Transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: 2023 expert consensus-based practical recommendations of the Korean Liver Cancer Association

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) was introduced in 1977 with the administration of chemotherapeutic agent to gelatin sponge particles through the hepatic artery in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and was established as conventional TACE using Lipiodol in the 1980s. In the 2000s, drug-eluting beads were developed and applied clinically. Currently, TACE is a commonly used non-surgical treatment modality for patients with HCC who are unsuitable for curative treatment. Considering the vital role of TACE in the management of HCC, it is crucial to organize current knowledge and expert opinions regarding patient preparation, procedural techniques, and post-treatment care in TACE, which can enhance therapeutic efficacy and safety. A group of 12 experts in the fields of interventional radiology and hepatology, convened by the Research Committee of the Korean Liver Cancer Association (KLCA), has developed expert consensus-based practical recommendations in TACE. These recommendations have been endorsed by the Korean Society of Interventional Radiology and provide useful information and direction in performing TACE procedure as well as pre- and post- procedural patient care.

Transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: 2023 Expert consensus-based practical recommendations of the Korean Liver Cancer Association

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) was introduced in 1977 with the administration of chemotherapeutic agent to gelatin sponge particles through the hepatic artery in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and was established as conventional TACE using Lipiodol in the 1980s. In the 2000s, drug-eluting beads were developed and applied clinically. Currently, TACE is a commonly used non-surgical treatment modality for patients with HCC who are unsuitable for curative treatment. Considering the vital role of TACE in the management of HCC, it is crucial to organize current knowledge and expert opinions regarding patient preparation, procedural techniques, and post-treatment care in TACE, which can enhance therapeutic efficacy and safety. A group of 12 experts in the fields of interventional radiology and hepatology, convened by the Research Committee of the Korean Liver Cancer Association (KLCA), has developed expert consensus-based practical recommendations in TACE. These recommendations have been endorsed by the Korean Society of Interventional Radiology and provide useful information and direction in performing TACE procedure as well as pre- and post- procedural patient care.

MHY2251, a New SIRT1 Inhibitor, Induces Apoptosis via JNK/p53 Pathway in HCT116 Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

Sirtuins (SIRTs) belong to the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent class III histone deacetylase family. They are key regulators of cellular and physiological processes, such as cell survival, senescence, differentiation, DNA damage and stress response, cellular metabolism, and aging. SIRTs also influence carcinogenesis, making them potential targets for anticancer therapeutic strategies. In this study, we investigated the anticancer properties and underlying molecular mechanisms of a novel SIRT1 inhibitor, MHY2251, in human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. MHY2251 reduced the viability of various human CRC cell lines, especially those with wild-type TP53. MHY2251 inhibited SIRT1 activity and SIRT1/2 protein expression, while promoting p53 acetylation, which is a target of SIRT1 in HCT116 cells. MHY2251 treatment triggered apoptosis in HCT116 cells. It increased the percentage of late apoptotic cells and the sub-G1 fraction (as detected by flow cytometric analysis) and induced DNA fragmentation. In addition, MHY2251 upregulated the expression of FasL and Fas, altered the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, downregulated the levels of pro-caspase-8, -9, and -3 proteins, and induced subsequent poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. The induction of apoptosis by MHY2251 was related to the activation of the caspase cascade, which was significantly attenuated by pre-treatment with ZVAD-FMK, a pan-caspase inhibitor. Furthermore, MHY2251 stimulated the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and MHY2251-triggered apoptosis was blocked by pre-treatment with SP600125, a JNK inhibitor. This finding indicated the specific involvement of JNK in MHY2251-induced apoptosis. MHY2251 shows considerable potential as a therapeutic agent for targeting human CRC via the inhibition of SIRT1 and activation of JNK/p53 pathway.

Photocatalytic effect of doped-TiO 2 nanoparticles on discolored teeth / 대한치과재료학회지

The aim of this study was to determine the photocatalytic effect of doped-TiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) on teeth bleaching with an aid of 3% H2O2 and laser irradiation. For the study, Mo-N-TiO2 NPs were prepared. The characteristics of the prepared NPs, NPs morphology and light absorbance, were evaluated. Photocatalytic reactions of NPs were tested using 10 ppm methylene blue (MB) solution. Extracted teeth were pasted using carbomer gel for color differences measurements. Mo-N-TiO2 NPs have close to round shape with some tens nm size. Their absorbance was higher and longer than that of TiO 2 NPs. For MB solution, Mo-N-TiO2 with 3% H2O2 condition showed much decrease in absorbance after laser irradiation for 20 min. Also, regardless of wavelength, Mo-N-TiO2 NPs produced much greater color difference (whitening) on teeth after 3 h than that by 15% H2O2 .

