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Abstract Background Patient trust plays a central role in the patient-physician relationship. This study aimed to determine whether the number of outpatient visits with a covering rheumatologist is associated with patient trust in their usual rheumatologist. Methods Japanese adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who met the 1997 revised classification criteria of the American College of Rheumatology and had outpatient visits with a covering rheumatologist in the past year were included. We used the 11-item Japanese version of the modified Trust in Physician Scale (range 0–100) to assess patient trust. A general linear model with cluster-robust variance estimation was used to evaluate the association between the number of outpatient visits with covering rheumatologists and the patient’s trust in their usual rheumatologist. Results Of the 515 enrolled participants, 421 patients with SLE were included in our analyses. Patients were divided into groups according to the number of outpatient visits with a covering rheumatologist in the past year as follows: no visits (59.9%; reference group), one to three visits (24.2%; low-frequency group), and four or more visits (15.9%; high-frequency group). The median Trust in Physician Scale score was 81.8 (interquartile range: 72.7–93.2). Both the low-frequency group (mean difference: -3.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] -5.93 to -0.80) and high-frequency group (mean difference: -4.17; 95% CI -7.77 to -0.58) exhibited lower trust in their usual rheumatologist. Conclusion This study revealed that the number of outpatient visits with a covering rheumatologist was associated with lower trust in a patient’s usual rheumatologist.

Abstract Most of essential thrombocythemia (ET) patients have the clone harboring a mutation in one of the JAK2, CALR, or MPL gene, and these clones generally acquire additional mutations at transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the proliferation of triple-negative clones has sometimes been observed at AML transformation. To clarify the clonal evolution of ET to AML, we analyzed paired samples at ET and AML transformation in eight patients. We identified that JAK2-unmutated AML clones proliferated at AML transformation in three patients in whom the JAK2-mutated clone was dominant at ET. In two patients, TET2-mutated, but not JAK2-mutated, clones might be common initiating clones for ET and transformed AML. In a patient with JAK2-mutated ET, SMARCC2, UBR4, and ZNF143, but not JAK2, -mutated clones proliferated at AML transformation. Precise analysis using single-cell sorted CD34+/CD38- fractions suggested that ET clone with JAK2-mutated and AML clone with TP53 mutation was derived from the common clone with these mutations. Although further study is required to clarify the biological significance of SMARCC2, UBR4, and ZNF143 mutations during disease progression of ET and AML transformation, the present results demonstrate the possibility of a common initial clone involved in both ET and transformed AML.

Abstract Background Small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC) shows high enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) expressions. EZH2‐mediated epigenetics promote epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), enhancing invasive and metastatic potential in malignancies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNAs, modulate EMT, determining tumor phenotypes. However, the association between miRNAs and EZH2 in SCLC remains to be clarified—we aimed to identify a novel tumorigenic mechanism through miRNAs, EZH2, and EMT in SCLC, leading to future therapeutic applications. Methods We analyzed EZH2 and E‐cadherin expressions in lung cancer cell lines and tumor tissues from 34 SCLC patients and confirmed EZH2 siRNA‐mediated EMT inhibition. miRNA expression profiles were compared between EZH2 knockdown SCLC cells and negative control SCLC cells using miRNA array. We identified a target miRNA of EZH2 showing expressional differences in EZH2‐knockdown cells and analyzed the impact of the miRNA on EZH2‐mediated EMT and tumorigenesis. Results All SCLC cells showed increased EZH2 and decreased E‐cadherin expressions. SCLC tissues had higher EZH2 and lower E‐cadherin expressions than other lung cancer tissues. miRNA array revealed that miR‐4448 expression increased in EZH2‐knockdown SCLC cells. miR‐4448 overexpression reduced tumor cell growth and prevented EMT. miR‐4448 bound to the 3′UTR of the girdin gene and suppressed its expression, thereby decreasing Akt phosphorylation at Ser473. Attenuated Akt phosphorylation resulted in AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation at Thr172 and 183, enhancing EZH2 phosphorylation at Thr311. Conclusion SCLC characterized high EZH2 expression and promoted EMT, compared with non‐small cell lung cancer. miR‐4448 inhibited Girdin expression, reducing Akt phosphorylation, and enhancing AMPK and EZH2 phosphorylation. Eventually, miR‐4448 prevented EZH2‐mediated EMT and tumorigenesis by modulating the Girdin/Akt/AMPK axis in SCLC. miR‐4448 might be a potential SCLC inhibitor.

The Sense of Agency (SoA) refers to the individual’s perception of control over actions and their subsequent impact on the external environment. SoA encompasses multiple dimensions, such as implicit/local and explicit/general, which can be quantitatively assessed through cognitive tasks and psychometric questionnaires, respectively. The explicit and general aspect of SoA is commonly evaluated using the Sense of Agency Scale (SoAS). This study’s objective is to adapt and validate a Japanese version of the Tapal-SoAS. To achieve this, we distributed an online survey in three stages, gathering data from 8,237 Japanese participants aged between their 20s and 60s. Our analysis confirmed the bifactorial structure identified in the original study: the Sense of Positive Agency (SoPA) and the Sense of Negative Agency (SoNA). Metrics pertaining to test–retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity reached satisfactory thresholds. Furthermore, the two-factor models demonstrated suitable fit across various age cohorts. The Japanese version of the SoAS (J-SoAS) shows potential for cross-cultural comparisons of explicit and general SoA, particularly between Western and Eastern populations, and among distinct age groups, including young adults and the elderly.

Abstract Introduction NUT carcinoma is a rare cancer associated with a poor prognosis. Because of its rarity, its diagnosis is challenging and is usually made by excluding other diagnoses. Immunohistochemical analysis is a reliable technique that contributes to a correct diagnosis, but overestimating the expression of neuroendocrine (NE) markers may result in an incorrect diagnosis. In this study, we established the immunohistochemical phenotypes of NUT carcinoma compared with tumors that mimic its phenotype to identify potential diagnostic pitfalls. Methods Eight cases of NUT carcinoma were examined along with eight basaloid squamous cell carcinomas and thirteen cases of small cell carcinoma using an immunohistochemical panel consisting of various antibodies. Results Of the eight NUT carcinomas, three patients had a smoking history. All the cases examined for INSM1 were positive (6/6, 100%), although the staining was somewhat weak. Among the NE markers, synaptophysin was variably positive in two NUT carcinomas (2/6, 33%); however, all cases were negative for ASCL1, chromogranin A, and CD56. Moreover, the squamous cell markers, p40 and CK5/6, were weakly expressed in 4/6 (67%) and 3/6 (50%) of the NUT carcinomas, respectively. Conclusions For tumors with an ambiguous morphology, applying the neuroendocrine phenotype of NUT carcinoma may be misleading; particularly, when distinguishing it from small-cell carcinoma. Similarly, null or weak expression of squamous cell markers may be observed in NUT carcinoma, but this differs from squamous cell carcinoma, which consistently demonstrates strong positivity for squamous cell markers.

