Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of patients with failed initial Kasai portoenterostomy (KP) and to compare the long-term prognosis of redo-KP with that of liver transplantation (LT) in these patients. Methods: The medical records of patients with biliary atresia (BA) who failed initial KP from 2010 to 2021 at a single center were retrospectively analyzed. KP failure was defined as persistent jaundice (total bilirubin concentration, ≥2.0 mg/dL) after KP or the performance of LT. Results: During the study period, 32 patients experienced initial KP failure, with 10 undergoing redo-KP and 22 undergoing LT. Redo-KP was successful in a minority of patients with failed initial KP, but the complications, particularly cholangitis, were more frequent in the redo-KP group. The long-term prognosis of redo-KP compared to LT showed that while some patients benefited from native liver survival after redo-KP, LT remains the more definitive solution for sustained liver function and survival in patients with BA. Conclusion The only factor differing significantly between patients who underwent redo-KP and LT after failed initial KP was complications of cholangitis. Redo-KP was successful in 4 of 10 patients with failed initial KP, suggesting that redo-KP may be a treatment option in patients with BA and failed initial KP.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of patients with failed initial Kasai portoenterostomy (KP) and to compare the long-term prognosis of redo-KP with that of liver transplantation (LT) in these patients. Methods: The medical records of patients with biliary atresia (BA) who failed initial KP from 2010 to 2021 at a single center were retrospectively analyzed. KP failure was defined as persistent jaundice (total bilirubin concentration, ≥2.0 mg/dL) after KP or the performance of LT. Results: During the study period, 32 patients experienced initial KP failure, with 10 undergoing redo-KP and 22 undergoing LT. Redo-KP was successful in a minority of patients with failed initial KP, but the complications, particularly cholangitis, were more frequent in the redo-KP group. The long-term prognosis of redo-KP compared to LT showed that while some patients benefited from native liver survival after redo-KP, LT remains the more definitive solution for sustained liver function and survival in patients with BA. Conclusion The only factor differing significantly between patients who underwent redo-KP and LT after failed initial KP was complications of cholangitis. Redo-KP was successful in 4 of 10 patients with failed initial KP, suggesting that redo-KP may be a treatment option in patients with BA and failed initial KP.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of patients with failed initial Kasai portoenterostomy (KP) and to compare the long-term prognosis of redo-KP with that of liver transplantation (LT) in these patients. Methods: The medical records of patients with biliary atresia (BA) who failed initial KP from 2010 to 2021 at a single center were retrospectively analyzed. KP failure was defined as persistent jaundice (total bilirubin concentration, ≥2.0 mg/dL) after KP or the performance of LT. Results: During the study period, 32 patients experienced initial KP failure, with 10 undergoing redo-KP and 22 undergoing LT. Redo-KP was successful in a minority of patients with failed initial KP, but the complications, particularly cholangitis, were more frequent in the redo-KP group. The long-term prognosis of redo-KP compared to LT showed that while some patients benefited from native liver survival after redo-KP, LT remains the more definitive solution for sustained liver function and survival in patients with BA. Conclusion The only factor differing significantly between patients who underwent redo-KP and LT after failed initial KP was complications of cholangitis. Redo-KP was successful in 4 of 10 patients with failed initial KP, suggesting that redo-KP may be a treatment option in patients with BA and failed initial KP.

