Generation of Cellular Reactive Oxygen Species by Activation of the EP2 Receptor Contributes to Prostaglandin E2-Induced Cytotoxicity in Motor Neuron-Like NSC-34 Cells.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating motor neuron disease characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the central nervous system. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) plays a pivotal role in the degeneration of motor neurons in human and transgenic models of ALS. We have shown previously that PGE2 directly induces neuronal death through activation of the E-prostanoid (EP) 2 receptor in differentiated NSC-34 cells, a motor neuron-like cell line.

Failure of steroid withdrawal guided by F-FDG PET in a patient with cardiac sarcoidosis.

A 71-year-old man diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) 11 years previously underwent implantation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator due to sustained ventricular tachycardia. Over past decade, his condition of CS did not progress on the maintenance steroid dose of 7.5 mg per day.

A young patient with atypical type-B Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome accompanied by left ventricular dysfunction.

A 15-year-old asymptomatic male patient presented with an electrocardiographic abnormality and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (left ventricle ejection fraction of 40%) in a physical examination performed 2 years previously. LV dysfunction did not improve despite optimal medical therapy for dilated cardiomyopathy. Twelve-lead electrocardiography revealed a normal PR interval (138 ms) with a small delta-like wave in V2, but not a typical diagnostic wave that could be diagnosed as Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome by an electrocardiogram auto-analysis.

High concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids are associated with the development of atrial fibrillation in the Japanese population.

The favorable effect of fish oils rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) is controversial. The relationship between the serum concentrations of n-3 PUFAs and the incidence of AF is unclear; therefore, in the present study, we aimed to elucidate this relationship. We evaluated the serum concentrations of n-3 PUFAs in 110 patients with AF, 46 patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and no AF, and 36 healthy volunteers.

Hemodialysis-induced P-wave signal-averaged electrocardiogram alterations are indicative of vulnerability to atrial arrhythmias.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia, often occurring during hemodialysis (HD). Prolongation of the total filtered P-wave duration (PWD) and reduction of the root mean square voltages for the last 20 ms of the P wave (RMS20) on a P-wave signal-averaged electrocardiogram (P-SAECG) are predictors of AF. We investigated whether HD induces alterations of P-SAECG, and determined the influential factors.

Torsion analysis in the early detection of anthracycline-mediated cardiomyopathy.

Aims: Anthracyclines have profound consequences on the structure and function of the heart, which over time cause a cardiomyopathy that leads to congestive heart failure. Early detection of subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction following a low dose of anthracyclines may be a preventive strategy. The aim of this study was to determine torsion analysis using two-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging (STI), useful for detecting early anthracycline-mediated cardiotoxicity.

Risk evaluation for coronary artery disease in patients with impaired glucose tolerance after a successful coronary intervention.

Purpose: Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) often have risk factors that may influence endothelial function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the endothelial function and its association with coronary risk factors after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Materials And Methods: A total of 14 patients with impaired glucose tolerance and CAD underwent positron emission tomography with N-13 ammonia to measure myocardial blood flow (MBF) at rest and during a cold pressor test (CPT), to estimate endothelial function as a percent increase (%increase) of MBF.

Catheter ablation of non-inducible atrial tachycardia after surgical repair of heart disease.

We present a patient with non-inducible atrial tachycardia (AT) after atriotomy for surgical repair of heart disease who underwent ablation successfully. Using a 3-D mapping system, we presumed the atriotomy site on the lateral right atrial wall by searching for linear double potentials (DP) during sinus/paced rhythm from the coronary sinus, but it was evaluated incompletely. We could verify the edges of the atriotomy scar precisely by pacing from close to the linear DP lesion and the opposite site.

Early intervention with rosuvastatin decreases the lipid components of the plaque in acute coronary syndrome: analysis using integrated backscatter IVUS (ELAN study).

Background: It has recently become possible to analyze coronary plaque characteristics by using integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound (IB-IVUS). The aim of this study was to use this modality to evaluate the impact of early intervention with rosuvastatin on both the volume and tissue characteristics of non-culprit plaques in acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods And Results: Patients with ACS underwent IB-IVUS after percutaneous coronary intervention procedure and were administered rosuvastatin.

Transient pseudorestrictive pattern of transmitral flow velocity curve in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: Early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus and transmitral flow propagation velocity are reported as more reliable determinants of left ventricular diastolic function in patients with atrial fibrillation than are transmitral Doppler indices. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that transmitral flow curve shows pseudorestrictive pattern during rate-controlled atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Thirteen paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients were monitored for three phases: before atrial fibrillation, during atrial fibrillation, and after the recovery of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm.

Effect of graft adaptation of the internal mammary artery on longitudinal phasic blood flow velocity characteristics after surgery.

Left internal mammary artery (LIMA) bypass conduits undergo gradual longitudinal flow transition from the proximal to distal segments, and the diastolic/systolic (D/S) ratios of the flow indices can diagnose graft patency. However, the influence of graft adaptation on this has not been studied. We examined 46 patients with LIMA graft to the left anterior descending artery using a Doppler-tipped guidewire in the proximal, middle, and distal segments; 34 had patent LIMAs (group A: new LIMAs; <1 month postoperatively; n = 22 and group B: old LIMAs; ≥1 month postoperatively; n = 12), and 12 had new LIMAs with distal stenosis (group C).

Dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction due to anemia in a 71-year-old patient with sigmoid septum.

Sigmoid septum, although frequently observed in the elderly, has no pathophysiological significance in general. A 71-year-old woman with sigmoid septum developed acute heart failure because of a significant left ventricular outflow tract obstruction associated with the aggravation of anemia. This report provides the evidence that a hypercontractile cardiac state induced by anemia can be critical, especially in patients with sigmoid septum.

