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Objective: Association between physical symptoms and psychosocial difficulties of cancer patients has been reported widely. Nevertheless, the effects of pain and other symptom control on anxiety in such patients have not been investigated well. We investigated the association of improvement of pain and other symptoms with patient anxiety, and assessed factors associated with improvement of such symptoms. Methods: Data of patients with advanced cancer admitted to a palliative care unit during August 2018 - June 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Severity of pain, other symptoms, and anxiety was assessed by the Support Team Assessment Schedule Japanese version (STAS-J) administered at admission and after 2 weeks. Patients' physical data, their Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI) at admission, and their overall survival were collected and recorded. Results: Data of 701 patients were analyzed. Improvement of pain or other symptoms after 2 weeks was not associated with the PPI total score or actual survival (P = .105 and .999). Patients with higher anxiety on admission experienced improvement of pain or other symptoms more frequently (P = .005). Worsening of anxiety was observed less in patients who experienced improvement in pain or other symptoms after 2 weeks (P = .027). Conclusion: Pain or other symptoms of patients with advanced cancer was improved irrespective of the general condition indicated with actual survival and prognosis-predictive factors. These findings suggest the importance of pain and other symptoms' improvement and its important roles in the management of patient psychosocial problems such as anxiety.
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Indoor vertical farming using artificial light has gained popularity as one solution to food problems. However, prior studies have shown that some consumers have a negative impression that crops are grown in an artificial environment. The increased use of purple Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lighting, which would make the growing environment look more artificial, may exacerbate that negative perception, leading to low acceptance of vertically farmed produce. Given that consumers are increasingly seeing indoor vertical farming directly, for example, in supermarkets and office buildings, it is important to understand how they perceive the use of purple LED lighting to grow crops and whether these perceptions can be improved by learning more about the scientific basis for artificial light cultivation. This study aimed to determine whether purple LED lighting reduces consumers' perceptions of indoor vertical farming compared to traditional white lighting, and to examine whether providing information on plant growth and artificial light changes those perceptions. We administered a web-based questionnaire to 961 Japanese respondents, and analyzed the response data using analysis of variance and an ordered probit model to explore the factors that define the likability for indoor vertical farming. The results revealed that the color of LED lighting had a limited influence on consumers' perceptions of indoor vertical farming, whereas explaining the principle of plant growth under artificial light improves their perceptions. Additionally, personal factors, such as resistance to novel food technology, trust in food safety, and awareness of indoor vertical farming, had a significant impact on the perceptions. It is crucial to expand opportunities for people to interact with artificial light cultivation and disseminate information about its scientific mechanisms.
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Nutritional epidemiology has shown the importance of protein intake for maintaining brain function in the elderly population. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may be associated with malnutrition, especially protein intake. We explored blood-based biomarkers linking protein nutritional status with MCI in a multicenter study. In total, 219 individuals with MCI (79.5 ± 5.7 year) from 10 institutions and 220 individuals who were cognitively normal (CN, 76.3 ± 6.6 year) in four different cities in Japan were recruited. They were divided into the training (120 MCI and 120 CN) and validation (99 MCI and 100 CN) groups. A model involving concentrations of PFAAs and albumin to discriminate MCI from CN individuals was constructed by multivariate logistic regression analysis in the training dataset, and the performance was evaluated in the validation dataset. The concentrations of some essential amino acids and albumin were significantly lower in MCI group than CN group. An index incorporating albumin and PFAA discriminated MCI from CN participants with the AUC of 0.705 (95% CI: 0.632-0.778), and the sensitivities at specificities of 90% and 60% were 25.3% and 76.8%, respectively. No significant association with BMI or APOE status was observed. This cross-sectional study suggests that the biomarker changes in MCI group may be associated with protein nutrition.
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Disfunción Cognitiva , Estado Nutricional , Anciano , Aminoácidos , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Disfunción Cognitiva/metabolismo , Estudios Transversales , HumanosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) is an effective method for relieving pain and improving gait function. However, THA patients demonstrate slow gait speed at discharge. Rehabilitation programs after THA require the immediate improvement of gait speed early in the postoperative period. To examine the immediate effects of seated side tapping training (SSTT), which focuses on lateral trunk movement and movement velocity, on gait function in early postoperative THA patients, the methods were as follows: The SSTT group performed five repetitions of a task in which they moved their trunks laterally to alternately touch markers to their left and right side as quickly as possible 10 times in a seated position. One set of SSTT lasted approximately 3 min. The control group rested in a seated position for 10 min. RESULTS: Significant interactions were observed for gait speed, stride time, and stride time coefficient of variability. The SSTT group demonstrated significant pre-post-intervention improvement in gait speed, stride time, and coefficient of variability. CONCLUSIONS: SSTT improved both gait speed and gait stability and can be performed easily and safely. Therefore, single-session high-velocity trunk training may be an effective method to improve gait function immediately in early postoperative THA patients.
