The orally active urotensin receptor antagonist, KR36676, attenuates cellular and cardiac hypertrophy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Blockade of the actions of urotensin-II (U-II) mediated by the urotensin (UT) receptor should improve cardiac function and prevent cardiac remodelling in cardiovascular disease. Here, we have evaluated the pharmacological properties of the recently identified UT receptor antagonist, 2-(6,7-dichloro-3-oxo-2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazin-4(3H)-yl)-N-methyl-N-(2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-1-(4-(thiophen-3-yl)phenyl) ethyl)acetamide (KR36676).

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Pharmacological properties of KR36676 were studied in a range of in vitro assays (receptor binding, calcium mobilization, stress fibre formation, cellular hypertrophy) and in vivo animal models such as cardiac hypertrophy induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) or myocardial infarction (MI).

KEY RESULTS

KR36676 displayed high binding affinity for the UT receptor (Ki : 0.7 nM), similar to that of U-II (0.4 nM), and was a potent antagonist at that receptor (IC50 : 4.0 nM). U-II-induced stress fibre formation and cellular hypertrophy were significantly inhibited with low concentrations of KR36676 (≥0.01 μM). Oral administration of KR36676 (30 mg·kg(-1) ) in a TAC model in mice attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis. Moreover, KR36676 restored cardiac function and myocyte size in rats with MI-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

A highly potent UT receptor antagonist exerted anti-hypertrophic effects not only in infarcted rat hearts but also in pressure-overloaded mouse hearts. KR36676 could be a valuable pharmacological tool in elucidating the complicated physiological role of U-II and UT receptors in cardiac hypertrophy.

Persistence with solifenacin add-on therapy in men with benign prostate obstruction and residual symptoms of overactive bladder after tamsulosin monotherapy

AIMS

In spite of the reported efficacy and safety of antimuscarinics in men with OAB (overactive bladder) and BPO (benign prostatic obstruction), many patients do not persist with the treatment. We aimed to evaluate persistence and the reasons for the discontinuation of solifenacin add-on therapy in men with residual symptoms of OAB after tamsulosin monotherapy for BPO in a real clinical environment.

METHODS

Men aged ≥ 45 years with IPSS ≥ 12 and symptoms of OAB (OAB-V8 ≥ 8, micturition ≥ 8/24 h, urgency ≥ 2/24 h) were prescribed tamsulosin 0.2 mg. After 4 weeks, men who had residual symptoms of OAB (OAB-V8 ≥ 8, micturition ≥ 8/24 h, urgency ≥ 1/24 h) and reported that they were 'dissatisfied' or 'a little satisfied' with the therapy were enrolled and prescribed solifenacin 5 mg in combination with tamsulosin. After 52 weeks, persistence and the reasons for the discontinuation of solifenacin were evaluated. Factors related to persistence were analysed.

RESULTS

Of the 305 men who had been treated with tamsulosin, 176 were prescribed solifenacin. After 52 weeks, 44 (25%) remained on solifenacin therapy. Of the 132 who discontinued solifenacin, 85 were evaluated on the reason for discontinuation. The three most common reasons for discontinuation were adverse events (AEs) (35%), lack of efficacy (33%), and improvement in symptoms (16%). The aggravation of voiding symptoms was the most common AE leading to discontinuation. Retention was observed in 11 men. None of the demographical or clinical characteristics were significantly related to persistence.

CONCLUSIONS

Only 25% men with OAB and BPO remained on antimuscarinic add-on therapy after 1 year, mostly because of AEs and lack of efficacy. Realistic data should be added to what is already known about antimuscarinic treatment in men by including patients who were excluded or who dropped out of well-designed clinical trials.