Purpose: Identification of type I protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) substrates and their functional significance during tumorigenesis is becoming more important. The present study aimed to identify target substrates for type I PRMT using 2-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis (GE) and 2D Western blotting (WB). Methods: Using immunoblot analysis, we compared the expression of type I PRMTs and endogenous levels of arginine methylation between the primary colorectal cancer (CRC) and adjacent noncancerous tissues paired from the same patient. To identify arginine-methylated proteins in HCT116 cells, we carried out 2D-GE and 2D-WB with a type I PRMT product-specific antibody (anti-dimethyl-arginine antibody, asymmetric [ASYM24]). Arginine-methylated protein spots were identified by mass spectrometry, and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels corresponding to the identified proteins were analyzed using National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) microarray datasets between the primary CRC and noncancerous tissues. Results: Type I PRMTs and methylarginine-containing proteins were highly maintained in CRC tissues compared to noncancerous tissues. We matched 142 spots using spot analysis software between a Coomassie blue (CBB)-stained 2D gel and 2D-WB, and we successfully identified 7 proteins that reacted with the ASYM24 antibody: CACYBP, GLOD4, MAPRE1, CCT7, TKT, CK8, and HSPA8. Among these proteins, the levels of 4 mRNAs including MAPRE1, CCT7, TKT, and HSPA8 in CRC tissues showed a statistically significant increase compared to noncancerous tissues from patients using the NCBI microarray datasets. Conclusion Our results indicate that the method shown here is useful in identifying arginine-methylated proteins, and significance of arginine modification in the proteins identified here should be further identified during CRC development.

In the mating of filamentous basidiomycetes, dikaryotic mycelia are generated through the reciprocal movement of nuclei to a monokaryotic cytoplasm where a nucleus of compatible mating type resides, resulting in the establishment of two different dikaryotic strains having the same nuclei but different mitochondria. To better understand the role of mitochondria in mushrooms, we created four sets of dikaryotic strains of Lentinula edodes, including B2 × E13 (B2 side) and B2 × E13 (E13 side), B5 × E13 (B5 side) and B5 × E13 (E13 side), E8 × H3 (E8 side) and E8 × H3 (H3 side), and K3 × H3 (K3 side) and K3 × H3 (H3 side). The karyotypes and mitochondrial types of the dikaryotic strains were successfully identified by the A mating type markers and the mitochondrial variable length tandem repeat markers, respectively. Comparative analyses of the dikaryotic strains on the mycelial growth, substrate browning, fruiting characteristics, and mitochondrial gene expression revealed that certain mitochondria are more effective in the mycelial growth and the production of fruiting body, possibly through the activated energy metabolism. Our findings indicate that mitochondria affect the physiology of dikaryotic strains having the same nuclear information and therefore a selection strategy aimed at mitochondrial function is needed in the development of new mushroom strain.

BACKGROUND: Although the association of hyperuricemia with an increased risk of mortality has been demonstrated in the context of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the long-term outcomes of hyperuricemia have not been studied in the case of stable COPD.METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed baseline data of 240 men with stable COPD enrolled in the Korea Obstructive Lung Disease cohort. We evaluated associations between serum uric acid levels and clinical parameters, risk factors for all-cause mortality, and acute exacerbation of COPD.RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 66.4 ± 7.7 years, and the median follow-up time was 5.9 years. We identified no significant difference in terms of lung function or laboratory findings between patients with hyperuricemia and those without. Serum uric acid level was negatively associated with systemic inflammation indicated by neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (r = −0.211, P = 0.001). Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed hyperuricemia to not be associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in men with stable COPD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.580; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.250–1.370; P = 0.213). In the multivariate Cox regression model, hyperuricemia was not an independent predictor of acute exacerbation (HR, 1.383; 95% CI, 0.977–1.959; P = 0.068).CONCLUSION: Among men with stable COPD, hyperuricemia is not an independent predictor of all-cause mortality or future acute exacerbation of COPD. These results differ from those of previous studies on patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.
Cohort Studies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperuricemia ; Inflammation ; Korea ; Lung ; Lung Diseases, Obstructive ; Male ; Mortality ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Uric Acid

Cypripedium japonicum is known to be the indigenous plant to Korea, Japan, and China. However, C. japonicum represents the most critically endangered plant species in South Korea. The plant is esthetically pleasing due to its flower, which is larger than any other orchidaceous species. Disease symptoms relating to gray mold were observed on C. japonicum in May 2019. The suspected pathogen was successfully isolated from the symptomatic leaf tissue and conducted a pure culture of the fungi. The conidia formed consisted of a colorless or light brown single cell, which was either egg or oval-shaped with a size of 7.1 to 13.4 × 5.2 to 8.6 μm. Molecular phylogenetic relationship analysis was also confirmed that the pathogen concerned belonging to the family of Botrytis cinerea. Therefore, the findings confirmed that the pathogen isolated from C. japonicum was consistent with the unique properties of B. cinerea.

