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Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), ectopic immune cell aggregates in non-lymphoid tissues, have emerged as potential predictors of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) outcomes. Given increasing evidence, we conducted an updated meta-analysis to systematically evaluate their prognostic and clinicopathological significance. A comprehensive literature search was performed through PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library (up to June 2024) for studies assessing TLS associations with TNM staging and survival outcomes (OS/PFS) in ESCC. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models. This meta-analysis incorporated seven studies comprising nine separate datasets that evaluated the impact of TLS in ESCC. The pooled analysis demonstrated a significant positive correlation between TLS presence and more advanced T stage (OR = 2.65, 95%CI: 1.86–3.78; p  < 0.01) but not N stage (OR = 1.27, 95%CI: 0.85–1.89; p = 0.24). Additionally, TLS presence was significantly associated with enhanced overall survival (HR = 0.49, 95%CI: 0.41–0.58, p  < 0.01) as well as progression-free survival (HR = 0.56, 95%CI: 0.45–0.69, p  < 0.01). Notably, when assessed using combined HE and IHC criteria, the prognostic benefit of TLS was more pronounced, with HRs further decreasing to 0.40 (95% CI: 0.31–0.51) for OS and 0.50 (95% CI: 0.41–0.60) for PFS. These findings confirm that the presence of TLS, particularly when verified through combined HE staining and IHC, is an independent favorable prognostic factor in ESCC patients.

Background This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of the Oncotype DX recurrence score (RS) in T 1-2 N 1 M 0 estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer based on the prognostic stage in the updated American Joint Commission on Cancer, 8th edition. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was searched to identify ER-positive invasive ductal breast cancer in T 1-2 N 1 M 0 with RS results diagnosed between 2004 and 2012. Patients with RS were categorized into low-risk (RS < 11), intermediate-risk (RS 11–25), and high-risk (RS > 25) groups. The distributions of clinical-pathological characteristics were compared among the RS risk groups using Pearson’s Chi square. Breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared across RS groups using the log-rank statistic. Cox models were fitted to assess the factors independently associated with survival. Results The study enrolled 4059 cases categorized into prognostic stages IA to IIB. The RS risk groups were positively correlated with pathological prognostic stages ( P < 0.001). The RS risk groups differed significantly in terms of BCSS and OS ( P < 0.001). According to the multivariate analysis, RS risk group was an independent prognostic factor for BCSS and OS together with the pathological prognostic stage. The subgroup analysis showed similar survival rates across pathological prognostic stages in the RS low-risk group but significant differences in survival rates among pathological prognostic stages in the RS intermediate-risk group. The survival rates among the RS risk groups also differed significantly in pathological prognostic stage IA. Conclusions Oncotype DX RS provided independent prognostic significance to complement the prognostic staging system.

Purpose Although it is well accepted that the survival outcome is most probably unaffected by immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) for T1–T3 tumors, the safety of IBR in T4 locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) remains unclear. Methods By using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, the trend of IBR for female T4 LABC patients undergoing mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy was explored. The predictors of IBR in T4 LABC were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression. The survival outcomes were compared by means of Cox hazards models adjusting for known clinicopathological variables and stratifying on the T stage and contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM). Results Altogether 714 cases underwent IBR between 1998 and 2015. The IBR cohort had a lower percentage of cases with T4d disease whereas higher percentage with CPM. The IBR rate was 10.1% and increased from 4.1% in 1998 to 17.7% in 2015. Since 2009, the rate of implant-based IBR exceeded that of the autologous tissue method. An age less than 45 years (OR 2.930, 95% CI 2.299–3.735) and CPM (OR 2.758, 95% CI 2.306–3.299) were the strongest predictors of IBR. In the 1:2 matched case–control analysis, IBR was not an independent prognostic factor for breast cancer specific-survival (BCSS) (HR 0.893, p  = 0.236, 95% CI 0.741–1.077) and overall survival (OS) (HR 0.886, p  = 0.183, 95% CI 0.741–1.059). BCSS and OS were similar among patients undergoing IBR whether they underwent CPM or not and whether they were inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) or not. Conclusions IBR is oncologically safe in well-selected T4 LABC.