Spatiotemporally controlled microchannels of periodontal mimic scaffolds

Physiologic bioengineering of the oral, dental, and craniofacial complex requires optimized geometric organizations of fibrous connective tissues. A computer-designed, fiber-guiding scaffold has been developed to promote tooth-supporting periodontal tissue regeneration and functional restoration despite limited printing resolution for the manufacture of submicron-scaled features. Here, we demonstrate the use of directional freeze-casting techniques to control pore directional angulations and create mimicked topographies to alveolar crest, horizontal, oblique, and apical fibers of natural periodontal ligaments. For the differing anatomic positions, the gelatin displayed varying patterns of ice growth, determined via internal pore architectures. Regardless of the freezing coordinates, the longitudinal pore arrangements resulted in submicron-scaled diameters (~50 µm), along with corresponding high biomaterial porosity (~90%). Furthermore, the horizontal + coronal ([Formula: see text]) freezing orientation facilitated the creation of similar structures to major fibers in the periodontal ligament interface. This periodontal tissue-mimicking microenvironment is a potential tissue platform for the generation of naturally oriented ligamentous tissues consistent with periodontal ligament neogenesis.

Advanced biomatrix designs for regenerative therapy of periodontal tissues

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that causes loss of the tooth-supporting apparatus, including periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone. A broad range of treatment options is currently available to restore the structure and function of the periodontal tissues. A regenerative approach, among others, is now considered the most promising paradigm for this purpose, harnessing the unique properties of stem cells. How to make full use of the body's innate regenerative capacity is thus a key issue. While stem cells and bioactive factors are essential components in the regenerative processes, matrices play pivotal roles in recapitulating stem cell functions and potentiating therapeutic actions of bioactive molecules. Moreover, the positions of appropriate bioactive matrices relative to the injury site may stimulate the innate regenerative stem cell populations, removing the need to deliver cells that have been manipulated outside of the body. In this topical review, we update views on advanced designs of biomatrices-including mimicking of the native extracellular matrix, providing mechanical stimulation, activating cell-driven matrices, and delivering bioactive factors in a controllable manner-which are ultimately useful for the regenerative therapy of periodontal tissues.

Relevance of hepatoduodenal ligament lymph nodes in resectional surgery for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Hepatoduodenal lymph node (HDLN) positivity is considered distant metastasis in gastric cancer according to the seventh American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) classification. In contrast, the International Union Against Cancer seventh edition and the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association both consider HDLN as a regional lymph node that can be included in the context of a curative resection. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was justification for considering HDLN involvement as a distant metastasis for which resectional surgery could not have survival benefit.

METHODS

This study enrolled consecutive patients with gastric cancer having D2 or greater resections, with removal and pathological assessment of the HDLN, between 1989 and 2009. The pathological stage of all patients was determined based on the seventh AJCC criteria, with HDLN included as a regional lymph node.

RESULTS

A total of 1872 patients had their HDLN removed, of whom 68 had a metastatic lymph node in the hepatoduodenal ligament. The 5-year survival rate of these 68 patients was 30 per cent, compared with 47·7 per cent for those with stage III (P < 0·001) and 9·8 per cent for those with stage IV (P = 0·007) HDLN-negative tumours. The 5-year survival rate of 41 patients with HDLN metastasis and no evidence of distant metastasis at any other site was significantly higher than that among 120 patients with stage IV disease without HDLN metastasis (P < 0·001), whereas 5-year survival did not differ between the 41 patients with stage I-III disease with HDLN metastasis and 568 patients with stage III tumours without HDLN metastasis (P = 0·184). HDLN metastasis was not a significant factor for survival in multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSION

It is inappropriate to include the HDLN in the distant metastatic lymph node group in gastric cancer. The seventh AJCC criteria for node grouping should be revised.

Low serum vitamin D level is associated with high risk of metabolic syndrome in post-menopausal women

BACKGROUND

Serum vitamin D status, as indicated by 25-(OH)D, is inversely associated with glucose homeostasis, lipid profiles, and blood pressure. Evidence on the association of serum vitamin D with metabolic syndrome (MS) however, is very limited in post-menopausal women.

