Competing risks of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in diabetic patients.

Aims: The prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has increased in the past two decades, and diabetes mellitus (DM) is frequently associated with HFpEF. Although it has been demonstrated that left ventricular (LV) diastolic and vascular functional abnormalities are generally observed in HFpEF, it remains to be clinically elucidated how an asymptomatic stage progresses to symptomatic HFpEF in DM patients. We aimed to identify risk factors associated with incident HFpEF in DM patients and to evaluate the contribution of LV relaxation and compliance to the development of HFpEF.

Role of autotransplantation in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia patients in remission: Fukuoka BMT Group observations and a literature review.

We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 26 patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in the first CR (CR1) or second CR (CR2), who underwent autologous PBSCT (auto-PBSCT) between 1992 and 2008. All patients received all-trans retinoic acid-based induction therapy. After two courses of consolidation chemotherapy, upfront auto-PBSCT was performed in 20 patients in the CR1.

Opposing functions of chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate during early neuronal polarization.

Axon-dendrite polarity of neurons is essential for information processing in the nervous system. Here we studied the functions of chondroitin sulfate (CS) and heparan sulfate (HS) in neuronal polarization using cultured dissociated hippocampal neurons. Immunohistochemical analyses of early cultured neurons indicated the distribution of these glycosaminoglycans to be quite different.

Thrombocytopenia and anemia caused by a persistent high linezolid concentration in patients with renal dysfunction.

It has been proposed that it is not necessary to adjust the dose of linezolid (LZD) in patients with reduced renal function. However, significantly lower platelet counts and hemoglobin levels have been reported in such patients compared to those in patients with normal renal function. This suggests that the appropriate dose and administration method for LZD are yet to be established in patients with renal dysfunction.

Effect of sugar supplementation on rumen protozoa profile and papillae development in retarded growth calves.

The effect of sugar supplementation with 1 g/kg BW twice a week for eight weeks on rumen protozoa was determined in ten retarded growth calves. Rumen juice was sampled by abdominal paracentesis during the experiment. Papillae development of rumens excised by experimental laparotomy was macro- and micromorphologically determined before and after sugar supplementation in a selected calf.

Effect of a Large Dose of Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on Hepatic Peroxisome in Cynomolgus Monkeys (Macaca Fascicularis).

To elucidate the effect of a large dose of di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a plasticizer and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) agonist, on hepatic peroxisomes, we orally administered 1,000 mg/kg/day, once daily, to 3 male and 4 female cynomolgus monkeys for 28 days consecutively. Light-microscopic and electron microscopic examinations of the liver were carried out in conjunction with measurement of the hepatic fatty acid β-oxidation system (FAOS), carnitine acetyltransferase (CAT) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) activities, which are peroxisomal and/or mitochondrial enzyme activities. Electron microscopically, enlargement of the mitochondria was observed with lamellar orientation of the cristae along the major axis.

Regulation of Sox2 in the pre-placodal cephalic ectoderm and central nervous system by enhancer N-4.

The development of various tissues originating from the cephalic placodes is accompanied by the expression of the Sox2 gene. This Sox2 expression initiates in the pre-placodal cephalic ectoderm, and is regulated by enhancer N-4, which also regulates Sox2 in the embryonic central nervous system (CNS) posterior to the diencephalon. As the regulation of enhancer N-4 in the ectoderm likely reflects that of the pre-placodal cell state, its regulatory elements were characterized.

Reversible splenial lesion associated with novel influenza A (H1N1) viral infection.

We describe clinically mild encephalopathy with a reversible lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum associated with the novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus. A 14-year-old Japanese boy was hospitalized because of dysarthria and dysphagia 5 days after the onset of fever. He had been receiving zanamivir for 4 days before admission.

Asymmetric synthesis of 2-alkyl-substituted 2,5-dihydropyrroles from optically active aza-Baylis-Hillman adducts. Formal synthesis of (-)-trachelanthamidine.

