Cocrystalline Matrices for Hyperpolarization at Room Temperature Using Photoexcited Electrons.

We propose using cocrystals as effective polarization matrices for triplet dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) at room temperature. The polarization source can be uniformly doped into cocrystals formed through acid-acid, amide-amide, and acid-amide synthons. The dense-packing crystal structures, facilitated by multiple hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions, result in extended T1 relaxation times, enabling efficient polarization diffusion within the crystals. Our study demonstrates the successful polarization of a DNP-magnetic resonance imaging molecular probe, such as urea, within a cocrystal matrix at room temperature using triplet-DNP.

Five-year outcomes of treat and extend regimen using intravitreal aflibercept injection for treatment-naïve age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the long-term outcomes of eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with aflibercept according to a treat-and-extend (T&E) regimen for up to 5 years. Methods This retrospective study included 112 eyes of 111 patients with nAMD who received aflibercept according to the T&E regimen. The patients received 3 monthly injections of aflibercept followed by a T&E regimen for at least 12 months. Data, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), treatment interval, presence of exudation, central retinal thickness, and central choroidal thickness were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 112 consecutive eyes, 66 completed the 5-year follow-up. After 5 years of treatment, BCVA (logMAR) was significantly better than baseline (0.29 ± 0.31 at baseline and 0.18 ± 0.23 at 5 years, P < 0.01). A mean of 7.0 ± 1.5 injections in the first year and 4.9 ± 2.2 injections per year thereafter were required. In eyes with subretinal hyperreflective material (SHRM) at baseline, BCVA at baseline and 5 years were significantly worse than in eyes without SHRM at baseline and 5 years. However, the eyes with SHRM required fewer injections and exhibited greater BCVA improvement. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study demonstrated the effectiveness of the T&E regimen with aflibercept in managing nAMD over a 5-year period, maintaining significant improvements in BCVA.

A Novel Approach to Reducing Lung Metastasis in Osteosarcoma: Increasing Cell Stiffness with Carbenoxolone.

AIM: Primary malignant bone tumor osteosarcoma can metastasize to the lung. Diminishing lung metastasis would positively affect the prognosis of patients. Our previous studies demonstrated that highly metastatic osteosarcoma cell lines are significantly softer than low-metastasis cell lines. We therefore hypothesized that increasing cell stiffness would suppress metastasis by reducing cell motility. In this study, we tested whether carbenoxolone (CBX) increases the stiffness of LM8 osteosarcoma cells and prevents lung metastasis in vivo. METHODS: We evaluated the actin cytoskeletal structure and polymerization of CBX-treated LM8 cells using actin staining. Cell stiffness was measured using atomic force microscopy. Metastasis-related cell functions were analyzed using cell proliferation, wound healing, invasion, and cell adhesion assays. Furthermore, lung metastasis was examined in LM8-bearing mice administered with CBX. RESULTS: Treatment with CBX significantly increased actin staining intensity and stiffness of LM8 cells compared with vehicle-treated LM8 cells (p < 0.01). In Young's modulus images, compared with the control group, rigid fibrillate structures were observed in the CBX treatment group. CBX suppressed cell migration, invasion, and adhesion but not cell proliferation. The number of LM8 lung metastases were significantly reduced in the CBX administration group compared with the control group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrated that CBX increases tumor cell stiffness and significantly reduces lung metastasis. Our study is the first to provide evidence that reducing cell motility by increasing cell stiffness might be effective as a novel anti-metastasis approach in vivo.

Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling for Quantitative Prediction of Exposure to a Human Disproportionate Metabolite of the Selective NaV1.7 Inhibitor DS-1971a, a Mixed Substrate of Cytochrome P450 and Aldehyde Oxidase, Using Chimeric Mice With Humanized Liver.

