Long-term follow-up of non-myasthenic patients with early-stage thymoma who underwent extended thymectomy or limited resection.

BACKGROUD: The standard resection for early-stage thymoma is total thymectomy and complete tumour excision with or without myasthenia gravis but the optimal surgery mode for patients with early-stage non-myasthenic thymoma is debatable. This study analysed the oncological outcomes for non-myasthenic patients with early-stage thymoma treated by thymectomy or limited resection in the long term. METHODS: Patients who had resections of thymic neoplasms at Taipei Veteran General Hospital, Taiwan between December 1997 and March 2013 were recruited, exclusive of those combined clinical evidence of myasthenia gravis were reviewed. A total of 113 patients were retrospectively reviewed with pathologic early stage (Masaoka stage I and II) thymoma who underwent limited resection or extended thymectomy to compare their long-term oncologic and surgical outcomes. RESULTS: The median observation time was 134.1 months [interquartile range (IQR) 90.7-176.1 months]. In our cohort, 52 patients underwent extended thymectomy and 61 patients underwent limited resection. Shorter duration of surgery (p < 0.001) and length of stay (p = 0.006) were demonstrated in limited resection group. Six patients experienced thymoma recurrence, two of which had combined myasthenia gravis development after recurrence. There was no significant difference (p = 0.851) in freedom-from-recurrence, with similar 10-year freedom-from-recurrence rates between the limited resection group (96.2 %) and the thymectomy group (93.2 %). Tumour-related survival was also not significantly different between groups (p = 0.726).result CONCLUSION: Patients with early-stage non-myasthenic thymoma who underwent limited resection without complete excision of the thymus achieved similar oncologic outcomes during the long-term follow-up and better peri-operative results compared to those who underwent thymectomy.

Selenite selectively kills lung fibroblasts to treat bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) treatment is a critical unmet need. Selenium is an essential trace element for human life and an antioxidant that activates glutathione, but the gap between its necessity and its toxicity is small and requires special attention. Whether selenium can be used in the treatment of ILD remains unclear. METHODS: We investigated the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of selenite, a selenium derivative, in ILD using a murine model of bleomycin-induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We further elucidated the underlying mechanism using in vitro cell models and examined their relevance in human tissue specimens. The therapeutic effect of selenite in bleomycin-administered mice was assessed by respiratory function and histochemical changes. Selenite-induced apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in murine lung fibroblasts were measured. RESULTS: Selenite, administered 1 day (inflammation phase) or 8 days (fibrotic phase) after bleomycin, prevented and treated deterioration of lung function and pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Mechanistically, selenite inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of murine lung fibroblasts after bleomycin treatment both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, selenite upregulated glutathione reductase (GR) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) in murine lung fibroblasts, but not in lung epithelial cells, upon bleomycin treatment. GR and TrxR inhibition eliminates the therapeutic effects of selenite. Furthermore, we found that GR and TrxR were upregulated in the human lung fibroblasts of IPF patient samples. CONCLUSIONS: Selenite induces ROS production and apoptosis in murine lung fibroblasts through GR and TrxR upregulation, thereby providing a therapeutic effect in bleomycin-induced IPF.

Sugammadex shortens operation time and improves operation turnover efficacy in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study compared sugammadex and neostigmine as agents for routine neuromuscular blockade reversal in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) to determine the optimal choice that achieves a shorter operation time and improved turnover efficiency while enhancing postoperative outcomes and ensuring patient safety during thoracic surgery. METHODS: This prospective study, conducted from July 2022 to March 2023, compared the effect of sugammadex and neostigmine on operation time and turnover efficiency in VATS, involving 60 participants randomly assigned to either group, with the primary objective of identifying the optimal anesthesia reversal choice for improved outcomes and patient safety during thoracic surgery. RESULTS: In the study, the sugammadex group showed a significantly shorter total operation room occupancy time (130 ± 7 vs 157 ± 7 minutes; p = 0.009) than the neostigmine group. Patients in the neostigmine group had higher mean pulse rates when leaving the operation room (85 ± 3 vs 73 ± 3 beats/min; p = 0.002) and 120 minutes later in the postanesthesia care unit (76 ± 2 vs 68 ± 2; p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: This study's findings suggest that sugammadex may enhance total operating room occupancy time, operation turnover efficacy, and respiratory recovery outcomes in VATS, potentially improving patient care and anesthesia management.

