Evaluation of the Phenolic Content and the Nutraceutical Potential of Ancestor and Cultivated Artichokes

Wild cardoon (Cynara cardunculus var. sylvestris) is the ancestor of many cultivated forms, including globe artichoke (C. cardunculus var. scolymus). Four organs (receptacles, bracts, leaves and stems) of wild and cultivated artichokes (organic and conventional) were assessed considering their individual phenolic constituents (HPLC-DAD), total phenol-flavonoid content, and pharmaceutical potentials (antibacterial and antioxidant). All three sources of artichokes had the highest concentration of 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid (cynarin) in their receptacles and cultivated artichoke receptacles had more cynarin than wild one. On the other hand, receptacles of wild cardoon had the highest 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and caffeic acid than the cultivated ones. Generally, receptacles, stems and leaves of wild cardoon were superior to both cultivated artichokes on antioxidant potential, and total phenol-flavonoid content. The rise in total phenolic content can be attributed to an increase in antioxidant capacity in all artichoke organs. Only the leaves of all different artichokes showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The investigated wild cardoon was believed to be a true ancestor since a comparison of wild and cultivated varieties revealed similar trends in terms of phenolic profile and biological properties. The nutraceutical industry can profit from this invasive wild cardoon due to their strong antioxidant potential and phenolic content.

Do Vermicompost Applications Improve Growth Performance, Pharmaceutically Important Alkaloids, Phenolic Content, Free Radical Scavenging Potency and Defense Enzyme Activities in Summer Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum L.)?

Leucojum aestivum L. contains galanthamine and lycorine, which are two pharmaceutically valuable alkaloids. Vermicompost (VC), an organic waste product created by earthworms enhances soil quality and can improve the medicinal quality of the plant that is crucial to the pharmaceutical industry. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of four different VC concentrations (5 %, 10 %, 25 %, and 50 %) on L. aestivum growth parameters, alkaloid levels (galanthamine and lycorine), total phenol-flavonoid content, free radical scavenging potential, and defense enzyme activities (SOD and CAT) compared to control (no VC). The width, length, and fresh weight of the leaves were improved by 10 % VC treatment. The highest total phenolic content was found in the bulbs and leaves treated with 50 % VC. HPLC-DAD analysis of alkaloids showed that 10 % and 50 % VC treatments contained the most galanthamine in the bulb and leaf extracts, respectively. The application of 25 % VC was the most efficient in terms of lycorine content in both extracts. CAT activity was elevated at 10 %, 25 %, and 50 % VC. Based on the growth performance and galanthamine content of the bulbs and leaves, it can be concluded that a 10 % VC application was the most effective in the cultivation of L. aestivum.

Applying patient characteristics, stent-graft selection, and pre-operative computed tomographic angiography data to a machine learning algorithm: Is endoleak prediction possible?

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to predict endoleak after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) using machine learning (ML) integration of patient characteristics, stent-graft configuration, and a selection of vessel lengths, diameters and angles measured using pre-operative computed tomography angiography (CTA).

METHODS

We evaluated 1-year follow-up CT scans (arterial and delayed phases) in patients who underwent EVAR for the presence or absence of an endoleak. We also obtained data on the patient characteristics, stent-graft selection, and preoperative CT vessel morphology (diameter, length, and angle). The extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) for the ML system was trained on 30 patients with endoleaks and 81 patients without. We evaluated 5217 items in 111 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms, including the patient characteristics, stent-graft configuration and vascular morphology acquired using pre-EVAR abdominal CTA. We calculated the area under the curve (AUC) of our receiver operating characteristic analysis using the ML method.

RESULTS

The AUC, accuracy, 95% confidence interval (CI), sensitivity, and specificity were 0.88, 0.88, 0.79-0.97, 0.85, and 0.91 for ML applying XGBoost, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnostic performance of the ML method was useful when factors such as the patient characteristics, stent-graft configuration and vessel length, diameter and angle of the vessels were considered from pre-EVAR CTA.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Based on our findings, we suggest that this is a potential application of ML for the interpretation of abdominal CTA scans in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms scheduled for EVAR.

