Reproductive organ involvement in women undergoing radical cystectomy for urothelial bladder cancer: a nationwide multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Radical cystectomy in women generally includes the removal of the uterus, ovaries, and anterior vaginal wall, but the criteria for reproductive organ sparing are not clear. METHODS: A total of 2674 patients with bladder cancer were retrospectively reviewed, having undergone cystectomy at this nationwide multicenter from January 2013 to December 2019. We evaluated the incidence of malignancy in reproductive organs in a cohort of 417 women and analyzed the clinicopathological features of reproductive organ involvement. Recurrence-free survival and overall survival were reported using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 36.9 months. Of the 417 patients with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, 325 underwent hysterectomy, and 92 had a spared uterus and anterior wall of the vagina. Twenty-nine (8.9%) patients exhibited reproductive organ involvement; this consisted of 22 (6.8%) uteri, 16 (4.9%) vaginas, and two (0.6%) ovaries. Incidental primary reproductive malignancies were found in only two (0.6%) patients. Recurrence-free survival and overall survival were significantly shorter in patients with reproductive organ involvement than in those without. Patients with reproductive organ involvement were more likely to have tumors with ≥ cT3 or sub-localization at the posterior/trigone/bladder neck. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of reproductive organ involvement cannot be ignored in women undergoing radical cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, therefore, the eligibility criteria for reproductive organ preservation should be considered carefully.

Prognostic impact of histological discordance between transurethral resection and radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the impact of histological discordance of subtypes (subtypes or divergent differentiation [DD]) in specimens from transurethral resection (TUR) and radical cystectomy (RC) on the outcome of the patients with bladder cancer receiving RC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analysed data for 2570 patients from a Japanese nationwide cohort with bladder cancer treated with RC between January 2013 and December 2019 at 36 institutions. The non-urinary tract recurrence-free survival (NUTR-FS) and overall survival (OS) stratified by TUR or RC specimen histology were determined. We also elucidated the predictive factors for OS in patients with subtype/DD bladder cancer. RESULTS: At median follow-up of 36.9 months, 835 (32.4%) patients had NUTR, and 691 (26.9%) died. No statistically significant disparities in OS or NUTR-FS were observed when TUR specimens were classified as pure-urothelial carcinoma (UC), subtypes, DD, or non-UC. Among 2449 patients diagnosed with pure-UC or subtype/DD in their TUR specimens, there was discordance between the pathological diagnosis in TUR and RC specimens. Histological subtypes in RC specimens had a significant prognostic impact. When we focused on 345 patients with subtype/DD in TUR specimens, a multivariate Cox regression analysis identified pre-RC neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and pathological stage as independent prognostic factors for OS (P = 0.016 and P = 0.001, respectively). The presence of sarcomatoid subtype in TUR specimens and lymphovascular invasion in RC specimens had a marginal effect (P = 0.069 and P = 0.056, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the presence of subtype/DD in RC specimens but not in TUR specimens indicated a poor prognosis. In patients with subtype/DD in TUR specimens, pre-RC neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and pathological stage were independent prognostic factors for OS.

Transgenic rice plants expressing the α-L-arabinofuranosidase of Coprinopsis cinerea exhibit strong dwarfism and markedly enhanced tillering.

Lignocellulosic materials are potential renewable sources of fermentable sugars for bioethanol production. In this study, we used the CcAbf62A gene encoding CcAbf62A, a putative extracellular α-L-arabinofuranosidase, cloned from the mycotrophic basidiomycete Coprinopsis cinerea. CcAbf62A acts on arabinoxylan, the major hemicellulose of grasses, releasing arabinose. CcAbf62A was introduced into rice with the aim of enhancing delignification efficiency and the availability of lignocellulosic materials without reducing lignin content. Among the 32 lines of regenerated transgenic rice, 13 exhibited markedly disrupted elongation growth and excessive tillering (dwarf), seven showed delayed elongation growth (retarded-growth), and 12 showed phenotypes similar to those of control plants (normal). Additionally, the dwarf lines showed reduced acclimation. RT-PCR analysis revealed that dwarf lines had higher levels of CcAbf62A expression than retarded-growth and normal lines. Although the lignin content of transgenic rice plants expressing CcAbf62A did not differ significantly from that of control rice plants, dwarf lines were characterized by delayed deposition of lignin in the culms compared with the controls. The reduced acclimation ability of dwarf lines is believed to be associated with increased water loss and reduced water conductivity concomitant with delayed lignin deposition. Contrary to expectations, the alkaline delignification rates of dwarf and retarded-growth Abf lines were slightly lower than those of control rice plants. Our findings indicate that CcAbf62A reduces ferulate-lignin cross-links by detaching arabinose side chains from arabinoxylan and increases the relative abundance of alkaline-resistant benzyl ether cross-links. CcAbf62A is anticipated to provide new approaches for breeding plants containing altered lignocellulosic materials or lodging-resistant crops.

