Acceleration of HDL-Mediated Cholesterol Efflux Alleviates Periodontitis.

Periodontitis (PD) is a common inflammatory disease known to be closely associated with metabolic disorders, particularly hyperlipidemia. In the current study, we demonstrated that hypercholesterolemia is a predisposing factor in the development of PD. Logistic regression analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between PD and dyslipidemia. Data from in vivo (PD mouse model subjected to a high cholesterol diet) and in vitro (cholesterol treatment of gingival fibroblasts [GFs]) experiments showed that excess cholesterol influx into GFs potentially contributes to periodontal inflammation and, subsequently, alveolar bone erosion. Additionally, we compared the protective efficacies of cholesterol-lowering drugs with their different modes of action against PD pathogenesis in mice. Among the cholesterol-lowering drugs we tested, fenofibrate exerted the most protective effect against PD pathogenesis due to an increased level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, a lipoprotein involved in cholesterol efflux from cells and reverse cholesterol transport. Indeed, cholesterol efflux was suppressed during PD progression by downregulation of the apoA-I binding protein (APOA1BP) expression in inflamed GFs. We also demonstrated that the overexpression of APOA1BP efficiently regulated periodontal inflammation and the subsequent alveolar bone loss by inducing cholesterol efflux. Our collective findings highlight the potential utility of currently available cholesterol-lowering medications for the mitigation of PD pathogenesis. By targeting the acceleration of high-density lipoprotein-mediated cellular cholesterol efflux, a new therapeutic approach for PD may become possible.

Comparison between the effects of deep and moderate neuromuscular blockade during transurethral resection of bladder tumor on endoscopic surgical condition and recovery profile: a prospective, randomized, and controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To compare between deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB) and moderate NMB with respect to endoscopic surgical conditions and recovery profiles in patients with general anesthesia for transurethral resection of bladder (TURB). METHODS: 108 patients undergoing elective TURB were randomized into two groups: the moderate NMB (n = 54) or deep NMB (n = 54) group. After the operation, NMB was reversed with 2 mg/kg sugammadex at a train-of-four (TOF) count of 1 or 2 (moderate NMB group) or with 4 mg/kg sugammadex at post-tetanic count (PTC) of 2 (deep NMB group). Surgeons, who were blinded to the study design, rated the endoscopic surgical condition on a 5-point scale (1 = extremely poor, 2 = poor, 3 = acceptable, 4 = good, 5 = optimal) immediately following the operation. Recovery profiles, including postoperative residual curarization (PORC), respiratory complication, and recovery time, were recorded. RESULTS: No difference was observed between the two groups regarding patients and anesthesia characteristics. There were statistically significant differences in endoscopic surgical conditions between the two groups (P < 0.001). Thirty-eight patients in the deep NMB group (74%) showed optimal surgical conditions, whereas 16 patients in the moderate NMB group (30%) showed optimal endoscopic surgical conditions. No PORC and respiratory complications occurred in both groups, and no difference was found between the two groups in terms of recovery profiles, including recovery time and other adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Deep NMB and reversal with sugammadex improved the endoscopic surgical condition without complications compared with moderate NMB and reversal with sugammadex in patients undergoing TURB.

Passivity and stability analysis of neural networks with time-varying delays via extended free-weighting matrices integral inequality.

This paper is concerned with the problem of passivity for uncertain neural networks with time-varying delays. First, the recently developed integral inequality called generalized free-matrix-based integral inequality is extended to estimate further tight lower bound of integral terms. By constructing a suitable augmented LKF, an enhanced passivity condition for the concerned network is derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Here, the integral terms having three states in its quadratic form is estimated by the proposed Lemma. As special cases of main results, for neural networks without uncertainties, passivity and stability conditions are derived. Through three numerical examples, it will be shown that the developed conditions can promote the level of passivity and stability criteria.

Factors Associated With Waiting Time to Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation in Transplant Candidates.