AIM

To investigate the association between serum vitamin D and MS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was a crosssectional study including 778 Korean adults who visited a health promotion center in a university hospital from January 2010 to May 2011. MS was defined according to the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute criteria and the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity. MS and its individual components were assessed, as well as serum 25-(OH)D levels with a multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of the MS in participants of this study was 147 (18.9%). After multiple adjustments, compared with the highest quartile serum 25- (OH)D level group (19.9-55.9 ng/ml), the odds ratio for MS in the lowest level group (4.2-9.7 ng/ml) was 2.44 [95% confidence interval (CI)=1.32-4.48], in the lower level group (9.8- 14.1 ng/ml) was 2.20 (95% CI=1.24-3.90), and in the intermediate level group (14.3-19.8 ng/ml) was 1.81 (95% CI=1.02-3.20). Among the components of MS, the adjusted odds ratios for having an elevated blood pressure, and high triglyceride level in the lowest level group were 1.81 (95% CI, 1.15-2.85), 2.74 (95% CI, 1.64-4.57), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that a low serum 25-(OH)D level is significantly associated with the presence of MS and some metabolic components, especially the high triglyceride level and blood pressure in post-menopausal women.

Differences in the risk factors of reflux esophagitis according to age in Korea

The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Korea has been believed to be low, but the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Korea is expected to increase because of the longer life expectancy and more ingestion of westernized food. The aim of this study was to report differences in the risk factors of reflux esophagitis (RE) according to age in Korea. We prospectively recruited the subjects who had RE among those who visited a health promotion center for upper gastrointestinal cancer surveillance at Hallym Medical Center (five institutions) between January 2008 and February 2009. The enrolled study participants comprised 742 subjects with RE and 1484 healthy controls. The independent risk factors of RE in young and adult group were male sex, smoking, coffee, body mass index ≥ 25, hiatal hernia, and Helicobacter pylori negativity. The risk factors of RE in elderly group were smoking, coffee, and hiatal hernia. The risk factors for RE according to age group were found to differ. In elderly group, Helicobacter pylori infection was not a significant protective factor contrary to young and adult groups.

Morphological changes of the lateral meniscus in end-stage lateral compartment osteoarthritis of the knee

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological changes of the lateral meniscus in end-stage lateral compartment osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.

METHODS

One hundred fifty-eight knee joints from 133 patients that subsequently underwent total knee joint arthroplasty from January 2008 to December 2009 were enrolled. There were 26 men and 107 women. Their ages ranged from 56 to 81 (mean 67.4 ± 6.5 years). All study participants had complete obliteration of the lateral joint space identified by weight-bearing radiography. Meniscal position was assessed by measuring meniscal subluxation and meniscal height. The meniscal morphology was assessed using a modification of the whole-organ magnetic resonance imaging score (WORMS). The frequency of different meniscal morphology and their respective positions was calculated.

RESULTS

The predominant type (42.4%, 53.8% and 52.5% in the anterior horn, mid-body and posterior horn, respectively) of abnormal meniscal morphology was a complete maceration/destruction or complete resection. The anterior horn of non-macerated lateral meniscus was more subluxed than that of the non-macerated medial meniscus in patients with lateral OA.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that the lateral meniscus in persons with end-stage lateral OA are mostly macerated or destroyed. Also, unlike isolated end-staged medial compartment OA, the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus in isolated end-stage lateral OA is commonly affected.

Criteria for decision making after endoscopic resection of well-differentiated rectal carcinoids with regard to potential lymphatic spread