Evaluation of Zone 2 Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Performed with and without Prophylactic Embolization of the Left Subclavian Artery in Patients with Traumatic Aortic Injury

Objective@#To report the authors’ experience in performing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for zone 2 lesions after traumatic aortic injury (TAI). @*Materials and Methods@#This retrospective review included 10 patients who underwent zone 2 TEVAR after identification of aortic isthmus injury by CT angiography (CTA) upon arrival at the emergency room of a regional trauma center from 2016 to 2019. Patients were classified into two groups: those who underwent left subclavian artery (LSA) embolization concurrently with the main TEVAR procedure, and those in whom LSA embolization was not performed during the main procedure, but was planned as a bailout treatment if type II endoleak was noted on follow-up CTA images. Pre-procedural and procedurerelated factors and post-procedure prognosis were compared between the groups. @*Results@#There were no differences in pre-procedural factors, occurrence of endoleaks, and post-procedure prognosis (including mortality) between patients in the two groups. The duration of the procedure was shorter in the non-LSA embolization group (61 minutes vs. 27 minutes, p = 0.012). During follow-up, type II endoleak did not occur in either group. @*Conclusion@#Delaying preventative LSA embolization until stabilization of the patient would be desirable when performing zone 2 TEVAR for TAI, in the absence of endoleak on the completion aortography image taken after complete deployment of the stent graft.

Effect of cooling rate during porcelain firing on the optical properties of 3 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia / 대한치과재료학회지

This study investigated the effect of the difference in the cooling rates on the optical properties of zirconia during the simulated firing of porcelain, without a porcelain layer on a zirconia core ceramic. No difference was observed in the average transmittance of zirconia with the cooling rate during simulated firing (p>0.05). In all groups, the average transmittance decreased from approximately 44% to approximately 28% (p0.05). In all groups, the translucency decreased from approximately 16 to approximately 5 (p<0.001), while the opalescence increased from approximately 6 to approximately 11 (p<0.001) as the thickness increased from 0.51 mm to 2.00 mm. Thus, the average transmittance and translucency parameter decreased exponentially as the thickness increased in all groups regardless of the cooling rate during simulated porcelain firing, while the opalescence parameter increased in a parabolic manner. Therefore, in this study, even if porcelain is fired at a cooling rate higher or lower than the typical cooling rate when manufacturing a prosthesis with a zirconia core, the optical properties of zirconia are not expected to be significantly affected.

Clinical analysis of endovascular management in blunt thoracic aortic injury

Objective@#Blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) is a rare but fatal injury. BTAI has been treated surgically, but thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is used as a treatment option and has shown good results. The purpose of this study was to analyze the outcomes of patients with BTAI treated using TEVAR. @*Methods@#BTAI patients who had received TEVAR for five years were analyzed. We investigated injury severity score, aortic injury site, computed tomography findings and mortality. @*Results@#We identified 17 patients, and all were diagnosed using computed tomography. Twelve patients received TEVAR as an emergency, and the remaining five patients received TEVAR delayed. The most common injury site was isthmus (82%), and the median injury severity score was 33. There were 15 cases with a BTAI grade of 3 and two cases with a BTAI grade of 4. The mortality rate was 11.8% (n=2). @*Conclusion@#TEVAR is more meaningful because it is easier and faster and has fewer complications than thoracotomy in patients with traumatic aortic injury.

Updated clinical guideline for human papillomavirus vaccine: the Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology guidelines / 부인종양

Since the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine guidelines were developed by the Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology (KSGO) in 2011, 2016, and 2019, several recent studies on the efficacy and safety of HPV vaccines in middle-aged women and men have been reported. Furthermore, there has been an ongoing debate regarding the efficacy of the HPV vaccine in women with prior HPV infection or who have undergone conization for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). We searched and reviewed studies on the efficacy and safety of the HPV vaccine in middle-aged women and men and the efficacy of the HPV vaccine in patients infected with HPV and those who underwent conization for CIN. The KSGO updated their guidelines based on the results of the studies included in this review.

Latent Superior Gluteal Artery Injury by Entrapment between the Fragments in Transverse Acetabular Fracture - A Case Report -

The superior gluteal artery is branched from the internal iliac artery and is located outside the pelvis through a greater sciatic notch. This anatomical characteristic makes the artery vulnerable to injury when pelvic fracture involves the sciatic notch. In the case of a superior gluteal artery injury, hemodynamic instability can occur, and appropriate evaluation and management are mandatory in the acute phase. On the other hand, if the initial detection of the injury is neglected due to a masked pattern, it can cause massive bleeding during surgery, resulting in difficult hemostasis. This paper reports an experience of a latent superior gluteal artery injury by entrapment between the fragments of a transverse acetabular fracture.

