Utility of palliative prognostic index and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in predicting prognosis of end-stage squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing the prognosis of end-stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and to develop a more useful prognostic index. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective observational study included 79 patients with end-stage HNSCC. Patients were grouped by patient factors and prognostic indicators, and overall survival from the start of Best Supportive Care was compared for each group. In addition, overall survival was compared between patients with palliative prognostic index (PPI) ≥6 and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ≥10 and patients with PPI <6 or NLR <10. RESULTS: PPI ≥6 and NLR ≥10 were associated with significantly more frequent poor prognoses (p = 0.01 and p = 0.002, respectively). The median survival was 32 days in cases with PPI ≥6 and NLR ≥10, and 64 days for PPI <6 or NLR <10 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The combination of PPI and NLR is a useful indicator for predicting the prognosis of patients with end-stage HNSCC.

Incubation of Cyanobacteria under Dark, Anaerobic Conditions and Quantification of the Excreted Organic Acids by HPLC.

Succinate and lactate are commodity chemicals used for producing bioplastics. Recently, it was found that such organic acids are excreted from cells of the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 under dark, anaerobic conditions. To conduct the dark, anaerobic incubation, cells were concentrated within a vial that was then sealed with a butyl rubber cap, following which N2 gas was introduced into the vial. The organic acids produced were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography via post-labeling with bromothymol blue as a pH indicator. After separation by ion-exclusion chromatography, the organic acids were identified by comparing their retention time with that of standard solutions. These procedures allow researchers to quantify the organic acids produced by microorganisms, contributing to knowledge about the biology and biotechnology of cyanobacteria.