Neoadjuvant savolitinib targeted therapy for stage IIIB-N3 lung adenocarcinoma harboring mesenchymal-epithelial transition exon 14 skipping mutation: a case report and literature review.

Savolitinib is a selective inhibitor that specifically targets the phosphorylation of mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) kinase. It has demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on the proliferation of tumor cells with METex14 skipping mutation, making it a promising treatment option. While it is the first approved small-molecule inhibitor specifically targeting MET kinase in China, there is limited information about its efficacy as neoadjuvant therapy for patients with supraclavicular lymph node metastasis (N3). In this case report, we presented the successful outcome of a 48-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with stage IIIB (T2bN3M0) lung adenocarcinoma originating from the left upper lobe. The patient exhibited the METex14 skipping alteration. Following two months of neoadjuvant savolitinib treatment, the patient achieved partial remission, with a significant reduction in the size of the primary tumor and metastatic lymph nodes. Postoperative pathological confirmation revealed a pathological complete response, and subsequent imaging examinations, including computed tomography scan and circulating tumor DNA-based molecular residual disease detection, showed no sign of recurrence at 7 months after surgery. Based on this case, neoadjuvant and adjuvant savolitinib therapy may be considered as a favorable alternative to chemotherapy for marginally resectable nonsmall cell lung cancer patients with METex14 skipping mutation.

Ttc39c is a potential target for the treatment of lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The novel TTC gene, tetratricopeptide repeat domain 39 C (Ttc39c), mainly mediates the interaction between proteins. It is involved in the progression of various tumors. In this study, we determined the effect of Ttc39c on lung adenocarcinoma and found that it might be used as a potential intervention target. METHODS: We performed a difference analysis of Ttc39c samples from the TCGA database. Transwell experiments were conducted to determine the ability of cell metastasis. Celigo and MTT assays were performed to determine the effect of Ttc39c gene subtraction on cell proliferation. FACS was performed to determine the effect of Ttc39c gene subtraction on apoptosis. Clone-formation experiments were conducted to determine the effect of Ttc39c gene subtraction on cloning ability. Transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics were used to elucidate the enrichment pathway of the Ttc39c gene in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma. RESULTS: The expression of Ttc39c increased significantly in lung adenocarcinoma. The proliferation, metastasis, and cloning ability of human lung cancer cells were inhibited, while the apoptosis of cells increased significantly after the depletion of Ttc39c. Our results based on the transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics analyses indicated that Ttc39c might be involved in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) mainly through the metabolic pathway and the p53 pathway. CONCLUSION: To summarize, Ttc39c strongly regulates the proliferation and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma cells. The main pathways involved in Ttc39c in lung adenocarcinoma include the energy metabolism and p53 pathways.

Perioperative Exhaled Nitric Oxide as an Indicator for Postoperative Pneumonia in Surgical Lung Cancer Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study Based on 183 Cases.

Introduction: This study is conducted to investigate the correlation between perioperative fractional exhaled nitric oxide and postoperative pneumonia (POP) and the feasibility of perioperative FeNO for predicting POP in surgical lung cancer patients. Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were prospectively analyzed, and the relationship between perioperative FeNO and POP was evaluated based on patients' basic characteristics and clinical data in the hospital. Results: There were 218 patients enrolled in this study. Finally, 183 patients were involved in the study, with 19 of them in the POP group and 164 in the non-POP group. The POP group had significantly higher postoperative FeNO (median: 30.0 vs. 19.0 ppb, P < 0.001) as well as change in FeNO (median: 10.0 vs. 0.0 ppb, P < 0.001) before and after the surgery. For predicting POP based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, a cutoff value of 25 ppb for postoperative FeNO (Youden's index: 0.515, sensitivity: 78.9%, and specificity: 72.6%) and 4 ppb for change in FeNO (Youden's index: 0.610, sensitivity: 84.2%, specificity: 76.8%) were selected. Furthermore, according to the bivariate regression analysis, FEV1/FVC (OR = 0.948, 95% CI: 0.899-0.999, P=0.048), POD1 FeNO (OR = 1.048, 95% CI: 1.019-1.077, P=0.001), and change in FeNO (OR = 1.087, 95% CI: 1.044-1.132, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with occurrence of POP. Conclusions: This prospective study revealed that a high postoperative FeNO (>25 ppb), as well as an increased change in FeNO (>4 ppb), may have the potential in detecting the occurrence of POP in surgical lung cancer patients.

Virgin coconut oil: A comprehensive review of antioxidant activity and mechanisms contributed by phenolic compounds.

