Ref-1 protects against FeCl3 -induced thrombosis and tissue factor expression via the GSK3β–NF-κB pathway

Arterial thrombosis and its associated diseases are considered to constitute a major healthcare problem. Arterial thrombosis, defined as blood clot formation in an artery that interrupts blood circulation, is associated with many cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative stress is one of many important factors that aggravates the pathophysiological process of arterial thrombosis. Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor-1 (Ref-1) has a multifunctional role in cells that includes the regulation of oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory function. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of adenovirus-mediated Ref-1 overexpression on arterial thrombosis induced by 60% FeCl3 solution in rats. Blood flow was measured to detect the time to occlusion, thrombus formation was detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the expression of tissue factor and other proteins was detected by Western blot. FeCl3 aggravated thrombus formation in carotid arteries and reduced the time to artery occlusion. Ref-1 significantly delayed arterial obstruction via the inhibition of thrombus formation, especially by downregulating tissue factor expression through the Akt-GSK3β-NF-κB signaling pathway. Ref-1 also reduced the expression of vascular inflammation markers ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and reduced the level of ROS that contributed to thrombus formation. The results showed that adenovirus-mediated Ref-1 overexpression reduced thrombus formation in the rat carotid artery. In summary, Ref-1 overexpression had anti-thrombotic effects in a carotid artery thrombosis model and could be a target for the treatment of arterial thrombosis.

Ref-1 protects against FeCl3 -induced thrombosis and tissue factor expression via the GSK3β–NF-κB pathway

Arterial thrombosis and its associated diseases are considered to constitute a major healthcare problem. Arterial thrombosis, defined as blood clot formation in an artery that interrupts blood circulation, is associated with many cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative stress is one of many important factors that aggravates the pathophysiological process of arterial thrombosis. Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor-1 (Ref-1) has a multifunctional role in cells that includes the regulation of oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory function. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of adenovirus-mediated Ref-1 overexpression on arterial thrombosis induced by 60% FeCl3 solution in rats. Blood flow was measured to detect the time to occlusion, thrombus formation was detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the expression of tissue factor and other proteins was detected by Western blot. FeCl3 aggravated thrombus formation in carotid arteries and reduced the time to artery occlusion. Ref-1 significantly delayed arterial obstruction via the inhibition of thrombus formation, especially by downregulating tissue factor expression through the Akt-GSK3β-NF-κB signaling pathway. Ref-1 also reduced the expression of vascular inflammation markers ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and reduced the level of ROS that contributed to thrombus formation. The results showed that adenovirus-mediated Ref-1 overexpression reduced thrombus formation in the rat carotid artery. In summary, Ref-1 overexpression had anti-thrombotic effects in a carotid artery thrombosis model and could be a target for the treatment of arterial thrombosis.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Induced by Huge Lipoma: A Case Report / 대한신경손상학회지

Thoracic outlet syndrome is a relatively well known disease. Other than trauma, this disease is mostly caused by anatomical structures that cause vascular or neural compression. The cause of thoracic outlet syndrome is diverse; however, there are only few reports of thoracic outlet syndrome caused by lipoma in the pectoralis minor space. We report a case of compression of the lower trunk of brachial plexus in which a large lipoma that developed in the pectoral minor space grew into the subclavicular space, along with a review of literature.

A Life-Threatening Bronchogenic Cyst

A bronchogenic cyst causing cardiac tamponade is a rare condition. We report an unusual case of a bronchogenic cyst that caused cardiac tamponade. A 49-year-old female patient presented at our emergency room with complaints of palpitations and shortness of breath that had lasted for 5 days preceding the visit. Echocardiography revealed a very large cystic mass compressing the left a trium posteriorly, and a large amount of pericardial effusion caused the diastolic collapse of the ventricles. Atrial fibrillation and aggravated dyspnea were observed, and the patient’s vital signs were unstable after admission. We therefore performed an emergency operation. The bronchogenic cyst was resected by thoracotomy and the patient was discharged 12 days after the operation without any complications over 5 years of follow-up.

