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Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify the risk of loss of independence (LOI) following gastrectomy in elderly patients with gastric cancer (GC). Methods: In this prospective study, frailty was assessed preoperatively by a frailty index (FI) in 243 patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent gastrectomy for GC between August 2016 and December 2020. Patients were assigned into two groups (high FI vs. low FI) to investigate frailty and the risk of LOI after gastrectomy for GC. Results: Overall and minor (Clavien–Dindo classification [CD] 1, 2) complication rates were significantly higher in the high FI group, but the two groups had similar rates of major (CD ≥ 3) complications. The frequency of pneumonia was significantly higher in the high FI group. In univariate and multivariate analyses for LOI after surgery, high FI, older age (≥ 75 years), and major (CD ≥ 3) complications were independent risk factors. A risk score assigning 1 point for each of these variables was useful in predicting postoperative LOI (LOI: score 0, 7.4%; score 1, 18.2%; score 2, 43.9%; score 3, 100%; area under the curve [AUC] = 0.765.) Conclusions: LOI after gastrectomy was independently associated with high FI, older age (≥ 75 years), and major (CD ≥ 3) complications. A simple risk score assigning points for these factors was an accurate predictor of postoperative LOI. We propose that frailty screening should be applied for all elderly GC patients before surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomic switches are nanoionic devices that control the diffusion of metal cations and their reduction/oxidation processes in the switching operation to form/annihilate a metal atomic bridge, which is a conductive path between two electrodes in the on-state. In contrast to conventional semiconductor devices, atomic switches can provide a highly conductive channel even if their size is of nanometer order. In addition to their small size and low on-resistance, their nonvolatility has enabled the development of new types of programmable devices, which may achieve all the required functions on a single chip. Three-terminal atomic switches have also been developed, in which the formation and annihilation of a metal atomic bridge between a source electrode and a drain electrode are controlled by a third (gate) electrode. Three-terminal atomic switches are expected to enhance the development of new types of logic circuits, such as nonvolatile logic. The recent development of atomic switches that use a metal oxide as the ionic conductive material has enabled the integration of atomic switches with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices, which will facilitate the commercialization of atomic switches. The novel characteristics of atomic switches, such as their learning and photosensing abilities, are also introduced in the latter part of this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the structural properties of copper sulfide films as a function of the sulfurization time of 70-nm-thick Cu films. Copper sulfide films with various phases such as mixed metallic Cu-chalcocite, chalcocite, roxbyite, and covellite phases were formed with increasing sulfurization time. To evaluate the structural stability of various films, all the films were exposed to the ambient atmosphere for the same amount of time. Although the phase structure and stoichiometry of the films were maintained at a greater depth, the near-surface region of the films was oxidized and covered with overlayers of oxide, hydroxide, and/or sulfate species due to the exposure and reaction with the ambient atmosphere. The oxygen uptake and its reactivity with the copper sulfide film surfaces were enhanced with increasing sulfur content of the films. In addition, the type of divalent state of copper formed on the film surfaces depended on the phase structure, composition, and stoichiometry of the films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The development of nanometer-scale devices operating under a new principle that could overcome the limitations of current semiconductor devices has attracted interest in recent years. We propose that nanoionic devices that operate by controlling the local transport of ions are promising in this regard. It is possible to control the local transport of ions using the solid electrochemical properties of ionic and electronic mixed conductors. As an example of this concept, here, we report a method of controlling the transport of silver ions of the mixed-conductor silver sulfide (Ag2S) crystal and basic research on nanoionic devices based on this mixed conductor. These devices show unique functions such as atom deposition, resistance switching, and quantum point contact switching. The switches operate through the formation and dissolution of an atomic bridge between the electrodes, and the behavior is realized by control of the local solid-state electrochemical reaction. Potential nanoionic devices utilizing the unique functions and characters that do not exist in conventional semiconductor devices are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article focuses on Yukiko Koshiro's negative review of the author's book "Racing the Enemy: Stalin, Truman, and the Surrender of Japan." The book examines the decision-making process of ending the Pacific War from an international perspective and the involvement of the three primary actors, the U.S., Russia and Japan. Here, Koshiro argues that Japan's policy toward Russia was based on rational strategic thinking in an attempt to reconstruct postwar Asian international relations by welcoming Russia presence in Asia as a counterweight to the U.S.

