Parameter Optimization in Cluster Identification Algorithms for Characterizing Nanoclusters in Al-Mg-Si-Cu Alloys.

Optimization of user-defined parameters (Dmax, Nmin, order (K)) in the Density-based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) algorithm, used to characterize nanoclusters in Al-0.9% Mg-1.0% Si-0.

Introduction of extraperitoneal tunneling method: a way to secure the drain tube in the pelvic cavity after proctectomy.

The effectiveness of closed drainage tube insertion after low anterior resection has been controversial. We believe that drain tube displacement, which occurs up to 35% in real clinical practice, reduces the effectiveness of the drain tube. We report in this video a simple way to secure the drain tube in the pelvic cavity after low anterior resection and introduce a case that used the drain fixation method and treated anastomotic leakage without interventional procedure.

Protective effect of intraluminal fecal diverting device against colonic wall erosion induced by wrapping bands: A post-hoc pathological analysis.

Objectives: Materials wrapping the bowel elicits tissue erosion gradually. We experienced several bowel wall erosions with no serious clinical consequences in our two previous animal experiments aimed at the safety and efficacy of the COLO-BT developed for intra-luminal fecal diversion. We tried to find out why the erosion is safe by investigating histologic changes of the tissue.

Effect of pelvic drain displacement on anastomotic leakage-related morbidity after rectal cancer surgery.

Purpose: Drain insertion after proctectomy is common in clinical practice, although the effectiveness of drains has been questioned. However, drains are commonly displaced after surgery. We hypothesized that drain displacement is associated with clinical outcomes and aimed to assess differences in clinical outcomes, such as overall morbidity, including anastomotic leakage (AL), reintervention rates, length of hospital stay, and mortality rates, between patients who experienced displaced drains and those who did not.

Two-year follow-up results of the use of a fecal diverting device as a substitute for a defunctioning stoma.

Purpose: Our previously published clinical studies described the short-term outcomes of a newly developed intraluminal fecal diverting device (FDD). FDD was a safe and effective substitute for a defunctioning stoma. However, the long-term efficacy and safety of this device remain unknown.

Prognostic Implications of Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia in Stage III Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Previous studies have reported chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) as a prognostic factor in stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC). However, only few reports analyzed the prognostic value of CIN in patients with stage III CRC who received adjuvant chemotherapy with oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin (FOLFOX). We aimed to investigate the prognostic implications of CIN in patients with stage III CRC who received adjuvant chemotherapy with FOLFOX.

The Effect of Anastomotic Leakage on the Incidence and Severity of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome in Patients Undergoing Proctectomy: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Purpose: Proctectomy for the treatment of rectal cancer results in inevitable changes to bowel habits. Symptoms such as fecal incontinence, constipation, and tenesmus are collectively referred to as low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). Among the several risk factors that cause LARS, anastomotic leakage (AL) is a strong risk factor for permanent stoma formation.

Clinical effectiveness of omental transposition in facilitating perineal wound healing after abdominoperineal resection: a systematic review.

Backgruound: Omental transposition has been used to facilitate perineal wound healing in patients undergoing abdominoperineal resection (APR). However, there is no high-level evidence supporting the effectiveness of omental transposition in this regard. This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of omental transposition in facilitating perineal wound healing after APR.

The Usefulness of a 180° Rotatable Monitor for an Assistant to Overcome the Hand-Eye Discordance in Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery.

Purpose: Hand-eye discordance during laparoscopic colon surgery is an obstacle to the assistant. We evaluated the usefulness of a 180° rotatable laparoscopic monitor for the colorectal surgery assistant to overcome hand-eye discordance.

Methods: Twenty-six residents of the department of surgery (novice group, n=13; experienced group, n=13) participated in this study.

The Role of Primary Tumor Resection in Colorectal Cancer Patients with Asymptomatic, Synchronous, Unresectable Metastasis: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

We aimed to assess the survival benefits of primary tumor resection (PTR) followed by chemotherapy in patients with asymptomatic stage IV colorectal cancer with asymptomatic, synchronous, unresectable metastases compared to those of upfront chemotherapy alone. This was an open-label, prospective, randomized controlled trial (ClnicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01978249).

Abdominopelvic Actinomycosis Mimicking Peritoneal Carcinomatosis: A Case Report.

Actinomycosis is a rare chronic bacterial infection primarily caused by Actinomyces israelii. A 47-year-old woman presented to our clinic with a 1-week history of lower abdominal pain. Preoperative imaging studies revealed multiple peritoneal and pelvic masses suggestive of malignancy.

Clinical value of an adenosine triphosphate-based chemotherapy response assay in resectable stage III colorectal cancer.

Purpose: ATP-based chemotherapy response assay (ATP-CRA) is a well-documented and validated technology that can individualize chemotherapy. This study was undertaken to assess the usefulness of ATP-CRA in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods: A total of 136 patients with curative resection between January 2006 and April 2014 were evaluated using ATP-CRA.

