The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) has been proposed as a new noninvasive marker of arterial stiffness independent of blood pressure. Arterial stiffness is closely related to afterload, and ...elevated afterload aggravates heart failure. We hypothesized that CAVI is a potential marker of afterload in patients with heart failure. Thirty patients who were admitted because of acute heart failure were identified retrospectively from a review of clinical records. Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, CAVI, cardiothoracic ratio (CTR), and echocardiographic parameters obtained during acute and chronic phases of heart failure were analyzed. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) increased significantly and CTR, BNP and CAVI decreased significantly after treatment of heart failure. A significant negative correlation was observed between the change in CAVI and change in LVEF in all subjects (r = -0.3272, P < 0.05). To examine the relationship between CAVI and LVEF, we divided the patients into two subgroups (∆CAVI < -0.5; CAVI decrease group, ∆CAVI ≥ -0.5; CAVI non-decrease group). CAVI was significantly improved after heart failure treatment only in the CAVI decrease group. LVEF decreased significantly in both groups, but the P value was smaller in the CAVI decrease group than in the CAVI non-decrease group. The change in LVEF correlated significantly with the change in CAVI in the CAVI decrease group (r = -0.4201, P < 0.05), whereas no significant correlation was found in the CAVI non-decrease group. CAVI correlates inversely with LVEF after heart failure treatment. Our results suggest that CAVI might partially reflect the afterload in patients with heart failure.
We have been investigating magnetic nanowire (NW) memory using current-driven domain wall motion for high-speed recording of immersive and highly realistic videos, such as 3-D television (3D-TV). In ...the magnetic NW memory that we propose, binary information is recorded by a magnetic field generated from a writer that crosses over the magnetic NW. In the recording process, controlling the magnetic domain length is essential for securing the bit length. In this study, we simulated a magnetic domain formed with a writer consisting of one or two metal wires. We also experimentally recorded and drove magnetic domains using a magnetic NW device with a U-shaped writer and then verified the basic operation of the magnetic NW memory.
Aim: Lipoprotein lipase protein exists in preheparin serum (preheparin LpL mass), even though lipoprotein lipase activity is rarely detected. Recent clinical studies have clarified that low ...preheparin LpL mass concentration is an important coronary risk factor. The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of telmisartan, which is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist with partial peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist activity, on preheparin LpL mass concentration in the serum of patients with hypertension. Methods: Fifty untreated hypertensive patients were treated with telmisartan 40 mg/day for 12 weeks and the subjects were divided into two groups by their mean value of preheparin LpL mass concentration at baseline (cut-off level: Male 55 ng/mL, Female 65 ng/mL). Results: Before telmisartan therapy, low preheparin LpL mass concentration was closely associated with the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and the presence of coronary atherosclerosis. Preheparin LpL mass concentration significantly increased after telmisartan therapy in subjects with a low preheparin LpL mass concentration (baseline/12 weeks after, 46 ± 12 ng/mL/54 ± 14 ng/mL, p=0.001). Conclusion: This finding indicated that telmisartan could prevent the occurrence of coronary events in subjects with hypertension by increasing the preheparin LpL mass concentration.
Purpose
To determine the correlations among apoA-1, apoB, and apoB/A-1, the ratio of the first two and their relation to the severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR).
Methods
A total of 116 patients ...with type 2 diabetes, 34 with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and 82 with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), were included. The serum levels of apoA-1, apoB, and the apoB/A-1 ratio were compared. We performed multiple regression analyses to determine whether age, diabetes duration, glycohemoglobin level, estimated glomerular filtration rate, body mass index, or hypertension contribute to PDR.
Results
The apoB levels were lower in the NPDR group than in the PDR group (90.8 ± 21.4 versus 102.5 ± 25.3 mg/dl) (
P
= 0.02). The apoA-1 levels did not differ between the groups. The apoA-1 was lower in the PDR group than in the NPDR group (136.9 ± 24.9 versus 145.6 ± 21.2 mg/dl) mg/dl (
P
= 0.08). The apoB/A-1 ratio differed significantly between groups (NPDR versus PDR, 0.64 ± 0.20 versus 0.77 ± 0.24) (
P
= 0.004). Age, apoB/A-1, and diabetes duration were independent risk factors for PDR (
R
= −3.49, 3.06, and 2.44; standard regression coefficient, −0.33, 0.28, and 0.23;
P
= 0.0007,
P
= 0.003, and
P
= 0.02, respectively). The PDR group had significantly higher serum levels of apoB and apoB/A-1 than the NPDR group.
Conclusions
The apoB/A-1 ratio may contribute to PDR progression in patients with DR. High apoB and apoB/A-1 values may be related to PDR development.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
For the management of venous thromboembolism (VTE), providing anticoagulant therapy within the therapeutic range has been a major challenge, as conventional therapy with unfractionated heparin (UFH) ...and vitamin K antagonist (VKA) requires frequent laboratory monitoring and dose adjustment. Recently, fondaparinux and edoxaban are being used as beneficial alternatives to UFH and VKA.
