Oxaliplatin-induced Pulmonary Fibrosis: Two Case Reports

Oxaliplatin with infusional 5-fluorouracil plus leucovorin (FOLFOX regimen) is the one of the standard chemotherapy regimens for treating a colorectal carcinoma. The most common side effects include neutropenia, diarrhea, vomiting and peripheral neuropathy, and these are moderate and manageable. However, pulmonary toxicity is rarely reported to be associated with the FOLFOX regimen. Moreover, there is no established guideline for the management of this side effect. Here, along with a literature review, we report two cases of rapidly developing pulmonary fibrosis related to the use of the FOLFOX regimen in patients with colorectal carcinomas

Self-catalytic growth of elementary semiconductor nanowires with controlled morphology and crystallographic orientation

While the orientation-dependent properties of semiconductor nanowires have been theoretically predicted, their study has long been overlooked in many fields owing to the limits to controlling the crystallographic growth direction of nanowires (NWs). We present here the orientation-controlled growth of single-crystalline germanium (Ge) NWs using a self-catalytic low-pressure chemical vapor deposition process. By adjusting the growth temperature, the orientation of growth direction in GeNWs was selectively controlled to the ⟨110⟩, ⟨112⟩, or ⟨111⟩ directions on the same substrate. The NWs with different growth directions exhibit distinct morphological features, allowing control of the NW morphology from uniform NWs to nanoribbon structures. Significantly, the VLS-based self-catalytic growth of the ⟨111⟩ oriented GeNW suggests that NW growth is possible for single elementary materials even without an appropriate external catalyst. Furthermore, these findings could provide opportunities to investigate the orientation-dependent properties of semiconductor NWs

Outcomes of Lung Transplantation in Patients With Right Ventricular Dysfunction: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis Comparing ECMO Configurations in a Bridge-to-Transplant Setting

This study aimed to assess the lung transplantation (LT) outcomes of patients with right ventricular dysfunction (RVD), focusing on the impact of various extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) configurations. We included adult patients who underwent LT with ECMO as a bridge-to-transplant from 2011 to 2021 at a single center. Among patients with RVD (n = 67), veno-venous (V-V) ECMO was initially applied in 79% (53/67) and maintained until LT in 52% (35/67). Due to the worsening of RVD, the configuration was changed from V-V ECMO to veno-arterial (V-A) ECMO or a right ventricular assist device with an oxygenator (Oxy-RVAD) in 34% (18/67). They showed that lactic acid levels (2–6.1 mmol/L) and vasoactive inotropic score (6.6–22.6) increased. V-A ECMO or Oxy-RVAD was initiated and maintained until LT in 21% (14/67) of cases. There was no significant difference in the survival rates among the three configuration groups (V-V ECMO vs. configuration changed vs. V-A ECMO/Oxy-RVAD). Our findings suggest that the choice of ECMO configuration for LT candidates with RVD should be determined by the patient’s current hemodynamic status. Vital sign stability supports the use of V-V ECMO, while increasing lactic acid levels and vasopressor needs may require a switch to V-A ECMO or Oxy-RVAD

Galectin-8 Expression in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

ObjectivesDespite the ongoing development of treatment protocols for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), the patients suffering with this malady have shown only a modestly improved outcome. This poor outcome has been attributed to the lack of therapy that's individualized to the tumor's biological properties. Various studies have showed that galectin-8 is widely expressed in tumor tissues as well as in normal tissues, and the level of the galectin-8 expression may correlate with the malignancy of human squamous cell carcinoma. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the expression of galectin-8 and to investigate its correlations with the primary stage, the nodal involvement, the clinical stage and the histologic grade of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.MethodsThe paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 77 patients who were diagnosed as LSCC between 1993 and 2007 were immunohistochemically stained for galectin-8.ResultsImmunohistochemical analysis showed that a strong positive expression of galectin-8 was correlated with the T-stages, the nodal stages and the clinical stages. However, the histopathologic grades were not correlated with the galectin-8 expression in LSCC.ConclusionThe expression of galectin-8 protein can be used as a prognostic factor for patients with LSCC

Community-based intervention to promote breast cancer awareness and screening: The Korean experience

