The Effect of Surgical Weight Loss on Cognition in Individuals with Class II/III Obesity

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a global epidemic and is associated with cognitive impairment and dementia. It remains unknown whether weight loss interventions, such as bariatric surgery, can mitigate cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine the effect of surgical weight loss on cognition in individuals with class II/III obesity.

DESIGN

We performed a prospective cohort study of participants who underwent bariatric surgery. At baseline and two years following surgery, participants completed metabolic risk factor and neuropsychological assessments.

SETTING

Participants were enrolled from an academic suburban bariatric surgery clinic.

PARTICIPANTS

There were 113 participants who completed baseline assessments and 87 completed two-year follow-up assessments (66 in-person and 21 virtual) after bariatric surgery. The mean (SD) age was 46.8 (12.5) years and 64 (73.6%) were female.

INTERVENTION

Bariatric surgery. There were 77 (88.5%) participants that underwent sleeve gastrectomy and 10 (11.5%) that underwent gastric bypass surgery.

MEASUREMENTS

Cognition was assessed using the NIH toolbox cognitive battery (NIHTB-CB) and the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT). The primary outcome was the change in NIHTB-CB fluid composite score before and after surgery.

RESULTS

The primary outcome, NIHTB-CB composite score, was stable following bariatric surgery (-0.4 (13.9), p=0.81,n=66). Among secondary outcomes, the NIHTB-CB dimensional card sorting test (executive function assessment), improved (+6.5 (19.9),p=0.01,n=66) while the Rey AVLT delayed recall test (memory assessment) declined (-0.24 (0.83),p=0.01,n=87) following surgery. Improvements to metabolic risk factors and diabetes complications were not associated with improvements to NIHTB-CB composite score. The other 4 NIHTB-CB subtests and Rey AVLT assessments of auditory learning and recognition were stable at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Following bariatric surgery, the age-adjusted composite cognitive outcome did not change, but an executive subtest score improved. These results suggest that bariatric surgery may mitigate the natural history of cognitive decline in individuals with obesity, which is expected to be faster than normal aging, but confirmatory randomized controlled trials are needed. The decline in delayed recall also warrants further studies to determine potential differential effects on cognitive subtests.

Influence of patient position in thoracoscopic esophagectomy on postoperative pneumonia: a comparative analysis from the National Clinical Database in Japan

BACKGROUND

Two prominent patient positions during thoracoscopic esophagectomy are the left lateral decubitus position (LP) and the prone position (PP). However, whether the patient position during thoracoscopic esophagectomy influences short-term outcomes, especially postoperative pneumonia, remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate the impact of patient position on the occurrence of postoperative pneumonia.

METHODS

We analyzed 9850 patients who underwent oncologic thoracoscopic esophagectomies between 2016 and 2019 from the National Clinical Database. We compared the short-term outcomes between the LP and PP groups, and the primary outcome measure was the incidence of postoperative pneumonia.

RESULTS

This study included 2637 (26.8%) and 7213 (73.2%) patients in the LP and the PP groups, respectively. The baseline characteristics of the two groups were well-balanced. Compared with the LP group, the PP group had a longer operative time and less blood loss. There were no significant differences in the incidences of postoperative pneumonia, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, anastomotic leakage, severe complications, and reoperation between the groups. Meanwhile, prolonged ventilation and surgery-related mortality occurred more frequently in the LP than in the PP group (P < 0.001 and 0.046, respectively). After multivariable adjustment, the patient position did not significantly influence the incidence of postoperative pneumonia (odds ratio 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.80-1.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Although prolonged ventilation and surgery-related mortality occurred more frequently in the LP group than in the PP group, the patient position did not significantly influence the occurrence of postoperative pneumonia.

The role of thyroid function in female and male infertility: a narrative review

PURPOSE

We herein aimed to review the new insights into the impact of impaired thyroid function on male and female fertility, spacing from spontaneous pregnancy to ART, with the objective of providing an updated narrative revision of the literature.

METHODS

This narrative review was performed for all available prospective, retrospective and review articles, published up to 2021 in PubMed. Data were extracted from the text and from the tables of the manuscript.

RESULTS

Thyroid dysfunction is frequently associated with female infertility, whereas its link with male infertility is debated. Female wise, impaired function is detrimental to obstetric and fetal outcomes both in spontaneous pregnancies and in those achieved thanks to assisted reproduction technologies (ART). Furthermore, the reference range of TSH in natural pregnancy and ART procedures has recently become a matter of debate following recent reports in this field. On the other hand, the impact of thyroid function on the male reproductive system is less clear, although a possible role is suggested via modulation of Sertoli and Leydig cells function and spermatogenesis.

