Design and validation of a method for evaluating medical device cleanliness by recovering and quantifying residual proteins on stainless plates.

We recently reported a method for recovering and quantifying residual proteins bound to surfaces of various medical instruments via thermal coagulation under neutral pH and room temperature. The method effectively recovered and solubilised coagulated proteins at high temperatures in dry and humid conditions, with a protein recovery rate of > 90%. This study validated the previous method by comparing residual protein recovery from test samples using a conventional extraction solution (1% SDS, [pH 11.

Feasibility, Tolerability, and Effectiveness of Transbronchial Interventions in Elderly Patients With Malignant Central Airway Obstruction: A Retrospective Single-institution Study.

Background: In elderly patients with malignant central airway obstruction (MCAO), the treating physicians often hesitate to undertake transbronchial interventions (TBIs) as a palliative procedure in view of the advanced age of the patients.

Methods: We conducted this retrospective study to evaluate the differences in the feasibility, tolerability, and effectiveness of TBIs between elderly (aged 75 years old or above; elderly group; n=27) and nonelderly (aged below 75 years old; nonelderly group; n=50) patients with MCAO. The primary endpoint was the incidence of complications during (within 24 hours) and after (>24 hours) TBIs.

Intravenously engrafted human multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring (Muse) cells rescue erectile function after rat cavernous nerve injury.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of intravenous administration of human multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring (Muse) cells on rat postoperative erectile dysfunction (ED) with cavernous nerve (CN) injury without an immunosuppressant.

Materials And Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomised into three groups after CN crush injury. Either human-Muse cells, non-Muse mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) (both 1.

Phylogeography of the temperate grassland plant Tephroseris kirilowii (Asteraceae) inferred from multiplexed inter-simple sequence repeat genotyping by sequencing (MIG-seq) data.

A group of temperate grassland plant species termed the "Mansen elements" occurs in Japan and is widely distributed in the grasslands of continental East Asia. It has been hypothesized that these species are continental grassland relicts in Japan that stretch back to a colder age, but their migration history has not been elucidated. To assess the migration history of the Mansen elements, we performed phylogeographic analyses of Tephroseris kirilowii, a member of this group, using single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained from multiplexed inter-simple sequence repeat genotyping by sequencing (MIG-seq).

 (Hydrangeaceae), a new species from Osumi Peninsula, southern Japan.

Tagane & S. Fujii, from the Kimotsuki Mountains in the Ohsumi Peninsula, southern Japan, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to in having three-petaloid calyx lobes in marginal flowers, but is distinguished by the larger stamen number, and longer styles and seeds.

Overall Survival of Small-cell Lung Cancer Patients With Malignant Central Airway Obstruction Who Received Chemotherapy Without Undergoing Transbronchial Interventions: A Single-institution Retrospective Study.

Background/aim: This study aimed to determine whether the prognosis of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients with malignant central airway obstruction (MCAO) who receive chemotherapy without undergoing transbronchial intervention (TBI) is not inferior to that of SCLC patients without MCAO.

Patients And Methods: We compared overall survival (OS) from the time of SCLC diagnosis between stage III or IV SCLC patients with MCAO (MCAO group, n=22) and those without MCAO (non-MCAO group, n=88). MCAO is generally defined as >50% obstruction of the trachea or mainstem bronchi.

Prognosis of stage I non-small cell lung cancer patients aged ≥ 80 years who were considered medically operable but received best supportive care alone.

Introduction: Some elderly stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients may refuse both stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and surgery and may instead desire best supportive care (BSC) alone, despite having a medically operable condition.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the differences in the 3-year overall survival (3-year OS) rates among elderly stage I NSCLC patients aged ≥ 80 years who received surgery (OP group, n = 39), SBRT (RT group, n = 32) or BSC alone (BSC group, n = 28), stratifying the later groups according to those who were medically inoperable (MI subgroup) and those who were considered medically operable but refused surgery (MO subgroup).

Results: During a median 39.

Difference in the Overall Survival Between Malignant Central Airway Obstruction Patients Treated by Transbronchial Microwave Ablation and Stent Placement: A Single-institution Retrospective Study.

