Association of Chemokines and Chemokine Receptor Expression with Monocytic-Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells during Tumor Progression

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are highly immunosuppressive myeloid cells that show increased expression in cancer patients; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying their generation and function are unclear. Whereas granulocytic-MDSCs correlate with poor overall survival in breast cancer (BC), the presence and relevance of monocytic (Mo)-MDSCs are unknown. Here, we report for the first time increased chemokine and chemokine receptor production by Mo-MDSCs in BC patients. A clear population of Mo-MDSCs with the typical cell surface phenotype (human leukocyte antigen-antigen D related [HLA-DR]low/− CD11b+ CD33+ CD14+) increased significantly during disease progression. In addition, the chemokine receptor expression level on Mo-MDSCs in patients with invasive BC was the highest. Furthermore, different chemokine receptor expression patterns were noted in Mo-MDSCs between healthy controls (HC) and BC patients. Additionally, CD4 T cells proliferations were significantly decreased in the invasive BC groups compared with the HC group. However, the ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) group had no significantly compared with the HC group. Our data suggest that monitoring chemokine and chemokine receptor production by Mo-MDSCs may represent a novel and simple biomarker for assessing disease progression in BC patients.

Mu-Opioid Receptor Polymorphisms and Breast Cancer in a Korean Female Adult Population: A Retrospective Study / 한국유방암학회지

Distribution of A118G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the mu-opioid receptor 1 gene (OPRM1) differs with ethnicity. We assessed the distribution of this SNP in Korean women with breast cancer and compared it with that in women of other ethnicities with breast cancer. Distribution of SNP genotypes was as follows: 49.8% for AG genotype, 40.6% for AA genotype, and 9.6% for GG genotype. Logistic regression analysis showed a negative association between the presence of the G allele at position 118 of OPRM1 and breast cancer in the studied population (odds ratios [OR], 0.635; p=0.002). However, the AG and GG genotypes were not associated with breast cancer in the studied population (OR, 0.719; p=0.130). The proportions of the AG and GG genotypes of the OPRM1 SNP were higher in Korean women with breast cancer than in those of other ethnicities.

Effects of micro-Opioid Receptor Gene Polymorphism on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia with Remifentanil: Double Blinded Randomized Trial

Association between postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and micro-opioid receptor A118G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is undefined and might underlie inconsistent results of studies on PONV occurrence in patients undergoing general anesthesia with the opioid, remifentanil. Four hundred and sixteen Korean women undergoing breast surgery with general anesthesia were randomized to receive remifentanil 10 ng/mL (plasma-site, Minto model) using a target-controlled infusion device and either propofol for total intravenous anesthesia (T group) or sevoflurane for inhalation anesthesia (I group) with bispectral index values maintained between 40 and 60. Blood specimens were collected after anesthesia induction for A118G SNP analysis. PONV and postoperative pain were evaluated. A118G SNP type distribution among Korean female adults studied was AG (n=195)>AA (n=158)>GG (n=63). Regardless of anesthetic technique, patients with GG types had lower PONV scale on arrival at postoperative care unit (PACU) (P=0.002), while T group showed lower PONV scale than I group up to 6 hr after PACU discharge in AA and AG types. No differences were apparent for postoperative pain among opioid receptor polymorphism. PONV occurrence differs according to opioid receptor polymorphism and anesthetic technique in patients undergoing general anesthesia with remifentanil.

Cardiac arrest due to coronary spasms in a patient in a lateral decubitus position and contralateral thoracotomy state during Ivor Lewis esophagogastrectomy: A case report

A coronary artery spasm (CAS) during noncardiac surgery is rare, but it can lead to catastrophic consequences. Furthermore, cardiac arrest caused by CAS, while a patient is in a lateral decubitus position and under contralateral thoracotomy conditions, represents a major challenge to both the anesthesiologist and the surgeon. We present a case of cardiac arrest due to CAS in a 69-year-old man undergoing Ivor Lewis esophagogastrectomy surgery for esophageal cancer in the left lateral decubitus position and the right thoracotomy state. The patient was successfully resuscitated with conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation after repositioning him to a supine position.

Cardiac arrest due to coronary spasms in a patient in a lateral decubitus position and contralateral thoracotomy state during Ivor Lewis esophagogastrectomy: A case report

A coronary artery spasm (CAS) during noncardiac surgery is rare, but it can lead to catastrophic consequences. Furthermore, cardiac arrest caused by CAS, while a patient is in a lateral decubitus position and under contralateral thoracotomy conditions, represents a major challenge to both the anesthesiologist and the surgeon. We present a case of cardiac arrest due to CAS in a 69-year-old man undergoing Ivor Lewis esophagogastrectomy surgery for esophageal cancer in the left lateral decubitus position and the right thoracotomy state. The patient was successfully resuscitated with conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation after repositioning him to a supine position.

