Documentation of acute increase in ventricular capture threshold after direct current cardioversion with AutoCapture threshold record

This report describes acute and persistent increase in ventricular capture threshold after direct current cardioversion by using AutoCapture threshold record. Careful follow-up is required to be sure that the system continues to function according to its design specifications.     

The first trial of phase contrast imaging for digital full-field mammography using a practical molybdenum x-ray tube

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The image quality of a newly developed full-field digital phase contrast mammography (PCM) system and of a conventional screen-film (SF) mammography system were compared via images of a phantom and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of clinical images. METHODS: Magnified (1.75X) PCM images were scanned (sampling rate, 43.75 microm) and then reduced to original-sized, 25-micron pixel images printed on photothermographic film. Along with corresponding SF images, the phantom images were evaluated subjectively, and the clinical images of 38 patients were subjected to ROC analysis of mass and microcalcification. RESULTS: In the image quality of a phantom, the PCM exceeded the SF. In both mass and microcalcification, the ROC analysis Az values of the PCM clinical images surpassed those of the SF images. CONCLUSION: The PCM provides better images than the SF. Clinical trials suggest superior detection of both mass and microcalcification by full-field digital PCM over conventional SF mammography.     

A platelet activating factor receptor antagonist inhibits cytokine production in human whole blood by bacterial toxins and live bacteria

We previously reported that a platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) antagonist (TCV-309) suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mortality and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production in mice. However, the effect of TCV-309 on cytokine production induced by Staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB) or live bacteria has not been reported. In this study we investigated the effect of TCV-309 on cytokine production in human whole blood induced by LPS, SEB, and both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. Human whole blood diluted 5:1 (980 microL) was placed in the wells of a 24-well plate. Ten microliters of LPS, SEB, Escherichia coli O18 K(+), or Staphylococcus aureus were added to each well. After incubation at 37 degrees C for 6 h, TNF, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8 in the culture medium were measured. TCV-309 did not affect the growth of either E. coli or S. aureus bacteria in the culture medium for the 6 h incubation. LPS, SEB, and both E. coli and S. aureus induced TNF, IL-6, and IL-8 in human whole blood. TCV-309 significantly inhibited the production of TNF, IL-6, and IL-8 induced by LPS, SEB, and bacteria. A PAFR antagonist suppressed cytokine production induced by LPS, SEB, and both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria in human whole blood. A PAFR plays an important role of producing proinflammatory cytokines induced by both toxins and live bacteria. IMPLICATIONS: The platelet-activating factor receptor plays an important role in producing proinflammatory cytokines induced by bacterial toxins, such as lipopolysaccharide,Staphylococcus enterotoxin B, and live Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.     

Evaluation of the contours and perianeurysmal environment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms, using three-dimensional magnetic resonance cisternogram

To evaluate the anatomical relationship between cerebral aneurysm and the perianeurysmal environment within a cisternal space, the contours of an unruptured cerebral aneurysm and pericisternal structures were depicted on a three-dimensional (3D) MR cisternogram. By using perspective volume-rendering algorithm, the 3D MR cisternograms were reconstructed from the source axial volume data set obtained by the T2-weighted 3D fast spin-echo sequence. Those images were shown together with the coordinated 3D MR angiograms through similar visual projections, and then compared with the intraoperative findings. The outer wall configurations of cerebral aneurysms within the cisternal space were shown in conjunction with the accompanying surface veins, adjacent cranial nerves, dura mater and tentorial edge, cranial base bone, and surrounding pericisternal brain surfaces. With application of 3D MR cisternograms in the management of unruptured cerebral aneurysm, the anatomical relationship between the aneurysmal contours and the perianeurysmal environment could be evaluated the within the cisternal space. This might provide another clinical factor when considering the potential risk of growth, rupture, and symptomatic cranial nerve signs of an unruptured cerebral aneurysm.     

Taurine alters respiratory gas exchange and nutrient metabolism in type 2 diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of taurine supplementation on respiratory gas exchange, which might reflect the improved metabolism of glucose and/or lipid in the type 2 diabetic Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Male OLETF rats (16 weeks of age) were randomly divided into two groups: unsupplemented group and taurine-supplemented (3% in drinking water) group. After 9 weeks of treatment, indirect calorimetry and insulin tolerance tests were conducted. The amounts of visceral fat pads, tissue glycogen, the blood concentrations of glucose, triacylglycerol, taurine, and electrolytes, and the level of hematocrit were compared between groups. A nondiabetic rat strain (Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka) was used as the age-matched normal control. RESULTS: The indirect calorimetry showed that the treatment of OLETF rats with taurine could reduce a part of postprandial glucose oxidation possibly responsible for the increase of triacylglycerol synthesis in the body. Taurine supplementation also improved hyperglycemia and insulin resistance and increased muscle glycogen content in the OLETF rats. Supplementation with taurine increased the blood concentration of taurine and electrolyte and fluid volume, all of which were considered to be related to the improvement of metabolic disturbance in OLETF rats. DISCUSSION: Taurine supplementation may be an effective treatment for glucose intolerance and fat/lipid accumulation observed in type 2 diabetes associated with obesity. These metabolic changes might be ascribed, in part, to the alteration of circulating blood profiles, where the improved hyperglycemia and/or the blood accumulation of taurine itself would play roles.     

