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Highlights • We report a case of long-term survival after pulmonary resections for multiple metastases from gastric cancer. • The prognosis of pulmonary resection for metastatic gastric cancer is poor even though solitary metastasis. • Recently, however, cases of long-term survival have been reported. • By contrast, long-term survival after pulmonary resections for multiple pulmonary metastases from gastric cancer is extremely rare. • Our case suggests that pulmonary metastasectomy could be a therapeutic option even in patients involving multiple pulmonary metastases., Introduction The prognosis of pulmonary resection for metastatic gastric cancer is poor even though solitary metastasis. Long-term survival after pulmonary resections for multiple pulmonary metastases from gastric cancer is extremely rare. Case presentation The patient was 67-year old man who underwent a distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer. Wedge resections of the right upper and lower lobes and right lower lobectomy were performed for metastases from gastric cancer at 29 months and 55 months after the gastrectomy, respectively. As of 96 months after the first pulmonary metastasectomy, this patient continues to be recurrence-free. Discussion Multiple pulmonary metastases after gastrectomy are not considered candidates for surgery. Although systemic chemotherapy is the standard therapy for metastatic gastric cancer, the prognosis is extremely poor. In this case with favorable prognostic factors, such as long disease-free intervals or absence of extrapulmonary metastasis, pulmonary metastasectomy could be a therapeutic option in patients despite the presence of multiple pulmonary metastases. Conclusions Our case suggests that even in cases involving multiple pulmonary metastases, pulmonary metastasectomy might be an effective therapeutic option that can improve survival.

Objective Although 18-fluorine fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) is thought to be useful for predicting the histological grade of thymic epithelial tumors (TETs), it remains controversial. To date, just a few of many previous studies have included only resected cases. Therefore, we investigated 18F-FDG PET findings only in patients with resected TETs. Patients and methods A total of 112 patients with TETs consisting of 92 thymomas and 20 thymic carcinomas (TCs), resected at two institutes (Shizuoka Cancer Center [Shizuoka] and National Cancer Center Hospital [Tokyo]) between October 2002 and December 2015, were evaluated. Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to assess the association between the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in the tumor and both the histological subtype and tumor stage. The cutoff value of SUVmax for differentiating thymoma from TC was calculated. Results The SUVmax was strongly related to both the World Health Organization (WHO) histological subtype and tumor stage based on the eighth edition of the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification (Spearman rank correlation coefficient =0.485 and 0.432; p = 0.000 and 0.000, respectively). There was a significant difference between thymoma and TC. The optimal SUVmax cutoff value for differentiating thymoma from TC was 4.58 (sensitivity: 80% and specificity: 78.3%). In contrast, there was no significant difference between low-risk (type A, AB, and B1) and high-risk (type B2 and B3) thymoma, or between type B3 thymoma and the other subtypes. Conclusion Our results suggest that 18F-FDG PET is useful for differentiating thymoma from TC, but not for predicting the histologic grade of thymoma.

Introduction During surgical resection of a peripherally located high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma (HGNEC), we unexpectedly discovered prominent bronchial intraepithelial tumor spread up to the surgical end of the bronchus. Because bronchial intraepithelial tumor spread of peripherally located HGNEC has been rarely reported, we conducted a retrospective analysis at our hospital. Methods We histologically reviewed surgically resected HGNEC cases to assess bronchial intraepithelial spread of tumor cells. HGNECs with bronchial intraepithelial tumor spread were further studied by immunohistochemistry for neuroendocrine markers, and their clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated. Results Of 1778 cases of surgically resected lung cancer in our hospital, 47 cases of HGNEC were evaluated. Bronchial intraepithelial tumor spread was observed in nine cases (19.1%); eight of these cases were large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) or small-cell lung carcinoma with an LCNEC component. Moreover, bronchial intraepithelial tumor spread was continuous from the primary tumor to the resected end of the bronchus in four cases, and all these cases had an LCNEC component. Furthermore, HGNEC with bronchial intraepithelial tumor spread was associated with a higher recurrence rate than no bronchial intraepithelial tumor spread. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that bronchial intraepithelial tumor spread is commonly observed in cases of peripherally located HGNEC and may be a unique form of tumor invasion, especially tumors with LCNEC morphology. Therefore, surgeons and pathologists should be cognizant of bronchial intraepithelial tumor spread in peripherally located HGNEC, as well as its potential role as an indicator of HGNEC aggressiveness.

