Thirty-five out of the 38 targeted amino acids were identified and detected above their LODs in the A. thaliana leaf extracts. Figure 2 shows the amino acid profiles of two mutant stocks carrying T-DNA mutant alleles in genes of known function (GKFs) and GUFs. Quantitation was based on relative peak areas (as

response) of each compound using the calibration curves that were constructed employing the internal standard method. Asparagine (Asn), serine (Ser), #check details keyword# glutamine (Gln), arginine (Arg), glycine (Gly), ethanolamine (MEA), aspartic acid (Asp), threonine (Thr), L-alanine (L-Ala), γ-amino-n-butyric acid (Gaba), proline (Pro), lysine (Lys), valine (Val), isoleucine (Ile) were among the most abundant amino acids in the extracts. Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical 3-Methyl-histidine (3-Mehis), 1-methyl-histidine (1-Mehis), creatinine (Cr), cystathionine (Cysthi), cystine (Cys-S-S-cys), cysteine (Cys), and homocysteine (Hcy) were not detected (below LOD) in any of the samples studied (wild-type and mutants). Details on the statistical data processing were already published in two previous papers by the Arabidopsis Metabolomics Consortium [1,7] Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical and will not be covered in this paper. Data quality

check performed to determine the variability in amino acid concentration between different biological replicates showed correlation coefficients between 0.61–1.00. Correlation coefficients Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical were < 0.7 in the majority of the cases, indicating the high reliability between the

replicates obtained with our amino acid profiling platform. Figure S3 shows the data quality plot for the analysis of amino Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical acids in the mutant SALK_021108 (AT1G52670). Data quality plots for all the mutants analyzed with our AccQ•Tag-UPLC-MS/MS platform can be found in the web portal of the consortium [54]. Figure 2 Amino acid profiles in Arabidopsis mutant stocks carrying T-DNA mutant alleles in GKF and GUF. (A) Concentration of amino acids (μmol mg−1 dry Bay 11-7085 weight) in mutant line SALK_021108 compared to its parental strain (wild-type). (B) Concentration … It is obvious that the amino acid profiling alone is not enough to represent the metabolic effect of gene knockout in the group of T-DNA mutants stocks selected in the initial three metabolomic experiments (E1, E2 and E3) and, therefore, interpretation of the biological significance of the data is outside the scope of this manuscript. However, the combination of our AccQ•Tag-UPLC-ESI-MS/MS platform with other targeted and untargeted method gives a more holistic view of changes in the metabolome.

Chang

et al. also used phage display to identify neovasculature peptides which when conjugated to doxorubicin-loaded see more liposomes increased doxorubicin delivery to tumors and therapeutic efficacy over untargeted PEGylated doxorubicin-loaded liposomes [196]. Pericytes are a critical conjunctive component of vasculature; aminopeptidase A (APA) has been identified as a marker of pericytes from orthotopic primary and metastatic (ovary) neuroblastoma in mice [197]. Coupling of a peptide ligand of APA to doxorubicin-loaded liposomes increased doxorubicin accumulation in neuroblastoma tumors over untargeted doxorubicin with Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical better therapeutic activity demonstrating that pericytes are another critical target within the vasculature

Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical [198]. Moreover, coadministration of APA-targeted doxorubicin-loaded liposomes and aminopeptidase N (APN, a marker of tumor endothelial cells) targeted doxorubicin-loaded liposomes led to superior doxorubicin accumulation in tumors over either targeted formulation alone [198]. The destruction of perivascular and endothelial cells in tumors resulted in a significant increase in survival of neuroblastoma-bearing mice over either endothelial cell-targeted or pericyte-targeted liposomes alone [198]. Tumor lymphatics are also a therapeutic target since they Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical support lymph node metastasis [199]. Indeed, lymph node invasion is frequent in melanoma and is an indicator of poor prognosis

