HER2 overexpression predicts pathological T2 stage and improved survival in de novo muscle-invasive bladder cancer after immediate radical cystectomy: a retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) overexpression is a prognostic factor and a therapeutic target for breast cancer; however, anti-HER2 therapies are ineffective in patients with bladder cancer. The authors investigated the effect of HER2 overexpression (HER2 + ) on the prognosis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent initial transurethral resection of bladder tumors between 2005 and 2013 and were registered in the Korea National Health Insurance Database, which provides data on overall survival (OS). Sixty-one patients with clinically nonmetastatic de novo MIBC were included in this study. As a subgroup, 33 patients who underwent immediate radical cystectomy (RC) were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify prognostic factors for survival. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was used to identify the favorable T stage. RESULTS: Among the 61 patients with d-MIBC, 14 were HER2 + and 47 HER2 - . Age less than 70 years [hazard ratio (HR): 0.312, CI: 0.16-0.59, P <0.001] and HER2 + status (HR: 0.40, CI: 0.19-0.85, P =0.02) were favorable prognostic factors for OS after adjusting for clinical variables. In the RC subgroup, HER2 + status was a significant predictive factor for the pT2 stage (HR): 36.8, CI: 4.83-797.41, P <0.01). Age less than 70 years (HR: 0.15, CI: 0.05-0.42, P <0.001) and HER2 + status (HR: 0.11, CI: 0.02-0.54, P =0.01) were favorable prognostic factors for OS after adjusting for RC pathological variables. CONCLUSIONS: HER2 + status could be a marker for an indolent subset of MIBC and could predict favorable survival regardless of RC status. Moreover, HER2 + status not only consistently predicted a favorable T stage after RC, but also predicted better survival than pathological outcomes.

HER2 positivity predicts BCG unresponsiveness and adaptive immune cell exhaustion in EORTC risk-stratified cohort of bladder cancer.

Introduction: Predicting the response to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy in high-risk patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is crucial, as failure may necessitate interventions, such as radical cystectomy or salvage therapy. With the recent classification of genetic class 2a (which has HER2 protein abundance as its signature mutation of ERBB2), evaluating its prognostic role and relationship with BCG response could yield important results. Methods: This retrospective study included 160 patients with NMIBC who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumors at Gangneung Asan Hospital between 2000 and 2013 and were stratified based on the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) risk criteria. In addition, we analyzed a subset of 67 patients who had received BCG induction therapy to identify factors predictive of BCG treatment response. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the impact of clinicopathological factors, HER2 positivity, and EORTC risk on recurrence, progression, survival, and BCG response. Each variable's prognostic significance was determined using the Kaplan-Meier analysis. The tumor microenvironments (TMEs) were evaluated in relation to HER2 and EORTC risk. Results: Patients with HER2+ had a higher median age, a greater prevalence of high-grade tumors, and more frequent recurrences. The univariate analysis demonstrated that the HER2+, intermediate (vs. low-risk) high (vs. low-risk), and EORTC recurrence risk groups were significantly associated with recurrence. In patients treated with BCG, only the HER2+ status predicted recurrence. In the univariate analysis for progression, age, high EORTC progression risk (vs. low-to-intermediate), HER2+, and programmed death-ligand 1 positive (PD-L1+) were significant factors. In multivariate analyses for progression, age, high EORTC progression risk, and PD-L1+ were significant factors for progression. HER2 expression was associated with the TME, influencing the proportion of PD-L1+ cells, as well as other markers of PD-1, CD8, and Ki67. Conclusion: The HER2+ status may be related to genetic characteristics that appear more frequently in older age, which suggests a potential for predicting the recurrence and response to BCG treatment. Additionally, analyzing TME trends of aggressive adaptive immune response characterized by HER2 expression provides insight into recurrence and BCG response mechanisms.

Effect of intraoperative blood transfusion on inflammatory response in parturients with placenta previa undergoing cesarean section: A prospective observational study.

