Spiral Tissue Microarrays as Next Evolutionary Step in the High-density Tissue Microarray Technology

Tissue microarray (TMA) is a well-established technique that connects basic research with clinical applications that allow the validation of many pathobiologic events from gene expression dysregulation to genomic aberrations. However, conventional TMAs have several limitations such as limited representation of tissue heterogeneity, destruction of donor tissue blocks due to coring and usage of particular specimens that have limited evaluable material (tissue from thin specimens or needle biopsies). We have developed a novel method, which we termed "Spiral TMA" that generates TMAs that allow for improved representation of the donor tissue while keeping the architectural details of the donor block intact. This technology is ideal for specimens with limited tissue without the need to punch holes into the original block and therefore preserving the tissue integrity. In this report, we describe the methodology of constructing Spiral TMA and demonstrate the validation of tumor representation and tissue heterogeneity by comparing Spiral TMA to conventional TMA using immunohistochemical staining to EGFR and CK7

Comparisons in temperature and photoperiodic-dependent diapause induction between domestic and wild mulberry silkworms

The bivoltine strain of the domestic silkworm, Bombyx mori, has two generations per year. It shows a facultative diapause phenotype determined by environmental conditions, including photoperiod and temperature, and nutrient conditions during embryonic and larval development of the mother. However, it remains unclear how the environmental signals received during development are selectively utilized as cues to determine alternative diapause phenotypes. We performed a comparative analysis between the Kosetsu strain of B. mori and a Japanese population of the wild mulberry silkworm B. mandarina concerning the hierarchical molecular mechanisms in diapause induction. Our results showed that for the Kosetsu, temperature signals during the mother's embryonic development predominantly affected diapause determination through the thermosensitive transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) and diapause hormone (DH) signaling pathways. However, embryonic diapause in B. mandarina was photoperiod-dependent, although the DH signaling pathway and thermal sensitivity of TRPA1 were conserved within both species. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that TRPA1-activated signals are strongly linked to the signaling pathway participating in diapause induction in Kosetsu to selectively utilize the temperature information as the cue because temperature-dependent induction was replaced by photoperiodic induction in the TRPA1 knockout mutant.ArticleScientific Report 11(1) : 8052-(2021)journal articl

Epidermal growth factor signals regulate dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase expression in EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer

Schematic diagrams of the signal cascade of EGF-induced DPD expression of EGFR-mutated type cells. TF, transcription factor; Mit A, mithramycin A. (JPG 130 kb

前立腺IMRTおよびVMATに及ぼす直腸ガスの線量影響

Purpose: In this study, we compared the dose impact of the heterogeneity caused by rectal gas using two methods of treatment planning for intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Materials and Methods: In addition to the structure set used for the standard treatment plan, we created a structure set for evaluation for each patient. The structure sets for evaluation that were created were transferred to the same iso-center as the respective treatment plans for IMRT and VMAT that were to become the standard. The values were then re-calculated. Results: During the standard prostatic IMRT and VMAT treatment planning, all the subjects met the dose restrictions in place at our hospital. Dose restrictions were fulfilled in the treatment plans for evaluation, excluding those with a clinical target volume (CTV) of V100% and planning target volume (PTV) of D95 when the rectum was excluded. However, in treatment plans for evaluation, IMRT was shown to have a higher concordance rate with standard treatment plans than VMAT. Conclusion: If rectal gas is present during either IMRT or VMAT, a dose decrease will occur in relation to CTV and PTV, suggesting that a plan does not eliminate adverse effects on organs at risk

Robotic anal preserving posterior pelvic exenteration combined with the transanal-vaginal approach

Robotic surgery is increasingly being applied for rectal cancer and its feasibility and safety have been reported. However, problems associated with advanced robotic surgery such as pelvic exenteration include lengthy operation time and difficulty in controlling unexpected bleeding. A 47-year-old woman had undergone laparoscopic left hemicolectomy for descending colon cancer three years previously (pT3N0M0 pStageII). And had undergone bilateral oophorectomy for ovarian metastases one year previously. Follow-up CT detected a peritoneal metastasis in the pelvic space. After seven courses of systemic chemotherapy, she received robotic anal preserving posterior pelvic exenteration combined with the transanal-vaginal approach. The postoperative course was uneventful. There is no evidence of recurrent disease 8 months after surgery. In conclusion, robotic anal preserving posterior pelvic exenteration combined with the transanal-vaginal approach is a safe and feasible minimally invasive approach for the treatment of advanced rectal malignancies