Mediastinal cystic seminoma is uncommon; only 17 cases have been reported, most diagnosed postoperatively, without recurrence on follow-up, even without radiotherapy. Here, we report a mediastinal seminoma showing a unilocular cyst with enhancing thickened wall in computed tomography (CT) and septal structures in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a 24-year-old man. Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake was not significant. Histopathologically, seminoma cells were found scattered in the cyst wall. Twenty months after resection, the patient's quality of life is good, without chemotherapy or radiation. Cystic seminoma has a good prognosis and complete resection without adjuvant therapy might be sufficient for young patients of reproductive age.

Background Thoracic epidural analgesia (EDA) is the gold standard for pain control after thoracotomy. However, because of its severe side effects, it is contraindicated in patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs. In addition, some patients’ anatomy can make epidural catheter insertion challenging. We therefore investigated the safety and efficacy of paravertebral block (PVB) using a thoracoscopic insertion technique, which avoids damage to the parietal pleura, for postoperative pain after thoracotomy. Methods Patients who underwent thoracotomy with thoracic PVB in our hospital between March 2013 and March 2014 were examined retrospectively. Prior to creating the thoracotomy incision, a catheter for PVB was inserted percutaneously into the paravertebral space under thoracoscopic guidance. A matched-pair control group was selected at a 1:2 ratio from patients who underwent thoracotomy with thoracic EDA in our hospital from April 2011 to February 2013. Pain control and side effects were compared between groups and the results statistically analyzed. Results Thoracic PVB was performed in 56 patients during this period, and 112 patients were selected as matched controls. Numeric Rating Scale scores on postoperative day 2 did not differ significantly between the PVB group (3.25 ± 1.80) and the EDA group (3.56 ± 2.05) (p = 0.334). In terms of side effects, urinary retention occurred less frequently in thoracic PVB patients (p = 0.03). Conclusion Under the conditions of the present study, continuous thoracic PVB was at least as effective as epidural analgesia for postoperative pain control after thoracotomy with lung resection. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13019-017-0566-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

This study aimed to clarify the ability of the buffer systems of saliva to inhibit enamel demineralization after intake of an acid beverage. In the first experiment, titrable acidity tests were carried out. Ten milliliters of saliva stimulated by chewing gum base was obtained from 10 healthy adult subjects and the pH of each saliva sample was measured. The beverages used for the experiment were a carbonated soft drink (pH 2.2), a sports drink (pH 3.5), and 100% orange juice (pH 3.8). Distilled water adjusted to the pH of each saliva sample was used as a control. In the second experiment, the suppressive ability of saliva against enamel demineralization was quantitatively analyzed using quantitative light- induced fluorescence (QLF). Aliquots of stimulated saliva obtained from a subject were mixed with 15 ml of 100% orange juice in saliva:orange juice ratios of 1/30, 1/15, 1/10 and 1/5, and bovine teeth were soaked for 24 hours in the solutions. The △Q of the QLF analyses of the enamel was then measured. The lowest titrant volume which reduced the pH of the initial saliva (7.7 on average) to pH 5.4 was that of the orange juice. No relationship was found between the buffer capacity and the pH of the acid beverages. From the QLF measurement, the saliva-orange juice group showed a significantly decreased amount of enamel demineralization (p < 0.01 at 20% level) compared with the distilled water-orange juice group. In conclusion, saliva acts as a buffer to suppress enamel demineralization caused by low-pH beverages.

The substances that cause physiological halitosis have been found to be mainly volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) [hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), methylmercaptan (CH 3 SH) and dimethylsulfide (CH 3 ) 2 S] produced by putrefaction of anaerobic bacteria. In order to clarify the role of these periodontopathic bacteria in halitosis, we investigated the amounts of four species of bacteria, Prevotella intermedia , Fusobacterium nucleatum , Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in 10 μl of the tongue coats of healthy people using quantitative PCR and examined the correlation with the concentrations of VSCs present in the subject's breath (physiological halitosis). The following results were obtained. 1.H 2 S in the oral breath of the subjects showed a positive correlation with the detected counts of A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. intermedia, P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum and the total bacteria. 2.CH 3 SH in the oral breath of the subjects showed a positive correlation with the detected count of P. gingivalis. 3.(CH 3 ) 2 S in the oral breath of the subjects showed a positive correlation with the detected counts of A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. intermedia and total bacteria. 4.The concentrations of VSCs in the oral breath of the subjects showed a positive correlation with the total count of bacteria. These results suggest that periodontopathic bacteria present in the tongue coat of healthy people might be the cause of physiological halitosis.

