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.

Combination of transbronchoscopic oxygen insufflation and a digital chest drainage system in endobronchial occlusion: a hybrid technique for localization of fistula in intractable pneumothorax.

Background: The management of intractable secondary pneumothorax poses a considerable challenge as it is often not indicated for surgery owing to the presence of underlying disease and poor general condition. While endobronchial occlusion has been employed as a non-surgical treatment for intractable secondary pneumothorax, its effectiveness is limited by the difficulty of locating the bronchus leading to the fistula using conventional techniques. This report details a case treated with endobronchial occlusion where the combined use of transbronchoscopic oxygen insufflation and a digital chest drainage system enabled location of the bronchus responsible for a prolonged air leak, leading to the successful treatment of intractable secondary pneumothorax.

Differentiation of cancer stem cells into erythroblasts in the presence of CoCl.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are subpopulations in the malignant tumors that show self-renewal and multilineage differentiation into tumor microenvironment components that drive tumor growth and heterogeneity. In previous studies, our group succeeded in producing a CSC model by treating mouse induced pluripotent stem cells. In the current study, we investigated the potential of CSC differentiation into blood cells under chemical hypoxic conditions using CoCl.

Weakly Acidic pH and Reduction Dual Stimuli-Responsive Gel Particles.

This paper reports the facile preparation of dual stimuli-responsive gel particles that simultaneously respond to weakly acidic and reducing stimuli and the application of these gel particles as a drug delivery carrier. The dual stimuli-responsive gel particles composed of a pH-responsive polymer network cross-linked with reduction stimuli-responsive disulfide cross-links, and biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) cross-links were prepared by soap-free emulsion polymerization. The resulting gel particles were colloidally stable at physiological ionic strength and had a diameter of approximately 200 nm with a narrow size distribution.

Control parameters for fabrication of single-electron transistors using field-emission-induced electromigration.

We report a simple method for the control of electrical characteristics of planar-type metal-based single-electron transistors (SETs) using field-emission-induced electromigration. The advantages of this method are as follows: (1) the fabrication of SETs is achieved by only passing a field emission current through a nanogap and (2) the charging energy of SETs can be controlled by adjusting the magnitude of the applied current during the procedure. In order to better control the electrical properties of the SETs, we investigate the relation between control parameters of the method and electrical characteristics of the SETs.

Systematic screen for genes involved in the regulation of oxidative stress in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Oxygen is essential for animals, but high concentrations of oxygen are toxic to them probably because of an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS). Many genes are involved in the regulation of ROS, but they largely remain to be identified. To identify these genes, we employed the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism, and systematically screened for genes that, when down-regulated by RNAi, lead to an increased sensitivity to ROS.

Tuning of tunnel resistance of nanogaps by field-emission-induced electromigration using current source mode.

A newly investigated technique for the tuning of the tunnel resistance of nanogaps using electromigration method induced by a field emission current is presented to reduce the power consumption during the process. The method is called "activation" and is demonstrated with a current source. Planar-type initial nanogaps of Ni separated by 20-80 nm were defined on SiO2/Si substrates via electron-beam lithography and the lift-off process.

Integration of single-electron transistors using field-emission-induced electromigration.

A novel technique for the integration of planar-type single-electron transistors (SETs) composed of nanogaps is presented. This technique is based on the electromigration procedure, which is caused by a field emission current. The technique is called "activation.