Cadmium modulates adipocyte functions in metallothionein-null mice.

Our previous study has demonstrated that exposure to cadmium (Cd), a toxic heavy metal, causes a reduction of adipocyte size and the modulation of adipokine expression. To further investigate the significance of the Cd action, we studied the effect of Cd on the white adipose tissue (WAT) of metallothionein null (MT(-/-)) mice, which cannot form atoxic Cd-MT complexes and are used for evaluating Cd as free ions, and wild type (MT(+/+)) mice. Cd administration more significantly reduced the adipocyte size of MT(-/-) mice than that of MT(+/+) mice.

"Blue letter effects": Changes in physicians' attitudes toward dabigatran after a safety advisory in a specialized hospital for cardiovascular care in Japan.

Background: A blue letter (safety advisory) for dabigatran was issued by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in August 2011. Changes in physicians' attitudes toward dabigatran use before and after the blue letter have not been previously reported.

Methods And Results: Between March 2011 and July 2012, dabigatran was prescribed to 404 Japanese patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation at The Cardiovascular Institute (Tokyo, Japan).

Long-term incidence and prognostic factors of the progression of new coronary lesions in Japanese coronary artery disease patients after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Revascularization of an initially non-target site due to its progression as a new culprit lesion has emerged as a new therapeutic target of coronary artery disease (CAD) in the era of drug-eluting stents. Using the Shinken database, a single-hospital-based cohort, we aimed to clarify the incidence and prognostic factors for progression of previously non-significant coronary portions after prior percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Japanese CAD patients. We selected from the Shinken database a single-hospital-based cohort of Japanese patients (n = 15227) who visited the Cardiovascular Institute between 2004 and 2010 to undergo PCI.

Clinical characteristics and long-term clinical outcomes of Japanese heart failure patients with preserved versus reduced left ventricular ejection fraction: a prospective cohort of Shinken Database 2004-2011.

Background: Clinical data on the mortality and morbidity of unselected Japanese patients with heart failure (HF) are limited. In this study, we aimed to determine the clinical characteristics, long-term outcomes, and prognostic factors of Japanese HF patients with preserved or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods And Results: We used a single hospital-based cohort from the Shinken Database 2004-2011 that comprised all new patients (n=17,517) visiting the Cardiovascular Institute Hospital.

Obesity paradox in Japanese patients after percutaneous coronary intervention: an observation cohort study.

Background: The impact of obesity on Japanese patients who undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unclear.

Methods And Results: Within a single hospital-based cohort in the Shinken Database 2004-2010, which comprised all new patients (n=15227) who visited the Cardiovascular Institute, we followed patients who underwent PCI. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE)-death, myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization (TLR)-were defined as the composite endpoint.

Obesity and metallothionein.

The development of obesity consists of 3 distinct processes: differentiation of new adipocytes from precursor preadipocytic cells, formation of mature adipocytes, and excess accumulation of lipids in the adipocytes resulting in cell enlargement. This review aims to discuss the possible role of metallothionein (MT) in adipose tissue in the development of obesity. MT is induced in adipose tissue during the development of obesity.

Impact of aging on the clinical outcomes of Japanese patients with coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Japan has become an aging society, resulting in an increased prevalence of coronary artery disease. However, clinical outcomes of elderly Japanese patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remain unclear. Of the 15,227 patients in the Shinken Database, a single-hospital-based cohort of new patients, 1,214 patients who underwent PCI, was evaluated to determine the differences in clinical outcomes between the elderly (≥75 years) (n = 260) and the non-elderly (<75 years) (n = 954) patients.

Effects of Microstructure on Electrode Properties of Nanosheet-Derived H(NiCoMn)O₂ for Electrochemical Capacitors.

Nanosheet-derived H(NiCoMn)O₂ was prepared by restacking (NiCoMn)O₂ nanosheets with large or small lateral sizes and their electrochemical properties in a 1 M KOH aqueous solution; microstructural factors were compared with those of bulk H(NiCoMn)O₂ (HNCM). The electrodes composed of small nanosheets exhibited very large capacitances of 1241 F·g (395 mAh·g) at a current density of 50 mA·g, and 430 F·g (100 mAh·g) at a large current density of 1000 mA·g. These large capacitances resulted from a heterogeneous layer structure with a large surface area and pore volume.

Usefulness of frequent supraventricular extrasystoles and a high CHADS2 score to predict first-time appearance of atrial fibrillation.

Frequent supraventricular extrasystoles (SVEs) are associated with the subsequent first-time appearance of atrial fibrillation (AF) and ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate the combined role of SVEs and an AF-related risk score for ischemic stroke, the CHADS2 score, on the occurrence of new AF in patients in sinus rhythm. The Shinken Database 2004-2010 lists 3,263 patients who underwent 24-hour Holter monitoring.

Effects of statin treatment in patients with coronary artery disease and chronic kidney disease.

Statins reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality from coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the effects of statin therapy in patients with CAD and chronic kidney disease (CKD) remain unclear. Within a single hospital-based cohort in the Shinken Database 2004-2010 comprising all patients (n = 15,227) who visited the Cardiovascular Institute, we followed patients with CKD and CAD after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Estimated glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria are associated with persistent form of atrial fibrillation: analysis in Japanese patients.

Background: Several reports have identified that decline in renal function and presence of proteinuria are closely associated with incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it is still unclear whether these kidney-related markers are associated with the progression of AF from paroxysmal to persistent form.

Methods And Results: Among the new patients who visited the Cardiovascular Institute Hospital between 2004 and 2010 (Shinken Database 2004-2010, n=15,227), both estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and proteinuria were measured in 1074 AF patients (paroxysmal/persistent 579/495, respectively), who were divided into tertiles of eGFR (the borderlines were 60.

