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Background/aim: In current literature, there is a notable lack of studies investigating the role of radiation-sensitive protein 51 (RAD-51) in pterygium diagnosis. Nevertheless, reports indicate elevated expression levels of RAD-51 among recurrent pterygium cases compared to those with primary pterygium. However, the genomic involvement of RAD-51 has yet to be explored in any population. This study aimed to assess the contribution of RAD-51 genotypes to pterygium risk in a representative Taiwanese population.

Materials and methods: RAD-51 rs1801320 genotyping was successfully conducted in a Taiwanese cohort comprising 140 pterygium cases and 280 non-pterygium controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technology.

Results: The distribution of RAD-51 rs1801320 genotypes (GG, CG, and CC) in the pterygium group (70.0%, 25.7%, and 4.3%, respectively) did not significantly differ from that in the non-pterygium group (73.6%, 23.6%, and 2.8% for GG, CG, and CC genotypes, respectively; p for trend=0.6337). Carriers of the variant CG and CC RAD-51 rs1801320 genotypes exhibited 1.15- and 1.58-fold increased pterygium risk, respectively (95%CI=0.72-1.84 and 0.53-4.67, p=0.6552 and p=0.5914, respectively). In the dominant model, there appeared to be a slight association between variant genotypes CG and CC and pterygium risk (OR=1.19, 95%CI=0.76-1.87, p=0.0223). Allelic analysis revealed that the RAD-51 rs1801320 variant C allele was not significantly linked to pterygium risk (17.1% versus 14.6%, OR=1.20, 95%CI=0.82-1.78, p=0.3991).

Conclusion: Variant genotypes at RAD-51 rs1801320 were firstly identified to associate with susceptibility to pterygium among Taiwanese individuals. Nonetheless, these findings warrant validation in larger and more diverse populations.

Background/aim: The mortality rate for alimentary tract hemorrhage remains high due to a variety of contributing factors. In this report, we present a case of post-severe trauma patient with life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV)-induced damage to the terminal ileum.

Case report: A 76-year-old female with a history of hypertension and gastrointestinal bleeding developed CMV ileitis post-severe trauma. Despite negative CMV IgM antibodies, PCR testing confirmed CMV infection in the biopsy tissue. Histopathological examination revealed viral inclusion bodies, with immunohistochemistry confirming CMV presence.

Results: Intravenous ganciclovir effectively managed symptoms and halted bleeding. CMV ileitis, typically seen in immunocompromised states, may occur sporadically in immunocompetent individuals, including post-orthopedic surgery patients. The exact mechanism remains unclear, possibly related to surgical stress. Diagnosis relies on histopathology and immunohistochemistry.

Conclusion: Early recognition and treatment are vital for optimal outcomes, emphasizing the need for awareness among orthopedic surgeons regarding CMV as a potential cause of postoperative complications.

Background/aim: Angiotensinogen (AGT), a precursor of angiotensin II (AngII), contributes to regulating (patho)physiological conditions, including blood pressure changes, inflammation, and kidney fibrosis. However, the precise role of tissue-specific AGT in kidney fibrosis independent of blood pressure remains to be fully understood. This study investigated the source of intrarenal AGT and its role in kidney injury and fibrosis during obstructive nephropathy.

Materials and methods: Proximal tubule- (PT, major source secreting AGT in the kidney; PKO) or liver- (major source of circulating AGT; LKO) AGT knockout (KO) mice were subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), a blood pressure-independent fibrosis model.

Results: UUO increased AGT mRNA and protein levels in the kidneys. PKO decreased AGT mRNA, but LKO enhanced it in UUO kidneys compared with the control. In contrast, the intrarenal protein levels of AGT increased in PKO, but not in LKO in UUO kidneys, indicating that the liver is a major source of intrarenal AGT protein. Expression of megalin, a PT receptor involved in the uptake of circulating AGT, was down-regulated in UUO kidneys and was independent of PKO or LKO. However, none of these changes prevented UUO-induced tubular injury and kidney fibrosis.

Conclusion: Hepatic and proximal tubule AGT play distinct roles in contributing to intrarenal AGT levels during UUO, and their genetic inhibitions fail to prevent kidney injury and fibrosis, suggesting a highly complicated signaling pathway of the renin-angiotensin system and an associated compensatory mechanism in obstructive nephropathy.

Background/aim: The most common and often first metastatic site of colorectal cancer (CRC) is the liver, and radiological modalities have a critical role in the diagnosis of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). In this study, the possible relationship between portal vein diameter, number of metastases, and metastasis diameter was evaluated in CRLM patients who underwent computed tomography (CT) examination with intravenous contrast (IV).

