Differential effects of structurally different lysophosphatidylethanolamine species on proliferation and differentiation in pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells.

Lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) is a bioactive lipid mediator involved in diverse cellular functions. In this study, we investigated the effects of three LPE species, 1-palmitoyl LPE (16:0 LPE), 1-stearoyl LPE (18:0 LPE), and 1-oleoyl LPE (18:1 LPE) on pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. All LPE species stimulated cell proliferation and activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2.

Effects of a Whole Plant Extract of var. on Bone Metabolism with Estrogen Receptor Activation.

We screened natural resources for estrogen receptor (ER)-activating and bone metabolism-promoting activities with the aim of finding potential treatments for osteoporosis. A screen of 1531 extracts from Ryukyu Arc plants using a luciferase reporter assay identified an 80% MeOH extract of var. (SRE) with dose-dependent ER transcription-promoting activity.

The association between late-phase early recurrence within the blanking period after atrial fibrillation catheter ablation and long-term recurrence: Insights from a large-scale multicenter study.

Background: The relationship between the timing of the first early recurrence and late recurrence after a single catheter ablation procedure for atrial fibrillation is controversial.

Methods: The Efficacy of Short-Term Use of Antiarrhythmic Drugs After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation trial followed 2038 patients who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Results: Of the patients, 907 (45%) had early recurrences within 90 days after the initial ablation.

Atrial flutter after surgeries of congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries in total visceral inversion.

A 51-year-old man, who had a history of open heart surgery for corrected transposition of great arteries, presented with palpitation due to atrial tachycardia. A propagation map using three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping (CARTO3) showed atrial flutter and underwent linear ablation successfully. This case highlights the difficulty of diagnosis before mapping following a complicated cardiac operation and the usefulness of three-dimensional mapping.

Diagnostic Value of Atrial Fibrillation by Built-in Electrocardiogram Technology in a Blood Pressure Monitor.

Hypertension in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is a known independent risk factor for stroke. The Complete blood pressure (BP) monitor (Omron Healthcare, Kyoto, Japan) was developed as the first BP monitor with electrocardiogram (ECG) capability in a single device to simultaneously monitor ECG and BP readings. This study investigated whether the Complete can accurately differentiate sinus rhythm (SR) from AF during BP measurement.

A case of cardiac tamponade due to coronary artery injury caused by atrial screw-in lead.

A 74-year-old man who had a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, visited the emergency department because of syncope. An electrocardiogram showed atrial fibrillation with slow ventricular response and long pauses. A permanent pacemaker was implanted under oral anticoagulation.

Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was inappropriate for use in a patient with aborted sudden cardiac death due to coronary spastic angina: a case report.

Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is recommended for secondary prevention in patients with coronary spastic angina and aborted sudden cardiac death. The effectiveness of subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD) for patients with coronary artery spastic angina is controversial.

Case Summary: A 54-year-old man presented with ventricular fibrillation.

First episode of ventricular fibrillation in an 84-year-old man with long-QT type 2 syndrome: A case report.

Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is associated with ventricular arrhythmia and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death in young people. However, it is extremely rare for an elderly man to experience ventricular fibrillation (VF) due to congenital LQTS as a first episode. We describe the case of an 84-year-old man who experienced syncope after urination.

Improvement in Exercise Tolerance after Catheter Ablation for Premature Ventricular Complexes: A Case Report.

Background: Recent reports on catheter ablation for premature ventricular complex (PVC) or ventricular tachycardia in the context of cardiomyopathy suggest that ablation can improve cardiac function and decrease the number of PVCs. However, reports on exercise tolerance after catheter ablation for PVC are few.

Case: A 56-year-old woman consulted her primary care doctor presenting with palpitations and fatigue on exertion.

Acute coronary syndrome with large thrombus successfully managed with no-stenting revascularization based on intravascular imaging in a patient with hyperhomocysteinemia: a case report.

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is caused by genetic and environmental factors, which can result in systemic arteriosclerosis and arteriovenous thrombosis including acute coronary syndrome. Thrombus burden in patients with acute coronary syndrome and hyperhomocysteinemia might involve the culprit lesion as compared with those without any coagulopathy. The primary percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation had been established as the treatment strategy for patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Favorable changes of left ventricular function in the circumferential direction following transcatheter atrial septal defect closure: a strain imaging study.

To clarify the impact on left ventricular (LV) function of percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure in adult patients. Echocardiograms of 46 patients (52 ± 18 years) who underwent ASD closure with a significant left-to-right shunt obtained before and 1 month after the procedure were retrospectively analyzed. Functional parameters were obtained by 2-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging.

Comparison of ThinPrep Integrated Imager-Assisted Screening versus Manual Screening of ThinPrep Liquid-Based Cytology Specimens.

Objective: The aim of this study was to find out whether ThinPrep Integrated Imager (Hologic Inc.) screening is non-inferior to manual screening in the detection of cervical lesion.