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is obtained by processing mature coconut cores with mechanical or natural methods. In recent years, VCO has been widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries because of its excellent functional activities. VCO has biological functions such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral, and also has potential therapeutic effects on many chronic degenerative diseases. Among these functions, the antioxidant is the most basic and important function, which is mainly determined by phenolic compounds and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). This review aims to elucidate the antioxidant functions of each phenolic compound in VCO, and discuss the antioxidant mechanisms of VCO in terms of the role of phenolic compounds with fat, intestinal microorganisms, and various organs. Besides, the composition of VCO and its application in various industries are summarized, and the biological functions of VCO are generalized, which should lay a foundation for further research on the antioxidant activity of VCO and provide a theoretical basis for the development of food additives with antioxidant activity.

Early Patient-Reported Outcomes After Uniportal vs Multiportal Thoracoscopic Lobectomy.

BACKGROUND: Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (U-VATS) can achieve traditional clinical outcomes comparable to those of multiportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (M-VATS). This study aimed to compare patient-reported outcomes between U-VATS and M-VATS for lung cancer lobectomy in the early postoperative period. METHODS: This comparative analysis used data from a longitudinal prospective study (Perioperative Symptom Study of Lung Cancer [CN-PRO-Lung 1]). Symptom severity, functional status, and quality of life were compared between groups using generalized estimation equation models. Symptom severity and functional status were reported as proportion of patients with clinically meaningful severe scores on 0- to 10-point scales assessed using the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Lung Cancer module. RESULTS: Of the 174 patients included, 102 (58.6%) underwent U-VATS lobectomy and 72 (41.4%) underwent M-VATS lobectomy. After adjusting for confounders, patients in the U-VATS group reported less severe pain (P = .02), fatigue (P = .001), constipation (P = .01), coughing (P = .003), shortness of breath (P < .001), and disturbed sleep (P = .007) during the 6-day postoperative hospitalization than did patients in the M-VATS group. Moreover, fewer patients reported severe impairment in walking (P = .033) or their capacity to enjoy life (P = .027) in the U-VATS group. Meanwhile, there were no significant between-group differences in the quality of life scores, operative time, chest tube duration, length of hospital stay, or early complication rate (grade II or higher) (all P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: U-VATS may produce fewer severe symptoms and better functional status than M-VATS for lung cancer lobectomy in the early postoperative period.

Value of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Evaluating Cough Ability in Patients Undergoing Lung Surgery.

Introduction: Postoperative ineffective cough is easy to occur after thoracic surgery, and it is also a risk factor for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). Objectives: To explore the value of peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) in evaluating cough ability in patients undergoing lung surgery and evaluate the effectiveness of chest wall compression during the expiratory phase by PEF. Methods: From September 2020 to May 2021, the researchers collected the data of patients who underwent lung surgery. Eventually, 153 patients who met the criteria were included, 102 cases were included in the effective cough group and 51 cases were included in the ineffective cough group. The receiver working curve (ROC curve) was used to analyze whether PEF could evaluate cough ability. At the same time, the researchers collected the pulmonary function data of the first 30 patients of the ineffective cough group while compressing the chest wall during the expiratory phase to evaluate the effectiveness of chest wall compression. Results: The area under the curve (AUC) of postoperative PEF to evaluate the postoperative cough ability was 0.955 (95% CI: 0.927-0.983, P < 0.001). The values of PEF (127.17 ± 34.72 L/min vs. 100.70 ± 29.98 L/min, P < 0.001, 95% CI: 18.34-34.59) and FEV1 (0.72 (0.68-0.97) L vs. 0.64 (0.56-0.82) L, P < 0.001) measured while compressing the chest wall were higher than those without compression. Conclusions: PEF can be used as a quantitative indicator of cough ability. Chest wall compression could improve cough ability for patients who have ineffective cough.

Knockdown of GBAS regulates esophageal cancer cell viability and apoptosis.

Esophageal cancer (EC) is the sixth leading cause of cancer­related mortality worldwide, with the incidence gradually increasing each year. Therefore, further clarifying the mechanism underlying the development of EC may be beneficial for identifying novel biomarkers and targets for its treatment. The present study aimed to determine the functional roles of glioblastoma­amplified sequence (GBAS), a newly identified gene that has been reported to play crucial roles in multiple types of cancer, including in the malignant behavior of EC cells, such as cell viability, colony formation, cell apoptosis and cell cycle progression. The results of the present study revealed that, in vitro, the knockdown of GBAS significantly suppressed cell viability and colony formation in TE­1 and KYSE­150 cell lines, using a Celigo cell count analysis and colony formation assay respectively, whereas the apoptotic rate of EC cells was significantly increased by the knockdown of GBAS using Annexin V APC staining. Furthermore, following GBAS knockdown, the cell cycle progression of TE­1 and KYSE­150 cells was arrested in the G1 phase using PI staining. In conclusion, the findings of the present study suggested that GBAS may serve a role in EC by regulating cell viability, apoptosis and cell cycle progression.

