CCCTC-binding factor is essential to the maintenance and quiescence of hematopoietic stem cells in mice

Hematopoiesis involves a series of lineage differentiation programs initiated in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) found in bone marrow (BM). To ensure lifelong hematopoiesis, various molecular mechanisms are needed to maintain the HSC pool. CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) is a DNA-binding, zinc-finger protein that regulates the expression of its target gene by organizing higher order chromatin structures. Currently, the role of CTCF in controlling HSC homeostasis is unknown. Using a tamoxifen-inducible CTCF conditional knockout mouse system, we aimed to determine whether CTCF regulates the homeostatic maintenance of HSCs. In adult mice, acute systemic CTCF ablation led to severe BM failure and the rapid shrinkage of multiple c-Kit(hi) progenitor populations, including Sca-1⁺ HSCs. Similarly, hematopoietic system-confined CTCF depletion caused an acute loss of HSCs and highly increased mortality. Mixed BM chimeras reconstituted with supporting BM demonstrated that CTCF deficiency-mediated HSC depletion has both cell-extrinsic and cell-intrinsic effects. Although c-Kit(hi) myeloid progenitor cell populations were severely reduced after ablating Ctcf, c-Kit(int) common lymphoid progenitors and their progenies were less affected by the lack of CTCF. Whole-transcriptome microarray and cell cycle analyses indicated that CTCF deficiency results in the enhanced expression of the cell cycle-promoting program, and that CTCF-depleted HSCs express higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Importantly, in vivo treatment with an antioxidant partially rescued c-Kit(hi) cell populations and their quiescence. Altogether, our results suggest that CTCF is indispensable for maintaining adult HSC pools, likely by regulating ROS-dependent HSC quiescence.

Fistula Formation between Right Upper Bronchus and Bronchus Intermedius Caused by Endobronchial Tuberculosis: A Case Report / 결핵및호흡기질환

Endobronchial tuberculosis is defined as a tuberculous infection of the tracheobronchial tree and has a prevalence of up to 50% in active pulmonary tuberculosis cases. The most common complication of endobronchial tuberculosis is bronchial stenosis; benign fistula formation by endobronchial tuberculosis is rare, especially inter-bronchial fistula formation. We reported a rare case of a 73-year-old woman with a fistula between the right upper bronchus and bronchus intermedius. A diagnosis of inter-bronchial fistula caused by endobronchial tuberculosis was based on the results of chest computed tomography scans, bronchoscopy, and microbiological and pathological tests. The patient was treated with anti-tuberculous medication, and her symptoms gradually improved.

Emergency Department Visits in Hemophilia Patients / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: Hemophilia A and hemophilia B are characterized by prolongation of bleeding and hemorrhages in the joints and soft tissues. There is no ultimate treatment, if patients did not properly manage who can lead to chronic disease and lifelong disabilities. Many patients with hemophilia continue to seek medical attention, for several reasons in the emergency department (ED). In this retrospective study, we examined the overall ED use by patients with hemophilia in a single center, particularly in order to examine visits related to clinical characteristics. METHODS: There were 210 patients with hemophilia for a 16-year period. Among them, 96 patients visited the ED. We evaluated the history, laboratory findings, image study, clinical course. RESULTS: There are 170 hemophilia A, 40 hemophilia B. Bleeding is the most common reason for ED visits. Bleeding site is joint, intracranial, muscle, subcutaneous, gastrointestinal in regular sequence. Life threatening bleeding was reported 23 episodes of Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), 12 episodes of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, 6 episodes of iliopsoas bleeding and 2 episodes of pulmonary hemorrhage. In the case of ICH, seizure is usual symptom. In the case of gastrointestinal bleeding, hematochezia is the common symptom. In the case of iliopsoas bleeding, lower extremity pain and edema, limitation of motion are common symptoms. CONCLUSION: In order to minimize complications, we must perform fast, accurate judgement and treatment when the patients with hemophilia visit ED.