A series of optically active 2-alkyl-substituted 2,5-dihydropyrroles were prepared via the asymmetric aza-Baylis-Hillman equivalent reaction and subsequent ring-closure metathesis reaction. Optically active aza-Baylis-Hillman adducts underwent a smooth two-step conversion to N-allyl-beta-amino-alpha-methylene esters in high yield, which gave chiral 2,5-dihydropyrroles, potential precursors for the aza-heterocyclic synthesis, almost quantitatively through RCM reaction catalyzed by Grubbs catalyst. The conversion was carried out without loss of the optical purity of the starting material.

In utero and lactational exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induces disruption of glands of the prostate and fibrosis in rhesus monkeys.

We investigated the effects that 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposure has on the prostate in rhesus monkey offspring. Dams received 0, 30 or 300 ng/kg TCDD subcutaneously on Day 20 of gestation, and then 5% of the initial dose was injected every 30 days until Day 90 after delivery. The offspring were maintained until reaching sexual maturity, and examined histopathologically.

Uterus-, fallopian tube-, ovary-, and vagina-sparing cystectomy followed by U-shaped ileal neobladder construction for female bladder cancer patients: oncological and functional outcomes.

Objectives: To evaluate oncological outcomes and voiding functions after orthotopic neobladder reconstruction with preservation of gynecologic organs in female bladder cancer patients.

Methods: A total of 30 consecutive female patients who underwent radical cystectomy and U-shaped ileal neobladder (constructed using 40 cm of a double-folded ileal loop) substitution were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 30 patients, 29 had urothelial carcinoma and 1 had leiomyosarcoma.

Involvement of human organic cation transporter 1 in the hepatic uptake of 1-(2-methoxyethyl)-2-methyl-4,9-dioxo-3-(pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-4,9-dihydro-1H-naphtho[2,3-d]imidazolium bromide (YM155 monobromide), a novel, small molecule survivin suppressant.

1-(2-Methoxyethyl)-2-methyl-4,9-dioxo-3-(pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-4,9-dihydro-1H-naphtho[2,3-d]imidazolium bromide (YM155 monobromide), which is a hydrophilic and cationic compound, exhibits antitumor activity in experimental human hormone refractory prostate carcinoma models. Urinary excretion was 18.3 to 28.

An efficient preparation of N-alkyl-2-benzazepine derivatives and investigation of their biological activity.

N-Alkyl-2-benzazepine derivatives are readily prepared through N-alkylation of secondary 2-benzazepines that are constructed via 7-endo selective cyclization of radical cyclization of N-boc-N-(2-bromo-5-methoxyphenylmethyl) methacrylamides. The structure and activity relationship of these derivatives are examined.

Role of gastric distention with additional water in differentiating locally advanced gastric carcinomas from physiological uptake in the stomach on 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose PET.

Purpose: In this study, we investigated the role of gastric distention with additional water to determine whether it is beneficial for the differentiation of locally advanced gastric carcinomas from physiological 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) uptake in the stomach and to characterize the FDG uptake of gastric carcinomas by relating it to the histopathological properties of the tumours.

Methods: Sixteen patients with locally advanced gastric carcinomas and 20 control patients were studied by FDG-PET. After whole-body PET imaging, the patients drank 400 ml of water and then spot imaging with additional water of the stomach was performed.

Effective induction of cell death on adult T-cell leukaemia cells by HLA-DRbeta-specific small antibody fragment isolated from human antibody phage library.

By a biopanning method using cell sorter, we quickly isolated an antibody phage clone (S1T-A3) specific to human T-lymphotropic virus type 1-carrying T-cell line S1T from a human single chain Fv (scFv) antibody phage library. This scFv antibody bound to HTLV-1-carrying T-cell lines including MT-2, MT-4 and M8166 other than S1T, but not to non-HTLV-1-carrying T-cell lymphomas such as Jurkat and MOLT4 cells. Interestingly, this antibody induced the cell death on S1T cells very quickly (< 30 min).

