Discovery of Two Chrysosporium Species with Keratinolytic Activity from Field Soil in Korea

In an ongoing survey of Korean indigenous fungi, two fungal strains (KNU16-74 and KNU16-99) belonging to the genus Chrysosporium were isolated from field soil in Gyeongnam, Korea. Morphological characterization and phylogenetic analysis using sequence of the internal transcribed spacer regions were carried out to confirm its precise identification. These strains were identified as Chrysosporium indicum (KNU16-74) and Chrysosporium fluviale (KNU16-99). To examine the keratin degradation efficiency of these two fungal species, human hair strands were incubated with fungus culture. Results revealed that these two fungal species have the ability to degrade keratin substrate. This is the first report of these two species in Korea.

Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury after Coil Embolization for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is associated with poor outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention. However, CI-AKI has rarely been evaluated within the neurovascular field. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and clinical implication of CI-AKI after coil embolization in patients with an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2005 and March 2016, 192 patients who underwent coil embolization were enrolled in this study. CI-AKI was defined as an increase from baseline serum creatinine concentration of >25% or >0.5 mg/dL within 72 hours after coil embolization. A poor clinical outcome was defined as a score of ≥3 on the modified Rankin Scale at one-year post-treatment. RESULTS: A total of 16 patients (8.3%) died as a result of medical problems within one year. CI-AKI was identified in 14 patients (7.3%). Prominent risk factors for one-year mortality included CI-AKI [odds ratio (OR): 16.856; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.437–82.664] and an initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ≤8 (OR: 5.565; 95% CI: 1.703–18.184). A poor clinical outcome was associated with old age (≥65 years) (OR: 7.921; 95% CI: 2.977–21.076), CI-AKI (OR: 11.281; 95% CI: 2.138–59.525), an initial GCS score ≤8 (OR 31.02; 95% CI, 10.669–90.187), and a ruptured aneurysm (p=0.016, OR: 4.278) in posterior circulation. CONCLUSION: CI-AKI seems to be an independent predictor of the overall outcomes of aSAH after endovascular treatment.

The Comparison of Outcome between Thromboaspiration and Aggressive Mechanical Clot Disruption in Treating Hyperacute Stroke Patients

OBJECTIVE: Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the Republic of Korea. Time is the most important factor in hyperacute stroke. Yet, there had been no protocol for mechanical thrombolysis. We have treated patients with hyperacute stroke by mechanical thrombolysis for 3 years. In current study, we analyzed the outcome of mechanical thrombolysis. METHODS: From March 2008 to February 2011, 36 patients were treated with mechanical thrombolysis. Initially we treated the patients by aggressive mechanical clot disruption (AMCD) who were admitted within 6 hours after the symptom onset. If revascularization was not achieved, balloon angioplasty was performed, followed by stenting or temporary endovascular bypass was performed. The result in 15 cases was not so successful. Since then, we started using the thromboaspiration method as the first line treatment of the mechanical thrombolysis. RESULTS: After using the thromboaspiration, we had better results in recanalization rate, modified Rankin Score (mRS) and reperfusion injury compared to AMCD. The recanalization rate was 80.85%, mRS is 2.85, and there was only 0.09% hemorrhagic formation. CONCLUSION: Even though thromboaspiration is not statistically significant due to the limited numbers of patients enrolled in this study, we think it is a good way in mechanical thronbolysis for hyperacute stroke.