The editor of the book "The End of the Pacific War: Reappraisals" responds to a book review by James J. Orr which appeared in "The Journal of Japanese Studies," volume 34, no. 2 (2008).

Objective: Many phase II trials have shown that preoperative chemotherapy for lung cancer is feasible but associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about the effect of preoperative chemotherapy on surgical stress and postoperative complications associated with surgical intervention. We evaluated the effect of preoperative chemotherapy on perioperative inflammatory cytokine production as a surgical stress marker. Methods: The study group comprised 38 patients undergoing anatomical lung resection and mediastinal nodal dissection for clinical stage IB/II non-small cell lung cancer during the period October 2001–December 2003. Nineteen patients received a single cycle of cisplatin (80mg/m2) and docetaxel (60mg/m2) chemotherapy prior to surgery (neoadjuvant group), and 19 patients underwent surgery without any previous chemotherapy (control group). White blood cell and neutrophil counts and serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) were determined before surgery and on postoperative days 1 and 3. Postoperative complications were reviewed. Differences were assessed by repeated analysis of variance. Results: Serum concentrations of IL-6 and GCSF rose significantly on postoperative days 1 and 3 in the neoadjuvant group in comparison to concentrations in the control group, but white blood cell count, neutrophil count, and CRP did not differ between the groups. No major complication occurred in either group. Conclusions: A single cycle of cisplatin and docetaxel chemotherapy followed by surgery can exacerbate overproduction of inflammatory cytokines during the perioperative period in lung cancer patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: It was reported that the chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) from cancer cells stimulated the recruitment of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells (BM-MCs) into tumor stroma via chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 2 (CXCR2) signaling. We conducted this retrospective study to determine the clinicopathologic significance of the CXCL1-CXCR2 axis in human gastric cancer. Methods: The correlations between the clinicopathological features of 270 primary gastric carcinomas and CXCL1 in cancer cells and CXCR2 in stromal cells were analyzed in immunohistochemical studies. The effect of gastric cancer cells on the expression of CXCR2 in BM-MCs was examined using diffuse-type gastric cancer cell lines in vitro. Results: The expression of CXCL1 in cancer cells was correlated with T invasion (T2–T4), lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, peritoneal cytology, peritoneal metastasis and CXCR2 expression in stromal cells. The expression of CXCR2 in stromal cells was correlated with macroscopic type-4 cancers, histological type, T invasion (T2–T4), lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, infiltration, peritoneal cytology, peritoneal metastasis and CD271 expression in stromal cells. The overall survival of patients with CXCL1 and CXCR2-positive cancer was poorer than that of the patients with negative cancer. Both CXCL1 expression in cancer cells and CXCR2 expression in stromal cells were independent prognostic factors for gastric cancer patients. Conclusion: The expressions of CXCL1 in cancer cells and CXCR2 in stromal cells are useful prognostic factors for gastric cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by its hypovascularity, with an extremely poor prognosis because of its highly invasive nature. PDAC proliferates with abundant stromal cells, suggesting that its invasive activity might be controlled by intercellular interactions between cancer cells and fibroblasts. Using four PDAC cell lines and two pancreas cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) and IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) was evaluated by RT-PCR, FACScan, western blot, or ELISA. Correlation between IGF1R and the hypoxia marker carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9) was examined by immunohistochemical staining of 120 pancreatic specimens. The effects of CAFs, IGF1, and IGF1R inhibitors on the motility of cancer cells were examined by wound-healing assay or invasion assay under normoxia (20% O2) and hypoxia (1% O2). IGF1R expression was significantly higher in RWP-1, MiaPaCa-2, and OCUP-AT cells than in Panc-1 cells. Hypoxia increased the expression level of IGF1R in RWP-1, MiaPaCa-2, and OCUP-AT cells. CA9 expression was correlated with IGF1R expression in pancreatic specimens. CAFs