Maintenance mechanism of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation from the activation occurring within the pulmonary vein: analysis using non-contact mapping.

It is unclear how pulmonary veins (PVs) maintain paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). To clarify the PV's arrhythmogenic role, we examined PV activation sequences during paroxysmal AF. Left superior PV (LSPV) endocardial non-contact mapping was performed after a right PV isolation in 13 paroxysmal AF patients.

Stress-induced vagal activity influences anxiety-relevant prefrontal and amygdala neuronal oscillations in male mice.

The vagus nerve crucially affects emotions and psychiatric disorders. However, the detailed neurophysiological dynamics of the vagus nerve in response to emotions and its associated pathological changes remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that the spike rates of the cervical vagus nerve change depending on anxiety behavior in an elevated plus maze test, and these changes were eradicated in stress-susceptible male mice.

Efficacy of catheter ablation from the noncoronary aortic cusp of verapamil-sensitive atrial tachycardia arising near the atrioventricular node.

Background: The efficacy of catheter ablation from the noncoronary aortic cusp (NCC) of verapamil-sensitive atrial tachycardia arising near the atrioventricular node (AVN-AT) has yet to be fully clarified.

Objective: We elucidated the determinant of an effective AVN-AT ablation from the NCC.

Methods: After identifying the earliest atrial activation site (EAAS) during tachycardia, the direction of the slow conduction zone (SCZ) of the reentry circuit was identified by demonstrating manifest entrainment in 26 patients with AVN-AT.

Verification of Coronary Computed Tomography-Derived Fractional Flow Reserve Measurement Site for Detection of Significant Coronary Artery Disease.

The optimal site for measuring computed tomography (CT)-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) to detect significant coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unknown. We investigated how diagnostic performance changes with FFR measurement site. The diagnostic performance of FFR, measured 1-2 cm distal to the stenosis vs.

Comparison of Diagnostic Performance of Fractional Flow Reserve Derived from Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography Versus Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomographic Myocardial Perfusion Imaging.

Fraction flow reserve (FFR) derived from computed tomography (FFR) has been proposed to be an effective gatekeeper for invasive angiographic referral. The purpose of the present study is to examine the real-world diagnostic performance of FFR and myocardial perfusion imaging as well as to assess the utility of FFR as a gatekeeper for invasive coronary angiography in patients suspected of having obstructive coronary artery disease. Total of 146 consecutive patients underwent both single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and invasive FFR were evaluated.

The diagnostic performance of on-site workstation-based computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve. Comparison with myocardium perfusion imaging.

To compare the diagnostic performance of on-site workstation-based computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR)Few data of CT-FFR were reported regarding the diagnostic performance for detecting hemodynamically significant coronary artery disease (CAD). This retrospective single-center analysis included 132 vessels in 77 patients who underwent CT angiography, myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), and invasive FFR. The correlation coefficient between CT-FFR and invasive FFR and optimal cut-off value for CT-FFR to identify invasive FFR ≤ 0.

Theta-Range Oscillations in Stress-Induced Mental Disorders as an Oscillotherapeutic Target.

Emotional behavior and psychological disorders are expressed through coordinated interactions across multiple brain regions. Brain electrophysiological signals are composed of diverse neuronal oscillations, representing cell-level to region-level neuronal activity patterns, and serve as a biomarker of mental disorders. Here, we review recent observations from rodents demonstrating how neuronal oscillations in the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex are engaged in emotional behavior and altered by psychiatric changes such as anxiety and depression.

Comparison of the catheter ablation outcome in patients between targeting the entrance and exit of the reentry circuit in verapamil-sensitive atrial tachycardia originating from the atrioventricular-node vicinity.

Verapamil-sensitive atrial tachycardia originating from the atrioventricular node vicinity (AVN-AT) can be eliminated with radiofrequency energy (RF) deliveries targeting either the entrance or exit of its reentry circuit. However, the outcome of these different approaches has not been clarified well. Thus, we compared the catheter ablation outcome targeting the entrance of reentry circuit, identified by the entrainment method (Ent-Group; 21 patients) with that targeting the earliest atrial activation site (EAAS) during AT (Exit-Group; 16 patients).