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is an uncommon eruption characterized by sterile pustules on an erythematous background, which is usually associated with drugs. AGEP is described as a self-limiting disease with favorable prognosis. We reported a case of Kawasaki Disease (KD) following AGEP. A 3-year-old male, who was admitted with pustules and five days of fever at our hospital, was diagnosed with AGEP. Despite the skin lesions and fever improving drastically after prednisolone therapy, the fever recurred on hospitalization day 5. The following symptoms suggestive of KD also appeared: bulbar conjunctival hyperemia, cervical lymphadenopathy, erythema of the lips, eruption on his trunk, and erythema and edema of the hands and feet. He was diagnosed with KD and treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. He was discharged on the thirteenth day of hospitalization without cardiac complications. Drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test revealed carbocysteine as the suspected cause of AGEP, which consequently triggered KD. Because a mucosal lesion is uncommon in AGEP, bulbar conjunctival hyperemia suggested that KD sequentially occurred after AGEP. Since AGEP is benign and self-limited in most cases, it is necessary to differentiate other diseases, including KD, when recurrent fever or rash occurs in the course of AGEP.

Abstract Differentiation therapy has been proposed as a promising therapeutic strategy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML); thus, the development of more versatile methodologies that are applicable to a wide range of AML subtypes is desired. Although the FOXOs transcription factor represents a promising drug target for differentiation therapy, the efficacy of FOXO inhibitors is limited in vivo. Here, we show that pharmacological inhibition of a common cis-regulatory element of forkhead box O (FOXO) family members successfully induced cell differentiation in various AML cell lines. Through gene expression profiling and differentiation marker-based CRISPR/Cas9 screening, we identified TRIB1, a complement of the COP1 ubiquitin ligase complex, as a functional FOXO downstream gene maintaining an undifferentiated status. TRIB1 is direct target of FOXO3 and the FOXO-binding cis-regulatory element in the TRIB1 promoter, referred to as the FOXO-responsive element in the TRIB1 promoter (FRE-T), played a critical role in differentiation blockade. Thus, we designed a DNA-binding pharmacological inhibitor of the FOXO-FRE-T interface using pyrrole-imidazole polyamides (PIPs) that specifically bind to FRE-T (FRE-PIPs). The FRE-PIPs conjugated to chlorambucil (FRE-chb) inhibited transcription of TRIB1, causing differentiation in various AML cell lines. FRE-chb suppressed the formation of colonies derived from AML cell lines but not from normal counterparts. Administration of FRE-chb inhibited tumor progression in vivo without remarkable adverse effects. In conclusion, targeting cis-regulatory elements of the FOXO family is a promising therapeutic strategy that induces AML cell differentiation.

AimsLimited data exist on risk factors for the long-term outcome of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) associated with congenital heart disease (CHD-PAH). We focused on the index of pulmonary vascular disease (IPVD), an assessment system for pulmonary artery pathology specimens. The IPVD classifies pulmonary vascular lesions into four categories based on severity: (1) no intimal thickening, (2) cellular thickening of the intima, (3) fibrous thickening of the intima, and (4) destruction of the tunica media, with the overall grade expressed as an additive mean of these scores. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between IPVD and the long-term outcome of CHD-PAH.MethodsThis retrospective study examined lung pathology images of 764 patients with CHD-PAH aged

People perceive psychological characteristics (PCs), such as the personality and values of a marriage partner, as extremely important factors in partner selection. Due to its importance, considerable work has investigated the relationship between couples’ PCs and their marital satisfaction, and their findings have been adopted by matchmaking services. However, these studies and services have determined the PCs using self-report questionnaires, in which the resulting measurements have limited amount of information and various biases, and thus, have limited predictive utility for marital satisfaction. Given this, we examined the predictive utility of brain and cardiac responses, which are known to correlate with PCs, providing information that are very different in nature and quality from what a questionnaire measures and present fewer biases. We collected the EEG and ECG data of 51 married couples while they watched a set of preselected movies and examined the association between their physiological measurements and marital satisfaction. Performing regression analyses, we confirmed that the brain and cardiac responses to the movies have significant predictive utility for marital satisfaction. When we used these physiological responses to one of the movies in the models, the prediction error for male and female marital satisfaction was reduced by an average of 19.0% and 10.1% in terms of RMSE, respectively, compared to baseline models that used only the questionnaire measurements of psychological characteristics.

Abstract Background Infection is a major cause of mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therefore, minimizing the risk of infection is an important clinical goal to improve the long-term prognosis of SLE patients. Treatment with ≥7.5 mg prednisolone (PSL) or equivalent has been reported to increase the risk of infections. However, it remains unclear whether

Clonal dynamics and selection have not been fully understood in patient-derived xenografts (PDX) of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here, the authors generate 160 AML-PDX models to track the clonal dynamics of primary and relapsed AML, and find selectively enriched subclones that are associated with resistance to therapy.

Learning user attributes is essential for providing users with a service. In particular, for e-commerce portals which deal in variety of goods ranging from clothes to foods to home electronics, it is especially important to learn “domain-independent” attributes such as age, gender, and personality that affect people’s behavior across various domains of daily life (e.g., clothing, eating and housing) because these attributes can be used for personalization in diverse domains their service covers. Thus far, researchers have proposed approaches to learn user representation (UR) from user-item interactions, trying to embed rich information about user attributes in UR. However, very few can learn URs that are domain-independent without confounding them with domain-specific attributes (e.g., food preferences). This could consequently undermine the former’s utility for personalizing services in other domains from which the URs are not learned. To address this, we propose an approach to learn URs that exclusively reflect domain-independent attributes. Our approach introduces a novel multi-layer RNN with two types of layers: Domain Specific Layers (DSLs) for modeling behavior in individual domains and a Domain Independent Layer (DIL) for modeling attributes that affect behavior across multiple domains. By exchanging hidden states between these layers, the RNNs implement the process of domain-independent attributes affecting domain-specific behavior and makes the DIL learn URs that capture domain-independence. Our evaluation results confirmed that the URs learned by our approach have greater utility in predicting behavior in the other domains from which these URs were not learned thereby demonstrating adaptability to various domains.

Abstract Background This article is a duplicated publication from the Japanese version of “2019 JSDT Guidelines for Peritoneal Dialysis” with permission from the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy (JSDT). This clinical practice guideline (CPG) was developed primarily by the Working Group on Revision of Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Guidelines of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy. Recently, the definition and creation process for CPGs have become far more rigorous; traditional methods and formats no longer adhere to current standards. To improve the reliability of international transmission of our findings, CPGs are created in compliance with the methodologies developed by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) working group. Part 2 of this PD guideline is the first CPG developed by our society that conforms to the GRADE approach. Methods Detailed processes were created in accordance with the Cochrane handbook and the GRADE approach developed by the GRADE working group. Results Clinical question (CQ)1: Is the use of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RAS inhibitors), such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), effective in PD patients? Recommendation: We suggest the usage of RAS inhibitors (ACEI and ARB) in PD patients (GRADE 2C). CQ2: Icodextrin or glucose solution: which is more useful as a dialysate among patients with PD? Recommendation: We suggest using icodextrin when managing body fluids in PD patients (GRADE 2C). CQ3: Is it better to apply or not apply mupirocin/gentamicin ointment to the exit site? Recommendation: We suggest not applying mupirocin/gentamicin ointment to the exit sites of PD patients (GRADE 2C). CQ4: Which surgical approach is more desirable when a PD catheter is placed, open surgery or laparoscopic surgery? No recommendation. CQ5: Which administration route of antibiotics is better in PD patients with peritonitis, intravenous or intraperitoneal? Recommendation: We suggest intraperitoneal administration of antibiotics in PD patients with peritonitis (GRADE 2C). Note: The National Insurance does not currently cover intraperitoneal administration. CQ6: Is peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis better as the first renal replacement therapy in diabetic patients? No recommendation. Conclusions In the future, we suggest that society members construct their own evidence to answer CQs not brought up in this guideline, and thereby show the achievements of Japan worldwide.

