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Background: Research on the impact of examined lymph node (ELN) count on node‐negative esophageal cancer (EC) especially pT1N0M0 EC is inadequate. This study was designed to analyze the prognostic impact of ELN count on pT1N0M0 EC. Methods: Data of resected pT1N0M0 EC patients between 1988 and 2015 were extracted from the United States Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The association between ELN count and overall survival (OS) or esophageal cancer‐specific survival (ECSS) were investigated. Factors that may predict the outcome were identified using the Kaplan‐Meier method and the Cox proportional‐hazards model. Results: A total of 906 patients who underwent resection with at least one lymph node (LN) retrieved met our criteria. The cumulative 5‐year OS was 67.6%, while the cumulative 5‐year ECSS was 75.4%. X‐Tile analysis showed that 12 was the optimal cutoff value for ELN count in terms of both OS (χ2 = 28.764, P < 0.0001) and ECSS (χ2 = 15.668, P = 0.0026). A Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis and log‐rank comparison revealed that ELN > 12 was significantly associated with better OS (HR, 0.532; 95% CI, 0.421–0.672; P < 0.001) and ECSS (HR, 0.561; 95% CI, 0.420–0.749; P < 0.001) rates than ELN ≤12. The OS and ECSS benefit of increasing ELN count were also reflected in the multivariate analysis after adjustment for age, sex, race, marital status, location, T stage, tumor size, pathology, and differentiation. Conclusions: These findings indicated that greater number of ELN count exhibits prognostic significance in pT1N0M0 EC. We recommend more than 12 LNs should be examined in pT1N0M0 EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit snacks have become a popular and convenient snacking choice and have the potential to contribute to a well-balanced diet. However, the nutritional quality of fruit snack products has not yet been studied. The objective of the present study is to provide a nutritional assessment of the fruit snack product category. This study used the Mintel Global New Product Database to collect data about fruit snack products launched in the United States from 2017 to 2022. Fruit snack products ( n = 2405) are divided into nine product categories based on product characteristics. Nutrition composition was assessed using a comprehensive score, Nutrient Rich Food (NRF) model, and by examining individual components (added sugar and fiber). The results show that dried fruit has the highest nutrient density, fiber content, and the lowest added sugar content. Conversely, fruit-flavored snacks have the lowest nutrient density, fiber content, and added sugar content. Currently, fruit puree, canned fruit with juice, and dried fruit are the only fruit snacks that meet the current recommendations set by the USDA Dietary Guidelines. Future directions for the fruit snack category should consider decreasing the added sugar content, increasing the fiber content, and enhancing their sensory profile to improve the overall nutrient density.