The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a comprehensive index that is widely used to assess renal function. Although studies have confirmed a correlation between eGFR and dietary vitamin C, the impact of varying levels of vitamin C on eGFR remains unclear. Additionally, the interaction between dietary magnesium intake and vitamin C concentration on eGFR is not well understood. As such, the objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between dietary magnesium intake and vitamin C in relation to eGFR. This study analyzed the data of consecutive NHANES from 2005 to 2018. We included 17,633 participants aged 20 or older and used multiple linear regression analysis to evaluate the relationship between dietary vitamin C and eGFR. Dietary Mg intake from experimental data was dichotomized into a low dietary Mg intake group (≤254 mg/day) and a normal dietary Mg intake group (>254 mg/day). To evaluate the impact of dietary magnesium intake on eGFR, a multivariable linear regression was conducted utilizing an interaction test between dietary vitamin C and eGFR. We discovered a positive association between dietary vitamin C content and eGFR. The relationship between dietary vitamin C levels and eGFR differed between individuals with low Mg intake and those with normal Mg intake (β: 2.96 95% CI:1.63 ~ 4.29 vs. β: 1.05 95% CI: −0.15 to 2.25), and the positive association of high dietary vitamin C content with eGFR was stronger in the low Mg intake group. Furthermore, we observed that dietary magnesium intake significantly altered the positive association between dietary vitamin C and eGFR (interaction value of 0.020). Our experimental study revealed that the interaction between dietary magnesium and dietary vitamin C can significantly impact eGFR. This finding carries significant implications for the treatment of diseases resulting from abnormal eGFR, as well as the selection of clinically relevant drugs. Glomerular filtration rate is the most useful measure of renal function, which is affected by several factors. Our study found that vitamin C intake would affect GFR, and dietary Mg intake would further affect the relationship between vitamin C and GFR.

Objectives The present study aimed to characterize the ultrasonography (US) features of cystic components in salivary gland tumors (SGTs). Materials and methods A total of 207 patients (218 lesions) with pathologically confirmed primary SGTs were analyzed. Preoperative US revealed the presence of cystic components in lesions. Lesion size, shape, margin, and US findings of the cystic components, including number, distribution, margin, occupying rate, and internal characteristics, were evaluated. Results Similarities were observed between the US performance of benign SGTs (B-SGTs) and malignant SGTs (M-SGTs) with cystic components. Differences in sex and age of patients, number, distribution, and internal characteristics of cystic components were statistically significant. For SGTs with cystic components, the proportions of M-SGTs to ill-defined margins (P = 0.002), eccentric distribution (P = 0.019), and none of the internal characteristics (P = 0.019) were significantly higher than those of B-SGTs. Younger age (P = 0.001), eccentric distribution (P = 0.034) and ill-defined margin (P < 0.001) were risk factors for diagnosing M-SGTs. Cystic component features needed to be combined with lesion indicators (border and shape) to improve diagnostic sensitivity. Conclusions US features of the B-SGTs and M-SGTs were significantly different. Cystic component is of interest in the US-related differential diagnosis of B-SGT and M-SGT. Clinical relevance Cystic components are potentially valuable in the differential diagnosis of B-SGTs and M-SGTs on US.