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM

Rectal carcinoids are low-grade malignancies that are usually treated by endoscopic resection. However, on pathologic examination, resection margins that are positive for carcinoid cells are frequently found. Patient outcomes were reviewed after endoscopic resection of rectal carcinoids and the clinical significance of possible residual disease, as defined by pathologic and endoscopic examination, was evaluated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The medical records and endoscopic findings of 347 patients presenting with rectal carcinoids to 14 university hospitals in Korea between January 1999 and June 2007 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 304 patients were treated with endoscopic resection, and 43 patents were treated with surgery. In the endoscopic resection group, the complete resection rate was 88.2% based on endoscopic appearance (CR-E) and 60.2% based on pathologic evaluation (CR-P). The agreement between CR-E and CR-P was low (κ=0.192). No residual tumors were found in 77 of 85 patients (90.6%) who were CR-E but not CR-P and who had endoscopic biopsy taken at 24-month follow-up. The receiver-operating characteristic curve identified an optimal cut-off value of 10.5 mm, at which the sensitivity and the specificity for metastasis were 100% and 89%, respectively. The risk factors for metastasis by multivariate analysis were tumor size, increased mitotic rate, and lymphovascular invasion.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic resection is a safe and effective modality for treating well-differentiated rectal carcinoids smaller than 10 mm in diameter. Discrepancies were observed between CR-E and CR-P. The risk factors for metastasis were tumor size, increased mitotic rate, and lymphovascular invasion.

Long-term outcome of tamsulosin for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms according to the treatment response defined by lower urinary tract symptom outcomes score

IMS: To evaluate long-term outcome of tamsuolsin 0.2 mg for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients using a new subjective assessment of patient-reported outcomes and the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) outcome score (LOS) over a 48-week period.

METHODS

This study investigated the long-term outcomes of either well-responded or poorly responded patient group as defined by LOS at the period of 12 weeks after BPH treatment. Outcome parameters used in this study were the most bothersome symptoms, BPH K1-short form as well as International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum flow rate (Qmax) and postvoiding residual urine volume at 24-, 36- and 48-week follow-up.

RESULTS

Of the 414 patients recruited initially, 310 (75.2%) were defined as the responders and 39 (9.5%) as the non-responders to the treatment at 12 weeks, which was stratified by LOS. In this long-term study, the differences in improvement rates of clinical parameters between responder and non-responder groups at 12 weeks of treatment were maintained over the period of 48 weeks. Among the responder patients, most (75.6%) chose continuous administrations of tamsulosin. Improvements in clinical parameters were maintained in this subgroup. It is noteworthy that the improvements in clinical parameters of the non-responder group were dismal despite switching to the other treatment modalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term tamsulosin 0.2 mg for BPH patients is an effective treatment, both subjectively and objectively. Considering its integrative nature, LOS seemed to be one of the useful tools to predict the outcome after the management of LUTS.

Sustained manual abdominal compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a pig model: a preliminary investigation

OBJECTIVES

The present study was undertaken to determine whether sustained manual abdominal compression (SMAC) using left paramedian compression technique can improve coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and resuscitation outcomes without causing liver laceration.

METHODS

Ventricular fibrillation was induced in 14 pigs, and circulatory arrest was maintained for 6 min. Animals were resuscitated either by standard CPR (control group) or by standard CPR with SMAC (SMAC-CPR group).

RESULTS

Mean blood pressure, aortic diastolic pressure and right atrial diastolic pressure in the SMAC-CPR group were significantly greater than in the control group throughout simulated basic life support. However, since the increases in aortic and right atrial diastolic pressures were similar, no significant intergroup difference was found in terms of CPP. Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was attained in four of seven animals in the control group and in six of seven animals in the SMAC-CPR group (p = 0.55). Three animals in the control group and four in the SMAC-CPR group survived 24 h after ROSC (p = 1.00). Two of the seven animals in the SMAC-CPR group had a ruptured liver, but no such injury occurred in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

SMAC using left paramedian compression technique failed to improve CPP during CPR and resuscitation outcomes. Furthermore, this method could not avoid liver laceration.

The role of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in postgastrectomy patients

BACKGROUND

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is expected in postgastrectomy patients; however, its role has not been clarified. This study was to estimate the prevalence of SIBO and investigate the clinical role of SIBO in postgastrectomy patients.

METHODS

This prospective study involved 76 patients who underwent gastrectomy for early gastric cancer with no evidence of recurrence. An H(2)-CH(4) breath test with oral glucose challenge test was performed to diagnose SIBO and dumping syndrome. Sigstad dumping questionnaires, serum glucose, hematocrit and pulse rate were simultaneously monitored for every 30 min for 3 hours.

