Search

We investigated the free corrosion potential at an interface between an Al electrode and an aqueous NaCl solution (NaCl(aq)) under acidic conditions via density functional theory combined with the effective screening medium and reference interaction site model (ESM-RISM). Firstly, the electrode potentials for the anodic and cathodic corrosion reactions were obtained from the grand potential profile as a function of the electron chemical potential at the interface. Thereafter, we determined the free corrosion potential using the Tafel extrapolation method. The results of the free corrosion potential were consistent with previous experimental data. By controlling the pH of the NaCl(aq), we determined the pH dependence of the free corrosion potential, and the results reasonably reproduce the previous experimental results. Our results indicated that the ESM-RISM method duly described the environmental effect of an acidic solution and precisely determined the free corrosion potential. Therefore, the application of this method presents an efficient approach toward calculating the free corrosion potential for various reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the usefulness of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and the ValsamouthⓇ by an otolaryngologist in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer to assess the risk.Methods: The study group comprised 41 patients with untreated hypopharyngeal cancer that was precisely diagnosed by an otolaryngologist using upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and the ValsamouthⓇ at our hospital from January 2016 to December 2017. With upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and the ValsamouthⓇ, the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx, and esophagus were observed in this order. Narrow-band imaging, and subsequently, white-light observation were performed. At the hypopharynx, vocalization, and subsequently, the Valsalva maneuver were performed. After observing the esophagus, Lugol chromoendoscopy of the esophagus was performed.Results: The mean age of the 38 men and 3 women included in the study was 69.7 ± 10.0 years (range, 51-94 years). As for the T category of hypopharyngeal cancer, T1 cancer was observed in 9 patients, T2 cancer in 14, T3 cancer in 11, and T4 cancer in 7. With vocalization, the grade of visualization in the hypopharynx was 1 in 30 patients (73.2%), 2 in 11 patients (26.8%), and 3 or more in 0 patients (0.0%). With the Valsalva maneuver, the grade of visualization in the hypopharynx was 1 in 1 patient (2.4%), 2 in 15 patients (36.6%), 3 in 8 patients (19.5%), 4 in 11 patients (26.8%), and 5 in 6 patients (14.6%). The grade of visualization in the hypopharynx on average was 1.27 after vocalization and 3.15 after the Valsalva maneuver (p < 0.001). With vocalization, the percentage of patients in whom the entire image of hypopharyngeal cancer could be observed was 0.0% for grade 1 and 18.2% for grade 2. With the Valsalva maneuver, the percentage of patients in whom the entire image of hypopharyngeal cancer could be observed was 0.0% for grade 1, 40.0% for grade 2, 50.0% for grade 3, 86.1% for grade 4, and 100% for grade 5. Synchronous esophageal cancers were detected in 17.1% (7/41) of the patients. The grade of Lugol-voiding lesions was A in 5.6%, B in 52.8%, and C in 41.7%.Conclusion: The examination with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and the ValsamouthⓇ by an otolaryngologist is feasible in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer. This procedure can detect synchronous esophageal cancer, allowing the risk of metachronous cancer in the head and neck or the esophagus to be recognized after the treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We studied factors related to lymphatic invasion and lymph-node metastasis in patients with superficial pharyngeal cancer who underwent transoral surgery.Methods: The study group comprised 67 patients with superficial pharyngeal cancer (92 lesions) in whom squamous cell carcinoma was histopathologically diagnosed. The primary endpoint was clinicopathological findings according to the presence or absence of lymph-node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, or both. The secondary endpoints were (1) endoscopic findings according to the presence or absence of subepithelial invasion and (2) tumor thickness according to the endoscopic findings.Results: Lymph-node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, or both were related to the white light findings of the main macroscopic type (p = 0.006), the NBI magnifying endoscopy findings of the classification of type B vessels (p = 0.005) and avascular area (AVA) (p = 0.003), and the histopathological findings of subepithelial invasion (p = 0.027), solitary nests (p = 0.013), venous invasion (p = 0.003), and tumor thickness (p = 0.028). The white light findings of white coat (p = 0.027), main macroscopic type (p = 0.005), and protruding type (p = 0.027) and the NBI magnifying endoscopy findings of the classification of type B vessels (p = 0.0002) were significantly related to subepithelial invasion. Tumor thickness was significantly related to the white light findings of white coat (p = 0.0002), main macroscopic type (p < 0.0001), protruding type (p < 0.0001), and mixed type (p = 0.017) and the NBI magnifying endoscopy findings of the classification of type B vessels (p < 0.0001) and AVA (p = 0.005).Conclusion: Detailed assessment by means of NBI magnifying endoscopy at the time of transoral surgery may contribute to the prediction of lymphatic invasion and lymph-node metastasis in patients with superficial pharyngeal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Curative synchronous double primary cancers of the head and neck and the esophagus (CSC-HE) are frequently detected, but a standard treatment remains to be established. We studied the clinical course to explore appropriate treatment strategies.Methods: We retrospectively studied consecutive 33 patients who had CSC-HE. The disease stage was classified into 4 groups: group A, early head and neck cancer (HNC) and early esophageal cancer (EC); group B, early HNC and advanced EC; group C, advanced HNC and early EC; and group D, advanced HNC and advanced EC. As induction chemotherapy, the patients received 3 courses of TPF therapy (docetaxel 75mg/m2 on day 1, cisplatin 75mg/m2 on day 1, and 5-fluorouracil 750mg/m2 on days 1-5) at 3-week intervals. The clinical courses and treatment outcomes were studied according to the disease stage of CSC-HE.Results: The disease stage of CSC-HE was group A in 1 patient (3%), group B in 9 patients (27.3%), group C in 3 patients (9.1%), and group D in 20 patients (60.6%). The median follow-up was 26months, and the 2-year overall survival rate was 67.4%. In groups A, B, and C, the 2-year overall survival rate was 83.3%. In group D, the 2-year overall survival rate was 62.6%. Ten of 20 patients in group D received induction chemotherapy with TPF, and 6 patients were alive and disease free at the time of this writing.Conclusion: The treatment outcomes of patients with CSC-HE were relatively good. TPF induction chemotherapy might be an effective treatment for patients with advanced HNC and advanced EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]