Management of systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve: a mechanism-based approach

Although the mechanism of systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve is unknown, it is known to have a multifactorial pathophysiology. Echocardiographic analysis of the mitral leaflet revealed the step-wise progression of SAM, and intraventricular flow analysis revealed the contribution of drag force generated by the misled flow below the posterior leaflet. Although several diverse clinical features of SAM are already known, some key features need to be abstracted from among them to understand the regulation of SAM establishment. This paper reviews past articles that have investigated the mechanism of SAM and proposes a mechanism-based concept to provide insights for better comprehension of SAM recognition.     

TRPV2 Promotes Cell Migration and Invasion in Gastric Cancer via the Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling Pathway

Annals of Surgical Oncology - Transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) is a highly Ca2+-permeable ion channel that is involved in a number of cellular processes. It is expressed in various...     

Gross hematuria after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: questionnaire survey in Japan

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology - Recent clinical reports indicate a correlation between gross hematuria after the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in patients with glomerulonephritis,...     

A nationwide analysis of renal and patient outcomes for adults with lupus nephritis in Japan

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology - The prognosis of lupus nephritis (LN) has improved following the introduction of effective immunosuppressive therapy and progress in supportive care. This...     

Echocardiographic changes in diastolic filling and stroke volume during postural alterations and ankle exercise in a patient with congenital defect of the pericardium

Journal of Echocardiography -     

The survival and proliferation of osteosarcoma cells are dependent on the mitochondrial BIG3-PHB2 complex formation

Previous studies reported the critical role of the brefeldin A–inhibited guanine nucleotide exchange protein 3–prohibitin 2 (BIG3-PHB2) complex in modulating estrogen signaling activation in breast cancer cells, yet its pathophysiological roles in osteosarcoma (OS) cells remain elusive. Here, we report a novel function of BIG3-PHB2 in OS malignancy. BIG3-PHB2 complexes were localized mainly in mitochondria in OS cells, unlike in estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells. Depletion of endogenous BIG3 expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) treatment led to significant inhibition of OS cell growth. Disruption of BIG3-PHB2 complex formation by treatment with specific peptide inhibitor also resulted in significant dose-dependent suppression of OS cell growth, migration, and invasion resulting from G2/M-phase arrest and in PARP cleavage, ultimately leading to PARP-1/apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) pathway activation–dependent apoptosis in OS cells. Subsequent proteomic and bioinformatic pathway analyses revealed that disruption of the BIG3-PHB2 complex might lead to downregulation of inner mitochondrial membrane protein complex activity. Our findings indicate that the mitochondrial BIG3-PHB2 complex might regulate PARP-1/AIF pathway–dependent apoptosis during OS cell proliferation and progression and that disruption of this complex may be a promising therapeutic strategy for OS.     

Comparison of the value of tissue-sealing devices for thoracoscopic pulmonary lobectomy in small children: a first report

Accurate division and sealing of lung parenchyma particularly in cases of total or near total incomplete fissure are crucial for preventing air leakage following thoracoscopic pulmonary lobectomy (TPL). However, conventional endoscopic stapling devices cannot be used during TPL in small children because of limited space. Consequently, Ligasure (LS) and Enseal (ES) devices are being used instead. We are the first to compare LS and ES for efficacy and efficiency during TPL. Of 26 TPL (6 upper, 3 middle, and 17 lower) performed for congenital adenomatoid malformation (n = 16) and sequestration (n = 10), incomplete fissure was found in 14. TPL (LS = 11; ES = 15) was performed conventionally in the lateral decubitus position with single lung ventilation using four 5 mm trocars. All cases had a chest tube inserted intraoperatively that was left in situ. Patient demographics, location of pathology, incidence of incomplete fissure, mean age/weight at TPL, mean blood loss, and mean operative time were all similar. However, duration of chest tube insertion was significantly shorter in ES because there was less postoperative air leakage (1.3 vs. 3.9 days; p < 0.05). ES would appear to seal lung parenchyma more effectively during TPL based on the shorter duration of chest tube insertion.