bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PS02.193: A CASE OF LARGE CELL NEUROENDOCRINE CARCINOMA OF THE ESOPHAGOGASTRIC JUNCTION
Authors: Takehana Takuo , Yamamoto Kazuhiro , Kawai Shunsuke 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Background
The frequency of occurrence of neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) in the upper gastrointestinal tract is low, and especially large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is extremely rare disease. We report a case of LCNEC of the esophagogastric junction with relapse-free survival in 1 year and 3 months after surgical treatment.

Methods
An 81 - year—old Japanese man was referred to our hospital because of a semicircular ulcerative lesion in the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) by esophagogastroduodenoscopy of routine medical checkup. Biopsy from the lesion showed proliferation of tumor cells with clear nuclear bodies and irregular nuclei. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) demonstrated weakly positive staining of AE1/AE3, and CD3, CD20, S-100 and HMB 45 were negative. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a thickened wall of the EGJ and a lymphadenopathy of the cardiac node without any metastases to other organs. The patient was diagnosed with carcinoma in EJG, Stage III T3N1M0. We performed thoracoscopic esophagectomy with two-filed lymphadenectomy.

Results
Macroscopically, the ulcerative tumor measured 55 × 50mm invaded to the adventitia and was approximately centered in the EGJ. Histologically, the tumor cells showed large nuclei with highly frequent mitoses. IHC revealed that tumor was LCNEC positive for synaptophysin. One lymph node metastasis was found among 39 dissected lymph nodes. Finally, the pathological stage was T3N1M0, IIIA. On postoperative day 7, we performed the drainage for intra-abdominal abscess. He was discharged on postoperative day 44. Adjuvant chemotherapy was not performed, because the patient refused it. He was well and had no evidence of recurrence 15 months after surgery.

Conclusion
LCNECs of the esophagus or stomach are very rare but highly malignant tumors. It is expected that the number of reports of LCNEC in the upper gastrointestinal tract will increase. It is necessary to collect information on more cases to improve prognosis and to establish appropriate treatment guidelines.

Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
PS02.249: VARIATION IN BODY COMPOSITION IN ESOPHAGEAL CANCER PATIENTS RECEIVING SUPPLEMENTARY JEJUNOSTOMY FEEDING DURING NEOADJUVANT CHEMORADIOTHERAPY
Authors: Boshier Piers R , Seesing M F J , Baracos Vickie E , Low Donald E 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Background
Cancer of the esophagus has one of the highest known associations with cancer–related malnutrition. The aim of the current study was to investigate variation in the body composition of esophageal cancer patients receiving supplementary jejunostomy feeding during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and to assess its correlation with outcomes.

Methods
Retrospective review of esophageal cancer patient's receiving jejunal feeding during nCRT. Patients selected for jejunal feeding tube placement were considered at high nutritional risk according to ASPEN criteria. Assessment of body composition was performed using L3-axial CT images acquired at diagnosis and after nCRT.

Results
Eighty-one patients were eligible for inclusion (67 M, 65.9 ± 9.7 yrs). Average weight loss and BMI at diagnosis was 11.4 ± 6.5 Kg and 26.1 ± 4.6 Kg/m2 respectively. Failure to complete nCRT as prescribed occurred in one patient. Following nCRT the prevalence of sarcopenia increased significantly in males despite jejunal feeding (69% vs. 87%; P = 0.013) but fell in females (57% vs. 50%; P = 0.705). Patients could be categorized into three distinct groups according to the degree of skeletal muscle loss (ΔSMM) during nCRT: minor-loss/no-change (n = 28; Δ > −6 cm2); moderate loss (n = 27; Δ−17 to −6 cm2), and; severe loss (n = 26; Δ<17 cm2). A female predominance was observed amongst patients with minor-loss/no-change in SMM compared to patients with moderate and severe losses during nCRT (36% vs. 11% vs. 4%; P = 0.005). Visceral obesity was also less common in patients with minor-loss/no-change in SMM compared to patients with moderate and severe losses during nCRT (39% vs. 48% vs. 58%; P = 0.401). Compared to patients with moderate and severe SMM losses patients in whom SMM was persevered by jejunal feeding during nCRT tended to have lower rates of over-all complications (62% vs. 59% vs. 43%; P = 0.318); pneumonia (27% vs. 11% vs. 11%; P = 0.186), and; pulmonary embolism (15% vs. 0% vs. 0%; P = 0.012). Long-term survival was not affected by either sarcopenia or SMM and adipose tissue loss during nCRT (P > 0.05).

