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Background: We analyzed immune nutritional factors that affected the incidence of SSI in rectal cancer surgery., Method: A total of 103 patients who underwent rectal cancer resection were enrolled in this retrospective study. The risk factors (DM, BMI<18.5, ≥25.0, PNI≤40, G/L>2, CONUT≥2, mGPS D) for SSI (Grade≥Ⅱ) were analyzed., Result: The factors that significantly affected SSI (in 13 cases) was PNI≤40 on univariate analysis. In the analysis adjusted by age and sex, mGPS D and PNI≤40 were significant factors. In the stepwise selection method, PNI≤40 was selected as an independent factor., Conclusion: As a risk factor for SSI after rectal cancer surgery, PNI≤40 and mGPS were risk factors.

Background: Thymic lymphoid hyperplasia is often present with myasthenia gravis as well as other autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Of the 4 cases of thymic lymphoid hyperplasia associated with Sjögren syndrome that have been reported, no case with a thymic lesion diagnosis that led to the diagnosis of Sjögren syndrome has been reported. We herein report a case of thymic lymphoid hyperplasia with multilocular thymic cysts, diagnosed before Sjögren syndrome., Case Presentation: A 37-year-old Japanese woman had an approximate 5-cm anterior mediastinal mass detected by chest imaging. The resected lesion revealed multilocular thymic cysts that were filled with colloid-like material. Histology showed lymph follicular hyperplasia with many epithelial cysts. The epithelium consisted of thymic medullary epithelium, and no epithelial proliferation was seen in the lymphoid tissue. Lymphocytes were composed of an organized mixed population of mature T and B cells without significant atypia. The infiltrated B cells did not reveal light chain restriction or immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement. After the pathological diagnosis of thymic lesion, tests for the presence of autoantibodies were positive for antinuclear antibodies, rheumatic factor, and anti-SSA/Ro antibodies. The Schirmer's, chewing gum, and Saxon tests showed decreased salivary and lacrimal secretion. Lip biopsy showed focal lymphocytic sialadenitis. The signs and symptoms of Sjögren syndrome had not resolved, without aggravation, 1 year after the thymectomy., Conclusion: When a case with thymic lymphoid hyperplasia without myasthenia gravis is encountered, it is essential to consider the presence of another autoimmune disease including Sjögren syndrome.

In this study, the relationship between ground-glass opacity (GGO) visibility and physical detectability index in low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for lung cancer screening was investigated. An anthropomorphic chest phantom that included synthetic GGOs with CT numbers of -630 Hounsfield units (HU; high attenuation GGO: HGGO) and -800 HU (low attenuation GGO: LGGO), and three phantoms for physical measurements were employed. The phantoms were scanned using 12 CT systems located in 11 screening centers in Japan. The slice thicknesses and CT dose indices (CTDI(vol)) varied over 1.0-5.0 mm and 0.85-3.30 mGy, respectively, and several reconstruction kernels were used. Physical detectability index values were calculated from measurements of resolution, noise, and slice thickness properties for all image sets. Five radiologists and one thoracic surgeon, blind to one another's observations, evaluated GGO visibility using a five-point scoring system. The physical detectability index correlated reasonably well with the GGO visibility (R² = 0.709, p < 0.01 for 6 mm HGGO and R² = 0.646, p < 0.01 for 10 mm LGGO), and was nearly proportional to the CTDI(vol). Consequently, the CTDI(vol) also correlated reasonably well with the GGO visibility (R² = 0.701, p < 0.01 for 6 mm HGGO and R² = 0.680, p < 0.01 for 10 mm LGGO). As a result, the CTDI(vol) was nearly dominant in the GGO visibility for image sets with different reconstruction kernels and slice thicknesses, used in this study.