Patients and methods: Cases diagnosed with CRLM who underwent abdominal CT examination with IV contrast between December 2020 and January 2024 were retrospectively scanned. People over the age of 18 were included, and cases were divided into three subgroups according to the number of metastases: a (single), b (two), and c (three and/or more).

Results: There were 101 male and 74 female cases; the youngest case was 39 (male) and the oldest case was 87 (male) years old. According to the number of CRLMs, group a had 47 cases, group b had 23, and group c had 105 cases. The minimum diameter of metastasis was 0.74 cm, the maximum was 11.86 cm, and the mean diameter was 4.45±2.67 cm. There was a significant correlation between the presence of metastasis in the left lobe and the diameter of the metastases (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The relationship between portal vein diameter and CRLM using contrast-enhanced CT scans was explored. While no significant correlation was found between portal vein diameters and metastasis size, a notable association was observed between metastasis size and their presence in the left liver lobe. These findings suggest that CRLMs in the left lobe may respond better to preoperative chemotherapy and surgical interventions. This novel insight could help develop targeted treatment strategies for CRLM, though further research with larger cohorts is needed.

Background/aim: This study investigated the correlation between vitamin D levels and serological markers of liver diseases in two groups of patients: the control group (CG) and the study group (SG).

Materials and methods: The study analyzed data on vitamin D levels categorized as insufficient, sufficient, and optimal, along with serological markers, such as alpha2-macroglobulin, haptoglobin, apolipoprotein A1, bilirubin total, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Results: The results indicate significant differences in vitamin D levels between the two groups, particularly in SG, where vitamin D levels varied according to its status and correlated with serological markers. Marker levels, including alpha2-macroglobulin, glucose, and total cholesterol, were notably higher in SG compared to CG, suggesting a potential association with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Further analysis using Pearson correlation revealed a strong, inverse relationship between vitamin D levels and FibroTest, NashTest, alpha2-globulin, and glucose. Additionally, increasing FibroTest and NashTest stages, as well as levels of alpha2-macroglobulin and glucose, were associated with lower vitamin D levels in SG.

Conclusion: These findings under-score the complex interplay between vitamin D and serological markers in NAFLD, highlighting the potential significance of vitamin D levels in disease progression. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this relationship and its clinical implications.

Background/aim: Non-B non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) represent over 30 T/NK lymphoma types. The majority of them are T-cell lymphoblastic lymphomas (TLL) and anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCL). Other rare non-B NHLs represent a diverse group of neoplasms, usually excluded from clinical trials. This study analyzed outcomes in pediatric patients with non-B NHL in a single oncology center with particular emphasis on patients with rare NHLs.

Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from patients <18 years with newly diagnosed non-B NHL treated at the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology in Bydgoszcz between 2002 and 2022. The probability of 5-year overall survival (pOS) and event-free survival (pEFS) were calculated for the entire cohort and patients with TLL and ALCL. The clinical course for patients with rare non-B NHL was described in detail.

Results: Twenty-six children were eligible for analysis. Fourteen patients were diagnosed with ALCL, nine with TLL, and three with rare NHL types (subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma, extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma and hydroa vacciniforme-like lymphoproliferative disease associated lymphoma). For the entire group, the 5-year pOS was 83.7% and the 5-year pEFS was 72.4%. For TLL and ALCL, the outcomes were comparable with those achieved in clinical trials. Patients with rare NHL were treated according to individualized therapy recommendations based on physicians' expertise and available case report descriptions.

Conclusion: There is a lack of knowledge on optimal therapeutic strategies for rare NHLs. It is crucial to create trials dedicated to uncommon NHLs and establish therapy guidelines for these patients.

Background/aim: Esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma (EC) is known to lead to deterioration of respiratory function (RF) due to thoracotomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of transmediastinal esophagectomy (TME) on pulmonary function.

Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 102 patients with EC who underwent transthoracic esophagectomy (TTE) or TME and underwent RF tests within three months postoperatively at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine between 2014 and 2022. Perioperative pulmonary functions were evaluated based on vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0).

Results: Among 102 patients undergoing esophagectomy, 12 (11.8%) patients were included in the TTE group, and the remaining 90 (88.2%) patients were included in the TME group. Neoadjuvant treatments were significantly more common in the TTE group (p=0.011), with more advanced tumor stages (p=0.017). The TME group had significantly lower estimated blood loss (p=0.015). RF after esophagectomy showed a decrease in VC, and VC of predicted (%VC). The decrease rate in VC, %VC, and FEV1.0 was significantly greater in the TTE group than in the TME group.

