Associations of serum TRAIL concentrations, anthropometric variables, and serum lipid parameters in healthy adults

To investigate the relationships of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), anthropometric variables, and lipid parameters, we measured serum TRAIL concentrations, body mass index (BMI), total body fat (TBF), and serum lipid profiles in 207 healthy adults. There were no significant differences in serum TRAIL concentrations between men and women, nor between elderly persons and middle-aged subjects. However, men with TBF 16.4 kg (75th per centile) exhibited significantly higher serum TRAIL concentrations than those with TBF 11.2 kg (25th per centile) (69.7 +/- 15.1 pg/ml vs 50.2 +/- 14.3 pg/ml, p < 0.05). Serum TRAIL concentration averaged 76.2 +/- 16.1 pg/ml in women with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) 165 mg/dl (75th per centile), which was significantly above the values (53.1 +/- 12.9 pg/ml, p < 0.05) in those with LDL-C 117 mg/dl (25th per centile), although no differences were observed on the basis of TBF (75th percentile vs 25th percentile). Serum TRAIL concentrations correlated significantlywithTBF (r = 0.31, p < 0.05) and lean body mass (r = -0.26, p <0.05) in men and LDL-C (r = 0.32, p < 0.05) and total cholesterol (r = 0.21, p < 0.05) in women. In conclusion, serum TRAIL concentrations are associated with serum lipid levels and body adiposity in healthy adults, but are unrelated to a subject's age or gender.     

Relationships of lead, copper, zinc, and cadmium levels versus hematopoiesis and iron parameters in healthy adolescents

To investigate the relationships of trace element concentrations vs hematopoiesis and iron parameters, we measured lead, copper, zinc, cadmium, and ferritin levels in 251 healthy adolescents. Concentrations of trace metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. There were no significant gender-related differences in serum copper or serum cadmium concentrations. However, blood lead and serum zinc levels were significantly higher in males than females (3.82+/- 1.24 and 118.4 +/- 43.7 microg/dl vs 2.86+/- 1.06 and 83.5+/- 35.2 microg/dl, p<0.05, respectively). Subjects with elevated lead and copper concentrations exhibited significantly higher leukocyte counts and significantly lower serum iron levels than those with decreased lead and copper concentrations, but no significant differences were observed in blood erythrocyte counts or hemoglobin levels between the 2 groups. Blood lead concentrations were 2-fold higher in male adolescents with leukocytes >9.1 x 10(3)/microl than in those with leukocytes <4.3 x 10(3)/microl (5.04+/- 1.67 microg/dl vs 2.51+/- 0.75 microg/dl, p<0.05). Leukocyte counts had significant correlations with blood lead (r=0.39, p<0.05) and serum copper (r=0.26, p<0.05) in males and zinc (r=0.28, p <0.05) in females. Serum iron levels were inversely correlated with blood lead and serum copper concentrations but were not correlated with serum zinc or cadmium levels. In short, blood lead and serum copper concentrations have important relationships to leukocyte counts and iron parameters in adolescents.     

DNA repair gene XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism is associated with increased risk of uterine leiomyoma

BACKGROUND: DNA repair gene XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism has been associated with the risk of several human tumours. In the present study we investigated whether the XRCC1 polymorphism is related to the risk of uterine leiomyoma, the most common neoplasm of the female genital tract. METHODS: Three hundred and twenty-seven patients with uterine leiomyoma and 197 normal controls were enrolled, and XRCC1 genotyping was determined by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: The proportions of individuals homozygous for 399Arg allele, heterozygous and homozygous for the 399Gln allele were 85.8%, 13.7% and 0.5% among the control group, and 46.2%, 53.2% and 0.6% in those with leiomyoma (P < 0.001), respectively. Logistic regression analysis (after adjusting for age, parity, menarche age and body mass index) showed a significant increased risk of uterine leiomyoma in women with the Arg/Gln genotype versus the Arg/Arg genotype (odds ratio 6.79; 95% confidence interval 4.20-10.99; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In Korean women, the 399Gln polymorphism of XRCC1 is associated with an increased risk of uterine leiomyoma.     

Reliability and criterion validity of measurements using a smart phone-based measurement tool for the transverse rotation angle of the pelvis during single-leg lifting

Objective: The purposes of this study were to determine the intra-rater test–retest reliability of a smart phone-based measurement tool (SBMT) and a three-dimensional (3D) motion analysis system for measuring the transverse rotation angle of the pelvis during single-leg lifting (SLL) and the criterion validity of the transverse rotation angle of the pelvis measurement using SBMT compared with a 3D motion analysis system (3DMAS). Method: Seventeen healthy volunteers performed SLL with their dominant leg without bending the knee until they reached a target placed 20 cm above the table. This study used a 3DMAS, considered the gold standard, to measure the transverse rotation angle of the pelvis to assess the criterion validity of the SBMT measurement. Intra-rater test–retest reliability was determined using the SBMT and 3DMAS using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) [3,1] values. The criterion validity of the SBMT was assessed with ICC [3,1] values. Result: Both the 3DMAS (ICC = 0.77) and SBMT (ICC = 0.83) showed excellent intra-rater test–retest reliability in the measurement of the transverse rotation angle of the pelvis during SLL in a supine position. Moreover, the SBMT showed an excellent correlation with the 3DMAS (ICC = 0.99). Conclusion: Measurement of the transverse rotation angle of the pelvis using the SBMT showed excellent reliability and criterion validity compared with the 3DMAS.     

Magnetic torsional actuation of carbon nanotube yarn artificial muscle

Magnetically driven torsional actuation of a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) yarn was realized by first biscrolling NdFeB magnetic particles into helical yarn corridors to make a magnetic MWNT yarn. The actuating device comprised a pristineMWNT yarn that was connected to the magnetic MWNT yarn, with a paddle attached between these yarns. The application of a magnetic field reversibly drove torsional actuation of up to 80° within ∼0.67 seconds. This magnetic actuator was remotely powered, and its actuation stroke was the same when the muscle array was at 20 °C and at −100 °C.

