Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide, and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a phenomenon characterized by a deterioration in cardiac function and structure, independent of vascular complications. Among many possible causes, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and angiotensin II have been proposed as major drivers of DCM development. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the effects of pharmacological activation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on DCM. Methods: The ACE2 activator diminazene aceturate (DIZE) was administered intraperitoneally to male db/db mice (8 weeks old) for 8 weeks. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to assess cardiac mass and function in mice. Cardiac structure and fibrotic changes were examined using histology and immunohistochemistry. Gene and protein expression levels were examined using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. Additionally, RNA sequencing was performed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the effects of DIZE and identify novel potential therapeutic targets for DCM. Results: Echocardiography revealed that in DCM, the administration of DIZE significantly improved cardiac function as well as reduced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Transcriptome analysis revealed that DIZE treatment suppresses oxidative stress and several pathways related to cardiac hypertrophy. Conclusion DIZE prevented the diabetes mellitus-mediated structural and functional deterioration of mouse hearts. Our findings suggest that the pharmacological activation of ACE2 could be a novel treatment strategy for DCM.

Objective: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. The statins have shown beneficial effects on cognitive functions and reduced the risk of dementia development. However, the exact mechanisms of statin effects in AD are not yet fully understood. In this study, we aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms of statin on AD. Methods: We downloaded AD blood dataset (GSE63060) and statin-related blood gene expression dataset (GSE86216). Then we performed gene expression analysis of each dataset and compared blood gene expressions between AD patients and statin-treated patients. Then, we downloaded mouse embryonic neural stem cell dataset (GSE111945) and performed gene expression analysis. Results: From the human blood dataset, we identified upregulated/downregulated genes in AD patients and statin-treated patients. Some of the upregulated genes (AEN, MBTPS1, ABCG1) in the blood of AD patients are downregulated in statin-treated patients. Several downregulated genes (FGL2, HMGCS1, PSME2, SRSF3, and ATG3) are upregulated in statintreated patients. Gene set enrichment analysis using mouse stem cell dataset revealed a significant relationship of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes-defined pathway of AD in statin-treated neural stem cells compared to vehicle-treated neural stem cells (normalized enrichment score: −2.24 in male and −1.6 in female). Conclusion These gene expression analyses from human blood and mouse neural stem cell demonstrate the important clues on the molecular mechanisms of impacts of statin on AD disease. Further studies are needed to investigate the exact role of candidate genes and pathways suggested in our AD pathogenesis study.

Fascial plane blocks are useful for multimodal analgesia after cardiac surgery since they can provide effective analgesia without the serious risks associated with conventional techniques such as neuraxial hematoma and pneumothorax. This narrative review covers blocks performed at the parasternal intercostal, interpectoral, pectoserratus, serratus anterior, erector spinae, and retrolaminar planes, which are targets for fascial plane blocks in cardiac surgery. Brief anatomical considerations, mechanisms, and currently available evidence are reviewed. Additionally, recent evidence on fascial plane blocks for subcutaneous-implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation are also reviewed.

Extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) is a rare adenocarcinoma that usually occurs in areas of the body that are rich in apocrine sweat glands. Great depth of tumor invasion is a well-known risk factor for worse prognosis. Paget cells usually are limited to the epidermis, whereas invasive EMPD, which infiltrates the dermis, is relatively rare. It is even rarer for the tumor to spread beyond the dermis. Only 3.1% of patients with EMPD of the penis and scrotum have exhibited infiltration of the subcutaneous fat layer. We report a case of a 62-year-old male with EMPD that invaded the subcutaneous fat layer. He presented with a several-year history of a slowly expanding erythematous plaque with the hypopigmented area on the left penoscrotum. One month before presentation, the patient had undergone punch biopsy at another hospital and diagnosed with EMPD. He had no personal history of urogenital cancers. The patient was treated with Mohs micrographic surgery, and negative margins were achieved after four stages. The histopathologic findings revealed Paget cells scattered throughout the epidermis. At the hypopigmented area, Paget cells extended to the subcutaneous fat layer with lymphovascular invasion. There was no evidence of recurrence at seven months postoperatively. Herein, we describe a case of hypopigmented EMPD that infiltrated the subcutaneous layer, which rarely has been reported in Korea.