To identify predictive biomarkers for clinical responses to bortezomib treatment, 0.06 mL of each whole blood without any cell separation procedures was stimulated ex vivo using five agents, and eight mRNAs were quantified. In six centers, heparinized peripheral blood was prospectively obtained from 80 previously treated or untreated, symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM) patients with measurable levels of M-proteins. The blood sample was procured prior to treatment as well as 2-3 days and 1-3 weeks after the first dose of bortezomib, which was intravenously administered biweekly or weekly, during the first cycle. Six stimulant-mRNA combinations; that is, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), LPS-CXCL chemokine 10 (CXCL10), LPS-CCL chemokine 4 (CCL4), phytohemagglutinin-CCL4, zymosan A (ZA)-GMCSF and ZA-CCL4 showed significantly higher induction in the complete and very good partial response group than in the stable and progressive disease group, as determined by both parametric (t-test) and non-parametric (unpaired Mann-Whitney test) tests. Moreover, LPS-induced CXCL10 mRNA expression was significantly suppressed 2-3 days after the first dose of bortezomib in all patients, as determined by both parametric (t-test) and non-parametric (paired Wilcoxon test) tests, whereas the complete and very good partial response group showed sustained suppression 1-3 weeks after the first dose. Thus, pretreatment LPS-CXCL10 mRNA and/or the six combinations may serve as potential biomarkers for the response to bortezomib treatment in MM patients.

1'-Acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA), which was isolated from the rhizomes of Zingiberaceae, exhibits various biological actions, including anti-inflammatory, anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and anti-cancer activities. ACA represents an attractive candidate for the treatment of many cancers. We herein examined the structure-activity relationships of ACA derivatives based on the benzhydrol skeleton in human leukemia cells (HL-60). Our results revealed that the ACA derivatives synthesized (ACA, 1, and 18) had inhibitory effects on the growth of multiple myeloma cells (IM-9 cells) by inactivating the NF-κB pathway., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Although the introduction of bortezomib and immunomodulatory drugs has led to improved outcomes in patients with multiple myeloma, the disease remains incurable. In an effort to identify more potent and well-tolerated agents for myeloma, we have previously reported that 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA), a natural condiment from South-East Asia, induces apoptotic cell death of myeloma cells in vitro and in vivo through inhibition of NF-κB-related functions. Searching for more potent NF-κB inhibitors, we developed several ACA analogs based on quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis. TM-233, one of these ACA analogs, inhibited cellular proliferation and induced cell death in various myeloma cell lines with a lower IC50 than ACA. Treatment with TM-233 inhibited constitutive activation of JAK2 and STAT3, and then downregulated the expression of anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 protein, but not Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL proteins. In addition, TM-233 rapidly decreased the nuclear expression of NF-κB and also decreased the accumulation of cytosolic NF-κB. We also examined the effects of TM-233 on bortezomib-resistant myeloma cells that we recently established, KMS-11/BTZ and OPM-2/BTZ. TM-233, but not bortezomib, inhibited cellular proliferation and induced cell death in KMS-11/BTZ and OPM-2/BTZ cells. Interestingly, the combination of TM-233 and bortezomib significantly induced cell death in these bortezomib-resistant myeloma cells through inhibition of NF-κB activity. These results indicate that TM-233 could overcome bortezomib resistance in myeloma cells mediated through different mechanisms, possibly inhibiting the JAK/STAT pathway. In conclusion, TM-233 might be a more potent NF-κB inhibitor than ACA, and could overcome bortezomib resistance in myeloma cells., (© 2015 The Authors. Cancer Science published by Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd on behalf of Japanese Cancer Association.)

Background: It is sometimes difficult to assess patients who have multiple hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes (MHMLN) with FDG accumulation in PET-CT. Since it is uncertain whether diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) is useful in the assessment of such patients, its diagnostic performance was assessed., Materials and Methods: Twenty-three patients who had three or more stations of hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes with SUVmax of 3 or more in PET-CT were included in this study., Results: For diagnosis of disease, there were 20 malignancies (lung cancers 17, malignant lymphomas 2 and metastatic lung tumor 1), and 3 benign cases (sarcoidosis 2 and benign disease 1). For diagnosis of lymph nodes, there were 7 malignancies (metastasis of lung cancer 7 and malignant lymphoma 1) and 16 benign lymphadenopathies (pneumoconiosis/silicosis 7, sarcoidosis 4, benign disease 4, and atypical lymphocyte infiltration 1). The ADC value (1.57±0.29x10(-3) mm2/sec) of malignant MHMLN was significantly lower than that (1.99±0.24x10(-3) mm2/sec) of benign MHMLN (P=0.0437). However, the SUVmax was not significantly higher (10.0±7.34 as compared to 6.38±4.31) (P=0.15). The sensitivity (86%) by PET-CT was not significantly higher than that (71%) by DWI for malignant MHMLN (P=1.0). The specificity (100%) by DWI was significantly higher than that (31%) for benign MHMLN (P=0.0098). Furthermore, the accuracy (91%) with DWI was significantly higher than that (48%) with PET-CT for MHMLN (P=0.0129)., Conclusions: Evaluation by DWI for patients with MHMLN with FDG accumulation is useful for distinguishing benign from malignant conditions.