[200]. Laakkonen and coworkers identified a tumor lymphatics-binding peptide (LyP-1) which, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical after intravenous injection in breast carcinoma-bearing mice, was shown to accumulate in hypoxic areas of primary tumors, cofllocalize with lymphatic markers in primary tumors and lymph node metastases leading to tumor growth reduction and a decreased number of lymphatic vessels [201, 202]. Interestingly, presentation of this peptide on doxorubicin-loaded Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical liposomes increased tumor accumulation and therapeutic efficacy over untargeted liposomes unless and decreased lymph node metastasis rate and growth [201, 203–205]. A combination of targeting ligands may be needed for effective antiangiogenic therapy. Murase et al. demonstrated synergy in association with endothelial cells in vitro by liposomes modified with two angiogenic vessel-targeted peptides (APRPG and GNGRG) identified by phage display and revealed the more intense association with tumor blood vessels in vivo of dual-targeted liposomes over single-modified liposomes [206]. Similarly, Meng et al. demonstrated synergy in tumor growth inhibition of non-small cell lung cancer of PEGylated paclitaxel-loaded liposomes targeted to tumor vasculature by both RGD and a neuropilin 1-specific peptide over untargeted or single-targeted liposomes [207].

In contrast, only half of the animals receiving the wildtype plasmid developed a detectable CD8 response and these responses were weaker than those observed in the codon-optimized group. The predominant cytokines expressed by the stimulated CD8 T-cells were TNF-α and IFN-γ, detected in approximately 1% of all CD8+ splenic T-cells after two vaccinations with the Cell Cycle inhibitor codon-optimized plasmid (Fig. 2). Furthermore, nearly 60% of these cells expressed both cytokines and still 20% expressed additionally the proliferation-inducing cytokine IL-2. Polyfunctional T-cells of this type were virtually undetectable in the WT group. Therefore,

both the magnitude and the quality of the CD8 response correlated with the enhanced expression levels facilitated by codon-optimization. selleckchem Since conventional influenza vaccines are known to predominantly induce humoral

responses rather than cellular responses, it was important to determine Libraries whether codon-optimization of the DNA vaccine could also enhance the HA-specific antibody response in addition to the CD4 and CD8 responses. Blood samples were collected 3 weeks after the first and 2 weeks after the second immunization and the antibody responses were evaluated using a FACS based assay in which the sera of vaccinated mice were used to stain 293 T-cells transfected with an HA expressing plasmid. The mean fluorescence intensities of the bound secondary FITC-labelled anti-mouse antibody were then used to compare the relative levels of specific antibodies in the sera. The effect of codon-optimization on antibody response was comparable to that observed for

the CD8 response. All animals immunized with the codon-optimized plasmid developed substantially high Olopatadine levels of antibody specific for the HA of the novel H1N1 swine flu virus. After a single immunization with 30 μg of DNA, this group showed a statistically significant higher antibody level than the control and the WT group (Fig. 3). Three weeks after a single injection, antibodies were detectable in only 2 of 12 animals of the WT group, albeit at low levels. After the second immunization, antibody levels in this group were slightly enhanced, with 6 animals now having detectable HA-specific antibodies, but only at levels similar to those observed after a single immunization with the codon-optimized plasmid. The second vaccination with HAco significantly boosted the antibody response to high level, giving an MFI of 598 compared to 151 after a single vaccination. This response was similar to the antibody level found in a human convalescent serum (data not shown). To ensure the specificity of the bound antibodies, the sera were analyzed for binding to VSV-G transfected cells.

2010). Methods are identical to those reported previously (Lad et al. 2010), except

for the timing of the test. Mice were transferred to these home cages during the middle of their light cycle (between 12:30 and 13:00). Recording took place at three time points during the 24 h test (13:00–14:00; 01:00–02:00; 11:30–12:30). The first hour (13:00–14:00) following the transfer of the mice measured their behavior in response to the novel environment. The second hour (01:00–02:00) assessed their behavior during the dark phase (the active phase for mice which are nocturnal mammals), following 12 h of habituation. The last hour (11:30–12:30) measured the behavior of the mice following Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical an extended period (>22 h) of habituation during a typically low activity phase (light phase). Four

