Traditionally, mitochondria have been regarded solely as energy generators for cells; however, accumulating data have demonstrated that these complex organelles play a variety of roles within the cardiomyocyte that extend beyond this classic function. Mitochondrial dynamics involves mitochondrial movements and morphologic alterations by tethering, fusion, and fission, which depend on cellular energy requirements and metabolic status. Many studies have indicated that mitochondrial dynamics may be a fundamental component of the maintenance of normal cellular homeostasis and cardiac function. Mitochondrial dynamics is controlled by the protein machinery responsible for mitochondrial fusion and fission, but cardiomyocytes are densely packed as part of an intricate cytoarchitecture for efficient and imbalanced contraction; thus, mitochondrial dynamics in the adult heart are restricted and occur more slowly than in other organs. Cardiac mitochondrial dynamics is important for cardiac physiology in diseased conditions such as ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Changes in mitochondrial morphology through modulation of the expression of proteins regulating mitochondrial dynamics demonstrates the beneficial effects on cardiac performance after IR injury. Thus, accurately defining the roles of mitochondrial dynamics in the adult heart can guide the identification and development of novel therapeutic targets for cardioprotection. Further studies should be performed to establish the exact mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics.
Adult ; Heart ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Mitochondria ; Mitochondrial Dynamics ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; Organelles ; Physiology

It is well known that patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) often have concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD). In cases of AAA with severe CAD requiring coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), two therapeutic strategies regarding the timing of CABG can be considered: staged or simultaneous operations. However, the ideal treatment of patients with large AAA and critical CAD remains controversial. We experienced a case of successful endovascular aneurysm repair after off-pump CABG in a 70-year-old patient who had a huge AAA and critical CAD.
Aged ; Aneurysm ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Humans ; Transplants

Primary cardiac lymphoma (PCL) is an extremely rare and fatal neoplasm of the heart. Traditionally, it is defined as lymphoma involving the heart or pericardium. PCL has a poor prognosis because of the diagnostic difficulty and its location. We present the case of a 48-year-old man who presented with pericardial effusion and diffuse cardiac wall thickening. We first suspected infiltrative heart disease. However, even after performing a biopsy, we could not establish an accurate diagnosis. After 20 months, primary cardiac diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was diagnosed by cervical lymph node biopsy. In this case, after chemotherapy, the DLBCL lesions, including cardiac wall thickening, improved. The treatment outcome suggests that the diagnosis was diffuse infiltrative PCL with delayed extracardiac involvement.
Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Middle Aged ; Pericardial Effusion ; Pericardium ; Prognosis ; Treatment Outcome

Generally, early exercise after coronary stenting is considered safe, but isolated cases of acute stent thrombosis have been associated with the performance of a treadmill exercise test after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The treadmill exercise test is often used to noninvasively assess the functional result of PCI. In this report, we describe a case of terrible stent thrombosis related to an exercise test performed 3 days after stenting, and the patient died as the result of an intractable thrombus.
Exercise Test ; Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Stents ; Thrombosis

A woman aged 31 had recurrent urinary tract infection with bloody urine. A series image of medullary sponge kidney presented by intravenous urography (IVU) was detected dynamically by retrograde pyelography (RP). Other than ultrasonography and IVU, RP is also a reliable method to detect medullary sponge kidney.
Female ; Humans ; Medullary Sponge Kidney ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Urography

This retrospective study was undertaken to compare the outcomes of staged bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) by the conventional approach with those of two-incision minimally invasive (MIS-2) THA in terms of clinical and radiological results, complications, and patient preferences. Twenty-two patients aged 30 to 80 years underwent staged bilateral THA. The conventional posterolateral approach was used on the first hips treated and a modified MIS-2 approach on the second hips. The mean time between the first and second procedures was 73.8 months, and the patients were followed up for at least 12 months after both procedures. At the last follow-up visits, THA via the MIS-2 approach was found to provide significantly earlier partial-weight-bearing ambulation, better postoperative Harris hip scores, and better ability to sit cross-legged and was found to be more preferred by patients than conventional THA. There were no significant differences in the complication rates for the two approaches. The present results show that MIS-2 THA is as safe as the conventional posterolateral approach in experienced hands and presents no additional complication risks.
Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Hip ; Humans ; Patient Preference ; Retrospective Studies ; Walking

