TAZ deficiency exacerbates psoriatic pathogenesis by increasing the histamine-releasing factor.

BACKGROUND: Transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-biding motif (TAZ) is widely expressed in most tissues and interacts with several transcription factors to regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and death, thereby influencing organ development and size control. However, very little is known about the function of TAZ in the immune system and its association with inflammatory skin diseases, so we investigated the role of TAZ in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. RESULTS: Interestingly, TAZ was expressed in mast cells associated, particularly in lysosomes, and co-localized with histamine-releasing factor (HRF). TAZ deficiency promoted mast cell maturation and increased HRF expression and secretion by mast cells. The upregulation of HRF in TAZ deficiency was not due to increased transcription but to protein stabilization, and TAZ restoration into TAZ-deficient cells reduced HRF protein. Interestingly, imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis, in which HRF serves as a major pro-inflammatory factor, was more severe in TAZ KO mice than in WT control. HRF expression and secretion were increased by IMQ treatment and were more pronounced in TAZ KO mice treated with IMQ. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, as HRF expression was stabilized in TAZ KO mice, psoriatic pathogenesis progressed more rapidly, indicating that TAZ plays an important role in preventing psoriasis by regulating HRF protein stability.

MPoMA protects against lung epithelial cell injury via p65 degradation.

Numerous cases of lung injury caused by viral infection were reported during the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic. While there have been significant efforts to develop drugs that block viral infection and spread, the development of drugs to reduce or reverse lung injury has been a lower priority. This study aimed to identify compounds from a library of compounds that prevent viral infection that could reduce and prevent lung epithelial cell damage. We investigated the cytotoxicity of the compounds, their activity in inhibiting viral spike protein binding to cells, and their activity in reducing IL-8 production in lung epithelial cells damaged by amodiaquine (AQ). We identified N-(4-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-3-methylphenyl)-N-methylacetamide (MPoMA) as a non-cytotoxic inhibitor against viral infection and AQ-induced cell damage. MPoMA inhibited the expression of IL-8, IL-6, IL-1ß, and fibronectin induced by AQ and protected against AQ-induced morphological changes. However, MPoMA did not affect basal IL-8 expression in lung epithelial cells in the absence of AQ. Further mechanistic analysis confirmed that MPoMA selectively promoted the proteasomal degradation of inflammatory mediator p65, thereby reducing intracellular p65 expression and p65-mediated inflammatory responses. MPoMA exerted potent anti-inflammatory and protective functions in epithelial cells against LPS-induced acute lung injury in vivo. These findings suggest that MPoMA may have beneficial effects in suppressing viral infection and preventing lung epithelial cell damage through the degradation of p65 and inhibition of the production of inflammatory cytokines.

Outcome comparison of minimally invasive proximal and distal chevron Akin osteotomies in patients with severe hallux valgus deformity: A randomized prospective study.

PURPOSE: To date, the surgical treatment of severe hallux valgus deformity remains challenging despite the various methods presented. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of minimally invasive distal chevron Akin osteotomies (d-MICA) and minimally invasive proximal chevron Akin osteotomies (p-MICA) in correcting severe hallux valgus deformities. METHODS: This prospective follow-up study included patients randomly assigned to undergo p-MICA or d-MICA for hallux valgus deformities with a preoperative hallux valgus angle (HVA) ≥ 40° and/or a first to second intermetatarsal angle (IMA) ≥ 16°. After a minimum follow-up period of two years, we compared various clinico-radiographic parameters of patients whose HVA exceeded 15° at the final follow-up. RESULTS: In the p-MICA and d-MICA groups, seven of 40 cases (17.5%) and 16 of 41 cases (39.0%), respectively, exhibited HVA > 15° at the final follow-up (P = 0.048). The preoperative parameters showed no significant differences. However, at the first weight-bearing assessment, the HVA, IMA, and relative second metatarsal length were significantly smaller, and the distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) was greater in the p-MICA group (all P < 0.05) compared with the d-MICA group. Postoperatively, both groups exhibited significant decreases in HVA and IMA at the final follow-up (P < 0.001 for all parameters). The p-MICA group showed no significant changes in DMAA and the relative length of the second metatarsal (P = 0.253 and 0.185, respectively). However, the d-MICA group showed a significant decrease in DMAA (P < 0.001) and an increase in the relative length of the second metatarsal at the final follow-up (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: p-MICA and d-MICA procedures demonstrated effective correction potential for severe hallux valgus deformities; however, the d-MICA procedure exhibited a notably higher incidence of unsatisfactory correction at the final follow-up than p-MICA. Therefore, d-MICA may be less predictable in achieving successful outcomes than p-MICA in treating severe hallux valgus deformities.

