The safety and feasibility of same-day discharge for the management of patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Is same-day discharge mode safe and feasible for thoracoscopic lobectomy? This study assesses the safety and feasibility of same-day discharge for patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study from January to December 2022, all patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy were screened for eligibility, and participating eligible patients were separated into a same-day discharge lobectomy (SDDL) group and an inpatient lobectomy (InpL) group based upon length of stay. All discharged patients underwent 30-day postoperative follow-up performed by a team of medical professionals. In addition, eligible patients that underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy from January to December 2021 were included in the historical lobectomy (HisL) group. RESULTS: Of the 52 patients that met the eligibility criteria for same-day discharge, 17 were discharged within 24 h after surgery. In the SDDL group, of whom 1 (5.9%) underwent emergency treatment and readmission within 30 days after surgery due to a pulmonary infection, no patients experienced complications such as reoperation, air leakage, atelectasis, chylothorax, or blood transfusion events during the follow-up period. No differences in overall postoperative complication rates were detected between the SDDL and InpL groups (P>0.05), there was a non-significantly higher rate of readmission and emergency visits in the SDDL group relative to the other two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results emphasize the safety and feasibility of same-day discharge for patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy, it may further revolutionize the general approach to the hospitalization of thoracoscopic lobectomy patients.

[A comparative study of 3.0T (1)H-MRS for varying degrees of liver fibrosis in cynomolgus monkeys].

Objective: To investigate the changing rules with (1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) in order to provide human research theoretical basis with varying degrees of liver fibrosis in cynomolgus monkeys. Methods: Liver fibrosis model in twenty-two cynomolgus monkey was successfully established with carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)). Among them, fifteen cynomolgus monkey developed to early-stage liver cirrhosis (S4 stage). A comparative study was conducted in 15 cynomolgus monkeys that had fully developed liver fibrosis. The changing rules for varying degrees of liver fibrosis in cynomolgus monkeys were analyzed with (1)H-MRS. Supplementary methods: statistical analysis was performed using compatibility group design and analysis of variance for each research indicators. SNK-q test was used for pairwise comparison between the groups. The correlation between the 1H-MRS research indicators and the severity of liver fibrosis was analyzed by Spearman's rank correlation. Results: The Cho of (1)H-MRS was increased with the severity of liver fibrosis in cynomolgus monkeys. Moreover, there were statistically significant (P < 0.01) differences between liver fibrosis staging (S1 ~ S4) and normal liver tissue (S0 stage), severe liver fibrosis staging (S3 and S4) and mild to moderate liver fibrosis staging (S1 and S2). Compared with S0 stage, the peak value of lipid in S1 stage was significantly higher than that of S2 stage, and the peak value of lipid in S3 and S4 stage was significantly lower than that of S0 stage, and the differences between S1, S3, S4 and S0 stages were statistically significant (P < 0.01). The Cho/lipid ratio had gradually increased with the severity of liver fibrosis progression and the differences between groups were statistical significant (P < 0.01). Spearman's rank correlation coefficient between Cho / lipid ratio and pathological stage of liver fibrosis was 0.98 (P = 0.000). ROC curve analysis showed that Cho / lipid ratio was the most significant diagnostic indicator for liver fibrosis. The threshold values of CHO/lipid ratio were≥ 0.028, and≥ 0.131 (P < 0.01) for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis and early-stage cirrhosis. Conclusion: (1)H-MRS of the cynomolgus monkey liver fibrosis model changes rules regularly with the aggravation of severity of liver fibrosis. Among them, the Cho/lipid ratio is the most valuable indicator for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis staging, which may provide a theoretical basis for the study of human liver fibrosis.