Although a nationwide activation system has been developed to increase deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDKT), there is still enormous discrepancy between transplant need and deceased donor supply in Korea, and therefore waiting time to DDKT is still long. We need to determine the current status of waiting time and the risk factors for long waiting time. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of the patients on the wait list for DDKT at the Seoul National University Hospital from 2000 to 2017. Among 2,211 wait-listed patients, 606 (27.5%) received DDKT and mean waiting time to DDKT was 45 months. Among them, blood type A was most prevalent (35.6%) and type AB was the least (14.0%). Panel-reactive assay (PRA) was positive in 59 (11.0%) in the first transplant group and 25 (35.0%) in retransplant group. Waiting time in PRA-positive recipients was 63 and 66 months in the first transplant group and retransplant group, respectively. However, waiting time for patients with negative PRA was 42.8 months. Waiting time was shorter in blood type AB (39 months) than other types (46 months). Waiting time was the shortest in children and adolescents. Among patients who were still on the wait list, retransplantation candidates, especially with PRA higher than 50%, had longer waiting time than first transplant candidates. In conclusion, non-AB blood type, positive PRA, and adult age were significantly associated with long waiting time. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a management strategy such as tailored desensitization for highly sensitized patients on the wait list to reduce their waiting time.

VDJ Gene Usage of B Cell Receptors in Peripheral Blood of ABO-incompatible Kidney Transplantation Patients.

INTRODUCTION: B cell subtypes and immunoglobulin variable (V), diversity (D), joining (J) gene segment usage of B cell receptors in ABO-incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantation (KT) in comparison to ABO-compatible KT have not been studied. The aims of this study were to analyze the VDJ gene segment usages of B cell receptors in peripheral blood of ABOi KT recipients. METHODS: Eighteen ABOi KT patients with accommodation (ABOiA), 10 ABO-compatible stable KT patients (ABOcS), and 10 ABOi KT patients with biopsy-proven acute antibody-mediated rejection (ABOiR) at day 10 after transplantation were selected. Complete transcriptomes of their peripheral blood samples were sequenced and analyzed through RNA sequencing. RESULTS: By family, immunoglobulin heavy chain variable 3 (IGHV3), immunoglobulin light kappa chain variable 1 (IGKV1), immunoglobulin light lambda chain variable 2 (IGLV2), and immunoglobulin light lambda chain joining 3 (IGLJ3) gene segments were most frequently used in all groups, and their usage was not statistically different among the three groups except for IGHV3 and IGKV1. IGKV1 was more frequently used in the ABOiA group than in the ABOcS group. According to individual gene segments, IGHV3-7, IGHV3-15, IGHV4-59, IGKV3-11, IGLV1-44, IGLV2-14, IGLV4-69, and IGLV7-46 were more frequently used in the ABOcS group than other groups, and IGKV3-7 was more frequently used in the ABOiR group than other groups. IGLV5-52 and IGLV7-43 were more frequently used in the ABOiA group than in ABOcS group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that RNA sequencing transcriptomic analyses of peripheral blood can provide information on the VDJ gene usage of B cell receptors and the mechanisms of accommodation and immune reaction in ABOi KT.

Derivation of the clonal-cell lines from Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) head-kidney cell lines and its applicability to foreign gene expression and virus culture.

This study was conducted to establish and characterize the clonal-cell lines from Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii head-kidney tissues and to evaluate its applicability as a research tool. From the culture of A. baerii head-kidney derived cells, 10 cell lines were established first and then eight clonal-cell lines were derived from clonal growth and colony expansion of two cell lines that showed significant high colony-forming ability. All eight clonal-cell lines were morphologically similar and grew stably under monolayer culture but their growth rates were significantly different. They possessed diploid DNA contents, expressed epithelial cell-related genes and showed strong anchorage dependency to substrates. When a clonal-cell line was transfected separately with three plasmid vectors including fluorescent reporter genes driven by cytomegalovirus, marine medaka Oryzias dancena ß-actin or A. baerii ß-actin promoter, the cell lines expressed fluorescent signals regardless of promoter types. The cells harbouring foreign genes could be expanded to stable cell lines under drug selection and then they additionally could form the extensively proliferating colonies at low-density culture. Finally, the clonal-cell lines showed the susceptibility to viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV). Collectively, the clonal-cell lines from A. baerii head kidney were established and these cell lines will be able to provide an excellent in vitro system for various biological studies in this fish species.

Inhibition of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on stainless steel using Pseudomonas veronii biofilms.

