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Introduction: Assistant surgeons usually clean the surgical field with a suction cannula in robotic‐assisted surgery. This manipulation requires skill and experience to avoid interfering with the operation of the console surgeon. Recently, we created a new suction device that a console surgeon can manipulate with the robotic arms. Materials and Surgical Technique: A small metal suction tip with as a lumen and small side pores for suction and can be connected to a silicone tube connected to wall suction. The tip of the silicone tube can be grasped with robotic forceps and used for organ retraction as well as suction. The suction device has been used in eight lung lobectomy cases and four lung segmentectomy cases to date. There were no major difficulties related to the new suction device except for metal tip disconnection and blood clots clogging. Discussion: Our newly developed surgeon‐controlled suction device is inexpensive, easy to handle, and useful for suction, blunt dissection, and organ retraction in robotic‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery, especially when performing lymph node dissection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly sensitive and highly multiplexed quantification technique for nucleic acids is necessary to predict and evaluate cancer treatment by liquid biopsy. Digital PCR (dPCR) is a highly sensitive quantification technique, but conventional dPCR discriminates multiple targets by the color of the fluorescent dye of the probe, which limits multiplexing beyond the number of colors of fluorescent dyes. We previously developed a highly multiplexed dPCR technique combined with melting curve analysis. Herein, we improved the detection efficiency and accuracy of multiplexed dPCR with melting curve analysis to detect KRAS mutations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) prepared from clinical samples. The mutation detection efficiency was increased from 25.9% of the input DNA to 45.2% by shortening the amplicon size. The limit of detection of mutation was improved from 0.41 to 0.06% by changing the mutation type determination algorithm for G12A, resulting in a limit of detection of less than 0.2% for all the target mutations. Then, ctDNA in plasma from pancreatic cancer patients was measured and genotyped. The measured mutation frequencies correlated well with those measured by conventional dPCR, which can measure only the total frequency of KRAS mutants. KRAS mutations were detected in 82.3% of patients with liver or lung metastasis, which was consistent with other reports. Accordingly, this study demonstrated the clinical utility of multiplex dPCR with melting curve analysis to detect and genotype ctDNA from plasma with sufficient sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chest wall resection is traditionally performed via open thoracotomy, a procedure that increases surgical morbidity and reduces postoperative quality of life. Conversely, thoracoscopic chest wall resection may minimize invasiveness but the optimal procedure remains uncertain. We previously reported rib resection using a pneumatic high‐speed power drill during video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery for selected lung cancer patients. In this report, we present two cases of chest wall tumor resected using the drill via the thoracoscopic approach. We also report thoracoscopic chest wall reconstruction in one patient using a patch sheet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for wearable sensors has grown rapidly in recent years, with increasing attention being given to epidermal chemical sensing. Here, we present the first example of a fully integrated eyeglasses wireless multiplexed chemical sensing platform capable of real-time monitoring of sweat electrolytes and metabolites. The new concept has been realized by integrating an amperometric lactate biosensor and a potentiometric potassium ion-selective electrode into the two nose-bridge pads of the glasses and interfacing them with a wireless electronic backbone placed on the glasses' arms. Simultaneous real-time monitoring of sweat lactate and potassium levels with no apparent cross-talk is demonstrated along with wireless signal transduction. The electrochemical sensors were screen-printed on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) stickers and placed on each side of the glasses' nose pads in order to monitor sweat metabolites and electrolytes. The electronic backbone on the arms of the glasses' frame offers control of the amperometric and potentiometric transducers and enables Bluetooth wireless data transmission to the host device. The new eyeglasses system offers an interchangeable-sensor feature in connection with a variety of different nose-bridge amperometric and potentiometric sensor stickers. For example, the lactate bridge-pad sensor was replaced with a glucose one to offer convenient monitoring of sweat glucose. Such a fully integrated wireless “Lab-on-a-Glass” multiplexed biosensor platform can be readily expanded for the simultaneous monitoring of additional sweat electrolytes and metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rib resection for chest wall tumors, including lung cancer with chest wall invasion, is usually performed through open thoracotomy. Resection of part of the external rib cage requires an elongated or additional incision depending on the location and extension of the tumor, eventually becoming more invasive to patients. We recently introduced a technique of rib resection using a pneumatic high-speed power drill system known as 'air tome'. This novel technique is easy to perform through a small incision or even via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in selected patients. We