A Life-Threatening Bronchogenic Cyst / 대한흉부외과학회지

A bronchogenic cyst causing cardiac tamponade is a rare condition. We report an unusual case of a bronchogenic cyst that caused cardiac tamponade. A 49-year-old female patient presented at our emergency room with complaints of palpitations and shortness of breath that had lasted for 5 days preceding the visit. Echocardiography revealed a very large cystic mass compressing the left a trium posteriorly, and a large amount of pericardial effusion caused the diastolic collapse of the ventricles. Atrial fibrillation and aggravated dyspnea were observed, and the patient’s vital signs were unstable after admission. We therefore performed an emergency operation. The bronchogenic cyst was resected by thoracotomy and the patient was discharged 12 days after the operation without any complications over 5 years of follow-up.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a 1,360-g Premature Neonate after Repairing Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return

With advancements in complex repairs in neonates with complicated congenital heart diseases, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been increasingly used as cardiac support. ECMO has also been increasingly used for low birth weight (LBW) or very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates. However, since prematurity and LBW are risk factors for ECMO, the appropriate indications for neonates with LBW, especially VLBW, are under dispute. We report a case of ECMO performed in a 1,360-g premature infant with VLBW due to cardiopulmonary bypass weaning failure after repairing infracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous return.

Classic Peripheral Signs of Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis

A 50-year-old female patient with visual disturbances was referred for further evaluation of a heart murmur. Fundoscopy revealed a Roth spot in both eyes. A physical examination showed peripheral signs of infective endocarditis, including Osler nodes, Janeway lesions, and splinter hemorrhages. Our preoperative diagnosis was subacute bacterial endocarditis with severe aortic regurgitation. The patient underwent aortic valve replacement and was treated with intravenous antibiotics for 6 weeks postoperatively. The patient made a remarkable recovery and was discharged without complications. We report this case of subacute endocarditis with all 4 classic peripheral signs in a patient who presented with visual disturbance.

Life-Threatening Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation in the Premature Neonate

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation is a rare, but well-known disease. It can be managed conservatively in patients without symptoms or require surgical removal when symptomatic. The surgical option of choice is en bloc resection of the affected lesion. We report an experience of life-threatening congenital cystic adenoid malformation in a low-birth-weight (1,590 g) premature neonate who was successfully treated with a lobectomy of the lung.

Voice Change Due to Paratracheal Air Cysts

Paratracheal air cysts are a rare entity in which cystic formation occurs adjacent to the trachea. Most patients with paratracheal air cysts are asymptomatic, and the cysts are detected incidentally on chest radiograph or computed tomography (CT) scan. Most symptomatic patients complain of pulmonary symptoms or repeated respiratory infection. Rarely, the air cysts can lead to paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve as a result of direct compression. We report a case of a 59-year-old male patient who presented with voice change, and the cause was identified as paratracheal air cysts on a chest CT scan. Surgical resection via video-assisted mediastinoscopy was performed, and the voice recovered immediately after the operation.

In Vivo Neuroprotective Effect of Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate Solution in an Ischemia/Reperfusion Spinal Cord Injury Animal Model

BACKGROUND: Paraplegia is a devastating complication following operations on the thoracoabdominal aorta. We investigated whether histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution could reduce the extent of ischemia/reperfusion (IR) spinal cord injuries in a rat model using a direct delivery method. METHODS: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into four groups. The sham group (n=6) underwent a sham operation, the IR group (n=6) underwent only an aortic occlusion, the saline infusion group (saline group, n=6) underwent an aortic occlusion and direct infusion of cold saline into the occluded aortic segment, and the HTK infusion group (HTK group, n=6) underwent an aortic occlusion and direct infusion of cold HTK solution into the occluded aortic segment. An IR spinal cord injury was induced by transabdominal clamping of the aorta distally to the left renal artery and proximally to the aortic bifurcation for 60 minutes. A neurological evaluation of locomotor function was performed using the modified Tarlov score after 48 hours of reperfusion. The spinal cord was harvested for histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. RESULTS: The spinal cord IR model using direct drug delivery in rats was highly reproducible. The Tarlov score was 4.0 in the sham group, 1.17±0.75 in the IR group, 1.33±1.03 in the saline group, and 2.67±0.81 in the HTK group (p=0.04). The histopathological analysis of the HTK group showed reduced neuronal cell death. CONCLUSION: Direct infusion of cold HTK solution into the occluded aortic segment may reduce the extent of spinal cord injuries in an IR model in rats.