Predicting the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced human papilloma virus-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma using one course of TPF chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: The standard induction chemotherapy for head and neck cancer is TPF [cisplatin (CDDP), docetaxel (DOC), and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)]. We assessed whether one course of TPF could predict the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy for human papilloma virus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 51 patients with stage III-IV HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who received one course of TPF with CDDP 60 mg/m2, DOC 60 mg/m2, and 5-FU 600 mg/m2. We recommended chemoradiotherapy for patients with complete or partial response (CR/PR), and surgery for those with stable or progressive disease (SD/PD). The endpoints were TPF-related adverse events and efficacy, chemoradiotherapy efficacy, and 2-year survival. RESULTS: Neutropenia was the most common grade ≥ 3 adverse event (88%). No grade 5 adverse events occurred. TPF achieved CR in 4% of patients (2/51), PR in 73% (37/51), SD in 20% (10/51), and PD in 4% (2/51). Concurrent cetuximab and radiotherapy (bio-radiotherapy, BRT) were administered to 61% of patients (31/51), concurrent CDDP and radiotherapy (CDDP-RT) to 16% (8/51), RT alone to 2% (1/51), and surgery was performed for 22% (11/51). CR was achieved in 85% of the chemoradiotherapy group, and the rate tended to increase with TPF efficacy. CR was achieved in 84% (26/31) of patients receiving BRT, 88% (7/8) receiving CDDP-RT, and 100% (1/1) receiving RT. The 2-year survival rates were 92% overall, and 97% and 79% in the chemoradiotherapy and surgery groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: When facing difficulty in deciding between chemoradiotherapy and surgery, one course of TPF may be an effective option.

Space-division multiplexed transmission in the S-band over 55 km few-mode fibers.

Transmission of highly spectral efficient 24.5 GBaud quadrature phase shift keying and 16- and 64-quadrature amplitude modulated signals in the S-band between 1492 nm and 1518 nm wavelength is demonstrated over 55 km few-mode fibers. The carrier lines for S-band transmission were generated by a single wideband optical comb source with more than 120 nm optical bandwidth. While the three-mode fiber was originally optimized for C- and L-band transmission, we show that differential mode delay and mode-dependent loss show only a minor wavelength dependence within the measured S-band channels. However, the transceiver sub-system, including S-band optical amplifiers as well as a reduced optical signal-to-noise ratio of the comb source, leads to a significant Q-factor penalty for channels towards the edges of the S-band optical amplifiers below 1495 nm and above 1515 nm wavelength.

Diagnosis of modal and chromatic dispersions for the LP01 and LP11 modes through temporal decomposition by means of Fourier transform.

We provide a novel approach for estimating the modal and chromatic dispersions of the LP01 and LP11 modes traversing a two-mode fiber (TMF). A modal interferometer is used to measure the differential group delay (DGD) and chromatic dispersion for the two modes in the 1260-1360 nm telecommunication band. The measurement principle is based on an investigation of a transmitted spectrum through temporal decomposition by means of a Fourier transform. The diagnosis of the DGD and chromatic dispersion for the two modes is discussed theoretically and experimentally. The experimental results obtained here exactly match those obtained previously. The salient feature of the present method is that the modal interferometer configuration makes it possible to measure both the DGD and chromatic dispersion and also estimate the shape of optical pulses traversing a TMF.

Prediction of Therapeutic Effects from One Course of TPF Chemotherapy for Advanced Hypopharyngeal Laryngeal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: In head and neck cancer, docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (TPF) is often given in two or three cycles. The purpose of this study was to perform single-cycle TPF for chemoselection in patients with advanced hypopharyngeal laryngeal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 56 patients with stage III/IV advanced hypopharyngeal/laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), and secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), TPF response rate, laryngeal sparing, and grade 3 or more adverse events. RESULTS: The median PFS was 34.8 months. The median OS was not evaluable. The response rate was 71%. The median laryngeal preservation period was not estimable. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events were reported in 46 patients. CONCLUSION: PFS rate in this study may have been improved by selecting surgical treatment for patients for whom chemoradiotherapy seemed less effective. One cycle of TPF in induction chemotherapy appeared effective for chemoselection.

