Impact of the time-to-target rate of urine volume concept on the outcome of acute decompensated heart failure.

Background: Early decongestion with diuretics could improve clinical outcomes. This study aimed to examine the impact of the time-to-target rate of urine volume (T2TUV) concept on the outcome of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 1670 patients with ADHF who received diuretics within 24 h of admission.

Predictors of Poor Very Early Diuretic Response and Effectiveness of Early Tolvaptan in Symptomatic Acute Heart Failure.

Background: Diuretic response (DR) in patients with symptomatic acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) has an impact on prognosis. This study aimed to identify predictive factors influencing acute 6 h poor DR and to assess DR after early administration of tolvaptan (TLV).

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 1670 patients who were admitted for ADHF and received intravenous furosemide within 1 h of presentation in clinical scenario 1 or 2 defined based on initial systolic blood pressure ≥100 mmHg with severe symptoms (New York Heart Association class III or IV (n = 830).

The comparison of endothelial function between conduit artery and microvasculature in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT) are both established modalities to assess vascular endothelial function. However, clinical significance of FMD and RH-PAT may be different because these methods measure vascular function in different vessels (conduit arteries and resistance vessels).

Methods: To elucidate differences in the clinical significance of FMD and RH-PAT, a simultaneous determination of FMD was performed and reactive hyperemia index (RHI) measured by RH-PAT in 131 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography for suspicion of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Early surgical intervention and optimal medical treatment for Candida parapsilosis endocarditis.

We herein report the case of a 72-year-old man with endocarditis of the aortic valve who underwent urgent aortic valve replacement 36 hours after admission due to an aggravation of aortic valve regurgitation. Postoperative cultures of the blood and site of valve vegetation identified Candida parapsilosis as a pathogen. Antifungal therapy with amphotericin B and fluconazole was initiated after surgical treatment.

Global real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction detecting proto-oncogenes associated with 14q32 chromosomal translocation as a valuable marker for predicting survival in multiple myeloma.

CCND1, FGFR3 and c-MAF mRNA expression of tumor samples from 123 multiple myeloma patients were analyzed by global RQ/RT-PCR. CCND1, FGFR3 and c-MAF were positive in 44 (36%), 28 (23%) and 16 (13%) of patients, respectively. In 7 patients, both FGFR3 and c-MAF were positive.

Placenta growth factor stimulates the growth of Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells by both autocrine and paracrine pathways.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its associated molecule, placenta growth factor (PlGF) are now known to support normal hematopoiesis, and leukemia cell growth. In this study, expression of VEGF and PlGF in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells was examined by real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in 20 patient samples. Expression of PlGF was more intense in Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph(+)) ALL than in Ph(-) ALL cases.

ARK5 is transcriptionally regulated by the Large-MAF family and mediates IGF-1-induced cell invasion in multiple myeloma: ARK5 as a new molecular determinant of malignant multiple myeloma.

ARK5, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-related protein kinase mediating Akt signals, is closely involved in tumor progression, and its stage-associated expression was observed in colorectal cancer. In this study, we found ARK5 expression in multiple myeloma cell lines expressing c-MAF and MAFB. In addition, gene expression profiling of 351 clinical specimens revealed ARK5 expression in primary myelomas expressing c-MAF and MAFB, suggesting that ARK5 may be a transcriptional target of the Large-MAF family.

Global real-time quantification/reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for detecting proto-oncogenes associated with 14q32 chromosomal translocation in multiple myeloma.

A global real-time quantitative/reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technique for detecting the expression of six 14q32 chromosomal translocation-associated proto-oncogenes in marrow plasma cells was established and applied to myeloma specimens. This technique is an alternative method of detecting 14q32 rearrangements and allows investigation of the relationship between proto-oncogene expression and clinical features.

Autocrine pathway of angiopoietins-Tie2 system in AML cells: association with phosphatidyl-inositol 3 kinase.

Hematopoietic cells and endothelial cells are mutually correlated in their development and growth. Various angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietins (Angs), are thought to be associated with leukemia cell growth. In this study, we examined if the Angs-Tie2 autocrine pathway works in primary AML cells or not by using soluble Tie2-Fc, which inhibits Angs from binding to Tie2 receptor.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia with drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection.

We report a case of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. A 33-year-old woman was admitted because of APL. After complete remission was obtained with the use of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), intensive chemotherapy was administered.