We produced a Pseudomonas veronii biofilm on the surface of a stainless steel that is inhibitory to Escherichia coli O157:H7. Pseudomonas veronii strain KACC 81051BP, isolated from lettuce, readily formed biofilm on the surface of stainless steel coupons (SSCs) immersed in tryptic soy broth at 25°C. Cells showed significantly (P ≤ 0·05) enhanced tolerance to desiccation stress (43% relative humidity (RH)) and retained antimicrobial activity against E. coli O157:H7. The number of E. coli O157:H7 (control; 4·1 ± 0·1 log CFU per coupon) on sterile SSCs decreased to 2·7 ± 0·2 log CFU per coupon after exposure to 43% RH at 25°C for 48 h, while the population of E. coli O157:H7 (4·1 ± 0·0 log CFU per coupon) on SSCs containing P. veronii biofilm decreased to below the theoretical detection limit (1·5 log CFU per coupon) within 24 h. The antimicrobial biofilm produced on stainless steel may have application in preventing cross-contamination by E. coli O157:H7 on other abiotic surfaces in food-contact environments. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The presence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on environmental surfaces of food manufacturing, transportation and storage facilities is a significant food safety concern because it can result in cross-contamination of food products. In this study, we developed a Pseudomonas veronii biofilm on the surface of a stainless steel that inhibits the growth of E. coli O157:H7. Since P. veronii in biofilm resists desiccation, it provides persistent antimicrobial activity. Information presented here provides novel and practical insights to developing biological strategies to inactivate E. coli O157:H7 on diverse surfaces in food processing and handling environments.

The Effect of Intraoperative Nefopam Administration on Acute Postoperative Pain and Chronic Discomfort After Robotic or Endoscopic Assisted Thyroidectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute postoperative pain and chronic discomfort are reported after robotic or endoscopic thyroidectomy. The purpose of this prospective, randomized, and double-blinded clinical trial was to investigate whether intraoperative infusion of nefopam decreases acute postoperative pain and chronic discomfort following either a robotic or endoscopic thyroidectomy via the bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA). METHODS: Patients were randomized into two groups: The control group (n = 29) or the nefopam group (n = 29). Patients in each group were infused with the same volume of saline or nefopam (0.2 mg/kg bolus, 120 µg/kg/h continuous infusion) during surgery. Acute postoperative pain, the need for rescue analgesics, and other postoperative adverse effects were assessed at 1, 6, 24, and 48 h postoperatively. Chronic pain and discomfort was recorded at 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: Patients in the nefopam group reported lower pain scores in the neck, as well as the axilla and anterior chest areas at 1, 6, 24, and 48 h postoperatively, when compared with the control group (P < 0.05 at each time points). Rescue analgesics were required less in the nefopam group than in the control group (1.4 [1] vs. 2.3 [1.5]; P = 0.001). The degree of chronic pain and discomfort were relatively lower in the nefopam group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We report that intravenous nefopam infusion during surgery decreased acute postoperative pain and the need for rescue analgesics, as well as chronic discomfort, following BABA robotic or endoscopic thyroidectomy without adverse events.

Randomized clinical trial of immersive virtual reality tour of the operating theatre in children before anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: A virtual reality (VR) tour of the operating theatre before anaesthesia could provide a realistic experience for children. This study was designed to determine whether a preoperative VR tour could reduce preoperative anxiety in children. METHODS: Children scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia were randomized into a control or VR group. The control group received conventional information regarding anaesthesia and surgery. The VR group watched a 4-min video showing Pororo, the famous little penguin, visiting the operating theatre and explaining what is in it. The main outcome was preoperative anxiety, assessed using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (m-YPAS) before entering the operating theatre. Secondary outcomes included induction compliance checklist (ICC) and procedural behaviour rating scale (PBRS) scores during anaesthesia. RESULTS: A total of 69 children were included in the analysis, 35 in the control group and 34 in the VR group. Demographic data and induction time were similar in the two groups. Children in the VR group had a significantly lower m-YPAS score than those in the control group (median 31·7 (i.q.r. 23·3-37·9) and 51·7 (28·3-63·3) respectively; P < 0·001). During anaesthesia, the VR group had lower ICC and PBRS scores than the control group. CONCLUSION: This preoperative VR tour of the operating theatre was effective in alleviating preoperative anxiety and increasing compliance during induction of anaesthesia in children undergoing elective surgery. Registration number: UMIN000025232 (http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr).

Transcriptional profiling of SHR/NCrl prefrontal cortex shows hyperactivity-associated genes responsive to amphetamine challenge.

