Beyond the lung: Distinct recurrence patterns of mucinous and non-mucinous lung adenocarcinoma after surgery.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate differences in recurrence patterns between invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma and non-mucinous adenocarcinoma following surgical resection in patients with lung cancer without nodal or systemic metastasis.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed the patients' data who underwent curative surgery for adenocarcinoma between 2011 and 2021. To balance clinical characteristics, 2:1 propensity score matching was performed.

Wedge resection versus segmentectomy in early-stage lung cancer considering resection margin and lymph node evaluation: A retrospective study.

Objectives: The prognostic differences between wedge resection and segmentectomy in early-stage lung cancer remain controversial. This study aimed to compare the recurrence-free survival (RFS) between the two procedures, focusing on the impact of resection margin status and adequacy of lymph node (LN) evaluation.

Methods: Patients who underwent sublobar resection for clinical stage IA1-IA2 primary lung adenocarcinoma between 2011 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed.

Is a paradigm shift from conventional to robotic approaches necessary in first rib resection for thoracic outlet syndrome?

Background: Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a group of disorders caused by compression of the neurovascular bundle as it exits the thoracic outlet. The treatment involves first rib resection (FRR) via open surgery or minimally invasive surgery. This study compares the surgical outcomes of the supraclavicular approach and robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS).

Dual-Phase Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory Self-Locking Microarray Patches for the Effective Treatment of Acne Vulgaris.

Acne vulgaris is one of the most prevalent dermatological disorders, affecting approximately 85% of adolescents and often leading to permanent scarring, as well as psychological distress, if not effectively managed. Conventional acne therapies often prove inadequate due to limited skin penetration, the development of antibiotic resistance, and insufficient anti-inflammatory effects. To address this, we introduce a novel dual-phase self-locking microarray patch for an enhanced acne treatment.

Novel Autologous Regulatory T-Cell Therapy Ameliorates DSS-Induced Colitis in Humanized Mice.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with a complex immune-mediated pathogenesis. The efficacy of human-specific cellular immunotherapies and biological medications cannot be accurately evaluated using traditional murine IBD models. Therefore, a humanized mouse model of IBD is necessary.

Distinct Prognostic Roles of F-FDG PET Metabolic Response Assessed After Induction Chemotherapy or Chemoradiotherapy in Localized Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The prognostic significance of metabolic response by posttreatment F-FDG PET in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with chemoradiotherapy remains unclear, particularly regarding metabolic response after induction chemotherapy versus after chemoradiotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate and compare their prognostic impact. This retrospective study analyzed 604 patients with localized ESCC who received induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy, with or without surgery, at Asan Medical Center between 2006 and 2018.

Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis: lesson learned to develop better nonhuman primate models.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder with a complex etiology, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is considered the leading cause. While understanding the role of EBV infection in the pathogenesis of MS in human subjects is crucial, animal models, particularly nonhuman primates (NHPs), would provide an ideal controlled environment for testing EBV hypotheses and identifying potential therapeutic targets. Here in this Review we address clinically relevant questions regarding the link between EBV infection and MS to inform the development and refinement of virally induced NHP models.

Detachable and Reusable: Reinforced π-Ion Film for Modular Synaptic Reservoir Computing.

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) show significant promise for bioelectronics and neuromorphic computing applications due to their low operating voltage, biocompatibility, and ion-mediated charge transport. However, conventional OECTs with permanently fixed organic semiconductor (OSC) layers lack modularity and reusability for sustainable electronics with e-waste reduction. Here, a novel reinforced π-ion film OECT featuring a detachable and reusable OSC layer that creates a unified composite with dielectric and gate components, establishing a new paradigm for modular device architectures is proposed.

Analysis of Recurrence Sites in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma after Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation with Elective Nodal Irradiation: Insights for Radiation Field Optimization.

Background: The optimal radiation field for neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains debated. This study investigated recurrence patterns following NCRT with elective nodal irradiation (ENI), specifically comparing the recurrence sites relative with radiation treatment fields.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 255 patients with ESCC treated with NCRT with ENI.

