Frequency and Prognostic Impact of Local Ablation Therapy for Oligoprogression in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: During the systemic treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), oligoprogression (OP), a condition in which most lesions remain controlled while a few progress or develop, has recently attracted attention. Traditionally, systemic therapy is continued after disease progression; however, advancements in local ablation therapy (LAT), such as radiotherapy and surgery, have demonstrated clinical efficacy in patients with OP. The characteristics of patients who may benefit from LAT or their genetic background remain unclear.

Midkine Promotes Tumor Growth and Attenuates the Effect of Cisplatin in Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Purpose: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive disease associated with poor patient survival rates. The addition of an anti-programmed death ligand 1 antibody to platinum combination chemotherapy can improve its prognosis. However, only a few patients achieve a long-term response; thus, establishing new therapies for SCLC is crucial.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Thin Convex-probe Endobronchial Ultrasound Bronchoscope in Cadaveric Models.

Background: The convex-probe endobronchial ultrasound (CP-EBUS) bronchoscope is widely used in clinical practice. Despite improvements, the existing CP-EBUS remains limited in accessing areas beyond the mediastinum due to its large distal end diameter, long rigid tip segment, and oblique viewing angle. To address this limitation, Olympus Medical Systems Corporation developed the thin CP-EBUS (TCP-EBUS).

Evaluating the Usefulness of the Insertion Tube Rotation Function of Bronchoscope in Cadaver Models.

Background: The Olympus bronchoscope is equipped with an insertion tube rotation function; however, data on its usefulness are currently limited. Here, we evaluated the amount of body and wrist movement required by bronchoscopists, the operability of the bronchoscope, and its ease of use with and without the insertion tube rotation function.

Methods: This study was performed on 10 bronchoscopists using 2 cadaveric bodies.

Impact of peroral endoscopic myotomy on the endoscopic pressure study integrated system.

Objectives: The endoscopic pressure study integrated system (EPSIS) is an endoscopic diagnostic system utilized for evaluation of lower esophageal sphincter function. Although previous studies have determined that EPSIS was effective as a tool for the diagnosis of achalasia, it remains uncertain if EPSIS can detect significant changes before and after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), which is the premier treatment for achalasia. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of EPSIS as an objective diagnostic tool for assessing the clinical effect of POEM.

Combination of a Topical Anti-Inflammatory Drug and a Moisturizer, Both with a Lamellar Structure Containing Synthetic Pseudo-Ceramides, for the Treatment of Patients with Mild-to-Moderate Atopic Dermatitis.

Purpose: Atopic dermatitis is characterized by chronic inflammation and dryness accompanied by severe itching. The combined use of moisturizers and topical anti-inflammatory drugs is essential for alleviating atopic dermatitis. We have developed a topical anti-inflammatory drug with a steroid and a moisturizer with heparinoid, both in lamellar structure-based formulations containing synthetic pseudo-ceramides.

Quantitative Analysis and Manipulation of Alkali Metal Cations at the Cathode Surface in Membrane Electrode Assembly Electrolyzers for CO Reduction Reactions.

The stable operation of the CO reduction reaction (CORR) in membrane electrode assembly (MEA) electrolyzers is known to be hindered by the accumulation of bicarbonate salt, which are derived from alkali metal cations in anolytes, on the cathode side. In this study, we conducted a quantitative evaluation of the correlation between the CORR activity and the transported alkali metal cations in MEA electrolyzers. As a result, although the presence of transported alkali metal cations on the cathode surface significantly contributes to the generation of C compounds, the rate of K ion transport did not match the selectivity of C, suggesting that a continuous supply of high amount of K to the cathode surface is not required for C formation.

Inhibition of non-homologous end joining mitigates paclitaxel resistance resulting from mitotic slippage in non-small cell lung cancer.

Mitotic slippage, which enables cancer cells to bypass cell death by transitioning from mitosis to the G1 phase without undergoing normal cytokinesis, is one likely mechanism of paclitaxel (PTX) resistance. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in the G1 phase are mainly repaired through non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Therefore, inhibiting NHEJ could augment the PTX-induced cytotoxicity by impeding the repair of PTX-induced DSBs during the G1 phase following mitotic slippage.

Tuning the odd-even effect on two-dimensional assemblies of curcumin derivatives by alkyl chain substitution: a scanning tunnelling microscopy study.

Well-ordered molecular arrangement on surfaces is fundamental for fabrication of functional molecular devices which are of particular interest in nanotechnology. In addition to nano-manufacturing, the production of useful materials from natural resources has recently attracted increasing attention. Herein, we focused on the two-dimensional (2D) self-assemblies of curcumin derivatives.

Real-world data on the efficacy and safety of immune-checkpoint inhibitors in elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are effective against advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, whether the efficacy and safety of ICI treatment in elderly patients are similar to those in younger patients is unclear. This study was designed to address this question.

Inorganic salt-assisted assembly of anionic π-conjugated rings enabling Li NMR-based evaluation of antiaromaticity.

The H NMR-based estimation of antiaromaticity in anionic molecules is challenging because of the difficulty in separately evaluating NMR shielding effects due to paratropic ring currents and negative charges. Herein we propose a novel approach for the Li NMR-based evaluation of antiaromaticity enabled by inorganic salt-assisted clusterization, which is serendipitously found during our studies on hyperconjugative antiaromaticity. Reduction of a dibenzo[,]silepin (1) with lithium afforded the dilithium salt [(Li)(thf)][12-] (2), which is expected to have antiaromatic character with a pseudo-16π-electron system involving hyperconjugation between the anionic π-clouds and the σ*(Si-Me) orbitals, although the evaluation of its antiaromaticity by NMR was difficult.