Pain intensity during the first 7 days following the application of light and heavy continuous forces.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether a force of 20 cN can be biologically active for tooth movement and to examine the pain intensity during the application of light (20 cN) or heavy (200 cN) continuous forces for 7 days. In the first experiment, a force of 20 cN was applied to eight canines in five volunteers. The mean tooth movement during 10 weeks was 2.

Chromatin immunoprecipitation on microarray analysis of Smad2/3 binding sites reveals roles of ETS1 and TFAP2A in transforming growth factor beta signaling.

The Smad2 and Smad3 (Smad2/3) proteins are principally involved in the transmission of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) signaling from the plasma membrane to the nucleus. Many transcription factors have been shown to cooperate with the Smad2/3 proteins in regulating the transcription of target genes, enabling appropriate gene expression by cells. Here we identified 1,787 Smad2/3 binding sites in the promoter regions of over 25,500 genes by chromatin immunoprecipitation on microarray in HaCaT keratinocytes.

Eosinophilic esophagitis: a case report. Effective treatment with systemic corticosteroids for the relapse of the disease.

We report on a case of eosinophilic esophagitis in a 33-year-old Japanese woman who visited our hospital with dysphagia and esophageal food impaction in April 2006. She had had the same symptoms in May 2005, and, by endoscopic and histologic examination, she was diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis. Biopsy specimens from multiple locations in the esophageal mucosa had shown remarkable infiltration of eosinophils, more than 20 eosinophils per high-power field in squamous mucosa, and she had been treated with Th2 cytokine antagonist and proton pump inhibitor at the time.

Absorption, distribution, and excretion of 14C-labeled tacrolimus (FK506) after a single or repeated ocular instillation in rabbits.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the absorption, distribution, and excretion of radioactivity in male rabbits after a single or repeated instillation of (14)C-labeled tacrolimus (FK506) ophthalmic suspension or an intravenous (i.v.) administration of (14)C-FK506.

Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of tacrolimus (FK506) after a single or repeated ocular instillation in rabbits.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the ocular distribution of tacrolimus (FK506) and absorption into the systemic circulation after a single or repeated topical instillation of FK506 ophthalmic suspension in male New Zealand white rabbits.

Methods: In the single instillation study (group 1), 29.1-34.

Effect of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy on gastrointestinal motility: evaluation by gastric-emptying scintigraphy.

Purpose: Firstly, to assess the effect of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement on gastric emptying, gastrointestinal (GI) tract motility and the rate of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Secondly, to confirm whether correlations exist between drug absorption behaviour and GI tract motility using the combination method of absorption function analysis with the motility study.

Methods: Subjects comprised 11 patients with neurological dysphagia.

Hepatic uptake and excretion of (-)-N-{2-[(R)-3-(6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-2-carbonyl)piperidino]ethyl}-4-fluorobenzamide (YM758), a novel if channel inhibitor, in rats and humans.

(-)-N-{2-[(R)-3-(6,7-Dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-2-carbonyl)piperidino]ethyl}-4-fluorobenzamide (YM758), a novel "funny" If current channel (If channel) inhibitor, is being developed as a treatment for stable angina and atrial fibrillation. The hepatic uptake/excretion of YM758 was clarified using transporter-expressing mammalian cells and hepatocytes mainly in humans and partly in rats. cDNA-expressing human embryonic kidney 293 cells were used to determine that YM758 was greatly taken up via organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1 and slightly via human organic cation transporter (hOCT) 1/rat organic cation transporter 1 but not via OATP1B3.

Low-dose instillation therapy with bacille Calmette-Guérin Tokyo 172 strain after transurethral resection: historical cohort study.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and side effects of prophylactic low-dose bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Tokyo 172 strain.

Methods: We conducted a historical cohort study to compare the clinical usefulness of standard-dose versus low-dose BCG Tokyo 172 strain. A total of 156 patients with superficial bladder cancer (Stage Ta-T1) were historically allocated to either 40 or 80 mg of BCG after transurethral resection.