Study Design: For a total of 4,011 ThinPrep Pap test specimens stained by ThinPrep staining, manual screening (Manual arm) and ThinPrep Integrated Imager screening (Imager arm) were performed so as not to be screened by the same cytotechnologist, and the sensitivity and specificity in the detection of cervical lesion were compared using McNemar's test.

Pauses in atrial rhythm in a patient with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy: A case report.

A 58-year-old woman with a history of multi-origin atrial tachycardia and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy was treated for presyncope caused by pauses in atrial rhythm. A dual-chamber pacemaker was implanted. The low-voltage area extended broadly, but 10-V pacing could not capture the large right atrium, including the right atrial appendage, except the coronary sinus ostium.

Tachycardiomyopathy Caused by a Pseudo-Ventricular Tachycardia: The Role of Imaging and Ablation in Diagnosis and Treatment.

A 50-year-old man presented with general fatigue on exertion. Investigations revealed tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy induced by Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and atrial fibrillation. He was successfully treated with catheter ablation.

A case of prolonged sinus arrest for 5 minutes after Cryo-balloon ablation to the left superior pulmonary vein.

A 63-year-old man was referred to our hospital for his palpitation due to atrial fibrillation. He was admitted for catheter ablation. Cryoablation was applied to the left superior pulmonary vein for 180 seconds, and its potential disappeared in 22 seconds.

Appropriate selection of echocardiographic guidance for transcatheter atrial septal defect closure.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) under general anesthesia (GA) or intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) under sedation is usually used for echocardiographic guidance during transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. However, appropriate selection of guidance has not been fully established. Our study aimed to evaluate whether selection of guidance depending on anatomic ASD features and TEE tolerability under sedation contributes to procedure success.

Predictors of Increased Left Ventricular Filling Pressure After Transcatheter Atrial Septal Defect Closure.

The aim of this study was to identify factors of left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) elevation following transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. The study involved 97 adult patients with sinus rhythm who underwent both transcatheter ASD closure and transthoracic echocardiography. Elevated LVFP was diagnosed during the first month of follow-up according to the American Society of Echocardiography guidelines: that is, ratio of transmitral early filling to the lateral annular diastolic velocity (lateral E/e') >13 was used to exclude the effect of the device on the atrial septum.

Importance of Preoperative Computed Tomography Assessment of the Membranous Septal Anatomy in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With a Balloon-Expandable Valve.

Background: Cardiac conduction disturbance (CD) is the most frequent complication following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This study examined whether the anatomy of the membranous septum (MS) could provide useful information about the risk of CD following TAVR with a balloon-expandable valve (BEV).

Methods and results: Among 132 consecutive patients, 106 (mean age, 85.

Clinical significance of rectus femoris diameter in heart failure patients.

Heart failure (HF) is often accompanied by skeletal muscle weakness and exercise intolerance, which are known as prognostic factors of HF. Comprehensive evaluation of physical function is important, but it is not commonly conducted because of the lack of equipment or appropriate expertise. Measurement of rectus femoris diameter (RFD) by ultrasound is convenient and noninvasive, but it has not been clarified that RFD could represent physical functions in HF patients.

In-stent Massive Thrombi Formation During Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in a Patient with Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated with Essential Thrombocythemia.

A 61-year-old man with essential thrombocythemia (ET) presented with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention. After stent deployment from the left main (LM) to the left anterior descending artery, intravascular ultrasound revealed thrombi formation in the whole stent. Two days later, optical frequency domain imaging confirmed stent malapposition and thrombi remaining in only the LM.

Brachial-Ankle Pulse Waves Reflect the Hemodynamics of Valvular Heart Disease.

Background: Brachial-ankle pulse wave (ba-PW) analysis is an established technique for assessing arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk. The peripheral arterial pulse wave configuration may be useful for valvular heart disease (VHD) detection because it is closely related to the physical signs of VHD; however, few reports have been made assessing the efficacy of ba-PW analysis for VHD screening.

Methods: Consecutive VHD patients scheduled for valve surgery were enrolled in the study.

Angioscopic Evaluation During Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension.

Background: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a progressive disorder with a poor prognosis. Recently, balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) has been reported to be an effective treatment for inoperable patients with CTEPH. However, this catheter-based treatment has potentially life-threatening vascular complications.

Impact of Door-to-Balloon Time in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Who Arrived by Self-Transport - Acute Myocardial Infarction-Kyoto Multi-Center Risk Study Group.

Background: Patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who arrive at a hospital via self-transport reportedly have a delayed door-to-balloon time (DBT). However, the clinical impacts of delayed DBT on in-hospital mortality among such patients are not well known.

Methods and results: In total, 1,172 STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2009 and December 2013 from the Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) Kyoto Registry were analyzed.

Late-onset Mitochondrial Cardiomyopathy Triggered by Anticancer Treatment.

We report the case of a 62-year-old woman with a history of bilateral hearing impairment, who developed mitochondrial cardiomyopathy after chemotherapy. The patient underwent postoperative cisplatin chemotherapy after the surgical treatment of cervical cancer. The systolic function of her left ventricle decreased significantly.