Accelerated myocardial metabolic and functional recovery with terminal nicorandil-Mg cardioplegia in heart transplantation

Cardiac reperfusion injury after heart transplantation or cardiopulmonary bypass has been difficult to control due to the variable degree of myocardial damage with respect to the length of ischemia and the complexity of the surgical procedure. Here, we evaluated the myocardial metabolic and functional recovery of hearts infused with a nicorandil vasodilator-magnesium (Mg) solution just prior to reperfusion (terminal cardioplegia). Donor hearts (20 dogs) were removed and immersed in a 4 degrees C water bath containing 20 mEq/l KCL-5% glucose for 6 hours, and then were transplanted to recipient dogs. Orthotopically transplanted dog hearts were either reperfused without any further treatment or received a terminal cardioplegic solution containing 8 mg/l nicorandil, 30 mEq/l Mg, and 50 g/l glucose, which was infused at a pressure of 75 cm H2O for 2 minutes. During the reperfusion period, myocardial tissue PCO2 (t-PCO2) and calcium ion (t-Ca) were continuously monitored by an ISFET (ion-sensitive field effect transistor) sensor. Myocardial oxygen consumption and lactate flux were calculated/monitored at 5, 10, 20 and 40 minutes of reperfusion. Thereafter, myocardial function was evaluated at 45 minutes of reperfusion using LVSWI. Just after reperfusion, the treatment group (group B, n = 10) had a significantly greater coronary flow than the control group (Group A, n = 10, 35.0 +/- 10.1; group B, 47.4 +/- 8.5 ml/100 g/min, p less than 0.025).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Clinical impact of amyloid PET using 18F-florbetapir in patients with cognitive impairment and suspected Alzheimer’s disease: a multicenter study

Annals of Nuclear Medicine - Amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) can reliably detect senile plaques and fluorinated ligands are approved for clinical use. However, the clinical impact of...     

A case of AIDS-complicated lung infection mimicking acute eosinophilic pneumonia]

A 34-year-old man was admitted with dyspnea and low grade fever. Chest radiograph and computed tomography (CT) showed bilateral, ground glass opacities and perihilar consolidation. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed. The percentage of eosinophils in the BAL fluid (BALF) was elevated (20.5%). BALF smear and culture showed normal flora. Acute eosinophilic pneumonia was diagnosed and steroid therapy was performed. Afterwards he was transferred to our hospital. The HIV antibody was positive and peripheral blood CD-4 positive lymphocytes decreased to 10/microl, cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia was positive and beta-D-glucan increased. CMV infection and pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) complicated with AIDS was diagnosed. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, ganciclovir, and antifungal drugs were administered, but he suffered pneumothorax on the 18th day after admission and died. Histopathologic findings from an autopsy lung specimen revealed CMV infection and PCP. It is known that the percentage of eosinophils in the BALF increases in some cases of PCP complicated with AIDS. We emphasize that it is necessary to consider PCP when the percentage of eosinophils in the BALF increase.     

Aldolase C/zebrin gene regulation by prolactin during pregnancy and lactation

Prolactin (PRL) is necessary for the genesis of mammary alveolar buds and for lactation. A cDNA library enriched for PRL-dependent genes was made by suppression subtractive hybridization. Aldolase C/zebrin (AldC/zebrin), a “brain-specific” aldolase, was found to be PRL-dependent in the mouse mammary glands. AldC/zebrin was preferentially expressed in the alveolar buds. Expression of the gene in the ovary was also evident. During pregnancy, mammary AldC/zebrin mRNA levels were elevated beginning at midpregnancy (d 10 of pregnancy) in accordance with the genesis of the lobuloalveolar system, and the expression level was gradually increased through the end of pregnancy. Lactating mammary gland contained a very high level of AldC/zebrin mRNA, and the gene expression decreased during involution. By contrast, levels of aldolase A and B mRNA expression in the mammary glands were less affected by pregnancy and lactation. The selective regulation of AldC/zebrin may contribute to a shift in nutrient metabolism during pregnancy and lactation to facilitate epithelial growth and biosynthesis of milk constituents.     

Immediate and 3-month follow-up outcome after cutting balloon angioplasty for bifurcation lesions

Balloon angioplasty of a bifurcation lesion is associated with lower rates of success and higher rates of complications than such treatment of lesions of most other morphologies. To date, the best device or procedure for bifurcation lesions has not been determined. The aim of this study was to compare the immediate and 3-month follow-up outcome of cutting balloon angioplasty (CBA) versus conventional balloon angioplasty (PTCA) for the treatment of bifurcation lesions. We treated 87 consecutive bifurcation lesions with CBA (n = 50) or PTCA (n = 37). Paired angiograms were analyzed by quantitative angiography, and angiographic follow-up was achieved for 93% of the lesions. The procedural success was 92% in the CBA group and 76% in the PTCA group (P < 0.05). Major in-hospital complications occurred in two lesions in the CBA group and six in the PTCA group (P = 0.05). The incidence of bail-out stenting in the CBA group was lower than in the conventional PTCA (8% vs 24%, P < 0.05). At the 3-month follow-up, the restenosis rate was 40% in the CBA group versus 67% in the PTCA group (P < 0.05). Clinical events during follow-up did not differ between the two groups. In conclusion, in comparison with PTCA, procedural success was greater and the restenosis rate lower with CBA. The results of this study support the use of the cutting balloon as optimal treatment for bifurcation lesions. (J Interven Cardiol 2004;17:1–7)     

