A Study on the Evaluation of Brainstem Dysfunction in Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder Using Video Nystagmography

Background@#This study aimed to differentiate video nystagmography (VNG) characteristics, including the video head impulse test (vHIT), in patients with idiopathic rapid eye movement behavior disorder (RBD) from healthy controls, which is considered a precursor to degenerative diseases. @*Methods@#One hundred eighty-five patients underwent overnight polysomnography (PSG) and VNG. Based on overnight PSG, 27 patients with RBD or REM sleep without atonia (RWA) and AHI<15 were categorized into the RBD group, 34 patients with RBD/RWA and AHI≥15 were grouped into the combined group. Sixty patients with AHI≥15 and no RBD/RWA were included in the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) group, and 64 negative participants were assigned to the control group. In VNG, we measured the gain of vHIT in each canal, with the latency, amplitude, and velocity of horizontal saccades and smooth pursuit. We compared the results between groups using ANOVA, after normalization and adjustment for age and sex. @*Results@#The gain of vHIT in the left horizontal canal was decreased in the RBD group, but it was more pronounced in the OSA group. Elevated gain of the left posterior canal was seen in the RBD group, but technical errors were attributable. The RBD group displayed prolonged latency of saccade on the left side and slowed saccade on the right side, but these were statistically insignificant. @*Conclusions@#The VNG study revealed differences between the sleep disorders, potentially reflecting brainstem function in each disorder. However, these differences lacked statistical significance. We anticipate that significant results could be obtained with more controlled conditions.

Upregulation of prostaglandin E2 by inducible microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 in colon cancer

Purpose@#Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is known to promote carcinogenesis and cancer progression in colon cancer. Enzymes involved in the metabolism of PGE2 include cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1), and 15-prostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH). The current study aims to determine how PGE2 is expressed by examining patients with colorectal cancer and evaluating colon cancer cells to gain insight into changes in relevant enzymes upon induction of PGE2. @*Methods@#The concentration of PGE2 was measured in tumor tissues and adjacent normal mucosal tissues of 26 patients with colon cancer. The expression of COX-1, COX-2, mPGES-1, and 15-PGDH proteins was measured. The concentration of PGE2 in FET colon cancer cells was measured both in the initial status and after stimulation by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. The expression levels of PGE2-related enzymes were measured as well. @*Results@#There was no significant difference in the average concentration of PGE2, which was measured at 453.1 pg/mL in cancer tissues and 401.2 pg/mL in normal mucosa. Among PGE2-related enzymes, 15-PGDH was expressed at a lower level in tumor cells than in normal mucosa. In colon cancer cells, PGE2 was found to be upregulated upon stimulation by TNF-α, which led to strong induction of mPGES-1 without any change in the expression of COX-2 among the PGE2-related enzymes. @*Conclusion@#These results demonstrated that PGE2 can be induced by stimuli such as TNF-α, and suggest that activation of mPGES-1 is more closely related than that of COX-2 in the induction of PGE2 on colon cancer.

Risk Factors for Subsequent Contralateral Hip Fracture following Osteoporotic Hip Fracture Surgery

Purpose@#This study examined the risk factors contributing to subsequent hip fractures in patients with osteoporotic hip fractures. @*Materials and Methods@#Between March 2008 and February 2016, 68 patients sustained a subsequent contralateral hip fracture after surgery for a primary osteoporotic hip fracture (Study group). The patients were compared with 475 patients who had been followed up for a minimum of one year with a unilateral osteoporotic hip fracture (Control group). The demographic data, bone mineral density (BMD), osteoporosis medication, osteoporotic fracture history, comorbid disease, type of surgery, preoperative, postoperative ambulatory capacity, and postoperative delirium in the two groups were compared. @*Results@#The demographic data, BMD, osteoporosis medication history, comorbid disease, type of surgery, and postoperative delirium were similar in the two groups. At three months after the primary surgery, the poor ambulatory capacity was significantly higher in the study group than the control group (p<0.001). @*Conclusion@#The ambulatory capacity after primary surgery is an important risk factor in the occurrence of subsequent hip fractures after osteoporotic hip fracture. Cause analysis regarding the poor ambulatory capacity after surgery will be necessary, and the development of a functional recovery program and careful management of the walking ability recovery will be needed.

Clostridium difficile Infection After Ileostomy Reversal

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) after ileostomy reversal is rare, with few reports available in the available literature describing this condition. The diagnosis of CDI after ileostomy reversal is challenging because symptoms such as diarrhea observed in these patients can occur frequently after surgery. However, CDI can be fatal, so early diagnosis and prompt treatment are important. We discuss 2 patients with positive C. difficile toxin assay results on stool cultures performed after ileostomy reversal. Clinical progression differed between these patients: one patient who presented with severe CDI and shock was successfully treated following a prolonged intensive care unit stay for the management of vital signs and underwent hemodialysis, while another patient showed symptoms of mild colitis but we could not confirm whether diarrhea was associated with CDI or with the usual postoperative state. To our knowledge, these represent 2 of just a few cases reported in the literature describing CDI after ileostomy reversal.

