Gut Dysbiosis in Patients With Fontan Circulation.

Background: The process underlying Fontan pathophysiology is multifactorial and may include gut dysbiosis (GD). We investigated the presence of GD and elucidated its correlation with Fontan pathophysiology.

Methods And Results: Gut microbiomes of 155 consecutive patients with Fontan pathophysiology and 44 healthy individuals were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing of bacterial DNA extracted from fecal samples.

Asymptomatic Intracranial Artery Stenosis/Occlusion in Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Its Frequency and Implications for Cerebrovascular and Cardiovascular Events.

Background: The atherogenic characteristics of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) increase the risk of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease including not only coronary artery disease but ischemic stroke. Asymptomatic intracranial artery stenosis/occlusion (IASO) is a major cause of ischemic stroke, but it has not yet been fully characterized in patients with HeFH.

Methods And Results: This study analyzed 147 clinically diagnosed subjects with HeFH who underwent magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance angiography imaging for evaluation of IASO (≥50% diameter stenosis).

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease without pulmonary hypertension.

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is beneficial for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease (CTEPD) with pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, the clinical benefit of BPA for the patients with CTEPD without PH remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes of BPA in patients with CTEPD without PH.

Association Between Genetic Diagnosis and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Heritable Thoracic Aortic Disease.

Background Differences in the clinical course of heritable thoracic aortic disease based on the disease-causing gene have not been fully evaluated. To clarify the clinical relevance of causative genes in heritable thoracic aortic disease, we assessed the clinical course of patients categorized based on genetic diagnosis. Methods and Results We investigated cardiovascular events and mortality in 518 genetically diagnosed patients in 4 groups: Group 1, (n=344); Group 2, , , , or (n=74); Group 3, (n=60); and Group 4, or (n=40).

Evaluation of the efficacy of creatine chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging in assessing testicular maturity.

Purpose: Microscopic testicular sperm extraction is the most effective treatment for NOA, but the sperm retrieval rate is low and depends on testicular maturity. However, there are limited useful tests to assess testicular maturity. Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging is a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that can image the distribution of trace substances in vivo.

Cancer cachexia causes skeletal muscle damage via transient receptor potential vanilloid 2-independent mechanisms, unlike muscular dystrophy.

Background: Muscle wasting during cancer cachexia contributes to patient morbidity. Cachexia-induced muscle damage may be understood by comparing its symptoms with those of other skeletal muscle diseases, but currently available data are limited.

Methods: We modelled cancer cachexia in mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma/colon adenocarcinoma and compared the associated muscle damage with that in a murine muscular dystrophy model (mdx mice).

Three-layer microfibrous peripheral nerve guide conduit composed of elastin-laminin mimetic artificial protein and poly(L-lactic acid).

We developed a microfibrous poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) nerve conduit with a three-layered structure to simultaneously enhance nerve regeneration and prevent adhesion of surrounding tissue. The inner layer was composed of PLLA microfiber containing 25% elastin-laminin mimetic protein (AG73-(VPGIG)30) that promotes neurite outgrowth. The thickest middle layer was constructed of pure PLLA microfibers that impart the large mechanical strength to the conduit.

Systems physiology of the baroreflex during orthostatic stress: from animals to humans.

The baroreflex is a key mechanism involved in the control of arterial pressure (AP) during orthostasis in humans. However, the baroreflex is a closed-loop feedback system, from baroreceptor pressure input to systemic AP, and therefore requires open-loop experiments to identify its system characteristics. The requirement limits our ability to identify baroreflex system characteristics in humans.

Ghrelin Receptor in Two Species of Anuran Amphibian, Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), and Japanese Tree Frog (Hyla japonica).

We have identified cDNA encoding a functional growth hormone secretagogue-receptor 1a (GHS-R1a, ghrelin receptor) in two species of anuran amphibian, the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), and the Japanese tree frog (Hyla japonica). Deduced receptor protein for bullfrog and Japanese tree frog (tree frog) was comprised of 374- and 371-amino acids, respectively. The two receptors shared 86% identity, and are grouped to the clade of the tetrapod homologs by phylogenetic analysis.