Association of the time to first epinephrine administration and outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: SOS-KANTO 2012 study

Objective

This study assessed the association between the timing of first epinephrine administration (EA) and the neurological outcomes following out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) with both initial shockable and non-shockable rhythms.

Influence of SNPs in cytokine-related genes on the severity of food allergy and atopic eczema in children

Although many single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) studies have reported an association of atopy, allergic diseases and total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, almost all of these studies sought risk factors for the onset of these allergic diseases. Furthermore, many studies have analyzed a single gene and hardly any have analyzed environmental factors. In these analyses, the results could be masked and the effects of other genes and environmental factors may be decreased. Here, we described the correlation between four genes [interleukin (IL)-4 (C-590T), IL-4 receptor (A1652G), FCER1B (G6842A) and STAT6 (G2964A)] in connection with IgE production; the role of IL-10 (C-627A) as a regulatory cytokine of allergy; and the severity of food allergy (FA) and atopic eczema (AE) in 220 Japanese allergic children. In addition to these SNPs, environmental factors, i.e., patient's attitude, indoor environment, and so on, were also investigated in this study. Our study was retrospective, and the correlation was analyzed by our defined clinical scores divided into three terms: worst symptoms, recent symptoms and general amelioration at the most recent examination during the disease course. Our results indicated that IL-10 AA, the genotype with lower IL-10 production, is associated with higher IgE levels in the serum (p < 0.0001, estimate; 0.912). Marginal liver abnormalities were observed in the subject group with both FA and AE (p < 0.1191, estimate; 0.1490). Our defined clinical scores enabled evaluation of various aspects of disease severity. Based on the scores, while no single SNP selected in this study determined severity, the combination of the SNP with laboratory data and environmental factors appeared to determine severity.     

beta2- and beta3-Adrenoceptor polymorphisms relate to subsequent weight gain and blood pressure elevation in obese normotensive individuals.

High blood pressure (BP) is a major determinant of cardiovascular events in obesity. The beta2- and beta3-adrenoceptor polymorphisms are associated with obesity and hypertension. In the present study, we examine the relationships of beta2- and beta3-adrenoceptor polymorphisms with further weight gain-induced BP elevation in obese subjects. Changes in BP, body weight, total body fat-mass, waist-to-hip ratio, plasma norepinephrine (NE) and leptin levels, and beta2(Arg16Gly)- and beta3(Trp64Arg)-adrenoceptor polymorphisms were measured periodically over a 5-year period in 55 entry obese (body mass index [BMI]> or =25.0 kg/m(2)) normotensive (BP<140/90 mmHg) men. BP elevation and weight gain were defined as > or =10% increases from entry levels over 5 years in mean BP or BMI. Obese subjects with weight gain, BP elevation or weight gain-induced BP elevation had higher frequencies of the Gly16 allele of Arg16GIy and Arg64 allele of Trp64Arg. Subjects carrying the Gly16 or Arg64 alleles had significantly greater total fat-mass and waist-to-hip ratio at entry and over a 5-year period compared to the subjects who did not carry these polymorphisms. Subjects carrying the Gly16 allele had similar levels of plasma NE, higher levels of plasma leptin and a lower slope of the regression lines between plasma leptin and NE levels. Those carrying the Arg64 allele had higher plasma NE levels at entry and over a 5-year period compared to the subjects without the Arg64 allele, but plasma leptin levels and slopes were similar. The findings demonstrate that the Arg64 allele of the beta3-adrenoceptor polymorphisms relates to weight gain-induced BP elevation accompanying high plasma NE (heightened sympathetic activity) in obese men. The Gly16 allele of the beta2-adrenoceptor polymorphisms links to weight gain-induced BP elevation associated with leptin resistance. beta2- and beta3-adrenoceptor polymorphisms could predict the future BP elevation and further weight gain-induced BP elevation in originally obese subjects.     

Mozart effect in preschool children?

In 1993, Rauscher et al. reported a temporary increase in spatial-temporal ability after listening to Mozart's music. This led to numerous replication and extension studies with mixed findings in the past decade. This study investigated the 'Mozart effect' in preschool children. Forty-one boys and girls, aged three to five, attempted a series of pencil-and-paper maze tests after each of three listening conditions: Mozart's Piano Concerto in A Major (K488), age-appropriate popular music and silence. Overall, there were no statistically significant differences among the three interventions. The results are discussed in relation to the findings of other investigations of the Mozart effect, and the need for further investigation of possible trends.     