Conclusion
This is the first study to report variation in body composition in esophageal cancer patients receiving a defined nutritional intervention during nCRT. In selected patients jejunal feeding appeared to stabilize parameters of body composition whilst other patients experienced significant losses. Observed changes in body composition predominantly reflect sex differences and may offer an opportunity to improve nutritional monitoring and future patient care.

Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
PS02.250: PREEMPTIVE ENDOSCOPIC VACUUM DRAINAGE TO PREVENT ANASTOMOTIC LEAKAGE IN UPPER-GI SURGERY: A GAME-CHANGING TECHNOLOGY?
Authors: Schmidt Henner M , Vetter Diana , Gubler Christoph , Valli Piero , Morell Bernhard , Raptis Dimitri A , Gutschow Christian A 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Background
Anastomotic leak (AL) remains a major cause of morbidity in upper-GI surgery. In many centers, endoluminal vacuum drainage (EVD) has become the mainstay of therapy for AL after esophageal and gastric resections. A new idea is to use the EVD technology in a preemptive setting. In this context, we present a case series of patients that received PEVD upon completion of the anastomosis during esophago-gastric surgery.

Methods
Intraoperative PEVD was performed in 10 consecutive patients undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy with cervical (n = 1) or high intrathoracic (n = 6) anastomosis, and open transhiatally extended (n = 1) or minimally invasive (n = 2) total gastrectomy. The EVD device was removed after three to six (mean 4) days, and the anastomosis was endoscopically inspected for ischemia and AL. Additional contrast radiography, computed tomography, or gastroscopy to exclude AL was performed in seven patients. Primary endpoints in this retrospective series was AL; secondary endpoints were the postoperative morbidity measured by the Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification and the comprehensive complication index (CCI), all at 30 days after surgery.

Results
Perioperative mortality was 0% with uneventful anastomotic healing in all patients of this series (AL rate 0%, anastomotic stenosis 0%). There were no adverse events attributable to PEVD. None of the patients experienced major morbidity (> CD grade IIIa) during the postoperative course. The median postoperative ICU and hospital stay was 1 (IQR 1-1.75) and 14 (IQR 12-16) days, respectively. Five patients (50%) developed at least one complication, mostly related to infection (2 patients) and pulmonary events (2 patients). The mean CCI at 30 days after surgery was 13.7 (range 0-39.5).

Conclusion
PEVD appears to be a safe procedure that may emerge as a groundbreaking technology in patients undergoing esophageal or gastric resection. Further research is needed to elucidate the true potential of this technique.

Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Uniform continuity and delay robustness of an adaptive controller for Lagrangian systems
Authors: Nguyen Kim-Doang 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis paper presents a method based on a continuity argument for analysing the delay robustness of nonlinear control systems with uncertainties. In particular, a delay-dependent stability condition is established in the form of a norm inequality for an adaptive control system with a time delay in the control input. The continuous dependence of the condition on the delay is derived via the uniform continuity in the delay of the fundamental solution of a general linear time-varying delay-differential equation. Since the stability condition holds when the delay is zero, the condition must be true for a certain non-zero positive delay due to continuity. Numerical simulations show the performance and robustness of the control system in the presence of an input delay. Remarkably, the results also illustrate a close agreement with the dependence on control parameters of the transient performance bounds predicted by the theoretical analysis in this paper.
Performance of multiple diagnostic methods in assessing the progression of bovine respiratory disease in calves challenged with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus and Mannheimia haemolytica1
Authors: Baruch Joaquin , Cernicchiaro Natalia , Cull Charley A , Lechtenberg Kelly F , Nickell Jason S , Renter David G 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of chute-side diagnostic methods for detecting physiological and pathological changes as indicators of early bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in calves experimentally inoculated with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBR) and Mannheimia haemolytica (Mh). A challenge study was performed over 14 d in 30 Holstein steers [average weight (±SEM) = 211 kilograms (kg) ± 2.4 kg] inoculated on day 0 with IBR and on day 6 with Mh. Diagnostic methods included clinical illness scores (CIS), lung auscultation using a computer-aided stethoscope (CAS), rectal temperature, facial thermography, pulse oximetry, and bilateral thoracic ultrasonography. Animals were randomized into 1 of 5 necropsy days (days 6, 7, 9, 11, and 13) when the percentage of lung consolidation was estimated. The effect of study day on the results of the diagnostic methods and associations between each diagnostic method’s values with lung consolidation measured at necropsy were determined with mixed models. Values for all diagnostic methods differed significantly (P &lt; 0.01) by day. During the IBR phase (days 0 to 6) calves had “normal” to “moderate” CIS, whereas during the Mh phase (days 6.5 to 13) scores were predominantly “severe” to “moribund.” Similarly, CAS scores were “normal” and “mild acute” during the IBR phase and “mild acute” to “moderate acute” after the Mh challenge. Oxygen saturation did not differ significantly between days 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6; however, significantly decreased 12 h after inoculation with Mh (P &lt; 0.05). Mean lung consolidation between animal’s right and left side recorded by ultrasound was 0.13% (±0.07) before the inoculation with Mh. However, during the Mh phase, mean consolidation increased significantly over time (P &lt; 0.05). The percentage of lung consolidation at necropsy ranged from 1.7% (±0.82) on day 6 to 55.4% (±7.49) on day 10. Clinical illness scores, rectal temperature, facial thermography, oxygen saturation, and ultrasonography were significantly associated (P &lt; 0.05) with lung consolidation at necropsy. In addition, there was a significant trend (P = 0.07) between CAS and lung consolidation scores at necropsy. These chute-side diagnostic methods are useful for detecting disease progression on animals with early stages of BRD.
High Levels of Knockdown Resistance in Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae), Major Malaria Vectors in Togo, West Africa: A 2011 Monitoring Report
Authors: Ahadji-Dabla Koffi Mensah , Amoudji Adjovi Djifa , Nyamador Seth Wolali , Apétogbo Georges Yawo , Chabi Joseph , Glitho Isabelle Adolé , Ketoh Guillaume Koffivi 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
A survey of susceptibility to DDT, deltamethrin, bendiocarb, and chlorpyrifos-methyl was conducted in five localities in 2011 in Togo, West Africa, to assess the insecticide resistance status of Anopheles gambiae s.l. (Diptera: Culicidae). Female populations of An. gambaie s.l. emerged from collected larvae (F0) were exposed to insecticide-impregnated papers using World Health Organization test kits for adult mosquitoes; the susceptible reference strain Kisumu was used as a control. Resistance to DDT and deltamethrin was observed within the mosquito populations tested. Anopheles gambiae s.s. and Anopheles coluzzii represented the only species recorded in the study sites. The frequency of knockdown resistance (kdr L1014F) mutation determined using polymerase chain reaction diagnostic tests was lower in An. gambiae than in An. coluzzii in all of the localities except Kolokopé. Further investigations of An. gambiae s.l. resistance are needed in Togo to help the National Malaria Control Programme in vector control decision making and implementation of resistance management strategy.
Potential Influence on Clinical Trials of Long-Term Survivors of Stage IV Non-small cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Davis Jennifer S , Prophet Erin , Peng Ho-Lan , Lee Hwa Young , Tidwell Rebecca S S , Lee J Jack , Thomas Anish , Szabo Eva , Chang Shine 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Background
New, effective treatments have resulted in long-term survival for small subgroups of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, knowledge of long-term survivor frequency and characteristics prior to modern therapies is lacking.

Methods
Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) patients with stage IV NSCLC diagnosed from 1991 to 2007 and followed through 2012 were dichotomized by survival time into the 10% who lived 21 months or longer (long-term survivors) vs the remaining 90% and compared with participants in a representative clinical trial of molecular profiling and targeted therapies (CUSTOM).