Asymptomatic hematuria in children: Korean Society of Pediatric Nephrology recommendations for diagnosis and management.

Hematuria is a relatively common condition among school-aged children. Because international guidelines for asymptomatic hematuria in children are unavailable, developing practical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asymptomatic hematuria based on scientific evidence while considering real-world practice settings, values, and patient and physician preferences is essential. The Korean Society of Pediatric Nephrology developed clinical guidelines to address key questions regarding the diagnosis and management of asymptomatic hematuria in children.

Corrigendum to "The Association of Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference with the Risk of Achilles Tendon Problems: A Nationwide Population-Based Longitudinal Cohort Study".

[This corrects the article on p. 488 in vol. 15, PMID: 37274500.].

Genotype-phenotype correlations in children with Gitelman syndrome.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze genotype-phenotype correlations in children with Gitelman syndrome (GS). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included 50 Korean children diagnosed with SLC12A3 variants in one or both alleles and the typical laboratory findings of GS. Genetic testing was performed using the Sanger sequencing except for one patient. RESULTS: The median age at the diagnosis was 10.5 years (interquartile range, 6.8;14.1), and 41 patients were followed up for a median duration of 5.4 years (interquartile range, 4.1;9.6). A total of 30 different SLC12A3 variants were identified. Of the patients, 34 (68%) had biallelic variants, and 16 (32%) had monoallelic variants on examination. Among the patients with biallelic variants, those (n = 12) with the truncating variants in one or both alleles had lower serum chloride levels (92.2 ± 3.2 vs. 96.5 ± 3.8 mMol/L, P = 0.002) at onset, as well as lower serum potassium levels (3.0 ± 0.4 vs. 3.4 ± 0.3 mMol/L, P = 0.016), and lower serum chloride levels (96.1 ± 1.9 vs. 98.3 ± 3.0 mMol/L, P = 0.049) during follow-up than those without truncating variants (n = 22). Patients with monoallelic variants on examination showed similar phenotypes and treatment responsiveness to those with biallelic variants. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with GS who had truncating variants in one or both alleles had more severe electrolyte abnormalities than those without truncating variants. Patients with GS who had monoallelic SLC12A3 variants on examination had almost the same phenotypes, response to treatment, and long-term prognosis as those with biallelic variants.

Characterization of the Outer Membrane Vesicles of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Exhibiting Growth Inhibition against Acinetobacter baumannii.

We investigated the Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and their effect on Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) growth in vitro. The inhibitory effects of PA on AB were assessed using a cross-streak assay. The OMVs were extracted through high-speed centrifugation, tangential flow filtration, and ultracentrifugation and characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and nanoparticle tracking assays (NTAs). Proteomic analysis was conducted to compare the OMVs of different PA strains. PA022 exhibited more pronounced inhibition of AB growth compared with PA ATCC 27853. TEM confirmed the presence of OMVs in both PA022 and PA ATCC 27853, revealing phospholipid bilayer structures. The NTA revealed similar sizes and concentrations. Proteomic analysis identified 623 and 538 proteins in PA022 and PA ATCC 27853 OMVs, respectively, with significant proportions of the outer membrane and extracellular proteins, respectively. Importantly, PA022 OMVs contained six known virulence factors and motility-associated proteins. This study revealed the unique characteristics of PA OMVs and their inhibitory effects on AB growth, shedding light on their role in bacterial interactions. Proteomic analysis provides valuable insights into potential pathogenic functions and therapeutic applications against bacterial infections.