In a previous study on the human mass balance of DS-1971a, a selective NaV1.7 inhibitor, its CYP2C8-dependent metabolite M1 was identified as a human disproportionate metabolite. The present study assessed the usefulness of pharmacokinetic evaluation in chimeric mice grafted with human hepatocytes (PXB-mice) and physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) simulation of M1. After oral administration of radiolabeled DS-1971a, the most abundant metabolite in the plasma, urine, and feces of PXB-mice was M1, while those of control SCID mice were aldehyde oxidase-related metabolites including M4, suggesting a drastic difference in the metabolism between these mouse strains. From a qualitative perspective, the metabolite profile observed in PXB-mice was remarkably similar to that in humans, but the quantitative evaluation indicated that the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) ratio of M1 to DS-1971a (M1/P ratio) was approximately only half of that in humans. A PXB-mouse-derived PBPK model was then constructed to achieve a more accurate prediction, giving an M1/P ratio (1.3) closer to that in humans (1.6) than the observed value in PXB-mice (0.69). In addition, simulated maximum plasma concentration and AUC values of M1 (3429 ng/ml and 17,116 ng·h/ml, respectively) were similar to those in humans (3180 ng/ml and 18,400 ng·h/ml, respectively). These results suggest that PBPK modeling incorporating pharmacokinetic parameters obtained with PXB-mice is useful for quantitatively predicting exposure to human disproportionate metabolites. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The quantitative prediction of human disproportionate metabolites remains challenging. This paper reports on a successful case study on the practical estimation of exposure (C max and AUC) to DS-1971a and its CYP2C8-dependent, human disproportionate metabolite M1, by PBPK simulation utilizing pharmacokinetic parameters obtained from PXB-mice and in vitro kinetics in human liver fractions. This work adds to the growing knowledge regarding metabolite exposure estimation by static and dynamic models.

[Effectiveness in reducing BPSD of care intervention using the Himotoki Sheet from the perspective of individuals with dementia].

AIM: This study aimed to examine the effect of intervention using the Himotoki Sheet versus conventional care on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in residents of care facilities. METHODS: This non-randomized controlled trial included 37 institutionalized individuals with dementia. During the four-week intervention period, the care workers in the intervention group, which consisted of 17 participants, were asked to 1) select one BPSD item for intervention from the items of the Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia Plus Questionnaire (BPSD+Q), 2) complete the Himotoki Sheet and share information about the BPSD focused on by the team led by the Himotoki Sheet manager, and 3) provide care according to the contents of the Himotoki Sheet. The 18 patients in the control group received conventional care for four weeks. A two-way analysis of variance was used to compare changes in scores between groups and the BPSD+Q. RESULTS: A total of 32 participants (intervention group, n=16; control group, n=16) were analyzed. There were no significant differences in basic attributes between the groups. There was a significant interaction between the group and the BPSD+Q distress score (F=4.704, p=0.038) and Hyperactive domain distress score (F=4.946, p=0.034). The BPSD+Q (p=0.002) and Hyperactive domain (p=0.001) distress scores were significantly reduced in the intervention group but not the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to conventional care, care using the Himotoki Sheet was associated with a significant reduction in the BPSD+Q and Hyperactive domain distress scores.

Do coagulation or fibrinolysis reflect the disease condition in patients with soft tissue sarcoma?

