Optimal treatment for concomitant gallbladder stones with common bile duct stones and predictors for recurrence of common bile duct stones.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment for concomitant gallbladder (GB) stones with common bile duct (CBD) stones and predictors for recurrence of CBD stones are not established. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective study reviewed 466 patients diagnosed with a first event of concomitant GB stones with CBD stones from January 2010 to December 2018. RESULTS: 92 patients underwent single-stage laparoscopic CBD exploration (LCBDE) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) (group1), 108 underwent LCBDE + LC after endoscopic stone extraction (ESE) failure (group2), and 266 underwent ESE + LC (group3). Clearance (95.7 vs. 99.1 vs. 97.0%, p = 0.324) and recurrence rates (5.4 vs. 13.0 vs. 7.9%, p = 0.138) did not differ between groups. Group1 had fewer procedures (p < 0.001), lower post-treatment complication rates (7.6 vs. 18.5 vs. 13.9%, p = 0.082), and shorter hospital stay after the first procedure (5.7 vs 13.0 vs 9.8 days, p < 0.001). 40 patients (8.6%) had recurrence of CBD stones at mean follow-up of 17.1 months, of which 29 (72.5%) occurred within 24 months. In multivariate analysis, a CBD diameter > 8 mm, combined type-1 periampullary diverticulum, and age > 70 years were significant predictors of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Single-stage LCBDE + LC is a safe and effective treatment for concomitant GB stones with CBD stones compared to ESE + LC. LCBDE should be considered in patients with a high risk of ESE failure. Careful follow-up is recommended for patients at high risk of recurrence of CBD stones, especially within 24 months after surgical or endoscopic treatment.

Temporal trends and in-hospital outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention in nonagenarians with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Data regarding the outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in nonagenarians are very limited. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the temporal trends and in-hospital outcomes of primary PCI in nonagenarian STEMI patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry (KAMIR) from November 2005 to January 2008, and from the Korea Working Group on Myocardial Infarction (KorMI) from February 2008 to May 2010. RESULTS: During this period, the proportion of nonagenarians among STEMI patients more than doubled (0.59% in KAMIR vs. 1.35% in KorMI), and the rate of use of primary PCI also increased (from 62.5% in KAMIR to 81.0% in KorMI). We identified 84 eligible study patients for which the overall in-hospital mortality rate was 21.4% (25.0% in KAMIR vs. 20.3% in KorMI, p = 0.919). Multivariate analysis identified two independent predictors of in-hospital mortality, namely a final Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow < 3 (odds ratio [OR], 13.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.2 to 59.0; p < 0.001) and cardiogenic shock during hospitalization (OR, 6.7; 95% CI, 1.5 to 30.3; p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: The number of nonagenarian STEMI patients who have undergone primary PCI has increased. Although a final TIMI flow < 3 and cardiogenic shock are independent predictors of in-hospital mortality, primary PCI can be performed with a high success rate and an acceptable in-hospital mortality rate.

The relationship between intravascular ultrasound-derived percent total atheroma volume and fractional flow reserve in the intermediate stenosis of proximal or middle left anterior descending coronary artery.

BACKGROUND: It remains undefined whether the atherosclerotic disease extent of the conductive vessel (expressed as intravascular ultrasound [IVUS]-derived percent total atheroma volume [%TAV]), correlates with functional severity of intermediate stenosis of left anterior descending artery (LAD). METHODS: An IVUS study and fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurements performed in 130 patients with coronary angiographic intermediate stenosis of proximal or middle LAD. %TAV was calculated as the percentage of total vessel volume occupied by total atheroma volume on IVUS. RESULTS: A significant correlation was observed between %TAV and FFR (r=-0.71, p<0.001). Minimal lumen area (MLA) correlated moderately with FFR (r=0.54, p<0.001). The independent predictors of FFR<0.8 were %TAV (odds ratio [OR]: 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.18-1.40, p<0.001) and MLA (OR: 0.37, 95% CI=0.16-0.85, p=0.019). A receiver-operating characteristic curve suggested %TAV ≥ 39.0% (sensitivity 85%, specificity 83% and area under curve [AUC]=0.90) and MLA ≤ 2.6mm(2) (sensitivity 72%, specificity 70% and AUC=0.75) as the best cut-off values for FFR<0.8. Forty-eight point five (48.5%) of total studied lesions (63/130) showed %TAV ≥ 39.0%. Eighty-four point four (84.4%) of lesions (38/45) with %TAV ≥ 39.0% and MLA ≤ 2.6mm(2), and 72.2% of lesions (13/18) with %TAV ≥ 39.0% and MLA>2.6mm(2), FFR was less than 0.8. CONCLUSIONS: Volumetric quantification of the atherosclerotic disease extent of the coronary artery, expressed as IVUS-derived %TAV, showed a strong correlation with FFR. Not only the segmental luminal narrowing but also the total plaque burden of conductive artery are major determinants for the presence of myocardial ischemia in intermediate stenosis of LAD.

