Erythema elevatum diutinum manifesting as a penile ulcer.
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Aged↗
Biomedical subjects
Y Higashi
Publications and source records attributed to Y Higashi.
Sendai virus infection up-regulates trypsin I and matrix metalloproteinase-9, triggering viral multiplication and matrix degradation in rat lungs and lung L2 cells.
To elucidate the virus-host cell interaction, we analyzed quantitatively the expression of various cellular proteases and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) after Sendai virus infection in rat lungs and lung L2 cells. After infection, TNF-alpha mRNA levels increased rapidly to a peak on day one, and then trypsin I and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, but not MMP-2, were significantly up-regulated with a peak on day 2 in vivo. These up-regulations were confirmed in L2 cells. Up-regulation of proMMP-9 and its active convertase trypsin I seems to synergistically enhance virus multiplication and the destruction of lung matrix, resulting in the progression of pneumonia.
Animals↗
Pulmonary vein isolation under direct visual identification of the left atrium-pulmonary vein junction using intra-cardiac echography.
INTRODUCTION: Intra-cardiac echocardiography (ICE) which has some benefits, can be used to obtain detailed anatomy of the heart chambers or large vessels, and the catheter positions, and it has been considered useful for improving the outcome of the ablation. In the present study, we performed pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) under real time monitoring of ICE imaging utilizing an ICE catheter placed at the junction of the left atrium (LA) and PVs (LA-PV junction). METHODS: PVI for atrial fibrillation (AF) was performed in 30 cases with drug-resistant AF (mean age: 66-years-old; including 22 males). An ICE catheter utilizing a 9 MHz frequency was inserted into the LA via the atrial septum, and placed at the LA-PV junction. Circumferential ablation was performed in the LA outside of the PV ostium, encircling both the superior and inferior ostia together under ICE imaging. RESULTS: The anatomy of the LA to the PVs and catheter sites were clearly identified by the ICE during the procedure, which enabled a precise and safe catheter manipulation with minimal fluoroscopy. Further, the wall thickness of the PV and LA, and position of the esophagus could be obtained by ICE, facilitating care in adjusting the power and/or duration of the current delivery. CONCLUSION: ICE imaging of the LA-PV junction permitted real time monitoring of the target sites for PVI during the ablation procedure, and was considered a useful technique for performing PVI.
Aged↗
The wide distribution of endornaviruses, large double-stranded RNA replicons with plasmid-like properties.
The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) recently accepted Endornavirus as a new genus of plant dsRNA virus. We have determined the partial nucleotide sequences of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase regions from the large dsRNAs (about 14 kbp) isolated from barley (Hordeum vulgare), kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), melon (Cucumis melo), bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), Malabar spinach (Basella alba), seagrass (Zostera marina), and the fungus Helicobasidium mompa. Phylogenetic analyses of these seven dsRNAs indicate that these dsRNAs are new members of the genus Endornavirus that are widely distributed over the plant and fungal kingdoms.
Basidiomycota↗
Fractal dynamics of body motion in post-stroke hemiplegic patients during walking.
In this paper, we quantify the complexity of body motion during walking in post-stroke hemiplegic patients. The body motion of patients and healthy elderly subjects was measured by using the accelerometry technique. The complexity of body motion was quantified using the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE-) based fractal analysis methods. Our results suggest that the fractal dimensions of the body motion in post-stroke hemiplegic patients at several Brunnstrom stages were significantly higher than those of healthy elderly subjects (p < 0.05). However, in the hemiplegic patients, the fractal dimensions were more related to Brunnstrom stages.
Acceleration↗
Achievement of ultralow emittance beam in the accelerator test facility damping ring.
