A Computational Approach To Predict Warp Of Sawn Lumber Due To Residual Growth Stress In A Log

A tree generates a complicated stress distribution inside the stem during its formation, which is called 'residual growth stress (RGS)'. The RGS often induces warp in a sawn lumber such as bow, crook, and other deformation, which causes severe losses of materials and benefits in the sawmill industry. Generally, warp becomes more serious in the lumber 'without pith' than in the lumber 'with pith'. In Japan, 50% of conifer plantations are ready to produce large-diameter logs of which diameter is more than 30 cm. The use of those logs inevitably leads to the production of the lumber 'without the pith', so we are concerned about the problems due to lumber warp in future sawmill industry using largediameter logs. Based on those practical background, this study presents a computational procedure to predict warp of the squared lumber, such as a beam, a bearer, and so forth, when those lumbers are sawn from the log and/or the thick plank. Using the derived procedure, 2-D patterns of the RGSs in the sawn lumbers and their changes during sawing processes are simulated. Simulated results will be experimentally verified by measuring the warp of the sawn lumber, as well as by measuring the RGS distributions in a log

Clinical benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin and gemcitabine in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: A single-center retrospective study

Purpose: In cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), surgery remains the best option for cure, but surgery is of benefit only when the disease is localized. Although adjuvant chemotherapy reportedly has a significant beneficial effect on survival, the benefit of a carboplatin (CBDCA) regimen is unclear. We therefore investigated the efficacy and tolerability of CBDCA (area under the curve 5) plus gemcitabine (GEM, 1000 mg/m2) as adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: A total of 82 pStage IB-IIIA NSCLC patients who had undergone complete resection and received adjuvant chemotherapy were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 65 patients received CBDCA + GEM and 17 received CDDP + VNR. Propensity score analysis generated 17 matched pairs of both groups. Results: Sixty-five patients received CBDCA + GEM. Their 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival were 47.8% (median, 52.5 months) and 76.9% (median, 90.1 months), respectively. Toxicities, which included neutropenia, nausea/ anorexia, fatigue, and vasculitis, were significantly milder than with CDDP + VNR. There were no significant differences in RFS between CBDCA + GEM and CDDP + VNR (p = 0.079) after matching for age, performance status, and pStage. Conclusion: CBDCA + GEM was effective and well tolerated as adjuvant chemotherapy, with a manageable toxicity profile

Intraoperative diagnosis of lymph node metastasis during segmentectomy for non-small cell lung cancer by rapid immunohistochemistry using noncontact alternating current electric field mixing

Background: Although lobectomy is considered the standard surgery for any non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), recent evidence indicates that for early NSCLCs segmentectomy may be equally effective. For segmentectomy to be oncologically safe, however, adequate intraoperative lymph node staging is essential. The aim of this study was to compare the results of a new rapid-IHC system to the HE analysis for intraoperative nodal diagnosis in lung cancer patients considered for segmentectomy. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the pathological reports from NSCLC resections over a six-year period between 2014 and 2020. Using a new device for rapid-IHC, we applied a high-voltage, low-frequency alternating current (AC) field, which mixes the antipancytokeratin antibody as the voltage is switched on/off. Rapid-IHC can provide a nodal diagnosis within 20 minutes. Results: Frozen sections from 106 resected lymph nodes from 70 patients were intraoperatively evaluated for metastasis. Of those, five nodes were deemed positive based on both HE staining and rapid-IHC. In addition, rapid-IHC alone detected isolated tumor cells in one hilar lymph node. Three cStage IA patients with nodal metastasis detected with HE staining and rapid-IHC received complete lobectomies. Five-year relapse-free survival and overall survival among patients receiving segmentectomy with rapid-IHC were 88.77% and 88.79%, respectively. Conclusions: Rapid-IHC driven by AC mixing is simple, highly accurate, and preserves nodal tissue for subsequent tests. This system can be used effectively for intraoperative nodal diagnosis. Rapid immunohistochemistry based on alternating-current field mixing (completed within 20 minutes) is simple and highly accurate. This system will assist clinicians when making intraoperative diagnoses of lymph node metastasis and deciding upon the appropriate surgical procedure in segmentectomy for lung cancer