Background: The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and red cell distribution width (RDW) have been reported as useful biomarkers for evaluating inflammation and a predictor of surgical prognosis. Although there have been recent reports that transfusion may affect inflammatory responses, studies on the post-transfusion inflammatory response in parturients are rare. Therefore, this study aimed to observe changes in inflammatory response after transfusion during cesarean section (C-sec) through NLR, PLR, and RDW. Methods: Parturients aged 20-50 years who underwent C-sec under general anesthesia due to placenta previa totalis from March 4, 2021, to June 10, 2021 were participated in this prospective observational study. We compared postoperative NLR, PLR, and RDW between the transfusion and non-transfusion groups. Results: A total of 53 parturients were included in this study, of which 31 parturients received intraoperative transfusions during C-sec. There were no significant difference in preoperative NLR (3.6 vs. 3.4, p = 0.780), PLR (132.8 vs. 111.3, p = 0.108), and RDW (14.2 vs. 13.6, p = 0.062) between the two groups. However, postoperative NLR was significantly higher in the transfusion group than in the non-transfusion group (12.2 vs. 6.8, p < 0.001). Postoperative RDW was significantly higher in the transfusion group than in the non-transfusion group (14.6 vs. 13.9, p = 0.002) whereas postoperative PLR was not significantly different between the two groups (108.0 vs. 117.4, p = 0.885). Conclusions: Postoperative NLR and RDW, the inflammatory biomarkers, were significantly higher in the transfused C-sec parturients. These results suggest a significant association between postoperative inflammatory response and transfusion in obstetric practice.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Acanthogobius lactipes and its phylogenetic analysis.

Acanthogobius lactipes is a demersal, euryhaline fish belonging to the suborder Gobiodei. This study sequenced and described the complete mitochondrial genome of A. lactipes for the first time. The circular genome of A. lactipes is 16,592 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and a control region. The overall A, C, G, and T contents were 27.78, 27.31, 17.52, and 27.39%, respectively. Based on the 13 protein-coding genes, the phylogenetic tree showed that A. lactipes formed a well-supported cluster with the genus Acanthogobius and rooted with other family Oxudercidae species.

Association of red cell distribution width/albumin ratio with intraoperative blood transfusion in cervical cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Although minimally invasive surgical techniques have reduced intraoperative bleeding, the risk of transfusion exists. However, few studies have evaluated risk factors for transfusion in radical hysterectomy. We aimed to evaluate the association between preoperative red cell distribution width/albumin ratio (RDW/albumin) and transfusion in cervical cancer patients. METHODS: We analyzed 907 patients who underwent radical hysterectomy between June 2006 and February 2015. Logistic regression and Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for transfusion and mortality at 5-year and overall. Net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated identification improvement (IDI) analyses were performed to verify the improvement of the intraoperative transfusion model upon the addition of RDW/albumin. RESULTS: RDW/albumin was an independent risk factor for transfusion (odds ratio [OR]: 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.77, p = 0.035). Additionally, body mass index, operation time, laparoscopic surgery, total fluids, and synthetic colloid were risk factors for transfusion. RDW/albumin was an independent risk factor for 5-year mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.07-2.14, p = 0.020), and overall mortality (HR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.06-2.07, p = 0.021). NRI and IDI analyses showed the discriminatory power of RDW/albumin for transfusion (p<0.001 and p = 0.046, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: RDW/albumin might be a significant factor in transfusion and mortality in cervical cancer patients.

Effect of Nucleating Agents Addition on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polylactic Acid Composites.

In this study, natural fiber-reinforced polylactic acid (NFRP) composite materials were prepared by adding nucleating agents (NAs) and natural fiber (NF) to compensate for the low thermal stability and brittleness of polylactic acid (PLA). The thermal stability of the fabricated composite material was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. In addition, the tensile modulus of elasticity according to the crystallinity of the composite was measured. The crystallinity of the PLA composite increased to ~700% upon the addition of the NA; thus, the thermal stability also increased. However, the changes in crystallinity and tensile modulus were insignificant when the concentration of the NA added was 4 wt.% or higher. The study demonstrates that the addition of NA and NF is effective in improving the thermal stability and mechanical properties of NFRP.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Buccinum bayani (Gastropoda: Buccininae) in Korea.

This study is the first to report the complete 15,262 base pair mitochondrial genome of Buccinum bayani, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a control region (D-loop). The overall base composition of the complete genome is A (29.87%), T (39.11%), G (15.86%), and C (15.16%), with a high AT content of 68.98%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that B. bayani was most closely related to B. undatum. The mitogenome of B. bayani will provide helpful information to further our phylogenetic and evolutionary understanding of the family Buccininae.

