Background: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major catechin in green tea, and has shown antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, antimetastatic and cell cycle pertubation activity in various tumor models. Hypoxia can be induced because angiogenesis is insufficient for highly proliferating cancer. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and its downstream target, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), are important for angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis. The aim of this study was to determine how hypoxia could cause changes in the cellular phenomena and microenvironment in a non-small cell culture system and to examine the effects of EGCG on a HIF-1α and VEGF in A549 cell line. Methods: A549 cells, a non-small cell lung cancer cell line, were cultured with DMEM and 10% fetal bovine serum. A decrease in oxygen tension was induced using a hypoxia microchamber and a CO2-N2 gas mixture. Gas analysis and a MTT assay were performed. The A549 cells were treated with EGCG (0, 12.5, 25, 50 μmol/L), and then examined by real-time-PCR analysis of HIF-1α, VEGF, and β-actin mRNA. Results: Hypoxia reduced the proliferation of A549 cells from normoxic conditions. EGCG inhibited HIF-1α transcription in A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Compared to HIF-1α, VEGF was not inhibited by EGCG. Conclusion: HIF-1α can be inhibited by EGCG. This suggests that targeting HIF-1α with a EGCG treatment may have therapeutic potential in non-small cell lung cancers.
Background: Osteoporosis is a significant comorbidity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). This study examined the prevalence and risk factors associated with osteoporosis in patients with COPD. Methods: The bone mineral densities (BMDs) of the lumbar spine and femoral bone were measured in 53 patients with clinically stable COPD and 41 age- and gender-matched control subjects showing a normal lung function. Osteoporosis was defined as a T-score ≤−2.5. The subjects’ clinical characteristics and laboratory data were reviewed, and multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors associated with osteoporosis in COPD patients. Results: The prevalence of osteoporosis was 47% and 32% in the COPD patients and controls, respectively. In particular, using the femoral neck T-score, the prevalence of osteoporosis in COPD patients was higher than that in the controls (26% vs. 5%; p=0.006). The average T-score of the lumbar spine (p=0.025) and femoral neck of COPD patients were significantly lower than those of the controls (p=0.001). The forced expiratory volume in the 1 second (FEV1) % predicted (p=0.019; odds ratio [OR], 0.955; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.919-0.993) and age (p=0.024; OR, 1.144; 95% CI, 1.018-1.287) were independently associated with osteoporosis in patients with COPD. Conclusion: Using the femoral neck T-score, the prevalence of osteoporosis in patients with COPD was higher than the age-and gender-matched controls. A lower FEV1 and older age further increase the risk of osteoporosis in patients with COPD.
Background: Despite the benefits of home oxygen therapy in patients suffering chronic respiratory failure, previous reports in Korea revealed lower compliance to oxygen therapy and a shorter time for oxygen use than expected. However, these papers were published before oxygen therapy was covered by the national insurance system. Therefore, this study examined whether there were some changes in compliance, using time and other clinical features of home oxygen therapy after insurance coverage. Methods: This study reviewed the medical records of patients prescribed home oxygen therapy in our hospital from November 1, 2006 to September 31, 2008. The patients were interviewed either in person or by telephone to obtain information related to oxygen therapy. Results: During study period, a total 105 patients started home oxygen therapy. The mean age was 69 and 60 (57%) were male. The mean oxygen partial pressure in the arterial blood was 54.5 mmHg and oxygen saturation was 86.3%. Primary diseases that caused hypoxemia were COPD (n=64), lung cancer (n=14), Tb destroyed lung (n=12) and others. After oxygen therapy, more than 50% of patients experienced relief of their subjective dyspnea. The mean daily use of oxygen was 9.8±7.3 hours and oxygen was not used during activity outside of their home (mean time, 5.4±3.7 hours). Twenty four patients (36%) stopped using oxygen voluntarily 7±4.7 months after being prescribed oxygen and showed a less severe pulmonary and right heart function. The causes of stopping were subjective symptom relief (n=11), inconvenience (n=6) and others (7). Conclusion: The prescription of home oxygen has increased since national insurance started to cover home oxygen therapy. However, the mean time for using oxygen is still shorter than expected. During activity of outside their home, patients could not use oxygen due to the absence of portable oxygen. Overall, continuous education to change the misunderstandings about oxygen therapy, more economic support from national insurance and coverage for portable oxygen are needed to extend the oxygen use time and maintain oxygen usage.