A bronchial fistula is one of the most serious complications that can occur following pulmonary lobectomy. We herein report a case of bronchial fistula that was successfully treated by endobronchial embolization using an Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot (EWS). A 72-year-old male underwent right lower lobectomy of the lung with nodal dissection for a pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma. A bronchial fistula developed 53 days after surgery. Tube drainage was performed, and air leakage was apparent. Under endoscopic observation, intrathoracic injection of indigo carmine revealed that a fistula existed at the peripheral site of the B(2)ai bronchus. After one EWS (small) was inserted into the B(2)a bronchus tightly using a bronchoscope, the air leakage was stopped. Pleurodesis was further carried out, the thoracostomy tube was subsequently removed, and the patient was discharged. Endobronchial embolization using an EWS is an option for the treatment of a bronchial fistula after pulmonary resection.

Background: Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) makes it possible to detect malignant tumors based on the diffusion of water molecules. It is uncertain whether DWI is more useful than positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) for distinguishing benign from malignant mediastinal tumors and mass lesions., Materials and Methods: Sixteen malignant mediastinal tumors (thymomas 7, thymic cancers 3, malignant lymphomas 3, malignant germ cell tumors 2, and thymic carcinoid 1) and 12 benign mediastinal tumors or mass lesions were assessed in this study. DWI and PET-CT were performed before biopsy or surgery., Results: The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value (1.51±0.46x10(-3) mm2/sec) of malignant mediastinal tumors was significantly lower than that (2.96±0.86x10(-3) mm2/sec) of benign mediastinal tumors and mass lesions (P<0.0001). Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) (11.30±11.22) of malignant mediastinal tumors was significantly higher than that (2.53±3.92) of benign mediastinal tumors and mass lesions (P=0.0159). Using the optimal cutoff value (OCV) 2.21x10(-3) mm2/sec for ADC and 2.93 for SUVmax, the sensitivity (100%) by DWI was not significantly higher than that (93.8%) by PET-CT for malignant mediastinal tumors. The specificity (83.3%) by DWI was not significantly higher than that (66.7%) for benign mediastinal tumors and mass lesions. The accuracy (92.9%) by DWI was not significantly higher than that (82.1%) by PET-CT for mediastinal tumors and mass lesions., Conclusions: There was no significant difference between diagnostic capability of DWI and that of PET-CT for distinguishing mediastinal tumors and mass lesions. DWI is useful in distinguishing benign from malignant mediastinal tumors and mass lesions.

Primary cardiac lymphoma is extremely rare and is associated with a poor prognosis. In most cases, cardiac involvement occurs as a late symptom and the diagnosis is thus delayed. We herein report a 35-year-old woman with cardiac diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with breast infiltration. The patient was admitted to our hospital based on an initial presentation with dyspnea on exertion, chest pain, and a hard mass of the left breast. Echocardiography revealed a mass in the right atrium wall and interatrial septum, and massive pericardial effusion. ECG showed atrioventoricular block. We promptly performed a needle biopsy of the breast mass, which showed CD5-positive DLBCL, non-GCB type. The serum HIV reaction was negative. We thus diagnosed this patient as having cardiac and breast CD5-positive DLBCL, stage IVA, based on the massive pericardial effusion. The patient's prognosis was apparently poor. Therefore, she received 3 cycles of R-CHOP chemotherapy followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT), resulting in a complete response. In general, cardiac lymphoma is associated with high mortality and has a poor prognosis. This case demonstrates that rapid and appropriate diagnosis, and immediate intensive chemotherapy followed by PBSCT might be necessary for the treatment of extranodal lymphoma indicative of a poor prognosis.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a clonal plasma cell disorder affecting the immune system with various systemic symptoms. MM remains incurable even with high dose chemotherapy using conventional drugs, thus necessitating development of novel therapeutic strategies. Gossypol (Gos) is a natural polyphenolic compound extracted from cotton plants, and has been shown to possess anti-neoplastic activity against various tumors. Recent studies have shown that Gos is an inhibitor for Bcl-2 or Bcl-XL acting as BH3 mimetics that interfere interaction between pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins and Bcl-2/Bcl-XL. Since most of the patients with MM overexpress Bcl-2 protein, we considered Gos might be a promising therapeutic agent for MM. We herein show that Gos efficiently induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation of the OPM2 MM cell line, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Gos induced activation of caspase-3 and cytochrome c release from mitochondria, showing mitochondrial dysfunction pathway is operational during apoptosis. Further investigation revealed that phosphorylation of Bcl-2 at serine-70 was attenuated by Gos treatment, while protein levels were not affected. In addition, Mcl-1 was downregulated by Gos. Interestingly, phosphorylation of JAK2, STAT3, ERK1/2 and p38MAPK was inhibited by Gos-treatment, indicating that Gos globally suppressed interleukin-6 (IL-6) signals. Moreover, JAK2 inhibition mimicked the effect of Gos in OPM2 cells including Bcl-2 dephosphorylation and Mcl-1 downregulation. These results demonstrated that Gos induces apoptosis in MM cells not only through displacing BH3-only proteins from Bcl-2, but also through inhibiting IL-6 signaling, which leads to Bcl-2 dephosphorylation and Mcl-1 downregulation.