BACKGROUND: Coagulation and fibrinolysis are distinct processes that are highly correlated. Cells control coagulation and fibrinolysis by expression of tissue factor and urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor on their surface. Tumor cells express these proteins, adjust their microenvironment and induce tumor exacerbation. We hypothesized that the expression of plasma markers for coagulation and fibrinolysis in patients with soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) was dependent on the level of tumor malignancy. To elucidate which markers are predictive of recurrence, metastasis and prognosis, coagulation or fibrinolysis, we analyzed the correlation between plasma levels of thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT), soluble fibrin (SF), plasmin-α2 plasmin inhibitor complex (PIC), D-dimer (DD) and clinical parameters in patients with STSs. METHODS: TAT, SF, PIC or DD were measured in pre-treatment blood samples from 64 patients with primary STSs and analyzed with clinicopathological parameters, and 5-year recurrence free survival (RFS), 5-year metastasis free survival (MFS) and 5-year overall survival (OS) were evaluated. RESULTS: The metastasis group had significantly higher DD (p = 0.0394), PIC (p = 0.00532) and SF (p = 0.00249) concentrations than the group without metastasis. The group that died of disease showed significantly higher DD (p = 0.00105), PIC (p = 0.000542), SF (p = 0.000126) and TAT (p = 0.0373) than surviving patients. By dividing the patients into low and high groups, the group with high DD, PIC, SF and TAT showed significantly lower 5-year MFS and 5-year OS than the corresponding low group. Furthermore, in multivariate COX proportional hazard analysis of continuous variables for 5-year MFS, only PIC was found to be a significant factor (HR: 2.14). CONCLUSION: Fibrinolysis was better than coagulation at reflecting the disease condition of patients with STS. Notably, PIC levels ≥ 1.1 can not only predict the risk of metastasis and poor prognosis, but also increasing PIC levels correspond to further increases in risks of metastasis and poor prognosis.

Stygiolobus caldivivus sp. nov., a facultatively anaerobic hyperthermophilic archaeon isolated from the Unzen hot spring in Japan.

A novel hyperthermophilic, acidophilic and facultatively anaerobic archaeon, strain KN-1T, was isolated from Unzen hot spring in Japan and characterized. The cells of KN-1T were irregular cocci with a diameter of 1.0-3.0 µm that grew at 55-87.5 °C (optimum: 75 °C) and pH 1.0-5.5 (optimum: 3.0). Chemolithoautotrophic growth of KN-1T occurred in the presence of S0 or H2 under oxic conditions. Under anoxic conditions, KN-1T grew with S0, ferric citrate and FeCl3 as electron acceptors. A phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the species most closely related to KN-1T was Stygiolobus azoricus JCM 9 021T, with 98.9 % sequence identity, indicating that strain KN-1T belongs to the genus Stygiolobus. This genus has been considered to consist of obligate anaerobes since its description in 1991. However, KN-1T grew under oxic, microoxic and anoxic conditions. Moreover, KN-1Tutilized various complex substrates and some sugars as carbon or energy sources, which is also different from S. azoricus JCM 9 021T. The average nucleotide identity and amino acid identity values between KN-1T and S. azoricus JCM 9 021T were 79.4 and 76.1 %, respectively, indicating that KN-1T represents a novel species. Its main polar lipids were calditoglycerocaldarchaeol and caldarchaeol, and its DNA G+C content was 40.1 mol%. We also found that S. azoricus JCM 9021T grew under microoxic conditions in the presence of H2 as an electron donor, indicating that this genus does not comprise obligate anaerobes. Based on this polyphasic taxonomic analysis, we propose the novel species, Stygiolobus caldivivus sp. nov., whose type strain is KN-1T (=JCM 34 622T=KCTC 4 293T).

Real-world clinical outcomes of percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation for patients with drug-refractory hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: results from a retrospective multicenter registry of non-high-volume centers.

Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) is a well-established interventional therapy for drug-refractory hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) as an alternative to surgical myectomy. Although guidelines recommend that PTSMA should be performed in institutions with extensive experience, it is not centralized to such high-volume centers in real-world clinical practice. Thus, this study aimed to assess the feasibility of PTSMA in non-high-volume centers. We retrospectively examined patients with HOCM who underwent PTSMA between August 2012 and May 2020 at four institutions that experienced fewer than 20 cases of PTSMA procedures. The primary clinical endpoint was a composite of safety (all-cause death, electrical defibrillation for ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, cardiac tamponade, permanent pacemaker implantation, and repeated interventions) and efficacy endpoints (repeated interventions [PTSMA or surgical myectomy]). Fifty-eight consecutive patients were enrolled. During the 30-day follow-up, no major clinical adverse events were noted except three patients (5.2%) requiring permanent pacemaker implantation for complete atrioventricular block. The percentage of patients with New York Heart Association functional class 1 or 2 significantly increased from 8.6 to 100% (p < 0.001). In the Cox proportional hazard model, left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient at rest ≥ 30 mmHg (hazard ratio [HR] 6.56; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.44-29.90; p = 0.015) and mitral regurgitation grade ≥ 3 (HR 10.75; 95% CI 1.81-63.79; p = 0.009) at the 30-day follow-up were associated with a composite of major clinical adverse events. The current study demonstrated that 58 patients who underwent PTSMA in non-high-volume centers had favorable 30-day clinical outcomes, with a primary composite endpoint rate of 5.2%. A prospective study with a larger sample size and longer follow-up is warranted to verify the safety and efficacy of PTSMA in non-high-volume centers.

