HMB/Arg/Gln may improve short-term outcomes after esophagectomy in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer.

Background: The wound healing effects of a specialized amino acid supplement containing calcium beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, L-arginine, and L-glutamine (HMB/Arg/Gln) have been reported. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of HMB/Arg/Gln in the perioperative management of patients with thoracic esophageal cancer.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 131 patients who underwent esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer between January 2016 and November 2023.

High incidence of radiation-induced brain necrosis in the periventricular deep white matter: stereotactic radiotherapy for brain metastases using volumetric modulated arc therapy.

Purpose: In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and incidence of radiation-induced brain necrosis (RBN) after volumetric modulated arc therapy-based stereotactic irradiation (VMAT-STI) for brain metastases.

Methods: In the 220 brain metastatic lesions included between January 2020 and June 2022, there were 1-9 concurrently treated lesions (median 1). A biologically effective dose (BED)10 of 80 Gy and a reduced BED10 of 50 Gy were prescribed to the gross tumor volume (GTV) and planning target volume (PTV) (PTV = GTV + 3 mm) margins, respectively.

Two types of arteriopathies, arteriomegaly and aneurysms, frequently develop at diverse locations in vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia patients: A retrospective analysis and a meta-analysis.

Background: Past studies have reported that vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) patients may develop similar arteriopathies other than the vertebrobasilar system. However, the details of these VBD-related arteriopathies are still unclear.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled patients diagnosed with VBD at two stroke centers in Japan between January 2012 and December 2023.

Modeling vascular dynamics at the initial stage of endochondral ossification on a microfluidic chip using a human embryonic-stem-cell-derived organoid.

Vascular interactions play a crucial role in embryogenesis, including skeletal development. During endochondral ossification, vascular networks are formed as mesenchymal cells condense and later invade skeletal elements to form the bone marrow. We and other groups developed a model of endochondral ossification by implanting human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived sclerotome into immunodeficient mice.

Offline Adaptive Radiotherapy for Large Non-small Cell Lung Cancer With Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy Replanning After Creation of Dose Distribution Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomographic Images of Image-Guided Radiotherapy.

There is a paucity of studies reporting the use of automated contouring function on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images acquired during image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) with offline adaptive radiotherapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This case report discusses the use of an automated contouring function on CBCT images acquired during IGRT to quantify the dose distribution variations associated with tumor shrinkage in a patient with large NSCLC. A 72-year-old woman with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (T4N1M0; tumor diameter: 14 cm) underwent chemoradiotherapy.

Total serum bilirubin levels as mediators of anti-atherosclerosis mechanisms with consideration of smoking status.

Introduction: Cigarette smoking is a significant risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs). Mildly elevated total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels can exert anti-atherosclerotic effects and may regulate inflammation. We explore the relationship between TSB levels, smoking, and inflammation.

A Component of the Septation Initiation Network Complex, SepL, Participates in the Cellobiose-Responsive Expression of Cellulolytic Enzyme Genes in Aspergillus aculeatus.

The production of cellulolytic enzymes in Aspergillus aculeatus is regulated at transcriptional levels in response to inducers and various physiological signals. In this study, we identified that a component of the septation initiation network complex, SepL, a putative protein kinase, was involved in the expression of carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme) encoding genes. The deletion of sepL (ΔsepL) in A.

Diagnosis and evaluation of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament on Zero-Echo Time Magnetic Resonance Imaging: an illustrative case series.

Purpose: Computed tomography (CT) scans are widely used clinically in the diagnosis of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Conventionally acquired magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is limited by insufficient signal intensity within bone tissue. Osseus conspicuity may be enhanced by applying sequences with "CT-like" bone contrast zero-echo time (ZTE) MRI.

The Modified 5-Factor Frailty Score May Not be Useful in Predicting Complications and Unplanned Readmission After 1-Level or 2-Level Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion.

Background: The modified frailty index (mFI-5) has been shown to be a reliable risk stratification tool in different spine procedures. Its usefulness to predict complications after 1-level or 2-level anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) has not been studied extensively.

Purpose: We aimed to assess the usefulness of the mFI-5 in 1-level or 2-level ACDF surgery by asking the following questions: (1) Is the mFI-5 a reliable tool to predict complications after 1-level or 2-level ACDF? (2) Is the mFI-5 useful in predicting prolonged hospital stay after 1-level or 2-level ACDF? (3) Is the mFI-5 useful in predicting readmission after 1-level or 2-level ACDF?

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients who underwent 1-level or 2-level ACDF at our institution.

Synthesis of tricarbonylated propargylamine and conversion to 2,5-disubstituted oxazole-4-carboxylates.

The ,-acetal derived from diethyl mesoxalate (DEMO) undergoes elimination of acetic acid upon treatment with a base, leading to the formation of -acylimine in situ. Lithium acetylide readily attacks the imino group to afford ,1,1-tricarbonylated propargylamines. When the resulting propargylamine reacts with butyllithium, ring closure occurs between the ethynyl and carbamoyl groups, yielding 2,5-disubstituted oxazole-4-carboxylates.