Efficacy of Pseudo-Ceramide-Containing Steroid Lamellar Cream in Patients with Mild to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study.

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder involving decreased barrier function of the stratum corneum. This decrease, caused by a reduction in ceramide, the primary component of intercellular lipids in the stratum corneum, leads to a disturbance in the lamellar structure.

Methods: We developed a formulation (test cream) containing a steroid and synthetic pseudo-ceramide (SLE: N-(3-hexadecyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl)-N-2-hydroxyethyl hexadecanamide) that forms a lamellar structure on the skin after its application and drying.

Halogen bond-directed self-assembly in bicomponent blends at the solid/liquid interface: effect of the alkyl chain substitution position.

The fabrication of well-organised molecular assemblies on surfaces is fundamental for the creation of functional molecular systems applicable to nanoelectronic and molecular devices. In this study, we investigated the effect of substitution positions of alkyl chains on the formation of halogen-bonded molecular networks. For this purpose, building blocks with different head groups (, pyridine (Py) or tetrafluoro-iodobenzene (FI)) were substituted with hexadecyloxy chains at either the 3,4- or the 3,5-positions.

Efficacy of Heparinoid Cream Containing Pseudo-Ceramide for Remission of Atopic Dermatitis.

Purpose: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by chronic inflammation, which frequently recurs, is exacerbated, and enters remission. A maintenance remission period is important for AD patients. We developed a formulation for use during AD remission, containing heparinoid and pseudo-ceramide that forms a lamellar structure.

Limonoids and unsaturated fatty acids present in Melia toosendan increase ceramide production in keratinocytes.

The skin barrier prevents moisture evaporation and the entry of foreign substances such as allergens. Ceramides are one of the most important factors for maintaining skin barrier function. Melia toosendan is a plant of the Meliaceae family, and its fruit extracts have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as analgesics and anthelmintics; however, its ability to increase ceramide levels has not been reported.

A new strategy for hyperconjugative antiaromatic compounds utilizing negative charges: a dibenzo[,]silepinyl dianion.

Herein we propose a new strategy for hyperconjugative antiaromatic compounds utilizing negative charges and design the 5,5-diphenyldibenzo[,]silepinyl dianion (pseudo 16π-electron system) in which negative hyperconjugation occurs between the anionic π-cloud and the σ*(Si-Ph) orbital. Essentially, reduction of the dibenzo[,]silepin with lithium readily generated a dilithium salt of the dibenzosilepinyl dianion, and its hyperconjugative antiaromaticity has been evidenced by the upfield shifts of H NMR signals and theoretical calculations, including large NICS values and ACID plots.

Prognostic factors in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer after long-term Anti-PD-1 therapy (HOT1902).

Objectives: Limited information is available on the appropriate treatment duration of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We aimed to identify candidates who would benefit from ICI discontinuation after one year of treatment for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective multi-institutional observational study examined medical records of all consecutive patients with advanced or recurrent NSCLC, who started ICI monotherapy at 15 institutions in Japan between December 2015 and December 2017.

A case of radio-insensitive SMARCA4-deficient thoracic undifferentiated carcinoma with severe right heart failure.

SMARCA4-deficient thoracic sarcomatoid tumors were characterized by inactivating mutations of SMARCA4 and often found in the chest of young and middle-aged males with a smoking history. Recently, SMARCA4-deficient thoracic sarcomatoid tumors were reported to represent primarily smoking-associated undifferentiated/de-differentiated carcinomas rather than primary thoracic sarcomas. The main complication of this tumor is compression of the respiratory tract and/or blood vessels.

Impact of lung density on isolated lung tumor dose in VMAT using inline MR-Linac.

Purpose: This study investigated the impact of lung density on the isolated lung tumor dose for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in an inline magnetic resonance linear accelerator (MR-Linac) using the Monte Carlo (MC) simulation.

Methods: CT images of the thorax phantoms with lung tumors of 1, 2, and 3 cm diameters were converted into voxel-base phantoms with lung densities of 0.1, 0.

Impact of transverse magnetic fields on dose response of a nanoDot OSLD in megavoltage photon beams.

Purpose: We investigated the impact of transverse magnetic fields on the dose response of a nanoDot optically stimulated luminescence dosimetry (OSLD) in megavoltage photon beams.

Methods: The nanoDot OSLD response was calculated via Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. The responses R and R without and with the transverse magnetic fields of 0.

Impact of transverse magnetic fields on dose response of a radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeter in megavoltage photon beams.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of transverse magnetic fields on the dose response of a radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeter (RGD) in megavoltage photon beams.

Methods: The RGD relative response (i.e.

Design and characteristics of an agar additive polymer gel dosimeter.

Herein, we investigate the use of agar and gelatin in a polymer gel dosimeter. The polymer gel is enclosed in a vinyl film to obtain a dosimeter of arbitrary shape and maintain the shape at room temperature. The resulting polymer gel dosimeter could preserve its shape across a wide temperature range.

Light-Induced Reworkable Adhesives Based on ABA-type Triblock Copolymers with Azopolymer Termini.

Photocurable adhesives based on polymers and resins are an integral part of different production processes because of their fast curing and local area bonding ability. Recently, dismantlable adhesives have attracted a lot of attention for recycling adherends or replacement of adhesion defects. However, adhesives that allow repeatable bonding and debonding solely by light irradiation, i.