Speckle tracking echocardiography for evaluation of myocardial functions before and after mitral valvuloplasty in dogs.

Background: Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common acquired heart disease in dogs. Mitral valvuloplasty (MVP) addresses regurgitation, but the pre- and postoperative changes in myocardial function remain uncertain.

Objectives: This study evaluated myocardial motion before and after MVP using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE).

Diffusion of O along the PNA backbone diminishes the efficiency of photooxidation of PNA/DNA duplexes by biphenyl photosensitizer.

Nitrobiphenyl photosensitizer (NBP)-peptide nucleic acids (PNA) conjugates were synthesized to develop a tool for photo-knockdown of target DNAs. The presence of NBP hardly hindered duplex formation with the complementary single strand DNA as demonstrated by the comparison of T values and CD spectra with those for standard PNA/DNA duplexes. However, the photooxidation of guanines in NBP-PNA/DNAs was significantly less effective than those of corresponding NBP-DNA/DNA.

Alterations of UHRF family Expression and was regulated by High Risk Type HPV16 in Uterine Cervical Cancer.

The altered protein expression of inverted CCAAT box-binding protein of 90 kDa/ubiquitin-like with PHD and RING finger domains 1 (ICBP90/UHRF1), and Np95-like ring finger protein (NIRF)/UHRF2, which belong to the ubiquitin-like with PHD and RING finger domains (UHRF) family, is linked to tumor malignancy and the progression of various cancers. In this study, we analyzed the UHRF family expression in cervical cancers, and it's regulation by human papillomavirus (HPV). Western blotting was performed to analyze protein expression in cervical cancer cell lines.

Investigation of factors affecting CT attenuation and glucose metabolism of bone marrow as seen on PET/CT scans.

The aim of this study is to determine the factors affecting the CT attenuation of bone marrow, and its correlation with F-FDG uptake. The mean standardized uptake value (SUV) of vertebral bone marrow (Vertebral-SUV) and femoral bone marrow (Femoral-SUV) as well as CT number of bone marrow (BM-CT number) were measured in 243 patients who had undergone F-FDG PET/CT. The correlations among BM-CT number, Femoral-SUV, and Vertebral-SUV were investigated.

Cold-induced muscle atrophy in zebrafish: Insights from swimming activity and gene expression analysis.

The investigation into the effects of cold acclimation on fish skeletal muscle function and its potential implications for muscle atrophy is of great interest to us. This study examines how rearing zebrafish at low temperatures affects their locomotor activity and the expression of genes associated with muscle atrophy. Zebrafish were exposed to temperatures ranging from 10 °C to 25 °C, and their swimming distance was measured.

Alterations of UHRF Family Expression and UHRF1/ICBP90 Inhibits Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog Expression in Endometrial Cancer.

Introduction: The altered protein expression of inverted CCAAT box-binding protein of 90 kDa/ubiquitin-like with PHD and RING finger domains 1 (ICBP90/UHRF1) and Np95-like ring finger protein (NIRF)/UHRF2, which belong to the ubiquitin-like with PHD and RING finger domains (UHRF) family, is linked to tumor malignancy and the progression of various cancers. To determine the role of NIRF and ICBP90 in endometrial tumorigenesis, we evaluated ICBP90 and NIRF expression levels in endometrial cancers. Also molecular alterations of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression are the important event for endometrial carcinogenesis; therefore, we investigated the involvement between ICBP90 and PTEN expression.

Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction caused by a congenital accessory mitral valve leaflet and treated by open-heart surgery in a young dog.

A 3-month-old Shetland sheepdog presented with a loud ejection murmur and exercise intolerance. Echocardiography revealed an accessory mitral valve leaflet, characterised by a valve-like structure separate from the mitral valve seen in the subaortic region of the ventricular septum. The left ventricular outflow tract was partially obstructed with a pressure gradient of 12 mmHg.

Surgical treatment for left atrial rupture due to myxomatous mitral valve disease in three dogs: A case report.

Introduction: Myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (MMVD) is an acquired heart disease which sometimes result in pulmonary oedema and left atrial rupture. In previous reports, left atrial rupture has been non-surgically controlled and its prognosis investigated. There is, however, no report concerning surgically treated left atrial rupture with mitral valvuloplasty and follow-up results.

The outcome of surgical mitral valve repair with loop-in-loop technique in dogs with different stage myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Objectives: Surgical mitral valve repair is a possible option for dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease. However, information on surgical results and postoperative echocardiography is limited. This study aimed to verify the stage-specific surgical results of mitral valve repair and postoperative echocardiographic changes for two years following surgery.

Hemodynamic Effects of Protamine Infusion in Dogs with Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease Undergoing Mitral Valvuloplasty.

Protamine, an antagonizing agent to heparin, is indispensable for dogs undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. Protamine-induced hypotension (PIH) during cardiac anesthesia has been reported in humans. The purpose of this study was to describe the hemodynamic effect of protamine administration in dogs during cardiac surgery in clinical cases.

Metabolic alkalosis following mitral valvuloplasty in a dog with preoperative acute kidney injury.

Case Description: An 11-year-old sexually intact male Shih Tzu diagnosed with acute kidney injury and left-sided congestive heart failure that had nonelective mitral valve surgery.

Clinical Findings: Metabolic alkalosis developed postoperatively, and plasma bicarbonate concentration peaked 2 days after surgery (40.2 mmol/L; pH, 7.

Diverticular hemorrhage of terminal ileum successfully treated by ultra-selective transcatheter arterial embolization using triaxial system: a case report.

Small intestinal hemorrhage due to diverticulum is a relatively rare condition among gastrointestinal hemorrhages. We report a case of diverticular hemorrhage of the terminal ileum that was successfully treated by ultra-selective transcatheter arterial embolization using a triaxial system. A 25-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to melena.