Deep learning with convolutional neural network for estimation of the characterisation of coronary plaques: Validation using IB-IVUS

INTRODUCTION

Deep learning approaches have shown high diagnostic performance in image classifications, such as differentiation of malignant tumors and calcified coronary plaque. However, it is unknown whether deep learning is useful for characterizing coronary plaques without the presence of calcification using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of deep learning with a convolutional neural network (CNN) with that of radiologists in the estimation of coronary plaques.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled 178 patients (191 coronary plaques) who had undergone CCTA and integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasonography (IB-IVUS) studies. IB-IVUS diagnosed 81 fibrous and 110 fatty or fibro-fatty plaques. We manually captured vascular short-axis images of the coronary plaques as Portable Network Graphics (PNG) images (150 × 150 pixels). The display window level and width were 100 and 700 Hounsfield units (HU), respectively. The deep-learning system (CNN; GoogleNet Inception v3) was trained on 153 plaques; its performance was tested on 38 plaques. The area under the curve (AUC) obtained by receiver operating characteristic analysis of the deep learning system and by two board-certified radiologists was compared.

RESULTS

With the CNN, the AUC and the 95% confidence interval were 0.83 and 0.69-0.96, respectively; for radiologist 1 they were 0.61 and 0.42-0.80; for radiologist 2 they were 0.68 and 0.51-0.86, respectively. The AUC for CNN was significantly higher than for radiologists 1 (p = 0.04); for radiologist 2 it was not significantly different (p = 0.22).

CONCLUSION

DL-CNN performed comparably to radiologists for discrimination between fatty and fibro-fatty plaque on CCTA images.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The diagnostic performance of the CNN and of two radiologists in the assessment of 191 ROIs on CT images of coronary plaques whose type corresponded with their IB-IVUS characterization was comparable.

Organic and conventional solanaceous vegetables: Comparison of phenolic constituents, antioxidant and antibacterial potentials

Interest in organic growing systems that means no harm to the environment, mankind, and the world’s natural ecosystem is increasing. This study evaluated the impact of organic versus conventional cultivation method on eggplants (Topan-374 and Pala-49), tomatoes (Rio Grande and Pink), and bell pepper (Kandil dolma) considering individual phenols, total phenol-flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity, and antibacterial potential. Peel and pulp of eggplants were evaluated separately. Organic cultivation enhanced trans-ferulic acid in the peels of both eggplant cultivars and the pulp of Pala-49. Organic Pala-49 had also higher amounts of cyanidin and caffeic acid in the peel, and only caffeic acid in the pulp. Chlorogenic acid was found in higher quantities in organic Rio Grande tomato and bell pepper. All organically grown vegetables in our study had significantly higher total phenol and flavonoid contents than conventional ones except Pink tomato. Organic farming significantly enhanced the antioxidant capacity of both eggplant cultivars. Only organic peel of Pala-49 eggplant cultivar had antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Organic cultivation has an advantage in terms of antioxidant potential and phenolic constituents, and it enhanced the nutraceutical potential of both cultivars of eggplant, Rio Grande tomato, and bell pepper.

Diagnostic performance of computed tomography digital subtraction angiography of the lower extremities during haemodialysis in patients with suspected peripheral artery disease

INTRODUCTION

With intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) considered as the gold standard, we compared the diagnostic value of computed tomography angiography (CTA) and computed tomography-digital subtraction angiography (CT-DSA in hemodialysis (HD) patients suspected of having lower limb peripheral artery disease (PAD).

METHODS

In this retrospective study, we enrolled 220 HD patients with suspected PAD. CT-DSA images were obtained by subtracting unenhanced images from enhanced images. The research team calculated the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value (PPV, NPV), and recorded the diagnostic accuracy between the CTA and CT-DSA images using the DSA as gold standard. Visual evaluation of calcifications in the peripheral arteries were also compared between CTA and CT-DSA images.

RESULTS

At the above-knee level, the CTA AUC [95% confidence interval (CI)] was 0.68 (CI 0.64-0.72), sensitivity and specificity were 60 and 81%, PPV and NPV were 85 and 53%, and accuracy was 67%. Below the knee, these values were 0.66 (CI 0.62-0.70), 71 and 79%, 79 and 47%, and 66%. For CT-DSA, above-knee, the AUC [95% CI] was 0.88 (CI 0.85-0.91), sensitivity and specificity were 84 and 92%, PPV and NPV were 89 and 97%, and accuracy was 93%. Below the knee, these values were 0.95 (CI 0.93-0.97), 95 and 93%, 96 and 83%, and 93%. The scores for the visualization of calcification in the peripheral arteries was significantly higher for CT-DSA than CTA (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

CT-DSA helps to assess stenotic PAD with high calcification in the lower extremities of HD patients.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

On CT-DSA images, the severity of vascular calcification can be assessed for HD patients suspected of PAD of the lower extremities.

