Venous Sac and Feeding Artery Embolization versus Feeding Artery Embolization Alone for Treating Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations: Draining Vein Size Outcomes

PurposeTo investigate and compare venous sac and feeding artery embolization (VFE) with feeding artery embolization (FAE) alone for treatment of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs), based on difference in outcomes in decrease of the size of the draining vein.Materials and MethodsTwenty-six patients (7 male and 19 female; median age [interquartile range], 58 years [46–65 years]) with 42 simple PAVMs treated with coil embolization between August 2005 and December 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. Twenty PAVMs were treated with FAE early in the study period and compared with 22 PAVMs treated with VFE later in the study period. Follow-up computed tomography images obtained 8–20 months after embolotherapy were used for outcome analysis. Data related to patient demographics; follow-up period; baseline diameters of the feeding artery, venous sac, and draining vein; draining vein diameter after treatment; and decrease in the size of the draining vein, including the number reaching a threshold of 70% decrease, were compared between the 2 groups.ResultsThe draining vein decreased in size by a median of 46.4% in the FAE group and 66.3% in the VFE group, and the difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (P = .009). There were no significant differences in the other parameters.ConclusionsVFE leads to a greater decrease in the size of the draining vein than FAE, suggesting that VFE results in more complete occlusion than FAE for treatment of PAVMs.     

Widening Time Disparities between Two Paradigms: Tama-REgistry of Acute Endovascular Thrombectomy

Background

The Tama-REgistry of Acute endovascular Thrombectomy (TREAT) is a multicenter registry of endovascular thrombectomy in the Tama area of Tokyo. The objective of this study was to confirm the real-world status of 2 paradigms of transportation.

Copeptin concentration following cardiac surgery as a prognostic marker of postoperative acute kidney injury: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundCopeptin, the C-terminal portion of the arginine vasopressin precursor, is a novel candidate biomarker. This study investigated the prognostic value of copeptin levels following cardiac surgery for the occurrence of postoperative acute kidney injury.MethodsWe studied 23 patients who underwent cardiac surgery between January 2018 and December 2019. The primary endpoint was postoperative acute kidney injury onset. Copeptin levels were measured before, right after, and daily for 7 days. The patients were divided into two groups according to the copeptin levels: low (values <43.7 pmol/L) and high (values ≥43.7 pmol/L). Correlations between copeptin levels and variables, such as central venous pressure, were assessed by bivariate analysis.ResultsThe high copeptin group exhibited significantly higher levels of arginine vasopressin and cortisol following surgery, compared to those of the low copeptin group. The copeptin concentration following surgery was correlated to central venous pressure (P=0.03) and norepinephrine administered dose (P=0.008). Also, the copeptin levels right after surgery robustly predicted the onset of postoperative acute kidney injury (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.83, P=0.004).ConclusionsElevated copeptin levels in patients following cardiac surgery predicted postoperative acute kidney injury development. Therefore, the copeptin concentration after surgery could represent a promising clinical biomarker of the postoperative cardiac outcome.     

Prediction of human pharmacokinetics of typical compounds by a physiologically based method using chimeric mice with humanized liver

1. In this study, total body clearance (CL_t), volume of distribution at steady state (V_ss) and plasma concentration–time profiles in humans of model compounds were predicted using chimeric mice with humanized livers.

2. On the basis of assumption that unbound intrinsic clearance (CL_Uint) per liver weight in chimeric mice was equal to those in humans, CL_t were predicted by substituting human liver blood flow and liver weights in well-stirred model. V_ss were predicted by Rodgers equation using scaling factors of tissue-plasma concentration ratios (SF_Kp) in chimeric mice estimated from a difference between the observed and predicted V_ss. These physiological approaches showed high prediction accuracy for CL_t and V_ss values in humans.

3. We compared the predictability of CL_t and V_ss determined by the physiologically based predictive approach using chimeric mice with those from predictive methods reported by Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America. The physiological approach using chimeric mice indicated the best prediction accuracy in each predictive method.