present our clinical experience and discuss the usefulness of this technique for rib resection in patients with lung cancer and chest wall invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We analyzed the thermal stability of the recombinant murine prion protein mPrP(23–231) with a single tryptophan mutation (F174W) and its perturbation by cold temperature. Compared to the N-terminally truncated ones, full-length construct is significantly unstable and forms intermediate state of urea denaturation, and also undergoes the cold destabilization under the ambient pressure. In order to detect the very early phase of the folding, we also applied a laser-induced temperature jump kinetic measurement and observed a kinetic phase of several microseconds, suggesting the barrierless folding process. The conformational instability and low barriers between different conformers may explain the unusual flexibility leading to the pathogenic conversion and the strain diversity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Postoperative recurrence is a major obstacle to achieving a cure and long-term survival in patients with non-small lung cancer. However, prognostic factors and the efficacy of therapy after recurrence remain controversial. We evaluated the clinical outcomes of patients with resected lung cancer for postrecurrence prognostic factors. Methods: Patients who underwent complete resection with systematic lymph node dissection for stage I non-small cell lung cancer were selected. Cases of low-grade malignancy, preoperative therapy, history of previous malignancy or death within 30 days of operation were excluded. A total of 397 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Out of 87 patients who had recurrence after surgery, 45 had symptoms at the initial recurrence. The initial recurrent site was local in 30 patients and distant in 57. Single-site recurrence was detected in 48 patients and multiple-site recurrence was seen in 39. The recurrent site was the ipsilateral thorax in 49 patients, the contralateral thorax in 32, the cervico-mediastinum in 15, brain in 12 and bone in 11. Surgery was performed in 20 patients, whereas non-surgical therapy was performed in 55 (chemotherapy, 16; radiation therapy, 33; chemo-radiation therapy, 6). Prognostic analysis of factors related to recurrent status demonstrated that symptoms at the initial recurrence, cervico-mediastinal metastasis, liver metastasis and postrecurrence therapy were significant prognostic factors in both univariate and multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Symptoms at the initial recurrence, cervico-mediastinal metastasis and liver metastasis were worse prognostic factors after recurrence. Postrecurrence therapy for the initial recurrence may prolong survival after recurrence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses the development of a "Built-in" scanning near-field microscope (SNOM) head for an atomic force microscope system and stress mapping of an eutectic composite. The researchers of the study have constructed a scanning near-field optical microscope on a commercially available atomic force microscopy apparatus to measure the stress distribution in ceramic composite materials. The SNOM system was used to measure the surface structure and stress distribution of an eutectic composite.

Objectives: To assess and review catheter removal on the first day after transurethral prostatectomy. Subjects and Methods: The study included 431 consecutive patients who underwent transurethral prostatectomy between 2000 and 2003 at a Scarborough General Hospital, Toronto, Canada. The equipment used was a standard resectoscope with a regular loop. No roller ball or other gadget was used. The cutting and coagulation electrical variables were standard at 160 and 60 W for the generator used. The decision to remove the catheters was based on normal vital signs, adequate urine output, absence of clots and acceptable color of the catheter effluent. Results: Catheters were removed in 415 (96.3%) patients on postoperative day 1. Of the 415 patients 332 (80.0%) were discharged on the same day. The criteria for catheter removal on postoperative day 1 were not met in 16 (3.7%) patients and the mean indwelling catheter time was 4.8 ± 2.4 days and the mean length of hospital stay after surgery was 6.2 ± 3.3 days. For the entire group, the mean indwelling catheter time was 1.1 ± 0.8 days and the mean length of hospital stay after surgery was 1.6 ± 1.5 days. Risk factors which predicted delayed removal were age, postoperative bleeding and several comorbidities, that is coronary heart disease, renal insufficiency and Alzheimer’s disease. Conclusions: Removal of the catheter on the first postoperative day after transurethral prostatectomy seems to be feasible, safe and cost-effective without increasing significant morbidity in selected patients. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Photoluminescence and Raman spectra with high spatial resolution (<1 μm) were observed on a natural polycrystalline diamond, carbonado. The studied sample is from Central African Republic (CAR) and was polished to optical grade. In addition to observation by optical microscopy, Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy (SNOM) was applied for spectral and topographic analysis at high spatial resolution less than 300 nm. Mapping of the photoluminescence intensity of carbonado using SNOM indicated that the emission intensity was lower at the grain boundaries and the fringe of pores of carbonado revealed weakest intensity. Photoluminescence spectra of carbonado observed using optical microscopy and SNOM comprised three sharp bands at 504, 575 and 638 nm with their side bands and the color of photoluminescence changed according to its location. Raman