KEY RESULTS

There were significant differences in SIBO between the postgastrectomy patients and controls (77.6%vs 6.7%, P < 0.01). Abdominal fullness or borborygmus during oral glucose load were more common in SIBO-positive than in negative patients (50.8%vs 17.6%, P = 0.03), and were the independent factors for predicting SIBO in postgastrectomy patients (P = 0.02). The prevalences of dumping syndrome and hypoglycemia after oral glucose were 35 (46.1%) and 19 (25.0%), and were not different between both groups. However, the plasma glucose was significantly lower in SIBO-positive than in SIBO-negative patients at 120 and 150 min after oral glucose load (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in pulse rate and hematocrit in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

SIBO is common among postgastrectomy patients. It appears to be associated with postprandial intestinal symptoms and might aggravate late hypoglycemia. SIBO could be a new therapeutic target for managing intestinal symptoms in postgastrectomy patients.

The role of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in postgastrectomy patients

BACKGROUND

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is expected in postgastrectomy patients; however, its role has not been clarified. This study was to estimate the prevalence of SIBO and investigate the clinical role of SIBO in postgastrectomy patients.

METHODS

This prospective study involved 76 patients who underwent gastrectomy for early gastric cancer with no evidence of recurrence. An H(2)-CH(4) breath test with oral glucose challenge test was performed to diagnose SIBO and dumping syndrome. Sigstad dumping questionnaires, serum glucose, hematocrit and pulse rate were simultaneously monitored for every 30 min for 3 hours.

KEY RESULTS

There were significant differences in SIBO between the postgastrectomy patients and controls (77.6%vs 6.7%, P < 0.01). Abdominal fullness or borborygmus during oral glucose load were more common in SIBO-positive than in negative patients (50.8%vs 17.6%, P = 0.03), and were the independent factors for predicting SIBO in postgastrectomy patients (P = 0.02). The prevalences of dumping syndrome and hypoglycemia after oral glucose were 35 (46.1%) and 19 (25.0%), and were not different between both groups. However, the plasma glucose was significantly lower in SIBO-positive than in SIBO-negative patients at 120 and 150 min after oral glucose load (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in pulse rate and hematocrit in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

SIBO is common among postgastrectomy patients. It appears to be associated with postprandial intestinal symptoms and might aggravate late hypoglycemia. SIBO could be a new therapeutic target for managing intestinal symptoms in postgastrectomy patients.

Abstract P6-15-14: Inhibit SIAH E3 Ligase, a Downstream Signaling Module Required for the HER2/EGFR/RAS Signal Transduction, To Block Tumorigenesis and Metastasis of Highly Invasive Human Breast Cancers

The central importance of the HER2/Neu/EGFR/RAS signaling pathway has been well established in the growth, invasion and metastasis of human breast cancer, even though oncogenic RAS mutations are rare in breast cancer, activation of the tumor-promoting ERBB/RAS/MEK/MAPK pathway has been consistently documented in high-grade breast tumors. As such, novel approaches to inhibit activated ERBB/RAS signals constitute important measures to block tumor growth and metastasis in mammary tumors. In this study, instead of targeting an upstream signaling component such as HER2/EGFR/RAS, we targeted the most downstream signaling module identified in the RAS pathway — the SIAH proteolytic machinery. SIAH is an evolutionarily conserved RING E3 ligase that is a critical “gatekeeper” required for RAS signal transduction in human cancer cells. SIAH is specifically expressed in tumor cells in 120 human breast cancer patients examined so far. The increased SIAH expression is correlated with increased grades and aggressiveness of human breast cancer. We then asked whether inhibiting the gatekeeper function of SIAH would be effective in blocking mammary tumorigenesis and metastasis in human breast cancer. Our results indicated that SIAH2-deficiency successfully abolished tumor growth of three breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-435 and MDA-MB-468) in soft agar assays as well as in athymic nude mice. Importantly, by inhibiting SIAH2 function in highly aggressive human breast cancer cells, we are able to completely block tumorigenesis and metastasis of two highly invasive and metastatic human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435). These findings suggest that SIAH2 may be an attractive new therapeutic target for novel breast cancer therapy and developing anti-SIAH molecules will aid in expanding our arsenal of effective anticancer therapies. More effective breast cancer treatments may be obtained by multi-pronged synergistic inhibitions at upstream (HER2/EGFR membrane receptors), midstream (RAS/RAF/MEK/mTOR) and downstream (SIAH E3 ligase) signaling modules in the HER2/EGFR/RAS pathway in parallel. Thus, by attacking the growth-promoting ERBB/RAS pathway at multiple signaling modules simultaneously, we may be in a great position to halt the genesis, progression and metastasis of human breast cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-15-14.