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Background: Nutritional epidemiology has shown that inadequate dietary protein intake is associated with poor brain function in the elderly population. The plasma free amino acid (PFAA) profile reflects nutritional status and may have the potential to predict future changes in cognitive function. Here, we report the results of a 2-year interim analysis of a 3-year longitudinal study following mild cognitive impairment (MCI) participants. Method: In a multicenter prospective cohort design, MCI participants were recruited, and fasting plasma samples were collected. Based on clinical assessment of cognitive function up to 2 years after blood collection, MCI participants were divided into two groups: remained with MCI or reverted to cognitively normal ("MCI-stable," N = 87) and converted to Alzheimer's disease (AD) ("AD-convert," N = 68). The baseline PFAA profile was compared between the two groups. Stratified analysis based on apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE ε4) allele possession was also conducted. Results: Plasma concentrations of all nine essential amino acids (EAAs) were lower in the AD-convert group. Among EAAs, three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), valine, leucine and isoleucine, and histidine (His) exhibited significant differences even in the logistic regression model adjusted for potential confounding factors such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and APOE ε4 possession (p < 0.05). In the stratified analysis, differences in plasma concentrations of these four EAAs were more pronounced in the APOE ε4-negative group. Conclusion: The PFAA profile, especially decreases in BCAAs and His, is associated with development of AD in MCI participants, and the difference was larger in the APOE ε4-negative population, suggesting that the PFAA profile is an independent risk indicator for AD development. Measuring the PFAA profile may have importance in assessing the risk of AD conversion in the MCI population, possibly reflecting nutritional status. Clinical trial registration: [https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000025322], identifier [UMIN000021965].
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Various physical and psychosocial difficulties including anxiety affect cancer patients. Patient surroundings also have psychological effects on caregiving. Assessing the current status of palliative care intervention, specifically examining anxiety and its associated factors, is important to improve palliative care unit (PCU) patient quality of life (QOL). This study retrospectively assessed 199 patients admitted to a PCU during August 2018-June 2019. Data for symptom control, anxiety level, disease insight, and communication level obtained using Support Team Assessment Schedule Japanese version (STAS-J) were evaluated on admission and after 2 weeks. Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI) and laboratory data were collected at admission. Patient anxiety was significantly severer and more frequent in groups with severer functional impairment (p = 0.003) and those requiring symptom control (p = 0.006). Nevertheless, no relation was found between dyspnea and anxiety (p = 0.135). Patients with edema more frequently experienced anxiety (p = 0.068). Patient survival was significantly shorter when family anxiety was higher after 2 weeks (p = 0.021). Symptoms, edema, and disabilities in daily living correlate with patient anxiety. Dyspnea is associated with anxiety, but its emergence might be attributable mainly to physical factors in this population. Family members might sensitize changes reflecting worsened general conditions earlier than the patients.
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Ansiedad/diagnóstico , Carga del Cuidador/diagnóstico , Disnea/diagnóstico , Neoplasias/terapia , Cuidados Paliativos , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Ansiedad/etiología , Ansiedad/psicología , Carga del Cuidador/etiología , Carga del Cuidador/psicología , Cuidadores/psicología , Disnea/etiología , Disnea/psicología , Familia/psicología , Femenino , Humanos , Japón/epidemiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Neoplasias/complicaciones , Neoplasias/mortalidad , Neoplasias/psicología , Calidad de Vida , Estudios Retrospectivos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Vertical indoor farming under artificial lighting has gained attention as a novel means of food production. However, consumer acceptance of vegetable crops grown under artificial conditions is not well understood. Our nationwide online survey of 289 Russians gathered attitudes and opinions toward vertically farmed vegetables. Employing an ordered logit model and a two-mode co-occurrence network analysis, we show how respondents' attitudes relate to their key demographic characteristics and opinions about the vegetables. Results indicate that respondents' attitudes are heterogeneous and related to their region of residence, income level, and opinions regarding nutrients, safety, and taste. Respondents in the Central and Volga districts exhibited less favorable attitudes. Less favorably inclined respondents viewed the produce as unnatural, less nutritious, bad-tasting, and even dangerous, presumably because of misconceptions or lack of knowledge. On the other hand, respondents with monthly income above RUB 60,001 (1018 USD, 867 EURO) had relatively positive attitudes toward such vegetables. Respondents having positive attitudes saw the vegetables as safe, tasty, and of good quality. We discuss the political and commercial implications of these findings.