High-dose-rate brachytherapy and hypofractionated external beam radiotherapy combined with long-term androgen deprivation therapy for very high-risk prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the outcomes of high-dose-rate brachytherapy combined with hypofractionated external beam radiotherapy in prostate cancer patients classified as very high risk by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. METHODS: Between June 2009 and September 2015, 66 patients meeting the criteria for very high-risk disease received high-dose-rate brachytherapy (2 fractions of 9 Gy) as a boost of external beam radiotherapy (13 fractions of 3 Gy). Androgen deprivation therapy was administered for approximately 3 years. Biochemical failure was assessed using the Phoenix definition. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 53 months from the completion of radiotherapy. The 5-year biochemical failure-free, distant metastasis-free, prostate cancer-specific and overall survival rates were 88.7, 89.2, 98.5 and 97.0%, respectively. The independent contribution of each component of the very high-risk criteria was assessed in multivariable models. Primary Gleason pattern 5 was associated with increased risks of biochemical failure (P = 0.017) and distant metastasis (P = 0.049), whereas clinical stage ≥T3b or >4 biopsy cores with Gleason score 8-10 had no significant impact on the two outcomes. Grade 3 genitourinary toxicities were observed in two (3.0%) patients, whereas no grade ≥3 gastrointestinal toxicities occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that this multimodal approach provides potentially excellent cancer control and acceptable associated morbidity for very high-risk disease. Patients with primary Gleason pattern 5 are at a higher risk of poor outcomes, indicating the need for more aggressive approaches in these cases.

Visualization of Lipid Droplets in Living Cells and Fatty Livers of Mice Based on the Fluorescence of π-Extended Coumarin Using Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy.

Lipid droplets (LDs) are closely related to lipid metabolism in living cells and are highly associated with diverse diseases such as fatty liver, diabetes, and cancer. Herein we describe a π-extended fluorescent coumarin (PC6S) for visualizing LDs in living cells and in the tissues of living mice using confocal fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). PC6S showed a large positive solvatochromic shift and high fluorescence quantum yield (>0.80) in both nonpolar and polar solvents. Additionally, the fluorescence lifetimes of PC6S were largely dependent on solvent polarity. The excellent spectral and photophysical properties of PC6S allowed its selective staining of LDs in living and fixed cells, and multicolor imaging. Fluorescence lifetime measurements of PC6S allowed estimation of the apparent polarity of LDs. The high photostability and long intracellular retention of PC6S supported in situ visualization of the formation processes of LDs resulting from the accumulation of fatty acid. Furthermore, intravenous administration of PC6S and use of the FLIM system allowed the imaging of LDs in hepatocytes in living normal mice and the growth of LDs resulting from the excess accumulation of lipids in high-fat-diet-fed mice (fatty liver model mice). Taking advantage of the high selectivity and sensitivity of PC6S for LDs in liver, we could visualize the adipocytes of lipid-rich tissues and LDs in kidney peritubular cells by PC6S fluorescence. These results demonstrated that PC6S combined with a FLIM system can be useful for monitoring and tracking the formation of LDs in both cultured cells and specific tissues and organs.

Intraoperative intraocular pressure changes during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: associations with perioperative and clinicopathological factors.

BACKGROUND: Steep Trendelenburg position (ST) during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) poses a risk of increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) in men receiving robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). The aim of the study was to identify clinicopathological factors associated with increased IOP during RARP. METHODS: We prospectively studied 59 consecutive prostate cancer patients without glaucoma. IOP was measured at 6 predefined time points before, during and after the operation (T1 to T6). RESULTS: Compared with T1, IOP decreased after beginning of anesthesia(T2) (by - 6.5 mmHg, p < 0.05), and increased 1 h after induction of pneumoperitoneum in the steep Trendelenburg position (ST) (T3) (+ 7.3 mmHg, p < 0.05). IOP continued to increase until the end of ST (T4) (+ 10.2 mmHg, p < 0.05), and declined when the patient was returned to supine position under general anesthesia (T5) (T1: 20.0 and T5: 20.1 mmHg, p above 0.05). The console time affected the elevation of IOP in ST; IOP elevation during ST was more prominent in men with a console time of ≥4 h (n = 39) than in those with a console time of < 4 h (n = 19) (19.8 ± 6.3 and 15.4 ± 5.8 mmHg, respectively, p < 0.05). Of the 59 patients, 29 had a high baseline IOP (20.0 mmHg or higher), and their IOP elevated during ST was also reduced at T5 (T1: 22.6 and T5: 21.7 mmHg, p above 0.05). There were no postoperative ocular complications. CONCLUSIONS: Console time of < 4 h is important to prevent extreme elevation of IOP during RARP. Without long console time, RARP may be safely performed in those with relatively high baseline IOP.