Simulation model of renal replacement therapy: predicting future demand in England.

BACKGROUND: The demand for renal replacement therapy (RRT) in England has risen steadily, although from a lower base than many other developed countries. Predicting the future demand for RRT and the impact of factors such as the acceptance rate, transplant supply and patient survival, is required in order to inform the planning of such services. METHODS: A discrete event simulation model estimates the future demand for RRT in England in 2010 for a range of scenarios. The model uses current prevalence and current and projected future acceptance rates, survival rates and the transitions between modalities to predict future patient numbers. National population and mortality data, published literature and data from the UK Renal Registry and UK Transplant, are used to estimate unmet need for RRT, the impact of changing demography and incidence of Type 2 diabetes, patient haemodialysis (HD) survival and transplant supply. RESULTS: By 2010 the predicted prevalence will have increased from about 30,000 in 2000 to between 42 and 51,000 (900-1000 p.m.p.), an average annual growth of 4.5-6%. Changing transplant supply has a small effect on overall numbers but changes the proportion of patients with functioning graft by up to 8%. Even with an optimistic increase in transplant supply (11% p.a. for 5 years), numbers on HD will continue to rise substantially, especially in the elderly. The factors most influencing future patient numbers are the acceptance rate and dialysis survival. CONCLUSION: This model predicts a substantial growth in the RRT population to 2010 to a rate approaching 1000 p.m.p., particularly in the elderly and those on HD, with a steady state not being reached for at least 25 years.     

ENDOSCOPIC OBSERVATION OF MUCOSAL SPREAD LESION OF CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA USING PERORAL CHOLANGIOSCOPY WITH NARROW BAND IMAGING

A 69‐year‐old man was admitted to Toho University Omori Medical Center complaining of icterus. Abdominal computed tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were suspicious of cholangioma of inferior bile duct. Peroral cholangioscopy using narrow band imaging (NBI) was performed and it was possible to diagnose the mucosal spread lesions of cholangioma. Histological findings reflected the endoscopic findings. Mucosal spread lesions of cholangiocarcinoma were successfully diagnosed using the CHF‐B260 for NBI.     

Angiotensinogen gene polymorphism as a risk factor for ischemic stroke.

While gene polymorphism for angiotensinogen (AGT) is reported to contribute to the regulation of blood pressure and salt sensitivity, its effect on the risk of ischemic stroke remains controversial. We hypothesized that polymorphism of the AGT gene could be a risk factor for ischemic stroke. Major clinical risk factors and the AGT gene M235T polymorphism were examined in 147 consecutive stroke patients and 133 healthy age-matched controls. All patients were categorized into four stroke types (single lacuna, multiple lacunae, large-artery atherosclerosis and branch atheromatous disease in brainstem) and two vascular groups (large and perforating arterial lesions). The AGT gene M allele significantly increased the risk of single lacuna, multiple lacunae and small arterial lesions, in male patients (p=0.029, 0.031 and 0.026, respectively). Synergistic effects of the AGT gene polymorphism and clinical risks were not observed. In conclusion, AGT M allele may present a risk of lacunar infarctions in Japanese men, independent of hypertension.     

Synthesis,characterization and photoreaction of side-chain liquid-crystalline polymers and copolymers comprising alkenyloxy-biphenyl mesogen

Photoreactive (meth)acrylate monomers having mesogenic groups based on 4-hexyloxy-4′-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)biphenyl and 4-hexyloxy-4′-(2-butenyloxy)biphenyl were synthesized. Methacrylate monomers ( 3c, d ) and acrylate monomer having 3-methyl-2-butenyloxy group ( 3b ) were polymerized by free radical mechanism; the acrylate monomer having 2-butenyloxy group ( 3a ) caused gelation during the polymerization. To obtain photoreactivity, 4-benzoylphenyl (meth)acrylates were radically copolymerized with monomers 3b and 3d . Thermal behavior of (co)polymers was determined by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy and temperature-controlled X-ray analysis. (Co)polymers showed liquid-crystalline behaviour with nematic and smectic phases. UV-irradiation was used to photochemically crosslink copolymer films, and the resultant films were insoluble in organic solvents. The uniaxially oriented copolymer thin film was photo-crosslinked and showed thermally stable orientation.