BACKGROUND: Although the association of hyperuricemia with an increased risk of mortality has been demonstrated in the context of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the long-term outcomes of hyperuricemia have not been studied in the case of stable COPD. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed baseline data of 240 men with stable COPD enrolled in the Korea Obstructive Lung Disease cohort. We evaluated associations between serum uric acid levels and clinical parameters, risk factors for all-cause mortality, and acute exacerbation of COPD. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 66.4 ± 7.7 years, and the median follow-up time was 5.9 years. We identified no significant difference in terms of lung function or laboratory findings between patients with hyperuricemia and those without. Serum uric acid level was negatively associated with systemic inflammation indicated by neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (r = −0.211, P = 0.001). Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed hyperuricemia to not be associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in men with stable COPD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.580; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.250–1.370; P = 0.213). In the multivariate Cox regression model, hyperuricemia was not an independent predictor of acute exacerbation (HR, 1.383; 95% CI, 0.977–1.959; P = 0.068). CONCLUSION Among men with stable COPD, hyperuricemia is not an independent predictor of all-cause mortality or future acute exacerbation of COPD. These results differ from those of previous studies on patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.

Central hypoventilation syndrome is a rare and fatal condition resulting from various central nervous system disorders that is characterized by a failure of automatic breathing. We report a case of central hypoventilation syndrome following posterior circulation stroke whose pulmonary function was improved by respiratory rehabilitation. A 59-year-old woman with a history of hemorrhagic stroke of the bilateral cerebellum was hospitalized due to pneumonia. A portable ventilator was applied via tracheostomy, recurrent episodes of apnea and hypercapnia impeded weaning. A respiratory rehabilitation program including chest wall range of motion exercise, air stacking exercise, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on abdominal muscles, upper extremity ergometer, locomotor training, high-frequency chest wall oscillator, mechanical insufflation, and exsufflation was employed, as spirometry showed a severe restrictive pattern. A spontaneous breathing trial was started, and a portable ventilator was applied for 8 hours, only during nighttime, to prevent sudden apneic event. After 4 weeks of treatment, follow-up spirometry showed much improved respiratory parameters. This case suggests that respiratory rehabilitation can improve pulmonary function parameters and quality of life in central hypoventilation syndrome.
Abdominal Muscles ; Apnea ; Central Nervous System Diseases ; Cerebellum ; Electric Stimulation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypercapnia ; Hypoventilation ; Insufflation ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia ; Quality of Life ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rehabilitation ; Respiration ; Respiratory Center ; Spirometry ; Stroke ; Thoracic Wall ; Tracheostomy ; Upper Extremity ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Weaning

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM MSCs) can differentiate into multi-lineage tissues. However, obtaining BM MSCs by aspiration is difficult and can be painful; therefore peripheral blood (PB) MSCs might provide an easier alternative for clinical applications. Here, we show that circulating PB MSCs proliferate as efficiently as BM MSCs in the presence of extracellular matrix (ECM) and that differentiation potential into osteoblast in vitro and in vivo. Both BM MSCs and PB MSCs developed into new bone when subcutaneously transplanted into immune-compromised mice using hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate as a carrier. Furthermore, LY294002 and Wortmannin blocked mesenchymal stem cell attachment in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting a role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in MSC attachment. Our data showed that the growth of PB MSCs could be regulated by interaction with the ECM and that these cells could differentiate into osteoblasts, suggesting their potential for clinical applications.
Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Extracellular Matrix ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Mice ; Osteoblasts ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase ; Phosphatidylinositols