Background: Colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) with caudal-type homeobox 2 (CDX2) loss are recognized to pursue an aggressive behavior but tend to be accompanied by a high density of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). However, little is known about whether there is an interplay between CDX2 loss and TIL density in the survival of patients with CRC. Methods: Stage III CRC tissues were assessed for CDX2 loss using immunohistochemistry and analyzed for their densities of CD8 TILs in both intraepithelial (iTILs) and stromal areas using a machine learning-based analytic method. Results: CDX2 loss was significantly associated with a higher density of CD8 TILs in both intraepithelial and stromal areas. Both CDX2 loss and a high CD8 iTIL density were found to be prognostic parameters and showed hazard ratios of 2.314 (1.050–5.100) and 0.378 (0.175–0.817), respectively, for cancer-specific survival. A subset of CRCs with retained CDX2 expression and a high density of CD8 iTILs showed the best clinical outcome (hazard ratio of 0.138 [0.023–0.826]), whereas a subset with CDX2 loss and a high density of CD8 iTILs exhibited the worst clinical outcome (15.781 [3.939–63.230]). Conclusions Altogether, a high density of CD8 iTILs did not make a difference in the survival of patients with CRC with CDX2 loss. The combination of CDX2 expression and intraepithelial CD8 TIL density was an independent prognostic marker in adjuvant chemotherapy-treated patients with stage III CRC.

Background: Colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) with caudal-type homeobox 2 (CDX2) loss are recognized to pursue an aggressive behavior but tend to be accompanied by a high density of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). However, little is known about whether there is an interplay between CDX2 loss and TIL density in the survival of patients with CRC. Methods: Stage III CRC tissues were assessed for CDX2 loss using immunohistochemistry and analyzed for their densities of CD8 TILs in both intraepithelial (iTILs) and stromal areas using a machine learning-based analytic method. Results: CDX2 loss was significantly associated with a higher density of CD8 TILs in both intraepithelial and stromal areas. Both CDX2 loss and a high CD8 iTIL density were found to be prognostic parameters and showed hazard ratios of 2.314 (1.050–5.100) and 0.378 (0.175–0.817), respectively, for cancer-specific survival. A subset of CRCs with retained CDX2 expression and a high density of CD8 iTILs showed the best clinical outcome (hazard ratio of 0.138 [0.023–0.826]), whereas a subset with CDX2 loss and a high density of CD8 iTILs exhibited the worst clinical outcome (15.781 [3.939–63.230]). Conclusions Altogether, a high density of CD8 iTILs did not make a difference in the survival of patients with CRC with CDX2 loss. The combination of CDX2 expression and intraepithelial CD8 TIL density was an independent prognostic marker in adjuvant chemotherapy-treated patients with stage III CRC.

Background: Colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) with caudal-type homeobox 2 (CDX2) loss are recognized to pursue an aggressive behavior but tend to be accompanied by a high density of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). However, little is known about whether there is an interplay between CDX2 loss and TIL density in the survival of patients with CRC. Methods: Stage III CRC tissues were assessed for CDX2 loss using immunohistochemistry and analyzed for their densities of CD8 TILs in both intraepithelial (iTILs) and stromal areas using a machine learning-based analytic method. Results: CDX2 loss was significantly associated with a higher density of CD8 TILs in both intraepithelial and stromal areas. Both CDX2 loss and a high CD8 iTIL density were found to be prognostic parameters and showed hazard ratios of 2.314 (1.050–5.100) and 0.378 (0.175–0.817), respectively, for cancer-specific survival. A subset of CRCs with retained CDX2 expression and a high density of CD8 iTILs showed the best clinical outcome (hazard ratio of 0.138 [0.023–0.826]), whereas a subset with CDX2 loss and a high density of CD8 iTILs exhibited the worst clinical outcome (15.781 [3.939–63.230]). Conclusions Altogether, a high density of CD8 iTILs did not make a difference in the survival of patients with CRC with CDX2 loss. The combination of CDX2 expression and intraepithelial CD8 TIL density was an independent prognostic marker in adjuvant chemotherapy-treated patients with stage III CRC.

