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Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel technique for securing the tibial component in cementless total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by utilizing resected cancellous bone to fill the peg holes. It was hypothesized that this method would reduce the incidence of radiolucent lines (RLLs) on plain radiographs. To test this hypothesis, a retrospective comparison of plain radiographs from patients who underwent the bone-filling technique (bone filling group) versus those who did not receive this treatment (conventional group) was conducted. Methods: Participants were 151 patients (213 joints) who underwent TKA with the NexGen trabecular metal (TM) modular tibia (Zimmer Biomet) from 2011 to 2016 [bone filling group, 54 patients (69 joints); conventional group, 100 patients (144 joints); 3 patients had 1 joint in each group]. Clinical evaluations, plain radiographs, and operative time were compared between groups. Results: The mean follow-up period was 5 years and 5 months. Knee Society Scores and Knee Society Functional Scores did not differ significantly between groups; however, the bone filling group had a significantly lower incidence of RLLs (p ​

Abstract Eating less meat is associated with a healthier body and planet. Yet, we remain reluctant to switch to a plant-based diet, largely due to the sensory experience of plant-based meat. Food scientists characterize meat using a double compression test, which only probes one-dimensional behavior. Here we use tension, compression, and shear tests–combined with constitutive neural networks–to automatically discover the behavior of eight plant-based and animal meats across the entire three-dimensional spectrum. We find that plant-based sausage and hotdog, with stiffnesses of 95.9 ± 14.1 kPa and 38.7 ± 3.0 kPa, successfully mimic their animal counterparts, with 63.5 ± 45.7 kPa and 44.3 ± 13.2 kPa, while tofurky is twice as stiff, and tofu is twice as soft. Strikingly, a complementary food tasting survey produces in nearly identical stiffness rankings for all eight products (ρ = 0.833, p = 0.015). Probing the fully three-dimensional signature of meats is critical to understand subtle differences in texture that may result in a different perception of taste. Our data and code are freely available at https://github.com/LivingMatterLab/CANN

Abstract Background Lactoferrin (LF) in human milk has various biological properties and contributes to the prevention of preterm birth complications. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is one of the most commonly used methods to measure LF in human milk, but this method is time-consuming and laborious. In Japanese human milk banks, the concentration of LF in donor human milk (DHM) is measured routinely. Here, we reported a rapid, simple, and accurate method for determining LF in human milk using a new reagent based on a latex agglutination assay. Methods We obtained 208 human milk pools from 148 mothers, and samples were collected before and after Holder pasteurization. Milk samples were diluted 100- or 200-fold and LF concentrations were measured by a latex agglutination assay using an automated analyzer. The reagent was validated in terms of repeatability, linearity, detection limit, recovery, and comparison with ELISA. Results The coefficient of variation (CV) for intra-assay precision ranged from 0.6 to 5.0% in human milk with high, medium, and low LF concentrations. The linearity was also tested by serial sample dilution and was confirmed up to 16 µg/mL with a detection limit of 0.2 µg/mL. The recovery rates in a spiked recovery test were ranged from 90 to 120% at high, medium, and low concentrations of LF. Furthermore, a strong correlation was observed between LF levels determined by the latex agglutination assay and ELISA (r = 0.978, p

Abstract Background Breastfeeding offers significant health benefits, but its practice and success can vary. While research on induced lactation in cisgender women has been documented, there is limited research on lactation induction in transgender women. Case presentation A 50-year-old transgender woman undergoing hormone therapy and living with a pregnant partner sought to co-feed using induced lactation. After approval by the hospital ethics committee, a regimen of estradiol, progesterone, and domperidone was initiated, accompanied by nipple stimulation. Lactation was successfully induced and maintained, with milk composition analysis indicating high levels of protein and other key nutrients. This case, the seventh reported, highlights the complexity of lactation induction in transgender women, considering factors such as age, obesity, and insulin resistance. The nutrient profile of the milk suggests its suitability for infant feeding, despite some differences from typical human milk. Conclusions Induced lactation is feasible in transgender women, expanding the understanding of non-puerperal lactation and its potential in diverse family structures. Further research is warranted to optimize lactation induction protocols in transgender women.