red multi-LED cluster lamps (LED cluster red light No. 310-6757; RS Components Northants, UK) of approximate wavelength 705 nm were placed in the test room to provide sufficient lighting Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical for the image capture, but give the appearance of darkness to the mice given the wavelength of the lamps. Open field The open field was performed as described previously (Lad et al. 2010), except for light level which was ~30 lux. Novel Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical object exploration Novel object exploration was performed 48 h after the open field test using the open field arena (see Lad et al. 2010 for details). During the novel object exploration task, each mouse was exposed to two identical novel objects for 5 min. The Ethovision program was utilized for both automated tracking and manual scoring. Manual scoring allowed accurate measures of exploration Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical (frequency and duration) of each object to be made. Holeboard The holeboard (File 2001), used to measure activity Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical and exploration in a novel arena, was run in a Tru Scan Photo Beam Activity

selleck System (Coulbourn Instruments, Allentown, New Jersey), which consisted of an automated arena (25.4 × 25.4 × 40.6 cm) with sensor rings to track movement in the arena (light level 300 lux). The beams were spaced 1.52 cm apart providing a 0.76 cm spatial resolution. A metal floor was used, containing 16 holes (2.2 cm in diameter), evenly distributed over the floor (4 × 4 configuration). The floor to also contained sensors to detect nose pokes. Mice were placed individually in a corner of the holeboard and allowed to freely explore for 5 min. The distance traveled, number of holes visited, and time spent in the center (17.8 × 17.8 cm) were recorded using the Tru Scan Software Version 2.0 (Coulbourn Instruments). Forced swim The forced swim test (Porsolt et al. 1978) was carried out in a clear Perspex tube (49 cm high × 15 cm diameter) filled with water at room temperature (depth 40 cm). Twenty-four hours prior to the trial, a blood sample was taken to provide a baseline measure of corticosterone, see below.

5 cm. The relative number of animals that made at least one successful jump over the gap increased over time in both groups (chi-square test, P < 0.05), suggesting that on average animals in both groups were as likely to perform in the task. In the testing paradigm used, there were thus no detectable differences in the ability of the animals to perform

the task (defined as the increased average gap distance crossed with increased number of training sessions) or the average maximum gap distance achieved at the final day of training. Next, we AZD6244 nmr analyzed whether there was a difference in the behavioral strategy and whisker movements between animals in the different groups. Different Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical behavioral strategies to solve the gap-crossing task To investigate the Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical behavioral strategy the animals

use to solve the gap-crossing task, we analyzed how many times they approach the gap and the duration that the animals spend exploring the gap. This measure is used to assess how actively the animals explore the gap. The rationale behind these measurements is that the time that the animal spends exploring the gap before crossing reflects the time for the sensory processing necessary to make a decision. The number of attempts made can be both an index of the general Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical locomotor activity (not only related to solving the gap-crossing task), but also more specifically to the Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical animal’s behavioral strategy to solve the gap-crossing task. The total number of attempts (including both failures and successes) and the total duration of all attempts were similar for both groups up to gap distances of 5 cm (Figs. 3 and S1), but the animal groups clearly deviated at 5.5 cm. At gap distances of 5.5 cm, the P0 group made relatively more attempts

(5.1 ± 0.5, n [animals] = 12) to cross the gap as compared with the control (3.4 ± 0.6.3, n = 10; unpaired t-test, P = 0.04). The Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical average number of successful attempts on a given day (average range: 3–7) was, however, the same for both groups (unpaired t-test, P > 0.05). The increased total number of attempts in the P0 group thus means that these animals approach the gap many times without actually jumping. The duration spent exploring the gap was at the longest gap distance (5.5 cm) shorter (unpaired t-test, P = 0.048) for nearly the P0 group (1.5 ± 0.2, n [animals] = 12) compared with control animals (2.3 ± 0.4, n = 10). Figure 3 Sensory exploration strategy is affected by sensory deprivation. (A) P0 animals made more attempts to jump over the gap in comparison with control animals. The differences are significant at a gap distance of 5.5 cm, which is the distance where the animals … The similarities between the groups at gap-cross distances up to 5 cm are likely due to the fact that the animals, in addition to using their whiskers to explore the target platform, can also use their nose to touch the platform (Hutson and Masterton 1986).