Results
Among the 44 387 SEER patients, the 10% identified as long-term survivors were distinguishable from the remaining 90% by younger age, female sex, Asian race, adenocarcinoma histology, tumor grade, tumor site, and surgery. From 1991–1994 to 2003–2007, median survival increased by 6 months from 30 to 36 months among long-term survivors but by only 1 month from 3 to 4 months among the remaining 90%. Among the 165 participants in the CUSTOM trial, 54% met our SEER criterion of long-term survival by living for 21 months or longer.

Conclusions
Among SEER patients with stage IV NSCLC, long-term survivors had a median survival approximately 10 times that of the remaining 90%. Long-term survivors accounted for more than one-half of the participants in a representative clinical trial. Caution is required when extrapolating the outcomes of participants in clinical trials to patients in routine clinical practice.
Dimensions of agency in transnational relations of Afghan migrants and return migrants
Authors: Fischer Carolin , van Houte Marieke 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
This article examines agency unfolding in the relationships that Afghan migrants and return migrants maintain with Afghanistan. Based on qualitative case studies of Afghan diaspora groups in Germany and the UK and Afghan return migrants in Kabul, we focus on how people engage with and position themselves in relation to Afghanistan. Drawing on Emirbayer and Mische’s tri-dimensional concept of agency in combination with Vigh’s idea of social navigation, we approach affective relations and forms of practical (transnational) engagement as expressions of agency. Research on migrants and return migrants is seldom brought together. However, exploring the types of engagement of these two groups with Afghanistan is telling for three reasons. First, it enables us to identify parallels and differences in the way Afghan migrants and return migrants relate to Afghanistan. Secondly, we uncover how ideas of change vary in different settings and under different socio-political conditions. Thirdly, we demonstrate that ties between people and place are not innate but an expression of agency and self-positioning. These in turn are contingent on individual characteristics and the context in which people are embedded. Compared to policy-oriented discussions on the migration-development nexus and on forms and outcomes of migrant engagements, our study yields a more nuanced understanding of entanglements between agency and engagement among Afghan migrants and return migrants.
Teasing the Ever-Expanding Sonnet from Pierre Boulez’s Musical Poetics
Authors: Salem Joseph 
Published: March 2019

AbstractPierre Boulez composed several related pieces during the latter half of the 1950s. These pieces all share both serial structures and wholesale notational borrowings. Importantly, when Boulez reused notated material, his focus shifted from executing organizational processes to nuancing the contour, dynamics, and instrumental character of his musical figures, a concern I equate with “revision” in the broadest sense. His habit of revising works in this way altered his stylistic priorities in future works.
Endothelin-1 Activates the Notch Signaling Pathway and Promotes Tumorigenesis in Giant Cell Tumor of the Spine
Authors: Yuan Wei , Qian Ming , Li Zhen-Xi , Zhao Cheng-Long , Zhao Jian , Xiao Jian-Ru 
Published: March 2019

Study Design.
Experimental study.

Objective.
To examine the role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and the Notch signaling pathway in giant cell tumor (GCT) of the spine.

Summary of Background Data.
Previously published studies have shown that the Notch signaling pathway has a role in tumor invasion and that ET-1 is involved in tumor invasion and angiogenesis. However, the roles of both Notch signaling and ET-1 in GCT of the spine remain unknown.

Methods.
Expression of ET-1 in tissue samples from patients with spinal GCT, and adjacent normal tissue, were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and western blot. GCT stromal cells (GCTSCs) were isolated and ET-1 expression was demonstrated by immunofluorescence. Cell viability and cell migration of GCTSCs and human vascular endothelial cells following ET-1 treatment were assessed using the cell counting kit-8 assay and a transwell assay. Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) mRNA expression was determined following ET-1 treatment of GCTSCs using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. In GCTSCs treated with ET-1 and the ET-1 signaling antagonist, BQ-123, levels of cyclin D1, vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9), Jagged1, Hes1, Hey2, and Notch intracellular domain were examined by western blot.

