Spontaneous chaos and extreme events in a solid-state laser with the transverse-mode-degenerate cavity configuration.

In this Letter, we theoretically analyze cavity beam propagation in a gain medium and cavity using the rate equation and generalized Huygens integral, respectively. Spontaneous chaos and extreme events (EEs) occurred around the transverse-mode-degenerate cavity configuration because of transverse-mode competition. A closed occurrence region relating to varying pump power and cavity length was observed. The experimental results in a continuous-wave Nd:YVO4 laser agreed with the aforementioned numerical results. Because gain effect is essential to a laser, we assume that EEs can be intrinsic and universal in a well-aligned laser system if it satisfies the specific transverse-mode competition.

Prognostic Utility of Neck Lymph Node-to-Primary Tumor Standardized Uptake Value Ratio in Oral Cavity Cancer.

We investigated the prognostic utility of preoperative neck lymph node-to-primary tumor maximum standardized uptake value ratios (NTRs) in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 141 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as having OSCC and had received fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography within 2 weeks prior to radical surgery between 2009 and 2018. To determine the optimal NTR cutoff, receiver operating characteristic analysis for overall survival (OS) was executed. The NTR's prognostic value for disease-free survival (DFS) and OS were determined through Cox proportional hazards analysis and the Kaplan-Meier method. We determined the median (range) follow-up duration to be 35.2 (2.1-122.4) months. The optimal NTR cutoff was 0.273, and patients with a higher NTR (≥0.273) exhibited significantly worse DFS and OS (p = 0.010 and 0.003, respectively). A higher NTR (≥0.273) predicted poorer DFS (hazard ratio: 2.696, p = 0.008) and OS (hazard ratio: 4.865, p = 0.003) in multivariable analysis. We created a nomogram on the basis of the NTR, and it could accurately predict OS (concordance index: 0.774). Preoperative NTRs may be a useful prognostic biomarker for DFS and OS in patients with OSCC who have undergone surgery. NTR-based nomograms may also be helpful prognostic tools in clinical trials.

18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT for Early Prediction of Outcomes in Patients with Advanced Lung Adenocarcinomas and EGFR Mutations Treated with First-Line EGFR-TKIs.

This study aims to investigate the role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in early prediction of response and survival following epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinomas and EGFR mutations. Thirty patients with stage IIIB/IV lung adenocarcinomas and EGFR mutations receiving first-line EGFR-TKIs were prospectively evaluated between November 2012 and May 2015. EGFR mutations were quantified by delta cycle threshold (dCt). 18F-FDG PET/CT was performed before and 2 weeks after treatment initiation. PET response was assessed based on PET Response Criteria in Solid Tumors (PERCIST). Baseline and percentage changes in the summed standardized uptake value, metabolic tumor volume (bsumMTV and ΔsumMTV, respectively), and total lesion glycolysis of ≤5 target lesions/patient were calculated. The association between parameters (clinical and PET) and non-progression disease after 3 months of treatment in CT based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (nPD3mo), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were tested. The median follow-up time was 19.6 months. The median PFS and OS were 12.0 and 25.3 months, respectively. The PERCIST criteria was an independent predictor of nPD3mo (p = 0.009), dCt (p = 0.014) and bsumMTV (p = 0.014) were independent predictors of PFS, and dCt (p = 0.014) and ΔsumMTV (p = 0.005) were independent predictors of OS. 18F-FDG PET/CT achieved early prediction of outcomes in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinomas and EGFR mutations receiving EGFR-TKIs.

