Purpose: Intensive cytotoxic chemotherapy increases the risk of infection in patients with cancer by inducing bone marrow suppression and mucosal injury. Febrile neutropenia (FN) is the most important clinical adverse event in patients with cancer receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy. To prevent FN, standard precautions including hand and respiratory hygiene are generally recommended, but the exact effect of non-pharmacologic intervention has not been clearly proven in the clinical setting. We aimed to compare the incidence of FN between the pre-coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) era vs. the postCOVID-19 era. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled patients with breast cancer who received an adriamycin and cyclophosphamide (AC) regimen containing adjuvant chemotherapy at Jeju National University Hospital. We compared the incidence of FN between the pre- and post-COVID-19 period and analyzed characteristics of the event and other clinical risk factors. Results: In total, 149 patients were enrolled, including 94 who received AC chemotherapy in the pre-COVID-19 era and 55 who received it in the post-COVID-19 era. Sixteen patients (10.7%) experienced FN. Fourteen (14.9%) and 2 events (3.6%) occurred in pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 eras, respectively. The post-COVID-19 era was the only risk factor for FN (P = 0.032). Conclusion We found an association between FN occurrence and the COVID-19 outbreak, providing indirect evidence of the importance of non-pharmacological measures to reduce FN risk in patients with breast cancer. Further research is required to confirm the standard precautions for FN prevention in patients with cancer.

BACKGROUND: Since primates have more biological similarities to humans than do other animals, they are a valuable resource in various field of research, including biomedicine, regenerative medicine, and drug discovery. However, there remain limitations to maintenance and expansion of primary hepatocytes derived from nonhuman primates. To overcome these limitations, we developed a novel culture system for primate cells. METHODS: Primary hepatocytes from Macaca fascicularis (mf-PHs) were isolated from hepatectomized liver. To generate chemically derived hepatic progenitor cells (mf-CdHs), mf-PHs were cultured with reprogramming medium containing A83-01, CHIR99021, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). The bi-potent differentiation capacity of mf-CdHs into hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells was confirmed by treatment with hepatic differentiation medium (HDM) and cholangiocytic differentiation medium (CDM), respectively. RESULTS: mf-PHs cultured with reprogramming medium showed rapid proliferation capacity in vitro and expressed progenitor-specific markers. Moreover, when cultured in HDM, these progenitor cells stably differentiated into hepatocytelike cells expressing the mature hepatic markers. On the other hand, when cultured in CDM, the differentiated biliary epithelial cells expressed mature cholangiocyte characteristics. CONCLUSION The results of the present study demonstrate that we successfully induced the formation of hepatic progenitor cells from mf-PHs by culturing them with a combination of small molecules, including growth factors. These results offer a means of expanding nonhuman primate hepatocytes without genetic manipulation for cellular resource, preclinical applications and regenerative medicine for the liver.

BACKGROUND: Since primates have more biological similarities to humans than do other animals, they are a valuable resource in various field of research, including biomedicine, regenerative medicine, and drug discovery. However, there remain limitations to maintenance and expansion of primary hepatocytes derived from nonhuman primates. To overcome these limitations, we developed a novel culture system for primate cells. METHODS: Primary hepatocytes from Macaca fascicularis (mf-PHs) were isolated from hepatectomized liver. To generate chemically derived hepatic progenitor cells (mf-CdHs), mf-PHs were cultured with reprogramming medium containing A83-01, CHIR99021, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). The bi-potent differentiation capacity of mf-CdHs into hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells was confirmed by treatment with hepatic differentiation medium (HDM) and cholangiocytic differentiation medium (CDM), respectively. RESULTS: mf-PHs cultured with reprogramming medium showed rapid proliferation capacity in vitro and expressed progenitor-specific markers. Moreover, when cultured in HDM, these progenitor cells stably differentiated into hepatocytelike cells expressing the mature hepatic markers. On the other hand, when cultured in CDM, the differentiated biliary epithelial cells expressed mature cholangiocyte characteristics. CONCLUSION The results of the present study demonstrate that we successfully induced the formation of hepatic progenitor cells from mf-PHs by culturing them with a combination of small molecules, including growth factors. These results offer a means of expanding nonhuman primate hepatocytes without genetic manipulation for cellular resource, preclinical applications and regenerative medicine for the liver.

