Right Ventricular Compression Mimicking Brugada-Like Electrocardiogram in a Patient with Recurrent Pectus Excavatum.

Pectus excavatum (PE), the most common skeletal anomaly of chest wall, sometimes requires a surgical correction but recurrent PE is not uncommon. PE usually has a benign course; however, this chest deformity may be associated with symptomatic tachyarrhythmias due to mechanical compression. We report a case of a patient with recurrent PE after surgical correction presenting with palpitation and electrocardiogram (ECG) showing ST-segment elevation on the right precordial leads, which could be mistaken for a Brugada syndrome (BrS).

Berberine bioisostere Q8 compound stimulates osteoblast differentiation and function in vitro.

The Q8 compound is a unique derivative of berberine. The present study investigated the functional role of Q8 to evaluate its potential for use in bone regeneration, especially in osteoblast differentiation. The safe concentration of Q8 increased BMP4-induced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and induced RNA expression of ALP, bone sialoprotein (BSP), and osteocalcin (OC).

Adenovirus vector-mediated ex vivo gene transfer of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) tohuman umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs) promotescrush-injured rat sciatic nerve regeneration.

This study was designed toinvestigate the efficacy of adenovirus vector-mediated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) ex vivo gene transfer to human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs) in a rat sciatic nerve crush injury model. BDNF protein and mRNA expression after infection was checked through an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250g, 6 weeks old) were distributed into threegroups (n=20 each): the control group, UCB-MSC group, and BDNF-adenovirus infected UCB-MSC (BDNF-Ad+UCB-MSC) group.

Spontaneous Aggressive Conversion of Venous Drainage Pattern in Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Treated with Onyx Embolization.

We report a case of dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) that showed spontaneous conversion of venous drainage pattern from Borden type II to type III within a four month period of follow-up. Upon admission, the patient presented with aggravated neurologic status and newly developed seizure. After admission, endovascular embolization was performed through the middle meningeal artery with Onyx®.

Decreased expression of 5-HT1A in the circumvallate taste cells in an animal model of depression.

Objective: It has been reported that stress can cause anhedonia, a core symptom of depression, and also affect taste responses of the stressed subjects. Anhedonia refers to a reduction of the ability to experience pleasure, which can be detected by decreased response to palatable food in rats. The present study was conducted to examine if stress-induced anhedonia is accompanied by changes in gene expression for taste.

Simulated Microgravity Effects on Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Cell Proliferation and Migration.

Background: Despite improvements in medical technology, lung cancer metastasis remains a global health problem. The effects of microgravity on cell morphology, structure, functions, and their mechanisms have been widely studied; however, the biological effects of simulated microgravity on the interaction between cells and its eventual influence on the characteristics of cancer cells are yet to be discovered. We examined the effects of simulated microgravity on the metastatic ability of different lung cancer cells using a random positioning machine.

Small versus Large Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysm: Concerns with the Site of Aneurysm.

Background: Although size is one of the strongest predictors, small aneurysms often rupture. We compared the characteristics of small and large ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIAs) according to their location to find the factors associated with small RIAs in each location.

Methods: Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage due to saccular RIAs were consecutively enrolled.

Facile three-dimensional nanoarchitecturing of double-bent gold strips on roll-to-roll nanoimprinted transparent nanogratings for flexible and scalable plasmonic sensors.

We develop scalable 3D plasmonic nanoarchitectures comprising a double-bent nanoscale Au strip array integrated within the transparent nanograting framework, which can be continuously fabricated on a large-area flexible substrate via roll-to-roll nanoimprint lithography and angled Au deposition, realizing localized surface plasmon resonance with higher sensitivity in a smaller footprint.

Sensitivity of Computed Tomography Compared With that of Magnetic Resonance Myelography in the Presurgical Diagnosis of Foraminal or Extraforaminal Entrapment at the Lumbosacral Junction.

Study Design: This is a retrospective analysis.

Objective: To investigate and compare the sensitivities of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance myelography (MRM) in the presurgical diagnosis of foraminal or extraforaminal entrapment of the L5 nerve.

Summary Of Background Data: CT is more clinically available than MRM.

A Technically Simple and Safe Method for Preparing an Anterior Pericranial Flap Using Saline Injection into the Subgaleal Space: A Technical Note.

Background: Cranial defects following anterior cranial base surgery have been frequently reconstructed using the pericranial flap.

Methods: We present a simple technique for preparing the flap using injection of saline into the subgaleal space.

Results: We inserted a 20-gauge needle perpendicular to 8-10 spots in the frontal area and injected 5-7 mL of saline at each spot 10 minutes before skin incision.

Triple Stent Therapy for the Treatment of Vertebral Dissecting Aneurysms: Efficacy and Safety.

Background: There are several treatment modalities for vertebral dissecting aneurysms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of triple stent therapy for intracranial vertebral dissecting aneurysm (VDA).

Methods: Eight patients with 9 VDAs underwent multiple stent insertion therapy.

Treatment Strategy for Isolated Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Dissection.

Objective: Isolated dissections that develop on the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) require intensive treatment because of their potential fatality. However, because of the rarity of these dissections, the optimal treatment has not yet been established.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of all patients who underwent any PICA dissection treatment in our institute over the last 4 years.

Comparison of the effects of lipoic acid and glutathione against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in auditory cells.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to examine lipoic acid (LA)- or glutathione (GSH)-mediated protection against cytotoxicity following cisplatin exposure in HEI-OC1 auditory cells and measure the potential of LA and GSH to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study also compares their protective effects and discusses the determination of a preventive or therapeutic dose.

Methods: HEI-OC1 cells were pretreated with LA or GSH for 24 h and then exposed to 15 μM cisplatin for 48 h.

