Influence of Numerical Aperture on Molten Area Formation in Fusion Micro-Welding of Glass by Picosecond Pulsed Laser

Focusing condition such as numerical aperture (N.A.) has a great influence on the creation of molten area and the stable welding process in fusion micro-welding of glass. In this study, a picosecond pulsed laser of 1064 nm in wavelength and 12.5 ps in pulse duration was tightly focused inside a borosilicate glass using objective lenses of numerical apertures 0.45, 0.65, and 0.85 with spherical aberration correction. Influence of numerical aperture on molten area formation was experimentally investigated through analysis of focusing situation in glass, and movement of absorption point, and then molten area characteristics were discussed. It is concluded that N.A. of 0.65 with superior focusing characteristics can form a large and continuous molten area without cracks, which enables achievement of stable joining of glass material by picosecond pulsed laser

Venous Thromboembolism Following Lateral Lymph Node Dissection for Rectal Cancer

Kobayashi Y., Uemura M., Paku M., et al. Venous Thromboembolism Following Lateral Lymph Node Dissection for Rectal Cancer. Anticancer Research 44, 695 (2024); https://doi.org/10.21873/anticanres.16860 .Background/Aim: Postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a well-recognized complication that leads to morbidity and mortality. Lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) for rectal cancer is thought to potentially increase the risk of VTE due to its technical complexity. However, the relationship between LLND and VTE remains inadequately understood. The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of LLND on the incidence of postoperative VTE. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent rectal cancer resection between 2010 and 2018 to identify the risk factors associated with postoperative VTE. Patients were divided into two groups: those who underwent surgery with LLND (LLND+ group) and those who underwent surgery without LLND (LLND– group). Results: A total of 543 patients were enrolled in this study, and 113 patients underwent surgery for rectal cancer with LLND. VTE developed in 8 patients (1.47%), with the incidence rates being 4.42% in the LLND+ group and 0.69% in the LLND–group, respectively (p=0.012). Three of 8 patients had developed severe postoperative complications, and the other two patients needed intraoperative repair of the iliac vein during LLND procedure. Multivariate analysis identified the incidence of postoperative complications and LLND as the independent risk factors of VTE. Conclusion: Patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery with LLND should be closely monitored for signs of VTE

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for stage I lung cancer and small lung metastasis: evaluation of an immobilization system for suppression of respiratory tumor movement and preliminary results

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for lung tumors, reducing tumor movement is necessary. In this study, we evaluated changes in tumor movement and percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO₂) levels, and preliminary clinical results of SBRT using the BodyFIX immobilization system.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Between 2004 and 2006, 53 consecutive patients were treated for 55 lesions; 42 were stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 10 were metastatic lung cancers, and 3 were local recurrences of NSCLC. Tumor movement was measured with fluoroscopy under breath holding, free breathing on a couch, and free breathing in the BodyFIX system. SpO₂levels were measured with a finger pulseoximeter under each condition. The delivered dose was 44, 48 or 52 Gy, depending on tumor diameter, in 4 fractions over 10 or 11 days.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>By using the BodyFIX system, respiratory tumor movements were significantly reduced compared with the free-breathing condition in both craniocaudal and lateral directions, although the amplitude of reduction in the craniocaudal direction was 3 mm or more in only 27% of the patients. The average SpO₂did not decrease by using the system. At 3 years, the local control rate was 80% for all lesions. Overall survival was 76%, cause-specific survival was 92%, and local progression-free survival was 76% at 3 years in primary NSCLC patients. Grade 2 radiation pneumonitis developed in 7 patients.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Respiratory tumor movement was modestly suppressed by the BodyFIX system, while the SpO₂level did not decrease. It was considered a simple and effective method for SBRT of lung tumors. Preliminary results were encouraging.</p

Chiral Bis(Imidazolidine)Pyridine-Cu Complex-Catalyzed Enantioselective [3+2]-Cycloaddition of Azomethine Imines with Propiolates

[3+2] Cycloaddition of azomethine imines with electron-deficient terminal alkynes was smoothly catalyzed by a chiral bis(imidazolidine)pyridine-CuOAc complex to give bicyclic pyrazolo[1,2-a]pyrazolone derivatives with up to 74% &lt;em&gt;ee&lt;/em&gt;

Repeat stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for local recurrence of non-small cell lung cancer and lung metastasis after first SBRT

Abstract Background This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of repeat SBRT for local recurrence of stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and solitary lung metastasis. Methods Thirty-one patients with in-field local relapse of NSCLC (n = 23) or lung metastasis (n = 8) underwent repeat SBRT. All patients had grade 2 or lower radiation pneumonitis after the first SBRT. Local recurrence was diagnosed with CT and FDG-PET in 17 patients and by biopsy in 14. The median interval between the first and second SBRT was 18 months (range, 4–80). The first SBRT dose was mainly 48–52 Gy in 4 fractions (n = 25) according to the institutional protocols. Second SBRT doses were determined based on the tumor size and distance to organs at risk, and were mostly 48–52 Gy in 4 fractions (n = 13) or 60 Gy in 8 fractions (n = 13). Results At 3 years, overall survival and local control rates were 36 and 53%, respectively, for all 31 patients. Four patients showed no further recurrence for > 5 years (63–111 months) after the second SBRT. Radiation pneumonitis after the second SBRT was grade 2 in 4 patients, and no grade 3 pneumonitis was observed. Conclusion Repeat SBRT was safe. Local control and survival rates were higher than expected. SBRT should be an important treatment option for local recurrence of NSCLC or lung metastasis after previous local SBRT. Trial registration This retrospective study was approved by the ethics committee of our institution (September, 2017; approval number: 27–10)