Noninvasive graft monitoring using donor-derived cell-free DNA in Japanese liver transplantation.

AIM: To evaluate the use of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) in diagnosing graft injuries in Japanese liver transplantation (LTx), including family-related living donors. METHODS: A total of 321 samples from 10 newly operated LTx recipients were collected to monitor the early dynamics of dd-cfDNA levels after LTx. Fifty-five samples from 55 recipients were collected during protocol biopsies (PB), whereas 36 samples from 27 recipients were collected during event biopsies, consisting of 11 biopsy-proven acute rejection (AR), 20 acute dysfunctions without rejection (ADWR), and 5 chronic rejections. The levels of dd-cfDNA were quantified using a next-generation sequencer based on single nucleotide polymorphisms. RESULTS: The dd-cfDNA levels were elevated significantly after LTx, followed by a rapid decline to the baseline in patients without graft injury within 30 days post-LTx. The dd-cfDNA levels were significantly higher in the 11 samples obtained during AR than those obtained during PB (p < 0.0001), which decreased promptly after treatment. The receiver operator characteristic curve analysis of diagnostic ability yielded areas under the curve of 0.975 and 0.897 for AR (rejection activity index [RAI] ≥3) versus PB and versus non-AR (ADWR + PB). The dd-cfDNA levels during AR were elevated earlier and correlated more strongly with the RAI (r = 0.740) than aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase. The dd-cfDNA levels were neither associated with graft fibrosis based on histology nor the status of donor-specific antibodies in PB samples. CONCLUSIONS: Donor-derived cell-free DNA serves as a sensitive biomarker for detecting graft injuries in LTx. Further large-scale cohort studies are warranted to optimize its use in differentiating various post-LTx etiologies.

Prepregnancy Assessment of Liver Function to Predict Perinatal and Postpregnancy Outcomes in Biliary Atresia Patients with Native Liver.

Considering that some biliary atresia (BA) survivors with native liver have reached reproductive age and face long-lasting complications, specific attention needs to be paid to pregnant cases. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between liver function, perinatal outcomes, and prognosis. A database review was conducted to identify pregnant BA cases with native liver and perinatal data, and clinical information on BA-related complications was analyzed. Perinatal serum cholinesterase (ChE) levels, model for end-stage liver-disease (MELD) score, and platelet trends were analyzed, and the association between these indicators and perinatal outcomes was investigated. Patients were categorized into three groups according to the perinatal clinical outcomes: favorable (term babies with or without several episodes of cholangitis; n = 3), borderline (term baby and following liver dysfunction; n = 1), and unfavorable (premature delivery with subsequent liver failure; n = 1). Lower serum ChE levels, lower platelet counts, and higher MELD scores were observed in the unfavorable category. Borderline and unfavorable patients displayed a continuous increase in MELD score, with one eventually needing a liver transplantation. Pregnancy in patients with BA requires special attention. Serum ChE levels, platelet counts, and MELD scores are all important markers for predicting perinatal prognosis.

Maintenance treatment with infliximab for ulcerative ileitis after intestinal transplantation: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Evidence has been published on the successful applications of the anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha antibody infliximab, such as induction therapy, salvage treatment for acute cellular rejection, and treatment for chronic ulcerative inflammation, in intestinal transplant recipients. However, the optimal protocol for the effective use of infliximab remains largely undetermined due to scarcity of available clinical data. We report a continuative application of infliximab as maintenance therapy for recurrent chronic ulcerative ileitis in a recipient of isolated intestinal transplantation (ITx). CASE SUMMARY: The patient was a 11-year-old boy with intestinal motility disorder classified as a hypogenic type of intestinal dysganglionosis. The patient underwent living-donor related intestinal transplant. His immunosuppression regimen consisted of daclizumab, tacrolimus, and steroids. Although he did not show rejection while on tacrolimus monotherapy, routine screening endoscopy showed several ulcerative lesions in the distal end of the graft 2 years after the intestinal transplant. Endoscopic work up to evaluate the progression of anemia revealed stenosis with ulcerative inflammatory changes and multiple longitudinal ulcers in the graft. Since the endoscopic findings suggested ulcerative lesions in Crohn's disease, infliximab treatment was considered. Treatment with infliximab and a small dose of oral prednisolone afforded successful withdrawal of total parenteral nutrition and maintenance of a well-functioning graft without infectious complications for 5 years since the administration of the first dose of infliximab. CONCLUSION: Infliximab is effective as maintenance therapy for recurrent chronic ulcerative ileitis in an isolated ITx patient.