Identification of New Prognostic Markers and Therapeutic Targets for Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: HER2 as a Potential Target Antigen.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the gold standard adjuvant treatment for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, given the current global shortage of BCG, new treatments are needed. We evaluated tumor microenvironment markers as potential BCG alternatives for NMIBC treatment. Programmed death-ligand 1, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), programmed cell death-1 (PD1), CD8, and Ki67 levels were measured in treatment-naïve NMIBC and MIBC patients (pTa, pT1, and pT2 stages). Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine the impact of these markers and other clinicopathological factors on survival, recurrence, and progression. EP263, IM142, PD1, and Ki67 levels were the highest in the T2 stage, followed by the T1 and Ta stages. HER2 and IM263 expressions were higher in the T1 and T2 stages than in the Ta stage. In NMIBC, the significant prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival were adjuvant therapy, tumor grade, and HER2 positivity, whereas those for progression-free survival included age, T-stage, and IM263. Age, T-stage, EP263, PD1, CD8, and Ki67 levels were significant factors associated with overall survival. IM263 and HER2 are potential biomarkers for progression and recurrence, respectively. Therefore, we propose HER2 as a potential target antigen for intravesical therapeutics as a BCG alternative.

Recent Trends in Prostate Biopsy Complication Rates and the Role of Aztreonam in Periprocedural Antimicrobial Prophylaxis-A Nationwide Population-Based Study from Korea.

An increase in the rate of complications after prostate biopsy (PB) due to increased antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a global issue. We report the safety of aztreonam as a prophylactic antibiotic in patients undergoing PB. We investigated the complication rates according to several antibiotic regimens, including aztreonam. We hypothesized that PB complications increased following a rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. We examined the annual rates of complications among patients in our hospital (clinical cohort) and the Korea Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) cohort. Data regarding complications, hospitalization, emergency room (ER) visits, and febrile urinary tract infections occurring within 2 weeks after PB were recorded. The rate of complications was significantly lower in patients who received oral quinolone and intravenous aztreonam than in those who received oral quinolone. The complication rates did not increase throughout the study period. Additionally, 1754 patients from the HIRA cohort were included. The rates of complications, hospitalizations, and ER visits did not increase among these patients. Oral quinolone combined with intravenous aztreonam reduced the rate of febrile complications compared to quinolone alone and was safe to use after PB. Therefore, we recommend intravenous aztreonam with oral quinolone as a prophylactic antibiotic regimen before PB.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the freshwater fish Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis from Korea.

We present the first report of the complete mitochondrial genome of Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis, which consists of 16,613 base pairs harboring 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a control region (D-loop). The overall base composition of the complete genome is A (27.15%), C (27.15%), T (26.77%), G (18.92%). The complete mitogenome of O. uncirostris amurensis, which was most closely related to O. bidens in the Bayesian inference tree, provides a better understanding of the phylogeny of the genus Opsariichthys.

Overweight and obesity as risk factors for biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown a relationship between the occurrence and recurrence of prostate cancer; however, this relationship remains controversial. We investigated the relationship between obesity and biochemical recurrence in patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: Clinicopathological factors were analyzed after dividing the patient population according to the Asian population-specific body mass index (BMI) criteria for "normal" (< 23 kg/m2), "overweight" (23-27.5 kg/m2), and "obese" (≥ 27.5 kg/m2). Among the 389 patients included in this study, 108 were classified as normal, while 227 and 54 patients were classified as overweight and obese, respectively. The relationships between clinicopathological factors and biochemical recurrence were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Cox ≤ proportional hazard models. Biochemical recurrence was defined as two consecutive prostate-specific antigen (PSA) measurements ≥ 0.2 ng/mL. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, the categorical variables of "overweight" and "obese" were significant prognostic factors for biochemical recurrence. In multivariate analysis models including PSA density [hazard ratio (HR) 1.8, p = 0.01], extraprostatic extension (HR 2.0, p < 0.001), Gleason score (HR 1.7, p = 0.01), surgical margin positivity (HR 2.46, p < 0.001), and lymphovascular invasion (HR 2.53, p < 0.001), the categorical variables of "overweight" (HR 1.6, p = 0.03) and "obese" (HR 1.76, p = 0.035) were prognostic factors for biochemical recurrence. CONCLUSION: The obesity status of patients with prostate cancer as "overweight" and "obese" was a risk factor for biochemical recurrence after adjusting for other clinicopathological factors.

Complete mitochondrial genome for the whitemouth croaker Micropogonias furnieri (Perciformes: Sciaenidae).

This study is the first to research to report the complete 16,496 bp mitochondrial genome of Micropogonias furnieri, which consists of 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a control region (D-loop). The overall base composition of the complete genome is 27.26% A, 25.65% T, 16.46% G, and 30.63% C, with a high A + T content of 52.91%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that M. furnieri was most closely related to Sciaenops ocellatus. In this study, the mitogenome of M. furnieri will provide useful information for phylogenetic and evolutionary understanding in the family Sciaenidae.

Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Recombinant Crotamine in Mouse Models of Pain.