Induction of Mutant Sik3Sleepy Allele in Neurons in Late Infancy Increases Sleep Need

Sleep is regulated in a homeostatic manner. Sleep deprivation increases sleep need, which is compensated mainly by increased EEG δ power during non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS) and, to a lesser extent, by increased sleep amount. Although genetic factors determine the constitutive level of sleep need and sleep amount in mice and humans, the molecular entity behind sleep need remains unknown. Recently, we found that a gain-of-function Sleepy (Slp) mutation in the salt-inducible kinase 3 (Sik3) gene, which produces the mutant SIK3(SLP) protein, leads to an increase in NREMS EEG δ power and sleep amount. Since Sik3^Slp mice express SIK3(SLP) in various types of cells in the brain as well as multiple peripheral tissues from the embryonic stage, the cell type and developmental stage responsible for the sleep phenotype in Sik3^Slp mice remain to be elucidated. Here, we generated two mouse lines, synapsin1^CreERT2 and Sik3^ex13flox mice, which enable inducible Cre-mediated, conditional expression of SIK3(SLP) in neurons on tamoxifen administration. Administration of tamoxifen to synapsin1^CreERT2 mice during late infancy resulted in higher recombination efficiency than administration during adolescence. SIK3(SLP) expression after late infancy increased NREMS and NREMS δ power in male synapsin1^CreERT2; Sik3^ex13flox/+ mice. The expression of SIK3(SLP) after adolescence led to a higher NREMS δ power without a significant change in NREMS amounts. Thus, neuron-specific expression of SIK3(SLP) after late infancy is sufficient to increase sleep.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The propensity to accumulate sleep need during wakefulness and to dissipate it during sleep underlies the homeostatic regulation of sleep. However, little is known about the developmental stage and cell types involved in determining the homeostatic regulation of sleep. Here, we show that Sik3^Slp allele induction in mature neurons in late infancy is sufficient to increase non-rapid eye movement sleep amount and non-rapid eye movement sleep δ power. SIK3 signaling in neurons constitutes an intracellular mechanism to increase sleep.     

Evaluation of dimensional accuracy and degree of polymerization of stereolithography photopolymer resin under different postpolymerization conditions: An in vitro study

Statement of problemThe appropriate postpolymerization of stereolithography (SLA) resins with the least effect on dimensional accuracy and with optimal polymerization is unclear.PurposeThe purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the dimensional accuracy and degree of polymerization of a photopolymer resin for SLA with different postpolymerizing times and temperatures.Material and methodsSixty 1.5-mm-thick specimens were made from clear photopolymer resin with a 3D printer to simulate a maxillary complete denture. They were postpolymerized for different periods (15 and 30 minutes) at 3 different temperatures (40 °C, 60 °C, and 80 °C). Both prepolymerization and postpolymerization gap sizes for each specimen were measured at 5 different locations under a stereomicroscope. The tissue surface was scanned before and after polymerization, and the images were superimposed. The deviation was analyzed by using computer-aided design (CAD) software; root mean square estimates (RMSE) and color map data were obtained. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry was used to determine the degree of conversion (DC) of all specimens. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to calculate the difference value of the gap sizes (α=.05). One-way ANOVA and the Tukey test were used for RMSE and DC (α=.05).ResultsThe smallest average change in gap sizes was found at 15 minutes and 40 °C, and the largest change at 30 minutes and 80 °C. The lowest RMSE was obtained at 30 minutes and 40 °C (P<.05). On the color map, a uniform deposited layer was created at 15 minutes and 40 °C and 30 minutes and 40 °C. The highest DC was found at 30 minutes and 60 °C, which differed significantly from 15 minutes and 40 °C (P<.05). The lowest degree of polymerization was found at 30 minutes and 40 °C.ConclusionsThe polymerizing temperature exerted a greater effect than polymerizing time, with lower temperatures leading to improved fit and tissue surface accuracy. The recommended parameters for SLA polymerization are 15 minutes and 40 °C. These conditions offered high dimensional accuracy, favorable surface tissue adaptation, and satisfactory DC.     

Effect of specific surface area on syngas production performance of pure ceria in high-temperature thermochemical redox cycling coupled to methane partial oxidation

Specific surface area is a key parameter determining the rates of thermochemical redox reactions in metal oxides. We have experimentally investigated the effect of specific surface area on syngas production of pure ceria powders under two experiments such as a heating experiment without syngas production and an isothermal thermochemical redox cycling experiment using carbon dioxide splitting and methane partial oxidation. The specific surface area of ceria powders decreased relatively slowly during 50 hours of ceria powder heating without syngas production due to a combination of oriented attachment and grain-boundary diffusion. When cycled thermochemically, the specific surface area of ceria powders rapidly decreased only in the initial 10 minutes of reduction in the 1st cycle due to evaporation and condensation. A significant decrease of specific surface area during the initial stage of thermochemical ceria powder cycling is unavoidable even if temperatures as low as T = 1173 K are used in the reduction reaction coupled to methane partial oxidation.

Specific surface area is a key parameter determining the rates of thermochemical redox reactions in metal oxides.