Abstract Microvascular decompression (MVD) has proven efficacy in trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and hemifacial spasm (HFS). This study utilized computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to investigate the impact of MVD on wall shear stress (WSS) of responsible arteries (RAs) at the neurovascular contact (NVC). A total of 21 cases (10 TN, 11 HFS) were analyzed, involving RAs at NVC validated through intraoperative photographs. Hemodynamic parameters (WSS, vessel diameter, flow rate, pressure drop) was calculated using CFD for the RAs based on 3D silent-magnetic resonance angiograms. The NVC was segmented into NVC-proximal, NVC-site, and NVC-distal portions using simulated 3D CFD images that correlated with surgical observations. WSS ratios of NVC-site to NVC-proximal (NVC-site/proximal) was calculated both before and after MVD. Prior to MVD, WSS in the RA at the NVC displayed a peaked curve with a maximum at NVC-site; however, post MVD, it presented a smooth curve without peaks. The WSS ratio exhibited a significant decrease after MVD. The impact of MVD on WSS of RAs at NVC was evaluated in both TN and HFS cases. Analyzing the hemodynamics of RAs through CFD and identifying WSS peaks at NVC portions before MVD provided a more detailed and localized understanding of the morphologically depicted NVC.

Abstract Background Tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) constitute an abundant component among tumor-infiltrating immune cells and have recently emerged as a critical player in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression. This study aimed to elucidate the pro-tumor mechanisms of TAN and identify a novel target for effective immunotherapy against PDAC. Methods Microarray and cytokine array analyses were performed to identify the mechanisms underlying the function of TANs. Human and mouse TANs were obtained from differentiated HL-60 cells and orthotopically transplanted PDAC tumors, respectively. The interactions of TANs with cancer and cytotoxic T-cells were evaluated through in vitro co-culture and in vivo orthotopic or subcutaneous models. Single-cell transcriptomes from patients with PDAC were analyzed to validate the cellular findings. Results Increased neutrophil infiltration in the tumor microenvironment was associated with poor survival in patients with PDAC. TANs secreted abundant amounts of chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5), subsequently enhancing cancer cell migration and invasion. TANs subpopulations negatively correlated with cytotoxic CD8+ T-cell infiltration in PDAC and promoted T-cell dysfunction. TANs upregulated the membranous expression of Nectin2, which contributed to CD8+ T-cell exhaustion. Blocking Nectin2 improved CD8+ T-cell function and suppressed tumor progression in the mouse model. Single-cell analysis of human PDAC revealed two immunosuppressive TANs phenotypes: Nectin2+ TANs and OLR1+ TANs. Endoplasmic reticulum stress regulated the protumor activities in TANs. Conclusions TANs enhance PDAC progression by secreting CCL5 and upregulating Nectin2. Targeting the immune checkpoint Nectin2 could represent a novel strategy to enhance immunotherapy efficacy in PDAC.

We report 3 cases of extremely rare familial idiopathic diffuse pulmonary ossification, 2 of 3 received lung transplantation and the other is listed for lung transplantation. The clinical courses of family members varied greatly, and rapid deterioration could occur; therefore, early and close examination is recommended for transplant registration. During transplantation, the lungs appeared and felt exactly like a “pumice stone” and could not collapse, and good visual field was not easily obtained. Both patients had no recurrence of pulmonary ossification for more than 2 years.

Background: There is a dearth of data on outcomes of postoperative chemotherapy after neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The objective of this study was to compare survival outcomes in patients who did and did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed using our multicenter database to identify patients who received neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery for clinical T3 N0 or N1-N2 resectable NSCLC between 2009 and 2016. Survival outcomes were analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method and a Cox proportional hazards model. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to control for selection bias in evaluation of overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) by matching age, sex, smoking history, Charlson Comorbidity Index, histologic type, and pathologic nodal status and stage. Results: The participants were 156 patients with a median age of 65 years. The median RFS of the whole cohort was 66.3 months; OS was not reached. Before PSM, patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy had significantly shorter RFS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.79; 95% CI, 1.13-2.82) and showed a trend for shorter OS (HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.78-2.39). After PSM, 50 patients were used for comparison in each group, and those receiving adjuvant chemotherapy did not have a more favorable RFS (HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 0.75-2.34) or OS (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.62-2.51). Conclusions: Adjuvant chemotherapy was not associated with favorable survival outcomes in patients treated with surgery after neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced NSCLC.