Successful Resection of Esophageal Carcinoma With a Double Aortic Arch.

We report a patient with esophageal carcinoma accompanied by a double aortic arch. The preoperative computed tomography scan only detected the right aortic arch, but we found the double aortic arch during the operation. The patient underwent an esophagectomy through a left thoracotomy. Preoperative three-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomography images should be conducted to completely understand the anomalies of the great vessels.

Expression of TAK1/TAB1 expression in non-small cell lung carcinoma and adjacent normal tissues and their clinical significance.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) and its activation ligand, TAK1-binding protein 1 (TAB1), in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and adjacent normal tissues and to analyze the relevance between TAK1 and TAB1 protein expression and the pathological features of NSCLC patients. Surgical resection NSCLC specimens were collected from 74 patients undergoing surgery in our hospital from September 2003 to July 2008; tumor-adjacent normal tissue specimens were collected as controls. All cases were pathologically confirmed after surgery, and pathological data were complete for all patients. The expression of TAK1/TAB1 proteins in NSCLC and adjacent cancer tissues was detected by immunohistochemical analysis. The correlation between TAK1/TAB1 protein expression and the clinicopathological features and outcome of NSCLC was assessed. The positive expression ratio of TAK1 in NSCLC tissue was 63.5%, which was significantly higher than that in tumor-adjacent normal tissue (31.1%). The positive expression ratio of TAB1 in NSCLC tissue was 51.4%, which was significantly higher than that in tumor-adjacent normal tissue (24.3%). Further analysis showed that positive protein expression of TAK1 and TAB1 was unrelated to patient gender, age, tumor size, degree of differentiation, and history of smoking (P>0.05) but was significantly related to clinical stage and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). Additionally, the expression of TAK1 as well as TAB1 was negatively related to NSCLC patient prognosis, and patients with positive protein expression had a significantly lower 5-year survival rate than those with negative protein expression (P<0.05). TAK1/TAB1 expression in NSCLC tissue is significantly increased and closely associated with patient clinical prognosis. These two proteins are likely to become new therapeutic targets for the treatment of NSCLC.

[Screening interaction protein of Schistosoma japonicum gynecophoral canal protein by phage display].

OBJECTIVE: To search the interaction protein of Schistosoma japonicum gynecophoral canal protein (SjGCP). METHODS: The recombinant rSjGCP was used as a target to search the T7 phage display cDNA library from 44-day adult Schistosoma japonicum. RESULTS: A total of 70 ESTs were obtained. The bioinformatics analyses to the screening results revealed that 5 interaction proteins or peptides of SjGCP were found. CONCLUSION; Interaction proteins or peptides of SjGCP are successfully obtained through screening the T7 phage display library.

[The cerebral function monitoring in severe cerebral vascular disease].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of combined evoked potential, continuous EEG with transcranial Doppler to monitor the cases of severe cerebral vascular disease. METHODS: 32 cases of severe cerebral vascular disease were admitted to the hospital and divided into severe or moderate groups based on the GCS (< or = or > 8) when the patients were admitted. BAEP and SEP were used to for monitoring of brain and brainstem functions. The BAEP and SEP results were divided into grade I, grade II and grade III according to Cant's classification. Continuous EEG monitored all patients by bedside. The EEG findings were divided into 6 grades based on Young's criteria. TCD monitoring by using bilateral 2 MHz Probes with probe holder were lasted at least 30 minutes per day through temporal windows and eye windows to explore the velocity of cerebral artery. The patients were classified into three groups according to the velocities, i.e. (1) the group with elevated velocity, (2) the group with reduced velocity, and (3) the group with normal velocity. The association among the brain and brain stem function, cortex function and cerebral flow velocity was analyzed with patient outcome in the two groups. RESULTS: (1) The mortality of the patients in the severe group was 42.86%, significantly higher than that in the group of moderate symptom (22.22%). The survivors with good outcome accounted for 33.33% in the moderate group, and those with independent disability accounted for 44.44% in the moderate group, much better than those in the severe group. (2) The numbers of the patients with III grade SEP and BAEP results in the severe group were higher than those in the moderate group. The mortality of the patients with III grade SEP and BAEP results was high and the most of survivors were found with obvious disability in outcome. The patients with grade I SEP and BAEP results showed a better outcome. (3) 32 patients of cerebral vascular disease were monitored with continuous EEG monitoring by bedside. The results revealed that the mortality of the patients with grade II EEG results was much higher than that of the patients with grade I EEG results. (4) The association of the brain blood flow velocity, either increased or decreased or within normal range was uncertain (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The cerebral function of patients of severe cerebral vascular disease may be estimated precisely and objectively by using continuous monitoring of SEP, BAEP and EEG at bedside, which will provide valuable information about patient's prognosis and treatment.