For high luminosity in electron-positron linear colliders, it is essential to generate low vertical emittance beams. We report on the smallest vertical emittance achieved in single-bunch-mode operation of the Accelerator Test Facility, which satisfies the requirement of the x-band linear collider. The emittances were measured with a laser-wire beam-profile monitor installed in the damping ring. The bunch length and the momentum spread of the beam were also recorded under the same conditions. The smallest vertical rms emittance measured at low intensity is 4 pm at a beam energy of 1.3 GeV, which corresponds to the normalized emittance of 1.0x1.0(-8) m. It increases by a factor of 1.5 for a bunch intensity of 10(10) electrons. The measured data agreed to the calculation of intrabeam scattering within much better than a factor of 2.
Journal Article↗
Investigating body motion patterns in patients with Parkinson's disease using matching pursuit algorithm.
Several recent studies have quantified abnormalities in Parkinsonian gait. However, few studies have attempted to quantify the regularity of body motion during walking in patients with Parkinson's disease. The aim of the paper was to characterise body motion patterns in healthy, elderly subjects and patients with Parkinson's disease during walking. Body motion was recorded during walking for 16 patients with Parkinson's disease and ten healthy, elderly subjects using a tri-axial accelerometer device. To characterise the body motion patterns, time-frequency patterns of the body acceleration signal were estimated using a matching pursuit algorithm. Data from the study showed that the healthy, elderly subjects and patients with Parkinson's disease had different time-frequency patterns. The time-frequency patterns were classified into four distinct patterns based on their time durations: vertical (< 0.15 s), circular (0.15-0.5 s), short horizontal (0.5-2.0 s) and long horizontal (> 2.0 s). The data showed that the energy of the long horizontal patterns, representing long-term smooth and regular (rhythmic) activities, significantly decreased, but the energy of the circular patterns, representing irregular activities, increased in the patients with mild Parkinson's disease, compared with those of the healthy, elderly subjects (p < 0.01). Futhermore, these features were seen more clearly in the body motions of severe case patients than is that of mild case patients. It was concluded that these differences are probably due to a lack of ability to control normal and smooth movement is Parkinson's disease.
Acceleration↗
Improvement of adult Still's disease with granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis.
Adult Still's disease is characterized by a high spiking fever, transient skin rash, and polyarthralgia. Joint pain is one of the major complaints and is often intractable. We assessed the efficacy of granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis (GCAP) therapy for treating arthralgia in adult Still's disease. A 33-year-old woman with adult Still's disease who suffered from recalcitrant arthralgia resistant to systemic corticosteroids was treated with GCAP therapy. She underwent five GCAP treatments at 5-day intervals. Her joint pain responded dramatically to the GCAP therapy, suggesting that GCAP may be useful for treating adult Still's disease. We present a detailed description of the patient and this novel therapy.
Adult↗
Relation between C reactive protein concentrations and coronary microvascular endothelial function.
OBJECTIVE: To determine how C reactive protein (CRP), a sensitive marker of inflammation, is related to coronary endothelial function. DESIGN: Changes in quantitative coronary angiographic findings and Doppler flow velocity measurements in response to locally infused acetylcholine were assessed. SETTING: Tertiary cardiology centre. PATIENTS: 46 patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries were divided into groups with normal (< or = 3 mg/l) or increased (> 3 mg/l) CRP concentrations. INTERVENTIONS: Acetylcholine (3 and 30 microg/min) was infused into the left coronary ostium for two minutes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Percentage change in diameter of epicardial coronary arteries and coronary blood flow (CBF) in response to acetylcholine; and correlations between these parameters and serum CRP concentrations. RESULTS: 15 patients had increased CRP concentrations. The change in coronary artery diameter induced by acetylcholine infusion was similar between the groups but the increase in CBF induced by acetylcholine was smaller in patients with increased CRP concentrations (54.9% v 139.4% with acetylcholine 30 microg/min, p = 0.0030). Multivariate analysis identified increased CRP concentration as independently associated with attenuated CBF response to acetylcholine at 30 microg/min (p = 0.0078, R2 = 0.434). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that inflammation appears to be associated with impaired coronary endothelial function in resistance but not conduit vessels. The data suggest a close relation between chronic vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis.