A multiomic investigation of lung adenocarcinoma molecular subtypes.

BACKGROUND: Lung adenocarcinoma-an aggressive and life-threatening malignancy-is a type of non-small-cell lung cancer. Despite medical advancements, the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma remains unfavorable, likely because of its heterogeneous nature. Furthermore, few subtype-specific treatments are available for lung adenocarcinoma. This study was conducted to explore the molecular subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS: We performed a joint analysis of transcriptome and proteome data from East Asian patients with lung adenocarcinoma (nonsmokers, 86.5%). RESULTS: Four novel subtypes were identified based on distinct molecular characteristics: subtypes I, II, III, and IV. In patients with subtype I lung adenocarcinoma, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4 gamma 1 activates cell proliferation; inhibiting this factor suppresses tumor growth, and reducing its level induces autophagy. Subtype II is characterized by Kristen rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog-activating oncogenesis; the onset age of this subtype is the lowest among all subtypes. Subtype III manifests as an advanced disease at diagnosis; it is characterized by a core serum response-related oncogenic signature, which indicates poor overall survival in Western patients with lung cancer. Subtype IV is more common in men than in women; it has astroglial characteristics. A Connectivity Map analysis revealed that the oncogenic expression patterns corresponding to subtypes I, II, III, and IV can be reversed by the inhibitors of Inhibitor of κB (IκB) kinase (eg, withaferin A), mammalian target of rapamycin (eg, everolimus), Src proto-oncogene (Src) (eg, saracatinib), and Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-ß/Smad (eg, LY-364947), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study introduced an innovative multiomics data analysis pipeline. Using this approach, we successfully identified four molecular subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma and their candidate therapeutic agents. The newly identified subtypes can be combined with the current biomarkers to generate a comprehensive roadmap for treatment decision-making.

Prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival in resected pathologic N2-stage III non-small cell lung cancer treated with upfront surgery.

BACKGROUND: The standard treatment for pathological N2 (pN2) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients is definitive chemoradiation. Surgery might be beneficial for resectable pN2 disease, so we investigated the recurrence-free interval of upfront surgery for selected patients with resectable pN2 disease. METHODS: The clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with pN2 NSCLC who underwent upfront anatomical resection at Taipei Veterans General Hospital from 2011 January to 2019 December were retrospectively reviewed. A Cox regression model was used to identify prognostic factors of recurrence-free survival (RFS). RESULTS: In total, 84 patients after curative lung anatomic resection were analyzed, with a 44-month median survival. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year RFS rates were 63.1%, 31.3%, and 19.9%, respectively, with a median RFS of 18.9 months. Multivariable cox regression analysis identified that the significant predictor for RFS was a tumor size of more than 3 cm (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.74, 95% CI, 1.07-2.83, p = 0.027). Visceral pleural invasion, LN harvest number, tumor stage, and N2 status including single zone (N2a) or multiple zones (N2b) were not prognostic factors in this study. CONCLUSION: Upfront surgery for resectable N2 disease achieved favorable outcomes in selected patients, especially better recurrence control with limited tumor size. Therapeutic advances might encourage surgeons to aggressive intervention.

A combination of oxygenation and driving pressure can provide valuable information in predicting the risk of mortality in ARDS patients.

