Objective: This study aimed to investigate the biochemical, histologic, and immunologic effects of post-treatment administration of fluvastatin in a hemorrhagic shock (HS) rat model. Methods: Experimental rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group: no drugs and did not undergo HS; control statin group: fluvastatin 1 mg/kg (no HS); HS group: normal saline after HS; HS+statin group: fluvastatin 1 mg/kg+normal saline after HS. Briefly, HS was induced by femoral arterial catheter blood extraction of 30% of the total blood volume. The mean arterial pressure and heart rate were monitored for 2 hours after starting blood withdrawal. Arterial blood gas, complete blood count, and serum cytokine levels were measured at baseline, 2 hours after HS, and 48 hours after resuscitation. The kidneys, lungs, and small intestines were removed for pathological examination 48 hours after HS. Results: At the end of the resuscitation period, the HS and HS+statin groups showed reduced bicarbonate, base excess, and platelet counts, all of which differed significantly from values in the control and control+statin groups. Compared to the control group, the HS+statin group exhibited significantly elevated serum interleukin-10 (IL-10) at 2 hours after resuscitation (P<0.05). Except for IL-10, the group-time interaction was not significant for other cytokine profiles. Conclusion This study demonstrates that post-treatment with fluvastatin after HS increases the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and affects the cytokine profiles in rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) C stage demonstrates considerable heterogeneity because it includes patients with either symptomatic tumors (performance status [PS], 1–2) or with an invasive tumoral pattern reflected by the presence of vascular invasion (VI) or extrahepatic spread (EHS). This study aimed to derive a more relevant staging system by modification of the BCLC system considering the prognostic implication of PS. METHODS: A total of 7,501 subjects who were registered in the Korean multicenter hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) registry database from 2008 to 2013 were analyzed. The relative goodness-of-fit between staging systems was compared using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and integrated area under the curve (IAUC). Three modified BCLC (m-BCLC) systems (#1, #2, and #3) were devised by reducing the role of PS. RESULTS: As a result, the BCLC C stage, which includes patients with PS 1–2 without VI/EHS, was reassigned to stage 0, A, or B according to their tumor burden in the m-BCLC #2 model. This model was identified as the most explanatory and desirable model for HCC staging by demonstrating the smallest AIC (AIC=70,088.01) and the largest IAUC (IAUC=0.722), while the original BCLC showed the largest AIC (AIC=70,697.17) and the smallest IAUC (IAUC=0.705). The m-BCLC #2 stage C was further subclassified into C1, C2, C3, and C4 according to the Child-Pugh score, PS, presence of EHS, and tumor extent. The C1 to C4 subgroups showed significantly different overall survival distribution between groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: An accurate and relevant staging system for patients with HCC was derived though modification of the BCLC system based on PS.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Liver ; Population Characteristics ; Tumor Burden

PURPOSE: Recent basic life support (BLS) guidelines recommend a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio (CV2) or chest compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CC); however, there are inevitable risks of interruption of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in CV2 and hypoxemia in CC. In this study, we compared the short-term outcomes among CC, CV2, and 30:1 CV ratio (CV1). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 42 pigs were randomly assigned to CC, CV1, or CV2 groups. After induction of ventricular fibrillation (VF), we observed pigs for 2 minutes without any intervention. Thereafter, BLS was started according to the assigned method and performed for 8 minutes. Defibrillation was performed after BLS and repeated every 2 minutes, followed by rhythm analysis. Advanced cardiac life support, including continuous chest compression with ventilation every 6 seconds and intravenous injection of 1 mg epinephrine every 4 minutes, was performed until the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) or 22 minutes after VF induction. Hemodynamic parameters and arterial blood gas profiles were compared among groups. ROSC, 24-hour survival, and neurologic outcomes were evaluated at 24 hours. RESULTS: The hemodynamic parameters during CPR did not differ among the study groups. Partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood and arterial oxygen saturation were lowest in the CC group, compared to those in the other groups, during the BLS period (p=0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). The CV1 groups showed a significantly higher rate of favorable neurologic outcome (swine CPC 1 or 2) than the other groups (p=0.044). CONCLUSION: CPR with CV1 could promote better neurologic outcome than CV2 and CC.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support ; Anoxia ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation* ; Epinephrine ; Heart Arrest* ; Hemodynamics ; Injections, Intravenous ; Methods ; Oxygen ; Partial Pressure ; Swine ; Thorax ; Treatment Outcome ; Ventilation* ; Ventricular Fibrillation

Anemia is a common cause of referrals to gastroenterologists. Only a small number of anemia cases result from vascular abnormalities. Visceral artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms are rare forms of vascular disease that have significant potential for rupture, resulting in potentially life-threatening hemorrhaging. We present the case of a 70-year-old female patient with a pseudoaneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery complicated with rupture, who had no abdominal pain and only anemia.
Abdominal Pain ; Aged ; Anemia* ; Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, False* ; Arteries ; Female ; Humans ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior* ; Referral and Consultation ; Rupture* ; Vascular Diseases