CONCLUSION

Thyroid function should be carefully monitored in both male and female, in couples seeking spontaneous pregnancy as well as ART, as treatment is generally immediate and likely to improve chances of success.

Is Thoracic Duct Resection Necessary for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients Treated with Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy? A Propensity-Matched Analysis Based on the Comprehensive Registry of Esophageal Cancer in Japan

BACKGROUND

The thoracic duct (TD) plays an important role in nutrition and immunity but is often resected with the esophagus when dissecting surrounding lymph nodes in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We examined whether indiscriminate TD resection improved the prognosis of patients with ESCC treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) followed by esophagectomy.

METHODS

A total of 440 patients treated with NACRT followed by esophagectomy between 2007 and 2012 were analyzed using data from the Comprehensive Registry of Esophageal Cancer in Japan. The propensity score-matched TD resection and TD preservation groups were compared in terms of short- and long-term outcomes.

RESULTS

After matching, there were 85 patients in both groups. No significant differences were found between groups in either overall survival or cause-specific survival rates at 5 years: 44.2% and 49.0% in the TD resection group, and 39.8% and 47.2% in the TD preservation group, respectively. Furthermore, the number of retrieved mediastinal lymph nodes was significantly greater in the TD resection group than in the TD preservation group (26 vs. 15, p < 0.0001). In contrast, TD resection was associated with metastasis to a significantly greater number of distant organs than TD preservation (49 vs. 32, p = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

TD resection did not contribute to improved survival in patients with ESCC but did lead to metastases in more organs than TD preservation. Consequently, indiscriminate TD resection might be avoided in patients with ESCC treated with NACRT followed by esophagectomy.

Lung adenocarcinoma coexisting with diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia manifesting as multiple pulmonary nodules: A case report

Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH), a rare condition, is characterized by pathological proliferation of neuroendocrine cells. Some of them are localized to the airway mucosa, and others locally infiltrate to form tumorlets and nodules. Here, we present a patient with lung adenocarcinoma accompanied by DIPNECH, making the latter difficult to distinguish from multiple pulmonary metastases. The patient, a 72-year-old Japanese woman, was diagnosed as having stage IVA lung adenocarcinoma because she had multiple nodules in both lungs. Mutation of epidermal growth factor receptor gene having been found in the primary tumor, treatment with osimertinib was started. This resulted in shrinkage of the primary tumor, but not the multiple pulmonary nodules. To determine whether these lung nodules were indeed lung metastases, we performed right upper lobectomy with lymphadenectomy and wedge resection of the right lower lobe. On pathological examination, the primary tumor was diagnosed as invasive adenocarcinoma, whereas the multiple pulmonary nodules were diagnosed as DIPNECH manifesting as tumorlets. Therefore, the final diagnosis was stage IA1 lung adenocarcinoma accompanied by DINPECH. The patient had no recurrences 1 year after the operation without any additional treatment. This is a rare case of lung adenocarcinoma accompanied by DIPNECH presenting as multiple pulmonary nodules. DIPNECH should be included in the differential diagnosis of multiple pulmonary nodules.

SWI by 7T MR Imaging for the Microscopic Imaging Diagnosis of Astrocytic and Oligodendroglial Tumors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Despite advances in molecular imaging, preoperative diagnosis of astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas can be challenging. In the present study, we assessed whether 7T SWI can be used to distinguish astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas and whether malignant grading of gliomas is possible.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

7T SWI was performed on 21 patients with gliomas before surgery with optimization for sharp visualization of the corticomedullary junction. Scoring for cortical thickening and displacement of medullary vessels, characteristic of oligodendroglial tumors, and cortical tapering, characteristic of astrocytic tumors, was performed. Additionally, characteristics of malignancy, including thickening of the medullary veins, the presence of microbleeds, and/or necrosis were scored.

RESULTS

Scoring for oligodendroglial (highest possible score, +3) and astrocytic (lowest score possible, -3) characteristics yielded a significant difference between astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas (mean, -1.93 versus +1.71, P < .01). Scoring for malignancy was significantly different among the World Health Organization grade II (n = 10), grade III (n = 4), and grade IV (n = 7) tumors (mean, 0.20 versus 1.38 versus 2.79). Cortical thickening was observed significantly more frequently in oligodendrogliomas (P < .02), with a sensitivity of 71.4% and specificity of 85.7%; observation of tapering of the cortex was higher in astrocytomas (P < .01) with a sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

Visualization of the corticomedullary junction by 7T SWI was useful in distinguishing astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. Observation of tapering of the cortex was most sensitive and specific for diagnosing astrocytomas. Reliably predicting malignant grade was also possible by 7T SWI.

Ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting carcinoid with solitary cryptococcosis in the lungs

BACKGROUND

Carcinoid tumors can on rare occasions ectopically produce adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), causing Cushing's syndrome, and patients could become immunocompromised. Care must therefore be taken regarding infectious complications. In particular, ACTH-producing pulmonary carcinoid is not easy to diagnose by itself, and when combined with pulmonary nodules as infectious foci, each is very difficult to diagnose.

CASE

The patient was a 71-year-old woman with refractory diabetes. She showed clinical symptoms of Cushing's syndrome during treatment for diabetes and ectopic ACTH production was suspected based on biochemical and imaging tests. Nodules were identified in the left lung apex and lingual segment. Examination of resected nodules revealed that the nodule in the apex was pulmonary cryptococcosis, while the nodule in the lingual segment represented typical carcinoid. After surgery, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and diabetes all improved.

CONCLUSION

We present this very instructive case in terms of the difficulty of diagnosing ACTH-producing tumors, the possibility of infection complicating the immunodeficiency caused by ACTH-producing tumors, and the surgical strategy.

Empagliflozin attenuates arrhythmogenesis via inhibition of O-GlcNAcylation in diastolic phase of diabetic cardiomyopathy

Background

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is an important complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) and reported to increase the risk of fatal ventricular arrhythmias. Recent clinical trials showed that empagliflozin (EMPA), a selective sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, improved cardiovascular outcomes regardless of the presence of diabetes and the traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Despite the promising benefit of EMPA on heart failure treatment, its beneficial effect in the context of anti-arrhythmic therapy has not been fully examined. We therefore aimed to examine anti-arrhythmic effect of acute EMPA treatment especially onto calcium (Ca2+) handling in diabetic cardiomyocytes.

Methods

We assessed echocardiography, hemodynamic study, electrophysiology, Ca2+ handling and protein expression in C57BLKS/J-leprdb/db mice (db/db mice), a leptin receptor-deficient model of obesity and Type 2 diabetes, and their non-diabetic lean heterozygous Leprdb/+ littermates (db/+ mice).

Results

The 16-week-old db/db mice had preserved systolic function but exhibited diastolic dysfunction. In arrhythmia induction using ex-vivo Langendorff-perfused hearts, db/db mice showed a significantly increased premature ventricular complex (PVC) by 2x Ca2+ and 1μM isoproterenol load than control, which was attenuated by EMPA perfusion (1 μM). Diabetic cardiomyocytes showed an increased frequency of spontaneous Ca2+ sparks and waves, and decreased Ca2+ transient amplitude and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content. Ca2+ transient decay tau and time to 50% decay were significantly prolonged in diabetic cardiomyocytes. These data indicating the impaired Ca2+ handling in diabetic cardiomyocytes were normalized by acute administration of EMPA (1 μM), while the administration of NHE inhibitor (Cariporide 10 μM) did not show significant differences. In the protein expression analysis, CaMKII Thr287 autophosphorylation and CaMKII-dependent RyR2 S2814 phosphorylation were significantly increased in diabetic hearts, which were inhibited by short-term (30 min) perfusion of EMPA (1 μM). The expressions of SERCA2a and phospholamban were not significantly different among three groups. Lastly, whole hearts O-GlcNAcylation, one of the important post translational modifications, was significantly reduced by EMPA treatment.

Conclusion

EMPA improved intracellular Ca2+ handling and attenuated arrhythmogenesis in mice with diabetic cardiomyopathy at the diastolic dysfunction phase, suggesting that EMPA may exhibit this anti-arrhythmic effect by normalization of intracellular calcium handling via inhibiting O-GlcNAcylation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Boehringer Ingelheim

A survey of the clinical outcomes of cervical esophageal carcinoma surgery focusing on the presence or absence of laryngectomy using the National Clinical Database in Japan

BACKGROUND

One upside of cervical esophageal carcinoma is that radical surgery can be performed by laryngectomy, even for tumors with tracheal invasion. However, this approach drastically reduces the quality of life, such as by losing the vocal function. Cervical esophageal carcinoma is rare, and no comprehensive reports have described the current state of surgery. Using a Japanese nationwide web-based database, we analyzed the surgical outcomes of cervical esophageal carcinoma to evaluate the impact of larynx-preserving surgery.