Cancer-testis antigen GAGE-1 expression and serum immunoreactivity in hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM: To explore the use of cancer-testis antigen G antigen 1 (GAGE-1) in the diagnosis and potential therapeutic targeting of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we measured the expression of GAGE-1 protein levels in HCC tissues and its serum immunoreactivity in HCC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We detected the expression of GAGE-1 protein in HCC by immunohistochemistry (IHC). We then analyzed the clinical significance of GAGE-1 expression in HCC with respect to clinicopathological parameters. We observed positive anti-GAGE-1 antibody reactivity in HCC patient serum, liver cirrhosis patients (LC), hepatitis B patients (HB), and normal human individuals (NHS) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The IHC results showed that the positive rates of GAGE-1 protein expression in cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were 43.3% (26/60) and 5% (3/60), respectively. The expression level of GAGE-1 protein in HCC tissues was significantly higher than that in tumor-adjacent tissues (P < 0.05). Positive GAGE-1 protein expression was not correlated with clinicopathological parameters (P > 0.05). Positive serum anti-GAGE-1 antibody reactivity in HCC patients, LC, HB, and NHS was 23.33% (14/59), 13.1% (8/61), 3.3% (2/60), and 3.4% (2/59), respectively. The frequency of anti-GAGE-1 antibody-positive sera in HCC patients and LC was significantly different than that in HB and NHS (P < 0.01), but no significant differences were found between HCC patients and LC (P = 0.485) or between HB and NHS (P = 0.410). Positive anti-GAGE-1 antibody reactivity was not correlated with clinicopathological parameters (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These data illustrate that the GAGE-1 protein exhibits moderate cancer-restricted pattern of expression and immunogenicity, laying the foundation for the application of GAGE-1 in immunotherapy and for the diagnosis of HCC.

Spin-dependent energy bands and spin polarization in two-dimensional spin-orbit lateral superlattices.

In this work, we theoretically investigate the spin-split energy bands of electrons and spin-polarized transport in two-dimensional (2D) spin-orbit lateral superlattices (SOLSLs), where the square rods with Rashba spin-orbit coupling (SOC) are distributed periodically by applying gate voltages on the semiconductor. Within the Landauer framework of ballistic transport, the energy bands, the electrical conductance, the spin polarization and the spin-dependent electronic charge distributions have been calculated. It is found that the energy minibands are formed and the energy levels are split up by the Rashba SOC. As a result, the spin-polarized conductance is obtained even in the absence of external magnetic fields and magnetic materials. Meanwhile, the spin polarization can approach high values in the SOLSLs by manipulating the strength of SOC. Furthermore, the spin-dependent electronic charge distributions have been obtained, which present a clear picture of spin-polarized conductance. Our investigations have the potential applications in spin-based quantum devices and semiconductor spintronics.

Genome-wide discovery of genetic variants affecting tamoxifen sensitivity and their clinical and functional validation.

BACKGROUND: Beyond estrogen receptor (ER), there are no validated predictors for tamoxifen (TAM) efficacy and toxicity. We utilized a genome-wide cell-based model to comprehensively evaluate genetic variants for their contribution to cellular sensitivity to TAM. DESIGN: Our discovery model incorporates multidimensional datasets, including genome-wide genotype, gene expression, and endoxifen-induced cellular growth inhibition in the International HapMap lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). Genome-wide findings were further evaluated in NCI60 cancer cell lines. Gene knock-down experiments were performed in four breast cancer cell lines. Genetic variants identified in the cell-based model were examined in 245 Caucasian breast cancer patients who underwent TAM treatment. RESULTS: We identified seven novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with endoxifen sensitivity through the expression of 10 genes using the genome-wide integrative analysis. All 10 genes identified in LCLs were associated with TAM sensitivity in NCI60 cancer cell lines, including USP7. USP7 knock-down resulted in increasing resistance to TAM in four breast cancer cell lines tested, which is consistent with the finding in LCLs and in the NCI60 cells. Furthermore, we identified SNPs that were associated with TAM-induced toxicities in breast cancer patients, after adjusting for other clinical factors. CONCLUSION: Our work demonstrates the utility of a cell-based model in genome-wide identification of pharmacogenomic markers.

Genome-wide meta-analysis identifies variants associated with platinating agent susceptibility across populations.

Platinating agents are used in the treatment of many cancers, yet they can induce toxicities and resistance that limit their utility. Using previously published and additional world population panels of diverse ancestry totaling 608 lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs), we performed meta-analyses of over 3 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for both carboplatin- and cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity. The most significant SNP in the carboplatin meta-analysis is located in an intron of NBAS (neuroblastoma amplified sequence; P=5.1 × 10(-7)). The most significant SNP in the cisplatin meta-analysis is upstream of KRT16P2 (P=5.8 × 10(-7)). We also show that cisplatin-susceptibility SNPs are enriched for carboplatin-susceptibility SNPs. Most of the variants that associate with platinum-induced cytotoxicity are polymorphic across multiple world populations; therefore, they could be tested in follow-up studies in diverse clinical populations. Seven genes previously implicated in platinating agent response, including BCL2 (B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2), GSTM1 (glutathione S-transferase mu 1), GSTT1, ERCC2 and ERCC6, were also implicated in our meta-analyses.