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of an orally administered aqueous extract of glutinous rice (GRE) to protect against acute gastric mucosal lesions induced by ethanol, indomethacin, and water immersion restraint stress in rats and to characterize the active substances responsible for the protection. GRE was shown to dose-dependently prevent the gastric lesions induced by the above ulcerogenic treatments at doses of 30 to 300 mg/kg. GRE treatment increased the gastric mucin content and partially blocked the ethanol-induced depletion of the gastric mucus layer. Also, it increased the nonprotein sulfhydryl concentration in the gastric mucosa. The gastroprotective action of GRE was markedly enhanced by co-treatment with 4-8 mg/kg tea extracts. The activity of GRE was completely lost by heat treatment at 80degrees C for 3 min or treatment with 0.01% pepsin at 37degrees C for 1 h. Protein extraction studies indicated that prolamins are involved in the gastroprotective activity of GRE. Our results suggest that glutinous rice proteins are useful for the prevention and treatment of gastritis and peptic ulcer.
Animals ; Ethanol ; Gastric Mucins ; Gastric Mucosa ; Gastritis ; Hot Temperature ; Immersion ; Indomethacin ; Mucus ; Pepsin A ; Peptic Ulcer ; Prolamins ; Rats ; Tea ; Ulcer ; Water

The epithelium, including the respiratory system, acts as a selective gate between the outside environment and underlying tissue. Epithelial cells are polarized due to the formation of the apical junctional complex, which includes adherent junctions and tight junctions. Endothelial cells are one of the most important cellular constituents of blood vessels. Endothelial junctional proteins play important roles in tissue integrity as well as in vascular permeability, leukocyte extravasation, and angiogenesis. This review focuses on the apical junctional complex in respiratory diseases.
Blood Vessels ; Capillary Permeability ; Endothelial Cells ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Leukocytes ; Permeability ; Respiratory System ; Tight Junctions

An aneurysm of the subclavian artery is rare. Recently, we experienced a case of a ruptured subclavian artery aneurysm presenting as hemoptysis. The patient had experienced atypical chest discomfort, and computed tomography (CT) revealed a small aneurysm of the left subclavian artery (SCA). Hemoptysis occurred 2 weeks later. Follow-up CT showed a ruptured aneurysm at the proximal left SCA. Endovascular treatment with a graft stent was performed by bilateral arterial access with a 12-Fr introducer sheath placed via cutdown of the left axillary artery and an 8-Fr sheath in the right femoral artery. A self-expandable Viabahn covered stent measuring 13x5 mm was introduced retrogradely via the left axillary sheath and was positioned under contrast guidance with an 8-Fr JR4 guide through the femoral sheath. After the procedure, hemoptysis was not found, and the 3-month follow-up CT showed luminal patency of the left proximal SCA and considerable reduction of the hematoma.
Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, Ruptured ; Axillary Artery ; Femoral Artery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Phenobarbital ; Stents ; Subclavian Artery ; Thorax ; Transplants

Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) is an important gram-positive bacterium in dairy products. It is a rare cause of opportunistic infections with only four cases of Lactococcus peritoneal dialysis (PD) peritonitis reported in the literature. In Korea, L. lactis infection was first reported in a liver abscess patient in 2010; however, PD peritonitis with Lactococcus has not been reported in Korea. Recently, we experienced a case of Lactococcus-associated polymicrobial PD peritonitis. The patient was initially managed with broad-coverage antibiotics; however, owing to a poor response, the PD catheter was removed and the patient was switched to hemodialysis. We discuss this case and review the literature.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Catheters ; Dairy Products ; Humans ; Korea ; Lactococcus ; Lactococcus lactis ; Liver Abscess ; Opportunistic Infections ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Peritonitis ; Renal Dialysis