cancer cell lines. Our study clearly demonstrates that cytotoxicity of Taxol would be enhanced by inhibiting PARP function as an enzyme implicated in DNA repair for oxidative stress.

Meningothelial hamartoma on the forehead of a young cat

A 1 year and 2-months-old neutered male cat underwent surgical resection of a cutaneous nodule on the midline of the forehead that had been present since approximately 6 months of age. Histopathologically, the nodule was composed of interlacing collagenous fibres interspersed with varying numbers of spindloid cells with round to oval nuclei and moderate to abundant amounts of pale eosinophilic cytoplasm. Similar to meningothelial cells, the spindloid cells were immunopositive for vimentin, neuron-specific enolase, E-cadherin and somatostatin receptor 2. Based on these findings and the absence of nuclear atypia and mitotic figures, the nodule was diagnosed as meningothelial hamartoma. Although cases of cutaneous meningioma have been reported, this is the first report of meningothelial hamartoma in a domestic animal.

Field Induced Multiple Superconducting Phases in UTe_{2} along Hard Magnetic Axis

The superconducting (SC) phase diagram in uranium ditelluride is explored under magnetic fields (H) along the hard magnetic b axis using a high-quality single crystal with T_{c}=2.1  K. Simultaneous electrical resistivity and ac magnetic susceptibility measurements discern low- and high-field SC (LFSC and HFSC, respectively) phases with contrasting field-angular dependence. Crystal quality increases the upper critical field of the LFSC phase, but the H^{*} of ∼15  T, at which the HFSC phase appears, is always the same through the various crystals. A phase boundary signature is also observed inside the LFSC phase near H^{*}, indicating an intermediate SC phase characterized by small flux pinning forces.

An Effective Chemical Permeabilization of Silkworm Embryos

The lipid layer surrounding the vitelline membrane of insect eggs has a critical role in the waterproofing and desiccation resistance of embryos. However, this lipid layer also prevents the flux of chemicals into the embryos, such as cryoprotectants, which are required for successful cryopreservation. The permeabilization studies of silkworm embryos remain insufficient. Therefore, in this study, we developed a permeabilization method to remove the lipid layer in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, and examined factors affecting the viability of dechorionated embryos, including the types and exposure times of chemicals and embryonic stages. Among the chemicals used, hexane and heptane were effective for permeabilization, whereas Triton X-100 and Tween-80 were less effective. Regarding the embryonic stages, there were significant differences between 160 and 166 h after egg laying (AEL) at 25 °C. Consequently, we found that the treatment of 160 AEL embryos with hexane for 30 s was the best condition for the permeability and viability of embryos, in which over 62% of the permeabilized embryos grew up to the second larval instar and their moths could lay fertilized eggs. Our method can be used for various purposes, including permeability investigations using other chemicals and embryonic cryopreservation.

Impact of Early Enteral Nutrition on Delayed Gastric Emptying and Nutritional Status After Pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

Although early enteral nutrition (EEN) is an accepted practice after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), the impact of EEN on postoperative complications or nutritional status remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the impact of EEN on delayed gastric emptying (DGE) and nutritional status after PD.

METHODS

A total of 143 patients underwent PD between January 2012 and September 2020. We excluded patients who underwent a two-stage pancreatojejunostomy, in whom the enteral tube was accidentally pulled out, or with insufficient information in their medical records. The incidence of postoperative complications was compared between patients who received EEN (EEN group, n = 21) and those who did not (control group, n = 21) after propensity score matching. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors affecting the incidence of these complications. Nutritional status was assessed at postoperative months 1, 3, and 6.

RESULTS

The incidence of grade B/C DGE in the EEN group was significantly lower than that in the control group (4.8% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.03). There was no significant difference in overall morbidity, incidence of any other postoperative complications, or all-grade DGE. In multivariate analysis, EEN was associated with a reduction in the incidence of grade B/C DGE (p < 0.01). In the analysis of nutritional status, EEN was significantly associated with better nutritional status at postoperative month 1.

CONCLUSION

EEN can lead to a lower clinically relevant DGE rate and better nutritional status in the early postoperative period in patients undergoing PD.