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common life-threatening condition in critically ill patients. Itis also an important public health issue because it can cause substantial mortality and health care burden worldwide. The objective of this study was to investigate therisk factors that impact ARDS mortality in a medical center in Taiwan. METHODS: This was a single center, observational study thatretrospectively analyzed data from adults in 6 intensive care units (ICUs) at Taichung Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan from 1st October, 2018to30th September, 2019. Patients needing invasive mechanical ventilation and meeting the Berlin definition criteria were included for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1,778 subjects were screened in 6 adult ICUs and 370 patients fulfilled the criteria of ARDS in the first 24 hours of the ICU admission. Among these patients, the prevalenceof ARDS was 20.8% and the overall hospital mortality rate was 42.2%. The mortality rates of mild, moderate and severe ARDS were 35.9%, 43.9% and 46.5%, respectively. In a multivariate logistic regression model, combination of driving pressure (DP) > 14cmH2O and oxygenation (P/F ratio)≤150 was an independent predictor of mortality (OR2.497, 95% CI 1.201-5.191, p = 0.014). Patients with worse oxygenation and a higher driving pressure had the highest hospital mortality rate(p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: ARDS is common in ICUs and the mortality rate remains high. Combining oxygenation and respiratory mechanics may better predict the outcomes of these ARDS patients.

Genetic Susceptibility of HLA Alleles to Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Hypersensitivity in the Taiwanese Population.

BACKGROUND: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes are important in many immune processes and contribute to many adverse drug reactions. Whether genetic variations in the HLA region are associated with non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) hypersensitivity remains uncertain. Therefore, the aim of our study was to identify HLA genetic variations in patients with NSAID hypersensitivity in the Taiwanese population. METHODS: This hospital-based, retrospective case-control study enrolled 37,156 participants with NSAID exposure from the Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative (TPMI), who were all genotyped and imputed to fine map HLA typing. Our study assigned 1217 cases to the NSAID allergy group and 12,170 controls to a matched group. Logistic regression analyses were utilized to explore associations between HLA alleles and NSAID hypersensitivity. RESULTS: Overall, 13,387 patients were genotyped for eight major HLA alleles. Allele frequencies were different between the two groups. In the NSAID allergy group, the genotype frequencies of HLA-A*02:01, HLA-A*34:01, and HLA-DQA1*06:01 were found to be markedly elevated compared to the control group, a significance that persisted even after applying the Bonferroni correction. Furthermore, the risk of NSAID allergy demonstrated a significant association with HLA-A*02:01 (OR = 1.29, p < 0.001) and HLA-A*34:01 (OR = 9.90, p = 0.001), in comparison to their respective counterparts. Notably, the genotype frequency of HLA-B*46:01 exhibited a significant increase in the severe allergy group when compared with the mild allergy group. CONCLUSIONS: We identified HLA genotypes linked to the onset and severity of NSAID hypersensitivity. Our findings establish a basis for precision prescription in future clinical applications.

NLRP3 Inflammasome Activates Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition via Focal Adhesion Kinase Pathway in Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has poor clinical outcomes despite antifibrotic treatment. The nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat-containing receptor, pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) were shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. However, the detailed mechanism is unknown. Our study aimed to investigate the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the regulation of EndoMT in pulmonary fibrosis. The inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome via a caspase-1 inhibitor, Ac-YVAD-cmk (YVAD), was intraperitoneally administered to male C57BL/6 mice (8-12 weeks old) one hour before bleomycin intratracheal injection (1.5 U/kg). Immunohistochemical staining, Masson's trichrome staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting were used to assess the activity of the NLRP3 inflammasome and EndoMT in lung samples from mice. Human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs) were used as a model of EndoMT in vitro with YVAD and bleomycin stimulation. We observed the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and EndoMT (decreased vascular endothelial cadherin with increased alpha-smooth muscle actin and vimentin) in the lung samples after bleomycin. However, inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome significantly reduces EndoMT via inhibiting focal adhesion kinase (FAK). In vitro studies also confirmed these findings. In conclusion, NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition could reduce lung inflammation and fibrosis via the regulation of EndoMT by the FAK pathway.

Treatment Outcomes and Risk Factors for Incomplete Treatment after Definitive Chemoradiotherapy for Non-Resectable or Metastatic Esophageal Cancer.