We evaluated the clinical course of symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients who received the 3-month anticoagulation therapy with fondaparinux/edoxaban (Group A; n=40) in comparison with the findings from our previous experience of patients who received the fondaparinux/VKA combination (Group B; n=33).
In both Groups A and B, serum D-dimer was significantly improved after treatment (
<0.001). The thrombus volume assessed by quantitative ultrasound thrombosis (QUT) score was significantly reduced in both groups (
<0.001). There was no difference in the proportion of patients who were normalized (ie, disappearance of DVT) between the groups, although Group A had significantly more patients who were normalized or improved (ie, disappearance and reduction of DVT) (
<0.001). No bleeding event was observed in either group. However, in one patient in Group B, worsening of DVT and development of symptomatic PE were observed.
Fondaparinux/edoxaban therapy is as effective as fondaparinux/VKA. This treatment has the possible advantage in thrombus regression. This would be a beneficial therapeutic option for both patients and physicians.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Purpose
To determine whether there are significant correlations between the hemodynamics of the optic nerve head (ONH) and choroid as shown by laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) and the fasting blood ...sugar (FBS) and HbA1c level in patients with/without diabetes mellitus (DM).
Methods
We analyzed 196 consecutive patients (151 men, 45 women). The pulse waveform analysis parameters of the mean blur rate (MBR), blowout score (BOS) and blowout time (BOT) in the ONH and choroid were evaluated. We used a multiple regression analysis to determine the independent factors for the LSFG parameters that are significantly correlated with FBS or HbA1c. We evaluated the relationship between the LSFG parameters FBS and HbA1c obtained from the 147 non-DM patients.
Results
The multiple regression analysis revealed that hematocrit and HbA1c were factors contributing independently to the choroid MBR. The age, gender, pulse pressure, heart rate, spherical refraction and HbA1c were identified as factors contributing independently to the BOS in the ONH. The multiple regression analysis indicated that age, height, pulse pressure, heart rate and HbA1c were factors contributing independently to the BOS in the choroid. A Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that the BOT values in the ONH and choroid were significantly correlated with the HbA1c in the non-DM patients.
Conclusion
Our results confirmed that HbA1c, even within the normal range, affected the blood flow in the ONH and choroid. LSFG may be a useful method to detect abnormalities of asymptomatic ocular circulation.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Emergency coronary angiography of a 53-year-old man with acute coronary syndrome revealed stenosis in right coronary artery. During angioplasty, the ECG change showed three kind of ST deviation, ...namely inferior ST elevation with precordial ST depression, inferior ST elevation with precordial ST elevation, and inferior ST depression with precordial ST elevation. The present case shows that the ST deviation of the inferior ischemia with right ventricular ischemia takes various patterns. This phenomenon is decided by degree of right main coronary and right side branch blood flow.
Objects
Waon-Therapy was invented for the therapy of heart failure by Dr. Tei. The purpose of this study was to confirm the efficacy of Waon therapy and to clarify the role of Waon-therapy in the ...arterial stiffness monitoring with cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI).
Subjects and methods
Study 1 Subjects were 7 patients with chronic heart failure. They were divided randomly into Waon-therapy group and conservative therapy group. Waon therapy was performed as follows; worming up at 60 for 15 min in a chamber, and then, laying down in supine position with covering warm blanket for 30 min. They took this therapy once a day for 14 days. Study 2. A person, 64 years old man with diabetes mellitus, who is taking hemodialysis therapy. He also was suffering from systemic arteriosclerosis and heart failure. He took Waon therapy for 3 months. CAVI was measured using Vasela1500 (Fukuda Denshi. Co.LTD).
Results
Study 1; Among 7 heart failure patients, Waon therapy group 4 patients showed improved BNP from 1220− 780 pg/ml, whereas conservative group 720– 920 pg/ml. CAVI improved in Waon group from 10.5 to 9.3, but in conservative group, CAVI did not change Study 2: 65 year old man taking maintenance hemodialysis were suffering from necrosis of penis because of arteriosclerosis. He took Waon therapy for 3 months. At every week, BNP decreased from 4200, 3400, 2600 to 1560 pg/ml after 3 months. CAVI also decreased 13.4, 13.2 12.3, 11.2, 10.8, 11.2. Penis necrosis was improved completely.
Conclusion
Waon therapy improved heart failure, associating with improvement of CAVI. Improved CAVI which means decreased arterial stiffness, and also decreased after-load, might be involved in improving left ventricular dysfunction.
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GEOZS, NUK, OILJ, SBJE, UL, UM, UPUK
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