Abstract Approximately 10 years have passed since the Peritoneal Dialysis Guidelines were formulated in 2009. Much evidence has been reported during the succeeding years, which were not taken into consideration in the previous guidelines, e.g., the next peritoneal dialysis PD trial of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) in Japan, the significance of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), the effects of icodextrin solution, new developments in peritoneal pathology, and a new international recommendation on a proposal for exit-site management. It is essential to incorporate these new developments into the new clinical practice guidelines. Meanwhile, the process of creating such guidelines has changed dramatically worldwide and differs from the process of creating what were “clinical practice guides.” For this revision, we not only conducted systematic reviews using global standard methods but also decided to adopt a two-part structure to create a reference tool, which could be used widely by the society’s members attending a variety of patients. Through a working group consensus, it was decided that Part 1 would present conventional descriptions and Part 2 would pose clinical questions (CQs) in a systematic review format. Thus, Part 1 vastly covers PD that would satisfy the requirements of the members of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy (JSDT). This article is the duplicated publication from the Japanese version of the guidelines and has been reproduced with permission from the JSDT.

Abstract Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have immunomodulatory properties and support hematopoiesis in the bone marrow (BM). To develop a new strategy to not only prevent graft‐vs‐host disease (GVHD) but also to enhance engraftment, a phase I trial of cord blood transplantation (CBT) combined with intra‐BM injection of MSCs (MSC‐CBT) was designed. Third‐party BM‐derived MSCs were injected intra‐BM on the day of CBT. The conditioning regimen varied according to patient characteristics. GVHD prophylaxis was tacrolimus and methotrexate. The primary endpoint was toxicity related to intra‐BM injection of MSCs. Clinical outcomes were compared with those of six controls who received CBT alone. Five adult patients received MSC‐CBT, and no adverse events related to intra‐BM injection of MSCs were observed. All patients achieved neutrophil, reticulocyte, and platelet recoveries, with median times to recoveries of 21, 35, and 38 days, respectively, comparable with controls. Grade II‐IV acute GVHD developed in three controls but not in MSC‐CBT patients. No patients developed chronic GVHD in both groups. At 1 year after transplantation, all MSC‐CBT patients survived without relapse. This study shows the safety of MSC‐CBT, and the findings also suggest that cotransplantation of MSCs may prevent GVHD with no inhibition of engraftment. This trial was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry as number 000024291.

Abstract We used the eXtreme Gradient Boosting algorithm, an optimized gradient boosting machine learning library, and established a model to predict events in Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia using a machine learning-aided method. A model was constructed using a training set (80%) and prediction was tested using a test set (20%). According to the feature importance score, BCR-ABL lineage, polymerase chain reaction value, age, and white blood cell count were identified as important features. These features were also confirmed by the permutation feature importance for the prediction using the test set. Both event-free survival and overall survival were clearly stratified according to risk groups categorized using these features: 80 and 100% in low risk (two or less factors), 42 and 47% in intermediate risk (three factors), and 0 and 10% in high risk (four factors) at 4 years. Machine learning-aided analysis was able to identify clinically useful prognostic factors using data from a relatively small number of patients.

Introduction: The eight TNM classification of lung tumors provides a more precise prediction of prognosis than previous classification systems, especially in T1 tumors, the invasion size of which are less than or equal to 3 cm. T1 is divided into T1a (6–10 mm), T1b (11–20 mm), and T1c (21–30 mm), but the relationship between pathologic T (pT)1 categories and other pathologic factors has not been thoroughly evaluated. Methods: Surgically resected pulmonary adenocarcinomas (N = 551) were extracted on the basis of computed tomography-based tumor size measurements, including 302 pT1a to c cases (pT1a: n = 98, pT1b: n = 156, and pT1c: n = 48). Pathologic factors, including a minor component of micropapillary or solid subtype, were analyzed by new T categories. Recurrence-free and disease-specific survivals (DSSs) were evaluated using univariable and multivariable analyses and Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion, and nodal metastasis increased remarkably from pT1a to pT1c, step-wisely. Visceral pleural invasion was elevated from 7% (6–10 mm) to 33% (21–30 mm) along with an increase in invasion size. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and DSS relevantly deteriorated from the group of pathologic stages 0, IA1, and IA2 to the group IA3 and IB. Multivariable analysis revealed that lymph node metastasis and solid components were independent prognostic factors for both RFS and DSS in pT1a to c cases. Conclusions: The new TNM classification precisely predicts prognosis. Tumor invasion size is closely associated with lymphatic and vascular invasion, nodal metastasis, and visceral pleural invasion. As a minor component, solid subtype was a potent adverse prognostic factor affecting both RFS and DSS after surgery in T1 categories.

BackgroundShort-term mortality and incidence of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events (C-CVE) during hospitalization of patients with severe herpes zoster (HZ) have not been sufficiently investigated. We aimed to investigate short-term prognosis and incidence of C-CVE associated with HZ in hospitalized patients.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study from April 2016 to March 2018 included HZ inpatient cases selected from the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database—a Japanese nationwide inpatient database. HZ and C-CVE were diagnosed based on the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases and Injuries codes. The definition of primary exposure was that treatments were initiated within 7 days of admission, and antivirals were administered for ≥7 days. Main Outcomes were in-hospital deaths and C-CVE onset after hospitalization.ResultsAmong 16,811,501 in-hospital cases registered from 1,208 hospitals, 29,054 cases with HZ were enrolled. The median age was 71.0 years, 15,202 cases (52.3%) were female, and the HZ types were the central nervous system (n=9,034), disseminated (n=3,051), and ophthalmicus (n=1,069) types. There were 301 (1.0%) in-hospital deaths and 385 (1.3%) post-hospitalization onset of C-CVE. The 30-day in-hospital survival rates with or without underlying disease were 96.8% and 98.5%, respectively. Age ≥75 years (hazard ratio [HR], 2.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.55–3.05), liver cirrhosis or hepatic failure (HR, 5.93; 95% CI, 2.16–16.27), chronic kidney disease (HR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.24–2.68), heart failure (HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.22–2.24), and old cerebrovascular events (HR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.10–3.34) were associated with poor short-term prognosis. Age ≥75 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.70; 95% CI, 1.29–2.24), diabetes (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.19–1.89), dyslipidemia (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.51–2.51), hyperuricemia (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.18–2.27), hypertension (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.40–2.20), heart failure (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.32–2.55), and glucocorticoid administration (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.25–2.01) were associated with increased risks for in-hospital C-CVE onset.ConclusionsThe underlying diseases that could influence the short-term mortality of severe HZ were identified. Glucocorticoid is a possible risk factor for the in-hospital onset of C-CVE after severe HZ development.