Among patients with unresectable or metastatic esophageal cancer who receive definitive chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, the rates of treatment-related adverse events and incomplete treatment remain high. We conducted this study to investigate survival after definitive treatments and identify predicting factors for incomplete treatment. The data of patients who received definitive chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer were retrospectively examined. The patients were assigned to Group 1: incomplete definitive treatment; Group 2: complete definitive treatment; or Group 3: complete definitive treatment with additional salvage surgery. The data of 273 patients (90, 166, and 17 in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively) were analyzed. In the survival analysis, the median overall survival of Groups 1, 2, and 3 were 2.6, 10.3, and 29.5 months, respectively. A significant difference in 3-year overall survival was observed among the groups (2.2%, 12.4%, and 48.5%, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, the independent risk factors for incomplete definitive treatment included poor performance score (hazard ratio (HR): 5.23, p = 0.001), bone metastasis (HR: 2.18, p = 0.024), airway invasion (HR: 2.90, p = 0.001), and liver cirrhosis (HR: 3.20, p = 0.026). Incomplete definitive treatment is associated with a far worse prognosis. Poor performance, bone metastasis, airway invasion, and liver cirrhosis are risk factors for incomplete treatment.

Total intravenous anesthesia decreases hospital stay but not incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications after lung resection surgery: a propensity score matching study.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus regarding the superiority of volatile or total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) in reducing the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after lung resection surgery (LRS). Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the different anesthetic regimens and the incidence of PPCs in patients who underwent LRS. We hypothesized that TIVA is associated with a lower incidence of PPCs than volatile anesthesia. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent LRS at Taipei Veterans General Hospital between January 2016 and December 2020. The patients' charts were reviewed and data on patient characteristics, perioperative features, and postoperative outcomes were extracted and analyzed. The patients were categorized into TIVA or volatile anesthesia groups and their clinical data were compared. Propensity score matching was performed to reduce potential selection bias. The primary outcome was the incidence of PPCs, whereas the secondary outcomes were the incidences of other postoperative events, such as length of hospital stay (LOS) and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). RESULTS: A total of 392 patients each were included in the TIVA and volatile anesthesia groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of PPCs between the volatile anesthesia and TIVA groups. The TIVA group had a shorter LOS (p < 0.001) and a lower incidence of PONV than the volatile anesthesia group (4.6% in the TIVA group vs. 8.2% in the volatile anesthesia group; p = 0.041). However, there were no significant differences in reintubation, 30-day readmission, and re-operation rates between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference between the incidence of PPCs in patients who underwent LRS under TIVA and that in patients who underwent LRS under volatile anesthesia. However, TIVA had shorter LOS and lower incidence of PONV which may be a better choice for maintenance of anesthesia in patients undergoing LRS.

Mortality in patients with COVID-19 versus non-COVID-19- related acute respiratory distress syndrome: A single center retrospective observational cohort study.

The pathophysiology of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) varies from other pneumonia-related ARDS. We evaluated whether the mortality rates differed for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19-related ARDS in the Asian population in 2021. This single center retrospective observational cohort study included patients with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19-related ARDS that required invasive mechanical ventilation. The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. The secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay, ICU length of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, and ventilator-free days (VFDs) during the first 28 days. A 1:1 propensity score matching was performed to correct potential confounders by age, obesity or not, and ARDS severity. One-hundred-and-sixty-four patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. After 1:1 propensity score matching, there were 50 patients in each group. The all-cause in-hospital mortality of all patients was 38 (38%), and no significant differences were found between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19-related ARDS (17 [34%) vs. 21 [42%], p = 0.410). Both groups had length of stay (30.0 [20.0-46.0] vs. 27.0 [13.0-45.0] days, p = 0.312), ICU length of stay (19.0 [13.0-35.0] vs. 16.0 [10.0-32.0] days, p = 0.249), length of mechanical ventilation (19.0 [10.0-36.0] vs. 14.0 [9.0-29.0] days, p = 0.488), and ventilator-free days during the first 28 days (5.5 [0.0-17.0] vs. 0.0 [0.0-14.0] days, p = 0.320). Immunocompromised status (Hazard ratio: 3.63; 95% CI: 1.51-8.74, p = 0.004) and progress to severe ARDS (Hazard ratio: 2.92; 95% CI: 1.18-7.22, p = 0.020) were significant in-hospital mortality-related confounders. There were no significant difference in mortality among both groups. Immunocompromised status and progression to severe ARDS are two possible risk factors for patients with ARDS; COVID-19 is not a mortality-related risk exposure.