EFFECTS OF HALF-DOSE PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY ON CHRONIC CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY WITH OR WITHOUT MACULAR NEOVASCULARIZATION ASSESSED USING OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY.

PURPOSE: To assess the effects of half-dose photodynamic therapy on subretinal fluid and macular neovascularization (MNV) using optical coherence tomography angiography in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy. METHODS: Clinical information on 168 patients (168 eyes) with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy obtained before and 6 months after treatment with half-dose photodynamic therapy was retrospectively analyzed. Patients were categorized into a success (145 eyes) or failure (23 eyes) group based on the absence or presence of subretinal fluid, respectively, and clinical data were compared between them. Macular neovascularization was studied in 147 cases with available optical coherence tomography angiography images. P < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. RESULTS: The success group showed a younger patient age, better posttreatment best-corrected visual acuity, and thicker pretreatment central choroidal thickness (all, P < 0.047) than did the failure group. Regarding MNV analysis, nine, eight, and 130 eyes had definite, possible, and no MNV, respectively, at baseline; among them, 100.0%, 75.0%, and 2.3%, respectively, had MNV at 6 months posttreatment. Patients with definite MNV at baseline were less likely to show successful subretinal fluid resolution. CONCLUSION: Although half-dose photodynamic therapy is generally effective for the treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy, coexisting MNV may compromise the outcome; thus, optical coherence tomography angiography-based assessment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy is important.

Cytoskeletal Actin Structure in Osteosarcoma Cells Determines Metastatic Phenotype via Regulating Cell Stiffness, Migration, and Transmigration.

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor. The cause of death due to osteosarcoma is typically a consequence of metastasis to the lung. Controlling metastasis leads to improved prognosis for osteosarcoma patients. The cell stiffness of several tumor types is involved in metastatic potential; however, it is unclear whether the metastatic potential of osteosarcoma depends on cell stiffness. In this study, we analyzed the cell stiffness of the low metastatic Dunn cell line and its highly metastatic LM8 subline, and compared actin organization, cell proliferation, and metastasis. Actin cytoskeleton, polymerization, stiffness, and other cellular properties were analyzed. The organization of the actin cytoskeleton was evaluated by staining F-actin with Alexa Fluor 488 phalloidin. Cell stiffness was measured using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and adhesion were also evaluated. All experiments were performed using mouse osteosarcoma cell lines cultured in the absence and presence of cytochalasin. In LM8 cells, actin polymerization was strongly suppressed and actin levels were significantly lower than in Dunn cells. Stiffness evaluation revealed that LM8 cells were significantly softer than Dunn. Young's modulus images showed more rigid fibrillar structures were present in Dunn cells than in LM8 cells. LM8 cells also exhibited a significantly higher proliferation. The migration and invasion potential were also higher in LM8 cells, whereas the adhesion potential was higher in Dunn cells. The administration of cytochalasin resulted in actin filament fragmentation and decreased actin staining intensity and cell stiffness in both LM8 and Dunn cells. Cells with high metastatic potential exhibited lower actin levels and cell stiffness than cells with low metastatic potential. The metastatic phenotype is highly correlated to actin status and cell stiffness in osteosarcoma cells. These results suggest that evaluation of actin dynamics and cell stiffness is an important quantitative diagnostic parameter for predicting metastatic potential. We believe that these parameters represent new reliable quantitative indicators that can facilitate the development of new drugs against metastasis.

