Paraaortic lymph node recurrence in lung SCC

Solitary abdominal paraaortic lymph node recurrence after radical lung cancer surgery is very rare. Here, we report a case of a solitary abdominal paraaortic lymph node recurrence of lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A 63-year-old man was diagnosed with lung SCC (cT1cN0M0 stage IA3), underwent a video-assisted right lower lobectomy (ND2a-1), and the pathological findings showed SCC (pT1cN0M0 stage IA3). The EGFR mutation and ALK translocation statuses of SCC were negative, and adjuvant therapy was not performed. Follow-up positron emission tomography − computed tomography (PET/CT) showed a solitary fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)- concentrated region in the swollen paraaortic lymph node. A paraaortic lymph node biopsy was performed by open laparotomy, to determine the precise diagnosis and identify the genetic status. Pathological findings revealed that the paraaortic lymph node contained poorly differentiated SCC, which was thought to metastasize from the lung cancer. The genetic status of the lymph node recurrence revealed a lack of EGFR mutations, ALK translocations, and ROS1 mutations, while the tumor proportion score (TPS) of PD-L1 was 55%, and we therefore administered pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor. Biopsies are very important for achieving precise diagnoses and determining the genetic statuses of tumors, since molecular-targeting drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors are available

Paraaortic lymph node recurrence in lung SCC

Solitary abdominal paraaortic lymph node recurrence after radical lung cancer surgery is very rare. Here, we report a case of a solitary abdominal paraaortic lymph node recurrence of lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A 63-year-old man was diagnosed with lung SCC (cT1cN0M0 stage IA3), underwent a video-assisted right lower lobectomy (ND2a-1), and the pathological findings showed SCC (pT1cN0M0 stage IA3). The EGFR mutation and ALK translocation statuses of SCC were negative, and adjuvant therapy was not performed. Follow-up positron emission tomography − computed tomography (PET/CT) showed a solitary fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)- concentrated region in the swollen paraaortic lymph node. A paraaortic lymph node biopsy was performed by open laparotomy, to determine the precise diagnosis and identify the genetic status. Pathological findings revealed that the paraaortic lymph node contained poorly differentiated SCC, which was thought to metastasize from the lung cancer. The genetic status of the lymph node recurrence revealed a lack of EGFR mutations, ALK translocations, and ROS1 mutations, while the tumor proportion score (TPS) of PD-L1 was 55%, and we therefore administered pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor. Biopsies are very important for achieving precise diagnoses and determining the genetic statuses of tumors, since molecular-targeting drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors are available

Support for UNRWA's survival

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) provides life-saving humanitarian aid for 5·4 million Palestine refugees now entering their eighth decade of statelessness and conflict. About a third of Palestine refugees still live in 58 recognised camps. UNRWA operates 702 schools and 144 health centres, some of which are affected by the ongoing humanitarian disasters in Syria and the Gaza Strip. It has dramatically reduced the prevalence of infectious diseases, mortality, and illiteracy. Its social services include rebuilding infrastructure and homes that have been destroyed by conflict and providing cash assistance and micro-finance loans for Palestinians whose rights are curtailed and who are denied the right of return to their homeland

Interplay between I308 and Y310 residues in the third repeat of microtubule-binding domain is essential for tau filament formation

AbstractInvestigation of the mechanism of tau polymerization is indispensable for finding inhibitory conditions or identifying compounds preventing the formation of paired helical filament or oligomers. Tau contains a microtubule-binding domain consisting of three or four repeats in its C-terminal half. It has been considered that the key event in tau polymerization is the formation of a β-sheet structure arising from a short hexapeptide 306VQIVYK311 in the third repeat of tau. In this paper, we report for the first time that the C–H⋯π interaction between Ile308 and Tyr310 is the elemental structural scaffold essential for forming a dry “steric zipper” structure in tau amyloid fibrils

Laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh for pediatric incisional hernia—a case report

Abstract Background The incidence of incisional hernia in pediatric patients is low in comparison with that reported in adults. In the pediatric population, primary closure has generally been favored. However, synthetic or biomedical mesh offers advantages in the repair of larger defects when primary closure is difficult. The use of laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) in the adult population has been well documented. In the pediatric population, a few laparoscopic approaches with direct suturing have been proposed; however, there are no reports of laparoscopic repair with the use of IPOM. Case presentation The patient was a 1-year-old girl with epigastric incisional hernia after an operation to correct a complete arteriovenous septal defect. The fascial defect (size 30 × 35 mm) was large; thus, direct suturing was considered to be associated with a high risk of thoracic deformation and recurrence. Laparoscopic IPOM was performed. The fascial defect was detected precisely through the laparoscopy, and non-absorbable mesh was placed through a 12-mm trocar. Minimal incisions were required for the trocars, and extensive dissection of the abdominal wall structure was not needed. This procedure allowed for the integrity and functional status of the abdominal wall to be maintained. Conclusion Laparoscopic IPOM is a minimally invasive and cosmetically acceptable method that can be applied to the treatment of large incisional hernias in children

Association of Periodontal Status, Number of Teeth, and Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study in Japan

Recent reports have shown an association between obesity and periodontitis, but the precise relationship between these conditions has yet to be clarified. The purpose of this study was to compare the status of periodontitis, tooth loss, and obesity. Participants comprised 235 patients at the Center for Medical and Dental Collaboration in Kanagawa Dental University Hospital between 2018 and 2020. Clinical examinations such as blood testing, body composition analysis, periodontal measurement, assessment of chewing ability, salivary testing, and oral malodor analysis were performed. Periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) was significantly associated with the number of teeth and body mass index (BMI). The number of teeth was negatively associated with age, but positively with chewing ability. Chewing ability was associated negatively with age, and positively with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). The level of methyl-mercaptan in breath and protein and leukocyte scores from salivary testing were positively associated with PISA. The rate of insufficient chewing ability was increased in subjects with hemoglobin (Hb)A1c ≥ 7%. The high PISA group showed increased hsCRP. BMI as an obesity marker was positively associated with PISA, indicating periodontal inflammation. Chewing ability was related to serum markers such as HbA1c and hsCRP

Association of Periodontal Status, Number of Teeth, and Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study in Japan

Recent reports have shown an association between obesity and periodontitis, but the precise relationship between these conditions has yet to be clarified. The purpose of this study was to compare the status of periodontitis, tooth loss, and obesity. Participants comprised 235 patients at the Center for Medical and Dental Collaboration in Kanagawa Dental University Hospital between 2018 and 2020. Clinical examinations such as blood testing, body composition analysis, periodontal measurement, assessment of chewing ability, salivary testing, and oral malodor analysis were performed. Periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) was significantly associated with the number of teeth and body mass index (BMI). The number of teeth was negatively associated with age, but positively with chewing ability. Chewing ability was associated negatively with age, and positively with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). The level of methyl-mercaptan in breath and protein and leukocyte scores from salivary testing were positively associated with PISA. The rate of insufficient chewing ability was increased in subjects with hemoglobin (Hb)A1c ≥ 7%. The high PISA group showed increased hsCRP. BMI as an obesity marker was positively associated with PISA, indicating periodontal inflammation. Chewing ability was related to serum markers such as HbA1c and hsCRP