Mortality and ventilator dependence in critically ill patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

BACKGROUND: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is a key pathogen associated with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Research on treatment outcomes, especially ventilator dependence, in patients with VAP caused by CRAB remains limited. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study included ICU-admitted patients with VAP caused by CRAB. The original cohort was included as the mortality evaluation cohort. The ventilator dependence evaluation cohort included cases that survived more than 21 days after VAP and without prolonged ventilation before VAP onset. The mortality rate, ventilator dependence rate, clinical factors associated with treatment outcomes, and treatment outcome differences with various VAP onset times were investigated. RESULTS: In total, 401 patients with VAP caused by CRAB were analyzed. The 21-day all-cause mortality rate was 25.2%, and the 21-day ventilator dependence rate was 48.8%. Clinical factors associated with 21-day mortality included lower body mass index, higher sequential organ failure assessment score, vasopressors usage, CRAB persistence, and VAP onset time > seven days. Clinical factors associated with 21-day ventilator dependence included older age, vasopressors usage, and VAP onset time > seven days. CONCLUSIONS: ICU-admitted patients with CRAB-related VAP had high mortality and ventilator dependence rates. Older age, vasopressor usage, and longer VAP onset time were independent factors associated with ventilator dependence.

Association between microcirculation in spontaneous breathing trial and extubation success.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the association between changes in sublingual microcirculation after a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) and successful extubation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sublingual microcirculation was assessed using an incident dark-field video microscope before and after each SBT and before extubation. Microcirculatory parameters before the SBT, at the end of the SBT, and before extubation were compared between the successful and failed extubation groups. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were enrolled and analysed in this study (34 patients in the successful extubation group and 13 patients in the failed extubation group). At the end of the SBT, the weaning parameters did not differ between the two groups. However, the total small vessel density (21.2 [20.4-23.7] versus 24.9 [22.6-26.5] mm/mm2), perfused small vessel density (20.6 [18.5-21.8] versus 23.1 [20.9-25] mm/mm2), proportion of perfused small vessels (91 [87-96] versus 95 [93-98] %), and microvascular flow index (2.8 [2.7-2.9] versus 2.9 [2.9-3]) were significantly lower in the failed extubation group than in the successful extubation group. The weaning and microcirculatory parameters did not differ significantly between the two groups before the SBT. CONCLUSIONS: More patients are required to investigate the difference between baseline microcirculation before a successful SBT and the change in microcirculation at the end of the SBT between the successful and failed extubation groups. Better sublingual microcirculatory parameters at the end of SBT and before extubation are associated with successful extubation.

Underweight predicts extubation failure after planned extubation in intensive care units.

BACKGROUND: Body weight is associated with different physiological changes and the association between weight and mortality in critical care setting had been discussed before. In this study, we investigated the linkage between underweight and post-extubation failure in mechanical ventilated patients in critical setting. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study including patients who were admitted to medical or surgical intensive care units (ICU) between June 2016 and July 2018 and had received endotracheal intubation for more than 72 hours. Those who passed spontaneous breathing trial and underwent a planned extubation were enrolled. Extubation failure was defined as those who required reintubation within the first 72 hours for any reasons. The probability of extubation failure was calculated. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. Multivariate logistic regression models were then used to determine the potential risk factors associated with extubation failure. RESULTS: Overall, 268 patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in our study for analysis. The median age of included patients was 67 years (interquartile range, 55-80 years) with 65.3% being male; 63.1% of the patients were included from medical ICU. The proportion of extubation failure in our cohort was 7.1% (19/268; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.3-10.9%). Overall, underweight patients had the highest risk of extubation failure (8/50), as compared with normoweight (9/135) and overweight patients (2/83). In the multivariate analysis, being underweight (adjust OR [aOR], 3.80, compared to normoweight; 95% CI, 1.23-11.7) and lower maximal inspiratory airway pressure (aOR per one cmH2O decrease, 1.05; 95% CI 1.00-1.09) remained significantly associated with extubation failure. CONCLUSION: In our study, being underweight and lower maximal inspiratory airway pressure was associated with post-extubation respiratory failure after a planned extubation.

