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Prokaryotes organize intracellular compartments with protein-based organelles called encapsulins. Encapsulins with icosahedral symmetry can encapsulate specific cargo proteins mediated by targeting peptides or encapsulation-mediating domains. Encapsulins have been used in eukaryotic cells for bioengineering, vaccine development, and nanoparticle alignment. Their versatility makes them attractive for research; however, detailed structural information on encapsulins is crucial for further applied research. However, cargo proteins are randomly oriented inside the icosahedral encapsulins. The random orientation of cargo proteins presents a challenge for structural analysis that relies on averaging processes such as x-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) single-particle imaging. Therefore, we aimed to accurately estimate the secondary structure content and elucidate the structure of cargo proteins inside the particle by measuring the circular dichroism (CD) spectra using vacuum ultraviolet circular dichroism (VUVCD) spectroscopy. Thus, the structure of the cargo protein inside encapsulin was evaluated. This approach could potentially set a standard for evaluating cargo proteins inside particles in future applied research on encapsulins., (© 2024 The Author(s). Chirality published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Introduction/purpose: For gastric subepithelial lesions (GSELs) showing a hypoechoic mass (HM) on endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) imaging, the utility of EUS-guided tissue acquisition using conventional fine-needle aspiration needles (EUS-TA-CFNAN) and the frequency of histological types remain unclear. This study aimed to examine this issue., Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled 291 consecutive patients who underwent EUS-TA-CFNAN for GSELs showing an HM (GSELHM) on EUS imaging. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed for all EUS-TA-CFNAN and surgically resected specimens. The main outcome measures were the technical results of EUS-TA-CFNAN and the frequency of histological types in GSELHM., Results: The endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition using conventional fine-needle aspiration needle diagnosis rate for GSELHM was 80.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 75.0-84.5, 233/291). It was significantly lower for antrum (P = 0.004) and lesions smaller than 2 cm (P = 0.003). There were no adverse events. The immunohistochemical diagnoses of EUS-TA-CFNAN included 149 cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) (51.2%), 48 cases of leiomyoma (16.5%), 11 cases of schwannoma (3.8%), 8 cases of the ectopic pancreas (2.7%), 5 cases of subepithelial lesion like cancer (1.7%), 12 cases of other lesions (4.1%), and 58 cases of undiagnosable lesions (19.9%). The frequency of malignant or potentially malignant tumour in GSELHM was 55.0% (95% CI: 49.1-60.8, 160/291). Surgery was performed in 149 patients according to the conclusive EUS-TA-CFNAN results, in which the diagnostic accuracy of EUS-TA-CFNAN was 97.3% (95% CI: 94.7-99.9, 145/149)., Conclusion: The use of EUS-TA-CFNAN for GSELHMs is safe and accurate. Gastric subepithelial lesions showing a hypoechoic mass have a reasonably high possibility of containing malignant or potentially malignant tumours, including GISTs., (© 2024 Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine.)

Acute liver injury is a life-threatening disease. Although immune responses are involved in the development and exacerbation of acute liver injury, the cellular and molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Intravenous administration of the plant lectin concanavalin A (ConA) is widely used as a model of acute liver injury. ConA triggers T cell activation and cytokine production by crosslinking glycoproteins, including the T cell receptor, leading to the infiltration of myeloid cells into the liver and the subsequent amplification of inflammation in the liver. Thus, the pathogenesis of ConA-induced acute liver injury is considered a model of immune-mediated acute liver injury or autoimmune hepatitis in humans. However, the severity of the liver injury and the analyses of immune cells and non-hematopoietic cells in the liver following ConA injection are significantly influenced by the experimental conditions. This article outlines protocols for ConA-induced acute liver injury in mice and evaluation methods for liver injury, immune cells, and non-hematopoietic cells in the liver. