Onset of age, site and respiratory symptoms are strongly associated with respiratory decline in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a long-term longitudinal study.

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify factors influencing progression of respiratory decline from the onset of neurological symptoms to respiratory failure in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods: In 100 patients with sporadic ALS, %vital capacity (%VC) was continuously measured from the first visit to the respiratory endpoint (REP). Cox proportional hazards model identified factors influencing the duration from onset of ALS to REP (Onset-REP).

The metabolic parameters based on volume in PET/CT are associated with clinicopathological N stage of colorectal cancer and can predict prognosis.

Background: A combination of positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) is an important modality for the diagnosis of carcinoma. Metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) have been reported as metabolic parameters in PET/CT since the late 1990s, and they are expected to be useful in diagnosing diverse cancers and as prognostic biomarkers. We evaluated the potential of these parameters in the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) by comparing them with conventional parameters, including the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax).

Attempt to delineate occluded arteries with initial plain computed tomography in acute cerebral arterial occlusion.

Background: We used initial plain computed tomography to delineate acutely occluded internal carotid arteries or horizontal segments of middle cerebral arteries. If affected arteries could be delineated using initial plain computed tomography, useful information might be obtained that could support endovascular thrombectomies.

Methods: In 15 patients with occluded internal carotid arteries or horizontal segments of middle cerebral arteries, the affected middle cerebral artery was automatically traced using the extender function for blood vessel tracing with reference to the default value (window setting, 40; window width, 90) on Ziostation 2 (Ziosoft Inc.

A scabies outbreak in a diabetic and collagen disease ward: Management and prevention.

Scabies is an infection caused by . In developed countries, scabies remains an important public health problem in hospitals and care facilities among elderly or immunocompromised patients. There are a number of medical providers who have not experienced scabies and there has been confusion surrounding its management and prevention.

Hyperglycemia and Inflammatory Property of Circulating Monocytes are Associated with Inflammatory Property of Carotid Plaques in Patients Undergoing Carotid Endarterectomy.

Aim: This study aims to determine the association between glucose metabolism and proinflammatory/anti-inflammatory properties of circulating monocytes or those of carotid plaques in patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy.

Methods: Clinical characteristics and expression levels of proinflammatory/anti-inflammatory markers in circulating monocytes/carotid plaques were examined in 12 patients with diabetes and 12 patients without diabetes.

Results: Circulating monocytes from patients with diabetes revealed higher tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and lower interleukin (IL)-10 expression levels compared with those from patients without diabetes, which was also observed in carotid plaques from patients with diabetes.

An examination of co-infection in acute gastroenteritis and histo-blood group antigens leading to viral infection susceptibility.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate co-infection in the gastrointestinal tract in terms of viruses, bacteria and the ABO blood group. We hypothesized that a combination of norovirus (NV) and bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract could affect the likelihood of an individual to contracting NV. Histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) are considered to act as receptors that can lead to NV susceptibility.

Thrombospondin 1 as a novel biological marker of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Context: Thrombospondin 1 (THBS1 or TSP-1) is an adipose-derived matricellular protein, which has recently been highlighted as a potential mediator of insulin resistance and adipose inflammation in obesity.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine the clinical significance of THBS1 as a novel biological marker of visceral obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes.

Methods: The THBS1 mRNA level was quantified with real-time PCR in human adipose tissues obtained from 16 non-obese subjects.

[Assessing the influence of reconstruction kernel in plaque imaging in computed tomography].

Plaque imaging using computed tomography (CT) is an important diagnostic method for predicting the risk of vascular events. However, the CT value variability of plaques, which depends on the scan parameters, remains a key challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of reconstruction properties on the CT value, area, and shape reproducibility of plaques.

An increase in the EPA/AA ratio is associated with improved arterial stiffness in obese patients with dyslipidemia.

Aim: Previous epidemiological studies demonstrated that the ratio of n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is associated with cardiovascular diseases. We herein investigated whether the beneficial effect of highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA) on arterial stiffness is associated with changes in the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as EPA, docosahexaenoic acid(DHA) and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid(DGLA), relative to arachidonic acid(AA), in obese Japanese patients with dyslipidemia.

Methods: The EPA/AA, DHA/AA and DGLA/AA ratios were compared between obese patients with(n=94) and without (n=31) dyslipidemia.

Effects of weight reduction therapy on obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and arterial stiffness in patients with obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Aim: Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which are often accompanied by obesity, are each independently associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the influence of OSA on arterial stiffness in obese patients remains unclear. We herein examined the relationships between the severity of OSA and CVD risk factors, including the severity of MetS and arterial stiffness, in obese patients.

A dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, sitagliptin, exerts anti-inflammatory effects in type 2 diabetic patients.

Aims/hypothesis: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) exerts beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Here, we examined the effect of sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, on systemic inflammation and pro-inflammatory (M1)/anti-inflammatory (M2)-like phenotypes of peripheral blood monocytes in diabetic patients.

Methods: Forty-eight type 2 diabetic patients were divided into the following two groups: sitagliptin-treatment (50mg daily for 3months) (n=24) and untreated control (n=24) groups.

Highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid increases interleukin-10 levels of peripheral blood monocytes in obese patients with dyslipidemia.

Objective: It has recently been highlighted that proinflammatory (M1) macrophages predominate over anti-inflammatory (M2) macrophages in obesity, thereby contributing to obesity-induced adipose inflammation and insulin resistance. A recent clinical trial revealed that highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) reduces the incidence of major coronary events. In this study, we examined the effect of EPA on M1/M2-like phenotypes of peripheral blood monocytes in obese dyslipidemic patients.

Effects of natural S-equol supplements on overweight or obesity and metabolic syndrome in the Japanese, based on sex and equol status.

Objectives: Epidemiologic studies indicate that soy intake has an important role in the prevention of age-related health problems. Daidzein, the principal isoflavone contained in soy, is converted to S-equol by the intestinal bacteria. Not all individuals, however, can produce S-equol, which is considered the most biologically active metabolite.

Unfavorable blood rheology is closely associated with arterial stiffness in obese patients.

Little information on the relationship between blood rheology and atherosclerosis indicators in obese patients is available. We examined blood rheology as assessed by the blood passage time (BPT) with the microchannel method in 109 obese patients. BPT was correlated well with the extent of each metabolic syndrome component.