Three-dimensional morphometry of the human thoracic aorta using centerline analysis based on least-squares plane fitting.

Objective: A novel approach to 3-dimensional morphometry of the thoracic aorta was developed by applying centerline analysis based on least-squares plane fitting, and a preliminary study was conducted using computed tomography imaging data.

Methods: We retrospectively compared 3 groups of patients (16 controls without aortic disease, and 16 cases each with acute type B aortic dissection and congenital bicuspid aortic valve). In addition to the standard assessment indices for curvature κ and torsion τ, we conducted coordinate transformation based on the least-squares plane, divided the centerline into 3 representative features (transverse, anterior-posterior, and longitudinal displacements), and analyzed the overall and local displacement in each direction.

Cytoprotective effect of melatonin against MPP toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells: Role sharing of two types of antioxidative activities of melatonin.

Melatonin is a neurohormone that is not only a regulator of circadian cycles, but also a potent antioxidant. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a major neurodegenerative disease that may result from oxidative stress as a part of its pathogenic cascade. Therefore, antioxidants, including melatonin, have attracted attention as potential candidates for neuroprotection against PD-related neurotoxicity.

Establishing a new human lung squamous cell carcinoma cell line, OMUL-1, expressing insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor and programmed cell death ligand 1.

The Main Problem: Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most prevalent type of non-small cell lung cancer. Analyzing the molecular mechanisms underlying lung carcinoma requires useful tools, such as squamous lung cancer cell lines.

Methods: A novel new lung squamous cell carcinoma cell line, OMUL-1, was developed from the primary lung cancer of a 74-year-old man.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor expression correlates with programmed death ligand 1 expression and poor survival in non-small cell lung cancer.

The insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) has been associated with growth and metastasis in various cancers. However, its role in postoperative recurrence and prognosis in lung cancer lacks clear consensus. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between IGF1R and postoperative recurrence as well as long-term survival in a large cohort.

Derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio has the potential to predict safety and outcomes of durvalumab after chemoradiation in non-small cell lung cancer.

The usefulness of the derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) and its dynamics before/after durvalumab consolidation therapy to predict safety or efficacy remains unclear. We retrospectively reviewed patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with durvalumab consolidation therapy after chemoradiotherapy (D group) or chemoradiotherapy alone (non-D group) at multiple institutions. We investigated the association between dNLR, or its dynamics, and pneumonitis, checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis (CIP), irAEs, and efficacy.

Metabolic profiling of atypical meningioma and recurrent meningioma: a comparative analysis with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Objective: Meningiomas are predominantly benign, but some cases exhibit recurrent growth after surgery and undergo malignant transformation to WHO grade 2 or grade 3. Despite progress in genetic analyses, advancements in metabolomic analysis remain less established. Herein, the authors investigated metabolic activity differences between WHO grade 1 meningiomas and WHO grade 2 or 3 meningiomas by noninvasively using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), aiming to preoperatively estimate malignancy.

Mixed-methods research of motivational processes in workers' adoption of healthy behavior.

Background: In occupational health, the maintenance and promotion of workers' health, especially lifestyle motivation-based interventions, have gained considerable attention and are actively implemented. Motivational theories include self-determination theory, and some studies focus on healthy lifestyles. However, the effectiveness of health promotion interventions varies depending on the health awareness and motivation of the participants.

RBM17 Expression Is Associated With the Efficacy of ICI Monotherapy in NSCLC With Low PD-L1 Expression.

Background/aim: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are currently a standard treatment tool for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). RNA-binding motif protein 17 (RBM17), a splicing factor, is frequently over-expressed in NSCLC, but little is known about the role of RBM17 in the efficacy of ICIs for NSCLC. Thus, we investigated the correlation between RBM17 expression and ICI efficacy in NSCLC.

Clinical significance of KL-6 in immune-checkpoint inhibitor treatment for non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) functions as a tumor marker, as well as a diagnostic tool for interstitial pneumonia (IP). However, the significance of KL-6 in the immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially in patients without IP, is unknown.

Methods: This multicenter, retrospective study, which included patients with advanced NSCLC who received ICI therapy, analyzed the association between serum KL-6 values and ICI efficacy and the association between serum KL-6 values and ICI-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD) occurrence, focusing primarily on patients without IP.

Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot With Absent Pulmonary Valve and Nonconfluent Left Pulmonary Artery.

Tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve and a nonconfluent left pulmonary artery is an uncommon combination usually associated with respiratory distress due to tracheobronchial compression by the aneurysmally dilated right pulmonary artery. Although application of the conventional technique is not feasible for this subset of patients, our novel "spiral plication" technique, wherein both the anterior and posterior walls of the dilated right pulmonary artery are resected in a spindle shape and plicated as if it is squeezed spirally, provides effective release of the obstructed airway concomitant with reconstruction of the left pulmonary artery confluence with growth potential.

Treatment outcomes and time to healing of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw based on image findings.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic treatment outcome of non-operative management of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), particularly regarding the relationship between image findings and treatment outcomes.

Methods: This single-center, retrospective observational study included patients with MRONJ who were conservatively treated between 2010 and 2020. All patients were evaluated in terms of MRONJ treatment outcomes, time to healing, and prognostic factors, including sex, age, underlying disease, antiresorptive drug type, discontinuation of antiresorptive treatment, chemotherapy, corticosteroid treatment, diabetes mellitus, location of MRONJ, clinical stage of MRONJ, and computed tomography image findings.

Influence of Smoking History on the Effectiveness of Immune-checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Analysis of Real-world Data.

Background/aim: There is no real-world data in an Asian population to investigate the difference between the outcome of immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monotherapy and combination therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) based on smoking status. In this study, we investigated the correlation between smoking status and the efficacy of ICI therapy for NSCLC patients.

Patients And Methods: This multicentre retrospective study enrolled patients with recurrent or metastatic NSCLC who were treated using ICI therapy between December 2015 and July 2020.

Vimentin expression correlates with immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Although vimentin is often expressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the association between vimentin expression and immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) efficacy remains unclear.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter study enrolled patients with NSCLC who received ICI treatment between December 2015 and July 2020. The authors constructed tissue microarrays and performed immunohistochemical staining with vimentin.

Association of thyroid transcription factor-1 with the efficacy of immune-checkpoint inhibitors in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: We aimed to identify the relationship between thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) expression of lung adenocarcinoma and the efficacy of immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter study comprised patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma treated with ICI monotherapy. We collected clinical medical records including data on TTF-1 expression and analyzed the relationship between TTF-1 expression and programmed death-ligand 1 tumor proportion score (PD-L1 TPS), objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 expression and immunotherapy efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer.

It is unclear whether tumor vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 expression affects the therapeutic efficacy of immune-checkpoint inhibitors and antiangiogenic agents. This retrospective, multicenter study included patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who were treated with immune-checkpoint inhibitors. We constructed tissue microarrays and performed immunohistochemistry with an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 antibody.

Initial national investigation of the prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart malformations in Japan-Regional Detection Rate and Emergency Transfer from 2013 to 2017.

Background: Investigation into the detection rate (DR) of congenital heart diseases (CHDs) in fetuses is important for the assessment of fetal cardiac screening systems.

Objectives: We highlight issues of fetal cardiac screening in Japan.

Methods: We performed an initial national survey of fetal diagnosis of CHDs from the data of the national registry for congenital heart surgery from 2013 to 2017.

Factors that facilitate multigenerational exchanges in regional locations: a cross-sectional study in Niigata City, Japan.

Background: In the process of community building, it is important to create a place for multigenerational exchanges. To promote multigenerational exchanges in regional locations, it is essential to clarify whether such exchanges are related to government infrastructure, regional characteristics, and social capital, and how these exchanges contribute to community building.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted with representatives from 455 Chiiki no Cha-no-Ma (literal translation "community living room," and hereafter "Cha-no-Ma") in Niigata City, Japan.

Influence of prostate cancer status on the prevalence of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) in patients with prostate cancer, particularly the relationship between prostate cancer progression and ONJ development.

Study Design: This single-center, retrospective, observational study included 113 patients who received zoledronic acid or denosumab for prostate cancer with bone metastasis between January 2012 and March 2020. The risk of ONJ was evaluated regarding age; antiresorptive drugs; duration of antiresorptive treatment; prostate cancer status, including castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and prostate-specific antigen level; chemotherapy; radium-223 treatment; corticosteroid treatment; diabetes mellitus; and dental extractions.