[An analysis of the outbreak situation and background risk factors for drug-resistant urinary tract infection in nursing homes].

AIM: The present study clarified the outbreak situation and background risk factors for drug-resistant bacteria infection in nursing homes. METHODS: Subjects were 48 elderly individuals with urinary tract infections in 3 nursing homes during the 12-month period from January to December 2020. We analyzed the drug resistance of cultured bacteria using medical records. RESULTS: Escherichia coli was the most frequently cultured bacteria (37.1%), and extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) -producing E. coli accounted for 26.1% of specimens. E. coli susceptibility to levofloxacin (LVFX) was seen in 47.8%, resistance in 47.8%, and intermediate response in 4.4%. E. coli susceptibility to ceftriaxone (CTRX) was seen in 73.9%, and resistance in 26.1%. E. coli susceptibility to sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim (ST) mixture was seen 81.8%, while resistance was seen in 18.2%. In addition, among ESBL-producing E. coli, susceptibility to LVFX was seen in 0% and resistance in 83.3%, and an intermediate response was seen in 16.7%, while susceptibility to ST mixture was seen in 83.3% and resistance in 16.7%. No marked differences in background risk factors were seen between the groups with LVFX-resistant and LVFX-susceptible E. coli. However, the body mass index was significantly lower (p=0.0389), and significantly more patients were treated with antimicrobial agents during the 1-year period preceding the sample acquisition and analysis (p=0.0418) in the group with CTRX-resistant E. coli than in the group with CTRX-susceptible E. coli. CONCLUSION: In the nursing homes examined, LVFX-resistant E. coli were highly prevalent, and ESBL-producing bacteria were also common. When we treat urinary tract infections, refraining from the use of LVFX is desirable, and antimicrobials should be chosen with care.

[Clinical Significance of Placing a PEG during Chemoradiotherapy for Advanced Esophageal Cancer].

BACKGROUND: Unresectable advanced esophageal cancer is often treated with chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy(CRT). Nutritional disorders caused by dysphagia may lead to a poor prognosis. Placing a PEG before starting CRT for advanced esophageal cancer may maintain better nutritional status. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical significance of placing a PEG before starting CRT for advanced esophageal cancer. RESULTS: Fifty-one cases were evaluated, 22 PEG (+) and 29 PEG (-). The rate of a CRT was better in PEG (+) than PEG (-) cases (91% vs 79%). Infection around the PEG was the only type of complication, affecting 5%. CONCLUSION: PEG feeding during CRT is important in the development of effective treatments for unresectable advanced esophageal cancer.

[A case of advanced gastric cancer exhibiting pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy].

A 77-year-old woman diagnosed as having advanced gastric cancer with para-aortic lymph node metastasis received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin, and S-1. After 2 courses of chemotherapy, distal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy was performed. There were no viable cancer cells in the primary lesion and lymph nodes. Currently, the patient is visiting our hospital for treatment with S-1 as adjuvant chemotherapy, and shows no signs of recurrence.

Assessment of stanniocalcin-1 as a prognostic marker in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Stanniocalcin-1 (STC1) is a secreted glycoprotein hormone and highly expressed in various types of human malignancies. Although evidence points to the role of STC1 in human cancers, the clinical significance of STC1 expression in esophageal cancer has not been well established. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were performed to assess the expression of STC1 in the cancer cell line TE8 and esophageal cancer tissues from 229 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC). Surgically-resected tissue sections were immunostained for potential regulators of STC1 expression, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and p53. Marked increase in STC1 mRNA and protein expression was noted in TE8 cells cultured under hypoxic conditions. Overexpression of STC1 mRNA was noted in ESCC tumors compared to normal counterparts. Positive immunohistochemical staining for STC1 protein was observed in 38.9% of patients, and correlated significantly with advanced pT status (p=0.019), poor prognosis [overall survival (p<0.0006) and disease-free survival (p<0.0002) of ESCC patients who had undergone curative surgery]. Positive staining for HIF-1α and p53 proteins in ESCC did not correlate with STC1 expression. The results showed marked induction of STC1 expression under hypoxia in cultured cells and in esophageal cancer cells and that overexpression of STC1 was an independent prognostic factor in patients with esophageal cancer who had undergone curative surgery. STC1 is a potentially useful biomarker for ESCC treatment.

Parthenolide, an NF-κB inhibitor, suppresses tumor growth and enhances response to chemotherapy in gastric cancer.

AIM: This study evaluated the sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide, an inhibitor of transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), in the treatment of gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro, the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed to evaluate the effect of parthenolide on growth inhibition and chemosensitization to antitumor drugs of three gastric cancer cell lines (MKN-28, MKN-45 and MKN-74). Microarray analysis was performed to identify genes which were up- or down-regulated on the treatment of parthenolide. The isobologram analysis was introduced to evaluate the synergic effect of parthenolide on antitumor drugs. In vivo, the effect of parthenolide was investigated in a mouse peritoneal dissemination model with and without chemotherapy. RESULTS: Parthenolide significantly inhibited cell growth in three gastric cancer cell lines. The phosphorylation of NF-κB was down-regulated by the treatment of parthenolide. The synergic effect of parthenolide was confirmed in combination with paclitaxel and cisplatin. In the peritoneal dissemination model, parthenolide significantly suppressed the disseminated nodules as a single agent and also enhanced chemosensitivity to paclitaxel. Furthermore, the combined therapy of parthenolide and paclitaxel significantly contributed to prolonging the survival duration. CONCLUSION: The NF-κB inhibitor, parthenolide, may enhance chemosensitivity to paclitaxel in the treatment of patients with gastric cancer.