Background The prognosis of postoperative recurrence in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is poor. However, depending on the recurrence patterns and treatment options, some patients can achieve long‐term survival following recurrence. In this study, we investigated the clinicopathological characteristics of NSCLC patients with curable disease who developed postoperative recurrence. Methods This retrospective study enrolled 535 patients who had developed recurrence from among 1760 consecutive patients with NSCLC who underwent curative resection from 1990 to 2008. Post‐recurrence cure was defined as being cancer‐free for at least five years after treatment for recurrence in patients who had undergone radical local treatment or chemotherapy. The clinicopathological characteristics associated with post‐recurrence cure were analyzed. Results Among 535 patients who developed recurrence, 24 (4.5%) achieved post‐recurrence cure. The median post‐recurrence follow‐up duration was 151 (85–275) months for those who achieved post‐recurrence cure. The solitary recurrent lesions and local treatment for the initial recurrence site were significantly more for patients who could be cured after they developed recurrence. All patients with post‐recurrence cure received only radical local treatment for the recurrent lesions. Conclusions Some patients with solitary recurrent NSCLC lesions can be cured with only radical local treatment. Key points Significant findings of the study The post‐recurrence cure patients maintained a cancer‐free status for five years after treatment for recurrence without a second recurrence. All patients with post‐recurrence cure received only radical local treatment for recurrence and had significantly higher number of solitary recurrent lesions. What this study adds Some patients with solitary recurrent NSCLC lesions after resection can be cured with only radical local treatment.

We report a case of incipient systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that rapidly progressed to complete atrioventricular block (cAVB). A 20-year-old man was admitted with facial erythema, painless oral aphtha, polyarthritis, and myalgia of each extremity. On admission, he developed first-degree atrioventricular block, pericarditis, pleuritis, renal failure, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, neurophychiatric SLE (left cerebellar infarction), and Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. He was subsequently diagnosed with SLE based on several positive findings on immunological tests (including positive for antinuclear antibody). Despite immediate glucocorticoid pulse therapy and plasma exchange (PE) along with antibiotic, he developed cAVB that required temporary pacing on day 2. Because it was thought that hypercytokinemia exacerbated pericarditis, which progressed to myocarditis and cAVB, we decided to PE and cytokine-adsorbing therapy with AN69ST-continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF). Other than renal failure, his organ dysfunctions improved with the multidisciplinary therapy. CAVB improved and temporary pacing was no longer required on day 11. Even a first-degree atrioventricular block can rapidly progress to cAVB; therefore, strict attention to electrocardiogram is necessary in severe SLE cases. When presenting with organ dysfunctions caused by hypercytokinemia such as severe SLE cases or SLE with severe infection cases, use of the combination of PE and AN69ST-CHDF might be beneficial.

Abstract Background Liposarcoma arising from the mediastinum is rare, accounting for less than 1% of mediastinal tumors. Furthermore, a rapidly growing well-differentiated liposarcoma is extremely rare. A well-differentiated liposarcoma is usually considered a low-grade malignancy. However, we present an extremely rare case of a sclerosing variant of well-differentiated liposarcoma that grew rapidly within a year. Case presentation A 77-year-old man with a giant mass in the left thoracic cavity was referred to our hospital. This mass measured about 10 cm and occupied the left-sided mediastinum on a chest radiography; however, there was no abnormal finding on the previous year’s chest radiography. Chest-enhanced computed tomography revealed a well-circumscribed 11-cm mass in the left-sided anterior mediastinum. Positron emission tomography showed accumulation of fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in this tumor (maximum standard uptake value = 3.3). The radiological findings of computed tomography and positron emission tomography indicated that this tumor was a benign or low-grade malignancy; therefore, the chest radiographic findings were difficult to explain. To explain this discrepancy and establish the diagnosis, tumor resection was performed via left posterolateral thoracotomy. Intraoperatively, the left phrenic nerve and pericardium were adhered tightly to the tumor, so we resected them. The tumor was well-circumscribed and fibrous; therefore, the initial diagnosis was solitary fibrous tumor. However, based on its histopathological and immunohistochemical patterns, the tumor was diagnosed as a sclerosing variant of well-differentiated liposarcoma. Five years postoperatively, the patient remains alive with no evidence of disease recurrence. Conclusions A well-differentiated liposarcoma is usually considered a low-grade malignancy. Nevertheless, the giant tumor in the present case appeared within 1 year. Thus, this was an extremely rare case of a sclerosing variant of well-differentiated liposarcoma with rapid growth.

Abstract Objectives B cell depletion by rituximab (RTX) is an effective treatment for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). However, peripheral B cell phenotypes and the selection criteria for RTX therapy in AAV remain unclear. Methods Phenotypic characterization of circulating B cells was performed by 8-color flow cytometric analysis in 54 newly diagnosed AAV patients (20 granulomatosis with polyangiitis and 34 microscopic polyangiitis). Patients were considered eligible to receive intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse (IV-CY) or RTX. All patients also received high-dose glucocorticoids (GC). We assessed circulating B cell phenotypes and evaluated the efficacy after 6 months of treatment. Results There were no significant differences in the rate of clinical improvement, relapses, or serious adverse events between patients receiving RTX and IV-CY. The rate of Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) improvement at 6 months tended to be higher in the RTX group than in the IV-CY group. The proportion of effector or class-switched memory B cells increased in 24 out of 54 patients (44%). The proportions of peripheral T and B cell phenotypes did not correlate with BVAS at baseline. However, among peripheral B cells, the proportion of class-switched memory B cells negatively correlated with the rate of improvement in BVAS at 6 months after treatment initiation (r = − 0.28, p = 0.04). Patients with excessive B cell differentiation were defined as those in whom the proportion of class-switched memory B cells or IgD−CD27− B cells among all B cells was > 2 SDs higher than the mean in the HCs. The rate of BVAS remission in patients with excessive B cell differentiation was significantly lower than that in patients without. In patients with excessive B cell differentiation, the survival rate, the rate of BVAS-remission, and dose reduction of GC were significantly improved in the RTX group compared to those in the IV-CY group after 6 months of treatment. Conclusions The presence of excessive B cell differentiation was associated with treatment resistance. However, in patients with circulating B cell abnormality, RTX was effective and increased survival compared to IV-CY. The results suggest that multi-color flow cytometry may be useful to determine the selection criteria for RTX therapy in AAV patients.

Abstract Background Kartagener syndrome, an autosomal recessive disorder with a triad of chronic sinusitis, bronchiectasis, and situs inversus, is characterized by recurrent respiratory tract infections and chronic inflammation of the lung. Information on comorbidities other than infections in patients with Kartagener syndrome is currently limited. Case presentation A 39-year-old, non-smoking female was diagnosed with Kartagener syndrome and admitted to Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, Japan. Computed tomography revealed an endobronchial massive shadow at the ostial site of the right upper lobe bronchus with atelectasis of the right upper lobe. The mass was surgically resected and pathologically diagnosed as mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The lesion had no vascular invasions and no metastases to the lungs or lymph nodes. The surgical margin was negative for carcinoma. Following surgery, the patient has been in good condition. Conclusions The present case showed different clinicopathological characteristics from those previously reported in cases of Kartagener syndrome complicated by carcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a young, non-smoking female with comorbid Kartagener syndrome and pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma. This case report may provide a new perspective on the complications of Kartagener syndrome.