The basal ganglia are primarily involved in the integration of input from cortical areas, particularly from the motor cortex. They modulate the activity of thalamocortical projections, thereby creating a cortico-striato-pallido-thalamo-cortical loop. Four groups of

densely packed neurons provide widespread projections to many brain areas: cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain (BF) Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical and brain stem; dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and ventral tegmental area (VTA); noradrenergic neurons in the locus ceruleus (LC); and serotonergic neurons in the raphe nuclei (R). The anatomical organization of the human brain gives rise to several neural circuits, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical each affiliated with different aspects of brain function. Over the last 100 years of psychosis research, four major hypotheses have been put forward that propose abnormalities of these neural circuits in psychosis. (1) Beginning with Kraepelin, psychosis was thought to be

a dysfunction of the association cortex in the frontal lobe, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). (2) Based in part on the observation that temporal lobe seizures often present with hallucinations and delusions, abnormalities of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) were proposed to explain the positive symptoms of psychosis. (3) The occurrence Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical of psychotic symptoms after the use of amphetamine and cocaine, and the discovery that neuroleptic drugs block dopamine D2 receptors, gave rise to the dopamine hypothesis. (4) More recently, the glutamatergic hypothesis, based

in part on the fact that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, such as buy RAD001 ketamine and phencyclidine, can cause drug-induced psychotic states, has Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical been put forward. We will review here the evidence that the four anatomical systems (the cortex, the thalamus, the basal ganglia, and the medial temporal lobe) and their modulation by the neurotransmitter-specific Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical projection systems are abnormal in schizophrenia. Although other brain regions, eg, the cerebellum, have also been implicated in the pathology of schizophrenia,49 we will not review their role here. Cortex The association cortex of the human brain is a six-layered isocortex. Layers 2 and 4 are defined by a high density of small Rebamipide interneurons, ie, neurons that do not send long-ranging projections to other cortical or subcortical areas. In contrast, layers 3 and 5 are defined by a high density of pyramidal cells, which collect input through their dendrites and project to other cortical or subcortical areas. Interneurons are GABAergic cells (GABA: gamma-aminobu lyric acid) and exert an inhibitory influence on their targets (via GABAA receptors) whereas pyramidal cells are glutamatergic and have an excitatory influence. Normal cortical function depends on an intricate balance between GABAergic inhibition and glutamatergic excitation.

1 Computed tomography is necessary for assessing tuberculous chest wall lesions, as it elucidates the nature and extent of soft tissue collections, intrathoracic adenopathy and bone erosion.1 Papavramidis

et al have reported a case of anterior chest wall tuberculous abscess.3 Our patient, a young immunocompetent lady, had a posterior chest wall tuberculous abscess/cold abscess, which was due to caries rib. Fine needle aspiration cytology from the abscess showed smears positive for acid-fast bacilli. Our patient also had sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis and tubercular Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical lymphadenitis of neck and mediastinum. Cold abscess of the chest wall is a rare disease. There are not many literature reports on the treatment of the disease. Therefore, an optimal treatment strategy is controversial. Though anti tubercular selleck therapy (extended course) is the cornerstone of the Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical treatment of tuberculous abscess of the chest wall, surgical treatment also plays a vital role. Surgical resection of the underlying rib and decortication of the pleura has been recommended.4,5 Conclusion Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical The occurrence of caries rib and cold abscess of the chest wall with concomitant pulmonary tuberculosis and tubercular lymphadenitis of neck and mediastinum has rarely been described in an immunocompetent individual. The rarity of our case lies in the fact that the patient was immunocompetent with cold abscess

due to caries rib and rare association of pulmonary tuberculosis and tubercular lymphadenitis of neck and mediastinum. Tubercular parietal chest Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical wall abscess is a rare form of extrapulmonary TB. Parietal chest wall TB is rare, and TB of the rib still rarer. Computed tomography is necessary for assessing tuberculous