主気管支腔内を中枢側進展し，一側無気肺による急性呼吸不全を来たした右上葉肺癌に対し，全身麻酔硬性気管支鏡下腫瘍debulkingを施行し，その後待機的根治切除を行った2例を経験した．いずれも低分化型腺癌で，右主気管支の腫瘍を硬性外筒でcore outし，無気肺を改善させてから，待機的に右上葉管状切除術を施行した．症例1は46歳，男性，病理病期III b期（p-T4N2M0）で，現在術後39ヵ月で無再発生存中であり，症例2は79歳男性，病理病期II b期（p-T3N0M0）で，術後日常生活に復したが術後5ヵ月で腫瘍死となった．硬性気管支鏡下腫瘍debulkingは，QOLの一時的な改善のみならず，肺癌に対するその後の集学的治療をすすめる上で有用であった．

During surgical resection of a peripherally located high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma (HGNEC), we unexpectedly discovered prominent bronchial intraepithelial tumor spread up to the surgical end of the bronchus. Because bronchial intraepithelial tumor spread of peripherally located HGNEC has been rarely reported, we conducted a retrospective analysis at our hospital.We histologically reviewed surgically resected HGNEC cases to assess bronchial intraepithelial spread of tumor cells. HGNECs with bronchial intraepithelial tumor spread were further studied by immunohistochemistry for neuroendocrine markers, and their clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated.Of 1778 cases of surgically resected lung cancer in our hospital, 47 cases of HGNEC were evaluated. Bronchial intraepithelial tumor spread was observed in nine cases (19.1%); eight of these cases were large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) or small-cell lung carcinoma with an LCNEC component. Moreover, bronchial intraepithelial tumor spread was continuous from the primary tumor to the resected end of the bronchus in four cases, and all these cases had an LCNEC component. Furthermore, HGNEC with bronchial intraepithelial tumor spread was associated with a higher recurrence rate than no bronchial intraepithelial tumor spread.The results of this study suggest that bronchial intraepithelial tumor spread is commonly observed in cases of peripherally located HGNEC and may be a unique form of tumor invasion, especially tumors with LCNEC morphology. Therefore, surgeons and pathologists should be cognizant of bronchial intraepithelial tumor spread in peripherally located HGNEC, as well as its potential role as an indicator of HGNEC aggressiveness.

A retrocardiac lung hernia is an extremely rare complication after esophagectomy. A 56-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with advanced middle thoracic esophageal cancer and a giant bulla at the apical portion of the right lung. Since it appeared that dissection of the upper mediastinum would most likely require resection of the right bulla, a two-stage operation for esophageal cancer was planned. During the first-stage operation, thoracic esophagectomy and resection of the right giant bulla were performed. Fourteen days after the first-stage operation, the patient underwent laparotomy as the second-stage operation to reconstruct a narrow gastric tube via a retrosternal route. After the second-stage operation, the inflammatory reaction was prolonged. Therefore, a thoracoabdominal computed tomography scan was performed, showing retrocardiac pulmonary atelectasis. The patient was diagnosed with a retrocardiac left lung hernia in which the left lower lobe was displaced into the right thoracic cavity. Because the inflammatory reaction was due to effects of the lung hernia, a repair operation was performed via a left seventh intercostal thoracotomy. At thoracotomy, the left basal segment of the lung was atelectatic and reddish and had herniated into the right thoracic cavity through an opening between the aorta and pericardium. The herniated lung tip adhered strongly to the subcarina, and synechiotomy was performed. We believe that simultaneous removal of the right giant bulla with esophagectomy was the important cause of this complication.

An enzymatic assay system for D-Asp was established using D-aspartate oxidase and oxaloacetate decarboxylase. In this system, D-Asp is converted to pyruvate, which is determined fluorometrically with 1,2-diamino-4,5-methylenedioxybenzene. This method makes possible D-Asp measurement at the micromolar level. The D-Asp contents of an edible brown alga, Hijika fusiforme, a lactic acid bacteria beverage, and pig testis were determined by the method.