Machine learning to identify lymph node metastasis from thyroid cancer in patients undergoing contrast-enhanced CT studies

INTRODUCTION

We compared the diagnostic performance of morphological methods such as the major axis, the minor axis, the volume and sphericity and of machine learning with texture analysis in the identification of lymph node metastasis in patients with thyroid cancer who had undergone contrast-enhanced CT studies.

METHODS

We sampled 772 lymph nodes with histology defined tissue types (84 metastatic and 688 benign lymph nodes) that were visualised on CT images of 117 patients. A support vector machine (SVM), free programming software (Python), and the scikit-learn machine learning library were used to discriminate metastatic-from benign lymph nodes. We assessed 96 texture and 4 morphological features (major axis, minor axis, volume, sphericity) that were reported useful for the differentiation between metastatic and benign lymph nodes on CT images. The area under the curve (AUC) obtained by receiver operating characteristic analysis of univariate logistic regression and SVM classifiers were calculated for the training and testing datasets.

RESULTS

The AUC for all classifiers in training and testing datasets was 0.96 and 0.86, at the SVM for machine learning. When we applied conventional methods to the training and testing datasets, the AUCs were 0.63 and 0.48 for the major axis, 0.70 and 0.44 for the minor axis, 0.66 and 0.43 for the volume, and 0.69 and 0.54 for sphericity, respectively. The SVM using texture features yielded significantly higher AUCs than univariate logistic regression models using morphological features (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

For the identification of metastatic lymph nodes from thyroid cancer on contrast-enhanced CT images, machine learning combined with texture analysis was superior to conventional diagnostic methods with the morphological parameters.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Our findings suggest that in patients with thyroid cancer and suspected lymph node metastasis who undergo contrast-enhanced CT studies, machine learning using texture analysis is high diagnostic value for the identification of metastatic lymph nodes.

High sensitivity cardiac troponin T is a useful biomarker for predicting prognosis of the patients with sarcoidosis

Background

Cardiac involvement is one of the most significant prognostic factors for the patients with sarcoidosis. In spite of the advancement of diagnostic tools, such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging or 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography, there is still significant room for improvement in cardiac screening and prognostic prediction.

Purpose

To evaluate the prognostic factors for the patients with sarcoidosis.

Methods and results

We prospectively studied 133 patients with sarcoidosis and evaluated clinical data including biomarkers. The mean age at diagnosis was 62.1±12.8 years. During a mean follow up period of 5.6±4.1 years, nine patients died and 27 patients suffered from cardiac events (cardiac death, heart failure admission, arrhythmic event). We divided patients into two groups according to cardiac events, event group had high serum high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) (0.028±0.017 vs. 0.015±0.011 ng/ml, p&lt;0.001), high BNP (409.2±634.0 vs. 122.4±195.8 pg/ml, p&lt;0.001), low EF (43.1±16.4 vs. 59.2±15.5%, p&lt;0.001). This was observed even if those patients were not diagnosed with cardiac involvement at the enrollment. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in the values of angiotensin-converting enzyme, lysozyme, soluble interleukin-2 receptor, or calcium in both groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that hs-cTnT was an independent biomarker to predict cardiac events (hs-cTnT &gt;0.014 ng/ml: HR 3.2, 95% CI 1.02 to 10.19, p=0.046).

Conclusion

Hs-cTnT was a useful biomarker for predicting cardiac events for the patients with sarcoidosis even if cardiac involvement was not detected at initial evaluation.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Prognostic impact of atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a community-based Japanese cohort: results from Kochi RYOMA study

Background

The prognostic impact of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is not fully elucidated.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and prognostic impact of AF in a prospectively assembled community-based HCM patient cohort in an aged Japanese community.

Methods

In 2004, we established a cardiomyopathy registration network in Kochi Prefecture, Japan, consisting of 9 hospitals, and finally 293 patients with HCM were followed.

Results

The ages at registration and at diagnosis were 63±14 and 56±16 years, respectively, and 197 patients (67%) were men. 86 patients (29%) showed AF. During follow-up period of 6.1±3.2 years, 44 patients died. In those patients, HCM-related deaths occurred in 23 patients with an annual mortality rate of 1.3%. Regarding HCM-related adverse events including HCM-related deaths, appropriate ICD discharge, heart failure admission and hospitalization for embolic events, a total of 77 cardiovascular events in 70 patients occurred. Multivariate analysis revealed that presence of AF, left ventricular (LV) outflow obstruction, NYHA functional class III, and lower LV fractional shortening at registration were significant predictors of these adverse events. During the follow-up period, additional 31 patients (11%) developed new-onset AF. Importantly, the incidence of HCM-related adverse events was significantly higher in patients with new AF observed from its onset compared with those with AF at registration (log-rank p=0.029) (Figure 1).