A pre- and postoperative bacteriological study of chronic suppurative otitis media

BACKGROUND

Although many bacteriological studies on preoperative otorrhea in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) have been performed, there are few studies on postoperative otorrhea. In this study, we analyzed the pathogenic microorganisms, changes in the bacterial species before and after surgery, and the antibiotic sensitivity on preoperative and postoperative cultures.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of 87 postoperative otorrhea patients who were part of a sample of 1,754 patients with CSOM who underwent tympanomastoidectomy; preoperative and postoperative otorrhea samples were obtained from January 2002 to April 2009. We analyzed patients with postoperative otorrhea divided into two groups: those with early onset (<3 months after surgery, n = 45) and those with late onset (>3 months after surgery, n = 42) otorrhea.

RESULTS

Four species of organisms, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas, and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS), showed higher prevalence than others on both the preoperative and postoperative cultures. When we compared the early and late onset otorrhea groups, we found that 'no growth' was significantly higher in the early onset group (n = 19 vs. n = 5), whereas MSSA was significantly higher in the late onset group (n = 1 vs. n = 12). Of the 67 patients with positive preoperative cultures, 15 (22.4%) had the same bacteria after surgery, 34 (50.8%) had other bacteria, 2 (3.0%) had fungi, and 16 (23.8%) showed no growth on postoperative bacteriological testing. MSSA (9%) and MRSA (16.7%) were rarely recultured after surgery, whereas Pseudomonas was recultured frequently (61.5%).

CONCLUSION

Unlike MSSA and MRSA, ciprofloxacin-resistant P. aeruginosa (CRP) occasionally causes early onset postoperative otorrhea due to the lack of highly potent antibiotics against this species. The success rate of infection control by surgery and antibiotics was low for CRP.

Bioactive constituents of Corni Fructus: The therapeutic use of morroniside, loganin, and 7-O-galloyl-D-sedoheptulose as renoprotective agents in type 2 diabetes

Corni Fructus, the fruit of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. (Cornaceae), is an important crude herb used in Chinese medicine to exhibit several biological activities, including hypoglycemic, antineoplastic, and antimicrobial effects, and to improve liver and kidney functions. We have been investigating the mechanism and bioactive constituents of Corni Fructus using diabetic animal models. Morroniside, loganin, and 7-O-galloyl-D-sedoheptulose, the main active compounds of Corni Fructus, exhibit the same lowering effects of elevated triglyceride, oxidative stress and advanced glycation endproduct (AGE) formation in the kidney of db/db mice. The effects of morroniside and 7-O-galloyl-D-sedoheptulose were mediated through modulation by renal sterol regulatory element binding proteins and nuclear factor-kappa B expression, but the effect of loganin was presumably mediated by hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects in the kidney, and also indirectly by the amelioration of metabolic disorders in other organs such as the liver. These findings led us to conclude that morroniside, loganin, and 7-O-galloyl-D-sedoheptulose would synergistically contribute to the inhibition of metabolic disorders (hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia), oxidative stress, inflammation, as well as AGE formation in the diabetic kidney.