Optogenetic Manipulation of the Vagus Nerve.

The vagus nerve plays a pivotal role in communication between the brain and peripheral organs involved in the sensory detection and the autonomic control of visceral activity. While the lack of appropriate experimental techniques to manipulate the physiological activity of the vagus nerve has been a long-standing problem, recent advancements in optogenetic tools, including viral vectors and photostimulation devices, during the late 2010s have begun to overcome this technical hurdle. Furthermore, identifying promoters for expressing transgenes in a cell-type-specific subpopulation of vagal neurons enables the selective photoactivation of afferent/efferent vagal neurons and specific visceral organ-innervating vagal neurons.

Determinants of insufficient improvement in fractional flow reserve following percutaneous coronary intervention.

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) has become an increasingly important index for decision making concerning coronary revascularization. It is commonly accepted that significant improvement in FFR following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with better symptomatic relief and a lower event rate. However, in lesions with insufficient FFR improvement, PCI may not improve prognosis.

Dual real-time in vivo monitoring system of the brain-gut axis.

The brain-gut axis which is an interaction between recognition and emotion and the gut sensory system for food and microbiota is important for health. However, there is no real-time monitoring system of the brain and the gut simultaneously so far. We attempted to establish a dual real-time monitoring system for the brain-gut axis by a combination of intravital Ca imaging of the gut and electroencephalogram.

Clinical impact of successful recanalization for chronic total occlusion: insights from stress myocardial perfusion imaging.

The clinical benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) is still controversial. The purpose of this study is to assess the quantitative therapeutic benefits of successful PCI for CTO from the clinical data acquired by myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Consecutive 42 patients, who were successfully revascularized of CTO between August 2013 and March 2018, were examined.

Sniffing behaviour-related changes in cardiac and cortical activity in rats.

Key Points: High-frequency (HF) sniffing represents active odour sampling and an increase in the animal's motivation. We examined how HF sniffing affects the physiological activity of the brain-body system. During HF sniffing, heart rates and the ratio of theta to delta critical local field potential power were comparable to those observed during motion periods.

Vagus nerve spiking activity associated with locomotion and cortical arousal states in a freely moving rat.

The vagus nerve serves as a central pathway for communication between the central and peripheral organs. Despite traditional knowledge of vagus nerve functions, detailed neurophysiological dynamics of the vagus nerve in naïve behavior remain to be understood. In this study, we developed a new method to record spiking patterns from the cervical vagus nerve while simultaneously monitoring central and peripheral organ bioelectrical signals in a freely moving rat.

Diagnostic performance of on-site computed CT-fractional flow reserve based on fluid structure interactions: comparison with invasive fractional flow reserve and instantaneous wave-free ratio.

Aims: We evaluated diagnostic accuracy of CT-fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) computed on-site with a new vendor workstation, against invasive FFR as the reference standard.

Methods And Results: Retrospective analyses compared CT-FFR of 104 vessels with 30-90% diameter stenosis in 75 patients imaged using single-rotation 320 detector-row coronary CT angiography (CCTA) with invasive FFR performed within 90 days. Prospective ECG-gated CCTA included exposure of 70-99% of the R-R interval.

Simultaneous monitoring of mouse respiratory and cardiac rates through a single precordial electrode.

Normal respiratory and circulatory functions are crucial for survival. However, conventional methods of monitoring respiration, some of which use sensors inserted into the nasal cavity, may interfere with naïve respiratory rates. In this study, we conducted a single-point measurement of electrocardiograms (ECGs) from the pectoral muscles of anesthetized and waking mice and found low-frequency oscillations in the ECG baseline.

Characterization of Peripheral Activity States and Cortical Local Field Potentials of Mice in an Elevated Plus Maze Test.