Combined transabdominal and transperineal endoscopic pelvic exenteration for colorectal cancer: feasibility and safety of a two-team approach

Purpose: Pelvic exenteration (PE) is a highly invasive procedure with high morbidity and mortality rates. Promising options to reduce this invasiveness have included laparoscopic and transperineal approaches. The aim of this study was to identify the safety of combined transabdominal and transperineal endoscopic PE for colorectal malignancies.Methods: Fourteen patients who underwent combined transabdominal and transperineal PE (T group: 2-team approach, n = 7; O group: 1-team approach, n = 7) for colorectal malignancies between April 2016 and March 2020 in our institutions were included in this study. Clinicopathological features and perioperative outcomes were compared between groups.Results: All patients successfully underwent R0 resection. Operation time tended to be shorter in the T group (463 minutes) than in the O group (636 minutes, P = 0.080). Time to specimen removal was significantly shorter (258 minutes vs. 423 minutes, P = 0.006), blood loss was lower (343 mL vs. 867 mL, P = 0.042), and volume of blood transfusion was less (0 mL vs. 560 mL, P = 0.063) in the T group, respectively. Postoperative complications were similar between groups.Conclusion: Combined transabdominal and transperineal PE under a synchronous 2-team approach was feasible and safe, with the potential to reduce operation time, blood loss, and surgeon stress

Pancreatic Duct-to-mucosa versus Invagination or Complete External Drainage Anastomosis in Case of Small Pancreatic Duct after Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Comparative Historical Review

After pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), pancreatic duct-to-mucosa anastomosis (PDM) has been usually applied which may prevent risk of pancreatic fistula (PF). In cases with a small pancreatic duct, however, PDM is difficult to complete. Procedures involving the invagination (IV) or complete external tube drainage (CED) are supposed to be alternative options for anastomosis. We retrospectively compared clinical results between PDM and IV or CED in 104 patients with a tiny pancreatic duct who underwent PD. The 77 patients undergoing PDM (the control group) and 27 patients undergoing other procedures, including 19 for CED and 8 for IV, were comparatively examined. Fatty pancreas was commonly observed in CED group. Pancreaticojejunostomy was significantly more frequently applied in CED group, and the operating time in the IV group was significantly longer than in control group (p<0.05). The anastomotic time in CED group tended to be shorter than those in control and IV groups (18 versus 29 and 37 min). The incidences of PF were not significantly different among groups (31% in control, 47% inCED and 14% in IV, respectively); however, a grade B or C level of PF was not observed in the IV group. PDM is often difficult to achieve and inadequate suturing may injure the pancreatic parenchyma in cases of very small pancreatic duct. Re-evaluation of the CED or IV procedure as an alternative option was suggested to be warranted

Successful Colectomy for Hemorrhagic Colitis with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome and Acute Encephalopathy due to Escherichia coli O157 Infection

An 81-year-old man was admitted to a primary care hospital due to bloody diarrhea. The findings of abdominal computed tomography indicated ischemic colitis, so conservative therapy was started. On the 4th hospital day, the patient was transferred to our hospital because of renal dysfunction. Physical examination showed clouding of consciousness and abdominal distention. Abdominal computed tomography revealed massive ascites and thickening of the whole colonic wall. With a diagnosis of acute abdomen, an emergent laparotomy was performed. Extended right hemicolectomy was performed because of severe ischemic change and necrosis of the right side of the colon. In the stool culture before the operation, Escherichia coli O157 and verotoxin were found, so this case was diagnosed as hemorrhagic colitis with hemolytic uremic syndrome and acute encephalopathy due to Escherichia coli O157 infection. Postoperatively, the hemolytic uremic syndrome and acute encephalopathy were prolonged. However, with intensive care, the patient recovered and was discharged on the 33rd postoperative day