Patients selected to receive MIPD for cancer have equivalent short-term and oncologic outcomes, when compared with patients who undergo OPD.

We evaluated habitat changes of tributary (drowned river mouth) wetlands in the upper St. Lawrence River with analysis of pre-and postregulation water levels and historical vegetation reconstruction from aerial photographs. In addition, the germination response of transplanted wetland soil was compared to understand responses to moist versus saturated hydrology. Typha stem density was sampled in reference sites under the influence of water-level regulation by the International Joint Commission (IJC) and compared to treatment sites where installed control structures held levels (\0.7 m) higher. Major hydrologic changes due to regulation included a reduction of inter-annual variability with a reduction in peak levels and periodic lows, leading to a dampening of 30-40 year waterlevel cycles. Wetland photo interpretation indicated that flooded and mixed habitat categories were apparent at all sites for pre-regulation in 1948, but post-regulation photos (1972 and 1994) showed encroachment of robust emergent (Typha angustifolia, T. latifolia, and T. x glauca) in these habitats. Vegetation surveys (7 years, 2001-2007) indicated that reference and treatment sites were dominated by Typha, but mean stem densities were not statistically different. Typha stem density, however, declined in response to decreased summer water level. Periodic summer low water levels coupled with higher winter levels (that promote muskrat activity) were hypothesized to have the greatest effect on reducing Typha density. Seed-bank analysis indicated that a greater diversity of plant species germinated in mesic (moist) conditions than in the saturated treatment (flooded), where Typha was the dominant seedling component. Altered hydrologic regimes and invasive Typha have had a substantial effect on habitat structure within coastal wetlands and inferences from local management of levels provide useful guidance for future system-wide regulation.

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Background. Sarcopenia may be an important predictive factor of outcomes after lung transplantation (LTx). Serum albumin and the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) have been shown to be a marker of LTx outcomes. We measured sarcopenia, albumin, and 6MWD in a cohort of LTx patients and analyzed the utility of these as markers of outcomes for LTx patients.Methods. We retrospectively identified LTx recipients from 2013-2018 at our institution who underwent computed tomographic imaging during their listing evaluation. From that image, we measured skeletal muscle cross-sectional surface area at the third lumbar vertebral level, and sarcopenia was diagnosed by established cutoffs. Associations between sarcopenia, albumin, 6MWD, and survival, and hospital length of stay, complications, readmissions, and discharge destination were evaluated.Results. Sarcopenia was found in 72% (95 of 132) of patients, 18% (24 of 131) of patients were hypoalbuminemic, and 41% had a low 6MWD. Survival was

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Background/Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in the proliferation of human lung cancer cells and identify the signaling pathway that mediates this effect. Materials and Methods: Adenocarcinoma (A549 and H1650) and adenosquamous (H125) cells were treated with increasing doses of Pam3CSK4, a TLR2 agonist. Cell proliferation and NF-ĸB activation were evaluated. NF-ĸB was inhibited prior to treatment with Pam3CSK4 and proliferation was assessed. Results: TLR2 expression was significantly higher in A549 and H1650 cells compared to H125 cells (p<0.001). TLR2 stimulation induced proliferation in adenocarcinoma cells only and led to a corresponding increase in NF-ĸB activity (p<0.05). Inhibition of NF-ĸB prior to treatment with Pam3CSK4 attenuated this proliferative response. Conclusion: TLR2 activation induced proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cells through activation of NF-ĸB. Thus, the TLR2 signaling pathway may be a potential therapeutic target in lung adenocarcinoma.