Outcomes of the Tower Crane Technique with a 15-mm Trocar in Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax

BACKGROUND: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) pulmonary wedge resection has emerged as the standard treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Recently, single-port VATS has been introduced and is now widely performed. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of the Tower crane technique as novel technique using a 15-mm trocar and anchoring suture in primary spontaneous pneumothorax. METHODS: Patients who underwent single-port VATS wedge resection in Chungnam National University Hospital from April 2012 to March 2014 were enrolled. The medical records of the enrolled patients were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 1,251 patients were diagnosed with pneumothorax during this period, 270 of whom underwent VATS wedge resection. Fifty-two of those operations were single-port VATS wedge resections for primary spontaneous pneumothorax performed by a single surgeon. The median age of the patients was 19.3±11.5 years old, and 43 of the patients were male. The median duration of chest tube drainage following the operation was 2.3±1.3 days, and mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.2±1.3 days. Prolonged air leakage for more than three days following the operation was observed in one patient. The mean duration of follow-up was 18.7±6.1 months, with a recurrence rate of 3.8%. CONCLUSION: The tower crane technique with a 15-mm trocar may be a promising treatment modality for patients presenting with primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

Nafamostat Mesilate Inhibits TNF-alpha-Induced Vascular Endothelial Cell Dysfunction by Inhibiting Reactive Oxygen Species Production

Nafamostat mesilate (NM) is a serine protease inhibitor with anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory effects. NM has been used in Asia for anticoagulation during extracorporeal circulation in patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy and extra corporeal membrane oxygenation. Oxidative stress is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease and is associated with vascular endothelial function. We investigated whether NM could inhibit endothelial dysfunction induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with TNF-alpha for 24 h. The effects of NM on monocyte adhesion, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) protein expression, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, and intracellular superoxide production were then examined. NM (0.01~100 microg/mL) did not affect HUVEC viability; however, it inhibited the increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and p66shc expression elicited by TNF-alpha (3 ng/mL), and it dose dependently prevented the TNF-alpha-induced upregulation of endothelial VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. In addition, it mitigated TNF-alpha-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation and the adhesion of U937 monocytes. These data suggest that NM mitigates TNF-alpha-induced monocyte adhesion and the expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules, and that the anti-adhesive effect of NM is mediated through the inhibition of p66shc, ROS production, and p38 MAPK activation.

Neurosyphilis Presenting with Multiple Cranial Neuropathy

Neurosyphilis can present with various clinical symptoms. We report a patient with multiple cranial neuropathy that, mimicked tuberculosis, but was finally diagnosed as neurosyphilis. A 38-year-old man was admitted due to subacutely progressive hearing loss. Brain MRI revealed multiple dural enhanced masses on contrast-enhanced T1 weighted images. Brain biopsy of the dural enhanced lesion revealed chronic granulomatous inflammation with coagulation necrosis, compatible with syphilitic gumma. Serum venereal disease research laboratory and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test results were positive. Treatment with penicillin resolved the patient's symptom.

Aortic Periannular Abscess Invading into the Central Fibrous Body, Mitral Valve, and Tricuspid Valve

A 61-year-old man was diagnosed with aortic stenoinsufficiency with periannular abscess, which involved the aortic root of noncoronary sinus (NCS) that invaded down to the central fibrous body, whole membranous septum, mitral valve (MV), and tricuspid valve (TV). The open complete debridement was executed from the aortic annulus at NCS down to the central fibrous body and annulus of the MV and the TV, followed by the left ventricular outflow tract reconstruction with implantation of a mechanical aortic valve by using a leaflet of the half-folded elliptical bovine pericardial patch. Another leaflet of this patch was used for the repair of the right atrial wall with a defect and the TV.

Clinical Features of Deep Neck Infections and Predisposing Factors for Mediastinal Extension

BACKGROUND: Deep neck infections (DNI) can originate from infection in the potential spaces and fascial planes of the neck. DNI can be managed without surgery, but there are cases that need surgical treatment, especially in the case of mediastinal involvement. The aim of this study is to identify clinical features of DNI and analyze the predisposing factors for mediastinal extension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 56 patients suffering from DNI who underwent cervical drainage only (CD group) and those who underwent cervical drainage combined with mediastinal drainage for descending necrotizing mediastinitis (MD group) from August 2003 to May 2009 and compared the clinical features of each group and the predisposing factors for mediastinal extension. RESULTS: Forty-four out of the 56 patients underwent cervical drainage only (79%) and 12 patients needed both cervical and mediastinal drainage (21%). There were no differences between the two groups in gender (p=0.28), but the MD group was older than the CD group (CD group, 44.2+/-23.2 years; MD group, 55.6+/-12.1 years; p=0.03). The MD group had a higher rate of co-morbidity than the CD group (p=0.04). The CD group involved more than two spaces in 14 cases (32%) and retropharyngeal involvement in 12 cases (27%). The MD group involved more than two spaces in 11 cases (92%) and retropharyngeal involvement in 12 cases (100%). Organism identification took place in 28 cases (64%) of the CD group and 3 cases of (25%) the MD group (p=0.02). The mean hospital stay of the CD group was 21.5+/-15.9 days and that of the MD group was 41.4+/-29.4 days (p=0.04). CONCLUSION: The predisposing factors of mediastinal extension in DNI were older age, involvement of two or more spaces, especially including the retropharyngeal space, and more comorbidities. The MD group had a longer hospital stay, higher mortality, and more failure to identify causative organisms of causative organisms than the CD group.