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Induction of acute liver injury by ConA injection Basic Protocol 2: Evaluation of inflammatory cytokines in mouse plasma Basic Protocol 3: Preparation of liver sections and histological analysis of liver injury Basic Protocol 4: Preparation of liver immune cells Basic Protocol 5: Preparation of hepatocytes, endothelial cells, and hepatic stellate cells Basic Protocol 6: Flow cytometry of immune and non-hematopoietic liver cells Basic Protocol 7: Flow cytometric sorting of endothelial cells and hepatic stellate cells Basic Protocol 8: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The direct electrochemical reduction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) results in various products, complicating the regeneration of the crucial 1,4‐NADH cofactor for enzymatic reactions. Previous research primarily focused on steady–state polarization to examine potential impacts on product selectivity. However, this study explores the influence of dynamic conditions on the selectivity of NAD+ reduction products by comparing two dynamic profiles with steady‐state conditions. Our findings reveal that the main products, including 1,4‐NADH, several dimers, and ADP‐ribose, remained consistent across all conditions. A minor by–product, 1,6‐NADH, was also identified. The product distribution varied depending on the experimental conditions (steady state vs. dynamic) and the concentration of NAD+, with higher concentrations and overpotentials promoting dimerization. The optimal yield of 1,4‐NADH was achieved under steady–state conditions with low overpotential and NAD+ concentrations. While dynamic conditions enhanced the 1,4‐NADH yield at shorter reaction times, they also resulted in a significant amount of unidentified products. Furthermore, this study assessed the potential of using pulsed electrochemical regeneration of 1,4‐NADH with enoate reductase (XenB) for cyclohexenone reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent a subset of gastrointestinal tumors predominantly found in the stomach. Despite their rarity, these tumors carry significant implications for patient health and management. GISTs are potentially malignant tumors with unpredictable progression. They originate from the interstitial cells of Cajal, which are positioned between the intramural neurons and the smooth muscle cells of the digestive tract. These tumors are characterized primarily by mutations in the c-Kit gene, as well as other mutations such as those in the platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) gene. Methods: Our comprehensive search across five databases initially yielded 2976 articles. After eliminating 197 duplicates, we screened the titles and abstracts of 2779 articles, excluding 2692 for not meeting the inclusion criteria. During the full-text screening, 16 more articles were excluded. Ultimately, 71 papers met the inclusion criteria and were included in our analysis. Results: Due to differences in study designs, inclusion criteria for patients, and reported outcomes, a meta-analysis was not conducted. The accurate diagnosis of GIST is established through histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry. Histopathologically, GISTs are classified into three main types: spindle cell, epithelioid, and mixed. The therapeutic management of GIST involves surgery, endoscopic treatment, and chemotherapy. Conclusions: The prognosis for GIST patients depends on various factors, including risk category, disease stage, applied treatments, and recurrence post-treatment. A significant recent advancement comes from artificial intelligence, which can be increasingly involved in both the diagnosis and treatment of this tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a widely used technique to remove early neoplastic lesions. It was primarily used in the initial days to treat gastric lesions, but recently, the horizon of this endoscopic procedure has expanded, which has allowed us to manage other technically more complex locations, such as the colorectum. Areas covered: There has been an exponential growth regarding the wide range of devices available in the market for performing colorectal ESD. As a result, the aim of this review is to highlight the indication of this endoscopic technique, which device is best suited for which indication, as well as future trajectories in this field. Expert opinion: Although some devices have proven to be more advantageous than others in this area, very often the choice is still subjective, which is commonly attributed to individual preferences and experience. However, an accurate knowledge of the available tools and their functioning, with their pros and cons, is fundamental for any endoscopist venturing into the field of third space endoscopy. In this way, one can choose which device best suits a particular situation, along with simultaneously having the wealth of knowledge related to therapeutic armamentarium at our disposal in the endoscopy suite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This systematic review of the medical literature concerning the overlap between adnexal and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) was designed to provide the overall number of previous observed cases and to calculate outcome prognosis, specifically the disease-free survival and overall survival. The impact of immunostaining and new chemotherapeutic medication such as Imatinib are also discussed. Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a rare neoplasm, sometimes mimicking primary ovarian tumors (OTs) and/or metastasizing to the ovaries (M-OT). We performed a systematic literature review (SLR) of OTs and M-OTs, investigating differences in recurrence-free and overall survival. Methods: Our SLR was performed according to PRISMA guidelines, searching in Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from inception until 21 April 2024. Results: Overall, 59 OTs (Group 1) and 21 M-OTs (Group 2) were retrieved. The absence of residual disease after surgery was achieved significantly in a higher percentage of patients with Group 1 GISTs (91.5%) compared with Group 2 GISTs (57.1%). Chemotherapy was more frequently administered to Group 2 patients (33% vs. 0%). Recurrence and deaths for disease were significantly more frequent in Group 2 than Group 1 cases (54.5% vs. 6.8%, and 37.5% vs. 9.8%, respectively). Conclusions: GISTs can rarely mimic primary ovarian cancers or even more rarely metastasize to the ovaries. Group 1 GISTs occurred in younger women, were not associated with elevated tumor markers, and had a better prognosis. In contrast, Group 2 GISTs occurred in older women, may exhibit elevated tumor markers, and presented a worse prognosis. However, no significant statistical difference for survival between the two studied groups was detected. Computed tomography scans can define the size of GISTs, which correlate to stage and prognostic risk classes. The gold standard treatment is complete surgical resection, which was achieved in almost all cases of Group 1 GISTs and in half of Group 2. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry are essential for the final diagnosis and guide chemotherapy treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tissue biopsy remains the standard for diagnosing gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), although liquid biopsy is emerging as a promising alternative in oncology. In this pilot study, we advocate for droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) to diagnose GIST in tissue samples and explore its potential for early diagnosis via liquid biopsy, focusing on the PDGFRA D842V mutation and SEPT9 hypermethylated gene. We utilized ddPCR to analyze the predominant PDGFRA mutation (D842V) in surgical tissue samples from 15 GIST patients, correlating with pathologists' diagnoses. We expanded our analysis to plasma samples to compare DNA alterations between tumor tissue and plasma, also investigating SEPT9 gene hypermethylation. We successfully detected the PDGFRA D842V mutation in GIST tissues by ddPCR. Despite various protocols to enhance mutation detection in early-stage disease, it remained challenging, likely due to the low concentration of DNA in plasma samples. Additionally, the results of Area Under the Curve (AUC) for the hypermethylated SEPT9 gene, analyzing concentration, ratio, and abundance were 0.74 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.52 to 0.97), 0.77 (95% CI: 0.56 to 0.98), and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.59 to 0.99), respectively. As a rare disease, the early detection of GIST through such biomarkers is particularly crucial, offering significant potential to improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a rare type of tumor that can develop liver metastasis (LIM), significantly impacting the patient's prognosis. This study aimed to predict LIM in GIST patients by constructing machine learning (ML) algorithms to assist clinicians in the decision-making process for treatment. Retrospective analysis was performed using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, and cases from 2010 to 2015 were assigned to the developing sets, while cases from 2016 to 2017 were assigned to the testing set. Missing values were addressed using the multiple imputation technique. Four algorithms were utilized to construct the models, comprising traditional logistic regression (LR) and automated machine learning (AutoML) analysis such as gradient boost machine (GBM), deep neural net (DL), and generalized linear model (GLM). We evaluated the models' performance using LR-based metrics, including the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA), as well as AutoML-based metrics, such as feature importance, SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) Plots, and Local Interpretable Model Agnostic Explanation (LIME). A total of 6207 patients were included in this study, with 2683, 1780, and 1744 patients allocated to the training, validation, and test sets, respectively. Among the different models evaluated, the GBM model demonstrated the highest performance in the training, validation, and test cohorts, with respective AUC values of 0.805, 0.780, and 0.795. Furthermore, the GBM model outperformed other AutoML models in terms of accuracy, achieving 0.747, 0.700, and 0.706 in the training, validation, and test cohorts, respectively. Additionally, the study revealed that tumor size and tumor location were the most significant predictors influencing the AutoML model's ability to accurately predict LIM. The AutoML model utilizing the GBM algorithm for GIST patients can effectively predict the risk of LIM and provide clinicians with a reference for developing individualized treatment plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular slime molds are excellent model organisms in the field of cell and developmental biology because of their simple developmental patterns. During our studies on the identification of bioactive molecules from secondary metabolites of cellular slime molds toward the development of novel pharmaceuticals, we revealed the structural diversity of secondary metabolites. Cellular slime molds grow by feeding on bacteria, such as Klebsiella aerogenes and Escherichia coli, without using medium components. Although changing the feeding bacteria is expected to affect dramatically