Spatial Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Increased Adipogenesis and Triggering of the Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Pathway in Pig-to-NHP Islet Recipients' livers During the Early Post-xenotransplant Period.

Pancreatic islet transplantation stands out as a promising therapeutic avenue for type 1 diabetes patients grappling with glycemic instability and hypoglycemia unawareness. Given the persistent scarcity of donor organs, there is growing anticipation that pig-to-human islet xenotransplantation will emerge as the definitive beta cell replacement therapy for this condition. The liver is the site of preclinical pig-to-NHP islet transplantation as well as allogeneic clinical transplantation, yet its pathology following islet transplantation remains poorly understood.

Revisiting margin adequacy in sublobar resection for pure ground-glass opacity adenocarcinomas.

Background: Pure ground-glass opacity (GGO) lesions have a favorable prognosis and are primarily treated with sublobar resection. Current guidelines uniformly define sufficient margins as greater than 2 cm or the size of the lesion, regardless of the lesion's characteristics. This study evaluates the prognostic impact of insufficient margins in sublobar resection for pure GGO adenocarcinomas.

Comparative validation of clinical staging based on solid component versus total tumor size in resected lung adenocarcinoma.

Objectives: To compare clinical staging based on total tumor size with that of solid component size using the same criteria.

Materials And Methods: Patients who underwent curative resection for clinical stage IA1-IB adenocarcinoma between 2011 and 2021 were retrospectively included. Patients were re-staged according to the criteria of the current TNM staging using total tumor size (cStage) and solid component size (cStage).

Treg Control of CD80/CD86 Expression Mediates Immune System Homeostasis.

Foxp3 regulatory T cells (Treg) are critical for the maintenance of self-tolerance, and their absence or dysfunction can result in autoimmunity. To determine the critical cell type controlled by Treg and potentially the suppressor mechanism utilized by Treg in the steady state, we utilized mice expressing the diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) exclusively on Treg cells. Complete depletion of Treg was achieved 24 h after DT treatment, but profound activation of CD4 and CD8 T cells as measured by induction of CD44 expression and proliferation required 3-4 days.

Clinical implications of selective right paratracheal lymph node dissection in patients with early-stage esophageal Cancer: Propensity score-matched analysis.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of selective right paratracheal lymph node (RtPTLN) dissection in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), focusing on oncologic outcomes.

Methods: This study included patients who underwent curative surgery for clinical stage I ESCC (cT1N0) at our institution between January 2010 and December 2021. Patients who received neoadjuvant therapy were excluded.

Validation of the 9th Tumor, Node, and Metastasis Staging System for Patients with Surgically Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Introduction: The ninth edition of the tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) classification system was recently published by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer staging project. This study aimed to validate the ninth edition of the TNM staging system, and compare its discrimination power with that of the eighth edition.

Methods: Patients who had undergone complete resection with systematic lymph node dissection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were included in this retrospective analysis.

Analysis of lymph node metastasis based on consolidation tumor ratio and maximum standardized uptake value in clinical stage IA non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Sublobar resection has been established as an acceptable treatment for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). As a result, preoperative prediction of lymph node (LN) metastasis is becoming an important factor in determining surgical strategy. This study aimed to investigate the predictive accuracy of the consolidation tumor ratio (CTR) and the maximum standardized uptake value (maxSUV) of the primary tumor for LN metastasis in patients with clinical stage IA NSCLC.

recording and stimulation performance of multi-electrode arrays passivated with plasma-enhanced atomic layer-deposited metal oxides.

To achieve an intimate contact between neuronal cells and the electrode in non-invasive platforms intended for neurological research, in this study, we fabricated a raised-type Au multi-electrode array (MEA) by employing nanoscale-thick indium-tin oxide (ITO; 50 nm) as a track layer and plasma-enhanced atomic layer-deposited (PEALD) AlO (30-60 nm) and HfO (20 nm) as passivation layers. The PEALD AlO-passivated Au MEA was subsequently modified with electrodeposited AuPt nanoparticles (NPs) and IrO to demonstrate the passivation capability and chemical resistance of AlO to Au-, Pt-, and IrO NP-containing electrolytes. AlO-passivated and IrO/AuPt-modified MEAs could resolve optogenetically activated spikes and spontaneous activities with a root-mean-square noise level of 2.

