One-year outcomes of total arch replacement and frozen elephant trunk using the E-vita Open NEO.

OBJECTIVES: In this cohort study, we aimed to assess the 1-year clinical outcomes of using the E-vita Open NEO™ hybrid prosthesis for total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk (FET) to repair extensive aortic pathologies. METHODS: We reviewed individuals who underwent thoracic aortic surgery between April 2021 and March 2023 from the Gangnam Severance Aortic Registry. Exclusion criteria included ascending aortic replacement, 1 or 2 partial arch replacement, descending aortic replacement and total arch replacement without an FET. Finally, all consecutive patients who underwent total arch replacement and FET with E-vita Open NEO for aortic arch pathologies between April 2021 and March 2023 were included in this cohort study. The patients were divided into 3 groups based on their pathology: acute aortic dissection, chronic aortic dissection and thoracic aortic aneurysm. The primary end point was in-hospital mortality. The secondary end points during the postoperative period comprised stroke, spinal cord injury and redo sternotomy for bleeding. Additionally, the secondary end points during the follow-up period included the 1-year survival rate, 1-year freedom from all aortic procedures and 1-year freedom from unplanned aortic interventions. RESULTS: The study included 167 patients in total: 92 patients (55.1%) with acute aortic dissection, 20 patients (12.0%) with chronic aortic dissection and 55 patients (32.9%) with thoracic aortic aneurysm. The in-hospital mortality was 1.8% (n = 3). Strokes occurred in 1.8% (n = 3) of the patients, spinal cord injury in 1.8% (n = 3) and redo sternotomy for bleeding was performed in 3.0% (n = 5). There were no significant differences between the pathological groups. The median follow-up period (quartile 1-quartile 3) was 198 (37-373) days, with 1-year survival rates of 95.9%. At 1 year, the freedom from all aortic procedures and unplanned aortic interventions were 90.3% and 92.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The 1-year clinical outcomes of total arch replacement with FET using the E-vita Open NEO were favourable. Long-term follow-up is required to evaluate the durability of the FET.

The impact of circulatory arrest with selective antegrade cerebral perfusion on brain functional connectivity and postoperative cognitive function.

Aortic surgery is one of the most challenging types of surgeries, which is possibly related to cognitive sequelae. We aimed to investigate the changes in resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) associated with intraoperative circulatory arrest (CA) in aortic surgery, exploring the relationship between the altered connectivity and postoperative cognitive functions. Thirty-eight patients participated in this study (14 with CA, 24 without). Functional magnetic resonance imaging was scanned on the fifth day after surgery or after the resolution of delirium if it was developed. We assessed the differences in the development of postoperative cognitive changes and rsFC between patients with and without CA. The occurrence of postoperative delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction was not significantly different between the patients with and without the application of CA. However, patients with CA showed increased in posterior cingulate cortex-based connectivity with the right superior temporal gyrus, right precuneus, and right hippocampus, and medial prefrontal cortex-based connectivity with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The application of moderate hypothermic CA with unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion is unlikely to affect aspects of postoperative cognitive changes, whereas it may lead to increased rsFC of the default mode network at a subclinical level following acute brain insults.

Tailored treatment modality in acute type A intramural hematoma.

OBJECTIVES: Intramural hematoma may be generated by a minimal intimal tear. Most surgeries for acute type A intramural hematoma are performed on the proximal aorta alone regardless of the intimal tear site. Under the assumption that major adverse aortic events (MAAEs) would be related to the location of primary intimal tear, we reviewed preoperative computed tomography scan findings. METHODS: Sixty patients with acute type A intramural hematoma who underwent surgery from January 2008 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The maximal diameter, maximal thickness of the intramural hematoma, and hematoma thickness ratio of the ascending and descending aortae were measured. MAAEs were defined as newly developed aortic dissection, rupture, newly developed penetrating aortic ulcer (PAU), enlargement of the PAU, and aortic death. RESULTS: The number of patients with PAU in the descending aorta (dPAU) was significantly higher in the MAAE (+) group. The MAAE (+) group showed lower measurements of the ascending aorta and higher measurements of the descending aorta than the MAAE (-) group. In the univariate analysis, dPAU, hematoma thickness ratio of the ascending and descending aortae, and descending aorta hematoma thickness >8.58 mm were risk factors of MAAE. Intimal tear noted intraoperatively and ascending aorta hematoma thickness >10.25 mm were protective factors of MAAE. CONCLUSIONS: Aortopathies (ie, PAU, ulcer-like projections, and the hematoma thickness ratio) are important clues to determine the location of intimal tear. Occurrence of MAAEs seems to be highly related to the pathology of the descending aorta. The modalities of treatment for stable acute type A intramural hematoma that do not meet the existing guidelines should be tailored to the location of the intimal tear.