Evaluation of Zone 2 Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Performed with and without Prophylactic Embolization of the Left Subclavian Artery in Patients with Traumatic Aortic Injury

Objective@#To report the authors’ experience in performing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for zone 2 lesions after traumatic aortic injury (TAI). @*Materials and Methods@#This retrospective review included 10 patients who underwent zone 2 TEVAR after identification of aortic isthmus injury by CT angiography (CTA) upon arrival at the emergency room of a regional trauma center from 2016 to 2019. Patients were classified into two groups: those who underwent left subclavian artery (LSA) embolization concurrently with the main TEVAR procedure, and those in whom LSA embolization was not performed during the main procedure, but was planned as a bailout treatment if type II endoleak was noted on follow-up CTA images. Pre-procedural and procedurerelated factors and post-procedure prognosis were compared between the groups. @*Results@#There were no differences in pre-procedural factors, occurrence of endoleaks, and post-procedure prognosis (including mortality) between patients in the two groups. The duration of the procedure was shorter in the non-LSA embolization group (61 minutes vs. 27 minutes, p = 0.012). During follow-up, type II endoleak did not occur in either group. @*Conclusion@#Delaying preventative LSA embolization until stabilization of the patient would be desirable when performing zone 2 TEVAR for TAI, in the absence of endoleak on the completion aortography image taken after complete deployment of the stent graft.

Long-Term Clinical and Radiologic Outcomes after Stent-Graft Placement for the Treatment of Late-Onset PostPancreaticoduodenectomy Arterial Hemorrhage

Purpose@#To evaluate the long-term radiologic and clinical outcomes of stent-graft placement for the treatment of post-pancreaticoduodenectomy arterial hemorrhage (PPAH) based on the imaging findings of stent-graft patency and results of liver function tests. @*Materials and Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of nine consecutive patients who underwent stent-graft placement for PPAH between June 2012 and May 2017. We analyzed the immediate technical and clinical outcomes and liver function test results. Stentgraft patency was evaluated using serial CT angiography images. @*Results@#All stent-grafts were deployed in the intended position for the immediate cessation of arterial hemorrhage and preservation of hepatic arterial blood flow. Technical success was achieved in all nine patients. Eight patients survived after discharge, and one patient died on postoperative day 28. The median follow-up duration was 781 days (range: 28–1766 days). Follow-up CT angiography revealed stent-graft occlusion in all patients. However, serum aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase levels in all patients were well below those observed in hepatic infarction cases. @*Conclusion@#Stent-graft placement is a safe and effective treatment method for acute life-threatening PPAH. Liver function and distal hepatic arterial blood flow were maintained postoperatively despite the high incidence of stent-graft occlusion observed on follow-up CT.

Traumatic Hemothorax Caused by Thoracic Wall and Intrathoracic Injuries:Clinical Outcomes of Transcatheter Systemic Artery Embolization

Purpose@#We aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for treating hemothorax caused by chest trauma. @*Materials and Methods@#Between 2015 and 2019, 68 patients (56 male; mean age, 58.2 years) were transferred to our interventional unit for selective TAE to treat thoracic bleeding. We retrospectively investigated their demographics, angiographic findings, embolization techniques, technical and clinical success rates, and complications. @*Results@#Bleeding occurred mostly from the intercostal arteries (50%) and the internal mammary arteries (29.5%). Except one patient, TAE achieved technical success, defined as the immediate cessation of bleeding, in all the other patients. Four patients successfully underwent repeated TAE for delayed bleeding or increasing hematoma after the initial TAE. The clinical success rate, defined as no need for thoracotomy for hemostasis after TAE, was 92.6%. Five patients underwent post-embolization thoracotomy for hemostasis. No patient developed major TAE-related complications, such as cerebral infarction or quadriplegia. @*Conclusion@#TAE is a safe, effective and minimally invasive method for controlling thoracic wall and intrathoracic systemic arterial hemorrhage after thoracic trauma. TAE may be considered for patients with hemothorax without other concomitant injuries which require emergency sur-gery, or those who undergoing emergency TAE for abdominal or pelvic hemostasis.