chest wall lesions. Anti tubercular therapy (extended course) is the cornerstone of the treatment of tuberculous abscess of the chest wall and surgical treatment also plays a vital role. Conflict of Interest: None declared
Background: Estradiol and progesterone as well as hippocampal GABAA receptors are believed to play a role in the modulation of pain. The aim of present Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical study was to investigate found the effect of intrahippocampal injections of GABAA receptor agonist (muscimol) and GABAA receptor antagonist (picrotoxin) on pain sensitivity during estrous cycle. Methods: Pain sensitivity was evaluated in rats by formalin test during all stages of estrous cycle. Animals were divided into five groups including; 1- control (intact animal); 2- sham 1 receiving 0.75 µl artificial cerebrospinal fluids (ACSF); 3- sham 2 receiving 0.75 µl alcoholic ACSF; 4- experimental 1 receiving 250 or 500 µg/rat of muscimol in 0.75 µl vehicle, and 5- experimental 2 receiving 20 or 30 µg/rat picrotoxin in 0.75 µl vehicle. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis followed by Tucky’s test for pairwise comparisons using a P value of ≤0.50 for statistical significance.

This is consistent with the high clinical efficacy observed. By the EIA inhibition assay that targets neutralizing epitopes for HPV-16 and HPV-18, we also observed robust responses following vaccination. These responses were measurable after four years for nearly all participants evaluated for HPV-16 (92.3%) and for roughly half of participants evaluated for HPV-18 (45.8%). Since efficacy remained high

throughout the four years of follow-up for both HPV-16/18, the fact that about half MG 132 of the vaccinees sero-reverted to HPV-18 by the EIA assay suggests that protective levels are lower than the minimum detectable level by the assay or that antibodies against additional epitopes can also be protective. Limitations of our trial include the modest number of CIN2+ events among women naïve to specific HPV types during the vaccination period,

which limited our ability to evaluate efficacy against individual HPV types other than HPV-16/18 and against CIN3+. Our study size also limited the ability to evaluate efficacy against lesions by time. A distinguishing characteristic of our trial is its community-based design; we enrolled Selleckchem SB203580 women from a well-defined area based on a census [11]. As a result, our trial represents a unique large-scale community-level trial conducted pre-licensure and affords an opportunity for follow-up studies to address many questions of interest. These include questions regarding long-term safety, immunogenicity and efficacy; natural history of infections

in vaccinated women and the impact of vaccination on cervical disease associated with non-vaccine Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase HPV types; the impact of vaccination on screening; and the utility of novel screening tools in vaccinated populations. The results presented herein serve as a benchmark to help interpret results from some of these planned efforts. Our findings provide additional independent evidence of the efficacy, immunogenicity and safety of the HPV-16/18 vaccine for prevention of HPV infections and cervical cancer precursor lesions in previously unexposed women and further support the establishment of vaccination programs that target individuals prior to exposure. Note: Cervarix is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies. Proyecto Epidemiológico Guanacaste, Fundación INCIENSA, San José, Costa Rica—Mario Alfaro (cytopathologist), M. Concepción Bratti (co-Modulators investigator), Bernal Cortés (specimen and repository manager), Albert Espinoza (head, coding and data entry), Yenory Estrada (pharmacist), Paula González (co-investigator), Diego Guillén (pathologist), Rolando Herrero1 (co-principal investigator), Silvia E.

g., availability of intensive care units, ED crowding, pharmacy or radiology), patient factors (e.g., failure to recognize symptoms, preference to arrive via car instead of ambulance), and guideline factors (issues with the structure or content of guidelines in general). The six internal selleck screening library barriers were the lack of familiarity, agreement, awareness, motivation, outcome expectancy, or self-efficacy. Each paragraph (the coding unit) was coded for all themes found; thus each paragraph could be assigned

zero to nine themes. See Table ​Table22 for a detailed description of all of the major coding themes. Major Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical themes were derived in advance of data collection. After completion of phase 1, the two coders independently used the phase 1 data to inductively derive minor themes, including the various aspects of acute stroke presentation and treatment, conceptual models of acute stroke presentation, and the overall process of stroke onset to outcome. These minor themes were then Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical coded for both phase 1 and 2 data for the development of the site-specific educational Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical interventions.