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine the efficacies of entecavir (ETV) in nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA)-naive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and in those with prior lamivudine (LAM) use who did not develop resistance. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 337 patients with CHB who were treated with ETV (0.5 mg daily) for at least 30 months. The study included 270 (80.1%) NA-naive patients and 67 (19.9%) LAM-use patients. Ten of the LAM-use patients were refractory to LAM therapy without developing resistance. RESULTS: Genotypic resistance to ETV developed more frequently in the LAM-use group (13.1%) than in the NA-naive group (2.6%) at 60 months (P=0.009). In subgroup analysis, after excluding the 10 patients who were refractory to LAM therapy, the cumulative probability of ETV resistance did not differ significantly between the two groups (P=0.149). Prior LAM refractoriness and a higher hepatitis B virus DNA level at month 12 were independent predictive factors for the development of ETV resistance. CONCLUSIONS: ETV resistance developed more frequently in LAM-use patients with CHB. However, prior LAM use without refractoriness did not affect the development of ETV resistance. The serum hepatitis B virus DNA level at month 12 was a major predictor for the development of ETV resistance.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents/*therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral/blood ; *Drug Resistance, Viral/genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Guanine/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/*drug therapy/virology ; Humans ; Lamivudine/*therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) leading to cardiopulmonary dysfunction is a potentially life-threatening complication in patients with central nervous system lesions. This case report describes a 28-yr woman with life-threatening fulminant NPE, which was refractory to conventional respiratory treatment, following the rupture of an aneurysm. She was treated successfully with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), although ECMO therapy is generally contraindicated in neurological injuries such as brain trauma and diseases that are likely to require surgical intervention. The success of this treatment suggests that ECMO therapy should not be withheld from patients with life-threatening fulminant NPE after subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Adult ; Brain/radiography ; Decompressive Craniectomy ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm/complications/*diagnosis ; Pulmonary Edema/*diagnosis/etiology/therapy ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/etiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the recanalization of acute cerebral stroke that were not effectively resolved by conventional intraarterial thrombolysis (IAT), we designed a double device technique to allow for rapid and effective reopening. In this article, we describe the feasibility and efficacy of this technique. METHODS: From January 2008 to September 2009, twenty patients with acute cerebral arterial occlusion (middle cerebral artery : n=12; internal carotid artery terminus : n=5; basilar artery : n=3) were treated by the double device technique. This technique was applied when conventional thrombolytic methods using drug, microwires, microcatheters and balloons did not result in recanalization. In the double device technique, two devices are simultaneously placed at the lesion (for example, one microcatheter and one balloon or two microcatheters). Chemicomechanical or mechanicomechanical thrombolysis was performed simultaneously using various combinations of two devices. Recanalization rates, procedural time, complications, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The initial median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was 16 (range 5-26). The double device technique was applied after conventional IAT methods failed. Recanalization was achieved in 18 patients (90%). Among them, 55% (11 cases) were complete (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2B, 3). The median thrombolytic procedural time including the conventional technique was 135+/-83.7 minutes (range 75-427). Major symptomatic hemorrhages (neurological deterioration > or =4 points in NIHSS) developed in two patients (10%). Good long term outcomes (modified Rankin Scale < or =2 at 90 days) occurred in 25% (n=5) of the cases. Mortality within 90 days developed in two cases (10%). CONCLUSION: The double device technique is a feasible and effective technical option for large vessel occlusion refractory to conventional thrombolysis.
Basilar Artery ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Cerebral Arteries ; Cerebral Infarction ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Stroke

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common subepithelial tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. They originate from mesenchymal tissue. Because of difficulties in discriminating between benign and malignant GISTs, the treatment modality is selected on the base of tumor size, mitosis count, location, originating layer, and the presence of complications. Regular follow-up, open resection, or laparoscopic operation were considered main treatments for GISTs. Surgical resection is standard treatment for a huge GIST. However, the treatment method is not determined for GISTs of less than 3 cm that show a benign clinical course. Recently, endoscopic treatment was attempted because of recent endoscope developments and associated devices. We report three cases of gastric GISTs with a high risk of aggressive behavior that were successfully treated by endoscopic resection.
Endoscopes ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Mitosis

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare aggressive primary skin cancer which mostly occurs in the elderly on sun-exposed skin. It usually presents as a solitary dome-shaped red or purple nodule on the head, neck and extremities. The mortality rate is higher than the rate for malignant melanoma because its local recurrence is common. Agent Orange, an herbicide widely used as a defoliant in the Vietnam War, contains dioxin contaminants and can cause several dermatoses and skin cancers. We report a case of multiple Merkel cell carcinoma in a 65-year-old male with lesions on the head and neck, who had been exposed to Agent Orange during Vietnam War.
2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid ; 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell ; Citrus sinensis ; Extremities ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Melanoma ; Neck ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Skin Neoplasms ; Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin ; Veterans ; Vietnam

Porokeratosis is a genodermatosis that is characterized by abnormal epidermal keratinization with the histologic finding of a cornoid lamella. Linear porokeratosis is an uncommon variant that presents a characteristic linear nevoid distribution along the Blaschko's lines and linear porokeratosis has the highest potential for malignant degeneration of all the porokeratoses. Many treatment modalities have been used, but the treatment outcomes are variable and the treatments are poorly standardized. We report here on a case of linear porokeratosis in a 48-year-old female who showed localized, linear, brownish macules with a well-demarcated hyperkeratotic border on the left lower abdomen and back.
Abdomen ; Female ; Humans ; Keratins ; Middle Aged ; Porokeratosis