Robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy: experience at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) is increasingly used in the treatment of resectable esophageal cancer. This is a report on the current technique of RAMIE at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), including a summary of early data on 65 patient outcomes reported in an ongoing esophageal cancer database. To date, we have performed over 200 cases of RAMIE at UPMC from September 2013 to July 2024, and the analysis of the data will be presented soon.

Spatial Biology and Organoid Technologies Reveal a Potential Therapy-Resistant Cancer Stem Cell Population in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the deadliest malignancies with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. Chemotherapy is the current standard-of-care (SOC) for advanced PDAC; however, treatment resistance driven by a complex and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) limits its effectiveness. To address mechanisms of resistance, we studied cabozantinib (cabo), a multi-kinase inhibitor approved for several solid tumors.

Outcomes of esophageal diversion and long-term prognosis: A single-institution experience.

Objective: Esophageal diversion of the esophagus is a last resort but effective procedure to control esophageal crises. Existing reports on this procedure are sporadic, and the prognosis is difficult to predict.

Methods: We performed a single-institution, retrospective study of patients who underwent esophageal diversion with cervical esophagostomy from 2014 to 2023.

Outcome of Robotic-Assisted Resection of Large Primary Thymic Tumors: A Single High-Volume Institutional Experience.

Background: The role of robotic-assisted resection for large primary thymic malignant tumors is uncertain. This study compares outcomes of robotic-assisted resection by tumor size.

Methods: Robotic resections for anterior mediastinal masses were identified from an institutionally maintained database and were retrospectively analyzed.

Outcomes with Sublobar Resection vs Lobectomy in Patients With cT1N0M0 Large-cell Neuroendocrine Cancer.

Background: Large-cell neuroendocrine cancer (LCNEC) is a rare tumor histology associated with poor prognosis. This study aimed to analyze outcomes with sublobar resection in patients with clinical T1N0M0 LCNEC (<3 cm) compared with lobectomy.

Methods: We performed a single-institution, retrospective study comparing patients undergoing lobectomy vs sublobar resection (segmentectomy or wedge resection) for clinical T1N0M0 LCNEC from 2002 2022.

Tailoring Targeted Temperature Management in Comatose Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Survivors: A Retrospective Analysis Based on the rCAST Score Classification.

: Stratifying post-cardiac arrest survivors based on the likelihood of good neurologic outcomes can guide the decision for targeted temperature management (TTM). This study aimed to compare the impact of TTM on neurological improvement among comatose out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors stratified by the revised post-cardiac arrest syndrome for therapeutic hypothermia (rCAST) score. : This retrospective observational cohort study was conducted from February 2018 to April 2023 at the emergency department.

Hyperthermic Intrathoracic Chemoperfusion and the Role of Adjunct Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma.

Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is an aggressive cancer originating from the mesothelial lining of the pleura, with a rising global incidence since the mid-20th century due to asbestos and erionite exposure. PM accounts for 80-90% of all mesothelioma cases and is histologically classified into three subtypes-epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic- with epithelioid carrying the most favorable prognosis. Despite advances in surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, PM prognosis remains poor, necessitating more effective, multimodal strategies.

17β-Estradiol Promotes Tumorigenicity Through an Autocrine AREG/EGFR Loop in ER-α-Positive Breast Cancer Cells.

We previously reported that the level of EGFR expression is directly associated with the survival rate of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer patients. Here, we investigated how ER activation by 17β-estradiol (E2), the most potent form of estrogen, affects the expression or activity of EGFR or EGFR-related genes in ER+ breast cancer cells. As expected, E2 enhanced cell proliferation, the induction of S phase, and tumor growth in ER+ breast cancer models.

Development of cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence marker for powdery mildew resistance in Korean malting barley using QTL-seq.

Introduction: Powdery mildew (PM) caused by f.sp. is a major fungal disease affecting barley ( L.

Multivariable analysis to identify predictors of dental implant failure after alveolar ridge preservation: a non-interventional observational study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine predictors of implant treatment failure after alveolar ridge preservation (ARP).

Methods: The study included patients who received implant treatment after ARP between 2014 and 2020. The demographic, clinical, and radiographic data of these patients were collected.

Geometry-Constrained Learning-Based Visual Servoing with Projective Homography-Derived Error Vector.

We propose a novel geometry-constrained learning-based method for camera-in-hand visual servoing systems that eliminates the need for camera intrinsic parameters, depth information, and the robot's kinematic model. Our method uses a cerebellar model articulation controller (CMAC) to execute online Jacobian estimation within the control framework. Specifically, we introduce a fixed-dimension, uniform-magnitude error function based on the projective homography matrix.

Perfectly Spatial and Shape-Controllable Nanocrack Lithography via Localized Compressive-Shear Stress Coupling.

Cracking-assisted nanofabrication techniques have gained widespread applications across diverse engineering fields for the creation of nanoscale features, valued for their simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and high resolution. However, conventional methods often struggle to control the density, shape, and uniformity of nanocracks due to random stress concentrations caused by material defects and uncontrolled mechanical stress distribution during nanocrack formation. To address these limitations, we developed a highly reliable and reproducible nanocrack patterning method capable of creating large-scale, customizable nanocrack patterns on flexible substrates via the compressive-shear stress coupling effect.

Inhibition of Interleukin-8/C-X-C Chemokine Receptor 2 Signaling Axis Prevents Tumor Growth and Metastasis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

Introduction: Previously, we reported that interleukin-8 (IL-8) was associated with poor prognosis of basal-like breast cancer patients and has been identified as a pro-tumorigenic factor, facilitating cell invasion and migration. Here, we investigated the pharmacological impact of inhibitors targeting the chemokine receptors, C-X-C chemokine receptor 1 (CXCR1) and C-X-C chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2), which are activated by IL-8.