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Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are often used for biosensing. In particular, aptamer-modified AuNPs are often used for colorimetric molecular detection, where target molecule-induced AuNP aggregates can be recognized by a color change from red to blue. However, non-specific aggregation could be induced by various compounds, leading to false-positive results. In this work we employed high-density ssDNA modification on the AuNP surface to prevent non-specific aggregation. The covalently immobilized DNA brush was used as an anchor for an aptamer specific for the target molecule. Herein, as a proof-of-concept study, we demonstrated detection of estradiol (E2), one of the endocrine-disrupting estrogen molecules as a model target, in the presence of antibiotic kanamycin (KN) as a model of co-contaminating compounds that induce non-specific aggregation of AuNPs. We also developed a smartphone dark field microscope (DFM) to visualize AuNP aggregation. Our previous study demonstrated that the observation of light scattering by AuNP aggregates with DFM can be applied for versatile molecular detection. In this work, we could successfully detect E2 with the smartphone DFM, and the results were verified by the results from a conventional benchtop DFM. This study would contribute to the future field applicability of AuNP-based sensors.
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Let-7 is an evolutionary conserved microRNA that mediates post-transcriptional gene silencing to regulate a wide range of biological processes, including development, differentiation, and tumor suppression. Let-7 biogenesis is tightly regulated by several RNA-binding proteins, including Lin28A/B, which represses let-7 maturation. To identify new regulators of let-7, we devised a cell-based functional screen of RNA-binding proteins using a let-7 sensor luciferase reporter and identified the tRNA pseudouridine synthase, TruB1. TruB1 enhanced maturation specifically of let-7 family members. Rather than inducing pseudouridylation of the miRNAs, high-throughput sequencing crosslinking immunoprecipitation (HITS-CLIP) and biochemical analyses revealed direct binding between endogenous TruB1 and the stem-loop structure of pri-let-7, which also binds Lin28A/B. TruB1 selectively enhanced the interaction between pri-let-7 and the microprocessor DGCR8, which mediates miRNA maturation. Finally, TruB1 suppressed cell proliferation, which was mediated in part by let-7. Altogether, we reveal an unexpected function for TruB1 in promoting let-7 maturation.
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Proliferación Celular/genética , Transferasas Intramoleculares/metabolismo , MicroARNs/metabolismo , Procesamiento Postranscripcional del ARN/genética , Proteínas de Unión al ARN/metabolismo , Secuencias de Aminoácidos , Línea Celular Tumoral , Supervivencia Celular , Técnicas de Silenciamiento del Gen , Humanos , Inmunoprecipitación , Transferasas Intramoleculares/genética , MicroARNs/genética , Unión Proteica , Proteínas RecombinantesRESUMEN
We assessed the therapeutic effect of curative resection in patients with multiple relapses of colorectal cancer using the time to surgical failure(TSF)as an index. We included 24 patients who experienced recurrence after curative resection of primary colorectal cancer at our department between 1993 and 2015. Curative resection for multiple relapses was possible in these patients. The sites of recurrence included the liver, lungs, peritoneum, lymph nodes, localized, and brain in 9, 8, 3, 3, 2, and 1 patients, respectively. The relapse occurred in 2 organs in 2 patients. The TSF after curative resection of recurrent lesions was 25.6 months, with a 5-year TSF-free rate of 40.2%. The clinicopathological factors associated with poor prognosis were age B65 years at the time of recurrence, absence of distal metastasis at primary onset, and only 2 curative resections for relapses. However, there was no difference in prognosis because of the number of twice recurrent lesions. Therefore, curative resection should be proactively performed as long as feasible in colorectal cancer patients with multiple lesions or multiple relapses.
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Neoplasias Colorrectales , Humanos , Recurrencia Local de Neoplasia , Peritoneo , PronósticoRESUMEN
Since human and mouse Y chromosomes contain repeated sequences, it is difficult to determine the precise sequences and analyze the function of individual Y chromosome genes. Therefore, the causes of many diseases and abnormalities related to Y chromosome genes, such as male infertility, remain unclear. In this study, to elucidate the mouse Y chromosome, we enriched the mouse Y chromosome using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) equipped with commonly used UV and blue 488 nm lasers and read the nucleotides using the Oxford Nanopore MinION long-read sequencer. This sequencing strategy allows us to cover the whole known region as well as the potential undetermined region of the Y chromosome. FACS-based chromosome enrichment and long-read sequencing are suitable for analysis of the Y chromosome sequences and may lead to further understanding of the physiological role of Y chromosome genes.
