Potential Predictive Immune and Metabolic Biomarkers of Tumor Microenvironment Regarding Pathological and Clinical Response in Esophageal Cancer After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in therapy response and modulation of immunologic surveillance. Adjuvant immunotherapy has recently been introduced in post-surgery treatment of locally advanced esophageal cancer (EC) with residual pathological disease after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) remains a valuable imaging tool to assess therapy response and to visualize metabolic TME; however, there is still a paucity in understanding the interaction between the TME and nCRT response. This systematic review investigated the potential of TME biomarkers and 18F-FDG-PET/CT features to predict pathological and clinical response (CR) after nCRT in EC. METHODS: A literature search of the Medline and Embase electronic databases identified 4190 studies. Studies regarding immune and metabolic TME biomarkers and 18F-FDG-PET/CT features were included for predicting pathological response (PR) and/or CR after nCRT. Separate analyses were performed for 18F-FDG-PET/CT markers and these TME biomarkers. RESULTS: The final analysis included 21 studies-10 about immune and metabolic markers alone and 11 with additional 18F-FDG-PET/CT features. High CD8 infiltration before and after nCRT, and CD3 and CD4 infiltration after nCRT, generally correlated with better PR. A high expression of tumoral or stromal programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) after nCRT was generally associated with poor PR. Moreover, total lesion glycolysis (TLG) and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) of the primary tumor were potentially predictive for clinical and PR. CONCLUSION: CD8, CD4, CD3, and PD-L1 are promising immune markers in predicting PR, whereas TLG and MTV are potential 18F-FDG-PET/CT features to predict clinical and PR after nCRT in EC.

Measurement of the analyzing power in p-->d-->(p p)n with a fast forward 1S0 proton pair.

A measurement of the analyzing power A(y) of the p-->d--> (p p) + n reaction was carried out at the ANKE spectrometer at COSY at beam energies of 0.5 and 0.8 GeV by detection of a fast forward proton pair of small excitation energy E(pp) < 3 MeV. The S-wave dominance in the fast diproton is experimentally demonstrated in this reaction. While at T(p) = 0.8 GeV the measured analyzing power almost vanishes, it rises to nearly unity at T(p) = 0.5 GeV for neutrons emitted at theta(c.m.)(n) = 167 degrees. The results are compared with a model taking into account one-nucleon exchange, single scattering, and Delta(1232) excitation in the intermediate state. The model describes fairly well the unpolarized cross section obtained earlier and the analyzing power at 0.8 GeV; it fails to reproduce A(y) at 0.5 GeV.

A method to polarize stored antiprotons to a high degree.

Polarized antiprotons can be produced in a storage ring by spin-dependent interaction in a purely electron-polarized hydrogen gas target. The polarizing process is based on spin transfer from the polarized electrons of the target atoms to the orbiting antiprotons. After spin filtering for about two beam lifetimes at energies T approximately equal 40-170 MeV using a dedicated large acceptance ring, the antiproton beam polarization would reach P=0.2-0.4. Polarized antiprotons would open new and unique research opportunities for spin-physics experiments in p(-) p interactions.

Initial experience with laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Advances in laparoscopic instruments and video technology have made laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) feasible. We report our initial experience with this technique. METHODS: A retrospective review of 30 open donor nephrectomies and our first 30 LDNs was performed to assess donor and recipient outcome and resource usage. RESULTS: LDN was successfully completed in 26 donors (87%). The increased operative time and costs were balanced by less postoperative pain, earlier discharge, earlier return to normal activity and work, fewer incision problems, and less personal financial loss. Recipient outcome was not affected. CONCLUSION: LDN is technically feasible and safe, and recipient graft outcomes are equivalent. Convalescence is shortened, and there is less personal financial loss. LDN offers significant benefit to the donor and may result in increased organ donation.

Attitudes and beliefs concerning organ donation among Native Americans in the upper Midwest.

Because of increasing access to renal replacement therapy and the high incidence of renal disease among Native Americans largely due to type 2 diabetes mellitus, it is important to determine attitudes and beliefs in this population toward organ donation. In a study conducted on reservations in the upper Midwest during traditional powwows and health fairs, it was discovered that willingness to donate was more likely to occur if Native Americans were approached by a healthcare worker from their culture, if they had already signed a donor card, or if they knew someone with diabetes. Willingness to be a living donor (81%) was greater than willingness to donate after death (i.e., as a cadaveric donor) (54%). These findings indicate that cultural-specific information about organ failure rates and organ donation, when presented by knowledgeable individuals within the culture, could increase donation in the Native American population.

Use of plasma volume substitutes and plasma in developing countries.

Plasma and plasma substitutes are used in the treatment of various conditions such as haemorrhage and shock. This article examines the role of crystalloids, artificial colloids, human plasma, human albumin, and plasma protein fraction, in the treatment of such patients, with particular reference to peripheral health facilities in developing countries.It is concluded that 0.9% saline, together with 5-6% dextrose, is of particular importance in this situation since it is easy to produce locally, is stable at high temperatures, and has a low cost/benefit ratio. The second priority is to ensure the availability of a limited quantity of one or more colloid plasma substitutes. In the field of plasma, fresh frozen or fresh liquid plasma is most useful for the treatment of various haemostatic derangements and follow-up treatment of severe burns, since it contains the widest spectrum of therapeutically useful components and can be produced locally with an acceptable degree of difficulty.The treatment of severe diarrhoea with special alkaline electrolyte solutions and oral rehydration solutions is also outlined.

E1Lymphocytopenia in pseudo-lupus-erythmetaosus syndrome. / Zur Frage der Lymphozytopenie beim Pseudo-Lupus erythematodes-Syndrom

Seven female patients with pseudo-lupus erythematosus (LE)-syndrome had markedly reduced lymphocyte counts in their peripheral blood during the active phase of the disease. One patient, we were able to study during the active phase of her disease, had a diminuation of spontaneous rosettes-forming (T-)lymphocytes, using neuraminidase-treated sheep red blood cells for the test. In this case the percentage of surface-immunoglobulin-bearing (B-)lymphocytes determined by an indirect immunofluorescence technique was augmented. In comparison with 20 normal controls 6 other patients did not show any alterations in the relation of B- and T-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. 5 patients had circulating lymphocytotoxic antibodies in their serum. A specificity of these antibodies for T-lymphocytes could not be realized.