Conclusions

In an unselected HCM registry in an aged Japanese community, presence of AF, particularly new-onset AF, was associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes. AF is not just a marker of the disease stage but an important trigger of HCM-related adverse events.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Morphological lymphocytic reaction, patient prognosis and PD-1 expression after surgical resection for oesophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as antibody against programmed cell death protein (PD-1), have demonstrated antitumour effects in patients with malignancies, including oesophageal cancer. A lymphocytic reaction observed by pathological examination is a manifestation of the host immune response to tumour cells. It was hypothesized that a stronger lymphocytic reaction to tumours might be associated with favourable prognosis in oesophageal cancer.

METHODS

Using a database of resected oesophageal cancers, four morphological components of lymphocytic reactions (peritumoral, intranest, lymphoid and stromal) to tumours were evaluated in relation to clinical outcome, PD-1 expression by immunohistochemistry and total lymphocyte count in blood.

RESULTS

Resected oesophageal cancer specimens from 436 patients were included in the study. Among the four morphological components, only peritumoral reaction was associated with patient prognosis (multivariable P for trend <0·001); patients with a higher peritumoral reaction had significantly longer overall survival than those with a lower reaction (multivariable hazard ratio 0·48, 95 per cent c.i. 0·34 to 0·67). The prognostic effect of peritumoral reaction was not significantly modified by other clinical variables (all P for interaction >0·050). Peritumoral reaction was associated with total lymphocyte count in the blood (P < 0·001), supporting the relationship between local immune response and systemic immune competence. In addition, higher morphological peritumoral reaction was associated with high PD-1 expression on lymphocytes in tumours (P = 0·034).

CONCLUSION

These findings should help to improve risk-adapted therapeutic strategies and help stratify patients in the future clinical setting of immunotherapy for oesophageal cancer.

Cytohistology of morule in cribriform-morular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Cribriform-morular variant (CMV) is a rare variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. It frequently occurs in association with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), although some cases are sporadic. Herein, we report a case of CMV and analyse morule cytohistology.

CASE REPORT

The patient was a 47-year-old woman with no familial history of FAP. A 3.0-cm unifocal mass was identified in the left thyroidal lobe. Fine-needle aspiration cytology revealed papillary clusters of atypical cells with nuclear grooves, which was suspected to be conventional papillary thyroid carcinoma. Histologically, the tumour comprised a papillary and cribriform growth of atypical cells with cytoplasmic accumulation and nuclear translocation of b-catenin. In addition, frequent morule formation was identified.

DISCUSSION

In this case, we performed morule analysis through correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM), and revealed its ultrastructure. Although CMV is a rare form of thyroid carcinoma, it should be considered along with its distinct clinicopathological characteristics.

Clinical utility of exhaled carbon monoxide in assessing preoperative smoking status and risks of postoperative morbidity after esophagectomy

Whereas smoking constitutes a significant risk factor for postesophagectomy morbidity, there is no reliable method to assess the smoking status of patients prior to the procedure. Since exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) is an indicator of recent smoking, this paper hypothesizes that this is a useful parameter in assessing current smoking status and may help predict morbidity following esophagectomy. Sixty-nine patients, who had undergone elective three-incision esophagectomy with two- or three-field lymphadenectomy for esophageal cancer, were prospectively studied between February 2015 and September 2017. At surgical admission, they were asked about their smoking history, their exhaled CO levels were evaluated, and they were grouped into three based on their CO levels. These were 0 parts per million (ppm), >0 and <7 ppm, and ≥7 ppm. Their postoperative morbidity was also assessed. Approximately 13.5% of the patients showed high levels of exhaled CO ≥ 7 ppm, despite preoperatively reporting smoking cessation for over a month. Morbidities of the Clavien-Dindo classification (CDc) ≥ II increased as exhaled CO levels increased and severe morbidity of CDc ≥ IIIb frequently was observed in patients with exhaled CO levels ≥7 ppm. The logistic regression analysis showed that exhaled CO level ≥7 ppm was an independent risk factor for severe postesophagectomy morbidity. Overall, the results of this study suggest that exhaled CO levels may be useful in estimating current smoking status and that it may also help give an estimation of the risk of postesophagectomy morbidity.

Minimally invasive esophagectomy may contribute to long-term respiratory function after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

Evidence suggests that minimally invasive esophagectomy has several advantages with regard to short-term outcomes, compared to open esophagectomy in esophageal cancer patients. However, the impact of minimally invasive esophagectomy on long-term respiratory function remains unknown. The objective of this study is to assess the association between use of the minimally invasive esophagectomy and long-term respiratory dysfunction in esophageal cancer patients after esophagectomy. This retrospective single institution study using prospectively collected data included 87 consecutive esophageal cancer patients who had undergone esophagectomy. All patients underwent a respiratory function test before, and one year after esophagectomy. Logistic regression analysis was used to compute the hazard ratio for long-term respiratory dysfunction. Minimally invasive esophagectomies were performed in 53 patients, and open esophagectomies in 34 patients. The two groups showed no significant differences in terms of postoperative complications and postoperative course. Nor were any differences observed between the two groups in terms of volume capacity (L) and forced expiratory volume 1.0 (L) before esophagectomy (P > 0.34). However, one year after esophagectomy, the decreases in volume capacity and forced expiratory volume 1.0 were significantly less in the minimally invasive esophagectomy group than in the open esophagectomy group (P = 0.04 and P = 0.007, respectively). Multivariate analyses revealed that minimally invasive esophagectomy was an independent favorable factor for maintenance of forced expiratory volume 1.0 (hazard ratio = 0.17, 95% confidence interval 0.04-0.71; P = 0.01). Minimally invasive esophagectomy may be an independent favorable factor for maintenance of long-term respiratory function in esophageal cancer patients after esophagectomy.

Pyloroplasty may reduce weight loss 1 year after esophagectomy

Weight loss after esophagectomy is common and is associated with unfavorable prognosis. However, the clinical features and surgical methods that influence postesophagectomy weight loss are not well characterized. This study aims to determine those features (especially the surgical methods) that may affect postoperative weight loss. We reviewed 221 esophageal cancer patients who had undergone esophagectomy at Kumamoto University Hospital (Kumamoto, Japan) between November 2012 and June 2015. Among these, we recruited 106 patients who had undergone transthoracic esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction, had no cancer recurrence within 1 year, and no missing follow-up data. We tabulated the body weight changes and risk factors associated with weight loss exceeding 10% at 1-year postesophagectomy. The mean body weights at baseline and 1-year postsurgery were 60.3 kg (standard error (SE): 0.91) and 52.6 (SE: 0.91), respectively. One year postsurgery, the body weights had changed as follows: mean: -12.2%; median: -12.9%; standard deviation: 9.06; range: -36.1-18.56%; interquartile range: -10.5 to -14.0%. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the absence of pyloroplasty was the sole risk factor for more than 10% weight loss (OR: 3.22; 95% CI: 1.08-11.9; P = 0.036). Our data suggest that pyloroplasty with esophagectomy can overcome the post-surgical weight loss.

Combined effects of electric toothbrushing and dentifrice on artificial stain removal: An in vitro study

Background

This in vitro study aimed to clarify the combined effect of electric toothbrushing and dentifrice on the removal of artificial stain.

Material and Methods

Twenty-five bovine incisors were cut at the cervix and the crown was embedded in auto-cured acrylic resin. Specimens were abraded using #240 SiC paper to obtain a flat enamel surface, and 20 specimens were treated with 10% citric acid / 3% ferric chloride solution followed by 1% tannic acid solution to produce surface staining. They were divided into four groups: 1) brushing with an electric toothbrush and whitening dentifrice (group S+B); 2) brushing with an electric toothbrush and fluoride dentifrice (group S+C); 3) brushing with an electric toothbrush and no dentifrice (group S); and 4) no brushing (control group). The remaining five specimens were used as a baseline. Color values (L*, a*, and b* were measured before brushing (0 min), and at 1 min, 5 min, 10 min, and 20 min using a microscopic area spectrophotometer. The color change (ΔE) was calculated by subtracting the baseline values from the final color values obtained at each time point. The data were statistically analyzed using two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and Tukey’s honest significant difference test as a post hoc test (p<0.05).

Results

The L* values of groups S+B and S+C increased over time (p<0.05), but no significant differences were observed in group S and the control group at any of the time points (p>0.05). Groups S+B and S+C demonstrated greater ΔE values than group S.

Conclusions

The combination of electric toothbrushing and dentifrice removed the artificial stain more effectively than brushing without dentifrice. However, the stain removal was limited. The two dentifrices evaluated in this study exhibited similar stain removal effects.

Key words:Color change, stain removal, dentifrice, electric toothbrush, whitening effect.