Genome Editing of Silkworms

Silkworm is a lepidopteran insect that has been used as a model for a wide variety of biological studies. The microinjection technique is available, and it is possible to cause transgenesis as well as target gene disruption via the genome editing technique. TALEN-mediated knockout is especially effective in this species. We also succeeded in the precise and efficient integration of a donor vector using the precise integration into target chromosome (PITCh) method. Here we describe protocols for ZFN (zinc finger nuclease)-, TALEN (transcription activator-like effector nuclease)-, and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing as well as the PITCh technique in the silkworm. We consider that all of these techniques can contribute to the further promotion of various biological studies in the silkworm and other insect species.

IgG4 expression and IgG4/IgG ratio in the tumour invasion front predict long-term outcomes for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

IgG4-positive plasma cells are reportedly increased in the tumour microenvironment, and a high number of these cells in tumours is a poor prognostic factor in several cancers. However, there are no reported analyses of IgG4 expression in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). This study aimed to analyse the correlations between prognosis-related clinicopathological features of patients with ICC and IgG4 expression. We identified 37 ICC patients who underwent surgical resection between January 2010 and December 2020. The number of IgG-positive and IgG4-positive plasma cells in the tumour, invasion front, and stroma near the tumour was analysed by immunostaining. Furthermore, we examined the association of prognosis-related clinicopathological data with the number of IgG4-positive plasma cells and IgG4/IgG ratio in ICC patients. The IgG4-positive plasma cell percentages for the intra-tumour area, invasion front, and non-cancerous area (NCA) near the tumour were 91.9%, 56.8%, and 81.1%, respectively. IgG-positive plasma cells were observed in each region for all cases, except for NCA tissue in one case. A high IgG4 expression level and IgG4/IgG ratio in the invasion front were significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS) (log-rank test p=0.0438 and p=0.0338, respectively). Multivariate analysis for OS revealed that high IgG4 expression (p=0.0140), lymph node metastasis (p=0.0205), and positive surgical margin (p=0.0009) or a high IgG4/IgG ratio (p=0.0051), lymph node metastasis (p=0.0280), and positive surgical margin (p=0.0009) were independent poor prognostic factors. In conclusion, a high IgG4 expression level and IgG4/IgG ratio in the invasion front are independent poor prognostic factors for ICC. Targeted therapy for IgG4 may improve the prognosis for patients with ICC.

Combination of sarcopenia and prognostic nutritional index to predict long-term outcomes in patients undergoing initial hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To determine if preoperative sarcopenia and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) could accurately predict the postoperative outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing initial hepatectomy.

METHODS

Three hundred three patients who underwent curative hepatectomy for HCC between January 2010 and August 2021 were enrolled and their data were retrospectively analyzed. Sarcopenia was determined from computed tomography images obtained 3 weeks prior to surgery, and PNI was calculated from preoperative albumin and whole lymphocyte count data in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, with a cutoff value of 46.2 to categorize high and low groups.

RESULTS

One hundred six (35%) patients had sarcopenia prior to surgery. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that sarcopenia and low PNI were associated with significantly worse overall survival (OS) compared with no sarcopenia and high PNI, respectively (P = 0.023 and P = 0.035, respectively). In addition, patients with sarcopenia had worse OS than those without sarcopenia in the high and low PNI groups (P = 0.058 and P = 0.038, respectively). Sarcopenia (hazard ratio [HR] 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-2.76; P = 0.048) and PNI ≤46.2 (HR 1.96; 95% CI 1.17-3.27; P = 0.011) were independent prognostic factors on multivariate analysis, and combined sarcopenia and PNI had a higher AUC value (AUC = 0.722, P < 0.001) than either one alone in ROC analysis.

CONCLUSION

Combined sarcopenia and PNI as a prognostic marker can better predict the postoperative prognostic outcomes of HCC patients following hepatectomy than either sarcopenia or PNI alone.

Urgent versus elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy following percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage for high-risk grade II acute cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (Lap-C) for grade II acute cholecystitis (AC) in high-risk patients who were defined by Tokyo Guideline 18 as having age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index ≥6 or American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification (ASA-PS) ≥ 3, compared with elective Lap-C following percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD).

METHODS

In 73 grade II AC patients who underwent Lap-C from January 2012 to March 2021, 35 were identified as high-risk; 22 underwent urgent Lap-C (urgent group) and 13 PTGBD followed by elective Lap-C (elective group). Surgical and perioperative outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in operation time (median: 101 min vs 125 min; P = 0.371), blood loss (25 ml vs 7 ml; P = 0.853), morbidity rate (31.8% vs 38.5%; P = 0.726), or the incidence of total perioperative major complications (13.6% vs 15.4%; P = 1.000) between the two groups. The total duration of treatment was significantly shorter in the urgent group than the elective group (11 days vs 71 days; P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that blood loss ≥45 ml [odds ratio (OS): 12.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.03-72.42, P = 0.006], and age ≥75 years with ASA-PS ≥ 3 (OS: 9.85, 95%CI: 1.26-77.26, P = 0.03) were the independent risk factors for total perioperative major complications.