Barriers were also related to the various phases of acute stroke presentation and treatment. External barriers were related to the conceptual models of the acute stroke presentation. Barriers were related to the points in the overall process from stroke onset to outcome. Timeline Phase 1 of the barrier assessments occurred Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical at the initial site investigators’ meeting on 3/26/2007. Phase 2 of the barrier assessments was conducted at each of the intervention hospitals from 6/12/2007 to 10/05/2007. The thematic analysis occurred from July to October 2007 and was used to design and prioritize educational interventions for the trial. The short lead time from barrier assessment to intervention Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical was the rationale for the semi-quantitative approach (relative barrier proportions) that was utilized to determine the most discussed barriers from each site. Results Since the external barriers of environmental and patient factors comprised most of the cited barriers, sub-categories were inductively derived from these two major themes

to better inform the sites during the educational intervention. The derived subcategory themes of barriers external to the EP are next described in Table ​Table33 and provided within the framework of acute stroke presentation in Figure ​Figure2.2. The temporal process of stroke occurrence, presentation, treatment and recovery that leads to the final outcome is shown. Table 3 Sub Categories of Identified Barriers External to the Individual Provider Figure 2 Relationship of acute stroke care process to barriers external to the emergency physician. The pathway shows the process a patient would go through when presenting with an acute stroke. The relationship of the identified external barriers to each point … Examples of responses which are illustrative of important internal barriers are provided in Table ​Table4.4.

The minimum median dose was 5712 cGy (5510-6723 cGy). Median dose of the whole heart and 30% of heart were 308 cGy (10-1222 cGy) cGy and 4287 cGy (1820-5656 cGy)

cGy. Average median lung dose was 1485 cGy (615-2217 cGy), while the maximum dose on the spinal cord was 4110 cGy. Median lung volumes exposed to 1000 and 1500 cGy were 41.5% (12.2-54%) and 30.8% (8.1-43.9%), respectively. Acute toxicity Acute toxicity associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy is shown in Table 2. Odynophagia was the most frequent grade III toxicity (50%) which usually emerged in the 2nd week of chemoradiotherapy, worsened during the 3rd week, and gradually disappeared after the 5th and 6th weeks. Only one patient had low hemoglobin Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical value (grade II) which resolved spontaneously within 2 weeks after CRT. No Grade IV or higher Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical toxicity was observed. Acute toxicity reactions were generally acceptable and did not require any treatment discontinuation or interruption. Table 2 Acute (early) toxicity (n=20) Subacute and late toxicity Subacute and late effects of radiotherapy are shown in Table 3. Grade III or higher toxicity occurred in 15 patients (75%). Of the study subjects 9 (45%) had ≥ Grade III esophageal [upper gastrointestinal system (GIS)] reactions:

5 (20%) had esophageal perforation and bleeding, and 4 died due to severe gastrointestinal bleeding during the subacute stage (1.5-5 months). The maximum dose of radiotherapy in Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical patients with ≥ Grade III esophageal toxicity ranged between 5911 and 6153 cGy. Nine patients (45%) had Grade II lung toxicity that was not associated with severe symptoms and that was readily controlled with steroids and antibiotics. Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical In terms of cardiac effects, only one patient had pericardial effusion approximately 1.5 months after the treatment. Due to worsening Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical respiratory status, the patient required pericardiectomy for the treatment of cardiac tamponade. In this patient the maximum point dose on the heart, the average cardiac dose, and the dose received by the Dabrafenib nmr entire cardiac volume

were 6090 cGy, 3535 cGy and 380 cGy, respectively. No patients had L’Hermitte’s syndrome or myelitis. Table 3 Subacute and late toxicity (n=20) Efficacy of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy Thorax CT and/or PET-CT scan were used to determine tumor response. To avoid a possible damage to fragile esophageal tissue, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was not used to confirm pathologic complete below response (pCR) after chemoradiotherapy. Radiologically, 8 patients (40%) had complete response, 8 (40%) had partial response, and 3 (15%) had stable disease, with only 1 patient (5%) with progressive disease. Seven patients underwent surgery and had R0 resection, and in 6 (85%), pathological complete response was demonstrated. In 13 patients without surgery, 2 (15%) had radiological complete response at 6-month follow-up examination. Overall, 8 patients (40%) had local control. The median duration of follow-up was 13 months (range: 4-64 months).