spectra measured using optical microscopy revealed that the residual stress locally exists underneath the sample surface and the maximum stress value observed in this study was 0.72 GPa. Additionally, pressure dependence of the 575 nm band was measured using a diamond anvil cell up to 3.5 GPa. The 575 nm band shifted linearly to a lower wavelength with increasing pressure with a gradient of −0.57 GPa/nm. This relationship was applied to estimations of the stress distribution of carbonados using SNOM. No significant changes in peak positions of photoluminescence spectra were detected on the surface of carbonados. This result suggests that carbonado is well sintered and that the residual stress of carbonado exists locally inside the crystal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Pulmonary metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer is classified as an advanced disease stage, with limited indications for surgical treatment. However, the prognosis of patients with pulmonary metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer is better than that of patients with distant metastases. The purpose of the present study was to analyze and detect possible prognostic factors in surgically treated patients with ipsilateral pulmonary metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: Among 1198 patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent surgery at Kurashiki Central Hospital (Okayama, Japan) from April 1982 to March 2004, a total of 48 (4.0%) patients with pathologically diagnosed ipsilateral pulmonary metastasis were retrospectively evaluated. The median follow-up time was 20.5 months (range 1–103 months) and 37 patients (77.1%) were completely followed up until their death or more than 5 years after the operation. Results: Among the 48 patients, 31 (64.6%) patients had metastatic nodules in the same lobe as the primary tumor (PM1) and 17 (35.4%) patients had metastatic nodules in different ipsilateral lobes (PM2). There was no significant difference in survival between patients with PM1 and the other patients with pT4-stage IIIB, or between patients with ipsilateral PM2 and the other patients with stage IV. Univariate analysis of postoperative survival stratified according to clinicopathologic factors revealed significant differences for the radicality of resection (complete vs. incomplete), tumor size (0–30 vs. >30mm) and pathological nodal (pN) factor (among pN0, pN1 and pN2–3). Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor size (0–30 vs. >30mm) and pN factor (pN0–1 vs. pN2–3) were independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that undergoing a complete resection, having a tumor size of 30mm or less and having no mediastinal lymph node metastases were better prognostic factors for surgically treated patients with ipsilateral pulmonary metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Many experimental studies have revealed that enhanced thymidylate synthase (TS) expression is significantly correlated with higher proliferative activity of tumor cells, which may account for a poor prognosis of high-TS patients. However, only a few clinical studies have focused on the correlation between TS status and cell proliferation. Therefore, we assessed the correlation between TS expression and proliferative index (PI) as a marker of cell proliferation or p53 status in a total of 109 patients with completely resected pathologic stage I, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PI was defined as the percentage of tumor cells with positive staining against proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The mean PIs of TS-high and TS-low tumors were 48.2% and 34.4% respectively, showing a significantly higher proliferative activity of TS-high tumor (P=0.020); when stratified according to histological type, the difference was significant in adenocarcinoma (P=0.038), but not in squamous cell carcinoma. There was no significant correlation between TS expression and p53 status. In conclusion, tumor cells with higher TS expression have higher proliferative activity in NSCLC, especially in adenocarcinoma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We investigated thymidylate synthase (TS) expression in tumor tissues and examined the relationship between TS expression and post-operative survival in patients with p-stage I adenocarcinoma of the lung. A total of 104 patients, who underwent complete resection for p-stage I adenocarcinoma of the lung, were retrospectively reviewed. TS expression in tumor tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining using rhTS polyclonal antibody. The intensity of immunohistochemical staining was classified into four categories using a visual grading system from 0 to 3. The percentage of each grade of TS staining was 9.6% for Grade 0, 18.3% for Grade 1, 35.6% for Grade 2 and 36.5% for Grade 3. Five-year survival rates of patients with Grade 0 to Grade 3 were 90.0, 83.9, 70.3 and 73.7%, respectively with no significant difference among all groups (P=0.236). When divided into two groups, according to the intensity of the grade, 5-year survival rates of TS low expression group (Grade 0 and Grade 1) and TS high expression group (Grade 2 and Grade 3) were 86.1 and 72.0%, respectively, with a significant difference (P=0.048). In conclusion, high level of TS expression was associated with poor prognosis. Immunohistochemical evaluation of TS expression may be useful to predict survival after complete resection in p-stage I adenocarcinoma of the lung. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To report a case of an autopsy that disclosed an untreated sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with a 9-year natural history. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: An 86-year-old woman presented with acute cystitis. Ultrasonography revealed an incidental left renal mass measuring 2 × 3 cm. After 8.9 years, multiple liver metastases were detected on ultrasound. After 9.0 years, the tumor had increased by 3.5 cm from the initial size, and multiple lung metastases were also detected. After 9.1 years, the patient developed multiple metastases and died from progressive disease at the age of 95. On autopsy, metastases were found in both lungs, bilateral hilar lymph nodes of the lung, the liver, both adrenal glands and the bone marrow. Conclusion: This case showed a probable slow transition from typical RCC to sarcomatous elements that remained untreated for 9 years before the patient died. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand a biological system, it is important to observe structures of biomolecules in the solution where the system is functionalized. Small-Angle X-ray Scattering coupled with Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC-SAXS) is one of techniques to selectively observe the target molecules in the multi-component system. However, this technique is believed to be available only with a synchrotron-based SAXS instrument due to requirement of high beam intensity and, therefore, the limitation of the beam time was obstacle to satisfy demands from many bio-researchers. We newly developed Laboratory-based Size exclusion chromatography SAXS System (La-SSS) by utilizing a latest laboratory-based SAXS instrument and finely optimization of the balance between flow rate, cell volume, irradiation time and so on. La-SSS succeeded not only decoupling of target protein(s) from non-specific aggregates but also measurement of each concerned component in a multi-component system. In addition, an option: "stopping mode", which is designed for improving statistics of SAXS profile, realized a high S/N data acquisition for the most interesting protein in a multi-component system. Furthermore, by utilizing a column having small bed volume, the small-scale SEC-SAXS study makes available. Through optimization of instrumental parameters and environments, La-SSS is highly applicable for experimental requirements from various biological samples. It is strongly expected that a La-SSS concept must be a normal option for laboratory-based SAXS in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Rib resection using a pneumatic high-speed power drill system for lung cancer with chest wall invasion: our clinical experience" by Yuichiro Ueda and colleagues are presented.

Digital PCR (dPCR) has been developed as a method that can quantify nucleic acids more sensitively than real-time PCR. However, dPCR exhibits large fluctuations in the fluorescence intensity of the compartment, resulting in low accuracy. The main cause is most likely due to insufficient PCR. In this study, we proposed a new method that combines dPCR with melting curve analysis and applied that method to KRAS genotyping. Since the melting temperature (Tm) of the PCR product hardly depends on the amplification efficiency, genotyping accuracy is improved by using the Tm value. The results showed that the peaks of the distribution of the Tm values of DNA in the wells were 68.7, 66.3, and 62.6 °C for wild-type KRAS, the G12R mutant, and the G12D mutant, respectively, and the standard deviation of the Tm values was 0.2 °C for each genotype. This result indicates that the proposed method is capable of discriminating between the wild-type sequence and the two mutants. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the genotyping of single mutations by combining melting curve analysis and dPCR. The application of this approach could be useful for the quantification and genotyping of cancer-related genes in low-abundance samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To report 2 cases with pediatric penile trauma due to penile zipper injury. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: Two boys presented to the emergency service because of penile zipper injury. The zipper was cut away and removed from the foreskin by cutting the median bar of the sliding piece of the zipper and the zipper teeth with a bone cutter. After opening the zipper teeth, the zipper fell apart, which allowed its removal from their foreskin. There was minimal trauma to the foreskin and the boys were sent home on the same day. Conclusion: Penile entrapment in a zipper is a presentation that may be seen in any emergency department. The 2 boys were treated successfully by cutting the median bar of the sliding piece of the zipper. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The radiofrequency identification (RFID) lung marking system is a novel technique using near-field radio-communication technology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility and feasibility of this system in the resection of small pulmonary nodules. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical records of 182 patients who underwent sublobar resection with the RFID marking system between March 2020 and November 2021 in six tertial hospitals in Japan. Target markings were bronchoscopically made within 3 days before surgery. The contribution of the procedure to the surgery and safety was evaluated. Results: Target nodule average diameter and depth from the lung surface were 10.9 ± 5.4 mm and 14.6 ± 9.9 mm, respectively. Radiologically, one third of nodules appeared as pure ground-glass nodules (GGNs) on CT. The average distance from target nodule to RFID tag was 8.9 ± 7.1 mm. All surgical procedures were completed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Planned resection was achieved in all cases without any complications. The surgeons evaluated this system as helpful in 93% (necessary: 67%, useful; 26%) of cases. Nodule radiological features (p < 0.001) and type of surgery (p = 0.0013) were associated with the degree of contribution. In most cases, identification of the RFID tag was required within 1 min despite adhesion (p = 0.27). Conclusion: The RFID lung marking system was found to be safe and effective during successful sublobar resection. Patients with pure GGNs are the best candidates for the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible epidermal tattoo and textile-based electrochemical biosensors have been developed for vapor-phase detection of organophosphorus (OP) nerve agents. These new wearable sensors, based on stretchable organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) enzyme electrodes, are coupled with a fully integrated conformal flexible electronic interface that offers rapid and selective square-wave voltammetric detection of OP vapor threats and wireless data transmission to a mobile device. The epidermal tattoo and textile sensors display a good reproducibility (with RSD of 2.5% and 4.2%, respectively), along with good discrimination against potential interferences and linearity over the 90–300 mg/L range, with a sensitivity of 10.7 µA∙cm 3 ∙mg −1 (R 2 = 0.983) and detection limit of 12 mg/L in terms of OP air density. Stress-enduring inks, used for printing the electrode transducers, ensure resilience against mechanical deformations associated with textile and skin-based on-body sensing operations. Theoretical simulations are used to estimate the OP air density over the sensor surface. These fully integrated wearable wireless tattoo and textile-based nerve-agent vapor biosensor systems offer considerable promise for rapid warning regarding personal exposure to OP nerve-agent vapors in variety of decentralized security applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hand-held microfluidic device is developed with an integrated filtration membrane for electrochemical monitoring of multiple salivary biomarkers. The platform consists of array of screen-printed electrodes, integrated with a high throughput microfluidic system that was developed via clean-room free 3D-printing technique. A 'channel-inside-channel' configuration is introduced to facilitate pump-less passive flow of saliva at the broad sensing chambers. In order to eliminate the salivary protein based biofouling problems, a flexible porous filtration membrane is integrated at the microfluidic inlet that avoids the passage of bulkier protein constituents. As the presence of separate insulator layer on the sensing electrodes adversely affects its integration with the fluidic channel, the electrode substrate itself is utilized as the insulator by exposing the bottom region of the printed electrodes as active region. Enzyme based electrochemical sensors are developed with suitable nanomaterials for monitoring glucose, lactate, cholesterol and uric acid from collected saliva samples. The device showed distinct differences in salivary glucose levels for healthy subjects before and after consuming glucose-rich drinks. The glucose sensor responses are validated with high performance liquid chromatography and commercial colorimetric assay methods, and observed good correlation with parallel finger prick blood glucose measurements with an average Pearson coefficient of 0.9161, demonstrating its efficacy in saliva based point-of-care analysis. [Display omitted] • A hand-held microfluidic device for multiplexed monitoring of disease biomarkers from human saliva. • Integrated filtering of salivary proteins using a porous inlet membrane at the microfluidic channel. • Cleanroom-free, 3D-printed master based fluidic system with secondary branched channels for pump-less, passive fluid flow. • Screen-printed, enzymatic electrochemical sensors for monitoring glucose, lactate, cholesterol and uric acid from saliva. • Saliva glucose responses at fasting and postprandial state correlate well with the finger-prick blood measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the effect of oxybutynin patch versus β3‐adrenoceptor agonist mirabegron on nocturia‐related quality of life in female overactive bladder patients. Methods: In the present study, female overactive bladder patients were enrolled. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups: the oxybutynin patch group and the mirabegron group. Each of the drugs was given for 8 weeks. The changes in the total Nocturia Quality of Life Questionnaire score were evaluated. Parameters on a frequency volume chart were also evaluated. Results: In total, 100 patients (51 oxybutynin patch, 49 mirabegron) were treated with oxybutynin patch or mirabegron. The changes in the Nocturia Quality of Life Questionnaire score 4 weeks after administration were 3.8 ± 18.6 and 8.7 ± 13.1 with the oxybutynin patch group and the mirabegron group, respectively, which were significantly higher than those at the baseline. Furthermore, the changes in the Nocturia Quality of Life Questionnaire score 8 weeks after administration were 4.3 ± 16.5 and 7.7 ± 12.3, respectively. A statistical difference was seen only in the mirabegron group. Regarding the Nocturia Quality of Life Questionnaire subscores, oxybutynin patch and mirabegron significantly improved the Nocturia Quality of Life Questionnaire bother/concern subscore 4 and 8 weeks after administration, whereas the Nocturia Quality of Life Questionnaire sleep/energy subscore was not significantly improved in each period. Eight weeks after administration, 24‐h frequency, 24‐h urinary urgency and mean voided urine volume were improved in both groups statistically. Conclusions: The oxybutynin patch improves quality of life, focusing mainly on nocturia by improving the bother/concern subscores of the Nocturia Quality of Life Questionnaire in the short term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There are few data available on the outcomes of postoperative recurrent thymic carcinoma (TC) and thymic neuroendocrine carcinoma (TNEC). The aim of this study is to evaluate the treatment and survival in patients with recurrent TC and TNEC after undergoing surgical resection. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed using our multicenter database to identify patients with a postoperative recurrence of TC and TNEC from 1995 to 2018. The clinicopathological factors were reviewed and the survival outcomes were analyzed. Results: Sixty patients were identified among 152 patients who underwent resection of TC and TNEC. The median follow-up period from the first recurrence was 14.8 months (range 0–144). The 5-year post-recurrence survival was 23% for the whole cohort. According to a univariable analysis, advanced stage [hazard ratio (HR) 2.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09–9.54], interval between primary surgery and recurrence (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95–0.99), any treatment for recurrence (HR: 0.27, 95% CI 0.13–0.58) and chemotherapy for recurrence (HR: 0.46, 95% CI 0.22–0.95) were significant factors related to post-recurrence survival. Conclusions: Chemotherapy rather than surgery appears to be the mainstay treatment for managing patients with postoperative recurrent TC and TNEC and it may also be considered in multidisciplinary management. Further studies with a larger sample size are required to confirm our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the association between the volume-dependent parameters in 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) and a recurrence of thymic carcinoma. A retrospective chart review was performed based on our multi-institutional database to identify patients undergoing PET prior to resection of thymic carcinoma or neuroendocrine carcinoma between 1991 and 2018. The PET parameters (metabolic tumor volume and total lesion glycolysis) were evaluated retrospectively. The relevant factors were extracted and a survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Sixteen patients were thus deemed to be eligible for analysis. The median follow-up period following resection was 2.65 years (range: 0.96–0.68 years). The recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in patients with a metabolic tumor volume < = 22.755 cm3 and with total lesion glycolysis < = 105.4006 g/mL (p = 0.001 and 0.001, respectively, by a log-rank test). The metabolic tumor volume and total lesion glycolysis may, therefore, be predictive of the postoperative recurrence of thymic carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoremovable protecting groups (PPGs) have attracted much attention not only in the field of organic synthesis but also in biology and materials science because of the spatiotemporally controlled release of various functional molecules upon photolysis. In this study, a new PPG, the 2‐(p‐aminophenyl)‐1‐hydroxyinden‐3‐ylmethyl (pAPHi) chromophore, is designed and synthesized for the efficient and fast release of functional molecules with high conversion yields. The photolysis of caged benzoic acid with the pAPHi chromophore in dimethyl sulfoxide released benzoic acid in 96 % yield, with a decomposition quantum yield of 13 %. A high quantum yield of 51 % was observed with the clean formation of benzoic acid (94 % yield) in methanol. Transient absorption spectroscopic analyses clarified the generation of an intermediate carbocation as well as its reactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We studied transient absorption of the exciplexes between TCNB and aromatic liquids. • We observed CR absorption due to aggregate radical cations in near-IR range. • The positive charge in the exciplexes is delocalized among more than two donors. • We observed CR bands due to positive charge (holes) in the aromatic liquids. Transient absorption spectra of 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene (TCNB) in aromatic liquids (benzene, toluene, m -xylene, and mesitylene) were measured in subnanosecond time resolution. Upon photoexcitation at 355 nm, exciplexes between TCNB and the aromatic liquids formed quickly, and we observed characteristic absorption bands due to a TCNB radical anion in the visible wavelength range and charge resonance (CR) absorption bands due to aggregate radical cations of the donor molecules in the near-IR wavelength range. The peak positions of the CR bands for the exciplexes differed significantly from those of the dimer radical cations of the corresponding donor molecules, indicating that positive charge was delocalized among more than two donor molecules. The TCNB radical anion decomposed efficiently within the lifetime of the exciplexes, and the positive charge remained in the aromatic liquids after the decomposition. Thus, we could observe CR bands due to positive charge (holes) in the aromatic liquids. From the peak positions of the CR bands, we were able to draw some conclusions regarding the delocalization of positive charge in aromatic liquids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elimination of fluorescence reabsorption effects is necessary to obtain reliable kinetic data in fluorescence spectroscopy. This effect must also be considered in transient absorption spectroscopy. We devised two methods to achieve this goal. The first was use of a thin optical cell (<10 μm) rather than a much thicker conventional cuvette in the experimental setup. The second was use of an equation to correct data obtained using a conventional cuvette when there were fluorescence reabsorption effects. These methods were successfully used in sub-nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy to obtain the kinetics of excimer formation by perylene in