CONCLUSION

In well-selected high-risk patients with grade II AC, urgent Lap-C can be performed with comparable safety to elective Lap-C following PTGBD.

Keratinic amyloid deposition in canine hair follicle tumors

Keratinic primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis is a disease in humans; however, no similar condition has been reported in animals. This study aimed to investigate cutaneous keratinic amyloid deposition in dogs and elucidate its etiology. Canine hair follicle tumor tissues were histopathologically analyzed. Immunohistochemistry and mass spectrometry-based proteomic analyses were performed to identify precursor protein candidates. Structural prediction and in vitro fibrillization analyses were conducted to determine the amyloidogenic region and gene sequencing analysis was performed to assess mutations. Of the 266 samples, 16 had amyloid deposition. Amyloid deposits were found in the stroma of tumors and in the margins of keratin debris and around normal hair follicles. Cytokeratin 5 (CK5) was identified as a precursor protein candidate. C-terminal truncation of CK5 was observed in amyloid deposits, and the truncation sites varied depending on the deposition pattern. There was a significantly higher incidence of amyloid deposition in Shiba dogs, and CK5 amino acid polymorphisms were identified in these dogs. A part of the C-terminal region of both canine and human CK5 exhibited highly amyloidogenic properties in vitro. This study revealed the existence of cutaneous keratinic amyloid deposition in animals and identified CK5 as an amyloid precursor protein, providing novel insights into understanding the etiology of cutaneous amyloidosis.

A new fistula risk score using sarcopenic obesity and subcutaneous fat area for predicting postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a serious complication of pancreaticoduodenectomy and current predictors of POPF are inadequate. We developed a new fistula score to more accurately predict POPF.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 169 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between January 2010 and August 2021 at our institution and examined patients' risk factors according to the occurrence of grade B/C POPF. Muscle and fat were assessed on preoperative computed tomography images and cutoff values were determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

RESULTS

Grade B/C POPF occurred in 38 (22.5%) patients. Multivariate analysis of patients' risk factors revealed that sarcopenic obesity (odds ratio [OR] 2.94; p = .033), L3 subcutaneous fat area (SFA) ≥ 98.0 cm² (OR 2.69; p = .049), and soft pancreatic texture (OR 27.5; p = .002) were independent risk factors of grade B/C POPF occurrence. In addition, a new fistula risk score based on these factors revealed that 63.6% of patients with high scores developed grade B/C POPF, while those with negligible or low scores did not.

CONCLUSIONS

A new fistula risk scoring system based on sarcopenic obesity, SFA, and pancreatic texture may accurately predict POFP.

Changes in the higher-level functional capacities for modern daily living in community-dwelling stroke survivors: A preliminary case series

Along with the development of modern technology, the variety of higher-level activities of daily living has steadily expanded. However, no reports have examined the capacities for the higher-level activities in stroke survivors. Moreover, the relationship between these capacities and executive functions has not been reported. This preliminary study longitudinally measured changes in the capacities for high-level activities of modern daily living in community-dwelling stroke survivors. In addition, we examined whether changes in these capacities were correlated with executive functions. The results showed no significant reduction in the capacities for high-level activities of modern daily living at 1 year after stroke. Significant improvements were observed in one aspect of executive functions: planning. The changes in the capacities for higher-level activities of modern daily living were significantly correlated with executive function. The results suggest that, in stroke survivors, (a) it is likely feasible to maintain the capacities for higher-level activities of modern daily living, and (b) these capacities are related to executive functions.