A Novel Technique of Medial Displacement Calcaneal Osteotomy Using the Intramedullary Fixation of a Conventional Low-Profile Locking Wedge Plate.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative heel pain arising from prominent screw heads is a common complication following medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy (MDCO). This study aims to present the clinicoradiographic outcomes of a novel MDCO technique, wherein intramedullary fixation of a conventional low-profile locking wedge plate is employed. METHODS: A retrospective analysis, involving a comparison of clinical and radiographic parameters among consecutive patients who underwent MDCO was conducted. The patients were subjected to either intramedullary wedge plate fixation through the osteotomy site (IWPF group, n = 45 cases) or conventional cannulated screw fixation from the heel (CCSF group, n = 51 cases). Radiographic evaluation included measurement of hindfoot alignment angle, alignment ratio, and moment arm. Clinical outcomes were measured with the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score, and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) activities of daily living and sports subscales, before and at 6, 12, and ≥24 months postoperatively. The presence of heel pain was evaluated at the postoperative 6 and 12 months in both groups. RESULTS: For both groups, a marked enhancement in all 3 radiographic parameters was observed. The extent of correction for all clinicoradiographic parameters demonstrated no statistically significant divergence between the 2 groups. However, the FAAM-Sports scores at the 6-month postoperative juncture exhibited a significant elevation in the IWPF group relative to the CCSF group. Importantly, no patient reported heel pain at postoperative 6 and 12 months in the IWPF group whereas the rates of patients having heel pain at postoperative 6 and 12 months were 56.8% (29 cases) and 33.3% (17 cases), respectively, in the CCSF group. CONCLUSION: Both techniques yield analogous postoperative clinical and radiographic enhancements. However, the utilization of IWPF promotes a swifter clinical improvement with respect to sports activities when juxtaposed with the CCSF from the calcaneal tuberosity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Comparison of supramalleolar and inframalleolar correction for Takakura stage IIIB ankle arthritis in a single patient.

A man in his early 60s with bilateral Takakura stage IIIB varus ankle arthritis underwent calcaneal osteotomy on the right side and supramalleolar osteotomy (SMO) with fibular osteotomy on the left side. Both sides underwent identical procedures, including multiple drilling of the denuded talar dome and gutter, deltoid ligament release, anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) reconstruction and posterior tibial tendon (PTT) lengthening. This aimed to minimise patient-related factors when assessing correction efficacy. Both procedures demonstrated a similar degree of improvement in talar tilt. Supramalleolar correction contributed more significantly to lateralising the talar centre, while greater improvement in preoperative hindfoot varus was achieved through inframalleolar correction.

An Unpleasant Souvenir: Whipworm as an Incidental Finding During a Screening Colonoscopy.

Trichuriasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by Trichuris trichiura that spreads through the ingestion of embryonated eggs in contaminated soil, water, or food. In nonendemic areas, T trichiura infestation is very rare and sporadic and is often diagnosed in immigrants from endemic countries such as the Philippines. Whipworms feed on human blood and also erode the colonic mucosa, thereby evoking an inflammatory response. In milder forms, trichuriasis can be asymptomatic and often an incidental diagnosis on screening colonoscopy. Heavily infested patients usually present with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, tenesmus, chronic diarrhea, iron deficiency anemia, or stunted growth. T trichiura worms can be removed with biopsy forceps during a colonoscopy; however, most patients require a course of albendazole, mebendazole, or ivermectin. We describe a unique case of T trichiura as an incidental finding during a screening colonoscopy. The whipworms were retrieved using biopsy forceps and the patient was treated with albendazole. At the time of the colonoscopy, the patient did not exhibit any specific symptoms related to the worm infestation.

Clinical and molecular predictors of mortality in patients with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii bacteremia: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To investigate the virulence profiles and identify clinical and microbiological predictors of mortality in patients with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) bacteremia. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study enrolled adult patients with carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB). Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of 30-day mortality. All isolates were subjected to real-time polymerase chain reaction for virulence factors and genotyped using multilocus sequence typing. RESULTS: Among the 153 patients with CRAB bacteremia, 66 % received appropriate definitive antibiotic therapy. The in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates were 58.3 and 23.5 %, respectively. Ultimately, we enrolled 125 patients with CRAB bacteremia in the analysis, excluding early mortality cases. All CRAB isolates carried blaOXA-23 and blaOXA-51. The clinical strains belonged to 10 sequence types (STs), and the major genotypes were ST191, ST195, ST451, and ST784. The distribution of virulence factors included surface adhesion (Ata, 84.8 %; ChoP, 7.2 %), biofilm formation (OmpA, 76.8 %), killing of host cells (AbeD, 99.2 %), toxins (LipA, 99.2 %), and conjugation (BfmR, 90.4 %). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, hemodialysis due to acute kidney injury and moderate to severe thrombocytopenia were significant risk factors associated with 30-day mortality. However, microbiological factors were not significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical factors such as hemodialysis due to acute renal injury and moderate to severe thrombocytopenia have a greater influence on mortality in CRAB bacteremia compared with microbiological factors.