Crotamine, a toxin found in the venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus, has been reported to have antinociceptive effects. We purified recombinant crotamine expressed in Escherichia coli and investigated its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects using the hot-plate test, acetic-acid-induced writhing method, and formalin test in mice. Recombinant crotamine was administered intraperitoneally (0.04-1.2 mg kg-1) or intraplantarly (0.9-7.5 µg 10 µL-1) before the tests. The paw volume was measured with a plethysmometer. To evaluate the antagonistic and anti-inflammatory effects of naloxone, subcutaneous naloxone (4 mg kg-1) or intraplantar naloxone (5 µg 10 µL-1) was administered before recombinant crotamine. For tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α assays, blood was drawn 3 h after formalin injection and measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intraperitoneal and intraplantar recombinant crotamine had antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, neither of which were affected by pre-treatment with naloxone. The mean serum TNF-α levels were significantly lower in the intraperitoneal recombinant crotamine (0.4 and 1.2 mg kg-1) or intraplantar (2.5 and 7.5 µg 10 µL-1) recombinant crotamine groups than in the saline group and were not affected by naloxone pre-treatment. In conclusion, recombinant crotamine possesses significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects that do not appear to be related to the opioid receptor. The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of intraperitoneal or intraplantar recombinant crotamine are related to TNF-α.

Three distinct atmospheric circulation patterns associated with high temperature extremes in South Korea.

The negative impact of extreme high-temperature days (EHDs) on people's livelihood has increased over the past decades. Therefore, an improved understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of EHDs is imperative to mitigate this impact. Herein, we classify the large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns associated with EHDs that occurred in South Korea from 1982 to 2018 using a self-organizing map (SOM) and investigate the dynamic mechanism for each cluster pattern through composite analysis. A common feature of all SOM clusters is the positive geopotential height (GPH) anomaly over the Korean Peninsula, which provides favorable conditions for EHDs through adiabatic warming caused by anomalous downward motion. Results show that Cluster 1 (C1) is related to the eastward-propagating wave train in the mid-latitude Northern Hemisphere, while Cluster 2 (C2) and 3 (C3) are influenced by a northward-propagating wave train forced by enhanced convection in the subtropical western North Pacific (WNP). Compared to C2, C3 exhibits strong and eastward-extended enhanced convection over the subtropical WNP, which generates an anomalous high-pressure system over the southern part of the Kamchatka Peninsula, reinforcing EHDs via atmospheric blocking. Our results can contribute to the understanding of East Asia climate variability because wave trains influence the climate dynamics of this region.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the endangered freshwater fish Kichulchoia brevifasciata in Korea.

Kichulchoia brevifasciata is an endangered fish that is distributed across the Goheung Peninsula, South Korea. This is the first report of the complete mitochondrial genome of K. brevifasciata, which consists of 16,646 bp with 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a control region (D-loop). The overall base composition of the complete genome is A (29.57%), T (28.08%), G (16.54%), and C (25.80%), with a high A + T content of 57.65%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that K. brevifasciata was most closely related to K. multifasciatas.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Korean endemic species Coreoleuciscus aeruginos holotype from Korea (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae).

This study is the first to research report the complete 16,563 bp mitochondrial genome of Coreoleuciscus aeruginos, which consists of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and a control region (D-loop). The overall base composition of the complete genome is 31.0% A, 28.04% T, 16.27% G, and 24.69% C, with a high A + T content of 59.04%. According to our phylogenetic analysis, C. aeruginos is most closely related to Coreoleuciscus splendidus.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the hybrid grouper Hyporthodus septemfasciatus (♀)×Epinephelus moara (♂) (Perciformes, Serranidae) and results of a phylogenetic analysis.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the hybrid grouper Hyporthodus septemfasciatus (♀)×Epinephelus moara (♂) was obtained by next-generation sequencing. The mitochondrial genome was 16,499 bp long, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and a control region (D-loop). The overall base composition is 28.62% A, 28.27% C, 16.27% G, and 26.84% T with 55.46% A + T. In the maximum-likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analysis, the hybrid grouper belonged to the same clade as H. septemfasciatus (maternal inheritance).

Complete mitochondrial genome of Halocynthia hilgendorfi ritteri (Pyuridae) from Korea.

Halocynthia hilgendorfi ritteri is an ascidian distributed on the coast of Geoje Island in Korea and found on rocks. The mitochondrial genome of Halocynthia hilgendorfi ritteri consists of 15,181 bp with 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 23 transfer RNA genes. The overall base composition of the complete genome is 22.94% A, 43.32% T, 25.72% G, and 8.02% C, with a high A + T content of 66.26%.