Background Despite considerable recent progress in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma, there has been little progress in the development of efficacious molecular targeted therapies for squamous cell lung cancer. In addition to the recent comprehensive genome-wide characterization of squamous cell lung cancer, it is also important to genotype this form of cancer. We therefore conducted the Shizuoka Lung Cancer Mutation Study to analyze driver mutations in patients with thoracic malignancies. Here we report the results of genotyping in patients with squamous cell lung cancer. Methods Based on the biobanking system, in conjunction with the clinic and pathology lab, we developed a genotyping panel designed to assess 24 mutations in 10 genes (EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, NRAS, MEK1, AKT1, PTEN, HER2 and DDR2), EGFR, MET, PIK3CA, FGFR1 and FGFR2 copy numbers, and EML4-ALK and ROS1 translocations, using pyrosequencing plus capillary electrophoresis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse-transcription PCR, respectively. Results A total of 129 patients with squamous cell lung cancer and adenosquamous carcinoma were enrolled in this study between July 2011 and November 2012. We detected genetic alterations in 40% of all cases. Gene alterations included: EGFR mutations, 6%; KRAS mutations, 4%; PIK3CA mutations, 13%; NRAS mutations, 1%; KIF5b-RET fusion gene, 1%; EGFR copy number gain, 5%; PIK3CA copy number gain, 15%; and FGFR1 copy number gain, 5%. Twelve patients (9%) harbored simultaneous genetic alterations. Genetic alterations were detected more frequently in surgically-resected, snap-frozen samples than in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples (50% vs. 29%). In addition, patients aged ≤70 years old and never-smokers showed high frequencies of genetic alterations. Conclusions This study represents one of the largest prospective tumor-genotyping studies to be performed in Asian patients with squamous cell lung cancer. These results suggest that incorporation of genetic profiling into lung cancer clinical practice may facilitate the administration of personalized cancer treatments in patients with squamous cell lung cancer. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2407-14-786) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Until date, there are no clear recommendations for regular perioperative measurements of serum CEA levels for lung cancer in any guidelines. The purpose in the present study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of perioperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in patients with pathological-stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods We retrospectively reviewed 263 completely resected pathological-stage I NSCLC patients whose preoperative and postoperative serum CEA levels were measured. Patients were subdivided according to the perioperative change of CEA levels: continuously normal CEA levels (NN group), continuously high CEA levels (HH group), and high preoperative CEA levels that returned to normal levels post-operation (HN group). The clinicopathological factors and overall survival (OS) among these 3 groups were compared. Univariate and multivariate analyses of the correlation between clinicopathological factors and OS were performed. Results High preoperative CEA levels significantly correlated with men aged >70 years with smoking history, high serum CYFRA 21–1 levels, greater tumor diameter, presence of visceral pleural invasion (VPI), and moderate-to-poor differentiation. Five-year OS rates in the NN and HH groups were 95.5% and 59.3%, respectively. Four-year OS rate in the HN group was 85.5%. Multivariate analyses indicated tumor diameter of more than 30 mm, presence of VPI, and the HH group were independent unfavorable prognostic factors. Conclusions A high postoperative CEA level was an independent unfavorable prognostic factor in pathological-stage I NSCLC patients. Patients with high postoperative CEA levels may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: Even after curative resection, a significant fraction of patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) die primarily because of systemic relapse. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the risk factors for both recurrence and poor survival in patients with pathological (p-) stage I NSCLC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 467 consecutive patients from a single institution with completely resected p-stage I NSCLC. Patients with multiple lung tumours or malignancies from other organs and those who had undergone preoperative therapies were excluded. The correlation between clinicopathological factors and surgical outcomes, including disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), was analysed. The clinicopathological factors examined were age, gender, smoking history, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, serum cytokeratin 19 fragment levels, surgical procedure, tumour histology, p-stage, angiolymphatic invasion and differentiation grade. RESULTS: The 5-year DFS and OS rates of the total study population were 91.4 and 92.8%, respectively. Multivariate analysis results indicated that high serum CEA levels (>5.0 ng/ml) and p-stage IB were independent factors for recurrence, whereas older age (>70 years), high serum CEA levels and p-stage IB were independent factors for poor survival. The risks of recurrence and death in patients with both high serum CEA levels and p-stage IB was 10.3 and 5.2 times higher than those observed in patients with both normal serum CEA levels and p-stage IA, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: High serum CEA levels and p-stage IB were independent factors for both recurrence and poor survival in p-stage I NSCLC patients.