Immune nutrition, as an integral component of nutritional support therapy, has garnered significant attention and research in the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies. Recent advancements in nutritional formulas containing components such as glutamine, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and arginine have led to the development of what is now termed immune nutrition or pharmacological nutrition. These formulations go beyond traditional nutritional support, functioning more like nutritional supplements with pharmacological effects. Patients with gastrointestinal malignancies often experience malnutrition and metabolic disturbances, resulting in immune dysfunction, cytokine dysregulation, and endocrine abnormalities. These issues can compromise intestinal mucosal barrier function, affecting the efficacy and prognosis of anticancer therapies. Recent studies indicate that immune nutrition can modulate specific mechanisms involved in various immune and inflammatory pathways, thereby improving patients' immune status and treatment outcomes. While optimal patient selection, dosing, and timing of immune nutrition are still under investigation, its potential applications in oncology are promising. This article aims to analyze the existing evidence regarding the therapeutic benefits of immune nutrition in gastrointestinal malignancies, offering insights into its clinical standardization and application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunonutrition (IN) is defined as using special nutritional substrates (immnonutrients) to regulate the nutritional status as well as immune and inflammatory functions. Patients with cancer often have chronic inflammation and impaired immune function due to the disease and its treatment, affecting the quality of life of patients and the outcome of cancer treatment. Malnutrition, metabolic abnormalities, immune imbalances and inflammatory responses permeate the entire process of tumor development and progression. Therefore, IN has its great potential in the treatment of cancer patients. Although there has been a large body of evidence, the application of IN in cancer patients meets the challenge, such as the optimal administration time, application population, ingredients of IN, and the dosage and ratio of application etc. Besides, new studies with better designed are emerging. The aim of this review is to summarize recent evidences in IN in patients with cancer, and to guide the clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Cytotoxicity of the antirheumatic drug auranofin (Aur) and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug meclofenamic acid (MA) on several cancer cell lines and isolated mitochondria was examined to assess whether these drugs behave as oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors. Methods: The effect of Aur or MA for 24 h was assayed on metastatic cancer and non-cancer cell proliferation, energy metabolism, mitophagy and metastasis; as well as on oxygen consumption rates of cancer and non-cancer mitochondria. Results: Aur doses in the low micromolar range were required to decrease proliferation of metastatic HeLa and MDA-MB-231 cells, whereas one or two orders of magnitude higher levels were required to affect proliferation of non-cancer cells. MA doses required to affect cancer cell growth were one order of magnitude higher than those of Aur. At the same doses, Aur impaired oxidative phosphorylation in isolated mitochondria and intact cells through mitophagy induction, as well as glycolysis. Consequently, cell migration and invasiveness were severely affected. The combination of Aur with very low cisplatin concentrations promoted that the effects on cellular functions were potentiated. Conclusion: Aur surges as a highly promising anticancer drug, suggesting that efforts to establish this drug in the clinical treatment protocols are warranted and worthy to undertake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lung cancer screening (LCS) using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is a strategy for early-stage diagnosis. The implementation of LDCT screening in countries with a high prevalence/incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to identify whether LCS using LDCT increases early-stage diagnosis and decreases mortality, as well as the false-positive rate, in regions with a high prevalence of TB. Methods/Design: Studies were identified by searching BVS, PUBMED, EMBASE, and SCOPUS. RCT and cohort studies (CS) that show the effects of LDCT in LC screening on mortality and secondary outcomes were eligible. Two independent reviewers evaluated eligibility and a third judged disagreements. We used the Systematic Review Data Repository (SRDR+) to extract the metadata and record decisions. The analyses were stratified by study design and incidence of TB. We used the Cochrane "Risk of bias" assessment tool. Results: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) were used. Thirty-seven papers were included, referring to 22 studies (10 RCTs and 12 cohorts). Few studies were from regions with a high incidence of TB (One RCT and four cohorts). Nonetheless, the evidence is compatible with European and USA studies. RCTs and CS also had consistent results. There is an increase in early-stage (I-II) diagnoses and reduced LC mortality in the LCDT arm compared to the control. Although false-positive rates varied, they stayed within the 20 to 30% range. Discussion: This is the first meta-analysis of LDCT for LCS focused on its benefits in regions with an increased incidence/prevalence of TB. Although the specificity of Lung-RADS was higher in participants without TB sequelae than in those with TB sequelae, our findings point out that the difference does not invalidate implementing LDCT LCS in these regions. Trial registration: Systematic review registration Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42022309581. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous cross‐sectional studies have attempted to identify the muscle morphology required to achieve high sprint velocity. Our longitudinal study addressed an unanswered question of cross‐sectional studies: whether hypertrophy of the individual trunk and thigh muscles induced by daily training (e.g., sprint, jump, and resistance training) is linked to an improvement in sprint performance within well‐trained sprinters. Twenty‐three collegiate male sprinters (100‐m best time of 11.36 ± 0.44 s) completed their daily training for 1 year without our intervention. Before and after the observation period, the sprint velocities at 0–100 m, 0–10 m, and 50–60 m intervals were measured using timing gates. The volumes of 14 trunk and thigh muscles were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Muscle volumes were normalized to the participants' body mass at each time point. Sprint velocities increased at the 0–100 m (p < 0.001), 0–10 m (p = 0.019), and 50–60 m (p = 0.018) intervals after the observation period. The relative volumes of the tensor fasciae latae, sartorius, biceps femoris long head, biceps femoris short head, semitendinosus, and iliacus were increased (all p < 0.050). Among the hypertrophied muscles, only the change in the relative volume of the semitendinosus was positively correlated with the change in sprint velocity at the 50–60 m interval (p = 0.018 and ρ = 0.591). These findings suggest that semitendinosus hypertrophy seems to be associated with sprint performance improvement within well‐trained sprinters during the maximal velocity phase. Highlights: Over the past few decades, numerous cross‐sectional studies have attempted to identify the muscle morphology required to achieve high sprint velocity, but the question remains as to whether hypertrophy of the individual trunk and thigh muscles is linked to an improvement in sprint performance within well‐trained sprinters.After 1‐year daily training in well‐trained sprinters, the tensor fasciae latae, sartorius, biceps femoris long head, biceps femoris short head, semitendinosus, and iliacus were hypertrophied.Among the hypertrophied muscles, only semitendinosus hypertrophy was associated with sprint performance improvement within well‐trained sprinters during the maximal velocity phase of the 100‐m sprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bronchial bifurcation abnormalities are often discovered incidentally on chest computed tomography or bronchoscopy. As this condition is asymptomatic, it has little effect on the disease course of patients with lung cancer. However, this abnormality must be considered when performing lung resection. Case presentation: Patient 1 was a 73-year-old man with suspected simultaneous triple lung cancers [cT1c (3) N0M0, Stage IA3] in the right and left upper lobes. He was initially scheduled to undergo right upper lobectomy and systematic nodal dissection. Chest computed tomography revealed a displaced B3 that arose from the right middle lobe bronchus. V1+2 was transected first, followed by the superior truncus of the pulmonary artery, and B1+2, respectively. After the branches of V3 were ligated, B3 was identified smoothly. Finally, the incomplete interlobar fissure between the upper and middle lobes was separated using an auto-stapler. No vascular abnormalities were observed. Patient 2 was a 62-year-old woman with suspected lung cancer (cT1cN0M0, Stage IA3) in the right upper lobe, and was scheduled to undergo right upper lobectomy and lobe-specific nodal dissection. Chest computed tomography revealed a right top pulmonary vein and a displaced B1 that arose from the right main bronchus independently. Because V1+3 was resected simultaneously during upper and middle lobe resection during robot-assisted thoracic surgery, the procedure was cool-converted to video-assisted thoracic surgery. An independently A1 was observed, followed by A2b and A3, which branched off as a common stem. A right top pulmonary vein was smoothly detected. Each blood vessel was transected using an auto-stapler. B2+3 was transected first using an auto-stapler, followed by B1. Conclusions: The displaced anomalous bronchus is often accompanied by pulmonary arterial or venous abnormalities and an incomplete interlobar fissure. A "hilum first, fissure last" technique is often useful. Preoperative evaluation and surgical planning are important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in predicting pathologic subtypes and grade in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: From January 2018 to March 2020, 48 surgically diagnosed NSCLC cases were included in this