Free Tube Graft Urethroplasty for Repair of Hypospadias.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to assess the outcome of free tube graft urethroplasty for single-stage repair of hypospadias with chordee in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated a series of 56 patients (16 months to 9 years old, median 24 months) who underwent free graft urethroplasty for repair of hypospadias with chordee between May 2005 and November 2017. The median follow-up was 7 years (range 1-11). RESULTS: After releasing the chordee, the hypospadiac orifice was retracted to become penile in 32 patients (57%), penoscrotal in 18 patients (32%), and scrotal in 6 patients (11%). Single-stage repair was achieved without complications in 42 patients (75%). Of the remaining 14 patients with postoperative complications requiring surgical intervention, 2 had meatal stenosis, 9 had urethrocutaneous fistula, 1 had urethral diverticulum without meatal stenosis, and 1 had meatal regression. One patient who complained the urine stream went upwards in an arc underwent cutback meatoplasty to correct the stream. In all patients, a neomeatus with a vertically oriented slit-like appearance was eventually achieved at the tip of the glans. CONCLUSION: A free graft is an appropriate choice for repairing hypospadias with chordee. Our procedure achieved favorable functional and cosmetic outcomes with a low postoperative morbidity rate.

Pituitary-adrenal dysfunction caused by nivolumab for head and neck cancer.

Nivolumab exerts antitumor effects by inhibiting binding of PD-L1 to PD-1, and offers proven effectiveness in various disease areas, including cancers of the head and neck. The mechanisms of action lead nivolumab to induce immune-related adverse events (irAE). We report a case of pituitary-adrenal dysfunction to isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency as an irAE of nivolumab in a patient treated for head and neck cancer. This is the first report of an irAE of nivolumab in the field of head and neck squamous cell cancer. The patient was a man in his 50s with cancer of the tongue and hypopharynx that recurred after chemoradiotherapy, surgery and chemotherapy. After starting nivolumab, irAEs developed after 8 courses. The case was managed from the early stages in collaboration with the endocrinology department. Pituitary-adrenal hypofunction due to isolated ACTH deficiency was diagnosed on the basis of endocrine tests. The patient responded to hydrocortisone replacement therapy and has been able to continue treatment with nivolumab while continuing oral hydrocortisone. Although irAEs involving pituitary gland disorders are rare, these events can become life-threatening when severe. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential and require regular blood sampling and collaboration with specialists from an early stage.

Solitary brain metastasis from prostate cancer after multi modality treatment: A case report.

We herein report an unusual case of brain metastasis from prostate cancer during androgen deprivation therapy and post-docetaxel and definitive local therapy. The brain metastasis was surgically resected followed by Whole-brain radiation therapy. Postoperatively, his PSA again decreased to an undetectable level and remained undetectable with no evidence of new or recurrent disease.

Some non-sensitizers upregulate CD54 expression by activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in THP-1 cells.

The human cell line activation test (h-CLAT) is a skin sensitization test that measures the expression of cell surface proteins CD86 and CD54 to evaluate the skin sensitization potential of test chemicals. However, some skin irritants have been reported to induce dramatically high CD54 expression leading to false-positive h-CLAT results. Furthermore, CD54 expression is strongly induced by cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1ß and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, or danger signals that activate its signaling pathways. In this study, we focused on the relationship between CD54 expression and the Nucleotide binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, a protein complex that plays a pivotal role in intra-cellular inflammation. We observed the activation of caspase-1 and production of IL-1ß after exposure of THP-1 cells to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB, sensitizer), octanoic acid (OA, non-sensitizer), and salicylic acid (SA, non-sensitizer), implying NLRP3 activation. These observations confirmed the activation of the inflammasome by CD54-only positive chemicals. CD54 expression, induced by OA and SA, was suppressed by potassium chloride, a typical inhibitor of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. These results suggested that the NLRP3 inflammasome may be activated in THP-1 cells resulting in the expression of CD54, and subsequently leading to false-positive results.

Programmable RNA detection with a fluorescent RNA aptamer using optimized three-way junction formation.