Clinical and Pathological Diagnosis of Hereditary Gastrointestinal Polyposis in Jack Russell Terriers

Simple Summary

In dogs, hundreds of hereditary diseases are currently known, representing a major health problem in small animal clinical practice. Hereditary gastrointestinal (GI) polyposis in Jack Russell Terriers (JRTs) is a hereditary disease recently discovered in Japan. This is an autosomal dominant disease caused by a germline variant in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene. Dogs with hereditary GI polyposis develop solitary and multiple tumors predominantly in the stomach and/or colorectum but have a much better prognosis than sporadic cases of GI tumors. Since the discovery of this disease, the number of newly diagnosed cases in Japan has increased, allowing the update of the disease’s clinical and pathological features. In the present study, some patients exhibited more severe condition than previously reported, including cases harboring tumors in the small intestine besides the stomach and colorectum. In addition, the rare cases died from systemic metastasis of GI tumors. Our study would facilitate the accurate diagnosis of hereditary GI polyposis in JRTs and raise global awareness of this novel hereditary disease.

Abstract

Hereditary GI polyposis in JRTs is a novel hereditary disease characterized by the development of solitary and multiple polypoid tumors, predominantly in the stomach and/or colorectum. Our recent study indicated that JRTs with GI neoplastic polyps harbor an identical germline variant in the APC gene, c.[462_463delinsTT], in a heterozygous state. Unlike sporadic cases, dogs afflicted with hereditary GI polyposis can be expected to have a prolonged survival time, as hereditary tumors are noninvasive. Since the discovery of this disease, the number of newly diagnosed cases in Japan has increased, allowing us to update the clinical and pathological features and provide a large number of diagnostic images. The present clinical case series study employing various diagnostic imaging techniques revealed that some of the cases harbored tumors in the small intestine in addition to the stomach and colorectum. Moreover, although rare, hereditary GI cancers can progress to the advanced stage and develop systemic metastasis, similar to sporadic GI tumors. These findings indicate that there is a wider range of variation in disease severity than was initially recognized. Our results can contribute to the accurate diagnosis of hereditary GI polyposis in clinical practice, pathological examinations, and future research.

Dantrolene, a stabilizer of the ryanodine receptor, prevents collagen-induced arthritis

Dantrolene inhibits Ca²⁺ leakage from destabilized ryanodine receptors and therefore may serve as a therapeutic agent against endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated diseases. However, its effectiveness in treating autoimmune diseases remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effect of dantrolene on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. Oral administration of dantrolene resulted in significantly lower arthritic scores in both male and female CIA mice than in the control mice. Micro-computed tomographic and histological analyses showed that dantrolene suppressed bone and chondral destruction. The serum levels of anti-type II collagen (CII) IgG were positively correlated with the arthritic scores (r = 0.704, p < 0.01). In addition, the serum levels of anti-CII IgG were significantly lower in the dantrolene group than in the control group (p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that oral administration of dantrolene to CIA mice inhibits the production of serum anti-CII IgG and consequently prevents arthritis. Therefore, dantrolene may be a potential anti-rheumatic drug.

Combined Hypofractionated Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy Versus Hypofractionated Radiotherapy Alone for Cats with Localized Sinonasal Lymphoma

Despite considering hypofractionated radiotherapy (HRT) a useful treatment option for feline localized sinonasal lymphoma (stage I), the benefits of additional chemotherapy remain controversial. This retrospective cohort study evaluated the efficacy of the early initiation of chemotherapy in combination with HRT (HRTC) to prolong the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in cats with localized sinonasal lymphoma compared with HRT alone. While 24 eligible cats received HRT alone (HRT group), 18 received HRTC (HRTC group). The total median administered dose was 35 Gy, with one fraction per week, for a median of five fractions. In the HRTC group, the chemotherapy protocol was cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (CHOP)-based and cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone (COP)-based in 14 (78%) and 4 cats (22%), respectively. Cats in the HRTC group had significantly longer PFS (677 versus 104 days; P = .04) and OS (983 versus 263 days; P = .04) than those in the HRT group. Considering the poor outcome in the HRT group despite the cats having received rescue chemotherapy for progressive disease, the early initiation of additional chemotherapy along with HRT may be recommended for feline localized sinonasal lymphoma.