study. To obtain ADC values, ADC maps were constructed, and a region of interest was put on the tumor. The values were measured three times from different places of the lesion, and the mean value of these measurements was recorded. All MRI scans were evaluated by two radiologists in consensus. Results: A total of 14 cases were squamous cell cancer, 32 cases were adenocarcinoma, and 2 cases were large cell carcinoma. The mean ADC values of adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell cancer were 1.51 ± 0.19 × 10−3 mm2/s, 1.32 ± 0.15 × 10−3 mm2/s, and 1.39 ± 0.25 × 10−3 mm2/s, respectively. There were 11 grade 1, 27 grade 2, and 10 grade 3 NSCLC cases. The mean ADC value was 1.44 ± 0.14 × 10−3 mm2/s in grade 1 tumors, 1.25 ± 0.10 × 10−3 mm2/s in grade 2 tumors, and 1.07 ± 0.15 × 10−3 mm2/s in grade 3 tumors. The cut-off value to discriminate grade 2 from grade 1 tumors was 1.31 ± 0.11 × 10−3 mm2/s (85% sensitivity, 75% specificity). The cut-off value to discriminate grade 3 from grade 2 tumors was 1.11 ± 0.15 × 10−3 mm2/s (87% sensitivity, 69% specificity). Conclusions: ADC values can accurately predict NSCLC histopathologic subtypes and tumor grade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity has been recognized as an essential element for the health and well-being of children and adolescents. Therefore, this systematic review delves into the study of the relationship between extracurricular physical activity (PA) academic achievement (AA), and its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among students aged 3–16 years. This systematic review was guided by adhering to PRISMA guidelines. The review included studies that evaluated PA as an independent variable and its impact on academic performance (AP) through mediation models, structural equations, and multiple regression analyses. The key mediators identified between PA and AA include cognitive function, psychological well-being, and social factors. Cognitive self-regulation, attention, memory, self-efficacy, and self-esteem are key mediators between PA and AA as well as sleep patterns and a healthy lifestyle. In conclusion, extracurricular PA significantly influenced AA, and its influence was mediated by various cognitive, psychological, and social factors. These results support the inclusion and promotion of PA in educational settings, which aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals by improving AA and overall student well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information entropy is widely used in discrete mathematical chemistry as the descriptor to quantify the structural complexity of molecules. This review covers opportunities to use the information entropy parameters to evaluate changes in the complexity of molecules in both simple and multi-step chemical reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing demand for Nd-Fe-B magnets across various applications, the cost-effective substitution of Ce has garnered significant interest. Many studies have been conducted to achieve the high magnetic properties of Nd-Ce-Fe-B hot deformation magnets in which Nd is replaced with Ce. We propose a method to improve magnetic properties of the Ce-substituted Nd-Ce-Fe-B hot-deformed magnets by optimizing the hot-pressing process. This study investigates the microstructure and properties following hot deformation of Ce-substituted Nd-Ce-Fe-B magnets fabricated at a constant temperature and different pressures (100–300 MPa) during the hot-pressing process. The results highlight the influence of pressure from previous hot-pressing processes on grain alignment and microstructure during hot deformation. Magnets subjected to hot pressing at 200 MPa followed by hot deformation achieved superior magnetic properties, with Hci = 8.9 kOe, Br = 12.2 kG, and (BH)max = 31 MGOe with 40% of Nd replaced with Ce. Conversely, precursors prepared at 100 MPa exhibited low density due to high porosity, resulting in poor microstructure and magnetic properties after hot deformation. In magnets using precursors prepared at 300 MPa, coarsened grains and a condensed h-RE2O3 phase were observed. Incorporating Ce into the magnets led to insufficient formation of RE-rich phases due to the emergence of REFe2 secondary phases, disrupting grain alignment and hindering the homogeneous distribution of the RE-rich phase essential for texture formation. Precursors prepared under suitable pressure exhibited uniform distribution of the RE-rich phase, enhancing grain alignment along the c-axis and improving magnetic properties, particularly remanence. In conclusion, our findings present a strategy for achieving the ideal microstructure and magnetic properties of hot-deformed magnets with high Ce contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The incidence of postoperative complications and mortality are usually higher in patients with preoperative malnutrition. Malnutrition often preexists, particularly in patients undergoing surgery for esophageal cancer, which is substantially invasive. It is therefore important to understand the nutritional condition of patients and actively control perioperative nutrition.Our hospital has been providing nutritional status screening for patients before resection of esophageal cancer, and we report the current status and