Predictability of indicators in local activation time mapping of ablation success for premature ventricular contractions.

Introduction: Differences in predictability of ablation success for premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) between earliest isochronal map area (EIA), local activation time (LAT) differences on unipolar and bipolar electrograms (⊿LAT), LAT prematurity on bipolar electrograms (LAT), and unipolar morphology of QS or Q pattern remain unclear. We verified multiple statistical predictabilities of those indicators of ablation success on mapped cardiac surface.

Methods: Thirty-five patients with multiple PVCs underwent catheter ablation after LAT mapping using multipolar mapping catheters with unipolar-based annotation.

Hydrogen gas and the gut microbiota are potential biomarkers for the development of experimental colitis in mice.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease characterised by repeated relapses and remissions and a high recurrence rate even after symptom resolution. The primary method for IBD diagnosis is endoscopy; however, this method is expensive, invasive, and cumbersome to use serially. Therefore, more convenient and non-invasive methods for IBD diagnosis are needed.

Coexistence Case of Papillary Fibroelastoma and Lambl's Excrescence of the Left Heart, Which Is Occasionally Associated with Significant Stroke.

Papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) is a benign tumor that arises mostly from left-sided valves. PFE can cause stroke, and surgical resection may be needed. Lambl's excrescence (LE) is a filiform valvular lesion and is considered a possible cause of stroke.

Detection of PPB-Level HS Concentrations in Exhaled Breath Using Au Nanosheet Sensors with Small Variability, High Selectivity, and Long-Term Stability.

The continuous monitoring of hydrogen sulfide (HS) in exhaled breath enables the detection of health issues such as halitosis and gastrointestinal problems. However, HS sensors with high selectivity and parts per billion-level detection capability, which are essential for breath analysis, and facile fabrication processes for their integration with other devices are lacking. In this study, we demonstrated Au nanosheet HS sensors with high selectivity, ppb-level detection capability, and high uniformity by optimizing their fabrication processes: (1) insertion of titanium nitride (TiN) as an adhesion layer to prevent Au agglomeration on the oxide substrate and (2) N annealing to improve nanosheet crystallinity.

Impedance-guided modified CLOSE protocol ablation can reduce ablation index necessary for pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Real-time monitoring of generator impedance drop is not considered in CLOSE protocol pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We verified whether additional information of impedance drop could minimize ablation index required for PVI using modified CLOSE protocol (target ablation index ≥ 500 on anterior wall and ≥400 on posterior wall along with inter-lesion distance of 3-6 mm and maximum power of 35 W) without any adverse effect of procedural data and efficacy.

Methods: Sixty consecutive Japanese AF patients [paroxysmal AF: 43 (72 %) patients] underwent first-time PVI with modified CLOSE protocol with real-time monitoring of impedance drop (impedance-guided modified CLOSE protocol).

Origin of the High Selectivity of the Pt-Rh Thin-Film H Gas Sensor Studied by Ambient-Pressure X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy at Working Conditions.

The Pt-Rh thin-film sensors exhibit excellent sensitivity and selectivity for H gas detection. Here, we studied the mechanism of highly selective detection of H by the Pt-Rh thin-film sensors with ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-XPS) measurements at working conditions, which were paralleled with electric resistivity measurements. The elemental composition and chemical state of surface Pt and Rh drastically change depending on the background gas environments, which directly link to the sensor response.

Simultaneous Detection of Mixed-Gas Components by Ionic-Gel Sensors with Multiple Electrodes.

The sensing of gas components in a mixed gas is required for breath-based health monitoring and diagnosis. In this work, we report the simultaneous detection of mixed-gas components using a sensor consisting of [EMIM][BF]-based ionic gel with four electrodes made of Au, Pt, Rh, and Cr. The voltage between any given pair of electrodes depends on the gas molecules absorbed in the ionic gel and the elements the electrodes are made of.

AP-XPS analysis of a Pt thin-film sensor for highly sensitive H detection.