Background: Among the various diaphragm-sparing alternatives to interscalene block, costoclavicular block (CCB) demonstrated a low hemidiaphragmatic paresis (HDP) occurrence but an inconsistent analgesic effect in arthroscopic shoulder surgery. We hypothesized that a larger volume of local anesthetic for CCB could provide sufficient analgesia by achieving sufficient supraclavicular spreading. Methods: Sixty patients scheduled for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were randomly assigned to receive CCB using one of two volumes of local anesthetic (CCB20, 0.75% ropivacaine 20 ml; CCB40, 0.375% ropivacaine 40 ml). The primary outcome was the rate of complete analgesia (0 on the numeric rating scale of pain) at 1 h postoperatively. The secondary outcomes included a sonographic assessment of local anesthetic spread, diaphragmatic function, pulmonary function, postoperative opioid use, and other pain-related experiences within 24 h postoperatively. Results: The rates of complete analgesia were not significantly different (23.3% [7/30] and 33.3% [10/30] in the CCB20 and CCB40 groups, respectively; risk difference 10%, 95% CI [–13, 32], P = 0.567). There were no significant differences in other pain-related outcomes. Among the clinical factors considered, the only factor significantly associated with postoperative pain was the sonographic observation of supraclavicular spreading. There were no significant differences in the incidence of HDP and the change in pulmonary function between the two groups. Conclusions Using 40 ml of local anesthetic does not guarantee supraclavicular spread during CCB. Moreover, it does not result in a higher rate of complete analgesia compared to using 20 ml of local anesthetic in arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Previous studies have found that firefighters have a tenfold higher prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) compare to the general population. Firefighters are constantly exposed to various occupational hazards including toxic chemicals of fire residue and the toxic chemicals can effects development and progression of PD. Nevertheless, there were no studies about the association between exposure to chemical byproducts of combustion and the development of PD among firefighters. Thus the aim of this study is to look into existing researches regarding the effect of chemical byproducts of combustion on the development of PD. An extensive literature search was conducted to identify harmful chemical components of smoke and fire residue, using the PubMed database during November of 2016. We searched for relevant articles by combining several keywords that contained “Parkinson's disease” and each of the different toxic chemicals, yielding a total of 1401 articles. After applying the selection criteria, 12 articles were chosen. Chemical substances reported to have a harmful effect on PD, in at least one article, were carbon monoxide, toluene, manganese and lead. Carbon monoxide and metal substances including manganese and lead were found to be associated with an increased PD risk in more than two articles. There was a heightened risk of PD in firefighters due to exposure of chemical byproducts of combustion including carbon monoxide, toluene, man-ganese and lead. However, to the best of our knowledge, to support this result we need more systematic epidemiological studies about these risk factors of PD among firefighters. In addition, further studies for the effects of prolonged exposure to toxic fire residue on the development and progression of PD in firefighters are needed.
Carbon Monoxide ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Firefighters* ; Fires* ; Humans ; Manganese ; Parkinson Disease* ; Patient Selection ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Toluene

Background: The optimal insertion length for right subclavian vein catheterization in infants has not been determined. This study retrospectively compared landmark-based and linear regression model-based estimation of optimal insertion length for right subclavian vein catheterization in pediatric patients of corrected age < 1 year. Methods: Fifty catheterizations of the right subclavian vein were analyzed. The landmark related distances were: from the needle insertion point (I) to the tip of the sternal head of the right clavicle (A) and from A to the midpoint (B) of the perpendicular line drawn from the sternal head of the right clavicle to the line connecting the nipples. The optimal length of insertion was retrospectively determined by reviewing post-procedural chest radiographs. Estimates using a landmark-based equation (IA + AB – intercept) and a linear regression model were compared with the optimal length of insertion. Results: A landmark-based equation was determined as IA + AB – 5. The mean difference between the landmark-based estimate and the optimal insertion length was 1.0 mm (95% limits of agreement –18.2 to 20.3 mm). The mean difference between the linear regression model (26.681 – 4.014 × weight + 0.576 × IA + 0.537 × AB – 0.482 × postmenstrual age) and the optimal insertion length was 0 mm (95% limits of agreement –16.7 to 16.7 mm). The difference between the estimates using these two methods was not significant. Conclusion A simple landmark-based equation may be useful for estimating optimal insertion length in pediatric patients of corrected age < 1 year undergoing right subclavian vein catheterization.

Background: The corner pocket (CP) approach for supraclavicular block (SCB) prevents ulnar nerve (UN) sparing due to needle proximity to the lower trunk. Improved ultrasound resolution has suggested that the intertruncal (IT) approach is a suitable alternative method. We compared efficiency of these two approaches on the UN blockade. Methods: Sixty patients were randomized to undergo SCB using the ultrasound-guided CP or IT approach. For lower trunk blockade, 10 ml of local anesthetic agents (1 : 1 mixture of 0.75% ropivacaine and 1% lidocaine) were injected in the CP (CP approach) or between the lower and middle trunks (IT approach). Additional 15 ml was injected identically to block the middle and upper trunks in both groups. Sensory and motor blockade was evaluated after intervention. Results: Complete sensory blockade (75.9% [22/29] vs. 43.3% [13/30], P = 0.023) and complete motor blockade (82.8% [24/29] vs. 50.0% [15/30], P = 0.017) of the UN at 15 min after SCB were significantly more frequent in the IT than in the CP group. Sensory block onset time of the UN was significantly shorter in the IT compared to the CP group (15.0 [10.0; 15.0] min vs. 20.0 [15.0; 20.0] min; P = 0.012). Conclusions The IT approach provided a more rapid onset of UN blockade than the CP approach. These results suggest that the IT approach is a suitable alternative to the CP approach and can provide faster surgical readiness.