Effectiveness of high-flow nasal cannulae compared with noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation in preventing reintubation in patients receiving prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Many intensive care unit patients who undergo endotracheal extubation experience extubation failure and require reintubation. Because of the high mortality rate associated with reintubation, postextubation respiratory management is crucial, especially for high-risk populations. We conducted the present study to compare the effectiveness of oxygen therapy administered using high-flow nasal cannulae (HFNC) and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in preventing reintubation among patients receiving prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV). This single-center, prospective, unblinded randomized controlled trial was at the respiratory care center (RCC). Participants were randomized to an HFNC group or an NIPPV group (20 patients in each) and received noninvasive respiratory support (NRS) administered using their assigned method. The primary outcome was reintubation within7 days after extubation. None of the patients in the NIPPV group required reintubation, whereas 5 (25%) of the patients in the HFNC group required reintubation (P = 0.047). The 90-day mortality rates of the NIPPV and HFNC groups (four patients [20%] vs. two patients [10%], respectively) did not differ significantly. No significant differences in length of RCC stay, length of hospital stay, time to liberation from NRS, and ventilator-free days at 28-day were identified. The time to event outcome analysis also revealed that the risk of reintubation in the HFNC group was higher than that in the NIPPV group (P = 0.018). Although HFNC is becoming increasingly common as a form of postextubation NRS, HFNC may not be as effective as NIPPV in preventing reintubation among patients who have been receiving PMV for at least 2 weeks. Additional studies evaluating HFNC as an alternative to NIPPV for patients receiving PMV are warranted.ClinicalTrial.gov ID: NCT04564859; IRB number: 20160901R.Trial registration: ClinicalTrial.gov ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04564859 ).

Modified En Bloc Esophagectomy for Squamous Cell Carcinoma After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The optimal type of esophagectomy and extent of lymphadenectomy for patients after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma remain controversial. We hypothesized that a more radical resection is associated with better survival. METHODS: Data of patients who received nCRT followed by resection for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma between 2012 and 2021 were analyzed. Modified en bloc esophagectomy (mEBE) involves total mediastinal lymphadenectomy and resection of all periesophageal node-bearing tissues. Perioperative outcomes and survival rates of mEBE were compared with those of conventional esophagectomy (CE). RESULTS: A total of 238 patients were included. Compared with CE, mEBE was associated with a longer operative time, higher total number of resected lymph nodes, fewer complications, and less anastomotic leakage; length of stay was similar between the 2 groups. There was no difference in overall survival rates between patients with ypT0 N0 stage in the mEBE and CE groups; however, in patients with non-ypT0 N0 stage in the mEBE and CE groups, the 3-year overall survival rates were 58.5% and 28.5%, respectively (P < .001). On disease-free survival analysis, no difference was observed in patients with ypT0 N0 stage, whereas patients with non-ypT0 N0 stage after nCRT had significantly better disease-free survival after mEBE compared with CE (49.7% vs 27.2%; P = .017). CONCLUSIONS: Survival after mEBE was significantly better than that after CE. The mEBE did not increase postoperative hospital stay and complication rates.