Background/aim: Transbronchial microwave ablation (MWA) can be performed safely in patients with malignant central airway obstruction (MCAO), under moderate sedation and a high fraction of inspired oxygen.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the difference in the overall survival (OS) after transbronchial interventions (TBIs) between MCAO patients with endoluminal or mixed-type obstruction who were treated by MWA (MWA group, n=34) and those with extraluminal obstruction who were treated by stent placement (STP) (STP group, n=27).

Results: The OS was longer in the MWA group than in the STP group (10.

Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of the complex (Hydrangeaceae) in western Japan, including a new subspecies of from Yakushima.

According to the contemporary classification of native to Japan, is a polymorphic species including six varieties. We discovered a plant identified as , but morphologically distinct from previously known varieties, in Yakushima island where approximately 50 endemic species are known. To determine the relationship of this plant with previously known varieties, we examined morphology and constructed a highly resolved phylogeny of and its relatives using three chloroplast genomic regions, L, L intron, A-H, and two nuclear genomic regions, ITS1 and ITS2, and Multiplex ISSR genotyping by sequencing (MIG-seq).

Efficacy and safety of transbronchial microwave ablation therapy under moderate sedation in malignant central airway obstruction patients with respiratory failure: a single-institution retrospective study.

Background: The safety and efficacy of transbronchial microwave ablation (TMA) therapy in patients with malignant central airway obstruction (CAO) with respiratory failure remains unclear.

Methods: A total of 38 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or lung metastases with malignant endoluminal obstruction received TMA therapy under moderate sedation and high fractions of inspired oxygen (FiO). The success rate of airway patency restoration, complication rate, and overall survival time (OS) from the initiation of TMA therapy were compared in the following two groups of patients with malignant CAO patients: the group with respiratory failure (PaO/FiO ≤ 300) (RF group, n = 10) and the group without respiratory failure (PaO/FiO > 300) (non-RF group, n = 28) at the time of the TMA therapy.

Phylogeographic and demographic modeling analyses of the multiple origins of the rheophytic goldenrod Solidago yokusaiana Makino.

Understanding adaptation mechanisms is important in evolutionary biology. Parallel adaptation provides good opportunities to investigate adaptive evolution. To confirm parallel adaptation, it is effective to examine whether the phenotypic similarity has one or multiple origins and to use demographic modeling to consider the gene flow between ecotypes.

Trends in Age and Histology of Testicular Cancer from 1980-2019: A Single-Center Study.

Testicular cancer occurs in the testes of the male reproductive system and is the most common cancer in adolescent and young adult (AYA) men. However, recently, there have been more cases of testicular cancer in men older than 40 years. Therefore, trends of testicular cancer during the past 40 years were retrospectively examined, focusing on age and histology.

Timing of resumption of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy after successful control of immune-related adverse events in seven advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Among advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in whom grade 2/3 immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that had developed during the initial immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy had been successfully controlled, we experienced three patients in whom ICI therapy was resumed at the diagnosis of progressive disease (PD group, n = 3) and four patients in whom it was resumed immediately after successful control of irAEs (non-PD group, n = 4). The tumor response rate, disease control rate to the resumed ICI and progression-free survival from the resumption of ICI therapy were 0%, 0% and 2 months in the PD group and 25%, 75% and 4.8 months in the non-PD group.

Overall survival of super-elderly (85 years or older) advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with active epidermal growth factor receptor mutations receiving first-line gefitinib therapy: a single-institute retrospective study.

Background: The survival benefit of first-line epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) therapy in super-elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring active EGFR mutations remains unclear.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective evaluation of the difference in the overall survival (OS) among super-elderly (aged ≥ 85 years) NSCLC patients who had received best supportive care alone (BSC group, n = 36), cytotoxic chemotherapy (CT group, n = 11) or EGFR-TKI therapy (TKI group, n = 22).

Results: The median age of the patients was 88 years.

Additional bevacizumab in EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma patients who had oligo-progression after the failure of EGFR-TKI: A single-institute retrospective study.

Introduction: In EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients with oligo-progression disease (oligo-PD) after the EGFR-TKI failure, additional local ablative therapy (LAT) including stereotactic ablative radiotherapy reportedly extends the duration of the current EGFR-TKI and prolongs survival times. In clinical practice, however, all the patients cannot receive LAT for oligo-PD.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of additional bevacizumab as an alternative to LAT for oligo-PD after the EGFR-TKI failure in previously treated lung adenocarcinoma patients (median number of previous therapies, 2 regimens).

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor attenuates chronic ischemia-induced prostatic hyperplasia in a rat model.

