Real-world evidence of safety and influence for lung cancer surgery under COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the clinical practice of lung cancer surgery in Japan, but few studies have revealed the real situation of surgical practice for lung cancer in this country. This latest information will help us to decide the future direction of lung cancer surgery under pandemic circumstances.

Methods: We collected data from patients with primary lung cancer who underwent thoracic surgery between 2018 and 2021.

A novel cell-based assay for the high-throughput screening of epithelial-mesenchymal transition inhibitors: Identification of approved and investigational drugs that inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Objectives: Lung cancer with distant metastases is associated with a very poor prognosis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to cancer metastasis. Therefore, elucidation and inhibition of EMT signaling in lung cancer may be a new therapeutic strategy for improving the prognosis of patients. We constructed a high-throughput screening system for EMT inhibitors.

Nrf2/p‑Fyn/ABCB1 axis accompanied by p‑Fyn nuclear accumulation plays pivotal roles in vinorelbine resistance in non‑small cell lung cancer.

Adjuvant cisplatin‑vinorelbine is a standard therapy for stage II/III lung cancer. However, a poor survival rate of patients with lung cancer is attributed to vinorelbine resistance arising from ATP‑binding cassette (ABC) sub‑family B member 1 (ABCB1) and phosphorylated Fyn (p‑Fyn) overexpression. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

High programmed death ligand 1 expression in carcinomatous components predicts a poor prognosis in pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma.

Purpose: This study reviewed the clinicopathological characteristics and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression of 46 patients with pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma to better understand its clinical behavior and factors affecting the survival.

Methods: Data of patients with pulmonary pleomorphic carcinomas resected in our institution were retrospectively reviewed. The tumors were classified as carcinomatous or sarcomatous according to the tissue components.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors as a first-line treatment for postoperative recurrent and EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer.

Objectives: To clarify survival outcomes and prognostic factors of patients receiving epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) - tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) as first-line treatment for postoperative recurrence.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify consecutive patients who received EGFR-TKIs as first-line treatment for postoperative recurrence of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harbouring EGFR gene mutations at our institution between August 2002 and October 2020. Therapeutic response, adverse events, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were investigated.

Aberrant expression of MYD88 via RNA-controlling CNOT4 and EXOSC3 in colonic mucosa impacts generation of colonic cancer.

In 2020, the worldwide incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC) were third and second, respectively. As the 5-y survival rate is low when CRC is diagnosed at an advanced stage, a reliable method to predict CRC susceptibility is important for preventing the onset and development and improving the prognosis of CRC. Therefore, we focused on the normal colonic mucosa to investigate changes in gene expression that may induce subsequent genetic alterations that induce malignant transformation.

Prognostic significance of cribriform adenocarcinoma of the lung: validation analysis of 1,057 Japanese patients with resected lung adenocarcinoma and a review of the literature.

Background: Cribriform-predominant adenocarcinoma of the lung (Cribri-ADC) is a recently described tumor growth pattern. However, its prognostic impact has not been clearly determined. We analyzed the data of a series of 1,057 Japanese patients with resected lung adenocarcinoma to identify the clinical significance of Cribri-ADC.

Expanded indications for lung transplantation for pulmonary complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Objectives: Pulmonary complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are associated with poor survival and can be treated by lung transplantation (LT). However, the indications for LT in patients with pulmonary complications after HSCT remain unclear due to low number of cases. HSCT is frequently conducted for hematologic malignancies, which have different recurrence patterns from solid-organ malignancies.

Skin marking with computed tomography at functional residual capacity to predict lung nodule site.

Various marking techniques for lung nodules may be complex and can cause serious complications. In this study, we aimed to describe and evaluate the feasibility of CTFRC marking, a novel preoperative skin marking technique guided by computed tomography (CT) at functional residual capacity (FRC). This simple and non-invasive marking technique only requires a preoperative CT scan without any anaesthesia.

Pulmonary vein thrombosis after lobectomy with vein stump closure by ligation.

Objectives Thrombosis in the pulmonary vein stump after a left upper lobectomy is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication, and the pulmonary vein stump length plays an important role here. We assessed the frequency and risk factors for thrombosis in patients undergoing lobectomy with division of the superior pulmonary vein using ligation. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 425 patients with primary lung cancer who underwent lobectomy or bilobectomy in our institution from 2008 to 2016, with contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography within a year after lobectomy.

A design for the control of apoptosis in genetically modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have engineered a system that holds potential for use as a safety switch in genetically modified yeasts. Human apoptotic factor BAX (no homolog in yeast), under the control of the FBP1 (gluconeogenesis enzyme) promoter, was conditionally expressed to induce yeast cell apoptosis after glucose depletion. Such systems might prove useful for the safe use of genetically modified organisms.

Spontaneous whole-lung torsion after massive pleural effusion and atelectasis.

We present a case of whole-lung torsion after massive pleural effusion and atelectasis. A 79-year-old woman with a history of recent pneumonia and pleurisy presented to our hospital and complained of left leg edema and pain that was considered to be vasculitis. A sagittal computed tomography (CT) scan showed that her whole right lung had a 120-degree counterclockwise torsion toward the hilum.

[Plication of diaphragm for eventration of diaphragm caused by megacolon; report of a case].

A 70-year-old woman with severe respiratory distress was admitted to our hospital by ambulance. Chest X-ray revealed marked elevation of left diaphragm and invagination of megacolon. Colectomy was performed to improve the respiratory distress, but continuous mechanical ventilation was necessary after operation due to hypoxia and hypercapnea.

New invagination procedure for pancreaticojejunostomy using only four sutures.

Background: Pancreaticoenterostomy remains one of the most stressful parts of pancreatoduodenectomy. We introduce herein a new convenient and secure invagination procedure for pancreaticojejunostomy.

Methods: We performed our new procedure during pancreatoduodenectomy in 15 consecutive patients (7 men, 8 women).

Long-term survival of resected advanced gastric cancer with hepatic and pancreatic invasion.

A 64-year-old man was transferred to our division with a suspicion of gastric cancer. Computed tomography showed widespread irregular thickening of the stomach walls close to the liver and pancreas. Gastrointestinal fiberscopy showed a type 5 tumor in the upper to lower stomach, histologically diagnosed as tubular adenocarcinoma.

Inadvertent Ingestion of a Press-Through Package Causing Perforation of the Small Intestine within an Incisional Hernia and Panperitonitis.

A 90-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department of our hospital with abdominal pain and a fever of up to 39°C. She had a history of hysterectomy about 30 years previously, and redness and swelling were seen at the abdominal median scar. Serum biochemistry showed minor elevation of C-reactive protein and creatine phosphokinase.