Selecting Oversized Donor Cardiac Allografts for Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension May Be Unnecessary

Introduction

There is a tendency to favor oversized donor hearts for heart transplant candidates affected by mild to moderate pulmonary hypertension (PHTN). We hypothesize that both undersized and oversized donor hearts fare equally well in this setting.

Methods

A total of 107 cases from 2003 to 2008 were retrospectively reviewed and subsequently divided into those receiving organs from undersized donors (group 1: donor weight/recipient weight ≤0.90, n = 37) and oversized donors (group 2: donor weight/recipient weight ≥1.2, n = 70). PHTN was identified in the perioperative period in those patients with systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) ≥40 mm Hg. Endpoints of mortality and hemodynamic data were investigated.

Results

Of 107 patients, 37 received undersized donor allografts, with a mean donor-to-recipient weight ratio of 0.8, and 70 received oversized donors allografts, with a mean donor-to-recipient ratio of 1.4. Perioperative PAH was diagnosed in 20 of the 37 (54%) patients from the undersized group (mean SPAP = 45.9 mm Hg) and 41 of 70 (59%) patients from the oversized group (mean SPAP = 46.5 mm Hg). There was no significant difference in right ventricular function at 1 week, 1 month, or 6 months. Left ventricular function was similar between both groups at 6 months (P = .22). The mean SPAP in the undersized group was 45.9, 33.4, 31.8, and 23.1 mm Hg at the perioperative, 1 week, 1 month, and 6 month time points, respectively. Corresponding mean SPAP for the oversized group was 46.5, 35.0, 29.4, and 26.1 mm Hg. The 1 month, 1 year, and 3 year survivals were similar in both groups.

Conclusions

Oversized and undersized donor hearts fared equally well in the setting of mild to moderate perioperative PAH. This in addition to the propensity for resolution of pulmonary hypertension over time suggests that the current practice of favoring oversized donor hearts for patients with pre-transplantation PAH may be unwarranted.     

The Difference in Comorbidities and Behavioral Aspects between Internet Abuse and Internet Dependence in Korean Male Adolescents

Objective

This study examined the differences in psychiatric comorbidities and behavioral aspects in accordance with the severity of Internet addiction in male adolescents.

Methods

One hundred and twenty-five adolescents from four middle and high schools in Seoul were enrolled in this study. The subjects were divided into non-addict, abuse, and dependence groups according to a diagnostic interview by psychiatrists. The psychiatric comorbidities and behavioral aspects of subjects were evaluated through psychiatric clinical interviews based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition), the Children''s Depression Inventory, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Internet Addiction Test, and a self-reported questionnaire about behavioral aspects.

Results

The psychiatric comorbidity distributions were significantly different in the abuse and dependence groups, particularly in terms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and mood disorder items. The Children''s Depression Inventory, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Internet Addiction Test scores were also significantly different among the three groups. There were significant differences in 10 of the 20 items of the Internet Addiction Test between the non-addict, abuse, and dependence groups. There were significant differences in seven items between the non-addict and abuse groups, but no differences between subjects in the abuse and dependence groups. Significant differences were observed in three items between the abuse and dependence groups, but there were no significant differences between the non-addict and abuse groups. In terms of behavioral aspects, scores for abusive, sexual, and decreased social interest behaviors were highest in the dependence group, and lowest in the non-addict group. However, the behavioral aspects of decreased interpersonal relationships did not show this difference between groups.

Conclusion

This study suggests that there are differences in psychiatric comorbidities and behavioral aspects between adolescent males with characteristics of Internet abuse and Internet dependence.     

Characterization of 22 polymorphic microsatellite markers for seven-band grouper Epinephelus septemfasciatus developed using a 454 pyrosequencing approach

Seven-band grouper, Epinephelus septemfasciatus, is of considerable economic value and a candidate species of aquaculture in Eastern Asia. It is necessary to monitor the stocks for the sustainable use and aquaculture of the species. Monitoring genetic variation among marine resources necessitates the development of genetic markers. Here, we report 22 polymorphic microsatellite markers with 2–16 alleles per locus. The mean observed and expected heterozygosity per locus was 0.53 and 0.57, respectively. Cross-amplification revealed variability in Epinephelus bruneus and Epinephelus akaara. The 22 markers developed can be a valuable tool for genetic conservation of this species.     

Standards for Endovascular Neurosurgical Training and Certification of the Society of Korean Endovascular Neurosurgeons 2013

The need for standard endovascular neurosurgical (ENS) training programs and certification in Korea cannot be overlooked due to the increasing number of ENS specialists and the expanding ENS field. The Society of Korean Endovascular Neurosurgeons (SKEN) Certification Committee has prepared training programs and certification since 2010, and the first certificates were issued in 2013. A task force team (TFT) was organized in August 2010 to develop training programs and certification. TFT members researched programs and systems in other countries to develop a program that best suited Korea. After 2 years, a rough draft of the ENS training and certification regulations were prepared, and the standard training program title was decided. The SKEN Certification Committee made an official announcement about the certification program in March 2013. The final certification regulations comprised three major parts: certified endovascular neurosurgeons (EN), certified ENS institutions, and certified ENS training institutions. Applications have been evaluated and the results were announced in June 2013 as follows: 126 members received EN certification and 55 hospitals became ENS-certified institutions. The SKEN has established standard ENS training programs together with a certification system, and it is expected that they will advance the field of ENS to enhance public health and safety in Korea.