the secondary metabolite production, the effect of the feeding bacteria on the production of secondary metabolites is not known. Herein, we report the isolation and structure elucidation of clavapyrone (1) from Dictyostelium clavatum, intermedipyrone (2) from D. magnum, and magnumiol (3) from D. intermedium. These compounds are not obtained from usual cultural conditions with Klebsiella aerogenes but obtained from coincubated conditions with Pseudomonas spp. The results demonstrate the diversity of the secondary metabolites of cellular slime molds and suggest that widening the range of feeding bacteria for cellular slime molds would increase their application potential in drug discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common type of gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors. The most common site for developing these neoplasms is the stomach and small intestine. In contrast, anorectal GISTs are very rare. Population-based studies have shown an increased risk of colorectal cancers (CRC) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). As in sporadic CRC, adenocarcinomas are the most commonly observed tumor. Accordingly, it is expected that rectal mass in CD patients to be an adenocarcinoma. Some reports have presented CD cases with GISTs along the gastrointestinal tract; however, to the best of our knowledge, a rectal GIST has not been reported in CD. Herein, we report a 41-year-old woman with CD who presented with 8 weeks of constipation and was diagnosed with rectal GIST and briefly review existing reports regarding GIST in IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthy livers contain 80% of body resident macrophages known as Kupffer cells. In diseased livers, the number of Kupffer cells usually drops but is compensated by infiltration of monocyte-derived macrophages, some of which can differentiate into Kupffer-like cells. Early studies suggest that Kupffer cells play important roles in both promoting liver injury and liver regeneration. Yet, the distinction between the functionalities of resident and infiltrating macrophages is not always made. By using more specific macrophage markers and targeted cell depletion and single-cell RNA sequencing, recent studies revealed several subsets of monocyte-derived macrophages that play important functions in inducing liver damage and inflammation as well as in liver repair and regeneration. In this review, we discuss the different roles that hepatic macrophages play in promoting necrotic liver lesion resolution and dead cell clearance, as well as the targeting of these cells as potential tools for the development of novel therapies for acute liver failure and acute-on-chronic liver failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, using the Pt/Cr2O3/Pt epitaxial trilayer, we demonstrate the giant voltage modulation of the antiferromagnetic spin reversal and the voltage-induced 180° switching of the Néel vector in maintaining a permanent magnetic field. We obtained a significant modulation efficiency of the switching field, Δμ0HSW/ΔV (Δμ0HSW/ΔE), reaching a maximum of −500 mT/V (−4.80 T nm/V); this value was more than 50 times greater than that of the ferromagnetic-based counterparts. From the temperature dependence of the modulation efficiency, X-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements and first-principles calculations, we showed that the origin of the giant modulation efficiency relied on the electric field modulation of the net magnetization due to the magnetoelectric effect. From the first-principles calculation and the thickness effect on the offset electric field, we found that the interfacial magnetoelectric effect emerged. Our demonstration reveals the energy-efficient and widely applicable operation of an antiferromagnetic spin based on a mechanism distinct from magnetic anisotropy control. We demonstrate the magnetic-field induced reversal of antiferromagnetic spins and the electric field modulation of the switching field. The modulation efficiency is significantly high, greater than 4 T nm/V, and this giant modulation efficiency is attributed to the magnetoelectric effect of the antiferromagnetic Cr2O3. The magnetoelectric (ME) based mechanism provides a scheme for the energy-efficient, nonvolatile, deterministic 180° switching of the magnetic state in the pure antiferromagnetic (AFM) component. This study represents a great advancement in the AFM-based ME random access memory with ultralow writing power, an inherently fast switching speed and superior robustness to the magnetic state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are the most common malignant subepithelial lesions involving the gastrointestinal tract. Surgical techniques have been the mainstay of treatment, however, in recent times hybrid surgeries are being introduced yielding better clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stafne mandibular bone cavity (SMBC) is an asymptomatic radiolucent lesion observed in the mandible on X-ray images, with well-defined borders. This lesion does not require treatment, and size changes are very rare. The purpose of this article is to summarize the radiological and clinical features of SMBC, aiming to prevent misinterpretation of this benign lesion as other pathologies and aid in differential diagnosis within