METHODS

Based on the Japan National Clinical Database, 215 surgically treated cases of cervical esophageal carcinoma between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019, were enrolled. Clinical outcomes were compared between the larynx-preserved group and the laryngectomy group.

RESULTS

Ninety-four (43.7%) patients underwent larynx-preserving surgery. A total of 177 (82.3%) patients underwent free jejunum reconstruction. More T4b patients and more patients who underwent preoperative radiotherapy were in the laryngectomy group. There were no significant differences in the frequency and the severity of morbidities between the two groups. However, in the laryngectomy group, in-hospital death within 30 days after surgery was observed in 1 patient, and the postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer (P = 0.030). In the larynx-preserved group, recurrent nerve paralysis was observed in 24.5%. Re-operation (35.3%, P = 0.016), re-intubation (17.6%, P = 0.019) and tracheal necrosis (17.6%, P = 0.028) were significantly more frequent in patients who underwent pharyngolaryngectomy with total esophagectomy and gastric tube reconstruction than in others.

CONCLUSION

Larynx-preserving surgery was therefore considered to be feasible because it was equivalent to laryngectomy regarding the short-term surgical outcomes.

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung controlled for 4 years by a single administration of pembrolizumab: A case report

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung (LCNEC) is a rare and highly progressive tumor with a poor prognosis. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors have been approved for treatment of both small cell and non–small cell lung cancers, their role in the treatment of LCNEC is unclear. We describe a patient with postoperative recurrence of LCNEC who maintained complete remission for 4 years after a single administration of pembrolizumab. A 68‐year‐old Japanese man underwent thoracoscopic right lower lobectomy for LCNEC (pathological stage pT1bN0M0, stage IA2). Epidermal growth factor receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase were negative, and the programmed death ligand 1 expression rate in tumor cells was 5% (clone 22C3). Eight months later, the patient developed recurrence with mediastinal lymph node metastasis and pleural dissemination. Therefore, chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide was administered. However, relapse occurred 6 months later. Pembrolizumab was administered as second‐line chemotherapy, which was discontinued after first dose because of interstitial pneumonia 1 month later. Thereafter, however, both the lymph node metastasis and pleural dissemination disappeared and did not relapse for 4 years. Pembrolizumab may be used as a treatment option for pulmonary LCNEC.

[β-Catenin Expression in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Therapeutic Effect of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors]

Recently, β-catenin mediated immune escape mechanism has been reported in several cancers. We investigated whether β-catenin is associated with resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in non-small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer patients expressing high levels of β-catenin showed poor progression-free survival and overall survival after single agent anti-PD-1 therapy. They had less infiltration of CD8-positive cells and antigen-presenting cells. Microarray analysis also showed low gene expression of CD8A and IFNG. siRNA knockdown of CTNNB1 in the β-catenin-positive lung cancer cell line LK-2 tended to decrease CTNNB1 and ATF3 expression and increase CCL4 expression. The results suggest that β- catenin suppresses tumor infiltration by antigen-presenting cells and confers resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer via downregulation of CCL4 production.

[Resistance Mechanisms to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor and Its Overcome with Focus on β-Catenin in Lung Cancer]

Although the indications for immune checkpoint inhibitors are expanding rapidly, the disease will eventually progress in many patients. Elucidating and overcoming the resistant mechanisms to immune checkpoint inhibitors is a major challenge. WNT/β-catenin pathway has long been known as one of the mechanisms involved in cell proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cancer development. Recently, it has become clear that WNT/β-catenin pathway also plays a role in cancer immune escape, as reported in melanoma. We have also studied WNT/β-catenin pathway as a mechanism of immune escape in lung cancer. In this article, we review how WNT/β-catenin pathway is involved in immune escape and resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors, mainly in non-small cell lung cancer. In addition, we discuss how to overcome the tumor immune mechanism caused by WNT/β-catenin pathway in the context of current combination therapies and therapies in development.