Monitoring sputum culture in resected esophageal cancer patients with preoperative treatment

Pneumonia is a major cause of postesophagectomy mortality and worsens the long-term survival in resected esophageal cancer patients. Moreover, preoperative treatments such as chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy (which have recently been applied worldwide) might affect the bacterial flora of the sputum. To investigate the association among preoperative treatments, the bacterial flora of sputum, and the clinical and pathological features in resected esophageal cancer patients, this study newly investigates the effect of preoperative treatments on the bacterial flora of sputum. We investigated the association among preoperative treatments, the bacterial flora of sputum, and clinical and pathological features in 163 resected esophageal cancer patients within a single institution. Pathogenic bacteria such as Candida (14.1%), Staphylococcus aureus (6.7%), Enterobacter cloacae (6.1%), Haemophilus parainfluenzae (4.9%), Klebisiella pneumoniae (3.7%), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (3.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.5%), Escherichia coli (1.8%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (1.8%), and Haemophilus influenzae (1.2%) were found in the sputum. The pathogen detection rate in the present study was 34.3% (56/163). In patients with preoperative chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy, the indigenous Neisseria and Streptococcus species were significantly decreased (P= 0.04 and P= 0.04). However, the detection rates of pathogenic bacteria were not associated with preoperative treatments (all P> 0.07). There was not a significant difference of hospital stay between the sputum-monitored patients and unmonitored patients (35.5 vs. 49.9 days; P= 0.08). Patients undergoing preoperative treatments exhibited a significant decrease of indigenous bacteria, indicating that the treatment altered the bacterial flora of their sputum. This finding needs to be confirmed in large-scale independent studies or well-designed multicenter studies.

Relationship between sudden natural death and abdominal fat evaluated on postmortem CT scans

Objective

This study examined the association between sudden natural death and abdominal fat using postmortem computed tomography (CT) scans.

Subjects and methods

Postmortem CT images at the umbilical level of 241 subjects were used to measure abdominal areas of subcutaneous‐ and visceral fat, the rate of visceral fat and the waist circumference. Of the study subjects, 174 died of sudden natural death (130 men and 44 women), and 67 died of different causes (46 men and 21 women). All were between 40 and 75 years of age. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent abdominal parameters associated with sudden natural death.

Results

By univariate analysis, the areas of subcutaneous and visceral fat were significantly larger in sudden natural death than who died of different causes (subcutaneous fat, odds ratio [OR] = 1.004, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.000–1.007, p = 0.03; visceral fat, OR = 1.008, 95% CI = 1.003–1.013, p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that the area of visceral fat was an independent factor associated with the risk of sudden natural death (OR = 1.008, 95% CI = 1.002–1.015, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Postmortem CT revealed that sudden natural death was related to abdominal fat deposits.

Review of chemotherapeutic approaches for operable and inoperable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

The predominant histological types of esophageal cancer are adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Since these two histological types present as different diseases in terms of their epidemiology, pathologenesis, and tumor biology, separate therapeutic approaches should be developed against each type. While surgical resection remains the dominant therapeutic intervention for patients with operable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), their high rates of tumor recurrence have prompted investigation of multimodality therapies that combine surgery with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and chemoradiotherapy. In Japan, preoperative chemotherapy with cisplatin (CDDP) plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) followed by radical esophagectomy has been accepted as the standard therapeutic approach for resactable clinical Stage II/III ESCC. Similarly, the CDDP and 5-FU regimen has been accepted as the first-line treatment for metastatic and unresectable ESCCs in Japan. Thus, in Japan chemotherapy is an indispensable component of therapy for both resectable and unresectable ESCCs. This review discusses the current knowledge, rationale, and available data regarding chemotherapy for resectable and unresectable ESCCs.

Uterine-fundal hypoechoic mass: a possible ultrasound sign for cesarean scar pregnancy

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a life-threatening condition that requires early pregnancy termination. Its early ultrasound diagnosis is clinically important; however, previous studies focused on the CSP site itself. The present study was conducted to investigate the authors' clinical impression that a uterine-fundal hypoechoic mass is more frequently observed in CSP. Such a finding, if confirmed, may contribute to ultrasound diagnosis of CSP. The authors also determined the relationship between the treatment strategy and outcome, with special emphasis on conditions eventually requiring uterine artery embolization (UAE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a case-control study of CSP, and the authors analyzed all 14 women that were treated in this single tertiary institute over a period of ten years. Control subjects consisted of all pregnant women with prior cesarean section (CS) but no CSP.

