Comparison of Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing a Salvage Procedure for Thrombosed Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Grafts.

Background: The major limitation of arteriovenous graft access is the high incidence of thrombotic occlusion. This study investigated the outcomes of our salvage strategy for thrombosed hemodialysis arteriovenous grafts (including surgical thrombectomy with balloon angioplasty) and evaluated the efficacy of intragraft curettage.

Methods: Salvage operations were performed for 290 thrombotic occluded arteriovenous grafts with clinical stenotic lesions from 2010 to 2018.

Sternal Resection and Reconstruction for Solitary Plasmacytoma of the Sternum: Case Report.

A 63-year-old patient was admitted with a sternal fracture and mass. On evaluation, most of the body of the sternum had been destroyed by a tumor. Radical resection of the sternum was performed and part of the major pectoral muscles adherent to the sternal tumor was also resected.

Upregulation of receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background/aims: Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 (ROR2) is a major regulator of Wnt signaling, which is involved in fibroblast dysfunction. Because its role has not been evaluated in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), we examined the clinical implications of ROR2 expression.

Methods: ROR2 mRNA expression was measured using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in lung tissue-derived fibroblasts from IPF patients (n = 14) and from controls (n = 10).

The S100 calcium-binding protein A4 level is elevated in the lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Fibroblast dysfunction is the main pathogenic mechanism of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). S100 calcium-binding protein A4 (S100A4) plays critical roles in the proliferation of fibroblasts and in the development of pulmonary, hepatic, and renal fibrosis. However, the clinical implications of S100A4 in IPF have not been evaluated.

Intralobar pulmonary sequestration with cystic degeneration mimicking a bronchogenic cyst in an elderly patient: A case report and literature review.

Introduction: Pulmonary sequestration (PS) is a rare congenital malformation defined as nonfunctioning lung tissue supplied by systemic circulation. It is uncommonly diagnosed in adults. Herein, we describe a clinical case of PS with cystic degeneration mimicking a bronchogenic cyst in an elderly patient.

Prognostic value of baseline carcinoembryonic antigen and cytokeratin 19 fragment levels in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA 21-1) levels are prognostic predictors in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, even in patients with the same stage of cancer, the serum levels of those markers often vary.

Objective: We investigated the association between the initial biomarker levels and prognosis.

Metabolic Profiling Regarding Pathogenesis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, eventually fatal disease characterized by fibrosis of the lung parenchyma and loss of lung function. IPF is believed to be caused by repetitive alveolar epithelial cell injury and dysregulated repair process including uncontrolled proliferation of lung (myo) fibroblasts and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins in the interstitial space; however, the pathogenic pathways involved in IPF have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we attempted to characterize metabolic changes of lung tissues involved in the pathogenesis of IPF using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolic profiling.

Totally endovascular aortic arch repair by branched stent graft placement.

Several methods for endovascular aortic arch repair have been proposed to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with conventional open surgery for aortic arch aneurysms. We report our experience with aortic arch aneurysm repair by a totally endovascular technique, that is, a "reversed" stent graft technique using branched stent grafts.

Two-stage Surgery for an Aortoesophageal Fistula Caused by Tuberculous Esophagitis.

An aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is an extremely rare, potentially fatal condition, and aortic surgery is usually performed together with extracorporeal circulation. However, this surgical method has a high rate of surgical complications and mortality. This report describes an AEF caused by tuberculous esophagitis that was treated successfully using a two-stage operation.

A promoter SNP rs4073T>A in the common allele of the interleukin 8 gene is associated with the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis via the IL-8 protein enhancing mode.

Background: Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a potent chemo-attractant cytokine responsible for neutrophil infiltration in lungs with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The IL-8 protein and mRNA expression are increased in the lung with IPF. We evaluated the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the IL-8 gene on the risk of IPF.

Interleukin-13 and its receptors in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia: clinical implications for lung function.

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) is characterized by varying degrees of interstitial fibrosis. IL-13 and IL-4 are strong inducers of tissue fibrosis, whereas IFN-gamma has antifibrotic potential. However, the roles of these substances in IIP remain unknown.