Optimized Preparation of a Low-Working-Temperature Gallium Metal-Based Microencapsulated Phase Change Material

Gallium has been considered for application in the thermal management of electronic equipment because of its high heat transfer ability and heat storage density. To address the issues of metal corrosion and leakage, a microencapsulation method, through which a stable corrosion-resistant ceramic shell can be formed from the liquid metal, is proposed. In this study, an optimized fabrication method for a microencapsulated phase change material (MEPCM) consisting of liquid-state Ga droplets, possessing high durability and heat storage density, is presented. A fabrication route comprising particle formation, hydrothermal treatment, and calcination is proposed. In particular, the thickness and crystal size of the GaOOH shell are controlled by changing the pH during hydrothermal treatment to produce a highly durable shell. The morphology and microstructure, phase composition, heat storage capacity, and durability of the prepared Ga-MEPCM are investigated. In addition, treatment conditions and the shell formation mechanism are analyzed. The results show that pH 9 is the most suitable shell-forming condition, at which the thickest Ga₂O₃ shell with the smallest crystal size can be produced, which is beneficial for ensuring durability. The MEPCM achieved 200 cycles without leakage and 300 cycles without shape deformation with a high heat storage density of 369.4 J·cm^-3.

Treatment strategies for thromboembolism-in-transit with pulmonary embolism

A 46-year-old obese woman undergoing treatment for bipolar disorder presented with acute shortness of breath, chest pain and palpitations. She was tachypnoea and tachycardia, but blood pressure was stable. Computed tomography angiogram revealed bilateral pulmonary embolism. Echocardiogram revealed thrombus-in-transit. She underwent surgical embolectomy only for thrombus-in-transit and closure of the patent foramen ovale. However, pulmonary hypertension worsened, haemodynamical instability prolonged and hepatic congestion progressed. After veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation insertion, we performed thrombectomy by catheter and anticoagulation therapy. One month later, the patient was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation.

Usefulness of frailty to predict short‐ and long‐term outcomes in patients who have undergone major hepatectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

Aim

The influence of frailty on outcomes after hepatectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of frailty on the incidence of postoperative complications and survival after major hepatectomy for PHCC.

Methods

A total of 87 patients who had undergone surgery for PHCC between 2007 and 2020 were enrolled in this study. Frailty was scored retrospectively using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). The survival and incidence of postoperative complications were compared based on the degree of frailty, and their risk factors were analyzed.

Results

The overall survival of the CFS score 1‐2 group was significantly higher than that of the CFS score 3‐7 group (P = .01). The survival benefit was especially observed in stage I or II PHCC. Furthermore, there were significant differences between the CFS score 1‐3 group and the CFS score 4‐7 group in the incidence of Clavien–Dindo classification grade ≥ IIIa (39.4% vs 70.6%; P = .03). Frailty was an independent risk factor for severe postoperative complications (odds ratio, 4.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.18‐15.20; P = .03) and the incidence of systemic complications (P < .01).

Conclusion

Frailty is a predictive factor for short‐ and long‐term outcomes in patients who have undergone major hepatectomy for PHCC.

Outcome of Localized Bile Duct Carcinoma in Six Dogs Treated with Liver Lobectomy

The prognosis for bile duct carcinoma in dogs is generally believed to be poor. However, only a few studies have evaluated the postoperative outcomes in such cases. The objective of this case series was to describe the postoperative outcomes of localized intrahepatic bile duct carcinoma in dogs. The electronic medical records of 16 dogs with bile duct carcinoma were reviewed, and 6 dogs were included in the study. All cases were diagnosed as bile duct carcinoma using postoperative pathology, and five of them had already been diagnosed using preoperative core biopsy. The tumors in all of the dogs were confirmed as completely resected on histopathological examination. Two dogs received toceranib following the surgery. The median follow-up time was 693 days (range, 420-1386 days), with a median survival time of 894 days (range, 420-1386 days). Local recurrence or distant metastases were detected in two of the six dogs (33%) on 354 and 398 days following surgery, respectively. The median progression-free survival was 492 days (range, 354-1386 days). In conclusion, dogs with localized intrahepatic bile duct carcinoma had a good prognosis following complete surgical resection.

Molecular epidemiological study of germline APC variant associated with hereditary gastrointestinal polyposis in dogs: current frequency in Jack Russell Terriers in Japan and breed distribution

Background

Cases of gastrointestinal (GI) neoplastic polyps in Jack Russell Terriers (JRTs) have increased in Japan since the late 2000s. We recently demonstrated that JRTs with GI polyps heterozygously harbor an identical germline variant in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene, c.[462_463delinsTT]; therefore, this is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease. We conducted a molecular epidemiological study to explore the current frequency of the APC variant in JRTs in Japan and the breed distribution of this disease.

