Spontaneous coronary artery dissection mimicking coronary spasm diagnosed by intravascular ultrasonography.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare and occasionally life-threatening cause of acute coronary syndrome. Patients may present with clinical scenarios ranging from angina pectoris to cardiogenic shock to sudden cardiac death, and it may be a potentially life-threatening condition if not recognized. However, its etiology, pathophysiology and optimal therapeutic strategies have not been well understood.

Quantitative assessment of aortic elasticity with aging using velocity-vector imaging and its histologic correlation.

Objective: Velocity-vector imaging (VVI) represents a valuable new method for noninvasive quantification of vascular properties associated with aging. The purpose of this study was to assess the correlations between VVI parameters and histological changes with aging.

Approach And Results: Fourteen mongrel dogs were classified as either young (n=7; age, 1-2 years; female; weighing 22-29 kg) or senescent (n=7; age, 8-12 years; female; weighing 36-45 kg).

C-reactive protein induces p53-mediated cell cycle arrest in H9c2 cardiac myocytes.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the most important biomarker for cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies have shown that CRP affects cell survival, differentiation and apoptosis. However, the effect of CRP on the cell cycle has not been studied yet.

Recurrent dissociation of the tibial insert after mini-subvastus posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasty: a case report.

We report here on an unusual case of recurrent dissociation of a polyethylene tibial insert from its metal baseplate after high-flex posterior-stabilized (PS) Genesis II total knee arthroplasty with using the mini-subvastus approach. After the 1st episode of dissociation, which had happened 1 month after the primary surgery, we changed the tibial insert and found damages on the dovetails and the post of the retrieved insert. Unfortunately, the patient suffered the same dissociation 1 month after the tibial insert was changed.

Factors affecting patients' graft choice in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Background: Multiple studies have reported that allografts are acceptable alternatives to autografts for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions. Our clinical practice allows patient involvement in graft decision-making. This study examined the patients' preference for graft selection and the factors affecting their decision.

Inter- and intra-observer variability of a cervical OPLL classification using reconstructed CT images.

Background: The lateral radiograph-based system described by Tsuyama is used widely to classify ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the cervical spine. However, OPLL is a complex 3-dimensional (3-D) lesion, not a simple and uniplanar one, which is often difficult to identify on a lateral radiograph. Furthermore, its reliability among spine surgeons has not been investigated.

Effect of hyperglycemia on apoptosis of notochordal cells and intervertebral disc degeneration in diabetic rats.

Object: Diabetes mellitus is thought to be an important etiologic factor in intervertebral disc degeneration. It is known that notochordal cells gradually disappear from the nucleus pulposus (NP) of the intervertebral disc with age by undergoing apoptosis. What is not known is whether diabetes has an effect on apoptotic rates of notochordal cells.

Serum Levels of TGF-beta1, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Disc Herniation.

Study Design: The serum levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-2 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Purpose: To compare the serum levels of TGF-beta1, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 between patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and disc herniation.

Overview Of Literature: It has been reported that increased concentrations of TGF-beta1, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the ligamentum flavum might be a possible pathogenesis for ligamentum flavum hypertrophy in spinal stenosis.