the field of dental practice. Methods: A total of 32 patients who visited our hospital and were radiologically diagnosed with SMBC based on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and panoramic images between 2005 and 2021 were included in this study. Among them, surgical intervention was performed in one case. Gender and age distribution of the patients, radiographic location and size of the lesion, relationship with the mandibular canal in CBCT, presence of cortical bone erosion in the mandibular lingual area in panoramic images, and the amount of residual cortical bone on the affected side in CBCT were investigated. Result: Patients were 26 men (81.3%) and 6 women, with a mean age of 54.3 years. The average horizontal and vertical length was 16.6 mm and 10.6 mm. Out of a total of 32 cases, 29 cases were found in the posterior region of the mandibular body, while 3 cases were in the angle of the mandible. Lesions located below the mandibular canal were observed in 29 cases, while lesions involving the mandibular canal were present in 3 cases. Erosion of the mandibular lingual cortical bone was observed in 11 cases (34.4%), while 21 cases (65.6%) showed no erosion on panoramic images. Among the total of 14 cases (43.8%) where the cortical bone on the affected side was invaded, the average residual cortical bone thickness was 1.1 mm. Conclusion: SMBC is a benign lesion primarily found in the mandibular angle and posterior body of the mandible. In most cases, treatment is not necessary, and differentiation from other lesions can be achieved by understanding its clinical characteristics and features on panoramic radiographs and CBCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stafne's bone defect is a developmental anatomic bone defect in the lingual side of the mandible in the area of the mandibular angle that is filled with proliferation or translocation of adjacent structures such as salivary gland tissue. The etiology is still undefined, and two hypotheses are proposed: one is the glandular related to the submandibular or sublingual glands and the second is ischemic that affects the vascularization of the mandibular lingual. Usually, Stafne's bone defect is accidentally detected on panoramic radiographs during dental treatments as a well-limited radiolucency image with a clear peripheral regular condensation border, located below the mandibular canal. The differential diagnosis includes traumatic bone cyst, odontogenic and nonodontogenic cystic lesions, nonossifying fibroma, focal osteoporotic bone marrow defect, and other lesions. A case of Stafne's bone defect on a 60-year-old male patient extending in the lingual posterior part of the mandibular region was presented. The panoramic radiograph revealed a well-limited radiolucency image with a clear peripheral regular condensation border, located below the mandibular canal. The lesion was discovered in a routine radiographic exam: the cone beam computed tomography gave us more details about the localization, the shape and size, and the relation with the mandibular canal, and the magnetic resonance imaging identifies the nature of the inside soft tissue. The final diagnosis was a Stafne's bone defect resulting of a depression of the lingual cortical plate filled with expansion of the submandibular gland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The exchange coupling between two ferromagnetic thin films, one with magnetically hard and the other with soft phases, separated by a thin non-magnetic layer, is studied. Nd-Fe-B/Ti/Fe thin film heterostructures were fabricated using DC magnetron sputtering on Si substrates, which were heated in situ at 650 °C using a house-built vacuum-compatible heater. The effect of the thickness of the Ti buffer layer and the annealing temperature on the formation of various phases of Nd-Fe-B was investigated. The effect of the thickness of the non-magnetic Ti spacer layer on the exchange coupling strength between the hard phase Nd-Fe-B ferromagnetic thin layer and the soft phase transition metal Fe layer was experimentally investigated. Hysteresis loops of multilayer thin films indicate an antiferromagnetic coupling was observed when the thickness of the spacer layer was 2 nm. This is within the range of an antiferromagnetic coupling calculation based on RKKY theory predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the development of spintronic devices, the control of magnetization by a low electric field is necessary. The microscopic origin of manipulating spins relies on the control of orbital magnetic moments (morb) by strain; this is essential for the high performance magnetoelectric (ME) effect. Herein, electric-field induced X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) is used to determine the changes in morb by piezoelectric strain and clarify the relationship between the strain and morb in an interfacial multiferroics system with a significant ME effect; the system consists of the Heusler alloy Co2FeSi on a ferroelectric Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 substrate. Element-specific investigations of the orbital states by operando XMCD and the local environment via extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis show that the modulation of only the Fe sites in Co2FeSi primarily contributes to