In situ ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-XPS) combined with resistivity measurement was performed for a Pt thin-film H2 gas sensor. We experimentally demonstrate that the chemical state of the Pt surface changes under working conditions, and it directly links to the sensing performance. Moreover, the operating principle is discussed at the atomic scale.

Relationship between a Urine Protein-to-creatinine Ratio of 150 mg/gram Creatinine and Dipstick Grade in the Health Checkup: Substantial Number of False-negative Results for Chronic Kidney Disease.

Objective: Proteinuria is a marker for cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality. In the Specific Health Checkups in Japan, when subjects show trace proteinuria (grade±) on dipstick assay, further examination is recommended to them. Although 150 mg/gCr is a threshold for diagnosing chronic kidney disease (CKD), little data on the relationship between dipstick grade± and the protein-creatinine ratio have been reported.

A novel application of the culotte stent technique to bail out a jailed common iliac artery.

Implanting a self-expandable stent at the ostium of the common iliac artery (CIA) may lead to coverage of the orifice of the contralateral CIA. Here, we describe a novel application of the culotte stent technique using a balloon-expandable stent to bail out an ostial stenotic legion of a jailed CIA due to prior self-expandable stent placement. The bilateral CIAs were revascularized by culotte stenting, and patency of the stents was confirmed 3 years after the procedure.

Deionization of Dopants in Silicon Nanofilms Even with Donor Concentration of Greater than 10(19) cm(-3).

Understanding the dopant properties in heavily doped nanoscale semiconductors is essential to design nanoscale devices. We report the deionization or finite ionization energy of dopants in silicon (Si) nanofilms with dopant concentration (ND) of greater than 10(19) cm(-3), which is in contrast to the zero ionization energy (ED) in bulk Si at the same ND. From the comparison of experimentally observed and theoretically calculated ED, we attribute the deionization to the suppression of metal-insulator transition in highly doped nanoscale semiconductors in addition to the quantum confinement and the dielectric mismatch, which greatly increase ED in low-doped nanoscale semiconductors.

Effects of walking on medical cost: A quantitative evaluation by simulation focusing on diabetes.

Aims/introduction: Recently, the prevalence of lifestyle-related disease has increased, and its associated medical costs have become considerable. Although walking is thought to prevent lifestyle-related disease, few studies have evaluated its effect on medical costs in Japanese subjects. We aimed at evaluating the effect of walking on medical costs by simulation mainly focusing on diabetes in the Japanese population.

A morbid obese Japanese woman with a body mass index of 83.2 kg/m2: before and after sleeve gastrectomy.

A 34-year-old Japanese woman presented at our institution weighing 182.7 kg, 148.2 cm tall, and with a body mass index of 83.

Income, wealth and risk of diabetes among older adults: cohort study using the English longitudinal study of ageing.

Background: Socio-economic status has been associated with diabetes in cross-sectional studies. This study aimed to evaluate associations of household income and wealth with both prevalent and incident diabetes among older adults in the UK. It also evaluated the association between obesity and socio-economic status.

Congener-specific polychlorinated biphenyls and the prevalence of diabetes in the Saku Control Obesity Program (SCOP).

The prevalence of diabetes is increasing globally. In addition to established risk factors for diabetes, such as diet, inactivity, overweight and obesity, the involvement of persistent organic pollutants, including dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), has also been suggested to be a possible, but controversial, cause of this epidemic. The present study investigated the association between blood PCB congener levels and the prevalence of diabetes among middle-aged, overweight and obese Japanese participants in the Saku Control Obesity Program.

Hemoglobin variant HbE found in two South Asian diabetic patients.

Glycohemoglobin, also known as hemoglobin (Hb) A(1c), is a marker of long-term glycemic control in patients with diabetes. We present two South-Asian diabetic patients whose HbA(1c) peaks were not measurable using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Further investigations showed that these patients were homozygous for a hemoglobin variant, HbE (beta26 Glu-->Lys).