Heritable and non-genetic factors as variables of pharmacologic phenotypes in lymphoblastoid cell lines.

Publicly available genetic and expression data on lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) make them a unique resource for understanding the genetic underpinnings of pharmacological outcomes and disease. LCLs have been used for pharmacogenomic discovery and validation of clinical findings associated with drug response. However, variation in cellular growth rate, baseline Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) copy number and ATP levels can all be confounders in such studies. Our objective is to better define confounding variables that affect pharmacological end points in LCLs. To this end, we evaluated the effect of these three variables on drug-induced cytotoxicity in LCLs. The drugs evaluated included daunorubicin, etoposide, carboplatin, cisplatin, cytarabine, pemetrexed, 5'-deoxyfluorouridine, vorinostat, methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, and 5-fluorouracil. Baseline ATP or EBV copy number were not significantly correlated with cellular growth rate or drug-induced cytotoxicity. In contrast, cellular growth rate and drug-induced cytotoxicity were significantly, directly related for all drugs except vorinostat. Importantly, cellular growth rate is under appreciable genetic influence (h²=0.30-0.39) with five suggestive linkage regions across the genome. Not surprisingly, a percentage of SNPs that significantly associate with drug-induced cytotoxicity also associate with cellular growth rate (P ≤ 0.0001). Studies using LCLs for pharmacologic outcomes should therefore consider that a portion of the genetic variation explaining drug-induced cytotoxicity is mediated via heritable effects on growth rate.

ac Stark shift and dephasing of a superconducting qubit strongly coupled to a cavity field.

We have performed spectroscopy of a superconducting charge qubit coupled nonresonantly to a single mode of an on-chip resonator. The strong coupling induces a large ac Stark shift in the energy levels of both the qubit and the resonator. The dispersive shift of the resonator frequency is used to nondestructively determine the qubit state. Photon shot noise in the measurement field induces qubit level fluctuations leading to dephasing which is characteristic for the measurement backaction. A crossover in line shape with measurement power is observed and theoretically explained. For weak measurement a long intrinsic dephasing time of T2>200 ns of the qubit is found.

Strong coupling of a single photon to a superconducting qubit using circuit quantum electrodynamics.

The interaction of matter and light is one of the fundamental processes occurring in nature, and its most elementary form is realized when a single atom interacts with a single photon. Reaching this regime has been a major focus of research in atomic physics and quantum optics for several decades and has generated the field of cavity quantum electrodynamics. Here we perform an experiment in which a superconducting two-level system, playing the role of an artificial atom, is coupled to an on-chip cavity consisting of a superconducting transmission line resonator. We show that the strong coupling regime can be attained in a solid-state system, and we experimentally observe the coherent interaction of a superconducting two-level system with a single microwave photon. The concept of circuit quantum electrodynamics opens many new possibilities for studying the strong interaction of light and matter. This system can also be exploited for quantum information processing and quantum communication and may lead to new approaches for single photon generation and detection.

Selection of valid and reliable EEG features for predicting auditory and visual alertness levels.

A selection procedure with three rules, high efficiency, low individual variability, and low redundancy, was developed to screen electroencephalogram (EEG) features for predicting behavioral alertness levels. A total of 24 EEG features were derived from temporal, frequency spectral, and statistical analyses. Behavioral alertness levels were quantified by correct rates of performance on an auditory and a visual vigilance task, separately. In the auditory task study, a subset of three EEG features, the relative spectral amplitudes in the alpha (alpha%, 8-13 Hz) and theta (theta%, 4-8 Hz) bands, and the mean frequency of the EEG spectrum (MF), was found to be the best combination for predicting the auditory alertness level. In the visual task study, the mean frequency of the beta band (Fbeta, 13-32 Hz) was the only EEG feature selected. The application of an averaging subwindow procedure within a moving time window to EEG analysis increased the predictive power of EEG features and decreased the disturbing effect of movement artifacts on the EEG data.

Polarization changing and beam profile deformation of light during the isotropic Raman-nath acousto-optic interaction.

