Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Choledochus

The patient was an 86-year-old man who was admitted with obstructive jaundice. Computed tomography revealed a tumor in the hilar choledochus with peripheral hepatic duct dilatation. Endoscopic cholangiography (ERC) demonstrated the defect in the choledochus. Brushing cytology during ERC showed Orange-G-philic keratinized atypical cells, which led to a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. Chemotherapy with tegafur-gimeracil-oteracil potassium was ineffective and was discontinued due to adverse effects. The patient died 5 months after the diagnosis and autopsy revealed tubular adenocarcinoma of the hilar bile duct with squamous cell carcinoma component. Progression of the disease might influence the distribution of adenosquamous carcinoma. The clinicopathological sequence of adenosquamous carcinoma of the choledochus was documented

Aluminum Barrel Plating on Steel Bolts Using Chloroaluminate Ionic Liquids

Al electroplating using ionic liquids (ILs) has been extensively studied for various potential applications, including corrosion-resistant coatings. When Al electroplating is to be performed commercially for many small objects, adopting the barrel plating method is reasonable for improving productivity and reducing manufacturing costs. However, little is known about the barrel-plating conditions for the formation of Al coatings. In this study, the barrel plating conditions for forming Al coatings on steel bolts using ILs composed of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (EMIC) and aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) were investigated. Hull cell tests showed that the IL with an AlCl₃/EMIC molar ratio of 1.2 has a higher covering power than the IL with a higher AlCl₃ ratio. Barrel plating using the IL with an AlCl₃ ratio of 1.2 enabled complete coverage of the bolt with the Al coating. The uniformity of the Al coating on the bolts was further improved by adjusting the rotation speed of the barrel. Furthermore, a simple pretreatment procedure for steel bolts was proposed to obtain an electrodeposited Al coat that adheres well to steel bolts

Aluminum Electrodeposition in Dry Air Atmosphere: Comparative Study of an Acetamide-AlCl₃ Deep Eutectic Solvent and a 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Chloride-AlCl₃ Ionic Liquid

Aluminum electrodeposition using ionic liquids or deep eutectic solvents has attracted significant interest for coating applications. Although Al electrodeposition is usually carried out in a nitrogen- or argon-filled glove box, there may be a potential for process cost reduction if the Al electrodeposition process could be carried out in a dry atmosphere. In this study, we examined two commonly used baths, namely a 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (EMImCl)–AlCl₃ ionic liquid and an acetamide (AcAm)–AlCl₃ deep eutectic solvent, to determine their respective feasibilities for the electrodeposition of a uniform Al film in dry air. Electrodeposition in dry air using the AcAm–AlCl₃ bath produced uniform Al films even after the bath had been used for more than 10 weeks, whereas electrodeposition in dry air using the EMImCl–AlCl₃ bath failed to produce an Al film covering the entire substrate. The current efficiency was almost 100% in the AcAm–AlCl₃ bath, whereas the value decreased to 50% in EMImCl–AlCl₃ bath in dry air. The findings of this study therefore reveal that AcAm–AlCl₃ is a suitable bath for Al electrodeposition in dry air

Mutation profiling of uterine cervical cancer patients treated with definitive radiotherapy

ObjectiveTo elucidate tumor mutation profiles associated with outcomes of uterine cervical cancer (UCC) patients treated with definitive radiotherapy.MethodsNinety-eight patients with newly diagnosed and pathologically confirmed UCC (82 squamous cell carcinomas, 12 adenocarcinomas, and four adenosquamous carcinomas) who were treated with definitive radiotherapy were analyzed. DNA was extracted from pre-treatment tumor biopsy specimens. The exons of 409 cancer-related genes were sequenced using a next-generation sequencer. Genetic mutations were identified and analyzed for correlations with clinical outcome.ResultsRecurrent mutations were observed in PIK3CA (35.7%), ARID1A (25.5%), NOTCH1 (19.4%), FGFR3 (16.3%), FBXW7 (19.4%), TP53 (13.3%), EP300 (12.2%), and FGFR4 (10.2%). The prevalence of mutations in FGFR family genes (i.e., FGFR1–4) was almost as high (24.5%) as that in PIK3CA and ARID1A, both of which are well-studied drivers of UCC. Fifty-five percent (21 of 38) of the identified FGFR mutations were located in the FGFR protein tyrosine kinase domain. Five-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates for FGFR mutation-positive patients (n = 24) were significantly worse than those for FGFR mutation-negative patients (n = 74) (43.9% vs. 68.5%, respectively; P = 0.010). Multivariate analysis identified FGFR mutations as significant predictors of worse 5 year PFS (P = 0.005), independent of clinicopathological variables.ConclusionsFGFR mutations are associated with worse PFS in UCC patients treated with definitive radiotherapy. These results warrant further validation in prospective studies

Carbon-ion Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer: Analysis of Morbidities and Change in Health-related Quality of Life.

AIM: To prospectively evaluate the feasibility of carbon-ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT) for prostate cancer using a new compact-sized accelerator. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-six patients underwent C-ion RT at our center using a recommended dose fractionation of 57.6 GyE in 16 fractions established at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences. Health-related Quality of Life (HRQOL) assessment was also performed using the Medical Outcome Study 8-items Short Form Health Survey (SF-8) questionnaire. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 51 months (range=8-58 months). Grade 2 gastrointestinal and genitourinary complications developed in 1 (1.3%) and 5 (6.6%) patients, respectively. Recurrences occurred in 4 patients, and the 4-year biochemical relapse-free rate was 94.6%. The HRQOL scores after C-ion RT were objectively well-maintained. CONCLUSION: Irrespective of the small number of patients of the study, C-ion RT for prostate cancer using the first commercial-based accelerator reproduced the toxicity outcomes at the NIRS