Long-Term Clinical and Radiologic Outcomes after Stent-Graft Placement for the Treatment of Late-Onset PostPancreaticoduodenectomy Arterial Hemorrhage

Purpose@#To evaluate the long-term radiologic and clinical outcomes of stent-graft placement for the treatment of post-pancreaticoduodenectomy arterial hemorrhage (PPAH) based on the imaging findings of stent-graft patency and results of liver function tests. @*Materials and Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of nine consecutive patients who underwent stent-graft placement for PPAH between June 2012 and May 2017. We analyzed the immediate technical and clinical outcomes and liver function test results. Stentgraft patency was evaluated using serial CT angiography images. @*Results@#All stent-grafts were deployed in the intended position for the immediate cessation of arterial hemorrhage and preservation of hepatic arterial blood flow. Technical success was achieved in all nine patients. Eight patients survived after discharge, and one patient died on postoperative day 28. The median follow-up duration was 781 days (range: 28–1766 days). Follow-up CT angiography revealed stent-graft occlusion in all patients. However, serum aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase levels in all patients were well below those observed in hepatic infarction cases. @*Conclusion@#Stent-graft placement is a safe and effective treatment method for acute life-threatening PPAH. Liver function and distal hepatic arterial blood flow were maintained postoperatively despite the high incidence of stent-graft occlusion observed on follow-up CT.

Traumatic Hemothorax Caused by Thoracic Wall and Intrathoracic Injuries:Clinical Outcomes of Transcatheter Systemic Artery Embolization

Purpose@#We aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for treating hemothorax caused by chest trauma. @*Materials and Methods@#Between 2015 and 2019, 68 patients (56 male; mean age, 58.2 years) were transferred to our interventional unit for selective TAE to treat thoracic bleeding. We retrospectively investigated their demographics, angiographic findings, embolization techniques, technical and clinical success rates, and complications. @*Results@#Bleeding occurred mostly from the intercostal arteries (50%) and the internal mammary arteries (29.5%). Except one patient, TAE achieved technical success, defined as the immediate cessation of bleeding, in all the other patients. Four patients successfully underwent repeated TAE for delayed bleeding or increasing hematoma after the initial TAE. The clinical success rate, defined as no need for thoracotomy for hemostasis after TAE, was 92.6%. Five patients underwent post-embolization thoracotomy for hemostasis. No patient developed major TAE-related complications, such as cerebral infarction or quadriplegia. @*Conclusion@#TAE is a safe, effective and minimally invasive method for controlling thoracic wall and intrathoracic systemic arterial hemorrhage after thoracic trauma. TAE may be considered for patients with hemothorax without other concomitant injuries which require emergency sur-gery, or those who undergoing emergency TAE for abdominal or pelvic hemostasis.

Percutaneous Trans-splenic Obliteration for Duodenal Variceal bleeding: A Case Report / 대한소화기학회지

Duodenal varices are a serious complication of portal hypertension. Bleeding from duodenal varices is rare, but when bleeding does occur, it is massive and can be fatal. Unfortunately, the optimal therapeutic modality for duodenal variceal bleeding is unclear. This paper presents a patient with duodenal variceal bleeding that was managed successfully using percutaneous trans-splenic variceal obliteration (PTVO). A 56-year-old man with a history of alcoholic cirrhosis presented with a 6-day history of melena. Emergency esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a large, bluish mass with a nipple sign in the second portion of the duodenum. Coil embolization of the duodenal varix was performed via a trans-splenic approach (i.e., PTVO). The patient no longer complained of melena after treatment. The duodenal varix was no longer visible at the follow-up esophagogastroduodenoscopy performed three months after PTVO. The use of PTVO might be a viable option for the treatment of duodenal variceal bleeding.

Radiosurgery for Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) : Current Treatment Strategy and Radiosurgical Technique for Large Cerebral AVM

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are congenital anomalies of the cerebrovascular system. AVM harbors 2.2% annual hemorrhage risk in unruptured cases and 4.5% annual hemorrhage risk of previously ruptured cases. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) have been shown excellent treatment outcomes for patients with small- to moderated sized AVM which can be achieved in 80–90% complete obliteration rate with a 2–3 years latency period. The most important factors are associated with obliteration after SRS is the radiation dose to the AVM. In our institutional clinical practice, now 22 Gy (50% isodose line) dose of radiation has been used for treatment of cerebral AVM in single-session radiosurgery. However, dose-volume relationship can be unfavorable for large AVMs when treated in a single-session radiosurgery, resulting high complication rates for effective dose. Thus, various strategies should be considered to treat large AVM. The role of pre-SRS embolization is permanent volume reduction of the nidus and treat high-risk lesion such as AVM-related aneurysm and high-flow arteriovenous shunt. Various staging technique of radiosurgery including volume-staged radiosurgery, hypofractionated radiotherapy and dose-staged radiosurgery are possible option for large AVM. The incidence of post-radiosurgery complication is varied, the incidence rate of radiological post-radiosurgical complication has been reported 30–40% and symptomatic complication rate was reported from 8.1% to 11.8%. In the future, novel therapy which incorporate endovascular treatment using liquid embolic material and new radiosurgical technique such as gene or cytokine-targeted radio-sensitization should be needed.