Acetylcholine↗
Successful T-cell-replete peripheral blood stem cell transplantation from HLA-haploidentical microchimeric mother to daughter with refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia using reduced-intensity conditioning.
A 16-year-old girl with refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia underwent reduced-intensity hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from her two-locus-mismatched haploidentical mother, who was microchimeric for the patient's hematopoietic cells. The conditioning regimen comprised melphalan, fludarabine, and low-dose total body irradiation. Non-T-cell-depleted peripheral blood stem cells were infused with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisting of tacrolimus, prednisolone, and short-course methotrexate. Complete donor-type engraftment without evidence of residual leukemia was confirmed on day 22. Severe GVHD was not observed despite rapid cessation of immunosuppression. The patient remains well in continuous remission 15 months after transplant. This successful experience suggests that maternal hematopoietic stem cell transplants for children, in the presence of microchimerism, may be associated with hyporesponsiveness to the inherited paternal HLA antigens (IPA); preventing severe GVHD.
Adolescent↗
Detection of vascular disease risk in women by panoramic radiography.
Low bone mineral density and rapid bone loss of the skeleton are associated with mortality risk from vascular diseases in post-menopausal women. Panoramic radiographic measurements are considered as indicators of skeletal bone mineral density or bone turnover. We hypothesize that such measurements may be associated with vascular disease risk in post-menopausal women. Associations of mandibular cortical shape and width on panoramic radiographs with skeletal bone mineral density and risk factors related to vascular diseases were investigated in 87 post-menopausal women. Cortical shape was associated with skeletal bone mineral density, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, resting heart rate, and endothelial dysfunction. Cortical width was associated with skeletal bone mineral density, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A1. Dentists may be able to refer women with increased risk of vascular diseases, as well as low bone mineral density, to medical professionals for further examination by panoramic findings.
Absorptiometry, Photon↗
Non-dipper phenomenon in essential hypertension is related to blunted nocturnal rise and fall of sympatho-vagal nervous activity and progress in retinopathy.
Although the relation between the blunted nocturnal decline in blood pressure and target organ damages is well established, the mechanism underlying these results has not been clarified. We investigated the relationship among heart rate variability, nocturnal change in blood pressure and the severity of cardiac and extracardiac target organ damages caused by essential hypertension. We studied 52 Japanese inpatients with essential hypertension (24 men and 28 women; mean age, 49+/-3 years). After a stabilization period of 1 week, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and 24-h ECG monitoring were performed and analyzed. The non-dipper subjects were defined as those whose nocturnal decrease of mean BP was < 10% of daytime blood pressure (BP). The sex, age, body mass index. duration of hypertension, and 24-h BP were similar in dipper (n = 34) and non-dipper (n = 18) patients. The left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was significantly higher and the degree of hypertensive retinopathy was significantly worse in the non-dipper patients than that of the dipper patients. In the non-dipper patients, indexes of time-domain analysis such as the sum of differences between adjacent RR intervals (NNDrms), the number of pairs of adjacent RR intervals differing by more than 50 ms in the entire recording (RR 50) were significantly lower than that of the dipper patients. Additionally, as for spectral analysis, daytime low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) was higher and nighttime high frequency (HF) was lower than that of the dipper patients. Independent predictors were the 24-h mean blood pressure (MBP) for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), nighttime systric BP (SBP) for progress in retinopathy and duration of hypertension for proteinuria. In conclusion, decrease in parasympathetic nervous function and increase in sympathetic nervous function may contribute to occurrence of non-dipper phenomenon, as well as progress in retinopathy.
Blood Pressure↗
Measurement of the CP violation parameter sin2 phi(1) in B(0)(d) meson decays.