Note the descending aorta: predictors of postoperative major adverse aortic event in pure acute type A intramural hematoma.

BACKGROUND: Intramural hematomas (IMHs) may originate from small intimal tears. Although most surgeries for acute type A IMH are conventionally performed solely at the proximal aorta, regardless of the primary intimal tear site, the remnant aortic remodeling stays important during the follow-up period after surgery. METHODS: Forty-seven patients with "pure" acute type A IMHs who underwent surgery from January 2008 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Acute type A IMH in the entire region without penetrating aortic ulcer (PAU) and aortic dissection (AD), which upon initial computed tomography (CT), can be considered as an intimal tear site, was defined as "pure" type. The maximal diameter of the aorta, maximal thickness of the IMH, and hematoma thickness ratio (HTR) of the ascending and descending aortae were measured from the preoperative computed tomographic scan. The hematoma thickness index was defined as the HTR of the descending aorta divided by that of the ascending aorta. Major adverse aortic events (MAAEs) were defined as AD, rupture, or newly developed PAU and aortic death. Predictors for postoperative MAAEs were analyzed using preoperative computed tomographic findings. RESULTS: The measurements of the descending aorta were larger and those of the ascending aorta were smaller in the MAAEs group, than in the corresponding other. The hematoma thickness index was significantly higher in the group with MAAEs, than in the group without; this variable was an independent predictor of MAAEs. During surgery, intimal tears were found in 16/47 (34%) patients. The hematoma thickness index was significantly smaller in the group with intimal tears than in the group without the tears. The aortic measurement appears to reflect the tear site. CONCLUSIONS: Hematoma thickness index was an independent predictor of MAAE after acute type A IMH surgery. Long-term periodical follow-up with early reintervention may, therefore, be necessary to improve outcome in these patients. As the optimal treatment method is still controversial, inferring the location of the primary tear through the hematoma thickness index can be helpful in determining the treatment method.

Early Aggressive Surgical Treatment of Multiloculated Empyema.

BACKGROUND: Empyema is the collection of purulent exudate within the pleural space. Overall, 36%-65% of patients with empyema cannot be treated by medical therapy alone and require surgery. Multiloculated empyema is particularly difficult to treat with percutaneous drainage. Therefore, we describe our experiences with early aggressive surgical treatment for rapid progressive multiloculated empyema. METHODS: From January 2001 to October 2015, we retrospectively reviewed 149 patients diagnosed with empyema who received surgery. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether they underwent emergency surgery or not. We then compared surgical outcomes between these groups. RESULTS: The patients in group A (emergency surgery, n=102) showed a more severe infectious state, but a lower complication rate and shorter length of hospital stay. The incidence of lung abscess was higher in group A, and abscesses were associated with diabetes and severe alcoholism. CONCLUSION: Early aggressive surgical treatment resulted in good surgical outcomes for patients with rapid progressive multiloculated empyema. Furthermore, we suspect that the most likely causes of multiloculated empyema are lung abscesses found in patients with diabetes mellitus as well as severe alcoholism.