Relevance of Lumbar Subcutaneous Edema and Local Lordosis.

Lumbar subcutaneous edema (LSE) is sometimes found within the deep subcutaneous or perifascial tissue on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) via short-tau inversion recovery or fat-suppressed T2-weighted imaging. It is more likely to occur in older patients and those with obesity. However, no studies have focused on the association between LSE and local alignment.

The new proposal of the relationship between axial pain and hinge fracture and facet involvement after open-door laminoplasty with titanium spacers.

Study Design: This was a retrospective, observational study.

Objectives: Postoperative axial pain (AP) is a well-known complication of cervical posterior surgery. It can be caused by various reasons, but the etiology remains unclear.

Palladium-Catalyzed Site-Selective Hydrogenation of Unactivated Alkenes Directed by 8-Aminoquinoline Amides.

We have developed a method for the site-selective hydrogenation of unactivated alkenes using 8-aminoquinoline amide as the directing group. For unactivated alkenes with two C-C double bonds, Daugulis's 8-aminoquinoline amide facilitated the site-selective hydrogenation of the desired C-C double bond, producing a product in which one C-C double bond was reduced. Site-selective reduction methodologies using intramolecular directing groups are expected to contribute significantly to the synthesis of molecules with multiple reducible functional groups in the future.

A Case Report of Long-Term Survival Achieved by Nivolumab and Hyperthermia With Multiple Local Therapies for the Peritoneal Dissemination of Gastric Cancer.

A 60-year-old male with recurrent metastatic gastric cancer achieved long-term survival with nivolumab, hyperthermia, and local multisite therapy. The patient had a history of multiple relapses despite receiving standard treatment. After the failure of multiple lines of chemotherapy, nivolumab and hyperthermia were initiated.

Colloidal 2D Layered SiC Quantum Dots from a Liquid Precursor: Surface Passivation, Bright Photoluminescence, and Planar Self-Assembly.

We report the bottom-up synthesis of colloidal two-dimensional (2D) layered silicon carbide (SiC) quantum dots with a cubic structure, lateral size of 5-10 nm, ⟨110⟩ exfoliation to few atomic layers, and surface passivation with 1-dodecene. Samples shielded from oxygen and plasma-annealed for purity exhibit narrow blue photoluminescence (PL) with quantum yields (QYs) over 60% in exceptional cases, while unshielded nanocrystals (NCs) exhibit broad blue/green/white PL with 10-15% QY. The latter scenario is attributed to excess surface carbon and oxygen accrued during synthesis and processing, with size separation through ultracentrifugation revealing size-dependent impurity emission.

Chemoselective Hydrogenation of α,β-Unsaturated Anilides Catalyzed by Palladium-Hydrosilane System.

We report chemoselective hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated anilides catalyzed by the palladium-polymethylhydrosiloxane (hydrosilane) system. Under this condition, C-C double bonds are selectively reduced while other reducible groups such as acetyl groups, nitro groups, nitriles, benzyl ethers, and halogens are largely tolerated. This chemoselective hydrogenation is promising for the development of efficient synthetic routes for multi-functional compounds.

Liquid-Crystalline Photonic Sandwich: Electroresponsive Colloids of Clay Nanosheets Loading Photofunctional Dyes.

Colloidal clay nanosheets obtained by the delamination of layered crystals of smectite-type clay minerals in water form liquid crystals because of their shape anisotropy. Loading of organic dyes onto the liquid crystalline clay nanosheets will enable novel photonic materials, where photofunctions of the loaded dye are controlled by the liquid crystallinity of the clay nanosheets. However, adsorption of organic dyes onto the nanosheets renders the nanosheet surfaces hydrophobic, and consequently, colloidal stability of the nanosheets is lost.

The potential effect of romosozumab on perioperative management for instrumentation surgery.

Background: Age-related changes in bone health increase the risk for complications in elderly patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. Osteoporosis is a key therapeutic target that needs to be addressed to ensure successful instrumentation surgery. The effectiveness of pharmacological interventions in orthopedic surgery, particularly the new drug romosozumab, is still unknown.

Prophylactic Effect of Clarithromycin on Radiation Pneumonitis in IMRT for Lung Cancer.

Background/aim: To evaluate the association between prophylactic administration of clarithromycin (CAM) and the development of radiation pneumonitis (RP) in patients treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for lung cancer.

Patients And Methods: A total of 89 patients who underwent definitive or salvage IMRT for lung cancer were retrospectively evaluated. The median total and daily doses were 60 Gy and 2 Gy, respectively.

Differential extracellular vesicle concentration and their biomarker expression of integrin α/β, EpCAM, and glypican-1 in pancreatic cancer models.

Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) show great potential as biomarkers for several diseases, including pancreatic cancer, due to their roles in cancer development and progression. However, the challenge of utilizing EVs as biomarkers lies in their inherent heterogeneity in terms of size and concentration, making accurate quantification difficult, which is highly dependent on the isolation and quantification methods used. In our study, we compared three EV isolation techniques and two EV quantification methods.