Recurrent stent thrombosis in a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome and dual anti-platelet therapy non-responsiveness.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), the most common acquired hypercoagulable condition, is diagnosed by persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and episodes of vascular thrombosis. It may be an important predisposing factor for stent thrombosis, resulting in poor outcomes. Also, anti-platelet therapy non-responsiveness is associated with stent thrombosis. We report a case of a 39-year-old man who after undergoing successful percutaneous coronary intervention for significant coronary artery disease suffered repeated stent thrombosis events leading to ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Eventually, he underwent coronary artery bypass surgery because of uncontrolled thrombosis and was diagnosed as having APS and dual antiplatelet therapy non-responsiveness.

Point-of-care measurements of platelet inhibition after clopidogrel loading in patients with acute coronary syndrome: comparison of generic and branded clopidogrel bisulfate.

PURPOSE: Platelet-function suppression with antiplatelet therapy is effective in preventing and treating cardiovascular disease. Clopidogrel is a thienopyridine derivative that blocks platelet activation by adenosine diphosphate receptor binding. This study demonstrates the effects of generic clopidogrel bisulfate in comparison to branded clopidogrel bisulfate in patients with acute coronary syndromes. METHODS: This prospective, 2-arm, single-center, open-label trial used 1:1 randomization to assign patients to receive generic or branded clopidogrel bisulfate. Patients with unstable angina or non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and scheduled to undergo coronary angiography were enrolled. Platelet function was measured with a P2Y12 assay and reported in P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) and aspirin reaction units (ARU) after randomization. Platelet function was measured at 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours after 600-mg clopidogrel loading. The clinical outcome was checked at 1 month after coronary angiography. FINDINGS: Ninety-five patients were enrolled and randomized to the generic or branded group. Ninety patients (62 men [69%], 28 women [31%]; mean age, 58 years) completed the study protocol. The clinical characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. The difference in the baseline PRU measurements between the generic and branded groups was not significant (274.8 [59.7] vs 285.4 [62.4], respectively; P = 0.414). There were significant differences in 2-hour PRU (231.1 [71.3] vs 266.9 [67.4]; P = 0.017) and 4-hour PRU (227.3 [80.4] vs 265.7 [71.0]; P = 0.020); however, 24-hour PRU (200.5 [82.1] vs 220.6 [75.8]; P = 0.253) was similar. No death, myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, stent thrombosis, or Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction-defined major bleeding complications were reported during in-hospital stay or 1-month follow-up. IMPLICATION: In patients with ACS, loading of generic clopidogrel bisulfate was associated with an antiplatelet effect comparable to that of branded clopidogrel bisulfate. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02060786.

Impact of female gender on bleeding complications after transradial coronary intervention (from the Korean Transradial Coronary Intervention registry).

Besides poor clinical outcomes, female gender has been known as a high-risk factor for bleeding complications. This study aimed to investigate the impact of gender on clinical outcomes and bleeding complications after transradial coronary intervention (TRI). The Korean TRI registry is a retrospective multicenter registry with 4,890 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in 2009 at 12 centers. To compare clinical outcomes and bleeding complications between the male and female groups, we performed a propensity score matching in patients who received TRI. A total of 1,194 patients (597 in each group) were studied. The primary outcome was 1-year major adverse cardiac events, including all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, and stroke. The secondary outcome was major bleeding (composite of bleeding requiring transfusion of ≥2 units of packed cells or bleeding that was fatal). The proportion of major adverse cardiac events was similar between the 2 groups (6.2% vs 4.7%, p = 0.308). The female group had a greater incidence of major bleeding (0.3% vs 3.2%, p <0.001). On multivariate analysis, female gender (odds ratio [OR] 7.748, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.767 to 13.399), age ≥75 years (OR 5.824, 95% CI 2.085 to 16.274), and chronic kidney disease (OR 7.264, 95% CI 2.369 to 12.276) were independent predictors of major bleeding. In conclusion, the female gender had a tendency for more bleeding complications than male gender after TRI without difference in the clinical outcome.