Old age and EGFR mutation status in inoperable early-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving stereotactic ablative radiotherapy: A single institute experience of 71 patients in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is now the standard of care for patients with inoperable early-stage lung cancer. Many of these patients are elderly. EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) mutation is also common in the Asian population. METHODS: To evaluate the effects of old age and EGFR mutation on treatment outcomes and toxicity, we reviewed the medical records of 71 consecutive patients with inoperable early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received SABR at Taipei Veterans General Hospital between 2015 and 2021. RESULTS: The study revealed that median age, follow-up, Charlson comorbidity index, and ECOG score were 80 years, 2.48 years, 3, and 1, respectively. Of these patients, 37 (52.1%) were 80 years or older, and 50 (70.4%) and 21 (29.6%) had T1 and T2 diseases, respectively. EGFR mutation status was available for 33 (46.5%) patients, of whom 16 (51.5%) had a mutation. The overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 97.2, 74.9, and 58.3%, respectively. The local control rate at 1, 3, and 5 years was 97.1, 92.5, and 92.5%, respectively. Using Cox proportional hazards regression we found that male sex was a risk factor for overall survival (p = 0.036, 95% CI: 1.118-26.188). Two patients had grade 2 pneumonitis, but no other grade 2 or higher toxicity was observed. We did not find any significant differences in treatment outcomes or toxicity between patients aged 80 or older and those with EGFR mutations in this cohort. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that age and EGFR mutation status do not significantly affect the effectiveness or toxicity of SABR for patients with inoperable early-stage NSCLC.

Surgery or Surveillance for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Clinical Complete Response After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy.

We aimed to evaluate the role of esophagectomy in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with clinically complete response (cCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Data of patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who achieved cCR after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy between October 2008 and September 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The criteria for cCR include: (1) tumor resolution on computed tomography, (2) maximum standardized uptake value decrement >35% on positron-emission tomography-computed tomography scan, and (3) a negative endoscopic biopsy result. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared between patients who received surveillance only (surveillance) and those who underwent surgery. A total of 154 patients with cCR, including 54 in the surveillance group and 100 in the surgery group, were included. The 5-year OS rates in the surveillance and surgery groups were 47.9% and 36.9 %, respectively (P= 0.210). The 5-year DFS rates were 38.1% and 28.2%, respectively (P = 0.203). Surgery was not a prognostic factor in the multivariable analysis (OS: HR: 1.26, 95% CI: 0.69-2.33, P = 0.453; DFS: HR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.60-1.96, P = 0.795). In the surgery group, ypT0N0, ypT+Nany, and ypT0N+ were noted in 54%, 37%, and 9% of patients, respectively. The 5-year OS rates were 55.8%, 22.2%, and 12.4%, respectively (P = 0.001). No survival differences were noted between the surveillance and surgery groups. However, 46% of cCR patients in the surgery group did not have pathological complete response, and their outcomes were poor. Esophagectomy may be the only way to identify patients with residual disease.

Detecting Preeclampsia Severity Using Maternal-Obstetrical Characteristics and Complete Blood Cell Counts.

Purpose: This study aimed to use the combination of maternal-obstetrical characteristics (MOCs) and complete blood cell counts (CBCs) with different red blood cell (RBC) indices as an alternative tool to detect preeclampsia (PE) severity immediately before delivery. Patients and Methods: This retrospective study included all singleton pregnancies delivered after 24 weeks of gestation from April 2016 to April 2020. Patients were divided into four different groups: non-hypertensive (NH), gestational hypertension (GH), PE, and severe PE (SPE). Univariate and forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted using MOCs, CBCs, and RBC indices. The calculation was performed between SPE and other non-hypertensive and hypertensive (GH, PE) groups. Moreover, the area under the curve (AUC) for the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity were estimated. Results: The combined variables for differentiating SPE from NH were maternal age >29.5 years, weight >27.24, gestational age <272 days at the time of blood withdrawal, platelet count <217.5×103/µL, Srivastava indices <6.35, and Siradah indices <43.02 (AUC, 0.834; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.773-0.895). The combined variables for differentiating SPE from GH were maternal age >29.5 years, body mass index >25.28, gestational age <268.5 days at the time of blood withdrawal, mean corpuscular volume <78.85 fL, and platelet count <234.5×103/µL (AUC, 0777; 95% CI, 0.703-0.852). The combined variables for differentiating SPE from PE were maternal age >32.5 years, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration >34.55 g/dL, and Siradah indices <40.05 (AUC, 0.745; 95% CI, 0.656-0.833). Conclusion: The combination of selected variables from MOCs and CBCs with RBC indices before delivery showed satisfactory results for detecting PE severity.