Thyroid transcription factor‐1 (TTF‐1, encoded by the NKX2‐1 gene) is highly expressed in small‐cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and lung adenocarcinoma (LADC), but how its functional roles differ between SCLC and LADC remains to be elucidated. Here, we compared the genome‐wide distributions of TTF‐1 binding regions and the transcriptional programs regulated by TTF‐1 between NCI‐H209 (H209), a human SCLC cell line, and NCI‐H441 (H441), a human LADC cell line, using chromatin immunoprecipitation‐sequencing (ChIP‐seq) and RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq). TTF‐1 binding regions in H209 and H441 cells differed by 75.0% and E‐box motifs were highly enriched exclusively in the TTF‐1 binding regions of H209 cells. Transcriptome profiling revealed that TTF‐1 is involved in neuroendocrine differentiation in H209 cells. We report that TTF‐1 and achaete‐scute homolog 1 (ASCL1, also known as ASH1, an E‐box binding basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor, and a lineage‐survival oncogene of SCLC) are coexpressed and bound to adjacent sites on target genes expressed in SCLC, and cooperatively regulate transcription. Furthermore, TTF‐1 regulated expression of the Bcl‐2 gene family and showed antiapoptotic function in SCLC. Our findings suggest that TTF‐1 promotes SCLC growth and contributes to neuroendocrine and antiapoptotic gene expression by partly coordinating with ASCL1.

Abstract: The prognostic impact of KIT mutation on core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML) remains controversial. We registered 199 newly diagnosed de novo CBF-AML patients, aged 16 to 64 years, who achieved complete remission. They received 3 courses of high-dose cytarabine therapy and no further treatment until hematological relapse. Mutations in exons 8, 10-11, and 17 of the KIT gene were analyzed. Furthermore, we analyzed mutations in 56 genes that are frequently identified in myeloid malignancies and evaluated minimal residual disease (MRD). The primary end point was relapse-free survival (RFS) according to KIT mutations. The RFS in KIT-mutated patients was inferior to that in unmutated patients (hazard ratio, 1.92; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-3.00; P = .003). Based on subgroup analysis, KIT mutations had a prognostic impact in patients with RUNX1-RUNX1T1, but not in those with CBFB-MYH11, and only exon 17 mutation had a significant prognostic impact. Multivariate Cox regression analysis with stepwise selection revealed that the KIT exon 17 mutation and the presence of extramedullary tumors in patients with RUNX1-RUNX1T1, and loss of chromosome X or Y and NRAS mutation in patients with CBFB-MYH11 were poor prognostic factors for RFS. MRD was evaluated in 112 patients, and it was associated with a poorer RFS in the patients with CBFB-MYH11, but not in those with RUNX1-RUNX1T1. These results suggested that it is necessary to separately evaluate AML with RUNX1-RUNX1T1 or CBFB-MYH11 according to appropriate prognostic factors. This study was registered at www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/ as #UMIN000003434.

Background: The long non-coding RNA Hox transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) and polycomb group protein Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) function cooperatively in carcinogenesis. However, their combined usage as prognostic markers for lung adenocarcinoma remains unverified. Materials and Methods: To validate their combined usage, we measured the expression of both genes in the surgical samples from 83 adenocarcinoma cases using quantitative real-time PCR and analyzed the association between the gene expressions and various clinicopathological factors. We also examined the EZH2 protein levels using immunohistochemistry. Finally, we analyzed the association between their expression status and the overall survival using 54 stage I cases. Results: Both genes were expressed at significantly higher levels in adenocarcinoma tissues than normal lung. EZH2 expression, but not HOTAIR expression, was significantly higher in solid adenocarcinoma than in other subtypes. In the survival analysis using stage-I cases, both HOTAIR expression and EZH2 protein levels were associated with a worse prognosis. The overall survival was highest in the low-HOTAIR and low-EZH2 group (low-low), followed by the high-low or low-high group and the high-high group. According to the multivariate analysis, the high-high status of HOTAIR-EZH2 (protein) was significantly associated with a worse prognosis than the low-low group. Conclusion: More accurate prognoses would be possible by simultaneously measuring both genes than measuring either. The high-HOTAIR and high-EZH2 (protein) status, compared to the low-low, is proposed as an independent prognostic marker for stage I cases. Thus, it would serve as a potential biomarker for anti-EZH2 therapy.

The pathobiological role of estrogen is controversial in colorectal cancer. Cytosine-adenine (CA) repeat in the estrogen receptor (ER)-β gene (ESR2-CA) is a microsatellite, as well as representative of ESR2 polymorphism. Though its function is unknown, we previously showed that a shorter allele (germline) increased the risk of colon cancer in older women, whereas it decreased it in younger postmenopausal women. ESR2-CA and ER-β expressions were examined in cancerous (Ca) and non-cancerous (NonCa) tissue pairs from 114 postmenopausal women, and comparisons were made considering tissue types, age/locus, and the mismatch repair protein (MMR) status. ESR2-CA repeats ESR2-CA genotype and resulting ER-β expression were considered to affect the clinical characteristics (age/locus/MMR status) of colon cancer, supporting our previous findings.

Sulfur-based denitrification may be a key biogeochemical nitrate (NO3−) removal process in sulfide-rich regions, but it is still poorly understood in natural terrestrial ecosystems. We examined sulfur-driven NO3− reduction using streambank soils in a headwater catchment underlain by marine sedimentary rock in Akita, Japan. In a catchment exhibiting higher sulfide content in streambed sediment, we sampled two adjacent streambank soils of streambank I (two layers) and of streambank II (eight layers). Anaerobic long-term incubation experiments (40 days, using soils of streambank I) and short-term incubation experiments (5 days, using soils of streambank II) were conducted to evaluate variations of N solutes (NO3−, NO2−, and NH4+), N gases (NO, N2O), and the bacterial flora. In both experiments, two treatment solutions containing NO3− (N treatment), and NO3− and S2O32− (N + S treatment) were prepared. In the N + S treatment of the long-term experiment, NO3− concentrations gradually decreased by 98%, with increases in the SO42−, NO2−, NO, and N2O concentrations and with not increase in the NH4+, indicating denitrification had occurred with a high probability. Temporal accumulation of NO2− was observed in the N + S treatment. The stoichiometric ratio of SO42− production and NO3− depletion rates indicated that denitrification using reduced sulfur occurred even without additional S, indicating inherent S also served as an electron donor for denitrification. In the short-term incubation experiment, S addition was significantly decreased NO3− concentrations and increased NO2−, NO, and N2O concentrations, especially in some subsoils with higher sulfide contents. Many denitrifying sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (Thiobacillus denitrificans and Sulfuricella denitrificans) were detected in both streambank I and II, which dominated up to 5% of the entire microbial population, suggesting that these bacteria are widespread in sulfide-rich soil layers in the catchment. We concluded that the catchment with abundant sulfides in the subsoil possessed the potential for sulfur-driven NO3− reduction, which could widely influence N cycling in and NO3− export from the headwater catchment.