This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of the Oncotype DX recurrence score (RS) in T N M estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer based on the prognostic stage in the updated American Joint Commission on Cancer, 8th edition. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was searched to identify ER-positive invasive ductal breast cancer in T N M with RS results diagnosed between 2004 and 2012. Patients with RS were categorized into low-risk (RS < 11), intermediate-risk (RS 11-25), and high-risk (RS > 25) groups. The distributions of clinical-pathological characteristics were compared among the RS risk groups using Pearson's Chi square. Breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared across RS groups using the log-rank statistic. Cox models were fitted to assess the factors independently associated with survival. The study enrolled 4059 cases categorized into prognostic stages IA to IIB. The RS risk groups were positively correlated with pathological prognostic stages (P < 0.001). The RS risk groups differed significantly in terms of BCSS and OS (P < 0.001). According to the multivariate analysis, RS risk group was an independent prognostic factor for BCSS and OS together with the pathological prognostic stage. The subgroup analysis showed similar survival rates across pathological prognostic stages in the RS low-risk group but significant differences in survival rates among pathological prognostic stages in the RS intermediate-risk group. The survival rates among the RS risk groups also differed significantly in pathological prognostic stage IA. Oncotype DX RS provided independent prognostic significance to complement the prognostic staging system.

Purpose To evaluate the prognostic effect of central obesity on triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Methods 206 TNBC patients treated from June 2006 to June 2015 were enrolled retrospectively. Body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m 2 was the standard of obesity and waist circumference ≥80 cm was the standard of central obesity. Patient and tumor characteristics were compared between obesity categories. Survival differences between obesity categories were assessed with log-rank test in the univariate analysis and prognostic factors were then investigated by Cox regression analysis. Results 81 cases were with obesity (39.3 %). 71 cases were with central obesity (34.5 %). Patients with obesity or central obesity tended to be older (P = 0.022 for obesity; P = 0.013 for central obesity) and to have larger tumor size (P = 0.027 for obesity; P = 0.027 for central obesity). By Cox regression analysis, central obesity (DFS: HR 1.759; 95 % CI 1.009–3.065; P = 0.046. OS: HR 2.297; 95 % CI 1.184–4.456; P = 0.014) was identified as an independent prognostic factor. For central obesity with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 , the prognostic effect was more apparent (DFS: HR 1.845; 95 % CI 1.059–3.212; P = 0.031. OS: HR 2.377; 95 % CI 1.230–4.593; P = 0.010). Conclusion Central obesity, especially with high BMI, was an independent prognostic factor for TNBC.

Fire throttling is the increase in flow resistance due to a large fire in a longitudinally ventilated tunnel. Although the fire throttling effect has been been known and studied for tunnels over the last 40 years, there is not yet a consistent one-dimensional (1D) model that can describe this behaviour or a framework suitable for practical application. We propose a semi-empirical model, based upon pipe flow engineering principles, to describe this effect by separating the resistance to flow, or pressure loses in three parts: upstream of the fire, locally at the fire, and downstream of the fire. The proposed 1D model called TE1D is derived from a simple steady one-dimensional momentum balance in which a semi-empirical mean temperature distribution is assumed across the tunnel. We verify the model by comparing the pressures losses it predicts with those calculated in CFD simulations based on OpenFOAM and Fire Dynamics Simulator. The comparison shows good agreement between the CFD codes for the range of fires sizes considered from 5 to 50 MW and good agreement between TE1D and the CFD results with the proposed 1D model for fire sizes below 30 MW. However, for values above there are large discrepancies between the results obtained by the TE1D and CFD. We posit as a potential explanation that these differences are due to flow and temperature stratification which is not accounted for in the 1D model. The model using pipe flow principles allows engineers to adopt this model for design, together with other pressure losses considered in tunnel ventilation.

This paper reports two films, Ti/a-C and Ti/a-C:H, prepared on the Ti-6Al-4V alloys by magnetron sputtering in PVD and CVD process, respectively. The morphology and microstructure were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Both films show nanosized Ti clusters incorporated into the amorphous carbon matrix. Mechanical properties of the films were investigated by nanoindentation and ball-on-disk tribo-test. Ti/a-C film shows a hardness as high as 40.9 GPa, while that of Ti/a-C:H is 12.2 GPa. Both films show reduced friction and high wear resistance.