Prognostic Significance of Cigarette Smoking in Association with Histologic Subtypes of Resected Lung Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Smokers with lung adenocarcinoma have a worse prognosis than those who have never smoked; the reasons for this are unclear. We aimed to elucidate the impact of smoking on patients' prognosis and the association between smoking and clinicopathologic factors, particularly histologic subtypes. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 233 patients with pathologic stage T1-4N0-2M0 lung adenocarcinomas who underwent surgery between January 2004 and July 2015. The histologic subtypes of tumors were reassessed according to the 2015 World Health Organization classification. RESULTS: In total, 114 patients had a history of smoking. The overall survival probabilities differed between never-smokers and ever-smokers (80.8% and 65.1%, respectively; p=0.003). In multivariate analyses, the predominant histologic subtype was an independent poor prognostic factor. Smoking history and tumor size >3 cm were independent predictors of solid or micropapillary (SOL/MIP)-predominance in the logistic regression analysis. Smoking quantity (pack-years) in patients with SOL/MIP-predominant tumors was greater than in those with lepidic-predominant tumors (p=0.000). However, there was no significant difference in smoking quantity between patients with SOL/MIP-predominant tumors and those whose tumors had non-predominant SOL/MIP components (p=0.150). CONCLUSION: Smoking was found to be closely associated with SOL/MIP-predominance in lung adenocarcinoma. Greater smoking quantity was related to the presence of a SOL/MIP component.

Serial evaluation of myocardial function using the myocardial performance index in Kawasaki disease.

BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease (KD) is known as systemic vasculitis, and more than half of the patients with KD have myocarditis, which can induce ventricular dysfunction. In this study, we evaluate left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in patients with KD based on the myocardial performance index (MPI) using pulse Doppler (PD) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), from the acute to convalescent phases. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 89 children diagnosed with KD from January 2010 to August 2012. We assessed the presence of coronary artery lesions (CALs) and the LV ejection fraction, PD-MPI, and TDI-MPI at diagnosis, and 2, 14, and 56 days after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. We enrolled 70 healthy children as a control group. RESULTS: The ejection fraction in patients with KD at diagnosis (67.3 ± 0.9%) was lower than that in the control group (69.8 ± 0.8%, P = 0.035), and the LV TDI-MPIs for patients with KD at diagnosis (0.49 ± 0.01) and 2 days after IVIG treatment (0.48 ± 0.01) were higher than those in the control group (0.45 ± 0.01, P = 0.002, P = 0.033, respectively). No significant differences were found in the LV dysfunction between the patients with complete and incomplete KD. Septal TDI-MPIs in patients with KD with CAL at diagnosis (0.52 ± 0.02) were higher than those in patients with KD without CAL (0.47 ± 0.01, P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Transient LV dysfunction occurred in patients with complete and incomplete KD in the acute stage. In patients with KD with CAL at diagnosis, the LV dysfunction was more prominent. The PD-MPI and TDI-MPI are useful parameters for assessing LV function in patients with KD.

Systemic air embolism after computed tomography-guided hook wire localization: two case reports and literature review.

Computed tomography (CT)-guided hook wire localization is often used to identify small nodules prior to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Pneumothorax, intrapulmonary hemorrhage, and wire dislodgement are well-known complications associated with the former procedure, but systemic air embolism (SAE) is an extremely rare and potentially fatal complication. We encountered two cases of SAE; one patient showed neurologic symptoms, whereas the other did not. With the patient in the supine position, 100% oxygen was inhaled via a face mask. Subsequently, symptoms were resolved, and we performed planned surgeries on that day. Operative and postoperative courses were uneventful, and both patients were discharged without any sequelae. In this case report, we describe our experience with the two patients and review related literature.

A chromosome 1q44 deletion in a 4-month-old girl; The first report in Korea.

The deletion of the distal long arm of chromosome 1 is associated with a characteristic facial appearance and a pattern of associated malformations. Characteristic manifestations include a round face with prominent 'cupid's bow' and downturned corners of the mouth, thin vermilion borders of lips, a long upper lip with a smooth philtrum, a short and broad nose, epicanthal folds, apparently low-set ears, micrognathia, microcephaly, abnormal hands and feet, variable cardiac or genital anomalies, moderate to severe mental retardation, and growth retardation. Using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis to map precisely the deletion, we present a case of chromosome 1q44 deletion with craniofacial characteristics, multiple congenital anomalies, and growth and psychomotor retardation. In comparison with other reported cases of 1q43-44 deletion, the subject does not show hydrocephalus, seizure, syn- or polydactyly of hands, and a urogenital anomaly. However, an arachnoid cyst, pinpoint dimple on the midline of the forehead, a right-sided supernumerary nipple and auricular pit, polydactyly of the right foot, adducted thumb, and flexion restriction of the proximal interphalangeal joint with a simian line in both hands were observed additionally.

Transient complete atrioventricular block in a preterm neonate with congenital myotonic dystrophy: case report.

Congenital myotonic dystrophy (CMD) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder with cardiac rhythm abnormalities that may occur as a child grows. No report has described complete atrioventricular (AV) block detected in a neonate with CMD. We report a floppy infant of 31(+4) weeks gestation with complete AV block at birth, who was diagnosed with CMD by Southern analysis. She recovered from complete AV block 32 hr after temporary transcutaneous pacing was applied. To the best our knowledge, this is the first recorded case of a complete AV block accompanied by CMD during the neonatal period. When a newborn has a complete AV block, the physician should consider the possibility of the CMD and conduct a careful physical examination.