Effect of metformin on progression of head and neck cancers, occurrence of second primary cancers, and cause-specific survival.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of metformin on progression of head and neck cancers, occurrence of second primary cancers, and cause-specific survival.

Methods: This study analyzed a retrospective cohort of 1,151 consecutive patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who were treated at our hospital. Patients were divided into three groups: nondiabetic, nonmetformin, and metformin.

Perforation of Surgical Gloves during Lower Extremity Fracture Surgery and Hip Joint Replacement Surgery.

Purpose: To assess the frequencies and sites of surgical glove perforations in lower extremity fracture surgery and hip joint replacement (HJR) surgery. Additionally, we also studied the usefulness of an indicator system glove.

Materials And Methods: We assessed surgical glove perforations in 30 cases of lower extremity fracture surgery and 18 cases of HJR surgery conducted by one right handed 1st operator from April 2013 to July 2013.

Serum beta-2 microglobulin as a prognostic biomarker in patients with mantle cell lymphoma.

Although serum beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) has been suggested as a prognostic factor for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), additional data are necessary to confirm its role. Between November 2005 and July 2014, a total of 52 patients with MCL were identified from the database of Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. Pretreatment serum B2M information was available in 50 patients (96%).

SKI2162, an inhibitor of the TGF-β type I receptor (ALK5), inhibits radiation-induced fibrosis in mice.

Here we demonstrated that SKI2162, a small-molecule inhibitor of the TGF-β type I receptor (ALK5), prevented radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF) in mice. SKI2162 inhibited phosphorylation of Smad and induction of RIF-related genes in vitro. In RIF a mouse model, SKI2162 reduced late skin reactions and leg-contracture without jeopardizing the acute skin reaction.

Efficacy and safety of human placental extract for alcoholic and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: an open-label, randomized, comparative study.

Human placental extract (HPE) is a traditional medicine that has been used for the symptomatic treatment of liver disease without any verifying clinical evidence. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HPE in patients with alcoholic or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH or NASH). We designed this clinical trial as a multicenter, open-label, randomized, comparative noninferiority study to improve the reliability of analyses.

Feedback control of biomimetic exotendon device for hand rehabilitation in stroke.

Many hand exoskeleton devices have recently been developed for hand rehabilitation of stroke survivors, but most hand exoskeletons focused on implementing joint movement driven by individual actuator located at the finger joints rather than considering function of hand muscle-tendons and their coordination. In order to achieve hand rehabilitation targeted on restoration of specific muscle-tendon functions, a biomimetic hand exotendon device (BiomHED) was introduced recently. This paper introduces a ring-type design of exotendon device for easier donning and the design of a feedback control system for controlling posture of the finger.

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma with Involvement of the Breast and Testis in a Male Patient.

Here we report a case of a 76-year-old man with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with simultaneous involvement of the right breast and left testicle. The patient underwent complete resection of the involved testis, followed by immunochemotherapy with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP) and prophylactic radiotherapy to the contralateral testis. Following this multimodal therapy, he achieved a complete response.

Intratumor Textural Heterogeneity on Pretreatment (18)F-FDG PET Images Predicts Response and Survival After Chemoradiotherapy for Hypopharyngeal Cancer.

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that intratumor heterogeneity of solid tumors characterized by textural features on 18-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) images is associated with response to chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and survival. The current study aimed to determine whether a similar relationship exists in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC).

Methods: This study investigated 27 patients with HPSCC who underwent cisplatin-based induction chemotherapy followed by definitive CRT underwent pretreatment (18)F-FDG PET/CT.

Effect of beach chair position on bispectral index values during arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Background: Bispectral index (BIS) monitoring reduces the cases of intraoperative awareness. Several factors can alter BIS readings without affecting the depth of anesthesia. We conducted a study to assess the impact of beach chair position (sitting position) on BIS readings.

Mdm2 and p53 Expression in Radiation-Induced Sarcomas of the Head and Neck: Comparison with De Novo Sarcomas.

Background: The pathogenesis of radiation-induced sarcomas (RISs) is not well known. In RIS, TP53 mutations are frequent, but little is known about Mdm2-p53 interaction, which is a recent therapeutic target of sarcomas.

Methods: We studied the immunohistochemical expression of Mdm2 and p53 of 8 RISs.

Homogeneous electrochemical assay for protein kinase activity.

Herein, we report a homogeneous assay for protein kinase activity using an electrochemistry-based probe. The approach involves a peptide substrate conjugated with a redox tag and the phosphate-specific receptor immobilized on an electrode surface. The peptide substrate phosphorylated by a protein kinase binds to the receptor site of the probe, which results in a redox current under voltammetric measurement.

Treatment of primary testicular diffuse large B cell lymphoma without prophylactic intrathecal chemotherapy: a single center experience.

Background: Primary testicular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a rare but aggressive extranodal lymphoma, and its relapse in the central nervous system (CNS) is a major concern during treatment. Despite this, the role of intrathecal prophylaxis in primary testicular DLBCL remains controversial.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 14 patients with primary testicular DLBCL diagnosed between November 2000 and June 2012, and analyzed the CNS relapse rate in patients treated without intrathecal prophylaxis.

Effects of total body irradiation-based conditioning on allogeneic stem cell transplantation for pediatric acute leukemia: a single-institution study.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of total body irradiation (TBI), as a conditioning regimen prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT), in pediatric acute leukemia patients.

Materials And Methods: From January 2001 to December 2011, 28 patients, aged less than 18 years, were treated with TBI-based conditioning for allo-SCT in our institution. Of the 28 patients, 21 patients were diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL, 75%) and 7 were diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML, 25%).