Impact of tumor infiltration pattern into the surrounding tissue on prognosis of the subserosal gastric cancer (pT2b)

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to clarify the impact of infiltration pattern on prognosis in patients with gastric carcinoma invading subserosa.

METHODS

Clinicopathologic findings in patients with ssgamma pattern (n = 144) were compared with those in patients with ssalpha/ssbeta cancers (n = 222). Prognostic factors of pT2b patients were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Compared with the ssalpha/beta group, ssgamma gastric cancer exhibited more frequent undifferentiated histology, disseminated lymph node metastasis and perineural invasion. Frequency of postoperative peritoneal recurrence was significantly higher in ssgamma gastric cancer (P < 0.05). The 5-year survival rate for patients with ssgamma gastric cancer was significantly lower compared with ssalpha/beta group (63.2% vs. 74.8%, respectively; P < 0.05). Lymph node metastasis, vein invasion and infiltrative pattern (ssgamma) were significant independent prognostic factors affecting survival in pT2b patients.

CONCLUSION

In patients with gastric cancer invading the subserosa, infiltrative type growth pattern is closely related to carcinomatosis and poorer prognosis.

Endoscopically assisted reduction of nasal bone fractures

The standard treatment for a nasal bone fracture is closed reduction within 10 days. After that time, callus and fibrous connective tissue will limit a precise reduction. This study evaluated endoscopically assisted reduction for the treatment of nasal bone fractures in patients who miss the optimal operating time. Fifteen patients underwent endoscopically assisted correction of nasal bone fractures. The surgery was performed with the patients under general anesthesia. An intercartilaginous incision was made. The depressed bony fragments were repositioned under endoscopic visualization. In all cases, good anatomic reduction was obtained, the postoperative course was uneventful, with no complications, and the patients were satisfied with the shape of their noses. Endoscopy appears to be the best tool for visualizing intraoperative repositioning control, enabling the surgeon to confirm a fracture site with callus and to perform an accurate reduction. Endoscopically assisted reduction provides an alternative option in the treatment of patients outside the optimal temporal window for surgery.

Left-sided gallbladder: a complicated percutaneous cholecystostomy and subsequent hepatic embolisation

A 68-year-old male patient with chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic renal failure was diagnosed with acute calculous cholecystitis. A percutaneous cholecystostomy using a transperitoneal approach was performed after two failed attempts with a right-sided transhepatic approach. Subsequent hepatic embolisation was performed for the treatment of haemoperitoneum due to hepatic injury after the percutaneous cholecystostomy. The presence of a left-sided gallbladder was confirmed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy after 1 week. Prior identification of this anomaly would have prevented hepatic injury through the use of a cautious procedure against mobility or careful selection of the approach routes. In conclusion, the transperitoneal approach can be easier or more preferable to perform for a percutaneous cholecystostomy of a left-sided gallbladder.

Transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) of occult choroidal neovascularization: A retrospective, noncomparative case series of fifty-seven eyes

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for the treatment of occult choroidal neovascularization.

METHODS

A retrospective, noncomparative case series of 57 eyes of 52 patients who presented with occult subfoveal CNV and were treated with TTT.

RESULTS

83% of eyes were either stable (+/- one line) or showed improvement in visual acuity. 83% of eyes showed stabilization of their exudative process after one TTT treatment as evidenced by resorption of subretinal and/or intraretinal exudate or hemorrhage. Nine percent of eyes developed classic CNV during the mean follow-up time of ten months.

CONCLUSIONS

TTT appears to stabilize the exudative process in eyes with occult CNV. A prospective, sham-controlled, randomized study (TTT4CNV Clinical Trial) is currently underway to directly compare TTT to the natural history of occult CNV.

Rich variety of defects in ZnO via an attractive interaction between O vacancies and Zn interstitials: origin of n-type doping

As the concentration of intrinsic defects becomes sufficiently high in O-deficient ZnO, interactions between defects lead to a significant reduction in their formation energies. We show that the formation of both O vacancies and Zn interstitials becomes significantly enhanced by a strong attractive interaction between them, making these defects an important source of n-type conductivity in ZnO.

