The Expression Patterns of Immune Checkpoint Molecules in Colorectal Cancer: An Analysis Based on Microsatellite Status.

Recently, immunotherapy has arisen as a novel treatment approach for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), but the effectiveness of immunotherapy varies in these patients. We hypothesized that immune checkpoint molecules (ICMs), which are the targets of immunotherapy, are often exhibited concomitantly. Our objective was to investigate the patterns of ICM expression in patients with CRC and the differences in ICM expression based on microsatellite instability status.

Expression of Immune-Related and Inflammatory Markers and Their Prognostic Impact in Colorectal Cancer Patients.

The tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer (CRC) is heterogenous; thus, it is likely that multiple immune-related and inflammatory markers are simultaneously expressed in the tumor. The aim of this study was to identify immune-related and inflammatory markers expressed in freshly frozen CRC tissues and to investigate whether they are related to the clinicopathological features and prognosis of CRC. Seventy patients with CRC who underwent curative surgical resection between December 2014 and January 2017 were included in this study.

Submental intubation using laparoscopic trocar in zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture surgery in Korea: a case report.

Submental intubation is an effective alternative technique for airway management in patients with maxillofacial trauma. Compared with tracheostomy, it is less invasive, but has risks associated with potential airway compromise such as hypoxia due to tube obstruction, collapse, and kinking. To shorten procedure time and ensure a reinforced tube lumen, we used a laparoscopic trocar as a new device for submental intubation.

The Analgesic Efficacy of the Single Erector Spinae Plane Block with Intercostal Nerve Block Is Not Inferior to That of the Thoracic Paravertebral Block with Intercostal Nerve Block in Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery.

This monocentric, single-blinded, randomized controlled noninferiority trial investigated the analgesic efficacy of erector spinae plane block (ESPB) combined with intercostal nerve block (ICNB) compared to that of thoracic paravertebral block (PVB) with ICNB in 52 patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). The endpoints included the difference in visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain (0-10, where 10 = worst imaginable pain) in the postanesthetic care unit (PACU) and 24 and 48 h postoperatively between the ESPB and PVB groups. The secondary endpoints included patient satisfaction (1-5, where 5 = extremely satisfied) and total analgesic requirement in morphine milligram equivalents (MME).

Pretreatment inflammatory markers predicting treatment outcomes in colorectal cancer.

We aimed to review whether pretreatment inflammatory markers reflect the short- and long-term outcomes of patients with colon cancer, rectal cancer, colon and rectal cancers, and metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). We found that pretreatment complete blood count and blood chemistry tests reflect short-term and long-term oncological outcomes in patients with CRC. Specifically, in patients with colon cancer, hypoalbuminemia was associated with worse postoperative morbidity, mortality, and inferior survival.

Laccase-Mediator System Using a Natural Mediator as a Whitening Agent for the Decolorization of Melanin.

In this study, a laccase-mediator system (LMS) using a natural mediator was developed as a whitening agent for melanin decolorization. Seven natural mediators were used to replace synthetic mediators and successfully overcome the low redox potential of laccase and limited access of melanin to the active site of laccase. The melanin decolorization activity of laccases from (lacT) and (lacM) was significantly enhanced using natural mediators including acetosyringone, syringaldehyde, and acetovanillone, which showed low cytotoxicity.

Left External Iliac and Common Femoral Artery Occlusion Following Blunt Abdominal Trauma without Associated Bone Injury.

Blunt abdominal trauma may cause peripheral vascular injuries. However, blunt abdominal trauma rarely results in injuries to the external iliac and common femoral arteries, which often stem from regional bone fractures. Here, we present the case of a patient who had experienced trauma in the lower abdominal and groin area three months before presenting to the hospital, but these injuries did not involve bone fractures and had been managed conservatively.