Background: Recently, Fontan operation using extracardiac conduit (EC) has grown to be the most common procedure. However, as the existing history is relatively short, prevalence rates of complications have not been clarified. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 644 consecutive patients undergoing Fontan operation with EC was performed in Fukuoka Children's Hospital and Kyushu University Hospital. Results: ” The 10-year and 20-year survival rates were 96.8% and 91.9%, while the 10-year and 20-year freedom rates from Fontan failure were 92.3% and 90.5%. The 20-year cumulative incidence of tachyarrhythmia, bradyarrhythmia, stroke, hemoptysis, acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), and protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) were 6.6%, 4.0%, 4.9%, 3.1%, 15.0% and 3.9%, respectively. Those with bradyarrhythmia, ADHF, and hemoptysis had a significantly worse outcome in developing Fontan failure. Risk factors for these complications included hypoplastic left heart syndrome, heterotaxy syndrome, previous surgical pulmonary arterial plasty, pacemaker implantation, atrioventricular valvular replacement, higher age at the Fontan procedure, fenestration of the conduit, lower oxygen saturation, higher Fontan pressure, smaller pulmonary arterial size, and moderate to severe atrioventricular valvular regurgitation after the Fontan procedure. Conclusions: Though the long-term survival is acceptable, substantial prevalence of complications was shown among patients receiving Fontan operation with EC. Since some of the complications were associated with developing Fontan failure, they should be monitored carefully.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is one of the complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although corticosteroids are usually selected for initial therapy, some patients are corticosteroid-resistant and, therefore, require other immunosuppressants or splenectomy. However, the best treatment approach in such patients remains unknown, and there is little evidence regarding which immunosuppressive agent can provide best results. We report the case of a patient with corticosteroid-resistant SLE-associated ITP (SLE-ITP) who was successfully treated with rituximab (RTX). RTX might be a therapeutic option for corticosteroid-resistant SLE-ITP.

Objectives To investigate short-term prognosis and prognostic factors for connective tissue disease-associated pneumocystis pneumonia (CTD-PCP) using the Japanese nationwide diagnosis procedure combination (DPC) inpatient database.Methods The present retrospective cohort study from April 2014 to March 2016 included data of patients with CTD-PCP extracted from the DPC database using the 10th revision of International Classification of Diseases and Injuries codes.Results In 15 901 766 cases registered from 1329 hospitals, 333 of 67 890 patients who were admitted with PCP were diagnosed with CTD-PCP and included in the study. The median age was 71.0 years, and 214 (64.3%), 80 (24.0%), and 29 (8.7%) patients received sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (ST) monotherapy and pentamidine-containing and atovaquone-containing therapy, respectively. There were 114 (34.2%) in-hospital deaths, and the 30-day and 60-day in-hospital survival rates after PCP treatment initiation were 66.0% and 53.7%, respectively. Older age (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.08) and concomitant interstitial lung disease (ILD) (HR 1.65, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.42) were poor prognostic factors. Patients who completed PCP treatment with ST monotherapy had a significantly higher survival rate than those treated with those not treated with ST monotherapy (p=0.015; log-rank test). Pentamidine versus atovaquone as second-line therapy was significantly higher with atovaquone (p=0.012; log-rank test).Conclusion Older age and concomitant ILD were poor prognostic factors for CTD-PCP. ST was a reasonable first-line therapy in patients with CTD-PCP, and patients with inadequate response to ST treated with atovaquone tended to have a better prognosis than those treated with pentamidine.

Abstract A 75‐year‐old man was diagnosed with advanced follicular lymphoma because of enlarged cervical lymph nodes. He received chemotherapy and was in complete remission for four years. However, after four years, he developed diffuse lymphadenopathy in the abdominal and iliac area suspected to be recurrent follicular lymphoma. At the time, he was asymptomatic and did not have any accompanying lung lesions. Due to his asymptomatic state, careful monitoring was chosen. Later, he developed diffuse granular shadow in the lung fields. A definite diagnosis was difficult to achieve without histological findings. Therefore, transbronchial lung biopsy of the lesions was performed. The pathology and immunohistochemistry of the lesions revealed recurrent follicular lymphoma. Although the frequency of recurrent follicular lymphoma presenting with diffuse granular shadow is uncommon, recurrent malignant lymphoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in case with a history of malignant lymphoma.

BackgroundRecently, various blood cell lineages expressing the BCR-ABL fusion gene in Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have been reported. However, the biological and clinical significance of these BCR-ABL lineages has not been established; therefore, we aimed to clarify the impacts of these different BCR-ABL-expressing lineages.PatientsMulti-lineage BCR-ABL expression (multi-Ph) was defined as BCR-ABL expression outside of the B-lineage compartment, as determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in peripheral blood neutrophils and bone marrow clots, and flow cytometry-sorted polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We analyzed IKZF1 deletion patterns by PCR, examined gene expression profiles using RNA sequencing, and compared treatment outcomes across different BCR-ABL-expressing lineages.ResultsAmong the 21 multi-Ph patients in our 59-patient cohort (36%), BCR-ABL expression was detected at the multipotential progenitor level. However, no IKZF1 deletion patterns or gene expression profiles were identified that were specific for multi-Ph. However, multi-Ph patients were found to have better survival rates than patients with uni-lineage BCR-ABL expression [event-free survival (EFS): 74 vs. 33%, P = 0.01; overall survival (OS): 79 vs. 44% at 4 years, P = 0.01]. In multivariate analyses, multi-Ph was identified as a good prognostic factor for both EFS and OS.ConclusionWe confirmed that more than one-third of Ph+ALL patients could be classified as mutli-Ph. Although no specific molecular characteristics were identified for multi-Ph, this phenotype was associated with better treatment outcomes.

Background: Although an etiology of Kawasaki disease (KD) is unknown, an aberrant innate immune system in predisposed individuals has been proposed to play a key role in the development of KD vasculitis. Various etiological pathogens have been proposed as the trigger of KD and a scaled injury preceding symptom onset has been reported as one of them. Here, we report a 17-month-old Japanese female who was hospitalized due to high fever lasting for 4 days with infection ruled out as a cause. On admission, she displayed severe sunburn all over her body following a prolonged period of outdoor play 5 days ago. On the 5 day of illness, she developed complete KD. Serum levels of high mobility group box 1, a representative for damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), were elevated during acute phase and continued to decrease during subacute phase. This unique course suggested the inflammatory process of KD involving innate immunity via DAMPs.

