Background: The latent reservoir of Human Immunodificiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) has been a major barrier to the complete eradication of HIV-1 and the development of HIV therapy. Longterm non-progressors (LTNPs) are a rare group of patients with HIV-1 who can spontaneously control HIV-1 replication without antiretroviral therapy. Transcriptome analysis is necessary to predict the pathways involved in the natural control of HIV-1, elucidate the mechanisms involved in LTNPs, and find biomarkers for HIV-1 reservoir therapy. Materials and Methods: In this study, we obtained peripheral blood mononuclear cells from two LTNP subjects at multiple time points and performed RNA-sequencing analyses. Results: We found that LTNPs and normal subjects had different transcriptome profiles. Functional annotation analysis identified that differentially expressed genes in LTNPs were enriched in several biological pathways such as cell cycle-related pathways and the transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathway. However, genes that were downregulated in LTNPs were associated with immune responses such as the interferon response and IL2-STAT5 signaling. Protein-protein interaction network analysis showed that CD8A, KLRD1, ASGR1, and MLKL, whose gene expression was upregulated in LTNPs, directly interacted with HIV-1 proteins. The network analysis also found that viral proteins potentially regulated host genes that were associated with immune system processes, metabolic processes, and gene expression regulation. Conclusion Our longitudinal transcriptome analysis of the LTNPs identified multiple previously undescribed pathways and genes that may be useful in the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

Background: The latent reservoir of Human Immunodificiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) has been a major barrier to the complete eradication of HIV-1 and the development of HIV therapy. Longterm non-progressors (LTNPs) are a rare group of patients with HIV-1 who can spontaneously control HIV-1 replication without antiretroviral therapy. Transcriptome analysis is necessary to predict the pathways involved in the natural control of HIV-1, elucidate the mechanisms involved in LTNPs, and find biomarkers for HIV-1 reservoir therapy. Materials and Methods: In this study, we obtained peripheral blood mononuclear cells from two LTNP subjects at multiple time points and performed RNA-sequencing analyses. Results: We found that LTNPs and normal subjects had different transcriptome profiles. Functional annotation analysis identified that differentially expressed genes in LTNPs were enriched in several biological pathways such as cell cycle-related pathways and the transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathway. However, genes that were downregulated in LTNPs were associated with immune responses such as the interferon response and IL2-STAT5 signaling. Protein-protein interaction network analysis showed that CD8A, KLRD1, ASGR1, and MLKL, whose gene expression was upregulated in LTNPs, directly interacted with HIV-1 proteins. The network analysis also found that viral proteins potentially regulated host genes that were associated with immune system processes, metabolic processes, and gene expression regulation. Conclusion Our longitudinal transcriptome analysis of the LTNPs identified multiple previously undescribed pathways and genes that may be useful in the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) is an effective treatment used for intrahepatic stone in patients who have undergone hepatectomy. There are few reports on natural course in these patients. Thus, we report the long-term results. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 19 patients who underwent PTCS after hepatectomy at Samsung Medical Center between January 1998 and December 2014. We investigated patient characteristics and recurrence of biliary complications during follow up period. Then, we analyzed the factors related to recurrence. RESULTS: Indications for PTCS were cholangitis, symptomatic stone, liver abscess and biliary dilatation. Complete stone removal was achieved in 12 patients (63.2%). After receiving PTCS, the recurrence of intrahepatic stone related complication occurred in 52.6% (10/19) of patients during a median follow-up of 4.9 years (range, 1.8–7.8). Complications were cholangitis (5/10, 50%), cholangitis with liver abscess (3/10, 30%), liver abscess (1/10, 10%) and symptomatic stone (1/10, 10%). On univariate analysis, factors including multiple stone involvement, complete stone removal and bile duct stricture were not significantly associated with recurrent biliary complications. CONCLUSIONS: PTCS is an effective treatment for complications of recurrent intrahepatic stones in patients who have undergone hepatectomy. However, long term follow-up is necessary because of the recurrence of biliary complications.
Bile Ducts ; Cholangitis ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dilatation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Abscess ; Liver ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancers. Dysfunction occurs in part because of altered regulation of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC), which acts as a central metabolic node that mediates pyruvate oxidation after glycolysis and fuels the Krebs cycle to meet energy demands. Fine-tuning of PDC activity has been mainly attributed to post-translational modifications of its subunits, including the extensively studied phosphorylation and de-phosphorylation of the E1α subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), modulated by kinases (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase [PDK] 1-4) and phosphatases (pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase [PDP] 1-2), respectively. In addition to phosphorylation, other covalent modifications, including acetylation and succinylation, and changes in metabolite levels via metabolic pathways linked to utilization of glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids, have been identified. In this review, we will summarize the roles of PDC in diverse tissues and how regulation of its activity is affected in various metabolic disorders.
Acetylation ; Amino Acids ; Citric Acid Cycle ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Fatty Acids ; Glucose ; Glycolysis ; Metabolic Diseases ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Metabolism* ; Mitochondria ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Obesity ; Oxidative Phosphorylation ; Oxidoreductases ; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Processing, Post-Translational ; Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex* ; Pyruvic Acid*