Emergency Department Visits in Hemophilia Patients / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: Hemophilia A and hemophilia B are characterized by prolongation of bleeding and hemorrhages in the joints and soft tissues. There is no ultimate treatment, if patients did not properly manage who can lead to chronic disease and lifelong disabilities. Many patients with hemophilia continue to seek medical attention, for several reasons in the emergency department (ED). In this retrospective study, we examined the overall ED use by patients with hemophilia in a single center, particularly in order to examine visits related to clinical characteristics. METHODS: There were 210 patients with hemophilia for a 16-year period. Among them, 96 patients visited the ED. We evaluated the history, laboratory findings, image study, clinical course. RESULTS: There are 170 hemophilia A, 40 hemophilia B. Bleeding is the most common reason for ED visits. Bleeding site is joint, intracranial, muscle, subcutaneous, gastrointestinal in regular sequence. Life threatening bleeding was reported 23 episodes of Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), 12 episodes of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, 6 episodes of iliopsoas bleeding and 2 episodes of pulmonary hemorrhage. In the case of ICH, seizure is usual symptom. In the case of gastrointestinal bleeding, hematochezia is the common symptom. In the case of iliopsoas bleeding, lower extremity pain and edema, limitation of motion are common symptoms. CONCLUSION: In order to minimize complications, we must perform fast, accurate judgement and treatment when the patients with hemophilia visit ED.

Emergency Department Visits in Hemophilia Patients / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: Hemophilia A and hemophilia B are characterized by prolongation of bleeding and hemorrhages in the joints and soft tissues. There is no ultimate treatment, if patients did not properly manage who can lead to chronic disease and lifelong disabilities. Many patients with hemophilia continue to seek medical attention, for several reasons in the emergency department (ED). In this retrospective study, we examined the overall ED use by patients with hemophilia in a single center, particularly in order to examine visits related to clinical characteristics.METHODS: There were 210 patients with hemophilia for a 16-year period. Among them, 96 patients visited the ED. We evaluated the history, laboratory findings, image study, clinical course.RESULTS: There are 170 hemophilia A, 40 hemophilia B. Bleeding is the most common reason for ED visits. Bleeding site is joint, intracranial, muscle, subcutaneous, gastrointestinal in regular sequence. Life threatening bleeding was reported 23 episodes of Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), 12 episodes of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, 6 episodes of iliopsoas bleeding and 2 episodes of pulmonary hemorrhage. In the case of ICH, seizure is usual symptom. In the case of gastrointestinal bleeding, hematochezia is the common symptom. In the case of iliopsoas bleeding, lower extremity pain and edema, limitation of motion are common symptoms.CONCLUSION: In order to minimize complications, we must perform fast, accurate judgement and treatment when the patients with hemophilia visit ED.

The Impact of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery on Morbidly Obese Patients with Type 2 DM

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) are the most effective intervention and cure in achieving sustained weight loss in the morbidly obese with co-morbities, especially in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Currently, there are few data in the literature presenting early diabetic outcomes between the 2 major bariatric surgeries in Korea. The aim of this study is to observe weight loss, improvement of type 2 DM after LRYGB and LAGB. METHODS: 33 retrospective data were obtained from diabetic subjects undergoing LRYGB (n=53) and LAGB (n=77). These measurements included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), pre-operative diabetic duration, post-operative diabetic at follow-up visit after surgery. Paired t-test, and SPSS12.0 were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: 33 morbidly obese patients with type 2 DM who had both procedures complain of general weakness. Most patients were taking oral medications or insulin and tired of them. Pre and post-op 12 months of percent of excess weight loss (%EWL), fetal bovine serum (FBS), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) presented at 0%, 185.6 mg/dl, 8.7% and 70.6%, 123.4 mg/dl, 6.6% in patients who had LRYGB (P<0.05). Pre and post-op 12 months of %EWL, FBS, HbA1C presented at 0%, 180.6 mg/dl, 8.4% and 32.8%, 136.5 mg/dl, 6.8% in patients who had LAGB (P<0.05). Rate of discontinuance or decreasing for treatment of type 2 DM after surgery showed 94% for LRYGB versus 80% for LAGB, and unchanged rates were 6% versus 20%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed LRYGB and LAGB are quite satisfactory and promising bariatric procedures with significant weight loss and improvement of type 2 DM in Koreans. LRYGB is significantly associated with more weight loss, more diabetic outcome than LAGB. Clinical experiences in Korea with both procedures are limited and a larger number of cases are need, but the recent data shows promising results that are comparable to the international experience.