Background: First-line drugs, if sensitive, are the most potent drugs in the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). This study examined the frequency and risk factors associated with acquired drug resistance to first-line drugs during a standardized treatment using first-line drugs in patients with MDR-TB. Methods: This study included patients who were diagnosed with MDR-TB at the National Masan Tuberculosis Hospital between January 2004 and May 2008, treated with standardized first-line drugs, and for whom the preand post-treatment results of the drug susceptibility test were available. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Of 41 MDR-TB patients, 14 (34.1%) acquired additional resistance to ethambutol (EMB) or pyrazinamide (PZA). Of 11 patients initially resistant to isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RFP), 3 (27.3%) acquired additional resistance to both EMB and PZA, and 3 (27.3%) to PZA. Of 18 patients initially resistant to INH, RFP and EMB, 6 (33.3%) acquired additional resistance to PZA. Of 6 patients initially resistant to INH, RFP and PZA, 2 (33.3%) acquired additional resistance to EMB. Ten of the 41 MDR-TB patients (24.4%) changed from resistant to susceptible. No statistically significant risk factors associated with acquired resistance could be found. Conclusion: First-line drugs should be used cautiously in the treatment of MDR-TB in Korea considering the potential acquisition of drug resistance.
Background: CXCL10 and CXCL11, which are family of CXCR3 ligands, are expressed by lymphocytes and even by bronchial epithelial cells if the cellular immunity is activated. This study evaluated the potential utility of CXCL10 and CXCL11 in the serum for active pulmonary tuberculosis in comparison with lung cancer, which activates the cellular immunity, and benign lung diseases. Methods: Patients who newly visited Pusan National University Hospital from January 2007 to December 2007 and were suspected of having lung cancer or tuberculosis were enrolled prospectively. The patients were classified pathologically and clinically into three groups, 47 with lung cancer, 18 with active pulmonary tuberculosis and 38 control patients with benign pulmonary disease. ELISA was used to determine the levels of CXCL10 and CXCL11 were determined in the serum. Results: The level of CXCL10 and CXCL11 were significantly higher in the active pulmonary tuberculosis group than in the lung cancer and benign lung disease groups (p＜0.001, Kruskal-Wallis). The level of CXCL11 was significantly higher in the lung cancer group than in the benign pulmonary disease group, but there was no significant difference in level of CXCL10 between the three groups (p＜0.001, p=0.655, respectively, Mann-Whitney U). The level of CXCL10 in patients with stage III＋IV lung cancer was significantly higher than those with stage I＋II, but there was no significant difference in the level of CXCL11 between the groups (p＜0.001, p=0.07, respectively, Mann-Whitney U). There was no significant difference in the level of CXCL10 and CXCL11 between those with the presence and absence of lung cancer metastasis. There was a significant correlation between the level of CXCL10 and CXCL11 (r=0.223, p＜0.001). Conclusion: CXCL10 and CXCL11 may be a potential useful markers for active pulmonary tuberculosis if used alongside other diagnostic methods.
Pulmonary thromboembolism occurs in old patients with risk factors, such as, immobilization, chronic medical disease, trauma, a hereditary hypercoagulable state, and others. However, we experienced a young man with a massive pulmonary thromboembolism attributed to immobilization due to computer gaming. The patient had been playing computer games in a seated position for at least five hour continually, and for twelve hours per day over a two-week period. The 36-year-old patient was transferred to our institute rule out the possibility of an acute myocardial infarction. Computer tomography revealed intraluminal filling defects in the distal main pulmonary artery and the left popliteal vein. He received thrombolytic therapy and subsequently recovered without complications. This case raises the possibility that prolonged computer gaming is a risk factor of thromboembolism in young adults.