Several studies suggest a strong genetic component of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inappropriate levels of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. Determining specific genetic risk variants for each symptom dimension of ADHD may aid in the identification of the biological risk factors of the disorder. In this study, we explored the potential genetic underpinnings of the hyperactive phenotype of ADHD. To this end, we examined differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of SHR/NCrl, an animal model of ADHD, compared with its genetic control, the Wistar Kyoto (WKY/NCrl) rat and the Wistar rat, strain used to represent the 'normal' heterogeneous population. Relative to WKY/NCrl and Wistar controls, SHR/NCrl showed hyperactivity in the open-field test. Treatment with the ADHD drug, amphetamine (AMPH) reduced hyperactivity in SHR/NCrl. Meanwhile, AMPH increased locomotor activity in WKY/NCrl and Wistar rats. Gene expression analysis found 21 common upregulated and 36 downregulated genes in the PFC of drug-naive SHR/NCrl when compared with WKY/NCrl and Wistar rats. Of these DEGs, expression levels of two genes, Atxn7 and Per2, which are involved in transcription and circadian rhythm, respectively, were downregulated following AMPH treatment in SHR/NCrl. Quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction analyses verified expression patterns of these genes in the PFC of drug-naïve and AMPH-treated SHR/NCrl. The present findings indicate genetic risk variants that may be associated with the hyperactive phenotype in ADHD. Further studies are warranted to establish the roles of Atxn7 and Per2 in mediating hyperactivity.

Pancreas Transplantation After Liver Transplantation: A Case Report.

Our aim was to describe the clinical indications, surgical technique, and clinical outcomes of a pancreas transplantation, performed 4 years after liver transplantation, as treatment for new-onset, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus in a 53-year-old man. Liver transplantation was performed for end-stage liver disease secondary to hepatitis B virus infection and hepatocellular carcinoma. The patient had no history of diabetes prior to the liver transplantation. The decision to proceed with a pancreas transplantation was made when the patient's blood sugar levels could not be normalized despite insulin doses >100 IU/d. A modified cadaveric transplantation technique was used, with the recipient's inferior vena cava dissected for anastomosis with the portal vein of the graft, using a diamond-shaped patch procedure. Moreover, the right common iliac artery was anastomosed with a Y-graft in the pancreas graft, and the duodenum remnant of the graft was anastomosed to the recipient's duodenum using a side-to-side procedure. The 6-month postoperative follow-up included repeated endoscopic biopsy of the graft duodenum, with no evidence of thrombosis or rejection of the graft, with glucose level within normal limits without requirement for diabetic drugs. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of pancreas transplantation after liver transplantation.

Pulmonary artery sarcoma mimicking pulmonary embolism: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary artery sarcoma (PAS) is a rare malignant neoplasm with an aggressive behavior and often difficult to distinguish from pulmonary thromboembolic disease. AIM: To assess the demographic, clinical, and radiological characteristics of PAS and clinical course. DESIGN AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified and analyzed all patients with PAS seen at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, between January 1, 1996 and July 31, 2015. RESULTS: Of nine patients (5 women and 4 men; median age 55 years [range, 24-74 years]), eight were diagnosed while alive with surgical ( n = 6) or catheter-based endovascular biopsy ( n = 2); the remaining patient was diagnosed at postmortem examination. All tumors manifested on CT as filling defect in the main, right or left pulmonary artery and were not associated with peripheral filling defects in seven patients. Seven patients were initially treated with anticoagulant therapy for presumed PE; two patients were suspected to have tumor based on constrictive or expanding effect seen on CT. Five patients died after a mean duration of 2.1 years (10 months-4.25 years) after diagnosis. Two patients are alive with recurrence and metastases of the disease 23 and 27 months after diagnosis, respectively; one remaining patient is alive and disease-free 116 months after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Although PAS is associated with a poor prognosis, long-term survival is possible and can be improved by early diagnosis and prompt surgical resection. Atypical appearance on CT including central mass-like lesion without peripheral emboli and constrictive or expanding effect should raise suspicion of PAS.

Neutrophil pyroptosis mediates pathology of P. aeruginosa lung infection in the absence of the NADPH oxidase NOX2.

Nod-like receptor family, CARD domain-containing 4 (NLRC4) inflammasome activation is required for efficient clearance of intracellular pathogens through caspsase-1-dependent pyroptosis in macrophages. Although neutrophils have a critical role in protection from Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, the mechanisms regulating inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in neutrophils and its physiological role are largely unknown. We sought to determine the specific mechanisms regulating neutrophil pyroptosis in P. aeruginosa strain PAO1 (PAO1) lung infection and to identify the pathological role of this process. Nox2-/- models with reduced neutrophil antibacterial activity exhibited increased neutrophil pyroptosis, which was mediated by flagellin, a pathogenic PAO1 component. We also demonstrate that PAO1-induced pyroptosis depended on NLRC4 and Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) in neutrophils generated from Nlrc4-/- or Tlr5-/- mice. Our study reveals previously unknown mechanisms and physiological role of neutrophil pyroptosis during P. aeruginosa lung infection. Furthermore, our findings regarding neutrophil pyroptosis in the context of neutrophil dysfunction may explain the causes of acute and/or chronic infectious diseases discovered in immune-compromised patients.