Postoperative Complications Following Pharyngolaryngectomy With Total Esophagectomy: Comparison Between Cervical and Anterior Mediastinal Tracheostomy

OBJECTIVES

Pharyngolaryngectomy with total esophagectomy (PLTE) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Cervical tracheostomy (CT) is the first choice of tracheostomy, whereas anterior mediastinal tracheostomy (AMT) is sometimes required due to tumor extension or insufficient blood supply to the tracheal tip. However, the differences in the outcomes between CT and AMT after PLTE remain unclear.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 67 patients who underwent PLTE and compared the clinical features and postoperative complications between patients with CT and AMT. The characteristics and the outcomes were compared between the groups stratified by the causes of AMT.

RESULTS

Of the 67 patients, 42 (62.7%) patients underwent PLTE with CT (CT group), whereas 25 (37.3%) underwent PLTE with AMT (AMT group). The AMT group included more cervicothoracic esophageal cancers and had showed an advanced T stage compared to the CT group (P < .01 and .01, respectively). The incidences of pneumonia and surgical site infection (SSI) were more frequent in the AMT group than in the CT group (P = .03 and .01, respectively). Surgery-related mortality was only observed in the AMT group. In the AMT group, 17 (68.0%) and 8 (32.0%) patients underwent AMT because of tumor extension and insufficient supply to the tracheal tip. The latter cases underwent transthoracic esophagectomy more frequently than former cases (P = .03).

CONCLUSION

AMT after PLTE had more postoperative complications and mortality than CT. In cases that may need AMT, a transthoracic approach is preferable over transhiatal esophagectomy to avoid fatal complications when oncologically permissive.

Development of Heavy Element Chemistry at Interfaces: Observing Actinide Complexes at the Oil/Water Interface in Solvent Extraction by Nonlinear Vibrational Spectroscopy

Understanding the chemistry of elements at the bottom of the periodic table is a challenging goal in chemistry. Observing actinide species at interfaces by using interface-selective second-order nonlinear optical spectroscopy, such as vibrational sum frequency generation (VSFG) spectroscopy, is a promising route for developing heavy element chemistry; however, such attempts are scarce. Here, we investigated the phase transfer mechanism of uranyl ions (UO₂²⁺) in solvent extraction using the di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) extractant dissolved in the dodecane organic phase by probing the oil/water liquid-liquid interface using VSFG spectroscopy. The POO^- symmetric stretch vibrational signals of the HDEHP ligands clearly demonstrated that uranyl ions form interfacial complexes with HDEHP at the oil/water interface. The interfacial uranyl-HDEHP complexes were formed with uranyl ions coming from both the aqueous and oil phases, strongly suggesting that the interfacial complex is an intermediate to cross the oil/water interface. Density functional theory calculations proposed the molecular structure of the interfacial uranyl-HDEHP complex.

Fecal Microbes Associated with the Outcomes After Esophagectomy in Patients with Esophageal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Although accumulating evidence suggests that an imbalanced gut microbiota leads to cancer progression, few studies demonstrated the implication in patients who underwent oncologic esophagectomy. This study aimed to elucidate the association between gut microbes and the outcomes after oncologic esophagectomy, as well as the host's inflammatory/nutritional status.

METHODS

Overall, 783 consecutive patients who underwent oncologic esophagectomy were eligible. We investigated the microbiota detected by fecal culture tests and then assessed the association between the gut microbiota and patient characteristics, short-term outcomes, and long-term survival.

RESULTS

Seventeen different species could be cultivated. We comprehensively examined the impact of each detected microbe on survival. The presence of Bacillus species (Bacillus sp.; 26.8%) was associated with favorable prognosis on overall and cancer-specific survival (p = 0.02 and 0.02, respectively). Conversely, the presence of Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis; 3.4%) was associated with unfavorable overall and recurrence-free survivals (p = 0.02 and < 0.01, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of P. mirabilis was one of the independent prognostic factors for poor recurrence-free survival (p < 0.01). Patients with Bacillus sp. had lower modified Glasgow prognostic score and better response to preoperative treatment than those without (p = 0.01 and 0.03, respectively). Meanwhile, patients with P. mirabilis were significantly associated with higher systemic inflammation scores and increased postoperative pneumonia incidence than those without (p = 0.01 and 0.02, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative fecal microbiota was associated with the host's inflammatory and nutritional status and may influence the outcomes after oncologic esophagectomy.

Intramucosal esophageal dissection caused by gastric tube insertion

We experienced a case of iatrogenic intramucosal esophageal dissection in a patient who had difficulty inserting a gastric tube. CT is useful for diagnosis.

It is difficult to insert the gastric tube, and if repeated insertions are attempted, iatrogenic intramucosal esophageal dissection may occur. CT is useful for diagnosis, and imaging should be considered if suspected.