Systemic inflammation response syndrome score predicts the mortality in multiple trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Numerous statistical models have been developed to accurately predict outcomes in multiple trauma patients. However, such trauma scoring systems reflect the patient's physiological condition, which can only be determined to a limited extent, and are difficult to use when performing a rapid initial assessment. We studied the predictive ability of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) score compared to other scoring systems. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 229 patients with multiple trauma combined with chest injury from January 2006 to June 2011. A SIRS score was calculated for patients based on their presentation to the emergency room. The patients were divided into two groups: those with an SIRS score of two points or above and those with an SIRS score of one or zero. Then, the outcomes between the two groups were compared. Furthermore, the ability of the SIRS score and other injury severity scoring systems to predict mortality was compared. RESULTS: Hospital death occurred in 12 patients (5.2%). There were no significant differences in the general characteristics of patients, but the trauma severity scores were significantly different between the two groups. The SIRS scores, number of complications, and mortality rate were significantly higher in those with a SIRS score of two or above (p<0.001). In the multivariant analysis, the SIRS score was the only independent factor related to mortality. CONCLUSION: The SIRS score is easily calculated on admission and may accurately predict mortality in patients with multiple traumas.

Pulmonary actinomycosis associated with endobronchial vegetable foreign body.

A 51-year-old woman visited our hospital with massive hemoptysis. She had suffered from recurrent hemoptysis for five years and had undergone bronchial artery embolization many times. The patient had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis and bronchiectasis. Chest radiography showed consolidation around the nodule in the lateral basal segment of the right lower lobe. We successfully performed a right lower lobectomy. The histological study of the resected specimen showed a vegetable foreign body and clumps of Actinomyces, indicating actinomycosis, which was suggested to be the cause of the hemoptysis. This was a very rare case of hemoptysis caused by a vegetable foreign body and actinomycosis.

Functional mediastinal pheochromocytoma.

A 36-year-old man visited Yeungnam University Hospital with a sudden onset of palpitation, headache, and was found to be hypertensive. Chest radiography showed a 6 cm sized mass lesion on the posterior mediastinum. A biochemical study showed elevated levels of catecholamines. An I-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine scan revealed a hot uptake lesion on the posterior mediastinum. The patient was prepared for surgery with α and ß blocking agents. Two months later, we removed the tumor successfully. A histological study proved that the resected tumor was mediastinal pheochromocytoma. Functional mediastinal pheochromocytomas are rare. Therefore, we reported the case with a literature review.

Alu-derived old world monkeys exonization event and experimental validation of the LEPR gene.

The leptin receptor (LEPR) is a crucial regulatory protein that interacts with Leptin. In our analysis of LEPR, novel AluJb-derived alternative transcripts were identified in the genome of the rhesus monkey. In order to investigate the occurrence of AluJb-derived alternative transcripts and the mechanism underlying exonization events, we conducted analyses using a number of primate genomic DNAs and adipose RNAs of tissue and primary cells derived from the crab-eating monkey. Our results demonstrate that the AluJb element has been integrated into our common ancestor genome prior to the divergence of simians and prosimians. The lineage-specific exonization event of the LEPR gene in chimpanzees, orangutans, and Old World monkeys appear to have been accomplished via transition mutations of the 5' splicing site (second position of C to T). However, in New World monkeys and prosimians, the AluJb-related LEPR transcript should be silenced by the additional transversion mutation (fourth position of T to G). The AluJb-related transcript of human LEPR should also be silenced by a mutation of the 5' splicing site (first position of G to A) and the insertion of one nucleotide sequence (minus fourth position of A). Our data suggests that lineage-specific exonization events should be determined by the combination event of the formation of splicing sites and protection against site-specific mutation pressures. These evolutionary mechanisms could be major sources for primate diversification.

Processing and subcellular localization of ADAM2 in the Macaca fascicularis testis and sperm.

Fertilin, a heterodimeric protein complex composed of ADAM1 and ADAM2 located on the sperm surface, is involved in sperm-egg interaction. In our study, we examined the physiological processing and subcellular localization of M. fascicularis ADAM2 during spermatogenesis in the testis and epididymal tract. M. fascicularis ADAM2 was initially synthesized as a 100 kDa precursor in testicular germ cells. After passing into 50 kDa intermediate form in the epididymal tracts, the precursor form was finally processed into a 47 kDa protein in sperm. We found that M. fascicularis ADAM2 is localized on the sperm surface and contributes to the formation of a candidate fertilin complex. In particular, Far-Western blot analysis revealed that M. fascicularis ADAM2 cystein-rich domain may be related to protein-protein interaction. Therefore, the cystein-rich domain of ADAM2 could provide a mechanism to form a fertilin complex.