the giant ME effect. The density functional theory calculations corroborate this finding, and the growth of the high index (422) plane in Co2FeSi results in a giant ME effect. These findings elucidate the element-specific orbital control using reversible strain, called the 'orbital elastic effect,' and can provide guidelines for material designs with a giant ME effect. Schematic illustrations of the changes in the magnetic anisotropy by an applied electric field (E) in the strain directions are displayed. Under an applied E, the piezoelectric stress in the ferroelectric PMN-PT could be introduced in the tensile and compressive directions using positive and negative bias voltages, respectively, resulting in the changes in the magnetic anisotropy in the Co2FeSi layer. The XMCD spectra of Fe and Co L-edges in Co2FeSi under applying E showed the line shape changes only in the Fe site, which corresponds to the changes of orbital magnetic moment in Fe, while that in Co remains unchanged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of superficial non—ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (SNADETs) is associated with a high rate of en bloc resection and low rate of recurrence. However, in the United States, SNADETs are predominantly managed using endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or surgery because the feasibility and safety of duodenal ESD have not yet been established. In this study, we analyzed the outcomes of duodenal ESD for SNADETs. This single—center retrospective study reviewed the data of patients who underwent ESD for SNADETs between June 2018 and August 2023. Baseline patient characteristics, histopathology of the resected lesions, adverse events, and recurrence rates were evaluated. The primary outcome measures were en bloc resection, complications, and recurrence rate. Thirty ESD procedures were performed on 24 patients. All 30 lesions were adenomas, with no cancerous lesions. The en bloc resection rate and R0 resection rates were both 53%. There were no cases of procedure-associated perforation. Post-ESD bleeding was observed in six cases. No ESD—related mortality was observed. The recurrence rate was 14% in 1 year follow up, and 28% the during all follow-up period. ESD is a safe option for SNADET in the United States; however further comparative studies are necessary to determine the optimal procedure for North American populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition is vital for diagnosing pancreatic and peridigestive tract lesions. A new three-prong asymmetry tip needle has been developed for this procedure. In this study, we retrospectively assessed the diagnostic ability, tissue collection volume, and procedural adverse events of the three-prong asymmetry tip needle for solid pancreatic, subepithelial, and other organ lesions., Methods: We analyzed the data of 58 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition using a three-prong asymmetry tip needle between August 2022 and April 2023 at a single care center., Results: The tissue collection rate was 91.4% with 89.7% accuracy, 89.3% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, and 25% negative predictive value. No significant differences in collection rates or diagnostic performance were observed based on the target organ, puncture route, or lesion size. Using our original assessment method, the average histological core tissue score was 3.1 ± 0.8, whereas the blood contamination volume was 2.5 ± 0.8. Only one of 58 patients (1.7%) developed a pancreatic fistula of moderate severity as an adverse event., Conclusions: The three-prong asymmetry tip needle demonstrated good diagnostic capability and adequate sample volume with safety for pancreatic, subepithelial, and other organ lesions., (© 2024 Japanese Society of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Surgery.)

Aims: To examine the effect of deprescribing psychotropic medications on activities of daily living (ADLs) and swallowing function in patients undergoing convalescent rehabilitation following a stroke., Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, patients who underwent convalescent rehabilitation after a stroke were divided into two groups: deprescribing (number of psychotropic medications decreased during hospitalization) and non-deprescribing (number of psychotropic medications increased or remained unchanged). The primary outcome measure was ADLs assessed using the Functional Independence-Measured Motor Activity (FIM-motor) score at discharge. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the independent association between deprescribing psychotropic medications and rehabilitation outcomes., Results: Of the 586 patients enrolled, 128 with a mean age of 74.1 ± 12.7 years were included in the final analysis after being prescribed psychotropic medications, with 36 of them (28.1%) in the deprescribing group. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that deprescribing psychotropic medications was independently associated with FIM-motor function at discharge., Conclusions: Deprescribing psychotropic medications is positively associated with improvements in ADLs among patients undergoing convalescent rehabilitation after a stroke. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 275-282., (© 2024 Japan Geriatrics Society.)

