Association of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis with immediate memory and other cognitive functions.

Aim: To clarify whether carotid atherosclerosis and its risk factors are associated with cognitive decline.

Methods: We evaluated 206 individuals who visited our center for health screening. We carried out physical examinations, blood tests, intima-media thickness (IMT) measurement by carotid ultrasonography, brain magnetic resonance imaging scanning and cognitive function assessments.

Evaluation of preferable insertion routes for esophagogastroduodenoscopy using ultrathin endoscopes.

Aim: To evaluate the discomfort associated with esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) using an ultrathin endoscope through different insertion routes.

Methods: This study (January 2012-March 2013) included 1971 consecutive patients [male/female (M/F), 1158/813, 57.5 ± 11.

Ultrathin endoscope flexibility can predict discomfort associated with unsedated transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of choice of insertion route and ultrathin endoscope types.

Methods: This prospective study (January-June 2012) included 882 consecutive patients who underwent annual health checkups. Transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed in 503 patients and transoral EGD in 235 patients using six types of ultrathin endoscopes.

Low testosterone level as a predictor of cardiovascular events in Japanese men with coronary risk factors.

Objective: Recent epidemiological studies have found that testosterone deficiency is associated with higher mortality largely due to cardiovascular (CV) disease in community-dwelling older men. We investigated whether a low plasma testosterone level could predict cardiovascular events in middle-aged Japanese men with coronary risk factors.

Methods: One hundred and seventy-one male outpatients (30-69 years old, mean+/-SD=48+/-13 years) who had any coronary risk factor (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, and obesity) without a previous history of CV disease were followed up.

Association of plasma dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate levels with endothelial function in postmenopausal women with coronary risk factors.

Age-related decline of plasma dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) levels may be associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease in women. We investigated whether plasma DHEA-S levels are related to endothelial function in postmenopausal women with coronary risk factors. One hundred and fifteen postmenopausal women (mean age+/-SD: 57+/-5 years; range: 48-65 years) who underwent measurement of flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery using ultrasonography were enrolled.

Low testosterone level is an independent determinant of endothelial dysfunction in men.

We investigated whether a low plasma testosterone level is related to endothelial dysfunction in men with coronary risk factors. One hundred and eighty-seven consecutive male outpatients (mean age+/-SD: 47+/-15 years) who underwent measurement of flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery using ultrasonography were enrolled. The relationship between plasma hormones and FMD was analyzed.

[An elderly case with group B streptococcal bacteremia, subcutaneous abscess and reactive polyarthritis].

We report a 77-year-old woman with Group B streptococcal bacteremia, subcutaneous abscess and reactive polyarthritis. Two years previously she suffered from atrial fibrillation and osteoarthritis of the knee. After she was admitted for treatment of the knee joint with hyaluronate sodium, she complained of pain in the left shoulder and both knees.

[An elderly case with nontuberculous mycobacteria acompanied by unilateral massive pleural effusion following the video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for lung cancer].

We report an elderly case with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Four years after left lung upper lobectomy due to lung cancer by the video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), an 81 year-old patient complained of general fatigue and appetite loss. Although he did not exhibit fever or respiratory tract symptoms, a Chest X ray film revealed unilateral massive pleural effusion in the left lung.

Amelioration of vascular endothelial dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome by nasal continuous positive airway pressure--possible involvement of nitric oxide and asymmetric NG, NG-dimethylarginine.

Background: Asymmetric NG,NG-dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase and its plasma concentration is elevated in patients with cardiovascular risk factors, including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperhomocysteinemia. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has been attracting attention as a risk factor for cardiovascular disorders because it often accompanies hypertension, obesity, glucose impairment, and dyslipidemia, all of which are factors in metabolic syndrome and risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Methods And Results: In the present study, flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery and plasma concentrations of ADMA were measured before and after nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) therapy, which abrogates apnea, in 10 male patients aged 36-69 years old, who were given a diagnosis of OSAS by polysomnography.

Estrogen receptor beta mediates the inhibitory effect of estradiol on vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Objectives: It has been demonstrated that 17beta-estradiol (E2) has an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) through an estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent pathway. Both ER subtypes, classical ER (ERalpha) and the newly identified ER subtype (ERbeta), are expressed in VSMCs. However, it remains unknown which receptor plays the critical role in the inhibitory effect on VSMC proliferation.

Red wine polyphenols inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell migration through two distinct signaling pathways.

Background: Red wine polyphenols (RWPs) have been shown to have an antiatherogenic activity mainly through antioxidative effects on LDL oxidation. Although vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration is critical to atherosclerosis formation, the effect of RWPs on SMC migration has not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated whether RWPs could affect the migration of cultured SMCs stimulated by growth factors.