Structural modifications of outer membrane vesicles to refine them as vaccine delivery vehicles.

In an effort to devise a safer and more effective vaccine delivery system, outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) were engineered to have properties of intrinsically low endotoxicity sufficient for the delivery of foreign antigens. Our strategy involved mutational inactivation of the MsbB (LpxM) lipid A acyltransferase to generate OMVs of reduced endotoxicity from Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7. The chromosomal tagging of a foreign FLAG epitope within an OmpA-fused protein was exploited to localize the FLAG epitope in the OMVs produced by the E. coli mutant having the defined msbB and the ompA::FLAG mutations. It was confirmed that the desired fusion protein (OmpA::FLAG) was expressed and destined to the outer membrane (OM) of the E. coli mutant from which the OMVs carrying OmpA::FLAG are released during growth. A luminal localization of the FLAG epitope within the OMVs was inferred from its differential immunoprecipitation and resistance to proteolytic degradation. Thus, by using genetic engineering-based approaches, the native OMVs were modified to have both intrinsically low endotoxicity and a foreign epitope tag to establish a platform technology for development of multifunctional vaccine delivery vehicles.

Importance of the porcine ADAM3 disintegrin domain in sperm-egg interaction.

In the mouse, ADAM3, a well-characterized testis-specific protein of the A disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) family, has a crucial role in fertilization by mediating sperm binding to the egg zona pellucida. However, little is known about ADAM3 in other species, such as domestic pigs. We have identified porcine ADAM3 and analyzed the protein. RT-PCR and trypsinization of sperm surface proteins revealed that porcine ADAM3 is expressed at high levels in the testis and on the sperm surface. Furthermore, an IVF inhibition assay with a recombinant porcine ADAM3 disintegrin domain showed that treatment of the disintegrin domain effectively prevented pig sperm-egg interactions. In the present study, we demonstrated the presence of ADAM3a and ADAM3b molecules in the pig and examined their roles in fertilization.

Identification of novel retromer complexes in the mouse testis.

A family of vacuolar protein sorting (Vps) proteins, which are components of mammalian retromer complex, has been studied in the mouse. Vps26a is known as a retromer component that plays an important role in embryonic development: however, its cell-type expression and precise role remain to be elucidated. In this study, we identified a new isoform of Vps26a, called Vps26aT, which was expressed specifically in the mouse testis. Diverse expression patterns of Vps26 variants in mouse tissues were determined by Western blot and RT-PCR analyses, and the direct interaction of Vps26aT with Vps35 was also demonstrated by immunoprecipitation and pull-down assay using antibodies raised against each Vps component. Our results revealed that the retromer complex could be formed from different Vps26 isoforms in a tissue-specific manner, resulting in more than two types of the retromer complex, including the Vps26a-Vps29-Vps35, Vps26aT-Vps29-Vps35, and Vps26b-Vps29-Vps35 complexes in mouse tissues.

Use of microsatellite markers to detect quantitative trait loci in Yorkshire pigs.

To identify genetic markers associated with economic traits in pigs, 157 microsatellite markers were examined in Yorkshire pigs. Thirty eight female Yorkshire pigs were initially examined and six of them were selected as progenitors; half were more than 1.5 standard deviations (SD) above the mean for average daily gain (ADG) and backfat thickness (BFT), and the remaining half were more than 1.5 SD below the mean. These pigs were then mated to male Duroc pigs, and 200 F2 pig offspring were examined for the association of specific alleles with ADG and BFT. To confirm the specific markers identified in the initial analysis, associations of significant markers with economic traits were further examined in 228 additional performance-tested purebred pigs. Twenty-five microsatellite markers were significantly associated with either ADG or BFT, and among these, 17 were associated with both traits. The markers with the highest association to ADG were also associated with BFT. Our study reveals that specific markers could be used to predict economic significance, and confirms several quantitative trait loci (QTL) identified in previous studies. However, further analysis with more closely-spaced microsatellite markers is required to refine predictive values for economic traits and positions of QTL that are reliable for actual phenotypic prediction.