produced IGF1 under hypoxia, but PDAC cells did not. A conditioned medium from CAFs, which expressed αSMA, stimulated the migration and invasion ability of MiaPaCa-2, RWP-1, and OCUP-AT cells. The motility of all PDAC cells was greater under hypoxia than under normoxia. The motility-stimulating ability of CAFs was decreased by IGF1R inhibitors. These findings might suggest that pancreas CAFs stimulate the invasion activity of PDAC cells through paracrine IGF1/IGF1R signaling, especially under hypoxia. Therefore the targeting of IGF1R signaling might represent a promising therapeutic approach in IGF1R-dependent PDAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anaplastic pancreatic cancer (APC) cell lines have been scarcely established.Methods: The morphology, gene expressions, karyotyping and epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers of newly established APC cell lines OCUP-A1 and OCUP-A2 were analyzed. Their abilities of proliferation under normoxia and hypoxia, migration and invasion were compared to 4 commercially available pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) cell lines. Their induction of angiogenesis, stem-like cell population and subcutaneous tumor growth in nude mice were estimated, comparing 2 PDA cell lines examined here.Results: OCUP-A1 and OCUP-A2 cells continuously grew with spindle and polygonal shapes, respectively. Gene analysis revealed 9 gene mutations including KRAS and TP53. Karyotyping clarified numerical structural abnormalities in both cells. Loss of E-cadherin and expression of vimentin in both cell lines were observed. The doubling time of both cell lines was approximately 20 h. Proliferation, migration and invasion abilities were not notable compared to other PDA cell lines. However stem-like cell population of both cell lines was superior to a part of PDA cell lines. Moreover OCUP-A1 showed stronger hypoxia tolerance and induction of angiogenesis than other PDA cell lines. The tumorigenicity in vivo of OCUP-A2 was stronger than conventional PDA cell lines.Conclusions: The OCUP-A1 and OCUP-A2 cell lines of rare malignancies might be useful for investigating the biology of pancreatic cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is considered to be correlated with malignancy of cancer cells and responsible for cancer invasion and metastasis. We previously reported that distant metastasis was associated with hypoxia in gastric cancer. We therefore investigated the effect of hypoxic condition on EMT of gastric cancer cells. Gastric cancer cells were cultured in normoxia (21% O2) or hypoxia (1% O2) for 24 h. EMT was evaluated as the percentage of spindle-shaped cells in total cells. Effect of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) or tyrosine kinase inhibitors on the EMT was evaluated. The expression level of TGFβ1 and TGFβR was evaluated by real time RT-PCR. The TGFβ1 production from cancer cells was measured by ELISA. Hypoxia stimulated EMT of OCUM-2MD3 and OCUM-12 cells, but not that of OCUM-2M cells. The expression level of TGFβ1 mRNA under hypoxia was significantly higher than that under normoxia in all of three cell lines. The expression level of TGFβR mRNA was significantly increased by hypoxia in OCUM-2MD3 cells, but not in OCUM-2M cells. TGFβR inhibitor, SB431542 or Ki26894, significantly suppressed EMT of OCUM-2MD3 and OCUM-12. TGFβ1 production from OCUM-2MD3 and OCUM-12 cells was significantly increased under hypoxia in comparison with that under normoxia. These findings might suggest that hypoxia stimulates the EMT of gastric cancer cells via autocrine TGFβ/TGFβR signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have employed terahertz time domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) to investigate the chloride ion (Cl−) concentration in concrete structures. Cement paste and mortar samples with different Cl− concentrations were prepared and their absorption coefficients were measured in the sub-terahertz frequency range. In both cases, the absorption coefficient increases with the increase in Cl− concentration and a good linear relationship between them is observed. Our results demonstrate that the THz-TDS could be a valuable tool to monitor and inspect the Cl− concentration in concrete structures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A novel solid-electrolyte nonvolatile switch that we previously developed for programmable large-scale-integration circuits turns on or off when a conducting Cu budge is formed or dissolved in the solid electrolyte. Cu+ ion migration and an electrochemical reaction are involved in the switching process. For logic applications, we need to adjust its turn-on voltage (VON), which was too