Results.
Compared with normal adjacent tissue, ET-1 was highly expressed in GCT tissue. In GCTSCs studied in vitro, treatment with ET-1 significantly increased GCTSC and human vascular endothelial cells growth and migration and increased the expression of RANKL and OPG, meanwhile the ratio of RANKL/OPG was increased, in GCTSCs, it upregulated the production of cyclin D1, vascular endothelial growth factor, MMP-2, MMP-9, Jagged1, Hes1, Hey2, and Notch intracellular domain expression in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with BQ-123 reversed these effects.

Conclusion.
In GCT of the spine, ET-1 showed increased expression. In cultured GCTSCs, ET-1 treatment activated the Notch signaling pathway.

Level of Evidence: 2
A Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats analysis on time lapse
Authors: Basile Natalia , Elkhatib Ibrahim , Meseguer Marcos 
Published: March 2019

Purpose of review
The study of embryonic development through conventional microscopy has contributed significantly to the success of IVF. However, clinical pregnancy rates per transfer remain as low as 30% according to the latest records of European society if human reproduction and society if assisted reproduction. Considering the increased need to reduce the number of multiple pregnancies, the embryologist is required to improve embryo selection methods to reduce the number of embryos transferred and identify those with the highest implantation potential. This represents a big challenge considering that applying this strategy could jeopardize the overall success rates. New strategies have been proposed including the use of time-lapse systems among others. Although this technology has been used for a decade in IVF labs controversies still exist regarding its potential to substitute conventional morphology for embryo evaluation.

Recent findings
Lately, different algorithms have been developed correlating embryo kinetics to blastocyst formation, implantation potential, chromosomal content and live birth rate. Moreover, automation and the use of artificial intelligence have recently been introduced to improve this technology.

Summary
The present review describes the time-lapse technology and the models available, using a Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats analysis based on the clinical experience and published data since 2010.
Influence of Anterior Biometry on Corneal Biomechanical Stiffness of Glaucomatous Eyes Treated With Chronic Medication or Filtration Surgery
Authors: Tejwani Sushma , Francis Mathew , Dinakaran Shoruba , Kamath Vijna , Tilva Bhavinkumar , Das Raunak K. , Shetty Rohit , Sinha Roy Abhijit 
Published: March 2019

Précis:
Anterior chamber depth, IOP, and thickness confounded the assessment of corneal biomechanical properties with noncontact applanation in glaucoma eyes. Compared with normal eyes, glaucoma eyes, which underwent long-term treatment or filtration surgery, had similar properties.

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate corneal stiffness in primary angle-closure (PACG) and primary open-angle (POAG) glaucoma eyes that were subgrouped on the basis of the type of topical medication and filtration surgery using noncontact applanation.

Methods:
All eyes were retrospectively reviewed for intraocular pressure (IOP) with Corvis-ST (OCULUS Optikgerate Gmbh, Germany). Nonglaucoma (n=140), PACG (n=102 under medication), and POAG (n=154 under medication) eyes were included. Corneal stiffness was calculated using deformation amplitude and a biomechanical model. Multivariate analyses were performed, which evaluated the effect of systemic conditions (diabetes and hypertension), the effect of medication (prostaglandins or beta blockers or combined), and the effect of filtration surgery (PACG: n=23; POAG: n=26). Age, IOP, central corneal thickness (CCT), refractive error, and anterior chamber depth (ACD) were covariates.

Results:
Diabetes and hypertension did not alter corneal stiffness of glaucoma eyes compared with nonglaucoma eyes (P>0.05). Corneal stiffness of POAG and nonglaucoma eyes was similar but significantly different from the stiffness of PACG eyes (P=0.002), irrespective of the type of topical medication. This difference was strongly correlated with ACD (P=0.003) in addition to IOP and CCT. In eyes treated with filtration surgery, ACD (P=0.04) again impacted the trends between nonglaucoma and glaucoma eyes.

Conclusions:
Medication or filtration surgery did not affect the corneal biomechanical parameters differentially from nonglaucoma eyes. However, IOP, CCT, and ACD strongly affected corneal biomechanical parameters in the same glaucoma eyes.