Results

Peripheral blood samples from 792 JRTs were collected at 93 veterinary hospitals in Japan in 2020. Using an established polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay, the germline APC variant was detected in 15 JRTs, with an overall frequency of 1.89%. The frequency was not significantly different for sex, age, and coat type criteria. Notably, the variant carriers had a current or previous history of GI neoplastic polyps, providing further evidence of the association of the germline APC variant with GI polyposis. Pedigree analysis of carrier dogs revealed that the germline APC variant was no longer confined to a few specific families but was widely spread among JRTs in Japan. Furthermore, some ancestors of the carriers were from Australia or New Zealand, suggesting the possible presence of carriers in countries other than Japan. Next, we retrospectively investigated the germline APC variant status of dogs with GI epithelial tumors using genomic DNA samples extracted from archived pathological specimens (28 purebred dogs of 14 breeds and four mixed-breed dog), as well as those stored in a canine genome bank (38 dogs of 18 breeds and a mixed-breed dogs). In total, 66 purebred dogs of 25 breeds, including another four JRTs, and five mixed-breed dogs were examined. While three variant carriers were found in JRTs, the germline APC variant was not detected in any of the other breeds.

Conclusion

The current frequency of the germline APC variant was approximately 2% in JRTs in Japan and the frequency remained roughly flat during the last 15 years. In addition, hereditary GI polyposis associated with the variant was virtually specific to JRTs.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-022-03338-w.

Extraskeletal osteosarcoma associated with two different types of synthetic fibers derived from a surgical swab in a dog

A 10-year-old spayed female Japanese Shiba Inu had an intraperitoneal mass that was excised surgically. The central area of the mass was composed of osteoblast-like neoplastic cells, osteoid, macrophages, and numerous fibers. The neoplastic cells showed nuclear atypia and many mitotic figures. Therefore, the central area of the mass was diagnosed as an extraskeletal osteosarcoma. The peripheral area of the mass was granuloma tissue with numerous fibers. The neoplastic and granuloma area included two types of fibers, which were identified as rayon and polyester by their morphological and staining characteristics. These fibers were consistent with those of commercial surgical swab, suggesting that the fibers may have been derived from retained surgical swabs at the time of ovariohysterectomy. Therefore, this lesion was considered an extraskeletal osteosarcoma associated with a retained surgical swab.

Intraperitoneal administration of synthetic microRNA-214 elicits tumor suppression in an intraperitoneal dissemination mouse model of canine hemangiosarcoma

Canine hemangiosarcoma (HSA) has an extremely poor prognosis, making it necessary to develop new systemic treatment methods. MicroRNA-214 (miR-214) is one of many microRNAs (miRNA) that can induce apoptosis in HSA cell lines. Synthetic miR-214 (miR-214/5AE), which showed higher cytotoxicity and greater nuclease resistance than mature miR-214, has been developed for clinical application. In this study, we evaluated the effects of miR-214/5AE on stage 2 HSA in a mouse model. Mice intraperitoneally administered with miR-214/5AE (5AE group) had significantly fewer intraperitoneal dissemination tumor foci (median number: 72.5 vs. 237.5; p < 0.05) and a lower median foci weight (0.26 g vs. 0.61 g; p < 0.05). Mice in the 5AE group had increased expression of p53 and cleaved caspase-3, and a significantly lower proportion of Ki-67-positive cells, than those in the non-specific miR group. Notably, no significant side effects were observed. These results indicate that intraperitoneal administration of miR-214/5AE exhibits antitumor effects in an intraperitoneal dissemination mouse model of HSA by inducing apoptosis and suppressing cell proliferation. These results provide a basis for future studies on the antitumor effect of miR-214/5AE for HSA.

Observing silkworm embryos at the fertilization stage using a tissue clearing reagent

There are various reports on embryogenesis in silkworm, Bombyx mori, a model organism for lepidopteran insects. New tissue observation methods have been developed with the development of biological science. Applying these methods to silkworm eggs makes it possible to capture morphological and histological features that have not been observed until now. Tissue transparency technology is a method of observation that has advanced remarkably recently. This study emphasized the CUBIC (Clear, Unobstructed Brain/Body Imaging Cocktails and Computational analysis) method. The tissue clearing reagent used in CUBIC is water-soluble, containing urea and amino alcohol, which easily and effectively clears animal tissue by immersing the sample in the reagent. This study showed that silkworm eggs are made transparent using the modified CUBIC method at the fertilization stage. Furthermore, we observed the behavior of egg nucleus, polar body nuclei, and sperm nuclei at the fertilization stage.