Purpose: Partial gastrectomy is always the preferred technique for GIST resection. Central gastrectomy is a practical technique that can be employed in many situations during the resection of both subepithelial stromal tumors and gastric tumors., Case Presentation: A 53-year-old Egyptian female patient with a 15 × 19 cm large fungating gastric GIST managed by central gastrectomy. Central gastrectomy and gastro-gastric anastomosis were performed with negative resection margins, and the patient received post-operative imatinib, achieving disease control throughout an 8-month post-operative follow-up., Conclusion: Central gastrectomy is an effective method of partial gastrectomy that can be considered in GIST resection; however, more studies are needed to evaluate the efficiency of central gastrectomy in terms of long-term follow-up and terms of R0 respectability in gastric cancer., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background and Aims: With the continuous development of endoscopic technology, endoscopic resection (ER) has gradually become an optional method for the treatment of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). However, studies with a large sample or a long follow-up are lacking. Therefore, this research aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ER for gastric GISTs in the real-world setting with more than 300 enrolled patients and a follow-up period longer than 45 months., Methods: From January 2013 to February 2023, 409 patients with a pathological diagnosis of GISTs after ER were retrospectively enrolled in this study. After excluding 86 patients with non-gastric GISTs, we assessed 323 patients with gastric GISTs. The main outcome measures were en bloc resection, complete resection, residual disease, recurrence, and complications., Results: There were 194 (60.06%) females and 129 (39.94%) males, and the median age of the included patients was 58 years (51, 63). The median tumor size was 15.0 (10.0, 20.0) mm. According to the modified NIH criteria, 246 (75.85%) patients were classified as very low risk, 62 (19.20%) were classified as low risk, 12 (3.72%) were classified as moderate risk, and 3 (0.93%) were classified as high risk. A total of 287 (88.85%) patients achieved en bloc resection, and 287 (88.85%) also achieved complete resection. Only one patient showed residual and no recurrent lesions were noted during the follow-up. Regarding complications, three patients had complications, with a complication rate of 0.93%, and no severe complications requiring surgical intervention occurred., Conclusion: ER is an appropriate alternative method for the treatment of gastric GISTs, with an en bloc resection rate of 88.85% and a complication rate of 0.93%. No recurrence was noted during follow-up, even for GISTs with piecemeal resection., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Introduction: The critical role of microRNA-128 (miR-128) in gastrointestinal-related diseases has been documented. In the current study, we tried to clarify the specific role miR-128 in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and the underlying mechanism., Methods: Differentially expressed genes in GIST were identified following bioinformatics analysis. Then, expression patterns of miR-128 and B-lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 (BMI-1) in clinical tissue samples and cell lines were characterized, followed by validation of their correlation. GIST-T1 cells were selected and transfected with different mimic, inhibitor, or siRNA plasmids, after which the biological functions were assayed., Results: We identified low miR-128 and high BMI-1 expression in GIST tissues of 78 patients and 4 GIST cell lines. Ectopic expression of miR-128 or silencing of BMI-1 suppressed the malignant potentials of GIST-T1 cells. As a target of miR-128, BMI-1 re-expression could partly counteract the suppressive effect of miR-128 on the malignancy of GIST-T1 cells., Conclusion: Our study provided evidence that miR-128-mediated silencing of BMI-1 could prevent malignant progression of GIST, highlighting a promising anti-tumor target for combating GIST., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Federación de Sociedades Españolas de Oncología (FESEO).)

Electrochemical energy conversion devices are considered key in reducing CO 2 emissions and significant efforts are being applied to accelerate device development. Unlike other technologies, low temperature electrolyzers have the ability to directly convert CO 2 into a range of value-added chemicals. To make them commercially viable, however, device efficiency and durability must be increased. Although their design is similar to more mature water electrolyzers and fuel cells, new cell concepts and components are needed. Due to the complexity of the system, singular component optimization is common. As a result, the component interplay is often overlooked. The influence of Fe-species clearly shows that the cell must be considered holistically during optimization, to avoid future issues due to component interference or cross-contamination. Fe-impurities are ubiquitous, and their influence on single components is well-researched. The activity of non-noble anodes has been increased through the deliberate addition of iron. At the same time, however, Fe-species accelerate cathode and membrane degradation. Here, we interpret literature on single components to gain an understanding of how Fe-species influence low temperature CO 2 electrolyzers holistically. The role of Fe-species serves to highlight the need for considerations regarding component interplay in general., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Background: Ameloblastoma and ameloblastic carcinoma are epithelial odontogenic tumors that can be morphologically similar. In the present study, we evaluated the DNA content and Ki-67 index in the two tumors., Methods: The paraffin blocks of the tumors were selected to obtain sections for the immunohistochemical reactions and preparation of the cell suspension for acquisition in a flow cytometer. The Random Forest package of the R software was used to verify the contribution of each variable to classify lesions into ameloblastoma or ameloblastic carcinoma., Results: Thirty-two ameloblastoma and five ameloblastic carcinoma were included in the study. In our sample, we did not find statistically significant differences in Ki-67 labeling rates. A higher fraction of cells in 2c (G1) was correlated with the diagnosis of ameloblastoma, whereas higher rates of 5c-exceeding rate (5cER) were correlated with ameloblastic carcinoma. The Random Forest model highlighted histopathological findings and parameters of DNA ploidy study as important features for distinguishing ameloblastoma from ameloblastic carcinoma., Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the parameters of the DNA ploidy study can be ancillary tools in the classification of ameloblastoma and ameloblastic carcinoma., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)