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A new prenylated benzophenone, hypatulin C (1), was isolated from the leaves of Hypericum patulum together with a biogenetically related analog, hypelodin B (2). Hypatulin C (1) had a tricyclic [4.3.1.03,7]-decane moiety substituted by four prenyl groups. The structure of 1 was elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses, while the absolute stereochemistries of 1 and 2 were assigned by comparison of their ECD spectra with TDDFT calculated spectra.
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Benzofenonas/química , Hypericum/química , Estructura Molecular , Floroglucinol/análogos & derivados , Hojas de la Planta/química , Prenilación , EstereoisomerismoRESUMEN
To clarify the prognostic impact of postoperative inflammatory status, serum CRP levels on POD3 after radical resection (POD3 CRP)were evaluated as an indicator of inflammatory response after surgery in patients with colorectal cancer. Of the colorectal cancer patients who underwent radical resection at our department between 2000 and 2015, 916 patients with Stage â to â £disease were included in the analyses. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to high and low POD3 CRP levels. The POD3 CRP levels of the patients were analyzed for the 75th percentile that was 12.16mg/dL(range, 0.06- 33.78). The cancer-specific 5-year survival rate was 80.6%in patients in the high group and 90.5%in those in the low group, indicating poor prognosis in patients with high values. POD3 CRP levels were an independent prognostic factor in the multivariate analysis. It was suggested that the degree of inflammation after surgery influences the postoperative prognosis after radical resection for colorectal cancer.
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Neoplasias Colorrectales , Proteína C-Reactiva , Humanos , Periodo Posoperatorio , Pronóstico , Estudios Retrospectivos , Tasa de SupervivenciaRESUMEN
We report a rare case ofrectal neuroendocrine carcinoma(NEC)following sigmoidectomy of sigmoid colon cancer. NEC of the rectum is a rare disease. It has an extremely poor prognosis and a high potential for malignancy with hematogenous and lymph node metastases. A 90-year-old man who had carcinoma ofthe sigmoid colon 2 years ago was found to have rectal NEC based on endoscopy findings. He underwent the Hartmann operation. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses showed NEC. Four months after the surgery, he developed local recurrence with lymph node metastasis. He was not administered chemotherapy because ofhis old age. Although the patient needed strict outpatient care, he remained symptom-free 4 months after the Hartmann operation.
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Carcinoma Neuroendocrino , Neoplasias del Recto , Neoplasias del Colon Sigmoide , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Carcinoma Neuroendocrino/diagnóstico , Carcinoma Neuroendocrino/cirugía , Humanos , Masculino , Recurrencia Local de Neoplasia , Neoplasias del Recto/diagnóstico , Neoplasias del Recto/cirugía , Recto , Neoplasias del Colon Sigmoide/diagnóstico , Neoplasias del Colon Sigmoide/cirugíaRESUMEN
Purpose: Movement velocity of the limbs or trunk plays an important determinant of gait speed in older adults. Movement velocity-focused training of the lower limbs or trunk has recently been shown to be an effective intervention to improve gait ability. Because movement velocities of various body regions are significantly correlated, movement velocity training of the upper limbs may also be effective for improving gait speed. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether movement velocity training of the upper limbs in a seated position is effective for improving gait ability. Patients and methods: This study was a nonrandomized controlled trial. The participants were older adults residing in geriatric health service facilities. They were assigned to the movement velocity training of the upper limbs group (n=26) or control group (n=15). The participants in the training group performed exercises (three times per week for 10 weeks) to move the upper limbs as quickly as possible. The outcomes were gait speed, movement velocity, and quadriceps strength. These measurements were performed preintervention and 4, 8, and 10 weeks after intervention. Results: A significant time-group interaction was found for maximum gait speed and movement velocity of the upper limbs. Bonferroni post-hoc test showed significant improvement in gait speed between preintervention and 10 weeks after intervention in the training group. The movement velocity of the upper limbs was significantly improved between preintervention and 4, 8, and 10 weeks after intervention. Conclusion: Movement velocity training of the upper limbs showed significant and clinically relevant improvements in maximum gait speed at 10 weeks after intervention. This training is a potentially useful intervention and can be safely performed.
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Terapia por Ejercicio/métodos , Marcha/fisiología , Movimiento/fisiología , Extremidad Superior/fisiología , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Modalidades de Fisioterapia , Velocidad al CaminarRESUMEN
Here we report a novel aspect of molecular chaperone prefoldin (PFD) as a biomaterial in the biocatalytic synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using glycerol dehydrogenase (GLD). We found that PFD could inhibit the aggregation of AuNPs during the biosynthesis, leading to the formation of AuNPs with controlled size distribution.