evaluation results in this article.This screening included 158 patients requiring radical resection of esophageal cancer.Age, comorbidity with diabetes, body mass index(BMI), serum albumin(Alb), Onodera's prognostic nutritional index(PNI), and Glasgow prognostic score(GPS)were used as nutritional indicators to stratify patients for analysis.Evaluation parameters included the incidence of postoperative complications(any complication, pulmonary complications, psychiatric disorder, and anastomotic leakage)and rates of long-term postoperative hospitalization.The analysis indicated that age, BMI, serum Alb, PNI, and GPS are useful for predicting the onset of postoperative complications and prolonged postoperative hospitalization.For such patients, more active nutritional control should be provided.

Two patients were admitted to our hospital due to giant bullae. During thoracoscopic surgery, saline-cooled radiofrequency coagulation devices were used to shrink the wall of the bulla. In each case, the volume of the bulla was gradually reduced and the boundary between the lung and bulla was clearly delineated. This method is considered to be useful for performing thoracoscopic surgery of giant bulla., (© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Unlabelled: We evaluated the significance of the prognostic nutritional index(PNI)and modified Glasgow Prognostic Score(mGPS)in colorectal cancer resection., Methods: We classified 165 patients undergoing colorectal cancer excision according to PNI(>40 [n=141]and ≤40[n=24])and mGPS (A/B[n=95], C[n=44], and D [n=26]). We examined the incidence of postoperative complications, postoperative hospital stay, and survival., Results: Both indices were associated with all complications, surgical site infection(SSI), and med ian postoperative hospital stay. RI was only associated with the mGPS, whereas a long postoperative hospital stay was associated with the PNI alone. Both indices showed a relationship with survival for each clinical stage., Conclusion: Both PNI and mGPS were useful clinical indices for patients undergoing colorectal cancer resection.

Background: Purely localized, oligometastatic, and widely metastatic tumors are likely to require different therapeutic strategies. Although surgical procedures for isolated pulmonary, brain, or adrenal metastases from lung cancer have been extensively evaluated, most data are from retrospective studies; accordingly, we conducted a prospective multicenter trial., Methods: Patients were eligible if they had previously untreated clinical T1-2N0-1 lung cancer with single-organ metastasis, or single-organ metachronous metastasis after complete resection of pathologic T1-2N0-1 lung cancer. Metastatic lesions were classified into three groups: group A included metastasis in single organs other than brain or lung; group B included synchronous brain metastasis; and group C included pulmonary metastasis. The treatment intervention was surgical resection of metachronous metastasis or of both synchronous metastasis and primary lung cancer., Results: From December 2002 through June 2011, 36 patients were enrolled. Two patients were ineligible, and the remaining 34 were analyzed; 6 (18%) had a benign lesion and no metastasis, 5 patients (15%) underwent incomplete resection of primary lung cancer, and 20 patients (59%) underwent complete resection of both primary lung cancer and metastasis. The 5-year survival rate for these 20 cases was 44.7%., Conclusions: Clinical T1-2N0-1 lung cancer with a single-organ metastatic lesion was a good candidate for surgical resection. A 5-year survival rate of about 40% can be expected, which could be comparable with that for stage II non-small cell lung cancer., (Copyright © 2014 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Triptolide, a diterpenoid trioxide purified from the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, has been used as a natural medicine in China for hundreds of years. Several reports have demonstrated that triptolide inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells in vitro and reduces the growth of several types of tumors in vivo. To address the potential of triptolide as a novel therapeutic agent for patients with multiple myeloma, we investigated the effects of triptolide on the induction of apoptosis in human multiple myeloma cells in vitro. Triptolide rapidly induces apoptotic cell death in various myeloma cell lines. Triptolide-induced apoptosis in myeloma cells is associated with the loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (∆ψm), the release of cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO from mitochondria into the cytosol, and the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9. Furthermore, triptolide induces a rapid decline in the levels of Mcl-1 protein that correlates with caspase activation and induction of apoptosis. Inhibition of Mcl-1 synthesis by triptolide occurs at the level of mRNA transcription and is associated with an inhibition of phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II CTD. These results indicate that Mcl-1 is an important target for triptolide-induced apoptosis in myeloma cells that occurs via inhibition of Mcl-1 mRNA transcription coupled with rapid protein degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.