Significance of coagulation and fibrinolysis markers for benign and malignant soft tissue tumors.

BACKGROUND: The intimate relationship between coagulation and fibrinolysis in malignant tumors is a well-known phenomena, with the malignant phenotype enhancing coagulation and fibrinolysis. We hypothesized that soft tissue sarcoma (STS) affects the expression of coagulation and fibrinolysis markers, which could be used to distinguish STS from benign soft tissue tumors. We analyzed the correlations between plasma levels of D-dimer (DD), plasmin-α2 plasmin inhibitor complex (PIC), soluble fibrin (SF), and thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) in benign soft tissue tumors and STS to elucidate whether these markers can be used to predict STS. METHODS: Plasma DD, PIC, SF and TAT levels in primary soft tissue tumors (benign 67, STS 68) were measured before biopsy or treatment. The marker levels were analyzed and compared to various clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: In malignancy (STS), the average DD, PIC and SF levels were significantly higher than in benign tumors. Multivariate logistic analysis of continuous variables indicated that only PIC exhibited a significant difference (OR: 24.5, 95%CI: 3.55-170, p = 0.0012). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis produced area under the curve values for DD: 0.691, PIC: 0.784, SF: 0.734 and TAT: 0.588. Youden's index was used to establish thresholds of 0.37 (DD), 0.80 (PIC), 0.90 (SF) and 0.82 (TAT). Threshold values for PIC and SF indicated high specificity (0.881, 0.791) and high positive predictive value (0.818, 0.745), respectively. The highest accuracy value among the markers was observed for PIC (0.704). Significant differences in multivariate analysis of binary variables were demonstrated by categorizing low and high groups based on their threshold, PIC (≥0.80) (OR: 3.36, 95%CI: 1.19-9.43, p = 0.0212) and SF (≥0.90) (OR: 2.63, 95%CI: 1.04-6.66, p = 0.0404) . CONCLUSIONS: Of the coagulation and fibrinolysis markers studied, increased PIC levels were related to STS and over 0.80 PIC was the most suitable for the prediction of STS, which, along with other diagnostic tools, represents a helpful subsidiary tool for the prediction of STS.

Probing dynamics of carbon dioxide in a metal-organic framework under high pressure by high-resolution solid-state NMR.

The application of high-resolution NMR analysis for CO2 adsorbed in a MOF under high pressure is reported for the first time. The results showed that CO2 adsorbed in MOF-74 had an unusually slow mobility (τ ∼ 10-8 s). CO2-CO2 interactions suppressed the mobility of CO2 under high pressure, which, in turn, would have contributed to the stability of CO2 at the adsorption sites.

UNC569-induced Morphological Changes in Pigment Epithelia and Photoreceptor Cells in the Retina through MerTK Inhibition in Mice.

Mer proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MerTK), which is expressed in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), regulates phagocytosis of shed photoreceptor outer segments (POS). To investigate the effects of drug-induced MerTK inhibition on the retina, UNC569, a specific MerTK inhibitor, was orally administered to male mice at a concentration of 60, 100, or 150 mg/kg for up to 14 days. Furthermore, MerTK inhibition in the retinal tissue sample was examined using a phosphorylation assay following a single dose of UNC569 at 100 mg/kg. In electron microscopic examination, UNC569 at 100 mg/kg or more increased phagosomes and phagolysosomes in the RPE. In addition, UNC569 at 150 mg/kg increased chromatin-condensed nuclei in the outer nuclear layer, indicating the early phase of apoptosis of photoreceptor cells. MiR-183, miR-96, and miR-124, which are enriched in photoreceptor cells, were elevated in the plasma of mice following treatment of 150-mg/kg UNC569, in conjunction with the photoreceptor lesion. Additionally, 100-mg/kg UNC569 inhibited MerTK phosphorylation in the retina. These results suggest that MerTK inhibition impaired phagocytic function of the retina, leading to accumulation of shed POS within the POS layer and increasing phagosomes and phagolysosomes in the RPE to delay POS renewal, resulting in apoptosis of photoreceptor cells.