Recurrence of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) type II poses challenges during postoperative liver transplant care. Posttransplant patients with PFIC type II risk developing recurrent cholestasis with normal gamma-glutamyl transferase activity, which mimics the original bile salt export pump (BSEP) protein deficiency and is related to a form of immunoglobulin G antibody (anti-BSEP)-mediated rejection. Bortezomib effectively induces apoptosis of actively antibody-producing plasma cells that may have a role in antibodymediated rejection. In this case, we used bortezomib to treat PFIC type II recurrence after liver transplantation in a child.

Background: Current international guidelines recommend against deep sedation as it is associated with worse outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, in Korea the prevalence of deep sedation and its impact on patients in the ICU are not well known. Methods: From April 2020 to July 2021, a multicenter, prospective, longitudinal, noninterventional cohort study was performed in 20 Korean ICUs. Sedation depth extent was divided into light and deep using a mean Richmond Agitation–Sedation Scale value within the first 48 hours. Propensity score matching was used to balance covariables; the outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: Overall, 631 patients (418 [66.2%] and 213 [33.8%] in the deep and light sedation groups, respectively) were included. Mortality rates were 14.1% and 8.4% in the deep and light sedation groups (P = 0.039), respectively. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that time to extubation (P < 0.001), ICU length of stay (P = 0.005), and death P = 0.041) differed between the groups. After adjusting for confounders, early deep sedation was only associated with delayed time to extubation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.66; 95% confidence inter val [CI], 0.55– 0.80; P < 0.001). In the matched cohort, deep sedation remained significantly associated with delayed time to extubation (HR, 0.68; 95% 0.56–0.83; P < 0.001) but was not associated with ICU length of stay (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.79–1.13; P = 0.500) and in-hospital mortality (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.65–2.17; P = 0.582). Conclusion In many Korean ICUs, early deep sedation was highly prevalent in mechanically ventilated patients and was associated with delayed extubation, but not prolonged ICU stay or in-hospital death.

