During development, the formation of a mature, well-functioning heart requires transformation of the ventricular wall from a loose trabecular network into a dense compact myocardium at mid-gestation. Failure to compact is associated in humans with congenital diseases such as left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC). The mechanisms regulating myocardial compaction are however still poorly understood. Here, we show that deletion of the Ino80 chromatin remodeler in vascular endothelial cells prevents ventricular compaction in the developing mouse heart. This correlates with defective coronary vascularization, and specific deletion of Ino80 in the two major coronary progenitor tissues-sinus venosus and endocardium-causes intermediate phenotypes. In vitro, endothelial cells promote myocardial expansion independently of blood flow in an Ino80-dependent manner. Ino80 deletion increases the expression of E2F-activated genes and endothelial cell S-phase occupancy. Thus, Ino80 is essential for coronary angiogenesis and allows coronary vessels to support proper compaction of the heart wall.

Background/Aims: Colonoscopy training programs and the minimal experience with colonoscopy required to be considered technically competent are not well established. The aim of this study was to determine the colonoscopy learning curves and factors associated with this difficult procedure at a single center. Methods: A total of 3,243 colonoscopies were performed by 12 first-year gastroenterology fellows, and various clinical factors were assessed prospectively for 22 months. Acquisition of competence (success rate) was evaluated based on two objective criteria: (i) the adjusted completion rate (＞90%) and (ii) cecal intubation time (＜20 minutes). Results: The overall success rate in reaching the cecum in less than 20 minutes was 72.8%. The cecal intubation time was 9.34±4.13 minutes (mean±SD). Trainees' skill at performing cecal intubation in ＜20 minutes reached the requisite standard of competence after 200 procedures. Cecal intubation time decreased significantly from 11.3 to 9.4 minutes after 100 procedures and improved continuously thereafter. Female patients and advanced patient age (over 60 years) were associated with prolonged cecal intubation time (＞20 minutes). Surgery of the uterus and ovaries was significantly correlated with delayed cecal intubation time, but not after sufficient colonoscopy experience. Conclusions: The minimum number of procedures to reach technical competence was 200. The cecal intubation time was longer in female and older patients.

We present an unusual renal tumor, which has not been classified under a known subtype of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and characteristically shows similar histology to thyroid follicular carcinoma. The patient was a 32-year-old asymptomatic woman who was found to have a kidney mass during her annual physical examination. She had no lesions in the thyroid during physical and ultrasound examinations, and there was no abnormal thyroid function test. Neither mediastinal nor ovarian abnormalities were observed. The resected kidney showed a well-defined nodular tumor measuring 11.8x8.0x8.0 cm. The mass was protruding into the pelvic cavity with areas of yellowish geographic necrosis. Histologically, the tumor showed follicular architectures with inspissated colloid-like material in their lumina. No conventional (clear cell) RCC or any other known subtypes of RCC component was observed. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed intensive staining for cytokeratin (CK) cocktail AE1/AE3 and CD10 and were not reactive to thyroid transcription factor-1 and thyroglobulin. The staining of CK35betaH11 and vimentin revealed focal cytoplasmic reaction. The tumor cells were completely negative for CK7, CK19, CK20, CK34betaE12, carcinoembryonic antigen, epithelial membrane antigen, and CD15. Chromosomal gains of 7q36, 8q24, 12, 16, 17p11-q11, 17q24, 19q, 20q13, 21q22.3, and Xp and losses of 1p36, 3, and 9q21-33 were detected by comparative genomic hybridization. These findings are dissimilar to previously classified renal neoplasm. Only a report that included three cases of primary thyroid-like renal tumor has been described in the abstract form. However, there is no fully documented case on this unusual form of RCC, which morphologically resembles that of thyroid follicular carcinoma. Herein, we present a new case of thyroid follicular carcinoma-like tumor of the kidney with a chromosomal study and review of the literature.

PurposeTo investigate the incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Korea and treatment patterns for 3 years after the diagnosis in a nationwide database.Materials and MethodsWe created a cohort of patients diagnosed of BPH between 2007 and 2011 from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment database, a nationwide database of reimbursement. The diagnosis of BPH was defined as having the diagnosis of BPH (N40.0 in International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision) as a primary or secondary diagnosis ≥2 times in 2008. The incidence of BPH in 2008 was calculated. Treatment patterns were determined in 3 months interval and traced for 3 years. The incidence and timing of surgery were also determined. For patients taking medications preoperatively, medication-free rate was calculated.ResultsThe incidence of BPH was 2,105 per 100,000 men (mean age, 59.7±11.4 years), and increased with age. Surgery was performed for 7,955 patients (2.1%), half of the surgery being performed within the first 6 months. Transurethral resection of the prostate was the most commonly performed surgery. The proportion of treatment increased with age until the 7th decade of life. The patients taking medication for >1 year after the initial diagnosis was 21.4%. On average, 82% of patients became medication-free at postoperative 1 year. For patients taking preoperative anticholinergics, 1 year medication-free rate was 73.3%.ConclusionsThe incidence of BPH increased with age. Surgery was performed in 2.1% of patients. More than 4/5 patients discontinued medication after surgery, while patients taking preoperative anticholinergics were less likely to.

Swallowing is a rare cause of neurally mediated syncope. The mechanism of swallow syncope that contributes to hypotension, bradycardia, or to both is complex. A 59-year-old man had experienced a recurrent loss of consciousness during swallowing of carbonated beverages or sticky foods. Another 59-year-old man had complained of intermittent syncope just after eating foods. These two patients had no significant structural or functional abnormalities in the esophagus or heart. Both cases showed bradycardia when the lower esophagus was stretched by balloon inflation. The activation of mechanoreceptors in the lower esophagus can be regarded as an initiating factor of these cardioinhibitions. The patients were treated with permanent pacemaker implantation and instructed to change eating habits, respectively.

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This study supports the effectiveness and safety of nonsurgical treatment for older adults with HCC. Further study is needed to elucidate the reasons for similar prognoses in the older adults in spite of the greater burdens of comorbidities and poorer performance status.

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