Development and Applicability of the A-P 200 Criteria for Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The Milan criteria are widely accepted for indicating liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, a 7% to 20% possibility of HCC recurrence remains, even among patients who fulfill the Milan criteria. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 88 patients with HCC who underwent liver transplantation at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital between May 2010 and December 2014. The risk factors for HCC recurrence were analyzed, and the overall survival and disease-free survival rates were calculated based on each risk factor. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (19.3%) experienced HCC recurrence. Multivariate analyses revealed that the independent risk factors for HCC recurrence were protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA-II) levels of >200 mAU/mL, levels of >200 for alpha-fetoprotein (ng/mL) or PIVKA-II (mAU/mL), and microvascular invasion. Therefore, we defined the A-P 200 criteria as simultaneously exhibiting alpha-fetoprotein levels of ≤200 ng/mL and PIVKA-II levels of ≤200 mAU/mL. The 3-year overall survival rates among patients who fulfilled or exceeded the A-P 200 criteria were 89.2% and 80.0%, respectively (P = .79). The 3-year disease-free survival rates among patients who fulfilled or exceeded the A-P 200 criteria were 89.9% and 43.1%, respectively (P < .001). We also applied the A-P 200 criteria to patient data from another major center and observed similar results. CONCLUSION: These findings confirm that the A-P 200 criteria can be used to predict recurrence after liver transplantation among patients with HCC.

Inferior Vena Cava-Duodenal Drainage in Pancreas Alone Transplantation for Chronic Pancreatitis: A Case Report.

Enteric drainage has been the main trend in solitary pancreas transplantation. Compared with bladder drainage, it does not cause metabolic or urologic complications, but there is no way to perform immunologic monitoring, except by graft pancreas biopsy. Additionally, although portal drainage of the graft vein is considered physiological drainage, it has more of a risk for surgical complications. To overcome these disadvantages, we successfully performed inferior vena cava (IVC)-duodenal drainage in pancreas alone transplantation. A 44-year-old man underwent pancreas alone transplantation. He had insulin-dependent diabetes because of chronic pancreatitis, thus he had taken a pancreatic enzyme. After right-sided medial visceral rotation, the IVC was dissected for anastomosis with a graft portal vein. The right common iliac artery was anastomosed with a Y-graft in the pancreas graft. The graft duodenum was anastomosed with recipient duodenum using the side-to-side manner. Postoperatively, he underwent protocol biopsies of the graft duodenum through endoscopy two times. There was no evidence of graft thrombosis or rejection. He had a normal glucose level without any diabetic drugs, and he required no pancreatic enzyme for digestion. The IVC-duodenum drainage procedure was a feasible method for preventing thrombosis and providing an opportunity for direct graft monitoring through endoscopy.

Beneficial Effect of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation on Organ Perfusion During Management of the Unstable Brain-dead Donor: A Case Series.

It is well known that the quality of organs retrieved from brain-dead donors (DBDs) is better than those retrieved from circulatory death donors. However, in situations of organ retrieval from marginal DBDs, who are unstable despite intensive care, transplantation outcomes are not good. Organ ischemia is the most important determining factor in decreased organ quality in circulatory death donors and in some DBDs. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for management of DBDs can be an emergency countermeasure. The purpose of this report is to relay our experience with four cases of ECMO for DBD management. In all four cases, the donors were unstable and showed clear signs of ischemia despite intensive care, including ventilator use and administration of inotropic agents. Two donors had acute respiratory distress syndrome, and two exhibited dysfunctional oxygen delivery. ECMO was used to improve organ perfusion. ECMO resulted in an increased partial pressure of arterial oxygen increased and decreased lactic acid levels. Vital signs were stabilized, especially in the donors who were bleeding. The organ was successfully retrieved from each donor. Two livers (one of them was split), eight kidneys, and one pancreas were retrieved from four DBDs. All other organs were transplanted successfully, and there were no cases of primary nonfunction or delayed graft function. The ECMO machine is the most powerful supportive device for management of unstable DBDs. The use of ECMO in unstable DBDs can be beneficial in expanding the donor pool as well as improving the quality of retrieved organs.