Functional range of motion in the metacarpophalangeal joints of the hand measured by single axis electric goniometers.

BACKGROUND: The functional range of motion (fROM) of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints during the performance of activities of daily living (ADL) has not yet been established. This study aimed to determine the fROM of all five digits and verify the accuracy and reproducibility of dynamic angle measurement using a single-axis electric goniometer (EG) during ADL movements of the hand. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. In EG suitability testing, we first confirmed the angles of a three-dimensional calibration device 10 times, and then compared EG readings with those determined by tomosynthesis images. Next, we determined the fROM of the MCP joints by evaluating all five digits of the dominant hands of 10 healthy adults performing 16 ADL. Intra-rater reproducibility of MCP joint data during task performance was assessed in two healthy adults. RESULTS: Static measurements of the triangular object showed variance to be within one degree in 39 of 40 trials. Differences between angles measured by the EG and those depicted by radiograph were a range of plus or minus five degrees in 88 of 96 digits. The fROM values for the thumb and index, middle, ring, and little fingers were -7.5 to 35.3, 10.6 to 67.8, 4.0 to 79.9, 3.0 to 83.9, and 2.9-91.4 degrees of flexion, respectively. Flexion angle in the fROM of the index finger was significantly smaller than those of the ring and little fingers. The flexion and extension angles of the thumb were significantly smaller than those of the four ulnar fingers. The intra-rater correlation coefficients of two participants were high at 0.94 and 0.93, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The method adopted in this study exhibited excellent accuracy and reproducibility and was therefore considered suitable for the real-time establishment of fROM flexion-extension angles of the MCP joints for all five digits. Our data are useful as a target arc of motion in the treatment of MCP joint disease or injury.

[A Case of Advanced Gallbladder Cancer with Paraaortic Lymph Node Metastases Successfully Treated by Chemotherapy and Conversion Surgery].

The patient was a 76-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of ileus. A gallbladder tumor was found incidentally on CT, and it was diagnosed as gallbladder cancer. Enlargement of multiple lymph nodes, including the paraaortic lymph nodes, was observed, and PET-CT further showed FDG uptake in the lymph nodes. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with Stage ⅣB gallbladder cancer with paraaortic lymph node metastases. Since surgical resection was not possible, chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin(GEM plus CDDP)was started. After completion of 4 courses of GEM plus CDDP, the enlarged lymph nodes were decreased in size on CT, and there was no FDG uptake on PET-CT. These findings indicated downstaging to Stage Ⅱ; thus, conversion surgery with extended cholecystectomy and lymph node dissection was performed. The pathological diagnosis confirmed that the patient had Stage Ⅱ cancer(pT2N0M0). A case of unresectable gallbladder cancer that was treated with GEM plus CDDP and subsequent conversion surgery is reported, along with a literature review.

[Four Cases of Ileocolic Intussusception Associated with Malignant Lymphoma of the Ileum].

We report the cases we encountered in our department involving 4 patients with malignant ilial lymphoma that caused ileocolic intussusception. The patients were 2 male and 2 female, aged 65-76 years. All patients' chief complaint was abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed target signs characteristic of intussusception. Colonoscopy showed a tumor that escaped into the colon, leading to the diagnosis of ileocolic intussusception due to an ileal tumor. However, definitive diagnosis could not be achieved from biopsy. Thus, ileocecal resection or right hemicolectomy was performed. Macroscopically, all tumors were polypoid type and were present within 25 cm from the valve of Bauhin. Histological diagnoses were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)in 2 patients, T-cell lymphoma in one, and follicular lymphoma in one. Postoperative chemotherapy was performed in patients with DLBCL and T-cell lymphoma. Tumors are commonly the cause of intussusception in adults; therefore, emergent surgery is imperative. When malignant lymphoma is diagnosed, a multidisciplinary approach that includes postoperative chemotherapy is necessary.