A bronchial obstruction of the remaining lung is a rare complication of thoracic surgery. We report a case of this rare complication after a right upper lobectomy due to a giant bulla. Post-resectional angulation of the bronchus intermedius caused the bronchial obstruction. An intrabronchial stent was inserted into the bronchus intermedius, which relieved the obstruction.
Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection caused by the soil fungus, Coccidioides immitis, which is endemic to the south-western United States. However, the incidence of coccidioidomycosis has recently increased due to the increase in overseas travel to endemic areas. We report a case of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis diagnosed in an immunocompetent person. A 28-year-old female, who had lived in Phoenix, Arizona, USA for 2 years, was admitted for an evaluation of persistent cough with fever lasting for 2 weeks. The chest X-ray and Chest CT revealed multifocal patchy consolidation and ground-glass opacity in both lungs as well as multiple enlarged right hilar and paratracheal lymph nodes. A percutaneous needLe biopsy of the main mass-like consolidation confirmed mature spherules of Coccidioides immitis in lung tissue. Pulmonary coccidioidomycosis should be considered in patients presenting with persistent cough with fever and a history of travel to or immigration from an endemic area.
Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a disorder that is characterized by asthma, hypereosinophilia and systemic vasculitis affecting a number of organs. The manifestations of acute cholecystitis and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage are rarely reported in CSS. A 22-year-old woman with bronchial asthma visited our hospital complaining of right upper quadrant pain with a sudden onset. The abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed gall bladder edema consistent with acute cholecystitis. On the initial evaluation, marked hypereosinophilia was observed in the peripheral blood smear. The nerve conduction velocity measurements and a skin biopsy performed to confirm the organ involvement of disease indicated typical mononeuritis multiplex and necrotizing vasculitis, respectively, which was complicated with CSS. On the 12th hospital day, ground glass opacity and consolidations were newly developed on both lung fields. The bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid showed increasing bloody return in sequential aliquots that were characteristic of a diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. We report a case of CSS with acute cholecystitis and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage.
Idiopathic bronchiolocentric interstitial pneumonia is one of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, which has a relatively aggressive course and poor prognosis. It is characterized by diffuse centrilobular nodules radiologically with mainly bronchiolocentric inflammation and fibrosis associated with patchy alveolitis lacking interstitial granuloma histologically. This disorder is a recently classified disease category, and to our knowledge, there is no case report in Korea. We present a case of idiopathic bronchiolocentric interstitial pneumonia. A 62-year-old man presented with exertional dyspnea with a 1 month duration. The radiological findings showed extensive centrilobular lesions at both lungs. The surgical lung biopsy specimen demonstrated a centrilobular inflammatory process with small airway fibrosis and inflammation partially radiating into the interstitium. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with idiopathic bronchiolocentric interstitial pneumonia. He was treated with immunosuppressants including steroids and azathioprine. However, his symptoms did not improve and he expired 7 months later due to an acute exacerbation of the interstitial pneumonia and probable infectious pneumonia.
Miliary tuberculosis is quite a rare but serious cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Therefore, the early detection of military tuberculosis as the underlying cause of ARDS is very important for the prognosis and survival of the patient. We report a case of military tuberculosis mimicking ARDS. A female patient was admitted due to repeated fever and dyspnea. The initial chest CT scan showed diffuse ground glass opacity, without a miliary pattern. The case was considered to be ARDS caused by pneumonia. She showed improvement after being treated with levofloxacin. However, she was re-admitted with fever seven days after discharge. The follow up chest CT scan showed micronodules in both lungs. An open lung biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of military tuberculosis.
xTraumatic diaphragmatic rupture is uncommon, but requires a prompt diagnosis and repair. Diaphragmatic injury is most commonly associated with automobile accidents. The diagnosis is difficult and may be delayed because there are no specific symptoms, signs, or radiographic studies that are pathognomic for diaphragmatic injury. The most important factor in the diagnosis is a high suspicion and the use of proper diagnostic studies. We report a case involving the delayed presentation of diaphragmatic rupture in a 54 year old man, requiring surgical repair 12 days following multiple blunt trauma. It should be noted that early recognition for diaphragmatic injury is important in patients with multiple trauma to avoid the potential fatal complications.