Combining fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and pathological risk factors to predict postoperative recurrence in stage I lung adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of qualitative assessment of tumor fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) uptake on PET and pathological risk factors for postoperative tumor recurrence in patients with stage I lung adenocarcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-seven patients with stage I lung adenocarcinoma who had undergone F-FDG-PET and sequential surgical treatment without adjuvant chemotherapy were enrolled into this retrospective study. Qualitative assessment visually compared tumor F-FDG uptake with liver uptake. Tumors with one or more risk factors of tumor size of at least 4 cm, poorly differentiated, visceral pleural invasion, and lymphovascular invasion were defined as pathological high-risk tumors. RESULTS: Patients with pathological high-risk tumors had a significantly (P=0.015) higher standardized uptake value. A multivariable Cox's proportional hazard analysis showed that tumor F-FDG uptake>liver uptake (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.54; 95% confidence interval: 1.36-9.21, P=0.010) and pathological high-risk tumors (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.34; 95% confidence interval: 1.13-4.87, P=0.023) were significant independent predictors of postoperative tumor recurrence. Patients with tumor F-FDG uptake>liver uptake and pathological high-risk tumors had significantly (P=0.001) worse 5-year disease-free survival (38.8%) and significantly (P=0.011) worse overall survival (68.5%). CONCLUSION: Tumor F-FDG uptake>liver uptake and pathological high-risk tumors were significant independent predictors of postoperative tumor recurrence in stage I lung adenocarcinoma. Combining the two factors improves the prediction of disease-free and overall survivals, which could offer a feasible prediction model for clinically recommending adjuvant chemotherapy.

Post-chemoradiotherapy FDG PET with qualitative interpretation criteria for outcome stratification in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Post-chemoradiotherapy (CRT) FDG PET is a useful prognosticator of esophageal cancer. However, debate on the diverse criteria of previous publications preclude worldwide multicenter comparisons, and even a universal practice guide. We aimed to validate a simple qualitative interpretation criterion of post-CRT FDG PET for outcome stratification and compare it with other criteria. METHODS: The post-CRT FDG PET of 114 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) were independently interpreted using a qualitative 4-point scale (Qual4PS) that identified focal esophageal FDG uptake greater than liver uptake as residual tumor. Cohen's κ coefficient (κ) was used to measure interobserver agreement of Qual4PS. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used for survival analysis. Other criteria included a different qualitative approach (QualBK), maximal standardized uptake values (SUVmax3.4, SUVmax2.5), relative change of SUVmax between pre- and post-CRT FDG PET (ΔSUVmax), mean standardized uptake values (SUVmean), metabolic volume (MV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). RESULTS: Overall interobserver agreement on the Qual4PS criterion was excellent (κ: 0.95). Except the QualBK, SUVmax2.5, and TLG, all the other criteria were significant predictors for overall survival (OS). Multivariable analysis showed only Qual4PS (HR: 15.41; P = 0.005) and AJCC stage (HR: 2.47; P = 0.007) were significant independent variables. The 2-year OS rates of Qual4PS(‒) patients undergoing CRT alone (68.4%) and patients undergoing trimodality therapy (62.5%) were not significant different, but the 2-year OS rates of Qual4PS(+) patients undergoing CRT alone (10.0%) were significantly lower than in patients undergoing trimodality therapy (42.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The Qual4PS criterion is reproducible for assessing the response of ESCC to CRT, and valuable for predicting survival. It may add value to response-adapted treatment for ESCC patients, and help to decide whether surgery is warranted after CRT.

A Bizarre Bone Scan of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva.

A 27-year-old woman had progressive bony ankylosis over both hands since she was 5 years old. Bony ankylosing over the peripheral joints and spine slowly progressed, and scoliosis surgery was performed at age 14. Recently, she developed difficulty walking, changing position, and opening her mouth. A neurologist was consulted and ruled out the suspicion of narcolepsy. Chest CT showed ankylosing spondylitis. A bone scan showed a bizarre pattern with radiouptake to the left maxilla, bilateral sacroiliac joints, left middle third femur, and soft tissue uptake over bilateral arms, legs, and pelvis. Regional radiograph suggested fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.

Colovesical fistula in a patient with recurrent cervical cancer detected by FDG PET/CT.

We report the case of a 57-year-old woman with the history of stage IB cervical cancer. She was found to have a metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in sigmoid colon. FDG PET/CT was then performed for whole-body cancer work-up. Intense FDG activity accumulated in the sigmoid tumor, with an unusually high SUVmax of 72.42, and was seen downwardly connected with the activity of urinary bladder on PET images. On the coregistered CT images, irregular wall thickening was noted for both sigmoid colon and urinary bladder with a hypodensity tract communicating with each other. It was concluded that recurrent cervical cancer involving urinary bladder and sigmoid colon resulted in colovesical fistula.