Background: Symptom burden is an important factor in determining the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is frequently accompanied by heart failure (HF). This study investigated the characteristics of AF symptoms with concomitant HF. Methods: A total of 4885 patients with AF were consecutively enrolled through a prospective observational registry (the Comparison Study of Drugs for Symptom Control and Complication Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation [CODE-AF] registry). Clinically diagnosed HF was divided into three categories (preserved, mid-range, and reduced ejection fraction [EF]). Symptom severity was assessed using the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) classification. Results: The presence of AF-related symptoms was comparable irrespective of concomitant HF. Patients with HF with reduced EF demonstrated severe (EHRA classes 3 and 4) and atypical symptoms. HF with preserved EF was also associated with atypical symptoms. Female sex and AF type were associated with the presence of symptoms in AF without HF, and non-maintenance of sinus rhythm and increased left atrial pressure (E/e′ ≥ 15) were factors related to the presence of symptoms in AF with HF. Conclusion AF with concomitant HF presented with more severe and atypical symptoms than AF without HF. Maintaining the sinus rhythm and reducing the E/e’ ratio are important factors for reducing symptoms in AF with concomitant HF.

A 72-year-old woman was diagnosed with Kümmell's disease of the T12 and L3 vertebrae. During bone cement injection under continuous fluoroscopic guidance, bone cement spread beyond the posterior border of the T12 vertebral body. We halted the injection immediately. A few minutes later, the patient complained of increasing right lower quadrant abdominal pain. This was diagnosed as a preceding sign of neurological complication due to thermal injury. Consequently, we administered an epidural steroid injection, followed by cooled normal saline irrigation through an epidural catheter to minimize and treat the thermal injury. The pain gradually decreased after saline irrigation and completely disappeared after approximately 10 minutes. After completing the percutaneous vertebroplasty, the patient's lower back pain improved without neurological complications. In conclusion, immediate epidural steroid injection followed by cooled normal saline irrigation through epidural catheterization can be used to treat thermal injury due to bone cement leakage.
Abdominal Pain ; Aged ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Female ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Spine ; Vertebroplasty

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an increased risk for cardiovascular events in relation to both short- and long-term exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM). Several plausible mechanistic pathways have been described, including an enhanced propensity for arrhythmias, systemic inflammatory responses, and the chronic promotion of atherosclerosis. On the basis of this review, several new findings were reached, including the following: exposure to PM including PM <2.5 microm in diameter can trigger cardiovascular disease-related mortality; longer-term exposure (e.g., a few years) increases the risk for cardiovascular mortality; reductions in PM levels are associated with decreases in cardiovascular mortality within a period as short as a few years; and many credible pathological mechanisms have been elucidated that lend biological plausibility to these findings. It is the opinion of the writing group that the overall evidence is consistent with a causal relationship between PM exposure and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Finally, PM exposure is deemed a modifiable factor that contributes to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this statement is to develop evidence-based practical guidelines for healthcare professionals and regulatory agencies with a comprehensive review of the literature on air pollution and cardiovascular disease and a specific focus on the clinical implications.
Air Pollution ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atherosclerosis ; Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Dust* ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Mortality ; Particulate Matter ; Writing

Muscle stem cells, which are known as satellite cells have heterogeneous components of committed myogenic progenitors, non-committed satellite cells, and mesenchymal stem cells. This distinguishing organization of self-renewal and differentiation capacities encourages the remarkable regenerative ability of skeletal muscles. Lately it has been proved that the satellite cell is the derivation of muscle regeneration and with the self-renew function, it roles as a true muscle stem cell. Therefore, stem cell therapy using satellite cells is considered to be ideal therapy for muscular dystrophies, which is deficient in specific muscle protein and causes muscle degeneration. Especially, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), which is caused by mutations at the dystrophin gene, has been targeted by much research. In this article the satellite cell characteristics, regulation of cell function, and stem cell therapy for DMD and the present progressive clinical trials will be reviewed.
Dystrophin ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Muscle Proteins ; Muscle, Skeletal* ; Muscular Dystrophies ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne* ; Regeneration ; Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle ; Stem Cells*