Effect of Step Quenching on Multi-Step Aging Behavior in Al-Mg-Si Alloys.

Two types of nanoclusters were detected using DSC thermal analysis operating at -50 °C with liquid nitrogen. The formation of Cluster (1) was substantially suppressed by the formation of Cluster (2) during step quenching at 100 °C for 0.06 ks.

The effectiveness of a fecal diverting device for prevention of septic complications in a dog model of ischemic bowel anastomosis.

Objective: A type of bypass tube for a fecal diversion device (FDD) was created to protect colorectal anastomosis. We evaluated the effectiveness of the FDD in an animal study.

Methods: The study was performed in an experimental animal laboratory of a tertiary referral center hospital.

Ileostomy versus fecal diversion device to protect anastomosis after rectal surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: Patients with rectal anastomosis commonly experience various ileostomy-related complications. This study aimed to elucidate the usefulness of a fecal diversion device (FDD) as an alternative to ileostomy for protecting rectal anastomosis.

Methods: Patients with rectal anastomosis were randomly assigned to the ileostomy and FDD groups except in cases of emergency surgery.

Long-term oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic versus open resection following stent insertion for obstructing colon cancer: a multi-center retrospective study.

Background: This study compared oncologic outcomes between open and laparoscopic surgery following self-expanding metallic stents insertion for obstructing colon cancer.

Methods: This retrospective study included 50 patients who underwent open surgery and 44 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for obstructing left-sided colon cancer at four tertiary referral hospitals between June 2005 and December 2013.

Results: The median follow-up periods were 48 months and 47 months in the open and laparoscopic groups, respectively.

Fecal diverting device for the substitution of defunctioning stoma: preliminary clinical study.

Background: A novel fecal diverting device (FDD) made for the prevention of sepsis resulting from anastomotic leakage (AL) was tested successfully in an animal study. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical safety and effectiveness of the FDD.

Methods: A prospective observation trial was implemented in a tertiary referral university hospital.

Effects of Mg Addition with Natural Aging Time on Two-Step Aging Behavior in Al-Mg-Si Alloys.

Influence of Mg contents with the natural aging (NA) time on the two-step aging behavior in Al-Mg-Si alloys is studied. Hardness is gradually increased during NA in the 3M4S, whereas dramatic increase of hardness after NA for 3.6 ks is confirmed in the 9M4S.

Effects of Fragmented Fe Intermetallic Compounds on Ductility in Al-Si-Mg Alloys.

Fe is intentionally added in order to form the Fe intermetallic compounds (Fe-IMCs) during casting. Field emission scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) was conducted to understand microstructural changes and chemical composition analyses. The needlelike Fe-IMCs based on two dimensional observation with hundreds of micro size are modified to fragmented particles with the minimum size of 300 nm through clod rolling with 80% thickness reduction.

Selecting patients for hyperthermia combined with preoperative chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer.

Background: This study investigated the role of hyperthermia combined with preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) according to hypoxic marker expression.

Methods: One hundred and nine LARC patients with tissue blocks available for immunohistochemical assessment of carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9) expression were reviewed. CA9 expression was considered positive when the staining percentage of tumor cells was >25% (n = 31).

Influence of Si Addition on Quenching Sensitivity and Formation of Nano-Precipitate in Al-Mg-Si Alloys.

The age-hardening is enhanced with the high cooling rate since more vacancies are formed during quenching, whereas the stable beta phase is formed with the slow cooling rate just after solid solution treatment resulting in lower increase of hardness during aging. Meanwhile, the nanoclusters are formed during natural aging in Al-Mg-Si alloys. The formation of nanoclusters is enhanced with increasing the Si amount.

Prognostic Impact of Microsatellite Instability in Colorectal Cancer Presenting With Mucinous, Signet-Ring, and Poorly Differentiated Cells.

Purpose: Mucinous cells (MUCs), signet-ring cells (SRCs), and poorly differentiated cells (PDCs) are uncommon histologic types and have been associated with advanced tumor stage and poor prognosis. However, MUCs, SRCs, and PDCs are commonly observed in cancers with high microsatellite instability (MSI), which have favorable outcomes compared with cancers with microsatellite stability (MSS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of high-MSI in patients with sporadic colorectal cancer presenting with MUCs, SRCs, and/or PDCs.

The role of primary tumor resection in colorectal cancer patients with asymptomatic, synchronous unresectable metastasis: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Approximately 20 % of all patients with colorectal cancer are diagnosed as having Stage IV cancer; 80 % of these present with unresectable metastatic lesions. It is controversial whether chemotherapy with or without primary tumor resection (PTR) is effective for the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer with unresectable metastasis. Primary tumor resection could prevent tumor-related complications such as intestinal obstruction, perforation, bleeding, or fistula.