The association between refractory plantar fasciitis and insertional Achilles tendinopathy and peripheral spondyloarthritis: a report of human leukocyte antigen B-27 investigation and treatment outcome.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the presence of peripheral spondyloarthritis and investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with concurrent peripheral spondyloarthritis in those presenting with refractory plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy by conducting human leukocyte antigen B-27 (HLA-B27) testing. METHODS: This retrospective study aimed to investigate patients who complained of persistent pain and significant limitations in daily activities due to their respective foot pain, despite receiving conservative treatment for over one year under the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis or insertional Achilles tendinopathy. The study included 63 patients who underwent HLA-B27 testing. The patients were classified into two groups based on the presence or absence of HLA-B27 positivity. The Mann-Whitney U test assessed significant relationships between continuous variables, and the chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. RESULTS: Among the 63 included patients, HLA-B27 positivity was confirmed in 11 patients (17.5%), which was significantly associated with a lower average age (22.8 years versus 31.7 years, P = 0.01) and a substantially lower proportion of females compared to HLA-B27-negative patients (9.1% vs. 25.0%, P = 0.001). Ten of the 11 patients initiated treatment with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) combined with oral steroids as the first-line medication after being diagnosed as HLA-B27 positive. Six patients experienced pain relief with the first-line medication (60%). Four patients who did not achieve pain control with the first-line medication received tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors as the second-line medication. Two patients experienced pain relief, while two experienced reduced but persistent pain. CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients with "refractory" plantar fasciitis and insertional Achilles tendinopathy, 17.5% were diagnosed with peripheral spondyloarthritis. Patients diagnosed with peripheral spondyloarthritis had a higher proportion of men and relatively younger mean age compared to those without the diagnosis. Approximately 70% of these patients achieved symptom improvement in foot and ankle joints by taking conventional synthetic DMARDs, TNF-α inhibitors, or both appropriate for spondyloarthritis.

Conservative treatment outcome for Achilles tendon re-rupture occurring in the subacute phase after primary repair.

INTRODUCTION: Until now, a treatment protocol for Achilles tendon re-rupture (ATRR) occurring in the postoperative period 5-12 weeks following primary Achilles tendon repair has not been established. We refer to this time frame as the subacute postoperative phase, and the objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of conservative treatment for subacute ATRR in this phase. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 390 cases (385 patients) who had undergone primary Achilles tendon repair using the 4-strand Krachow method between January 2010 and August 2021. All patients were subjected to more than 12 months of follow-up and were categorized into two groups based on the presence of subacute ATRR: Group 1 comprised 370 cases without ATRR, while Group 2 comprised 20 cases with ATRR. Following confirmation of ATRR, we immediately applied a below-knee cast in an ankle plantar flexed position (25°-30°), followed by bracing according to the same rehabilitation plan used for the primary repair. After administering conservative treatment to the patients with ATRR, we compared several outcome parameters between the two groups, including isokinetic plantar flexion power measured using a dynamometer, time required for a single heel raise (t-SHR), time needed for ten repetitive SHRs (t-SHR10), Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS), and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) scores. The baseline timepoints for Groups 1 and 2 were the dates of the primary repair and the re-injury event. RESULTS: After primary Achilles tendon repair, subacute ATRR occurred in 5.1% of patients. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of t-SHR and t-SHR10 (P = 0.281, 0.486). Similarly, the isokinetic dynamometer measurements revealed no significant differences in peak torque for plantar flexion at angular velocities of 30°/s and 120°/s, both in absolute values and as a percentage of the contralateral side, between the groups (P > 0.05 for each). However, ATRSs were significantly lower in Group 2 compared to Group 1 before 6 months (P < 0.05), as were FAAM-Activities of Daily Living scores at 6 months (P < 0.05). After 12 months, there were no significant differences in these scores between the two groups (both P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Conservative treatment for subacute ATRR following primary Achilles tendon repair yields clinical outcomes comparable to those without ATRR. Therefore, we recommend that surgeons consider relying on the patient's natural healing capabilities rather than opting for aggressive surgical interventions, as expediting such operations may be unnecessary for subacute injuries.

Tuberculous Bronchopleural Fistula: A Rare and Life-Threatening Disease.

Tuberculous bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a rare and potentially life-threatening complication of pulmonary tuberculosis, in which abnormal connections form between the bronchial tree and the pleural space. These abnormal connections allow air and secretions to pass from the lungs into the pleural space, causing a range of symptoms from benign cough to acute tension pneumothorax. The management of tuberculous BPF requires an individualized approach based on the patient's condition and response to treatment. Anti-tuberculosis therapy is essential for controlling the active tuberculosis infections. Intercostal drainage and suction are also commonly used to drain air and fluid from the pleural space, providing relief from the symptoms. For some patients, more invasive surgeries, such as decortication, thoracoplasty or pleuropneumonectomy are required to definitively close the fistula when medical management alone is insufficient. Herein, we describe a rare case of tuberculous BPF in a young adult female, who was treated with anti-tuberculosis medications and open thoracotomy.