[A case of severe colitis caused by immune checkpoint inhibitor].

A 74-year-old male with lung squamous cell carcinoma who was treated with the anti PD-1 antibody nivolumab developed frequent diarrhea four months after initiating treatment. However, his condition did not improve despite prednisolone at 20mg. Endoscopic examination revealed loss of vascular pattern, erosions, and mucosal friability, resembling ulcerative colitis. Colonoscopy revealed punch-out ulcers in the affected mucosa. Therefore, he was definitively diagnosed with severe colitis caused by immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment and cytomegalovirus colitis. Nivolumab was discontinued, and he was treated with 60mg prednisolone and ganciclovir. Although his colitis improved, he developed pneumonia and died thereafter. This case highlights adverse events that are associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors which should be treated properly.

Genetic characterization of skull base chondrosarcomas.

OBJECT: Although chondrosarcomas rarely arise in the skull base, chondrosarcomas and chordomas are the 2 major malignant bone neoplasms occurring at this location. The distinction of these 2 tumors is important, but this distinction is occasionally problematic because of radiological and histological overlap. Unlike chordoma and extracranial chondrosarcoma, no case series presenting a whole-genome analysis of skull base chondrosarcomas (SBCSs) has been reported. The goal of this study is to clarify the genetic characteristics of SBCSs and contrast them with those of chordomas. METHODS: The authors analyzed 7 SBCS specimens for chromosomal copy number alterations (CNAs) using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). They also examined IDH1 and IDH2 mutations and brachyury expression. RESULTS: In CGH analyses, the authors detected CNAs in 6 of the 7 cases, including chromosomal gains of 8q21.1, 19, 2q22-q32, 5qcen-q14, 8q21-q22, and 15qcen-q14. Mutation of IDH1 was found with a high frequency (5 of 7 cases, 71.4%), of which R132S was most frequently mutated. No IDH2 mutations were found, and immunohistochemical staining for brachyury was negative in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first whole-genome study of an SBSC case series. Their findings suggest that these tumors are molecularly consistent with a subset of conventional central chondrosarcomas and different from skull base chordomas.

Seasonal variation and sex differences in the nutritional status in two local populations of wild Japanese macaques.

Seasonal variations and sex differences in the nutritional status in two local populations of wild Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata fuscata) were examined. It was hypothesized that the ecological condition and/or reproductive strategies of each sex determine the nutritional condition and its seasonal fluctuation in each sex. Morphometric measures such as body mass, thoracic and femoris circumferences, skinfold thickness in four places (triceps, biceps femoris, subscapular, and abdomen), and wet mass of mesenteric and omental fat were used for comparisons between sexes, seasons, and populations. Animals of the Shimane population were larger than those of the Boso population in most morphometric measures, abdominal skinfold, and mesenteric and omental fat mass, suggesting environmental and/or genetic differences in the two populations. Females of both populations had larger skinfolds and mesenteric and omental fat mass than males, indicating that females had more fat than males. Females showed seasonality in most measures, having two peaks of body mass, thoracic and femoris circumferences, abdominal skinfold, and mesenteric and omental fat masses in early spring and late fall. In contrast, males exhibited no clear seasonal variations for most measurements, except for biceps femoris and subscapular skinfolds, which showed peaks in summer. Most morphometric measurements significantly correlated to each other, particularly in females, but most skinfolds had no correlation with other measurements. These findings suggest that sexual dimorphism in body composition and its fluctuation may be affected by the different reproductive strategies of males and females.