Prevalence of electrocardiographic abnormalities in young, elite Japanese athletes.

Background: The question as to whether or not electrocardiogram (ECG) evaluations should be performed in all athletes is still controversial. So, in this study, the prevalence of electrocardiographic abnormalities was evaluated in young, elite Japanese athletes.

Methods: Subjects included 174 male and 101 female Japanese athletes (mean age, 21.

Electrochemistry of photochromic [2.2]paracyclophane-bridged imidazole dimers: rational understanding of the electronic structures.

[2.2]Paracyclophane-bridged imidazole dimers, which show unique fast photochromism, have various practical applications in industry. To put them to practical use, it is necessary to prepare various types of the imidazole dimers which have different color, reaction rate, sensitivity, etc.

Prevalence and influence of hyperthyroidism on the long-term outcome of catheter ablation for drug-refractory atrial fibrillation.

Background: Hyperthyroidism is usually regarded as a reversible cause of atrial fibrillation (AF); however, one-third of patients remain in AF despite euthyroid restoration. We hypothesized that a significant number of AF patients with hyperthyroidism (Hyperthyroid-AF) as well as those without (Non-thyroid-AF) would benefit from catheter ablation of AF (AF ablation). This study aimed to clarify the prevalence of hyperthyroidism in candidates for AF ablation and to compare the long-term outcome of AF ablation between the Hyperthyroid-AF and Non-thyroid-AF groups.

Spectroelectrochemistry of a photochromic [2.2]paracyclophane-bridged imidazole dimer: clarification of the electrochemical behavior of HABI.

The photochromic behavior of the imidazole dimers can be attributable to the photoinduced homolytic cleavage of the C-N bond between the two imidazole rings. On the other hand, although the simultaneous formation of the imidazolyl radical and imidazole anion by the one-electron reduction of an imidazole dimer was reported, no definitive evidence for this electrochemical reaction has been demonstrated. We report the first direct evidence for the electrochemical generation of the imidazolyl radical from the radical anion of the imidazole dimer by conducting the UV-vis-NIR spectroelectrochemical analysis of the [2.

Identification of unusual reentry circuit sites of nonischemic ventricular outflow tract tachycardia.

Background: Reentrant ventricular outflow tract (OT) tachycardia is rare in patients with nonischemic heart disease. The mechanism of ventricular tachycardia (VT) arising from the region of the aortic sinus of Valsalva (ASOV) is usually focal, rather than reentrant. Consequently, less is known about reentrant circuits in the OT and the aortic sinuses.

Riboflavin depletion impairs cell proliferation in adult human duodenum: identification of potential effectors.

Background And Aims: Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is an essential dietary component with a known function in oxidative metabolism. Our previous data using a rat model of riboflavin deficiency suggested that riboflavin also functions as a luminal signaling molecule regulating crypt development and cell turnover. Riboflavin deficiency is prevalent in both high- and low-income countries across the globe.

Reentrant ventricular tachycardia originating in the right ventricular outflow tract: slow conduction identified by right coronary artery ostium pacing.

A case of reentrant ventricular tachycardia (VT) originating from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) is described. An electrophysiological study revealed that programmed stimulation from the right ventricle apex induced 2 types of VT with similar left bundle branch block configuration and inferior axis. Yet, VT cycle length (CL) was different; one was stable, sustained VT with a CL of 360 ms and the other was hemodynamically intolerable VT with a CL of 330 ms.

Homocysteine from endothelial cells promotes LDL nitration and scavenger receptor uptake.

We recently reported that methionine-loaded human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exported homocysteine (Hcy) and were associated with hydroxyl radical generation and oxidation of lipids in LDL. Herein we have analysed the Hcy-induced posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of LDL protein. PTMs have been characterised using electrophoretic mobility shift, protein carbonyl ELISA, HPLC with electrochemical detection and Western blotting of 3-nitrotyrosine, and LDL uptake by scavenger receptors on monocyte/macrophages.

Copper-mediated LDL oxidation by homocysteine and related compounds depends largely on copper ligation.

Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is thought to be a major factor in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Elevated plasma homocysteine is an accepted risk factor for atherosclerosis, and may act through LDL oxidation, although this is controversial. In this study, homocysteine at physiological concentrations is shown to act as a pro-oxidant for three stages of copper-mediated LDL oxidation (initiation, conjugated diene formation and aldehyde formation), whereas at high concentration, it acts as an antioxidant.

Hyperhomocystinemia in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

Objectives: Thromboembolism is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is a risk factor for vascular disease and has been implicated as a mediator of thromboembolic events in adults with IBD. The authors studied the link between tHcy and IBD in children, in whom associations may be clearer, and investigated associations with plasma von Willebrand factor antigen, a marker of vascular damage.