Direct Percutaneous Needle Puncture and Intrapulmonary Lymphatic Embolization for Treatment of Chylothorax in a Patient with Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a common cause of nontraumatic chylothorax. Clinical success rates of thoracic duct embolization are lower in patients with nontraumatic chylothorax compared to patients with traumatic chylothorax. Herein, we report a case of nontraumatic chylothorax and lymphoma in a 77-year-old man managed with thoracic duct embolization. The chest tube drainage decreased but not was sufficient to enable removal of the chest tube. Therefore, a second embolization was performed through a direct puncture of the lymphatic mass in the lung, following which the chyle leakage ceased, and the chest tube was removed. The treatment strategy discussed in this report may be an effective therapeutic option for select patients with nontraumatic chylothorax.

Percutaneous Trans-splenic Obliteration for Duodenal Variceal bleeding: A Case Report / 대한소화기학회지

Duodenal varices are a serious complication of portal hypertension. Bleeding from duodenal varices is rare, but when bleeding does occur, it is massive and can be fatal. Unfortunately, the optimal therapeutic modality for duodenal variceal bleeding is unclear. This paper presents a patient with duodenal variceal bleeding that was managed successfully using percutaneous trans-splenic variceal obliteration (PTVO). A 56-year-old man with a history of alcoholic cirrhosis presented with a 6-day history of melena. Emergency esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a large, bluish mass with a nipple sign in the second portion of the duodenum. Coil embolization of the duodenal varix was performed via a trans-splenic approach (i.e., PTVO). The patient no longer complained of melena after treatment. The duodenal varix was no longer visible at the follow-up esophagogastroduodenoscopy performed three months after PTVO. The use of PTVO might be a viable option for the treatment of duodenal variceal bleeding.

The effect of cooling rate on hardness and microstructure of a metal-ceramic Au-Pt-Pd alloy during simulated firing / 대한치과재료학회지

In this study, Au-Pt-Pd metal-ceramic alloy was examined by varying cooling rate during simulated porcelain firing cycles to investigate the effect of cooling rate on hardness and related microstructure during simulated firing. The final hardness was different according to the cooling rate after the simulated porcelain firing cycles. The reduction in hardness value was smaller after cooling at the faster cooling rate (Stage 0) than the value after slower rate (Stage 3). In the ice-quenched specimens after oxidation treatment (OXI-IQ), homogenization was slightly occurred, and the hardness decreased apparently compared to that of the as-cast specimens (AS-CAST). In the specimens cooled at Stage 0 and Stage 3 after oxidation, the hardness increased apparently compared to the ice-quenched specimens, even though the hardness decreased later by further firing simulation.The final hardness was lower in the specimen cooled at the slower rate (Stage 3) than the faster rate (Stage 0), and it seems to be due to the coarsening of the microstructure. The matrix and precipitates were consisted of FCC (face-centered-cubic) structure rich in Au. The Au content was higher in the matrix and the Pt content was higher in the precipitates, which corresponded to the Au-Pt binary phase diagram.

Temperature changes and compressive properties of bulk-fill composites by light curing / 대한치과재료학회지

The purpose of the present study was to assess the temperature change and compressive property of bulk-fill composites (BFCs) by the light curing. Seven resin-based composites (RBCs), including five BFCs, were chosen to evaluate their maximum temperature rise and exothermic heat during and after light curing and compressive strength (CS) and modulus (CM) for 4-mm thick state. Light attenuation coefficients (ACs) showed reasonably high correlation with filler content (vol% and wt%).Except one resin product, AC values of BFCs were lower than those of RBCs tested. All the tested specimens showed temperature rise (9.8-23.6℃) and exothermic heat (4.2-18.3℃) for 4-mm thick case. CS and CM values of the tested specimens ranged approximately 69 to 116 MPa and 1.3 to 2.8 GPa, respectively. The difference of temperature changes and compressive properties (CS and CM) between BFCs and RBCs was not consistent and had no statistically consistent significance.