Long-term Outcome and Related Risk Factors in Implantable Collamer Lens Implantation of High Myopia.

Purpose: To investigate the long-term efficacy and safety of posterior chamber implantable collamer lens (ICL) implantation in high myopia, and the risk factors associated with endothelial cell loss (ECL) or cataract development.

Methods: Medical records of 66 eyes of 37 patients who underwent ICL implantation for high myopia were retrospectively analyzed with a mean follow-up of 12 years. Changes in best-corrected visual acuity (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution), intraocular pressure (IOP), refractive power, and endothelial cell density over time were analyzed with the incidence of cataract and IOP elevation.

Diagnosing Complete Response to Preoperative Chemoradiation in Esophageal Cancer Using Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI Response Criteria.

Objective: To assess the performance of novel qualitative diagnostic criteria using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify the pathologic complete response (pCR) of primary tumors in esophageal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT).

Materials And Methods: Patients who underwent nCRT, subsequent MRI, positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), endoscopy, or esophagectomy for esophageal cancer between October 2021 and October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The DCE-MRI response of primary tumors was interpreted using five grades by thoracic radiologists as follows: G1 (compatible with CR), G2 (probable CR), G3 (probable partial response [PR]), G4 (compatible with PR), and G5 (stable or progressive disease).

Dual-delivery of exosome inhibitor and immune-activating gene via lipid nano-assemblies for tumor immune evasion inhibition.

The tumor microenvironment, with its complex immune evasion mechanisms, significantly hinders the efficacy of anti-tumor immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors. Consequently, there is a strong impetus for extensive research to elucidate the immunosuppressive mechanisms within the tumor microenvironment and to develop novel therapeutic strategies. In this study, we have developed a drug/gene delivery system (folate-modified GW4869-loaded siIRF3 nano-complex, FD9R-GW/siIRF3) designed to simultaneously target and inhibit two key immune evasion pathways in the tumor microenvironment.

Cutting-edge biotherapeutics and advanced delivery strategies for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease spectrum.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a condition with the potential to progress into liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma, has become a significant global health concern due to its increasing prevalence alongside obesity and metabolic syndrome. Despite the promise of existing therapies such as thyroid hormone receptor-β (THR-β) agonists, PPAR agonists, FXR agonists, and GLP-1 receptor agonists, their effectiveness is limited by the complexity of the metabolic, inflammatory, and fibrotic pathways that drive MASLD progression, encompassing steatosis, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), and reversible liver fibrosis. Recent advances in targeted therapeutics, including RNA interference (RNAi), mRNA-based gene therapies, monoclonal antibodies, proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTAC), peptide-based strategies, cell-based therapies such as CAR-modified immune cells and stem cells, and extracellular vesicle-based approaches, have emerged as promising interventions.

Superloaded Multiplexed scRNA-seq Data Preserves Primary Immune Cell Heterogeneity but Necessitates Stringent Doublet Removal.

Background: Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has improved our ability to characterize rare cell populations. In practice, cells from different tissues or donors are simultaneously loaded onto the instrument (multiplexed) at the recommended (standard loading) or higher (superloading) numbers to save time and money. Although cost-effective, superloading can stymie computational analyses owing to high multiplet rates and sample complexity.

Long-term oncologic outcomes of robot-assisted versus conventional open esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: Propensity-score matched anaylsis.

Background: This study aimed to compare the long-term oncologic outcomes of robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) with those of conventional open esophagectomy (OE) for esophageal cancer.

Methods: Between January 2006 and December 2021, 1745 consecutive patients underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer at Asan Medical Center, Korea. Among them, we retrieved 1133 patients (mean age 63.