A case of left atrial involvement of cardiac sarcoidosis manifesting as atrial flutter treated with corticosteroids.

The clinical diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis can be elusive, because the clinical manifestations are non-specific, and the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic modalities are limited. A 60-year-old woman suffered atrial flutter and diffuse thickening of the left atrial wall accompanied with gallium-67 uptake, both of which were successfully treated with corticosteroid therapy. The diagnosis of cutaneous sarcoidosis had been made two years previously; therefore, we diagnosed the patient as having atrial involvement of cardiac sarcoidosis, and discuss here the importance of noninvasive evaluation of cardiac sarcoidosis using echocardiography.

Rationale and design of assessment of lipophilic vs. hydrophilic statin therapy in acute myocardial infarction (the ALPS-AMI) study.

Background: Statins reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Although all statins are equally effective in secondary prevention, there might be certain differences in the effects of lipophilic and hydrophilic statins. Therefore, our aim is to compare the effectiveness of lipophilic atorvastatin and hydrophilic pravastatin in secondary prevention after AMI.

Ilumatobacter fluminis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from the sediment of an estuary.

Bacterial strain YM22-133T was isolated from the sediment of an estuary and grew in media with an artificial seawater base. Strain YM22-133T was Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile and rod shaped. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained LL-DAP, glycine, alanine and hydroxyglutamate.

Noninvasive evaluation of coronary endothelial function following sirolimus-eluting stent implantation by using positron emission tomography.

Objective: Several invasive studies have reported delayed reendothelialization and endothelial dysfunction following sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation. We evaluated the changes in coronary endothelial function following SES implantation by using a noninvasive method that involved positron emission tomography and cold pressor testing (CPT).

Methods: The study was conducted on 14 lesions on which percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was successively performed.

Coagulation activity is increased in the left atria of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation during the non-paroxysmal period. Comparison with chronic atrial fibrillation.

Background: Evaluation of plasma markers of thrombin activity (thrombin-antithrombin III complex: TAT), active fibrinolysis (plasmin-alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor complex: PIC), and platelet activity (platelet factor 4: PF4) is useful for identifying patients with various cardiovascular disorders who are at high risk of thromboembolism. In this study, these markers were investigated in the left atria (LA) of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (pAF) in the non-paroxysmal period.

Methods And Results: Patients with pAF (n=10) and chronic AF (cAF) (n=10) were enrolled.

Influence of circumferential pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation on ST elevation in patient with Brugada syndrome.

We present a patient with Brugada syndrome and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who underwent circumferential pulmonary vein isolation. His electrocardiogram showed normal sinus rhythm and first-degree AV block (P-R 280 ms) with coved-type ST elevation in V1-2 (+2.0 mm) before ablation.

Immunoadsorption therapy for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure.

Several autoantibodies directed against cardiac cellular proteins including G-protein-linked receptors, contractile proteins and mitochondrial proteins, have been identified in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Among these autoantibodies, anti-beta1-adrenoreceptor (AR) antibodies have long been discussed in terms of their pathogenetic role in DCM. Anti-beta1-AR antibody-positive patients with DCM showed significant deterioration of NYHA functional class as well as reduced cardiac function compared to those in autoantibody-negative patients.

Risk stratification assessed by combined lung and heart iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine uptake in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) has been used to assess myocardial sympathetic nervous activity and severity of heart failure. (123)I-MIBG is also used as a potential marker of pulmonary endothelial cell function and may be related to pulmonary hypertension. Thus, we hypothesized that combined assessment of lung and heart 123I-MIBG kinetics predicts future clinical outcome more accurately than myocardial evaluation alone in patients with chronic heart failure.

A crucial role of a high mobility group protein HMGA2 in cardiogenesis.

The high mobility group (HMG) of nuclear proteins regulates expression of many genes through architectural remodelling of the chromatin structure, and formation of multiprotein complexes on promoter/enhancer regions. This leads to the active transcription of their target genes. Here we show that HMGA2, a member of the HMGA sub-family of HMG proteins, has a critical function in cardiogenesis.

Successful treatment of primary cardiac angiosarcoma with docetaxel and radiotherapy.

A 49-year-old man was admitted for primary cardiac angiosarcoma with a cardiac tamponade. Transthoracic echocardiography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan demonstrated a large mass in the right atrium and thickening of the right ventricular wall. 18F-labeled deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) scan showed increased FDG uptake in the mediastinum and over the heart.

Gigantic bronchial artery aneurysm treated with transcatheter arterial embolization: a case report.

Bronchial artery aneurysm (BAA) is a rare condition. Rupture of BAA can cause critical hemorrhage, and intervention for BAA is thus recommended. A 69-year-old woman presented with BAA 70 mm in diameter in the right hilum of the lung.

Elevated osteopontin levels in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

This study was carried out to compare concentrations of osteopontin (OPN) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The study population consisted of 200 consecutive subjects in whom both OPN/OPG and ankle-brachial index were measured. It was found that OPN levels, but not OPG levels, were significantly more increased in patients with PAD than those without PAD.

Anti-beta 1-adrenoreceptor autoantibodies and myocardial sympathetic nerve activity in chronic heart failure.

Background: The autoantibodies stimulate the beta1-adrenoreceptors on cardiac myocytes similar to norepinephrine, and are associated with reduced cardiac function. Iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine ((123)I-MIBG) is metabolized similarly to norepinephrine. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between cardiac stimulation by anti-beta1-adrenoreceptor autoantibodies and myocardial sympathetic nervous activity in patients with chronic heart failure.