Clarithromycin-based standard triple therapy can still be effective for Helicobacter pylori eradication in some parts of the Korea.

We evaluated the antibiotic resistance rates and eradication rates of clarithromycin based triple therapy from 2005 to 2010 retrospectively. In addition, we investigated the mechanism of clarithromycin resistance in Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from Korean patients. Two hundred and twelve strains of H.

A dosimetric comparison of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and non-coplanar intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer.

Background: To compare dosimetric parameters of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and non-coplanar intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer with regard to the coverage of planning target volume (PTV) and the sparing of organs at risk (OAR).

Methods: Ten patients with nasal cavity or paranasal sinus cancer were re-planned by VMAT (two-arc) plan and non-coplanar IMRT (7-, 11-, and 15-beam) plans. Planning objectives were to deliver 60 Gy in 30 fractions to 95% of PTV, with maximum doses (D(max)) of <50 Gy to the optic nerves, optic chiasm, and brainstem, <40 Gy to the eyes and <10 Gy to the lenses.

Can we decide the optimal initial treatment for male lower urinary tract symptoms patients with overactive bladder by the most bothersome symptom? A randomized, prospective, open-label study.

Objectives: To compare the treatment outcome of tamsulosin 0.4 mg (TAM) with or without solifenacin 5 mg (SOL) for the most bothersome symptom in male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with overactive bladder (OAB).

Subjects And Methods: Male LUTS/OAB (≥50 years) patients who had a total International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) of ≥12, I-PSS urgency-related question of ≥2, and quality of life (QoL) of ≥3 points were enrolled.

Clinical significance of pretreatment metabolic tumor volume and total lesion glycolysis in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

Background: To evaluate the usefulness of metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) measured by pretreatment fluorine 18-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18) F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) as predictors of clinical outcome in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC).

Methods: Seventy-eight patients with HPSCC treated with definitive radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy underwent (18) F-FDG PET/CT. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max ), MTV, and TLG were measured.

Postoperative radiation therapy following the incomplete resection of a non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: To review the results of postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) for residual non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following surgical resection and evaluate multiple clinicopathologic prognostic factors.

Materials And Methods: A total of 58 patients, who completed scheduled PORT for positive resection margin, among 658 patients treated with PORT from January 2001 to November 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Radiation therapy was started at 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.

Mechanical properties vary for different regions of the finger extensor apparatus.

The extensor apparatus, an aponeurosis that covers the dorsal side of each finger, transmits force from a number of musculotendons to the phalanges. Multiple tendons integrate directly into the structure at different sites and the extensor apparatus attaches to the phalanges at multiple points. Thus, prediction of the force distribution within the extensor apparatus, or hood, and the transmission to the phalanges is challenging, especially as knowledge of the underlying mechanical properties of the tissue is limited.

A nanoparticle formula for delivering siRNA or miRNAs to tumor cells in cell culture and in vivo.

To improve RNA delivery, we present a protocol to produce an RNA carrier based on a Zn(II)-dipicolylamine (Zn-DPA) analog, which is an artificial receptor for phosphate anion derivatives. We further functionalized this Zn-DPA analog to hyaluronic acid (HA)-based self-assembled nanoparticles (HA-NPs) with a hydrodynamic diameter of 100 nm by conjugating amine-functionalized Zn-DPA molecules onto the HA-NPs through amide formation, resulting in efficient tumor-targeted delivery of RNAs (siRNAs, miRNA or other short oligoribonucleotides) and small-molecule drugs. The functional group of Zn-DPA can be converted into other groups such as a carboxylic or thiol group, and the DPA analog can be covalently attached to a variety of existing and novel platforms or formulations for the development of multifunctional materials via standard bioconjugation techniques.

Abbreviated chemotherapy for limited-stage diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after complete resection.

Background: Abbreviated chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy or full cycles of chemotherapy is recommended as a standard treatment for limited-stage (LS) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). After complete resection of tumors, however, Burkitt and childhood B-cell Non-Hodgkin lymphoma show favorable outcomes, even after abbreviated chemotherapy of only 2 or 3 cycles. We investigated the effectiveness of abbreviated chemotherapy in patients with LS DLBCL after complete tumor resection.

Context-dependent coding in single neurons.

The linear-nonlinear cascade model (LN model) has proven very useful in representing a neural system's encoding properties, but has proven less successful in reproducing the firing patterns of individual neurons whose behavior is strongly dependent on prior firing history. While the cell's behavior can still usefully be considered as feature detection acting on a fluctuating input, some of the coding capacity of the cell is taken up by the increased firing rate due to a constant "driving" direct current (DC) stimulus. Furthermore, both the DC input and the post-spike refractory period generate regular firing, reducing the spike-timing entropy available for encoding time-varying fluctuations.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by L-asparaginase-containing chemotherapy, VIDL, for localized nasal extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma: CISL08-01 phase II study.

We conducted a phase II trial of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) followed by 2 cycles of L-asparaginase-containing chemotherapy for patients who were newly diagnosed with stages IE and IIE nasal extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL). CCRT consisted of 40-44 Gy of radiotherapy with weekly administration of 30 mg/m(2) of cisplatin for 4 weeks. Two cycles of VIDL (etoposide (100 mg/m(2)), ifosfamide (1,200 mg/m(2)), and dexamethasone (40 mg) from days 1 to 3, and L-asparaginase (4,000 IU/m(2)) every other day from days 8 to 20) were administered sequentially.