Endoscopic evaluation of significant gastrointestinal lesions in patients with iron deficiency with and without anaemia: a Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Disease study

BACKGROUND

Although endoscopy is recommended for patients with iron deficiency anaemia, there is, currently, no consensus on the role of endoscopy for iron-deficient patients without anaemia. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of serious gastrointestinal (GI) lesions, identified by endoscopy in patients with iron deficiency and anaemia compared with patients with iron deficiency without anaemia.

METHODS

One thousand five hundred and eighteen patients with a ferritin value of <or=50 ng/mL and a total iron-binding capacity >or=300 mg/dL were retrospectively investigated using oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy between January 2005 and September 2006. The lesions identified were classified as clinically important according to standard predetermined criteria.

RESULTS

Among the 1518 cases, 749 patients had anaemia and 769 had normal haemoglobin levels. Clinically important lesions were identified in 24.6% of the patients with anaemia and in 22.8% of the patients without anaemia (P > 0.05). The frequency of lower GI tract lesions (13.6 vs 11.4%, P > 0.05) and upper GI tract lesions (11.9 vs 12.5%, P > 0.05) was similar in the comparisons between the two groups. However, the frequency of malignant GI lesions was higher in the patients with anaemia (5.1 vs 0.7%, P < 0.01). In addition, the patients without anaemia were significantly more likely to have early-stage neoplasia (adenoma, early gastric cancer and Dukes' A and B colon cancer) than were the patients with anaemia (98.4 vs 52.5%, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that patients with iron deficiency should undergo endoscopic evaluation of the GI tract, irrespective of whether they have anaemia. The endoscopic evaluation of the GI tract in patients with iron deficiency without anaemia could provide an opportunity for the detection of early-stage neoplasia at a curable stage.

Effects of fentanyl pretreatment on the QTc interval during propofol induction

Prolongation of the corrected QT (QTc) interval is associated with various anaesthetic drugs. The QTc prolongation may become more exacerbated during laryngoscopy and intubation, which is possibly caused by sympathetic stimulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fentanyl on the QTc interval during propofol induction in healthy patients. The patients were randomly allocated to receive either fentanyl (n = 25) or saline (n = 25) before induction. The QTc interval was significantly prolonged immediately after intubation in control group compared to preceding values, but it did not change in the fentanyl group. The number of patients with the prolonged QTc interval exceeding 20 ms immediately after intubation compared to the baseline values was 14 in the control group and seven in the fentanyl group. In conclusion, pretreatment with fentanyl 2 microg x kg(-1) significantly attenuated QTc prolongation associated with laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation during propofol induction.

Lymph node micrometastasis in node negative early gastric cancer

AIMS

The clinical significance of lymph node micrometastasis for histologically node negative gastric cancer is not well documented. This study was to assess the incidence and to clarify the risk factors of lymph node micrometastasis in patients with node negative early gastric cancer (EGC).

METHODS

We investigated the lymph node micrometastasis with using an anticytokeratin immunohistochemical stain in 90 patients with node negative EGC who underwent curative resection between 1991 and 2000.

RESULTS

Among 3526 nodes from 90 patients, there were 17 cytokeratin immunohistochemical stain positive nodes from nine patients. The incidence of micrometastasis was higher in patients with lymphatic invasion (p=0.012), venous invasion (p=0.026) and larger tumor (p=0.003). The independent risk factors for lymph node micrometastasis were lymphatic invasion (p=0.004, RR=22.915, 95% CI = 2.709 ~ 193.828) and tumor size (p=0.029, RR=1.493, 95% CI = 1.042 ~ 2.138). Although there were 10 deaths during the follow-up period of mean 67.6 months (1 month ~ 147 months), there was no death from a cancer recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of lymph node micrometastasis in patients with node negative early gastric cancer was 10%, and the independent risk factors for micrometastasis were lymphatic invasion and tumor size.