Oral ADSORBENT AST-120 decreases carotid intima-media thickness and arterial stiffness in patients with chronic renal failure

BACKGROUND/AIM: Intima media thickness (IMT) and stiffness of the carotid arteries is related to coronary artery disease, and chronic renal failure patients are at high risk for such diseases. An oral adsorbent, AST-120 (Kremezin; Kureha Chemical Industry, Tokyo, Japan), can delay the progression of chronic renal failure in undialyzed uremic patients. The aim of the present study was to determine whether AST-120 affects carotid artery IMT and pulse wave velocity (PWV) in patients with chronic renal failure not undergoing dialysis. METHODS: Fifty patients with non-diabetic chronic renal failure were randomly divided into two groups: 30 patients (18 men and 12 women; mean age 53.5 years; mean serum creatinine 3.2 mg/dl) who were given AST-120 (6.0 g/day) and 20 patients (12 men and 8 women; mean age 52.0 years; mean serum creatinine 3.5 mg/dl) who were not given AST-120. Thirty healthy age-matched subjects (18 men and 12 women; mean age 51.5 years; mean serum creatinine 0.9 mg/dl) were also included. The treatment period was 24 months. IMT and arterial stiffness were measured before and after treatment. RESULTS: The slope of the reciprocal serum creatinine concentration over time became significantly less steep in the AST-120 group than in the non-AST-120 group (p < 0.001). Before treatment, carotid artery IMT differed little between the AST-120 group (0.90 +/- 0.22 mm) and the non-AST-120 group (0.88 +/- 0.20 mm). IMT in these two groups was significantly greater than IMT in the control group (0.64 +/- 0.14 mm) (p < 0.01). Carotid IMT in the AST-120 group decreased slightly but not significantly to 0.84 +/- 0.20 mm after 12 months and then significantly after 24 months to 0.78 +/- 0.18 mm (p < 0.05). Carotid IMT in the non-AST group showed little change throughout the experimental period. PWV differed little between the AST-120 group (1,980 +/- 330 cm/s) and the non-AST group (1,940 +/- 360 cm/s) before treatment. PWV values in these two groups were significantly greater than PWV in the control group (1,280 +/- 240 cm/s) (p < 0.01). After 12 and 24 months, PWV in the AST-120 group decreased significantly to 1,840 +/- 280 cm/s (p < 0.05) and to 1,780 +/- 260 cm/s (p < 0.05), respectively; however, PWV in the non-AST group showed a slight increase during the experimental period. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that AST-120 may reduce arterial stiffness and IMT in non-diabetic chronic renal failure patients before dialysis.     

Characterization of chondroitin/dermatan sulfate proteoglycans synthesized by bovine retinal pericytes in culture

Pericytes associate with the outside of endothelial cells in microvessels. Previous studies have shown that these cells synthesize glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) but the nature of the core proteins to which these GAGs are attached is unknown. In the present study, cultured bovine retinal pericytes were metabolically labeled with [(3)H]glucosamine, [(35)S]sodium sulfate or (35)S-labeled amino acids and the proteoglycans synthesized by these cells were purified by DEAE-Sephacel ion exchange and molecular sieve Sepharose CL-4B chromatography. Separated proteoglycans were digested with papain, heparitinase or chondroitin ABC lyase and the GAGs characterized by Sepharose CL-6B chromatography. Proteoglycans were also assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis before and after digestion with chondroitin ABC lyase. Pericytes predominantly synthesize and secrete chondroitin or dermatan sulfate proteoglycans (CS/DS PGs) rather than heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). Two subclasses of CS/DS PGs are synthesized by pericytes; one is a high M(r) subclass with high charge density. This subclass eluted at the void volume of a Sepharose CL-4B molecular sieve column, was susceptible to chondroitin ABC lyase, and contained core proteins of ca. 550 and 450 kD which were recognized by antibody to versican. The other major subclass eluted at a K(av) ca. 0.45 on a Sepharose CL-4B molecular sieve column, was susceptible to chondroitin ABC lyase, and contained core proteins recognized by antibodies to either biglycan or decorin that separated as a broad band of ca. 50 kDa in SDS-PAGE. A small amount of HSPG was also synthesized by these cells and could be separated from the CS/DS PGs by DEAE-Sephacel chromatography using a linear gradient of 0.1-0.7 M NaCl. Release of GAG chains by protease digestion indicated that the length of GAG chains was approximately M(r) 45000 in biglycan and decorin, approximately M(r) 48000 in the small amount of HSPGs and approximately M(r) 66000 in versican. These proteoglycans resemble those synthesized by vascular smooth muscle cells but differ markedly from those synthesized by vascular endothelial cells.