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There are many differences in culture, community identity, community participation, and ownership between communities in Western and Asian countries; thus, it is difficult to adopt the results of community intervention studies from Western countries. In this study, we conducted a multicity, multicomponent community intervention trial to correct breast cancer myths and promote screening mammography for women living in an urban community in Korea.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A 6-month, 2-city community intervention trial was conducted. In the intervention city, 480 women were surveyed at baseline and 7 months later to evaluate the effects of the intervention program. Strategies implemented in the intervention city included community outreach and clinic and pharmacy-based in-reach strategies.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This study showed a 20.4-percentage-point decrease in myths about the link between cancer and breast size, a 19.2-percentage-point decrease in myths concerning mammography costs, and a 14.1-percentage-point increase in intention to undergo screening mammography. We also saw a 23.4-percentage-point increase in the proportion of women at the action stage of the transtheoretical model in the intervention city. In the comparison city, smaller decreases and increases were observed.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study showed the value of an intervention study aimed at reducing belief in breast cancer myths in an urban community in Korea. The invention also made women more likely to undergo mammography in future.</p

Genetic variations in HMGCR and PCSK9 and kidney function: a Mendelian randomization study

Background The genetically predicted lipid-lowering effect of HMGCR or PCSK9 variant can be used to assess drug proxy effects on kidney function. Methods Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis-identified HMGCR and PCSK9 genetic variants were used to predict the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol-lowering effects of medications targeting related molecules. Primary summary-level outcome data for log-estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; creatinine) were provided by the CKDGen Consortium (n = 1,004,040 European) from a meta-analysis of CKDGen and UK Biobank data. We also conducted a separate investigation of summary-level data from CKDGen (n = 567,460, log-eGFR [creatinine]) and UK Biobank (n = 436,581, log-eGFR [cystatin C]) samples. Summary-level MRs using an inverse variance weighted method and pleiotropy-robust methods were performed. Results Summary-level MR analysis indicated that the LDL-lowering effect predicted genetically by HMGCR variants (50-mg/dL decrease) was significantly associated with a decrease in eGFR (–1.67%; 95% confidence interval [CI], –2.20% to –1.13%). Similar significance was found in results from the pleiotropy-robust MR methods when the CKDGen and UK Biobank data were analyzed separately. However, the LDL-lowering effect predicted genetically by PCSK9 variants was significantly associated with an increase in eGFR (+1.17%; 95% CI, 0.10%–2.25%). The results were similarly supported by the weighted median method and in each CKDGen and UK Biobank dataset, but the significance obtained by MR-Egger regression was attenuated. Conclusion Genetically predicted HMG-CoA reductase inhibition was associated with low eGFR, while genetically predicted PCSK9 inhibition was associated with high eGFR. Clinicians should consider that the direct effect of different types of lipid-lowering medication on kidney function can vary

Adjuvant cytokine-induced killer cell immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: a propensity score-matched analysis of real-world data

Background Several randomized controlled trials have shown that adjuvant immunotherapy with autologous cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells prolongs recurrence-free survival (RFS) after curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the efficacy of adjuvant immunotherapy with activated CIK cells in real-world clinical practice. Methods A total of 59 patients who had undergone curative surgical resection or radiofrequency ablation for stage I or II HCC, and subsequently received adjuvant CIK cell immunotherapy at two large-volume centers in Korea were retrospectively included. Propensity score matching with a 1:1 ratio was conducted to avoid possible bias, and 59 pairs of matched control subjects were also generated. The primary endpoint was RFS and the secondary endpoints were overall survival and safety. Results The median follow-up duration was 28.0 months (interquartile range, 22.9–42.3 months). In a univariable analysis, the immunotherapy group showed significantly longer RFS than the control group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.42; 95% CI, 0.22–0.80; log-rank P = 0.006). The median RFS in the control group was 29.8 months, and the immunotherapy group did not reach a median RFS. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that immunotherapy was an independent predictor for HCC recurrence (adjusted HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.20–0.73; P = 0.004). The overall incidence of adverse events in the immunotherapy group was 16/59 (27.1%) and no patient experienced a grade 3 or 4 adverse event. Conclusions The adjuvant immunotherapy with autologous CIK cells after curative treatment safely prolonged the RFS of HCC patients in a real-world setting