Background: Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) is reported to be useful for detecting malignant lesions. The purpose of this study is to clarify characteristics of imaging, detection rate and sensitivity of DWI for recurrence or metastasis of lung cancer., Methods: A total of 36 lung cancer patients with recurrence or metastasis were enrolled in this study. While 16 patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT), 17 underwent MRI and CT, and 3 underwent MRI and PET-CT., Results: Each recurrence or metastasis showed decreased diffusion, which was easily recognized in DWI. The detection rate for recurrence or metastasis was 100% (36/36) in DWI, 89% (17/19) in PET-CT and 82% (27/33) in CT. Detection rate of DWI was significantly higher than that of CT (p=0.0244) but not significantly higher than that of PET-CT (p=0.22). When the optimal cutoff value of the apparent diffusion coefficient value was set as 1.70?10-3 mm2/sec, the sensitivity of DWI for diagnosing recurrence or metastasis of lung cancer was 95.6%., Conclusions: DWI is useful for detection of recurrence and metastasis of lung cancer.

To expand postoperative residual lungs after pulmonary lobectomy, thoracic drainage with two chest tubes has been recommended. Several studies recently demonstrated that postoperative drainage with one chest tube (PD1) was as safe as that with two chest tubes (PD2). However, most of the patients in those studies underwent lobectomy by standard thoracotomy. Although the number of pulmonary lobectomies by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has been increasing in recent years, there have been no reports that compared PD1 with PD2 after pulmonary lobectomy, including that by VATS. To elucidate whether postoperative management with PD1 is as safe as that with PD2, we conducted a randomized controlled trial. Lung cancer patients who underwent lobectomies with mediastinal nodal dissection in our hospital were assigned to one of two groups: one chest tube placed in PD1 group and two chest tubes placed in PD2 group. A total of 108 patients were registered in the study. There were no significant differences in the age, gender, pathological stage or histological type between two groups. Since the residual lung expansion was good in both groups, there were no patients who needed thoracentesis. There were no significant differences in the number of cases with pleurodesis, the amount/duration of drainage or the pain of the patients between two groups. In conclusion, since PD1 has advantages in saving cost and time and in low risk of transcutaneous infection, PD1 is appropriate after pulmonary lobectomy by VATS and by open thoracotomy.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) in patients undergoing surgical treatment for non-small cell lung cancer., Materials and Methods: Seventy-eight consecutive patients (58 with adenocarcinomas, 20 with squamous cell carcinomas) treated with potentially curative surgery were retrospectively reviewed., Results: The SUVmax was significantly higher in the patients with recurrent than with non-recurrent adenocarcinoma (p<0.01). However, among the patients with squamous cell carcinoma, there were no differences with or without recurrence (p=0.69). Multivariate analysis indicated that the SUVmax of adenocarcinoma lesions was a significant predictor of disease-free survival (p=0.04). In addition, an SUVmax of 6.19, the cut-off point based on ROC curve analysis of the patients with pathological IB or more advanced stage adenocarcinomas, was found to be a significant predictor of disease-free survival (p<0.01)., Conclusions: SUVmax is a useful predictor of disease-free survival in patients with resected adenocarcinoma, but not squamous cell carcinoma. Patients with adenocarcinoma exhibiting an SUVmax above 6.19 are candidates for more intensive adjuvant therapy.