A Clinical Analysis of Secondary Surgery in Trigeminal Neuralgia Patients Who Failed Prior Treatment.

Objective: Although many treatment modalities have been introduced for trigeminal neuralgia (TN), the long-term clinical results remain unsatisfactory. It has been particularly challenging to determine an appropriate treatment strategy for patients who have responded poorly to initial therapies. We analyzed the surgical outcomes in TN patients who failed prior treatments.

Expression of Steroidogenesis-related Genes in Rat Adipose Tissues.

Adipose tissue is one of the major endocrine gland. More recently, local production of steroids in adipocytes differentiated from mouse 3T3-L1 cell-line was reported. We hypothesized that rat adipocytes have steroidogenic machinery and the expression patterns of the components might be differentially regulated, depending on the distribution and sex.

All cause mortality and body mass index in a young Asian occupational cohort without baseline metabolic syndrome components.

Background: The aim was to investigate associations between underweight, overweight and obesity and all cause, cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, excluding subjects with known CVD, diabetes, hypertension and components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) at baseline.

Methods: The study population consisted of examinees participating in a health screening in Korea from 2002 to 2013. Data were analyzed in 162,194 subjects (in a retrospective cohort study design-median (interquartile range (IQR) follow-up 4.

Fundamental Basis of Scalp Layering Techniques to Protect Against Wound Infection: A Comparative Study Between Conventional and In-to-Out Dissection of the Superficial Temporal Artery.

Background: Superficial temporal artery (STA) to middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass is associated with several surgical problems. Despite the vascular patency and hemodynamic changes after the anastomosis, wound problems can be a major surgical complication.

Methods: In a review of 41 surgical cases of STA-MCA bypass for moyamoya disease or cerebral occlusive vascular disease, we compared the conventional (out-to-in) dissection method for STA (n = 23) with the in-to-out (ITO) dissection method (n = 18) and evaluated the surgical results with respect to wound problems.

Effect of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Exposure on the Reproductive Organs of Immature Female Rats.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin, elicits strong immune responses in mammals. Several lines of evidence demonstrate that LPS challenge profoundly affects female reproductive function. For example, LPS exposure affects steroidogenesis and folliculogenesis, resulting in delayed puberty onset.

Urine Albumin/Creatinine Ratio Below 30 mg/g is a Predictor of Incident Hypertension and Cardiovascular Mortality.

Background: Microalbuminuria is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, but whether lower levels of urine albumin excretion similarly predict CVD is uncertain. We investigated associations between urine albumin:creatinine ratio (UACR) <30 mg/g, and incident hypertension, incident diabetes mellitus, and all-cause and CVD mortality, during a maximum of 11 years of follow-up.

Methods And Results: Individuals (37 091) in a health screening program between 2002 and 2012 with baseline measurements of UACR were studied.

Relation of Deep Paraspinal Muscles' Cross-Sectional Area of the Cervical Spine and Bone Union in Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion: A Retrospective Study.

Objective: In the cervical spine, deep paraspinal muscles (DPMs) function to preserve spinal stability and mobility. However, the relationship between DPMs and bone union after cervical fusion surgery has not yet been investigated. The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the cross-sectional area (CSA) of DPMs and bone union after cage alone anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF).

Baseline and Change in Uric Acid Concentration Over Time Are Associated With Incident Hypertension in Large Korean Cohort.

Background: It is uncertain whether high-baseline uric acid (UA) or change in UA concentration over time is related to development of incident hypertension. To investigate relationships between: (i) baseline serum UA concentration and (ii) change in UA concentration and incident hypertension.

Methods: About 96,606 Korean individuals (with follow-up UA data available for 56,085 people) participating in a health check program was undertaken.

Coordination of Brain-Wide Activity Dynamics by Dopaminergic Neurons.

Several neuropsychiatric conditions, such as addiction and schizophrenia, may arise in part from dysregulated activity of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (TH) neurons, as well as from more global maladaptation in neurocircuit function. However, whether TH activity affects large-scale brain-wide function remains unknown. Here we selectively activated TH neurons in transgenic rats and measured resulting changes in whole-brain activity using stimulus-evoked functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Pin1 enhances adipocyte differentiation by positively regulating the transcriptional activity of PPARγ.

Pin1 is a peptidylprolyl cis/trans isomerase and it has a unique enzymatic activity of catalyzing isomerization of the peptide bond between phospho-serine/threonine and proline. Through the conformational change of its substrates, Pin1 regulates diverse biological processes including adipogenesis. In mouse embryonic fibroblasts and 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, overexpression of Pin1 enhances adipocyte differentiation whereas inhibition of Pin1 activity suppresses it.

Minimally invasive curved-micro-drainer (CMD) capable of innocuous drainage of subretinal fluid for the treatment of retinal detachment.

Retinal detachment is a serious vision threatening disease. Current consensus for the treatment of retinal detachment is to reattach the retina onto the choroid layer by drainage of accumulated subretinal fluid. Although several surgical methods have been developed, no satisfactory visual outcome has been obtained without surgical complications such as unintended puncture and hemorrhage of the retina and choroid tissue.

Radial Artery Graft Bypass with Endovascular Trapping of the Internal Carotid Artery for Recurrent Carotid Cavernous Fistula: Different Surgical Fields, Different Surgical Considerations.

Background: Venous infarction in the brainstem caused by venous congestion is an extremely rare complication of traumatic carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs). This condition requires immediate treatment and a multimodal treatment strategy is needed to prevent recurrence.

Case Description: A 24-year-old man presented with exophthalmos and chemosis after a bicycle accident.