BACKGROUND The macrophage, one of the several key immune cell types, is believed to be involved in tumorigenesis. However, the mechanism of macrophages promoting tumor progression is largely unknown. METHODS The differentially secreted proteins of M1 and M2 macrophages were analyzed by mass spectrometry. We performed GST pull-down assay for the identification of cell-membrane receptors that i...

A 61-year-old man with esophageal adenocarcinoma underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy and gastric pull-through. The initial postoperative course was without adverse events, and he was discharged home. However, on day 7 the patient was readmitted with fever, rapid atrial fibrillation, and leukocytosis. Chest CT scan revealed a 6.3 cm 4.6 cm mediastinal abscess adjacent to the gastric pull-...

The static pull-in instability of beam-type micro-electromechanical systems is theoretically investigated. Two engineering cases including cantilever and double cantilever micro-beam are considered. Considering the mid-plane stretching as the source of the nonlinearity in the beam behavior, a nonlinear size-dependent Euler-Bernoulli beam model is used based on a modified couple stress theory, c...

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate laser-assisted fluorescent-dye angiography (LAA) to assess perfusion in the gastric graft and to correlate perfusion with subsequent anastomotic leak. BACKGROUND Anastomotic leaks are a major source of morbidity after esophagectomy with gastric pull-up (GPU). In large part, they occur as a consequence of poor perfusion in the gastric graft. MET...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to define an algorithm for the choice of reconstructive method for defects after laryngo-pharyngo-esophagectomy for hypopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS One hundred and forty two cases of hypopharyngeal carcinoma were included and operated on by either partial pharyngectomy, total pharyngectomy or esophagectomy. The reconstructive method was tailored according...

Gastric surgery may be performed for the treatment of a variety of benign and malignant diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract, including peptic ulcers and gastric carcinoma. Radiographic studies with water-soluble contrast agents often are obtained to rule out leaks, obstruction, or other acute complications during the early postoperative period. Barium studies may also be obtained to ev...

The allocation of inventory ownership affects the inventory availability in a supply chain, which in turn determines the supply chain performance. In this paper, we consider a supplier-retailer supply chain in which the supplier starts production well in advance of the selling season, and the retailer is offered two ordering opportunities at different points in time. An early order is allowed b...