Abstract Background Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung is a rare histological type of non-small cell lung cancer with a poor prognosis. We aimed to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors of surgically resected sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 14999 patients who underwent surgical resection for non-small cell lung cancer accumulated by the Japanese Joint Committee of Lung Cancer Registry in 2010. Clinicopathological characteristics and survival were compared between the sarcomatoid carcinoma and other non-small cell cancer groups. The prognostic factors in the sarcomatoid carcinoma group were identified using a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model. Results Patients with sarcomatoid carcinoma comprised 1.4% of all patients. The sarcomatoid carcinoma group demonstrated a more aggressive pathology with presentation at more advanced stages, requiring more frequent extensive surgical resections. The sarcomatoid carcinoma group had remarkably poorer overall and recurrence-free survival than the other non-small cell lung cancer group. Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved survival for pathological stage II–III sarcomatoid carcinoma cases rather than for pathological stage I disease. In the multivariate analysis, larger tumor size, lymphatic permeation, and no adjuvant chemotherapy were associated with the sarcomatoid carcinoma group’s overall and recurrence-free survival. Conclusions Surgically resected sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung has a higher aggressive and metastatic potential and a worse prognosis than other non-small cell lung cancers. Adjuvant chemotherapy, which was associated with enhanced survival in patients with pathological stage II–III of the disease, could be considered for treating patients with pathological stage II–III sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung.

The effect of an electrospun (ES) film on the reduction of micro-drilling cutting force required for SUS304 plate was investigated. ES films were fabricated using the electrospinning method with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as raw materials. The results of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy showed that there was no difference in the composition of the raw polymers and the fabricated ES films, and that the polymers were not altered. The diameters of the PVA and PMMA nanofibers were approximately 0.069–0.30 and 7.2 μm, respectively. The drill thrust force and run-out when using the nanofiber ES films were lower than those on an uncoated JIS SUS304 plate during the drilling. High-speed camera images showed that PMMA nanofibers pulverized by the cutting process adhered to the drilling tool surface and were guided into the drilling hole. This suggests that ES films made of organic polymer compounds, such as PMMA, are promising candidates for stable drilling, as they suppress drill run-out and act as an excellent lubricant during cutting.

We used a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) to investigate the influence that zinc reduction exerts on the determination of nitrite and nitrate ions in natural water samples. The μPAD consists of layered channels for the reduction of nitrate to nitrite with zinc powder and the subsequent detection of nitrite with Griess reagent. The amount of zinc, number of layers, and reaction time for the reduction were optimized to obtain an intense signal for nitrate. Initially, the sensitivity to nitrate corresponded to 55% that of nitrite, which implied an incomplete reduction. We found, however, that zinc decreased the sensitivity to nitrite in both the μPAD and spectrophotometry. The sensitivity to nitrite was decreased by 48% in spectrophotometry and 68% in the μPAD following the reaction with zinc. One of the reasons for the decreased sensitivity is attributed to the production of ammonia, as we elucidated that both nitrite and nitrate produced ammonia via the reaction with zinc. The results suggest that the total concentration of nitrite and nitrate must be corrected by constructing a calibration curve for nitrite with zinc, in addition to developing curves for nitrate with zinc and for nitrite without zinc. Using these calibration curves, the absorbance at different concentration ratios of nitrite and nitrate ions could be reproduced via calculation using the calibration curves with zinc for nitrite and nitrate. Eventually, the developed μPAD was applied to the determination of nitrite and nitrate ions in natural water samples, and the results were compared with those using a conventional spectrophotometric method. The results of the μPAD are in good agreement with those of conventional spectrophotometry, which suggests that the μPAD is reliable for the measurement of nitrite and nitrate ions in natural water samples.