Harmonization across programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) assays for lung cancer by immunohistochemistry using noncontact alternating current electric field mixing

Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a promising advance in the treatment of patients with lung cancer. However, each ICI has been tested with an independently designed companion diagnostic assay that is based on a unique antibody. Consequently, the different trial-validated programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays should not be considered interchangeable. Our aim was to compare the performance of each available PD-L1 antibody for its ability to accurately measure PD-L1 expression and to investigate the possibility of harmonization across antibodies through the use of a new rapid IHC system, which uses noncontact alternating current (AC) mixing to achieve more stable staining. Methods First, 58 resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimens were stained using three PD-L1 IHC assays (28-8, SP142, and SP263) to assess the harmonization achieved with AC mixing IHC. Second, specimens from 27 patients receiving ICIs for postoperative recurrent NSCLC were stained using the same IHC method to compare the clinical performance of ICIs to PD-L1 scores. All patients received a tumor proportion score (TPS) with the 22C3 companion diagnostic test. Results Better staining was achieved with the new AC mixing IHC method than the conventional IHC in PD-L1-positive cases, and the interchangeability of some combinations of assays was increased in PD-L1-positive. In addition, AC mixing IHC provided more appropriate overall response rates for ICIs in all assays. Conclusions Stable PD-L1 IHC driven by AC mixing helped to improve TPS scoring and patient selection for ICIs through interchangeable assays

Present Status, Limitations and Future Directions of Treatment Strategies Using Fucoidan-Based Therapies in Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer (BC) is a common urological cancer, with poor prognosis for advanced/metastatic stages. Various intensive treatments, including radical cystectomy, chemotherapy, immune therapy, and radiotherapy are commonly used for these patients. However, these treatments often cause complications and adverse events. Therefore, researchers are exploring the efficacy of natural product-based treatment strategies in BC patients. Fucoidan, derived from marine brown algae, is recognized as a multi-functional and safe substrate, and has been reported to have anti-cancer effects in various types of malignancies. Additionally, in vivo and in vitro studies have reported the protective effects of fucoidan against cancer-related cachexia and chemotherapeutic agent-induced adverse events. In this review, we have introduced the anti-cancer effects of fucoidan extracts in BC and highlighted its molecular mechanisms. We have also shown the anti-cancer effects of fucoidan therapy with conventional chemotherapeutic agents and new treatment strategies using fucoidan-based nanoparticles in various malignancies. Moreover, apart from the improvement of anti-cancer effects by fucoidan, its protective effects against cancer-related disorders and cisplatin-induced toxicities have been introduced. However, the available information is insufficient to conclude the clinical usefulness of fucoidan-based treatments in BC patients. Therefore, we have indicated the aspects that need to be considered regarding fucoidan-based treatments and future directions for the treatment of BC

Pharmacological Effects and Potential Clinical Usefulness of Polyphenols in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is arguably the most common benign disease among men. This disease is often associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men and significantly decreases the quality of life. Polyphenol consumption reportedly plays an important role in the prevention of many diseases, including BPH. In recent years, in addition to disease prevention, many studies have reported the efficacy and safety of polyphenol treatment against various pathological conditions in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, numerous studies have also revealed the molecular mechanisms of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of polyphenols. We believe that an improved understanding of the detailed pharmacological roles of polyphenol-induced activities at a molecular level is important for the prevention and treatment of BPH. Polyphenols are composed of many members, and their biological roles differ. In this review, we first provide information regarding the pathological roles of oxidative stress and inflammation in BPH. Next, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of polyphenols, including those of flavonoids and non-flavonoids, are discussed. Finally, we talk about the results and limitations of previous clinical trials that have used polyphenols in BPH, with particular focus on their molecular mechanisms of action