Abstract Background The prognostic biomarker for patients undergoing curative liver metastasectomy for colorectal cancer (CRC) is lacking. The purpose was to investigate the prognostic role of a lack of CDX2 expression, which has been proposed as a potential biomarker for high-risk relapse in early-stage CRC, in patients undergoing curative liver metastasectomy. Methods A total of 396 consecutive patients with CRC liver metastasis who underwent potentially curative liver metastasectomy at a single center in Japan between 2005 and 2015 were included. For the immunohistochemical analysis of nuclear CDX2 expression, we adopted the tissue microarray approach using the resected metastatic liver CRCs. Patient subgroups were compared with respect to disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) by applying the Kaplan-Meier curve, log-rank tests, and multivariate analyses based on the Cox proportional hazards method. OS is defined as the period from the date of curative liver resection for metastatic CRC until death. DFS is defined as the length of time from curative liver resection to either the first recurrence or death. In patients without recurrence, the latest imaging inspection date was used as the censored date. Results Thirty-six of the 396 CRCs (9.1%) reduced CDX2 expression. The reduced expression of CDX2 was associated with poor differentiation (P = 0.02). DFS in days was lower in the patients with CDX2-low CRC than in the patients with CDX2-high CRC (median DFS: 245 days versus 420 days; hazard ratio for disease recurrence: 1.64; 95% confidence interval: 1.08–2.38; P = 0.02). OS in days was lower in the patients with CDX2-low CRC than in the patients with CDX2-high CRC (median OS: 1024 days versus 3145 days; hazard ratio: 2.41; 95% confidence interval: 1.52–3.85; P

Abstract Background Dermatomyositis (DM) with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (DM RP-ILD) is a life-threatening condition. Serum cytokine levels are potentially suitable biomarkers for DM RP-ILD. However, the relationships among cytokine levels, lung imaging findings, and lung pathology have not been investigated. The aim of the present retrospective study was to determine the association between hypercytokinemia and lung inflammation in patients with DM RP-ILD. Methods The study subjects were nine patients with life-threatening DM RP-ILD and severe hypoxemia (partial arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ratio ≤ 200) before receiving intensive care management, who were admitted to our hospital between 2006 and 2015. The controls included 10 patients with DM without RP-ILD and 19 healthy subjects. We assessed the association between serum cytokine levels and computed tomography (CT) scores of the lung (ground glass opacity-score, G-score; fibrosis-score, F-score). Lung, hilar lymph nodes, and spleen from two autopsies were examined by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining and immunostaining. Results Serum interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-12 levels were significantly higher in patients with DM RP-ILD than in the other two groups, whereas serum IL-6 levels were elevated in the two patient groups but not in the healthy subjects. Serum levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-α, and TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-α were not characteristically elevated in the DM RP-ILD group. Serum IFN-γ levels correlated with G-scores in patients with DM RP-ILD, while IL-1β was negatively correlation with F-scores. Immunohistochemical staining showed infiltration of numerous IFN-γ-positive histiocytes in the lung and hilar lymph nodes; but not in the spleen. Serum IL-6 levels did not correlate with the CT scores. Numerous IL-6-positive plasma cells were found in hilar lymph nodes, but not in the lungs or spleen. Conclusions Our results suggest strong IFN-γ-related immune reaction in the lungs and hilar lymph nodes of patients with life-threatening DM RP-ILD, and potential IFN-γ involvement in the pathogenesis of DM, specifically in the pulmonary lesions of RP-ILD.

Background: To address a clinical impact of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (CVD) on cancer developments, we investigated an issue whether any difference in an incidence of cancers is present between patients with atherosclerotic CVD and those with non-atherosclerotic CVD. Methods: Of a total of 32,095 consecutive patients with acquired CVD enrolled in the Sakakibara Health Integrative Profile cohort study, we segregated patients based on a presence of atherosclerotic or non-atherosclerotic CVD to investigate an incidence of cancers and mortality. We also evaluated an incidence of cancers in patients with a singular presence versus a plural presence of atherosclerotic CVD. Atherosclerotic CVD included coronary artery diseases, aortic diseases and peripheral artery diseases. Non-atherosclerotic CVD were any acquired CVD except atherosclerotic CVD. Results: During a median follow-up of 1020 days (interquartile range, 665–1340 days), an incidence of cancers (5% vs. 2%, p = 0.0001) and overall mortality (6% vs. 3%, p = 0.0001) were more than two-fold higher in 10,592 patients with atherosclerotic CVD than in 21,503 patients with non-atherosclerotic CVD. A presence of atherosclerotic CVD (hazard ratio 1.372 with 95% confidence interval 1.199–1.569) was independently associated with an incidence of cancers. In patients with atherosclerotic CVD, 61 of 640 patients with a plural presence and 470 of 9932 patients with a singular presence developed cancers (9% vs. 5%, p = 0.0001). An incremental risk of death was found according to a presence of atherosclerotic CVD, cancers, and both of them (all p = 0.0001). Conclusions: A presence of atherosclerotic CVD itself may have a potential risk for cancer developments. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov. number, NCT03005834

In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, 50%–65% of cases acquire resistance after treatment with EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) because of an EGFR T790M point mutation and 3%–14% of these cases transformed to small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Generally, the EGFR T790M secondary mutation develops with ongoing ATP competitive inhibition. We present a case of a 76-year-old woman with lung adenocarcinoma harboring an EGFR-L858R mutation who received first-line gefitinib and developed SCLC transformation. She was administered several chemotherapy agents, including a platinum doublet. The primary lesion that showed SCLC transformation had reconverted to adenocarcinoma with EGFR L858R and T790M mutations at the time of a second re-biopsy. Therefore, she was administered osimertinib, which resulted in clinical remission. This case suggested that serial biopsies are necessary even after SCLC transformation. Keywords: NSCLC, EGFR mutation, SCLC transformation, T790M, Osimertinib

The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion oncogene is observed in 3%–5% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Crizotinib and ceritinib, a next-generation ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) active against crizotinib-refractory patients, are clinically available for the treatment of ALK-rearranged NSCLC patients, and multiple next-generation ALK-TKIs are currently under clinical evaluation. These ALK-TKIs exhibit robust clinical activity in ALK-rearranged NSCLC patients; however, the emergence of ALK-TKI resistance restricts the therapeutic effect. To date, various secondary mutations or bypass pathway activation-mediated resistance have been identified, but large parts of the resistance mechanism are yet to be identified. Here, we report the discovery of p-glycoprotein (P-gp/ABCB1) overexpression as a ceritinib resistance mechanism in ALK-rearranged NSCLC patients. P-gp exported ceritinib and its overexpression conferred ceritinib and crizotinib resistance, but not to PF-06463922 or alectinib, which are next-generation ALK inhibitors. Knockdown of ABCB1 or P-gp inhibitors sensitizes the patient-derived cancer cells to ceritinib, in vitro and in vivo. P-gp overexpression was identified in three out of 11 cases with in ALK-rearranged crizotinib or ceritinib resistant NSCLC patients. Our study suggests that alectinib, PF-06463922, or P-gp inhibitor with ceritinib could overcome the ceritinib or crizotinib resistance mediated by P-gp overexpression.