4. Simulation of human plasma concentration–time profiles were generally successful with physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model incorporating CL_Uint and SF_Kp obtained from chimeric mice.

5. Combined application of chimeric mice and PBPK modeling is effective for prediction of human PK in various compounds.

     

Involvement of nitric oxide in orthodontic tooth movement in rats.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important regulatory molecule in bone formation and resorption. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of NO in orthodontic tooth movement in rats. We used specific inhibitors of NO synthases (NOS). Upper first molars of 9-week-old male Wistar rats were moved buccally for 21 days. The local administration of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. HCl (L-NAME), a general inhibitor of NOS activity, significantly reduced tooth movement. On the other hand, N(6)-(1-iminoethyl)-L-lysine. 2HCl (L-NIL), a selective inhibitor of the inducible isoform of NOS, had no effect. These results suggest that NO is an important biochemical mediator in the response of periodontal tissue to orthodontic force and is produced primarily through the activity of constitutive NOS.     

Bactericidal effects of 2.94 µm and 1.67 µm laser

The bactericidal effects of lasers with wavelengths of 1.67 and 2.94 μm on cariogenic Streptococcus mutans were investigated. Temperature during irradiation was also measured to determine the mechanism underlying the bactericidal effects of the lasers. An aliquot of 2 μl cell suspension of S. mutans JC-2 strain was placed on anhydrous quartz or dentin plate, covering an area of approximately 5.0 mm in diameter to a depth of approximately 0.1 mm. Cell suspension was then irradiated at a power of 0.8 W (3.1 J/cm2) at a rate of 40 pps for 30 sec. After irradiation, the plate was put into a bottle containing PBS and vigorously voltated. Solution was serially diluted and inoculated on MS agar. After incubation anaerobically for 72 hr, colony forming units on the agar were counted. The experimental group, the number of bacteria decreased significantly compared to the control group under all conditions. No significant differences were observed in effect of wavelength or plate on bactericidal activity. In conclusion, laser irradiation at a wavelength of 1.67 μm for 30 sec showed a bactericidal effect on S. mutans, suggesting that this wavelength is more useful than 2.94 μm due to greater tissue penetration.     

Range of motion of thoracic spine in sagittal plane

Study design

Imaging study of thoracic spine.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate dynamic alignment and range of motion (ROM) at all segmental levels of thoracic spine.

Summary of background data

Thoracic spine is considered to have restricted ROM because of restriction by the rib cage. However, angular movements of thoracic spine can induce thoracic compressive myelopathy in some patients. Although few previous studies have reported segmental ROM with regard to sagittal plane, these were based on cadaver specimens. No study has reported normal functional ROM of thoracic spine.

Methods

Fifty patients with cervical or lumbar spinal disease but neither thoracic spinal disease nor compression fracture were enrolled prospectively in this study (34 males, 16 females; mean age 55.4 ± 14.7 years; range 27–81 years). After preoperative myelography, multidetector-row computed tomography scanning was performed at passive maximum flexion and extension position. Total and segmental thoracic kyphotic angles were measured and ROM calculated.

Results

Total kyphotic angle (T1/L1) was 40.2° ± 11.4° and 8.5° ± 12.8° in flexion and extension, respectively (P < 0.0001). The apex of the kyphotic angle was at T6/7 in flexion. Total ROM (T1/L1) was 31.7° ± 11.3°. Segmental ROM decreased from T1/2 to T4/5 but increased gradually from T4/5 to T12/L1. Maximum ROM was at T12/L1 (4.2° ± 2.1°) and minimum at T4/5 (0.9° ± 3.0°).

Conclusions

Thoracic spine showed ROM in sagittal plane, despite being considered a stable region. These findings offer useful information in the diagnosis and selection of surgical intervention in thoracic spinal disease.