Incomplete development and severe malformation of the heart result in miscarriage of embryos because of its malfunction as a pump for circulation. During cardiogenesis, development of the heart is precisely coordinated by the genetically-primed program that is revealed by the sequential expression of transcription factors. It is important to investigate how spatial allocation of the heart containing cardiomyocytes and other mesoderm-derived cells is determined. In addition, the molecular mechanism underlying cardiomyocyte differentiation still remains elusive. The location of ectoderm-, mesoderm-, and endoderm-derived organs is determined by their initial allocation and subsequent mutual cell-cell interactions or paracrine-based regulation. In the present work, we provide an overview of cardiac development controlled by the germ layers and discuss the points that should be uncovered in future for understanding cardiogenesis.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Cilia ; Embryonic Development* ; Embryonic Structures ; Female ; Germ Layers ; Heart ; Humans ; Myocytes, Cardiac* ; Pregnancy ; Transcription Factors ; Zebrafish*

The first examination of the new board of the Japanese cardiovascular surgery took place in 2022. As it is a transitional period for the new system, many doctors are not familiar with the changes and details of the new system, and some have their concerns. Here, we held a round-table discussion with doctors who actually took the new board of the Japanese cardiovascular surgery under the new system, and we summarized their opinion.

Liposarcoma is one of the most common types of soft tissue sarcomas and can develop at any site, although omental liposarcoma is extremely rare. Omental liposarcoma has a poor prognosis because the diagnosis is difficult, until it presents as a large tumor causing severe noticeable clinical symptoms. A 51-year-old male with lower abdominal pain was referred to our clinic. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed an ill-defined, solid, heterogeneous, and hypoechoic tumor deep in the lower abdomen. Generally, liposarcomas are hyperechoic, though 20% of liposarcomas present as hypoechoic tumors. This variation might occur depending on the pathological classification. We should consider the possibility of a dedifferentiated component if ultrasonography reveals typical features of soft tissue sarcoma with hypoechoic lesion.

Prevention, early diagnosis, and early treatment of skeletal-related events (SREs) are important in the treatment of potential or current cases of bone metastasis. In August 2020, our hospital established the bone metastasis team and the bone metastasis board (BMB) started actively engaging in activities aimed at improving the outcome of bone metastasis. We retrospectively examined whether a combined modality therapy started in the diagnosis of bone metastases could prevent the onset of SREs and whether it could prolong survival and improve activities of daily living. The 75 advanced cancer patients who underwent BMB at our hospital from August 1, 2020 to July 31, 2022 were divided into two groups according to when BMB performed before and after SREs for comparative analysis. Numerical Rating Scale improved, however Performance Status did not improve in both groups, and there was no difference in survival between the both groups (15.3 vs. 9.0 months, HR: 0.74, 95%; CI: 0.42–1.29, p=0.29). In conclusion, patients who suffered from SREs from the time of bone metastasis diagnosis were treated early. However, the incidence of SREs after BMB in our hospital was 22.6%, and it is necessary to actively work to prevent SREs in the future.