Elevated plus maze (EPM) tests have been used to assess animal anxiety levels. Little information is known regarding how physiological activity patterns of the brain-body system are altered during EPM tests. Herein, we monitored cortical local field potentials (LFPs), electrocardiograms (ECGs), electromyograms (EMGs), and respiratory signals in individual mice that were repeatedly exposed to EPM tests.

Repaired left ventricular free wall rupture after acute myocardial infarction by percutaneous intrapericardial fibrin-glue injection therapy.

Left ventricular free wall rupture is a rare, but occasionally lethal, complication after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This case report describes a patient who presented with cardiogenic shock due to oozing-type rupture secondary to AMI and successfully underwent percutaneous intrapericardial fibrin-glue injection therapy. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the thin layer of fibrin that covered the ruptured infarct myocardium immediately after fibrin-glue injection and its disappearance without any complications at 6 months.

Conformational equilibria of bulged sites in duplex DNA studied by EPR spectroscopy.

Conformational flexibility in nucleic acids provides a basis for complex structures, binding, and signaling. One-base bulges directly neighboring single-base mismatches in nucleic acids can be present in a minimum of two distinct conformations, complicating the examination of the thermodynamics by calorimetry or UV-monitored melting techniques. To provide additional information about such structures, we demonstrate how electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) active spin-labeled base analogues, base-specifically incorporated into the DNA, are monitors of the superposition of different bulge-mismatch conformations.

Nonsteroidal progesterone receptor ligands (I): synthesis and SAR of new tetrahydronaphthofuranone derivatives.

We have synthesized a series of nonsteroidal progesterone receptor (PR) ligands, tetrahydronaphthofuranones, structurally based on the fungal metabolite PF1092C. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed that substituents at the 6- and 7-positions were critical for PR binding affinity and for agonist or antagonist activity. Compounds in this series, exemplified by 19i, exhibited high affinity and high specificity for PR over other steroid hormone receptors and acted as selective PR antagonists.

Nonsteroidal progesterone receptor ligands (II); synthesis and SAR of new tetrahydrobenzindolone derivatives.

The human progesterone receptor (PR) binding affinity and the PR agonistic or antagonistic potency of tetrahydronaphthofuranone derivatives were shown previously to be markedly influenced by substituents at the 6- and 7-positions. Here, we synthesized tetrahydrobenzindolones possessing a lactam ring, which enabled us to modify the 6- and 7-positions more freely, since tetrahydrobenzindolones are chemically more stable than tetrahydronaphthofuranones. The tetrahydrobenzindolone derivatives generally showed higher PR binding affinity than the corresponding tetrahydronaphthofuranones.

Endocrinological properties of two novel nonsteroidal progesterone receptor modulators, CP8816 and CP8863.

We have isolated PF1092A, B, and C, novel nonsteroidal progesterone ligands with preferential affinity for the progesterone receptor, from fermentation broth of a fungus [Tabata Y, Miike N, Hatsu M, Kurata Y, Yaguchi T, Someya A, Miyadoh S, Hoshiko S, Tsuruoka T, and Omoto S (1997) J Antibiot 50:304-308; Tabata Y, Hatsu M, Kurata Y, Miyajima K, Tani M, Sasaki T, Kodama Y, Tsuruoka T, and Omoto S (1997) J Antibiot 50:309-313]. The original skeleton of PF1092, tetrahydronaphthofuranone, was modified synthetically to produce a new skeleton, tetrahydrobenzindrone, and in the present study, biological activities of two derivatives, CP8816 [(4aR,5R,6R,7R)-6-(N,N-dimethylaminocarbonyl)oxy-7-methoxy-4a,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1,3,4a,5-tetramethylbenz[f]indol-2(4H)-one] and CP8863 [(4aR,5R,6R,7R)-7-hydroxy-6-(N-methylcarbamoyl)oxy-4a,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1,3,4a,5-tetramethylbenz[f]indol-2(4H)-one], were investigated. Both CP8816 and CP8863 demonstrated selective binding to progesterone receptor and partial agonistic activity in a progesterone-dependent endogenous alkaline phosphatase expression assay.