The rates of second lung cancers and the survival of surgically-resected second primary lung cancers in patients undergoing resection of an initial primary lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The Lung Cancer Screening Trial demonstrated improved overall survival (OS) and lung cancer specific survival (LCSS), likely due to finding early-stage NSCLC. The purpose of our investigation is to evaluate whether long-term surveillance strategies (4+ years after surgical resection of the initial lung cancer(1LC)) would be beneficial in NSCLC patients by assessing the rates of second lung cancers(2LC) and the OS/LCSS in patients undergoing definitive surgery in 1LC as compared to 2LC (>48 months after 1LC) populations. METHODS: SEER13/18 database was reviewed for patients during 1998-2013. Log-rank tests were used to determine the OS/LCSS differences between the 1LC and 2LC in the entire surgical group(EG) and in those having an early-stage resectable tumors (ESR, tumors <4 cm, node negative). Joinpoint analysis was used to determine rates of second cancers 4-10 year after 1LC using SEER-9 during years 1985-2014. RESULTS: The rate of 2LCs was significantly less than all other second cancers until 2001 when the incidence of 2LCs increased sharply and became significantly greater than all other second cancers in females starting in year 2005 and in men starting in year 2010. OS/LCSS, adjusted for propensity score by using inverse probability weighting, demonstrated similar OS, but worse LCSS for 2LCs in the EG, but similar OS/LCSSs in the ESR group. CONCLUSION: Because the rate of 2LCs are increasing and because the OS/LCSS of the 1LC and 2LC are similar in early-stage lesions, we feel that continued surveillance of patients in order to find early-stage disease may be beneficial.

Effect of a Combined Tai Chi, Resistance Training and Dietary Intervention on Cognitive Function in Obese Older Women.

Cognitive decline in older adults is a major public health problem and can compromise independence and quality of life. Exercise and diet have been studied independently and have shown to be beneficial for cognitive function, however, a combined Tai Chi, resistance training, and diet intervention and its influence on cognitive function has not been undertaken. The current study used a 12-week non-randomized research design with experiment and control groups to examine the effect of a combined Tai Chi, resistance training, and diet intervention on cognitive function in 25 older obese women. Results revealed improvements in domain specific cognitive function in our sample. Baseline cognitive function was correlated with changes in dietary quality. These findings suggest that Tai Chi and resistance training combined with diet intervention might be beneficial for community-based programs aiming to improve cognitive function.

Parathyroid-induced angiogenesis is VEGF-dependent.

BACKGROUND: Autotransplantation of parathyroid tissue after parathyroidectomy is successful at salvaging parathyroid function. The relatively high success of parathyroid transplantation is thought to be due, in part, to the ability of parathyroid tissue to induce angiogenesis and thus recruit a new vasculature. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor produced by a number of tumors and hypoxic tissues. Using a 3-dimensional intact microvessel angiogenesis system, we evaluated the role of VEGF in the stimulation of angiogenesis by human parathyroid cells. METHODS: Freshly isolated rat microvessels embedded in a 3-dimensional collagen I matrix were treated with healthy 1-mm(3) fragments of human parathyroid tissue or isolated parathyroid cells. Other gels were supplemented with VEGF(165) or FLT-1 soluble receptor fusion protein to bind VEGF. After 11 days in culture, the gels were stained with Gs-1 lectin, a marker for rat endothelium, and linear growth of the microvessels was determined by using image analysis. Parathyroid production of VEGF was determined with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: A significant increase in microvessel growth was seen in parathyroid coculture (8.4 +/- 1.0 mm) versus VEGF(165) supplemented gels (6.2 +/- 0.3 mm, P <.01). VEGF(165) significantly augmented parathyroid-stimulated angiogenesis (13.7 +/- 2.4 mm, P <.05 vs parathyroid alone). Using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, we identified VEGF messenger RNA (mRNA) induction within 1 hour of parathyroid explant, with a 12-fold increase by 24 hours. Treatment of parathyroid cocultures with 0.2 microg/mL FLT-1 soluble receptor protein completely eliminated the parathyroid induction of angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Parathyroid tissue expresses low levels of VEGF mRNA, which is significantly upregulated on explantation. Furthermore, the increased VEGF expression is essential to drive parathyroid-induced angiogenesis in our model. However, our data suggests that other parathyroid-produced factors are involved in mediating parathyroid-induced angiogenesis.

Ovarian steroid cell tumors, not otherwise specified: a case report and literature review.

Steroid cell tumors, not otherwise specified, are rare ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors with malignant potential. The majority of these tumors produce steroids with testosterone being the most common. A case of a 46-year-old woman who presented with sudden onset of virilization and a pelvic mass is reported. Various aspects of the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of these tumors are discussed.