Protective effect of telmisartan against endothelial dysfunction after coronary drug-eluting stent implantation in hypertensive patients.

Objectives: The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to evaluate the effects of telmisartan, compared with the calcium-channel blocker amlodipine, on endothelial function after coronary drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in hypertensive patients.

Background: DES implantation impairs local endothelial function, which may be associated with future cardiovascular events. Telmisartan, which has unique peroxisome proliferator-activated-receptor-gamma-mediated effects in addition to its renin-angiotensin system-inhibition effects, has favorable effects on endothelial function.

Accuracy and reproducibility of stent-strut thickness determined by optical coherence tomography.

Background: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been increasingly used to evaluate stent apposition following implantation. Since stent struts are visualized as linear structures with strong surface reflection and typical dorsal shadowing, apposition of struts is evaluated by measuring the distance between the strut surface reflection and adjacent vessel surface in consideration of strut thickness. However, there are no data available to validate the measurements of strut thickness by OCT.

[Quality of life following endocrine therapy for advanced prostate cancer: a comparative study between LH-RH agonist 1-month depot and 3-month depot].

Purpose: There were few studies which reported the longitudinal quality of life (QOL) for Japanese men who received endocrine therapy for advanced or metastatic prostate cancer. A pilot randomized trial was conducted to assess QOL and the incidence of hot flash following endocrine therapy using luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonist goserelin acetate 1-month or 3-month depot alone in patients with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer.

Material And Methods: A total of 28 patients with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer who received LH-RH analogue goserelin acetate depot alone for 12 months were randomized (1:1) to two different formulations.

Neointimal coverage of sirolimus-eluting stents 6 months and 12 months after implantation: evaluation by optical coherence tomography.

Background: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new imaging modality with resolution of approximately 10 microm and can be employed to visualize intracoronary characteristics. Sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) are susceptible to late thrombosis due to delayed re-endothelialization over the stent struts, which may result in acute myocardial infarction or death. This study was designed to evaluate the re-endothelialization and neointimal coverage of SES with OCT 6 months and 12 months after implantation.

Natural history of small renal cell carcinoma: evaluation of growth rate, histological grade, cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Purpose: We investigated the natural history of incidentally discovered small renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), and we evaluated growth rate, apoptosis, cell proliferation and histological grade.

Materials And Methods: A total of 18 patients with RCCs extirpated after at least 12 months of observation were reviewed retrospectively. The period of observation ranged from 12 to 63 months (median 22.