Content analysis of flavonoids (epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, and rutin) present in the leaves of Boehmeria nivea (originating from Geumsan-myeon, Biin-myeon, Hansan-myeon, and Baeksu-eup) and their commercial products (ramie tteok, ramie songpyeon, ramie bory-tteok, and ramie tea) was conducted by HPLC. The content of epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, and rutin was highest in the leaves of B. nivea from Geumsanmyeon (0.138 mg/g), Baeksu-eup (1.654 mg/g) and Geumsan-myeon (12.205 mg/g), respectively. With respect to commercial products, the content of epicatechin and epicatechin gallate was highest in ramie tea, with concentrations of 1.879 and 1.090 mg/g, respectively. Given these flavonoid concentrations, B. nivea leaf extracts have the potential to be used as additives in natural medicinal products, health supplements, and beverages.
Beverages ; Boehmeria* ; Catechin ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Flavonoids ; Rutin ; Tea

The root of Panax ginseng, is a Korea traditional medicine, which is used in both raw and processed forms due to their different pharmacological activities. As part of a continued chemical investigation of ginseng, the focus of this research is on the isolation and identification of compounds from Panax ginseng root by open column chromatography, medium pressure liquid chromatography, semi-preparative-high performance liquid chromatography, Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometric, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins were isolated from Panax ginseng root by open column chromatography, medium pressure liquid chromatography, and semi-preparative-high performance liquid chromatography. Their structures were identified as protopanaxadiol ginsenosides [gypenoside-V (1), ginsenosides-Rb1 (2), -Rb2 (3), -Rb3 (4), -Rc (5), and -Rd (6)], protopanaxatriol ginsenosides [20(S)-notoginsenoside-R2 (7), notoginsenoside-Rt (8), 20(S)-O-glucoginsenoside-Rf (9), 6-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3beta,12beta, 20(S)-dihydroxy-dammar-25-en-24-one (10), majoroside-F6 (11), pseudoginsenoside-Rt3 (12), ginsenosides-Re (13), -Re5 (14), -Rf (15), -Rg1 (16), -Rg2 (17), and -Rh1 (18), and vinaginsenoside-R15 (19)], and oleanene ginsenosides [calenduloside-B (20) and ginsenoside-Ro (21)] through the interpretation of spectroscopic analysis. The configuration of the sugar linkages in each saponin was established on the basic of chemical and spectroscopic data. Among them, compounds 1, 8, 10, 11, 12, 19, and 20 were isolated for the first time from P. ginseng root.
Chromatography ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Ginsenosides ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Medicine, Korean Traditional ; Panax* ; Saponins*

Tracheal invasion is an uncommon complication of thyroid cancer, but it can cause respiratory failure. A rigid bronchoscope may be used to help relieve airway obstruction, but general anesthesia is usually required. Tracheal balloon dilatation and stent insertion can be performed without general anesthesia, but complete airway obstruction during balloon inflation may be dangerous in some patients. Additionally, placement of the stent adjacent to the vocal cords can be technically challenging. An 86-year-old female patient with tracheal invasion resulting from thyroid cancer was admitted to our hospital because of worsening dyspnea. Due to the patient's refusal of general anesthesia and the interventional radiologist's difficulty in completing endotracheal stenting, we performed endotracheal tube balloon dilatation and argon plasma coagulation. We have successfully treated tracheal obstruction in the patient with thyroid cancer by using endotracheal tube balloon inflation and a flexible bronchoscope without general anesthesia or airway obstruction during balloon inflation.
Aged, 80 and over ; Airway Obstruction ; Anesthesia, General ; Argon Plasma Coagulation ; Bronchoscopes ; Bronchoscopy ; Dilatation ; Disulfiram ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Humans ; Inflation, Economic* ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Stents ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Trachea ; Vocal Cords