We present a measurement of the standard model CP violation parameter sin2 phi(1) (also known as sin2beta) based on a 10.5 fb(-1) data sample collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider. One neutral B meson is reconstructed in the J/psiK(S), psi(2S)K(S), chi(c1)K(S), eta(c)K(S), J/psiK(L), or J/psipi(0) CP-eigenstate decay channel and the flavor of the accompanying B meson is identified from its charged particle decay products. From the asymmetry in the distribution of the time interval between the two B-meson decay points, we determine sin2 phi(1) = 0.58(+0.32)(-0.34)(stat)+0.09-0.10(syst).
Journal Article↗
Effect of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor imidapril on reactive hyperemia in patients with essential hypertension: relationship between treatment periods and resistance artery endothelial function.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor imidapril and the calcium antagonist amlodipine on endothelial function before and after 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 weeks of treatment. BACKGROUND: There are limited data on whether and how long endothelial function is improved after initiation of ACE inhibitor treatment and how the grade of endothelial function further progresses after improvement of endothelial dysfunction in patients with essential hypertension. METHODS: The forearm blood flow (FBF) was measured in 25 patients with essential hypertension and in 25 normotensive subjects by using strain-gauge plethysmography during reactive hyperemia (RH) (280 mm Hg for 5 min) and after sublingual administration of nitroglycerin (NTG, 0.3 mg). RESULTS: The FBF of patients with essential hypertension during RH was significantly less than that of normotensive subjects. The increase in FBF after sublingual NTG was similar in both groups. Both imidapril (n = 13) and amlodipine (n = 12) significantly reduced systolic blood pressure and diastolic after eight weeks of treatment from the pretreatment values. Forearm vascular resistance was significantly decreased after two weeks of treatment. Imidapril significantly augmented RH after 12 weeks of treatment from the pretreatment values (31.6 +/- 5.7 to 38.2 +/- 6.0 m/min per 100 ml tissue, p < 0.05), whereas amlodipine did not alter RH for each treatment period. The ability of imidapril to improve RH was maintained throughout the 48-week treatment period. There was no significant difference in RH at 12, 24 and 48 weeks. The increase in FBF after sublingual administration of NTG was similar in all treatment periods for the two groups. The infusion of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, abolished the enhancement of RH in hypertensive patients treated with imidapril. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the ACE inhibitor imidapril augments RH after 12 weeks of treatment in patients with essential hypertension and that this ACE inhibitor-induced augmentation of RH may be due to an increase in NO.
Aged↗
A noninvasive measurement of reactive hyperemia that can be used to assess resistance artery endothelial function in humans.
We demonstrated that endothelial function in patients with essential hypertension is impaired by a decrease in nitric oxide production using both reactive hyperemia and acetylcholine infusion methods. This noninvasive method of evaluating reactive hyperemia is a useful alternative to intra-arterial infusions of vasoactive agents in the assessment of resistance vessels' endothelial function in forearm circulation.
Acetylcholine↗
Estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women augments reactive hyperemia in the forearm by reducing angiotensin converting enzyme activity.
The precise mechanism of the vasoprotective effect of estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women is not fully understood. The present study sought to determine the role of nitric oxide (NO) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in the vasodilator response of the forearm vessels induced by estrogen administration to postmenopausal women. Subjects were divided into two groups. One group received conjugated equine estrogen (0.625 mg daily) orally for 3 months (n=26), while the other received no treatment (control group, n=10). Forearm blood flow was measured by strain-gauge plethysmography. The concentrations of nitrite/nitrate (metabolites of NO), ACE activity, and lipid parameters were measured. Basal forearm blood flow, body weight, blood pressure, and heart rate were similar at baseline in both groups. After 3 months of estrogen administration, the maximal forearm blood flow response during reactive hyperemia and the serum level of nitrite/nitrate each showed a significant increase over baseline values: from 23.6+/-2.0 to 36.5+/-3.1 ml/min per 100 ml tissue (P<0.01), and from 24.8+/-2.3 to 38.6+/-3.6 micromol/l (P<0.01), respectively. Plasma levels of ACE activity were significantly reduced from baseline after 3 months of estrogen treatment (from 12.2+/-0.6 to 10.9+/-0.6 IU/l, P<0.01). No changes were seen in controls. The change in forearm blood flow after sublingual nitroglycerin was similar at baseline versus after 3 months of estrogen administration. The increase in the serum level of nitrite/nitrate after 3 months of estrogen therapy showed a significant inverse correlation (r=0.52, P<0.01) with the reduction in the plasma level of ACE activity. There was no significant correlation between the increase in serum nitrite/nitrate and any change in serum lipids, blood pressure, or other parameters. The administration of oral estrogen to postmenopausal women for 3 months increased the NO-mediated forearm endothelium-dependent vasodilatation. This was likely due, at least in part, to ACE inhibition. The latter may be one mechanism by which ERT provides its well-known cardiovascular benefit.