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) are essential for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) treatment. It has been reported that mutations in PML-RARA confer resistance to ATRA and ATO, and are associated with poor prognosis. Although most PML-RARA mutations were point mutations, we identified a novel seven amino acid deletion mutation (p.K227_T233del) in the RARA region of PML-RARA in a refractory APL patient. Here, we analyzed the evolution of the mutated clone and demonstrated the resistance of the mutated clone to retinoic acid (RA). Mutation analysis of PML-RARA was performed using samples from a chemotherapy- and ATRA-resistant APL patient, and the frequencies of mutated PML-RARA transcript were analyzed by targeted deep sequencing. To clarify the biological significance of the identified PML-RARA mutations, we analyzed the ATRA-induced differentiation and PML nuclear body formation in mutant PML-RARA-transduced HL-60 cells. At molecular relapse, the p.K227_T233del deletion and the p.R217S point-mutation in the RARA region of PML-RARA were identified, and their frequencies increased after re-induction therapy with another type of retinoiec acid (RA), tamibarotene. In deletion PML-RARA-transduced cells, the CD11b expression levels and NBT reducing ability were significantly decreased compared with control cells and the formation of PML nuclear bodies was rarely observed after RA treatment. These results indicate that this deletion mutation was closely associated with the disease progression during RA treatment.

Reference interval for thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) level was determined using an in-house TAT measurement device, and its validity for diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was evaluated in dogs. One hundred and two clinically healthy dogs and 247 diseased dogs with conditions that potentially caused DIC were recruited in the study. Six diagnostic testing for DIC were evaluated in diseased dogs and the diseased dogs were categorized into five groups depending on abnormal findings. TAT was measured in all study animals and between-group differences were evaluated. TAT level was positively associated with severity of DIC. There were no significant differences in TAT levels among clinically healthy dogs, diseased dogs without any abnormal finding and diseased dogs with one abnormal finding in the DIC diagnostic testing. TAT levels in groups with two or more abnormal findings were significantly higher than clinically healthy dogs. Reference interval of TAT level for clinically healthy dogs was ≤ 0.25 ng/ml. Validity of using TAT for early detection of DIC was evaluated. In-house TAT measurement was suggested to be a clinically relevant and useful tool for early detection of canine DIC.

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b-Hydroxy aldehyde and alkyl ketone moieties were effectively synthesized as key intermediates of amphidinolide Q, a cytotoxic macrolide from the cultured dinoflagellate Amphidinium sp.. The asymmetric center of the former derivative was produced by Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, followed by E-selective 1,4-addition to give the sp2 methyl group. Derivatization of the L-ascorbic acid derivative by Evans asymmetric alkylation and Peterson olefination provided the latter intermediate. The coupling reaction of the segments was examined.

Clathrin-dependent endocytosis is an essential cellular process shared by all cell types. Despite this, precisely how endocytosis is regulated in a cell-type-specific manner and how this key pathway functions physiologically or pathophysiologically remain largely unknown. PICALM, which encodes the clathrin adaptor protein PICALM, was originally identified as a component of the CALM/AF10 leukemia oncogene. Here we show, by employing a series of conditional Picalm knockout mice, that PICALM critically regulates transferrin uptake in erythroid cells by functioning as a cell-type-specific regulator of transferrin receptor endocytosis. While transferrin receptor is essential for the development of all hematopoietic lineages, Picalm was dispensable for myeloid and B-lymphoid development. Furthermore, global Picalm inactivation in adult mice did not cause gross defects in mouse fitness, except for anemia and a coat color change. Freeze-etch electron microscopy of primary erythroblasts and live-cell imaging of murine embryonic fibroblasts revealed that Picalm function is required for efficient clathrin coat maturation. We showed that the PICALM PIP2 binding domain is necessary for transferrin receptor endocytosis in erythroblasts and absolutely essential for erythroid development from mouse hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in an erythroid culture system. We further showed that Picalm deletion entirely abrogated the disease phenotype in a Jak2V617F knock-in murine model of polycythemia vera. Our findings provide new insights into the regulation of cell-type-specific transferrin receptor endocytosis in vivo. They also suggest a new strategy to block cellular uptake of transferrin-bound iron, with therapeutic potential for disorders characterized by inappropriate red blood cell production, such as polycythemia vera.

BackgroundLeft upper division segmentectomy is one of the major pulmonary procedures; however, it is sometimes difficult to completely dissect interlobar lymph nodes. We attempted to clarify the prognostic importance of hilar and mediastinal nodes, especially of interlobar lymph nodes, in patients with primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) located in the left upper division.MethodsWe retrospectively studied patients with primary left upper lobe NSCLC undergoing surgical pulmonary resection (at least lobectomy) with radical lymphadenectomy. The representative evaluation of therapeutic value from the lymph node dissection was determined using Sasako's method. This analysis was calculated by multiplying the frequency of metastasis to the station and the 5-year survival rate of the patients with metastasis to the station.ResultsWe enrolled 417 patients (237 men, 180 women). Tumors were located in the lingular lobe and at the upper division of left upper lobe in 69 and 348 patients, respectively. The pathological nodal statuses were pN0 in 263 patients, pN1 in 70 patients, and pN2 in 84 patients. Lymph nodes #11 and #7 were significantly correlated with differences in node involvement in patients with left upper lobe NSCLC. Among those with left upper division NSCLC, the 5-year overall survival in pN1 was 31.5% for #10, 39.3% for #11, and 50.4% for #12U. The involvement of node #11 was 1.89-fold higher in the anterior segment than that in the apicoposterior segment. The therapeutic index of estimated benefit from lymph node dissection for #11 was 3.38, #4L was 1.93, and the aortopulmonary window was 4.86 in primary left upper division NSCLC.ConclusionsInterlobar node involvement is not rare in left upper division NSCLC, occurring in >20% cases. Furthermore, dissection of interlobar nodes was found to be beneficial in patients with left upper division NSCLC.

BACKGROUND:We aimed to clarify that the size of the lung adenocarcinoma evaluated using mediastinal window on computed tomography is an important and useful modality for predicting invasiveness, lymph node metastasis and prognosis in small adenocarcinoma. METHODS:We evaluated 176 patients with small lung adenocarcinomas (diameter, 1-3 cm) who underwent standard surgical resection. Tumours were examined using computed tomography with thin section conditions (1.25 mm thick on high-resolution computed tomography) with tumour dimensions evaluated under two settings: lung window and mediastinal window. We also determined the patient age, gender, preoperative nodal status, tumour size, tumour disappearance ratio, preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels and pathological status (lymphatic vessel, vascular vessel or pleural invasion). Recurrence-free survival was used for prognosis. RESULTS:Lung window, mediastinal window, tumour disappearance ratio and preoperative nodal status were significant predictive factors for recurrence-free survival in univariate analyses. Areas under the receiver operator curves for recurrence were 0.76, 0.73 and 0.65 for mediastinal window, tumour disappearance ratio and lung window, respectively. Lung window, mediastinal window, tumour disappearance ratio, preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels and preoperative nodal status were significant predictive factors for lymph node metastasis in univariate analyses; areas under the receiver operator curves were 0.61, 0.76, 0.72 and 0.66, for lung window, mediastinal window, tumour disappearance ratio and preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels, respectively. Lung window, mediastinal window, tumour disappearance ratio, preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels and preoperative nodal status were significant factors for lymphatic vessel, vascular vessel or pleural invasion in univariate analyses; areas under the receiver operator curves were 0.60, 0.81, 0.81 and 0.65 for lung window, mediastinal window, tumour disappearance ratio and preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:According to the univariate analyses including a logistic regression and ROCs performed for variables with p-values of