RNAs play essential roles in various cellular processes and can be used as biomarkers. Hence, it is important to detect endogenous RNA for understanding diverse cellular functions and diagnosing diseases. To construct a low-cost and easy-to-use RNA detection probe, a chemically unmodified RNA aptamer that binds to a pro-fluorophore to increase its fluorescence is desirable. Here, we focused on Broccoli, a superior variant of Spinach, which is a well-known fluorescent RNA aptamer that binds to DFHBI-1T and emits green fluorescence. We experimentally characterized Broccoli and predicted that it forms a G-quadruplex-based DFHBI-1T recognition region sandwiched between two stems. Based on this, we designed a Broccoli-based RNA detection probe (BRD probe) composed of a sequence of destabilized Broccoli fused with complementary sequences against target RNA. The resulting probe with its target RNA formed a stable three-way junction, named the MT2 three-way junction, which contributed to efficient refolding of the Broccoli structure and allowed for programmable RNA detection with high signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity. Interestingly, the MT2 three-way junction also could be applied to probe construction of a truncated form of Spinach (Baby Spinach). The BRD and Baby Spinach-based RNA detection probes (BSRD probe) exhibited up to 48- and 140-fold fluorescence enhancements in the presence of their target RNAs and detected small amounts of target RNA that were as low as 160 and 5 nM, respectively. Thus, we experimentally characterized the higher order structure of Broccoli and developed structure-switching aptamer probes for highly sensitive, programmable, RNA detection using an MT2 three-way junction.

Enzalutamide-induced severe thrombocytopenia complicated by a seizure in a 76-year-old man with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Adverse events with enzalutamide widely used for men with castration-resistant prostate cancer are of interest. CASE PRESENTATION: A 76-year-old man developed castration-resistant prostate cancer. He received 160 mg of enzalutamide daily. On the 13th day after treatment, severe thrombocytopenia was observed (platelet count: 1.9 × 104/µL). Normal coagulation and fibrinolytic systems suggested thrombocytopenia induced by enzalutamide. Enzalutamide was withdrawn immediately, and platelet count uneventfully recovered to 7.0 × 104/µL and 28.8 × 104/µL 9 and 30 days after discontinuation, respectively. He restarted enzalutamide therapy without thrombocytopenia recurrence. However, 81 days after restarting enzalutamide, he experienced a seizure. There were no significant findings from brain computed tomography, which suggested that the seizure was also an enzalutamide-associated adverse event. CONCLUSION: Thrombocytopenia may occur early following enzalutamide therapy, and blood analysis within 2 weeks after treatment may facilitate its management. Enzalutamide-induced thrombocytopenia, complicated by seizure, has not been reported.

A case of normotensive incidentally discovered adrenal pheochromocytoma.

Pheochromocytomas are catecholamine-producing neuroendocrine tumors that arise from the adrenal medulla. The clinical presentation includes headache, palpitation, and hypertension, but pheochromocytomas are sometimes clinically silent. The present case highlights the importance of biochemical testing for pheochromocytoma in patients with adrenal incidentaloma, even if they are completely normotensive and asymptomatic.

Estimation of G-quartet-forming guanines in parallel-type G-quadruplexes by optical spectroscopy measurements of their single-nucleobase substitution sequences.

Since much attention has been paid to in vivo biological functions of G-quadruplexes, structural analyses of G-quadruplexes are essential for understanding their functional mechanisms. Here, we established a simple optical-spectroscopy-based method for the estimation of G-quartet-forming guanines in parallel-type G-quadruplexes using measurements of circular dichroism and the thermal melting temperature.

Study of fabrication reproducibility of two-mode optical fibers for mode division multiplexing with MIMO processing.

We propose a two-mode optical fiber (TMF) with a low sensitivity of differential modal group delay (DMD) to change of the core radius and the refractive index of the core in the index profile which are major factors for DMD deviation. This was done to achieve high reproducibility of fiber fabrication. The proposed TMF has a graded index (GI) core and a depressed inner cladding, and we optimize structural parameters. We fabricated different kinds of TMFs to confirm the low DMD sensitivity of our proposed fiber. The fabricated TMF showed that the DMD sensitivity to changes in core radius of the TMF was approximately 8 ps/km/µm which is 98% smaller than that of a GI-TMF without a depressed inner cladding.

Chemoradiotherapy With Generic Cisplatin Formulations for Head and Neck Cancers.

The use of generic drugs has been increasing. However, studies of the safety of generic cisplatin (CDDP) for the treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) have not been reported. This study investigated the treatment completion rates and incidence of CDDP-related adverse events in patients with advanced HNC treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) using generic CDDP. This study included 72 patients who received concurrent CRT using generic CDDP. The number of courses of CDDP was 3 in 45 patients, 2 in 19 patients, and 1 in 8 patients. During 154 courses of 80 mg/m2 generic CDDP, grade 3/4 leukopenia in 21 (14%), neutropenia in 18 (12%), and hypochromia in 8 (5%) cases were reported. Grade 2 elevated serum creatinine occurred in 4 cases (3%), but no grade 3/4 elevated serum creatinine was reported. These results suggest that CRT using generic CDDP is well tolerated in patients with HNC.