Assessment of coagulation with 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 in cesarean section / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Third-generation hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions have been developed to minimize negative effects on hemostasis. In normal pregnancy, the coagulation activity increases, reaching a maximum around term. This study examined the effects of hemodilution with HES 130/0.4 (6%) on blood coagulation in parturients in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: Forty parturients scheduled for cesarean sections were assigned randomly to receive either 500 or 1,000 ml of HES 130/0.4 (6%). Rotation thromboelastometry (ROTEM(R)) measurements were performed before and after administering HES 130/0.4 (6%). In addition, blood samples obtained from 20 randomly selected parturients were diluted 10% to 40% using HES 130/0.4 (6%), and ROTEM(R) measurements were performed before and after dilution. The changes from baseline and the effects of dilution were analyzed by ROTEM(R) parameters. RESULTS: Infusions of 500 or 1,000 ml of HES 130/0.4 (6%) in the parturients altered the clot formation time, alpha angle, and maximal clot firmness, although all remained within normal ranges. HES 130/0.4 (6%) affected in vitro blood coagulation in parturients' blood containing 10, 20, 30, and 40% HES. The clotting time was prolonged at each dilution percentage, but remained within the normal range. Other parameters showed an impairment of the coagulation system. CONCLUSIONS: Blood coagulation in parturients may be compromised at high dilution ratios of HES 130/0.4 (6%) to blood. Nevertheless, the infusion of 1,000 ml of HES 130/0.4 (6%) in normal parturients did not significantly affect blood coagulation.

Nucleoplasty in a patient with cervical disc extrusion with radiating pain of an upper extremity

Conventional open discectomy is considered as the standard treatment for cervical disc herniation.However, open discectomy does not always yield a successful result.Nucleoplasty is a newly developed minimal invasive spinal surgery that uses the Coblation technique.The concept of Coblation involves the use of radiofrequency energy to ablate the nucleus pulposus tissue in a controlled approach leading to reduction of pressure on the nerve roots.Inclusion criteria for candidates for nucleoplasty include complaints of symptoms related to a contained herniated disc or focal protrusion.We describe here our experience with the use of nucleoplasty for a 49-year-old male patient with a cervical disc extrusion.Percutaneous decompression with nucleoplasty using the Coblation technique for the treatment of cervical disc extrusion was successfully performed with an excellent result.

Anesthetic managements for repair of atrial septal defect in a patient with Young-Simpson Syndrome: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Young-Simpson Syndrome (YSS) is a rare malformation syndrome characterized by facial dysmorphism, congenital heart abnormalities, congenital hypothyroidism and severe growth retardation. A 5-month-old girl was scheduled to undergo patch closure of atrial septal defect. She had been diagnosed with YSS preoperatively. We report out clinical experience of a case of YSS patient with brief review of related literatures and relevant anesthetic problems.

Early detection of ruptured bulla by capnography during off pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Capnography is monitoring of concentration or partial pressure of CO2 in respiratory gases. It provides information about CO2 production, pulmonary perfusion, alveolar ventilation, respiratory patterns and elimination of CO2 from the anesthesia circuit and ventilator. Thus it gives us a rapid and reliable method to detect life threatening conditions such as malposition of tracheal tube, ventilatory failure, circulatory failure and defective breathing circuits. Authors experienced that change of capnogram during off pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery helped early detecting ruptured bulla and prevented intraopertive or postoperative pneumothorax.

Pulse Oximetry and Skin Temperature Gradient as Diagnostic Tools of Successful Caudal Block / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Though caudal block is a relative simple technique, it has not been widely used in adults because of a high failure rate. We assumed that any tests to quantify the changes of sympathetic tone in the affected areas would be excellent indicators of successful block. We tested the usefulness of two candidates (pulse oximetry plethysmographic waveform amplitude measured at 5th toe and calf minus 5th toe skin temperature gradient) as indicators of successful caudal block. METHODS: In 45 adult patients undergoing anal surgery with caudal block, these two variables were simultaneously measured at 2-min intervals for 20 min. A two-fold increase in the plethysmographic waveform amplitude from baseline and skin temperature gradient of 0oC were predefined as test criteria of successful block. RESULTS: While the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the skin temperature gradient test were 45.9%, 100%, 100%, and 9.1%, those of the plethysmographic waveform test were 86.5%, 100%, 100%, and 28.6%. The plethysmographic waveform test showed a significantly higher discriminative capacity than the skin temperature gradient test (94.9% vs. 48.7%, P < 0.05) CONCLUSIONS: Unlike the skin temperature gradient test, the plethysmographic waveform test showed a considerably high validity in detecting successful block. Considering its simple and real time monitoring potentials together with a high failure rate of caudal block in adults, we cautiously recommend it as a supplemental diagnostic tool to predict successful block, especially when verbal communication with patient is difficult.

Spinal Anesthesia for a Formerly Premature Infant with Unilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis Undergoing Inguinal Herniorrhaphy: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

In premature infants, the incidence of inguinal hernia has been reported to be 14-30%. It is generally accepted that inguinal hernia should be repaired as soon as possible, as the incidence of incarceration is higher in infant than in children. However, the risk of life-threatening apnea after surgery is significant in this age group. Spinal anesthesia in premature infants offer a safe alternative to general anesthesia, especially if intubation should be avoid because of coexisting disease. We present a case of successful spinal anesthesia for inguinal herniorraphy in a premature female infant at a postconceptual age 44 + 6 weeks weighing 2,620 g with coexisting unilateral vocal cord paralysis to illustrate technical details and feasibility of this technique even in very low birth weight (birth weight < 1,500 g) infants.