Blood Flow Velocity↗
Relationship between the angiotensin-converting enzyme genotype and the forearm vasodilator response to estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the relationship between the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) genotype and the change in forearm vasoreactivity in response to a three-month course of oral estrogen in postmenopausal women. BACKGROUND: The ACE genotype is a known predictor of the response to an ACE inhibitor drug; however, it is not clear whether it can modify the effect of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) on endothelial function in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Fifty-five postmenopausal women received 0.625 mg of conjugated equine estrogen daily for three months. Forearm blood flow (FBF) was measured by strain-gauge plethysmography. RESULTS: Twenty-one, 25 and 9 patients had the insertion/deletion (ID), II and DD genotypes, respectively. Plasma ACE activity was significantly higher at baseline in patients with either the DD or ID genotype than in those with the II genotype (p < 0.05). A significant decrease in plasma ACE activity with ERT was seen in the ID and II genotypes (p < 0.05), but not in the DD genotype. There were no significant differences in the FBF responses to reactive hyperemia at baseline between the three groups. Estrogen replacement therapy did not alter the FBF response to reactive hyperemia in the DD genotype (4.0 +/- 1.3%), although ERT significantly increased the FBF response in the ID and II genotypes (32.6 +/- 7.5% and 30.6 +/- 6.5%, respectively; p < 0.05). Forearm blood flow after administration of sublingual nitroglycerin did not change over three months in any of the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the effect of ERT in postmenopausal women on forearm endothelial function may be determined in part by the genotype of the ACE gene.
Administration, Oral↗
Effect of obesity on endothelium-dependent, nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation in normotensive individuals and patients with essential hypertension.
The purpose of this study was to determine the interdependent and independent effects of hypertension and obesity on endothelial function in humans. We evaluated the forearm blood flow (FBF) response to acetylcholine, an endothelium-dependent vasodilator, and isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN), an endothelium-independent vasodilator, in 16 lean and 12 obese normotensive individuals and the 18 lean and 15 obese hypertensive patients with no history of smoking, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, or renal dysfunction. The FBF was measured using a mercury-filled Silastic strain-gauge plethysmograph. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BP) and forearm vascular resistance were significantly greater in hypertensive patients than in the normotensive individuals. Insulin resistance, determined by a homeostatic model assessment (HOMA), was significantly greater in the obese group than in the lean group (3.59 +/- 1.68 v 1.91 +/- 1.12, P < .01). There was no significant difference in the HOMA index between normotensive and hypertensive subjects regardless of weight. The response of FBF to acetylcholine was greatest in lean normotensive individuals and least in obese hypertensive patients (40.5 +/- 8.5 and 10.4 +/- 2.8 mL/min/100 mL of tissue, P < .001 v other groups). The FBF response was similar in obese normotensive individuals and lean hypertensive patients (24.1 +/- 7.9 and 19.3 +/- 3.2 mL/min/100 mL of tissue). The vasodilatory effect of ISDN was similar in all four groups. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the maximal FBF response to acetylcholine correlated independently with age (P = .043), obesity (P = .012), HOMA index (P = .002), and mean BP (P < .001). These findings suggest that obesity and hypertension are independently involved in abnormal endothelium-dependent vasodilation by attenuated nitric oxide production.
Acetylcholine↗