Causes of false negatives in technetium-99 m methoxyisobutylisonitrile scintigraphy for hyperparathyroidism: influence of size and cysts in parathyroid lesions.

Objective: The aim of this study was to elucidate the causes of false-negative cases of technetium-99 m methoxyisobutylisonitrile scintigraphy (MIBI) for hyperparathyroidism.

Methods: Consecutive MIBI examinations performed in 154 patients between April 2011 and March 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Sensitivities of MIBI, CT and US were calculated.

Novel Drug Candidates Improve Ganglioside Accumulation and Neural Dysfunction in GM1 Gangliosidosis Models with Autophagy Activation.

GM1 gangliosidosis is a lysosomal storage disease caused by loss of lysosomal β-galactosidase activity and characterized by progressive neurodegeneration due to massive accumulation of GM1 ganglioside in the brain. Here, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from patients with GM1 gangliosidosis, and the resultant neurons showed impaired neurotransmitter release as a presynaptic function and accumulation of GM1 ganglioside. Treatment of normal neurons with GM1 ganglioside also disturbed presynaptic function.

Impact of Fat-Free Adipose Tissue on the Prevalence of Low Muscle Mass Estimated Using Calf Circumference in Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

Previous studies proposed calf circumference cutoff values for predicting dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-derived low muscle mass. However, DXA-derived appendicular lean mass (aLM) includes non-skeletal muscle components such as the appendicular fat-free component of adipose tissue fat cells (aFFAT). The purpose of this study was to compare the calf circumference method of classification before (Model #1) and after (Model #2) eliminating the influence of FFAT in healthy Japanese adults (50 to 79 years; mean age 70 (SD 7) years).

The expression of 11 beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in severe allergic rhinitis.

Objective: To clarify the roles of 11 beta-HSD in resistance to glucocorticoid therapy for allergic rhinitis, a case series study was conducted.

Methods: The patient group consisted of 20 subjects with allergic rhinitis, aged from 21 to 46 years (mean age 26.5), who showed persistent GC resistance necessitating surgical removal of the inferior turbinate after 6 months' GC treatment.

Immutable heavy metal pollution before and after change in industrial waste treatment procedure.

This study compared state of pollution around an intermediate treatment plant of industrial wastes before and after the change of its treatment procedure. Bulk atmospheric deposition, surface soil, suspended particulate matter and groundwater were collected after the plant changed main operation to waste crushing and volume reduction. Their heavy metals content were comparatively investigated with the previous results obtained when it was burning wastes.

USP15 inhibits HPV16 E6 degradation and catalytically inactive USP15 has reduced inhibitory activity.

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) possess transforming activity leading to development of the cancer, including oropharyngeal, anal, penile, vulvar, vaginal, and cervical cancer. The stability of E6 is essential for its complete function as an oncoprotein. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we identified ubiquitin-specific protease 15 (USP15) as an HPV16 E6-interacting protein.

Abnormal Expression of PICT-1 and Its Codon 389 Polymorphism Is a Risk Factor for Human Endometrial Cancer.

Objective: The protein interacting with carboxyl terminus-1 (PICT-1) gene has been implicated as a tumor suppressor gene, and its alterations have been reported in several cancers. This study investigated the association of PICT-1 alterations with endometrial carcinogenesis.

Methods: We analyzed the entire coding region of the PICT-1 gene using polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing to examine PICT-1 mutations in endometrial cancer.

Astragaloside-IV prevents acute kidney injury and inflammation by normalizing muscular mitochondrial function associated with a nitric oxide protective mechanism in crush syndrome rats.

Background: Crush syndrome (CS) is a serious medical condition characterized by muscle cell damage resulting from decompression after compression (i.e., ischemia/reperfusion injury).

Can Handgrip Strength Improve Following Body Mass-Based Lower Body Exercise?

Knee extension strength (KES) improves following body mass-based lower body exercise training; however, it is unknown whether this type of exercise increases handgrip strength (HGS) as a result of a cross-education effect in older individuals. Our aim was to investigate the effect of a body mass-based exercise intervention on HGS and KES in older adults. At baseline, 166 subjects started a 12-week intervention program, and 160 (108 women and 52 men) subjects completed the study.

Associations of sit-up ability with sarcopenia classification measures in Japanese older women.

To test the hypothesis that sit-up performance is associated with sarcopenia classification measures, 93 older women aged 53-78 years were divided into three groups based on achieved repetitions (30 s) for the sit-up performance test: Group 0 (G 0,  = 33) performed 0 repetitions, Group 1-9 (G 1-9,  = 30) performed between 1 and 9 repetitions, and Group 10+ (G 10+,  = 30) performed over 10 repetitions. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-derived appendicular lean soft tissue mass (aLM), handgrip strength (HGS), usual walking speed, and chair stand were measured, and low muscle mass (aLM index) and poor physical function were defined according to previous studies. Age and body mass index were similar among the three groups.

The protein interacting with carboxyl terminus-1 codon 389 polymorphism impairs protein interacting with carboxyl terminus-1 function and is a risk factor for uterine cervical cancer.

PICT-1 is a nucleolar protein with various tumor suppressor functions. Recently, PICT-1 expression was reported to be dramatically reduced in several cancers. To investigate the role of PICT-1 in uterine cervical carcinogenesis, we examined its gene mutations, protein expression, cellular localization, and effect on p53 stabilization.

Treatment of Internal Hemorrhoids by Endoscopic Sclerotherapy with Aluminum Potassium Sulfate and Tannic Acid.

Objective. A new sclerosing agent for hemorrhoids, aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid (ALTA), is attracting attention as a curative treatment for internal hemorrhoids without resection. The outcome and safety of ALTA sclerotherapy using an endoscope were investigated in the present study.