RESULTS

Patients with CSP were significantly more likely to have a hypoechoic mass than controls (42.9 vs. 15.4%, respectively; p = 0.028). On confining results to a "fundal" hypoechoic mass, only CSP(+) patients showed it (CSP vs. control: 28.6 vs. 0%, respectively; p < 0.001). Six (43%: 6/14) received UAE: four following vaginal evacuation (artificial or spontaneous), and two for bleeding after methotrexate (MTX) treatment.

CONCLUSION

Patients with CSP more frequently had a uterine-fundal hypoechoic mass, whose detection may trigger a detailed observation of the CSP site, possibly leading to CSP diagnosis.

Early glottic squamous cell carcinoma: Predictive value of MR imaging for the rate of 5-year local control with radiation therapy

Purpose: To evaluate MR findings in early (T1 and T2 stages) glottic carcinomas and the predictive value of MR imaging for the rate of 5-year local control with radiation therapy.

Material and Methods: Eighty-three patients with early glottic carcinomas were prospectively examined with MR at 1.5 T. MR investigation included unenhanced T1-weighted, T2-weighted, dynamic and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images. Three patients with presumed advanced diseases on MR were initially treated with total laryngectomy and were excluded from the study. The remaining 80 patients were treated with radiation therapy with curative intent. Tumor detectability, size and relationship to the thyroid cartilage were determined on MR images. The MR findings were then correlated with the rate of local control.

Results: Forty-eight of 80 lesions (60%) were detected on MR imaging. All detected lesions but 1 demonstrated increased signal on T2-weighted images. The lesions were best delineated on dynamic images (statistically significant). The 5-year local control rate with radiation therapy was 72%. Univariate analysis revealed clinical T stage, MR detectability, tumor size and relationship to the thyroid cartilage as significant predictors. Multivariate analysis revealed that the relationship to the thyroid cartilage was an independent factor.

Conclusion: MR provides prognostic information about the results of definitive radiation therapy. To evaluate the tumor extension in lesions detected on precontrast MR images, contrast-enhanced dynamic images should be obtained.

Prognostic and clinical impact of sarcopenia in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Recently, depletion of skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia) has been linked to poor prognosis in several types of cancers, but has not been investigated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This retrospective study investigates the relationship between sarcopenia and clinical outcome in ESCC patients treated by surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation therapy (dCRT). The study was retrospectively conducted in a single academic hospital in Kumamoto, Japan, and involved 325 ESCC patients (256 surgical cases and 69 dCRT cases) treated between April 2005 and April 2011. Skeletal muscle mass was quantified by radiologic measures using standard computed tomography scans. The skeletal muscle tissue in the 325 ESCC patients was distributed as follows: mean: 47.10; median: 46.88; standard deviation (SD): 7.39; range: 31.48-71.11; interquartile range, 46.29-47.90. Skeletal muscle tissue was greater in male patients than in female patients (P < 0.0001), but was independent of other clinical and tumor features. Sarcopenia was not significantly associated with overall survival (log rank P = 0.54). Lymph node involvement significantly altered the relationship between sarcopenia and survival rate (P for interaction = 0.026). Sarcopenia significantly reduced the overall survival of patients without lymph node involvement (log rank P = 0.035), but was uncorrelated with overall survival in patients with lymph involvement (log rank, P = 0.31). The anastomosis leakage rate was significantly higher in the sarcopenia group than in the non-sarcopenia group (P = 0.032), but other surgical complications did not significantly differ between the two groups. Sarcopenia in ESCC patients without lymph node involvement is associated with poor prognosis, indicating sarcopenia as a potential biomarker for identifying patients likely to experience an inferior outcome. Moreover, sarcopenia was associated with anastomosis leakage but no other short-term surgical outcome.

Thymic Granulomatous Lesions in Pigs

Rare cases of thymic granulomatous lesions were found in pigs. The lesions consisted of epithelioid cells, multinucleated giant cells, and lymphocytes. Such lesions also were observed in the mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen, kidney, and stomach. The cytoplasm of the majority of giant cells and some epithlioid cells was periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive. All cells were positive for vimentin, lysozyme, and desmin. Ultrastructurally, the giant cells were rich in organella and attached to adjacent epithelioid cells by membrane interdigitation. The cells included numerous coated vesicles and granules. No etiologic pathogen, including porcine circovirus type 2, was detected in the lesions. This is the rare case of idiopathic thymic granulomatous lesion in pigs.

