Evidence on percutaneous radiofrequency and microwave ablation for liver metastases over the last decade

Purpose　This review aimed to summarize the treatment outcomes of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) for metastatic liver tumors based on the findings of published studies over the last decade. Materials and methods　Literature describing the survival outcomes of ablation therapy for liver metastases was explored using the PubMed database on April 26, 2022, and articles published in 2012 or later were selected. The included studies met the following criteria: (i) English literature, (ii) original clinical studies, and (iii) literature describing overall survival (OS) of thermal ablation for metastatic liver tumors. All case reports and cohort studies with fewer than 20 patients and those that evaluated ablation for palliative purposes were excluded. Results　RFA was the most commonly used method for ablation, while MWA was used in several recent studies. RFA and MWA for liver metastases from various primary tumors have been reported; however, majority of the studies focused on colorectal cancer. The local control rate by RFA and MWA varied widely among the studies, ranging approximately 50–90%. Five-year survival rates of 20–60% have been reported following ablation for colorectal liver metastases by a number of studies, and several reports of 10-year survival rates were also noted. Conclusion　Comparative studies of local therapies for colorectal liver metastases demonstrated that RFA provides comparable survival outcomes to surgical metastasectomy and stereotactic body radiation therapy

Percutaneous cryoablation for clinical T3a renal cell carcinoma (< 7 cm) with segmental vein involvement or perinephric fat invasion based on preoperative evaluation of high-resolution multidetector computed tomography scan

Purpose　To retrospectively assess the feasibility, safety, renal function, technique efficacy rate, and survival of patients with clinical T3a renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Materials and methods　Sixteen cryoablation sessions were performed in 14 patients (10 men; mean age, 69.8 ± 10.5 years; range, 49–90 years) with 14 clear cell T3a RCCs (mean, 3.3 ± 0.9 cm; range, 1.9–5.2 cm). One patient was on dialysis. Transcatheter arterial embolization was performed before cryoablation in 15 sessions. The primary endpoint was the technique efficacy rate. The secondary endpoints included feasibility, safety, renal function, and survival. Results　Cryoablation was technically successful in all RCC cases. In two RCCs, cryoablation was performed twice because of local tumor progression. No major adverse events were observed. All patients were alive without metastases, with a median follow-up of 45 months (6−93 months). Complete response was achieved by cryoablation in 11 RCCs (78.6%). The primary and secondary technique efficacy rates were 77.1% and 84.4% at 1 year, 57.9% and 73.9% at 3 years, and 57.9% and 73.9% at 5 years, respectively. One patient underwent dialysis given a total contralateral nephrectomy due to another RCC 1 month after initial cryoablation and a total ipsilateral nephrectomy 46 months after initial cryoablation due to local progression. Except for two dialysis patients, of the 12 patients with a median follow-up of 41 months (6–93 months), none were on dialysis. Conclusion　Cryoablation was safe and effective in T3a RCC, which mainly involved the renal venous branches and may represent an alternative treatment for inoperable patients

Cognitive dysfunction and amyloid β accumulation are ameliorated by the ingestion of green soybean extract in aged mice

AbstractThe effects of soybean extracts were investigated in senescence-accelerated (SAMP10) mice, a mouse model of brain senescence with cognitive dysfunction. Mature soybeans are usually yellow. However, the green soybean retains green color after being ripened. Cognitive functions were significantly better-preserved in aged mice fed green soybean than age-matched control mice with or without yellow soybean feeding. Molecular mechanisms of the beneficial effect of green soybean on brain functions were examined through transcriptome analysis of SAMP10 hippocampus. The high expression of Ptgds was significantly associated with green soybean diet, which encodes lipocalin-type prostaglandin D2 synthase, a putative endogenous amyloid β(Αβ)-chaperone. In consonance, Aplp1 expression was significantly reduced, a member of amyloid precursor proteins. Furthermore, the amount of Aβ 40 and 42 was reduced in the insoluble fraction of cerebral cortex. These results suggest that the intake of green soybean ameliorates cognitive dysfunction of aged mice through the reduction of Aβ accumulation