Parenchyma-sparing main bronchial sleeve resection is a safe and effective procedure to restore impaired lung function. We present a case illustrating recovery of lung perfusion in a 24-year-old woman with dyspnea on exertion because of bronchial tuberculosis. Bronchoscopic examination revealed pin-hole stenosis of the left main bronchial orifice. 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin perfusion scanning revealed essentially absent left lung perfusion. Because of bronchomalacia in the distal portion, six rings of the left main bronchus were resected by carinoplasty. Symptoms abated and perfusion recovered to a large extent 2 months later. She became pregnant and delivered successfully 12 months postoperatively.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the significance of microscopic vascular invasion (MVI) in a population of completely resected patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), along with an analysis of impact of the MVI and clinicopathological factors on recurrence and survival. Methods: From September 2002 to December 2010, 1230 patients with NSCLC received complete resection at our institution. MVI was ascertained using histopathological and immunohistochemical techniques. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. We performed multivariate analyses to determine the independent prognostic factors. Results: MVI was observed in 448 patients (36.4%). Prevalence of MVI was lower in Stage I cases than in higher stage cases (P < 0.001). The presence of MVI was associated with DFS (P< 0.001, 3-year DFS: 87.1% in MVI-positive vs 64.3% in MVI-negative) and with OS (P< 0.001). Especially in Stage IB patients, who often receive oral anticancer agents as adjuvant chemotherapy in our institution, the presence of MVI was associated with DFS (P < 0.001, 3-year DFS: 85.4% in MVI-positive vs 69.3% in MVI-negative) and with OS (P = 0.039). In a multivariate survival analysis, The significant indicator of poor DFS was MVI (P< 0.001, CI 1.61-2.96), pulmonary metastases (P < 0.001, CI 1.49-2.98), pleural invasion (P = 0.007, CI 1.04-1.27), tumour size (P < 0.001, CI 1.01-1.02), and CEA level (P= 0.002, CI 1.00-1.01), although adjuvant chemotherapy has no significant relationship with DFS (P = 0.60). Conclusions: The finding of MVI in NSCLC is frequent. MVI correlates with tumour stages. The presence of MVI is an independent negative prognostic factor on both DFS and OS. Patients with these predictive factors of recurrence may be good candidates for intensive adjuvant chemotherapy. Disclosure: No significant relationships.

A 71-year-old man with a right hilar mass shadow was referred to our department. Chest computed tomography showed a small fatty area inside. Convex probe endobronchial ultrasound (CP-EBUS) images revealed a heterogeneous low-echoic mass, resembling a stone wall and showing a smooth sliding movement along the tracheal wall during respiration. Transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) was performed and cartilage cells were identified, compatible with the presence of a hamartoma. The patient requested follow-up without surgical intervention. CP-EBUS images are easier to interpret than other methods for monitoring respiratory dynamics. We conclude that CP-EBUS is a useful addition to techniques both for non-invasive imaging as well as guiding pathological examination.

Double-walled (DW) polymer microspheres with a core of poly(1,3-bis-(p-carboxyphenoxy propane)-co-(sebacic anhydride)20:80 (P(CPP:SA)20:80) and an external coat of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) were implanted subcutaneously and intramuscularly and were allowed to degrade for up to 6 months. The tissue surrounding the implant was fixed and sectioned for histological evaluation by light and scanning electron microscopy. The remaining polymer was extracted with chloroform and analyzed by gel permeation chromatography (G PC), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The inner core of the more hydrolytically labile P(CPP:SA)20:80 degraded first, becoming more granular over time. The PLLA coating showed no changes morphologically. The DW microspheres induced a stronger inflammatory response during the first week than did the SW PLLA microspheres, but this resolved by the second week. The SW PLLA microspheres showed no changes by SEM or optical microscopy. No differences in degradation were seen between samples implanted subcutaneously and those implanted intramuscularly. In vivo degradation was correlated to the results of an in vitro degradation study published as the first paper in this two paper series.

