Salt intake causes B-type natriuretic peptide elevation independently of blood pressure elevation in the general population without hypertension and heart disease

Excessive salt intake causes hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is synthesized and released from the ventricle, and is a surrogate marker reflecting various CVDs. Moreover, when a slight BNP elevation is shown, it leads to a poor prognosis in the general population. However, the relationship between salt intake and BNP levels in the general population remains unclear, especially in those without hypertension and heart diseases.In this study, we recruited 1404 participants without hypertension and electrocardiogram abnormalities, who received regular annual health check-ups in Japan. Plasma BNP levels were measured, and daily salt intake levels were evaluated using urinary samples. In addition, some clinical parameters were obtained, and the data were cross-sectionally analyzed.The median of plasma BNP levels was 10.50 pg/mL, and daily salt intake was 8.50 ± 1.85 g. When dividing participants into quartiles according to daily salt intake, those with the highest daily salt intake revealed the highest plasma BNP levels. Plasma BNP levels were significantly and positively associated with daily salt intake. Moreover, multiple linear regression analyses revealed that plasma BNP levels showed a significant positive association with daily salt intake levels after adjustments.Plasma BNP levels were significantly and positively associated with daily salt intake after adjustment in the general population. Plasma BNP levels may be a surrogate marker reflecting salt-induced heart diseases.     

Cervical lymphadenectomy is beneficial for patients with carcinoma of the upper and mid-thoracic esophagus

The role of cervical lymphadenectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer is controversial. This study evaluated the impact of cervical lymphadenectomy on the cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) and survival rates of patients with esophageal cancer. We analyzed 199 patients who received radical esophagectomy with three-field lymphadenectomy. The overall 5-year survival rate was 49.4%. Cervical LNM was found in 36 (18.1%) out of the 199 patients. The 5-year survival rates of the patients with cervical LNM from upper and mid-esophageal cancers were 71.4% and 35.9%, respectively. However, none of the patients with cervical LNM from lower esophageal cancer survived more than 4 years after esophagectomy. The overall survival of patients with five or more metastatic nodes (5.9%) was significantly worse than that of patients with less than five positive nodes (45.5%). Cervical lymphadenectomy is beneficial for patients with carcinoma of the upper and mid-thoracic esophagus, and with less than five positive nodes.     

Increased reactive oxygen species and anti-oxidative response in mitochondrial cardiomyopathy.

A 60-year-old woman was admitted for treatment of congestive heart failure. She had been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus when she was 23 years old, and she began to go deaf when she was 34 years old. She showed symptoms of heart failure at age 51 and was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Echocardiography showed progressive diffuse hypokinetic motion of the left ventricle and the left ventricular hypertrophy had gradually regressed. A mitochondrial transition mutation, A3243G, was detected in her peripheral leukocytes (9%) and in those of her 27-year-old son, who also has diabetes and deafness. Electron microscopy of an endomyocardial biopsy specimen showed proliferation and swelling of the mitochondria, and significant generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as marked induction of heme oxygenase-1, which is an adaptive enzyme to oxidative damage, were also observed in the myocardial tissue. These observations were more prominent than in other patients with heart failure of different etiology, which suggests that the increased ROS generation and anti-oxidative response were involved in the development of the mitochondrial cardiomyopathy.     

Endoscopic transpapillary bile duct biopsy with the combination of intraductal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of biliary strictures

BACKGROUND: When endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) guided bile duct biopsy fails to demonstrate malignancy, it remains unclear how to manage patients with presumably malignant strictures. AIMS: To evaluate the value of intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) when bile duct biopsy is negative. METHODS: Sixty two patients with strictures of the bile duct were studied prospectively. During ERCP, IDUS was performed using an ultrasonic probe (diameter 2.0 mm; frequency 20 MHz). Following IDUS, a bile duct biopsy was performed using forceps (diameter 1.8 mm). The IDUS images of the tumour were classified as polypoid lesions, localised wall thickening, intraductal sessile tumours, sessile tumour outside of the bile duct, or absence of apparent lesion. The bile duct wall structures at the site of the tumour as well as the maximum diameter of the tumour were also analysed. The IDUS findings were compared with the histological findings or clinical course. RESULTS: When the IDUS images showed a polypoid lesion (n=19), localised wall thickening (n=8), intraductal sessile tumour (n=13), and sessile tumour outside of the bile duct (n = 20), the sensitivities of the biopsy were 80%, 50%, 92%, and 53%, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that the presence of sessile tumour (intraductal or outside of the bile duct: p<0.05), tumour size greater than 10.0 mm (p<0.001), and interrupted wall structure (p<0.05) were independent variables that predicted malignancy. CONCLUSION: When biopsy fails to demonstrate evidence of malignancy, the presence of sessile tumour (intraductal or outside of the bile duct), tumour size greater than 10.0 mm, and interrupted wall structure on IDUS images are factors that can predict malignancy.     

A case of endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis with macrophages phagocytosing monoclonal immunoglobulin lambda light chain

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma‐cell neoplasm that can cause renal disorders. Renal lesions in MM can present with a very rare pathological manifestation involving a specific monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig). We report the case of a 33‐year‐old woman who had edema, fatigue, elevated serum creatinine levels, hypoalbuminemia, and hypercholesterolemia. She had persistent hematuria and proteinuria lasting 3 years. Serum protein electrophoresis showed an M‐spike, and serum immunofixation demonstrated the presence of monoclonal IgG λ. She had proteinuria in the nephrotic range, and a monoclonal λ fragment was present on urine immunofixation. Renal biopsy showed proliferative glomerulonephritis with λ light chain and C3c deposition and inflammatory cell infiltration with CD68. Macrophage lysosomes contained λ light chains, suggesting their partial phagocytosis. She was diagnosed with symptomatic MM and was treated with bortezomib and dexamethasone and an autologous peripheral stem cell transplant conditioned with intravenous melphalan. She achieved a partial response with decreased serum monoclonal protein and improved renal function. This case may be categorized as a monoclonal gammopathy‐associated proliferative glomerulonephritis. The biopsy finding of partially phagocytosed Ig λ light chains by macrophages is very rare; this pathological condition is similar to crystal‐storing histiocytosis.     

Maturation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes by Soluble Factors from Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

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Renal Squamous Cell Carcinoma-related Polymyositis in a Patient with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

A 74-year-old Japanese woman diagnosed with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) was admitted to our institute for the further examination of right-side groin pain developing in the past week. The patient was diagnosed with polymyositis (PM). Diagnostic imaging showed a mass lesion measuring 8 cm and a renal stone in the right kidney. Immediately following surgical resection of the right kidney, the patient''s serum CK decreased to the normal range. A histopathological analysis showed well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. In conclusion, this case showed a close relationship between the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma and the development of PM in an ADPKD patient.