Background/Aims: Germline mutations of the rearranged during transfection (RET) gene cause multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2). About 85% of RET mutations in MEN2 occur in codon Cys634. The RET D631Y mutation has recently been discovered, and we have studied its molecular expression and clinical consequences. Methods: We analyzed the clinical characteristics of a total of 34 D631Y variant MEN2 individuals from seven families. We also constructed wild-type and mutant C630Y, D631Y, and C634R/W expression vectors and investigated their effects on signaling pathways and ability to correct the phenotypes of RET mutant cells. Results: The median ages at diagnosis of pheochromocytoma and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) were higher in patients with RET D631Y variant MEN2 than in those with the C634R/W variant (49:53.5 years vs. 33.5:27 years, respectively), and the penetration of the D631Y mutation with respect to MTC was lower than that of the C634R/W mutation (32.3% vs. 90%). The effects of the mutant vectors on phosphorylation of RET signaling molecules and focus formation were significantly different from those of wild type, but there were no significant differences between the mutants. D631Y scored significantly higher for chemotaxis and wound healing than C630Y, but lower than C634R and C634W. Conclusions We suggest that the tumorigenic potential conferred by the D631Y mutation is lower than that conferred by the C634R/W mutation, but higher than that conferred by C630Y. Thus, the risk level of the RET D631Y variant appears to be higher than that of C630Y and lower than that of C634R/W.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported a patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) with compound heterozygous mutations in the cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) gene. One allele had a p.His373Leu and the other a new p.Glu383fsX36 mutation. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional properties of a new allele present in a compound heterozygote of CYP17A1. METHODS: To understand how p.His373Leu and p.Glu383fsX36 affect P450c17 enzymatic activity, wild type and mutant CYP17A1 cDNAs were cloned into flag-tagged pcDNA3 vector and introduced into human embryonic kidney cells 293T (HEK293T) cells. Protein expression levels of CYP17A1 were then analyzed. And the activities of 17α-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase of CYP17A1 were evaluated by measuring the conversion of progesterone to 17α-hydroxyprogesterone and of 17α-hydroxypregnenolone to dehydroepiandrosterone, respectively. In addition a computer model was used to create the three-dimensional structure of the mutant CYP17A1 enzymes. RESULTS: Production of the p.His373Leu mutant protein was significantly lower than that of the wild type protein, and the p.Glu383fsX36 protein was hardly produced. Similarly the enzymatic activity derived from the p.His373Leu mutant vector was significantly lower than that obtained from the wild type vector, and little activity was obtained from the p.Glu383fsX36 vector. Three-dimensional modeling of the enzyme showed that p.His373 was located in region important for heme-binding and proper folding. Neither the p.His373Leu nor the p.Glu383fsX36 mutant protein formed a heme-binding structure. CONCLUSION: Enzyme activity measured in both mutants disappeared completely in both 17α-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase. This result accounts for the clinical manifestations of the patient with the compound heterozygous CYP17A1 mutations.
Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital ; Alleles ; Clone Cells ; Computer Simulation ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; DNA, Complementary ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Kidney ; Mutant Proteins ; Progesterone ; Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of add-on therapy with certolizumab pegol (CZP) in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients of a single ethnicity. METHODS: In this 24-week, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, eligible patients (n = 127) were randomized 2:1 to subcutaneous CZP + methotrexate (MTX; 400 mg at week 0, 2, and 4 followed by 200 mg every 2 weeks) or placebo + MTX. RESULTS: At week 24, the American College of Rheumatology criteria for 20% (ACR20) response rate was significantly greater with CZP + MTX than with placebo (66.7% vs. 27.5%, p < 0.001). Differences in ACR20 response rates for CZP vs. placebo were significant from week 1 (p < 0.05) and remained significant through week 24. The CZP group reported significant improvement in physical function and disability compared to the placebo group (p < 0.001) at week 24, as assessed by Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (KHAQ-DI). Post hoc analysis indicated that the proportion of patients who had ACR70 responses, Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) low disease activity, and DAS28 remission at week 24 was greater in CZP + MTX-treated patients who achieved a decrease in DAS28 ≥ 1.2 (43.8%) at week 4 than in nonresponders. Among 18 (22.2%) and 14 patients (35.0%) in CZP and placebo groups who had latent tuberculosis (TB), none developed active TB. Most adverse events were mild or moderate. CONCLUSIONS: CZP treatment combined with MTX in active RA patients with moderate to severe disease activity and an inadequate response to MTX resulted in rapid onset of efficacy, which is associated with better clinical outcome at week 24 and has an acceptable safety profile, especially in an intermediate TB-burden population.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Certolizumab Pegol ; Humans ; Latent Tuberculosis ; Methotrexate* ; Rheumatology

Raoultella species are gram-negative, non-motile, aerobic bacilli that are primarily considered as environmental bacteria. Raoultella planticola is reportedly a rare cause of human infections. Also, the definite pathological mechanism of Raoultella planticola is currently unknown. We report a case of pneumonia caused by Raoultella planticola.
Bacteria ; Humans ; Pneumonia*

Herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) are the most common cause of mucocutaneous infections with dissemination to visceral organs. HSV-induced hepatitis is a rare but frequent cause of hepatitis in immunocompromised patients, pregnant women, and newborns. However, diagnosis is often difficult because the clinical features are nonspecific. In addition, the HSV-related mortality rate is high. Signs and symptoms of HSV include fever, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or tenderness, leukocytopenia, coagulopathy, and an increase in serum transaminase levels without jaundice. We present a patient who did not correspond to the above symptoms, but survived following prompt intravenous high-dose acyclovir provided early in the course of the disease.
Abdominal Pain ; Acyclovir* ; Anorexia ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fever ; Hepatitis ; Herpes Simplex* ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Infant, Newborn ; Jaundice ; Leukopenia ; Liver Failure, Acute ; Mortality ; Nausea ; Pregnant Women ; Simplexvirus* ; Vomiting