Excellent Outcomes in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors Treated by Either Reduced- or Standard-Dose Bleomycin.

To investigate the outcomes of children, adolescents, and young adults (AYAs) with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (MOGCTs), we analyzed the data of 61 patients aged ≤39 years diagnosed with MOGCT between 2006 and 2022. Among 59 patients who received chemotherapy after initial diagnosis, 57 received BEP (standard dose of bleomycin with 30 units per week, n = 13) or bEP (reduced dose of bleomycin with 15 units/m2 on day 1, n = 44). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) rates were 98.3% and 84.9%, respectively. Reduced bleomycin dose did not adversely affect survival. Normalization of tumor markers within 3 months after surgery was significantly associated with better EFS (p < 0.01). Of the 59 surviving patients, 8 experienced surgery-related menopause, while 49 demonstrated menstrual recovery. After completion of chemotherapy, there was no significant difference in pulmonary function regarding bleomycin dose, and no overt nephrotoxicity. Approximately 60% and 25% of survivors experienced peripheral neuropathy at the end of chemotherapy and after 1 year, respectively (p < 0.01). Children and AYAs with MOGCT have favorable survival rates with minimal long-term toxicity, which are not influenced by a reduced bleomycin dose. Rapid normalization of tumor markers is associated with improved outcomes.

Molecular and virulence characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates: a prospective cohort study.

This study aimed to characterize the molecular features and virulence profiles of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) isolates. Clinical CRAB isolates were obtained from blood cultures of adult patients with CRAB bacteremia, collected between July 2015 and July 2021 at a Korean hospital. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect 13 virulence genes, genotyping was conducted via multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and a Tenebrio molitor infection model was selected for survival analysis. Herein, 170 patients, from whom CRAB isolates were collected, showed the in-hospital mortality rate of 57.6%. All 170 clinical CRAB isolates harbored blaOXA-23 and blaOXA-51. MLST genotyping identified 11 CRAB sequence types (STs), of which ST191 was predominant (25.7%). Virulence genes were distributed as follows: basD, 58.9%; espA, 15.9%; bap, 92.4%; and ompA, 77.1%. In the T. molitor model, ST195 showed a significantly higher mortality rate (73.3% vs. 66.7%, p = 0.015) than the other groups. Our findings provide insights into the microbiological features of CRAB blood isolates associated with high mortality. We suggest a potential framework for using a T. molitor infection model to characterize CRAB virulence. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms by which virulence improves clinical outcomes.

Clinical impact of COVID-19 in patients with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii bacteraemia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on treatment outcomes in critically ill patients with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) bloodstream infection (BSI). This single-centre, retrospective cohort study was conducted in a 1,048-bed university-affiliated tertiary hospital in the Republic of Korea from January 2021 to March 2022. The study participants included consecutive hospitalised adult patients (aged ≥18 years) in the intensive care unit with CRAB monomicrobial BSI. During the study period, a total of 70 patients were included in our study, and 24 (34.3%) were diagnosed with COVID-19. The 28-day mortality rate was 64.3%. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, diagnosis of COVID-19 (hazard ratio (HR), 2.91; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45-5.87), neutropenia (HR, 2.76; 95% CI: 1.04-7.29), Pitt bacteraemia score (per point; HR, 1.30; 95% CI: 1.19-1.41), and appropriate definite antibiotic therapy (HR, 0.31; 95% CI: 0.15-0.62) were independent predictors of 28-day mortality in patients with CRAB BSI. In conclusion, our findings suggested that COVID-19 has a negative prognostic impact on patients with CRAB BSI. Further study is needed to investigate the specific mechanisms of how COVID-19 worsens the prognosis of CRAB infection.

Community-Acquired Pneumococcal Pneumonia in Highly Vaccinated Population: Analysis by Serotypes, Vaccination Status, and Underlying Medical Conditions.