Growth response of Avena sativa in amino-acids-rich soils converted from phenol-contaminated soils by Corynebacterium glutamicum.

The biodegradation of phenol in laboratory-contaminated soil was investigated using the Gram-positive soil bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum. This study showed that the phenol degradation caused by C. glutamicum was greatly enhanced by the addition of 1% yeast extract. From the toxicity test using Daphnia magna, the soil did not exhibit any hazardous effects after the phenol was removed using C. glutamicum. Additionally, the treatment of the phenolcontaminated soils with C. glutamicum increased various soil amino acid compositions, such as glycine, threonine, isoleucine, alanine, valine, leucine, tyrosine, and phenylalanine. This phenomenon induced an increase in the seed germination rate and the root elongation of Avena sativa (oat). This probably reflects that increased soil amino acid composition due to C. glutamicum treatment strengthens the plant roots. Therefore, the phenol-contaminated soil was effectively converted through increased soil amino acid composition, and additionally, the phenol in the soil environment was biodegraded by C. glutamicum.

Phenol degradation activity and reusability of Corynebacterium glutamicum coated with NH(2)-functionalized silica-encapsulated Fe3O4 nanoparticles.

In this study, a novel method to immobilize and separate Corynebacterium glutamicum for phenol degradation was developed using Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles (NPs). The Fe(3)O(4) NPs were encapsulated with silica and functionalized with NH(2) groups to enhance their capacity to adsorb on the cell surface. The results showed that the NH(2)-functionalized silica-encapsulated Fe(3)O(4) NPs strongly adsorbed on the cell surface of C. glutamicum during 32 d culture without any interruptions of their normal cell growth. The coated C. glutamicum were easily separated from the culture broth within 2 min by applying an external magnetic field Also, the coated C.glutamicum were able to completely degrade 50 ppm phenol in the culture broth after 8d culture at 30 °C. Concerning reusability, the coated cells could completely degrade phenol during the first 2 cycles, and retain ~60% activity of phenol degradation for the third and four cycles.

Validation of three-dimensional echocardiography for quantification of aortic root geometry: comparison with multi-detector computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography has been reported to be valuable for evaluating the geometry of cardiac chambers. We validated the accuracy of 3D transthoracic echocardiography for quantifying aortic root geometry in comparison with cardiac multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). METHODS: Twenty-three patients who underwent cardiac MDCT and showed normal left ventricular ejection fraction (> 55%), as assessed by 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography, were enrolled (12 male, mean 53 ± 9 years). We defined the aortic root volume as the volume from the aortic annulus to the sinotubular junction. The aortic root volume at end-diastole measured by both cardiac MDCT and 3D echocardiography was assessed. RESULTS: The cross-sectional area of the aortic root was asymmetric. At the annulus level, the cross-sectional area showed asymmetric triangle. From the aortic annulus to the most dilated point of the sinus of Valsalva, the asymmetric triangular shape was maintained. From the most dilated point of the sinus of Valsalva to the sinotubular junction, the cross-sectional shape of the aortic root changed to oval. The average aortic root volumes measured by 3D echocardiography (ARV-3DE) were 13.6 ± 4.8 mL at end-diastole and 14.1 ± 5.3 mL at end-systole, respectively. The average aortic root volume measured by MDCT at end-diastole (ARV-CT) was 14.1 ± 5.7 mL. At end-diastole, the ARV-3DE correlated well with the ARV-CT (R(2) = 0.926, difference = 0.5 ± 1.7 mL), and the two methods were in excellent agreement (the percent difference was 0%). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate both the feasibility and accuracy of 3D echocardiography for the clinical assessment of the geometry of the aortic root.

Nasopharyngeal glioma causing respiratory distress in a neonate: transoral endoscopic excision.

Nasal gliomas are rare, benign, congenital midline tumors made up of heterotopic neuroglial tissue. They have the potential for intracranial extension. They are commonly seen in newborns and children, and rarely in adults. Preoperative diagnostic imaging is essential to delineate the exact location, limits, and extensions of the tumor and thus to determine the appropriate surgical approach. Endoscopic surgery is considered appropriate for the removal of an intranasal glioma without intracranial extension. We describe a rare case of nasopharyngeal glioma in a newborn who presented with early respiratory distress, and we include a review of the literature.