Storage of CO2 into Porous Coordination Polymer Controlled by Molecular Rotor Dynamics.

Design to store gas molecules, such as CO2 , H2 , and CH4 , under low pressure is one of the most important challenges in chemistry and materials science. Herein, we describe the storage of CO2 in the cavities of a porous coordination polymer (PCP) using molecular rotor dynamics. Owing to the narrow pore windows of PCP, CO2 was not adsorbed at 195 K. As the temperature increased, the rotors exhibited rotational modes; such rotations dynamically expanded the size of the windows, leading to CO2 adsorption. The rotational frequencies of the rotors (k≈10-6  s) and correlation times of adsorbed CO2 (τ≈10-8  s) were elucidated via solid-state NMR studies, which suggest that the slow rotation of the rotors sterically restricts CO2 diffusion in the pores. This restriction results in an unusually slow CO2 mobility close to solid state (τ≥10-8  s). Once adsorbed at room temperature, CO2 is robustly stored in the PCP under vacuum at 195-233 K because of the steric hindrance of the rotors. We also demonstrate that this mechanism can be applied to the storage of CH4 .

[A Case of Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma That Required Three Times Surgical Resections during Four Years].

The patient was a 64-year-old man, who had undergone surgical resection for a right retroperitoneal giant tumor. The histopathological diagnosis was a well-differentiated liposarcoma. Two years and 4 months after the initial surgery, 3 recurrent lesions were found on the dorsal side of the colon hepatic flexure, and resection was performed. One year and 1 month after the secondary surgery, the tumor recurred again, and invaded the right abdominal wall and right transverse colon. Tumor was completely resected macroscopically. All resected tumors were well-differentiated liposarcoma. There have not been any signs of recurrence until 1 year and 6 months after the last operation. For retroperitoneal liposarcoma, complete surgical resection is the only established treatment, but the tumor often recurs. Aggressive resection against recurrent cases is known to contribute to life prognosis, but there is a possibility of the degeneration to a highly malignant dedifferentiated tumor while recurrence is repeated. Therefore, sufficient follow-up observation is needed.

[Results of Preoperative Colon Stent Placement for Obstructive Colorectal Cancer].

We examined short-term outcomes in 34 patients who had stenting as a bridge to surgery(BTS)for obstructive colorectal cancer during the 5-year period between April 2012 and March 2017.T he patients were 22 men and 12 women with a mean age of 72.6 years. Stenting and decompression were successful in all patients, and the mean time to oral intake after stenting was 2.5 days.No serious complications related to stenting occurred.Elective surgery could be performed in all patients after stenting.The mean number of days to surgery was 24.7 days.Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 14 patients.Postoperative complications included minor leakage in 1 patient, an abdominal wall abscess due to tumor invasion of the abdominal wall in 1 patient, and heart failure and pneumonia, as serious complications, in 1 patient each.Colorectal stenting in patients with obstructive colorectal cancer is a safe and relatively simple procedure.This is an effective treatment strategy in which preoperative colorectal decompression enables a one-stage resection.

[Findings from Total Colonoscopy in Obstructive Colorectal Cancer Patients Who Underwent Stent Placement as a Bridge to Surgery(BTS)].

We clinically investigated 34 patients with obstructive colorectal cancer who underwent placement of a colonic stent as a bridge to surgery(BTS), focusing on endoscopic findings after stent placement.Twenty -nine patients(85.3%)underwent colonoscopy after stent placement, and the entire large intestine could be observed in 28(96.6%).Coexisting lesions were observed in 22(78.6%)of these 28 patients.The lesions comprised adenomatous polyps in 17 patients(60.7%), synchronous colon cancers in 5 patients(17.9%), and obstructive colitis in 3 patients(10.7%), with some overlapping cases.All patients with multiple cancers underwent one-stage surgery, and all lesions were excised at the same time.Colonoscopy after colonic stent placement is important for preoperative diagnosis of coexisting lesions and planning the extent of resection. These considerations support the utility of colonic stenting for BTS.