Redox Regulating Protein APE1/Ref-1 Expression is Increased in Abdominal Aortic Coarctation-induced Hypertension Rats

BACKGROUND: Aim of study is designed to investigate whether apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease-1/redox factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1) expression is changed in abdominal aortic coarctation models. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned with abdominal aortic coarctation, repaired group, sham, and control groups. Endothelial function was assessed with endothelium-dependent relaxations. Detection of superoxide anion and lipid peroxidation was performed by lucigenin chemiluminescence and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances assay. APE1/Ref-1 expression was measured with Western blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In anesthetized condition, the abdominal aortic coarctation rats showed hypertension as systolic/diastolic arterial pressure of 171/114 mm Hg, compared with 114/94 mm Hg of control. Endothelium-dependent relaxations were significantly impaired in the aortic coarctation which was recovered in 1 week after coarctation repair. Superoxide production and lipid peroxidation were elevated in aortic coarctation rats. In immunohistochemistry, APE1/Ref-1 expressions were increased at aorta and kidney in aortic coarctation rats. Increased APE1/Ref-1 expression in aorta was recovered by repair of coarctation. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, it suggests that APE1/Ref-1 expression was increased in aortic coarctation-induced hypertensive rats, suggesting a biomarker for hypertension. Impaired endothelium dependent relaxation in the aortic coarctation can be modulated by repair of coarctation or the modulation of blood pressure.

An Isolated True Aneurysm of the Superficial Femoral Artery in a Young Woman - A case report -

A 39-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital due to a pulsatile mass on her right inner thigh that was evident for two months. She did not exhibit any risk factors of atherosclerosis, no evidence of vasculitis, or any signs of previous trauma history. Ultrasound and computed tomography revealed an adult fist-sized aneurysm on the distal superficial femoral artery. The aneurysm was resected and peripheral circulation was restored with the interposition of a saphenous vein graft. The resected aneurysm had three layers that showed atherosclerosis on histological examination.

Stress-induced Cardiomyopathy during Pulmonary Resection (Takotsubo Syndrome): A case report

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is caused by emotional or physical stressors and mimics acute myocardial infarction, though Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is characterized by reversible left ventricular (LV) apical ballooning in the absence of significant coronary artery disease. We describe a 51-year-old male who underwent left upper lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer, and during which cardiogenic arrest occurred due to stress-induced cardiomyopathy, successfully managed by intra-aortic balloon pumping and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Stress-induced Cardiomyopathy during Pulmonary Resection (Takotsubo Syndrome): A case report

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is caused by emotional or physical stressors and mimics acute myocardial infarction, though Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is characterized by reversible left ventricular (LV) apical ballooning in the absence of significant coronary artery disease. We describe a 51-year-old male who underwent left upper lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer, and during which cardiogenic arrest occurred due to stress-induced cardiomyopathy, successfully managed by intra-aortic balloon pumping and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Resection of a Congenital Left Atrial Appendage Aneurysm without Extracorporeal Circulation / 대한흉부외과학회지

A left atrial appendage aneurysm is a very rare medical condition which can develop by an inflammatory reaction or a degenerative change. If there is no accompanying anomaly, a left atrial appendage is considered a congenital disease. The majority of left atrial appendage aneurysms are detected incidentally because they usually do not cause any symptoms. Surgery is indicated, even for asymptomatic patients, because of the risk of life-threatening complications, such as atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, systemic embolization, and cardiac arrest. Left atrial appendage aneurysms are usually treated by a median sternotomy with extracorporeal circulation, especially if the aneurysm has a broad base or contains a thrombus, but can treated by thoracotomy without extracorporeal circulation. We report a case of a successfully treated left atrial appendage aneurysm that was misdiagnosed as a partial pericardial defect without extracorporeal circulation in a 13-year old child.