Methods: The survival rates of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients by IL-8 were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier plotter.

Photodriven Ammonia Synthesis from N and H: Recycling of a Molecular Molybdenum Nitride.

The synthesis of ammonia from its elements, N and H, is the most atom-economical and thermodynamically preferred route but presents a high kinetic barrier and thus is rare using molecular compounds. Irradiation of a molecular molybdenum nitride prepared from N cleavage with visible light in the presence of an iridium photocatalyst and 1-4 atm of H produced high yields of ammonia along with the formation of a cationic, formally molybdenum(VI) pentahydride as the major molybdenum-containing product. Continued irradiation of the molybdenum hydride under an N atmosphere resulted in regeneration of the molybdenum nitride that was recycled and used for additional hydrogenation to generate more ammonia, demonstrating superstoichiometric batch ammonia synthesis using only N and H with molecular compounds under ambient conditions.

Diastolic blood pressures and end tidal carbon dioxides during cardiopulmonary resuscitations and their association with outcomes in adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients: A preplanned secondary analysis of the Augmented Medication CardioPulmonary resuscitation (AMCPR) trial.

Background: The optimal targets for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and their association with outcomes remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between DBP and ETCO2 and the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) during CPR.

Methods: This study was a preplanned sub-analysis of the Augmented Medication CardioPulmonary Resuscitation (AMCPR) trial.

Induction of SUSD2 by STAT3 Activation Is Associated with Tumor Recurrence in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer.

Sushi domain-containing protein 2 (SUSD2), a transmembrane protein containing a sushi motif, has been reported to have tumor-promoting functions in various types of cancer, including breast cancer. However, the regulatory mechanism of SUSD2 and its function in HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer have not been fully identified as yet. In this study, we explored the potential of targeting SUSD2 to overcome trastuzumab (TRZ) resistance in HER2+ breast cancer.

Changes in bacterial diversity of full-scale anaerobic digesters treating secondary sludge.

Anaerobic digestion (AD) of secondary sludge (2S) presents challenges because of its high microbial content and complex cell wall structures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of spatiotemporally-variable factors such as water temperature and dietary habits on the 2S bacterial community and its migration into digesters. Bacterial communities and functions were analyzed using high-throughput pyrosequencing.

Optimal Timing of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as Early Predictors of Neurological Outcomes in Postcardiac Arrest Patients.

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been recognized as predictors of various critical illnesses. Our study aimed to investigate whether the NLR and PLR measured at different timepoints could predict poor neurological outcomes at 6 months. This observational retrospective cohort study included adults who had experienced out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and received targeted temperature management between November 2015 and December 2020.

Comparative Analysis of Intense Pulsed Light Therapy in Patients with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, with and Without Glaucoma Medication.

: This study assessed the efficacy of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy for treating meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a key contributor to evaporative dry eye disease (DED), by comparing outcomes in patients with idiopathic MGD versus those with MGD induced by glaucoma medications. : In a retrospective analysis of 45 patients, divided into groups based on glaucoma medication use (20 patients) and non-use (25 patients), all underwent four IPL sessions combined with meibomian gland expression (MGX) at 3-week intervals. Key metrics evaluated included Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores, tear breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer I test scores, and meibography scores, pre- and post-treatment.

An Isolable Triarylphosphine Radical Cation Electronically Stabilized by Through-Space Radical Delocalization.

Synthesis and characterization of a thermally stable triarylphosphine radical cation, [P(8-Br-CH)][BArF] ([][BArF], BArF = tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate), enabled by stabilization through -bromo-substituted naphthalenes, are described. Unlike previously reported phosphine radical cations that rely on sterically bulky substituents for stabilization, our approach leverages electronic stabilization via "through-space" radical delocalization. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction of [][BArF] reveals a tricapped tetrahedral geometry, resulting from the spatial proximity of the three bromine atoms to the phosphorus center, differentiated from the trigonal planar geometry observed in the previously reported triarylphosphine radical cations with sterically bulky substituents.

Early Mortality Stratification with Serum Albumin and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score at Emergency Department Admission in Septic Shock Patients.

Early risk stratification is crucial due to septic patients' heterogeneity. Serum albumin level may reflect the severity of sepsis and host status. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic ability of the initial sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score alone and combined with serum albumin levels for predicting 28-day mortality in patients with septic shock.

Identification of Essential Features in Developing a Novel Femoral Stem Reflecting Anatomical Features of East Asian Population: A Morphological Study.

: Recent advancements in hip arthroplasty aim to enhance the stability, longevity, and functionality of femoral implants. However, the distal fitting of femoral stems, often caused by metaphyseal-diaphyseal mismatch, remains a significant issue, particularly in patients with Dorr type A femora. Such mismatches can result in suboptimal implant performance, leading to potential complications.

METTL18 functions as a Phenotypic Regulator in Src-Dependent Oncogenic Responses of HER2-Negative Breast Cancer.

Methyltransferase-like (METTL)18 has histidine methyltransferase activity on the RPL3 protein and is involved in ribosome biosynthesis and translation elongations. Several studies have reported that actin polymerization serves as a Src regulator, and HSP90 is involved in forming polymerized actin bundles. To understand the role of METTL18 in breast cancer and to demonstrate the importance of METTL18 in HER-2 negative breast cancer metastasis, we used biochemical, molecular biological, and immunological approaches (breast tumor cell lines), (tumor xenograft model), and in samples of human breast tumors.