[Two cases of acute renal failure associated with nonfulminant acute hepatitis A].

We report two cases of acute renal failure in patients with nonfulminant acute hepatitis A. First case is a healthy 25 year-old man complained of myalgia and jaundice. Initial laboratory results showed BUN 40 mg/dL, creatinine 5.23 mg/dL, AST 2,220 IU/L, ALT 3,530 IU/L, total bilirubin 6.26 mg/dL, and positive anti-HAV IgM antibody. Supportive treatments including fluid therapy were started. Serum creatinine and total bilirubin levels were 7.98 mg/dL and 7.66 mg/dL respectively on the 5th hospital day, and decreased gradually. He was discharged on the 12th hospital day, and was being followed up in outpatient department. Second case is a 33 year-old woman who admitted for bilateral flank pain, high fever, nausea, and vomiting. She was diagnosed as acute pyelonephritis and acute hepatitis A. On admission, BUN 13 mg/dL, creatinine 0.74 mg/dL, AST 3,720 IU/L, ALT 2,280 IU/L, total bilirubin 0.9 mg/dL were noted, and acute renal failure developed next day. Fluid therapy with antibiotics administration were started, and maximal BUN and creatinine was 41.7 and 8.09 mg/dL respectively on the 8th day. She recovered without dialysis and was discharged on the 19th hospital day. Proper and prompt comprehensive supportive measures would decrease the need for dialysis in patient of acute renal failue associated with acute hepatitis A.

Comparative genomic hybridization array analysis and real time PCR reveals genomic alterations in squamous cell carcinomas of the lung.

Genomic alterations have been identified in lung cancer tissues and reported in numerous studies. To analyze genomic aberrations in lung cancer patients, we used array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) in 14 squamous cell lung carcinoma (SqC) tissues. Copy number gain and loss in chromosomal regions were detected, and the corresponding genes were confirmed by real time PCR. Several frequently altered loci, including gain of 3q (36% of samples), were found. The most frequently identified losses were found at 14q32.33 (21% of samples). The relative degree of chromosomal change was analyzed using log2 ratios. High-level DNA amplifications (>0.8 log2 ratio) were detected at 20 regions in 1p, 2q, 3q, 4q, 6q, 7p, 8q, 9p, 10q, 12q, 14q and 19p. We found that the fold change levels were highest at EVI1 (3q26.2), LPP (3q27-28) and FHF-1 (3q28) gene loci. Our results show that array CGH is a useful tool for identification of gene alteration in lung cancer, and that the above-mentioned genes might represent potential candidate genes for pathogenesis and diagnosis of lung cancer.

[Clinical features of acute hepatitis A in the Western part of Daejeon and Chungnam province: single center experience].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There was an outbreak of hepatitis A in the western part of Daejeon with adjacent Chungnam province in the late 1990's. The aim of this study was to characterize the clinical features and courses of acute hepatitis A in this area. METHODS: A total of 177 cases, who were diagnosed as acute hepatitis A between June 2000 and December 2004, were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age was 26 and 96% of the cases were under 40 years old. The ratio of male to female was 1.2:1. There were two hospitalized cases in 2000, 3 in 2001, 73 in 2002, 60 in 2003, and 39 in 2004, respectively. The number of diagnosis was most prevalent in June (20.3%). Common occupations were students (62 cases) and homekeepers (21 cases). It was found that 51 patients experienced consumption history of raw fish or shellfish, and that 18 cases had history of exposure to contaminated underground water. Eighteen cases were infected by family members or friends. A history of travel to domestic areas was noted in 31 cases, and to overseas areas in 6 cases (especially Southeast Asia). Only four cases were vaccinated against hepatitis A. HBsAg was positive in 10 cases, and anti-HCV in 2 cases, but none of these had active diseases. The common symptoms were anorexia, jaundice and fatigue. The common ultrasonographic findings were fatty liver (68/157) and acute hepatitis (39/157). In most cases, ALT and total bilirubin level normalized within 8 weeks. No cases of fulminant hepatitis or death were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of cases with acute hepatitis A were completely recovered without sequelae. It is necessary to investigate specific indications for hepatitis A vaccination either in this area or throughout Korea.