small to maintain the conductance state during logic operations. In this paper, we clarified that VON is mainly affected by the rate of Cu+ ion migration in the solid electrolyte. Considering the relationship between the migration rate and VON, we replaced the former electrolyte, Cu2-αS, with Ta2O5, which enabled us to appropriately adjust VON with a smaller Cu+ ion diffusion coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Massive hemoptysis is a life-threatening condition. Surgery is effective but we are sometimes reluctant to operate on patients with this condition. We reviewed our experience with patients who underwent emergency surgery for massive hemoptysis to verify the indications for non-emergency surgical intervention. Methods: We reviewed chest computed tomography (CT) and angiographic and pathological findings and the postoperative course of 25 patients who underwent emergency pulmonary resection in our department between 1979 and 2001 due to life-threatening hemoptysis. Results: CT revealed a persistent cavity within the radiological opacity before massive hemoptysis in 12 patients (48%). Of the 21 patients who underwent angiography, nine showed focal bleeding in one bronchial branch and the others showed bleeding in multiple branches. Of these nine patients, seven did not undergo embolotherapy mainly due to minor vascularity. In the remaining patients, embolotherapy was not indicated in six due to multiple bleeding feeders and recurrence after embolotherapy was seen in six. Pathological findings showed that eight of the 12 patients with multiple systemic shunts had a fungal infection. Operative morbidity and hospital mortality were 32 and 4%, respectively. There was no recurrence in patients who underwent surgical treatment. Conclusions: Early pulmonary resection is indicated in patients with hemoptysis of multiple branches from the cavity and chest wall, such as in fungal infections. When a bronchial branch is the only bleeding focus, superselective embolotherapy should be considered prior to surgery even if the localized focus of the bronchial branch shows minor vascularity on the angiography. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The efficacy of the addition of inhaled oxitropium bromide in combination with inhaled corticosteroids in the treatment of elderly asthmatic patients whose asthma is not well controlled was evaluated. A randomized, open-label cross-over trial comparing 4-week treatment periods with and without regular inhalation of 200 μg of oxitropium bromide four times per day was performed. Twenty-four patients (mean age ± SD: 62 ± 7 years) completed the study. The dose of beclomethasone dipropionate in this patient group was 1300 ± 800 μg/day. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was significantly improved after treatment with regular inhalation of oxitropium bromide when compared with FEV1 after treatment without oxitropium (1.73 ± 0.60 vs 1.63 ± 0.68). Both morning and evening peak expiratory flow rates were significantly greater during the treatment period with regular inhalation of oxitropium bromide. The score for dyspnea/chest tightness was also significantly improved during the oxitropium bromide period. There was no statistically significant improvement in forced vital capacity, scores for other symptoms or the frequency of rescue inhalation of fenoterol. The results of this study demonstrated that the addition of regular inhalation of oxitropium bromide is beneficial in elderly asthmatics whose asthma is not well controlled, even when treated with high-dose inhaled steroids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a case of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm arising within the heterotopic pancreatic tissue which was found incidentally in the jejunum during surgery for bowel obstruction. A 54-year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital due to sudden abdominal pain. In preoperative findings, we diagnosed bowel obstruction and performed surgery. Intra-operative findings showed adhesive intestinal obstruction, we performed synechiotomy for adhesion release. During surgery, when searching the small intestine, we coincidentally found a tumor in the jejunum and partial resected the jejunum. Pathological examination revealed a 1.2 cm × 1.0 cm × 1.0 cm white yellow nodule with cystic spaces. Histological examination demonstrated heterotopic pancreatic tissue consisting of well-formed lobules of pancreatic acini and cystically dilated ducts containing intraductal papillary neoplasm. Moreover, in immunohistochemical staining, MUC5AC was diffusely expressed, but not MUC1, MUC2 and MUC6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]