Risk Factors for Subsequent Contralateral Hip Fracture following Osteoporotic Hip Fracture Surgery

Purpose@#This study examined the risk factors contributing to subsequent hip fractures in patients with osteoporotic hip fractures. @*Materials and Methods@#Between March 2008 and February 2016, 68 patients sustained a subsequent contralateral hip fracture after surgery for a primary osteoporotic hip fracture (Study group). The patients were compared with 475 patients who had been followed up for a minimum of one year with a unilateral osteoporotic hip fracture (Control group). The demographic data, bone mineral density (BMD), osteoporosis medication, osteoporotic fracture history, comorbid disease, type of surgery, preoperative, postoperative ambulatory capacity, and postoperative delirium in the two groups were compared. @*Results@#The demographic data, BMD, osteoporosis medication history, comorbid disease, type of surgery, and postoperative delirium were similar in the two groups. At three months after the primary surgery, the poor ambulatory capacity was significantly higher in the study group than the control group (p<0.001). @*Conclusion@#The ambulatory capacity after primary surgery is an important risk factor in the occurrence of subsequent hip fractures after osteoporotic hip fracture. Cause analysis regarding the poor ambulatory capacity after surgery will be necessary, and the development of a functional recovery program and careful management of the walking ability recovery will be needed.

Clostridium difficile Infection After Ileostomy Reversal

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) after ileostomy reversal is rare, with few reports available in the available literature describing this condition. The diagnosis of CDI after ileostomy reversal is challenging because symptoms such as diarrhea observed in these patients can occur frequently after surgery. However, CDI can be fatal, so early diagnosis and prompt treatment are important. We discuss 2 patients with positive C. difficile toxin assay results on stool cultures performed after ileostomy reversal. Clinical progression differed between these patients: one patient who presented with severe CDI and shock was successfully treated following a prolonged intensive care unit stay for the management of vital signs and underwent hemodialysis, while another patient showed symptoms of mild colitis but we could not confirm whether diarrhea was associated with CDI or with the usual postoperative state. To our knowledge, these represent 2 of just a few cases reported in the literature describing CDI after ileostomy reversal.

Postoperative Rehabilitation after Hip Fracture:A Literature Review / 대한고관절학회지

As the proportion of elderly individuals within the population grows, the incidence of hip fractures increases.Traditionally, orthopedic surgeons used to focus on surgical treatment of hip fractures; however, the field’s appreciation for the importance of postoperative rehabilitation has been increasing recently. Many studies have shown that proper rehabilitation after hip fracture surgery can shorten hospital stays and improve clinical outcomes.However, such studies use different methods and published rehabilitation protocols address varying aspects that do not always overlap. Here, we review and summarize the latest guidelines and studies on postoperative rehabilitation of elderly patients with hip fractures.

Postoperative Rehabilitation after Hip Fracture:A Literature Review / 대한고관절학회지

As the proportion of elderly individuals within the population grows, the incidence of hip fractures increases.Traditionally, orthopedic surgeons used to focus on surgical treatment of hip fractures; however, the field’s appreciation for the importance of postoperative rehabilitation has been increasing recently. Many studies have shown that proper rehabilitation after hip fracture surgery can shorten hospital stays and improve clinical outcomes.However, such studies use different methods and published rehabilitation protocols address varying aspects that do not always overlap. Here, we review and summarize the latest guidelines and studies on postoperative rehabilitation of elderly patients with hip fractures.

Surgical Outcomes and Risk Factors in Patients Who Underwent Emergency Colorectal Surgery

PURPOSE: Emergency colorectal surgery has high rates of complications and mortality because of incomplete bowel preparation and bacterial contamination. The authors aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes and the risk factors for the mortality and the complication rates of patients who underwent emergency surgery to treat colorectal diseases. METHODS: This is a prospective study from January 2014 to April 2016, and the results are based on a retrospective analysis of the clinical results for patients who underwent emergency colorectal surgery at Chosun University Hospital. RESULTS: A total of 99 patients underwent emergency colorectal surgery during the study period. The most frequent indication of surgery was perforation (75.8%). The causes of disease were colorectal cancer (19.2%), complicated diverticulitis (21.2%), and ischemia (27.2%). There were 27 mortalities (27.3%). The major morbidity was 39.5%. Preoperative hypotension and perioperative blood transfusion were independent risk factors for both morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSION: These results revealed that emergency colorectal surgeries are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, the independent risk factors for both morbidity and mortality in such patiients were preoperative hypotension and perioperative transfusion.

Anti-neuro-inflammatory effects of Nardostachys chinensis in lipopolysaccharide-and lipoteichoic acid-stimulated microglial cells / 中国天然药物

Excessive microglial cell activation is related to the progression of chronic neuro-inflammatory disorders. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression mediated by the NFE2-related factor (Nrf-2) pathway is a key regulator of neuro-inflammation. Nardostachys chinensis is used as an anti-malarial, anti-nociceptive, and neurotrophic treatment in traditional Asian medicines. In the present study, we examined the effects of an ethyl acetate extract of N. chinensis (EN) on the anti-neuro-inflammatory effects mediated by HO-1 up-regulation in Salmonella lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- or Staphylococcus aureus lipoteichoic acid (LTA)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Our results indicated that EN suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine production and induced HO-1 transcription and translation through Nrf-2/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling. EN markedly inhibited LPS- and LTA-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) as well as phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT). Furthermore, EN protected hippocampal HT22 cells from indirect neuronal toxicity mediated by LPS- and LTA-treated microglial cells. These results suggested that EN impairs LPS- and LTA-induced neuro-inflammatory responses in microglial cells and confers protection against indirect neuronal damage to HT22 cells. In conclusion, our findings indicate that EN could be used as a natural anti-neuro-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent.