Calycosin-7-O-ß-D-glucoside reduces myocardial injury in heat stroke rats.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Calycosin-7-O-ß-D-glucoside (CG), a calycosin derivative compound derived from Astragali Radix, has protective effect against ischemia/reperfusion injury as well as bacterial endotoxin-induced vascular cell injury. In the present study, we ascertained whether CG could reduce myocardial injury in heatstroke rats. METHODS: Heat stroke was induced by exposing anaesthetized rats to heat stress (43 °C for 70 min). Rats were given an i.p. dose of CG (26.8 mg/ml/kg) or vehicle solution (ml/kg) 15 min before the start of heat stress and immediately after termination of heat stress. Left ventricular performance, myocardial injury markers in the blood, and myocardial damage scores were assessed in heat stroke rats treated with or without CG. Additionally, cardiac levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory status were estimated simultaneously. RESULTS: At the time point of heat stroke onset, compared with normothermic controls, group rats with vehicle solution had significantly decreased survival rate, increased hyperthermia, decreased left ventricular stress markers, and increased cardiac damage scores. Compared with group rats with vehicle solution, group rats with CG had significantly improved survival rate, decreased hyperthermia, decreased cardiac ischemic, inflammatory, and oxidative damage. CONCLUSION: We thus conclude that myocardial injury can be a pressing need for the design of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for heat stroke. In particular, our data indicate that CG protects against heat stroke in rats by mitigating myocardial injury.

HSP-70-Mediated Hyperbaric Oxygen Reduces Brain and Pulmonary Edema and Cognitive Deficits in Rats in a Simulated High-Altitude Exposure.

High-mountain sickness is characterized by brain and pulmonary edema and cognitive deficits. The definition can be fulfilled by a rat model of high-altitude exposure (HAE) used in the present study. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2T) and to determine the underlying mechanisms. Rats were subjected to an HAE (9.7% O2 at 0.47 absolute atmosphere of 6,000 m for 3 days). Immediately after termination of HAE, rats were treated with HBO2T (100% O2 at 2.0 absolute atmosphere for 1 hour per day for 5 consecutive days) or non-HBO2T (21% O2 at 1.0 absolute atmosphere for 1 hour per day for 5 consecutive days). As compared to non-HAE+non-HBO2T controls, the HAE+non-HBO2T rats exhibited brain edema and resulted in cognitive deficits, reduced food and water consumption, body weight loss, increased cerebral inflammation and oxidative stress, and pulmonary edema. HBO2T increased expression of both hippocampus and lung heat shock protein (HSP-70) and also reversed the HAE-induced brain and pulmonary edema, cognitive deficits, reduced food and water consumption, body weight loss, and brain inflammation and oxidative stress. Decreasing the overexpression of HSP-70 in both hippocampus and lung tissues with HSP-70 antibodies significantly attenuated the beneficial effects exerted by HBO2T in HAE rats. Our data provide in vivo evidence that HBO2T works on a remodeling of brain/lung to exert a protective effect against simulated high-mountain sickness via enhancing HSP-70 expression in HAE rats.

Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) Reduces Hepatic Inflammatory and Oxidative Damage in a Rat Model of Liver Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury with Hyperbaric Oxygen Preconditioning.

BACKGROUND Several clinical conditions can cause hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. This study aimed to determine the mechanism of the protective effect of hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning (HBO2P) on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in a rat model, and to investigate the effects on HBO2P and I/R injury of blocking HSP70 using antibody (Ab) pretreatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent HBO2P for 60 min at 2.0 atmosphere absolute (ATA) pressure for five consecutive days before surgical hepatic I/R injury, performed by clamping the portal vein and hepatic lobe. Four groups studied included: the non-HBO2P+ non-I/R group, which underwent sham surgery (N=10); the non-HBO2P + I/R group (N=10); the HBO2P + I/R group (N=10); and the HBO2P + HSP70-Ab + I/R group (N=10) received one dose of HSP70 antibody one day before hepatic I/R injury. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured biochemically. Rat liver tissues were examined histologically. RESULTS In rats with hepatic I/R injury without HSP70 antibody pre-treatment, HBO2P significantly reduced hepatic injury and levels of LDH, AST, ALT, TNF-α, IL-6, MDA, and MPO levels; in comparison, the group pre-treated with an antibody to inhibit HSP70 (the HBO2P + HSP70-Ab + I/R group) showed significant reversal of the beneficial effects of HBO2P on hepatic I/R injury (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS In a rat model of hepatic I/R injury with HBO2P, HSP70 reduced hepatic inflammatory and oxidative damage.

Evaluation of nephroprotection of silymarin on contrast-induced nephropathy in liver cirrhosis patients: A population-based cohort study.

Recent findings from an animal experiment suggest a modest association between silymarin and decreased risk of contrast-induced nephropathy. However, the relationship between silymarin and contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with liver cirrhosis remains unclear.From 1997 to 2007, we identified 3019 patients with liver cirrhosis who were administered silymarin and matched them with 3019 patients with liver cirrhosis who were not administered silymarin. Each patient was followed up for a minimum of 4 years. After adjusting for age, gender, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcoholic hepatitis, and Charlson comorbidity index, we considered death occurrence and used the Fine and Gray regression models to calculate subdistribution hazard ratios (sHRs) for contrast-induced nephropathy. Sensitivity analyses were also performed using the same model on the subgroups classified by comorbidity.Using the Fine and Gray regression models and with death as the competing risk, we observed that sHR for contrast-induced nephropathy was 0.94-fold higher in the silymarin cohort than in the nonsilymarin cohort (95% confidence interval = 0.61-1.47, P = .791). On the basis of sensitivity analyses results classified by comorbidity, a nonsignificant decrease in risk of contrast-induced nephropathy was found.Silymarin shows no nephron-protective positive effects on contrast-induced nephropathy. Silymarin did not play a nephron-protective role according to Longitudinal Health Insurance Database of Taiwan. Clinical trials are necessary to further assess the nephron-protective effects of silymarin of contrast-induced nephropathy.

Isolated traumatic phrenic nerve injury treated with video-assisted thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication-a case report.

Isolated traumatic phrenic nerve injury resulting from a stab wound to the neck is very rare. Herein, we report the case of a patient who was accidentally stabbed with garden shears that pierced her neck and penetrated the spinal canal. She sustained a right phrenic nerve injury complicated by diaphragm palsy and subsequent respiratory distress. We successfully treated the patient with video-assisted thoracoscopic diaphragm plication.

Glomus tumor of the trachea managed by spiral tracheoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Glomus tumors are usually found over the dermis of the extremities, particularly over the subungual region of the fingers, and occurrence in the trachea is an extremely rare event. To date, only 29 cases of tracheal and 2 main bronchus glomus tumors have been reported in the English literature. Our patient is the first ever reported case in Taiwan that was managed by spiral tracheoplasty. CASE REPORT: A 58-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of hemoptysis. Computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed a mass over the posterior wall of the trachea. Surgical resection with spiral tracheoplasty was performed due to uncontrolled bleeding and airway compromise. Histopathology and immunostaining confirmed a glomus tumor. Postoperative course was unremarkable and she was discharged in improved condition after 9 days of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Although chronic symptom presentation is the rule for tracheal glomus tumors, airway obstruction and bleeding are life-threatening presentations. Histopathological examination and staining are important to differentiate it from hemangiopericytoma or carcinoid tumors. Spiral tracheoplasty after tangential resection may be tried, as this preserves more tracheal tissue, decreases tension, and prevents postoperative leakage at the anastomotic site.

Simple pyloroplasty using a linear stapler in surgery for esophageal cancer.

This article describes a simple pyloroplasty procedure using a linear stapler in surgery for esophageal cancer. Simple pyloroplasty was carried out using a linear stapler in a total of 22 patients, whose stomachs were used as esophageal substitutes in the surgery for esophageal cancer. Endoscopy was performed and the pyloric diameter was measured perioperatively. A barium meal study was conducted 1 month after the surgery. Stapling enlarged the diameter of the pylorus by nearly 10 %. Endoscopy revealed a smooth inner surface of the pylorus, enlargement of pyloric channel, and fewer spasms of the pylorus at the 1-month follow-up. Postoperative barium meal studies showed good patency of all of the patients' gastric outlets. Simple pyloroplasty is a time-saving and non-soiling technique used to perform the drainage of the gastric conduit for resection of esophageal cancer.

CCL5 and CCR5 interaction promotes cell motility in human osteosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma is characterized by a high malignant and metastatic potential. CCL5 (previously called RANTES) was originally recognized as a product of activated T cells, and plays a crucial role in the migration and metastasis of human cancer cells. It has been reported that the effect of CCL5 is mediated via CCR receptors. However, the effect of CCL5 on migration activity and integrin expression in human osteosarcoma cells is mostly unknown. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here we found that CCL5 increased the migration and expression of αvß3 integrin in human osteosarcoma cells. Stimulation of cells with CCL5 increased CCR5 but not CCR1 and CCR3 expression. CCR5 mAb, inhibitor, and siRNA reduced the CCL5-enhanced the migration and integrin up-regulation of osteosarcoma cells. Activations of MEK, ERK, and NF-κB pathways after CCL5 treatment were demonstrated, and CCL5-induced expression of integrin and migration activity was inhibited by the specific inhibitor and mutant of MEK, ERK, and NF-κB cascades. In addition, over-expression of CCL5 shRNA inhibited the migratory ability and integrin expression in osteosarcoma cells. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: CCL5 and CCR5 interaction acts through MEK, ERK, which in turn activates NF-κB, resulting in the activations of αvß3 integrin and contributing the migration of human osteosarcoma cells.

Formation of a tracheoesophageal common channel after alkaline injury.

We describe tracheoesophageal common channel formation in a 40-year-old woman who swallowed alkaline detergent. Necrosis and fistula formation between the posterior tracheal wall and the anterior esophageal wall were visualized by panendoscopy 15 days after the injury. Urgent tracheostomy, tube hypopharyngostomy, gastrostomy, and feeding jejunostomy were performed. Tracheoesophageal common channel formed by anterior tracheal wall and posterior esophageal wall was visualized by bronchoscopy at 48 days after the injury. Progression was observed by a panendoscopy, bronchoscopy, and chest computed tomography. Sequelae included trismus, obliteration of laryngopharynx, proximal cervical esophagus, and thoracic esophagus below the carina, stomach stricture, and scarring of the scalp, neck, back, and thighs.

Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis complicated with stricture.

We report a rare case of diffuse esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis in a 35-year-old man complaining of severe dysphagia and vomiting for several months. The advanced morphological change in the esophagus caused irregular track formation, mimicking an ulcerative lesion on esophagogram. Endoscopic examination revealed an esophageal stricture with intact mucosa. Endoscopic ultrasonography and chest computed tomography showed multiple hyperechoic lesions of unknown nature and multiple air collection sites in the esophageal wall, respectively, making diagnosis difficult. The patient finally received a subtotal esophagectomy because of severe symptoms. The lesion was pathologically proven to be intramural pseudodiverticulosis with marked submucosal fibrosis. Our experience suggests that awareness of this rare pathology and the related image changes will be helpful for early diagnosis and treatment in the future.

Adrenocorticotropin-producing pulmonary tumorlets with lymph node metastasis.

A case of pulmonary tumorlets with ectopic adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) production and lymph node metastasis in a bronchiectatic patient is reported. A 65-year-old man underwent right lower lobe lobectomy because of a sudden attack of cough and hemoptysis. Histological study revealed multiple discrete uniform small nests of tumor cells surrounding dilated bronchioles. Tumor nests were also found in the hilar lymph node. Immunohistochemically, the proliferating cells were confirmed to be neuroendocrine in origin with ectopic ACTH production, despite being clinically silent. The findings in the present case suggest that the clinical behavior of pulmonary tumorlets may be like a carcinoid, and need to be treated as tumor-like lesions. Ectopic hormonal production in the present case suggests pulmonary tumorlets should be considered in the differential diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of chronic empyema thoracis.

We prospectively analyzed the surgical results in chronic organizing empyema thoracis utilizing a video-assisted thoracoscopic technique, particularly in debilitated patients. From January 1999 to September 2000, ten patients with stage III empyema thoracis underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for decortication (VATD). The mean age of the patients was 53.2 years, and they included one female and nine male patients. Four patients were regarded as not suitable for open thoracotomy. After the procedure, all patients had one infusion tube and two 32-F chest tubes inserted, the former for irrigation with saline solution and the latter for drainage. The mean operation time was 178 min. There was no mortality. The mean time to remove the infusion tube was 3.3 days. The mean time to remove the first chest tube was 7.1 days and the second chest tube 9.7 days. The mean hospitalization time after the operation was 14.9 days. The mean follow-up was 14.9 months. A restoration of lung function was ascertained in nine patients, with a 17.6% mean increase in forced vital capacity. There was no recurrence of empyema during the follow-up. Nevertheless, a reaccumulation of pleural effusion occurred in one patient 1 month after the procedure, which thus necessitated further treatment. VATD is considered to be a feasible surgical modality for the treatment of stage III empyema thoracis in selected patients.