BACKGROUND: Targeted risk population has been highly vaccinated against pneumococcal diseases in South Korea. Despite this, the pneumococcal serotype distribution is evolving, which impedes efficient roll-out of vaccines. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included patients aged ≥ 19 years with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) from five university hospitals in South Korea between September 2018 and July 2021. The outcomes of interest were the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with CAP, pneumococcal serotype distribution, and risk factors of 30-day mortality in patients with pneumococcal CAP (pCAP). Considering the high seroprevalence, we analyzed the clinical characteristics of serotype 3 pCAP. RESULTS: A total of 5,009 patients hospitalized with CAP was included (mean age ± standard deviation, 70.3 ± 16.0 years; 3,159 [63.1%] men). Streptococcus pneumoniae was the leading causative agent of CAP (11.8% overall, 17.7% in individuals aged < 65 years with chronic medical conditions). Among the 280 serotyped Streptococcus pneumococcus, serotype 3 was the most common (10.0%), followed by serotypes 19A (8.9%), 34 (8.9%), and 35B (8.9%). Non-vaccine serotypes (serotype 35B [13.9%] and 34 [12.0%]) were the most prevalent in 108 individuals vaccinated with 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). Serotype 3 was prevalent, irrespective of PPSV23 vaccination status, and more common in individuals with chronic lung disease (P = 0.008). Advanced age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.040; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.011-1.071), long-term care facility residence (aOR, 2.161; 95% CI, 1.071-4.357), and bacteremia (aOR, 4.193; 95% CI, 1.604-10.962) were independent risk factors for 30-day mortality in patients with pCAP. PPSV23 vaccination reduced the risk of mortality (aOR, 0.507; 95% CI, 0.267-0.961). CONCLUSION: Serotype 3 and 19A were still the most common serotypes of pCAP in South Korea despite the national immunization program of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine in children and PPSV23 in old adults. PPSV23 vaccination might reduce the risk of mortality in patients with pCAP.

Clinical relevance of blood urea nitrogen to serum albumin ratio for predicting bacteremia in very young children with febrile urinary tract infection.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections in febrile children and a common cause of hospitalization, especially in very young children. We examined the clinical characteristics and predictive factors of concomitant bacteremia in pediatric patients with febrile UTI aged ≤24 months. Methods: This retrospective multicenter study reviewed medical data from 2,141 patients from three centers from January 2000 to December 2019. Enrolled cases were classified into the bacteremic UTI and non-bacteremic UTI groups according to the presence of blood culture pathogens. Results: Among 2,141 patients with febrile UTI, 40 (1.9%) had concomitant bacteremia. All patients in the bacterial group were aged ≤6 months. Multivariate analysis revealed that younger age, lower blood lymphocyte counts and serum albumin levels, higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, and BUN/serum albumin ratio were independent risk factors of concomitant bacteremia. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves predicting bacteremia were 0.668 for CRP, 0.673 for lymphocytes, and 0.759 for the BUN/albumin ratio. Conclusion: The present study identified the BUN/albumin ratio and lower blood lymphocyte counts as novel predictive factors for bacteremia in young infants with febrile UTI in addition to the previously identified factors of younger age and higher CRP levels. Our findings could help to identify patients at high risk of bacteremia and benefit decision-making in the management of infants with febrile UTI.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase C677T (rs1801133) Polymorphism Is Associated with Bladder Cancer in Asian Population: Epigenetic Meta-Analysis as Precision Medicine Approach.

The etiology of bladder cancer remains unclear. This study investigates the impact of gene polymorphisms, particularly methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR), on bladder cancer susceptibility, focusing on the rs1801133 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). A meta-analysis was conducted after systematically reviewing the MTHFR gene literature, adhering to PRISMA guidelines and registering in PROSPERO (CRD42023423064). Seven studies were included, showing a significant association between the MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) polymorphism and bladder cancer susceptibility. Individuals with the T-allele or TT genotype had a higher likelihood of bladder cancer. In the Asian population, the overall analysis revealed an odds ratio (OR) of 1.15 (95% CI 1.03-1.30; p-value = 0.03) for T-allele versus C-allele and an OR of 1.34 (95% CI 1.04-1.72; p-value = 0.02) for TT genotype versus TC+CC genotype. The CC genotype, however, showed no significant association with bladder cancer. Notably, epigenetic findings displayed low sensitivity but high specificity, indicating reliable identified associations while potentially overlooking some epigenetic factors related to bladder cancer. In conclusion, the MTHFR T-allele and TT genotype were associated with increased bladder cancer risk in the Asian population. These insights into genetic factors influencing bladder cancer susceptibility could inform targeted prevention and treatment strategies. Further research is warranted to validate and expand these findings.