A spatial Fourier transform approach is used to study the phenomena of polarization changing and beam profile deformation of light during the Raman-Nath, acousto-optic interaction in isotropic media. Starting from the vector version of the well-known Raman-Nath interaction equation and using a spatial Fourier transform allows analytic solutions that encompass the effects of polarization changing and beam-profile deformation for the multiple scattered light to be found in the spatial-frequency domain. Two kinds of sound wave, longitudinal and shear, are assumed to be interacted with the light, whose transverse spatial profile and state of polarization are arbitrary. It is shown that, for light with an arbitrary spatial profile after interaction with the sound wave in the Raman-Nath regime, the spatial profiles of the scattered light are almost the same shape as those of the input light. For the polarization changing part, it is found that the state of polarization and the direction of rotation can alter, depending not only on the sound amplitude but also on the propagation mode of the sound wave. Simulation results are provided to confirm the validity of this approach.

Ketoacidosis with hyperglycemia in heavy drinkers: a report of 12 cases.

BACKGROUND: Heavy alcohol intake (> 45 g daily) might be a cause of diabetes. The short-term risks of heavy alcohol intake include ketoacidosis, glucose intolerance and pancreatitis. Alcoholic ketoacidosis (AKA) in combination with hyperglycemia mimics diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). We described the characteristics of heavy drinkers with ketoacidosis and hyperglycemia but without a prior history of diabetes. METHODS: Twelve habitually heavy drinkers who had not been previously diagnosed as diabetes were identified by reviewing the records of diabetic patients admitted to Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from 1989 to 1992. All of them met DKA criteria. RESULTS: Elevated glycohemoglobulin (HbAlc) level is an indicator for the diagnosis of diabetes. Among these 12 patients, 10 had elevated levels of HbAlc and 2 had normal HbAlc levels. Of these 2 patients, 1 had an elevated level of HbAlc 6 months later; the other who was a female who after observation, had normal levels of HbAlc and glucose for the follow-up of two years. CONCLUSION: We found that most heavy drinkers with both ketoacidosis and hyperglycemia also had diabetes as indicated by high levels of HbAlc. The only female patient had normal HbAlc and was diagnosed as AKA rather than DKA.

[Effect of lipoprotein on phosphatidylinositol -4,5-bisphosphate and phosphatidic acid in platelet].

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were separated from normal human serum and incubated with 32P labelled human platelets. Studies were designed to explore the effects of thrombin, LDL, HDL plus LDL on the changes of the important metabolites: phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and phosphatidic acid (PA) of phosphatidylinositol cycle (PI). The results indicated that both thrombin and LDL caused a significant decrease of PIP2 within 15 seconds. Then, they gradually returned to the control level. This was accompanied simultaneously by a significant increase of PA level for 60 seconds in time-dependent manner. The effects of thrombin or LDL on PIP2 decrease and PA increase were also both dose-dependent. In addition, HDL significantly antagonized the decrease of PIP2 and increase of PA induced by LDL. It is suggested that PI cycle is closely related to atherosclerosis.

"Thrombin" receptor-directed ligand accounts for activation by thrombin of platelet phospholipase C and accumulation of 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositides.

Using three experimental approaches, we have addressed the questions of whether the presence of saturably bound thrombin plays a role in potentiating the activation of platelet phospholipase C (PLC) and/or accumulation of the 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositides (3-PPI), i.e. phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate, and whether the generation of tethered ligand (Vu, T-K.H., Hung, D. T., Wheaton, V. I., and Coughlin, S. R. (1991) Cell 64, 1057-1068) by thrombin can account fully for thrombin's proteolytic effects in activating platelets, as gauged by the above parameters. We have 1) measured PLC activation or 3-PPI after we have exposed platelets to thrombin for various periods and either blocked thrombin's proteolytic activity without interrupting its binding or blocked both binding and proteolytic activity of thrombin; 2) attempted to potentiate 3-PPI accumulation, using combinations of protein kinase C stimulation, Ca2+ elevation, and saturating but proteolytically inactive thrombins; and 3) compared the activation of platelets by thrombin with activation by the "thrombin" receptor-directed peptide, SFLLRNPNDKYEPF (SFLL; a portion of the tethered ligand created by thrombin's proteolytic activity), and examined the effect of thrombin on this latter activation. We conclude that the initial and sustained effects of thrombin in stimulating PLC and the accumulation of 3-PPI are completely attributable to thrombin's proteolytic activity. Further, thrombin's effects in promoting these responses can be accounted for by the actions of SFLL peptide, and by implication, formation of tethered ligand.