Background: Many elderly men suffer from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Recently, chronic ischemia in the prostate has been suggested to be related to BPH. Thus, the impact of chronic ischemia on the development of prostatic hyperplasia and the efficacy of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor for hyperplasia were evaluated in a rat model with chronic ischemia induced by local atherosclerosis.

Effects of a Novel Piezo Actuator-driven Pulsed Water Jet System on Residual Kidney After Partial Nephrectomy in a Rat Model.

Objective: To evaluate renal damage after off-clamp partial nephrectomy (PN) using a novel surgical device, piezo actuator-driven pulsed water jet (ADPJ) system.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups and subjected to sham operation, off-clamp PN by the piezo ADPJ system, radio knife, and soft coagulation, which have been used as thermal coagulation devices. Urine and blood samples were collected, and residual kidneys were harvested at 1, 7, 14, 30, and 90 days after PN.

Toxicity and Efficacy of Sequential Chemotherapy in Patients with p-stage I Non-small Cell Lung Cancer that Recurring during Postoperative Tegafur-Uracil Adjuvant Chemotherapy.

It is not clear whether sequential chemotherapy can be performed immediately in patients with p-stage I non-small cell lung cancer recurring during a 2-year period of daily oral administration with tegafur-uracil (UFT) as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients receiving chemotherapy within 1 month after the discontinuation of UFT (n = 10) (five cases with aggressive recurrent tumors) had the increased risk of grade 4 neutropenia, but the overall survival was not inferior to that in patients who received chemotherapy beginning more than 1 month (n = 11). We could perform sequential chemotherapy immediately while paying attention to grade 4 neutropenia.

Re-administration of Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Who Recovered from Chemotherapy-induced Interstitial Lung Disease.

We reported that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor re-administration (TKI-R) might be salvage therapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer after recovery from EGFR-TKI-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD). Here we retrospectively evaluated whether chemotherapy re-administration (CT-R) was effective in patients after chemotherapy-induced ILD. After providing their informed consent due to the risk of severe ILD, five patients received CT-R and six received TKI-R with oral administration of 0.

Population Pharmacokinetics and Adverse Events of Erlotinib in Japanese Patients with Non-small-cell Lung Cancer: Impact of Genetic Polymorphisms in Metabolizing Enzymes and Transporters.

Determinants of interindividual variability in erlotinib pharmacokinetics (PK) and adverse events remain to be elucidated. This study with 50 Japanese non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with oral erlotinib at a standard dose of 150 mg aimed to investigate whether genetic polymorphisms affect erlotinib PK and adverse events. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding metabolizing enzymes (CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, UGT1A1, UGT2B7, GSTM1, and GSTT1) or efflux transporters (ABCB1, and ABCG2) were analyzed as covariates in a population PK model.

Outcome in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with successful rechallenge after recovery from epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor-induced interstitial lung disease.

Purpose: Several non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases of successful rechallenge with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) after recovery from gefitinib or erlotinib-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD) have been reported, but it is not clear whether the rechallenge affects the outcome.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the difference in the outcome between advanced NCLC patients with active EGFR mutations who received EGFR-TKI rechallenge after recovery from EGFR-TKI-induced ILD and those who did not.

Results: EGFR-TKI-induced ILD occurred in 11 (10%) of 110 patients receiving gefitinib, five (7%) of 73 patients receiving erlotinib and one (8%) of 13 patients receiving afatinib.

[LINGUISTIC VALIDATION OF JAPANESE VERSION OF EUROPEAN ORGANIZATION FOR RESEARCH AND TREATMENT OF CANCER QUALITY OF LIFE QUESTIONNAIRE-TESTICULAR CANCER 26 (EORTC QLQ-TC26)].

(Purpose) To translate the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Testicular Cancer 26 (EORTC QLQ-TC26) into Japanese and evaluate the linguistic validation of the translated EORTC QLQ-TC26. (Methods) Developing the EORTC QLQ-TC26 Japanese was performed strictly according to the EORTC Quality of Life (QOL) Group Translation Procedure. The translation process consisted of 3 steps: forward translation by 2 urologists and reconciliation (single forward translation), backward translation by 2 native English speakers and comparison with source questionnaire (intermediate version), and pilot testing of the intermediate version in 10 patients with testicular cancer and reconciliation with EORTC QOL Group.