Results of the search for inspiraling compact star binaries from TAMA300's observation in 2000-2004

We analyze the data of TAMA300 detector to search for gravitational waves from inspiraling compact star binaries with masses of the component stars in the range 1-3Msolar. In this analysis, 2705 hours of data, taken during the years 2000-2004, are used for the event search. We combine the results of different observation runs, and obtained a single upper limit on the rate of the coalescence of compact binaries in our Galaxy of 20 per year at a 90% confidence level. In this upper limit, the effect of various systematic errors such like the uncertainty of the background estimation and the calibration of the detector's sensitivity are included.Comment: 8 pages, 4 Postscript figures, uses revtex4.sty The author list was correcte

Observation results by the TAMA300 detector on gravitational wave bursts from stellar-core collapses

We present data-analysis schemes and results of observations with the TAMA300 gravitational-wave detector, targeting burst signals from stellar-core collapse events. In analyses for burst gravitational waves, the detection and fake-reduction schemes are different from well-investigated ones for a chirp-wave analysis, because precise waveform templates are not available. We used an excess-power filter for the extraction of gravitational-wave candidates, and developed two methods for the reduction of fake events caused by non-stationary noises of the detector. These analysis schemes were applied to real data from the TAMA300 interferometric gravitational wave detector. As a result, fake events were reduced by a factor of about 1000 in the best cases. The resultant event candidates were interpreted from an astronomical viewpoint. We set an upper limit of 2.2x10^3 events/sec on the burst gravitational-wave event rate in our Galaxy with a confidence level of 90%. This work sets a milestone and prospects on the search for burst gravitational waves, by establishing an analysis scheme for the observation data from an interferometric gravitational wave detector

Up-to-date evidence on image-guided thermal ablation for metastatic lung tumors: a review

The aim of this review was to summarize the latest evidence on image-guided thermal ablation therapies for lung metastases. PubMed was used to search for relevant articles that reported the oncological outcomes of thermal ablation for metastatic lung tumors, and those published in 2010 or later were selected for review. Ablative therapies were applied for lung metastases from various types of primary tumors, but most commonly colorectal ones. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was the most evaluated technique, followed by microwave ablation (MWA). The local control rates of ablative therapies were generally favorable, approximately 80–90% in many studies. Representative studies demonstrated promising overall survival rates of approximately 50% or higher 5 years after ablation for lung metastases from colorectal cancer or mixed types of primary tumors. Nevertheless, the survival outcomes varied depending on the type of primary tumor and background factors of patients such as other metastases and comorbidities. Several studies had aimed to compare the outcomes of various ablative therapies such as RFA, MWA, and cryoablation; however, conclusive data are not yet available to determine the most appropriate ablation modality for lung metastases. Further data accumulation is needed, especially for long-term outcomes and comparisons with other therapies

Enokitake Mushroom and Its Active Component, Adenosine, Which Restores Testosterone Production in Impaired and Fatigued Mouse Models

Several studies have reported the effects of the consumption of various mushroom species on the testes in animal experimental models. Mushrooms, including enokitake mushrooms (Flammulina velutipes), and vegetables contain adenosine may affect testosterone production. Here, we aimed to elucidate the effects of enokitake and its active component, adenosine, on testosterone production in primary cultures of testicular cells in vivo using mice models and in vitro. The administration of enokitake ethanolic extract increased testosterone production in the cisplatin-impaired mouse model. The direct effect of mushroom extracts on testicular cells was examined and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis confirmed that the mushroom- and vegetable-induced increase in testosterone production mainly involved adenosine. Additionally, the administration of enokitake extract or adenosine to wet floor fatigue model mice promoted testicular testosterone production and enhanced Leydig cell function through insulin-like peptide three level upregulation. Structurally related compounds, including cordycepin, showed lower bioactivity than adenosine. This study showed that the ingestion of adenosine-containing mushrooms and vegetables may effectively increase testicular testosterone production. We conclude that mushrooms with a relatively high adenosine content, such as enokitake, may be useful against aging and fatigue