[Hyperglycemia due to atypical antipsychotics in cancer patients with delirium].

We investigated hyperglycemia due to atypical antipsychotics in cancer patients with delirium. Using patient records retrospectively, we investigated 189 cancer patients who were diagnosed with delirium between June 2008 and May 2009. One- hundred fifty-four of the 189 patients used atypical antipsychotics for delirium treatment.

Concentration dependence of rheological properties of telechelic associative polymer solutions.

We consider concentration dependence of rheological properties of associative telechelic polymer solutions. Experimental results for model telechelic polymer solutions show rather strong concentration dependence of rheological properties. For solutions with relatively high concentrations, linear viscoelasticity deviates from the single Maxwell behavior.

Role of arterial stiffness and impaired renal function in the progression of new coronary lesions after percutaneous coronary intervention.

In the era of drug-eluting stents, revascularization of an initially non-target site owing to its progression as a new culprit lesion has emerged as a new therapeutic target of coronary artery disease. We aimed to clarify the prognostic factors for the progression of a previously non-significant coronary portion after prior percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We examined 275 patients who underwent PCI between February 2010 and January 2011 and had follow-up coronary angiography (CAG) after 6-12 months.

Gene expression of mesoderm-specific transcript is upregulated as preadipocytes differentiate to adipocytes in vitro.

Mesoderm-specific transcript (Mest) is a distinct gene associated with adipocyte differentiation and proliferation. The mechanisms regulating expression of the Mest gene are not established. Therefore, we investigated Mest gene expression during adipogenic differentiation in murine 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipose-derived stromal cells (ADCs) from C57BL/6J mouse adipose tissue.

A new scoring system for evaluating the risk of heart failure events in Japanese patients with atrial fibrillation.

Risk stratification for heart failure (HF) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has not been well established. The aim of this study was to identify the predictors of HF events in patients with AF, consequently developing a new risk-scoring system that stratifies the risk for HF events. In this prospective, single hospital-based cohort, all patients who presented from July 2004 to March 2010 were registered (Shinken Database 2004-2009).

Distribution of first-detected atrial fibrillation patients without structural heart diseases in symptom classifications.

Background: The characteristics and prognosis of patients with first-detected atrial fibrillation (AF) in Japan remain unclear.

Methods And Results: First-detected AF patients without structural heart disease (n=289) were reviewed with regard to 2 symptom classifications (CCS-SAF and EHRA). In both classifications, asymptomatic patients comprised ≈40% of the patients, and patients in the most symptomatic class (≈6%) had peculiar characteristics and poor prognosis.

Relationship between 24-h Holter recordings and clinical outcomes in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation.

Objectives: This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the range of 24-h total heart beats (24 h-tHB) correlates with cardiac outcomes (cardiac death and incidence of hospitalization with heart failure) in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods And Results: We divided 252 consecutive outpatients with permanent AF into 4 groups according to their 24 h-tHB and examined clinical outcomes. Initial 24 h-tHB at enrollment was significantly associated with patient characteristics including age, sex, presence of structural heart diseases, and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF).

Role of cardiopulmonary dysfunction and left atrial remodeling in development of acute decompensated heart failure in chronic heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

Background: The presence of heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) is increasingly recognized. However, prognostic factors for HFPEF remain unclear.

Methods And Results: The data were derived from Shinken Database 2004-2010, a prospective cohort study (n=15,227).

Dabigatran in clinical practice for atrial fibrillation with special reference to activated partial thromboplastin time.

Background: The distribution of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients under dabigatran therapy remains to be clarified.

Methods And Results: The study population was 196 NVAF patients who were treated with dabigatran in 2011 (126 with 220 mg/day). The APTT values showed a wide distribution among the patients, especially in those with a reduced dose, who seemed to show a high value even in patients without contraindications.

Gender-specific relationship between serum uric acid level and atrial fibrillation prevalence.

Background: Although various kinds of cardiovascular risk factors have been reported to be associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), the relationship between serum uric acid level and AF has not been fully examined.

Methods And Results: Data were collected from a single hospital-based cohort in the Shinken Database 2004-2008 (n=11,123), and consisted of serum uric acid level for 7,155 patients. The association between serum uric acid level and AF prevalence was evaluated on logistic regression.

Effects of a novel nonantibiotic macrolide, EM900, on cytokine and mucin gene expression in a human airway epithelial cell line.

Background/aims: Long-term macrolide therapy is an effective treatment for chronic sinusitis and diffuse panbronchiolitis. However, long-term use of macrolides may promote the growth of drug-resistant bacteria; therefore, development of macrolides with no antibacterial action is desirable. A new erythromycin (EM) derivative, (8R,9S)- 8,9-dihydro-6,9-epoxy-8,9-anhydropseudoerythromycin A (EM900), does not possess antibacterial action.

Differential effects of cobalt and mercury on lipid metabolism in the white adipose tissue of high-fat diet-induced obesity mice.

Metals and metalloid species are involved in homeostasis in energy systems such as glucose metabolism. Enlarged adipocytes are one of the most important causes of obesity-associated diseases. In this study, we studied the possibility that various metals, namely, CoCl(2), HgCl(2), NaAsO(2) and MnCl(2) pose risk to or have beneficial effects on white adipose tissue (WAT).

Airport quarantine inspection, follow-up observation, and the prevention of pandemic influenza.

Introduction: After a report of H1N1 novel influenza in Mexico and North America, Japan conducted onboard quarantine inspections from late April 2009. The detection rate in border quarantine inspection is low due to incubation period and thus inspection is considered to be ineffective in blocking the entry of influenza. However, little is known about the concomitant effects of such inspection, such as increased traceability, upon secondary transmission.