Conclusion: TME is a surgical procedure with a less severe postoperative decline in RF than TTE.

Background/aim: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by dysregulated immune responses and a multifactorial etiology. While imatinib has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of immune-related diseases, its potential effects in IBD treatment remain underexplored.

Materials and methods: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of imatinib in colitis treatment. A dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model was used to mimic IBD in mice. Imatinib was administered orally to mice simultaneously with DSS treatment. The effects of imatinib on DSS-induced colitis were evaluated by analyzing colitis-related pathology, including the disease activity index (DAI), histological lesions, inflammatory markers, and tight junction integrity. Additionally, western blot analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to assess inflammatory markers, tight-junction proteins, and cell death.

Results: In the DSS-induced colitis model, imatinib treatment exerted protective effects by attenuating weight loss, restoring colon length, reducing spleen weight, and improving the DAI score and histological lesions. Additionally, imatinib reduced the level of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Furthermore, imatinib treatment restored tight-junction integrity and decreased the expression of apoptosis marker proteins.

Conclusion: Overall, imatinib treatment significantly alleviated the symptoms of DSS-induced colitis by influencing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, tight junction proteins, and apoptotic markers in mice. These findings highlight imatinib as a potential therapeutic candidate for IBD.

Background/aim: We and others have previously shown that cell fusion plays an important role in cancer metastasis. Color coding of cancer and stromal cells with spectrally-distinct fluorescent proteins is a powerful tool, as pioneered by our laboratory to detect cell fusion. We have previously reported color-coded cell fusion between cancer cells and stromal cells in metastatic sites by using color-coded EL4 murine lymphoma cells and host mice expressing spectrally-distinct fluorescent proteins. Cell fusion occurred between cancer cells or, between cancer cells and normal cells, such as macrophages, fibroblasts, and mesenchymal stem cells. In the present study, the aim was to morphologically classify the fusion-hybrid cells observed in the primary tumor and multiple metastases EL4 formed from cells expressing red fluorescent protein (RFP) in transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP), in a syngeneic model.

Materials and methods: RFP-expressing EL4 murine lymphoma cells were cultured in vitro. EL4-RFP cells were harvested and injected intraperitoneally into immunocompetent transgenic C57/BL6-GFP mice to establish a syngeneic model. Two weeks later, mice were sacrificed and each organ was harvested, cultured, and observed using confocal microscopy.

Results: EL4 intraperitoneal tumors (primary) and metastases in the lung, liver, blood, and bone marrow were formed. All tumors were harvested and cultured. In all specimens, RFP-EL4 cells, GFP-stromal cells, and fused yellow-fluorescent hybrid cells were observed. The fused hybrid cells showed various morphologies. Immune cell-like round-shaped yellow-fluorescent fused cells had a tendency to decrease with time in liver metastases and circulating blood. In contrast fibroblast-like spindle-shaped yellow-fluorescent fused cells increased in the intraperitoneal primary tumor, lung metastases, and bone marrow.

Conclusion: Cell fusion between EL4-RFP cells and GFP stromal cells occurred in primary tumors and all metastatic sites. The morphology of the fused hybrid cells varied in the primary and metastatic sites. The present results suggest that fused cancer and stromal hybrid cells of varying morphology may play an important role in cancer progression.

Background: Odontomas are among the most common odontogenic tumors and are generally considered as hamartomatous odontogenic lesions. These tumors can be histopathologically divided into complex odontomas and compound odontomas based on their composition. Odontomas show a slow growing behavior and typically lack characteristic symptoms. The standard surgical treatment for large odontogenic tumors is a mandibular (continuity) resection followed by primary or secondary plastic reconstruction.

Case report: A 22-year-old male presented to the Department of maxillofacial surgery with an increasing feeling of pressure in the left mandible. An orthopantomogram revealed a large complex odontoma rg 038. Instead of mandible continuity resection an alternative minimally invasive technique/approach (intraoral) with a trapezoidal bone flap for the enucleation of an odontoma of the mandibular angle with subsequent flap reimplantation and osteosynthesis was performed.

Conclusion: Surgical enucleation of large mandibular odontoma with a continuity resection through an extraoral approach represents the surgical standard treatment of this entity. The present case report describes an alternative minimally invasive technique/approach. This technique may reduce surgical risks of the continuity resection through an extraoral approach (nerve damage, scarring) and can improve the long-term stability of the mandible by bone preservation.