The scientific, ethical, and policy issues raised by research involving the engraftment of human neural stem cells into the brains of nonhuman primates are explored by an interdisciplinary working group in this [Policy Forum][1]. The authors consider the possibility that this research might alter the cognitive capacities of recipient great apes and monkeys, with potential significance for their moral status. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/309/5733/385

Background: Integration of genotype-based stratification into the lung cancer clinic is essential to implement the personalized medicine for patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Thus we have developed a multiplexed tumor genotyping panel for detecting somatic mutations relevant to molecular targeted therapies for lung cancer. The mutation profile data are communicated to clinicians to assign patients to appropriate therapy and/or clinical trials. Methods: Multiplexed tumor genotyping panel was developed to assess 23 mutations in 9 genes (EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, NRAS, MEK1, AKT1, PTEN and HER2), 5 genes amplifications (EGFR, MET, PIK3CA, FGFR1 and FGFR2), and 5 fusion genes (EML4-ALK, CD74-ROS1, SLC34A2-ROS1, KIF5B-RET and CCDC6-RET) using pyrosequencing plus capillary electrophoresis, qRT-PCR, and multiplex RT-PCR, respectively. A written informed consent was obtained upfront from all patients enrolled into this study. Surgically resected tissues, tumor biopsies, pleural effusions and/or pericardial effusions from 280 patients were collected between July 2011 and July 2012 and used for tumor genotyping. Results: Somatic mutations were detected in 52.9% (148/280) of all patients. The most common mutation detected in this study was EGFR mutation (35.4%, 99) followed by KRAS mutation (10.4%, 29). EGFR L858R (52.5%) and KRAS G12C (44.8%) was the most frequent among EGFR and KRAS mutations, respectively. Other detected mutations were PIK3CA mutation (2.5%), PIK3CA amplification (2.5%), EGFR amplification (2.5%), MET amplification (2.1%), EML4-ALK fusion gene (1.4%), BRAF mutation (1.1%), NRAS mutation (1.1%), HER2 mutation (1.1%), MEK1 mutation (0.7%), AKT1 mutation (0.7%), KIF5B-RET fusion gene (0.4%), CD74-ROS1 fusion gene (0.4%) and FGFR1 amplification (0.4%). EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) was administered to 71.9% (41/57) of previously untreated patients who harbor EGFR activating mutations. Among those treated with EGFR-TKIs, simultaneous mutations in other genes with EGFR mutations were detected in 21.9% (9/41). Response rate of EGFR-TKIs in patients with simultaneous mutations (44.4%) was lower than that in patients with EGFR mutation alone (68.8%), suggesting that additional mutations may play some role in evading oncogenic signaling blockade. EGFR mutations were detected less frequently in smokers than in never-smokers (25.1% vs 60.5%, p Conclusions: We have established the multiplexed tumor genotyping panel and this should be incorporated into lung cancer clinical practice to facilitate personalized cancer medicine. Citation Format: Masakuni Serizawa, Yasuhiro Koh, Hirotsugu Kenmotsu, Mitsuhiro Isaka, Akane Naruoka, Junko Suzuki, Masaru Watanabe, Masahiro Endo, Takashi Nakajima, Shoji Takahashi, Yasuhisa Ode, Tateaki Naito, Tetsuhiko Taira, Akira Ono, Toshiaki Takahashi, Nobuyuki Yamamoto. Multiplexed mutational profiling of Japanese lung adenocarcinoma patients for personalized cancer therapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 37. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-37

A very highly sensitive differential thermal analysis system is constructed by using optical-fiber sensor technology. Measurement of small temperature differences is reliably performed by detecting the phase differences with interference light and using a thermally symmetric configuration. In particular, temperature response analysis under heat propagation delay conditions, which should be considered when heat inputs are small and rapid, is made. The high sensitivity for temperature differences of an optical fiber thermometer is also experimentally demonstrated. Temperature responses for continuous and pulsed heat inputs are formulated and used to analyze experimental results on this small differential thermal analysis system under various conditions. >

Labial surfaces of maxillary central incisors were analyzed for the color and the acid resistance using as materials 130 teeth of dental students. Color of the teeth was measured intraorally with a fiber-colorimeter and was expressed with Adams' L, a, b. The enamel solubility in vivo was measured by applying a paper disk containing lactate buffer to the enamel surface. A weak but significant correlation between the enamel solubility and Adams' b values was found (r=0.314). This is supportive evidence for the clinical view that yellowish teeth are caries-resistant.