toluene. Unlabelled Image • We found that fluorescence reabsorption effect should be taken into account for transient absorption measurements. • We observed serious effect of fluorescence reabsorption on transient absorption decay measurements. • We could eliminate the fluorescence reabsorption effect efficiently by using a thin optical cell. • We proposed a model to correct transient absorption data obtained using a conventional cuvette. • We successfully evaluated the self-quenching rate constant due to excimer formation using these correction method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanopore-based biosensors have attracted attention as highly sensitive microscopes for detecting single molecules in aqueous solutions. However, the ionic current noise through a nanopore degrades the measurement accuracy. In this study, the magnitude of the low-frequency noise in the ionic current through a silicon nitride nanopore was found to change depending on the metal ion species in the aqueous solution. The order of the low-frequency noise magnitudes of the alkali metal ionic current was consistent with the order of the adsorption affinities of the metal ions for the silanol surface of the nanopore (Li

We successfully used argon plasma coagulation (APC) and tranilast to treat granulation tissue that had formed on an end-to-end tracheal anastomosis. APC had several advantages over laser in the management of exuberant granulation tissue, and we considered tranilast to be effective in our patient. To our knowledge, this is the first description of the use of APC in the management of anastomotic granulation tissue in the trachea or bronchus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has occasionally been used for selected patients with thymoma, but there is little information on the MIS approach for thymic carcinoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate survival outcomes after MIS for early-stage (Masaoka stage I-II) thymic carcinoma and thymic neuroendocrine carcinoma. A retrospective chart review of the cases recorded in our multi-institutional database was performed to identify patients who underwent resection for thymic carcinoma between 1995 and 2017. MIS thymectomy was performed in 17 cases (VATS, n = 14; RATS, n = 3. male, 41%; median age, 72 years). The median follow-up period was 32.7 (range 7.4-106) months. The five-year overall survival and relapse-free survival rates were 84.4% and 77.8%, respectively. The present study demonstrated encouraging preliminary results regarding MIS for the treatment of early-stage thymic carcinoma and thymic neuroendocrine carcinoma. Further studies with a larger sample size are required to evaluate the indications for this surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An improved stopped-flow resonance Raman spectroscopy device was constructed using a stopped-flow mixer with a dead time of 3 ms and a mixing volume of 0.1 mL. The device was tested using myoglobin, where the formation reaction of a high-valent heme species, ferryl-oxo heme, was monitored by time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy after mixing a ferric myoglobin solution with a hydrogen peroxide solution. The ferryl-oxo heme formation rate constant obtained by Raman spectroscopy is in good agreement with the rate constant obtained by conventional stopped-flow absorption spectroscopy for the same reaction under the same conditions. It is proved by these results that the present device is generally applicable to enzyme-substrate reactions with a significantly higher time resolution than previously reported. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of 9-substituted 10-methylacridinium ions (Acr+-R) in which an electron-donor moiety (R) is directly linked with an electron-acceptor moiety (Acr+) at the 9-position was synthesized, and the photodynamics was fully investigated to determine the rate constants of photoinduced electron transfer (ET) and back electron transfer. The driving forces of photoinduced electron transfer and back electron transfer were determined by means of electrochemical and photophysical measurements. The dependence of the ET rate constants on driving force was well analyzed in the light of the Marcus theory of ET. The quantum yields of formation of the triplet ET states vary significantly, depending on the interaction between the donor (R) and acceptor (Acr+) moieties. Among the Acr+-R examined, the 9-mesityl-10-methylacridinium ion (Acr+-Mes) exhibits the best performance in terms of the lifetime of the triplet ET state and the quantum yield. Photoexcitation of Acr+-Mes results in formation of the triplet ET state [3(Acr.-Mes.+)], which has a long lifetime, a high energy (2.37 eV), and a high quantum yield (>75 %) in acetonitrile. The triplet ET state exhibits both the oxidizing and reducing activity of the Mes.+ and Acr. moieties, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We compared the efficacy and safety of 1- and 3-month depots of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonist goserelin acetate in prostate cancer patients. Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to the Direct Group that received the goserelin 3-month depot or the Switch Group that began with the 1-month depot for the first 3 months and then switched to the 3-month depot. All patients were co-administered the antiandrogen agent bicalutamide. Serum testosterone and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and adverse events were recorded at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 24. Results: Baseline testosterone levels in the Direct and Switch Groups were 4.98 and 5.07 ng/mL, respectively ( P = 0.798). At each week, the levels in both groups were ≤0.50 ng/mL (castration level) with no significant differences between them. All of the patients in the Switch Group and 98.1 % in the Direct Group had achieved castration levels at week 12, and 100 % had achieved such levels at week 24. Baseline PSA levels in the Direct and Switch Groups were 52.37 and 46.72 ng/mL, respectively ( P = 0.793). Levels in both groups dropped continuously, to about 1.0 ng/mL at week 24, with no significant differences between the groups at any time. Three patients in the Direct Group experienced adverse events that were attributed to the co-administered bicalutamide. Conclusions: There was no difference in the efficacy or safety between the 1- and 3-month depots of goserelin when given as initial prostate cancer treatment in combination with bicalutamide. Patients must be monitored for adverse events associated with bicalutamide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of pleural malignant mesothelioma (MM) is unusual and the cases that appear as a localized tumor are extremely rare. A case of localized pleural MM including immunohistochemical findings is presented. A 70-year-old man had an abnormal shadow found during a routine roentgenogram at an annual health checkup and was admitted to Toneyama National Hospital (Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan) for detailed examinations. Chest X-rays showed a 2 × 5 cm-sized nodule with relatively smooth margins in the right segment three. Computed tomography (CT) showed an extrapleural mass with a smooth surface and a thickened parietal pleura, and results of a biopsy performed under CT scanning yielded MM. Systematic examinations did not show any metastasis and the patient underwent surgery for removal of the mass. The resected tumor, measuring 3.2 × 3.1 cm, was firm, partially encapsulated, and irregularly shaped. Pathological examinations revealed that it consisted of large polygonal cells, partially showing myxoid patterns, which led to a diagnosis of localized pleural MM. Tumor recurrence was seen, and the duration between initial symptoms and death was 29 months. This case suggests that localized pleural MM has a high proliferative potential and aggressive course, and is considered an early stage of diffuse pleural MM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the influence of p53 status on postoperative survival and incidence of apoptosis (apoptotic index, AI) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a total of 185 pathologic stage I patients were retrospectively analyzed. It was demonstrated by univariate and multivariate analyses that aberrant expression of p53 was a significant factor to predict a poor prognosis, which was caused by a significantly higher proliferative index (PI) in tumor with aberrant expression of p53 (52.7%) than that in tumor without aberrant expression of p53 (37.9%, P<0.001). In addition, for tumor without aberrant expression of p53, mean AIs of the lowest-, the lower-, the higher-, and the highest-PI groups were 12.6, 12.9, 31.3, and 35.1, respectively, showing that incidence of apoptosis was markedly increased in response to cell proliferation (P=0.002). In contrast, for tumor with aberrant expression of p53, no increase in incidence of apoptosis in response to cell proliferation was documented. These results clearly demonstrated that active cell proliferation and reduced apoptotic cell death in response to cell proliferation resulted in the poor postoperative prognosis in tumor with aberrant expression of p53. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Botrytis species are well known fungal pathogens of various plants but have not been reported as human pathogens, except as allergenic precipitants of asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.Case Presentation: The asymptomatic patient was referred because of a nodule revealed by chest X-ray. Computed tomography (CT) showed a cavitary nodule in the right upper lobe of the lung. He underwent wedge resection of the nodule, which revealed necrotizing granulomas and a fungus ball containing Y-shaped filamentous fungi, which was confirmed histopathologically. Culture of the specimen yielded white to grayish cotton-like colonies with black sclerotia. We performed multilocus gene sequence analyses including three single-copy nuclear DNA genes encoding glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, heat-shock protein 60, and DNA-dependent RNA polymerase subunit II. The analyses revealed that the isolate was most similar to Botrytis elliptica. To date, the pulmonary Botrytis sp. infection has not recurred after lung resection and the patient did not require any additional medication.Conclusions: We report the first case of an immunocompetent patient with pulmonary Botrytis sp. infection, which has not recurred after lung resection without any additional medication. Precise evaluation is necessary for the diagnosis of pulmonary Botrytis infection because it is indistinguishable from other filamentous fungi both radiologically and by histopathology. The etiology and pathophysiology of pulmonary Botrytis infection remains unclear. Further accumulation and analysis of Botrytis cases is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of 9‐substituted 10‐methylacridinium ions in which an electron donor moiety is directly linked with an electron acceptor moiety at the 9‐position has been synthesized and the photodynamics has been fully investigated to determine the rate constants of both the photoinduced electron transfer and back electron transfer. The driving force dependence of the electron‐transfer rate constants has been well analyzed in light of the Marcus theory of electron transfer. More information can be found in the Full Paper by K. Ohkubo, N. V. Tkachenko, H. Lemmetyinen and S. Fukuzumi et al. on page 1306 ff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]