Successful Catheter Ablation of Atrial Tachycardia Originating from the Non-coronary Aortic Sinus

We report a rare case of atrial tachycardia originating from the non-coronary aortic sinus. After failed radiofrequency (RF) energy applications at right His-bundle region, the complete elimination of atrial tachycardia was achieved with an RF energy application in the non-coronary aortic sinus. With the review of other papers, this report emphasizes the importance of mapping in the non-coronary aortic sinus in focal atrial tachycardia near the atrioventricular node or near the Hisbundle

Factors related to cancer screening behaviors

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the factors related to cancer screening behaviors (CSB). METHODS The 2014 Korean Community Health Survey used for analysis. The dependent variable was CSB, and the independent variables were demographic, health behavioral, and regional factor. Propensity score matching (PSM) used to control health behavior and regional factors, which were influencing CSB. For statistical analysis, chi-square test and logistic regression analysis used. RESULTS Logistic regression analysis after PSM showed that gender, age, marital status, educational level, monthly household income, employment type, alcohol drinking, smoking, body mass index group, chronic disease, and subjective health status influenced the CSB, there were statistical differences. CONCLUSIONS To improve cancer screening (CS), it is necessary to educate individuals on the need for CS and to carry out a personalized CS program based on an individual’s demographic status and health behavior

Use of a Tunneling Technique to Achieve a Lower Defibrillation Threshold during Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation via the Right Subclavian Vein

A 56-yr-old man with aborted sudden cardiac death underwent implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation. While the ICD was being implanted, a left subclavian venogram failed to visualize the left subclavian vein, which was attributed to likely prolonged indwelling of the left subclavian sheath for venous access. Accordingly, the right subclavian vein was punctured and the ICD lead was diverted from the right side area to the active Can in the left pectoral area by tunneling over the sternum for high defibrillation threshold. The approach used in this case may be considered in patients who had difficult left subclavicular venous access and it may be prudent to save the left subclavian vein for ICD implantation in patients with fatal tachyarrhythmia

Comparison of selected canine vector-borne diseases between urban animal shelter and rural hunting dogs in Korea

A serological survey for Dirofilaria immitis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, and Borrelia burgdorferi infections in rural hunting and urban shelter dogs mainly from southwestern regions of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) was conducted. From a total of 229 wild boar or pheasant hunting dogs, the number of serologically positive dogs for any of the four pathogens was 93 (40.6%). The highest prevalence observed was D. immitis (22.3%), followed by A. phagocytophilum (18.8%), E. canis (6.1%) and the lowest prevalence was B. burgdorferi (2.2%). In contrast, stray dogs found within the city limits of Gwangju showed seropositivity only to D. immitis (14.6%), and none of the 692 dogs responded positive for A. phagocytophilum, E. canis or B. burgdorferi antibodies. This study indicates that the risk of exposure to vector-borne diseases in rural hunting dogs can be quite high in Korea, while the urban environment may not be suitable for tick infestation on dogs, as evidenced by the low infection status of tick-borne pathogens in stray dogs

Successful Catheter Ablation of Focal Automatic Left Ventricular Tachycardia Presented with Tachycardia-Mediated Cardiomyopathy

Non-reentrant focal tachycardias occur spontaneously, facilitated by catecholamine infusion, but they cannot be initiated or terminated with programmed stimulation. These tachycardias exhibit early activation before the QRS, however, do not typically show the mid-diastolic potential that is crucial for reentrant tachycardia maintenance. Electrophysiological studies are useful for distinguishing focal from macro-reentrant ventricular tachycardia. We report herein a case of patient without a history of structural heart disease who presented with a focal Purkinje ventricular tachycardia and heart failure. The focal Purkinje ventricular tachycardia was eliminated by radiofrequency catheter ablation. All of the patien's symptoms were improved after ablation

Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Hypoxic Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Attenuate GSK3β Expression via miRNA-26a in an Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Model.

PURPOSE: Bioactive molecules critical to intracellular signaling are contained in extracellular vesicles (EVs) and have cardioprotective effects in ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injured hearts. This study investigated the mechanism of the cardioprotective effects of EVs derived from hypoxia-preconditioned human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: EV solutions (0.4 μg/μL) derived from normoxia-preconditioned MSCs (EV(NM)) and hypoxia-preconditioned MSCs (EV(HM)) were delivered in a rat IR injury model. Successful EV delivery was confirmed by the detection of PKH26 staining in hearts from EV-treated rats. RESULTS: EV(HM) significantly reduced infarct size (24±2% vs. 8±1%, p<0.001), and diminished arrhythmias by recovering electrical conduction, I(Na) current, and Cx43 expression. EV(HM) also reversed reductions in Wnt1 and β-catenin levels and increases in GSK3β induced after IR injury. miRNA-26a was significantly increased in EV(HM), compared with EV(NM), in real-time PCR. Finally, in in vitro experiments, hypoxia-induced increases in GSK3β expression were significantly reduced by the overexpression of miRNA-26a. CONCLUSION: EV(HM) reduced IR injury by suppressing GSK3β expression via miRNA-26a and increased Cx43 expression. These findings suggest that the beneficial effect of EVHM is related with Wnt signaling pathway

Male Pseudohermaphroditism Presented with Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Torsades de Pointes is a life-threatening arrhythmia associated with a number of causes, but is very rare among endocrinologic disorders. We report a case of male pseudohermaphroditism with hyperaldosteronism due to a 17α-hydroxylase deficiency presented with sudden cardiac arrest

Sestrins are evolutionarily conserved mediators of exercise benefits.

Exercise is among the most effective interventions for age-associated mobility decline and metabolic dysregulation. Although long-term endurance exercise promotes insulin sensitivity and expands respiratory capacity, genetic components and pathways mediating the metabolic benefits of exercise have remained elusive. Here, we show that Sestrins, a family of evolutionarily conserved exercise-inducible proteins, are critical mediators of exercise benefits. In both fly and mouse models, genetic ablation of Sestrins prevents organisms from acquiring metabolic benefits of exercise and improving their endurance through training. Conversely, Sestrin upregulation mimics both molecular and physiological effects of exercise, suggesting that it could be a major effector of exercise metabolism. Among the various targets modulated by Sestrin in response to exercise, AKT and PGC1α are critical for the Sestrin effects in extending endurance. These results indicate that Sestrin is a key integrating factor that drives the benefits of chronic exercise to metabolism and physical endurance