Magnetically driven torsional actuation of a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) yarn was realized by first biscrolling NdFeB magnetic particles into helical yarn corridors to make a magnetic MWNT yarn.     

Pituitary Apoplexy Following Mitral Valvuloplasty

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare but potentially life-threatening clinical syndrome caused by the sudden enlargement of a pituitary adenoma secondary to hemorrhage or infarction. Pituitary apoplexy after cardiac surgery is a very rare perioperative complication. Factors associated with open heart surgery that may lead to pituitary apoplexy include hemodynamic instability during cardiopulmonary bypass and systemic heparinization. We report a case of pituitary apoplexy after mitral valvuloplasty with cardiopulmonary bypass. After early pituitary tumor resection and hormonal replacement therapy, the patient made a full recovery.     

Effect of toe-spread-out exercise on hallux valgus angle and cross-sectional area of abductor hallucis muscle in subjects with hallux valgus

[Purpose] This study investigated whether the toe-spread-out exercise affects the hallux valgus angle, the cross-sectional area of the abductor hallucis muscle, and the hallux valgus angle during active abduction. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-four subjects with hallux valgus were randomly assigned to orthosis and orthosis plus toe-spread-out exercise groups. The orthosis group wore the orthosis for 8 weeks, while the orthosis plus toe-spread-out group also performed the toe-spread-out exercise. The hallux valgus angle, the cross-sectional area of the abductor hallucis muscle, and the hallux valgus angle during active abduction were measured initially and after 8 weeks by radiography and ultrasonography. [Results] While there were no significant changes in the three parameters in the orthosis group, there were significant differences in the orthosis plus toe-spread-out exercise group after 8 weeks. In addition there were significant differences in the three measures between the two groups. [Conclusion] The toe-spread-out exercise reduces the hallux valgus angle and hallux valgus angle during active abduction, and increases the cross-sectional area of the abductor hallucis muscle. The toe-spread-out exercise is recommended for patients with mild to moderate hallux valgus.Key words: Hallux valgus, Radiography, Toe-spread-out exercise     

Effect of combined intracoronary adenosine and nicorandil on no-reflow phenomenon during percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to clarify the effect of intracoronary administration of combined adenosine and nicorandil on the no-reflow phenomenon. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty patients (67+/-10 years, 30 male) with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who developed no-reflow phenomenon during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between June 2001 and May 2003 comprised the study group, which was divided into 2 groups: group I [25 patients, 67+/-10 years, 13 male; adenosine (24 microg/ml) alone in addition to nitrate] and group II [25 patients, 66+/-9 years, 17 male; combined intracoronary administration of adenosine and nicorandil (2 mg/ml) in addition to nitrate]. In-hospital and 6-month major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after PCI were compared between the 2 groups. Risk factors of coronary disease, left ventricular ejection fraction and wall motion score were not significantly different between the 2 groups (p=NS). Time interval from the onset of chest pain to PCI, number of involved vessels, lesion type according to ACC/AHA classification and TIMI flow grade (TFG) were not significantly different in both groups (p=NS). Incidence of thrombosis or dissection after balloon angioplasty, diameter and length of stent, and use of Reopro during PCI were not significantly different. TFG after PCI (2.0+/-0.9 vs 2.6+/-0.6, p=0.024), DeltaTFG (1.5+/-1.1 vs 2.2+/-1.0, p=0.033) and difference in TIMI frame count (TFC) before and after PCI (DeltaTFC) were greater in group II than group I (45.2+/-24.5 vs 63.6+/-23.2, p=0.014). Myocardial blush score 3 was obtained more frequently in group II than group I (44% vs 76%, p=0.014). In-hospital death did not occur in any of group II, but 4 patients of group I died (p=0.043). Two cases of MACE developed in each group and heart failure occurred in 3 (12%) of group I and 1 (4%) of group II patients during the 6-month follow-up (p=NS). CONCLUSIONS: Intracoronary administration of adenosine combined with nicorandil may improve both the occurrence of no-reflow in patients during PCI for AMI and short-term clinical outcome, compared with adenosine alone.     

Histological and immunohistochemical markers for progression prediction in transurethrally resected high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

High-grade non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (Non-MIBC) has a high risk of stage progression to muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) and could be managed either conservatively by transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) or more aggressively by radical cystectomy. The selection of patients who may benefit from early radical intervention is a challenge. To define useful prognostic markers for progression, we analyzed clinicopathological features and immunohistochemical expression patterns of E2F1, p27, survivin, p53, EZH2, IMP3, TSC1/hamartin, fatty acid synthase, androgen receptor, 14-3-3σ, MAGEA4, and NY-ESO-1 on 118 cases of high-grade Non-MIBC. During the mean follow-up period of 64.3 months, progression occurred in 18 patients (15.3%). Histologically, large amount of invasive component (> 50%) was noted in 35 cases (29.7%) and was strongly associated with progression. Among the 12 biomarkers, high expressions of E2F1 and nuclear p27 were noted in 46 cases (40.0%) and 14 cases (12.7%), respectively, and were associated with frequent progression. Using multivariate analysis, the proportion of invasive component and high E2F1 expression were independent prognostic factors for the prediction of progression. Our results indicated that large amount of invasive carcinoma component and high expressions of p27 and E2F1 were predictive markers for progression in Non-MIBC. Therefore, we suggest that these parameters, especially proportion of invasive carcinoma component and E2F1 expression, should be evaluated during pathologic examination and considered during selection of the appropriate management strategy for high grade Non-MIBC patients.