Correlative near-infrared light and cathodoluminescence microscopy using Y2O3:Ln, Yb (Ln = Tm, Er) nanophosphors for multiscale, multicolour bioimaging

This paper presents a new correlative bioimaging technique using Y₂O₃:Tm, Yb and Y₂O₃:Er, Yb nanophosphors (NPs) as imaging probes that emit luminescence excited by both near-infrared (NIR) light and an electron beam. Under 980 nm NIR light irradiation, the Y₂O₃:Tm, Yb and Y₂O₃:Er, Yb NPs emitted NIR luminescence (NIRL) around 810 nm and 1530 nm, respectively, and cathodoluminescence at 455 nm and 660 nm under excitation of accelerated electrons, respectively. Multimodalities of the NPs were confirmed in correlative NIRL/CL imaging and their locations were visualized at the same observation area in both NIRL and CL images. Using CL microscopy, the NPs were visualized at the single-particle level and with multicolour. Multiscale NIRL/CL bioimaging was demonstrated through in vivo and in vitro NIRL deep-tissue observations, cellular NIRL imaging, and high-spatial resolution CL imaging of the NPs inside cells. The location of a cell sheet transplanted onto the back muscle fascia of a hairy rat was visualized through NIRL imaging of the Y₂O₃:Er, Yb NPs. Accurate positions of cells through the thickness (1.5 mm) of a tissue phantom were detected by NIRL from the Y₂O₃:Tm, Yb NPs. Further, locations of the two types of NPs inside cells were observed using CL microscopy.

A fluorescence XAFS measurement instrument in the soft X-ray region toward observation under operando conditions

X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements are widely used for the analysis of electronic structure. Generally, XAFS in the soft X-ray region is measured under vacuum, but chemical structures under vacuum are typically different from those under operando conditions, where chemical species exhibit their function. Here, we developed an XAFS measurement instrument, as a step toward operando fluorescent, which yields XAFS measurement using synchrotron radiation in the soft X-ray region. We applied this method to analyze the local electronic structure of the sulfur atoms in L-cysteine in different pH solutions. In water at pH 7, the hydrogen atom does not dissociate from the thiol (-SH) group in L-cysteine, which forms a structure surrounded by and interacting with water molecules. The XAFS spectrum of L-cysteine in solution was altered by changing the pH. At pH 9, the hydrogen atom dissociated and a thiolate anion was formed. Although the -SH group was oxidized to SO4 (2-) when L-cysteine was adsorbed on a metal surface and dried, no oxidation was observed in solution. This may be because the water molecules were densely packed and protected the -SH group from oxidation. Our results show that this instrument aimed toward operando fluorescence XAFS measurements in the soft X-ray region is useful for structural analysis of sulfur atoms in organic molecules in air and in solution. The instrument will be applied to the structural analysis of materials containing elements that have absorption edges in soft X-ray region, such as phosphorus and alkali metals (potassium and cesium). It will be also particularly useful for the analysis of samples that are difficult to handle under vacuum and materials that have specific functions in solution.

Vaccination during the 2013-2014 influenza season in pregnant Japanese women

This questionnaire survey was conducted at 11 hospitals in Japan to determine vaccination coverage against seasonal influenza and the prevalence rate of influenza among pregnant Japanese women. Of 2,808 postpartum women who gave birth at the 11 hospitals during the study period from March 1, 2014, to July 31, 2014, 1,713 (61 %) participated in this study and 876 (51 %) reported having received vaccination against influenza in or after October 2013. Women aged <25 years had a significantly lower vaccination rate than those aged ≥25 years (31 % vs. 53 %, respectively; p = 0.0000). Eighty-seven (5.1 %) and 1,626 (94.9 %) women did and did not contract influenza, respectively. Although prior birth did not affect overall vaccination coverage (50 % for primiparous vs. 53 % for multiparous), multiparous women had a significantly higher rate of contracting influenza than primiparous women, irrespective of vaccination status (5.6 % vs. 2.2 % [p = 0.0216] and 9.7 % vs. 3.5 % [p = 0.0003] for women with and without vaccination, respectively). The 2013-2014 vaccination program significantly reduced the influenza infection rate by 35 % (3.9 % vs. 6.3 % for women with and without vaccination, respectively; p = 0.0272). Seventy-two (83 %) of the 87 women took antiviral agents for the treatment of influenza and two (2.3 %) required hospitalization. These results suggested that pregnant Japanese women had a high level of concern regarding seasonal influenza. However, campaigns targeting young pregnant Japanese women, as well as multiparous women, for vaccination are needed in order to further reduce the incidence of influenza among pregnant Japanese women.