Increased vancomycin production by overexpression of MbtH-like protein in Amycolatopsis orientalis KFCC10990P.

UNLABELLED: Recently, many in vitro studies have reported that MbtH-like proteins are very necessary for the adenylation of amino acid by adenylating enzymes present in the biosynthetic machineries of nonribosomal peptides (NRPs). However, in vivo studies on mbtH-like genes are somewhat controversial since their mutants still produce the target compounds. Here, we report unambiguous evidence of the crucial role of MbtH-like protein in the biosynthesis of NRP based on in vivo study of vancomycin producer, Amycolatopsis orientalis. Deletion of mbtH-like gene (vcm11) in the vancomycin biosynthetic gene cluster completely abolished production of vancomycin and its complementation strain showed almost full recovery of vancomycin production. As a result, we propose that the mbtH-like gene is a good genetic engineering target to increase the yield of NRP, as verified by increased vancomycin production (by 60 and 80%) upon overexpression of cognate (Vcm11) as well as noncognate (CloY) MbtH-like proteins. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Elucidation and application of biosynthetic machineries of bioactive compounds containing amino acids such as antibiotics, immunosuppressants and siderphores etc. are significant for the production and development of drugs. Here, we observed an apparent increase in the yield of vancomycin, a type of NRP, upon overexpression of MbtH-like protein in Amycolatopsis orientalis. Our result is the first example of increased NRP(s) yield following overexpression of mbtH-like genes to develop the strain for economic production and elucidate the role of MbtH-like protein in vivo for combinatorial biosynthesis.

Prospective, randomized and controlled trial on magnesium sulfate administration during laparoscopic gastrectomy: effects on surgical space conditions and recovery profiles.

BACKGROUND: The degree of neuromuscular blockade is one of the important factors that determine the condition of surgical space during laparoscopic surgery. Magnesium sulfate potentiates the actions of neuromuscular blocking agent, and we hypothesized that intraoperative magnesium sulfate infusion may improve surgical space condition during laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: Eighty-four patients undergoing elective laparoscopic gastrectomy were randomized to receive isotonic saline (group C) or magnesium sulfate (group M, loading dose with 50 mg/kg over 10 min and then 15 mg/kg/h by continuous infusion) to maintain the moderate neuromuscular blockade using rocuronium. Two experienced surgeons scored the quality of surgical space condition using a 5-point surgical rating scale (SRS). The secondary outcomes included recovery profiles, postoperative pain and adverse events. RESULTS: The SRS in group M was higher than that of group C. The proportion of patients with a SRS of 5 (optimal) was 2.7 % in the group C and 40.5 % in the group M (P < 0.0001) although a lower amount of rocuronium was required in group M than group C [24.2 (6.5) mg/h for group M vs. 27.5 (6) mg/h for group C; P = 0.017]. Pain after operation site was less severe in group M than in group C at postoperative 24 h (P = 0.009). Recovery profiles and adverse events were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative administration of magnesium sulfate improved the quality of surgical space conditions and decreased neuromuscular blocking agent requirement and postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrectomy.

Irreversible Graft Failure Requiring 3 Repeated Liver Transplantations Combined With a 2-Stage Liver Transplantation: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Although repeated liver transplantation (RLT) for irreversible graft failure is relatively rare, RLT is the only life-saving option available for a patient with failure of a previous liver transplant (LT). In cases in which failure of a previous LT is combined with TLS and exsanguination, waiting for organ allocation is not feasible and 2-stage liver transplantation (TSLT) is required. The aim of our case report was to describe the clinical management, including the criteria informing clinical decisions, for a patient who required 3 RLTs combined with TSLT. CASE: A 55-year-old man was admitted with liver cirrhosis associated with hepatitis B and multiple hepatocellular carcinomas. LT was performed using an emergent deceased donor graft of marginal quality. The graft was unsuccessful, with the patient showing hemodynamic deterioration and primary nonfunction of the graft. A total hepatectomy, with temporary portocaval shunt, was performed, with a second transplantation performed 3 days later. The second graft was from a 71-year-old, non-heart-beating donor, which resulted in a second episode of primary nonfunction. A third transplantation was performed 4 days later. The patient progressively recovered with extensive rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: We report the successful outcome for a patient requiring 3 RLTs, with TSLT used as a bridge between transplants to reduce the duration of the anhepatic state. In selected cases, the combination of RLT and TSLT can provide a chance of survival from life-threatening liver failure.