PURPOSE: Recurrent respiratory tract infection is a common manifestation of primary immunodeficiency disease, and respiratory viruses or bacteria are important triggers of asthma exacerbations. Asthma often coexists with humoral immunodeficiency in adults, and some asthmatics with immunoglobulin (Ig) G subclass deficiency (IgGSCD) suffer from recurrent exacerbations. Although some studies suggest a benefit from Ig replacement, others have failed to support its use. This study aimed to assess the effect of Ig replacement on asthma exacerbation caused by respiratory infection as well as the asthma control status of adult asthmatics with IgGSCD. METHODS: This is a multi-center, open-label study of adult asthmatics with IgGSCD. All patients received monthly intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for 6 months and were evaluated regarding asthma exacerbation related to infection, asthma control status, quality of life, and lung function before and after IVIG infusion. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients were enrolled, and 24 completed the study. Most of the patients had a moderate degree of asthma severity with partly (52%) or uncontrolled (41%) status at baseline. IVIG significantly reduced the proportion of patients with asthma exacerbations, lowered the number of respiratory infections, and improved asthma control status, compared to the baseline values (P<0.001). The mean asthma-specific quality of life and asthma control test scores were improved significantly (P=0.009 and P=0.053, respectively); however, there were no significant changes in lung function. CONCLUSIONS: IVIG reduced the frequency of asthma exacerbations and improved asthma control status in adult asthmatics with IgGSCD, suggesting that IVIG could be an effective treatment option in this population.
Adult* ; Asthma* ; Bacteria ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G* ; Immunoglobulins* ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Lung ; Quality of Life ; Respiratory Tract Infections

Noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) is one of the most common esophageal symptoms and lacks a clearly defined mechanism. The most common cause of NCCP is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). One of the accepted mechanisms of NCCP in a patient without GERD has been altered visceral sensitivity. Mast cells may play a role in visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome. In this case, a patient with NCCP and dysphagia who was unresponsive to proton pump inhibitor treatment had an increased esophageal mast cell infiltration and responded to 14 days of antihistamine and antileukotriene treatment. We suggest that there may be a relationship between esophageal symptoms such as NCCP and esophageal mast cell infiltration.
Adult ; Chest Pain/*etiology ; Esophageal Diseases/*complications/drug therapy ; Esophagus/cytology/pathology ; Female ; Histamine Antagonists/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Leukotriene Antagonists/therapeutic use ; Mast Cells/metabolism ; Mastocytosis/*complications/drug therapy

A 53-year-old male was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of the second kidney transplant. A Iliopsoas Bursitis was detected on diagnostic abdominopelvic computed tomography. He had undergone a coronary angiography (CAG) due to chest pain 1 month prior to his visit. At that time, he had experienced pain on his right back and flank for some time. We found no other causes or predisposing factors associated with that problem. Thus, we report on a case of iliopsoas bursitis after CAG.
Bursitis* ; Causality ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Angiography* ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged

To preserve scientific integrity, Journal of Liver Cancer agreed with the authors that this paper be retracted.

Sorafenib is currently the only targeted therapy available for advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Cutaneous adverse events associated with sorafenib treatment include hand-foot skin reaction, but there has been no report of drug reaction (or rash) with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome. Here, we report a case of 72-year-old man with HCC and alcoholic liver cirrhosis who developed skin eruptions, fever, eosinophilia, and deteriorated hepatic and renal function under sorafenib treatment. He has since successfully recovered with conservative care.
Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome* ; Eosinophilia ; Fever ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic ; Skin

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a rare and severe drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome characterized by hematological abnormalities and multiorgan involvement. Liver involvement is the most common visceral manifestation. However, renal failure has been rarely described. The common culprit drugs are anticonvulsants and allopurinol. We experienced a patient with DRESS syndrome with acute interstitial nephritis caused by concomitant administration of quinolone and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A 41-year-old man presented with a diffuse erythematous rash and fever which developed after administration of quinolone and NSAIDs for a month due to prostatitis. He was diagnosed with DRESS syndrome. Skin rash, fever, eosinophilia, and elevations of liver enzymes improved with conservative treatment and discontinuation of the causative drugs. However, deterioration of his renal function occurred on day 8 of admission. The levels of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine increased and oliguria, proteinuria and urinary eosinophils were observed. Ultrasonography showed diffuse renal enlargement. The clinical features were compatible with acute interstitial nephritis. Despite intravenous rehydration and diuretics, renal function did not improve. After hemodialysis, his renal function recovered completely within 2 weeks without administration of systemic corticosteroid.
Adult ; Allopurinol ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Anticonvulsants ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; Diuretics ; Drug Hypersensitivity ; Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome* ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils ; Exanthema ; Fever ; Fluid Therapy ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Liver ; Nephritis, Interstitial* ; Oliguria ; Prostatitis ; Proteinuria ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Ultrasonography