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Oro/química , Oro/metabolismo , Nanopartículas del Metal , Chaperonas Moleculares/metabolismo , Tamaño de la Partícula , Biocatálisis , Pyrococcus horikoshii/metabolismo , Deshidrogenasas del Alcohol de Azúcar/metabolismoRESUMEN
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been commonly used in molecular sensing, in the form of observation of the color change from red to blue of the AuNP solution, caused by target-molecule-induced AuNP aggregation. In this work, the changes in absorbance and scattering spectra caused by AuNP aggregation were studied using thrombin-induced AuNP aggregation as a model. We demonstrated for the first time that scattering spectra is more sensitive to the changes owing to AuNP aggregation than absorbance spectra. Moreover, a digital color analysis of darkfield images using dark field microscopy (DFM) facilitated a simple method for detection of AuNPs aggregation without the use of spectroscopic analysis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that DFM is useful for detecting AuNPs aggregation in a colored solution, in which the color change by AuNPs aggregation is not visible.
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INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)for colorectal tumors has been covered by the national health insurance system in Japan since April 2012, and is widely used. We analyzed colorectal ESD cases we performed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We investigated 515 patients with colorectal lesions(580 lesions)for whom ESD was performed between November 2005 and April 2017. Clinicopathological data, technical methods, complications, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Most tumors were found in the transverse colon(134 lesions). The average diameter was about 26 mm. The largest lesion was 120 mm. The en bloc resection rate was high(96.2%). The average operative time was 51 minutes. Among complications, the number of delayed major bleeding cases was 7(1.2%). Minor perforations occurred in 3 cases(0.5%). The perforation could be closed with endoscopic clips. About 70% of the cases were adenomas, and the remainder were carcinomas. One patient with carcinoma in situ showed a mucosal recurrence 4 months later and received repeat endoscopic treatment. The cure rate was 99.8%. Among 29 deep submucosal invasion cases, additional colectomy was performed in 21; 3 patients had persistent carcinoma in the colonic wall and another patient had lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Colorectal ESD can be performed for all sites in the large intestine, and en bloc resection was possible for a large lesion. A good outcome was observed for "Loco-Regional Cancer Therapy" in early colorectal carcinoma.
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Neoplasias Colorrectales , Resección Endoscópica de la Mucosa , Colonoscopía , Neoplasias Colorrectales/cirugía , Disección , Resección Endoscópica de la Mucosa/métodos , Humanos , Mucosa Intestinal , Japón , Recurrencia Local de Neoplasia , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
To evaluate the less invasiveness of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer, we compared open and laparoscopic surgery for sigmoid or recto-sigmoid cancer operations undergoing the same procedures. One hundred forty-three patients curatively resected with D3 dissection were enrolled. All cases underwent the following procedure; high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery(IMA)with median approach and double stapling technique(DST)for anastomosis. The clinicopathological factors were examined in 70 cases of open surgery(OC)and 73 cases of laparoscopic surgery(LAC). The mean age of all cases was 66(38-88)years, including 83 men and 60 women. The mean operation time was 189(82-413)minutes and the mean blood loss was 45(5-1,025)mL. Postoperative complications were reported in 45 cases including 10 cases with surgical site infection(SSI)and 10 cases with remote infection(RI). There was no difference in sex, BMI, PS, and ASA between the 2 groups; however, the patients were significantly older and the tumor maximum diameter significantly larger in the OC group. There was no significant difference in operation time but the blood loss was significantly lower in the LAC group. There were no differences in postoperative complications, first gait, WBC, and body temperature on postoperative day(POD)3, but the first flatus was earlier and the CRP level was significantly lower on POD 3 in the LAC group. There was no difference in the CRP level on POD 3 in the age, tumor diameter, and blood loss which showed a difference in the both group. Laparoscopic surgery was considered less invasive than open surgery because the serum CRP level was lower in the LAC group.
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Proteína C-Reactiva , Neoplasias Colorrectales , Laparoscopía , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Proteína C-Reactiva/análisis , Neoplasias Colorrectales/sangre , Neoplasias Colorrectales/cirugía , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Periodo Posoperatorio , RectoRESUMEN
The case was a 76-year-old man. He visited our hospital for a positive fecal occult blood test finding at a medical examination. A colonoscopy revealed a macroscopic, 30 mm, type-1 lesion in the cecum. We performed laparoscope-assisted ileocolic resection and D3 dissection, with a diagnosis of cecum cancer. In postoperative histopathological examination, the tumor in the cecum was diagnosed as a well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma. In addition, a low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm(LAMN)was observed on the distal side of the appendix. The patient has survived for 9 months after surgery without recurrence. We report this case with a review of the literature.