The red turnip, Brassica campestris L. (rapifera group), “cv. Atsumi-kabu” grown in burnt fields in Atsumi-machi, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, showed wilting followed by yellow discoloration of leaves from September to October in 1986. A few small, water-soaked soft-rot lesions were formed on the bases of leaf petioles and the roots. They gradually developed, and finally whole plants decayed. Soft-rot Erwinia-like bacteria were predominantly isolated from the diseased plants. Pathogenicities and bacteriological characteristics of the isolates were identical with those of Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora. From these results, the present symptoms on the red turnip, “Atsumi-kabu”, was suggested to be caused by E. carotovora subsp. carotovora. This is the first report on the occurrence of soft rot on the vegetables in burnt fields in Japan.

(1) レゾルシン反応において,呈色液の褪色性は室温で1時間放置すると約3%, 2時間で5.8%であった. (2) アンスロン反応において,呈色液の褪色性は室温で1時間放置しても,ほとんど褪色を認めないが,その後は徐々に褪色を行ない, 3時間で約2%の裾色が認められた. (3) グルコースをglucose oxidaseで酸化して,グルコン酸とすることにより, 33倍程度のグルコースが存在してもフラクトースの安定した比色定量が可能である. (4) アンスロン反応によるフラクトースの検量線は,実験計画法より2次式とするのが適当である. (5) 検量線の多項式および信頼区間が定まったが,後者はこの実験値から推定する場合のもので,従ってこの曲線を利用して新しい測定値から推定する場合には,その測定値の誤差が加わることになる. (6) 検量線の検討で測定回の影響が有意なので,試料と同時に標準試料を発色すれば,上の多項式だけで推定するより精度を向上すると思われるが,しかし分析する人,使用器具,試薬等が同一であれば,それほど神経質にならず, 1本の検量曲線で,ある期間は間に合うのではないかと思われる.もちろん必要な精度を考慮した上である. (7) グルコースをglucose oxidaseで33倍程度のグルコースが,シュクロースをカラム・クロマトグラフィーで除くことにより,フラクトースを平均99.7±0.94%の精度で定量を行なうことができる. (8) 本報は食品中の各種糖類の定量の一環として行なったものであるが,第1報と異なり,カーボンカラム・クロマトグラフィーを使用するところから,このクロマトグラフィーで水にて溶出してくる糖(主としてグルコース,フラクトース以外の単糖類)が存在する場合は少し問題がある.しかし現在一般の食品の場合は,そのような糖が存在することは非常にまれなことと考えられる(例外としてガラクトース添加食品).

塩化ビニルとアクロレインおよびクロトンアルデヒドとの共重合を60℃ , 主としてテトラヒドロフランを溶媒として検討した。塩化ビニル・アクロレインの共重合ではアクロレインの方が, また塩化ビニル・クロトンアルデヒドの共重合では逆に塩化ビニルの方が共重合体中に導入されやすいこと, また重合速度は前者の場合アクロレイン分率の増すとともに大となるが, 後者では逆にクロトンアルデヒド分率の増すとともに小となることが見い出された。塩化ビニル(M1) とアク質レイン(M2) およびクロトンアルデヒド(M2') との単量体反応性比は60℃ においてそれぞれr1=0.04, r2=5.40; r1=1.93, r2'=0.02 ともとめられた。塩化ビニル・クロトンアルデヒド共重合体は可溶性でアルデヒド基をふくむので, さらにアミンやフェニルヒドラジンなどとの反応を行なった。

Powdery polymers of vitamin A esters were synthesized by polymerizing acrylic and methacrylic ester of vitamin A under the presence of α, α′-azo-bis-isobutyronitrile as a catalyst at 70° or of n-butyl lithium in hexane at -10 to -20°. The polymer failed to be obtained when phenyl magnesium bromide was used as a catalyst. Crotonic and undecylenic esters of vitamin A were not polymerized by the above methods. Powdery copolymers of vitamin A esters with acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, styrene or 2-vinyl-5-ethyl-pyridine were also synthesized by the same methods.